A random working space and an amazing cruise! Day 272
Friday 19th April Day 272
I needed to crack on with some freelance work but my signal was awful so I had to set myself on the stern with my phone high up to try and get a signal which was just about good enough. A couple of hours later we set off to cruise and wow what a cruise!
The usual changeable weather and many layers required but no rain until we moored up thankfully ((You’re so jammy!)) but the shades were on most of the trip and what a treat to be back in this beautiful area with rolling fields and lambs dotted around the fields.
My shoulder is a little dodgy today so I end up sticking on one of the heat packs onto my shoulder to help as these are challenging locks. We do the first two locks and the angels arrive ((Oh God you didn’t fall in and bang your head did you??)) No! the lockies came to help as we got to the Stockton flight of 8. This made such a difference so I didn’t have to push my shoulder too much and Chris got off the boat to help as well. Fab team work and the Stockton flight were soon behind us.
We reminisce throughout about the time we hired a boat and how it feels to be back. We were going to stop at the pub but decide to crank it and soon arrive at the Calcutt Locks which were the first locks we ever did when we had our first hire boat and it was 40+ mph winds and driving, torrential rain – a bit like in Birmingham the other day but this was our first time. We’ve always said if we enjoyed it in those conditions, it was the life for us.
We thought about mooring up but decided to crank it and it was nice to be back and do the locks now we have such a lot of experience and these seem easy; the lock gates are heavy but with a smile on our faces we tackle these three and pass the hire boat firm here; it’s great to see the people all preparing for their holidays. Soon we arrive at Napton Junction and turn onto the Grand Union Canal to continue our journey to London. Last time we turned onto the Oxford and immediately got shouted at for going too fast! ((Oh how the tables have turned!)) I know! We try not to get grumpy with hire boaters there is a lot to learn!
Finally, we moor up as the lovely weather is on the turn and manage to get the covers up and snuggled in the boat updating this blog as the rain starts in earnest. Another day done and very good it was too!Until tomorrow. x
Cruising: 6 miles/ 13 locks
London bound totals: Cruising: 85/198 Locks: 99/174 tunnels : 4 (not sure how many to London!)
