A chapter closes.
Today, we took our farewell of our boat. She was moved from Blackthorne Marina, on the River Nene, to Whilton Marina, on the Grand Union Canal. We bought her in 1994 and had many adventures, during which she kept us safe.
What would have taken us at least five days, took only two and a half. We'd hired a professional boat mover ( ex-Royal Engineer, Denis ) who picked her up the day Earl's Barton lock 're-opened after nearly six month's closure, and steamed into Whilton, less than three days later.
It didn't take Blackthorne Marina long to put another boat on our old mooring. We delivered Denis back to the marina to collect his car, and spotted this shorter narrow boat in our old spot.
It was a beautiful day - one on which it would have been good to be out on the water. The River Nene beckoned.
Earlier in the day, we'd arrived at Whilton a little frazzled. The Sat Nav didn't recognise the new roads along which we were driving. We spent the last 20 minutes of our journey being re-calculated and sent on some very strawberry shortcuts.
We arrived, at last, and there, in front of us, was Levant, looking good after four years of neglect.
I took Alf to say 'adieu and 'bon courage'. Just as we approached the pontoon, a mother and her herd of ducklings launched themselves down the slipway. Alf couldn't resist a little lunge. He'd missed breakfast and quite fancied a few snack - sized chicks.
After dropping Denis at Blackthorne Marina, we had lunch at Ringstead's Mill Tea Rooms, overlooking the mill pond.
It reminded us of days long gone, when we dined aboard.
Oh for some more days, out on the water, simply messing about in boats. Alas, those days are behind us.
Today was extremely sad.
Today, we took our farewell of our boat. She was moved from Blackthorne Marina, on the River Nene, to Whilton Marina, on the Grand Union Canal. We bought her in 1994 and had many adventures, during which she kept us safe.
What would have taken us at least five days, took only two and a half. We'd hired a professional boat mover ( ex-Royal Engineer, Denis ) who picked her up the day Earl's Barton lock 're-opened after nearly six month's closure, and steamed into Whilton, less than three days later.
It didn't take Blackthorne Marina long to put another boat on our old mooring. We delivered Denis back to the marina to collect his car, and spotted this shorter narrow boat in our old spot.
It was a beautiful day - one on which it would have been good to be out on the water. The River Nene beckoned.
Earlier in the day, we'd arrived at Whilton a little frazzled. The Sat Nav didn't recognise the new roads along which we were driving. We spent the last 20 minutes of our journey being re-calculated and sent on some very strawberry shortcuts.
We arrived, at last, and there, in front of us, was Levant, looking good after four years of neglect.
I took Alf to say 'adieu and 'bon courage'. Just as we approached the pontoon, a mother and her herd of ducklings launched themselves down the slipway. Alf couldn't resist a little lunge. He'd missed breakfast and quite fancied a few snack - sized chicks.
After dropping Denis at Blackthorne Marina, we had lunch at Ringstead's Mill Tea Rooms, overlooking the mill pond.
It reminded us of days long gone, when we dined aboard.
Oh for some more days, out on the water, simply messing about in boats. Alas, those days are behind us.
Today was extremely sad.
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