Waterways Experiences

Our trips are a mixture of fun, adventure and tranquillity :-)
What better way to relax than enjoying the company of the rest of your group, absorbing the peace and calm of the boat gliding along in leisurely fashion.
On all our wide beam boats there’s space to sit outside when the weather’s good. There are plenty of windows that look onto the canal so you can see what’s happening outside whatever the weather. Why not book today for a great value, fun day out!
... #RelaxationDay #WaterwaysWednesday #HumpDay #BoatHire #Charity #GrandUnionCanal #TrySomethingDifferent #LifesBetterByWater #WideBeam
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Just arrived home after a wonderful week long Enable trip with fantastic kids and an amazing volunteer crew. Heading north to Leighton Buzzard we worked as a team working the locks, helming, walking or just watching the change of scenery. Some helped make pies and yummy cakes, everybody helped with washing up, preparing meals and other chores around the boat. To cool down in the hot weather we all changed into our swimming costumes for a soaking under the hose after filling t...he boat up with water. The busy week included swimming, tenpin bowling, games in the park and shopping. Everybody joined in fishing at Marsworth, all managing to catch at least one fish some up to thirteen and all different sizes.
The crew all enjoyed it so much they have signed themselves up for next year!
Many thanks to Marion, our wonderful Enable Leader, for these fantastic photos and write up :-)
#CharityTuesday #BoatHire #Enable #Holiday #GrandUnionCanal #TravelTuesday #MakeADifference #Volunteers #Crew
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Our wonderful volunteers - and this isn't all of them!

We are busier than ever! If you need some #MondayMotivation… It's time to start planning ahead for a great day out with Waterways Experiences :-)
We are FULLY booked for August. During September, we are FULLY booked on our 35 seater boat Sheldrake III and FULLY booked for weekends on our 12 seater boats Sheldrake II & Close Shave. We have limited availability during October. We are taking bookings for this Winter into 2019. If you have a preferred date for next year we recommend you book early. Please call our friendly bookings team on 01923 723819.
#BoatHire #Charity #MarketingMonday #WideBeam #GrandUnionCanal #TrySomethingDifferent #LifesBetterByWater

The first of our summer Enable holidays took place last week. Everyone had an amazing time :-) Photos and write up to follow....
#Enable #BoatHire #Charity #SundayFunday #WeekendVibes #GrandUnionCanal

We have great fun volunteering for Waterways Experiences.
We are currently looking for: Support for finance team Admin support for our ‘Enable’ Holiday trips... Website editor (WordPress) Boat and base maintenance people Boat crew and skippers (Recruitment and training for these roles is between October and April only).
You can find out more about volunteering with us on our website or drop us a message, we'd love to hear from you :-) https://wexp.org.uk/?page_id=633
#BoatHire #Charity #Volunteering #VolunteeringOpportunties #GrandUnionCanal #MakeADifference #HelpOthers #BeKind #GiveSomethingBack #SundayFunday #WeekendVibes
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Our three beautiful spacious wide-beam boats were all designed to provide great access for the less mobile. They have ramps and lifts and plenty of turning space for wheelchairs. Close Shave & Sheldrake II are 12 seater family-friendly boats, easy to steer and there’s space to sit outside when the weather’s good. There are plenty of windows that look onto the canal so you can see what’s happening outside whatever the weather. Sheldrake III is our biggest and most modern boat carrying up to 35 passengers on day trips. It has enormous windows on three sides, making it feel as if you can touch the water!
#BoatHire #Charity #WideBeam #CanalBoat #GrandUnionCanal #LifesBetterByWater #TrySomethingDifferent #SocialSaturday #WeekendVibes

We've got that #FridayFeeling. We love to hear all about your days out with us...
"Excellent time had by all our family. All the children had a fantastic time which I’m sure they will remember for a long time, even the adults mucked in and tried everything out. We had such a great experience and as for my husband, who this was a total surprise for, said he will never forget the day we had and is now talking about a canal holiday "
#FeelGoodFriday #FeedbackFriday #BoatHire #Charity #LifesBetterByWater #TrySomethingDifferent #GrandUnionCanal #Volunteers #NearlyTheWeekend

Some more great photos of a recent trip from the Dutch Community on-board Sheldrake III. Thank you for sending these to us. Looks like everyone had a fantastic day.
Please keep sending us your photos. We just love to see and share what you got up to on-board our lovely boats :-)
#ThursdayThoughts #BoatHire #Charity #WideBeam #GrandUnionCanal #LifesBetterByWater

Our trips are a mixture of fun, adventure and tranquility.You can have a go at steering the boat and helping to work the locks – the friendly volunteer skipper and crew will show you how, and make sure you do things safely. Enjoy the company of the rest of your group, absorbing the peace and calm of the boat gliding along in leisurely fashion.
#HappinessHappensDay #WednesdayWisdom #WaterwaysWednesday #BoatHire #Charity #Volunteers #LifesBetterByWater #GrandUnionCanal #HumpDay

We love the Action for Happiness calenders.
#BeKind #HelpOthers #MakeADifference

Thank you to Dacorum Mencap for these great photos of their recent trip with us. Looks like a lovely time was had by all :-)
We love sharing photos of your trips. If you have any photos you'd like to share please email us at marketing@wexp.org.uk
#CharityTuesday #TravelTuesday #BoatHire #Volunteers #LifesBetterByWater #TrySomethingDifferent #GrandUnionCanal

On one of the hottest days of the year, can we get away with mentioning.... Christmas?? Not normally wishing to jump on the bandwagon, I'm sure you have noticed that pubs and restaurants are reminding us to book early for the festive season. So if you need some #MondayMotivation today why not start thinking about doing something different this Christmas. Check out our website to find out more.
#BoatHire #Charity #MarketingMonday #Festive #Christmas #Winter #WideBeam #TrySomethingDifferent

Can anyone help out our friends at Electric Umbrella?

We are a registered charity and operate three large canal boats from a beautifully landscaped boatyard on the Grand Union Canal just to the south of Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire.
Follow us at Waterways Experiences or visit our website to find out more about our boat trips and volunteering. You can also help us spread the word about our amazing charity by sharing our Facebook page with all your friends :-)
#Volunteering #BoatHire #Charity #GrandUnionCanal #HemelHempstead #Canal #CanalBoat #WideBeam #TrySomethingDifferent #LifesBetterByWater #WeekendVibes

This summer Enjoy Dacorum are putting your photography skills to the test with their fantastic new #LoveDacorum photo competition. Whilst you're out and about with the kids this summer holidays, get snapping and sharing your beautiful photos of the district.
To enter, simply give the Enjoy Dacorum Facebook page a ‘Like’, share your most beautiful photo of Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead or Tring and let them know exactly why your family loves this wonderful part of Hertfordshire....
We are looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with. Hopefully we will see some of our beautiful #GrandUnionCanal or our lovely #WideBeams :-)
#WeekendVibes #SundayFunday #HemelHempstead #Berkhampsted #Tring #Community #GetCreative #Photography #Competition #Win #Hertfordshire #EnjoyDacorum
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We have some exciting news!
The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of The Queen's coronation and is known as the 'MBE for volunteer groups'.
Following a nomination by Bob McLean, Mayor of Dacorum 2016/2017 we are absolutely thrilled to let you know that Waterways Experiences is officially in receipt of... this prestigious award.
We have been told the following: 'The work your group does for the community was very much admired by the independent Assessment Committee, chaired by Sir Martyn Lewis CBE and I am delighted to inform you that your group has been selected as a recipient for The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) 2018. The award of The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service 2018 represents a tremendous achievement for your organisation. We hope that everyone involved, and particularly your volunteers, feel immensely proud of the recognition that this Award represents.'
This is absolutely a reflection of all of our volunteers hard work, investment of time and the incredible impact Waterways Experiences has had in its local community. We couldn't be happier :-)
#QAVS2018 #Volunteering #Volunteers #Charity #BoatHire #GrandUnionCanal
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What a fab outing we had. The boat is large and well laid out. Good toilet facilities and small but adequate kitchen. Great day out and well set up for disabled passengers.

Crew were very experienced and professional.

The grandchildren would have liked more time to steer the boat as they did on the last trip but apart from that we had a great time. Thank you Waterways Experiences.

We were with a large group of friends, enough to fill the boat yesterday 6th June. We were blessed with the most amazing weather sun, sun, sun. The crew made us welcome from the beginning and the knowledge they conveyed was very informative. Many of us helped at the locks and some of us even took the tiller.....without any mishaps. This was a terrific afternoon, and when we got back to base a bit too early, we carried on in the opposite direction to stretch the time. A super afternoon highly recommended.

We booked one of your boats for my husbands 40th Birthday yesterday afternoon. Thank you so much to Peter and the crew for making the whole experience a memorable one. They were cheerful and really helpful.The boats were fully equipped with everything we needed.

We hope to book again soon and would fully recommend!

This was a brilliant afternoon out. Easy to book and the communication was superb throughout making the whole booking and payment process so easy. We were on the boat for 12 ‘close shave’ very spacious inside and out and good facilities on board to prepare a lunch. Suitable for adults and young children. The crew we had were Phil, Chris and Francis They were brilliant throughout our journey and made it even better. They actively included our young children and gave them a chance to steer the boat and help with the locks. Highly recommend this as a day or afternoon out.

I would like to thank you for a great day on Monday September 23rd. Everything has changed for my family and me, since I was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in April 2015. Now in a wheelchair, unable talk and eat, the time on the boat gave me time to be somewhere different. Peaceful, relaxing and a time for family and friends to be together. Our children, Sebastian and Valentina, enjoyed steering the boat and opening the locks, as did the adults. Everyone enjoyed the picnic and endless tea. There was plenty of space on the bow, for my wheelchair. Helpful, knowledgeable staff. Thanks very much from the Knowlman family.

I would just like to say a big thank you to the crew( francis,nigel and sorry can't remember the 3rd crew member)l on our trip yesterday 8.4.18, we had a great time and the patients of the crew who showed my grandson how to work the locks and let him steer the barge it was great to see him so happy, also with my granddaughter who was into everything they also let my sister join the group further on the trip as she was running late nothing was to much trouble for them and i would recommend this experience to anyone.

I work for a company who support adults with learning disabilities. I have booked 4 trips and we had our first one on Saturday. It was an amazing day the crew were brilliant and the boat was adapted brilliantly for wheelchairs. They had mince pies, Xmas crackers, everything supplied for whatever hot or cold drink, sauces and condiments for the fish and chips that they had delivered onto the boat. We had a brilliant time and all the service users had a really special day

Thank you so much I will deffo be booking more trips.

Firstly,i would like to thank Waterways Experiences, the crews are very helpful and friendly yesterday Bank Holiday 28/5/18 for a wonderful boat trip.All 28 passengers specially all the children's first timer experienced on a boat had a brilliant & fabulous time cruising the canal and to that you make 1 special boy who's 6th birthday so special and to having that opportunity to hold & steer(bonus wearing captain's hat on) and showing how the locks are done in behalf of fostering team aye!aye! captains... until next time

Absolutely fantastic night. Loved every second of it doing the locks and the drain things. Even applied to volunteer to b boat crew in near future. Thanks for giving up your saturday night . an amazing time was had by all xxx

What a fab outing we had. The boat is large and well laid out. Good toilet facilities and small but adequate kitchen. Great day out and well set up for disabled passengers.

Crew were very experienced and professional.

The grandchildren would have liked more time to steer the boat as they did on the last trip but apart from that we had a great time. Thank you Waterways Experiences.

We were with a large group of friends, enough to fill the boat yesterday 6th June. We were blessed with the most amazing weather sun, sun, sun. The crew made us welcome from the beginning and the knowledge they conveyed was very informative. Many of us helped at the locks and some of us even took the tiller.....without any mishaps. This was a terrific afternoon, and when we got back to base a bit too early, we carried on in the opposite direction to stretch the time. A super afternoon highly recommended.

We booked one of your boats for my husbands 40th Birthday yesterday afternoon. Thank you so much to Peter and the crew for making the whole experience a memorable one. They were cheerful and really helpful.The boats were fully equipped with everything we needed.

We hope to book again soon and would fully recommend!

This was a brilliant afternoon out. Easy to book and the communication was superb throughout making the whole booking and payment process so easy. We were on the boat for 12 ‘close shave’ very spacious inside and out and good facilities on board to prepare a lunch. Suitable for adults and young children. The crew we had were Phil, Chris and Francis They were brilliant throughout our journey and made it even better. They actively included our young children and gave them a chance to steer the boat and help with the locks. Highly recommend this as a day or afternoon out.

I would like to thank you for a great day on Monday September 23rd. Everything has changed for my family and me, since I was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in April 2015. Now in a wheelchair, unable talk and eat, the time on the boat gave me time to be somewhere different. Peaceful, relaxing and a time for family and friends to be together. Our children, Sebastian and Valentina, enjoyed steering the boat and opening the locks, as did the adults. Everyone enjoyed the picnic and endless tea. There was plenty of space on the bow, for my wheelchair. Helpful, knowledgeable staff. Thanks very much from the Knowlman family.

I would just like to say a big thank you to the crew( francis,nigel and sorry can't remember the 3rd crew member)l on our trip yesterday 8.4.18, we had a great time and the patients of the crew who showed my grandson how to work the locks and let him steer the barge it was great to see him so happy, also with my granddaughter who was into everything they also let my sister join the group further on the trip as she was running late nothing was to much trouble for them and i would recommend this experience to anyone.

I work for a company who support adults with learning disabilities. I have booked 4 trips and we had our first one on Saturday. It was an amazing day the crew were brilliant and the boat was adapted brilliantly for wheelchairs. They had mince pies, Xmas crackers, everything supplied for whatever hot or cold drink, sauces and condiments for the fish and chips that they had delivered onto the boat. We had a brilliant time and all the service users had a really special day

Thank you so much I will deffo be booking more trips.

Firstly,i would like to thank Waterways Experiences, the crews are very helpful and friendly yesterday Bank Holiday 28/5/18 for a wonderful boat trip.All 28 passengers specially all the children's first timer experienced on a boat had a brilliant & fabulous time cruising the canal and to that you make 1 special boy who's 6th birthday so special and to having that opportunity to hold & steer(bonus wearing captain's hat on) and showing how the locks are done in behalf of fostering team aye!aye! captains... until next time

Absolutely fantastic night. Loved every second of it doing the locks and the drain things. Even applied to volunteer to b boat crew in near future. Thanks for giving up your saturday night . an amazing time was had by all xxx

What a fab outing we had. The boat is large and well laid out. Good toilet facilities and small but adequate kitchen. Great day out and well set up for disabled passengers.

Crew were very experienced and professional.

The grandchildren would have liked more time to steer the boat as they did on the last trip but apart from that we had a great time. Thank you Waterways Experiences.

We were with a large group of friends, enough to fill the boat yesterday 6th June. We were blessed with the most amazing weather sun, sun, sun. The crew made us welcome from the beginning and the knowledge they conveyed was very informative. Many of us helped at the locks and some of us even took the tiller.....without any mishaps. This was a terrific afternoon, and when we got back to base a bit too early, we carried on in the opposite direction to stretch the time. A super afternoon highly recommended.

We booked one of your boats for my husbands 40th Birthday yesterday afternoon. Thank you so much to Peter and the crew for making the whole experience a memorable one. They were cheerful and really helpful.The boats were fully equipped with everything we needed.

We hope to book again soon and would fully recommend!

This was a brilliant afternoon out. Easy to book and the communication was superb throughout making the whole booking and payment process so easy. We were on the boat for 12 ‘close shave’ very spacious inside and out and good facilities on board to prepare a lunch. Suitable for adults and young children. The crew we had were Phil, Chris and Francis They were brilliant throughout our journey and made it even better. They actively included our young children and gave them a chance to steer the boat and help with the locks. Highly recommend this as a day or afternoon out.

I would like to thank you for a great day on Monday September 23rd. Everything has changed for my family and me, since I was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in April 2015. Now in a wheelchair, unable talk and eat, the time on the boat gave me time to be somewhere different. Peaceful, relaxing and a time for family and friends to be together. Our children, Sebastian and Valentina, enjoyed steering the boat and opening the locks, as did the adults. Everyone enjoyed the picnic and endless tea. There was plenty of space on the bow, for my wheelchair. Helpful, knowledgeable staff. Thanks very much from the Knowlman family.

I would just like to say a big thank you to the crew( francis,nigel and sorry can't remember the 3rd crew member)l on our trip yesterday 8.4.18, we had a great time and the patients of the crew who showed my grandson how to work the locks and let him steer the barge it was great to see him so happy, also with my granddaughter who was into everything they also let my sister join the group further on the trip as she was running late nothing was to much trouble for them and i would recommend this experience to anyone.

I work for a company who support adults with learning disabilities. I have booked 4 trips and we had our first one on Saturday. It was an amazing day the crew were brilliant and the boat was adapted brilliantly for wheelchairs. They had mince pies, Xmas crackers, everything supplied for whatever hot or cold drink, sauces and condiments for the fish and chips that they had delivered onto the boat. We had a brilliant time and all the service users had a really special day

Thank you so much I will deffo be booking more trips.

Firstly,i would like to thank Waterways Experiences, the crews are very helpful and friendly yesterday Bank Holiday 28/5/18 for a wonderful boat trip.All 28 passengers specially all the children's first timer experienced on a boat had a brilliant & fabulous time cruising the canal and to that you make 1 special boy who's 6th birthday so special and to having that opportunity to hold & steer(bonus wearing captain's hat on) and showing how the locks are done in behalf of fostering team aye!aye! captains... until next time

Absolutely fantastic night. Loved every second of it doing the locks and the drain things. Even applied to volunteer to b boat crew in near future. Thanks for giving up your saturday night . an amazing time was had by all xxx

What a fab outing we had. The boat is large and well laid out. Good toilet facilities and small but adequate kitchen. Great day out and well set up for disabled passengers.

Crew were very experienced and professional.

The grandchildren would have liked more time to steer the boat as they did on the last trip but apart from that we had a great time. Thank you Waterways Experiences.

We were with a large group of friends, enough to fill the boat yesterday 6th June. We were blessed with the most amazing weather sun, sun, sun. The crew made us welcome from the beginning and the knowledge they conveyed was very informative. Many of us helped at the locks and some of us even took the tiller.....without any mishaps. This was a terrific afternoon, and when we got back to base a bit too early, we carried on in the opposite direction to stretch the time. A super afternoon highly recommended.

We booked one of your boats for my husbands 40th Birthday yesterday afternoon. Thank you so much to Peter and the crew for making the whole experience a memorable one. They were cheerful and really helpful.The boats were fully equipped with everything we needed.

We hope to book again soon and would fully recommend!

This was a brilliant afternoon out. Easy to book and the communication was superb throughout making the whole booking and payment process so easy. We were on the boat for 12 ‘close shave’ very spacious inside and out and good facilities on board to prepare a lunch. Suitable for adults and young children. The crew we had were Phil, Chris and Francis They were brilliant throughout our journey and made it even better. They actively included our young children and gave them a chance to steer the boat and help with the locks. Highly recommend this as a day or afternoon out.

I would like to thank you for a great day on Monday September 23rd. Everything has changed for my family and me, since I was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in April 2015. Now in a wheelchair, unable talk and eat, the time on the boat gave me time to be somewhere different. Peaceful, relaxing and a time for family and friends to be together. Our children, Sebastian and Valentina, enjoyed steering the boat and opening the locks, as did the adults. Everyone enjoyed the picnic and endless tea. There was plenty of space on the bow, for my wheelchair. Helpful, knowledgeable staff. Thanks very much from the Knowlman family.

I would just like to say a big thank you to the crew( francis,nigel and sorry can't remember the 3rd crew member)l on our trip yesterday 8.4.18, we had a great time and the patients of the crew who showed my grandson how to work the locks and let him steer the barge it was great to see him so happy, also with my granddaughter who was into everything they also let my sister join the group further on the trip as she was running late nothing was to much trouble for them and i would recommend this experience to anyone.

I work for a company who support adults with learning disabilities. I have booked 4 trips and we had our first one on Saturday. It was an amazing day the crew were brilliant and the boat was adapted brilliantly for wheelchairs. They had mince pies, Xmas crackers, everything supplied for whatever hot or cold drink, sauces and condiments for the fish and chips that they had delivered onto the boat. We had a brilliant time and all the service users had a really special day

Thank you so much I will deffo be booking more trips.

Firstly,i would like to thank Waterways Experiences, the crews are very helpful and friendly yesterday Bank Holiday 28/5/18 for a wonderful boat trip.All 28 passengers specially all the children's first timer experienced on a boat had a brilliant & fabulous time cruising the canal and to that you make 1 special boy who's 6th birthday so special and to having that opportunity to hold & steer(bonus wearing captain's hat on) and showing how the locks are done in behalf of fostering team aye!aye! captains... until next time

Absolutely fantastic night. Loved every second of it doing the locks and the drain things. Even applied to volunteer to b boat crew in near future. Thanks for giving up your saturday night . an amazing time was had by all xxx

What a fab outing we had. The boat is large and well laid out. Good toilet facilities and small but adequate kitchen. Great day out and well set up for disabled passengers.

Crew were very experienced and professional.

The grandchildren would have liked more time to steer the boat as they did on the last trip but apart from that we had a great time. Thank you Waterways Experiences.

We were with a large group of friends, enough to fill the boat yesterday 6th June. We were blessed with the most amazing weather sun, sun, sun. The crew made us welcome from the beginning and the knowledge they conveyed was very informative. Many of us helped at the locks and some of us even took the tiller.....without any mishaps. This was a terrific afternoon, and when we got back to base a bit too early, we carried on in the opposite direction to stretch the time. A super afternoon highly recommended.

We booked one of your boats for my husbands 40th Birthday yesterday afternoon. Thank you so much to Peter and the crew for making the whole experience a memorable one. They were cheerful and really helpful.The boats were fully equipped with everything we needed.

We hope to book again soon and would fully recommend!

This was a brilliant afternoon out. Easy to book and the communication was superb throughout making the whole booking and payment process so easy. We were on the boat for 12 ‘close shave’ very spacious inside and out and good facilities on board to prepare a lunch. Suitable for adults and young children. The crew we had were Phil, Chris and Francis They were brilliant throughout our journey and made it even better. They actively included our young children and gave them a chance to steer the boat and help with the locks. Highly recommend this as a day or afternoon out.

I would like to thank you for a great day on Monday September 23rd. Everything has changed for my family and me, since I was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in April 2015. Now in a wheelchair, unable talk and eat, the time on the boat gave me time to be somewhere different. Peaceful, relaxing and a time for family and friends to be together. Our children, Sebastian and Valentina, enjoyed steering the boat and opening the locks, as did the adults. Everyone enjoyed the picnic and endless tea. There was plenty of space on the bow, for my wheelchair. Helpful, knowledgeable staff. Thanks very much from the Knowlman family.

I would just like to say a big thank you to the crew( francis,nigel and sorry can't remember the 3rd crew member)l on our trip yesterday 8.4.18, we had a great time and the patients of the crew who showed my grandson how to work the locks and let him steer the barge it was great to see him so happy, also with my granddaughter who was into everything they also let my sister join the group further on the trip as she was running late nothing was to much trouble for them and i would recommend this experience to anyone.

I work for a company who support adults with learning disabilities. I have booked 4 trips and we had our first one on Saturday. It was an amazing day the crew were brilliant and the boat was adapted brilliantly for wheelchairs. They had mince pies, Xmas crackers, everything supplied for whatever hot or cold drink, sauces and condiments for the fish and chips that they had delivered onto the boat. We had a brilliant time and all the service users had a really special day

Thank you so much I will deffo be booking more trips.

Firstly,i would like to thank Waterways Experiences, the crews are very helpful and friendly yesterday Bank Holiday 28/5/18 for a wonderful boat trip.All 28 passengers specially all the children's first timer experienced on a boat had a brilliant & fabulous time cruising the canal and to that you make 1 special boy who's 6th birthday so special and to having that opportunity to hold & steer(bonus wearing captain's hat on) and showing how the locks are done in behalf of fostering team aye!aye! captains... until next time

Absolutely fantastic night. Loved every second of it doing the locks and the drain things. Even applied to volunteer to b boat crew in near future. Thanks for giving up your saturday night . an amazing time was had by all xxx