Lovely Guests and the Vulcan!!

Saturday 1st September, 2012 in Newbury.
A cloudy morning gave way to a bright, sunny day. We were expecting six visitors today; Adrian and Sandra, plus our next door neighbours-but-one from Reigate, Grant, Katie and their two children Jesse (4) and Riley (2).

Adrian and Sandra arrived about 10:00am; it was so nice to spend time with them having coffee and a catch-up. They both looked well after their holiday in Bodum, Turkey.

Robin walked up to the station to meet Grant and family, and to guide them back to the boat. More tea and coffees, introductions and catch-up. They had been on MM before at the Guildford parties, but had never been for a trip out.
As everyone had to leave by tea-time, we had planned a short cruise, including a swing bridge and a lock, to bring us back to Newbury Wharf right in the centre of town.

The swing bridge is a hydraulic pedestrian bridge; Jesse and Riley each took a turn at opening it and closing it as we went through it twice.

Adrian and Sandra managed the gates and paddles at the lock while Grant and Katie looked after the children.

We moored up in the centre of town next to the park on one side and the historic Wharf on the other, and had lunch in the sunshine. It was almost like summer!

Our guests all had to leave at tea-time, so after everyone had signed the Visitors' Book, we all lined up for a group photo.

Robin walked back to the station with Grant and family, and on the way back stopped off at Robert Dyas to buy a scrubbing brush. Big mistake!! While he was in the shop, he missed the wonderful sight of the only flying Vulcan bomber low overhead on its way from its base at Nottingham to an air display at Bournemouth. M had a wonderful view of it from MM but couldn't reach her camera in time to photograph it!
A nice surprise - a tap on our door turned out to be our American and Canadian friends from yesterday on nb "Turtle Dove" who had moored up behind us. Dennis, their "skipper" asked if they could see round MM as they were keen to see the difference between their hire boat and a bespoke narrowboat. Dennis' wife, Ann, was out shopping, but Dennis and his two Canadian friends Steve and Ruth came on board for the "ten cent tour" and stayed for a drink with us. Dennis and Ann come from Chicago and Steve and Ruth from Kingston, Ontario. Charming people.
As we went to bed, the moon was high in the east. Sadly, we failed to see last night's "Blue Moon," as the sky was cloudy. A disappointment, as there won't be another one until 2015.
Today: 1 mile, 1 lock and 1.3 hours.
Trip: 249 miles, 256 locks and 210.9 hours (362.0 total).