Solace: Day 2

Feeding frenzy at bridge 80!



We had a late start this morning due to waiting for the marina office to open so that we could buy kindling, logs and coal for the boat. There was a thin film of ice over the marina but the day was pleasant with sunshine.

I messaged one of our syndicate members who lives close and has stripped the boiler down many times. He said it was working on Wednesday and will meet us at Stone.

Now the thing about meeting people is (a) finding somewhere to tie up, (b) tying up somewhere near a road or road bridge with access to the canal and, (c) the aforementioned place must have somewhere to park a car.

In the afternoon it absolutely poured down. If we hadn't been meeting up with Frank we would have moored and snuggled beside a cosy stove. We got drenched!

On this trip I'm having to do my share of opening locks or steering. I had a go at each and with my troublesome knee I was nervous about jumping off the boat and pushing hard on the lock gates. I've decided on being the helmsman and guiding the boat between walls with what The Late Mate would have described as "2 fag papers thickness" to spare at either side!"

Luckily we found a mooring point beside a public car park and Frank and his wife came aboard. In less than the time it took for the kettle to boil for a cuppa, the fault was spotted and sorted. We will be warm tonight!