Bizare happenings with the stove. and crossing the Pontcysyllte in a gale!

 31st October continued

So we did move and with hardly any wind, the move to the other pontoon was easy. Securing FS was still difficult, but Ian  attached the centre rope to the fender eye and across to the far cleat and attached another rope from the fender eye to the cleat opposite.

Clocks went back and for some reason this always throws us more than when they go forward. The plan was to walk to the falls after lunch because the clock above the TV showed 11.45am. Then we realised we hadn't changed the time, it was in fact only 10.45. And boy were we glad we didn't wait until the afternoon to do the 1.75 miles to the falls. Rain was never far away and had we waited, we would have returned like drowned rats. A wonderful rainbow showed itself on route and we met the horse-drawn boat again.

 

And this was interesting to see.

Not much room for the trip boat to get past.

A mile along the feeder and it was time for the trip boat to return.

We reached the falls and all I can say was what a wonderful sight to see. More water flowing over the horseshoe arc than we have ever seen before making it quite spectacular. Noticing the build up of clouds we started on our way back but unfortunately didn't quite make it to FS before getting slightly wet. Then the wind picked up, 20mph according to AccuWeather but I'm sure it was gusting at about 25/30mph. There was to be no fishing for me today.

 

So it was an afternoon spent watching TV and being buffeted by those gusts. At one point Ian tried to tighten the ropes but to no avail and this time no ducks to disturb us but instead the creak and groans coming from the fenders as they rubbed against FS's hull was something else. And then a bizarre happening. One minute the stove was showing healthy flames and red embers, and the next, with a very loud pop, they were gone! Not even a glow and then just as suddenly, a flash and the whole stove ignited again! Down draft from those gusts may have caused it to 'blow back' but from then on trying to keep the stove alight was impossible. In fact with nothing to warm us through during the night, we awoke the next morning rather chilly.

1st November

It was a horrible night. Rain and being constantly blown against the pontoon kept sleep at bay. It was my turn to get up at some silly hour, resorting to playing games on my tablet until Ian stirred and asked for a cup of tea. And without the stove lit I was cold, no warmth in FS at all. At least I had a rug to put over the legs. Then by 7.40am, as we had both got up and dressed, we pulled away from the pontoon and headed down stream toward Trevor

I know the trip boat has to moor somewhere but right by the bridge 'ole? Not easy getting past!

 

First things first, use the facilities. Oh and yes, that was another thing in the wee hours of the morning. The cassette light was on so I had to change that before I could use the loo! And then, just as Ian had done the biz with the cassette contents, would you believe an Alvechurch hire boat came past.Another one setting off at a silly time of the morning. Then the lady on board tried to get the dogs off. She promptly fell over and one of the dogs ended up in the canal! It was hard astern from me cos I didn't fancy squishing that poor wee doggie.

 Trevor Junction and that hire boat stopped dead...right across the canal in front of us. Turns out he didn't want to cross the aqueduct at that precise moment but wanted to moor opposite the junction instead.

Pontcysyllte aqueduct. OMG... Never normally worried about travelling along this 'stream in the sky' but today that gusty wind...good grief both of us were thankful that the wind direction was blowing us toward the railings and not toward that drop! Ian kept the revs up trying to keep to the center, but that wind kept FS hard up against the edge. FS's paint on the rubbing strake is well and truly gone!

Look at that concentration.

 

We stopped by the Poachers Pocket for lunch, a busy pub for a Monday. The meals were average, chips awful, and the chap in the next table sent his Gammon steak back. He told us later it was under cooked. Then two more complaints about the length of wait before their meals arrived, and another also sent his food back. This time to change his starter.! Not sure if we will stop there again. 

We have arrived back at New Marton for tonight's mooring and in the same spot as days before.

And wildlife today,