Easter – Black Bottoming!
21 April 2011 – Here at Dewsbury to black bottom Coventina. She was out by 8.30am, with a smooth run out of the water. Chris sprayed her down, sanded etc, we are really pleased as she doesn’t look as bad as we thought she would. Not as many mussels as last time!
22 April 2011 – Arrived early to start blacking, we couldn’t have asked for better weather, the sun is shining - absolutely brilliant conditions…
Pam and Natalie came to join us and help out in the afternoon. We have managed to get two coats on, which is great.
Had a barbeque in the evening – yummy!
23 April 2011 - Had another afternoon spent working on Coventina, weather not as good today, a few showers, but hey, it is April. Joan, Trevor, Pam, Natalie and James joined us today. Trevor kitted out in his overalls, ready to go !!!!! Got another coat on her, she is looking good. 
Natalie and James did some Maths revision, whilst Pam helped out blacking. A new tea-room has opened up in the basin (The Old Forge Tea Room) and have proved invaluable for bacon butties, ice cream and chip butties etc. The service has been excellent with delivery direct to the boat, I hope it works out for them, they have certainly put a lot of effort into it, inside looks really good too.
Chris and I had a barbeque in the evening, weather improved late afternoon early evening.
24 April 2011 – Looking good now with four coats of bitumen on,
only one more coat to go tomorrow.
Turned out quite nice again, we have been extremely lucky as each coat is drying really well.
26 April 2011 – Coventina all finished and gleaming, was relaunched at 7.30am, all went well and smoothly. Moored up in Dewsbury Basin. 
29 April 2011 – William and Catherine’s big day. She looked stunning, felt proud to be British watching all the festivities etc … Saw most of it on board, joined Martin and Mark in ‘Leggers’ for a toast!! 
Filled up with water and started our journey back home. We have really been well looked after at Dewsbury and everything has gone as smoothly as it could. Moored up just past the Bingley Arms, Horbury Bridge.
Saturday 30 April – Very windy day, but nice dry sunny spells. Travelled through to Stanley Ferry with ‘Osprey’, with some nice chaps on board. Decided to stay at the top of Kings Road Lock tonight, had a tapas buffet in the evening, weather held up all day, nice and sunny.
Sunday 1 May 2011
Another wild windy day. 
Left top of Kings Road Lock at about 10.30am, made it to Castleford for 12 noon, with minimum scratches, in this terrible wind.
Monday 2 May 2011 -
Not as windy today, met Pam at Lemonroyd and then on to Woodlesford. The ‘Woodlesford Gardeners’ always make the lock and the surrounding area and village look so lovely with their hard work.
End of another short break. We couldnt have asked for better weather for bottom blacking and have really enjoyed the trip…