Hi Everyone,
We are just back from the IWA Show at Ratcliffe on Soar, where we have been letting MGM show prospective buyers round ‘Waveney’.
We set off last Thursday, thinking the river would be chocker with boats, all on the same mission as us, but found it surprisingly quiet (at least it was at 6-30am when we left!) When we got to Zouch lock the moorings there were starting to fill so we moored up for the night. As we had never been that way before we were thinking we’d not get a mooring if we didn’t. However when we went through Zouch lock on Friday we found there to be loads of free moorings all the way to Kegworth! When we moored there on the way back we found out why………….they are right under the flight path for the East Midlands Airport!
Friday lunchtime we arrived at Ratcliffe and were given a mooring at the flood lock which was a very pleasant, if brisk, 10 minute walk from the show ground! People who wanted to view our boat had to be keen! As we had (stupidly) both left Thurmaston with no cash we walked over to the East Midlands Airport parkway, near the power station to see if there was a cash machine. There wasn’t, so Saturday morning we decided to take George and walk the 3 miles into Kegworth to get cash. George, however, had other ideas and after a few hundred yards refused to go any further! I had to take him back to the boat and Ken went to Kegworth alone.
Upon entering the show ground, what was the first thing we saw? ……….Yes a cash machine! Ho Hum.
We had a very nice 3 days at the show with about 10 viewings during that time. Once we had to sit on the bank in the rain while Martin showed someone round and a couple of times we had just made it into the beer tent when we got the call and had to go back to the boat but all in all it went well.
Monday afternoon we left Ratcliffe and moored for the night under the flightpath at Kegworth (as previously mentioned). I began my fishing career and caught 4 fish (I shouldn’t mention that this was 3 more than Ken ……..but I will!)
Tuesday the weather started off promising but soon became very windy and cloudy so we decided to get back asap. While we were in Cossington Lock there was a terrific thunder storm so we had to moor up and have a cup of tea until it had passed over. We arrived home at tea time (that’s G&T time!)
Our next trip will be up the Trent starting next week. Don’t miss it!.
Cheers B.
