After buying fuel from Buckden Marina and some bits in the chandlery there, we set off through a few downstream locks and moored up at Godmanchester on another swelteringly hot day which we were finding uncomfortable but Paxton Princess was running well but needing a range of running repairs which I tackled when we locked through Godmanchester and moored up under the new Huntingdon road bridge for shade.
A short cruise to Purvis Marine after a session with a river inspector where we managed to get the temporary visitors registration and then on to St Ives where we found The Waites Quay full but there was space at The Dolphin, the new river pub by the town bridge. An unfortunate row with Diana prevented us enjoying dinner there as she did not like the conflict with Daniel over trying to get him to help and was finding the hot weather too much for her. I fished with the girls until late by which time the temperature had cooled down a bit. Daniel was watching TV all this time and contacting Jason Chambers so as to be able to meet him tomorrow in St Ives.
I was awake first at 7.00am on and made the drinks and had a cup of tea myself. The family were not awake until an hour later at which time I showered and shaved and then went outside with Daniel to take the canopy and windscreens down and then move the Paxton Princess along to the fuel pumps. I bought some 180 litres of diesel at the very good price of 85p per gallon which is much cheaper than in Norfolk. I also called at the chandlery shop and bought a gallon of engine oil and a new electrical socket for the roof. We then set off through a few downstream locks and moored up at Godmanchester on another swelteringly hot day. We are starting to run into problems with the boating routine. I like to have things cleared away and spick and span and Diana just leaves them laying around to do in a spell! The boat is running very well but the hot weather is a problem - perhaps a canopy is the answer.
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I made out a list of things to do to the boat including tightening up the screws on the helmsmen seats, adjusting the barometer, fitting new seals to the aft flushing toilet, replacing that anchor light socket and checking the hydraulic steering levels. By lunchtime, we had locked through Godmanchester Lock and gone on to the new Huntingdon by-pass bridge. This large concrete structure was ideal to anchor beneath to get some shade in the oppressive heat. The family played "Happy Families" (a card game) whilst I worked my way through the list of jobs to do on the boat. We then cruised on the short distance to Purvis Marine in the Huntingdon riverside park. I had been accosted by a NRA river inspector at Godmanchester Lock for being un-registered and I then managed to get the temporary visitors registration at Purvis. It was only the second one he had done lately, and he made a bit of a mess with a blue felt tip pen, but at least the boat is legal now. We then cruised on to St Ives where we found The Waites Quay full but there was space at The Dolphin, the new river pub by the town bridge.
First I had a drink as the kids had their tea and I was treating Diana to dinner at the restaurant when we had a row and she walked back to the boat and I followed her with both of us not staying long enough to have our food. I had been making a detailed survey of the river for my log and Daniel was complaining about having to come and help and Diana did not like the conflict and was finding the hot weather too much for her. I made another tea for myself when I got back to the boat whilst Diana went to bed all upset. Then I fished with the girls until late by which time the temperature had cooled down a bit. Daniel was watching TV all this time and contacting Jason Chambers so as to be able to meet him tomorrow in St Ives