Not something you would want to loose.

 12th May

A very unremarkable day, well for us anyway, not so for Rick on fuel boat Auriga but more on that later.

I was up and ready to receive that doctor's phone call from 8 am. "It could be anytime after 8.30 am" the receptionist had said, and with the signal better outside FS than inside, I was ready to dash out of the boat as soon as it rang. 

That hire boat behind left its mooring, we had envied that lovely straight section when we arrived yesterday, so we decided to pull FS back to that. It was never ideal having the stern and bow sticking out in the channel, chances of getting hit were high. We felt much happier now we were next to the bank. Not only that, but whilst waiting for that phone call, it was a good opportunity to give FS a wash. 

The call finally came through just before 11 am.  Doctor's advice was to check my blood pressure daily for 14 days, make a note of the readings, and then return it to the receptionist at least two days before a blood test was due to check for cholesterol, diabetes, kidney and liver function, oh, and of course another blood pressure check.

Today, Ian was to do that right-hand turn at Hawkesbury junction. Would he do it in one? I had great faith, but hadn't put into the equation of another boat appearing from the Coventry canal. These are the photos.

It was never going to happen, the angle was all wrong.

Got there eventually.

Right mess waterside at Charity Dock.

Not far from Marston Junction  (where the Ashby joins the Coventry) was a boat we recognised. It was Auriga.  New Year's Day was when we last saw Rick, then he was on his way to service several boats on route. Today Auriga was moored with no sign of Rick although the side hatch was open. Then, around the bend noticed a beautiful shiny almost new looking boat called No Rush right against the offside. Lots of forward and reverse, must be stuck we thought, and offered our help as we drew level, and then we realised Rick was standing on the stern. In his hand was a sea magnet. It was the chap from No Rush that told of Auriga's lost rudder. Quite how the rudder had parted company with the rudder bar we never did find out and why he was magnet fishing so far on the offside trying to find it, was another mystery. Looking at Ricks facebook page  it was unsure whether it was found, but he did mention getting a tow from Pete at Charity dock for repairs. Good luck Rick. I'm sure Pete will have you up and running in no time

Good job that chap was in 'no rush' to get anywhere!

Boot wharf, where the Starline hire boats are kept, more often than not boats are met. It's that tight and narrow, this is one place we always hope to have a clear passage through. Today we were unlucky. A boat could be seen approaching, but then...hang on...someone waving. Well, well, well, it was Paul from Waterway Routes (check my sidebar) and with him was daughter Susan. What a place to meet, stopping was impossible, so all we could say was a brief hello and how are things before both boats parted company.

 Just after Bridge 33 was the planned stop for tonight. Tomorrow is the Atherstone flight of 11, and we may get up at some silly hour to beat the rush. Ian mentioned breakfast on the go, I don't think he meant a full English, more like toast and marmalade. So long as I get my cup of tea, I won't mind what time we leave.

 Fishing was pretty good here. Plenty of Skimmers and Roach. And one decent Bream.

And wildlife today