Not so lazy today

Tuesday 21^st July; Perdiswell Park to Dunhampstead

We awoke early, to more sunshine.  We’re not going far today and lots of things need attending to.  Dave has been prepping the starboard gunwale for painting so carried on with that.

Ready to paint

I tidied up inside.  If we ever moved aboard we would have to change our somewhat slovenly ways, as we are always losing things under unread newspapers.  Meg and I had a lovely walk around the park, then as we had run out of bread I made a loaf of soda bread for lunch.  By the time that was done, Dave had painted the gunwale and removed the masking tape.

Smart gunwale again

We left around 11, in perfect cruising weather.  At the first lock, Blackpole, were the first blackberries close enough to be picked.

Juicy

There seem to be a lot of fat ones around this year.  These were lovely.  At Tolladine lock the contractors stopped strimming for us to go up.  There are good damsons here but it’s far too early in the season yet for any picking.  We were behind a boat up Offerton locks so progress was slow.  There was very little wind, so I left Dave to close up while I went on to set the next lock.  A couple of walkers closed one gate for him.

Helpers close the gate

But only one.

Dave's turn - the runner wasn't interested

There were more blackberries at Offerton Top Lock, but we didn’t pick any.  The motorwayis so close that they would be dusted with tyre particles and other nasties.  The barn conversion appears to be finished, but it’s not somewhere I would choose to live.

If it weren't for the M5 looming above .....

We carried on a way to Tibberton where we stopped for a late lunch, then moved on looking for a decent edge so we could do more work.  The less-overgrown spots at Oddingley were taken; we have never yet managed to moor here.  The cattle were basking in the sun.

Big Daddy takes his ease

There is plenty of room at Dunhampstead.  Boats were moored at the far end closer to the bridge and pub, but we tied up at the start of the designated winter mooring just past the long-term moorings.  The boat that passed us as we prepared to start again after lunch had moored a long way ahead, but were still faffing about and calling to each other as we were getting the kettle on.  They weren’t under trees, but clearly weren’t satisfied where they were, and pulled their boat back to just six feet in front of us. Then they disappeared inside.  Why, when there was so much space?  Could be TV signal I suppose.  We felt intruded upon though.  

We have been noticing the progress of the horrible disease killing the ash trees.  There are some very sad sights now.  I read that affected trees can suddenly fall so that’s another consideration for choosing a mooring spot.

Poorly ash tree

Dave got his working clothes on and disappeared down the engine hole to clean up.  This generated a pile of mucky newspapers, but we’ll be in the marina tomorrow to dispose of them.  I cleared the roof – the towpath is a good wide one here, so there was still plenty of room for the few walkers to pass – and cleaned the roof.  It has been reproaching us ever since we came on board two weeks ago.  The sun had disappeared behind clouds, but it was still hot.

5 miles, 8 locks, a clean roof at last!