Titford part 2

After a serious music session, time to stop putting it off. The weed hatch opens a hole in the bottom of the boat, so is heavily secured and a palaver to open. Then it's onto my belly, head and shoulders upside down into the engine bay, with one arm at full stretch into the water groping around and behind the propeller. Anything on there will be wound super tight so it's a matter of finding, or creating, an end and then untangling it.

Result! Also a collection of bruises in fairly odd places.. Then carefully replacing the hatch.

Thursday I decided to venture into town, as the weather was starting warm up. 

Good thing too, Friday had a train strike due. Had a wander through the museum,  to see the Staffordshire Hoard and the fine collection of pre Raphaelite art.

This was reproduced in a book I had as a kid.. Victoria's Heyday, J.B.Priestley, I remember being fascinated by the details and stories it held. Great to see it in real life.

On my return, boats were starting to arrive, including Ken on nb Lady Kathleen, who we had met on an Explorer cruise.. good to catch up.

Friday and a heatwave really building. The flies from the neighbouring recycling plant were becoming a nightmare. However Andrew remembered he had at some point bought a fly screen kit. Time to measure up, adapt it,

And fit it.

Result! Once I had also rigged up a light scarf at the rear, I had fly-free through draught. Game changer.

Friday, and the eight Explorer cruise boats were due in: lock wheelers requested. So had some exercise working locks. 

One of the boats had a crew member pointed out: the previous year had off a boat into a propeller,  rescued really quickly but horribly mangled: has made an astonishing recovery and back boating. Not only that but **not holding on** when crossing lock gates..

Purchase made too:

In the evening we had a quiz, came 4th of 8 teams but 2nd in the bonus 'best guess numbers' round. And a prize!

Saturday: groceries. Up the cool green canal corridor to Titford Pools, right by the M5 although in the right direction you'd never know it.

Dive through the hedge into the madness of supermarket car parks. Retreat ASAP.

Time to find some shade

Before the afternoons fun: a duck race, held at suitably  laid back speed:

And the evening's entertainment: a couple of singer/guitarists who had only just started playing together. So, a bit rough but lots of friendly banter to and fro made for a good time.

Sunday, and the 24 Hour Challenge was ending at the Pumphouse at 2pm. So that's 28 boats, crews exhausted after trying to travel as much as possible of the BCN in 24 hours, faced with 6 locks. Many had decorated their boats and even had crew uniforms.

So a few of us went down to lend a hand and try and keep the pounds full enough for the boats to navigate. After three hours in the heat of the day I waved a white flag and tottered back to the boat.

Yet another quiz in the evening, and this time we came third! Prize! Biscuits..

The area really full now:

And double moored all the way along behind me too.

Monday morning though, many were off again, from 6am to try and beat the heat. The remainder gathered to bring down and pack away the marquee, and then after that it was time to sit quiet and endure the heat of the day.

On the move tomorrow so time to wrap up the weekend.