Pot of Earl Grey, cucumber sandwiches and a plate of fancies please..

By the time we reached Godmanchester lock the wind was horrendous. Several cruisers were sensibly bow hauling (if you can bow haul a cruiser) each other one by one into the lock. We wanted to moor parallel to the lock alongside. 2 of the guys came across to take our ropes, but twice we were blown off again before we were anywhere near them. G then tried to reverse on and they were just able to get our stern rope, wrap it round a bollard and hang on for grim death before our throttle jammed open and G had to cut the engine. We were now nicely lined up for the afore mentioned afternoon tea on the lawn of the posh Georgian house opposite us, please let us come to a halt before we hit their French windows!!!