22/05/09
A perfect evening at Badsey’s with Ian and Lesley and friends. The sun shone, we had a great crowd including a party of South Africans we met going into Braunston locks and an American couple on their 25th wedding anniversary trip. Ian cooked us a lovely meal after the show and we enjoyed a few pints of Vicar’s Peril (or Ruin or something). Thanks Ian and Lesley.
23/05/09
An epic journey from Napton Bridge to Stoke Bruerne starting at 5 am, winding through the bends we got stuck firmly on the bank after half an hour and in poling off managed to drop the lovely brass hooter into the water (which wasn’t tied on as it should have been) but not realise it until we were on our way. This sacrifice to the river gods got us into Braunston before any one was about and we managed to buy a new one for seven quid which looks like a plastic surgical appliance but makes a noise like an aircraft carrier. We ran out of water just after Braunston and dared to stop for 20 minutes just to replenish and then onward to our tight schedule. George and Rachel getting very good at the boating now, bending in and out of the turns with ease and keeping impact navigation to a minimum. Speeding down the Buckby flight we met Steve and Mandy at Weedon to give them the keys to move the van from Welford to Milton Keynes and then onward. We made tea coming through Blisworth tunnel, gobbled it down at Stoke Bruerne and then set up and did the show by the museum. As we got up to set off again the next day at 8 o’clock George remarked somewhat wistfully – “wouldn’t it have been easier to come by van?”
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Phew! It sounds exhausting. I don't know how you manage to perform after a long day's boating - all I'd want to do is relax with a glass (okay, several glasses) of wine.
ReplyDeleteThanks for updating the blog so regularly. It's great to keep up with where you are and how it's going.
“wouldn’t it have been easier to come by van?” why yes of course George. 2nd Jill, thanks Adrian for blogtastic news and a big thanks to you all - it really if hrad work, but Jill, I'm sure they will be managing a glass (okay, several glasses) of wine. Cheers guys.
ReplyDeleteAnd an excellent show it was in Stoke Bruerne too. We are very impressed with Tales of the Thames...and certainly the new cast had got the hang of the boating by the look of things when we met them at Weedon.
ReplyDeleteHave sorted out the van and lent the cast a Milton Keynes Map for shopping expeditions, and so they can deliver the washing to Morley Towers - for returning on Wednesday at Marsworth!
The updated Fair Trade is good too - saw it at The Well at Willen... a show that has evolved nicely...especially the additional harmony singing.
'Impact Navigation' ? That sounds exciting, what does it consist of exactly.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing you tonight at the Grand Junction Arms, from Keith & Jo on working narrowboat "Hadar" www.hadar.org.uk
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to catching one or both of the shows in Woolhampton!
ReplyDeleteCurrently, we are stuck, the engine doesn't really work, it goes for a bit then stops and we all are very scared of Adrian making us jump into the canal and pull the boat to the side! Also impact navigation meanns hitting things really, but not hard! I've learnt all about boats and boat phrases! eg: the cut....rope off....and.....Stop crashing the Boat!
ReplyDeleteI threw my plectrum into the audience the other day after the last song!, just like Jimi Hendrix!
I'd like to thank everyone for all of their kind cake donations for my birthday (I'm becoming diabetic I think) and the rest of the cast for giving me a belting party after the show in Tring! Photos to follow....also lots of love to Beryl who went to a lot of trouble to feed us for two nights and baked me a birthday cake! Love Gemma x
ReplyDeleteYou guys are certainly in deservence of some serious ales and good boating. Hope the Tuplings come up trumps, this is all you need, keep up the great work and thank you. PX
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