Damp and Chilly day to take off in Aquabean, collect The Lady at Buckden and cruise downstream in the raging flood to eventually make Godmanchester, where we missed the fish and chip shop before it closed and then on to Huntingdon Riverside Park for a Wimpy meal before an unsettled night on the boats.
Awake to a day slightly damp and chilly, which did not bode well for our boat trip. Down to a breakfast of toast and fruit juice and dressed after. Dan and Steve had slept reasonably well after their late night and we discussed our plans over the meal. I persuaded all that we should go downstream to St Ives, rather than upstream to Bedford – there was too little time left because of the delays and the flood water would make headway upstream very difficult anyway. The long process of loading Aquabean afterwards, for we had decided also to leave our cars at home and use Aquabean to get us all to Buckden Marina.
Then to lock up and set the alarms, bypassing the inner garage to allow Elm Leisure to attend the pool systems. I phoned Edgar Monks this morning to review the boiler problem with him and it transpires that the pool filtration needs back flushing, which causes the boiler to cycle on and off. He will attend and do this for me later today. Then we set off and Aquabean managed well, though a raging torrent accompanied us on our way and so there was not much need for power. Carefully passed Offord Sluice and the Offord Lock and then we paused a while at Buckden Marina to transfer loads, buy some 2-stroke for the outboards and have some coffee. On through Brampton Lock, but the sluice the other side caused us trouble. The flow was so high that we lashed Aquabean alongside The Lady, but as we tried to ride the flow, the drag of two boats meant that Aquabean was dragged alongside the bank. Furthermore, when mooring in the raging flow at Godmanchester, with Aquabean still alongside, the boat was again squashed against the quay. I repaired the cleat that was torn off and it did not seem to be materially affected, despite the forebodings of the boys. Too late for fish and chips in Godmanchester, but Di did manage to do some other shopping. A salad lunch and then underway again – this time both boats under their own steam – until we moored at Huntingdon riverside park. Into town for a Wimpy tea and then I took the boys to see a film after. It was a long American ‘comedy’, which the boys enjoyed, but I found a bit tiresome. Back late to The Lady to find that Di had gone to bed and left the lights on in the toilet. Gnats everywhere, which spoilt my preparations for bed. Eventually to bed, but a very poor night’s sleep, which is only what we expect on the first night on the boat. All boat systems now working, though the water pump still keeps us on our toes. A warm evening, with some sun too, but it turned cooler during the night. No news tonight and am strangely out of touch with events. I received a letter today from John Lamb about standards for multi-user micros and inter-company cooperation.