Merlin move day 3 and another blogger meeting.

Another wet and windy start to the day, rain woke us before it was light so no point in lying in bed, might as well have breakfast and go. It was a cruising day, no locks unless we made it to Wheaton Aston and decide to ascend Wehaton Aston lock. Had a good 17 miles to do to get there but with the leaves and moored boats slowing us down, didn't really expect to arrive.

A wet start from the mooring at the top of Tyrley lock

Lots of leaves to go through.

Woodseaves cutting, with us forever reversing to clear leaves, slowed us right down but those wonderful high bridges gave us something to wonder at. The most photographed bridge is bridge 39, High Bridge, along the Grub Street Cutting complete with a masonry strut carrying a short telegraph pole, built across the arch.

High Bridge

Reaching Norbury brought back memories of Merlins launch. It was in 2004 that she was craned in at the wharf.

Merlin being craned in at Norbury

After going into the paint dock she came out a lovely red, Anglo Welsh colours at that time. I must say we still prefer her in that livery, thought she was one glassy boat but then we would seeing as she was all ours and the first boat we had ever owned!

Merlin's interior

And this is Norbury today,

Not a bad price for diesel but Wheaton Aston is better. 54.9 per ltr

We stopped before Wheaton Aston and the first thing to try was the TV. Ian was desperate to watch the Rugby tonight and after holding the center rope while Ian tuned the TV, he came back looking all glum to say there was no signal! So we moved another mile to Wheaton Aston (yep we made it after all) and stopped to try once again. Still no signal, decision made to keep going and up Wheaton Aston lock. As Ian started the walk to the lock he took one look at a moored boat and did a double take. It was No Problem with Sue and Vic on board. What a lovely surprise and Sue walked with Ian to help me up the lock. Then Sue came on board to have a look round Merlin but the visit was somewhat curtailed when Sue noticed a lady standing by Merlin with Windlass in hand. So it was another slow exit from the lock, forward, reverse, forward, reverse, those blasted leaves around the prop again, before we finally made it out and said our farewells to Sue.

We didnt get very far when Ian said 'Lets try the TV again'. Through the bridge and the winter moorings showed itself. A long stretch devoid of boats. Can not understand C&RT putting winter moorings so far from any facilities. And not only that but right by the start was an irrigation pump and bl**dy noisy it was too! Who in there right mind would want to moor with that going on all day long?? So Sue...you did the right thing in moving to below lock for your moorings. Hope C&RT will see sense and allow you to stay. We will stay just the one night 'cause Ian finally got his TV signal. He can watch his Rugby in peace as I depart to the bedroom with a good book!

And on route today,

Fieldfare