Set off again from Curdworth heading to Fazeley Junction. Most of the boats that were here yesterday have already moved on, and – including us – there are only 2 boats left here. – Good luck getting though Birmingham those that were pointing that way – as I’m not going back there for a LONG time !
There’s a post office in Curdworth, but today, we have nothing for Anna to send out – so no need to stop. Curdworth tunnel was fun trying to get in without wiping out the roof contents and scattering our winter log pile all over the canal.. as there is a bit of a kink to it at the start.. and its only just wide enough for the boat.. but we got though with a bit of wiggling with the bow thruster!
So – on through the 11 locks of Curdworth.. again, not many boats moving, but there are a few more moored up and moving than yesterday!
Between locks 8 & 9 there is a pub.. right on the lock landing, with all the mooring for the pub full – so once more we were the local entertainment for a little while for those sitting in the sun, with a beer, watching how a boat goes through a lock.
Stopped at the waterpoint between locks 9 & 10 to top off the tank.. just got onto the mooring there as there was a boat moored up – which when they returned apologised for mooring on the water point – but the call from the pub was too strong to resist – who can blame them 🙂
It also transpired that the tow-path side is virtually un-moorable due to the reeds that were previously there, being cut back at the water line.. but the roots and soil were still there below the surface some 2 feet from the bank.. making it impossible for a boat to get close enough to moor up.
Out of the last of the locks for a few weeks.. and a very pretty lock it is.. with the people that own the lock cottage taking pride in how it looks – there is no way that CRT look after one lock this well.. they have enough trouble keeping them working, never mind dealing with the flower beds!
We made it to Fazeley Marina with about an hour to spare.. so thankfully we could get some gas and fill up the diesel tanks, settle down into the mooring and not have to move the day after when there open again.
Swapped over both LPG tanks, so we now have full 13Kg and 6Kg bottles (we have 2 of different sizes as you cant get a second 13Kg bottle in there, through the hatch, if there is one already in there.. so its a large and small for us!) – plus.. the unleaded for the chain saw, 2 x 5l diesel bottles (spares incase the main tank runs out) and 2 10l generator fuel bottles are also in there – so its not like were not using the space 🙂
Whilst it is cold at this time of year.. being able to spend £0.78 per litre on diesel is always a bonus (and less than £100 to fill both tanks on the boat is awesome!) .. as during the winter, all marinas class all fuel sales as 100% “domestic” and not split up into 60% “domestic” and 40% “propulsion” (as all fuel to propel something be it car, van, truck or boat – is taxed more by the government).. so this fill up, and those to come through the winter will cost a lot less as there is less tax to pay on it 🙂
And were stopped for 2 weeks, or more.. not sure yet but we can flip-flop round here for a while (its not like the place is jammed full of boats!).. There’s a pub, Harvester-esque pub/restaurant, Tesco express, post office and Enterprise Hire car company here – so we should be well and truly set for a few weeks.. and if the toilet tank fills, I can reverse the boat for 10 minutes to get back to the marina to get it emptied.. ( May even do that to top off the tanks again before we move on in a few weeks time anyway)