25th November 2007 - Sods Law

We got up early again - cold and crabby. We had no heating, we still hadn't figured how to work the inverter so we could even boil the kettle. All time, I'm thinking about the fact that we out in the middle of no-where, totally inexperienced and taking on a task that even the most seasoned of boaters would not attempt.
Uncle John was taking me back to get the car and then we had arranged to meet the boat further down at an appropriate stop. Before we even set off there was a problem, Uncle john had opened the paddles at the next gate in preparation, but we had not un-hitched, so the water level had gone down and we were stuck. Uncle john had to shut the paddles and my husband john had to walk back to the last lock that we had been through and open up the paddles to let some water through. We through we were in trouble, because a waterways chap stopped and asked him what he was doing. After a apologetic explanation, he was fine and worked the paddles for us. Lesson 3 - understand how the river and the locks work.
So, we were underway again. Husband John and my Mum on the boat and Uncle John and me (with dogs) walked back to his car in order to fetch my car from the marina.
This part was really uneventful apart from Uncle Johns map reading, but we managed to pick up my car. We then made our way to Billing Aquadrome which is where we were going to meet up.
Husband John and I were already aware that Whiston Locks were closed for drainage, so Billing was as far as we were going today.
Although the staff at the aquadrome were very helpful, there was nothing they could do for us. They were closed for visitors and we could not moor up. They suggested that we try Northampton Boat Club and thankfully we did.
The people at Northampton Boat Club are the nicest, most helpful and friendliest people I have met in a long time. They bent over backwards to accommodate out boat and are understanding of the fact that the boat may be there for awhile or at least until we can get through Whiston. So for the next few days, we will be staying at the boat club and we will be having to use this as a base for to and from work, because we can no longer get back in our house - theres nothing there anymore.
After saying goodbye to my uncle, my husband John got his maintenance head on and had a good look around the boat. He got the inverter working, and as we were hooked up - we all managed hot baths - o'heaven!!!! He got the stove working after figuring out that it was a faulty connection to the fuel pump. We'll have a go at the cooker tomorrow.
We found a pub in Northampton for a hot meal, but we all admitted that we were tired and the noise of the pub was giving us a headache. We must be getting used to the peace and quiet of the river. So it was back to the boat for a quiet game of cards and yet another early night.