We have got packing for a narrowboat to a fine art, knowing what we need to take given the space limitations of the car
It's 90 minutes down the M6 and A34 to get to our new base at Aston Marina. It's a chilly and drizzly Sunday as we drive along the congested motorway. It doesn't look like a great day to be out on the water, but then our plan is to just settle into the boat and move on Monday morning
I'm not sure how the arrival at the marina will work. We have a key tag, but don't know what it will do. In the end it lets us into the car park and onto the mooring jetty. We unload the car in light rain, Vera organising the unpacking and stowing away as I bring our belongings from the car
A family of swans monitors our progress
I hoist up our flag, and we are all loaded and ready to go. But we are still finding our way around our new boat, a lot is subtly different from Sceptre. I locate the gas supplies and switch this on for a cup of tea. I am trying to figure out how the TV works. There are various components that need wiring together, but no instructions to speak of and no channels are detected
It's a cold 12 degrees inside the boat, so we head to the bar and restaurant for warmth, beer, wine and food
and to plan where we are going. There is an option to head NE onto the Caldon Canal towards Leek, and an option to go SE along the Trent and Mersey Canal towards the National Arboretum and Burton on Trent. With either choice we have to be mindful of navigation closures that kick in in eight days time, and we have to ensure that we stay on the right side of the winter maintenance works. The decision is to head SE towards Mercia Marina and the Indian restaurant recommended by Alison and Mick
The restaurant at the marina is surprisingly busy for a Sunday evening. We opt for roast beef, Vera taking the child's portion to match her smaller appetite
Then it's back to the chilly boat,
to light the fire
and settle in for our first night aboard
The small woodburner is amazingly efficient, and is a joy to watch as the flames lick lazily over the firewood. Very soon the boat is cozy and warm, as we listen to the rain on the roof and the wind howling around us
Vera does look very settled in.
ReplyDeleteIan