It’s been a harrowing start to the new year for so many. We know of boaters who have lost their homes, been washed off moorings by rising flood waters and either damaged or sunk by water or falling trees.
We’ve been hugely fortunate having made the decision to base ourselves in a marina with controlled water levels and secure moorings but this weekend we’re heading back out to where we belong – travelling the canals and (eventually when they become navigable again, the rivers).
So this is preparation time. We’re making the most of the mains electricity we paid to be connected to. The washing machine is going flat out and we’ve taken the opportunity to do one really hot wash (we normally wash on cold).
The old throttle and gear handle (officially the Morse control) came off in my hand on Steve’s birthday as we made our way from Middlewich and Steve made one of his fantastic hasty repairs. This is what we use to go forwards, backwards and alter the boat’s speed for mooring so when we’re on the move it’s working hard all the time. Despite its temporary repair it still had to be nursed with care through all the remaining months, and coming up through Atherstone Flight was nerve-wracking wondering if it would snap again.
We think it may have been an original handle, so it’s given good service for over 30 years, over many miles and through many locks. Finding a new one at a reasonable price was no mean feat, but Steve sourced one and is now in the process of installing it with his Christmas presents of new throttle and gear cables.
While he’s doing that I shall be filling us up with water while we’re moored right by a water point, emptying all the toilet cassettes, finishing a Spring clean whilst I’ve got the immersion heater working and giving loads of hot water and washing all the rag rugs at the same time.
I will be checking anything that could suffer from engine vibration is made secure – memo to self we’re running out of non slip fabtic and bluetack! Boatdog will no doubt be staying out of the way, snuggled on her bed that was (to her delight) washed earlier in the week!
Once we’ve finished all frantic activity, we will no doubt indulge in long hot showers in the marina’s showers with their underfloor heating and never-ending hot water!
It has been a good move for us to have had the boat in a marina for the past 5 weeks. We’ve been away from her often, and it’s been comforting to know she would be OK with people keeping an eye on her. When we’ve been back onboard, we’ve been grateful for strong mooring points as storm winds have rocked and buffeted us. We haven’t had to worry about finding moorings away from trees that might land on us or trying to moor into saturated ground. We’ve had the car with us and benefited from secure parking that hasn’t flooded, so the pluses have been many. We haven’t had to contend with flooded, muddy towpaths, either.
But for us, it is time to get back on the cut. We have missed it. We miss moving; miss mooring in dark,unlit places with only owls for company; miss seeing new places; watching wildlife in their homes outside ours; miss the changing views from our windows; miss discovering towns and villagss we would never have stopped in without our floating home: and most of all we miss the feeling of freedom.
Where will we go? We will go safely, and slowly without any rush. Our first intention is to head off the Ashby, along the Coventry, onto the Trent and Mersey. That will take us some weeks – yes, weeks! We are heading into Derbyshire for a major change to the boat! Exciting times ahead.
Whatever the year ahead holds for you, we hope you are warm, dry, and safe. That there are things to look forward to, adventures to be had familiar things to bring you comfort amid much to bring you joy. For us, those all come from our family and living out on the cut.
Pickingupducks 