Monday 4th March Day 226
Today is the day we leave the marina after just over three months! It’s a strange feeling when you’ve been living in one location and your home is movable. We could have untied the ropes at any time but as you will know if you read this blog, we were away for 20 days in Jersey, visited family and friends at Christmas and then the boat DIY commenced! We are very pleased with everything we managed to get done, of course, there is lots more to do but back to leaving day…
I pop up to the office and agree we will swing the boat around 11ish so we can fill up with diesel before we go and get coal and logs now we are out on the cut we want to make sure we have enough. Then it’s toilet emptying time, hooking the battery back up, unhooking from the electric ((It’s like cutting your umbilical cord!)) it is!
Coffee made and I do a piece to camera for the vlog ((Get you! What do you think you are? A news reader?)) well, how else do I say it? And explain the plan for the day ((Which you don’t stick to anyway!)) then it’s TIME. The cratch covers are taken down, the tiller slotted into place and off we go. I must say Chris executes the perfect manoeuvre from our pontoon and around to the docking area to fill up with diesel and go and pay our bill. It all goes well, and a hug and a handshake later we say goodbye to a very nice marina and lovely people.
We leave the marina with big smiles on our faces. It’s a cold day but the sun is out, and despite being about 5 degrees, we have our sunglasses on. It seems to take a age to reach the 5 minute walk to the first lock and I grab my windlass and the memories of all lose locks come back ((like riding a horse or a bike. You never forget)) We are soon through the first lock and cruising past Shugborough estate; an area we have gotten to know well and it starts us wondering where we will end up this winter.
After cruising for about an hour we moor up for lunch. Our first mooring goes well although I forget what Armco is called ((That’s the metal bar at the side of the canal which boat use their pins to tie to. I will try and remind Peachy to add a pic)) After coffee, we decide to crank it and soon arrive at the next lock where there is someone setting the lock. I go over to help and end up doing the lock for the couple ((That’s generous of you, Peachy)) well, I need to get my lock fitness back and honestly don’t mind. People have done the same for us before it’s how it works on the canals. Anyway, they leave the lock and then another boat is on the way so it makes sense for them to come in as the gates are open and saves wasting water. It’s a solo boater so I offer to do the lock again. It’s easier for them as they can stay on their boat and other than the gates are stiff it’s an easy enough lock. He tells us Rugeley is busy but Wolseley Bridge is quiet after the bridge and this is where we end up mooring as it’s about 3pm and to be quite honest, we can do as we please as we have nowhere to be.
It’s 6pm on this very day ((Wait……………………………. You’re actually writing this on the day…. As in today…….. so it might actually be true because even you can just about remember what happened! I need to lay down.)) Rude. I used to do this when we were cruising as no way I would remember this if I waited a week to write it up. Anyway, it’s been a wonderful day getting back to cruising life. We feel so happy to be starting our cruising adventure again and cannot wait to share it. I’ve just remembered we haven’t put the screens up in the windows – now we are back on the cut these stop people from peering in! A very fabulous day done! Until tomorrow. xx
2.5 hours / 2 locks ((although really should be 4! also a much more interesting blog I’m sure everyone will agree. Now I’m off for a nap after reading it!))
C.L. Peache 