Daniel Oakley

So after running around and getting Atalanta sorted – we were given the all clear for careful towing back to Banbury – we managed to enjoy the sunshine. Paul and I popped back to the boat to check she was OK and we also called into Brinklow boats and asked Rex Wain to make us a new ‘elm for Atalanta.
Paul then settled into making fenders and I enjoyed our little bit of garden.

So we now wait until the May bank holiday and then Ray (Paul’s Dad) is coming down to help Paul move the Butty, as I will be away in Yorkshire with the Woolers!

The holiday was booked. Paul and I were going to bring Atalanta back to Banbury…….but it all went horribly wrong.

Our insurers read through the survey and zoomed in on the words relating to the fact that the ‘elm (Helm) was knackered and we would need a new one.

So with much ringing around and mainly thanks to Dave at Hillmorton boatyard, the surveyor was booked for the Saturday and we all trooped along to check the ‘elm, or rudder.
I should have said a lot of “bow hauling” went into getting Atalanta down the locks at Hillmorton to the boatyard!
Anyway we were given the all clear so towed it out of the arm all the way back to the top of the locks. Whew!

Massive thanks to David, who didn’t charge us a penny for the use of his mobile crane to get the ‘elm off Atalanta and on the side.

Lots of people decided to go out for a trip over Easter – so we went too!

All the may blossom was out.