Nothing fishy about this run just a trawl through local maritime history albeit with some driving along the way. Meet at B&Q (Norwich) South car park NR4 6FB at 9.15am for 9.30am departure with run of about a 45mins to Posh Pigs (our coffee/breakfast venue) at Beccles. Then on to Lowestoft. Park at Royal Green next to South Pier (NR33 0AE) with short walk for our first visit.
Our nautical adventure is a series of visits between Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth starting at ‘Mincarlo’ a Side Winder trawler. She and her sister vessels - Bryher and Rosevear - were named by the Podd family after small islands in the Isle of Scilly. Her fishing career lasted 13 years, during which she was among the top half-dozen vessels in the 50 to 60-strong Lowestoft fishing fleet. Her catches mainly consisted of cod, plaice, haddock, skate and sole.
Then a short run to briefly stop at Ness Point the eastern most point of the UK.
A stone’s throw from here is Lowestoft Maritime Museum (1.30pm. tel: 01502 561963). Cost £2 pp (£1 Seniors). It’s said the best things come in small packages, we’d say so regarding the MX5 and as far as museums go this one fits that bill.
Next up Great Yarmouth’s South Quay for 2.30pm. Parking on the quay next to the Lydia Eva, NR30 1JB. This drifter, no, not burning rubber whilst going sideways but the lovely old fishing vessel in the photo.
Built in 1930 at Kings Lynn but fitted out in Great Yarmouth, Lydia Eva fished along the East Coast and North Sea for nine years and was based at Great Yarmouth. In 1942 she was requisitioned by the Ministry of War Transport and became engaged in salvage work. A film star in her own right Lydia Eva appeared in the 2023 Willy Wonka film on location at Lyme Regis. No lucky chocolate bars today but a cup of tea whilst on board will be nice.
Donations (£5/car min) on the Lydia Eve to the Trust that looks after both of these vessels.
Return run of 45 mins (not using the A47) to the Trowse A47/A146 south Norwich junction. Members can peel off enroute or find a more direct route for home.
Tamsin & Kevin - Rockies, Cascades, Giant Redwoods … wow you’ll have a fab trip.
See you on the next run - Hindringham Hall Garden & Binham Priory. Safe travels. David
Could you add me as well please to celebrate the mollycoddled one being spared a visit to the great crusher in the sky for another year (with a clean bill of health) … I know it’s been described as a bit of a dog in the past, but hopefully not a salty dog and at least it’s not descending to a watery grave just yet
John and Penny,
Got your message re pulling out from this one. Hope to see you on another run. Best if you respond to runs on forum, which I check regularly, rather than the pm route. Cheers David
A few snaps of the day’s run.
Following breakfast stop we went on board the trawler, Mincarlo. Quite atmospheric with its 5 cylinder 500hp engine running. Ernie Artis (in red) from the Mincarlo & Lydia Eva Trust was our our host on both vessels was a fount of knowledge. next up a brief stop at Ness Point, Britain’s mainland Easternmost point. Then to Lowestoft’s Maritime Museum. Well what a gem this place is. Superbly displayed the museum is surely one of the region’s best kept secrets and deserving of another visit as there was so much to see. Finally our last port of call in Great Yarmouth the Drifter Lydia Eva. Ernie was a star in producing tea and coffee on our arrival as we were gasping. Biscuits courtesy of David, with seconds dished out in strict MX5 marque order!
