Monday 25th March
The day started badly – I managed to throw a large, opened tin of rhubarb all over the kitchen! I hoped this wouldn’t be a sign of things to come.
Luckily there had not been any more snow over night and although it was very cold with a brisk wind it was actually quite bright. We had spoken to the chap behind us yesterday, about the fact that we wanted to turn round but the nearest winding hole was miles away and he told us we could turn at ‘Hospital Bend’ which was only about a mile from where we were.
We left this morning hoping what he had told us was true and sure enough we were able to wind at the bend with little problem despite the gusty wind and were soon on our way back to the Coventry. We are now moored on the 7 day moorings, near the water point, at Hawkesbury Junction, on the Coventry side.
We were surprised there weren’t more boats here really. We did have to wait for a water point to become available as there were two boats filling up when we arrived but there are loads of free moorings. We may have to stay here the 7 days if things don’t drastically improve on the weather front. That wind is cruel and it is uncomfortable to be on the back of the boat for more than a couple of hours. Today we did 3 hours and that was enough. We both looked like Michelin men with all our layers on!
After filling with water and reversing back to a mooring we went off to empty the loo and get rid of the rubbish. This was easier said than done because the foot bridge over the junction to the sanitary station was so slippery it was nearly impossible to get over! That obstacle overcome, the next was the fact that the elsan was backed up to practically over flowing, aaargh!
I phoned CRT and after some time on hold was finally put through to a very bored sounding chap who told me that some contractors had been out last Thursday and unblocked the elsan and it had been ok. He knew they had done it because he had been here at the time. He said I would be surprised at some of the things people put down the elsan. Blah, blah, blah. All of which was absolutely fascinating (not) but none of which altered the fact that it needed doing again now. He said he would get on to them. I am not holding my breath.
Sanitary duties out of the way it was time to go to The Greyhound for a nice pint of Bass, hurrah. There were three fires going in the bar so it was lovely and warm and inviting. We got chatting to a chap who does pot holing, hmm rather him than me.
After this rather pleasant interlude we went into the village to check out the bus stops and shops. We found both on both sides of the canal, very convenient. And now we await better weather, could be some time.
