We had just a short distance to go back to our marina today, and set off about 8.30. Adrian packed as we went along. At Yardley Gobion, outside Kingfisher marina, we passed our old share boat, Debdale, and had a quick chat with Charlie, who was one of the owners back when we had our share.
When we got to Thrupp Wharf, there were three fishermen opposite the marina entrance, which is also a winding hole. I don’t think they’d have been very pleased had I done my usual turn in, which would certainly have stirred up their water. Because of what was happening next, I got the boat close to the entrance and then reversed the stern in. Adrian got all the stuff he was taking home off the boat while I stood there with a rope, trying to stop the boat blowing over to the other side!
Adrian packed the car, checked he had house keys, and set off back home. So that really marks the end of our trip — 35 days in total, plus three days when we were moored in Rugby having to work. It’s one of our longest trips (I must check back to see whether it takes the title as the longest!)
5 miles, 0 locks. (385 miles, 314 locks)
I jumped back on the boat (and it almost did require a jump, because the wind had already blown the stern away from the side in the few seconds it took me to get there), and headed for Cosgrove. I passed four boats on the way, so I was pretty use there’d be space, plus two more as I tried to get over to the moorings. I chose a relatively straight section, with no overhanging trees.
Once I was secure, I got the bucket out and washed, rinsed, and dried that side of the boat. Then I thought I’d put some black paint on the gunwales; when we had them changed from blacking to paint last year, Steve let me have half a tin of leftover paint. I got the fat tyre fenders out and tied them to the intermediate rings on the towpath, to keep the boat away from the side. There are a few bits that really need a bit of proper work, but the paint has certainly covered up the surface scuffs and scratches.
Then I got the polish out and did that side of the boat. Once all that was done, I thought I’d turn the boat around before having some lunch, so headed off to the lock where I spun around and returned to the same spot.
I’d only just finished tying up again when Free Spirit came past, so I walked down to the lock to explain what I was doing here rather than heading for home, and to help Ian and Irene through.
Back at the boat I had lunch, then did the whole cleaning process on the other side. I have to say the novelty wore off some time before the boat was finished, and being stooped over for hours putting polish on and then off again is not much fun. However there were plenty of people passing to say hello to, including a big group of kids on some sort of trip, who had lots of questions. It was only when I went back inside I realised I should also have cleaned the windows, so I did that too — including standing on the gunwales to do the offside ones.
The main reason I’m still here is that I have a boat test to do tomorrow in Cheshire, so there was very little point in going home when this is halfway there.
1 mile, 0 locks.
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