People are up and moving by 8.30, late for me and Philippa but early for Vera. Philippa reported a sleep-score of 92, which is very good - is everything tracked and reported these days?
I am doing my pre-start up checks on the boat when I get a message from William asking me to check the bolts on the drive shaft. Sure enough, one of the bolts is a little loose
The boat carries a spanner and socket set that one could only dream about, so I tighten the slack bolt and lock it in place with the metal plate
And then we are on our way. Not for very long, as we soon reach the first of our four lift bridges. Philippa raises the bridge and the boat passes through. This all takes time of course, stop; tie up; lift the bridge; go through the bridge; stop; tie up; pick up crew from shore; resume course. Because of the strong cross wind the boat has to be secured properly, so everything is taking longer today
So we are on our way again. But not for very long, as we soon reach the second of today's lift bridges. This is much more exciting, as it carries a road over the canal. Traffic has to be stopped, the bridge raised by pressing a button, and cruise through. The difficulty arises by trying to coordinate the boat with the bridge. If the boat slows, which it must to go through the narrow bridge on a bend, then the wind blows the vessel off course. Help is at hand however from Arno, a Dane who works in a marina, who used the front rope to help control the boat’s passage. People are so helpful
And then it's plain sailing. Or would be but for the continuing winds from storm Kathleen. But this seems manageable. We reach the first of today's ten locks. As a small child Philippa had a toy canal set, so I'm expecting her to know the mechanics of lock operation in some detail
But the toy set clearly wasn't true to life, as the whole lock process needed explanation. But Philippa is a quick learner and was soon handling her windlass like a true professional
A sheltered spot proved a good place to stop for lunch. Pitta bread with home made hummus and tzatziki. And Philippa's home-made flapjack. We are making reasonable progress, and should arrive in Whitchurch later today, which is good as Philippa is catching an early morning train from there tomorrow
The next highlight is the Grindley Brook locks. A flight of six locks, with the top three being in a staircase. This means that the upper lock empties directly into the lower one. It is surprisingly trouble free, we have worked out our process: Philippa steps of the front of the boat with the rope, I stop the craft and step off the back with a rope, and we both tie the boat to the shore.
After Grindley Brook, the weather is calmer, and Philippa has a go at steering the boat. She does remarkably well, soon picking up how the tiller works and keeping a very controlled course.
A final lift bridge at Whitchurch. I go past the Whitchurch junction and turn the boat around to moor in the Whitchurch arm of the canal. Turning round involves a lot of back and forth, but goes reasonably well
I also want to turn round in the Whitchurch Arm, so that we are pointing the right way for going out. This doesn't go quite so well, with troublesome winds blowing me where I don't want to go.
Our saviour this time is Big Al, who lives aboard a nearby boat. He uses the front rope to pin the bow to the shore while I use the engine to swing the boat round. There is clearly a lot we need to learn before we properly know the ropes
A quick beer, Philippa has a shower, and then we head into town for food in the Black Bear
We return later for games round the dining table
Which later becomes Philippa's bed
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