Last day

Saturday 16^th October; Norbury Junction

We were up at 7 and finished most of the packing before we pottered along to the wharf and easily reversed into the mooring.  Even if it had been windy there wouldn't have been a problem as there was someone on hand to take a rope.  I was in a good position to see more information about the boats that are being restored.

We were all sorted and on our way home at 9.30, feeling quite sad – even though it wasn’t Chuffed, we’d had a lovely week apart from the worry about Meg – she was almost back to normal by the time we left, charming the other hirers when they wanted to play with her.  It was strange hiring again.  No jobs waiting to be done was a bonus!  And although we would much prefer a cassette or separator toilet on our own hoped-for future boat, the pump-out type on Summer Wine was an advantage.  We made a list of what to bring if we hire again – insulated mugs for cold weather at the top of the list, with decent kitchen knives a close second.  But the bedding and towels provided were excellent.  We’d taken our own supplies for the fire and didn’t need to use the central heating at all.  We were surprised to see Summer Wine has a cratch cover, which is highly unusual on a hire boat

And as there was no hire company name on the sides we wondered if it was a privately owned boat, which it turns out it is.  The owners live in New Zealand.  We had been a bit concerned that in a hire boat we might be on the receiving end of some dismissive behaviour, but there was none at all – a boat with a cratch cover is usually assumed to be privately owned.

We drove back to the M6 by a slightly different route and passed under the Stretton Aqueduct.

Now we just have to be patient and keep checking the various websites, as not every boat for sale appears on Apollo Duck.  We have noticed that more boats are becoming available as the main season draws to a close. Fingers crossed.

I must get round to doing the total stats for our ownership of Chuffed.

58 miles, 24 locks; Cowley tunnel twice, Stretton aqueduct three times if you include driving underneath; Shroppie and Staffs & Worcester canals.  Lots of kingfishers on the Shroppie!