Thursday 4th April
When we got up this morning the wind had dropped, it was a bit breezy but not too bad and at least the canal was not frozen. However, as we cast off it started snowing and the wind seemed to be getting stronger. That was ok though, after the last month we have become all weather boaters!
When we got to the line of visitor moorings, round the corner from the bottom lock, the canal was frozen but there was a boat coming towards us breaking the ice. As it was narrow there we waited for this boat to come past all the moored boats before continuing. But, Sod’s Law struck, as we were pulling away there was a gust of wind pushing us on to the shallow bank and we got grounded.
After a good deal of shunting backwards and forwards we managed to get off the bank and carried on towards the locks. As we started up the locks it quickly became apparent that neither the snow or the wind were going to abate. We put up with it until just before our 7th lock of the day, gave in and moored up!
So we have only come about 2.5 miles but with the grounding incident and doing 6 locks it still took over 2 hours. After a cup of soup to warm ourselves up we trundled off to the village for a paper and post box. By this time the wind seemed like it was bordering on gale force and it was still snowing so we were glad we stopped when we did. On the way back from the village we had to go in The Folly Inn again for some more Old Hooky and another sit by the fire.
This afternoon it hasn’t snowed further but it has stayed cloudy and the wind has still been really strong. I see the clouds are now starting to break up so it can be another clear, frosty night, of course. We are hoping to be able to continue to Fenny Compton tomorrow. Things can only get better – right?
