We got up at six and pulled round onto the Stop House water point, then ate breakfast whilst the tank was filling. The tap, which had seemed quite fast the other week, was really slow today, so that after an hour we'd only gone from one to three quarters full.
It was now half seven, so we settled for that, and I boated us along to Hillmorton. The wind was still pretty strong; fortunately, Sanity Again is really stable in the wind. Even so, I was glad that the top lock was ready for me to go straight in. Hillmorton in the wind can be a right pain.
There was a lockie on duty, presumably a volunteer, and he proved to be the first disappointing example of the species that we've encountered. He didn't seem to have a windlass, and had to be dissuaded from turning the lock in front of us. He then unlocked the offside lock of the pair, but didn't make the boat coming up use it, though the lock was empty.
Basically, he was quite clueless.
/floor
On we chugged, round past Clifton Cruisers and on to Brownsover, where we didn't need to stop, as we'd got sufficient supplies in Braunston to see us at least as far as Atherstone. We'd changed our minds about using Rugby Wharf for diesel after a couple of negative comments yesterday. Both commenters had suggested Lime Farm Marina, but we're not fond of that one; the entrance is really difficult in a 70 footer, with big scary bolts sticking out of the bridge abutment to scrape the paint work if you get it wrong.
I'd dipped the tank before we set off, and found that we still had a good third. So we're now planning to diesel at Boot Wharf in Nuneaton instead.
There was plenty of room at Newbold when we got here at a quarter to twelve, though it's really filled up now. We got a loaf of bread and a paper (surprise!) from the Co-op, and after lunch Sheila sawed up some firewood, as we had to relight the stove this afternoon.
It's now less than a fortnight to the longest day; I can't remember needing the stove so late in the season.
We're eating on board tonight, after our less than thrilling experience at the Barley Mow last time.
/blur
4 comments:
Watchout at Atherstone, three boaters have had their ropes cut and stollen. Centre ropes and anchor ropes not mooring ropes.
Boat dogs didn't hear the thief either!
Sorry not to have had a chat at Crick, you were well busy presumably with customers!
We were also underwhelmed by our meal at the Barley Mow 3 weeks ago
Hi folks
Sue: This is bad news; I saw that Geoff had been got at on Seyella. Thanks for the warning; we're only stopping to shop, so we'll probably leave Sheila on anchor watch.
Sorry we didn't get to chat – you should have come on Mon or Tues, we were much less busy!
Chris: we've had one much better report on the Barley Mow from another Braidbar owner. Looks like it's a question of which night you go there.
All the best
Bruce
I was there on Monday and it must have been about midday when I called out to you, but you seemed busy as was Shelia when I went to visit her instead!
As I had been lucky to be there curtesy of a lift I was a bit restricted on timings and what I could do.
Meet on the cut soon no doubt somewhere!
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