One of the best parts of this project has been hanging out in and getting to know Rye. It might be a hell of a drive and feel like you are practically in France, but it is a really pretty town with plenty going on and plenty of people more than willing to help out on Betty. We have literally searched high and low for a mooring so that once she is back afloat, we can keep her there. Alas it is not to be. There are relatively few large moorings in Rye, due mostly to the fact it is relatively small and the rivers are tidal with steep banks. They are too narrow and the bed slopes away too steeply to moor her stern on, like most of the smaller boats round here, and there aren’t spaces to put her side on. We have been hunting since the start of the year and pleading with anyone with any access to a bit of river bank. Alas, it isn’t to be. There simply isn’t anywhere. End of.

So, on to plan B and a new era for Betty in SUFFOLK. More on this later