2323/0909/2009200920092009 by admin.

ello everyone it has been a while since I last updated the Blog sorry but we have just been to busy enjoying the boat with our first guests. We went out with Dave and Marg Reynolds (our friends for too many years to mention ) on a Cruise down to Windsor then back up the river to Pangbourne before returning to the Marina. On the first day we met up in Henley with Gerald and Ann who we met last year at the IWA National where we all enjoyed a BBQ and a large portion of Ann’s cake ( you should have seen Gerald’s face) next day we explored a boot sale in aid of the RNLI before moving on the next morning . We spent two days in Windsor ( here the girls enjoyed the retail therapy) myself and Dave meanwhile pumped up Inevitable’s tender. No mean feat as I had trouble finding the right pump, whilst the Vetus engineer, who had arranged to meet us here serviced the engine and gearbox and gave us a box of spares all complimentary, by way of compensation for the troubles we had experienced with the gearbox failure and subsequent delays.  We left Windsor after two days and started back up the river Moored at Marlow before returning to Henley where we spent a day testing the tender and its motor it having been too windy to do that in Windsor. moving on next day we sailed past the Marina and on to Pangbourne but not without incident as there was a problem at one of the locks they could not close the gates. Send for the Divers!! this could take a while. After they had arrived and set up it did not take them long to find the problem a dirty great piece of wood and a coaping brick. On arrival we (that is the girls) decided it was too late to prepare a meal so we should go out for a meal. WE found a very interesting pub in Whitchurch over the bridge from Pangbourne. The locals in this pub were to say the least STRANGE and we had a very entertaining couple of hours listening to a debate on who knew the most dead people and why high vis jackets increased the chance being run over because you were easier to see, and last but by no means least who had nicked the pubs hat stand and how /should they have a whip round  to pay the ransom or even if they should as who would then own it! It was difficult to eat because we were laughing too much. The next day we spent relaxing before returning once again to the Marina Via Tesco’s where we bad farewell to our friends after a brilliant week. 

More pics

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0505/0909/2009200920092009 by admin.

Now we are on the Thames all the problems that we had getting down the Grand Union have faded into the furthest recesses of our minds. The boat is handling superbly and to my amazement is much easier to control than Lost The Plot was. We made good time once we were on the river and made the Rally by Friday afternoon with a day in hand 33 Dutch barges attended and we had a good time meeting new people and showing members who were looking to purchase a barge over the boat. The feedback was very complimentary and we did not stop from 9-30am until after 5pm on the Sunday. At the Dinner we were surprised to win the prize for the longest journey to the rally 141 miles 138 locks two tunnels and the sacrifice of a gearbox, winning by the grand total of one mile. We are now in Thames and Kennett Marina Caversham , waiting for vetus to come out and service the engine and gearbox. On the 11th we are going out again with friends for a weeks cruising.

More pictures below

A sailing Chalk

Moored on the Backus Windsor

Night-time on the wheel Windsor

Bisham Rally

sailing at Henley

Moored in Henley

View from Henley Bridge

The Marina view from Wheelhouse

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