15th May onwards

17th May 2007

Redhill Marina, United Kingdom - Nearly ready

Nearly ready!!!!

Just need to clean out the diesel tanks (to make sure silt in the tanks can't clog the fuel filters), and finish last minute bits and bobs.

5 Weeks of preparations and almost there.

BUT guess what it's raining and now we need to get past Cranfleet flood lock before it's closed due to rising water levels. Doh

17th May 2007

Redhill Marina, United Kingdom - Big Thanks

Soooo... tanks are clean.... BIG thanks to Keith and JBJ for use of facilities over the past few weeks. On the subject of thanks, a massive thanks to Annamarie (Mami/Mum) and Wolfgang (Papi/Dad) for their help over the past 3 weeks...... big Kiss. ALSO BIG thanks to everyone that came out last Friday to see us off despite the crap weather, we really enjoyed it and hope you did too. (Bet Jase can't remember! How did Tom drink so much? Why didn't Fiona say goodbye to anyone? And Keith, better practice that drink balancing act!) AND thanks for all the presents - Chris, thanks for the whistle, Conny's earplugs will come in handy while I'm learning to play it.

17th May 2007

Redhill Marina, United Kingdom - Day 1 - (414 Eng. hrs. Start) - (420 hrs. Finish)

Plan was to get up early and wave goodbye to everyone! Reality was, whilst doing final engine checks, we found a stripped bolt on one of the engine mounts and ended up leaving at lunchtime. Why should the final day go smoothly, when nothing else has!!!

HURRAY...! You've actually gone.... we hear you all cry!

QUESTION - Is it possible to go through Nottingham without hitting an underwater obstacle?
ANSWER - NO! We already have less Zing than we started out with.

Scamp - non-plussed

Nottingham City Centre

Conny :-)

Phil :-)

The River Trent

Locks getting bigger!

So, first night at Stoke Lock. See you soon X

18th May 2007

Newark, United Kingdom - Day 2 - 423.5 hours

Well.............. here we are. :-)

Boats getting bigger!

A flower....

Trundled our way to Newark with the help of all the rainwater of the past few days (7.5 knts). Been looking at the reality of the Humber estuary and the north sea and at this point in time a trip to York is looking favourable instead.

Newark Castle

Been for a nice walk around Newark and are hungry now!

19th May 2007

Newark, United Kingdom - NEWSFLASH

At 2am this morning some muppet thought it a good idea to untie Tiger and set us adrift down the river. After much to-do involving running around in our underpants, getting a rope tied around the prop and bouncing off various obstacles we ended up against a weir in Newark. Finally we got the situation under control and are now knacked and waiting at Newark marina to buy some new ropes. Tiger picked a up few battle scars during episode.

19th May 2007

Cromwell Lock, United Kingdom - Day 3 - 426 Eng. Hrs

Guess who's got a brand new shiny lock and chain- YES, we have.

Not done much today. Quick walk into Newark and then travelled to Cromwell lock 5 miles north of Newark and are now at the start of tidal waters.

Sublime

One of many power stations situated along the River Trent

Skipper...

Another flower!

Biggish day tomorrow (43 miles) up to Keadby. 7am start!

PS - If you would like to, you can leave messages on the blog. It would be good to hear from you

20th May 2007

Who's got a new pair of wellies then?

Keadby, United Kingdom - Day 4 - 433 Eng. Hrs.

Hi all, left Cromwell Lock today at 7 am. Arrived at Torksey 10ish and had an hour and a half break before continuing on to Keadby on the ebb tide.

What to say about the trip? Well..... have a look at the photos. It's a great landscape if you like power stations!!!
Home from home after Ratcliffe on Soar PowerStation.

We've spend the last couple of hours studying charts, weather forecasts and guides. Weather permitting we're heading out to the coast tomorrow

It starts to get really exciting... see you X