So bright & early on Monday morning, we did the last two locks to the Boat yard, as we approached the last lock the lower gates opened with the rear of a boat in view, which is unusual, as you normally see either the front of a boat ready to leave the lock, or an empty lock. The Guys from the boat yard were just moving, by hand, a old 1912 commercial boat, (which had a 1 cylinder two stroke engine, which takes 2hrs to start!) afterwards we learned that the boat had just been moved from the drydock for us to go in.
Life in Slow Motion needed reversing down the canal arm to the drydock, thankfully the engineer did that. Once in the drydock, the water had to be pumped out, which took about 45 minutes. Then the engineers could investigate the propeller, which after a few sharp intakes of breath and rubbing of chins, it was decided that the bent fin on the propeller should be cold bent (rather than hot bent) back in to shape. After the health and safety lecture, which was “everything in this boat yard is trying to kill you, it just hasn’t decided when yet,…. so be careful”, they were happy for us to watch the process from the bottom of the drydock. So with the aid of a large lever, two large hammers and a block of wood, the fin was coaxed back in to shape. Half an hour later that was done, so the drydock was re-flooded. The whole process took a couple of hours including the obligatory tea break.
To the untrained eye, the boat yard was complete chaos, inside – used tools laid around everywhere, together with bits of metal and wood. Outside, more stuff, including half a boat, lots of metal and a random collection of vehicles, motor bikes, vans, motorhomes, cars, all in various states of abandonment. But Life in Slow Motion was sorted in 2 hours and we were back on the canals – with a working propeller.
Tuesday, cruised to just outside Braunston, a busy canal junction between the Oxford Canal and the Grand Union canal. Had an interesting walk via to towpaths and into the village.
On Wednesday we cruised to Hillmorton locks on the Oxford Canal, which is where we started from back in March, we did this, as it was easy to pick up a hire car for another weekend off the boat, visiting friends.
Thursday, we picked up the hire car, which was brand new and only had 27 miles on the clock, then drove to Widnes for dinner, and too much wine, with friends!
Friday, drove to Lancaster, for more catch up good times with friends, this time at the Fleece Inn in Dolphinholme (a village about 20 mins from Lancaster).
On Saturday, drove down to Chester for time with Nic’s Auntie, we helped out with a few jobs around the house and were rewarded with nice meals and some more wine!.
Sunday we drove back to Rugby (Hillmorton), and went to the cinema (the first time in 18months) to see Black Widow, there were only about 10 people in the cinema.
| This Week | Total | |
| Locks | 16 | 426 |
| Miles Cruised (approx.) | 17 | 592 |
Travurple 