Suky, Periwinkle and Flowwolf with attendant skippers and crew went up the A12 in early June for a week’s sailing based at the Hickling Broad Sailing Club. They were looked after by the lovely, bandy-legged and hugely white bearded club handyman Sid. Husbands were allowed to stay at the rented cottage just the one night on Saturday.

They had mixed weather but sailed for five days out of six and explored as much as they could of the surrounding dykes and waterways.

Potter Heigham yielded fish and chips for lunch one day which was a good job as the return sail was hard work against the wind and current.

They also made it to Horsey Mere and climbed the windmill.

Despite good breezes most days, they had to do a fair amount of rowing and paddling because of the reeds and trees blanketing the wind in the dykes and very narrow channels.

Novices in hired motor cruisers also made life difficult for our sailing heroines in their small wooden boats, trying to tack with no wind. Flowwolf was hit, thankfully with little damage, and both Suky and Periwinkle were forced into the reeds on more than one occasion. Our ladies mindful of Club tradition used the appropriate Sailor Speak to remind said novices of their responsibilities on the water.

During their stay many admiring comments were passed about their “Pretty Little Boats” which were ideal for messing about on a Broad, especially with a wine box and beer cellar fitted.

A jolly week was had by all with good sailing followed by hearty suppers, a good few beverages, tales of ‘derring do’ and many late night games of Blob Eye, (DON’T ASK).

The fame of the Scow Cows and the RBYC is now spreading far and wide. Where next for our intrepid adventurers?

If you wish to join them remember most Fridays mornings they meet at the club for a jolly sail and just messing about on the river.