What’s Brewing!

The sparrows had their heads tucked under their wings when we arose this morning.  We had a 8.30am appointment with CRT at Harecastle Tunnel.  It was just starting to get light as Jan departed on foot for our only lock of the day (Plants Lock).  I finished preparing Waiouru for cruising and then set off after her.  It was daylight by the time Jan had worked us up through the lock.  The plan was to dispose our rubbish at the CRT tunnel facilities but they no longer accept rubbish here (separate email to follow Paul!).  A CRT employee was already present and gave us the mandatory tunnel transit briefing before checking our headlight and horn worked. 

We were waved off at 8.42am and it took us 36 minutes to reach the other end.  Waiouru seemed to be travelling rather slowly at the northern end and I suspect the water might be shallow.  Our speed certainly increased further into the tunnel.

Looking back

One other boat joined us for the passage.

The exit.

Poor Jan was suffering from the effects of engine exhaust fumes for the first ¾ of the trip.  I suspect the extractor fans were sucking the engine fumes past us.

There was a 30 minute wait at the far end whilst we filled the water tank and then we headed further south towards the Festival Park Marina.  Only one boat moored at Westport Lake which would make this the smallest number of boats we’ve seen here.  Again the designated CRT winter moorings were vacant.

The rejuvenation of Middleport continues and the area now looks far more attractive. We happened to see on TV that HRH Prince Charles had visited the complex earlier in the week.  Apparently much of this work is being funded by The Prince’s Trust.

I wonder if this project will continue to the adjacent buildings?

 

It then started to rain and rather than both of us getting wet I suggested Jan go inside.  We reached the moorings outside the Toby Carvery only to find them full.  I then reversed back through the bridge hole and we moored behind the “Oakcake Boat”. 

A couple of hours later we were gently bumped by another passing boat.  But then it didn’t pass.  Something was brewing?  Jan put her head out the side hatch and realised it was one of those damned Kiwi boaters.  Probably intoxicated!

Yes it was Barry on The Home Brew Boat (nb AreandAre).  He dutifully stopped and had a beer cup of tea with us before heading off to his weekend mooring at Westport Lake.  At least he won’t have an issue finding one.