We’re off!

Well it’s the reason why we came…….

Cold and overcast conditions this morning but fortunately no wind or rain.  We’ve dropped the pram cover for the first time (a learning experience) and pulled the pins.  Last aboard was the tri-folding gangplank.  Anne’s bunting was flying as we headed west.

Waiouru gently purred passed all the moored boats at tick-over (less than 800rpm).  The Axiom propeller produces very little wash.

Jan took all the photo’s as someone else was seriously concentrating on the steering.  Once we had cleared the moored boats the throttle was opened to 1500rpm and Waiouru started to push her way through the water.  It was only a brief test to check the drive transmission and prop.  Everything appears OK!

The next mooring location had already been identified and was just beyond the boat moored to port (the left).

Anne (who had so kindly helped us with accommodation on arrival in the UK) had given us some bunting to fly on our first cruise.

We’re now moored just short of Froud’s Lane. 

We are so far down at the stern (2/3 full toilet tank) that the blunt end is sticking out from the bank.  The washing machine is on and the batteries are charging.  The sat-dome has already found the ‘dot in the sky’.  Then we walked to the Rising Sun Pub and had lunch before returning to Waiouru. 

Late in the afternoon I walked to Woolhampton lock and watched an experienced boater navigate through the swing bridge and up into the lock.  The strong current from the river almost pushed his boat into the offside bank and moored boat.  Perhaps we will wait another week before attempting the same stretch.

The plan is to spend the night here before heading on to Frouds Bridge Marina tomorrow morning to have the toilet tank emptied.  We’ll probably then return to this same stretch of canal and wait another week before heading towards Newbury.