Bartimaeus

We had a few miles to get to the marina. We expected to see some electric boats heading the same way and we did pass Felicity, moored up, as we went along.

We had been warned about a fallen tree from other Electrika bound boats. It had not yet been cleared, but it was not difficult to pass. Later we met a boat that had come loose from its bow mooring and as boats passed it swung out further. Another boater had warned us about it, saying it was hard to moor securely in that place. We met a few boats coming the other way as we reached it and had to wait for them. The bow was facing us on approach. We drew level and Shane came close enough for me to climb on to the stern. I had to walk along the gunwale to reach the centre rope and back along to get close enough to the bank to get off on to the bank. There was a well secured canopy on the bow, so even once I had pulled the boat to the side I couldn't step on to reach the bow rope so I asked for Shane to pass me the boathook so I could fish the rope and spike out of the water. He threw it on the bank for me.  Meanwhile other boats came past. It was clear it had been ripped out before and people had replaced it. Shane hammered the spike in very thoroughly and I replaced the middle rope and we went on, hoping it would stay. 

We were now a little behind time and hoping for a quick cycle and lunch. No-one likes waiting when they are hungry. We reached the marina close to the time we had agreed to meet for lunch.

We didn't yet know what berth we had been allocated. I went in to the office. The lady was on the phone at first. Once she was done, there was some confusion, as she seemed to be unable to find our berth. She asked when I had made the booking - a month ago was the answer. She couldn't find a note in the paper diary and no sign in the computer display of the marina layout. Then she noticed a boat named Artemis was on their screen and Bartimaeus was mentioned but not allocated a space. She called a colleague and he agreed that he may have used the wrong boat name, as he couldn't read the writing. That was sorted but we hadn't paid yet and their card machine wasn't working so it was a longer procedure. I must say she had remained pretty calm throughout.

We headed to our berth and I saw the event organisers boat in place, Old Nick. I couldn't see if they were aboard. Manoeuvres in a marina are often tricky - you definitely don't want to bump Old Nick.

We got in place and plugged the boat in to the electric. By now Paul was messaging to say they had arrived at the pub and where would we like to sit. We arrived just as Paul was bringing drinks for him and Richard. We all enjoyed our lunch and then we went back to the marina on the tandem, with Richard having been briefed on the route, so they came by car. It was quicker by bike. 

We had a drink and then set off on a short out and back cruise. While coming out of the marina, we crossed with Felicity coming in. The canopy over the front offered a shady seat for a very hot day, for passengers. As we reached a shady section, Paul went to sit with Shane as he drove and Richard and I stayed in the front. Richard seemed to be enjoying the peaceful cruise, the bridges and nature. It was a nice change for me to to sit at the front too.

Once back at the marina they took their leave. No sooner had we waved off our friends, than we received a message from the Electrika organisers saying there was an evening BYOB meet up, if anyone wanted to socialise. We had a quick bite to eat and a shower. I made up some Pimm's in a lemonade bottle and we went down. The organisers., Paul and Kay were too busy doing last minute organising but we met a few others , some of who said "oh you're on Bartimaeus", in a knowing way, which made me wonder what they knew. We had a nice chat with Barbara and Malcolm (Shane had a good geek out with him) and their friend who joined us. Malcolm had one of the first electric boats, Ampere, and had put it together himself.

We attended all the talks and enjoyed the curries, the first day. It was roasting, and it's a surprise none of the speakers (one was Malcolm and he is 80 +) or company reps flaked out on their feet in the heat. Most of it is over my head but there was still the odd bit of info and a few jokes for me to pick up on among the propeller and battery recommendations. 

In the evening a bar, music and food was available and we were invited to sit with Sue and Nigel, and the next night we were with them again, with different background music. Then again the next night we were in their boat, Tethys, having a Chinese takeaway and prosecco.

As we left to go back to ours we passed lots of geese on the path. In the morning I  heard them honking and found they were round the boat.

We took our leftovers away with to eat the following evening. I hadn't cooked for several days. We had now left the marina and found ourselves moored near Tethys and Ampere again. Shane was socialising in a video chat and I was being visited by the same moorhen that had been fed by Shane through the hatch at lunch time.

They are not usually so bold but this one was feeding its babies and came back on the boat even when we weren't visible.

This has been quite a week for making friends and we have had repeat visits from a swan too that is really getting up close, rather than waiting for food to be thrown, almost standing in the water.