15th July '13

We've had a wonderful weekend with the crowd from RBOA. The AGM was packed and as well as the usual business, we had a presentation from one of the founder members, of whom 5 were present. Considering it's the 50th Anniversary this year that's saying something. The presentation was brilliant, full of pictures of their boats and tales of mooring on the Thames in the 60's and 70's. It was fascinating. I wished we'd seen it before we'd travelled on the Thames as we'd have been looking at some of the boats with a different viewpoint.

Yesterday, in blistering heat, we had a 'Chill at the Lock' Day, with music of varying types performed all day and some displays by local groups. I got chatting to a lady who was not only a Morris dancer, but also sang in a choir and volunteered on the Canal boats in the past. I was well impressed. They are going to be dancing at the National next weekend so I'll be looking out for her.

We are moored next to Norfolk Belle, which I failed to mention in the last blog. Dave and Angela are on the jetty abutting ours at Mercia. We have spent a fair bit of time with them and are planning to go on up through the locks with them to Watford. We've all decided to stay over until tomorrow as apparently there's nothing at Cassiobury Park where the show is being held and we are close to shops and nice walks here.

This is a working model of a canal, complete with locks, we can't remember if it's called the Little Union or the Small Union but it's something like that and I'm sure I'll get a comment telling me what it is! Great fun for the children though. You get a feel for how hot it was as this was 11am when it opened!

Here's a shot that isn't likely to be repeated often - I'm terrified of horses, but this one is a very gentle canal horse and I was persuaded that he was very friendly, so here I am - close to a horse!!!!!

That evening we had a lovely BBQ alongside the boats. About a dozen residential boaters sat along the tow-path having a great time. A perfect end to a lovely weekend. Thanks RBOA and look forward to seeing you all at the National! Now to get the washing out and go to Tesco to stock up for the coming week.