Our trip to the Grantham Canal in May 2007

Following the success of our trip to the Lancaster canal in 2006, the members kept asking where the 2007 trail boat festival would be held. When it was announced that it was to be on the Grantham canal, I thought that was just a bit too far for us but I got the response "But it is only 300 miles". We offered to take Roseann down to do trips during the festival and our offer was accepted. Eight of us travelled down - two caravans, a boat , a van and a car with the towing vehicles travelling in convoy. We hadn't got very far when Iain realised that Roseann was not properly on the trailer and this made towing tricky but we just all kept our speed down and with several comfort stops we eventually reached the Festival site some 8 hours after setting out. Roseann was left on her trailer overnight and we got the caravans set up and inspected the static which Andy, Tricia and Ian would be staying in. Having the static was great as it meant that when it rained (which it did!) we had somewhere to meet up at night for a meal and chat. And yes, I must admit that I saw the odd glass of wine being consumed. The shower was very useful too :-).

On Friday morning, we got Roseann safely launched and brought round to the top of the locks where we all went on board for an exploration of the east end of the canal. It had recently been dredged and cleared to allow navigation to the A1 and we, of course, just had to go there. The Grantham is a lovely canal, a bit wider than our own Union but it flows through a very scenic area. It was a bit showery on Friday but we were all nice and snug inside Roseann, till Gael jumped overboard, that is and was rather wet when hauled back in. She had mistaken a patch of weed for grass.

We returned to the locks and took Roseann down to the level of the Festival and this was quite an occasion for her a sit was her first "proper" locks. OK she has been through the new locks at the Falkirk wheel but as they are operated by BW, they don't really count. Oh, how we enjoyed winding paddles and pushing lock gates. We travelled down with three other boats and as the lock was just too narrow to take two abreast, we arranged them diagonally across the lock. I have never done this before but it worked. When we got down through the locks, we cruised past the Festival to the next lock which is awaiting renovation before turning to moor near our caravans for the night. 

On Saturday after going back up the locks, we did trips along with the Spalding Water Taxi and a Blisworth narrow boat. All three boats were kept fairly busy and our gazebo became the focal point for folk waiting for a boat or just chatting. When it rained on Sunday and Monday we were jolly glad  we had taken it with us. Andy drew up a rota for manning the boats and marshalling the passengers (Tricia was selling tickets) and we were all seen consulting our bits of paper to make sure we were doing the right job.  We did the bank side marshalling for all three trip boats and this all helped to keep up a steady flow of people on and off boats. We got up on Sunday morning to rain and I don't think it stopped till we finished doing trips on Monday night! This reduced the number of passengers a bit but everyone who attended the festival wanted to have a boat trip and travel on "their" canal. It was an eye opener for us how much the local people appreciate the Grantham canal and we al wished that there was as much enthusiasm up here for the Union. Roseann carried 227 passengers over the three days.

Roseann was put back on her trailer on Monday evening and we all packed up ready for an early start on Tuesday. Over the weekend the site entrance had become very muddy and Ian had great fun towing cars and vans off the site with his Landrover. However, Bill, after towing my caravan off site got his own  one off without any problem and Iain who was standing by with his tow rope at the ready was quite disappointed that he wasn't called upon to help.

We had another long drive home but we brought back fond memories of our trip to the Grantham canal. We were made very welcome and we look forward to welcoming some Grantham folk to our canal some time.

Eight  members made the trip, Bill and Brenda, Andy and Tricia, Ian and Chris and Iain and I, and I must thank them all for working so hard over the weekend to make sure that the passengers had a safe and informative trip on their canal. 

Next years Trail boat festival is in Devon and I think that is really just a bit far. Mind you, having won a trophy for the furthest travelled trail boat some members feel that we should defend out title.

Here are some photos taken by Peter R Stone (the first 11) and Brenda. Many thanks to both for allowing me to use their photos.