Tuesday 2nd May 2006

Meg's Maiden Voyage

May day weekend we decided to have a 3 day cruise on the boat. As we only had 2 nights we were a bit limited as to where we could go. We decided to spend the first night at Great Heck and duly booked a table at the Bay Horse, a place we have been to many times in past years.

There was quite a stiff cold wind blowing when we left but it was not in the usual direction (Westerly) so I did manage to get Meg out of the Marina OK. Normally if there is a wind I'm blown sideways as I come out of the berth and end up laid across the sterns of the other boats in the row.

We stopped at the entrance to New Junction canal for a tea break. I had to turn her as we were going back the way we came in and the wind caught her. I found myself being pushed sideways down the cut desperately trying to turn her. She did turn eventually but I guess it took us down the cut about 150yds.

Moored at the entrance to New Junction

Heck is about 21/2 hours from Goole with only one lock between. All went OK until Pollington lock. As I stopped to tie up the centre line I was carrying managed to catch the morse control and as I jumped off it put the boat in gear and off she went. So jump back on, put her in neutral and try again. I bet I could not do that again if I tried!.

We shared the lock with another boat who, when the gates opened took off quite quickly and managed to rake the full side of his boat along Meg's bow. As she has a flared rubbing strake at the front is only took off a little paint.

I then went out and had to stop to pick Gwyn up. as she was operating the lock. The wind at this point was blowing across the canal and no way would Meg come off the bank after much pulling and pushing we were finally under way again.

The rest of the trip to Heck was uneventful. We had a very good meal and spent a peaceful night. The temperatue did drop further during the night but we did not notice it. The squirrel stove kept us warm all night.

Moored at Great Heck Meg inspects her namesake.

The next night (Sunday) we were going to moor at the Ferry Bridge visitors moorings but as usual there were no spaces. We had a bit of a dilemma then. Past Ferry Bridge is river with no stopping points for a long way. As we had to be back for work Tuesday where ever we spent Sunday night we had to make Goole on the Monday. We moored for the afternoon opposite DB marine who make dutch barges and late afternoon we set off back to Heck to spend the night.

We had just got going as the heavens opened so we continued to Heck getting soaked. Of course after we arrived and were moored up it stopped and the wind dropped grrr!

Aire & Calder Navigation

We woke next morning to more high winds. We were passed by the Rix Falcon loaded with oil. These Rix tankers used to do daily trips up the Aire and Calder but now they seem to be making less runs.

Rix Falcon

We set off back to Goole in the wind which caused problems for us at Pollington lock again where I just could not get Meg into the bank to pick Gwyn up. She had to walk to a more sheltered bit and I managed to throw her a rope so she could pull the boat to the side to get back on.

In spite of all this bad weather it was great being out on the boat. Everything worked properly and I can't wait to get out again.

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