Bratch to the Park Bridge Moorings (Shroppie).

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Hi Folks.

We were awake at 5am again this morning, the alarm clock on the wall did not go off, but my phone did phew. This is the last early start this week as we do not move at weekends. Having eaten breakfast, Paddy got walked and I stood on the towpath and listened to the silence, which was fantastic. Nothing was moving, not even the bushes, because there was no wind at all. A Cockerel then announced that it was dawn and we should all be out of our beds, I had beaten him to the draw. The start to the morning was dry, but a little cool, so I put my dungarees back on, the shorts would come out later.

 

I know I have said about this before I am sure either Keith or I has stood in something, because yet again all the locks were in our favour, apart from one which had about a foot of water in it, overnight leakage. Our first lock of the day was Awbridge Lock, near John Jacksons coal yard. Having the locks ready for us has made an amazing difference to our journey times, we have achieved 3.96 lockmiles/hour (10.2 miles 7 locks in 4hrs 20mins),  so this has meant we have moved further than anticipated.

 

At Dimmingsdale  Lock these two smiley faces greeted us both. If you ever do the Staffs and Worcs you will notice all the way along smiley faces on fence posts and tree stumps. They really do make you smile. I have no idea who has been putting them up though. We had thought of stopping at Compton, but having arrived there by 8:30am we decided to carry on, which was just as well, because there were no moorings to be had.

 

We passed by Aldersley Junction and headed for Autherley. We have also decided to head north up the Shroppie, and return by the Middlewich branch and T&M. At Autherley Junction, Keith let me off at Oxley Moor Bridge, so I could walk up to the junction to see if any boat was coming out of it. As I approached the bridge an Anglo Welsh boats were just coming out of the lock wanting to tuen on to the Staffs and Worcs to head for Great Haywood. After they had completed the turn, Keith bought the boat into the stop lock.

The Napton hire boats were moored up and were being turned around ready for a new intake of holiday makers, so we got through there just right. We carried on up past the Wolverhampton Boat club and onward to the 48hr moorings between Hunting Bridge No.7 and Park Bridge No.8, a very popular mooring spot especially at the weekends, so we are lucky to have got a mooring here, but we timed it right, just as we were approaching 2 boats set off, leaving us a space to slide into.

We had no sooner moored up, when a couple of ladies walking past with dogs said hello. I turned around to see Eileen and Caroline with their dogs. They were moored just down from us and invited us to go and have a coffee with them and the other halves. So having moored up and closed the boat up, Keith and I joined Caroline and John off NB Vanyar and Eileen and Derek on NB Jolly Lamb for coffee and a chat, I also took along some small cakes, which went down well. it was absolutely wonderful to see them all again. The last time we got together was during the Winter when we delivered their coal. We spent a couple of hours talking about all sorts, before we we left them to enjoy the afternoon sun. Lunch was a couple of hours late, but it did not really bother us, we will just have a smaller dinner tonight. Paddy is sleeping in the saloon and Marmite is lounging outside in the sunshine.

I am hoping the weather is going to be good over the weekend, because it may mean I get some painting done, if not then we will watch the world go by and enjoy a beer or two.

Have a lovely weekend xx

Never a dull moment.

Good morning world.

It has been a busy old time this past few days. Lots of coal selling due to the cold evenings we are having at the moment. This time last year coal sales had dropped to nothing pretty much, so this is an added bonus for us. As I say to people "There is no point in being cold".
I had a delivery of Toilet Blue and Kindling, because I had run down to nothing, which does not happen to often. Thanfully I now have a stock again for anyone wishing to purchase either.
I have continued to be up to my elbows in paint, as I continue to get the boats paintwork up to scratch. I always say to anyone who asks about painting a boat. It is a bit like the fourth rail bridge. Once you get to the end, you have to begin all over again. You really do have to keep on top of the paintwork on a boat. After all when you have spent several thousand pounds on the original paintwork, you do not want to let it go. I also have the benefit of enjoying the fact that I can wheeled a paint brush and seem all powerful. Whilst waiting for the paint to dry, I have done all the usual chores of washing and cleaning, those are the boring tasks which we all have to do, but never speak about.

Does anyone else have this problem?
I have been trying to find someone to trim my hair. When I say someone, I mean someone who does not want to charge me an arm and leg, to take about an inch off. I always have a dry trim, because I have to be careful what shampoo I use. So I have been scouring the hair dressers here asking them what they charge for a dry trim and it seems that the prices vary hugely. One I went into would charge me £15 before 1.45pm, but after that it was £25. Another wanted to charge me £21. I finally found one who will do it for £11, so I will be heading there in the next few days. I think £25 for 10 minutes work is an absolute cheek. If I could do it myself I would. But I am not that skilled yet.
Yesterday was Baking Sunday. I baked a Coffee and Walnut Cake and a Chocolate and Walnut Cake. I love baking and usually do at least one cake a week in the Winter. With the weather warming up, this will dwindle off, because it gets to hot in the galley with the stove going. For this reason I tend to buy cake in the summer months if we want any. The Chocolate and Walnut cake went to the hire company this morning, for the employees to enjoy with their morning cuppa and we have had a slice of the Coffee one, which although I say it mayself was not half bad. Yeah I know, self-praise is no recommendation, but hey if I don't praise it no one else will.
With the evenings being very chilly still, the saloon stove is lit then let out, lit then let out during the day, as it gets a little warm in the saloon and with my hot flushes, my system has been in overdrive. But it has meant that I can still get my stews cooked without using the gas stove, which is always a bonus.
The time is now past 1.30pm and we have said goodbye to Lois and Chris on NB Hilhouse, who have left the basin once more for pastures new. Happy cruising to them both and of course Boller their love dog. We have been down the town, to buy some paint brushes and trundle around the Charity Shops, which we always love doing. It is true to say that the Charity Shops are not as cheap as they used to be. So it is harder to find a bargain these days. I am so glad I did not do any glossing today, as it is now rather dull outside and showers are threatened. This afternoon will be a case of watching the afternoon movie. "The Guns of Fort Petticoat". made in 1957 starring Audie Murphy, Kathryn Grant, Hope Emerson.
So whatever you are doing, have a lovely day.