Not all according to plan for once

A mixed report today from a boat with all the hatches and doors open. There’s just enough breeze to keep things a bit cool in here, and the bow is at the shady end of the boat, so sitting out in the well deck is quite pleasant. We have fly screens that fit in the side hatches and Houdinis; very simply made from mosquito netting and those spring loaded telescopic poles for secondary net curtains.

We had a great night last night with Nev and John, nearly going on into this morning. It was just as well, as Nev has had to dash home today to deal with a family emergency, leaving John stranded on the boat at Engine Lock.

John, we’re sorry your cruising has been messed up like that; I guess at least you’re in a position to keep stocked up as Milton is within walking distance.

Hopefully we’ll reconnect in a few days time.

The other problem we have is the one raised by Adam and Andy in comments yesterday (thanks guys, saved us some grief!) The winding hole just before Froghall tunnel is only 65’ long, so we won’t after all be able to get as far as that. We’ll have to be content with stopping at Consall Forge.

To be honest, this canal is not really full length friendly, mainly because of the kinks and twists and turns in it, made more difficult by the overgrowth of greenery on the off side.

I must, however, praise the facilities at Park Lane; three water points as well as rubbish, pump out and all the usual stuff. The toilets were very clean into the bargain.

We’ve stopped just this side of Leek Tunnel, tied in the big pool here. We only managed to get the bow into the bank; the stern is sticking out into the pool which fortunately is so large that’s not a problem. Fellow Braidbar Moonraker is here too. It's just under a five mile round trip from here to the Morrisons in Leek.

It took us from just after seven to half eleven to get here; we’ll probably make another early start tomorrow to get the boating done before it gets too hot. Still, it’s nice to have that problem for once. Makes a change from the everlasting rain and wind we had last “summer”.