Hi All,
Roving reporter and part time crew member here. Mr Millin (as he likes to be known), the lovely Margaret and myself left Skipton by train at 9.15am on June 25th. Changing at Leeds, we arrived Brighouse at 10.50 followed by a 5 minute walk to the Sagar boatyard. The ladies walked into town the town centre, leaving Mr Millin with last minute bits and bobs. One of the bobs was problematical in the water department and taps splished and splattered in the sinks. Much testing and checking took place and the culprit was identifies and a faulty pressure release value in the calorifier. The fault caused by a tiny piece of PTFE tape getting stuck under the seal. Although tested many times before, it was now sucking air into the system. Problem solved with a new part. During this time lunch took place, consisting of pate, cheese and wine, fruit, more wine and oh yes some wine. The continental flavour and start as you mean to go on standard, quickly put into standing orders. Setting off at 4.15pm a little later than planned, to much cheering and waving as Phoenix gently slipped her mooring and started the journey south. The boat is beautiful and difficult to describe on paper. Photographs are being taken and will appear for all to see soon. Suffice to say, the finish, handing style, facilities are all magnificent and Mr Millin and the lovely Margaret are delighted with their purchase. I did think the comment, 'makes a Hudson look like a Canaltime a little unfair' but Mr Millin was full of wine at the time. Arriving for overnight at 6.10pm between Battyford Flood Lock and Battleford Lock. Showers then took place (3), curry and some wine for dinner and an early night, 9.15pm. June 26th An early start 6.00am up, ready for a 7.00am get away, to make up time lost yesterday. Breakfast of cheese, strawberries, toast, bakes beans and tea. Bit early for wine, even for Mr Millin. The water still very hot, even after all the showers last night. The morning was cool and overcast but warmed up later. At 12.50 Phoenix arrived safe and sound at the Aire and Calder Canal. It was decided to have lunch on the hoof. We slipped past Epiphany, seemed crew had gone out for the day. Arrived at Birkwood lock. The locks, gates and paddle combination have been quite different to more southerly canals and rivers, however from now on all the locks are mechanised, where is that BW key? This is a particular relief to the lady crew members on board, who have found some of the locks very testing. On some occasions doubling up to get the gates open! At 3.15pm we reached Castleford and are mooring here for the night. The ladies walk into town leaving Mr Millin with the red wine bottle. Tomorrow an early start id promised. Apparently, there is a particular bridge the yobs like to throw stones from and it is better to get past the bridge before they rise from their slumbers. Your reporter has been given the master suite for the journey and can report a very comfortable bed with excellent ablution facilities. More later. Regards, Your roving reporter from the Skipton and Evesham Examiner. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
