Sunday 16 August 2020

Ne'er a backward glance!

Tuesday (4th August) our last day aboard Still Rockin' ...
 5:45 and it was already very warm ... it will be a long day today.

Last minute things that we've needed over the last few days since the boat was virtually emptied into the removal van ... bedding, clothes, towels, tools, etc., ensuring that every drawer, cupboard and storage place was empty (you'd be surprised how much we found there too!).  
 It was 12:40 by the time we were ready to cast off for the last time
 and reversed from our secluded mooring at Wargrave, winded and continued upstream.

Whilst George steered, starting from the bow and between locks, I was on my hands and knees washing the floor of each room.
 Just two to do today ... Shiplake where we took on water and disposed of the rubbish and the pretty Sonning Bridge with it's low and narrow span needs a careful approach from which ever direction you're heading.
4pm and we're heading into Thames and Kennet Marina with only a vague idea of where we needed to go.
We pulled onto the service pontoon and rang Guy (sales) who met us and ... asked George to back off from this pontoon, do a 180° turn, continue forwards until the bow is nearly under the trees and then reverse onto the other side of the same pontoon squeezing Still Rockin's stern into a space of about 11'10" (SR is 11'6" wide). This manoeuvre was executed perfectly by George whilst Guy took photos ready for the sales brochure.
 There was the bow of another boat less than 6" away from the gate of Still Rockin' on the left above and he never touched it.

A perfect last manoeuvre of our lovely floating home for the past six years.
Once moored up I of course needed photos ... here looking over the marina from the end of the pontoon ... does anything look familiar to any of my readers ... look closely about the middle of those boats opposite ... 
 I couldn't quite believe my eyes ... talk about coming full circle ... there is Rock 'n' Roll the first boat we had built for us way back in 2007 ... we were happy to leave Still Rockin' here with her sister boat.

Time now to move all the remaining 'stuff' from here to the car and again quart and pint pot came to mind.  I'm good at packing though and was able to fit it all into our small car and still allow George to use the rearview mirror, so all was good.

And the ne'er a backward glance?  I was at the car loading with George making several journeys with our belongings in a trolley and once all packed we picked up a take-a-way tea from the marina bar and set off on our two hour drive home.  So focussed were we that it was ten minutes or so later that we realised that we'ed never even looked back at Still Rockin' ... another adventure awaits us.

11 comments:

Kath said...

How amazing that Rock & Roll was there.
Hope SR sells quickly and you thoroughly enjoy your next adventure. I’m sure we will meet up somewhere.
Kath (nb Herbie)

Marilyn, nb Waka Huia said...

Now, did you have a wee cry?

I did when we left our house that we had bought back in 1980 and sold in 2014 - but only wept for about 5 minutes all up...

It's a lovely boat and a new owner will be so lucky to have it. If we were living in the UK, I'd be buying it as a floating apartment!

Best wishes for the new adventures!

Big hugs, Mxx

Carol said...

Not in the car as we left the marina Marilyn, but there was a few tears when I wrote the blog! x

Jennie said...

What a strange coincidence that Rock n' Roll was where you said goodbye to Still Rockin. Good luck to you both in the next chapter of your retirement. We are currently heading up the S&W to Stone. More decisions will be made then. Jennie and Chris x

Carol said...

Thanks Jennie. Let us know when you're close to Stone and we'll see if we can sort something.

Vallypee said...

Oh Carol, what an an end to such an era. And to see Rock n Roll there too! That's amazing. I hope your new life will give you much joy, but as I've said before, I'll miss your travels immensely. Such a lovely boat. I wish I could afford a home in England as it would appeal to me for sure. Good luck and keep in touch!!

Carol said...

Thank you Val for all your kind comments. I will certainly stay in touch following your blog and watching out for the publication of your next book? Keep writing and stay well. xx

Nb Triskaideka said...

Wow, unbelievable that Rock n Roll was there! Wishing you both the very best for the future, where did you hide the book with all the mooring spots on the Thames? You could sell that for good money! I'd but it! Hopefully we will be back cruising & blogging next year so would be lovely to see you both when we are in the area! Take care! Ali & John Nb Triskaideka

Carol said...

Hi both,

Thanks for your best wishes.

Missed seeing your blog posts earlier this year and have just looked at them now. Sorry to hear that you were unwell John but pleased to see that you have recovered well enough to be on the boat again albeit not travelling as far as you would usually.

Here's hoping that 2021 will bring us all everything that we want so far as adventures go. We shall be staying in the midland sort of area close to the canals so whenever you're this way please get in touch.

Carol and George x

Brian and Diana on NB Harnser said...

Good luck with the sale

Carol said...

Thank you Brian and Diana.