We thought that Bluebell needed a test run and as it was a long time since we had had a members outing, we decided on a combined event. Bluebells fuel and water tanks were replenished, the galley was tidied, the seats which Ikea had given us were assembled and put on board and Andy had brought along some polythene to make rather fetching doors when the temporary wooden ones were removed for the trip.  Fourteen members gathered at Drumshoreland and after  a tricky manoeuvre to turn Bluebell in the basin (the weed cutter, Half Pint and the BW tug were all moored there) we set off for Ratho. The first reaction form those inside was that the engine was a bit noisy but we had expected that and measuring up for insulation is one of our next jobs. After a bit we got used to the noise and the next task was to take stock of the seating. It was a bit crowded but as we didn't have the full use of the cabin we think that there will be room for 12 passengers when we start using her. The big front deck is ideal for standing chatting in and we plan to have seating there which will be useful. However, on a wet day, a cratch will be extremely useful as it will give the passengers extra space and shelter and will in effect increase the cabin size. The large amount of space at the stern was also very useful as several people could be up there without getting in the steerer's way. During the trip several members who have expressed an interest in learning to drive Bluebell, had  a spell at the tiller and the consensus was that she handles well. We stopped at the aqueduct and had a coffee, the water being boiled in our new kettle, and sampled some of Brenda's super home baking - made specially that morning for the trip. After a group photo or two, we got back on board and made our way to Ratho where lunch had been booked in the Bridge Inn.

After a very pleasant lunch, we started back in heavy rain - it had been a lovely sunny morning - but he rain soon stopped and  we had a good run back to Drumshoreland where we tucked Bluebell up on her moorings.

I didn't take as many photos as I had planned as my camera batteries went flat but here are the few I took.