An amazing weekend

It started with an early visit to Naughty-Cal to get some miles in, so Thursday evening we settled in with fish and chips and a few beers before hitting the sack early.

5am Friday morning and the alarm clock rings out. Bleary eyed we arise, get dressed have a quick drink, then set off on the long drive to Stourport on Severn to meet up with the Sealine Forum crowd. We finally arrived at the hotel at around 8am to be greeted by half the crowd already there, ready and raring to go. With the coaches loaded up we set off for the Sealine Factory in Kidderminster. The hospitality of the staff at the factory was outstanding and all of our many questions and queries were answered. The tour around the factory was a very open warts and all affair with no attempts to hide any items that were not going according to plan.

After the tour we were shepherded back to the coaches and arrived back to a fabulous buffet lunch before heading out into the field to start the country pursuits. It quickly transpired that neither the OH nor I are much cop at shooting. We were useless at shooting clay pigeons, pistols and rifles, no better at archery but surprisingly not too bad with the cross bow. After the shooting it was time to hit the bar.

Saturday and time to leave. So we have a brisk walk around Stourport before heading back to the boat. We finally arrive back at Burton Waters, some three and a half hours later as the traffic was horrendous. Then with the sun shining we take off the canopies for the first time this year and head of to the pub. Who should arrive but the Sealine Forum members we had left that morning. A very pleasant surprise. Finally we head off back to the marina and to dads house for a lovely evening meal before spending the evening on his mooring.

Sunday dawns much cooler than the previous day so we quickly erect the canopies again to shelter from the breeze. Another trip to the Pyewipe ensues where one swift one as always turns into four before heading back to the berth and settling in for the evening with a chicken and stuffing roast dinner. It’s amazing what you can rustle up on a small cooker when you are hungry.

It was a shame this weekend ended so soon. The company has been great; we have met many new friends and then had a fantastic time with existing friends as well. A great weekend and certainly one to remember for many years to come.