Narrow Boating

We spent the weekend on a narrow boat, cruising England’s canals.  We did this with John’s sister Diana, her husband, Nick, and two of their boys: Daniel and Adam.   We had a really long 68-foot boat.  We all got to drive the boat (and some of us were better drivers than others, but I won’t tell crash stories) Nick, as the captain though, did the lion’s share of the driving like a pro. 
Photos: A bit nervous but trying it out, John had a turn or two as well. 

Working the locks was very entertaining.  We had to jump off, run up and close the gates, then run back and open the paddles to let the water through.  Sometimes there were two sets of paddles, one set down below and another on the gates.  It was a very physical job, which we enjoyed, as otherwise how does one get any exercise on a narrow boat?  Well, actually you could walk alongside the boat on the towpath.
Photos: John working the locks, Dan teaches Mhari how to do it.

We had some visitors along the way: Matthew, Nick and Diana’s oldest boy, and his girlfriend, Eve, cycled to meet us.  Helen, Becky, Lizzy and Dave from Long Buckby joined us through a few sets of locks. Mhari and Adam feed the horse.

No one fell in the canal, which surprises me somewhat seeing as we were climbing all over the boat, walking on the roof, jumping on and off land etc.  Mhari did accidentally dip a toe in.  Her foot slipped, but she had a good handhold and was able to pull herself up.  We ate crisps (chips) and chocolate and healthy food too.  We played hearts every night and even Slow Play Sam got the hang of it, eventually.
Photos: Sam "on" the narrow boat,  The adults enjoy a cup of tea in the morning.

The English routes for transporting goods were clear in their development, when viewed from the canals.  First, there were the canals, then the rail lines followed alongside, and later the motorways were built just a little further out.  The M1 was far enough away though so we weren’t bothered by traffic noises. 

It was very peaceful and you felt you were in another place altogether.  Everything was quieter and calmer despite there being many narrow boats on the canal.  We were on the Grand Union Canal; it is a broad canal, so boats could pass. Each lock took two boats so we usually shared a lock with another boat and got chatting with people and shared stories as well as the work of the locks.  We saw a weekend stag party going by.  They were in fancy costumes one day, then in drag the next. And loving it I might add:  “Oh, thanks darlings, for leaving the gates open for us ladies”.

We went through a very long tunnel.  Sam posted a photo on his blog.  That was quite fun; ducking from bats and drips from the air tunnels.

Now we are back at Ann and Stanley’s for a bit.  We have been to the allotment to pick vegetables, damsons and blackberries; went to a party at the church; washed two loads of laundry, so we can once again stand nearer to each other. And the kids are going to do some schoolwork.  I’ve left them to figure out what to do.  They are getting so independent.  Sam is going to research Brunel.  We toured the SS Great Britain, his boat; saw his bridge; the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol and his railway line as well.  Clearly he was big in Britain.  Mhari might work on some writing too.  But I won’t dare speculate on what she might write about, in case I jinx her.