It may have been a long six hour passage, but a historic vessel has set out on the next phase of its "amazing" restoration journey.
The wait proved worthwhile as the 83ft Dutch barge - 'Barge Number 9' - arrived back in Lowestoft this week.
Dating back to 1928, and formerly part of the Lowestoft fishing fleet, the almost 100-year-old vessel arrived in Oulton Broad on Tuesday afternoon after being towed all the way from Norfolk - where it had been a houseboat in Thorpe St Andrew for the past 30 years.
Barge Number 9 had also been a refuelling tanker during the Second World War and had even spent six years underwater due to bad welding on panelling underneath the engine.
But after hearing that the 83ft barge was due to be scrapped, William Gilroy and Becci Leadbetter, from Lowestoft, rallied to save the vessel.
And now, as she arrived back in the Lowestoft area, her new owners are preparing for the repair and restoration work to start in the next couple of months - as she is set to be turned into a "tearoom by day, and a bar and restaurant by night."
Becci Leadbetter said: "At 8am on Tuesday (January 9), Barge Number 9 started her long journey from Thorpe St Andrew to Oulton Broad where she will wait until the tide is right before passing through the locks on a free flow.
"She will be moored near the Yacht Station so will be visible to those who wish to pay her a visit and take any photos."
After arriving about 2pm following "a long, cold and windy journey", the vessel will stay at its new mooring for around a month, being going through the locks.
She will then be taken out of the water in March for a full survey to be carried out and any structural damage assessed before a "thorough clean" - using air blasting to remove rust and jet washing.
Support from Sir Richard Branson
Ms Leadbetter said: "Once the initial stage is done, she will be ready for her new paint job and the lengthy restoration work.
"The Dutch Barge Preservation and Community Project Group on Facebook is building in speed and more and more people are coming forward offering to help in any way.
"Other members are sharing stories and pictures from when they or their family members worked on the boat.
"We have recently been sent a signed photo from Sir Richard Branson from when Barge Number 9 was a refuelling tanker and refuelled Sir Richard’s Atlantic Challenger II.
"Due to the weather conditions, Barge Number 9 will move through the locks in one month when the tide is next right.
"But for now, she will be a great sight - moored on Oulton Broad in front of Broadview, whilst we prepare for her amazing restoration."
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