You are not supposed to go in sideways!

 September 10th

Ian got us underway this morning, I was wrestling with changing the sheets and making the bed! Never easy on a narrow boat because there is no convenient way to get around all sides, in fact only one side is accessible. The top of the bed is next to the bulkhead and the bottom has a small cupboard taking roughly quarter the width. Trying to tuck in the fitted sheet into the corners next to the gunnel well, all I can say one has to put one's body in the most uncomfortable of positions! And once the quilt goes on, that has to be tucked in too. I always feel as if I've gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson by the time I've finished, and relieved not to have to do it again for another couple of weeks.  

Of all days to have high winds, it had to be today. We would be passing Shobnall marina, the diesel is really cheap at 87p a litre and an exchange of gas bottle could be purchased there too. It is not easy to get near the pump at the best of times because a reverse is necessary through a small arched footbridge. It's right by the winding hole and if the bow is positioned correctly on the far side, reversing for the entrance can be a doodle. But the slightest breeze and it becomes challenging. With the wind gusting to 25 mph, my attempt went horribly wrong. Oh, I got the stern in the entrance, but the rest of FS was drifting away at a 30-degree angle! Lots of manoeuvring, Ian getting off at the entrance pushing on the side and eventually in she went.

Stern by the diesel pump

So 80 litres diesel and a gas bottle purchased and ready to head off when a boat was seen hovering and blocking our escape. It never moved, in fact, the lady from the boat came into the marina yard and asked if we were going to leave! "Only if you get out of the way" I replied.

They did by positioning the boat across the winding hole. The bow was pointing toward the entrance and as we came out, I mentioned they would have to reverse in for diesel. "Not us" she said, "We have two tanks and one is in the bow!" 

That was the same angle as I was trying to get FS in!

Not far from Shobnall Marina is a short stretch of moorings convenient for Morrisons. Always very popular, we were lucky to find a spot. The rain started, so shopping put on hold until it stopped, and that wasn't for over an hour! By the time we shopped and left the mooring, it was late afternoon.

We made it to Branston Water Park, a mooring was found before the bridge. Building has progressed since we were last at the park, a new Nursery and Primary School has been built. So far the building work has not reached the canal, I hope it never will, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

And seen on route,

With just the hull left, I'm assuming the rest was destroyed by fire.