Its a little windy today – but the sun is out, so should be a nice day for a services run. It’s going to be a full day’s travelling as I don’t intend to turn at Clifton’s like last time.. down to the locks, turn there, come back, pick up Trevor (who also needs a pump out and is unsure where the only marina that’s open is) and end up back where we started.
With luck, next week the travelling restrictions will be lifted and we can move – but that depends on the Government, and if marinas are actually going to re-open – being able to travel and not get fuel could be a bad combination – so even if we can move, we may need to stay put until we can be sure services will be available in places other than where we are!
First thing – over to the over side of the canal, fill the water tank and take advantage of the hose pipe to water the plants and wash one side of the boat! (The other side was bank side when were moored – so that’s been done already recently!)
It took a little while to get everything sorted and eventually were off and moving..
Got to Clifton Cruisers and were not turning here – too tight to do this safely without a bow thruster, or someone to ensure the bow doesn’t hit the moored boats. Also.. two cycle cop’s either taking a short-cut along the tow path, or there doing a patrol – didn’t ask, didn’t get stopped or asked.. but it’s nice to see a patrol, even if it’s only occasionally.
Once past all the moored up hire boats double stacked at their boat base, its under the new Houlton Road bridge..
Eventually we get to the bottom of Hillmorton Locks, where there is a more sensible sized winding hole.. a quick spin around with no issues and were heading back to Rugby once more!
Did I mention it was a lovely day for a cruise.. even if were not going to get anywhere soon.. The isolation and private canals of Winter cruising (no other boats moving) combined with the sun of a summers day.. a rather nice combination!
Back through Clifton Cruisers.. “working” but not “working”.. all the hire boats are in, but there is still work going on in the sheds..
And past the “winding” hole that I now refuse to use without a bow thruster..
And were back where we started!
Anna got some post sorted whilst we were moving on the first leg of today’s run – and we need to drop it off to catch today’s post – so everyone’s off to the post office. In the mean time.. Dixie says, this will be fine – just leave me here in the sun…
Gave Trevor a shout, let him know that were all back onboard and ready to head off to Armada’s service dock.. Pulled out and under “Masters Bridge”.. with Trevor following behind..
Through past the Newbold permanent mooring locations..
Past the Barley Mow pub – still closed, but hopefully not for much longer…
Through Newbold Tunnel…
Once out of the tunnel..
.. we arrive at Armada’s.
Now.. looks like the crane is having a service today – and there is a boat there, waiting to be lifted out for blacking. So we need to breast up against it, and position the boat so we can get the hose to the pump-out point.
Trevor pulled past as we were at the berth, and stated he was heading on and turning, as the pump out for his boat is on the other side, and stretching hoses over the roof canal side is never safe! (Thankfully, even though we have one tank on Emmeline, there are two emptying points, once on each side, so no matter which way round we are, the hose can always be attached “bank” side)
The toilet tanks empty, and the diesel tanks are full – we cant get the needed 6kg gas bottle, as they don’t stock them – so that I will need to deal with later – but for now, were done and its time to get on, turn around and come back again to the mooring.
It’s about a mile to the winding hole at the entrance to Brinklow marina – and as is always the case.. even when you know there are only two boats moving, and you are going to meet the other one coming the other way – it always has to be at a bridge!
Turned around, and heading back – ah.. so that’s where the fibreglass boat that was behind us has moved to..
And on the way back from the winding hole – the lovely sound of banjo’s and guitars 😉 and with Emmeline on tick-over and the engine being as quiet as always.. could hear it all quite clearly.
Back past Armada’s for the last time for a few weeks – still working on the crane.. got the welders out now!
And back to the mooring.
Trevor is at the water point – and it looks like his spot has been taken by another boat..
Our’s is still free – so were pulling back into “our mooring”.. and Trevor is having to move a little way round the bend to find a spot to pull in.