Bartimaeus

We were staying in Bidford-on-Avon to meet up with Den and Andrea, who were interested in converting a diesel only Ortomarine boat to having a hybrid marine engine. They were coming to try out the driving. Shane had been in touch by email with Den to tell him where we were moored. 

It was a perfectly pleasant place to stay a while as we found there was a very active kingfisher in this spot. It flew past regularly.

On the morning we expected their arrival, the kingfisher was perched on top of the mooring poles opposite and diving down to fish regularly, and returning to another pole. That kept us entertained for a while. We also saw a family of swans flap loudly towards the bridge and achieving lift off but having to abandon, as they didn't gain enough height to clear the bridge.

Andrea had sent me a message to say they were on schedule. Shane went a short errand and returned more swiftly down the bank. He came in to warn me it was slippery and ask if he had mud on his shorts.  

Shane was first to spot them approaching from above and waved. I went forward to warn them not to slip on the bank. That would not be a good start to their cruise. We began with coffee and biscuits they had brought. We discussed the Ribble Link and they had a few adventurous routes of their own planned. Den has flown in the RAF and they had a plane, so were clearly no stranger to adventure. Swapping the sky for water was a change of pace, but one to which they were both looking forward with enthusiasm.

Den and Shane were talking kilowatts and the like while Andrea and I were discussing interiors. As well as the propulsion changes Den had in mind, she had some changes planned to the inside of Eau Rouge, in particular the kitchen. They had already hired boats a few times, including two electric boats that were Ortomarine builds. We also discussed the excellent customer after care that Ortomarine provide, even to second hand purchasers. Caroline had told them they would become part of the Ortimarine family. They are very well respected in the industry. 

It was a lovely sunny day, ideal for a cruise. I gave Andrea a walk through and settled in the front away from the tech talk, enjoying the clear water and further chat about each other's families and a variety of boaty bits and bobs. Although the kingfisher did not grace us with its presence again, the half dozen or so swans had a repeat rush upriver, pushing off the water with their feet as well as beating their huge wings.  They gained height only to descend again just before the bridge. They will need a longer run up or more flapping practice.

It was a very pleasant visit. Andrea had mentioned they had been unable to stop when they had passed through Bidford before on their hire boat, so I hope they got the chance to see the town and get lunch there, before going home.

The next day we went to get lunch in the cafe ourselves. Shane reminded me about the slippery slope so I took the steps, but as I neared the top I caught my toe on a step and tripped, grazing various places on the very grippy concrete. I went back inside to examine myself but concluded nothing needed a plaster and walking was unaffected other than me being more cautious and Shane advising I use the handrail next time. We were soon able to set off for a very fine lunch at the cafe. 

In the morning we set off, leaving the prime kingfisher spot and attractive bridge behind.

It was a bright morning again. We hear the cry of a kite. It circled nearby and flew over us. I love seeing the angling of the tail steering like our rudder, as it soars.

We are both really enjoying the Avon and today, as well as the kite, we saw a  buzzard fly over us and later Shane pointed out a kestrel hovering ahead. 

He pointed out a heron on the bank on my side and I leaned over to get a look and wondered if it would stay, but it turned it's back and took flight just as we drew near.

It landed again, before us. I wondered if it would be more settled but again it turned away and took off before we got close enough.

We also saw a cormorant both swimming and flying so we're well supplied with excuses to admire the blue sky. It clouded over and got cooler but we were not far from the lock and moored up for lunch. We decided to stay there, but as we set off for a walk we found two boats, one a lone boater in the lock and the other a new crew on a hire boat. We had a chat with both and the lone boater drew our attention to a 'pointless bridge'. It had no destination and yet had a walkway. It served as a potential hazard to boat handlers, getting on and off or passing ropes and to taller people than me. This time I was not the one at risk of injury as it was I could only look up to it, not bounce off it.