Goldenray - the “Golden” in “Golden Duck” - is a 50-foot wooden houseboat moored at Woodbridge on the River Deben.

History

Goldenray’s history is mostly unknown. She’s a former Scottish MFV (Motor Fishing Vessel), believed to be at least seventy years old and to have worked in the Isle of Skye, but beyond that little else is sure. In her years moored at the Ferry Quay she’s provided a welcome home for various people in times of need and given particular delight to visiting children. Both Francis and Julia have found Goldenray a wonderful place to think and write.

Cameo

In books 4 (The Lion of Sole Bay) and 6 (Pebble) of the Strong Winds series by Julia Jones, Goldenray appears as an old wooden fishing boat called Lowestoft Lass whose owner struggles with her maintenance(!) Her Ferry Quay neighbour, the Dutch Barge Cromarty, is cast in the Lion of Sole Bay as the sinister Dree Vrouwen — but this was with the consent of her then owners and no aspersions are intended.