Hooray, Hooray, It's a
Hillside Holiday!
Monday 19 May 2008
The annual Hillside School bash got underway @ 10:50
with the departure from H.N.A. Ian Maclachlan was steering 'Merlin' a boat
on loan from Tideways Adventurer's Projects. 'Star' is currently undergoing
an enginectomy. Barry Holt was next away steering 'Spirit' followed by yours
truly, steering 'Pisces.'
The pace slowly picked up as we made our way to Cassiobury Park above Iron
Bridge Lock where the kids indulged in train rides & a kickabout before
resuming our northern journey @ 16:30. Some three hours later a tired but
happy fourteen boys & seven girls arrived at Nash Mills where,
following a meal , they cavorted for England in the 'Red Lion' playground.
Back on the boat after the exertions of the day and all the fresh air, we
knew no more 'til daybreak.
Tuesday 20 May 2008
The convoy moved off this morning at 09:10 having
breakfasted up. The sun was warm but the shade proved fairly chilly. The
kids were gradually beginning to gel as teams and steady if slow progress
was made until 14:15 when we tied three abreast at the waterpoint in
Berkhamsted Park. All the boats required water in abundance and the water
guns were used to great effect in the obligatory water fight that has become
a staple of any Hillside excursion!
Eventually, at 16;30 we moved on through the final five locks of the
Chiltern Escarpment to attain the summit level at Tring and moored up in the
environs of the 'Grand Junction Arms' by 19:45 when Spag Bol was enjoyed on
all three vessels. Ian, Barry and myself brought the day to a close in the
company of Old Speckled Hen, Stella and London Pride.
Wednesday 21 May 2008
Up and about by 07:15 I squeezed myself into Pisces'
shower & abluted successfully, relying on the warm sunshine out on
the towpath to dry off thoroughly, modestly dressed
in a bath towel I hasten to add!
My crew were dispatched to Marsworth Top Lock and a swift run down the seven
locks to the 'White Lion' by 11:30 where we tied up to await a change of
schoolkids.
During a conversation with Ian who was videoing the
departing boys & girls, I spotted the unmistakable shadow in the water
of a cruising carp just under the surface and before I knew it we were all
entertained to a piscatorial display of enormous proportions
consisting of mirror & common carp weighing up to 50 lbs! The kids were
beside themselves with excitement as the fish competed for the offerings of
crisps and sandwiches--poking their heads out of the water and making deep
sucking noises to boot. My brother Phil phoned during this mêlée and, when
he heard the kids' screams of excitement, wished he was there to witness the
spectacle in person. He's always been an enthusiastic armchair fisherman and
this was more than he could take!
Soon the coach arrived with our fresh bunch of kids and the air was thick
with greetings and excited relating of the carp antics. This time I had
eight girls to replace eight boys---peace and quiet I thought---wrongggg!!!
Promptly at 13:50 the girls began their steering with them all
acquitting themselves very well. We got stemmed up around the shallows at
Slapton and had to be pulled free by Barry on Spirit. Now we were last in
line having been the first, various disappointed calls of OOhhh---I had
to tell my crew it wasn't a race!
Leighton Buzzard drifted lazily by and we moored up by 'The Globe' at
Linslade by 19:45. The Three Amigos went for a pint after supper and had to
endure the delights[?] of Morris and Clog Dancing. I've got a good joke
about Morris Dancers but this is a family page. If we ever meet I'll tell
you it face-to-face.
Thursday 22 May 2008
An early start today at 08:15--lovely. The birds are
singing their loudest and the beautiful sunshine makes a winning
combination.
Soulbury Three Locks was a hive of activity as our three boats came down and
several others went up. We filled all three boats at the waterpoint which
took around an hour! Then we set off in convoy, with no locks to negotiate,
stopping at Giffard Park near Milton Keynes for a couple of hours which
enabled this bunch of kids to indulge in their water
fight.
Back on the move for a long stint to the bottom of the Stoke Bruerne flight
by 20:15---a twelve-hour day that enabled plenty of tyro steerers to hone
their skills. Following supper the amigos made the long trek to 'The Boat'
opposite the museum at the top of the flight.
Friday 23 May 2008
Following sleep of the just and righteous and a
substantial breakfast, all the children and their teachers set off on their
'Stoke Bruerne Flight' walk. With so many willing hands the flight was
achieved in no time at all and all too soon the Canal Museum and souvenir
shop were inundated with eager purchasers of canalia. We thought it only
fair to patronise 'The Boat' whilst the kids handed over their coinage as
though it was going out of fashion.
At last they were all souvenir'd up and the Grand Procession began into
Blisworth Tunnel, just a few minutes ahead. Pisces followed by Spirit &
Merlin bringing up the rear. Many moans and ghostly noises were soon
replaced by chanting as the kids [and me] tried to outdo one another in the
vocal stakes as tunnel acoustics lend themselves to tales of Kit Crewbucket
and his ilk. As you all know, dear reader, all tunnels are haunted &
Blisworth is no exception. I emerged from the tunnel with a sore
throat but a happy crew. It topped off a smashing trip with a great bunch.
The other day the boys had given me a bunch of wild flowers while descending
the Marsworth Flight ''with gratitude for my services'' but I admit to being
touched when, after a quick sojourn to the Gayton Arm to wind the boat and
offload the children onto their waiting coach one child asked ''If she
could come and live with me?
Well, that's at least one satisfied customer!
I eagerly look forward to the school's presentation night later in the year when a DVD of the proceedings will be shown.
