Boat Warming/naming

[minimoman]

Just to keep you all informed of what's been happening, this is the latest re the boat warming.

 

Well we have finally had the boat warming/naming and the weather stayed bright and sunny through most of the day. All the family and loads of friends (36 in total) turned up to toast the boat at the naming and to spend the rest of the day celebrating (in the pub of course!) .

 

Had Lauren and Andy, my partners daughter and boyfriend, sleep overnight onboard. Now we know that the bed chairs we bought from Kinver work and are comfortable. All my family turned up to see us and give us a good send off. Sailed away into the morning to loads of cheers and farewell waves. Had a nice uneventful trip to Stainforth, with Lauren steering and not doing a bad job of it, where there was a boot sale going on so did a little reversing and moored up so Lauren could do a little shopping. Neap Tide was moored up and Malcom said he had broken down, blown or burnt out some fuses. Had a quick look at the fuse which was actually ok. He had a lad 'Ryan' with him, a real cheeky grin but very engaging young lad. Went round the boot sale and Lauren bought a mirror, some apple pies and almond bakewells. Had a nice cuppa and apple pie before checking up on Malcom. Still not able to start the boat so said we would breast up with him and take him back to Thorne Boat Services. First time for me this, so it was quite an experience and well worth the trouble. Pulling two boats together was a lot slower than usual and very combersome, slow to respond and difficult to steer. Ryan kept asking to steer so let him have a go; for a 12 year old lad he is very experienced with boats and did a good job of steering! Had to laugh as it took a lot to get him off the tiller! Had a little trouble at the Lock and swing bridge just past Staniland Marina as the wind was pushing us onto the side, tried a few times to get off, going forward and then in reverse, but just kept being pushed back by the wind before being able to get going. Ended up being hand hauled into the lock, after that it went ok and we dropped Malcolm off at TBS where they were waiting for him to arrive. Got back to our mooring shortly after that and moored up before having some dinner. All in all a different day but with plenty of interest. Found out later that Ryan is the son of the woman who did all the catering for our boat warming, apprently because he was always driving Malcolm's boat at full throttle, he had burnt out some electrical components and damaged the engine. I wonder if Malcolm will let him drive after he has had it fixed?

Thats it for now but we start our epic journey on the 16th April so look out for more entries on our progress and trials and tribulations!!

[DHutch]

Sounds fair enough!

- Hope they get there engine sorted too.