Weekend Gathering

Saturday morning saw the arival of QEIII.   The weather was much better than forecast.

Saturday afternoon a number of the Beacon Boats owners who were unable to attend by boat and prospective owners arrived and we showed a steady flow of people arround Triskaideka.  Ken & Lynda who will soon be planning their build probably are more confused than ever having looked around the four different boats, and now probably don't have a clue what to have!

Beacon had arranged for a photographer so we did a bit of a boat shuffle to get the four boats breasted up across the river for some photos.  A bit of synchronised boating!

Left to right QEIII, Windsong, Serenity & Triskaideka

From the other way 

Karen & John

Ian, Rog & Liz

the 'gathered' on the bank

Liz & Rog

In the evening we retired to the Soar Bridge Inn for an evening of chat, food and the odd beverage.  It was great to catch up with people we knew and meet other owners as well as matching people to boats that we knew of.  I think everyone really enjoyed the evening.

Sunday, Ali went off to a family birthday gathering in Northampton and John and others went back to the Soar Bridge for Sunday lunch.  If you are passing this way we would really recommend the Soar Bridge, the food is really good value and they have a great range of beers.

Today we said goodbye to Pip and Rog on NB Windsong followed by Karen & Ian on NB Serentity.  We left shortly after, we headed for the service point and whilst doing so, said we would have an alcohol free day.

Whilst waiting for the water tank to fill, we had a phone call from Doug from NB Chance, we knew Doug and James were heading our way, and very kindly they decided to have a longer day today so we could meet this afternoon at Syston.  (Bang went the alcohol free day then!).

We cruised along the River Soar, it is a lovely stretch of water, making a short stop at Mountsorrel for milk and then at Sileby Mill for diesel. As we exited the lock at Sileby we had a prop foul, managing to get onto the lock landing we discovered a brand new fender with a bit of blue rope, well and truly wrapped around the prop, oh well I am sure we can use the fender!

Prop foul

We also passed two further Beacon Boats today who were unable to make the gathering over the weekend.

NB Merryweather in the background

NB Seventh Heaven

We moored up and were just sorting a few things out when John said that Doug & James were mooring up behind us.  We have spent a lovely evening with them and as always enjoyed excellent company, just sorry it was such a short meeting.

NB Chance & Triskaideka 

Doug, James & John

Doug & James

5.5 miles 4 locks