Back on Board at Last

 Tuesday 16th, Wednesday 17th and Monday 22nd July 2024 back to MM

Not yet back on board (not long to go and counting!), but a narrowboating day nonetheless. 

Our very good friends Shelley and Harley (aka nb "The Lazy Bee") were moored up at Rode Heath, which was only a minor diversion on our route from Huddersfield to Overwater Marina. To our delight, they were looking out for us as we drove into the car park opposite.

It was so good to see their smiles of welcome!

Lunch together was at the Broughton Arms pub, a convivial four hours of good food and catching up. We'd not seen the since this time last year and will be travelling to Liverpool together as from next week, so there was lots to talk about.

We spent the night on MM in Overwater Marina and unloaded all the heavy stuff that we had brought up in the car to save us carrying it on the train from Reigate next week. We'd forgotten the security code for the moorers' gate and so were obliged to scramble over (R) and through (M) the fence with all our bags, a highly undignified procedure!

A lovely sunset after days of unsettled weather and rain.

Just as we were getting ready in the morning, a lovely friendly pusscat walked on to MM, along the roof and eventually inside, where he/she settled on R's lap.

Breakfast was in the Marina's excellent café before we set off for home, happy in the knowledge that we will be back on Monday.

FINALLY! It is Monday 22nd and we are back on board. It is strange, but lovely, to go from 125mph on the train to 3mph on MM! The weather was glorious and it was a joy to be out boating once more. Overwater is a most imaginatively and attractively laid out marina and we would happily moor there again.

Shortly after we set off, we came to Hack Green Locks. There was no sign of the problems that caused the locks to be closed, interrupting our travels for three weeks.

The little flower is "Restharrow", rarely seen these days. M spotted it growing beside the lock.

Today: 5 miles, 2 locks and 3.6 hours.

Trip: 75miles, 62 locks and 43.6 hours.