Setting Off at Last

Wednesday 12^th October, 2011

We slept really well in our lovely bedroom; we love the bedding which we had bought four years ago when the boat was still just a dream. Our KG guys arrived and continued to work on the outstanding jobs. About mid-day, we moved MM out of the ‘dry-dock’ to the diesel point where we filled her with diesel and water. Then, finally, after a build process which lasted eight months, we said an emotional farewell to the guys as they left to return to the KG workshop.  They had work to do on “Barocha” and “Das Boot”, both of which had been craned out of the canal immediately after MM had been craned in.  They also had work to do to finish “Kalliope” which should have been launched on Monday but wasn’t ready in time.

There are still some unfinished jobs on board, such as no mirrors!  These had to be specially ordered and hadn’t arrived in time.  Marion asked what she was supposed to do – how does a girl attend to her hair and make-up?  Even Robin was grizzling that he couldn’t trim his beard!!!!

At 2:00pm, we sailed the short distance back to the Rock of Gibraltar where we dropped off a birthday card for Stamatis, the landlord whose 50^th birthday was the following weekend. We then had lunch, our first meal on board. While we were eating, a narrowboat went by far too fast and the resulting “wash” caused Marion’s shampoo bottle to be thrown out of the rack in the shower, the lid flew off and most of its contents went down the plughole.  A good start!

Richard (the First) had forgotten to give us a BW key so we met him at Shipton Bridge (220), where he gave it to us; it would have been difficult to take on water and discharge waste without it!  It felt sad waving goodbye to him as he walked away.

The first lift bridge was a bit of a challenge!  We were a little concerned it would come down on our heads! Robin got off MM and lifted the bridge but it kept falling back down – so Marion had to came and hold it open while Robin sailed MM through.

“Bones” (viz “Canal Boat” magazine) was still moored up at Thrupp!

We cruised for two hours or so.  All along the towpath, MM was much admired by walkers and onlookers and it was the most wonderful feeling to be able to say proudly “She’s brand new today!”

Then, to our complete astonishment, came the first of our “Many Meetings”.  It was extraordinary.  Just past Yarnton Bridge (228), we saw a couple walking on the towpath.  Marion and the chap (Paul Gliddon) recognised each other. Marion worked with Paul at Bristow Helicopters, Paul had been the Manager of Bristow’s Australian operation and the coincidence didn’t end there - it was Paul who had taught Robin to fly back in the 1960’s!  Robin hadn’t seen Paul for forty-five years!  Paul and his wife Liz live in Australia and they were staying overnight with Paul’s 90-year old mother, who lived next to the canal, before flying back to Australia the following morning. They just happened to have decided to go for a stroll along that stretch of canal! They joined us for tea on board and we christened the pansy teapot – our first very special guests. They then helped us through Kidlington Green Lock (4) where we moored up for the night and they went back to Paul’s mother’s.   It was absolutely wonderful to see them and the most incredible coincidence. 

After we moored up, we had our first dinner on board and discovered to our horror that, having spent months planning our journey and making endless lists of “Things to Take with us”, we had neglected to pack a bottle opener!  Unbelievable! Especially given that we had a plentiful supply of wine on board – and would you believe it - all of our bottles had real corks, not screw tops!  How frustrating!  So we had to content ourselves with fruit juice instead with our first dinner!

5 miles and 4 locks – 3 hours