One short blast

Monday, 02 November 2009 08:04

One short blast of the horn means - turning to starboard

Now I get my lefts and rights confused easily, so how on earth do I manage with port and starboard! When we were about to go onto the Ribble Link to Lancaster, I learned the horn signals.

But I still had to write them down and keep them on a post-it-note in the box we keep the maps in at the stern! They were there for a quick reminder, as are other notes to prompt my brilliant forgettery!

Now where on earth is all this nonsense leading to, you ask? Nowhere really! Except that we did turn right today at Great Haywood Junction.

We finally got fed up with waiting for the wind and rain to die down - we were eager to get out of Great Haywood Marina as marinas are not our favourite places to moor (and you pay to be there: the accountant!). Then after lunch the rain stopped.

We took our life in our hands and John took the tiller in his and we braved the very strong wind that was blowing across the marina. A strong burst of the throttle and we pushed out away from the pontoon. The throttle was "down" as John brought Epiphany round into the channel between the boats and pontoons.

Phew, made it with out hitting another boat. Now where was the entrance? A right turn and then left out of the very narrow entrance. Hmm - there were waves on the canal.

It took two goes to get out onto the cut. Heading left into a very strong wind, we battled towards the junction! Moored boats each side did not help and unusually for us we were unable to keep to tick over - we needed to steer!

Now, let me think - we are turning right under here? One short blast, turning to starboard!

Great Haywood Junction

The wind was less in the sheltered Staffs and Worcs, but only for a short while. The Anglo Welsh Base here had an interloper, but a rather lovely one. We had last seen it in April, on our way up to Ellesmere Port on the Shropshire Union Canal.

FMC Monarch

We became rather preoccupied with navigating Epiphany in the wind and looking for somewhere to moor. As we reached Tixall Wide, there were waves coming over the bow (at least one!). OK, I exaggerate, but there were waves - high enough to splash the gunnels.

We managed to find a mooring opposite Tixall Gate House. Our favourite spot. We were here eight months ago - it was windy then too!

The view in March!

Almost the view we had this evening

The wind gradually died down and everything was calm by evening! Shall we stay or shall we move tomorrow?

Trent and Mersey Canal, Great Haywood Marina to Staffs and Worcs Canal, Tixall Wide - 0 hours 50 minutes, 1.28 miles, 0 locks