Audlem to Market Drayton - in the dry!

Sun 3 June - constant rain all day.  am - did jobs inside, then sat and watched the Jubilee Pageant on the Thames from 1.30 to 6pm.  It was a fantastic sight to see - I really enjoyed seeing the new rowbarge, the many rowers and narrowboats - would have been nice if someone had provided us with a bit more information especially historical - we could all see that President was a "steam boat"!  It was such a pity that everyone who was there suffered the wind and rain too.  The Queen and Duke have great stamina to last all that time standing - just sad that he ended up in hospital that night.

Mon 4 June - a really lovely day, windless and sunny.  Shopped in Audlem in am, then went back later to have a delicious home-made burger outside the Lord Combermere.  Watched the procession and followed it to the Recreation ground to see the stalls.  Sat to have an icecream watching the dancing and fun dog show.  There was live music everywhere all weekend - outside 3 pubs and in cafe's etc.  A really lively weekend.  Watched the concert in the evening - loved Madness and the changing Buckingham Palace - hilarious.

Tues 5 June - warmish but dry with rain forecast later.  Boats beginning to back down the bottom two locks so I moved up to take up their moorings.   Ex-boat owning friends Roger and Mirjana (ex nb Maggie May) came for an early lunch then we set off to work the 11 locks to Cox Bank.  Not too busy so we made good time - thank you to my efficient volunteers!  Was rather marred though by contractors cutting the long grass.  2 men had strimmers and 1 was strimming beside the boat as I rose in lock - they had goggles and ear defenders - I had nothing - but the cuttings were coming at my face (and newly painted boat).  I had to ask him to stop!
At Cox Bank we moored and had tea, cake and chat - unfortunately Roger and Mirjana unable to join me for a pub meal back down in Audlem.

Wed 6 June - breezy, 50% cloud and warmish.  Had to set off quickly at 8.45 - the grass cutting men were approaching and I had to stop them from strimming beside the boat before I set off.  Worked last 2 Audlem then Adderley 5 locks - meeting 4 singlehanding men coming down!  Went on to moor in Market Drayton, just past the first lot of moored boats.  Dashed up to the market - bought few more plants, but no tomato plants! 

Thursday 7 June - rain all day and evening.  Rang Vimart Signwriting and Martyn said he was coming to paint the roses on my side hatch doors (an indoor job!).  He arrived about 10.30 and spent most of the day painting - fascinating to watch - just 7 round blobs turned into beautiful flowers.  That is the boatpainting now complete.  (Just need to repaint boat poles etc - need 2 consecutive dry days!)  Took Ebony for a few short walks - she doesn't like the rain!

Friday 8 June - today!  Rain all night and forecast all day - getting really fed up with it now!  Strong winds also forecast.  As Tyrley 5 locks are under trees and wet/muddy/difficult at the best of times will not be tackling today - I shall catch up with diary, blog and some family history.  Need have go into town for some food to last till Brewood tho!  (Just had a dry spell of 1 1/2 hours - and dashed to Asda (was Lidl?) but raining again now!)

Wrenbury, Nantwich Basin and Deteriorating Weather!

Sunday 27 May - Set off on another hot to day to go thru Marbury lock and the electric lift bridge where I joined a queue of boats going through.  Moored in semi shade for a long coffee, lunch and afternoon tea stop plus a walk into the village via the church - across a field of cows - avoiding the bull!  Set off at 4.25 and travelled, still in the hot heat, through Baddiley 3 locks and moored nr Ravensmoor - no shade here!

Monday 28 May - it was warm at 6am when Ebony woke me up to go outside.  Before setting off I swept the chimney and cleaned the fire then went through 2 Swanley locks to Swanley Marina.  Had set off from here on 28 March!  Paid my repair bill (oil warning light/sender as I was about to leave) and continued on to Hurleston Locks.  Helped down first one by another singlehander, then lady from boat in front helped me also - how kind.  At the bottom lock she came back to open the gates - the ladder in this lock is so near the gates you would have to jump from the boat to get onto it!  Moored up near the junction for early lunch.  After 2pm I set off to moor by Nantwich Basin junction, ready to go in in the morning.

Tuesday 29 May - at 8.30 went into the basin at Nantwich Canal Centre.  I had booked for a service, tiling to be replaced beneath my fire (cracks now appearing) and for a new rear deck board to be made (old one is really tatty now).  Within half an hour the old deckboard had been removed for the carpenters to copy and Sean had started removing the fire - a job which including re-tiling and refitting the fire and chimney - took 7 hours!  Not a pleasant job on a very hot day.  Meanwhile I took my duvets to the laundrette.  Next day Sean continued with the fire, the engine was serviced and I took a bus to Whitchurch to collect the car.

I had hoped to leave by Wednesday evening but the new strong handle for the large deckboard had to be ordered so I was in for a 2nd night - I don't mind, it is a pleasant boatyard.  Unfortunately they are in the process of building a new chandlery and the usual excellent stock is rather low in the temporary building - so less browsing!  Also today the Olympic flame passed over the Pontcyscyllte Aqueduct on Saturn - unfortunately I am now in NW TV area and they didn't show it! 

Thursday am - I went to the market by 8.30, then a quick Sainsbury stock up, to return before the deck handle had been delivered.  After fitting, I had lunch in the excellent cafe and paid the rather large bill - mostly labour from the fire!  I then found that light rain on the swept roof around the chimney was now revealing dirty stains.  The sap from Saturday's oak tree had caused the stains with the soot dust.  I always praise the staff, workmanship, advice etc at Nantwich and they were all concerned about my newly painted roof - Ian, chief engineer and a really nice chap, suggested, when soap and hot water failed, to use Calfire - spray-on fire glass cleaner - worked a treat!  I backed out to spend a night on the embankment.

Friday 1 June - a walk in/bus back from the town centre in the morning.  Cooler today with a few morning showers.  Now it was time to leave the nearest town to my winter mooring - always sad to move on again.  Before I set off a bunting decked boat passed - with a chap with the Queen's mask, 'old lady's' suit and sitting on a deck chair on the roof!  It is the Queens Diamond Jubilee weekend!  Luckily I bought some flags today!  Travelled for 2 hours and 2 locks to moor at the busy but peaceful Coole Pilate moorings.  In the afternoon I started painting the now tatty looking boat hook and brush - plus the brand new pole I had just purchased.  Tomorrow the weather will start deteriorating - in time for the 4 day BH weekend!

Saturday 2 June - woke to a day of white cloud with morning showers.  Decided to set off for a 40 minute cruise to below Audlem locks - before Sunday's day of rain!  Moored by the row of larch trees.  Will stay here for the weekend, they are also having a Music/Jubilee Festival in the village.  Will also be watching the 1,000 boat pageant on the Thames - sadly on TV not in London!

Weather just keeps getting better!

On Tuesday 15 May set off in blustery showers.  Unusually, no boats moored at Queens Head but I will stop on way back.  Continued through 3 Aston locks and then on to Maesbury and moored outside the cafe a few hundred yards beyond - am not turning until wind drops!

Wednesday was forecast a sunny and dry day so, after going to lift bridge to turn boat, I packed a lunch and set off to walk to Crickheath, possibly more.  The first part with newish gritted paths to Redwith is not pleasant walking but it was good to see progress made since last year.  After 2 miles I reached Crickheath Wharf - can't wait to see the canal restored through this lovely settlement but it won't be the next stage completed.  Ebony was walking fine so we continued on through Pant and then to Llanymynech, another 2 miles.  Had lunch and a rest near the Hoffman lime kiln in the fascinating heritage area.  Walked back, diverting into Pant village, but Ebony was walking a lot slower the last 2 miles back to the boat - think I will have to stop these long walks - she is 14 1/2 after all!

Thursday - after a stroll (Ebony a bit stiff today), few jobs and lunch at the cafe (bit disappointed with the small menu, but the soup was delicious), I set off for Queens Head.  I managed to get the very last mooring - under the A5.  I walked to find Tony and Margaret, and friend Jean, on Huffler (fellow bloggers) and Daphne on Charlotte.  Sat for about an hour catching up since we last met (thanks for the tea!).  Decided to escape the roar of traffic and at 5.30 (very late for me)but in lovely sunshine, I set off for Perry Aqueduct - boats moored both sides here so continued on to moor in the open on gobions - just possible to get pins in!

Friday - took on water below locks and got rid of rubbish (forgot there is no facility at Maesbury!) then joined 4 other boats at the bottom of the locks.  I finally entered locks but then had to stop to let another boat down staircase.  Moored 2.15 for late lunch at top and then decided to stop the night - love it here - bit like being in a lake!

Saturday 19 May - in a few showers, travelled the 1 1/2 miles to Tetchill (where I used to live) and where I had left my car.  Drove into Ellesmere for a good stock up at Tesco.  Continued to meet lots of local residents, as well as boaters on the farm moorings.  That evening went to Oswestry with my former neighbours, Dave and Viv, for a great pizza meal rounding the evening off at theirs.  Another fond farewell!

Sunday - last walk around my old village then set off for Ellesmere, mooring in the arm, beside hedge and with no view. In afternoon walked along canal, through woods and over to mere (wonderful view as you descend).  Overcast today, sun trying - but lit fire in eve - is it the last?

Monday did a quick stock up at wonderful Vermeulen's deli, butcher etc.  Chatted to couple on MV Arkholme (still don't know their names) but we had gone backwards together down Ribble Link 2 years ago.  Their friends Phil and Doreen had previously fitted out my boat and 'Arkholme couple' had a boaters wedding and used the boat (then named Honeymoon) to leave the Reception!  Set off for Colemere, had lunch then a walk round the mere.  Repotted my herb tub in the shade of a tree, then set off to moor for the night at Hampton Bank - open and sunny.

Tuesday - stayed put as friends were coming in the afternoon and bringing my bike back after borrowing it for their holiday.  Nice and sunny day - good to get some jobs done.  Sowed some more seeds (2 months after the first lot which were pretty poor after the cold/wet weather returned).

Wednesday - travelled just 3 miles to moor in Prees Arm.  Had a lovely walk on mosses (weather now HOT!) and met chap who showed me some wonderful photos of insects and butterflies he had taken - I had seen very little!  Walked back along canal - good to sit in shade on return.

Thursday - coolish but got warmer.  Travelled to Whitchurch and moored in the arm - empty!

Friday - forecast hot and sunny.  Left boat at 8.30 and walked into town.  Got 9.10 bus to Shrewsbury and spent hour and a half in shops and market before getting bus to Ellesmere.  Was asked by lady in bus queue if I lived on a boat - she was Jean, a friend of Tony and Margaret on Huffler and had been on their boat when I saw them at Queen's Head - small world!  Got car, now at Ellesmere, and drove back to Whitchurch - good to get back - it was a hot hot day!  At 5.30 I moved the boat to Grindley Brook, ready for the morning's early start.

Saturday 26 May - Decided to make an early start to work locks before too hot - Ebony really suffers in the heat in last couple of years, since she was diagnosed with Cushing's Syndrome - constant thirst etc.  At 8am moved boat, sorted cassettes, helped a single hander up staircase.  The lockkeeper had now arrived - wearing pale top and shorts for coolness - shunning black uniform.  Apparently a lockkeeper had fallen into the water (somewhere) yesterday and they were all told to keep out of the sun!  Where did you last see enough trees at a flight of locks to provide shelter!  Only 1 boat coming up flight so made good progress and decided to press on through the next 3 - Povey's, Willeymoor and Quoisley.  Moored a mile later with the only tree to be found and spent much of the day sitting in shade or dappled shade - it was HOT HOT HOT!

Good time in Llangollen - but a scary aqueduct trip!

After spending 4 days in my old village of Tetchill - wining and dining, tea/coffee and chats with about 15 of my previous neighbours, friends and dogwalkers (the canal is on the dogwalking circuit so lots of chatting!) I set off  after a quick lunch on a sunny Wednesday 2 May to go the short distance to Frankton Junction (another favourite mooring of mine) where I moored at the top of the locks and facing outwards to watch passing boats at the lake-like junction.  Had to have a few walks down the locks and around the junction but set off next morning. 

As usual there was a queue at New Marton locks.  At the top I took on much needed water (after only taking on a weeks worth at the very slow Ellesmere water point).  I was then joined for lunch by boating friends Fiona and Ann who now have a share in a boat at Market Drayton.  After a good chat and time to catch up they left me to continue on through the edge of St Martins, past Lion Quays (1 boat moored today), under the A5 (Little Chef was Chinese, now Indian - they are taking over everywhere!) and on to moor almost outside a row of cottages just before the Poacher's Pocket pub at Gledrid Bridge (19).
 
This area fascinates me - opposite the cottages appears to be the stonework of an old wharf (just visible) and a boat-length inlet.  As there is a disused shaft and works shown to the west on my Pathfinder map, I assume this was an old coalworks and/or quarry - but now it is a lovely low area where the local ducks congregate with the cows.  Worth going without the TV signal! 

Just up the road from here is the excellent Moreton Park Garden Centre  also walking (Mountain Warehouse), Cotton Traders etc etc, and restaurant and next door a pub.  Also nearby a 'fire shop' to get Morso etc spares plus a pet superstore.

Friday - white cloud and coolish - I set off at 11.20 through Chirk Bank and onto the Chirk Aqueduct (no sun so good photos - think positive!) then through the tunnel, thankfully without any problems - with the flow on this canal it can play havoc with your steering so diagonally is best - and didn't scratch the boat - phew.  Took on a small amount of diesel at Chirk Marina - it is 110/litre! (offered 80/20 split).   Then moored opposite, halfway along its length, where there is a good TV signal.  Time to do some sorting and cleaning before visitors arrive over the BH weekend.

On Saturday I travelled to Froncysyllte (village just before Pontcysyllte Aqueduct) and moored by winding hole to wait for old youth club friends (from the 60's!) Peps and Sue who were coming from Sussex for lunch before travelling on to Liverpool.  At 12 they rang to say horrendous rain and now stuck in stationary traffic on M6.  Later rang to say eta 2pm.  OK lets have lunch late then.  Rang again at 1.30 to say done 20 miles in 1 hour will have to call lunch off - they eventually got to Liverpool at 5pm - poor things.  Meanwhile I had my lunch and returned to the mooring opposite the Marina where I moored with Graham and Kath on nb Stougham Hall.  We had arranged to meet so that Graham could watch the Cup Final on my TV, after which we hade a lovely roast meal prepared by Kath, with quite a few glasses of red wine!  We had last met by boat on the Montgomery last year when we did a lot of walking down the unrestored section - and a few BBQ's too!

Sunday (warm and sunny, slight breeze) - time to say goodbye to lovely friends and for me to return to the Fron. winding hole.  This time I was joined by my daughter Lesley and her 2 girls, Louise 3 and Caitlin 7m, while her husband went off on a boys jolly.  After loading up all the gear we set off across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and continued on along the side of the Dee valley (so lovely) to moor by a lift bridge on the outskirts of Llangollen with gorgeous views of the hills.  Lesley couldn't understand why she was so tired after only 1.5 hours car driving and a bit of walking - that's boating for you, all that fresh air and winding down!

BH Monday - the girls would have slept longer but Ebony woke as usual at 6.30 (Cushings Syndrome gives you a constant thirst) so we all had an early but relaxed start.  Since 7am boats had been leaving Llangollen so we decided to go in after breakfast, setting off at 9.40.  It was cool when we left and Lesley walked the 2nd longer narrow to give us the all clear.  Light rain started at 10.30 but by the time we got to the Moorings Warden's hut it was heavier so the girls went inside and I took the boat into the basin - finding a mooring in the far left corner, nearest to the canal but with a good area of grass to play on (if the rain stops!)

The rain stopped after lunch and we had a walk into town to browse gift shops and to find the much talked about new Stans Superstore (Nisa).

Tuesday was due to be a sun/cloudy day so Louise and I walked Ebony to the station to get a timetable - singing "Down at the station, early in the morning" which became our theme song of the holiday!  We all left the boat soon after 11 to have an early lunch in the Wharf Cafe (very good) and then went to the station below to get the 1pm train.  The engine whistled loudly when Louise was beside it which made her cry but we got her onto the train and she soon cheered up when we were on the way as we said we would alight at the 3rd station where their were swings and slides.  We got the same train back after it had gone to Carrog, the terminus - although they are fundraising to continue on to Corwen.  Back at the station we had tea and cakes in the station cafe before returning to the boat.

Wednesday was to be a wet and sunny day so we walked into town to find a cafe in the high street with a large 2-floor soft play area behind it - converted from the old town cinema!  We spent a good 2 hours here, Lesley and I taking it in turns to spend some time in the shops - some good gift shops here.  It started to rain as we left the cafe and we made our way back to the boat - spending the afternoon indoors - Louise and Caitlin having good after-lunch naps, me to do a food shop.

Thursday forecast: cloud, sun with odd showers.  We set off after 10, stopping briefly at the sanny station and then following another boat through the narrows.  We stopped at the Lift Bridge for coffee and a long lunch break, then Caitlin had a nap as we set off. It was very exciting when the boat horse we had seen being led past us earlier, later returned pulling Saturn - the last Shropshire Union fly boat to be built - and now restored. Wonderful!

At Trevor we took on diesel (89p/litre - you decide) and continued further in to moor in the basin to put food to cook and have a cuppa.  At 4pm we set off to go over the Pont. aqueduct - but as we started going over we found the wind had got up immensely.  At a 1/4 of the way across, the boat was tipping madly towards the towpath side, but rocking back the other way between bursts, also progress was also extremely slow because of this.  I am terrified of heights and dislike crossing at the best of times but now Lesley too is scared so I suggested that we back off and return to Trevor basin.  Of course we had to confess our fear as we went back through the boatyard.  The mooring was pleasant - and out of the wind!

Friday (11th April) morning was sunny with a light breeze so we went over the Pont aqueduct with no problem - although with much fear at first, after yesterday!  Moored, yet again, at the winding hole and after coffee Lesley loaded the car whilst I prepared lunch.   We all said a sad farewell after a lovely girls 'jolly hollyday' - and look forward to their next visit, in August with dad.  I continued to moor opposite Chirk Marina for the night. 

On Saturday, 50% sun/cloud and fairly breezy, I continued on through Chirk Tunnel and the easier aqueduct.  I stopped at Gledrid to walk up to the garden centre for presents, plants etc.  Tomato plants were poor so I bought a sale waterproof coat instead!  Returned to the boat and as TV is bad here I continued on to moor on the straight before New Marton locks.

Sunday was due to get very windy again so I set off at 8am - to find locks getting busy already and by the second it was really windy already (always is here tho) and was very glad to be able to moor up just before Frankton Junction Br 1W at 10.30 where it was sheltered and I later enjoyed lunch in the sun.

Monday 14 April - due to be mostly dry and little wind (anything over 14mph makes me struggle mooring etc) so I moved the boat into the junction before breakfast and rang BW to book to go down the locks onto the lovely Montgomery Canal.  Also Spoke to Colin, the usual lockkeeper - after his stroke he is not expecting to be allowed back to work until October - getting really fed up now.  Nice to chat to him tho - he is usually full of lock keeping tales!  At 12.20 I was the 3rd boat to go down the locks - the lockie and another boater helping me down the 2 staircase locks, then another lady insisted on helping me down the next 2 and the lady from the boat in front came back to assist as well - how lucky I am and how kind boaters are.  After the single Graham Palmer lock (again given help!) I continued on to moor at the Perry Aqueduct - where I could hang out the washing in the sun/wind.  Will stay here the night - getting more windy again plus a few showers.

Must try to update the blog more often - especially now most of the busy spell of visitors/visiting is done for a while.

I'm not quite used to missing afternoon naps!

A few of the best bits of the Llangollen - very slowly!

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.

Cruise 2012 and No Splash!

I had a lovely winter in Swanley Marina, following the boatpaint, and spending quite a lot of time visiting family and friends over Christmas (a big family gettogether in Devon), New Year etc. Also childminded 3 of my grandchildren in middle of March whilst their parents were celebrating their forthcoming 10^th wedding anniversary in Florence. I had a great time!

On Saturday 24 March, on a lovely hot and sunny, windless day, I set off across the marina – only to find that the oil warning light was still on. I was given a mooring just beside entrance, with a good view of passing boats, and had to wait until Monday for the resident engineer. He diagnosed faulty sender and on Wednesday 28^th the part arrived, Eric fitted it straight away and I was able to leave. I just went up 2 locks to moor at Ravensmoor to do a few jobs in the lovely sunshine.

Next day I went to Wrenbury, had lunch out on the decking (the last of the really hot days – 17 degrees!) at the Dusty Miller with an ex-boating friend who very kindly took me back to get my car – which I am moving for a few weeks as I have 2 outings planned when I need wheels.

On Friday evening eldest son Steve, Julia and Lauren (6) arrived for the weekend. Another opportunity to visit the Dusty Miller! Next morning, after moving their car to Whitchurch, we set off at 11am working elec lift bridge, 2 locks before, and 3 after, lunch, then moored below Grindley Brook. Spent the evening playing Mousie-Mousie (last played in the 70's) and then cards.

Sunday morning was frosty, but warm when we set off at 10 and were able to work all the GB locks without long delays, with 3 other boats. At the top, I was sorting out toilet cassettes whilst Steve and Lauren fed ducks from the towpath. Next moment Lauren was standing their – dripping wet. Apparently she had taken a step forward and gone straight into canal – no splash or yell! Luckily we were beside the Sanny Station and she was able to have a shower immediately. Meanwhile we moved the boat to take on water then again to have lunch. After, we continued on to moor in Whitchurch Arm and walk into town, via swings etc. They left the next morning after a good weekend.

I spent the next few days cruising a few miles then cycling back for the car. Had a couple of nights in Prees Arm – away from the now very busy and fast pre-Easter hire boats. Friday am took the boat to Whixall Marina and drove to spend a lovely weekend in Lancashire with my daughter, Lesley, and family. We were able to celebrate husband, Phil's, and Louise's 3^rd, birthdays. Also Easter weekend so we had a busy, enjoyable, time.

Returned to boat on Tuesday and went back onto SUCS moorings in the peaceful Arm. On Wednesday I continued on to Hampton Bank, below Welshampton, to spend 3 days chilling, catching up with jobs and walking in the lovely sunshine. Had a nice evening with almost-relatives in Wem.  Also cycled back for the car – this time via roads to the marina.

A beautiful butterfly emerges

At last I am able to update the blog - my mobile broadband is very poor here and the marina wifi is no good either, unless I stand outside.  It appears there is too much steel in the way!

On Tuesday the paintshed doors were dramatically slid open and Kanbedun Again was slowly pulled out into the open air after 3 weeks - it was tear jerking.   She then travelled the few hundred yards down the driveway to the marina.  She looks absolutely beautiful in her new livery, all credit to the Willow Boatpainting/Vimart Signwriter team based at the marina.  I cannot sing their praises more highly - I had felt quite daunted at the whole process but their kindness and expertise made it most enjoyable (and there were no extra shocks when I came to paying).  I was also able to visit every day (there are always 2/3/4 people working every day of the week) to discuss and see the progress of what now seems like a new boat. 

I am quite relieved that I can stay in the marina for the winter to allow the paint to harden before I set off in the Spring.  Although it is not quite the same as a linear BW winter mooring, the other boaters are very friendly, as are the office team, so I am sure I will enjoy my time here.