27th June
On to Abingdon and our booked mooring. Culham lock was self service, so there was a bit of a queue but everyone helpful and chatty as usual.
We had realized that the footbridge upstream of the lock was only 12' 5" (we are approx 12' with bimini) and we hummed and ha-ed as to whether to risk it, but as we had a wait at the lock we decided to take down the canopy. This time was easier as we knew what we were doing although it is heavy for me. Just as well we did too - we wouldn't have got under this bridge. The bridge at Clifton Hampton proved tricky even though it is 14' as it has a steep curve. i am pleased to say Pete positioned the boat exactly central with about 2 inches to spare at each side - phew. The chap on the narrowboat following us told Pete at the next lock that they had watched and his wife had said "they got that spot on - they must have done it before" - haha, only in a narrowboat which isn't a problem!
We arrived in Abingdon Marina around lunchtime, Pete managed to back into the allotted mooring between 2 boats and we secured her which took some time. Pete went off to talk to the manager who wasn't there, his assistant then told us he had allocated us a better spot, so we had to move again! Then we decided to put her in bow first because the platform on the stern is trickily close to the underside of the pontoons. Having done that, we realized we had to back in as the hook up connection is at the back of the boat!! Sometime later, she was properly moored to our final satisfaction - nothing is ever a quick process with boats. We have a mooring between a Linnson and an Aquanaut, both types of boats we had looked at when choosing.
The following day we hooked up but had no electricity which was a puzzle - we are still getting our heads around all the systems. Our kindly neighbour arrived whom we had met the day before and told us that the supply trips out from time to time - that was the problem of course, nothing to do with the boat.
All settled, I left to come home as I had arranged to have a friend stay back at home, Pete stayed onboard to meet his son who is coming for the weekend. Stu will christen the fore cabin - hope its not too hot in there!
On to Abingdon and our booked mooring. Culham lock was self service, so there was a bit of a queue but everyone helpful and chatty as usual.
We had realized that the footbridge upstream of the lock was only 12' 5" (we are approx 12' with bimini) and we hummed and ha-ed as to whether to risk it, but as we had a wait at the lock we decided to take down the canopy. This time was easier as we knew what we were doing although it is heavy for me. Just as well we did too - we wouldn't have got under this bridge. The bridge at Clifton Hampton proved tricky even though it is 14' as it has a steep curve. i am pleased to say Pete positioned the boat exactly central with about 2 inches to spare at each side - phew. The chap on the narrowboat following us told Pete at the next lock that they had watched and his wife had said "they got that spot on - they must have done it before" - haha, only in a narrowboat which isn't a problem!
We arrived in Abingdon Marina around lunchtime, Pete managed to back into the allotted mooring between 2 boats and we secured her which took some time. Pete went off to talk to the manager who wasn't there, his assistant then told us he had allocated us a better spot, so we had to move again! Then we decided to put her in bow first because the platform on the stern is trickily close to the underside of the pontoons. Having done that, we realized we had to back in as the hook up connection is at the back of the boat!! Sometime later, she was properly moored to our final satisfaction - nothing is ever a quick process with boats. We have a mooring between a Linnson and an Aquanaut, both types of boats we had looked at when choosing.
The following day we hooked up but had no electricity which was a puzzle - we are still getting our heads around all the systems. Our kindly neighbour arrived whom we had met the day before and told us that the supply trips out from time to time - that was the problem of course, nothing to do with the boat.
All settled, I left to come home as I had arranged to have a friend stay back at home, Pete stayed onboard to meet his son who is coming for the weekend. Stu will christen the fore cabin - hope its not too hot in there!
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