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La Route de Thor: 'Viking' boat rescued on beer trip La Route de Thor: 'Viking' boat rescued on beer trip
(about 16 hours later)
A team of French brewers trying to recreate a centuries-old "Viking" sea voyage had to be rescued and towed to Thor.A team of French brewers trying to recreate a centuries-old "Viking" sea voyage had to be rescued and towed to Thor.
The group, armed with a shipment of beer, was tracing a route from Rouen, Normandy, to Norwich when their boat's engine failed off the Essex coast.The group, armed with a shipment of beer, was tracing a route from Rouen, Normandy, to Norwich when their boat's engine failed off the Essex coast.
They waited eight hours for Harwich RNLI to come to the craft's aid. It took eight hours for the Harwich RNLI to bring the crew safely to shore.
Once back on dry land, they abandoned ship and completed their journey by car and train.Once back on dry land, they abandoned ship and completed their journey by car and train.
The four-day journey, named La Route de Thor, was organised by The Norfolk Brewhouse, in Hindringham, and the Northmaen Brewery in Normandy.The four-day journey, named La Route de Thor, was organised by The Norfolk Brewhouse, in Hindringham, and the Northmaen Brewery in Normandy.
'We are Vikings''We are Vikings'
It followed the same route as the 11th Century Normandy stone used to build Norwich Castle and cathedral.It followed the same route as the 11th Century Normandy stone used to build Norwich Castle and cathedral.
David Holliday, from Norfolk Brewhouse, said the group had taken their sails down when the wind dropped.David Holliday, from Norfolk Brewhouse, said the group had taken their sails down when the wind dropped.
"They were going to continue under engine but they pressed the power button and nothing happened," he said."They were going to continue under engine but they pressed the power button and nothing happened," he said.
"It was an eight-hour rescue. They said 'we are Vikings, we want to complete the journey' so the beer will get here."It was an eight-hour rescue. They said 'we are Vikings, we want to complete the journey' so the beer will get here.
Three of the "Vikings" had arrived by car with the rest coming by train, he added.Three of the "Vikings" had arrived by car with the rest coming by train, he added.
One member of the group, Antoine Restermourt, said: "Sadly, the boat is in Harwich but the adventure has to go on.One member of the group, Antoine Restermourt, said: "Sadly, the boat is in Harwich but the adventure has to go on.
"It is part of the game and the show will go on.""It is part of the game and the show will go on."
The voyage also marked the 60th year of the twinning or Rouen and Norwich.The voyage also marked the 60th year of the twinning or Rouen and Norwich.
Organisers said celebrations would go ahead on Thursday as planned.Organisers said celebrations would go ahead on Thursday as planned.