Saturday 14 April - Left Hampton Bank and cruised less than 2 miles (that's what I like about this canal - so many lovely places to stop) and moored at Colemere - with a fabulous view of the lake on a beautiful day and in the sun, as no leaves on the trees yet (see new picture!). Walked Ebony back to collect the car then spent 3 days catching up with jobs and walking round the mere - collecting wood for the fire as I went.
Chatted to a chap who was working on the tumbledown house and stable by Little Mill Bridge. He is a narrowboater (from Whixall Marina) and bought the buildings at auction after, like so many, wishing that something would be done to the buildings before they completely collapsed. He has now got planning permission to restore and will having his living quarters upstairs - with a fantastic view of the mere. Can't wait to see progress on my return next month.
On Monday I tore myself away from this idyllic mooring as rain was forecast. At Ellesmere I moored just before the marina on 14 day moorings, walking back to get car asap. For the next few days there was plenty of rain and showers - and the towpath deteriorated from solid clay to gritty sludge and huge puddles - making a right mess of my recently polished boat, not to mention carpets. It was lovely to be back in the old town, such a great holiday feeling when I walk through, even when I used to live not far away. On Friday, after a good clean through, I left the boat and at 11.30 ex-boatowning friends, Graham and Lyn, arrived to boatsit - and a good job they did too - thank you! I went to son and family in Kent and the next day left Ebony in their care and drove to Worthing in Sussex for a 40th Wedding Anniversary party where I met up with many friends from our 60's youth club in Haywards Heath. A good do, stayed the night and we all breakfasted together then strolled along the prom and on the pier before the finale of Sunday Lunch. I returned to Kent for a few more days with grandchildren.
On Tuesday I drove back to the boat - just as well as on Wednesday I went down with the bug I had caught in Tunbridge Wells - no need to stock the fridge yet!
Thursday I felt much better and took the boat into the canal arm where I could make the most of being nearer the town, Vermeulen's, butcher, lovely new card shop etc and Tesco's. Amazingly I was moored near 2 boats I had overwintered with here 2 winters ago - it's a small world when you are boating.
After 2 out of the 3 allowed days (how is it even when the arm is busy some boaters always have to stay over a week!) and before the bad weather arrived, I set off. The water at the wharf was so fast it kept blowing the hose off, so after 3/4 hour and, embarassingly, a lot of wasted water I had 1/3 tank and left it at that - well it will last me a week anyway.
Am now moored 40 mins away at the lovely friendly small village (absolutely no facilities!) of Tetchill, where I had a house for 10 years (but rented it out for the last five whilst living on the boat). Time to sit out the winds and rain and meet up with many of my lovely ex-neighbours and friends in the village. I liked the house but don't miss it as much as the lovely feeling and friendliness of the settlement.
After that will slowly make my way to Llangollen - and probably arrive after BH weekend when I hope to get a mooring in the basin! I will by then be joined by my daughter and family.
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