The mission concludes, but not the way we had planned

Thu 16th Jun  Water Eaton

We found out today that two otters had been seen last night, coming down the canal by the Red Lion, where they came out to bypass the lock, in full view of people seated at tables. Sadly, we were inside packing up, so we missed them.

After a strenuous evening previously, we struggled somewhat to lead the worship at 8.30am. James’ voice was croaking a bit.

We were involved with boat trips on Beacon, arranged with the local Brownies. We had other things for them to do such as instruction in rope throwing, a chance to visit Kew, our historic boat, and playing a silly rabbit race, where slowly and carefully wins the game.

Waiting for a boat ride

Brownies on Kew and Ten Thousand Reasons

Rope throwing

The rabbit race instructions

Rabbit race

We took Beacon for a late run to the facilities at Fenny Stratford, and had a takeaway pizza and a drink at the Red Lion. It was much quieter there than last night!

Quiet drink and pizza

The Red Lion at night

No boating on Gabriel today

Fri 17^th Jun  Water Eaton

Again, James was having trouble singing. Paul did a Covid test, and it was positive. So, Ten Thousand Reasons was out of action. Also, David Litchfield had a positive result, so Kew was out of action for visits. We both tested, and were negative, although we both had a bit of a cough.

It was a very hot day, with temperatures over 30 degrees.

The Friday Club arrived, a lovely group of people with learning difficulties, accompanied by their carers. We used Beacon, and had to make short runs, as there were twice as many trips to do with only one boat usable. One particularly heavy guy returned to his seat and sat down hard, and the seat collapsed beneath him. It was new this year, to replace the one that gave up after 18 years of use. Fortunately, he was OK, and was very jolly, singing loudly as he left.

Friday Club going for boat trips

Broken chair

No boating on Gabriel today.

Sat 18^th Jun  Water Eaton

We had our usual team meeting at 8.30am, and the worship was led by Gill Speight, who did very well. James attempted to sing and found that he couldn’t. He announced that he would not be able to sing this afternoon at the fun day, or at the Church service the following morning.

We took Covid tests, and discovered that James was positive, although Hazel was negative.

Covid tests

Sadly, the day was damp, although there were still a number of good conversations. The church had laid on a barbecue, but we personally couldn’t partake.

No boating on Gabriel today

Sun 19^th Jun  Water Eaton

An early morning Heron

Reflecting

Seconds later

We followed the church service on Zoom. Chris spoke very well, and there was a good testimony from Fiona. Peter Braybrook had the youngsters playing the part of the disciples in the boat during the storm. The worship was led by Gill and her daughter on guitars, plus Sue Smith, backed up by the church keyboard player.

Andy and Sue went with Sally on Kairos, and Chris and John Froggatt took Beacon, apparently arriving in Marsworth at 9.30pm.

Farewell to Kairos

We decided to go to Fenny Stratford for facilities. As we pulled out, our propwash moved the rudder on Micah, and it knocked their water hose into the canal. We retrieved it with our boat hook, and left it on their roof.

Wet hose

We took Gabriel up to Fenny Stratford, turning in the winding hole before, and reversing through two bridges so that we were facing the right way for the water point. The rubbish had still not been collected.

Rubbish bins full

On the way back, we had to pass all the mission boats, and then went under the last bridge in Milton Keynes – number 99. Then came Willowbridge Marina. We spotted a wooden hulled Dawncraft boat called Purple Dawn. We tried to find its history online but could find nothing. It has to date to before 1966, which was when the last wooden ones were built.

Bridge 99

Purple Dawn

We turned shortly before Stoke Hammond Lock. The winding hole was not easy to identify – there were no signs, and our Nicholson Guide had it marked a bit further on. Thankfully, we decided to turn in a slightly wider place, and discovered later that it was the winding hole.

Is this the winding hole?

Not much of a hole

Back to our mooring

A number of the team have gone down with this Covid, and Sue Standley had to be rushed to hospital, as Paul was having difficulty waking her. She returned in the small hours having been restored somewhat.

David Litchfield had to go to look after Mary who was unwell in Fazeley. We are not sure whether she has Covid, or what will happen with Kew. The boat has been sold, and this was her last BCF mission, and was to have been followed by the Braunston Festival. 

Kew's last mission

Barbara, who entertained us so well in the Red Lion, has also caught Covid, and can no longer perform at Braunston.

There was an unusual yellow sky in the evening

Beautiful yellow colours

0 locks, 5 miles. Dep 1405, arr 1655, including 30 minutes at the water point.

Next: At some stage taking the car back to Aylesbury and returning by bus, depending on where Covid takes us. Then we shall head north. We might accompany Paul and Sue but it depends on how everyone is.

Water Eaton mission continues

Mon 13^th Jun  Water Eaton

We had a shared breakfast with members of local churches, in the open air under the poplar trees. We supplied some cooked bacon which all disappeared.

This was followed by some worship, and we led “A Thousand Hallelujahs”, “God I look to you”. Sue Smith gave a message before we turned to prayer. Chris went though some practical matters.

Sue Smith speaking

Chris bringing it all together.

We went shopping in Tesco, accompanied by Graham Pope, and we had orders from several people. The car is useful.

James skippered two Beacon boat trips later. We had an incident with a fisherman who was inside his boat, his rod was not showing, and he had no float. Unaware that he was there, we broke his line as we passed. On our return, he asked if we were going to be going up and down all day. We said there were a few more trips, and then others during the week. He complained that he hadn’t been told.

The next time we passed, very slowly, he shouted “Slow down!” He was very cross. It took the edge off some very pleasant conversations were were having with our passengers. We had seen some families of ducks and swans, and everyone was having a good time.

Beacon going under a bridge

Ten Thousand Reasons in action

Passing mission boats

One of the passengers on Ten Thousand Reasons had a 7^th birthday, so we had bought a cake, and we sang the song. She was thrilled with the boat trip and the welcome.

Birthday girl and Ten Thousand Reasons

Surprise cake

In the evening we had a shared supper, organised by Roger and Jo, which grew and grew until everyone was involved.

No boating on Gabriel today

Tue 14^th Jun  Water Eaton

We used the older songbooks today, with How great thou art, and In Christ Alone.

We had no specific duties, and Rob and Trish arrived for the day. We went to Wetherspoons with them and with Andy and Sue. It was good to catch up.

We planned our songs for tomorrow night, as we now had Peter and Fran singing as a duo, we had an acapella group, whom James had tried to contact with no reply, and we also had Barbara from Ampere who was going to be passing.

We therefore split our performance into four sets, with three breaks for the other acts. John on recorder and Jan on fiddle were to join us for the last two sets.

We had a run through with John and Jan to establish what they remembered, as we haven’t played together since the mission at Ellesmere in 2018. It mostly went well, with just one song dropped.

Later we had contact from the acapella group who can’t promise to perform. It depends on who turns up. We may have to reshuffle songs again.

It was a very hot day. We have been blessed with excellent weather all week.

We heard that a lady had become a Christian after Roger and Jo spoke at a church lunch time event. She will be looked after by people in that church

No boating on Gabriel today. No pics either.

Wed 15^th Jun  Water Eaton

We had our usual team meeting at 8.30am, where we led What a beautiful Name, and A Thousand Hallelujahs.  Roger and Jo spoke.

Roger and Jo addressing the morning meeting

Beacon being useful

Barbara went past on Ampere, hoping to find a mooring near the Red Lion for tonight’s folk evening. She sent a text later to say she had found a space. That was good news.

While speaking to the leader of the acapella group, we discovered that they had not been able to assemble enough people to perform. We decided to give Barbara two spots instead of just the one.

We had some help from Team members to get our PA equipment across the bridge to our car, and we went to the Red Lion to set up. Despite the pub website suggesting we would be in the garden, we were told that we would, after all, be in the bar. We were quite pleased about that.

Our first two sets of five songs were just us. We sang “Can’t help but wonder where I’m bound” by Tom Paxton, and asked people to consider whether they were bound for heaven or not. We sang some quieter songs such as “Antiques” and “The man who calmed the sea”. We were delighted and encouraged that our friends Jack and Sandra had come from Aylesbury to support us.

Peter and Fran sang three songs between our two sets, and then we got Barbara up, with her extensive repertoire of boating songs. She was well received, as we thought she would be. We had agreed that she would sing “Rochdale Nine”, instead of us.

Barbara

Then we were joined by John on recorder, and Jan on fiddle, and we sang the other song we share with Barbara, “Miles and Miles of Poly” which we have reworded somewhat. It went down really well. Then Barbara took another set, using her accordion for some tunes, and then some more songs with her guitar.

James Hazel Jan John  (photo Jack Telfer)

Our final set with John and Jan included “I saw the Light”, and we finished with “Oh when the saints”. The audience were enthusiastic and participated well. It was a great evening. There were some meaningful conversations afterwards. The landlady was of course very pleased with the numbers of customers.

We were very grateful to Graham, who single-handedly loaded all our equipment into our car, while we were talking to people.

A man called Michael kept asking when we were coming back, and he was thrilled with the evening.  Later, when John, Jan, Steve and Fiona were starting to walk back along the towpath, they found that he had fallen in the canal, and they rescued him, and sent him off in an ambulance. Hopefully he wasn’t seriously injured.

No boating on Gabriel today

Next: Thursday and Friday boat trips, school assemblies, visits from Brownies, teas and coffees etc. Saturday: Fun day with BBQ, music, boat trips etc, and a wet weather forecast!!!

Water Eaton and the start of our mission

Fri 10^th Jun  Water Eaton

Our mooring at Water Eaton

We had a pleasant relaxing day meeting more of the team, and putting up a banner. Sonflower arrived behind us, with Peter, Fran, and Sue McCouaig on board.

We spotted some historic boats heading for the Braunston Traditional Boats Rally.

Boats heading for Braunston

The mission boats

We gathered socially under the bridge in the evening. Hazel had some mosquito bites.

Team fellowship

No boating today

Sat 11^th Jun  Water Eaton

Early morning

We drove to Aylesbury with Roger and Jo for a Greenhouse meeting. Four churches in Aylesbury are getting together to discuss various outreach projects, compare notes, and plan the next stage. Some interesting ideas. Our projects are narrowboat Beacon, More+ café, and the ministry to families.

Greenhouse training day

Roger and Jo collected their car, and we drove to the Red Lion to give them two posters we had, and work out where we would be performing.

Red Lion

James helped David Litchfield and Graham Pope erect a gazebo.  The boat trip skippers had a briefing to learn the quirks of Beacon and Ten Thousand Reasons.

Skipper training

Later the whole team met under the bridge for fellowship, introductions, and briefing for the next day.

No boating today on Gabriel.  2 miles on Ten Thousand Reasons

Sun 12^th Jun  Water Eaton

We started at 8am with prayer and worship. We led the singing with Ten Thousand Reasons and How Great is our God.

We went by car for breakfast at a bagel place with Roger and Jo, where the menu was fairly complicated. Roger enjoyed his bagel.

Bagel menu

Roger and his bagel

We joined in the worship at Queensway Methodist Church at 1030. We had a pleasant welcome, and gave out a lot of our coasters with mission information on. Many of the congregation were from Ghana, Nigeria or Sierra Leone. Although it was Trinity Sunday, the focus was on Pentecost, as the Diamond Jubilee last weekend had obscured the message of Pentecost.

On our return we went on board Kew for some parkin that Angie had made. I don’t think we had ever tried it before. It is a northern England cake made with oatmeal, ginger and treacle.  Very nice.

We had a trip to the Fenny Stratford facilities on Ten Thousand Reasons. We emptied two cassettes and disposed of rubbish. Other team members came for similar reasons. The boat was just able to turn there. On the way back, we met Beacon on the first of the boat trips.

Lavender run on Ten Thousand Reasons

Beacon

In the afternoon we had a much needed doze, as we had been up early. Meanwhile there were several further trips taking place on Beacon.

We have not yet had to run our engine, which is pleasing. The batteries are being boosted by the solar panels, although the levels are slowly dropping.

Poplar trees in the park

No boating today on Gabriel.  2 miles on Ten Thousand Reasons

Next: Tomorrow a shared breakfast, and we are taking some boat trips on Beacon. Looking forward to Wednesday, when we have our folk evening at the Red Lion in Fenny Stratford.