Soon be Christmas

22nd & 23rd December

After a cold start to the night, it was milder in the morning. The ice around us was starting to melt, causing some confusion to the ducks and swans, as it looked wet on top, but if they landed on it, it proved to be solid underneath. The swans in particular looked most affronted at this state of affairs, and sat around on a little spit of land glaring at the passers-by.

We made a long trip to the Poynton Somerfield, trying to finish getting stocked up for Christmas. On our way back, we stopped off for another natter with Peter and Gill on Cala, who are on their nice new boat but still stuck in the yard until the ice clears.

Back at the boat at lunchtime, the thaw continued slowly. As we were settling down to eat lunch, Mata Hari, tied just ahead of us, made an attempt to get away to go to the water point –they said they were right out. Unfortunately, the ice was just too thick to let them do it, and they gave up for a bit. Later in the afternoon, they had another go and were successful.

At four o'clock we got a phone call from Elanor, who was in the canalside car park, but needed a hand to carry all the stuff she'd brought for us. I put my coat and boots on and trotted down there. Mata Hari was still on the water point, I suspect getting some washing done whilst there.

Back at the boat, we had a very pleasant family evening, sorting out the stuff she'd brought and catching up on the gossip.

This morning it had been cold overnight again, and the cut had fully refrozen. We too needed to get some water soon, but crossed our fingers that there would be enough of a thaw during the day to let us move down to the water point and then tie on the shop mooring overnight. The shop isn't planning to open during the week of the holiday, only at the weekends.

Elanor needed to leave before lunch, so after a lazy start, I checked out some problems she was having with her MacBook (easily solved, I'm pleased to say) and then gave her a hand to lug a different selection of stuff back to her car.

On the way there we bumped into Peter and Gill again, just setting off to walk into Poynton for a paper. They told us that there was to be a shuffle of the boats in the yard at 3.30, when Nocturne would be moved out onto the shop mooring, the little day boat moved into the paint dock, Ian Grindrod's boat moved into the yard and finally Cala put back in the middle of the yard so that they could get away later if they chose.

When I relayed this to Sheila we agreed that if the ice had relented enough by then we would still go and water, and then tie outside Nocturne for Christmas.

After lunch it still looked pretty frozen, but by the time we were having a cup of tea, it could be seen to be improving (well it did to me – Sheila wasn't not at all convinced).

Shortly after this, Black Bess, that ties on the strip of moorings further up the cut called Mad Jack's (whether after the character in Paint Your Wagon I know not), came through the Deeps, winded at the end and went back. This just gave me enough leverage to persuade Sheila that we should put Plan A into effect.

The winding wasn't too difficult, although trying to reverse into a section of ice brought us up all standing. When we got to the bridge by the water point, Black Bess could be seen to be still filling up, so we lurked in the bridge 'ole for a bit until it was our turn.

We ran a wash load of socks whilst waiting and whilst on the water point, and then pulled forward outside Nocturne as we'd planned, albeit by the light of a very full moon.

So here we are, hopefully settled until after Christmas Day. I doubt if I'll get round to posting a blog on that day, when the next one is due, so I'll take this opportunity to wish all those reading this a happy and relaxing Christmas, and I'll be back on Boxing Day.