And So This is Christmas

As we approach the shortest day and the promise of longer days to come, we look to Christmas and the end of the old year. Oundle is looking very bright with some additional lights for this year.  We went along to the Christmas light switch on and the town was bustling with people at the Christmas Market.  Father Christmas also paid a visit - we are pleased to report that all the lights came on at the same time this year!  There was a beautiful full moon to light up the sky too.

We then popped across the road into Smiths at No 4 for a glass of festive fizz (or Ribena if you're five) and to enjoy the live music that was on offer.

The River Nene Fuel Boat has got into the Christmas spirit, decorated with tinsel when out and about on its winter deliveries.

Have a lovely Christmas everyone whatever you might be doing and remember the days start to get longer from next week - Merry Christmas from the riverbank and see you all next year!

Bonfires and RYA Training

November started off with lots of fireworks and bonfires.  The bonfire at Barnwell this year recreated the Great Fire of London in 1666.  London Town had been built out of pallets and the detail was superb.  There was even a Pudding Lane - fantastic work guys!  This was all followed by the traditional jacket potato and a pint at the Montagu Arms

We were busy in November getting ready for our inspection to become a Royal Yachting Association Training Centre (RYA).  This involved lots of bits of paper, risk assessments and designing a training course. When we had finished writing the course it was time to test it out and we were lucky to have two willing volunteers, Paul and Rab from Oundle Marina.  They were absolute stars in helping out with our run through, particularly as the weather was absolutely awful and they got thoroughly wet after spending all day on the back of a boat!

Paul rescuing 'Bob the Bucket' in the Man Overboard Procedure.  He's looking very pleased with himself!

On the way back we passed Fuel Boat Bletchley coming under Oundle Town Bridge.  Alan was enjoying a cup of tea at the helm.

By the time we arrived back at Oundle Marina the clouds had cleared and we had all dried out!

We are pleased to say that we did pass our inspection later in the month and we are now an RYA Training Centre.  We offer Inland Waterways Helmsman, and Crew Courses, River Nene Experience Days and Training Holidays.  You can find out more at Nene Valley Boat Training.

It's the time of year to start filling the bird feeders up again and while I was supposed to be doing paperwork, I was being entertained by numerous little birds enjoying a feast!

And just to finish up another lovely winter sunset across the river - we do get treated to some fantastic skies in the Nene Valley.