Herbie still afloat

Herbie seems to have survived lockdown and much to our relief is still afloat.  Yesterday we drove out to Wigram's Turn to open her up for the first time since March.  Apart from a few cobwebs she seems none the worse for her isolation and we even went for a very short trip - about twenty five yards to move off the pontoon, do a 180 and come back to our berth so we faced the other way.  Very nice it was too and now our shore line will reach the socket on the power bollard.

We're still not that familiar with WT marina having only dashed in there for safety as lockdown was announced.  It's not as picturesque as our previous marinas at Crick and Cropredy, but the people seem very friendly.  There seem to be quite a few liveaboards around.  Covid measures can be seen here and there in the form of hand sanitiser stations and notices about social distancing.

The reason for the visit was to open up the boat ready for grandson Jacob and his girl friend Rosie to have a few days aboard.  They arrived before we left for home and we gave them a lift to the Folly at Napton where the garden is looking lovely and food and drinks are being served only out there.  It all looks well spaced out and very safe.

24 hours later J&R don't seem to have sunk the boat or set her on fire yet, so all is well so far.  Jacob sent a picture of the meal they cooked this evening.

Fajitas by the look of it.  Jacob, having been a student for some years is a reasonable cook.

Next week we're taking Herbie over ourselves for a short cruise (two days) with Grace, Jacob's sister.  We gave Grace (now 12)  a choice of two routes

a) to Braunston and Hillmorton and back - a pleasant trip with no locks or,

b)  up the nine Napton locks and back down again. - hard graft.

Interestingly she chose the latter, but long time readers will know Grace is no stranger to locks and was competently locking us up and down the Watford staircase when she was only 5!  

Start 'em young, that's what I say. I warned her that she'd need to do a lot of the locking and she's up for it.  Good girl!  Of course she's now twice the height she was then.

Anyhow it'll give Herbie a good shakedown after nearly four months  in isolation and it'll give us a chance to try out the Folly for ourselves - our first meal out since March.

At last, some boating to blog about.  Stay tuned.