Our recent trip aboard Neil and Naomi’s beloved narrowboat, Tilly Mint, from Hungerford to Newbury on the Kennet and Avon Canal was nothing short of an adventure – and not always in the way we expected! Despite poor weather and a strong canal current, we embarked on what we thought would be a peaceful journey. Little did we know, we’d end up in one of the scariest moments of our canal boating lives.
The day started innocently enough. The rain drizzled persistently, and the water’s flow was stronger than usual due to recent heavy rainfall. We kept our spirits high as we made steady progress, navigating through the lush green landscapes of the canal. As we approached Newbury, we knew it was time to moor up Tilly Mint and settle in for the night. But things didn’t quite go to plan.
As we attempted to moor the boat, the canal’s current took hold of Tilly Mint, pulling her sideways and wedging us firmly across the canal. We found ourselves stuck between the canal bank on one side and another boat on the other. For a tense 15 minutes, we battled to regain control of the narrowboat as the water continued to push us in all the wrong directions.
Panic started to set in as we realised the gravity of the situation. Water levels were rising, and with the boat wedged awkwardly, there was a very real fear that we might be sinking. It was a terrifying time – not only was the boat in a precarious position, but the strong flow of the canal made it incredibly difficult to manoeuvre Tilly Mint.
Thankfully, we weren’t alone. A group of five members of the public came to our rescue, lending us their strength and helping hands. Together, we fought the current and slowly but surely managed to manoeuvre the boat back under control. With their help, we finally moored up safely on the bank side.
It was a huge relief when Tilly Mint was secure, and we could finally catch our breath. The entire ordeal was a stark reminder of how unpredictable canal boating can be, especially when the weather and water conditions are less than ideal.
In the end, we were incredibly grateful for the kindness of strangers who came to our aid. Without them, our story might have had a very different ending. What started as a simple trip from Hungerford to Newbury turned into an unforgettable adventure – one that we’ll laugh about in hindsight but won’t soon forget.
Lessons learned: always respect the canal, be prepared for anything, and never underestimate the power of teamwork – especially when faced with the forces of nature.