The long wet winter seems to have hesitated from its attempts to submerge the British Isles as the first half of March brought some much needed sunshine to lift our spirits.
Last week saw the daffodils blooming, birds singing, and sunshine from a bright blue sky, now that is definitely more like it.........
Time for a day or two on the boat perhaps, charge the batteries of both the boat and the soul. Two of the most sunny days last week were 'wasted' with hospital and dental appointments - both signs of getting older unfortunately.
Eventually free of these irksome commitments we arrived at the boat that seemed to sulk after being left to fend for its self against the winter deluge. Problems started immediately ....rain had rusted the inner mechanism of the padlock securing the door and it refused to open. A few minutes of wrestling the key and a few choice mutterings under my breath eventually resorting to brute strength and giving it a good talking to...............
"Bloody open you cheap piece of Chinese c..p ironmongery !"
.......it duly obliged and I thanked it by squirting some oil into its innards as I should have done before the winter.
"Could you turn the gas on please and I will put the kettle on " suggested Captain Denise.
" O.K - where are the gas locker keys?" I asked
" Try the key hooks" was the withering answer
"There are so many keys on here we must sort them out....throw some away..I can't remember which is which " I retorted.
" Try the ones with the same name as the padlock" was the patient answer.
" Yeah, sure, there are at least six keys with the bloody 'tri-circle' symbol of Chinese excellence" I observed.
" Try them all and then put a label on the one that works" was the quiet reply.
" I find sarcasm the lowest form of wit " I muttered to myself.
"What?" said Captain Denise.
"Nothing, nothing" I replied.
Ten minutes later the kettle was on, fire in the 'Morso' stove was burning with a friendly crackle and the engine started with the usual initial vibration that settled down to that comforting hum that spreads through the boat as 'San Serriffe' woke from her winter slumber.
Steaming cup of coffee to hand, and prop turning, we nudged off the mooring into the misty, moisty, March morning...........
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| Misty, moisty, March morning - Macclesfield Canal |
Not many boaters about this time of year, but there were curling wisps of smoke coming from the occasional narrowboat chimney with occupants inside content to go nowhere and stay warm on this chilly March morning.
We had decided to go to Gurnett aqueduct south of Macclesfield and stay overnight mooring near the 'Old King's Head' allowing for the possibility of enjoying a libation or two ( I like to plan ahead) in this 17th century Inn that was once visited by Bonnie Prince Charlie. Also James Brindley the famous early canal engineer was a possible visitor when he was an apprentice a few hundred yards down the road...all the best people booze in the 'Old King's Head'
We were pointing the 'wrong' way so had to turn in the winding hole opposite North Cheshire Cruising Club and back towards Higher Poynton and on towards Macclesfield.
It really was a cold misty morning with only the positive weather forecast promising sunshine in the afternoon .Our Pesty Westie Suzy curled up on the warm engine hatch and decided to have a power nap to conserve energy in preparation for her continual lifelong battle against all things ducks.
Huddled in a heavy coat and a 'Beanie' hat to keep my brains warm, I suggested perhaps another hot coffee would be a good idea - perhaps that 'special' coffee that tastes of rum. It's amazing what different flavours Nescafe can do nowadays. This duly appeared and the world looked brighter, warmer and altogether a better place.
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| Gurnett aqueduct |
Late afternoon and some weak winter sunshine saw us moored on Gurnett aqueduct and we luxuriated in the warmth of the cabin courtesy of the glowing Morso stove. Pesky hound Suzy had the same idea and sat next to the stove until her fur started to smoke........
"Move you silly dog or you will spontaneously combust !" I shouted, but my efforts fell on deaf ears. A couple of biscuits did the trick and she escaped bursting into flames because of my ruse to place the biscuits on the carpet away from the fire - she eventually went back to her original position and waited patiently for another clever 'ruse' involving biscuits.
Morning was another 'misty' one again but the sun battled through and for a couple of hours we had idyllic bright blue sky. We moved onwards through Sutton and towards a point where we could turn around and head back home after our first 'cruise' of the season.
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| Sailing on Sunday sunshine - heading towards Sutton, Macclesfield canal |
Hopefully the weather will have improved when we go 'on tour' during the summer. We will be crossing the tidal 'Ribble Link' onto the Lancaster canal and then returning a few weeks later back onto the Leeds & Liverpool canal where we will meet Canal & River Trust staff at Aintree who will help us through the swing bridges and locks down into the Liverpool Link and a mooring in Salthouse dock............
