Monday, 31 July 2017

Friends, family and amphibians

31st July
Saturday was spent catching up with some old friends again and I met my old chum from prop graphics days, Sarah whom I haven't seen for a few years now. She was her usual bubbly self, fighting fit with all the cycling she does (about to cycle the Alps with her husband and friends) and happy and radiant. We didn't have long enough to catch up properly, but such a joy to see her all the same.

On to Henley for Sunday, where family joined us. The weather has been rotten; heavy showers, fierce wind and low temperatures, so we were concerned we were all going to be cooped up inside the boat, but our usual mooring on the meadows proved to be ideal, where grandson could run about with Granpy (albeit in and out of dirty muddy puddles) and we could put chairs and tables out on the bank for lunch. We went for a short boat trip, with Rowan waving to boats and walkers, shouting under the bridge for the echo and showing genuine interest in other boats and boaters. He especially liked Granpy's voice-over for the duck he was feeding; a rough cockney accent instructing him on how much he would like to eat. The sun came out here and there to help us enjoy the trip, but we did get a shower as well. Our gorgeous grand-daughter took everything in her cheerful stride, smiling obligingly every time you had a conversation with her. Rowan had to know what every switch and button was for and had a great game fishing with our fenders?! It was a worry when he stood on the stern though, that was very carefully supervised and I will be buying a life jacket for next time.

Pete was a wet rag by the evening, having run about playing football all afternoon. I was too, lifting a near-3 year old in and out of the boat and keeping up with his energy and enthusiasm. Such fun and well worth it.

An early night for us grandparents.

Yesterday and today we have been treated to the sight of amphibious craft who are cruising sections of the river from Henley. Some of these strange carboats are so deep in the water they look horribly unsafe and cumbersome, but their occupants were clearly having a great time. Pete noticed one coming in to land using it's indicator! Not quite the James Bond style we see on film!








these two taken by my grandson......







- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

No comments:

Post a Comment