We have had a few boat trips, several days out, and three dog shows, so there are one or two more adventures to relate.

After the 'magical' trip up the Kyme, I became 'the boring' boater for a week or two i.e. going to it and sitting on it, without going anywhere. Still, as the reason for the boat was to have somewhere to take Barney, it was fulfilling it's purpose.

There was a local dog show the next Sunday, which we attended, enjoyed, and did not come home empty handed. Two weeks later we went to another near Oundle, with a similar outcome. Due to a low attendance, the show finished by mid afternoon, and we had taken our friend John with us. He is a railway fan, so we went to the Nene Valley railway, where he treated us to a ride. Like many of these tourist railways, this one runs alongside the river Nene near Peterborough, and is popular with boats and walkers etc. After the ride, we went back in the car to a popular lock and picnic area we had seen from the train.

As I had been nowhere on the boat for a week or two, and had not been through Lincoln this year, I had a trip to Saxilby, half way to Torksey where the Fosse Dyke joins the Trent. Everyone had said this is a nice place to stay, and where I agree the moorings are pleasant, and the adjoining road has good facilities with pubs, fish & chip shop, Chinese take away and an off-license; the location suffers from being between a road and railway line in my opinion. I prefer the peace and quiet of a countryside backwater.

However we had a good night on the boat, and awoke to a nice if windy day. We journeyed back along this ancient canal to the Brayford pool without incident, although the first impression of planks and nettles must instill the thought of boredom, that so many speak of when boating on the Witham.

A small incident occurred on leaving the Brayford that could have had very serious consequences for us. Other than for crossing the sea, the attraction of boats is their low friction on the water; hence a man can easily pull several tons, something impossible on land. Wind however causes serious problems as boats are blown into others, or river/canal banks. This is a major cause of accidents, and boating in strong winds is only for the brave, or foolhardy. I hope I am neither, and had I been at Bardney, may have refrained from leaving the mooring, however now I have some experience, I was confident I could return in safety.

In the Brayford Pool I had stopped briefly to talk to a BW worker we often see, and also a young man I had met a couple of days before while walking Barney. Exiting the pool I found a large cruiser struggling with the wind, while passing under the Glory Hole. I waited while they walked it through, until I proceeded, making sure I had enough speed for steerage. I quickly caught up at the next bridge, the pedestrian bridge outside the shopping centre. I moored at a 'safe' distance behind, under the 'eyesore' a new sculpture, and waited for them to clear the bridge.

Their boat had been blown sideways, and a young man was on deck trying to push it away from the bank with the boat hook. I shouted to him to take a rope onto the opposite bank to pull it straight. Just then the boat started up, backing full speed until hitting the stone wall and bouncing off, causing considerable damage to the corner of the expensive boat. Frightening me, and the large crowd of onlookers on the bridge, I later learned the control levers had been full astern to go under the bridge. He had started it from below, forgetting to put the levers in neutral, and the safety device either was not working, or was not fitted, resulting in the accident.

Someone else I know was watching this, and saw me hurriedly untie my ropes and more at a safer distance. After a cup of tea with them, I carried on, arriving at Stamp End lock to find the boat already locking through. This is where I learned of the cause of the accident. They helped me through, and I continued back to Bardney without further incident.

On the Saturday before the Oundle show, I went to Sawley marina near Nottingham. A boater with a Norman has started a Norman website normanboats.co,uk, and had the first 'gathering' of owners. Not a club, just a collection of interested people, we had an enjoyable day. I would have liked to have taken my boat, but the dog show the following day, plus lack of crew to help on the trip, particularly the tidal Trent meant I had to go by car. We met some new friends, and had a short boat trip to Shardlow, a very pleasant stopping place with two riverside pubs. Arriving back at Sawley I found the marina about to lock the car park gates, so with nowhere suitable to park, I made a hurried departure, so cutting short my day with newfound friends.

A few weeks later we were going to meet them again in East Anglia, but injuring myself while helping rescue a fellow boater from Bardney thwarted the weekend. After a day of text and phone calls, when I was unable to help due to the summer cold everyone seems to have caught, I went with another friend the following day, on his old, but sturdy wooden lifeboat. After mooring against the wind several times, I found I had overdone it, and so my few weeks of 'normal activity' has been curtailed again. I also had to miss a dog show I was going to attend.

Before this unfortunate incident though, I have enjoyed one of the nicest days out I have ever had. I'm not one to follow 'celebrities' or go to film or TV sets, or locations; however Heartbeat has been one of my favourite programs since it started, and I have promised myself a day out to Goathland where it is filmed for the last few years. I finally made it, taking our friend John with us.

From leaving home, to returning in the evening, everything went smoothly, with nothing to spoil the day, as is often the case. We journeyed on un-congested roads, in nice weather; warm with a breeze, without hot, burning sunshine. After our arrival to this pretty village, with it's steam railway; a tourist attraction even before the program made it famous; we had a 'tour' visiting the shops and railway station, often seen in the program. We learned a scene was to be filmed later, and took our places outside the pub in readiness.

I quickly realized the whole performance is pantomime, and very entertaining too. Lorries arrived, transforming the village from Goathland to Aidensfield. Several of the lead characters 'Vernon' 'Bernie' and 'David' arrived to film the scene of Vernon buying a Bentley outside the Garage. We were sitting on the grass verge outside the pub, with a pint of cold lager....so when you see the program, you will know we were there.

We finished the day with a trip to Whitby, the local seaside town, where we enjoyed the boats, and the famous fish and chips. Another pleasant journey home, finished the day off in style.

We have since attended the Babbington Hall dog show the other week. As in previous years we; had trouble finding the venue; enjoyed good weather, and company; only received a low place in the SCAMPS heat. Barney met his fans from previous years, who were pleased to see him, and wondered why he did not win the show. He did put up a very fast time to win the Lurcher recall, this time with others taking part. It was the last run of the day, and also the fastest overall; a real effort from the 'little chap'. He also won the fastest retrieve, which, although being a lone entry, made this a major achievement, as it is the first proper retrieve he has ever done.

I am resting for a few days now for SCAMPS, the national show on Sunday. Keep checking the photo albums, as I now have a digital camera, and will be putting new photos in more frequently.

The final trips of the year - and in fact the last on Naiad.

I have had little chance to update the site since the beginning of last September, so am writing this next update in February 2004.

Our day at SCAMPS (Supreme Crossbreed & Mongrel Pet Show) was a little quiet this year. A new chairman and changes to the club saw some of the original core member's stay away, so the entry was approximately half the usual attendance. However we still had an enjoyable day in good weather, and with the company of most of our friends. I still only just had enough time to socialize with everyone I wanted to. Luck always seems to desert us at this event, and it was no different this year. Despite his many wins, it has often been the case that everyone loves Barney, other than the judge. Well the one judge that agrees with me, in that he is the best dog in the world was judging; only trouble was she was not judging any of the classes we were eligible to enter.

A few weeks later we went to Ann's show at Mildenhall. Spent the day with out friends, and won the last class. Leaving it until the end, as usual, this was our first class win together, and the last class of the year.

Boating wise we have had a few more trips. Maybe I should have taken notes, as I'm having to write from memory, however 'one or two' tales are still very clear. More later.

I have managed a few short trips with friends, being treated to a meal for taking them on my boat. This small courtesy is really appreciated, and makes days out very enjoyable. I had a final trip alone along the Kyme Eau in October, before they dropped the water level. There are photos from this trip in the album. I had no problems getting to South Kyme, where I met a resident working on the riverbank on his land. After a brief stop I continued, intending to go through the village to our usual turning point. Just through the village though I fouled the weed badly, as the dry summer had left the river low, and the weed had dropped to the bottom. It took a good twenty minutes or so, with some lifting of the outboard to remove the weed from the prop, before I could get back to deeper water, and continue on the return journey. I had an uninterrupted run back to Bardney, even arriving in daylight. I had altered the headlight, putting it on the front of the boat, wiring an extension. I wanted to see where I was going if I had to come back in the dark. The river has little traffic to remove any obstructions at this time of the year, and the last thing I needed was to run into a log, or gatepost abandoned in the river.

I have also had another two trips into Lincoln, although the first of these could easily have been my last. Windy weather, coupled with the lack of rain had whipped up the dry Fenland soil into dust storms of biblical proportions, covering all the boats with a thick film of black fine soil. Luckily, with my friend's help, this quickly washed off. I wanted to boat to look smart, especially for our 'pose' through the centre of Lincoln. However the cleaning delayed our departure a little. Getting to Stamp End lock I was pleased no one was watching, as I made a complete hash of mooring the 'wrong' side i.e. the starboard side. I managed to get close enough to drop him off for him to open the gate. Once open, a small amount of rubbish came out. I waited, but it stubbornly refused to drift past, so I was forced to drive through. Although I 'free wheeled' through it, a plastic bag got caught on the prop, stopping the engine. This was no problem, or danger as I was inside the lock, however, despite it being November, it could have been a summers day, and we had lowered the canopy. This prevents easy access to the outboard, and requires 2 people, one to briefly hold the canopy up to allow access underneath.

I had drifted to the right hand side of the lock, and pushed the boat across to the left bank, that being the side the mooring ropes were attached to the boat. Stamp End lock has a large Cill, the step at the upper end of the lock under the water. I have talked to boaters who have been stuck on here, but being of shallow draft, I can moor with the front of the boat over this; however this bad practice can be dangerous; I also did not want a boat club member, or a friend seeing me do this. I could just hear the comments 'thought you would been boating long enough by now, to know better'. I tied the bow rope to the ladder, and went to get the stern rope, but could not reach the ladder with the rope in my hand. I have made 2 ropes of the correct length and ends for using Stamp End and Bardney locks. One end fits over the cleats on the boat, and the other fits the bollards on the keyside. This way I can leave the boat moored while I work the lock, and apart from checking the boat does not get caught on the side, as the lock empties or fills, I do not have to worry about the length of the ropes, or the boat coming adrift.

When you arrive at a mooring, your 'crew member' should disembark, and take the mooring ropes, securing to the mooring. However, my 'crew' seem to delight in watching me struggle on my own, while sightseeing, or taking photos of me.....typical.

My friend was reading the instructions regarding the lock workings, and being born in Lincoln and living there all his life, I suppose he was curious, it being the first time he had used the lock, or been though with a boat. As previously mentioned, I too have walked around it for almost 30 years before using it for boating. This is a leisurely pastime, but time often becomes an issue when you are with friends; come evening, they invariably start looking at their watch, when they realize they'll be a couple of hours late for the evening meal. I called across for him to come and help, not a little irritated at being left to struggle on my own once again. As I have said it was a lovely day, and we had dropped the canopy. Too impatient to wait, I thought I could reach if I stood on the side of the boat. I was safe as I had hold of the bollard on the side of the lock. I have made the loops in the ropes a 'good' fit, and had to push it slightly to get it over the bollard. This meant I pushed against the boat a little. Of course I pushed the boat out, ending in the classic pose of feet on the boat, and hands on the bank. I pushed away from the wall with my hands, but swayed, and then overbalanced back over the side. I fell into the water, but managed to grab the rope I had now attached from the keyside to the boat. Despite not being able to swim, I was not unduly concerned. The water was not as cold as I had expected, and I thought I could easily get out. I called to my friend to come and give me a hand, but even with his help I could not pull myself up. I had thought if I ever fell in I would be able to swim the couple or so strokes and pull myself out over the outboard. However, the lowered canopy was blocking this route, and I doubt I would have been able to grab something in time anyway. In the end, my friend got another rope, which he lassoed my feet, pulling them over the side of the boat first. This of course turned me upside down, almost drowning me; it certainly had me uttering a few oaths I can tell you. So after a struggle I managed to get back on board. A harsh lesson. In future, instruct the crew what to do for man overboard. Get a line; attach it to the ring and either drag the person to the rear of the boat, after lifting the canopy if it is down, or to the ladder in the side of the lock. On my new boat I am going to have a stern ladder. This will be important anyway, as I will require a means of getting down to the prop if it gets fouled with weed, or worse.

I got off the boat and sploshed my way up the stairs and over the guillotine to put my BW key in the control panel, and show my friend which button to press. Pressing the buttons is one of the lock-keeping jobs I can do; and in fact often do for boaters that I meet on my local walks with Barney. While I waited for the gate to lift, I went back on board, and got dried and changed. I had learned within the first few weeks to take a change of clothes, and with a boat, you have your 'house' with you, even if it is a small one. Mind you, as I was getting dried off, I SWEAR I heard Barney chuckling. Suppose it serves me right for laughing at him, when he has fallen in.

The rest of the day went without incident. The pictures of this trip, and the next can be seen in the photo album.

The next trip had another incident, although this was not serious for us. Another of my friends had come for a trip through Lincoln. I think some have come to realize, they should take the opportunity while it is there. We have all wondered what it would be like to cruise through Lincoln on a boat, when we have seen them passing while walking on the banks. We had an uneventful trip until we got to Stamp End. I moored on the left bank, just as easy to get off up the short ladder. I noticed the rope I was holding was quite tight, and the boat was being pulled in the current. The open sluices were causing the water to swirl to my side of the river, causing quite turbulence. I entered the lock, and while waiting noticed the upper river level to be low. Luckily I know where all the safety switches are for the lock, otherwise we could not have worked the guillotine to get through.

We met an old friend of ours, who came on board for the short trip through Lincoln. I had not seen her for over 10 years, but didn't have much in the way of news. She had heard all about my activities from friends. We moored in the Brayford for a while, before setting of for the return trip. The river was back to the normal level by this time. It was only a week or so later I learned there had been a power cut. Just to remind you, the Fosse Dyke and Witham have three levels. The upper level from Torksey to Stamp End, the middle level from Stamp End to Bardney Lock, and the lower level from Bardney Lock to Boston. Workmen reinforcing the banks at Bardney had asked for the middle level to be raised, as their tug had run aground. The sluices were opened, and the pumps started at Torksey to maintain the water level. With no power, the pumps stopped, yet the sluices couldn't be shut. Apparently there were some urgent phone calls, and button pushing to regain the level. All the boats from Stamp End to Torksey were in danger of being left hanging by their mooring ropes. This includes 3 marinas, and many quite expensive up-market boats. The new Burton Waters alone has several million pounds worth of boats moored there.

We motored back without incident, although I did not realize it would probably be one of the last trips I would do on Naiad.