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| Our favourite mooring in Alrewas |
Here we are, back on the waterways for
another year of boating and I'm so excited to report that the
destination for our spring cruise is Bath (or Barth if you're posh!)
According to Canal Planner we are looking at a journey of 296miles
and 250 locks which will probably take us about 3 months. I'll
definitely be in need of a spa break when we get there!
Every year when we load up our little
blue car for the journey to the moorings, I wonder how we will fit it
all in. This time I really couldn't squeeze everything in and after
a bit of head scratching, we decided to leave the enormous bag of
wool behind. Three days later, chugging along in the sunshine, I
thought I'd take a photo so I could share the delightful spring
scenery with you. That's when I realised that I had packed the
camera ever-so carefully in amongst the balls of wool. This is my
brand new camera, the one that I spent weeks researching to
get just the right one in order to make a pictorial record of our
boating life. It's very annoying but luckily, Carl had packed his, so
I can take photos but as yet, I can't upload them.
We always manage to leave something
behind and if you're a regular reader you may remember that last year
we went off without the tiller arm. I'm happy to report that the
tiller was repaired and is back where it belongs. It's on the list
of things requiring the application of Brasso and elbow grease as do
the vents and mushrooms* (see below) which have all acquired a dull
coating of winter grime. Each spring when we return to the boat there
is a flurry of scrubbing and polishing to get our lovely boat looking
shipshape - polishing the brass is one of the better jobs when you
compare it with clearing the weed-hatch or emptying the Elson, thanks
goodness for a handy husband.
We started off the week with lots of
lovely sunshine and a warm, gentle breeze to waft us up the canal
through Burton and Branston, to an overnight mooring in our favourite
spot overlooking the tile factory. I know it doesn't sound romantic
but the tow-path is good here which is a nice change for me and
Tricky. When Carl cast off the next morning, Tricky and I set off to
walk to the next bridge and were able to stride out properly instead
of tiptoeing through boggy puddles. I reached the bridge (it's
number 36 for you boaters who know this stretch of the Trent and
Mersey – the impossibly narrow one) I hung over the parapet to
watch as Carl swept through without touching the sides – I'm very
pleased to say he hasn't lost his touch on the tiller.
We reached BartonTurns and stopped
for water – mainly because I've been washing everything in sight
since Tuesday. It takes a little while to fill the tank, so I
wandered up to the lock and opened the paddles to let the water out
ready for Carl to bring the boat in. While I waited, I started
chatting to two ladies on the bridge above the lock and I climbed
over the lock arm so I could hear what they were saying. We were
rudely interrupted by the clanging of a boat hitting the bridge 'ole
and ricocheting along before hitting the lock gates at ramming speed.
Unluckily for me, the lock had just emptied so the lock gates flew
open with me on the wrong side (ie on the watery side) causing me to
vault over the lock arm like a champion hurdler. I don't think of
myself as much of an athlete but I surprised myself, and my colourful
language surprised the two nice ladies who wondered what was
happening. The man on the tiller carried on into the lock apparently
oblivious of the near miss I had just had and I stalked off back down
the tow-path to find out what had happened to Carl. It seems Mr
Lock-stealer just ignored the two boats moored on the lock landings
and made a beeline for the lock, without checking to see if anyone
was waiting. Its not a great way to make friends on the canal; we're
generally a nice bunch and help each other out but I'm afraid I was a
little upset at so nearly being thrust into the canal. I left him to
do his own lock and I think he might have noticed that I was a bit
miffed because he moored up and walked back to the lock and went over
to Carl to apologise for jumping the queue – I'd have been more
impressed if he'd apologised to me but I suppose I had my scary face
on. Note to self – try not to wear your scary face so often!
I'm breaking in a new pair of glasses
as well as a new laptop and that's not a great way to start the
jottings season. I've had this pair remade once but they're still
making me squint and I'm tempted to slip back into my old ones and
give up on them. Is it just me? Does anyone else have this much
trouble getting used to new specs? As for this laptop – its
supposed to be faster than lightening and with a whole Pterodactyl of
memory (mind you, it has a great spell check – who knew that was
how you spell Pterodactyl?) I won't be beaten by Windows 10 although
I would welcome any suggestions from anyone who has tamed the beast.
Tonight, we're moored in Whittington
with only 22 miles and 11 locks completed so far. Carl is being very
gentle with me, I started with just 1 lock and gradually increased
every day – I'm up to 4 locks and a swing bridge today which is
hardly anything really when I think of the the 239 locks still to do
to get to our destination.
That's enough of my witterings for one
day – I'll be back next week with more tales from the tow-path.
Have a lovely week everyone
Lots of Love
The Floating Chandlers
PS Tricky has been wagging her tail
this week – I think she's happy to be back in her usual place on
the hatch but its hard to tell!
PPS * Mushrooms are bits of brass,
shaped like a mushroom, attached to the roof to allow air to
circulate. They need polishing much to often for my liking
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| Captain Carl in the weed hatch |
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| Mushrooms or Toadstools? |
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| Alrewas |
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| Alrewas Churchyard |
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