Monday 4th August

The day started off well. It was bright and sunny and we set off at 0930hrs to get as far as we could to retrace our steps to St Ives.
Unfortunately our good fortune was not to last!! We were travelling on the Old West River in a fairly remote place when we ran aground. The boat was on a bit of an incline and as I was sitting on the kitchen floor looking in the food cupboard, I had a bit of a shock when all the jars and tins came tumbling out.
There was quite a stiff breeze but we managed to get off the bank only to find the engine had stopped and wouldn't start again. The wind took us diagonally across the river at first but then took us straight back to where we were and we were aground again.
After a few abortive attempts to get her going again, and with no help in sight, we phoned River Canal Rescue. Thank goodness we had joined before we set off!!
After about 20 mins Cliff from RCR phoned trying to locate us. There was no question of getting the car to us and he eventually found us by foot but of course he could not get on board.
By now the cows in the field were showing a huge interest in our dilemma and I was pleased to be on the boat and not amongst them, as poor Cliff was!
A cruiser happened to come by at that point and Cliff asked it to tow us off. We were very reluctant and in the event it was no match for our weight and we managed to get him aground sideways on the inside of our boat which promptly got carried by the wind again into his bikes, crushing the wheel of one.


Tom pushing off the cruiser that had been blown round
onto the shelving bank

Off at last but a bent bi cycle wheel and a queue

forming

Another two cruisers arrived but there was no hope of getting past so they were bobbing about nearby and then a hire narrow boat came with 7 lads of 20 on their annual holiday. Cliff asked them if they could tow us to somewhere where he could get on, but in the meantime they ran aground too.
I can have a little chuckle now about the pandemonium that we had caused but at the time is was very stressful.
Anyway the lads poled themselves off, then attached their boat to us and poled us both off and we set off.


All tied up an raring to go (well the lads were looking forward to it)

Three hours later we arrived at Earith and were met by Cliff and waved the lads off to enjoy the rest of their holiday!! Anyway the fuel pump needs replacing and evidently it was totally coincidental to running aground. (Tom breathed a sigh of relief that it wasn't anything to do with him) Unfortunately they have to get it from Wroxham and we won't get it fixed until Wednesday.
We are now moored on the landing stage at the entrance to Earith Lock and as we can't start the engine our batteries are low and we must conserve energy.
We went for a walk into Earith and into a local marina where they have a resident family of seals. I was really lucky that two of them were basking in the sunshine.
An early night tonight - I wonder what tomorrow will bring.