It was not a promising day as the three dinghies moved out of the dike. Rain clouds covered the sky, and the wind was light and variable. We were late for the tide, already it was slack water and ready to turn against us. Roger had said "we go to Hickling", so we turned to starboard out of the Bure and the white windmill at Thurne was ahead. Roger Andrews and Joe Amos had arrived late on the Friday night from Coventry bringing with them David and Bill who were to crew for them.

Early on Saturday morning when I got to our base at Boundary Farm I found them finishing breakfast and getting ready to stow and make sail. With Roger's help my "Fylde" dinghy soon joined the “Wayfarer” and “Mirror 16” on the water, and it was all systems go for our first objective, Potter Heigham. Against the tide and the wind it was tack and tack again! However, as we came up to Womack, the wind increased and the bungalows that mark the approach to Potter were soon slipping past and we were looking for a suitable place to lower our masts for the bridges. Roger and Joe with their crews paddled the "Wayfarer" and "Mirror 16" through first, and David came back to assist me with my boat as I was sailing single handed. Having raised our masts again, it was time for the Pub (who said “of course”!?) and a fish and chip lunch.

The weather was improving as we cast off, and as we sailed up Candle Dike and across Heigham Sound and White Slea, the sun broke through and there were blue flags between the clouds to welcome us to Hickling! Conditions were perfect and we sailed the Broad for an hour or so, then anchored off a little beach in front of the bird watchers' tower to the east of the little island, and Joe brewed the tea. Then more sailing until the wind fell light and we were ready for the evening meal, and afterwards preparing for the night. Joe cooked in his Mirror for Bill and himself, and Roger cooked for David and me. A turn ashore, a drink at the "Pleasure Boat Inn", then it was back to the boats and our sleeping bags.

In the early hours, the rain came down in torrents, beating on our canvas covers, but we all remained snug and dry, and slept on until 7 o'clock. A peep out of the boat revealed a dreary scene! The Broad looked like winter in the North Atlantic! Rain lashing down and the wind setting the white horses galloping over the water.

The delicious smell of bacon, eggs and mushrooms was soon in the air, as Roger prepared breakfast, and with stomachs full we were ready to start the return trip. But as we paddled out of the dike, the rail stopped, the wind dropped to a steady pleasant strength and the sun broke through the clouds. It was a glorious sail across Hickling, down the river and so to Potter Heigham. This time we had dinner before taking the boats through the bridges, as the down river side is more open to the risks from the hire boats, and we did not fancy leaving our dinghies unattended while we were drinking and feeding. I had David as my crew for the return from Hickling and very enjoyable it was. So Roger was the solo man! And so it was back to base, and to put the boats away. We all enjoyed the weekend, especially as we were able to introduce David and Bill to the joys of dinghy cruising and sleeping aboard.