Bartimaeus

Our final evening was a bit fraught as we had to pack up and secure all cupboards and drawers, but some things were still needed in the morning. Anything breakable had to be packed. The lift out of the water was very smooth but the road journey  was a different kettle of fish, turning on a roundabout or sharp braking could send glass jars and plates flying - more sharp breaking. Already I had packed something I now wanted but couldn't find. No matter I used a different mug. I found it later, as Shane had moved the box it was in to the bedroom. Many hands make light work but when we didn't know what the other person has done, it adds to the confusion. Still it steadily got done and in the morning we were up, breakfasted and had stowed almost all kitchen items and taped the cupboard doors closed. Shaun, (or Sean?) from Oromarine appeared to ask if we were ready just as we were disconnecting the kettle and toaster. Time for them and us to go. I hastily wrapped them in a towel and put them in a box between the sofa and dinette. I feel they were not secure and wish I had cushioned or wedged them more. It will be a long time before we find out. 

I had hoped that outside boat items, stored on the roof, would be held tightly by straps that hauliers use to secure their load. But no, Shaun said they needed to be stowed inside. He passed in the boat hook, barge pole and gangplank, for me to lay on the galley floor. They were all very slimy following a rainy night. Where is the soap, now? Are all the towels packed away?

It was time to leave Bartimaeus. I climbed down the step ladder with my rucksack on. Shaun was cutting the plastic wrapped round the propeller with his stanley knife. The tandem had come out the day before, while we were still in the water, and Shane had now brought out the packed panniers. I took some luggage to the tandem and then sorted the last items, that were in a bag, from the kitchen, into keep, pass on, recycle or bin. I returned to Shane surveying the scene in the sunrise - 'bright and early, pick one!' he said to Nick and Shaun.

Shaun was just as ready with a quip as Shane, telling us that they had looked for a fit, strong, young man to help with the boat loading, but didn't find any so he came instead. He was certainly not new to the job. Though Caroline had asked if Shane was prepared to help, and I reiterated that he was to Shaun, there was very little they asked him to do. There were three different vehicle operators as well as Shaun coordinating.

Nick is marina based and does the moving of boats in and out of the water, but Ortomarine have to arrange transport out of the marina and the hire of a crane. They had another boat in the unit that was going to be moved today too with the same equipment. The two articulated trailers arranged starting positions and Nick brought Bartimaeus round from the marina side, and the heavy duty hook for very large loads was attached to the crane.

They arranged the straps, with a bit of help from Shane. He was given due warning to never get his fingers under the boat. If they had started a lift it would be 'bye bye fingers'.

Nick checked the lining up of the hoist straps then said to 'try it now', just to see if it was balanced. They seem to have got it right first time as it hung level. With Bartimaeus hoisted higher out of the way, Nick drove away and did impressive reversing of his tractor and the trailer round two corners. The way was now clear for the other trailer driver, which came back, passed below Bartimaeus and then got ready to reverse neatly underneath.

The crane lowered Bartimaeus down. I was impressed with how smoothly it was all going. The cab on the road trailer had the words "No Problem" in cursive script on the back. They certainly all seemed confident and capable. 

Once on the trailer they secured Bartimaeus with straps and added a magnetic flashing orange light to the hull. The trailers are already long vehicles but their load was even longer.

The crane pulled it's stabilisers in and they were ready for the road. We watched the trailer go, hoping everything was safely stowed. We don't know when we will meet again and I hope all the improvements go as smoothly as this operation.

We shook hands with Nick and assured Shaun we didn't need a lift anywhere. He set off to follow to the unit where he would be busy again.

We mounted the tandem and went to Droitwich, where we had a second breakfast, both a bit spaced from lack of sleep. Shane hadn't known quite when it would all be accomplished so had booked an afternoon train from Birmingham. We were early enough now that we would have plenty time to spare there. We had hit the Droitwich pedestrian shopping area at the right time to catch an unusual sight. As Shane manoeuvred the tandem through, I paused to watch the town crier making some announcements of local events.

We had time for a tasty lunch in Birmingham's concert venue cafe B:eats, where Paul joined us  and afterwards accompanied us to the station as he too had a train to catch, and a ticket to get too. It was a hasty hug goodbye at Birmingham New Street as his train left before ours. I hope he caught it. Again all went smoothly for us - loading the tandem and luggage seemed a comparatively light job, considering what we'd witnessed in the morning.