Unusually someone was watching

 I'm only just catching up after a whirlwind return to land living after our short three days on Percy.

We were above Tixall lock and had a very quiet night setting off at 10.30 am back to the marina. I never understand some people's lack of planning when approaching locks  - case in point was our exit from the lock at Tixall when as we started off  ( lock gates closed as normal) a boat came round the slight bend, however instead of slowing with a bit of reverse she kept the power on and tried to steer around us and onto the lock landing but massively overshot and then hit a load of reverse. This pirouetted the boat anti clockwise into the shallows of the off side and left her crew member who had been walking down the gunnels to the bow isolated. We couldn't do much other that slowly cruise off trying not to look back at the unfolding delays all caused by that speed and lack of planning. Slow down to speed up came to mind.

I guess he who is without sin cast the first stone etc etc.... but we don't cruise fast and try and anticipate, however I'd be wrong to give the impression we (I) were faultless in our cruising approach and technique, so therefore a good reminder!

We turned onto the Trent and Mersey and were soon on the approach to the marina.... it's written elsewhere in this blog about my dislike of marinas and much of this is associated with entering exiting and manouversing. The wind once again was getting excited at our arrival but had made the mistake of blowing towards the exit at maybe 45 degrees to our berth, so with the same person watching who had complimented me on the turn into the marina  - no mean achievement on a 60 foot boat with the wind trying to stop me ...( no bow thrusters on Percy of course) I/we got the stern onto the end of the jetty and let the now disappointed wind blow the bow ever so slowly in a 60 foot arc and at the right time we put percy in reverse and slid backwards into our mooring - if it was only this easy every time  !! 

It seems from the mooring gossip there had been drama the night before with police and assaults and boaters told to move off and the office closed.... all very sad in what should be such a safe and quiet place. But there is no accounting for the effects of emotions and other consumed substances - all marina telegraph of course !

We set to closing down the boat and got home to a week of events that have only just stopped - but kick off again with a flight to Inverness on Sunday that will expanded on maybe later !