Today was finally the day to leave the marina. ((I’m not sure you can class moving about 5 minutes along the canal as actually leaving anywhere!)) Look, we have repeatedly said we are going to explore the canals slowly. ((There’s slowly and then there is literally going nowhere.)) Ignore, Brackets he is on one again today!
About 9.30ish we left our loving mooring at Avocet 15 in Mercia Marina and turned onto the visitor pontoon so I could pop up to the office and hand back our fobs, electric card and laundry card and settle up. Basically the same as checking out of a hotel or B&B. Then we pop into the chandlers and collect our new barge pole. This is basically used to either fight off zombies, pole vault over canals to reach a coffee shop or pub orto help get the boat out of a tricky situation. ((Well, I wouldn’t touch you with a…)) yes, yes we all know that one clever clogs. We nearly needed to use it on the Erewash so it was convenient to get one now just in case!
After about 2 minutes we come out of the marina and spot the luxury of the canals; the Armco and decide to moor up as we have jobs to finish off.
First job is oiling the barge pole as they advised at the chandlery that varnishing or painting would cause water damage if it got chipped and we still have some Danish oil which we used for the worktops, so we lay it in the living room after oiling it and then walk into Willington to collect a parcel which we need for the next job…
Back to the boat and I venture onto the roof to clean up the area around the chimney so that I can paint that whilst Chris sorts out removing the old chimney and making sure the new one is ready to be fitted which resulted in having to order a tool so he can rivet some holes or something. Obviously as soon as I’ve added the first coat of paint it rains so we turn a basket upside down and stick in a binbag to protect it then it’s inside where we fit the rope for the stove door which we collected from the postoffice earlier.
As it’s raining I crack on with blog and some more spreadsheet work before walking back to Mercia Marina to a friend who kindly let me have a sim card for the router posted to her house. We obviously had to have a cheeky drink in the pub and have a goss and then I ring my mum as I walked home ((Your mum is my number one fan. Actually Sandra is maybe joint number one fan. They appreciate my humour and realise what I bring to this blog!)) I’ve told them to stop encouraging you!
Once home it’s time to make tea once we have moved the barge pole out of the way and then I do some editing in front of the fire. It certainly turning colder. It’s nice to sit here in front of the fire with the duck hatch open though and i’m looking forward to cosy wintery day’s.
Right, that’s it from me today.. oh one last thing. We cannot get a winter mooring at Mercia Marina ((What!! Don’t they know who you are??!!)) I know right, I mean who wouldn’t want a famous author on their marina ((Well, erm. They have probably watched your YouTube and don’t want you bringing down the tone!)) This means we now have to decide where to go when we get to Fradley junction and were we want to winter. Decisions, decisions ((That’s the name of one of Peachy’s stories on the Saga Fiction app… here is the link! As usual I have to do everything!))
Until tomorrow… xx
C.L. Peache 