Down the flight

Yesterday evening Jan was browsing in the internet before mentioning she had found the blog of the boat moored at the bottom of the Buckby flight.  We’d both commented that the boat had come a long way being based at Totnes, Devon.   It was nb Inca and their blog link is <here>.  I rather like Gary’s writing style and have added their blog to our own Blog List.  It’s a pity we hadn’t realised they were bloggers when they passed yesterday.

It really poured down during the night and was still raining in the morning, consequentially we decided to stay where we were.  This would be one of the advantages of not boating to a timetable!  By 11am the rain had stopped and it almost looked like sunshine.  We decided to move.  After preparing Waiouru, we moved forward to the water point and commenced filling the tank.  The water pressure from the tap was good, but the pressure at the end of the hose was woeful.  Obviously there are a few kinks in the hose somewhere inside the reel.  This “reinforced” hose has proven to be a disaster and we’ve decided to replace it asap.

I had disposed of the rubbish and was cleaning the mud from my boots whilst Jan had gone forward to fill the top lock.  Just as the tank was full she pointed behind us.  I looked around to see a boat approaching.  It appeared they also wanted water and I moved off into the lock to give them access before walking back to ask if they were going down the flight, and did they want to share?  They did, and would be about 15 minutes.  We’re not in a hurry, so we waited.

Going through double locks with two boats always seems to be quicker and easier.  Even better, the sun came out and it was almost warm when not in the shade.

Like us, Sandra & Pete are continuous cruisers.  They have an interesting boat name Ivor Long 1.   Not that!  It’s related to the length of their boat (68ft).  They were stopping at the bottom of the flight whilst we carried on mooring for the night just beyond Weedon.  It’s not much further to Bridge 32 where Gary blogged that diesel was selling for 62p/ltr.  I think we will top up the tanks tomorrow (weather permitting).

Jan has cooked some of those delicious Braunston bangers for dinner.  She has to add a small amount of oil to the pan as the sausages contain NO fat and would otherwise burn.