2 days versus 2 weeks

I have covered the same distance in two days that took me two/three weeks going the other way.  Today was 12 miles and 9 locks.  Locks are for 1) taking the washing out of the machine, 2) making a sandwich, 3) grabbing a banana 4) getting a drink before keeling over with sun stroke 5) having a pee.  Some locks are too shallow to do anything other than work the lock!
And they say it will be hotter tomorrow.

Raw Course Weekend over

Novice boater has been driving my boat this weekend well out of her comfort zone but did brilliantly - I may have made a convert.  She certainly preferred it to dinghy sailing and has insisted that she will never set foot in one again (dinghy that is).   So confident is she now that she stepped back onto the boat after lunch today carrying a tray of crockery without even batting an eyelid.  We had a truly splendid time, lots of laughter walking etc and far too much of the falling down stuff last night.  As dearly beloved said it would appear that in one night I had consumed more wine than I did in the whole of 2011.  It is a wonder I am still standing.  I may have to go lie down shortly!

What not to do

when walking on wild and lonely wooded tracks on a high hillside.

Do double and then triple skanks ending up sat sitting in slippery mud heavily disguising itself as a lovely green sward.

I might have sworn a little.

I might then have giggled a little as I was well and truly mudded.  (As in blooded when fox hunting)  (not that I have fox hunted).  I was past the halfway mark and not entirely sure I was still on the correct path but gamely carried on.  My undergarments drying out as I walked.  It was very wet up on that hillside for some reason.

It is hard to maintain one's dignity when walking through subsequent built up area.  Really at my age I should know better.

I have been told to leave notes on anticipated destination on the boat so that himself can find my mouldering body if necessary.

Dangnabbit

already broken one rule but there was a boat behind me.

But at this lock all went to plan it was set for me so it was me in, one tother way and then one behind me.

nice.

Some boaters still have not quite got the hang of passing other boaters slowly.

They do slow down but then speed up again once they are parallel to your boat!  Just weird.

New Cruise Resolution 2012

Due to the low levels of water this year I have made my New Cruise Resolutions

Not to use a lock set against me (provided boaters behind don't get shirty)

Not to travel unnecessarily  (this year I will rest a while in various places and enjoy the surroundings to the full)

To always make sure all gates and paddles are fully closed behind me (if I can - there are some gates that will insist on opening before I get around to the other side) to minimise water wastage.

Dib dib dib

I will do my best anyway.  This year will not be about distances travelled but to relax and enjoy the quiet moments.

It could be my Dad

nb.valerie managed to catch a photo of me after I had passed them.

Worryingly it appears I could be mistaken for my Dad from behind - I console myself that at least we can be told apart from the front!


Well I hope so ...