Farewell to Patience

And so, farewell then, dear Patience.
After ten years of interest, challenge, friendship, peaceful retreat, security and adventure, Patience today changed ownership and we walked away leaving her in her usual home at Welford. Now she's being cared for by Malc while John and I will move on to other projects. Not without regret, we have wonderful memories of adventures (exploring all the Cambridgeshire rivers), mishaps (a log in the prop, acres of weed, a suddenly dead battery), triumphs (our processing along the Cambridge Backs), scenery (everywhere, sunlight and dappled shade, mooring under the church at Fotheringay) and just great pleasure.
Here, in yellow, is where we got to.

If you've ever been tempted by narrow boating, do give it a go. We found that a serviceable boat can be bought for around £30,000. It should cost about £3,000 pa to run including insurance, servicing, fuel, mooring, registration with CRT and general maintenance. We split this between the two of us, which meant half the cost and twice the friendship and support. And I would say, as a clueless mechanic, make sure at least one of you knows bit about engines, plumbing and electrics. That's John.

And so it ends.
And there's no need for John to worry about sudden dying batteries, unexplained engine noises, or water in the bilges.
And there's nowhere for me to retreat to when I need to revive my spirits, nowhere I can cruise contentedly in the green dappled shade or sleep peacefully while Patience rocks me gently to sleep.

Thank you Patience, and goodbye.

Narrow Boat Art

While on our last trip to Foxton, and in the Foxton Locks Inn, I found this framed painting of two narrow boats. I'd admired it in the past and this time copied it for all to see.

Artist, David Juckes

Narrow boat for sale

We spent a couple of days relaxedly drifting up to Foxton and back for what could be the final voyage of our ownership of Patience. Yes, John and Duncan are putting dear Patience up for sale after ten years of delightful trips and good companionship. We took our wives with us to enjoy the boating and  relax into the dappled shade and warm sun between Welford and Foxton. Surprisingly few boats out on the water and lots of room to moor. Foxton Locks looked attractive in the summer evening sun.

And so ten happy years, first at Stretham, then Oundle and finally Welford - all convenient and comfortable moorings - comes to an end. Patience is in good shape, comfortable and sound, having been maintained to the highest standard throughout. We'll be sad to leave her, but she deserves someone who will use her more frequently and perhaps take her on new adventures.

If you are interested, add a comment below and we'll get back to you and arrange a viewing. There is interest at Welford already!
For the record she is 45 feet long, (as long as the cabin of the new Gulfstream G600 jet but compact enough to fit into every part of the canal system), built in 1994 and in very good shape. She is currently comfortably moored at Welford off the Leicester branch of the Grand Union and though we cannot guarantee that our mooring will be available in future, the marina owners would be open to discussion.
She has four berths, a new stove, a pump-through toilet, gas hob and oven, 12volt fridge and we'll include cutlery and cooking kit plus boating spares and paint. Anything else, just ask!

New season's maintenance

The weather may be up and down, blowing and snowing followed by warm sunshine, but the general trend is warming and that means time to give Patience an airing.
Today was our second maintenance day of the season, plus we took a couple of walking pals out for a short trip to the end of the Welford Arm and back. With a walk in the morning, the usual excellent lunch at The Wharf and a couple of hours going there and back, the pals proclaimed their delight "with child-like enthusiasm."
But today was scrubbing the roof (pale, non-slip but harbours dark dirt) and treating the fore-deck with red oxide in preparation for a re-paint. The water tank, recently given its annual coat of potable bitumen, was filled a little with chlorine to clear the pipes, and now is half-full, ready for any journey we might take.
It's still cold in the evenings, but we have a beautiful new stove and lots of fuel, so we are ready for anything. Spring has sprung at Welford Marina.

Curious Boats At Bow

In mid January four of us broke our usual pattern of monthly walks in the East Anglian countryside and took ourselves to Bow and Limehouse. Very flat walking, lots of interest and lots of individual boats. Do visit the Ragged School Museum and The Grapes pub.

What do you think of these quirky boats?

 This is the same boat photographed from each end. It's a lifeboat from a sea going vessel and there are quite a few around, especially in the London area. Usually painted orange so they can be more easily found at sea there is also one famously painted in blue.

And this small sculpture was being used to moor a narrow boat. The two chaps are doing a good job.