Landlocked!

A busy week with lots planned while there is access to car transport. 

Monday was boaty jobs and driving to Argos for a toddler car seat. Andrew visited the chandlery to stock up on paint (undercoat and Midnight Blue top coat for the cabin and satin black for the gunwales). Took quite a while because the chap before me took ages and kept thinking of something else he needed... 

Did the laundry at the same time so not wasted. Also lent our spare hose and coupler to a neighbouring boat (moored on same spot we first occupied with Mind Like Water) so they could reach the water point. Later found out they live in Deganwy. 

Also managed to meet with the marina owner to chase the very overdue invoices for engineering work we have had done. He promised that we will have them by the end of the week. Not holding my breath as similar promises have been made in the past... 

Tuesday was driving to Blackpool to visit Andrew's mum. She's in reasonable form given all she has to cope with. We went out for lunch to a pub where had previously had excellent meals, and found a staffing crisis. 3 people, including the chef on their first day, to run the whole place. 

So 20 minutes to place our order, had to go online to find gf options, a further 30 minutes to deliver food. 2 meals good, but Alison had never had a crunchy salmon fillet before..  got with it rather than wait even longer for a replacement but disappointing. A long drive at stunning speed! Eventually dropped off the Mway onto country roads .. too much!

Wednesday was planned for Marc and Charlie to come to Chester by train, for us to collect them and bring them for a day on the boat. Hence the car seat. The stars did not align.. the weather was due to be lumps of rain all day, and then Charlie fell sick. 

Since the return plan was for Alison to drive them back and then pick up post etc, she simply drove back anyway, while Andrew stayed back with more boaty jobs... installing navigation and tunnel lights . 

After a leisurely start, she arrived at Old Colwyn just in time to use the car seat, to take Marc and Charlie to the doctor. While waiting had a pleasant chat with Alyn, further to an email from regional office. Then walked their dog while Charlie went for his nap, and collected a few ramsons. 

Back to base for a mega shower and paperwork then another playdate with Charlie. Getting on for 6 by then.. was just getting ready to move when Andrew rang.. did I want to hear a band play tonight? Yes sure, no I don't need to go to the boat first , will see you there, it'll be around 7.15 that I turn up..  

So heard this group called Sapphire Storm, playing country / bluegrass: excellent stuff though the room was uncomfortably hot and stuffy.

Thursday no driving at all! More paperwork completion, a chat at the chandlery while cadging a photocopy, a walk into town to post the resulting papers and do shopping. I could've driven but needed the exercise and it was a fine day. Meanwhile Andrew was removing the old sealant from the chimney base to check for corrosion / water ingress and resealing it as well as troubleshooting an issue with drainage outside the stern door and checking the diesel water trap 

And instead of the fajitas planned for Wednesday we had the sides (sour cream,guacamole, salsa, tortilla chips) on their own while watching episodes of MASH on DVD. These are from a complete pristine box-set that Andrew found in the service block at Nantwich earlier in the year. Service blocks often act as informal book & DVD exchanges but this box-set was a real find! 

Friday we are going to see an Arthur Miller play "All My Sons" by the Nantwich Players. Not sure if it's going to be a barrel of laughs but first play we have been to in ages. 

Saturday we are going to to see Ralph McTell at the Civic Hall. Lots of good artists playing as part of the new Nantwich Roots festival. The group we saw on Wednesday was part of the festival events as well. 


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