A surprise visitor

Sunday, 30 November 2008 20:22

2 hours 6 minutes, 3.1 miles, 2 locks

28th Novemeber 2008

It was a bit noisy moored at Uxbridge Boat Centre last night as a boat opposite ran a very noisy generator until after 10 pm and The General Elliot, also opposite, had live music until closing time! Never mind - it was convenient to stay!

The first gravel barge went by before it was light making us move somewhat as we were moored to the neighbouring boat and unable to use a spring! We got up a little earlier than we would normally do

We were just getting ready to leave when there was a knock on the stern door. I heard John say "You have had your hair cut!", then I recognised the voice! It was Dan Holland who used to work for our boat fitter and spent a fair bit of time helping build Epiphany. He had recognised her roof! How good it was to see him.

He is now working freelance as an engineer and is based in a workshop at UBC. It works very well as he can do work they can't and so it is mutually helpful for him to be on site. Now we know where to go if we need work done, he is also "mobile" within reason!

He thought Epiphany was looking good, inside and out - we invited him aboard for coffee and caught up with his news. The last time he was aboard was on the evening she was launched as we took her down Bradford on Avon lock. Now she has our personalities evident inside!

So an early start became a 10.30 start, calling in at Denham Marina for a couple of oil filters. Their diesel is cheaper, but never mind!

John locked us up Uxbridge lock and we were away! Gradually leaving the urban environment at last. At Denham Deep lock we had an offer of a tow! Well with a stretch of the imagination we could have had "pony power"!

A pony had escaped from its field just as we passed and had followed us up the towpath to the lock.  I took a couple of photos so will put them up when I can! The lock cottage resident caught him and escorted him back to his field by the scruff its his neck!

John managed to fish out an aluminium windlass at the lock - it is so light I may try it although I prefer the ones with the handle that turns.

We cruised along, it felt so good to be out in the countryside again and our spirits lifted. To add to our pleasure there was a mooring on the bollards outside the Horse and Barge at Harefield. So we are for the weekend, shopping in Uxbridge for me, (by bus), and some jobs on the boat for John!

For the first time in weeks we have put the satellite dish up and might even watch some TV. IF, and yes, that is a big IF, there is anything worth watching! I certainly have not missed the TV in all these weeks!