By Sarah-Jane Lonsdale
On Saturday 23rd of June we left Bray Marina aboard our boat "Carli"ť to spend the weekend at Cookham Lock Island with the Bray Cruiser Club. Although the weather forecast was not as good as we had hoped we were really looking forward to the Barbecue on Saturday evening, and were planning to have a go at the boat handling competition on Sunday.
We got through Bray lock after a short wait (and we even managed to get onto the lay-by!), and headed up towards Boulter's Lock. Now Boulter's is not my favourite lock. When you are a petite 5ft 3in young lady, getting a rope onto the bollard several feet over your head whilst being watched by an anorak wearing crowd of onlookers is just a little nerve-racking. Luckily the kind lock-keeper took my rope and spared my blushes!
As we left the lock the weather started to deteriorate, but dad moored up so that we could pop back for the only good thing about Boulters Lock - the ice creams!
Once we had finished our ice creams we motored out of the lock cut and headed up towards Cliveden. I always enjoy this very pretty part of the river, and we often moor for a while on one of the islands.
However, at this point our day began to go awry. Just as we passed a narrowboat, "Carli's"ť engine note rose slightly, then fell and then...silence! (The narrowboat passed us looking very smug.)
Dad steered towards the bank, but we were not going to make it. My brother, Alex, and Dad lowered the rubber dinghy's outboard into the water and started it. We got straightened out and motored slowly upstream and moored on the left bank just downstream of the islands.
We lifted the cockpit floor and looked at Carli's mighty (1.6 litre Ford) Diesel. It turned over ok but just would not start. The fuel gauge said over a quarter full, but when Dad & Alex took out the fuel gauge sender and dipped the tank with a bit of wood there was under an inch of fuel in the tank. Dad decided we had run out of fuel and phoned Darren (Unwinder).
Darren said not to worry and that Andy Hogg (Judge IT) would come down to tow us up to Cookham, and for us to listen out on VHF channel 10.
A little while later we were called on the VHF and shortly afterwards Judge IT arrived with Andy at the helm and Mike (Polimar II) and Darren (Unwinder) on deck ready to take our lines.
Darren was dressed for the summer weather, wearing only shorts and shoes. Unfortunately as they reached us there was a clap of thunder and the skies opened. We passed him an umbrella, which promptly turned inside-out although Darren soon had it facing the right way again. However, within seconds they were soaked to the skin.
After some skilful rope-work by Mike and Darren, Andy was able to set off for Cookham with Carli securely lashed alongside Judge IT.
When we arrived at Cookham there was quite a welcome. Alex, however, nearly came to grief doing the splits between boat and bank!
As the local filling station was already closed for the night, there was nothing more that could be done, thus leaving us free to enjoy the barbeque.
As if being on the rescue team were not enough, Mike and Darren were soon busily cooking steaks and kebabs and sausages on the barbeques. Debbie bought out a huge dish of steaming potatoes from Unwinder’s galley, and I am sure food appeared from many of the other boats without me spotting who exactly prepared it. (Sorry).
Meanwhile the storm raged on! The grass got a bit muddy, and the generator would not start. Undeterred the lights were connected to Polimar II’s inboard generator and the party began. Various cans and bottles appeared and were consumed, along with the excellent food. Alex went back for seconds and tucked into another huge plate of steak, kebabs, salad and potatoes. His excuse is that he is in training for his rowing.
Next the dessert was served. The choice was really amazing and everything I tried was lovely. Needless to say my brother was back for seconds but even he was too full for thirds!
Saying our goodnights we staggered off to bed.
Next morning we were told that due to the inclement weather the boat handling competition would not be going ahead.
Alex, Dad & I walked into Cookham with two Jerry cans to get some Diesel. After Dad had filled them Alex proved how fit he was by carrying them both back. He walked so quickly that Dad had trouble keeping up with him!
Back on the Lock island we tipped the fuel in using a funnel that Mike kindly lent us. Once the fuel was in the tank Dad asked me to take the funnel back to Mike. However, as I turned to do this I slipped and one leg went between the bank and the boat! Ohh it was so cold! Many thanks to those who grabbed me as I went in and hauled me back out.
After I had changed Dad & Alex, helped and advised by Garry (Barvic Prince) and Barry (Witch's Broom) amongst others, bled Carli's fuel system. At last she started and ran normally.
We tidied up and it was agreed that we should head upstream to Bourne End marina and fill the tanks. We did so and, apart from a little surge as Dad opened up the throttle at the end of the Cookham Lock cut, all was normal. At Bourne End Carli took another eighty litres of Diesel. (So we now know she has a 100 litre tank.)
As we were about to leave Barvic Prince came by and waved. We then set off back downriver to Bray, with a quick lunch stop moored to one of the islands in Cliveden Reach. When we finally entered Bray Marina we were met with grins and waves from Polimar II.
What a weekend !!!
