FRIDAY. Weston on Trent, Br 81.
The 2008 trip thus far: 438Locks; 780.5 Miles; 74 Swing\Lift Bridges. Bus pass journeys 36
Bang on the dot of 9am, there came a knocking on the boat. It was Sid from Half Past Four who was returning Myra’s Duette concertina. The kettle went on and a good chatting session followed. The time seems to fly along when in good company, this morning was no exception.
Then James, from Canvas Man covers arrived with a set of bars for keeping the cratch cover tight. This is the third time of fitting. Guess what – they did not fit, and would need modification again. I had lost confidence in their ability ever to get them right. I said so, and will say no more on the subject until we have a satisfactory monetary resolution of this whole episode.
We moved off at 1230, with the aim of filling up the diesel tank at Stone; then moving down somewhere below Stone for the night. We arrived at Meaford fight behind a hire boat from Stone Ginger fleet as we call them. They were having a short day before returning the boat in the morning tomorrow. They kindly let us have the lock; we pulled the top paddles for them as we went down the flight. We also had to close the bottom gates on each lock as we were following a single handed lazy so and so who was leaving them open.
We filled up with diesel at Stone Boatbuilders; their price was 83pence per litre. We should have filled up yesterday at Festival gardens, the hire boat yard price was 80pence. I did not find that out until we had moored at Wedgewood. I usually avoid hire fleet bases as their prices always seemed higher, even on non turnaround days! I will need possibly to revise this habit.
The sun was making a hazy appearance all afternoon as owing to the dry conditions; we carried on and moored up at Br.81, Weston. Tomorrow Myra will visit Heywood Farm shop and obtain one of their wonderful family size meat pies. That will provide two delicious main meals for us both. (No, we are not related to the owners).
Myra looked out of the window and saw a bird on a branch on the opposite canal bank. It was a Kingfisher, I managed to take some photos; although the focus through double glazing is not good, I could not risk removing the top vent.
Weather – Dry all day, hazy sun all afternoon.
