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Harlow Arithritis Support Trust for Everyone Day Trip
As an organisation we had hired a canal boat from the Project a number of times, but for most of us it was a first trip on a canal boat. Just for a change, this summer, the weather forecast was good, with the possibility of some light showers, towards the end of the afternoon, for the day-trip, up river, as far as David and Victoria Beckham's house, beyond Harlow Mill.
We had heard about the possibilility of late afternoon rain so we arrived half an hour early and were keen to get started. We, the Harlow Arithritis Support Trust for Everyone's (HASTE), were determined it was going to be enjoyable.
At Latton Bush lock our first volunteers of the day helped to change the locks. They took a bit of persuasion, but once Brenda showed the way there was no stopping them. It certainly made it an easy trip for the crew, who just sat back and took photographs. Not a common event, I think.
It was a little quieter when we were eating our lunch. But afterwards there was a chance for those who wanted, to have a go at steering the boat. Geoff, the volunteer skipper, dropped the engine revs but they were soon up again as one after another would-be skippers showed how adept they were at steering. Future volunteer skippers?
Turning just before Feakes Lock we decided it was time to start what we had really come on the trip for. To practice our song and dance routines we had been working out for Betty's 90th birthday celebrations. She was on the other boat and I wonder what she will think about all the work that went into the planning.
The river slipped quietly by but the same could not be said for the 'big show' hits sung by our group, led by Brenda and Sue. At one point even practicing our dance routines. Is this a first for the Canal Boat Project? Certainly the very experienced skipper thought so.
The rain started to fall as we made our way to the Moorhen moorings with plans being made for future outings and talks about the day out. Our outing had been a great success and I am sure it wont be long before another outing is organised.
So thank you from the HASTE to the Canal Boat Project skippers and crew for a most enjoyable and 'entertaining' day out. Do you do repeat performances? Oh, I think so!
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