So it’s Wednesday afternoon 16th May 2018 around 2 p.m. I get a call for the builders of The Lethbridge Stewart (Elton Moss of Cheshire). Could we use your boat at Crick this year as our showboat? Hold on a moment let me think about it. Less than a second later. YES. Not sure how I am going to tell Sarah, that I am about to make her homeless, again.
Spent a few days getting our personal stuff off her. And doing the type of clean you do when the mother in law is coming.
We where having friend come for the weekend for a short cruise to the pub off the end of the River Lark a few 100 yards up the Great Ouse (Swan on the River). Just over 2 hours from our home marina.
Got there Saturday lunch time, the moorings at the pub had 3 GRP boats taking up the length of them. We turned around and moored on the EA moorings opposite. That’s my driving done for the weekend. Time for a beer or two. Spent a relaxing afternoon with our friends, beer, food and old stories. Until darkness fell and bed called. Sunday started with breakfast and good bye to our friends. Leaving Sarah to do a bit more sorting ready for the collection on Monday morning by the Elton Moss team. I drove John and the cats to my mum and dads, as it not practical have them with us in the temporary home.
Monday morning the team arrive to find the boss of Elton Moss is to be the skipper for the trip to West View Marina. For those who have read my other posts, West View Marina is where she went in to start her life in the water. They set about getting her ready for the trip to the lift out point.
I cadged a lift into Ely, with the boss at the wheel. No surprises, not I expected any with Artie at the controls. We moored, and I got off. The team spent a bit of time taking the rear rails and the wheelhouse down. In about 2 hours they would come to a bridge that is quite interesting to get under. Not that it’s a low bridge just it’s not a straight. As you go under it has a twist the a 90°bend right after it. Not as easy as first looks plus there are moored boats all around you.
After a few notes about the river to Artie how long it would be before that bridge and the Hermitage lock procedure. He was set.
I waited by the river in Ely (by the Maltings) and watched her go by. It’s very odd to see your home go by without you being on it. The next time we see her is Crick.
For those who don’t know what Crick is. It’s that largest inland waterways boat show in the World. Don’t forget the beer festival. As boating and beer go nicely together.
Moving into our home away from home for a few day. Staying in a hotel during the build, we are not strangers to that kind of life and it’s only for a few days.
Friday 25th came, Sarah returns from work, we load up a few cloths, camping stuff and off we go. On our way to Crick. Due to traffic on the A14 things were a little slow, a standard Friday. But we are on the campsite just after 7 p.m. Camp setup and sitting having a beer watching the world go by. Didn’t go to the entertainment in the marquee on the Friday night, just enjoyed chilling under the cloudy skies.
Saturday Morning comes. Off we set into the show. To start the day sausage and bacon stick, coffee.
After a few turns around the main arena and making a few purchases, we had a little wonder to the marina area, just for a sneak peek at our boat. She looked fabulous and to see a que waiting to get onboard is wonderful.
Celebrity spotting. As a follower of Dave Johns from ‘Cursing the Cut’ (a YouTube Channel) I knew that he is around doing a filming job of the show. Saw him a couple of times but as he is working, so not the right time to have a chat. If you are new to boating life. His channel is one to take a look at on YouTube. Loads of very handy tips and interesting videos that are just nice to watch. He starts his video posts right at the start of his adventure, with how to buy a boat and lots more follow about life onboard. This is one of the most professionally produced channels I have seen.
So off to the beer festival for a couple then back to camp to sleep them off. Back for more later.
After a doze and a snack we were ready for the trip back into the arena for stage two.
Wondering through the Food & Craft Marquee, we meet up with some friends we met last year. Was great to see them again. Couple were working their stand selling Narrow Boat Art. It was like we have known them for years. A lovely couple. We made plans to meet up later for a drink at our camp. And we did. Great night full of laughter.
More wondering around the retail section. Sarah purchased new boots, just in time, as overnight the sky’s opened up and delivered several gallons of rain, but most of all was the thunder and lighting.
But back to the show, as we left the show on our first day, we bumped into the Elton Moss team. They were, I think the phase is, Pumped…… They have had a great day with lots of fabulous feedback from the visitors to our home. Wonderful to hear.
Sunday.
After a very stormy night, thunder and lighting.
We woke to brilliant sunshine, with a light breeze. Checked the forecast, those new boots will be needed later today. More storms are coming.
Up, showered and ready for the new day. Coffee made and drunk.
Today we have a quest. We want to have a look inside the other widebeams in the marina, just get a feel for what the layouts are like and if we could add anything to ours.
Made our way to the marina and boarded the first of the widebeams of a standard design. Rear pram covered steering platform. This one was the fully fitted version. Very open plan in the salon and galley/ Kitchen area. Moving through her to a small bedroom with a double bed. Along the corridor to the bathroom, yes, a BATHROOM. It had a full-size bath and a separate shower. But with the extra width you can have a bath.
Heading to the bow, we find a king size bed and a good number of cupboards. Even a TV in a unit at the base of the bed.
As we worked our way along the line of boat, each one was less internal works. Finishing with a Hull with internal spray foam, all ready to fit-out yourself.
Taking a stroll around the other side of the marina. Had a look inside a narrowboat being shown by the owner. He has used all reclaimed wood to do the fit-out. And what a wonderful job he has made of it. He said, “would have liked another month just to finish a couple of things”. You could see it was a work of TLC. Good luck to him.
A short walk along the towpath on the Grand Union Canal, outside the marina. Great to see so many narrowboats here. Double parked, all sizes and colours.
Lunch called and chance to try a cider. I was at this point very traditional, Pastie and a Cider. How west country am I…………
Back to our camp for a short break from all that fun. At my age, I can only take so much.
Rested, back we go. A genital stroll around the show. Had a quick chat with Tim (our boat trainer). As we passed on one of the paths. Nice to see him.
Diner and a drink finished the day for us, plus the very black clouds are rolling in. Back to the camp as the rain began. That’s us for the night. This did give Sarah the chance to do a little work on her current book she is writing.
Another night of storms and quite humid.
So to Monday.
An overcast sky to start the day and the temperature was fresh.
Start of day rituals preformed and off we set.
Today is our day to vote for best of show boat. I just have no idea who to choose, there are just so many.
After the standard Sausage roll and tea, the event awaited us. There is the list of things we want to purchase. The list is bigger than the bank account. Nothing new there.
New frying pan was the 1st item, quickly to the Gin lacquers. Then to button fender for the port rear corner. (I seem to always bump that corner just about every time I cast-off.
Head off to vote, like an M.P. I voted for my boat and so did Sarah. In that way we know that she has got 2 votes.
Ice cream time round the far side of the marina. Take a damp seat on the grass. Watch the world pass by. Busy but quite peaceful.
Paid a short visit to our boat. I am impressed with what they have done to stage her. We are in with a chance for some kind of an award. Even if it’s the best tied to the bank award (this award doesn’t exist really.)
Time had moved on and it was 2:30pm. Lunch was calling. There we are sitting in the food section tucking in to a very nice Pastie and chips, when I get a call from Simon (salesman from Elton Moss) Come around to the voting stand your boat has got something. With Pastie in hand, off we ran (walked quickly). Got there just as they made the announcement. Elton Moss, Broad beam 3rd in show. Now that is amazing. A boat that is 8 months old and not built for the show gets 3rd. The Elton Moss team must be very pleased with that. WE ARE. Proud or what.
We sat with the Elton Moss tea at their stand, finished our late lunch. Swapped congratulation with every member of the team. Lots of smiles, Even Artie had a smile.
Off to the beer tent for a quick pint to celebrate, ok two.
The show was starting to close, we headed back our camp, sat and had cheese and Gin. Watched the campsite empty. We were there one more night.
Crick thank you, once again for a great event and thanks for all those visitor to the show who voted for our home.
Now we wait to get The Lethbridge Stewart back Wednesday around lunch time and we start the trip back to our marina via a couple of nights in Ely.
I am sure the trip back will have a few moments of note, so look out for the next post.
Happy Boating
Sarah and Steve Smith on The Lethbridge Stewart.
Larking around with a Ham 