It was Colin's surprise 60th birthday party yesterday. It wasn't much of a surprise that he was 60 (or very nearly so), no, the party was a surprise. Colin is Jan's sister Jill's husband. Jill had organised an excursion on wb Victoria, a trip boat based at Paper Mill Lock on the Chelmer and Blackwater. Despite the large number of people in the party - 36 family members, friends, neighbours and work colleagues - Colin had had no idea we were all going to be there.
At 4.00 pm we were pushed away from the bank...
... and straight into Paper Mill Lock.
It was somehow comforting to see rope marks in a coping stone at the lock.
The windlass the trip boat crew used has a curious kink. I asked them why it was shaped like that, and they could not give any convincing answer. I would think it's for artistic reasons - unless you know differently.
We had perfect weather for the trip: warm - even hot - and sunny. Standing in the bow, taking in the gently passing scenery, was excellent. I did ask if I could join the crew at the business end for some of it, but, understandably, that was not allowed.
We winded just above the next lock, Rushes Lock.
I'll write more about this trip, and the excellent tea room and beer, with more photos, later.
1 comment:
Lovely, Halfie. What a beautiful day out.
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