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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2020 19:19:32 GMT
I must report that matters have spiralled out of control aboard the good ship Jazz. The voyage is turning into a nightmare at the hands of my boating buddy, who has turned into Captain Bligh and insists on doing unfeasibly long distances each day, that people my age should be legally prevented form attempting. He lies to me. He told me Fotheringhay to Thrapston was an 'easy run', and here I am 10 hours and numerous locks later, a broken man. My legs have effectively gone on strike, (at least for this evening), and my quivering hand mercifully has just enough strength left to reach for a beer.
I think I washed the day before yesterday, but in truth I can no longer be sure. The days are turning into an endless grinding cycle of sweat and labour, my working shirt has returned to front line duty, more unpleasant-smelling than ever before, and yet I could not muster the slightest ounce of shame in the queue at the Co-op. Today we endured 15 miles of cruising and then a 2 mile trudge to the Co-Op and back, and yet my accursed boating buddy shows no sign of fatigue- this devil laughs and jokes the whole time, as if human beings walking a mile to get beer was completely normal.
And as if smelling like I've slept on the streets for a week wasn't enough, the shopping trip included a completely unnecessary SAS-style landing in a tender on a steep muddy bank, which left my clothes muddy as well as smelly, and my shins bruised from vaulting a fence. Barely ten days ago, my socks used to slide freely from my feet in the evenings. Now my socks peel away reluctantly from my feet, as if wanting to cling on to their unholy union a little longer. They used to be springy, smooth, and fresh- they have become horrid, damp, and claggy things, which my non-functioning nose mercifully prevents me from suffering the smell of.
I'm not sure how much longer this can go on. I may be be able to slip away from my tormenter during the Northampton flight, but if I cannot, I will be hospitalised before we reach Gayton junction. Make it stop.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2020 19:28:29 GMT
Fotheringhay to Thrapston IS an easy run!
You’ve less fresh in the river than a week ago as well....
FYI, Shorter walks for grub can be had at Irthlingborough to Aldi at the back of the old Diamonds Ground, Wellingborough Embankment to nearby Tesco and Morrison’s on the old cattle market in Northampton.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2020 19:32:42 GMT
Have you asked him if he is any good at fitting stoves in boats?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2020 19:37:05 GMT
Fotheringhay to Thrapston IS an easy run! You’ve less fresh in the river than a week ago as well.... FYI, Shorter walks for grub can be had at Irthlingborough to Aldi at the back of the old Diamonds Ground, Wellingborough Embankment to nearby Tesco and Morrison’s on the old cattle market in Northampton. But gazza, that can't be true. That would mean it was just me being a complete wimp. Oh, wait...
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2020 19:42:25 GMT
Have you asked him if he is any good at fitting stoves in boats? Let's just say the subject was broached, and his level of expertise in this area was mentioned- and sadly, he has no expertise. Dont get me wrong, he's a proper boater, although only in his 20s, and he's as game as anything for a bit of DIY, but the answers to my inquires did not give me the level of confidence I require in a person fitting such a dangerous item on my boat. Thankfully, the GU draws ever nearer, and I can pause for breath and look at some options.
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Post by metanoia on Sept 4, 2020 19:56:55 GMT
I must report that matters have spiralled out of control aboard the good ship Jazz. The voyage is turning into a nightmare at the hands of my boating buddy, who has turned into Captain Bligh and insists on doing unfeasibly long distances each day, that people my age should be legally prevented form attempting. He lies to me. He told me Fotheringhay to Thrapston was an 'easy run', and here I am 10 hours and numerous locks later, a broken man. My legs have effectively gone on strike, (at least for this evening), and my quivering hand mercifully has just enough strength left to reach for a beer. I think I washed the day before yesterday, but in truth I can no longer be sure. The days are turning into an endless grinding cycle of sweat and labour, my working shirt has returned to front line duty, more unpleasant-smelling than ever before, and yet I could not muster the slightest ounce of shame in the queue at the Co-op. Today we endured 15 miles of cruising and then a 2 mile trudge to the Co-Op and back, and yet my accursed boating buddy shows no sign of fatigue- this devil laughs and jokes the whole time, as if human beings walking a mile to get beer was completely normal. And as if smelling like I've slept on the streets for a week wasn't enough, the shopping trip included a completely unnecessary SAS-style landing in a tender on a steep muddy bank, which left my clothes muddy as well as smelly, and my shins bruised from vaulting a fence. Barely ten days ago, my socks used to slide freely from my feet in the evenings. Now my socks peel away reluctantly from my feet, as if wanting to cling on to their unholy union a little longer. They used to be springy, smooth, and fresh- they have become horrid, damp, and claggy things, which my non-functioning nose mercifully prevents me from suffering the smell of. I'm not sure how much longer this can go on. I may be be able to slip away from my tormenter during the Northampton flight, but if I cannot, I will be hospitalised before we reach Gayton junction. Make it stop. The Northampton flight is pleasantly easy - you'll enjoy that after what you've been through for the last few days! Single locks so you might be alone.... ....but I think you will never appreciate what a help your amazing lock buddy has proved. eta - big Tesco there for as many new socks as you can eat x
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Post by Trina on Sept 4, 2020 20:06:23 GMT
I wouldn't mind a boater in his 20s giving me a helping hand...or two...or anything else for that matter.😁Paul would probably be grateful & pay him !
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2020 20:11:28 GMT
The Northampton flight is pleasantly easy - you'll enjoy that after what you've been through for the last few days! Single locks so you might be alone.... Probably worth mentioning to @tonyc that going up narrow locks calls for some care if you have not done it before. Can't remember what those ones were like as it was late 90s when I did them and had already done hundreds of narrow locks by that time but my first ever narrow lock of any size was the one on the Oxford after dukes cut April 1994 and yes the boat whacked the cill very hard... 32ft boat I didn't know about the hydrodynamics of narrow locks at the time.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2020 20:20:17 GMT
I must report that matters have spiralled out of control aboard the good ship Jazz. The voyage is turning into a nightmare at the hands of my boating buddy, who has turned into Captain Bligh and insists on doing unfeasibly long distances each day, that people my age should be legally prevented form attempting. He lies to me. He told me Fotheringhay to Thrapston was an 'easy run', and here I am 10 hours and numerous locks later, a broken man. My legs have effectively gone on strike, (at least for this evening), and my quivering hand mercifully has just enough strength left to reach for a beer. I think I washed the day before yesterday, but in truth I can no longer be sure. The days are turning into an endless grinding cycle of sweat and labour, my working shirt has returned to front line duty, more unpleasant-smelling than ever before, and yet I could not muster the slightest ounce of shame in the queue at the Co-op. Today we endured 15 miles of cruising and then a 2 mile trudge to the Co-Op and back, and yet my accursed boating buddy shows no sign of fatigue- this devil laughs and jokes the whole time, as if human beings walking a mile to get beer was completely normal. And as if smelling like I've slept on the streets for a week wasn't enough, the shopping trip included a completely unnecessary SAS-style landing in a tender on a steep muddy bank, which left my clothes muddy as well as smelly, and my shins bruised from vaulting a fence. Barely ten days ago, my socks used to slide freely from my feet in the evenings. Now my socks peel away reluctantly from my feet, as if wanting to cling on to their unholy union a little longer. They used to be springy, smooth, and fresh- they have become horrid, damp, and claggy things, which my non-functioning nose mercifully prevents me from suffering the smell of. I'm not sure how much longer this can go on. I may be be able to slip away from my tormenter during the Northampton flight, but if I cannot, I will be hospitalised before we reach Gayton junction. Make it stop. The Northampton flight is pleasantly easy - you'll enjoy that after what you've been through for the last few days! Ok, confession time Met. I actually had a day off cruising yesterday because it was a work day, so for most of the day I was sat down on the laptop and on the phone. At a fiver a night for the mooring, it was well worth staying where I was at Fotheringhay. What a lovely spot that is. I must say though, I hadn't realised how physical it can be at times just working a boat through a few locks, if you're not used to it. It's actually turned out to be a bit of challenge to adjust from being a desk-bound office person to full time liveaboard and cruising. At least the scenery is nice. And the pies.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2020 20:23:23 GMT
Fotheringhay to Thrapston IS an easy run! You’ve less fresh in the river than a week ago as well.... FYI, Shorter walks for grub can be had at Irthlingborough to Aldi at the back of the old Diamonds Ground, Wellingborough Embankment to nearby Tesco and Morrison’s on the old cattle market in Northampton. But gazza, that can't be true. That would mean it was just me being a complete wimp. Oh, wait... My brother did Oundle Cruising Club to Peterborough Yacht club in 8 hours two weeks ago 👍🍻 If you are pressing on the entire trip from Peterborough to Northampton can be done in around 20 hours, it’s far better at a slow pace though 👍 If you fancy looking out the pubs in your vicinity - if you are at the Sailing club mooring walk up to the Rose and Crown in Islip, nip over the green foot bridge, walk up mill lane and turn left at the top of the hill 👍🍻 For the Woolpack Inn Islip turn right immediately as you go through nine arches bridge, water and moorings (all be it popular - you may have to breast up) if going on foot Follow the footpath along the river, behind the housing estate popping out on to the Thrapston side of the bridge, TR and head into Islip - you can’t miss the pub 🍻👍
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Post by metanoia on Sept 4, 2020 20:24:51 GMT
eta @tonyc - you're nearly there - once you get to Gayton you can doss/take the pee/overstay moor for as long as you like.
Seriously, it will be much easier once you get to the canal network - mooring is usually such that when you've had enough you can just pull in.
You're doing fine - apart from the inevitable, ubiquitous guitar!
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Post by metanoia on Sept 4, 2020 20:26:45 GMT
The Northampton flight is pleasantly easy - you'll enjoy that after what you've been through for the last few days! Ok, confession time Met. I actually had a day off cruising yesterday because it was a work day, so for most of the day I was sat down on the laptop and on the phone. At a fiver a night for the mooring, it was well worth staying where I was at Fotheringhay. What a lovely spot that is. I must say though, I hadn't realised how physical it can be at times just working a boat through a few locks, if you're not used to it. It's actually turned out to be a bit of challenge to adjust from being a desk-bound office person to full time liveaboard and cruising. At least the scenery is nice. And the pies.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2020 20:33:36 GMT
Barely ten days ago, my socks used to slide freely from my feet in the evenings. Now my socks peel away reluctantly from my feet, as if wanting to cling on to their unholy union a little longer. They used to be springy, smooth, and fresh- they have become horrid, damp, and claggy things, which my non-functioning nose mercifully prevents me from suffering the smell of. eta - big Tesco there for as many new socks as you can eat x Just to add, on the issue of socks- at the moment I cannot guess what fate awaits my socks, but I feel sure they will never willingly be eaten by any animal or beast (at least native to our planet), and least of all by me. After all, I know where they have been. My socks, when they are eventually discarded, may fall into some sort of hazardous waste category, and require specialist treatment by qualified personnel, but I'm not sure what their half life might be. I have to say though, and joking aside, Alex is an absolute diamond of a guy to cruise with. He is always cheerful, helpful, and he knows his stuff too- a proper old school boater. Sailing yachts in his teens, motorboats in his early 20s, and for the last couple of years a narrowboat. He was basically born a boater, and I think he will die a boater. But a smashing lad.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2020 20:34:33 GMT
Can I assume from your exertions that you missed the chimney collar? Oh and there are 3 manual guillotines tomorrow
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Post by Trina on Sept 4, 2020 20:50:09 GMT
The Northampton flight is pleasantly easy - you'll enjoy that after what you've been through for the last few days! Ok, confession time Met. I actually had a day off cruising yesterday because it was a work day, so for most of the day I was sat down on the laptop and on the phone. At a fiver a night for the mooring, it was well worth staying where I was at Fotheringhay. What a lovely spot that is. I must say though, I hadn't realised how physical it can be at times just working a boat through a few locks, if you're not used to it. It's actually turned out to be a bit of challenge to adjust from being a desk-bound office person to full time liveaboard and cruising. At least the scenery is nice. And the pies. Fotheringhay takes me back to my early teens when I read my way through all the Jean Plaidy novels-'Royal Road to Fotheringhay' etc. Would love to read them all again !
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