Panoramic piccy, courtesy of Martin, of the Gathering
I would also like to say thank you for everyone who took an interest in my little shop and didn't just walk past!
My little gift shop ... with me inside
It made for a very sociable and friendly weekend and makes the hours of slog over paint and thinners worthwhile!
Excellent turnout of historic boats this year
Over the weekend, we had a boater's breakfast each morning and bands playing in the afternoon and evenings.
Boats 'winding' (turning round) in the 'layby'
As we were told originally, to moor in the 'layby' alongside the Cheese Boat, the 'winding competition' (turning around without hitting other boaters or edges of layby) would require substantially more skill than before!
Paul and Viv on Whitby negotiate the winding area
Our boat Comfortably Numb stats :
Day 1 - a direct hit broadside from Minnow - thanks Graham! Several glancing blows from other boats, fended off successfully by Richard from the roof of 'Numb!
Day 2 - moved out of 'layby' to the safety of the towpath leaving the poor Cheese boat to repel boarders!
Day 3 - still hiding out of the way, where we stayed whilst the evening Illuminated Boats parade finished.
View of the causeway with moored boats alongside
The Cheese Boat sustained 2 direct hits, moved and scored again - Minnow playing pinball again! Apparently, one of the incidents was whilst the CEO from Canal and River Trust was aboard!
Sickle with Alan and Kath, Jan and Dave aboard, ready to tackle the 'wind'.
Alan on Sickle managed a full 360 degree turn in one!
Paul and Viv on Whitby returning after 2 x 360 degree turns after each other, attached to another full length boat, faultless performance! The got some cheers from the balcony, I can say!
Elizabeth - oldest converted narrowboat on the system - if I got that correctly
One of the wonderful old working boats at the gathering
Biddie and Olive - owned by friends Rod and Tracy
At breakfast on Sunday, Jan and Dave, who volunteer to help with the fundraising boat for the Chesterfield Canal Trust, told us the bilge pump had been running on and off all night!
Python on Day 1 still floating well!
Had we got any overalls to spare as the original slow leak had became a not slow leak and action was needed! Richard donned his bright orange British Sugar overalls and went to have a look. Yes, it was a leak and it needed sealing quick.
Winding competition on Day 1 - all going well so far!
Jan and Dave secured a tow to a wharf nearby, where hopefully Python will be safe for now until repairs can take place.
A beautiful sight of all the competitors in the Illuminated Boats parade winding in the 'layby'.
My mum had come over to stay on Sunday night, so we had gone to the Pretty Pigs at Alvecote for a carvery during the evening. It was worth the visit, as it was cheap and a large plate full!
Peacefully moored out of the way during the rest of the weekend
Tuesday morning, we moored behind the butty once the Candy Boat had moved off towards Fradley, and filled up with water. As there was now space on the towpath side of the canal, we pushed across and had a quiet day enjoying the rest!
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