From owner-canals@blacksheep.org Wed Apr 2 07:25:35 1997 id AA25402; Wed, 2 Apr 97 07:22:10 EST id GAA24825; Wed, 2 Apr 1997 06:48:38 -0500 (EST) id MAA01367; Wed, 2 Apr 1997 12:30:23 +0100 From: "Mark Wickett" To: "Canals Newsletter" Subject: Easter Cruising Date: Wed, 2 Apr 1997 09:22:22 +0100 Just back from a relaxing weekend on the cut: Barbridge to Wrenbury and back - weather was unkind when we arrived (caught halfway between the car and the boat when someone decided it was time for a heavy shower) and frustrating on our way up Hurleston locks (three attempts to get in the bottom lock against the wind). By Saturday evening and through until Monday evening the weather was fabulous - both Catherine and I got very red noses! I felt strangely unexcited on our trip down to the boat (first cruise of the year) but as soon as I opened up the stern hatch, I remembered everything I liked about boating! Lowpoint was realising that we'd left an old Nicholson's (spiral bound Central region) and a new Pearson's (Shroppie and Llangollen) on a bench at Barbridge. They'd been "removed" by the time we realised and returned. Especially disappointing since we'd annonated our Nicholson's a little with helpful reminders of good and bad pubs, mooring spots, etc. Oh well, it'll be fun starting from scratch! One of the highpoints was getting started on painting - buying some garish red undercoat and after what seemed like years of sanding down and priming, getting a proper coat of paint on was a real achievement. Only done the stern hatch, gas locker hatch and starboard handrail but even that makes the boat look better. Can't wait for a couple more weeks when we return for more! The best highpoint was being moored in the middle of nowhere and getting up at 3am to answer the call of nature (must get that portapotti sorted out). I opened the front doors of the cabin to be confronted by the fantastic sight of Halle-Bopp hanging over the canal - its reflection clear in the still water. Without the pollution of street lights, I could see the millions of stars surrounding the comet - its tail seemingly going on for ever. And turning to look across the fields, a beautiful yellow half moon just above the horizon. Really magical. Mark & Catherine