Things are just fitting into place, we have started to feel really comfortable on the boat and (when everything works) everything is just fine and dandy. We were still stuck at Northampton Boat Club for the weekend due to the wind. We had been given the go ahead to move on Friday but the weather let us down. No real problems as the club continued to be accommodating, so we decided to move on Monday. We had taken mother home to give her a break from us and the dogs, its also gave us a chance to spend some quality time. Overall a nice weekend, I even made some fairy cakes in my range on Sunday, just to prove to myself and John that it is just the job.
Monday and its all systems go, we started early - posted a thank you through the door for the Boat Club including a donation for the electric used. We had done the checks and filled with diesel so we were confident that it was going to be a good day. John and I worked well together and soon found our places with regard to lock duty. I realised that getting back on the boat whilst still in the lock was a definite no! mainly due to the old arther in the hip. So we got it so that I would stay on the boat and keep it steady in the lock and John would finish opening the gates before jumping back on board. We did from Weston Favell right through to Lower Ringstead 19 miles and 15 locks. It was near pitch black when we moored up at Ringstead but we had had a good day, we were extremely tied but felt as if we had achieved something.
Tuesday another early start and again we worked extremely well, the day was fantastic and although a little gusty at times, we managed good time again. We did Woodford to Fotheringhay 15 miles and 12 locks. We had been given some very worthwhile information from some chaps at the NBC about low bridges, but I still I have never seen John jump on the roof so fast in order to save the stack, evening the satellite dish was down and still nearly scraped a couple of bridges. We had a closed call in one lock, we had noticed that there was a lot of junk floating around but hadn't realised something had got caught under the boat and as the water was going doing we were stuck on it and we were at a very scary angle for a few seconds, it gave way and we regained level, but I never thought I would feel so scared. We were held up for a time at Perio Lock as some workmen had just been called out for emergency repairs to the gates. It was starting to lose light and we really needed to get moving but after making them a coffee, they did the gates for us and we were on our way again. It was a lovely evening (red sky at night) as we got to Fotheringhay, just a we were mooring up we saw a fisherman catching the biggest carp I have ever seen, we saw him land it and I was sure it was at least a 10lb.
My uncle and Mother met up with us at The Falcon, where we had a much deserved meal. Mother was to stay with us now for a bit longer, or at least until past Peterborough. Mum is a great help, although nearly 70 with two new hip joints, she can put us to shame with regard to fitness.
Bad news - we can not get the rotten, worthless heating going. The electrics are rubbish and John is really struggling to get it going. So no heating!!!!!
Wednesday - is there someone up there who doesn't like us very much, we can't move because the weather is so poor, high winds and pelting rain, so we are having to spend the day moored next to a sheep field, which is fine in high summer, but in the middle of a rotten wet winter - no fun at all. John bought a little generator so we can have some power while we are at a standstill. Let me think shall we have the heater on or a cup of tea, because you certainly can't have both. Got the say, I feel pretty miserable at the moment, we don't really understand the systems on the boat very well just yet and we need to get moving so we can get somewhere we can call home for the winter.
Thursday - had to go to work! They're going to think we work for someone else at this rate. The weathers really bad so we wouldn't have gone anywhere anyway. Feel really bad that we have had to leave Mum with the dogs and nothing but the genny for power, but she insists that she will be fine and I really know that. Just feels like abuse of the elderly. Hopefully tomorrow will be a more productive day.
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