Finally a little story to underline my resolution before the recent party weekend, that this weekend trip would be the second and last outing for Uncle Mort on the tidal Severn below Gloucester. We'll cope with the tide above Gloucester on those occasions when it comes over Maisemore weir.
I mentioned discussions with "old salts" at Sharpness, the evening before the outbound crossing. One clearly experienced motor boater of the seagoing type seated next to us in the Dockers Club told us about his boat with 2 powerful engines, on the plane this, on the plane that, easy access to almost all his mechanical parts etc etc. Nice bloke and very genuine. I couldn't help but put his knowledge into my "worry mill" overnight. Well guess who was the other boat locking up with us behind Arklow Swan . . . yep, the very same skipper. Sorry boat name forgotten but tough looking and angular, thrumbling fibre glass thing. (I'm talking about the boat by the way). "We've had an interesting weekend" he said . . . " hydraulic steering failure off Penarth !!!" "Had to be rescued by muscly fishing boat and repaired in harbour." Sorry can't remember where, I was so impressed with their success in cleaning up the cockpit floor. And could he reach all his mechanical parts to identify and fix the problem ? Yes - after about 8 hours when the motors had cooled down. An outing on the Severn is not a reckless jaunt and taken carefully does not present a "huge" risk. But it is a "real" risk which I will not take again as skipper on a narrowboat. I would crew for somebody else and I would venture out if any time I had a more appropriate craft. And really finally, much as Lydney deserves visitors, I will be playing the part of a large bucket of cold water in any displays of encouragement to narrowboaters. I fear that folks might underestimate the trip, it can look too easy. Beeky nb potentially a wuss, formerly intrepid PS - a HUGE vote of thanks to SARA for providing comfort to an anxious skipper. SARA is not the topless model spotted at Sharpness, try instead Severn Area Rescue Association, who had a couple of high speed craft in attendance for the crossings on both Saturday and Sunday. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Check out the new improvements in Yahoo! Groups email. http://us.click.yahoo.com/6pRQfA/fOaOAA/yQLSAA/ygtolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canals-list/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
