Bill_Door

Fixed! Thanks for pointing that out. Got lost somewhere on the phone upload jobby. Cheers!

Hello again folks! Sorry for the short absence. I've been absolutly knackered and buried in work trying desperately to catch up from having four days off. Thanks to everyone for the messages of support. Alnwick - Sorry I missed you whilst nattering on the phone - I did have a wave at your boat while going past though Heffalump & Grahoom - sorry I missed you, will be looking out for you in the future. Special thanks to: Athy - for providing some good cheer and a hand through the locks - Nice boat by the way! Bones - For putting up with me for so long and all her encouragement and trying gently (but unsuccessfully) to put me off the whole idea from time to time. Also for coming to my rescue with lifts and things. PJ - For realising that a novice single hander and the worst weather yet this year (Sunday) wasn't a good mix and coming to my rescue to see me through the last stretch. I shall remember those magic words of "Go and dry off, warm up and make us a cup of tea" for a looooong time. I made it in just under 30 hours, managing to cope with my first engine crisis in the middle of the summit, and managing not to sink or crush some fishermen in the winds. (close calls though...) I managed to keep a short blog at nbcampanula.blogspot.com if anyone wants to have a read. A few photos too. Since mooring up, Campanula has looked after me well. She is lovely & cosy - the fire is excellent though needs a good sweep of the flue. The bed is really comfy and the shower works a treat. And as for that novice business - I'm not sure I can claim that anymore.... Thanks to all - So glad to have so many good people around. Take care, Bill.

Cheers for that Alan. The post about 19 hours was about Heffalump heading North from Oxford & hoping to get past Claydon before closure on Monday. 30 hours seems to be the common amount suggested for my trip. Fingers crossed!

I'm heading for Port Meadow so reckoning on heading across Duke's cut and down. Please don't apologise, been a laugh. Maybe see you soon.

Excellent. I shall look out for you. Campanula is a green 50' trad. I'll be on my own and probably looking very tired & harassed by the time we cross paths. (is there a boating equivalent of that phrase - much to learn...) cuppa sounds excellent! Look forward to meeting you. I'm going to cruise "at an appropriate speed" (not wanting to upset any boats..) but pretty much going at it as long as I can see and have energy. 7 hours a day will take four days, 9 hours a day will take three I reckon - I want to get back to have even a small weekend before work on Monday. I will look out for you. Thanks for the preview of the trip & the recommendations, I'm really looking forward to it now I look forward to drawing alongside the skeletal fiend very much. In case I'm not in a position to speak by then please apply whiskey to lips and wait for normal service to resume. Thanks for all your help PJ - you're a star! I am looking forward to it and will post some photos on the blog all being well. You do realise this is all your fault don't you? Thanks for all your help & patience. I have to say, if this is merely the introduction to a world of boating I'm exceedingly happy already. Cheers everyone for your good wishes!

So Wednesday sees me take charge of "Campanula." I'm picking up from Braunston Marina in the morning and then spending as long as it takes to move down to Oxford. If you see me please say hello and if I'm in your way please be kind to a novice. I'm hoping to track some of the highlights & post some photos in my blog: nbcampanula.blogspot.com I look forward to meeting some of you one the way. Cheers!

I can haz a mooring! Yippee!!!!! Theres no escaping now - Yikes!

Hello all. All being well I should be starting a new life afloat in a few weeks time. Personal circumstances dictate a change of accommodation and with much thanks to Bones & Proper Job I am looking forward to picking up a very nice 50ft trad from Braunston shortly. All I need to happen now are: Find a mooring Survey to be OK Find a mooring Insurance agreed Find a mooring Get the money sorted Find a mooring I wish I'd seen the earlier advice about getting a mooring first! Cheers!