10th to 21st July

Lynne went back to work and left me to take the boat from Lyme Green to Bugsworth Basin to pick her up on Friday 13th July when we had arranged to meet Angie and Steve for a days pootle down the Peak Forest Canal and back. I won't bore you with the journey up other than to say this was the first time I have done lift/swing bridges single handed.

My very first lift bridge on the Peak and all big headed, thought 'hey I am experienced now so this should be a doddle', so I dropped to tick over and gradually closed on the bridge, into reverse until I was just about making headway, into neutral and a quick dash down the gunwhales to get the bow line. Ah, clever clogs hadn't realized that the bridge side was higher than the front fender, so when it should have just tapped the bridge and come to a standstill, it didn't! Because the bow is nicely rounded it pushed the bridge up and over the prow THEN it stopped! Numerous curses later I had raised the bridge, moved the boat through then closed the bridge before inspecting for damage. Apart from paint missing and scraped down to bare metal, the damage was minimal, just needing a quick rub down, priming, undercoating then top coating. So the first lift bridge claims another victim. Lesson learnt, next three bridges went like clockwork, swollen head went down to normal size, inflated ego has gone into hiding..

Oh almost forgot, the weather! Whilst beforehand it had only rained once maybe twice a day, that day it rained, then rained some more with the occasional heavy downpour interspersed with more rain and when it wasn't raining, it was pissing down! So much for Friday 13th - who said it was unlucky?

14th July Saturday

Our friends duly arrived and a great day was had by all, the weather for a change actually gave us some sunny periods when it was almost like summer, warm with a light breeze. Both enjoyed the cruise down and back again admiring the wonderful scenery highlighted by the sun whilst of course enjoying a small glass of the amber nectar or wine depending on one's tastes. The day was finished off with a cracking meal cooked and served by Lynne followed by a mouth wateringly delicious sweet of crushed meringue folded into whipped double cream with fresh strawberries mmmmmmm !!! the day went far too fast and before we knew it, it was 10pm and they had to leave with promises to visit us again as soon as possible. Another pair of

converts to the canal life!

15th July Sunday

What can I say ........ its raining again! Lynne had to return to work today leaving me to get the boat down to Bosley Locks for the 30th July where I will pick her up again and continue on our way to Swanley Bridge

Marina.

16th July Monday

I don't know what happened to me this morning but I woke up at 5.00 but I mean - woke up - so fully awake that you just can't lay and relax, tried to for half an hour and then gave up and got up. (LINTY:- I know why, he is missing me !!! grins) And just for once it was a glorious morning, didn't last of course, the rain was just hiding round the corner waiting to catch us off guard. Ah ha, but I knew its little tricks and was all prepared with the waterproofs. By 06.00 I had watered up etc and was on my way back down the Peak.

17th to 20th July

Nothing of particular note to mention, just slowly making my way down towards Bosley locks.

21st July

Left Macclesfield after filling up with diesel 140 litres, I think maybe I was cutting it a bit fine there, getting down towards the fumes at that point, but that's now all sorted. Got a pump out, filled up with water, and emptied cassette so I am now all set for the final trip to our mooring.

Left Macclesfield about 12.30 and had only just got out of site of the Marina and saw 'Blackbird' Carrie's boat so of course I just had to stop and say hello. We knew she was in the area as we had passed emails back and

forth keeping each other informed of our whereabouts, unfortunately Lynne who had wanted to meet Carrie was back at work for her 3 weeks of shifts. (LINTY:- Very disappointed to have missed meeting Carrie - tried to arrange a quick hi after leaving Bugsworth by car the other weekend, but the weather was so bloody awful for driving, I just concentrated on getting home, I'm afraid - hoping I can rectify this sometime in the near future!) I Put the kettle on while Carrie sorted out her dog who wanted to stay and take part, we then spent a very pleasant hour or so chatting about all and sundry. It was great to finally meet a Forum member and found Carrie to be a very nice and friendly person, its just a shame that Lynne was away at work

as she had wanted to meet Carrie as well.

Considering that we have been on the move since April, Carrie is the first person from the Forum that we have actually met and talked to though we have seen two or three boats belonging to Forum members, sadly not onboard at the time. Surprise surprise, as I continued on my way the rain still held off until I arrived at Lyme green, when I had just got moored up before the heavens opened.

I will be staying here a couple of days before heading off towards Fools Nook prior to Bosley Locks.

p.s. Sorry no pictures at the moment as Linty has the sd card.