Well despite thinking I would not use the boat as much as last year, I've ended up travelling nearly twice as far. I don't keep a log as such, but have kept a note of each voyage, and as there are kilometer posts I have a fairly accurate knowledge of the distance I do. It appears around 70% of boats never untie their ropes, and of the ones that do, the vast majority only seem to cover about 50 miles. Well this year, despite my earlier reservations, I've now covered a staggering 1300 miles, and mainly between April and November. To put this in perspective, it is comparable to walking from Lands End, to John O'Groats. There are 4000 miles of waterways in this country, if I have read that correctly, so if I had not travelled the same water most of the time, I would have covered a quarter of these this year.

Obviously, most of it has been up and down the Witham, as usual, but I've had two trips up the Trent, the first one going as far as Thurmaston, up the Soar, nearly to Leicester. I've also had one trip into the Wash, and three up the Sleaford Canal (Kyme Eau/River Slea).

The Boston Trips.

Almost 600 miles have been covered doing the Boston trips. At Boston you are only allowed to moor there overnight between April, and November, when the water is raised for summer level. This is not so much to do with low water, and running aground, but to prevent boats getting swept into the sluice in times of flood. Although unlikely, this could cause some sort of dam, or problem, allowing flooding of much of Lincolnshire, so I suppose it's based on sense, rather than nonsense.

Our first trip was the first week of April, and the last the end of October, with most fortnights in-between. I have also enjoyed them because I've been in the company of my friend, Roy who has taken his boat, plus we have been extremely lucky with the weather this year. Most of the time we have had calm, sunny weather, and I only remember it raining for part of one journey back. Having VHF radios now, we can chat to each other on the way, so knowing the river, plus someone to talk to have made 'the boring straight' go by quicker. We have given it this nickname because shortly after you pass Chapel Hill, there is a long straight, not much to see on either bank, and at 6mph takes about half an hour. After that you are almost at Langrick, and from there you can see Antons Gowt, and from there Boston.

I have usually had a leisurely start, getting to Bardney around 11am, after usual preparations, which are now routine. I call at Tesco for a few provisions, and just pack the usual change of clothes etc. Having the good facilities at Boston means I don't have to bother much, as washing and toileting is taken care of. After locking through, I've loaded my boat from the car, filled a few water bottles, then gone down to Southrey, where I've waited for Roy to arrive. We usually leave around 4pm to 5pm in the evening, enjoying the run to Boston in the lovely weather. Occasionally we have stopped at Chapel Hill, to see if anyone is around, but it has nearly always been deserted. Once Roy spotted Fred's boat was low in the water, and luckily we stopped on the way back, as the bilge pump had stopped working, and it would have sunk, probably later that day.

If you remember he sadly died early in the year, and his daughter now had his boat. We found the bilge pump had broken, probably worn through with overuse. Luckily we were just in time to stop the sinking, and I'm pleased to say she now has a new owner. I helped Roy take her out on his trailer at the slipway for painting and bottom cleaning and blacking. I travelled up with the new owner, who is a friend of Roy's, so we should have another boat to accompany up sometimes next year; with luck at any rate.

The trips have all been enjoyable, with thankfully no notable incidents, except, dare I mention it, Roy ran his boat into the bank LOL. We had done the pub quiz the previous evening, badly as usual, but Roy kept the pen. That night he forgot to take it out of his trouser pocket, and found it had leaked all over his trousers and sweat shirt He had fitted a new speedometer he had bought at the boat jumble early in the year. The one on the boat hadn't worked, and he had found one to replace it. These are now more or less obsolete, as GPS units tell the speed much more accurately. On the way back we were trying to calibrate it, by timing the kilometer posts. It also counts the miles, and he went into the cabin to get a pen to write them down, as he would have forgotten what they were already reading by the time we got back. Well he picked up the pen he had taken from the pub, and the ink must have all run out, as it wouldn't write. He was so engrossed in trying he didn't notice his boat veering to the bank, mainly due to his running on only one engine. Normally I would have seen this, and warned him on the radio, but I had dropped back along the straight, and he was just out of sight. By the time I arrived he was under way again, and the boat sustained no damage, despite climbing onto the stones that are to protect the bank. Several people told him it was 'divine retribution' for stealing the pen, when he told the tale afterwards LOL.

At Boston we like to use the moorings near the gate, and apart from one occasion, these have always been free, probably due to others not liking the disturbance of people coming and going. There is a secure fence and a fairly heavy gate, with a usual BW lock on a chain. This can be a bit awkward, and usually involves some fiddling around, even when used to it, so there is some clanking going on for a little while, however it doesn't disturb us. During the year, the pub changed hands when the marina owner sold it, to someone from Taiwan I believe. Anyway prices rocketed, and it quickly lost any appeal it may have had. Luckily there is another not far away, where we have found friendlier clientele, and owners; plus more reasonable prices again. Early in the year, Roy has taken an old folding bike he had at home, and left it on the boat. He says it has revolutionized the shopping trip to market, making it much quicker and easier. He also uses it to fetch the fish and chips, and go to the facilities. Mind you, he was surprised when we walked back from town almost as quickly one day.

The only downside of these trips has been I have to go through the lock of course, to get back to my mooring. My luck of finding the lock set in my favour, even with the gates open has definitely run out, as almost without exception, it has been set against me. Now I like locks, but the novelty of locking through when I get back has definitely worn off; especially after a 4-hour trip without a break. However, for most of the year I have been fit enough to work it, which of course has been a bit bonus; one money can't buy.

The Southrey Trips.

The most trips I do are just downstream five miles to Southrey, where Roy not only has a summer mooring, but also now rents the bank, and the slipway from the Railway. This is probably my biggest asset to boating so far, as not only can I service my boat when required, I can also possibly make a bit of boating money, by helping him, or finding people who want to use the slipway, and so can pay him. It is also a very good local mooring, and place to stay for the night. Last year, the pub was sold, and the new landlord is now a friend, as is the old one, who has built a house in the land he kept, next door. I'm not one for any formal bookkeeping, in fact go out of my way to avoid it. But I have kept a record of the trips I have done, and therefore the mileage, for my own curiosity more than anything else. So including trips downstream that pass, when going to Boston and Chapel Hill for instance, I've actually been to Southrey thirty two times. It's a wonder I've not worn a groove in the river (grin).

I've also had some of the most enjoyable nights I've spent on a boat while staying there. Mind you, one morning I wasn't so sure. It was the Southrey annual gala, and in the afternoon we were joined by some of Roy's friends. Another couple had come up from Langrick Bridge, where he lives. He has spent the last 10 years building this boat, and apparently it has often been said he would never get it finished, but last year he did. We did have a marvelous evening. Not the great BBQ as Roy had planned the previous year, but an impromptu one that was just as enjoyable all the same. His doctor friend treated us all to a drink in the afternoon, we had wine with the food, then a hot toddy, and then another drink bought us all. Afterwards the wife of the man from Langrick invited me to join her for a pint in the pub. We had already had a great, musical evening, as a few were musicians, and I was already in a good mood, with all the friendly people, so I was delighted to join her. I think in reality she just wanted someone to go with as an excuse, but we had a couple of drinks with good chat, then later her husband joined us, and bought us another. Well I have to admit I had lost count, although not enough to do something foolish, thankfully. We walked back, and I got on my boat, admittedly a bit unsteadily, and lay down. I then realized how much I'd had to drink, as I was a bit ill. Barney looked on perplexed, or maybe grinning, I don't know. However I eventually got to sleep.

I awoke the next morning to hear Roy saying it was gone nine; he had cleared up and had to go. I said cheers, without getting up LOL. Anyway, despite having my first hangover for probably eight years, I did recover somewhat by noon, instead of the early evening as usual, and set off back for Bardney, and so home.

As I've just mentioned, my luck seems to have run out when returning at the lock, except on one occasion it has been the easiest ever, most likely the easiest you can take a boat through a wide lock single handedly. I rounded the bend and breathed a sigh of relief to find the lock, not only empty, but the gates ajar. This year the lower gates appear to have eased somewhat, and I gently pushed my way between them with the boat. This is one of the few locks I've used where going upstream appears to be easier, probably because of the position of the ladders, and the fact there is a swing bridge across the middle. However coming up, all I have to do is take my strong center rope and tie it to the top rung of the ladder. Also, having only ground paddles, the lock fills quickly, without the torrent of water often experienced from the paddles in the top lock gates, so the boat can now safely be left until the lock is full.

I got off, taking my usual bag with me, wound one paddle up, and took the bag, my only luggage to the car. I then walked back past the lock, checking the lower gates had closed, which the flow of water had gently shut for me. Seeing the boat was safe, I walked towards the moorings to open the security gate. This new addition is to try to deter people from entering, although as I could easily get around it, I'm sure anyone can. The new footpath and cycleway is now open, and a continuous stream of strangers now regularly passes by, or walk around the lock. Sadly this has resulted in the anticipated security issues, with all boats broken into last autumn, a boat stolen in the spring, and a van broken into, with the loss of £1000 worth of equipment, shortly after the old railway bridge was finally finished at the end of the summer. When I returned to the boat, I found the lock had filled, and the top gates also ajar. Untying the rope from the ladder, I stepped on, and gently nosed Wud through the easily swinging top gates, and back to her mooring. There cannot be an easier way to go up a double lock with an 8ft rise, single-handed.

Usually if it became late, I stayed at Southrey, however on one occasion I had taken no provisions, so had to come back. Some of Roy's friends were visiting, and as often happens with these type of occasions, you are often later than you think, not that this usually causes any problems of course. Anyway, after their meal, and a drink in the pub they came to have a look at Roy's boat, and it was after dark when they left. I set off for back for Bardney at around 11.30, and would usually have enjoyed this trip in the dark, which I have now done many times. However it was cool, I was quite hungry, and it was a cloudy, dark and misty night. I couldn't really see very well, creeping along, and had to stand on the fuel tank box, which is the driving seat to see out over the wheelhouse. I had to stand on one leg, steering with my other outstretched in front of me. While I was still pleased, nay overjoyed at being fit enough to manage this, after a while I was getting stiff and cold, and the 'joys of boating' were a little distant from my thoughts that night. The usual half-hour journey took well over an hour, and in fact standing stork like nearly wore me out. For once I was pleased to get back to the lock, not even minding it was full, as usual. At least at this lock there are lights, so when you do arrive back in the dark you are not stumbling around, with the danger of tripping over something and falling in.

The Work...

I've enjoyed reasonably good health for several weeks this summer, enabling me to work on the boat, and even help Roy with his and others. At the start of the year, we took our boats out, cleaning and blacking the bottoms of both, and cleaning his hull. Since then I've managed to paint my hull, including the painting the mouth, and finally signwrite the name on the bow. I'm particularly pleased with this, as I'm the first to admit I'm no artist. However I made some stencils by painstakingly cutting out letters, which I printed out first. I stuck the paper to the hull with water soluble glue, painted the letters, then the shadow, freehand, then finally went around the edges of the letters, where any lines were not quite straight. The end result is not only acceptable, even satisfying, and several have commented on how it is almost good enough for a professional signwriter to have done it.

The low platform opposite the moorings at Bardney make an excellent platform for painting and working on the hull, as you can stand just above the height of the water. They are for the Boston canoe club to use to get around the lock, when they have their annual race. This year we watched this from Roy's bank at Southrey, and spent another good weekend there.

I've finally painted the wheelhouse inside and out, although the outside especially leaves a lot to be desired. I had just finished painting the side, when it rained very heavily, the rain drops causing indents in the wet paint on one side, however the rest of it looks much better.

I have also repainted the engine, so it too looks fairly clean and tidy for a change, although knowing boats I bet that won't last long.

During the gearbox repairs over last winter, I discovered the propshaft coupling had been loose for some time the previous year, in fact I had been lucky not to have a breakdown, leaving me stranded. It had been running loose, and had actually jammed the coupling from coming off the shaft. I managed to press a new key in, leaving it a very tight fit. I doubted it would come loose again, although I was a little concerned at the struggle I would have if ever I had to take it off. However I needn't have worried, as it worked its way loose again, and in fact became a constant source of trouble for much of the year. I eventually found and made a replacement coupling, with a bush you can tighten onto the shaft, and along with making a new stepped key that fits the worn groove in the shaft, it now seems to have cured the problem. Just shows it pays not to throw things away, as I made the coupling from an old sprocket I had got, when I bought an old small elevator, to try to make a treadmill for Barney. I did get it to go, but never got it finished enough for him to enjoy using it, as I could not get it geared down enough to make it run slow enough so he could just walk. The coupling has also settled into a position where it is running true. Also this year I've had a few problems with the engine shaking loose, and it has been almost impossible without major work, to realign the engine. This has meant the stern tube is moving from side to side slightly, and has caused it to leak. On one occasion I took the screws out to try to seal it, and found I could easily slide it up and down in the wood. This leak can be a difficult one to fix, without major work to the engine, position, coupling and propshaft. For now the new coupling seems to have settled down, so I'm loath to move it again. Let's hope I don't have to for some time.

Another job I've managed to do is to make a new governor arm. I had to do this because the original one was jumping out of the lower arm. Due to the worn needle valve seat in the pump, and the general poor design of the governor, it now requires constant resetting, otherwise the engine does not run slowly very well, and keeps stopping. This is particularly awkward when mooring, either at locks or when mooring up. Also it means travelling slowly can be difficult as well. The original one was made of cast steel, and had to be bent to avoid the small pin from jumping out of the adjoining lower arm. I almost did it, but it broke in the end. I was not unduly worried however, and managed to fabricate a new one, that is almost as good, and in fact better in some ways, as I have made it clamp onto the governor spindle, instead of being held on my a thin pin. This allows me to adjust it, to compensate for any wear.

I've also had a look at the problematic oil pump, which has now reached the point where something must be done. The hole in the front engine plate is the bush for the small oil pump spindle, and this has worn, giving some sideways play. This is allowing air to enter, and so stop the pump from scavenging, which stops it getting any pressure when starting the engine. Usually starting and stopping a few times will overcome this, as the little oil that is pumped up, drains back, so blocking the worn bearing briefly. But running the engine with no pressure for a minute or two on a constant basis will soon wear the crankshaft bearing, which are easy, but expensive to replace. A few years ago, I'd have done this job in a day or so without a thought, as it's fairly easy, and accessible, however nothing is every straightforward; I'm just not looking forward to the hassle, that's all.

But my largest and best job this year has to be the new rudder I've made. Remember when I broke the blade off in the ice the other year. Well the quick bodge we did was so good; I've just never bothered making a replacement. It did pull a bit to the right, and was hard to turn, in fact in the middle of this year it became so stiff I could not turn left if I was travelling at full speed, and had to do some maintenance. It has also loosed the hinges, which I've had to fasten back onto the boat. Towards the end of the year, I had a short trip along the old Witham to the pub. Another boater was there and just taking a day off. He jumped at the chance of packing in polishing his boat, so we enjoyed a trip in the sun, and a pint. Coming back to the boat, where you have to moor against the bank, it was windy, and after getting on board to start the engine, and get oil pressure, I got off leaving just the stern rope attached. The boat was blown away from the bank, with didn't matter in the slightest, however when I pulled it back, to a bit where it sloped, I could not reach it, and the rudder his the shallow side, and the blade broke off. Again I had been lucky, as had this happened further from home I would have had to leave it, and get back with all the difficulties that entails. As it was however I just put the outboard on for the short trip home. Thinking about it afterwards, the remote rudder would also do to steer, and in fact would be a very good accessory for any boat. Losing the rudder i.e. steering can be a bit disastrous to say the least, especially if out to sea. When I had first bought Wud, the fisherman and boat builder, and who I'm still in friendly contact with, suggested I make a new metal rudder. Well I didn't see the need, after all I had not got the boat to buy work, but now I wish I had done much earlier. I probably wouldn't have done such a good job though, as I've learnt a lot more about boats now. I did some research on the web, before deciding how to make it, also from materials I already had. The result is astounding. It has transformed the boat from one that handled well, to one that is almost brilliant. The steering is much lighter, and more positive, but also it now goes in a straight line instead of pulling to the right at much above tick over. I have actually managed to travel a kilometer without touching the wheel, on a calm day while down to Boston once.

Although the remote rudder I made will make a great standby in an emergency, it is now almost redundant, as I have plenty of time to move around the boat if I like. Also it does not work well if it is windy, or when the river is weedy, as it has been this year. But the rudder is not the only thing the weed has interfered with. Probably worse than ever before, the whole river has seen stretches, where thick, string like weed will foul the prop, causing stopping and reversing for clearance on a regular basis. A combination of factors seem to be the cause of this, however I have been luckier than most, as bunged filters, and overheated engines have been a very common sight with boats stopped at the lock this year.

The Kyme Eau/River Slea Trips.

I have had 3 enjoyable Kyme trips, the first 2 relatively straightforward, with the delight of taking my boat through South Kyme on the first occasion, and having a drink in the reopened pub on the second. The third was the last week in October, just before they dropped the water level, and just after the weed cutters had made it navigable again......just. I took the old lady I met on the second occasion, for a trip back to her house. Despite the lateness of the year, it was a nice day, and we could have the canopy down. However the weed was troublesome, especially on the lower level. I spent a long time clearing the lock for the upward journey, however could leave the guillotine raised for the short time I'd be upstream. I managed to get to a point where there is a small landing, so the old lady could get ashore; albeit with difficulty, although could not get far enough to get her to her garden, which would have been nice.

I enjoyed the short trip to the lock, coming back alone, and was quickly though, even easily for a change, but the last mile from the lock was anything but. Despite clearing the prop again at the mooring after the lock, it was soon choked, and several reversing maneuvers had to be undertaken. Where the river bends, and is the most silted and shallow, I had to really abuse the engine and gearbox to get the prop to turn at all. It was getting dusk, and cold, and I didn't want to get over the back to clear the prop, which is now an inch or so further under the boat, since I fitted the new coupling. Anyway we made it back through the doors and under the bridge to where my winter mooring now is; courtesy of my friend Roy. It's heartwarming to know there are still some people left, who will help you through some of the difficulties you face, and of course I like helping in return

My boating finances are in dire straights, not helped by almost no extra income, until later this year. I've finally managed a little, by helping Roy blacking and painting some boats for people. Also by helping them get the use of the slipway, by putting them in contact with him, and helping them move their boats to and, and load them onto the trailers. I do now have a tidal mooring at Boston, which I can use if I must, and the money for a summer BW license next year, so should be able to manage one more season.