Das Boot

 We were leaving the mill and heading for Bradford on Avon to collect The Boat. We lazed in bed a little as we didn’t need to leave till mid morning, before squeezing everything back into the cars for the journey. We had a plan. 

Kathy and Einar had to work so they remained behind with Vicky’s car and a smattering of stuff .

Ian, Vicky and Alex headed to Devizes to drop the bikes and excess stuff at Vicky’s flat. 

Chris, Misty, and I called at Lidl for vittles before heading to the boatyard. 

We arrived at the same time as Ian’s crew and were soon loading the boat up. Our teacher, Carl, came over to give us a demo. It was only his third day on the job and the ground crew, Chris and Alex, weren’t overly impressed by his instructions. He did get us out of the marina though, and we were on our way!

Misty’s spot

Ground crew

Misty walks the plank

Vicky walks the plank

Chris and Hannah

Misty and towel 

As we approached the only lock on this stretch, in the centre of Bradford on Avon, the ground crew eagerly took their windlasses in hand ready to convert Carl’s, somewhat unhelpful teachings into practice. Unfortunately the lock was manned by helpful ‘volunteers’ who barked instruction to us, rendering the GC useless.

The lock 

We tethered up at Avoncliff viaduct and had tea in the pub there, the Cross guns, that’s where Kathy and Einar joined us We did have a bit of  worry when two party boats full of young lads and lasses  pulled up next to ours  whooping and laughing and playing load music. Thankfully as we were eating at the pub we saw them disappearing over the aqueduct with cries of yaaaaayyyy!

The cross guns 

Tea

We made our way back to the, thankfully peaceful boat and made up the beds for retirement. There is not a lot of room for eight but me and Ian were alright in our luxury end cabin. I drifted off to sleep with the sounds of laughter and shouting from the other end of the boat in my ears.