It had rained for two nights a bought flood waters. So, of course, we decided to tackle one of the lowest bridges: The Capestang.
It’s not so much that it is low, but the curved arch reduces the height dramatically, the wider the boat.
We inspected the bridge, and there is not one inch of it that hasn’t already been gouged-out by previous boats. More rain was forecast, we had to have a go.
With sweaty palms and flip-flopping stomachs we puttered up to the bridge. The game plan? I was on the bow indicating centre – then watching the stern and pointing in the direction the stern needed to shift to keep us in the centre.
If we scratched the paint we didn’t care. We went that slow, we could stop, reverse out and go back to our mooring with nothing more than our ego damaged.
Noel, as usual, was great on the helm and cool as a cucumber. I matched his coolness on the exterior but inside my stomach was making its way up to my throat.
With an inch gap each side of our wheelhouse roof we glided under and it was then that I remembered to breath – we made it!
Farewell to the lovely village of Capestang, and Jane (fellow WOB – Women on Barge member (FB)), (and John and Sophie), hope to see you again when we’re heading north!
October 2, 2014 at 1:59 am
Wow! That was tight! Brilliant, farewell, fair winds, see you again I’m sure. Enjoy your winter and say hi from us to those who remember us at Moissac as you pass through. 😊
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October 2, 2014 at 2:56 am
Thanks Jane! We’ll be back, ! Jx
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October 2, 2014 at 2:18 am
Whew!! That was a little too close for comfort. Good navigating Noel. Good lookout, Jackie….. To the inch!
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October 2, 2014 at 2:56 am
Thanks Rolande! good team work eh? We deserve a cold wine now – and look, funnily enough I have one in my hand! 😉
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October 2, 2014 at 2:23 am
Wow! A white knuckle moment!
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October 2, 2014 at 2:57 am
Ha Ha Melissa, it was indeed! It was nice when I remembered to breathe! 🙂
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October 2, 2014 at 3:00 am
Eek! you must have been in complete suspended animation! These guys have marvellous spacial awareness though, don’t they? Me, I’d have been even more worried than you, but my Koos is amazing at getting us in and out of incredibly tight spots. Well done both of you!
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October 2, 2014 at 4:03 am
Thanks Val – Noel certainly has the cooler head! 🙂
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October 2, 2014 at 5:21 am
And if you have the measurements, wheelhouse width and air draft at the wheelhouse edges, I’d be very interested. Well done!
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October 4, 2014 at 6:50 pm
Good idea Ian, will get them to you soon – if you could remind me in a week or two (unless you need it urgently) that’ll be great – I have some major work deadlines I am fighting with at the moment…… all depends on flood waters, well, only a little, more on that soon – and thanks!
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October 2, 2014 at 7:23 am
PHEW, Well done, steady hands, calm nerves, keen eyes won the day again. Col.
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October 4, 2014 at 6:48 pm
Hi Col, good to ‘see’ you here – yes, sort of steady…. maybe a steadying wine after (eve!) – xxx
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October 2, 2014 at 9:44 am
Wow – I would have never been able to keep my cool going through that one!
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October 4, 2014 at 6:48 pm
Hi Ellen, it was exciting! Internally, not cool, externally cool (ish!) lol! 🙂
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October 4, 2014 at 6:44 pm
Wow, well done you two……Liberté would not stand a chance!
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October 4, 2014 at 6:47 pm
Thanks Maggie, there have been some other low ones (not mentioned!) too – none as bad as Capestang, but not much more room! 🙂 Glad to see you guys are back out there enjoying it and all is good. xx
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October 5, 2014 at 7:53 am
Cool as a cucumber, no worries mate,she’ll be right.onya guys.
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October 5, 2014 at 2:04 pm
Amazing confidence to go through that bridge. I am not quiet sure how many times I would have had to change my trousers!
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October 5, 2014 at 3:21 pm
Ha ha, Mark, it was certainly enough to cause a few more grey hairs!
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October 5, 2014 at 3:21 pm
Hi Mick and Lyn, good to see you here – thanks for stopping by!
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