Bartimaeus

Having reached the end of the canal, we were returning. I was driving through the lock with the gauge this time and got to experience the ducking between the plastic strips as they pushed over the roof on my way in to the lock.

The view from inside the lock showed it flanked by two tall items, one man made and one natural Shane was dwarfed by them.

I saw the name of the lock was written on the stop plank holder. This was an elegant house for lock equipment and the name of the lock reflected the local industrial heritage.

Shane remembered as we drove under the railway bridge that I had tried to get a picture of confusing bridge numbering here. There is a single bridge over the canal and railway. Their numbering systems will be different so there are two numbers on the same bridge. On one side they are well apart but on the other they are close together. I was driving so Shane took the photo for me.

We had thought it prudent to get ahead with washing. I nipped in and hung it up while Shane drove to the mooring. We probably won't want to do any while we have visitors as it takes up space in the cabin. We were also running low in some clothing. Shane hadn't many clean t-shirts so we put on a red wash. 

I had noticed increased condensation in the colder weather and remembered I should fix this. I had made experimental cotton string strips of varying sizes. Some were better than others and I had unravelled some of the ones that were too short. I now had to try to make more the most effective length and using the best stitches. I had tried one that came out much too short. I now made one that came out the right length and lay nice and flat. They prevent the TV, sofa or tables getting dripped on overnight, but are barely visible.

We had moored by The Black Lion again, as it had space and a water point. We had got to the end of the canal slowly but realising we had a bit to do before Bryn joined us, we needed to be aware of making progress. We don't want to drive too much in the rain but we shouldn't be spending as much time in museums on the way back, so it should be fine.

We now really needed to fill up with water. I had fresh trousers on as we filled and I thought I had the powerful hose in position, but I moved it slightly and it flew out of the tank twisting and spraying Shane on the bank and me across the groin. In the summer it wouldn't be a worry but straight away I was changing again so I wouldn't get cold and hanging up another wet thing to dry.

We cracked on with travelling, covering the distance in the day that had taken us two days in the the other direction. We moored for lunch at one of the overnight spots. I did locks that Shane had done last time and saw a cute but very steep bridge.

I noticed that one lock had the cute crocheted flowers too. I hadn't seen them in a while. We also met a very nice family who chatted and stopped to help me on a lock that was reputedly hard. They had a boat themselves, but were just out walking their dog. It all made the day brighter.

When we stopped, Shane got his coat and jumper off to investigate down the hatch as we had both thought the steering a tad sluggish at times. There weren't piles of assorted stuff as has happened in the past but one item was making a significant impact on its own. A large piece of plastic flapping about was affecting steering. It didn't look much scrunched up but was a large sturdy sheet when let loose.

Clothes were taking longer to dry with not using the radiators as they are not as hot (but increased in surface area). We decided that now we weren't relying on sun and a warm breeze that we should put up the new clothes racks that Shane had bought that would allow us to hang clothes above the radiators. They could benefit from the heating without blocking it. I had forgotten we had them but we couldn't use them until there were hooks to hang them on in place. The idea is they will fold away when not in use. They have been tucked behind the sofa hidden away for months. We have three spots for them to go. The one in the saloon near the dinette was the tightest fit so I was pleased when they were suitably fixed.

It didn't take long to fix the screws in. Shane made a guide hole then turned them in by hand. They have all been suitably placed and we will see how it goes with the next load. We might even use the tumble drier some day.

We celebrated the productive day with a meal out at the Holly Bush. It was an excellent choice.