It has been a very busy few weeks. The internet signal has been a bit 'hit and miss' which is why you have not heard from me recently. Every time I tried to access the internet it was either very slow or non-existant. Susan has asked me to make a special effort tonight and up-date you on what we have all been up to!!
After a lovely evening moored above Hunsdon Meade lock, we made it back to Roydon Mill. We all like it here. Susan especially loved the many flowers in bloom at Hundson Meade. She said there was a carpet of yellow (dandelions) on the walk along the towpath.
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| Above Hunsdon Meade Lock |
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| Hunsdon Meade Lock |
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| Mooring at Roydon Mill |
Susan and Pete were then busy meeting friends and family.
Saturday was a meal at Jane and Gerald's home in Loughton. Such a laugh, according to Susan.
Sunday after Susan went to an Art Exhibition in Roydon, they had a relaxing lunchtime meal with Lorraine and Pat at Hallingbury Mill. Pete confirmed that the carvery was delicious.
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| Hallingbury Mill - Restaurant |
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| Hallingbury Marina |
Tuesday, a sad day for the village of Hatfield Broad Oak as well as Pete and Susan, their friend, Charlie, was given a final farewell and buried in the beautiful church in Hatfield Broad Oak. Susan said that she cannot believe it but since December she has been to 3 funerals - all under the age of 50!!
Wednesday-Saturday - resting in Roydon as windy and not cruising weather - so say Pete and Susan.
Sunday was Lacey's christening. She is the daughter of Matt and Karen and so adorable. Susan said that she looked like an angel in her white dress, shoes (with hearts on) and bonnet. A happy day!!
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| Matt, Laren and Lacey |
Monday, 13 May 2013
The family are up early today and we set off to Roydon Marina for fuel and water. We are back on the same mooring within 2.5 hours. I got a little bit of exercise today - Yah!
Total achievement 2 miles and 4 locks
Tuesday and Wednesday - Susan disappears for two days and visits her friend Una. Mazey and Pete keep me company.
Thursday, 14 May 2013
I get a good run today!!! Susan and Mazey walk alongside me from Roydon Mill to Stanstead Abbots. On the way Susan chats with Pam and Darryl (owners of IZZY narrowboat moored in Roydon Marina).
We go through two locks and manage to get the ONLY space available for a mooring in Stanstead Abbots. It was a very tight squeeze..........
Total achievement 3 miles and 2 locks
Friday, 17 May 2013
A very chilly, grey day greets us this morning. Just as we leave the mooring a large wide-beam hospitality boat passes us from Roydon marina - going in the same direction!! Susan and Pete help Paul do Stanstead Lock as he is single-handed. The top paddles create fast jets of water which in turn starts strong currents within the lock - not good......... A dog walker helps Susan to re-set the bridge over the lock whilst Pete and Mazey fill me up with water.
There are repair works happening along the towpath moorings at Amwell Nature Reserve which is the spot we hope to moor at today. Eventually, we find a place just as the Lancaster bomber plane goes overhead with Chris Evans on board. Pete is upset as he did not have his camera to hand.
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| Mooring nr. Amwell Nature Reserve |
Susan walks to Ware to get a few shopping bits and comes back with two heavy shopping bags. She must be daft walking all that way...... She tells Pete about the parrot called 'Charlie' in the pet shop. She was very vocal and kept 'tutting', whistling and saying 'hello'. That was the parrot not Susan ;))
Lots of waterfowl and birds around here. Terns diving by the boat catching flies. Susan saw goslings and baby coots. Greylag geese, moorhens, ducks and swans.
David on Pipperella (Roydon Marina) pulls up in front of us and Pete goes to have a chat.
Saturday and Sunday - rest days.
Susan, Pete and Mazey go for long walks either to Amwell Nature Reserve, Ware or Stanstead Abbots. Susan went to the Dragonfly/orchid meadow but did not see either a dragonfly or an orchid. She did see goslings though and enjoyed the walk.
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| Bluebells on nature walk |
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| Pete and Mazey on the bridge at Amwell Nature Reserve walk |
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| Family of Coots nr. Ware nesting in a moored boat |
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| Pretty floral boats at Amwell |
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| Family of geese at Amwell |
Another grey, chilly, 'autumnal' day. The sky is a grey blanket and rain is threatening to fall. We decide to head back towards Roydon.
I get a lot to drink at Stanstead lock. Whilst filling up, a boat comes through the lock and Pete helps them. They have a dog that looks like Mazey but it is much braver as it runs up and down the roof of their boat. It balances precariously as they complete the lock.....
There seems to be a problem with Stanstead lock as we try to exit it - the top gates are leaking ferociously. The occupant of the lock cottage comes out and chats with Pete. He promises to report it for us. We managed to get one gate open and are able to exit safely.
No mooring spaces in Stanstead Abbots. We try to wedge me between two other narrowboats but too tight. No luck. Susan is fed up as the other boat had at least 5 feet of clear space behind it and the people were on board. They could hear that we were just a foot short..... but did nothing to come and help. If that was Pete he would have helped and moved his boat back......
Pete thinks I have a problem with my batteries. They seem to be taking a longer time to charge. This will mean more money to be spent on me. I don't think they are happy about it. It took 20 minutes for me to switch over to absorption this morning.
By 1:00 we have moored successfully in a beautiful place, just after Lower lock near Glen Faba. We are about 1/2 a mile from Roydon Marina. Pete says he would like to stay here until Wednesday morning when we will visit the marina before heading back to Roydon Mill. Pete puts down the plank so that Susan and Mazey can get off safely. He also uses his chainsaw to chop down wood. Never been happier. Pete says "It's nice here. Ain't it??" as he watches the ducks go pass us.
Achievement 3 miles and 2 locks
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