25th and 26th June 2011
Yes the crew of Python – Pete, Maurice and me plus Mick and Branson on Phoenix have got to the next festival. Python has joined up with another 112 boats to celebrate the waterways and working boats that did, and still do, work and cruise on them.
On Friday we set off from where the boat was left and made a relatively easy journey to Braunston until we got stuck trying to pass the boats moored five abreast; but at least all the other boat owners were there to help us along.
Saturday and most of the Fellows, Morton & Clayton Boats had moored in the arm. Can you spot Python? Somewhere at the back is Panther, Python’s sister boat. Saturday was a brilliant day with really good weather. Sunday was really hot and with more visitors it was really quite busy!

Here are the breasted boats along the canal. The gap left was tricky to get through!

You can see how far it goes past the next bridge!

Here we are on Monday morning and, with most of the boats gone, we could get a picture of Python. She is moored opposite President, which is based at the Black Country Museum.

Python is now at Alvecote for the festival on 9th/10th July. After that, we will go to the Inland Waterways Association National Festival at Burton-on-Trent where we will link up with the Trust’s promotional trailer, James Brindley. It’d be great to see you there! Click here for more details.
Written by: Thomas Flewitt

