We're out!

Today went more or less as planned, despite the fact that Sheila has succumbed to a tedious head cold that's keeping her snuffling, sneezing and blowing. So far, I seem to have escaped it, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

The only change from yesterday's intentions was that we decided not to bother getting a new gas cylinder yet. It would have meant waiting until Michael in the shop could get away to get us one, and as we've not long changed over, we can wait for it until we get to Poynton.

We were up betimes, and away just a bit before half eight. Unusually, the engine was reluctant to start, firing on just one or two cylinders at the first couple of attempts, but then blazing away OK. There must have been some condensation in the cylinders or something, I guess, or maybe the glow plugs hadn't heated up properly after sitting unused during the big freeze. I certainly had no further problems restarting during the day.

We found Robert the manager on the service wharf already; he was changing the notices on the pumps, the price of diesel having gone up to 95 ppl for domestic. This was a bit of an ouch, as we took 159 litres, 20% at propulsion rate. We also pumped out, and I went into Midland Chandlers and bought two 25 kg bags of Homefire. They were pricey too, £15 per bag before the discount, so I'm glad I settled for just the two. Again, that's enough to get us up to Poynton, hopefully, together with the bag of Supertherm that I bought yesterday.

Getting out of the marina was a bit better than last time; I managed to keep Sanity Again over to the right as we came out, so that there was more room to swing the stern earlier, but Sheila still had to hop off onto the towpath to pull the bow round.

We've tied on the visitor moorings in Willington. A trip to the Co-op was made before lunch, buying stuff to keep us going until we get to Alrewas for meat from Coates, and to Rugeley for general supplies.

It's been a very good winter, and has felt quite short, but we're very glad to be out and about again. Oh, and one positive from this afternoon: the dehumidifier tucked away under the bed standing upright, so we won't have to worry about letting it stand for 24 hours before using it next time.