The Great CBA Part II

So where I left off it was Monday night, I think.

The next day, Tuesday, was rain, rain, rain again - but in the afternoon it came out sunny! So we took full advantage of the sun, sitting on the roof of the boat, cruising along - Michelle and I even practised our Charlie's Angels impersonations!

The sun was so nice that we decided to have a BBQ on the boat... except we weren't supposed to! I didn't realise this until afterwards, when one of the guys said "hey didn't the guy say we weren't to have any naked flames on the boat?".... hehehe...

Anyway, it was a lovely evening.Tuesday was supposed to be our turn around day - we had to return the boat to the company on Friday so because there are only a few key places on the canal where you can turn around, we knew we had to take advantage of the nearest turnaround point when we were halfway through the holiday. The problem was, with this being the first time the sun had come out, it seemed like such a pity to be turning around now and heading for home. So, we decided that we would head for the Braunston tunnel first thing Wednesday morning, as it wasn't too far away and there was a turn around point just after it. We would then turn and head back to Linslade.

So Wednesday morning, Erik and I are the first ones up. We decided to get the boat moving, head for the tunnel, and then we could moor up and all have breakfast the other side of the tunnel before turning for home. It started spitting but we tried to ignore it, and made it as far as the tunnel. I was steering at this point, so I steered us through the tunnel. This tunnel isn't as long as the Blisworth one, but it was made by two companies in the 1700s, and they kind of got their measurements wrong - so there's a big kink in it in the middle. Not a problem you say, but bear in mind, its pitch black in these tunnels, the only light is coming from a spotlight at the front of the boat (and well, all the lights in the boat as the regulations are that you have to turn all the lights in the boat on when in the tunnel - but this doesn't really give much light to navigate by - it just helps other boats to know where you are). So it was actually very difficult to steer. Fortunately though I did not hit the walls (and luckily no boats passed us whilst we were in the tunnel).

We got to the other side of the tunnel, and there's a problem. The turning area is too narrow for our boat. We can't turn! Hmm...

So, we moored up and pondered our plight over breakfast (yummy French toast cooked by Q). There was only one thing for it. We had to go on to the next turning point. The only problem with that was - there were 7 (yes, SEVEN) locks in a row just before the turning point - so we would have to go through the 7 locks, turn around, and DO THE SAME SEVEN LOCKS AGAIN!!!!

But there was nothing for it, we had to do it. Actually it wasn't so bad, its just that it takes some time for the locks to fill, so in all it took about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to go through the 7 locks. And then we had to go back through them.

So mid-afternoon and we finally turn around and make our way back. The thing is, its raining again - but by this point we really have got the driving teams sorted and actually it wasn't a hardship at all.

We drove as far as we could before sunset (bearing in mind sunset is around 9pm, so actually we made up some time) and then pulled off to the side near a cute little pub, where we had dinner.

Thursday. Wouldn't you know it, but there's sun. Our last full day. Actually the day was pretty uneventful, we made good time through the locks and made it back to Linslade in good time (the boat was due back at the marina at 9.30am the next day). Seeing as the sun was still shining, we jumped off the boat and went to the local tesco's to get more provisions for another barbie - only this time we put the actual barbie on the canalbank whilst we cooked the food. I made chocolate bananas, which were actually quite nice.

Friday. We got up early, had to clean the boat, then we motored the short distance to the marina, returning the boat in good time. Alas, again the sun was shining - just at the end of the holiday. You wouldn't read about it, would you?

After we returned the boat, we went to a nearby cafe for a final breakfast before making our way home. We tallied up the mileage we'd done in the boat and it was just on 100 miles. Not bad for a few days cruising, hey?

It really was a brilliant time and I can thoroughly recommend the canal boat experience to all.

Rainy Days and Mondays

The reason for this title is that for most of the holiday, it rained. Now since Bris Vegas has been in serious drought, I don't have a problem with rain - if it happens in places where its needed. But to be raining during our holiday? I wasn't that impressed. And it was that hacking it down rain too, the kind that no matter how good your waterproofs are, it will get through. And the other thing was, on a narrow canal boat, with 6 adults - there's not a real lot of places you can go to get out of the rain. Sure, you can go inside, but the lounge area is quite small, so you try cramming almost everyone in there (whilst someone is outside driving the boat). Not a great success. And its a bit claustrophobic to go lie on your bunk and read a book.

What's that got to do with the title? Well, because there wasn't a real lot to do in between the locks and with the rain, we started to edit our videos. Three of us had brought cameras and Erik had brought his mac, so he set it up in the lounge / living / kitchen area and started to edit bits of film. One of the sequences featured the rain, and this Carpenters song was used with it - hence the title.

The rain was the worst on Sunday, our first full day on the canal. We took it in turns as teams to do the driving. By about lunchtime we were pretty washed out, and cold, so to warm up we moored up along the way at one of the little pubs we came across. This was great because they were having a carvery for Sunday lunch, my favourite - great slabs of meat, a mountain of vegetables and of course, yorkshire pudding! Yum!

After lunch the rain was just sort of drizzling, so Nic and I took the helm, and off we set. Despite the rain, our spirits were not dampened. There's actually something quite special about being outside in the elements. Definitely it was cold, but it was kind of fun to be out there (weird I know) and also, there was the Blisworth Tunnel to look forward to (and also the various aqueducts we went on - including one which crossed over the M1)! Anyway, this tunnel is 2813m long, just a bit wider than 2 narrowboats side by side, and it took us 45 minutes to pass. The first time through, Agnieszka was at the helm, and I was up the back helping (we had decided that if someone was driving there should always be someone there to keep them company (plus yell out to the galley for cups of tea)). This was actually a bit of a disadvantage because all the action was taking place down the front of the boat - the guys were filming funny videos and taking funny pictures - but we were too far away to see. Erik took the speakers and poked them out the window, so suddenly the whole tunnel was reverberating to Vivaldi's Gloria, that was pretty cool. Took me back to my days at St Pauls...

Once we got near the end of the tunnel though, it became pretty windy and cold. My waterproofs were satched through, and as it was getting late in the day, and no one else wanted to drive for a while, we pulled over and moored for the night. Nic made great pasta for tea - didn't think I'd be able to eat another thing, but I managed...

The weather was much the same on Monday, rain, rain, rain, but we were really into the editing by now and plus we had a heap of board games that we'd brought to play. The best one was "Things" which Erik brought from Canada, it was very funny. And also, there were still the locks to do - in some cases a series of 3, others a series of 7, sometimes with another boat, sometimes just by ourselves... we were becoming lock pros...

How to work a lock in 34 seconds

Check this out... my first attempt at editing using a mac! I can't take all the credit, the concept was Erik's... but in this version, I did the editing... FYI, I'm the one in the blue waterproofs and brown cap (and my lock companion is Michelle...)

A-locking we will go!

Me, Erik, Agnieszka, Michelle, Nic and Q on "Splendid"

Last Saturday, 6 of us from school (there would have been 7 but unfortunately Adam couldn't make it in the end) set off from London and headed for the sleepy little town of Linslade, near Leighton Buzzard (near Milton Keynes - complicated, I know), to pick up our hire boat "Splendid" and set off on the "Great CBA". We were sooo excited, for all of us this was to be our first experience of narrow boats, canals, and locks - but at the same time I will admit, I was a little apprehensive, for two reasons. First, we all work together - but how would we get on in such a confined space for a whole week? Second, when I found out that Adam, the only one with a boat licence, couldn't come, well I was a bit worried. On that count, I needn't have been - Blind Freddy could drive these boats (well, maybe not "Blind" Freddy - but you get the picture). But as for my first concern, I really shouldn't have worried - I live with Nic, have travelled extensively with Agnieszka, and was on a weekend long camp with Michelle and Erik... so that just left Quentin. Well, he's as laid-back as they come, so no worries there.

Anyway, we arrive in Linslade and immediately Nic and I are sent off to do the grocery shopping whilst the others have the training on the boat. I'll admit I was a bit peeved about this, I wanted to see the training too - but if we were to get away before the Saturday midday rush, we needed to split up and get the various jobs done. So off we went to Tesco.

When we got back, the dude who had been training the others on the boat (you know, things like how the toilets flush, how the shower works, how to start the engine...) took us down to the first lock. He explained how the locks work, and then showed us how to do it. Basically, if you are on the bottom level wanting to go up, and the lock is "down" - then its your lock (if another boat is approaching it from the opposite direction to you). So, you open the gate (easier said than done sometimes) by leaning back on it with your bottom and using your legs to walk the gate back. Then, the boat goes in, you close the gate, and go to the opposite gate. If there is only one set of lock gears, then you open them halfway, and once the lock is half full, you open it fully, using the windlass. But if there are two sets of lock gears, you must open the back ones first - and then when the lock is half full, the front ones. These are sometimes white and red coloured ("red before white, you're alright, white before red, and you're dead..."). Once the water in the lock reaches the same level as that outside the gates (where you're going) then you can open the gate and let the boat out. Pretty simple, really... you'd think. In dry weather, yes. Or with just one lock. But you try a sequence of 7 locks, in absolutely pounding down rain - that's another story.

I have to say though that out of the jobs required for "locking" - I'd rather be opening the gates than steering the boat into the lock. Also, when you're in a lock going down, you have to be careful of the cill or you'll take out your rudder. And as you go down, the boat goes forwards, so you have to keep putting it into reverse, or forwards, to keep it in the centre of the lock - dude who taught us to do the locks calls this a "hill start for the canal boat".

So our first lock, he takes us through all of this (just before we go in to the lock) - and then tells me to jump on the back and steer the boat in. Now, hang on. I was shopping before. I don't even know which way on the gear stick thingy is forward, or neutral, or anything... mini panic here, then I get on with it. It was great fun actually, and I managed quite well on that lock (not so on the others mind, but more on that later).

We get through the lock, dude literally jumps off the boat - and we're off! Sun is shining, birds chirping, morale high, I get to steer the boat for a bit, we make lots of cups of tea and cruise along the canal, taking turns to steer. It was on someone else's turn (not mine, hey Erik) that we narrowly avoid colliding with another boat when crossing under a bridge - boy are there a lot of bridges on the Grand Union canal too - phew. That was close.

We drove for about 5 hours and then moored up. We'd been through 4 locks (1 and then 3 in succession) and it had been very pleasant sailing. After mooring we made our way to a pub nearby for a very nice meal, after a lovely day.

The Great CBA Part I

Hi all, this is my first time mobile blogging so let me know what you think. We're on the Grand Union Canal, just west of Milton Keynes, and are having an absolutely amazing time canal boating. This is our 8 berth hire boat "Splendid" and so far its living up to its name. We're becoming quite expert at the locks now but I'll blog more about it when we return. Meanwhile happy sailing!

The countdown begins...

Yep, that's right, 3 days to go until....

THE GREAT CBA!

That's "Canal Boat Adventure" to you... not some bank...!)I absolutely can't wait. 7 glorious (fingers crossed the weather stays good) days sailing the canals around Milton Keynes (at least that's where I think we're going!) in our 8 berth narrowboat wonder - "Splendid"!There's seven of us going from school - the Aussies, the Maple Leaf, the Saffa, the Pole, and the Pom (a.k.a. Coxy, Nic, Me, Erik, Quentin, Agnieszka and Michelle) - and it promises to be a fantastic time!To have a bit of a preview of it all, check out the website of the Wyvern Shipping Co. Ltd. Or click here to see a virtual tour of the boat most like the one we'll be hiring. But most importantly, stay tuned - same Bat time, same Bat channel - to hear about our adventures...

A Long Time Ago In a Galaxy Far, Far, Away...

Ok, so I know its not the most original title (seeing as its been used as the opening to some six films now...) but anyway, today I went with my friend Jude to see "Star Wars The Exhibition" at County Hall. I've been working real hard lately (yes, get your violin out, cue sob-story music) and decided to take a bit of time off from marking and go check out the exhibition. It was absolutely amazing, I'm so pleased I went.

The exhibition kicks off celebrations of the 30th anniversary of Star Wars (boy do I feel old now - although not as old as Jude, who remembers seeing the original movie at the cinema - me, I was only 5 at the time) and features original film props, models, art, vehicles and costumes from the entire Star Wars saga. The other really cool thing they have there is a Jedi school, where they dress you up in Jedi kit, give you quick training on how to use a lightsabre and then, with the green screen technique, they put you in the movie (how cool is that? you know I really wanted to do this hey - but the queues were too long - and full of little kids - major embarrassment). For £3 you can buy a DVD of your starring moment.

I was pleased that the exhibition didn't just feature stuff from Episodes 1-3 (because lets face it, they are nowhere near the calibre of the original movies - at a push you could rank bits of Episode 3 up there, but the others? yeah right). It was really good to see some of the original planning drawings, mock ups and models. My favourite was Yoda (he looks like he's in a fishbowl though). Although I was surprised at how big R2D2 actually is too...

Anyway, it was an interesting exhibition and I really enjoyed it. Here are some pics:

The date on this concept drawing of Hoth is July 1978!

Jude will kill me for putting on this picture of him and Han Solo!

Anakin's podracer

How can anyone be so incompetent?

Oh my goodness! How can any one company be soooo incompetent?!

If you look back at my blogs from March, you'll see the ongoing saga of the Iceland pics photo developing with Jessops on the Strand. And, just over 2 months ago, I picked up the re-printed films to discover that one whole roll was missing - negatives and all - and that I then went back to Jessops and asked them to sort it out. Their answer was to take the old CD (why the old one, with the crap prints, I don't know) and the old crappy prints they did - and somehow they were going to make negatives and brilliant prints for me as compensation for their stuff ups. Hm. Bit skeptical, but I went ahead with it because basically I have no choice, and I would rather have the negatives. So, I schlepped back up town, handed in the stuff, got the dude to make sure he put it in a safe place as this is my only copy of it all, and he put a special note on it for the developer. And then, nothing. Nada. Zippo.

So 3 weeks ago I phoned them back up to see what was going on. The developer tells me that I hadn't given them the CD yet. What? But I have a lovely blue receipt for that - quoting her the number, she miraculously finds the package - UNTOUCHED - locked away in the safe! Can you believe it? So she sends off the stuff, tells me it will take 7 working days to do.

Today I get a phone call from her - the stuff is back, but, (and you knew there was going to be a "but" didn't you?) they haven't actually done the negatives, no, they've just reprinted the prints and the CD (same crappy quality)...

Truly, can anyone actually be THAT incompetent? Clearly, they can... Congratulations Jessops, you win the "Most Incompetent Photographic Developer of the Year 2007" award...

The "Saxophone Massive" - or should that be "massive saxophone"?

Tonight I performed with some 100 other saxophonists as part of Andy Sheppard's Saxophone Massive, at Marlborough House. The piece was performed as the opener for ARK's gala charity fundraising dinner and was attended by some 1000 VIPs, celebrities, and basically, people with money. People like Elton John, Liz Hurley, Bob Geldof... it was a pretty big deal. To read some news stories about the event, click here or here.

Despite the weather, it was awesome. Originally I was to be part of the group that would be performing on the roof (no mean feat, this involved climbing up a couple of flights of stairs, then climbing out a window onto some scaffolding on the roof - with saxophone in hand - to stand on a plank (with railings) and play for an hour and a half). Now let me clear up one little point - yes, I did have a saxophone in hand, yes, I normally play the alto, but no, I wasn't playing it this time. No, this time, I brought along the big kahuna, the grand-daddy of all the saxes - the baritone! We recently splurged on a baritone for school and I have, as Head of Department, had the honour of breaking it in. That thing is practically as big as me (ok, slight exaggeration, but it is pretty big, and was a bit of a pain lumping it about London on the tube and the bus to get to rehearsals hehehe...). Anyway, we did go up there and play for a short time, but drizzle turned to showers, which turned to deluge - this is England after all - and we had to go back down.

The performers on the ground had been placed under a marquee and so the roof team were redistributed amongst them. The acutal performance was 1 hour 15 minutes non-stop and featured some of the UK's biggest saxophonists, including the wonderful Denys Baptiste, whose music is simply inspirational.

Anyway, all in all it was absolutely awesome to be performing in such a massive group (and on such a massive saxophone too)... I won't forget it... and the event raised £28 million for the kids too...

The World Cup...

Ok, so I know that the world cup has been and gone, but I did start this blog post during it, and anyway, I've been a bit busy of late, sorry.

Anyway, I watched the cricket world cup when it was on recently. Actually subscribed to the extra channels on sky so I could catch, patriotic little so-and-so that I am. Nothing like an international competition to bring out your patriotic side, hey. For some of the world cup, Mum was still here - and on one of the days (when we played the Poms) we went to watch it in a pub. Fortunately none of the local poms obviously thought they would win, because they didn't turn up to the pub to watch and even the landlord wasn't aware that it was on. Just as well, because the last place you want to be when England are playing in anything, is in a pub. They can be real vicious. I remember watching Euro something or other with my mates Iva and Natali in a pub in Clapham, Croatia was playing (Iva and Natali are Aussie-Croats) and the poms were playing France afterwards. Some poms started calling Iva and Nat Serbians (memo to self: never call a croat a serb) so they decided to support France against England. The scenes afterwards (when France won) were nothing short of diabolical. They chucked beer over us, tried to spit in Iva's hair, challenged the bloke who was with us to a fight... smashed up French cars outside... Anyway. Fortunately for me and Mum we could eat our lunch in relative peace whilst watching a bit of the cricket - might've been a different story if it was soccer...

One of the things I've enjoyed about watching the world cup, other than the obvious fact that we won it (although wasn't that final a shambles in terms of organisation), has been watching the Aussie supporters. There's nothing like being a proud Aussie, in amongst the throng of Aussie supporters, particularly when we're doing well. It made me wish I was there, cheering them on too, and reminded me of the Athens Olympics. I went to see the Aussie women's basketball team play in the final against the Yanks. Surprisingly the game was not fully sold out and I managed to wangle a ticket (actually come to think of it, it wasn't so surprising that the game wasn't sold out because the Greeks shot themselves in the foot at the Olympics, by overpricing their accommodation so that no one could afford to go - at one point I paid £70 for a night in a youth hostel - seriously!).

Anyway, back to the point. The Aussie supporters were all dotted about the stadium. This is not conducive to good Aussie atmosphere, so all the green and golds coupled together and we commandeered a heap of empty seats behind the basket. The Greek organisers tried to chuck us out on account of we didn't have a ticket for the area, but you try and move a bunch of determined Aussies from their seats. Not going to happen. The only thing they could do was prevent you from re-taking your seat if you left it - hence halfway through the 1st quarter some Aussie bird stands up and yells out "Does anyone have a ticket for these seats? I need a toilet pass..." to which one bloke replied, "Only if you'll bring us back a few stubbies!"

The atmosphere that day was amazing, and the crowd awesome. There was the dude dressed up as spiderman, the guys dressed up in women's basketball uniforms (one of the guys was married to one of the players and pilfered her wardrobe), the guys in the bright green and yellow wigs... but the thing that took the cake was the chants. The Yanks might have won that day, but we sure whipped some butt in the chants. All the Yanks had was "U-S-A, U-S-A" - seriously people, how inventive it that? But us, no, we had our top 5:

1. Oh to, oh to be, oh to be an - Aussie!

2. Six foot 2, eyes of blue, [insert players name here] we love you, we love you, we love you, we do!

3. Aussies here, Aussies there, Aussies, Aussies everywhere, with a knick knack paddy whack...

4. Waltzing Matilda (tied for 4th place with "We are one, but we are many...")

and, when all else failed, our piece de resistance was:

5. A-U-S, A-U-S!