Another busy week-end.

Saturday morning and we were busy with last minute packing before Mick, Julie and Liam, our host’s in March took us by car to Peterborough Railway Station. Here we caught the 12.38 train to Kings Cross in London where we transferred to the Victoria Underground line to Vauxhall. It was here that our problems began. As we were loaded up with one large suitcase and one small suitcase each plus a back pack and in my case another small suitcase strapped to the large one we made use of lifts and ramps to go between stations or platforms. At Vauxhall which is a really old station and as yet not user friendly by modern standards there are no lifts or ramps but 3 flights of stairs from the subway to the platform. We started to move the cases up one flight at a time so that they were not out of sight as we returned for the next one. Luckily there were two good Samaritans on hand who gave us a helping hand to reach the platform. We had about a 10 minute wait for the train giving us time to get our breath back.

With some text messaging going between Dot and daughter Tracey, she managed to catch the same train as us from a different station giving us an extra pair of hands upon arrival at Malden Manor our final stop. Again here we struck the problem of no lifts or ramps and lots of stairs, luckily going down this time but again a knight in shining armour stepped up and gave us a hand. It just goes to show that there are still some good honest decent people around despite all the anarchy that was going on around the country at the time.

We are now comfortably settled in Tracey’s flat until we fly out next Monday. Yesterday was spent at Tracey’s partners house (Greg) for lunch and a BBQ which is something we haven’t had the pleasure of for quite some time.

Another step closer.

Thursday and we are taking a breather from our hectic social calendar to catch up with more mundane things such as washing and packing before we leave March on Saturday for our final week in London.

A visit to the doctor this afternoon is planned and hopefully we will receive a prescription to tide us over for a time when we return to New Zealand.

It’s all happening.

The fish don't want to play today.Jim & Rosie, two waterways Icons.

On Monday we slipped our moorings to return to March to hand back Nb Uccello and Bungie the dog to their rightful owners upon their return from Canterbury. With a very strong tail wind we made very good time and were lucky enough to find a mooring on the new moorings in the park from where we had started.

Derek locking down at Whittlesey for the final time.Bill & Ben the Flowerpot men in Whittlesey.

Derek and Carrie arrived back in the early evening a bit weary after their travels especially with 2 hyperactive Grandsons in tow. After several hours couped up in the car these fellas had a bit of steam to let off so they had a bit of a run around in the park before Derek kindly gave us a lift back to our accommodation. It was rather sad leaving Uccello as this brings an end to an extraordinary 4 year adventure that many people just dream about. Still, who knows what the future may hold.

The Fens. You can see for miles and miles.Bungie doesn't think much of this sailing lark.Captain Dot and first mate Bungie.

Tuesday and the phone was running hot with text messages to and from our agent in New Zealand and phone calls back and forth with Cranham Motorhomes regarding the state of play over repairs and keeping them abreast of the shipping arrangements. We also had a luncheon invitation with Dieter and Sheila, friends made through the March Model Railway Club.

Derek, Carrie and grandsons Jayden and Aden

Wednesday and we were just as busy with a visit to the bank to transfer funds to the shipping company. We had originally been told that payment for shipping the Motorhome would need to be paid 14 days prior to shipping but as we only got the account on the 9th and shipment is due on the 17th this wasn’t going to happen. A £30 Chaps fee and the bank had the money transferred within a matter of hours much to our relief. After lunch we met up with Joe and Lesley from N/b Caxton with whom we had spent some time on the waterways. Again we headed off to the Wetherspoons new “Hippodrome” restaurant and bar in March for a lovely meal and talk of many happy hours boating and caravanning which we all partake in. It was great meeting up with Joe and Lesley once more before we head off to the other side of the world.

Joe and Lesley. Narrowboat's Caxton and Yarwood.

In fact its has been a pleasure catching up with everybody. To those too far away who have sent their best wishes, thank you, you will be in our thoughts always.

Relaxing week-end on the water.

Now moored at Whittlesey on Whittlesey Dike.

Our time here at Whittlesey has been spent fishing, reading and dog walking.  The fishing yesterday wasn’t too bad with a few reasonable sized fish and plenty of tiddlers but today has been poor with only a few Perch taking the bait. Dot has managed to get through over half of a book she bought with her.

As for the dog he pined for the first 24 hours and didn’t eat much but now we are the best of buddies. He’s still not eating as much as we were told to feed him but that won’t do him any harm.

While fishing off the stern deck a gentleman called from the opposite bank to say he followed our blog. Initially I thought he was referring to Nb Uccello but then he said “No Gypsy Rover”. He knew we were in the area and hoped to pass us somewhere along the way. Anyway welcome to our world to the crew of Nb Julanda, nice talking to you.

Floods Ferry Marina with Nb Harnser in residence. The blue narrowboat second from left.

Tomorrow we are heading back to March to hand Uccello and Bungie back to their owners who we trust will have had a good week-end back on Terra Firma.

Fox's boat yard and marina on the Middle Level at March. This is where our love of narrowboating was born back in 1995.

For those of you who have been following the saga of Nb Waiouru and sending their good wishes to Tom and Jan, a BIG thank you even though we see one couple who shall remain nameless coming out in support of Harp Narrowboats.

Because of all this delay and upheaval Tom and Jan now find themselves in a jam regarding accommodation for the next 3 – 6 months so if there is anybody out there with a boat, caravan or holiday home who is willing to loan or lend to them for this period please get in contact with either them directly or forward contact details to us to pass on to them. I know that they would truly appreciate any help in their hour of need.

Off cruising.

Now moored at Whittlesey on the River Nene Old River

Visitors for breakfast!

Today turned out to be another eventful occasion with workers arriving outside the boat before 8am and erecting a Gazebo. Shortly after a cruiser arrived all bedecked in buntings and moored ahead of us. It was at this point that I had to walk the dog before walking back to our temporary accommodation in March for an unexpected meeting. As I stepped off our boat the skipper of the cruiser approached me asking when I intended leaving as it was the official opening of the new March Park moorings. The ceremony was to be officiated by his worship “The Mayor” at 10.30am. I said that I would be unable to move the boat much before lunch so he then asked if we had any buntings to decorate the boat. Of course the answer to this was “No”. How were we to know the opening was this morning, it wasn’t advertised and they only decided last night, how ridiculous!

We were all alone 5 minutes ago!

Mr Mayor all ready to cut the ribbon

As I walked off along the river side to my meeting I spotted several other boats heading to the park all covered in buntings so I rang Dot to warn her and just allow them to breast up to save any dis- agreement. Back at our temporary accommodation I had to wait until well after midday as the person I was to meet had been held up by an overturned caravan on the motorway. When he finally arrived he had a document that should have been made available to me when we were at Cranham Motorhomes on Monday. They also wanted another document which I was unsure as to whether I had ever seen it and if I had, it was in a document folder left with the boss on Monday.  I was rather annoyed over this as we had kept in contact with Cranham Motorhomes at every turn of the process and the arrangements for last Monday had been made 3 weeks previously. Hopefully everything will get sorted out on time.

I eventually got back to the boat about 1pm and after a bite of lunch and a quick walk in the park for Bungie we set off for a leisurely cruise to Whittlesey. After working up through the lock we found there was just enough room on the moorings if we winded first and reversed onto the moorings.

The boys out cruising

Haven't we seen them before?

We are back on the Water.

Wednesday morning and here we were packing some overnight bags for a 5 day 4 night stay on narrowboat Uccello while the owners Derek and Carrie go off to Canterbury for a long week-end and a family christening. We will be looking after the boat and dog “Bungie” as he didn’t get an invite to the ceremony. After a trip to the opticians to have eye tests and order new glasses (now that's another story) we headed off to join Derek and Carrie for the afternoon and dinner.  Wow, wish I could cook like that.

Derek and Carrie with grandson Aden. Moored at the end of the Wey Navigation back in April.

After getting ourselves settled on board Dot went to the supermarket for a few bits and pieces but we have decided to stay put due to the persistent rain. It turns out that it was wise decision as we have received a phone call from Cranham Motorhomes to say that they urgently need a document to be signed. Grrrrr. Why didn’t they give it to us on Monday? As we won’t be back in London until the 13th they will send one of their staff to meet me at our temporary accommodation tomorrow morning to complete the paperwork.

Bungie helping Carrie to moor Nb Uccello back in January 2010

Once this has been sorted out and if the weather improves we may cruise up to Whittlesey tomorrow and then Peterborough on Saturday returning on Sunday or Monday depending on whether we do the return in one or two stages depends on how energetic we feel. We may be a little out of practice.

Regents Canal London.

After a hearty breakfast at the Hotel it was time to head off to Kings Cross railway station for the journey back to Peterborough. We were in no hurry as we had plenty of time to spare. A bus ride and two changes on the Underground and we found ourselves at Kings Cross with plenty of time for a bit of sight seeing. We wanted to see how St Pancras station was looking after it’s conversion into the Eurostar Terminal and we were both pleasantly surprised how this beautiful building had been transformed hopefully giving it another 100 year lease of life.

Regents Canal London near Battlebridge Basin. If it's good enough for Manchester, it's good enough here.

Just down the road was the Regents Canal and the Battlebridge Basin where the London Canal Museum is situated. As we have visited this museum previously we didn’t bother going for a second look. One thing we noticed that we didn’t encounter when we visited the area in 2008 was the blanket of duck weed covering the water. Another thing that caught our eye was the number of narrowboats moored along the towpath two abreast and some displaying very expired BW licence’s. We are led to believe these boats may have been kicked off the River Lee after mooring revues in that area.

Duck weed covers the Regents Canal by Battlebridge Basin.

Eventually it was time to head back to Kings Cross to catch our train. Once on board we thought that it might be a good idea to get some drinks from the snack bar on the train. As the train was due to leave in a matter of minutes I walked back down through the train, about 6 carriages, to find the snack bar. Walking through carriage “E”, which was the only carriage that was full, there was a distinct rise in temperature. About 10 minutes after pulling out of Kings Cross the train manager came on the tannoy system saying that as the Air Conditioning Unit in carriage “E” had failed passengers were invited to move up to carriages “C” or “D” for a more comfortable journey.

St Pancras Railway station. Thank goodness somebody fought to save this beautiful building. Upstairs windows are now apartments.

St Pancras station with it's Olympic Rings with the games now less than 12 months away.

A statue depicting St Pancras station over the decades. The gangers who kept the railways moving.

The troops departing while injured comrades return.

Back in March we walked in the back door of our temporary accommodation to find our dinner on the table ready and waiting. We feel absolutely spoilt living with Mick, Julie and Pam who have been a real Godsend to us.