It has been a very busy few days. Poor Mazey was taken ill whilst in WillowTree Marina Sunday night, early Monday morning. Thankfully, at the suggestion of a fellow boater, Susan and Pete found a vet not too far away who was able to see her as soon as they could get there. A taxi dropped them all off. Mazey was kept in and had a thorough examination. Turns out not to be pancreatitis but a nasty infection. Mazey was picked up again and brought back. She was feeing really sorry for herself so Pete and Susan decided to stay another night in the marina to look after her - also they were both tired at getting up at 5:30am with Mazey. Amazingly next morning, although not perfect, she was a lot better which prompted Pete to make the decision to get moving again. Mazey likes having chicken and rice rather than her normal Winalot......... BUT she does not like the antibiotics and keeps trying to spit them out.....
Susan said that it was lovely being in the marina and having electric on demand. So she kept switching lights on and keeping them on. She also used the TV, charged all telephones, camera batteries and laptops as well as used the microwave too.
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
Pete managed to reverse me out of the 'tight' mooring..... We leave Willowtree marina and wave goodbye to new friends we met on Sunday night whilst drinking around the bonfire. Not one boat was moving until we got into London - then they were only getting water. It is like a ghost town and quite spookey on the way in to Paddington Basin. No locks to do. It is chilly!!!
Once in Paddington Basin the last mooring is free in the visitor moorings. Lucky us. Pete does a brilliant piece of mooring yet again into another tight spot.
Total 10 miles
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
Today was nearly a DISASTER on three occasions.....
We left Paddington Basin at 8:00am. It is snowing around London but not through it. Susan did not want to go as it was raining - being psychic she must have known what was about to happen....
After going through Little Venice and Regents Park, we go through Camden Locks. One of the pounds is very shallow and Susan drags my bottom on some rocks......
Pete was steering when he needed to go to the loo, Susan took over the helm. I was going fast and as Pete walked down the stairs he knocked the tiller out of Susan's hands..... Approaching was the side of a bridge...... Susan pushed me into reverse and I honestly did try to stop... Managed to slow down a bit but, unfortunately, I pranged the side of the bridge..... Oh dear....... I'm OK thanks for asking.
St. Pancreas Lock is where I was nearly submerged - seriously!! I got caught on the cill on the back gate as the water was being emptied out of the lock. I was tilting dangerously..... and could not be pulled off. Every boaters nightmare..... Both Pete and Susan were on the towpath, Mazey was panicking inside. I will not go into detail other than to say that Pete blamed Susan and Susan blamed Pete. BUT they did manage to get their act together, got me afloat again and saved me from drowning..... It all happened so fast as accidents do..... I did hear Pete pray at one point in this awful potential disaster scene. He must have been heard. I am so grateful for that as I am here to tell the tale and so are my little family. All very shaken!!!
We pass Zygnema which is moored on the River Lee. There are so many boats now on the River Lee. They weren't here in June when we came through last time.
At Tottenham Hale Lock, disaster 3 occurred. Susan was cruising the boat in. Pete jumped up onto the lock, because Susan could not jump that high off the boat. This lock is automated. Pete used the BW key to set off the process and closed the doors OK. THEN PRESSED THE WRONG BUTTON to fill the lock with water - I was buffeted around in this really huge lock with Susan shouting to Pete to "let go of the bloody rope" as I was tilting over at a very dangerous angle. Thankfully he did!! As the rope was released of pressure I bashed sharply up against the opposite side of the lock. Bounced about a bit before finally settling in an upright position. Poor Susan and Mazey were shaking with fear. Pete did confess to Susan later that he head pressed the wrong button..... It says on the panel of the automated lock to only press the button on the side that the boat is laying in to fill with water - for safety!!!! Needless to say that Susan insisted on doing the next lock at Stonebridge which is also automated. All went smoothly. We are now moored above Stonebridge lock. Everyone is resting and calming their shattered nerves. Boating can be dangerous.......
Total 15.5 miles and 13 locks
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