Due a catch up

Its been a while. We have been on and off Percy but nothing really interesting to report, that is a good thing I guess. 

We are on our way somewhere, not sure where yet as external influences may or may not play a part....

We set off yesterday and headed the wrong way as we needed to wind in Grub street. I have reported this winding hold as it is getting worse by the month with bad silt in the apex and failed armco on the tow path, no idea how a 70 foot boat might wind here, we struggle with 60 foot needing the pole at the stern to get around as the front was stuck in the mud and I could not get off.

Wasn't Ipswich the butty Sarah had? 

We were sad to hear of the passing or Trevor (?) the fell who lived in the cutting with his two boats and classic car. He was a always pottering and always gave us a wave... a sad reminder that time waits for no one and when its your time... seems he had a good health span to match his life span and that is as much as we can hope for when it comes to counting years. RIP Trevor we will miss seeing you. 

Otherwise an uneventful couple of days so far. We got on the last mooring at Goldstone yesterday and had a couple of boats up behind us... one of the bits of the trip we could not let them pass on as we'd have ended up above Tyrley locks or had to do the locks which we did not fancy.

We came down them this lunchtime after a decent pass through Woodseaves only meeting one boat right at the end and they knew what to do. 

He's still got the winding hole roped off ! 

Even the last lock wasn't too mean to us  - but unless we do the four counties we will have its pleasure again !! There were 9 people on the back of the hire boat at  the final  lock and they all stayed on the boat while they were brought up by Rachel!

Dog $hit on my boots as we moored up in Market Drayton, I want to like this place but the town centre is so sad. It's got some lovely houses if you walk in via the aqueduct and head of the church. We did a top up and I didn't fancy the end mooring close to the aqueduct - last time we moored here there were motorbikes up and down the tow path. So I set us off and stopped for water and loo emptying ... its a real moan of a new post but no waste disposal, showers closed as was the toilet and the only 'service' was a truly disgusting elsan that had not been cleaned for a long time. C&RT should hang their head in shame. I can accept the showers and toilets as most boaters have such on board but the Elsan and the waste are non negotiable.  

Reasons not to have a pump out ever again .... but the elsan was a test 

I felt quite humbled as I passed this boat .... expecting it to be abandoned there was a fella in it who gave a cheery wave and a smile.... the top cabin was as much rot as wood, respect to him for living his dream 

I'm sure this one has been across the channel 

We motored on into the early evening and are in a mooring by bridge 66  - we've moored here before lots of veg to contend with but at least its armco. Steak for tea and a few beers so life isn't that bad.  Not sure of the weather tomorrow but Cox bank is the short hop we have planned. might top up at the cake shop if she's got her wares open at the top lock..... yes done this a few times now.