Mum revealed Pops' birthday surprise by laying out his US Navy outfit from Jon's stag do and playing 'I am Sailing'. Good job we didn't tell him earlier as we were then subjected to an evening and morning of nautical puns, mainly Pirate related. The low point of which was when he read out an article in newspaper about a court case. A man called James Timbers had been sentenced to 100 hours community service for gambling. Pops said that he knew his brother. My reply.. "Shiverme?!"
Much faffing with kit (when will I learn to travel light and be decisive?) but we made it on time. The guys in the reception shed didn't notice Pops' hat, and his pirate noises, but as soon as Jon pulled up he said "you can take that bloody hat off, I am not getting in a boat with you wearing that". Out on the broad I'd have happily borrowed the very fisherman-y Arran bobble hat minus the bobble.
Luckily for us Jon could remember how to sail. Lucky as Dad couldn't and the "extensive briefing" advertised on the website was actually 3 sentences from a man who clearly knew nothing about sailing. One of his sentences was just repeating what Jon had just said.
Cap'n Jon led us out. It seems that clambering over other people's boats to tow another out is accepted sailing etiquette. I stayed out of the way while he and Pops rowed and "Mother" steered. I do sometimes wonder how Jon and Pops get away with calling her "mother" or 'Woman" and yet I would get a clip round the ear but there we go. I did later ask when taking the rudder if I would be called "sister" as I was given the helm.
All smiles as we row out into Hickling Broad..
Stopped for a pee and a picnic...
Predictably the person wearing the most looks the coldest..
Pops enjoying his birthday treat..
Should draw an arrow from label to head... although apparently it was the rope that knocked her off her seat, not the boom hitting her head. Tendency for head trauma developing. Will make her wear a helmet next time I take her anywhere.
Took many years.. no fighting..
Jon looking confident, in control and at ease...
Me concentrating for Britain!
Duck!
He did actually do some sailing.. just that we seemed only to get photos of him lounging around..
Look.. I can multitask.. I can eat crisps and hold a rope!
Me doing more rope holding. Finally found something I can do..
Jon looking slightly wet. We did have several good runs leaning right over once we got back to the broad. One earlier in the day Jon clearly hadn't been expecting from the look on his face and the small swear word. Mum failed to stay cool too.. she was steering, but still gave a girly scream. As I was holding the sail rope I have decided I will take all credit for these fine sailing moments. Jon has to have full credit for tacking us all the way out of the broad towards the river against the wind.
Quote of the day was from Jon when Pops fell off the bench while holding the sail, as he missed the bench the other side with his feet ... "It's like sailing with Frank Spencer!!"
Think I was the only one unharmed during the trip (despite a small moment not being able to hold the tiller still while changing sides.. oops). After an aborted first attempt at getting back into the mooring and almost getting run down by two young guys in a motor boat (unaware they were no longer in their Saxo/205/etc) Jon gave himself a fat lip while letting the sail down.. "my own fault, I forgot to hold onto the rope".
Only proper way to top it off was with a pint of shandy and some cheesy chips at the pub where we were met by Jay Jay and Harry (who doesn't like having her photo taken).
Lots of ducks around for JJ to chase..
Fresh air must be tiring. Me and Ma fell asleep on the way home, then Ma and Pa managed a cup of tea back home before falling asleep again. Woke up over an hour later and had to rush to go put up MFA's huge gazebo in Helen's garden. I hadn't noticed how late it was because I was in iPad land!
Got dropped off at the rec on the way home, but there wasn't really enough wind for the kite. Want bigger kite and more wind!
Tea and football (doubt England will make it through the group stages at this rate) then Arthur and the Invisibles on the massive TV.
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