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The Annual River Cruise 2002
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The third annual river cruise took place on Saturday 11 May, a day of changing weathe, but nothing that 34 hardened land-lubbers could not handle with jackets and scarves in the morning and shirt-sleeves and sunglasses after lunch! We cruised from the quay next to the Grand Sluice to Tattershall Bridge on the maiden voyage of the Boston Belle, the second boat run by Sarah and Rodney of Maritime Leisure Cruises. We dined on board, which was a superb salad buffet, before returning for 4pm. Jubilee Celebration CruiseI considered the association should have a function to celebrate the Jubilee year. What better opportunity than the river cruise, particularly as we would be aboard the newly launched 'Boston Belle' with its much greater capacity and capability to feed 36 passengers. Indeed we would be chartering her on her maiden voyage. I made the necessary arrangements with Master and owner Sarah Sims and at 10:30am, Saturday May 11th, a group of old boys with their wives and partners boarded the vessel. Many of the finishing touches to this new vessel were only completed the previous day. It was a little dull and damp as we cast off from the Grand Sluice, but everyone was in high spirits and looking forward to the day. The mist lifted, the sun was peeping through the clouds and as we headed up the Witham conversation flowed freely. We had much to talk about as Old Bostonians do, and it was not long before mugs of hot coffee were brought round to us. Also in true Bostonian style the bar was soon open. Our destination was Tattershall, about 2½ hours cruising time. The vessel was ably piloted by Sarah's business partner, Rodney. We arrived at Tattershall where we moored up and most of us went ashore to visit the Royal Oak. After a few beers and a chat with the locals we returned on board where tables had been laid for us. Sarah, an excellent cook, prepared a super meat salad lunch for us with ham, beef, chine etc. and all the trimmings. She also made her own sweets, which were quite something, but I fear did not help my waistline. A few bottles of wine and life definitely took on a rosy hue for us all. The engine struck up, we turned around and we were on our way back to Boston again. The weather was fine and we alternated between being on deck and taking a drink in the spacious saloon. Talk was in full flow and in what seemed like no time at all we were mooring up again at the Grand Sluice. The association had made its jubilee celebration cruise aboard Boston's newest riverboat attraction, the 'Boston Belle' on its maiden voyage. A crowd of very happy and relaxed passengers disembarked, and all requested a repeat next year. I am sure there will be no difficulty with that. The people taking the cruise were:
Members had such an enjoyable day that it was proposed at the next committee meeting to present a brass plaque to commemorate the trip. The plaque reads: "Old Bostonian Association, May 11 2002. To commemorate a wonderful day and Boston Belle's maiden voyage. Master: Sarah Sims, President: John Porcher". John Porcher
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