The highlight of the year however must be the trips into the Wash. I've had three marvellous days, once even catching fish of my own.

Most of my trips to Boston this year have been from Southrey. This is the first year I have not had an official mooring at Bardney, and so have been mooring as a visitor. There is now a 72-hour limit, but it is a long floating pontoon, so is rarely full. My small boat fits nicely at the end next to the walkway, so even if I left it there most of the time, I wouldn't be in the way of anyone else. When I returned and moored for the first time, one chap asked where I was. On discovering I was on the visitors mooring he asked how long I was staying for. Only for the summer I replied, much to the amusement of some, however not all as I was later to discover. One or two took umbrage to the fact I had a 'free' mooring, however most seem to have accepted this by the end of the year, with some positively onside. One person moves his boat around, leaving it nearer to his home for most of the summer. He kindly said I could leave Wud on his finger mooring while he is away if I like.

Going to Boston from Southrey, instead of Bardney does in fact make the trip easier, and takes much less time. Chapel Hill is half way, with the complete trip taking 3 hours, instead of the four-hour trip from Bardney, with the need to come through the lock of course. Now as I'm sure you must now realise, I don't mind locks at all, unlike some, but it does add about 20 minutes by the time you have walked to the boat, started it up, and loaded the 'junk' from the car. We usually travel down to Boston in the afternoon, or evening in the longer summer days. So I had arranged to meet Roy around 3.00 in the afternoon. I was at Bardney in good time, but despite rushing, not having to stop to close gates, and transferring the 'junk' from car to boat while the lock was emptying, I still arrived to find him impatiently waiting with engines running.

Why take 'Junk' I hear you say. Well it is really isn't it, but most of it necessary. Food and clothes for instance. However it still becomes a bit of a chore, as I have to take it from house to car to boat to car to house on every trip. I keep drinking water in empty 2 litre plastic milk bottles; as this means I always have fresh drinking water. A few of these and I have ample for the short trips I usually undertake. They are free, can be regularly changed, and BW provide plenty of places to fill up, especially on the Witham and Fosse Dyke. I have now got down to only requiring one bag, which also contains keys, camera, and any other accessories I require.

Another kind person has helped me to continue boating this year. A really nice man I get on with really well. He bought a cheap old small narrowboat, and has now almost completely rebuilt it. Like many he has learned the hard way, as it has cost him almost more than a new one, plus 200 hours of labour. However it's now a good boat. He had a newer and better engine to fit, and this was the last major job. The original engine had an oil seal fail, so he fitted the new one. He had already been very helpful, giving me some cans of diesel he got from his works, and while we were chatting about his new engine, he casually said I could have the old one. Well words almost failed me, although I managed to stutter some thanks. With Roy's help we moved it to his sisters farm, and there I replaced the oil seal, and cleaned and painted it. I advertised it at a reasonable price, one to cover my expenses for next year and after a while someone bought it, and is very pleased with his purchase. So many thanks to Mark for enabling me to continue boating for yet another year.

I also met another friend Arnie, who I helped take his boat to Southrey last year, by towing with Wud, so we could use the slipway to put it on his trailer. Well it is still on his drive, so he has kindly let me stay on his mooring at Chapel Hill over the winter period. This has all worked out rather well, as Ken has now got a small yacht, and is mooring it on my mooring on the tidal Haven. Roy bought an old yacht a few years ago, and I advertised this for him on the net a couple of years ago, when he wanted to sell her (she is a wooden boat). Someone not too far away, who has spent 2 years renovating her, and has done a fantastic job, bought her. So he is on Roy's other mooring at Chapel, the one I was using last winter.

Just to remind you, I lost my handheld GPS a few years ago. I had followed Roy and Fred from Boston, and as Wud still had a large prop, I waited a while so as not to follow slowly. I had lent Roy my bag when he went to market, and so the GPS was in the cabin, and I wasn't using it coming home. I didn't miss it for several weeks, but then remembered putting it on the cabin roof of Wud, while I fastened the canopy. I was rushing to take Roy back to Chapel to his car in mine. A week or so later I left Bardney and was on my way home when I realised I'd left my mobile phone on the chair on the bank. I'd put it there while closing the canopy, then promptly forgot to pick it up. I'm assuming I had done the same with the GPS.

Well I thought I'd replace it if I got some more money from boating, however have not had enough. Although this is a relatively small amount, compared to some I've had from boat sales in the past, I decided to replace it as going into the Wash it could be a valuable safety aid. They are also much cheaper now, so I can justify the cost of one. If it turned foggy while I was in the wash, I could follow the buoys back, as I have programmed them into the GPS, so should make the safety of the Haven.

Now I still enjoy the Witham, but have to admit the trips downstream are becoming a little jaded, especially the 'Boring Straight'. There is a long straight with little to see on the way from Chapel Hill to Boston, and it takes a little over half an hour. But funnily enough, either on my own, or with Roy, or another boater, I've still enjoyed the trips back, often not wanting them to end.

The First Trip - In company of Roy with a friend.

Well after a few disappointments, we finally took our first sea-fishing trip on the August Bank Holiday weekend. We had already thought of going a few times before, but either poor weather, or wrongly timed tides stopped us. An ideal time to go is when a high-pressure system has just formed, with light south, or west winds, which should mean a calm sea. The sea is higher than the river at Boston, something I had never thought of before the boating trips. This means the lock gates cannot be opened until the sea level has dropped to that of the river. As this takes between 2 to 3 hours, and the time to return is about 8 hours later, the best time to leave is around 8.30 to 9.00 in the morning. You need to look at the tide tables to find a suitable day for high tide. Tide tables times are GMT, so another hour must be added for BST. Once you are used to this, all you do is look for a high water time of around 5.30am. However tides do not clock watch, and are often late. Plus they vary in height, so higher tides take longer of course. The lock keeper works out the tides, and tells you the time to be back when you leave.

Roy's ex neighbour, who had sold up and bought a new narrowboat to live on last year, had returned to Boston. A good cook, and keen fisherman, he was going with Roy. Well we locked out, and had a pleasant trip down the Haven in the company of plenty of boats. The LBC (Lincoln Boat Club) of which I'm a member had several boats going out, as did the Yacht Club. They were going to have a game of cricket on a sandbank. Also several locals who regularly go out were also with us. Now it was a bit windy when we first went out, and remembering my last occasion, where I was seasick, I said at the outset, if the sea were rough I would turn back, and wait on my mooring, which we pass on the way. However despite waves breaking over the front of the boat on the odd occasion going down the river, once out in the Wash it was fairly calm, and in fact turned into a lovely day.

We went along the buoys marking the channel, until reaching the point where we normally anchor for fishing. I had decided to keep moving around to try to find fish with the good fishfinder on my boat. The only problem with a fishfinder is that it often only shows the fish you've passed, so by the time you stop etc. they have gone. It does however give a guide as to whether there are any fish around, or not. As usual I was unprepared for this fishing lark. I had asked Roy and Dick to help me before I left, borrowing a reel and putting some of my line on, but then I couldn't get the reel to work. Not being a fisherman, I had forgotten how to thread it, so reverted to my 'scrap' one I had found at the lock house when I first went got a boat and went to Bardney. So I spent the first hour at least messing about with the fishing tackle. On a recent Boston trip, I had in fact bought a collection of rods cheaply from the market, mainly for the sea-fishing rod it contained. I had repaired it by fitting a couple of missing eyes, not very well but it should do this simple job.

However it didn't make any difference. I still didn't catch anything. But then neither did the locals, or the boats that had come from Hunstanton, Sheringham or Cromer. I learned of this when I next visited the boat club a week or two later. Roy however was more successful, catching 2 Mackerel. Dick also equalled him, so a grand total of 4 were caught, still this was enough for one each for the evening meal when we got back. I assisted them in this task however; as I spent much of the day searching for fish, and then I towed Roy's boat behind me while looking for them with the fishfinder. This worked really well, slowing us down to a great speed for trawling. I was slightly unlucky not to catch my own, as while I chugged around, I had ample time to hang my line and feathers over the side, with little time required at the wheel. The Mackerel I passed decided to grab Roys hook, rather than my own, and as he had exactly the same feathers for bait, I thought this a little unfair (grin). Ah well, I guess that's fishing.

We had an uneventful trip back to the Haven and then upstream to the sluice and safety of the Witham. We were again in the company of the other boats, and while passing alongside one of the club boats, they took a photo of me. I had a wonderful surprise when I discovered this waiting for me on the bar at the club a week or two later, and now takes pride of place on my mantlepiece. It is the thought that matters, not the cost.

Once back through the lock and moored in our spots again, Dick set about preparing the fish, and then cooked them on his BBQ to perfection. He and his wife Jill had provided a lovely meal for us the previous night, where I experienced his cooking skills. Now I have been told fresh Mackerel are the best tasting fish of all, and Dick certainly knew how to cook them. They were delicious, and it is doubtful a better tasting fish could be found on our planet.

Later we left for the return trip, which for me was very enjoyable. As usual it was dark for the last leg, Kirkstead Bridge to Southrey, where I left Wud. Roy took me back to Bardney in his car, dropping me at the road bridge, leaving me with the short walk back to the lock on the newly opened footpath. This meant I had to return to Southrey to collect the 'junk' but after a trip like that, well worth the effort.

The Second Trip - Out Alone...

Roy was away, but tides and weather looked perfect, so I asked another of our mutual friends who had expressed an interest if he fancied going. He readily agreed, so I went to Boston the previous day. Tony arrived as planned, and at we locked out at a slightly earlier time, shortly after 7.00am. This time I didn't have any boats to accompany me, but knew the trip well enough now to be confident. Well we had a fantastic day. I actually caught 4 Mackerel myself, and Tony caught 13. When we got back I gutted and prepared them, before walking back with Tony to his car. I then had the four-hour trip back to Bardney. I travelled the last part in the dark as usual, but almost seem to know the river from Southrey to Bardney better in the dark than daylight.

I had woken up at 6.00am and arrived home at midnight, but it had been a fantastic, if long and tiring day. In fact it would be my longest days boating this year, by far; but it was also one of the best.

The Last One - Best Boating of the Year...

This turned out to be even better than the last one, the best of the year, and as good as any. I asked another friend who has his own boat at Bardney if he would like to come. He has been working hard and needed a break, and so said he would. We met and travelled down together, arriving at Southrey to find Roy had already set off. I didn't know, but he had a friend with him from the Boston rowing club. Roy phoned a little later to see where we were, and we tried radio contact, only were a little too far apart. This of course continued all the way to Boston. Gavin, another friend was joining us later on his boat, as he couldn't leave until he had finished work.

A week or two earlier Roy and Gavin had a fishing trip. I went with them to Boston, but reports of windy weather from the wrong direction kept me from going. Roy had several of his friends accompany him, and to be honest they should have been tossed about and had an uncomfortable time. When the locals and fishermen don't go, neither do I. As it was the windy weather didn't materialise, and they all had a good day, catching plenty of fish. Gavin and his friend Tony are experienced sea fishermen, and caught almost a freezer full of Mackerel. So a good time was had by all. I had to return before they came back, so learned of this when I met them later in the week.

Well Martin and I arrived and moored near to Roy, with Gavin arriving after dark. I went with Roy to the fairly new ASDA superstore nearby. We cycled and this made the short trip easy. Roy marvelled he could buy a pair of trousers at this time of night, and I in fact treated myself to a pair of 3quid jeans. I bought the few provisions I required, and we returned to Roy's boat. Martin had sorted his boat out for the night, and joined us also. Gavin and Tony for some reason didn't want to.

Martin is an excellent guitarist and musician. He now makes his living by making and mending guitars, and had brought a portable CD player for the CD I have made up of the songs I can strum along to. Well it turned into a great little music session. Helped by the wine no doubt, we played along to the songs on the CD and then had Roy singing a few. Martin is so good, he can just follow me, and I was just strumming the chords to the records I've learnt. Well it didn't sound too bad, and was most enjoyable. At the end of the evening Martin gave me what must be one of the best compliments I have had. He said it is unusual for 2 people who have never played together to play well; high praise indeed, especially for someone with little musical ability.

The next day we went out into the Wash, and had the most fabulous time so far. The weather was almost perfect, and Martin, who had not been fishing before caught two fish. The Mackerel had gone, and so we were the only one of the three boats to catch anything. That evening, after we returned Martin and myself took our boats to Antons Gowt to visit the pub, in search of a meal. Well the Malcolm Arms didn't disappoint again, as we struck lucky. There was a carvery that started at 6.30. The packed pub provided a space for us to eat, so we enjoyed as much as we desired of the best home cooked, locally grown food that you could wish to get. Followed by a sweet and all for a fiver. After a beer, and more wine, provided by Martin, what more could you ask for, and it rounded off a fantastic weekend.

The next morning Martin had to leave to get back, and I returned to Boston to meet Roy, who was picking up a small boat he had been given by the rowing club. After a bit of faffing about he got it mended and tied to his boat and we set off for home. He left his own boat on his mooring at Chapel Hill, transferring his stuff, and the boat to Gavins, who I had met taking his back to Chapel Hill, and then Southrey, as it had started to leak badly. While moored at Chapel, Roy found the leak, and plugged it with a bit of his paste of bitumin and sawdust I luckily carry on my boat. I had intended leaving Wud at Chapel, going back home with Gavin. I have a winter mooring at Chapel again. A good friend has one there that is empty, as his boat is still on the trailer at his house, so he has kindly let me keep mine there for the winter again. The yacht I advertised for Roy a couple of years earlier had found a buyer locally. He has transformed it, and it is wintering on Roy's spare mooring that I used last year. Ken, my friend from Coalville, who has now got a small sailing boat as well, is using my proper mooring on the Haven. This has all worked out very well, however on the trip home that day, I decided to take my boat upstream for a couple of weeks. It was still licensed so I may get to use it for a last trip. It also saved humping the junk from boat to boat and car to car.

The Other Trips - and a Little Work Required...

After the first saltwater adventure Wud had decided to leak a little more, well a lot more actually, and really required some attention. A day or two after our first trip with Roy and Dick, I investigated and discovered a considerable leak, hidden under a cross spar, which was in turn hidden under an engine mounting wood. This is the leak that I've had ever since I bought her, the one caused when she fell off the rollers when being loaded onto the trailer while on Deal beach. A day or so later, Roy phoned to say he had time to take her out, so I jumped to it. When she was on the trailer I discovered a loose rivet, which with Roys help we quickly tightened up. I also tightened up the bolts holding the engine mounting woods, and also the cutlass bearing, which had worked slightly loose again.

I had another stroke of luck, as someone I had not seen for ages, was just cycling past, and stopped to help. So while I blacked her bottom, he painted her sides.

Job done in less than a day and we returned the next morning to refloat her. Sadly there was not enough water to take Roys boat out, which had been the original plan. However Wud should now be OK for at least 2 years; without mishap of course.

A couple of weeks later I took Wud to her winter quarters at Chapel at the weekend, sharing the transport duties with Gavin. Then on the Tuesday and only a day or so before the water was due to be lowered, I had decided to visit Chapel, and was joined by my friend Arnie, who is letting me stay on his mooring. It was a lovely day, and I had sent a text to say I was going. Once there he soon arrived, agreeing with me it would be a good opportunity to take a last trip up to South Kyme. A few weeks earlier he had tried canoeing downstream, only ending up in the mud about half a mile before Bottom Lock. It turned out the sluices had been left open all summer since the floods, and it was only the fishermen threatening EA with court action that make them lower them again. So we had a last trip to South Kyme. Almost weed and trouble free, on this nice, autumn day, it really was a great way to end the year. I might have an odd foray up and down the Witham a little way, as Wud is floating on Arnie's mooring, unlike last year, however I've covered about 800 miles so have had plenty of use from Wud this year. I knew I wouldn't go as far as last year, and with June and July being a washout, as well as not making a trip up the Trent I would like to have done, I've no complaints at all.

Also, in-between the last two Wash trips I had a really nice day out on the boat with Arnie. While I was moored at Bardney we had a very good trip to Lincoln. He treated me to a nice meal, before we continued on up the Fosse Dyke to the Pyewipe Inn, for the obligatory pint. Before heading back through Lincoln and downstream to Bardney. So I've finally made it upstream of Lincoln. Actually that should be downstream, as the Witham flows to Boston, whereas the Fosse Dyke flows to Torksey. This short trip from Bardney makes for a great day out, and I'm a little surprised more others don't take me up on it.

On a trip from Bardney to Southrey I had the only small incident of the year. Probably the worst place to meet a boat is on the second of the Bardney factory bends coming downstream. Quite a tight bend, it is often full of weed on the shallow inside, lessening the navigable width of the river to that of many canals.

Approaching the bend I saw a largish smart cruiser coming quite fast from the opposite direction. Knowing that part of the river as well as any, and better than most, I kept to the middle of the bend, on the right of the deep channel as I was supposed to. He however had other ideas, misjudging my speed and competence. Waving me over furiously as he approached did nothing but make me 'stand my ground' even more. I have met this slightly arrogant man a few times now, and I'm sorry but you don't bulldoze me out of the way quite so easily. I left him just enough space, which he didn't approve of.....Tough.

A short while later while dog walking around Stamp End, who should I see in the lock but the said gent, in company of his younger friend in his own posh boat. Well I went up for a 'chat'. After threatening to report me, then throw me in at which I took no notice, stubbornly standing there. He said he wouldn't talk to me, so I said I would talk to his friend, who was grinning at all this. He doesn't want to talk to you either he said. However after offering to help by exchanging BW keys to send them on their way, he relented, and after I apologised, he shook hands and said thanks. Maybe not best buddies, but sociable again. Wonder if he'll buy me a drink next year?