The intrepid explorers had a long and winding journey ahead of them, with their stocks piled on board, and a cup of tea in hand the journey began. Ok that’s my attempt at making our first journey with Fantine sound as epic and dangerous as it in fact was. In our previous post we covered the details on the journey we were to complete The First Narrow Boat Voyage. Due to the gargantuan nature of said journey we will be splitting the adventure into three parts, like 50 shades of narrow boating or something.

So part one will look at exiting the marina, that’s right the tiny journey above is the first episode in this trilogy! And despite it’s shortness in distance, the journey was full of drama.

So the yellow circle shows where Fantine was parked up, ready for us to collect. After arriving and having our handover from Jon at Whilton Marina, we loaded up with a splash of water, James’ Grandma and Dad hopped on board and off we set.

Reversing out of Fantine’s bay wasn’t too difficult! In fact James made it look super simple, the nerves in my tummy eased ever so slightly, as I began to believe maybe just maybe we could do this. Then came the dreadful Marina exit.

Have you seen how narrow it is! How in all that’s boaty are you meant to get a boat through there! Well we tried an 8 point turn method, which saw me retreating into the engine room to find anything that would float to hold onto. As we edged ever closer to parked boats. But he did it! James got us through the tiny entry way.

Little did I know he wasn’t planning on stopping there, on no we carried straight on and into the towpath wall at the other side of the canal … missing a moored boat by inches. My poor duck tumblers went flying to the sound of ‘It doesn’t stop like a race car!’

This ensued another 8 point turn to get us back facing the right way, but we made it, my nerves still no where near settled as we gently pulled her to the canal side to fill up with diesel, we were out on the open water, and the journey was about to begin. Stay posted for Maiden Voyage Part Two Tale of the Ghoulish Locks.

James & Kirsty