19th May 2012

Expecting a few visitors today we made ready and at mid-day our first guests of the day arrived with Sally meeting them at the Key Theatre car park.

From left to right we have, Sally, Carol, Mrs Jackson (senior) and Ann

With a little help and all on board we settled down to tea and biscuits, that is after the guided tour of our humble floating home, and were shocked at the space we had. I guess like most folk the boats seem to be very low and narrow, not offering much space at all but were surprised at the comfort and layout of the inside. The conversation flowed covering topics from the past and our up to date travels on the canals and rivers, and two hours seemed to fly by with everyone enjoying our time together.

Unfortunately they could not stop long with us, so a ride up and down the river was not possible this time, however the next visit will have to be longer so you can enjoy a nice slow cruise with us. At 2pm and as we all climbed off the boat to say our goodbye's our next guests arrived, so we all had a good chat together on the embankment before our first guests left for other tasks they had planned for the day.

It was now time to get Sally's in laws aboard with Ron, Linda, Richard and Julia, out came the boarding plank to make things easier and with all aboard safely and settled down it was time again for me to put the kettle on. Now with tea and biscuits in hand we had a good catch up, with Sally giving Julia the guided tour. Ron got into trouble from Linda for speaking with his mouth full, of not one but two biscuits (you bad boy Ron, that will teach you) and we all had a good laugh. We discussed having a short cruise up to Orton lock and back and I guess they were all up for the idea, so we sat Ron and Linda at the dinette so that they would have a good view out, from the warmth of the cabin.

Richard and I cast off and we slowly headed up the river under the first of a muddle of bridges, soon we were joined by Julia leaving the others in the warm.It was only a 25 minute cruise up to the lock and I am sure there was much enjoyment as we slowly made our way up. There was surprise that even though we were still in the town of Peterborough we were, on the river, and out in the country with so much wild life to see.



Richard at the helm, with Julia enjoying the scenery



After we had made our turn and were running down stream, I handed Richard the helm for a while, ( he seems a natural) until we got back to the bridges, With Ron knowing that he was steering the boat it was time for him to come and check it out but he didn't stay to long as the wind was still cold (you have to look after the old ones you know).

we continued passed the place where we had moored and run down to the entrance of the Middle Level to show them which way we would be going from here on Monday. As we turned we spotted a pair of Grebe building their nest in a patch of Lilly's just off the river bank and it all seemed very industrious.

After this we were soon moored up back on the embankment and it was time for them to leave and head back home, and as I set the fire for the evening our guests disembarked. Once again with a little help, all were safely back on dry land, and with the goodbyes done they set off back to the car with Sally. What a great day we have had, one to be remembered for a long time to come.

Thank you all for taking the time to visit and make the day so enjoyable.