Caen Hill Locks and beyond

29th August 2014 - Cumbria

The 'family' are still in Cumbria.  Mazey had to have a mass removed from her mouth on Friday, 22nd August.  Everyone is now waiting on the pathology results.  Poor 'patchwork' Mazey this is her third operation in under 2 years.

Susan had a fabulous time on her birthday (20th August) when Susan, Pete, and Helen went for afternoon tea in Linthwaite House Hotel, Ambelside.  Stunning views over the fells and Lake Windermere.  In the evening, Pete took Susan to Oscars in Abbey House for more drinks.  Back home Janet, Rachel and Stephanie arrived with a birthday cake and more drinks.  Yah!!!  Susan was very spoilt!!

Views over the fells

Helen and Pete

Pete and Sue

Linthwaite House Hotel

Abbey House

Oscar's

Lovely birthday cake - Thanks

Jan and Sue celebrating

16th August 2014 - Update

It seems such a long time since we chatted and we have been very busy.  The delay in posting has been due to lack of internet signal and the 'family' having a break in Cumbria.  I am currently moored in Caen Hill Marina which is a new marina.

Caen Hill Marina - Devizes

Plenty of space here at the moment - waiting for the 'family' to come back so that we can set off again!  Update below:

25th July, 2014

You will be pleased to know that we completed the 29 locks of the Caen Hill flight on Friday, 25th July.  We did the first 6 locks alone and then a holiday boat waited for us to catch up and share the rest of the 23 locks with them.

Holiday boat and Dreamer

25th July is a date we will all remember as the day Pete fell in......  Unfortunately, he got a soaking when he slipped off my well-deck in a lock.  Thankfully, Susan was quick thinking (under direction of Pete telling her what to do) and managed to stop the water from draining out of the lock, then re-filled it whilst jumping onto the stern and reversing me (so that I would not crush Pete).  Meanwhile, Pete hung on for all he was worth onto the front.  The driver of the other boat was totally oblivious to the drama happening at the front of the boats until Susan yelled at him and asked for help.  Eventually, Pete managed to haul himself up by using the lock gate and getting a foot hold onto the wall.  PHEW that was scarey.  I was very worried for a while.  Afterwards, he said that his 'pride was hurt' but everything else was fine!!!  Susan was badly shaken by this incident.

Pete survives a soaking

We were sharing the lock with a family on holiday from Amsterdam....  It was a big adventure for them and their children not only because Pete fell in at the lock BUT also because I got firmly wedged with the other boat in another lock (apparently the narrowest on this flight) on the way out of it when Susan was in charge.   It took everyone's effort plus two volunteer lock keepers to free us.  What a day!!  Everyone was glad and happy when we finished the last lock.

We are stuck!!

Bottom of the flight

Lock 22 - the last one!

Yellow Lillies line the canal

Thanks and goodbye (Annie and family)

After a brief stop in Caen Hill marina we stop in Sells Green for the next week before returning to Caen Hill marina.

Sell's Green mooring

Total 29 Locks, 3.5 miles