Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2000 08:48:34 +0100 From: Ann Harvey Reply-To: Canals To: Canals Subject: Re: Amos's trip report part 3 (end) [ The following text is in the "iso-8859-1" character set. ] [ Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set. ] [ Some characters may be displayed incorrectly. ] Friday 20 July It is a lovely sunny morning. After my shower I went into the village with Ken to get bread and a paper. We found the local WI market in the village hall and bought a cake. We met Naish and Allan and Derek, and were advised to go to the butcher^Òs and get one of his freshly spit roasted chickens, which we did. On the way back we passed the cottage near the bridge that sells plants in the front garden. I bought a cauldron of busy lizzies, which got heavier with every step along that long, hot towpath walk to the boat. We left Brewood in very hot sunshine at about 11.15 am. We cruised right into the stop lock as another boat left it as the boats we had followed from Brewood stopped for water, SS etc. I was disappointed that the shop was closed, as I fancied an ice cream. We passed Aldersley junction (Birmingham 21) at 1.15 and arrived above Compton about 2.10 pm. I filled the lock and when we came out, we pulled into Limekiln Boats for diesel. We paid just over £24 for it at 23.9p per litre. Our last fillup was last year. On Achieved we would have paid more than that for petrol on this week^Òs trip, one way, refuelling at Wheaton Aston on the way back. We were followed through the lock by Naish and Allan, but had refuelled before they came out of the lock, and as we were unable to get the pumpout we needed (their tank was full) we went on to moor up and wait for the Henry Cleaver. Eurova and Maid Marion moored in front of us and when Henry Cleaver arrived they filled a spot next but one behind us. I went to the freezer shop and bought a litre of ice cream (cheaper than a single one) and went back to enjoy it ^Ö well some of it anyway. Everyone went off to the pub except me, and I stayed and sunbathed and read my book. When I decided to go and join them I was unable to leave the boat as the slide had swollen in the heat and refused to budge when I tried to lock up. After a meal of cold chicken and new potatoes we went onto Henry Cleaver for the evening. We unwrapped our Cluedo set and had a couple of games, both won by Yvonne. It passed an entertaining evening and we didn^Òt drink too much as we were concentrating. We plan an early start in the morning as the weather forecast is for another scorcher, and we have 15 locks to do. When we came back on board Amos I phoned Ashwood to speak to Tom Berridge who said last week he^Òd ring us and join us by car and cruise back with us on Saturday. He said he wouldn^Òt be able to make it, but that we^Òd have a barbie when we got back, and they^Òd fetch anything we wanted for it. Saturday 21 July We got up just after 7.00 am having had a sleepless night ^Ö probably thinking about not oversleeping! In spite of the weather forecast it is not sunny and warm but overcast and chilly. We set off at 8.30 and were at Whitwick Mill lock in 10 minutes. We had to fill locks as a boat went down in front, with the Henry Cleaver following us closely. We arrived at the top of Bratch at 11.00 am and left the bottom chamber at 11.20. The sun came out while we were descending the flight. We arrived at Giggetty Wharf at about 11.40 to get our pumpout. A boat which popped out of mooring above Bratch and came in before Henry Cleaver passed as we were pumping out, so Henry Cleaver should be close behind. We left Giggetty at 11.55 and tied up at Hinksford at 1.20 pm. We went to The Bush for a cob and a pint or two with Bob and Yvonne and then at 3.00 pm we went back and continued on our way, leaving them to have another. We started the engine at 3.15 and after backing all the way back up to our mooring it was 5.15 pm. Nb Maypete was being moved by Tom as we approached the mooring and Diane and grandson Luke were also aboard. It is not hard to guess that Paul and Diane have bought Maypete after all, as we later confirmed. Tom explained later that this was the reason that he hadn^Òt been able to come and cruise in with us, as he was busy sorting this all out. A lot of very happy people, Paul and Diane have the boat they wanted, and Pat and Tom have found owners for Maypete who will look after it and use it regularly. After getting my second wind after the effort of backing all the way up the marina to our moorings (wouldn^Òt you know the wind got up) with Ken losing the bottom with his pole through the widest part, we prepared for the barbie. It was not as warm as we^Òd hoped but we caught up on all the news, recounted our trip and had a good time nevertheless. I found myself drinking wine, brandy, and gin so when we later retired to the clubhouse for a singalong I decided to stick to the gin. I later had the best night^Òs sleep for ages and didn^Òt wake with a hangover. Regards Ann ---