What is the differece between slug speed and snail speed? Are slugs faster because they dont carry a shell on their backs?
Today saw us awake at just before midday thanks to our evening with Kath and Neil in Goring......mmmmmmm sleeeeep. So when Nora got up and asked the time and she said quarter to 12. I said...."no its not" she said " yes it is" I said "no its not" and so we continued for a couple of mins but yes it was indeed nearly midday and we had 8 hours cruising ahead of us if we were to meet Bones and Maffi at Abingdon for our BBQ.
Within 20 mins we were ready to cast off but a quick visit to the loo was required, just as I entered the Big Boys Room, Nora informed me that she had flushed a Wasp down into the cassette.......Great thinks I, Im gonna sit on the throne and suddenly feel a stinging sensation in regions best left to the imagination. As it happens all was well and no trace of a pooh wasp.
Again the flow of the river was decidedly strong causing us, at times to struggle to maintain 2mph on the narrow bits. We were also delayed at one lock thanks to two narroboats tying up opposite each other instead of indian file thereby filling the lock with their presence, Admitadly I thought the lockie wouldve shepherded them better but he didnt, so,.....that lock took 50 mins by the time we exited.......
Time on boats is only ever important if your running to meet a deadline.....the knock on effect of that lock however, was that we arrived at the next lock 2 mins after the lockie had knocked off for the day. So, anyone who has ever worked a Thames lock on their own without any Power assistance will know that by you have have turned the Wheel 3 million times to raise the paddles, then another 3 million to open the gate and another 3 milion the close the paddles ect ect ect, its no longer fun...so that lock took us half an hour.
We finally arrived alongside the infamous 'Milli M' at 8pm. Maffi had already let us know that the barbi was lit. I find it quite bizarre that folk who have never met before and only seen each others writen words can sit down together and enjoy an evening as if they had been chums for years.
We have both enjoyed our evening with Bones and Maffi very much and I thank them for providing us with an excellent meal in the excellent surroundings of abingdon.To Bones and Maffi I say you have converted us to Waitrose Burgers, and I just wish our time to get to know each other had been longer.
Nosy Visitor
Lady Elgar alongside Millie M
BBQ
6 comments:
I keep wondering what the distances are, as you had such a struggle to maintain any speed. It might have been quicker to walk some of the sections! Or maybe even all of it. Still, great that you had such a warm welcome and that you hit it off so well with these (I presume) cyber friends?
Your right, I must try and keep a record of miles travelled.
Bones and Maffi are regular posters on the Canal World Forum so yes, there were cyber chums prior to meeting face to face....thanks for you comments, im glad your enjoying the trips even though they are historic...we nearly, just very nearly went on a trip this weekend but were thwarted by having to drive to Surrey to pick up Lauras passport which we need to show the registrar next week forour bands to be read, but hopefully will have an upto date cruise to post sometime soon
Aha! Are wedding bells on the cards then?
I missed the swans last time. Lovely one of the swan resting its beak on your ledge there!
VallyP said...
Aha! Are wedding bells on the cards then?
...Oh yes.....Sep 11th 2009
Thaank you for writing this
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