Peter had been approached by the school to take the tots for a trip on the river. He'd organised it well. A couple of gazebos and six tables on the bank gave them a place to draw and colour their drawings. In small groups they were given pots of bird seed and allowed to approach the water and feed the ducks, geese and swans.
The pub had agreed to let them use the facilities.
Groups of 10 were kitted out in life jackets and herded onto Rosie and Little Rosie.
"Can I leave my bag with you, Miss?"
"Please Miss, may I sit next to Rachel?"
"I'm going to climb through the window!"
"I don't like boats. I'm scared!"
"I can't swim!"
You have to admire primary school teachers: they are organised, caring, thoughtful, patient.
Two parents or mothers to each boat with the hopeless task of keeping them seated and keeping their arms and legs inside the gun'l'. The safety briefing is always fun: there are three fire extinguishers which you won't need (even if you know how to use them!); please don't let them fall in the water; and everybody must test the whistle on the life jacket to be sure it works (but don't use it again unless someone goes in). It seems cruel: blow the whistle when the skipper says so, but not when you want to.
Each child was issued with a list of likely sightings (swans, fishermen, moorhens, horses) and a pencil to record every sighting. This seems to be good educational practice. Whenever one sees organised groups of schoolchildren they have checklists.
Away from the mooring, winding in the river, and down toward the lock.
Lots of ducks, many moorhens, several horses, a pair of swans and a heron.
Joggers, fishermen, single sculls and a double scull.
Winding again before the lock and back to The Plough.
And the Dragon Boat race had started!
Three times for Rosie and twice for Little Rosie.
The children squealed with joy and excitement; the Dragon Boat paddlers sweated and struggled; the teachers worried and coped; the boatmen steered and moored.
What a wonderful morning!
For the two narrowboat helmsmen the extra factor was the Dragon Boat race taking place at the same time and in the same piece of river.
So, fifty small children, 16 mothers or teachers, 30 corporate day-outers, five boatmen, two narrow boats, two Dragon Boats and one safety boat. Plus, of course, the First Aiders for the sweating Dragon Boaters. Could this possibly end well?
It started well.
The children embarked and disembarked safely. None of them fell into the water. All of them went away with a ticked checklist (although none of them saw the heron) and most handed back their pencils and crayons.
It progressed well.
The youngsters squealed and laughed all the way there and back. The helmsmen enjoyed the half-hour voyages. The teachers and parents seemed happy.
Someone won the Dragon Boat races.
It ended well!
The lifejackets were all recovered (none used), the children were reunited with their coats, bags and friends, the facilities were used and, finally, the bus was caught.
Peter and John took down the gazebos and returned the picnic tables. The boats were tidied and closed.
It was a truly satisfying morning.
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| Rosie at Jesus Lock |
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