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.

Bob the Bucket and Countdown to the Start of the Season

Last week we both completed our RYA (Royal Yachting Association) training course.  Pete from Lincolnshire Boat Services popped down to Oundle Marina on a beautifully sunny Monday morning and after a cup of coffee we set off down river to practice the 'man over board procedure' or MOB as it is known.  Here we are fishing Bob the Bucket out of the water. We repeated this several times as he just couldn't seem to stay on board!  I'm glad Bob the Bucket volunteered to go in, as the water was rather chilly!

As it was such a nice day, we decided to head back upriver towards Lilford and show Pete what a lovely river the Nene is and he was very impressed!  

Although we could happily have gone cruising for the rest of the day, there was work to be done, so we set off back to base and waved goodbye to Pete, who will be back to do our First Aid refresher course later in April.

The boats are now starting to look like holiday boats again, the engines have all been serviced and put back together, the painting is nearly finished, all doors and hatches have been repainted.  The boat cleaning is also well underway with Helen making sure everything is cleaned within an inch of its life and I have been busy ironing all the curtains and covers.  Bruce has been getting artistic in the workshop and has been busy with a new design on Sumo's back doors.

Sumo has now arrived in her new position in the marina and Sammy will be joining her this coming Friday.

Nicky's chicks have started to hatch out, this little one could be laying the on board free range eggs later in the year!

Don't forget it's our Open Day this Saturday 5th April, so if you are around the area pop in and say hello and don't forget to pick up your Cadbury's Creme Egg!