Locks , miles & boozers

We have kept FL attached to shore power in the marina. Since the last post we have slipped back into marina mode easily, water or power conservation is not required, outings to the pub with friends on a Friday and a car in the car park.

We've also had a couple of do's to attend, we had planned to cruise in between these events that needed FL tucked in safely while we left her for a few days, but the weather hasn't been friendly enough for us to leave the cosiness of the basin.

Halloween and Bonfire night have been and gone (do English kids still get taught about Guy Fawkes these days?), Christmas and New Year will whizz by the same way and winter will be in full swing, hopefully it won't be as hard as the weather 'experts' are predicting for those hardy boaters choosing to cruise that time of year.

So as we are not cruising I shall probably put the blog to bed unless anything interesting crops up.


Totals for year:

Miles 761
Locks 364
Diesel £391.91
Gas  2.5 x bottles = £70
......................................

Favourite pubs 2015:

1. The Boat Inn - Gnosall
2. The Greyhound - Hawkesbury Junction
3. The White Horse - King Sutton
4. The Swan - Fradley Junction
5. The Trout Inn - Lechlade

Favourite Tipple 2015:

1. Tatton Brewery Best
2. Marston IPA
3. Brakspear Bitter
4. Joules Pale Ale
5. Hydes Finest

56 pubs were visited all were waterside or village located.

Heartbreak Hill.

Friday we were up early, it was chucking it down when we left the marina at 07:00. We took the car to Hassall Green and walked down the sodden towpath to meet with the crew of the 'Pasty' boat. Our offer of help had been readily accepted to help our friends passage up the remaining 18 Cheshire locks.

It was mostly dry and I had an enjoyable morning working the locks -  sustained by Dot's world-famous pasties. 

Back to Stone where Sue had her barnet cut before we joined Richard & Sharon in the Exchange for an early doors ale.

Gordon & Dot leaving the last lock..

Saturday it was The Final and what a great final it was as the two of the greatest teams in Rugby Union went flat out for the win. The All Blacks were just too strong despite a gutsy Wallaby comeback in the second half.

Sunday started foggy which cleared to a warm sunny afternoon only for the mist to descend later in the day. Hopefully, it will clear tomorrow for a trip down the motorway for a friends retirement do.