After the Lord Mayor's show...

"Ironsides"

The weather gods finally smiled upon North Fambridge this weekend past. Warm sunshine and a gentle breeze were just the ticket for the second Fambridge River Festival on Sunday

Not so many traditional and working craft this year (due in no small part to the high winds for most of last week) but what we had was quality! The Thames sailing barge "Ironsides", fishing smack "Pioneer" and Dutch zeiltjalk "Drie Gebroeders" were the main attractions on the water along with a couple of "Old Gaffers"

The dinghy sailing seemed very popular too

"Pleinair" and "Pagan" made an effort to put on a show by dressing overall ....

 







Over the sea wall there was lots going on too.

A range of local business had stands in the car park and the RNLI sea safety roadshow was on hand. 

Jane took our lifejackets to be checked and very useful it was too as they found a problem with mine. They all needs servicing too (which I knew) but mine has an issue which needs sorting. I've half a mind to replace it though as it's a horribly bulky thing to stow and I think Jane's is a better design.

Up on the pier, the beer flowed and the BBQ seemed particularly popular.

On stage we had a very good 60s covers bands "The Fleeting Shadows" and me! 

The day went really well from my perspective (although I took no photos being too busy thinking about other things) and the event is developing nicely 

We ate and had a few beers at the Ferry Boat that evening and the nightcap aboard "Pagan" afterwards turned into a bit of a session!

The day after an event is always a bit flat for me so I'd planned all along to take a day off and potter about aboard "Pagan"


The shopping lists for the major refit work is about sorted and I'll be ordering the parts in the next day or two (which will no doubt make my eyes water and overheat the credit card!)

And there was one job that couldn't be avoided ...






The problem with dressing overall is the big heap of flags and burgees that results when it's take down again!

Still, it kept me amused for an hour or two sorting them out, folding them up and putting them away in the flag roll ...

And so ends the weekend

It's back to work for customers today and a busy week it looks like being too. Brightlingsea shortly, Limehouse tomorrow, then probably Brightlingsea again Thursday and Leigh on Sea on Friday

Jane is back aboard a week on Friday with a whole 12 days off work and we plan, as mentioned above, to get stuck into the major (and expensive) systems refits. Heating, fridge, hot water and toilet holding tank are the primary targets. That should keep us busy!

Plus we'll be coming out of the water for a couple of weeks in July to sort out the jobs that need doing below the waterline

Perhaps we'll get to go sailing in August, perhaps not!