Time for a services run – the toilet tank needs emptying, we need a new gas bottle, and we may as well fill the diesel and water tank whilst were at it.
It’s a little bit blustery, but no rain and its sunny – so hopefully this wont take too long!
First.. we need to turn around – not that easy as the nearest winding hole is at Clifton cruisers – and it’s at an angle as its an arm with boats moored all over it – and in this wind, with a bow thruster that’s kaput we need to do this the opposite way round, so reverse the boat into the arm and get Dawson to stand on the bank with the bow line and pull the nose over whilst I try to keep the stern away from the moored boats.. eventually were round and can continue on..
Past where we were moored – past Newbold and onto Armada boats – who thankfully are still open and serving passing boats. Every other place around here has closed down and are not serving any passing trade. There was a fuel boat that came through a little while ago, and is due back past soon – but – as Armada’s are good enough to be open – they will be getting all the trade I can send them!
Once the diesel tanks are full, 13kg gas bottle swapped out, pump out done – it’s time to move on.
Were going past the entrance to Lime Farm marina this time (last time we did turn here, but that was when I had a working thruster to navigate the boat through the small entrance and avoid the moored boats – not today, and not in this wind.. so were not attempting to turn here!).. eventually we arrive at Brinklow Marina (another that’s closed!) – with a nice big entrance that we can turn in.. spin the boat around and were heading back to Rugby once more.
I wouldn’t mind.. I can understand that marinas are closing to protect their staff.. but.. closing down because your turn over is enough to justify a £25,000 grant from the government – and you need to show “hardship” and that they are “shut down” to claim it does put 2 fingers up to the passing trade that you rely on! There are far to many companies relying on people forgetting they way they were treated during this.. I will not be one of them..
And yea.. still a nice day for a cruise.. today should ease the “twitchy tiller” syndrome 🙂
Past a set of stables.. not easy getting focused photos from a moving boat – when its the photographer that’s making sure you don’t hit something.. 🙂 hopefully.. you can spot the horse(s)
Past the residential boats..
And back past Armada’s boat base. And this one is possibly the best photo showing how windy it is today..
And the second boat.. we have been past 3 times today.. once before we got here.. once more after leaving.. and again now.. 😀
Back through Newbold tunnel.. ( and the lights in the tunnel are still not working! )
And past our old spot in Newbold..
Finally past the Harvester.. we would have spent an evening here – if it was open!
And back to our spot – which has not been taken by another boat. A quick stop at the water point to top off the water tank and to water the whole of the roof garden.. and then over to the other side and to our mooring – for another week or so!