Monthly Archive: July 2010

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Bankside at Bedford

The Bedford River Festival happened – and we were there! Some stats for starters: Prizes won: 1* Participation in boat parades: 3 Cruise companions during parades: 16 Total number of callers: 34 Youngest caller on board: 4.75 months old Most mature caller: in 8th decade Most requested drink (Saturday): Pimms Most requested drink (Sunday): beer Empty bottles: numerous   Most unexpected comments: ·        Wow, I could put my piano on here (from a music teacher) ·        How much to come...

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Day 20: Friday 16th July: QI (for gongoozlers)

Distance travelled: 0.25 mile                    Lock: 1       So, at about 1pm Cleddau finally nosed into Bedford Lock, after a queue, a fair bit of rope-throwing – and absence of the hands to help as had been promised.   But of course, the Sea Cadets were all in school and no doubt will be much in evidence over the next two days. At the lock was the last of several very low bridges and the the Pembrokeshire flag (essential as...

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Day 19: Thursday 15th July: “There’s no such thing as the wrong sort of weather…”

From Great Barford to Bedford (Priory Marina) Distance travelled: 6.92 miles                  Locks: 3       It had been our intention to lie alongside the meadow at Great Barford and gently tend our boat, an illusion shattered on arrival yesterday by the lack of any form of official mooring space  – and by the wild and whipping winds this morning. The need to fill the water tank remained. Investigations of the under floor, the deck and the gas lockers did not...

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Day 18: Wednesday 14th July: The wrong sort of water

Little Paxton to Great Barford   Distance travelled: 10.75 miles                 Locks:   4       It still feels remarkable that we made any progress yesterday after the breakdown episode, and it was 3pm before we eventually entered “new” waters.       Keen to be back on plan today Ken was moving the boat away from its mooring just before 8 am – and indeed we had at least 5 miles and a lock behind us before he...

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Day 17, Tuesday 13th July: No more spanners in the works, please!

Godmanchester to Great Paxton Distance travelled: 10 miles Progress towards destination: 6.5 miles and 3 locks       Boat garb is usually casual, often grubby, chosen for messing about in boats. Last night’s Chinese Takeaway was brought on board by friend in a pin-striped suit and tie, he too having suffered a breakdown experience, his on the bus from Cambridge to Godmanchester. But our mood was instantly improved, wine, wine glasses and napkins were assembled and the evening took on a lighter...

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Out of signal…

Martin (Son-In-Law) here, Quick update via answer-phone message from a well oiled (Red Wine apparently) Ken who cannot get a good enough 3G signal to post a blog. Boat fixed thanks to helpful Nick who came to the rescue with couriered replacement parts. Boat back underway and still on target to reach Great Barford for Friday where boat shall be polished etc in preparation for Boat Fest! As is traditional, here is a photo to accompany the blog and as...

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Day 16: In a bit of a jam…

From Brownshill Staunch Lock (near Earith) to Godmanchester   Miles travelled: 11.75             Locks: 3       Last night I was reminded that I needed to refer to Ken’s departure from the Ely Marina yesterday: surrounded by fibre glass boats, two tight turns and gusting winds it was pronounced “perfect” by an onlooker from an adjacent boat.         What a peaceful mooring we had – no traffic, no trains and the only noise that roused us this morning was...

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… Day 15: Ely to Earith (Roots, Routes and Detours)

Sunday 11th July: Distance: 17 miles 2 locks Mint miles: 511 miles* Wind losses: 3       Back after the enforced break.        Never would I have conceived of putting the words “happy” and “OfSTED” into the same sentence. But due to the latter’s arrival at school (“Send for Ken!”) I have enjoyed happy hours with all four grandchildren (the Californian Three and the Cheshire One) and had opportunity to gaze upon Ely by foot, not just from the...