About 2 weeks ago I went on my Inland Waterways Helmsman’s Course, with the RYA in Braunston. I went with Barbara from ‘Inga’ and Annie who I didn’t know. We had a really good time despite the seriously inclement weather conditions! My God was it cold that day, I was absolutely frozen by the end. The weather was predicted to be for gale force winds and rain. We did think the course may be cancelled but not so. As it turned out it wasn’t as windy as forecast but it was pretty blowy and the rain did stop about mid morning.
There were 2 instructors, one did the actual training and the other one kept us plied with tea and coffee, helped with the locks and got the lunch. They were both really nice blokes and we had a laugh.
After some basic safety training we went out on a 60ft narrowboat which was good because ours is 60ft, but the difference between ours and the training one was that the training one was a semi trad and had a large cratch area. This made it seem shorter than ours because it had less roof length to look along. Just an illusory thing really.
We went up to Calcutt to use the locks because the ones at Braunston were shut for maintenance. This entailed a 2.5 hr journey which gave us all ample opportunity to drive the boat and get used to it before the tricky manouvres came into play! There are 3 locks at Calcutt so we each did one up and down. Then we each had a go at turning the boat round. By this time it was 2 pm and time for some well earned lunch! I did my best to eat all the sandwiches but failed miserably!
After lunch we amused ourselves watching a chap who had just come out of the marina in his shiny boat trying to get into the lock. He was revving the engine like a madman and as his wife opened one lock gate he headed for the closed one! Maybe he needs a helmsman’s course!
We then made our way back to Braunston and on the way received a great deal of theory tuition (at the same time as taking turns driving the boat!). Back at base we learned how to throw ropes properly, tie some knots etc. It was a really good course and I feel a lot more confident having done it. So much so that this week we took the boat up to Sileby, to the chandlery and I did all the driving.
More on that later…………….
