A musical weekend

Good weather and outdoor events don't always coincide in Blighty, but, for once, the long-planned mini festival at the hotel in our hamlet was a glorious blue sky event. A temporary bell tent town had been erected for the overnighters. We sauntered up the road with friends in good time for the main stage events. Our blokes settled themselves on a hay bale with their drinks and prepared to enjoy Sister Sledge.

Hats were definitely the order of the day, unless, of course, you had an umbrella! It is always fascinating to see what festival-goers wear; lots of floaty dresses, short shorts and retro jeans! After Sister Sledge it was Jools Holland and friends on the centre stage. What a joy!

Not everyone was dancing!

It was such a happy event. Sunday morning promised another glorious day. Good, we had been invited to a party at Teãn's. Her husband, Alex, heads the 'After Hours' band and they were going to be playing in the garden for their friends. Their home is beside the Bristol Channel and it is fascinating to watch the variety of craft moving up and down; tug boats with huge transporters in tow, a flutter of small sailing boats having a Sunday afternoon race and individual boats. The music must have sounded lovely for them as it floated over the water.

Some were eager to find a bit of shade.

June books

Our June book club discussed 'Invisible Ink' and although it is a small book it produced a lengthy discussion! In our group whoever has chosen the book does the introduction. Hearing about the author's life was fascinating, we could see the connection to things within his novel. A biography of his life would make another good read!

Toad Hole Cottage

Having ducked down and successfully navigated the bridge at Ludham it was good to moor the boat and step ashore. We discovered the delightful small museum of Toad Hole Cottage, a house that had been lived in by generations of eel catchers.

There were several items that I remember from my childhood, stone 'pigs' used to warm cold beds.Those pigs will have been very welcome in harsh weather, surrounded by water I'm sure the damp would seep into your bones. There would have been jousling for position to be close to the fire on winter nights! In the pantry there were jelly moulds like the ones we had at home, my mother used her rabbit mould for blancmange or caramel custard.

All aboard!

 We've been on the Norfolk Broads for a few days with all the family. With three kilos of duck food on board and pairs of binoculars we were ready to see the sights.

The weather was kind.

There are windmills in all states to see, from disrepair to des res.

Tied up for the night and after supper at the pub it was back to the boat for a good night's sleep.

Ducking down under Ludham Bridge.

The captain has a break while we take in water.

'The Queen' was spotted waving from a number of cabin windows and seen sitting on the lawns of various waterside houses. The place was awash with flags and bunting.

Are these dwellings with moorings or moorings with dwellings?!