18th June 2018
Our adventures start on our new boat, Mariana.
We cannot believe how lucky we are as she is luxurious especially compared to Ani. Although 15 years old, she has been lovingly cared for and looks as good as new.
Is is to be a learning trip from the Wargrave Marina where we bought her to Abingdon where we have secured a mooring for her until next Spring when we will take her over to France. Driving her is a dream and the engine is quiet. She is so sensitive that I find myself over correcting constantly. Pete is far more accomplished. We loaded her on the Monday and couldn't resist an evening cruise as we popped the champagne to celebrate.
On Tuesday we set off, delighted to leave Bush Elk's (predictive text interpretation) brokerage as we have found the broker quite charmless and unhelpful. Cruising on a warm but windy day we did our first lock successfully with Pete driving, then got to Henley bridge where we intended to do some practice mooring but couldn't because the river is readying for the regatta and there is only one channel usable for leisure craft. We had forgotten it is held at this time of year. Pete skilfully turned the boat to face upstream and came in to the lumpy bank to moor, but I couldn't get off! The side decks are high and the gap between boat and bank just too wide for me to be able to straddle especially with my dodgy knees. Poor Pete had to try 3 times to get close enough and then I was able to get off with a rope. This is why we need the practice! So different to a narrowboat.
Henley bridge was an exercise also. We are at full height with the Bimini up, (some 4 metres) so headed for the central arch, both of us holding our breath as we approached, wondering if we were too tall to get through. Another learning curve. Sonning bridge will definitely be too low. We will have to lower the canopies and de-house more fat spiders. The upshot is, don't do low bridges when it's raining.
Our adventures start on our new boat, Mariana.
We cannot believe how lucky we are as she is luxurious especially compared to Ani. Although 15 years old, she has been lovingly cared for and looks as good as new.
Is is to be a learning trip from the Wargrave Marina where we bought her to Abingdon where we have secured a mooring for her until next Spring when we will take her over to France. Driving her is a dream and the engine is quiet. She is so sensitive that I find myself over correcting constantly. Pete is far more accomplished. We loaded her on the Monday and couldn't resist an evening cruise as we popped the champagne to celebrate.
On Tuesday we set off, delighted to leave Bush Elk's (predictive text interpretation) brokerage as we have found the broker quite charmless and unhelpful. Cruising on a warm but windy day we did our first lock successfully with Pete driving, then got to Henley bridge where we intended to do some practice mooring but couldn't because the river is readying for the regatta and there is only one channel usable for leisure craft. We had forgotten it is held at this time of year. Pete skilfully turned the boat to face upstream and came in to the lumpy bank to moor, but I couldn't get off! The side decks are high and the gap between boat and bank just too wide for me to be able to straddle especially with my dodgy knees. Poor Pete had to try 3 times to get close enough and then I was able to get off with a rope. This is why we need the practice! So different to a narrowboat.
Henley bridge was an exercise also. We are at full height with the Bimini up, (some 4 metres) so headed for the central arch, both of us holding our breath as we approached, wondering if we were too tall to get through. Another learning curve. Sonning bridge will definitely be too low. We will have to lower the canopies and de-house more fat spiders. The upshot is, don't do low bridges when it's raining.
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