Well we took years preparing for this adventure, from early days canalling with the Woodcraft Folk in the ‘70s and 80s in England, to enjoying France and especially Brittany on the Presqu’ile Sauvage (Paimpol to Treguier in the Cote d’Armor) where we decided a moving home on the canals of France would be fantastic. So finally we got our boat and our plans to go to France. Having co-incidentally formed a twinning with Gien and Malmesbury in 1998-2000, using the neighbouring town of Briare, on the Canal Laterale, a beautiful town with the understandably famous Eiffel aqueduct, was a natural choice.
How to get the boat to Briare? Several friends and contacts suggested a trip across the channel! But the more knowledgeable (except for a few dare-devils) suggested a transport company might be better. Di Harris and Bob Naylor from the Kennet & Avon (K&A) Trust gave us some good advice, and put us in touch with Jo Parfitt and Simon Evans with a boatyard in Migennes. This is on the Yonne just north of Auxerre. And at Auxerre begins the canal du Nivernais, twinned intriguingly with the K&A. This would take us down to Decize and up the Canal Laterale, the latter part of the route we had already done with a hire boat. Jo put us in touch with Colin Lumsden of CLP transport who (with other colleagues including Kate Hopkins and driver Richard Gasson) has been extremely helpful in planning and organising the trip.
We originally planned to take the boat to Reading for lift out with Mike Butcher (who we can readily recommend). After a trip to London in summer 2010 however we recognised that passing through the centre of Reading was always tricky for us. Discussing this “en passant” with Spencer and Victoria at the Boatyard, Hilperton, Victoria just hinted that getting the boat to Reading in March with high and possibly fast running water, might just be a problem. So we switched the plan to Bristol. We enjoyed our three years on the K&A immensely, seeing the locks as a wonderful challenge and adventure. But Spencer and Victoria were always a fantastic boost with advice and support. If ever on the K&A do call in on them. They will always be amazingly helpful.
SO...... On 21 March we planned to cruise down to Bristol for lift out on 29 March. Bristol Marina were amazingly helpful, especially Tina, and Edie Stuart. A week before departure we checked with them about various details. We had had a scare about Bradford Lock being closed the week previously. They now advised that we needed to check about Netham Lock. It was passable but there was work needed following the winter and it was not guaranteed. A long conversation with Netham Lock colleagues was not reassuring. They weren’t being unhelpful but between Spring tides and one of the gates needing replacement with work planned to begin on 21 March, they could not guarantee passage. We could take our chances. We might get through straightaway, but more likely would need to wait maybe a couple of days, maybe more. Ugh, ugh, ugh, as they say.
After a couple of hours of painful reflection we decided we could not take the risk. If Mohammed could not get to the mountain, the mountain would have to come to Mohammed or in this case much more prosaically, to the Morverc’h. After checking with some crane companies we were able to arrange with King Lifting to lift us out at Bradford on Avon on the 29th. It’s only money!! But although the cost was much higher than we had planned we have to say King Lifting did an excellent job.
Well Lisa and Mikey, friends from Malmesbury, had agreed to crew with us down to Bristol. So instead on the 21st we took last stroll down the K&A to Bath and back with them. It was great to do that. Though some unintended difficulties with the Claverton pump gave us some final tremors coming back up to Bradford.
Well that’s the boring part. Here we go. Some pictures of the Morverc’h coming out at Bradford.
She looked in better shape than we expected, and we were well within our weight limit. Robin Schofield (Lisa’s dad) came down to see us off. We are on our own now. No tender advice and help from Spencer and Victoria, Dave Latham at the marina, Craig at Sally Boats, Robin, John Harbour and above all Tim Inwards. Upwards on onwards!!!
Up She Goes
Landed for Transport
She looked in better shape than we expected, and we were well within our weight limit. Robin Schofield (Lisa’s dad) came down to see us off. We are on our own now. No tender advice and help from Spencer and Victoria, Dave Latham at the marina, Craig at Sally Boats, Robin, John Harbour and above all Tim Inwards. Upwards on onwards!!!
