Blooming 'eck, and about turn.

 OMG...guess what, and you couldn't make this up...we are having to head back again!!!! Last night during the BBQ, a phone call came in from our son. He was feeling really P'd off 'cos in typical moving fashion, things were not going to plan. Now it seems, lies have been told about property chains. Only three in the mix originally, there was another unplanned. It's all to do with the person whose house Colin was moving into. He assured Colin that he would be ready to move out as soon as contracts were signed, "I will go into rented accommodation" he had said. But Colin's solicitor disclosed that he was actually buying a property therefore by passing the rental stage altogether, which could hold everything up. Not only that but the one at the beginning of the chain hadn't even got his legal stuff sorted yet! So the date of the 30th...well, it's not going to happen. In fact, sometime in October was mentioned and because of this we have decided to take FS back to Langley Mill and take the car to MK when a date has been arranged.  As much as we love MK, to stay for an unknown length of time was not our cup of tea.

Wednesday 16th

Blooming goods trains, the railway being a hop, skip and jump from this mooring, they rattled past from 6 am onwards.  The early bird sees in the dawn and Autumn is coming judging by the red sunrise and of mist rising from the water.

So on our way by 7.45am to do the mile or so to the winding hole. I was again on the helm but had already decided Ian was to be the one to get us winded. Ian, on the other hand, had other ideas! " Get on with it girl"said he. "Man up to the job, you've got to keep trying to get it right." Huh, badly miffed was I and not at all amused as he headed to the bow.

"It's just there" he shouts pointing to the left.

So watching his hand signals I finally got FS to face back the way we had come and it only took about three forward and reverses to do the deed. Felt quite proud of the achievement and did acknowledge the fact that Ian may have been right.

Hillmorton locks and again we sailed down the flight without hitch. No volunteers on although they did turn up as we left the bottom lock.

Got to Rugby and remembering how bad it was a few days ago, well today was equally bad. Trying to get past those moored boats was even worse in this direction and the added fear of having to plough through those branches if another boat came into view was nerve wrecking. I offered to be on boat lookout at the bow, only one channel width and didn't want more scratches on her paintwork. (Oh and yes, Ian managed to polish out those marks, even the deep ones on the back)

Breathe in!

Straight through Newbold tunnel and then stopped at Armada boat hire for diesel. 84p ltr with the split.(you declare for propulsion and for heating, usually 60/40)

And I really think someone should invent some sort of signal to beckon a boat through a bridge 'ole. We hung back, that hire boat waited. I waved them through, they still waited. I waved them through again, they still waited. Oh, sod it, I thought. Power on and I flew through that bridge only knocking the throttle right back when I was halfway in. Mentioning my hand signal they said they weren't sure if it meant they had to wait or go through!

Not sure if this hirer had the idea that two boats would fit!

Stopped at Old Oaks Wood, a lovely rural mooring. Fishing was rubbish though!

 

 And seen on route,