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lovely Trent and Mersey canal

shafts of sunlight

The rain finally caught up with us. It was raining steadily at 6.00 and the clouds were heavy and low. It brightened briefly but continued to rain. The boat hound (who has demanded to go out early every morning) showed no sign of needing the toilet and waited until the rain stopped hammering on the roof. For the first time it was after our breakfast before she ventured outside.



Rugeley power station from the canal

We set off under blue skies but more clouds were blowing in. The Captain helped a single-hander with an injured shoulder through the lock and then operated our last lock this trip. On the 8 mile journey back to the marina it rained briefly on me but the Captain had hailstones splatter around him. A boater cast off as the Captain cruised past nearly causing a collision, you’d think they would have seen us as our boat is bright yellow and blue.

cruising through Rugeley

Heron

That was the last boat we saw moving before we turned into the marina and moored up. The Captain nipped down his pit to tighten the stern gland and mop up a small amount of water that had dripped in through it. Unfortunately he knelt on the diesel pipe. He has done that before but it wouldn’t top leaking. He had to release the fuel pressure to stop it. That made him irritable and means a repair job before we cruise again.

Because of that delay we ended up travelling on the M25 after 4.00, something we normally avoid. That meant a longer journey home and a very hungry Captain on reaching it.

When will we cruise again? Even the Captain doesn’t know.



Hansacre