We have spent a few days on Uncle Mort, with only a modicum of cruising. After work on Friday we decided to putter off towards Saul expecting that we would only have time to pass through Parkend bridge during bridgekeepers' hours. However when we were still 300 yards from Saul Jct bridge the bridge opened but we had just begun an approach into a mooring spot. I telephoned the bridgekeeper to thank him, saying we hadn't planned going any further since we were approaching 5:45 and the end of the day, but he enlightened me of the point that this is now summer working hours 8am to 7pm. So we changed the plan and chugged on to Patch.
Very pleasant evening cruise. The bridge rules have changed and there is some doubt about whether and/or how the traffic light signals will be used. It's all very much ad hoc now and I believe bridges are passed through at skippers' discretion which means that nbs can theoretically pass each other in the bridge holes. Ironically at Cambridge the nb coming towards us as we held station 50 yards prior to the bridge seemed to have no idea that we were present and no understanding of any passing convention. I was on the point of sounding the horn when the diminuitive female steerer spotted us and took evasive action and we passed stbd to stbd. As she passed she shouted "sorry, that's never happened before". Saturday was a windy but pleasant morning and we did a 9 mile round trip walking to Sharpness and back. We spotted Stokie at his soon to be ex-pitch and arranged to pick up some diesel later in the afternoon. The Black Shed aka Slimbridge Boat Station has had some kind of reincarnation. Looks like the cafe has been poshed up and they now sell the chandlery and suchlike from an adjacent location. Perhaps a local council health issue. Passed two types of angler. The first pair equipped with a van load of tackle including a keepnet big enough for an alligator. No sign of any fish. The second, we almost didn't see him, shouted "would you please take my photo" and he was caressing a 9lb King Carp which he explained was quite rare, he told us it was quite a mature beastie and had recently spawned. His boxer dog Macey gave the fish a good licking as well and I took some shots with his camera for him. An angler that was not overburdened with equipment, happy, personable and successful - quite a rarity. Loads of white boats hobnobbing at Sharpness - allegedly from Stourport Marina (near Lincomb Lock). Took on 190L diesel from Stokie at 76p relieving me of nearly £150 but that's the first filling for just over a year, testament to not much of a year afloat. Whilst gossiping with Briony & John we witnessed a clumsy winding of the cliff sided Oliver Cromwell hotel boat. In the high winds the vessel drifted sideways using some convenient narrowboats as fenders. Damage probably limited to paintwork. At one stage it look as if the OC and the high railway bridge might become intimately acquainted which prompted unpouching of some digital cameras. Sunday - horrible weather. Windy and rain, so after a cooked breakfast there was no choice but to don the waterproofs, set the jaw into the wind and head back up the canal. In the event the rain mainly held off, we filled with water at Splatt and pushed on to Parkend by about 2pm. There I finished the weekend works on the Squirrel, see seperate posting. Cheers Beeky
