Usually I’m a happy boat.
I like gliding through the waters of the English canals.
I enjoy the odd challenge of 60 m/hr winds, or empty ponds, or girls only weekends out.
But now I’m full of questions…
Does he check the head light, before entering Preston Brook Tunnel on full speed?
Does he slow down, when he’s fully in the tunnel and it is pitch dark?
Do I still have all my beautiful skin?
Is my cruising chimney still in the same shape as when Magda put it on this morning?
Is my portside navigation light still properly attached?
Don’t worry, I’ll survive.
And I do know all the answers to these questions…
Sounds like you’ve not been having a good time this year. No help from fellow boaters in your flotilla to and from Liverpool. Then being storm bound for thee days. Plus other things in general going wrong. And now it looks like you’ve lost your chimney.
But don’t worry on that account, I’ve also lost my chimney. A few years ago, when I wasn’t even moving and moored safely in Salthouse Dock. You just cannot get decent staff nowadays, and I blame it on Global Warming, in combination with Brexit.
Ah! Preston Brook tunnel, I remember it well. Try doing it in a brand new 60x9ft wide beam with people shouting: “You’ll never get it through there, let alone Dutton Stop Lock” Ah!
But I knew it, had already been back through there from Crick boat show. So was able to smile and give a friendly wave.
It did however lose a smidgen of paint off the hand rails but ‘Crew’ was soon out with her paint pot to remedy the damage!
See what I mean? I’m only a skinny narrowboat of 6’10”, he should have ‘sailed’ me through!
Keep the whisky cabinet locked, Magda, next time you know a tunnel’s approaching. Either that or get a woman on the tiller – they’re usually better at gauging width and length!!
Women who actually DO steer a narrowboat are usually better helmspersons, I know that.
But on WRT we have a rule:
Is it YOUR day on the tiller? Then YOU deal with everything you encounter.