Sunny Sunday cruise

It’s been another good day, though things got a bit hectic towards the end of our boating session…

We’d decided just to head north and stop when we felt like it, either at Weston or somewhere beyond; there are plenty of choices between Great Haywood and Aston. A 7.30 start meant that we were working up Colwich just after eight. The first boat of the day coming the other way appeared in nice time as I was opening the top gate of the lock, but traffic remained very light until we were above Haywood.

I’d nipped off there to get the paper as usual and we had a gentle run to Hoo Mill. After that, boats started turning up coming in the opposite direction and by the time we got to Weston Lock it was very busy, with a queue forming as we locked up. Some steerers were struggling a bit in the conditions, especially as the wind strength was increasing all the time.

In the stretch between Weston Lock and the village we decided to call it a day if we could get in. There was a choice of two slots, each just about 70 foot long, before the bridge in the village. I managed to slot Sanity Again into the first of these, though it was only just long enough and on a bit of a bend.

We were able to get tied and fendered securely, however, and by eleven were drinking coffee in the well deck. Since then, not a lot has been done, apart from checking down the weed hatch. The tiller’s been shaking a bit today, but there wasn’t anything down there. The Comastic applied at Norbury is sufficiently thick that it glues the weed hatch shut; it was quite a tug to get it up.

Finally, I must say hi to the lady steerer of Greenfinch, with whom we crossed above Haywood. I’m glad you enjoy Sally’s literary efforts, but don’t waste your sympathy on her in the matter of chews. Left to herself, Little Miss Piggy would put on far too much weight and has to have her diet managed very carefully, especially as she’s not doing much agility at the moment. Elanor tells me she did get given a lump of bone to gnaw yesterday, always popular with her.