Hi All, Saturday, Sunday 19th and 20th September 2008. Rally! What a superb weekend. Much chatting, eating, drinking, laughing, quizzing, treasure hunting, singing, auctioning, polishing, walking, and much, much more. All just wonderful and the sun shone all the time as well. Thanks to everybody who took part.
Monday 21st September 2008 Engine start was agreed at 9.45am for a 10.00am departure. Guy and Connie were ready in Virgo and so with some reluctance we said our goodbyes, left the Blue Lias and headed down the locks. Warm, slightly humid with the cloud cover, but dry. The locks were in the main with us but even so, each one had to be topped up. Wendy tried to set the first lock but found it too hard so she steered and I had the pleasure of lockwheeling again. As we approached Leamington the heavens opened and we sheltered under a road bridge. A short stop at Tesco for provisions and off to Kate boats for a pumpout and some diesel. This is when the fun started. Some of you may remember when we left Evesham the free pumpout was only partially successful as something was blocking the exit pipe. I thought over a few days whatever it was would disperse and all would be well. No chance. Despite KB best efforts, nothing was coming out. Ok we will have some diesel anyway. I always like to put the fuel in myself as LT has a very, very slow fill. That's fine. I recon about 120 possibly 130 litres. 85pence was the price quoted. I start to fill and get to 95 litres when the handle starts to chough and splutter. I go to the office and explain I think some thing is wrong, only to be told that the tank must be empty. Not my day. Anyway the gauge says 100 litres and Kate boats say that I only need to pay for 90 and the last few litres might not have registered properly. They also tell me they have contacted Tony who will come and look at LT's pumpout to see if anything can be done. While we wait for Tony, I decide to put the pump directly down the loo ( with the special extension pipe supplied by KB ) and at least get the nasty stuff out of the tank. That worked well. Tony arrives a few minutes after I finish and pokes about. IT seems whatever is causing the blockage is stuck fast and I will have to get into the tank and remove the offending article. Having thanked KB for their excellent service and help, we head off. It's now late afternoon and after a couple more locks, arrive at the Saltisford Arm to moor for the night. We have been told, on the booking phone call earlier in the day, to back down and moor where we can, breast up if necessary. This where the bow thruster really comes into it's own, as the entrance is through a low narrow bridge hole and the moorings are a couple of hundred yards down through moored boats. When we get near the end, we find a winding hole anyway!. We are advised to mooring in the winding hole and move in the morning. The side of the winding hole is too shallow and after 30 minutes or so of back and forth we eventually breast up with the other boat in the winding hole. Blimey what a day. Bit of TV, crap picture, and bed. More later Regards Andrew & Wendy - Tales From The Canal - Saltisford Arm, Warwick
