April 2007

Good Friday 6th April. The big day arrived, aptly being Good Friday, son Richard drove Pauline & I down to Swiftcraft with all our belongings. It was just like moving into a new house with pots, pans, bedding, clothes and hoping we had not forgotten anything. This was because once Richard had gone back home, we would be committed to travelling back home on OUR boat, Ebinka. The adventure had begun.

Saturday 7th April. Richard stayed the night and after one final check we had everything we needed for the next seven days he left for home. Now it was our turn to try the boat, so we decided to go to the local marina for diesel (Engine & Stove tanks) plus a pump out to ensure an empty tank before setting off. This maiden voyage required a turn, first we tried a three point turn in the marina entrance, not very good. Then one of the marina staff told us to use a wide section of the canal just beyond the marina, where we could do a 360 turn. Now that was a lot better and back at the marina we were given our first bit of good advice, "Slow down and take your time, DO NOT RUSH".

Sunday/Monday 8th/9th April. These were settling in days, checking out the boat plus its equipment to ensure we knew where things were and they worked. Son Jarrad and family came to visit, it was nice to have them on board, they had not seen the boat for awhile.

Tuesday 10th April. Now ready or not it was time for the two of us to go for a two day test cruise up the L&L towards Bingley. This was the first time just the two of us had used a boat before we always had family or friends to help, so remembering the advice given, off we went. First thing encountered was one of the many L&L swing bridges, this was mechanised, so Pauline worked the bridge and I steered, we got through OK without causing too much traffic chaos. Following straight after the bridge was Dobson 2 staircase locks, this time Pauline steered, I worked the locks, we got through OK which settled our nerves. We set off again but not for long because the next thing was a hand operated swing bridge, Pauline gave it a try but it was too heavy, so I opened the bridge and Pauline steered. We now had a plan, I steered between and operated the locks / bridges, Pauline would steer through the locks / bridges. The cruising plan worked well, we arrived at Dowley Gap at tea time, moored up at the Fisherman's pub and had a very good meal there to celebrate our first day afloat, the magic was there.

Wednesday 11th April. The first thing we had to do was turn, so remembering the marina turn we went up to Bingley and did a 360, then set off back to Swiftcraft. One thing was now becoming apparent from the previous day cruise, we were taking too long between locks / bridges so another point learned. We cruised back to Apperley Bridge with no problems in two hours less than going up, it was coming together.

Thursday 12th April. Boat hand over date started with a few correction to make to the galley, RCD papers handed over and the boat CIN stamped on the stern. We were ready for off by tea time so a short cruise to Calverley Bridge, moor for the night and a good meal in the Railway pub.

Friday the 13th April. The day dawned with thick fog so the early start to get through West Leeds was put on hold. By eleven o'clock the fog was lifting and despite it being school holiday time, we went for it, arriving in the Leeds Basin by mid afternoon. Now the Leeds Basin just now is like a building site, with big hoardings screening off the work but restricting canal side access, though you can still just about moor there. For this reason we decided to drop down to the Armouries at Clarence Dock and stayed the night there, having our first meal on board.