Thursday 16th May 2002

Arrived on boat at 17.00.  Tried to find a place for everything!  Fridge holds very little, therefore no stocking up for several days, will have to rely on finding village shops en route.  This will be our first overnight stay on board.

Celebrated Chris's birthday with a meal in Buckden Marina Restaurant.  Very nice but vegetables in short supply.  Stayed on boat in the marina overnight - bed quite comfortable and slept reasonably OK.  Didn't realise the ducks and geese don't also sleep all night!  Definitely an argument of some kind going on in the darkness and then they were all up and about again at the crack of dawn (5:30)

Engine ran 18:20 - 19:20 = 1hr.

Primrose in brand new livery and no name!       

Friday 17th May 2002

By the time we were up having breakfast there was no sign or sound of ducks etc..  I suppose they were now having their siesta!  It was sunny at 05:30 but overall cloud by 09:00.

Left mooring at 09:40.  Turned left (downstream) and went through Brampton Lock by 10:45. 

Our first lock performance was watched by  Environment Agency men from nearby offices.  Had to explain we were on way to printers to get the name and registration number.

Moored on the GOBA moorings at Brampton Mill at 10:55 and went exploring on foot.  We managed to find our way in to Brampton village where we collected our "signs" from the printer.  (1/2 hour each way).  Returned on board at 12:20 for much needed cuppa. and left at 12:50 continuing downstream to Godmanchester Lock.

Arrived at Godmanchester Lock 13:15 and through by 13:35.  Continued to the EA moorings at Huntingdon Town Quay arriving at 13:55.   

We now have to reassess our plans as Chris strained his back at the first lock!

Lunch and shopping for "Deep Heat" & tablets.  Left at 15:40, continued downstream turning round at 16:30 just before Houghton Lock.

Hartford was very pretty with some lovely houses.   

Back to Godmanchester Lock at 17:30 having taken a picture of the "Willow Pattern" bridge.   

Lock was set for us, so only took 15 mins to get through, out at 17:45.  Out of Brampton Lock at 18:30 after leaving plenty of blue paint behind when misjudged approach to the lock landing.

Moored at 18:55 on the GOBA moorings just before the marina.

What happened to the sunshine and high temps promised by the weatherman?  We expect a cooling breeze on the water but we had a stiff, chilly wind and Liz wore two coats all afternoon.

Engine ran 9 -11, 12:50-13:50, 15:40-18:55,  6hr 15min.

Saturday 18th May 2002

Overcast with sunny periods between 07:00 & 08:00 but changing to complete grey and threatening rain by 10:00.  We had been moored with "Solstice" overnight who've had an even later breakfast than us!

Started engine to warm up at 10:00, left mooring at 10:25.  Have decided to give up as Chris still suffering and weather does not look promising.  Returned to Buckden Marina.

Engine ran 1 hr for total of 8hr 15min.