We lose MB for a while and ECP&DA rally info.

It's gone, not for long though, just until Marilyn and David Waka Huia bring it back. I'm talking about our motorhome, MB, (mini beast). This had been planned when we stayed with them in NZ and once we had arrived back to FS, we started the process of getting MB serviced, MOT and insured. The service went well as did the insurance but as for the MOT...well she failed and all because of a sticky brake calliper! With days to go before M&D came for MB we did panic a bit but thankfully the part was in stock and could be fitted in a couple of days. So with everything now all ready, it just left us to walk to Langley Mill station to meet Marilyn and David on the planned day. An announcement came over the tannoy to say their train had been delayed. A groan went up from us and the waiting passengers until we found out how much of a delay it was. Would you believe by 1 minute!!! Was it really worth the announcement? Anyway from the station to FS was about 10-minute walk, and before taking them to see MB, tea and biscuits were had first. We talked a lot, anyone would think we hadn't seen each other for ages, Marilyn took great pleasure in giving me pain by massaging my left calf and heel which, by the way, I only mentioned because of the slight limp I had on the walk back from the station. Consequently I was given an exercise regime to do and threatened by torture if I didn't do them. Between you and me and the gate post, I have so far only complied a couple of times and not the '6 times a day' that was mentioned by Marilyn. Anyway because of the lateness of the hour we all decided to have lunch first before making our way to MB. I made a veg Lasagna consisting of courgettes and aubergine, it was delissh and plates all cleaned. It was after the meal had finished that David dropped the bombshell that those two vegetables were not his favourite! He did say he quite enjoyed it, maybe he was just being polite! Note to oneself...scrub from recipe book if David comes to dinner!

I think they were suitably impressed when we did eventually take them both to see MB. Ian did a walk through showing David all the ins and outs of making MB tick which David sensibly videoed for future reference. Roughly 40 minutes later we waved them goodbye, so remiss that I didn't think to take a photo but I have pinched this from when they arrived back at Debdale. You can read Marilyn's account of the day by clicking HERE. 

 

And this was sent to us later via WhatsApp.

 

Looks like the journey went well. I fully expect to get more updates as the weeks progress, I'm hopeful that the holiday will go brilliantly.

As mentioned in my last post, the ECP&DA rally is just a couple of weeks away. It's to celebrate 50yrs since the re-opening of The Great Northern Basin & 55yrs since the formation of ECP&DA. We have some spaces left for any boaters who would like to attend. The moorings would be below Langley Bridge lock and extend to Anchor Bridge. We have managed to get a fly past by a Lancaster and Spitfire for two out of the three days. This taken from ECPDA Facebook page.

 We are delighted that the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) have included us in their summer program. To see them come along to our Boat Rally at Langley Mill 27th - 29th May.

We will have a Lancaster Fly Past on Sunday 28th May, time TBC. The Avro Lancaster PA474 is one of the only two airworthy Lancasters left in the world.

We will have a Spitfire Fly Past on Monday 29th May, time TBC. More Spitfires were built than any other British combat aircraft before or since World War Two - 20,341 in total. There are six Spifires in the BBMF.

If anyone would like to attend you can leave a comment at the bottom of this post with your name, phone number or email address so I can send a link for the booking forms. Rest assured I won't publish any comments with personal details and will delete after I have been in contact. Cost for boat entry including plaque will be £23. Entry to the beer tent for 2 people is also included, extra guest will pay £5 each. There is a Hog roast on the Friday 26th at 7 pm just for the attending boaters. Cost for that is £10 each but we will need to know about this in advance. For those without boats and would like to come there is free entry to the site during the day. Beer tent will be open!

Today Ian has been busy putting up notices 'No Mooring between the 19th and 31st May'  along the stretch from Langley Bridge to Anchor Bridge. This is for the attending boaters only. Eastwood lock and Shipley locks have had them put on the balance beams. More notices to go up further down the canal but these will be got to by car. Neither of us fancied walking 11.5 miles!

It will be a very busy couple of weeks, the marque and toilets will be the first to arrive and the building of the stage for entertainment is already in hand. Just hope the weather will be kind to us.