Saturday 13th July 2002

Brought forward engine hours:    32h 15m

Spent the afternoon doing odd jobs, then went for a run.  Started engine at 17.30, left marina at 17.50 and headed downstream.  Moored on the sunny bank at 18.25.  Cooked on board and ate ashore on makeshift seats - the upturned crates.  Very pleasant and peaceful.  Cast off 20.00 to return to marina and tied up at 20.35.

Engine 17.30 - 1825,  20.00 - 20.35   =     1h 30m                    RT=    33h  45m

Wednesday 17th July

Made sudden decision to come up to boat so we could be ready for full day tomorrow.   Arrived 21.15 settled in, put power to fridge etc.. then went to bar for a drink before retiring.

Thursday 18th July

Started engine at 09.40 and set off at 09.55.  Journeyed downstream, reaching Brampton lock at 10.30 to find it ready and waiting with Sea Mist about to enter.  Out at 10.40 and continued to Godmanchester lock which we again shared with Sea Mist, arrived 11.15 and out 11.25.  Weather rather cloudy, but sun is up there somewhere!  Have passed several boats going upstream, more than we've usually seen on other trips, the recent hot weather must have enticed people out.  At Hartford saw a colony of swans (28 in all) I've never seen so many all together.  Arrived at Houghton lock at 12.25 to find Sea Mist moored and waiting for boat  coming up.  Fascinating watching the hay cutting and bailing in Hemingford Meadow.  Entered lock at 12.35 and out at 12.50.  Now on "uncharted waters" we've not been this far before.  Sun has now appeared and temperature is rising nicely.  Continued to Hemingford lock before turning and mooring for lunch at 13.30.  Set off on homeward journey at 14.15.  Arrived back at Houghton lock at 14.25 to find boats going up and coming down.  Didn't get thru' until 15.05, - that's put the timetable back a bit!  Arrived at Godmanchester lock 16.00 to find lock already set by two narrow boats and fortunately there was still room for us.  Came out at 16.15 this will have helped catching up time lost at previous lock.  Weather since lunch has been hot and sunny, wish we didn't have to go home for the meeting tonight!  Brampton lock was ready and open on arrival at 16.45.  Out at 17.00, more or less on plan time.  Moored up in marina at 17.35, had a meal aboard and left for home at 18.15.

Engine    09.40 - 13.30,     14.15 - 17.40    = 7h  15m                RT =    41h

Sunday 28th July

Day trip with brother David who's part owner of 45' narrow boat Nudge Nudge on Grand Union at Harefield.

Arrived about 11.00 filled water tank and motored to stage by bar to empty the toilet cassette.  Left marina with David aboard at 11.40, heading downstream escorted as usual by numerous pretty blue damselflies.  Arrived Brampton lock 12.15, 3 boats coming up in the lock.  Three more joined us in lock and eventually we came out at 12.40.  Went down to the Godmanchester town quay and moored at 13.10 for trip to pub.  Only found Royal Oak and that was nothing to write home about so returned to boat at 14.00 lunch in the rec beside the boat.  Set off again at about 15.00 reaching Brampton lock 15.25.  Lock was ready and two other boats in waiting.  Through at 15.35.  Moored at GOBA site for leisurely cuppa and then a meal.  Left again at 17.45 and back to marina at 18.05.  It's been a scorching hot sunny day, temperatures were expected to reach 84f !

Engine    11.30 - 13.00,  15.00 - 16.00,  17.45 - 18.10 = 3h 15m RT =    44h  15m