Hadn't planned on moving today, weather forecast wasn't brilliant for the afternoon so sitting it out seemed the right thing to do, but it had been days since checking how much water was left in the tank, and the cassettes were nearly on critical level too. Sutton Wharf and the facilities, only about 3/4 mile away, so it was untie and head out.
Sutton Wharf was so busy we wondered if the water point was free? A boat was already there but luckily there was room in front. First job, get the hose attached and start the fill. Second job, wash the cabin top and side. Then walking toward me came this chap. "I need water so you should move" he shouted in a really irate manner. I suppose it appeared to him that I was hogging the water point just to wash the boat. He soon shut up when I pointed to our hose which was attached to the tap, with other end in our well deck. It was also at that moment Ian lifted one of the cassettes out of the side hatch ready to be emptied. Proof indeed that we were not monopolising the facility mooring! I do wish people wouldn't just 'assume'! Check first before getting nasty I thought to myself! Anyway it took a good 20 minutes to fill the tank, and still filling when that other boat finished and moved off. I assumed Mr nasty would then occupy the space but another boater got to it first! Ha his comeuppance indeed, me thinks!
This popular spot now has even fewer places to moor. This pontoon in years gone by had been one of our preferred stopping places, especially when we wanted a meal at the Sutton but today it is no more.
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| Looks a bit rickety now. |
Trying to find a mooring proved very problematic. Looking on Paul's Waterway routes map several places could have sufficed but overhanging trees were a big problem. Then we found what we thought the ideal spot. Opposite a field and nicely in the open. But could we get in? I know we are deeper drafted than most leisure boats but even they would have struggled here. Ian managed to leap of with the centre rope but then I couldn't get him back on! A bit further along and I managed to get the bow close enough for Ian to make a leap of faith onto the gunwale. It wasn't until we had gone past the Shenton battlefield moorings (full) and through bridge 36 that we finally managed to stop.
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| Already leaning as I found the silt. We were that far away from the bank Ian couldn't get back on. |
And just in the nick of time because that predicted rain came as we finished securing FS.
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| still very windy as you can see from the tree. |
Think this time we may stay tomorrow...but then again....
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