Wedding Transport 24th May

Another first for Kevayling, and what an enjoyable one too. We offered to pick up Richard & Nick from Maidstone Fairmeadow and transport them by river to Allington Castle for their formal partnership ceremony and celebrations, along with one of their photographers.

Unfortunately the weather was not good as we waited for them in Maidstone, the heavens opened up and it poured with rain but as they were running a few minutes late by the time they arrived to board the rain had eased off somewhat. For the first part of their journey it was a matter of remaining under cover in the saloon and wheelhouse armed with a glass of our finest home-made wine.

As we approached Allington the sun came out and the covers went up allowing Richard & Nick to received the good wishes of river users as we passed. Kevayling turned at the Malta Inn and our passengers then safely delivered to the castle moorings for the start of their big day.

Lots of photos taken of Kevayling and our arrival at Allington Castle which we hope to get in the near future.

Warm Weekend 16/18 May

With the uplift in temperature this weekend it's definitely boating weather so we decided that on Friday we would spend the day on the boat and do a short cruise upriver, stopping off at the local riverside pub for a cooling drink. Lunch was taken in Maidstone before a trip to East Farleigh lock, where we turned and headed back to the marina. On arrival back in our berth it was time for afternoon tea and finally ending a lovely day with fish & chips on-board.

Saturday, spent a couple of hours on the boat in the marina before heading to Gatwick (by car) to collect friends from the airport.

Sunday, another really hot day and another cruise on the river, this time with our daughter and her partner. Cruised up to East Farleigh and then back to Maidstone for lunch. Joined later my 'Clevedon Princess' with our friends on board. A few glasses of wine and an ice cream later we set off back to the marina. The river as busy, which it was good to see, and the weather prefect. What more could you ask of a spring weekend.

Sweeps Festival Weekend

Set off from the marina in the company of seven other Allington Motor Cruiser Club boats heading for Rochester and the annual Sweeps Festival. We all passed through Allington Lock together and had a good run down to Rochester Cruising Club where we moor up for the night. On Sunday morning, in beautiful sunny weather we walked the short walk through Rochester castle grounds to the High Street to watch the dancers and bands. Mid-afternoon saw us depart from Rochester, still as a flotilla, and head back up river to Allington. Due to the amount of traffic on the water we were held outside the lock for around half an hour before we could pass through. All returned to their moorings safely having had a brilliant weekend.