Old friends and new on a summer's day

Another day’s brilliant boating, methinks. Since we wanted a pump out, an early start wasn’t on, so a short lie-in was allowed. Actually, it had been the coolest night for a while and we both appreciated sleeping better as a result. Nonetheless, we were drinking tea in the dinette at seven and browsing emails and the like not long after.

By half eight we’d got organised and chugged round to the on-line service point at Anderton Marina. There wasn’t much sign of life on arrival, but after a bit I found a couple of guys drinking tea in the staff room and one promised to come over and do the business. It’s a friendly place; our last couple of hire holidays started from there.

Once all pumped out (a high quality job for £15) we crossed over to the water point and organised the hose. As we got there, we realised that the boat in front was Merthin, familiar from Mercia, and as we tied, Mike came out and told us he’d been on the verge of pulling back onto the water point himself.

Ah well, should’ve got up earlier, Mike.

/wahaha

We were soon joined by the rest of Merthin’s complement, Sue and Charlie the terrier. They weren’t that bothered about having to wait and we had a good old natter whilst our tank filled.

Off we went again on an idyllic morning, sunny but not too hot, Sheila steering us through Wincham and Broken Cross. The first Greenfinch to pass us said thanks for the blog, as a result of which they’d found the shop in Broken Cross – glad to be of assistance, folks!

The second Greenfinch to pass us just scowled.

/hmm

The cut was indeed quite busy, and I earned my keep as look-out several times when we met boats near bridge holes.

We got to Billinge Green Flash just on twelve. There were a few boats already here, but we didn't have any trouble finding a decent length to moor in. Our only problem was the torrential rain shower which arrived at the same time as we did; it was a good job that it had been threatening for some time so that we were already wearing waterproof jackets.

As we were pottering about after lunch, a knock on the roof announced the arrival of Ange and Dave off Iona. Ange is a stalwart of the Canal World Forum, so it was very good to meet up and put faces to names.

We had another good natter whilst Millie, their corgi x Jack Russell busied herself around us.

Nice to see you both and good cruising on the Bridgewater!