Well, after many years of wanting a sib for a bit of messing around on the river, I finally had my first outing yesterday
To say I enjoyed it was an understatement!
I've got a Honwave 2.7 Air Keel, with a nice little Mariner 4 horse two stroke set up, and have slowly been collecting all the little bits required to have a good fun, safe day out over the last few months (life jackets etc).
The local river is a few minutes walk down the end of my road (the Ouse in Bedford), with a nice little spot I had already eyed up to launch to set off from. Once I saw the weather report for the weekend was looking good, I sorted my insurance, booked a day license and got the fuel tank brimmed, then gave my folks a heads up I would be taking my maiden voyage, so they could come and watch me fall in!!!
Thankfully all went well, to the point that I was soon giving all and sundry rides up and down the river, around the local marina enjoying the sunshine and warmth of the day. I only passed one other boat out, and got a nice friendly wave from the passing crew. I must say I enjoyed seeing parts of the town from different views not usual seen whilst on foot, and hopefully I'll be making a trip up to my sisters riverside house around 10 miles away sometime during the summer (and yes I have got an external tank).
So, now I've broken my duck, I hope to be spending plenty more days out on the local waterways, with maybe a trip to the coast for some seaside fun if we can pick a calm day.
I even got a full thumbs up from the wife as she enjoyed it as much as me and is now posting up pictures of our day on Facebook, so that can't be bad.
It was just a matter of timing and the right weather, then she fell for it hook, line and sinker. 
