Apr 06, 2018 at 12:04 pm

Light she is, and like a fairy

Update posted by Martin Wainwright

Clemmy and I finally had our second date this morning, in spite of dire 'Don't navigate' warnings from the Environment Agency which has opened most of the weirs on the rain-swollen Thames. We were fine, confining ourselves to the Wolvercote backwater, with the greatest challenge nothing worse than skirting marooned picnic tables. The biggest hassle of the first sea trial, tight gated-rowlocks which made feathering very cranky, has been solved by Paul Godsafe who runs matchless Glide Boats. It was simply a matter of loosening the rowlock. Job done; all good. Clementine's slender shape also proved in handy in reaching a new launching place on Port Meadow which is currently mostly Port Lake. Ratchet straps are the remaining challenge; at the moment I spend almost as much time puzzling them out to avoid accidents on the way home, as I do enjoying myself on the river.

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