Home home via quite a drama

All was well. We set out from Crick with Pete reversing Bella into one of the marina entrances to turn around. Back through the Crick tunnel with Maxwell on deck, Pete at the tiller and Elizabeth happily watching the scenery whilst knitting. Of course. Through Watford top, all well, though a strong East wind. Through the staircase, then, with Elizabeth at the tiller for her favourite snappy turn and lock entry of any flight, the drama began. Wind caught Bella broadside, leading to much serious maneuvering (which E seriously enjoys - really! No irony).

Then the gear handle disengaged from the gears. No panic, but no manageable movement. Pete walked to the offside bank, trying to understand the issue. Finally, with E making no headway, she cut the engine and we all began working against the wind to pull push Bella to the towpath side of the pound. With E handling the boat pole, P handling the centre line which E threw from standing atop the roof, and the Watford Lockie letting more water into the pound to float us free of the silt, we finally got Bella safely to the towpath side of the pound. A few long minutes later and P manged to re-engage the handle with the gears. All well!

The rest of the trip was drama free with P in control of the wind as he turned us at Norton Junction to moor up at home home. Mr Well enjoyed watching the splendid turn.  More importantly, E was able to resume knitting.

Gorgeous sunny day

It started with bright dense fog and our world was so quiet.  Not only because of the delightfully muffled atmosphere, but also because the first boat didn't pass us until after 11. By the time we'd had our brunch (after E's creative head ran out of mind mapping in OneNote), the fog had cleared and we set out for holiday day 2.

Maxwell managed to remain on deck whilst we untied, but he wasn't quite so good at it whilst we moored in Crick. After coming back on board, his lovely muddy feet managed to make their way at pace all the way through Bella as he followed Pete's movements from the windows inside. Holding ropes, instructing, dishing out training treats, ignoring bad behaviour and tying up all at the same time is quite a comedy to watch all on its own! We'll get there 😊

First Spring Cruise

Here we are, now by Kilsby Road Bridge on the GU Leicester line. One view is out the side hatch and one view is out of the dining room window. We set out this afternoon after our usual Saturday of brunch and shopping, delighted that the forecast sunny afternoon did indeed arrive. Dear Maxwell is learning to sit on deck whilst one of us runs off to do something.  It's a tough learn for him as his preference is to be at our heels...! But he's getting there. In fact, he managed to sit watching (and whining!!!) as we were both bankside mooring up. Good progress.