I was captivated by narrow boats after reading an article in Smithsonian Magazine a couple of years ago. So it was with great delight that I discovered your blog about a month ago; I've now read all the archived entries. I spent quite a few of my growing up years in England (boarding school in Gloucestershire, with family in London) and also postgraduate university years in London. All my relations live either in England or Australia.

I'm glad to see that you're back travelling under your own power. I was sorry to read about your engine breakdown - but it did have one lovely side effect for me: now I have another narrow boat blog to read in addition to yours (Moore2Life).

All the best to you. Happy travelling and blogging - and thanks so much for providing such entertaining evening reading for me.
Pam in Tucson | Homepage | February 6, 2006, 10:08 pm | #

Hi Sue,

Glad to see that you are traveling under your own power. It was kind of sad to see "No Problem" being towed down the canal by "Moore to Life." How did it feel to be a butty for a while?

Thank you for all of the newsy blogs recently. I have really enjoyed reading them. Thank you,

Mark in California
Mark in California | February 7, 2006, 8:18 pm | #

After reading about your engine problems and having owned several British cars it reminds me of the old Lucas electric joke. Every Lucas switch has three settings: dim, flicker and dark. Also, Lucas Electric, the Prince of Darkness.

Mark
Mark in California | February 7, 2006, 11:51 pm | #

Pam, Thanks for your comments. I know there are an awful lot of regular readers from the USA.. maybe you will come back to visit your relatives at some time. I have no doubt you will probably hire a narrowboat for a weekend.. you would love it!

Mark, Thanks for your good wishes.. I loved the Lucas dim, flicker and dark! I must admit, for a while I thought that would also be applying to a BMC engine!

Actually in a way it was quite nice being the 'butty'. My imagination wandered... put myself in the position of the old working boat buttys.. it is so quiet and peaceful.. just the low drone of the 'motor' some 55ft in front of me. But buttys have much much bigger rudders. Nevertheless I was surprised as to how much steering I was able to do with just a tiny one.
Sue | Homepage | February 9, 2006, 11:52 pm | #

Sue

Sunday 12 February - it was cold, it was raining and we were really looking forward to Sunday lunch after reading your report BUT - they were closed! Fleet Air Arm Memorial I think.
Gillian | Homepage | February 14, 2006, 9:35 pm | #