Barry Holland's Log.

re: My First Trip for HNA.  13th March 2003

Today 03:03:03 was my first trip as a newly qualified steerer for Hillingdon Narrowboat Association (a charitable organisation taking eligible groups out on the canals.) An early start from The Horse & Barge (nee Halfway House) in Harefield. I made my way onto the towpath just below Widewater Lock at 08:50. Casting my steely-blue eyes up & down the waterway I espied no familiar boats. I had been assured they would be there so, no option but to phone base (i.e. above Coppermill Lock on the off-side.) 

An answering machine kicked in after 10 rings or so. "Right," I thought, "I'll try the mobile" (against my religion as mobile-to-mobile normally requires a mortgage!) only to get "Unable to connect you at this time." One more trip up to the pound above the lock only to reveal Tim standing on the back of "Hillingdon Star" breasted up to "Pisces." He'd been there all the time of course--it's just that I didn't recognise the boats end-on & breasted up! He revealed to me that his mobile phone was flat-batteried-hence the strange message! A slow poddle into Widewater lock still breasted--Harold the association's engineer/part time steerer appeared, ready to take "Star" on downhill to Denham Deep. Before the boats had "strung out" below the lock, Laurie, yet another steerer materialised & hitched a lift with Harold on "Star" down to where "Spirit of '57," the association's third boat, (no prizes for guessing the sponsor!) was moored the previous evening.

Thus at Denham Deep the convoy was formed. Laurie steering "Spirit," Harold steering "Star" & yours truly, steering "Pisces," with Tim, (the project’s manager & the only person attracting a salary) flitting between the boats, keeping a fatherly eye on proceedings. All we needed now were the passengers--before long a stream of kids (approximately 90 all told) emerged onto the towpath from the Denham Country Park along with their "responsible" minders. They were divided into three groups &, suitably lectured by Tim on matters of safety etc., were embarked for the great adventure.

The next few hours were taken up with a game of musical boats as various groups were taken down Denham Deep & on to a winding hole just above Uxbridge lock. Major excitement as the boats met one another and the kids frantically trying to exchange experiences whilst still in vocal range. I was grateful for Pisces age (1935) as she has an engine'ole that prevents "kid invasion" at the steerer's end with a strict rule of no gunnel-walking & a trad stern, it was a haven of peace but pleasant to hear the kids enjoying themselves. I mean-I like kids but I couldn't eat a whole one! Laurie & Harold have cruiser sterns & were surrounded by well-behaved kid clusters every time we passed each other.

14:00 saw everyone disembarking at the "Swan & Bottle" & silence broke out as the kids met their coach & were whisked back to the environs of Harmondsworth. If this trip gives even one of them a taste for our waterways then it will have been worth it. The important thing was everyone had a good time.

"The General Elliot" knew our custom the three steerers & Tim getting outside some very welcome sandwiches & a couple of pints of the intriguingly named "Jack O' Legs!" A slow poddle down to the "Malt Shovel" formed the epilogue to my day where I had a taxi ride back to the "Horse & Barge," followed by a 15 minute drive to work and a 15 hour nightshift!

Hey Ho!

Barry Holland, Volunteer Hillingdon Narrowboats Association steerer and raconteur extraordinaire