An eventful week so far…. Tuesday we received a call from Mark and Dee our customers on Boston Belle, they had caught the boat on the cill half way down Wigan flight, fortunately the rudder was caught which then bent at 45 degrees and the boat slipped off!
On arrival at the scene it was clear that the boat could not be manoeuvred on its own steam. I made a frantic phone call to Denise Bradshaw at BW; who arranged for the dry dock to be opened up.
Another piece of luck a passing boat offered to tow Boston Belle down the flight and to the BW dry dock. The boat was narrowboat “Busker” whose owners we met the previous year; Linda along with her partner Tony. I believe Linda is a musician and has a website or blog, should you know how I can get in touch with them please let me know.
9.00 a.m. Wednesday morning Boston Belle is floated into dry dock, John and Louis (my son) start on the repairs with the help of Mark and Dee (real troopers). It’s a godsend that John’s an accomplished engineer, has been tinkering with, building things and boating since he was knee high to a grasshopper (which I must admit usually gets on my nerves, you can imagine what the garage looks like). 3.00 p.m. boat repaired and re-floated, Mark and Dee on their way.
How different the story could have been?
I want to thank Denise Bradshaw and the guys on the ground at British Waterways; who should be applauded, they do come in for some bad press but not on this occasion.
Despite the mishaps, the ups and the downs, I just love boating and have met some truly inspiring people on my four year journey from my executive life!
