BCN Challenge 2013

[Laurie Booth]

 

Laurie, are C&G Narrowboats forum members?

With The Cat, Carrie and Cobbett, there is going to be fierce competition for the wooden spoon again

Richard

I don't think he is a forum member and I've forgotten his name. He did tell me he owns C&G Narrowboats.

Laurie

Team Clarrie

We are aiming for the spoon this year but "Bubbles & Squeak" beat us last year. They are not in it this year so we are in with a chance.

[Ange]

 

SNIP

With The Cat, Carrie and Cobbett, there is going to be fierce competition for the wooden spoon again

Richard

Ahem. I'll have you know Team Cobbett has a slightly more, shall we say, enthusiastic support team this year.

[RLWP]

Oh no, the wooden spoon is going to be between The Cat and Clarrie then*

 

I've had a read through the thread and I have:

 

Team Tawny Owl

Carrie

Red Wharf

Goliath

Firefly

Imperator

The Cat Who Walks By Himself

Cobbett

Team Not Ling / Yeoford / Not Yeoford / Collingwood

Piglet?

Amelia?

Is that right?

Richard

*It's in the bag for Cobbett really

Edited May 10, 2013 by RLWP

[Black Ibis]

As far as I'm aware, no Team Not Ling/Yeoford/Collingwood this year. Next year hopefully!

[Tom and Bex]

We're entering with our boat Diesel & Dust and can't wait! Only 1 week to go before we head off. Looking forward to the challenge but also to the 2 weeks holiday there and back.

 

Tom

[Ange]

 

Oh no, the wooden spoon is going to be between The Cat and Clarrie then*

 

SNIPPETY SNIP

*It's in the bag for Cobbett really

Is that a gauntlet I spy on the ground?

[Laurie Booth]

Just spotted "Red Wharf" in it's secret location ready for the start.

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

 

As I remember there's not really a lot to the boat club, but there is an area by the visitor moorings where you can leave a car. Or you could leave it in Aldridge town centre a short distance away, or in a suitable hostelry carpark.

Thanks

I'll check it out.

[Victor Vectis]

Just spotted "Red Wharf" in it's secret location ready for the start.

 

Yep, boat in position, crew press ganged (hello Tiggy!), route planned.

 

'Red Wharf' good to go!

 

Can't wait

[RLWP]

Route planning was a bit of a headache this year, we had three people and a spreadsheet to work out the points per section

 

I'm still not sure starting in Milton Keynes is right, but that's what the spreadsheet said

 

Richard

[Victor Vectis]

Route planning was a bit of a headache this year, we had three people and a spreadsheet to work out the points per section

 

Am I right in reading it that the Tame Valley is 'points in one direction only' this year?

 

I'm wondering if this might be part of a subtle and cunning Muskrat nobbling scheme on the part of the organisers.

[RLWP]

Yes.

 

Muskrat knobbling is in the points multiplier based on boat length, and in only getting points for clues that the boat passes by

 

Richard

Edited May 14, 2013 by RLWP

[john6767]

Yes.

 

Muskrat knobbling is in the points multiplier based on boat length, and in only getting points for clues that the boat passes by

 

Richard

 

You are not kidding, and Tawny Owl is happy no doubt about the points multiplier.

 

I asked them to add that wording about only getting clues on the sections you travel, I thought let's make it clear so it either rule Muskrat out from doing that or we know for certain you can, and we build it into our plan too.

 

 

Route planning was a bit of a headache this year, we had three people and a spreadsheet to work out the points per section

 

I'm still not sure starting in Milton Keynes is right, but that's what the spreadsheet said

 

Richard

At least it was three people and one spreadsheet, and not the other way round! I must admit I have found it hard to come up with a route this year that I am happy with.

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

I thought it was just me being new to this,

finding it hard to sort out a route.

I've a spread sheet which is a paper version,

Bits of tracing paper and a scribbled on map

 

Looking forward to it!

[RLWP]

Scribbled on? Our map is hand annotated and covered with little stickers and highlighting pen

 

And a certain amount of spilled beer

 

Richard

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

Yes scribbled and I don't understand my scribblings.

 

I was moored up by you the last couple of nights.

Sent a PM

[Victor Vectis]

I thought it was just me being new to this,

finding it hard to sort out a route.

 

 

That's half the fun

 

I think I've got Saturday sorted but it looks like we might not get to Longwood until way past bed time

 

See you there

[Tom and Bex]

Being new to this we're struggling to come up with a sensible route too so glad to hear it's not just us! We know our starting point as that has been decided based on us getting there from Debdale and the rest of our crew meeting us on Friday night. Looks like we will have to have a big planning session on Friday when all our crew are with us but am hoping to have a flexible route depending how we are doing for time.

 

Are there any good pubs near the destination? Don't really know that area at all.

 

Tom

[RLWP]

Team Tawny Owl

Carrie

Red Wharf

Goliath

Firefly

Imperator

The Cat Who Walks By Himself

Cobbett

Diesel & Dust

Piglet?

Amelia?

I'm assuming the boat club has a bar, otherwise it's off to The Manor

Richard

Edited May 14, 2013 by RLWP

[madcat]

Looking good,all we need is some decent weather

[cheshire~rose]

I was talking to some people at our marina last weekend and it seems there are at least 2 boats taking part from there.

 

We would have loved to do it, having hoped for several years that someone might want some crew to help without any joy we decided last year that we would take our own boat this year - but as we have a fault that we are struggling to find someone to fix and so we will miss out again.

 

Have fun everyone

[Laurie Booth]

Our secret is to follow "The Cat Who Walks By Himself"

 

[wrigglefingers]

The paper stuff looks like a nightmare so my plan is this .... Wander down to somewhere near the Dog and Doublet. Have a drink in there for old times sake. Then wander about a bit on Saturday. Knock off when we go past Ocker Hill. Then wander about until I remember where the finish is on Sunday. I reckon that'll amass as many points as any other plan anyone else has got; although I am liking Clarrie's idea.

 

As far as I'm concerned the main part of the Challenge is ensuring enough food, sleep and drink are partaken.

Edited May 14, 2013 by wrigglefingers

[Ange]

The paper stuff looks like a nightmare so my plan is this .... Wander down to somewhere near the Dog and Doublet. Have a drink in there for old times sake. Then wander about a bit on Saturday. Knock off when we go past Ocker Hill. Then wander about until I remember where the finish is on Sunday. I reckon that'll amass as many points as any other plan anyone else has got; although I am liking Clarrie's idea.

 

As far as I'm concerned the main part of the Challenge is ensuring enough food, sleep and drink are partaken.

I'm thinking this year is going to be a little less taxing than last year

[Tom and Bex]

As far as I'm concerned the main part of the Challenge is ensuring enough food, sleep boating and drink are partaken.

Corrected that When you're used to working nights you get used to not getting much sleep.