Trying to remember the last time we were up at 6am on a Sunday morning, was probably the last time Christmas Day fell on it! We're not the only ones up however, a boat has just gone by! Another cold start but with the stove lit, you already feel warmer watching the smoke chug out through the chimney.
[Shelley] Prior to the fire being lit, I was asked to 'put the heating on. This has happened on both mornings and what I want to know is, why is the heating all of a sudden a 'pink' job? !
[Declan] Normally the creation of warmth by fire is a 'blue' job, but in order to invoke that primeval urge it must involve actually seeing the flames being created. Diesel fire at the flick of a switch just isn't enough to activate my 'barbecue' gene, the boys are sleeping 50ft at the other end of the boat, Alfie is a dog, which leaves just one person to rise from the duvet and turn on the heating. Anyway, after getting up I did see the to the pot belly stove (with Aaron), emptied out the ash pan and get it lit. Incidentally, as soon as it was lit, and all that 'man fire' thing was over, Aaron went back to sleep, proving beyond all doubt that it is because of the 'barbecue' gene, which has duly been handed down the generations!
Anyway, after a coffee (powered by gas) we were ready to rock n roll. With the engine started we can be more civilised and use the electric toaster; breakfast is always welcomed! With two cup of coffee, coats and gloves on, we set off at 7.02am.
The first three locks we did alone and then the next group of 5 we shared with a chap who was travelling alone. Interestingly, he comes from Longhope, Gloucester, which is not that far from where we live. Felt a bit sorry for him as he had to wait until he got through all the locks until he could have a cup of tea. In comparison, we have it so easy, with a crew ready to help and share the load, yet he seemed so chilled and relaxed, something that would rub off on us today. It was at one of these locks that I got talking to fellow boater, who after a brief conversation, told me about Mexican
dominos, apparently it's a great game.
As there were so many locks to work in a short space of time, I have had time to practice how to pull the boat in at a steep angle and get the it parallel with the bank. Point the bow at the bank, slow her down by giving a bit of reverse thrust, push the tiller over and put on a bit of forward power, let her swing around, almost as she's there a bit of reverse thrust. It seems to work, but maybe there is a better way. I do feel alot more relaxed today and will not get flustered if something goes wrong, just slow down and take it at a different pace.
We have made such good time today, that we were able to stop and have lunch together. Now on these boats you do find that if you are all on one side of the boat it will tend to lean slightly to that side. However, Ryan kept saying 'this boat does seem to be leaning over alot Dad', and he was right, it did seem like it was. I went outside to have a look and sure enough, the boat had been pushed up and perched on the bank as another boat had gone by, a little push, and level dining was restored.
Now as we are leaving the boat for a few days, its important that the WC is sorted before we leave! As you may or may not know, this is most definitely a 'blue' job. After trying to put it off, time was running out and Dec had to carry out his duties! On return, Dec had announced "It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be". This is now set in stone and will from this day on remain a 'blue' job!
It wasn't long before our travelling for this week had come to an end. We made good time today and after deciding what to leave and what to take, we're feeling a bit deflated . We've had a great time and it's hard to leave, but the first leg of our journey is completed and pretty much gone to plan. We then had to go back to point A (Blisworth Marina), to pick up the other car and then head home in convoy. We got back just after 9pm, all feeling exhausted but happy, very happy indeed. This has been the right thing to do for us as a family and we have settled in to it very quickly. Although it has been full on, we can't wait to get this week over and get back cruising.
Todays Travel Map
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