Date: Wed, 23 May 2001 13:23:10 +0100 From: Bruce Napier Reply-To: Canals To: Canals Subject: Streamline Trip IV Wednesday 16 May 2001 Set off in intermittent rain to work up final lock but it was occupied so waited on towpath. The narrow dutch barge working down emerged on towpath side but couldn't move out to mid channel to pass us. We had to go out, round the barge and back to get to the towpath side of the lock. The woman on the barge explained that she couldn't turn quickly because the barge had such a large stern! In Braunston tunnel crossed with a trad motor (Kangaroo) in a tearing hurry, not very nice. However we emerged more or less unscathed into much finer weather and worked down to Braunston with Misty Blue, a liveaboard heading for Llangollen. Moored by Butcher's bridge in time for lunch. Spent the afternoon in Braunston marina window shopping. Merlin boats look very attractive but we are having problems making basic decisions. Up to the Old Plough for dinner where we chanced to meet Ann and Iain Street off Copperkins II. They were half way round the Warwick ring. A lively but late evening for some reason. Thursday 17 May 2001 A delayed start because Sheila wanted to go back to the marina to get a coil of rope as she wants to try her hand at making fenders. At a couple of points approaching Napton the canal was sheltered from the wind and rain and the swallows were feeding right down to a few inches above the water. They swirled and swooped round the boat like a cloud of gnats. It was amazing to see how close they came without actually touching us. Wonderful. The rain was torrential so it was rather a plod back to Calcutt where we moored for lunch. Then we worked Streamline down the flight and Bruce took her on to Blue Lias while Sheila went in to Calcutt marina to collect Emscote as Phil Duerden had earlier requested. Just her luck that she was right at the back of the marina and moored bows in. Fortunately there is plenty of room in there and she turned easily. What wasn't so nice was the exit from the marina which is quite narrow and you emerge heading straight for the towpath. As usual the wind was blowing straight onto the towpath and I knew that if I missed the turn I would be there for quite a while! I made it but it was a very nasty moment. Both boats safely returned to Blue Lias. We were very pleased with the thorough pump out done at Blue Lias and the diesel was not overfilled which is a criticism we have heard. An excellent dinner at the Boat to finish an excellent cruise. The food at the Boat is becoming popular and it would be wise to book in future even for a Thursday night. Cheers Bruce -- **************************************************** Bruce Napier 1/12 nb Streamline 1/12 nb Sceptre 'Go steady, but keep on going' - Old Boaters saying Although originating from the University of Wales, Bangor, the content and copyright of this email is personal to me, and UWB takes no responsibility for it. Permission is hereby given for it to be quoted elsewhere, provided that the sense (if any) remains essentially the same. **************************************************** ---