Early morning and...

...The sky is full of con trails...

All heading off to sunnier climes maybe?

We did the whole of Heartbreak Hill yesterday, and stopped for lunch in the Broughton Arms in Rode Heath. It was a bit disappointing, the last time we were there the food was very good, but now it only just makes OK. The Hob Goblin Gold was a very nice pint though.

Stopped just above Kings Lock in Middlewich, it would be rude not to have fish and chips from the very fine f & c shop across the road - t'were delicious.

Onward finds us through Kings Lock, left onto the Wardle Canal and it's lock, then up to Stanthorn Lock where we caught up with some guys in their late fifties/early sixties who didn't have a clue what they were doing. As I approached, one of them said "Ah, you must be the lock keeper, [I chuckled] how do I ...?". I explained and they were grateful.

Today I've tightened the stern gland and refilled the greaser; it drips no more.


Moored up now, enjoying the early summer sunshine, long may it last.

Working Sunday

It was really peaceful first thing this morning.

Smoke on the water.

I thought I'd do a few jobs today, as we found ourselves moored in a really nice quiet spot. it was until this arrived in the field opposite.

What a racket, could be heard from miles away.

I changed the oil and filter, inspected the air filter, we need a new one and I'll try to do this before we end our holiday, tightened the alternator belts, they don't squeal now, cleaned out the gutters all round, swept the flue, sealed and painted the Bubble stove.

Looks nice now.

Spanish Grand Prix tonight, here's hoping Valtteri can maintain his lead.

By the way, we're moored on the Macc.

More soon.

And now they're fitted.

Finished at last.

And loaded.

I didn't like the stainless steel socket counter sink head screws that were there before so I made some new ones from brass hexagon head screws.

They look much better.

Just waiting for the new gangplank to arrive, should be here a week on Friday.

We had a really good journey up the M5/6, no stoppages, just the occasional road works and although it took the usual three hours it seemed a lot quicker. Probably because we have a new car. I was saddened to see the Vauxhall Omega go, we'd had it for nineteen years, decided it was time for a change, and now we have a Mercedes C220d. It is very quick, I'll say no more...

Well, we're out of the marina, and heading up toward the Peak Forest Canal, at least that's the plan. Currently we're on the Trent and Mersey, we've not been over to this part of the world for about ten years, unbelievable how it's changed, new houses everywhere, and they're all the same.

More soon.