Slowish going on a busy cut

 At half seven we made a slightly earlier start than we’d planned and took advantage of much improved conditions to head for Great Haywood. Other boats were on the move too; an Andersen hire boat that Sheila helped down Weston Lock gloomily explained their early start with “We’re on a schedule”. Sure enough, they were trying to do the Four Counties ring in a week.

Not a particularly good idea at anytime of the year, it’s a really silly one now that the days are so much shorter. If you've only got a week, choose a shorter cruise and take the time to enjoy it.

We stopped on the water point at Great Haywood to get enough into the tank to see us to Mercia and to dump rubbish and recycling. Whilst that was going on I nipped over to the excellent farm shop and stocked up with greengroceries.

Off we went again, queuing for long enough at the lock for Sheila to go and get a paper (joy). Just below we crossed with fellow Mercia moorers and lodge owners Steve and Sal on Smile and Wave; we just had time for a quick exchange of greetings before carrying on.

I’d planned to go on to the pig farm mooring just beyond Bridge 69 today, but we were running quite late, having had to queue again at Colwich. By half eleven we’d made it to Wolseley Bridge and the dark skies were just starting to precipitate. We need to do some banking at Rugeley, so there’s no point in getting there too soon tomorrow; an early start from here will do nicely.

Strangely, having got away from the Four Counties, the cut is much busier; some traffic is probably heading for the Huddlesford Boat Gathering, but that can’t be the whole explanation.

We’ve spent the afternoon pottering about on and off line. My Yahoo account has just been transferred to the new style web interface. Guess what, it’s slow, clunky and doesn’t work at all in Safari.

Thanks Yahoo, that helps me make up my mind to grasp the nettle and transfer the Braidbar Owners’ Group to a private forum.