NB: Westmead's First Journey

Tony & Diana Collins

As our new boat was delivered on time (Monday 28th June) it seemed a good idea to join friends at Tardebigge with our boat and do "the Avon Ring" with two boats instead of the planned one. We calculated that with some fairly long cruising days we could meet up with them at the bottom of the Tardebigge flight on the afternoon of 3rd of July: so at midday 29th June we set off. Sea Otter had told us that we needed a service at 20 hours, and it was well into the afternoon that I realised I hadn't a clue on where or how to find a service agent, and to make matters worse my mobile phone wouldn't work. Full of confidence we pushed on, stopping for the night through Blisworth after we had stopped to help a couple of walkers rescue a rabbit from the canal.

Setting off on the Wednesday my phone came into life long enough for us to contact Nannidiesel who most helpfully arranged for us to call in at Napton Marina the next day for our service. "What a relief." Had a bit of a hold up at Braunston bottom lock waiting for the horse-drawn boat that was working from Manchester to Waltham Abbey for charity, but it was worth it to watch the lady in charge instructing the crew through the locks.

Thursday saw us at Napton Junction 9 o'clock as instructed: it was then that I realised that boating is totally different to motoring. "Won't be long" the engineer said, "I'll just finish painting the roof on this boat", which was 60ft, "and I'll start yours". We eventually got away around one o'clock, everyone being most helpful and polite - just a different lifestyle.

Midmorning Friday saw us at the bottom of the Hatton flight, which looked as daunting as we had been told. I must have been slow because around halfway up we stopped and waited for a boat that was catching us up, and we worked the rest together. Moored at Kingswood Junction for the night and slept like logs.

Casting off the next morning we were passed by a steam train, which made a nice change. While working up through Lapworth we were assisted by three youngsters all proudly showing off their bruises on arms and legs, apparently all caused by Mummy who "steered it wrong" and had hit a lock side. The family were resting there "cos Grandad & Grandma was sick all night". Never did find out if the local ale was at fault. Our guide book had suggested that Warstock was a safe mooring for the night, but after doing some shopping there we upped sticks and continued on to Arrowfield Top where we felt a lot more comfortable.

A helpful lock keeper paired us with another 30ft boat to journey down the Tardebigge flight which went well until about halfway when one of their dogs fell over the lockside followed by their lady owner hanging over the side head-first trying to rescue it: a bit of quick paddle shutting and pulling at legs got them out without harm - except for the dog being well washed and its owner cleaning the lock wall on the way out. Of course, it was her husband"s fault for not watching the dogs. About four hours to do the flight and then stop for a well earned pint. Meeting up with our friends on time we continued through pleasant countryside to Worcester where we joined the river at Diglis lock: another small wait here because the lock keeper had a problem with a lady dog owner who was refusing to clear her dog's mess from the lockside path. He then proceeded to put it into a plastic bag returning it to the dog's owner via her coat pocket, much to the amusement and cheers of bystanders.

The Severn and Avon was very pretty and interesting, except for the shock of the £40 fee to enter the Avon. But after negotiating the swans, rowers and trip boats to enter the Stratford-on-Avon lock we reckoned it was worth it, especially as we and the gongoozerlers around the lock were entertained by a street actor as we worked through. The Edstone Aqueduct is most unusual, with its towpath alongside the bottom of the metal trough, and the strong cross winds made its crossing most interesting. We were on our own again after Lapworth and on the approach to the Hatton Flight we were joined by a 60-footer crewed by four ladies and their nephew. The steerer, being of the Guide Captain type and obviously well in charge, took control of our passage down, which worked well for all, and I, being a mere male, didn't argue. Well, there were no mishaps, so why argue?

At Braunston we heard that the GU was closing on the Wednesday so we decided not to delay the journey home - which was easier said than done because near Bugbrook a boater shot out of her rear cabin asking us to "Please stop - I'd love to look at a Sea Otter and this is the first chance I've had". A quick guided tour later we continued on to mid-afternoon when we had to stop again to rescue a sheep that was in the canal up to it's neck. Fifteen minutes later we were on our away again, a lot wetter and having to rescue our boat pole: still, all in a day"s canaling and we arrived home without further problems.

For our first trip we had travelled approx 230 miles, worked 258 locks and enjoyed every minute of it learning one big lesson on the way! The big difference between being an Owner rather than the Hirer is that you don't have to be back for Saturday morning, so you can stop around for the extra day - a lesson we will have to put into practice on our next trip.