But this wasn't any old stone. This was a 1.3 ton piece of Caen stone from France. The occasion was the 900th anniversary of the building of Norwich Cathedral and this was being commemorated by a stone sailing down the river, up the Cathedral Close and into its permanent place close to the West Door.
John, who was deputy vice chancellor at the University of East Anglia at the time, came up with the idea and his first thought (after thinking about the stone of course) was to rope his mate Hugh into the project. As John said: "I needed the help of somebody who knew about building materials, knew about sailing and somebody who couldn't think quick enough not to help," he joked.
So John and Hugh began the work to turn their dreams into reality and today admit that they had a lot of fun (as well as some stress).
The stone eventually made it up to the Cathedral. It took a mighty effort to get it there which started me thinking about how difficult it must have been 900 years ago to get enough stone to build the Cathedral. That must have been a mighty mighty effort involving hundreds if not thousands of boats making hundreds of journeys and delivering ton upon ton upon ton of Caen Stone.
Work on the cathedral began in 1096 and finished in 1145. That's pretty much a half century of back and forth with the stone. That's all beyond my comprehension.
As I've said it was really good to talk to John and Hugh and I will be submitting an article for the local press and also writing a full account of their memories for the next edition of my Hethersett Herald magazine.
* * *
While on something of a nautical theme and the day after visiting Great Yarmouth, the Norfolk seaside resort hit the national headlines.
A very important wreck has been discovered off the coast and this is no ordinary wreck. There is already talk of raising it and setting up a museum in Yarmouth and that would certainly bring the tourists in.
The Gloucester was discovered by print company brothers Julian and Lincoln Barnwell back in 2007 but their find has remained a secret until now and that's because of the need for a long process of identifying it and issues around its security.
The future King James II was on board the vessel. He survived and so did everything that happened to British History afterwards. It would have been very different if he had been drowned. Again there is a rather sketchy feel about what happened to the King but it's certainly one of those quirky stories of history that seem to have never been told before.
* * *
Thanks to Don and Bridget Williamson for pointing me towards a story in the Eastern Daily Press newspaper stating that Reggie's mushy pea stall on Norwich Market has ceased trading after 73 years.
It's been taken over by Lucy's Chips who have said they may be continuing the sale of mushy peas. I certainly hope so.
* * *
Just a few pictures today of our Wednesday visit to Yarmouth.