Polishing was on the agenda today, Early before the bodywork got to hot but as is the norm when one is outside doing boaty things, people stop to talk so our quick wipe on wipe off took twice as long. Only the starboard side for now as this is the side which will face the public at the IWA campaign rally.
Once finished we set off. One swing bridge today and having dropped Ian off and hovered in the middle, I was beckoned back into the side as Ian had picked up the anti vandal key instead of the watermate key. He had just started to opened when a lorry came roaring down the lane and ground to a halt. Fully aware of holding up traffic, I zoomed through before he had even fully opened it. Then we spied another boat coming and Ian had a dilemma. Did he keep the bridge open for the oncoming boat, which was still a bit of a distance away, or do we close it for the lorry. The glare from the driver made Ian close it but we did see the other boater later and apologise.
Rounding a bend we came across a boat drifting across the canal. No sign of life and assumed pins had been pulled. Suddenly out popped a chap from the back. Real problem of prop fowl was the reason and he had lost all control. He beckoned us past and looking back he was still trying to get the prop clear.
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| Only 15 miles more to go. Bit further to Leeds on our return though. |
2 miles further and we stopped. Found bollards after the bridge in Lydiate so took advantage of not having to put in pins. Blooming hot here but tree cover was out of the question if the solar panels were to do their job and a very good job they did too. No more need to run the engine again today and it was only 11.30am.
Off for a walk leaving Ian to slowly bake inside FS and not long back when we had a toot from an oncoming boat. What a lovely surprise. Barry from AREANDARE the Home Brew boat. He is trading at the Eldonian festival over the weekend. Sandra wasn't with him but will be at the festival in a day or two so looking forward to having a natter then. Barry hovered next to us for a while as we put the world to rights and luckily no other boat turned up whilst we were nattering. He's to meet C&RT tomorrow (7th) to get through the swing bridge. Our allotted time is 1pm on the 8th. Probably a good job the times and dates are staggered because the last facilities before the festival (only Elsan on site) is at Litherland and I expect every attending boat will want to make use of it. Can you imagine the queues!
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| Barry on his way |
And a mystery bug found today,
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| It seemed to be placing a bird dropping on it's back |
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| Never have I seen anything like it. |
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| Millipede |
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