RNLB Duke of Edinburgh

G and I went along to a U3A camera group photoshoot at the new Wells Lightboat Station. They also have a brand new lifeboat, named after Prince Philip whose first command was of HMS Magpie. His son, then Prince Charles, fixed a plate to the lifeboat engraved with a magpie - I do like these little touches. The 'Launch a Memory' scheme meant that by giving a donation you could have a loved one's name on the boat in words such as RNLI 13-46, which look white from a distance, but are actually part of the 15,000 names in the project recorded on the boat (see Extras). An unexpected bonus was getting to see in the kit room, it must be mayhem in there getting all the kit on and getting out. The new 'tractor' was also very impressive. The lifeboat can only launch from the station in high water, in low water the tractor takes it across the wet sand to Holkham to launch and with the new tractor they can do this in only 12 mins. An amazing job done by all the volunteers and thanks to all those who've donated to the charity. The camera club gave a large donation to the RNLI. If you want to see the arrival of this impressive lifeboat and it's manoeuvrability, you might be interested in watching this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAizS42iRok

This afternoon I had another quote for my garage window. After starting at £1250, he came down to £920 - the same ballpark as my other quote. So I've gone for a 'picture window' instead as I never open the windows anyway and got it just below £600 with the promise they'll also do some minor adjustments needed to the hinges of my existing windows (which they fitted over 10 years ago).