Happy New Year

We took our Australian friends, John & Di Harden down to Cosgrove on a misty winter's day. They had boated on Albert in Spring 2004 when we went north through Stoke Bruerne and Blisworth Tunnel to Bugbrooke. This time we went south and our friends from Milton Keynes, Lin & Roy Healey, also joined us.

John found the mist somewhat different from the climate in Brisbane and therefore fascinating. He took lots of photos some of which are published here and in our album.


Cosgrove Lock in the mist


Lin spent plenty of time polishing the brass in the cabin! She can come again. Roy and John both acquitted themselves admirably at the tiller. John was fascinated by the Cosgrove Aqueduct (Iron Trunk) and the fact that it crossed the Ouse at height.


The Iron Trunk in the mist

We had a good lunch and a few pints at the Navigation Inn, Cosgrove and finished with tea & cakes back at Yardley. Just great to be boating again.


Coming up Cosgrove Lock, Roy Healey on the gate


Ducks at the Navigation


John Harden at the tiller of Albert

John & Di live on Bribie Island in a waterside house so they have a sea-going powerboat they keep on their deck. Their house backs onto a short canal that leads via a lock to the sea. But there the similarity with English Canals ends. John took home a glossary of boating terms from Rolt's Narrow Boat and is threatening to start referring to their canal as the cut. I suppose it could catch on!