Apologies for the other nights moan - tbh, WHAT I moaned about wasn't actually what was keeping me awake at 3.am... it was something else.
In short, I'm rarely the chap who (whom?) asks for a favour - usually the good Samaritan performing one. You see, I have a belief in Karma... - naively, I'd convinced myself I've done more good/useful things this winter during our marina stay than taken liberties.
REWIND a bit. A mate of mine has a paid for mooring up until June but has taken his boat elsewhere to on brokerage - it sold straight away. Given his mooring is paid for but now empty AND his bollard is about £40 quid in credit, it seemed like a fair request to squat on it for a few days as my best friends father has died unexpectedly and I'd feel more comfortable leaving the bosun in charge of a boat Plugged into the mains rather than on the cut... explaining this to the manager in truth, I honestly expected he'd say that whilst a little bit against the rules, it would be ok given the favours I do for them when I'm there in the winter months... especially as he knows this year is a bit tight for us - having been briefly involved with a cryptocurrency scam last year and private medical treatment, ANY way to save a few quid would have been welcomed.
Sadly he said as he'd already told the owners my mate had gone and has re-let the space (from June) he couldn't help me. It really irked. It's not like he even like he offered to have a word with the directors and ask to be able to do me this (free to them) favour.
I can't believe I'm STILL sulking about it. Churlish I know.
Hmmf!
ANYWAY - I'm hoping to feel more forgiving when I call in for a diesel and a pump out next week - thing is, NOW that I'm not a Moorer over the summer, I'll probably get charged "non Moorer's" uplift for the Diy pump out then too. I've half a mind to go back up to Stoke and use the one at Etruria.
MOVING on (or rather backwards) - you'll remember we'd gotten stuck in Manchester due to the Ashton flight being closed...we made the best of it by introducing our guest to the wonders of the gay village. Drag has never really been my thing, but I'm better at NOT being scared any more - and tbh, once you buy them a drink, they direct any vitriol towards someone else. the penultimate place we went into was quite empty but we had partaken of quite a few libations... especially the Balkan. I think it's fair to say he really was enjoying himself...
ANYWAY - we took a gamble and worked up the infamous Rochdale 9 to sit and wait for the Ashton to open. They don't get any easier.
The guest dropped a windlass in and the first use of the new magnet proved (surprisingly) successful at recovering it... I DO need to remember to add a jubilee clip to the new polished chrome ones I got last year in case the next time it's one of them! On this occasion when we got to Piccadilly village, rather than go into Telford basin (and get trapped) because it was such a lovely day, we stayed along side and enjoyed the sun going down.
Next morning, once the flight was re-opened (albeit only for 15 mins) we raced (well as much as you can in shallow water) up the Ashton flight (as already mentioned) with no water and then the next day, up the Marple flight (also many empty pounds)and ended our guest's holiday in Bugsworth Basin.
It was up there - right at the top of the basin where there is an old loading 'port' we met the craziest/angry/volatile bat shit crazy angry woman. There is space for 2 boats and we've often been in there WITH another boat no problems. On arrival, I noticed the boat there and rather than go forwards in, turned around and began reversing... pretty well I might add.
It was then the fecking crazy bint on the already moored boat started shouting that this is a mooring sport for 1 boat and we should feck off go forth and multiply. I was quite taken aback tbh. I presumed she thought she was bring funny or was TRYING to be funny... no ... she was ffing and jeffing - at me and the guest on the helm with me.
This aggravated the Balkan.
You see, they're a loyal and friendly bunch unless crossed... and her actions had crossed a line I didn't know about. Her husband then popped his head up and said if we were staying then THEY would go.
I took the higher moral ground and apologised for HIS troubles with her and suggested extra medication. I don't think that helped but we DID move off and moor elsewhere. The Balkan ready to scuttle their boat and the guest stirring things later on by sitting on the bench by their boat and taking holiday snaps lol.
ON the plus side, this encounter whilst tarnishing the final day of his trip, it did give us all an excuse (not that we need one) for a tipple - which led to a few more and then a visit to the war memorial club just up from the Navigation pub (currently closed down)... WHAT a lovely friendly night we had with the locals ... tail end of a christening so a few plates of sarnies around and really good value drinks. As usual, the Balkan got chatting with the stewardess whilst I met the secretary etc and the guest worked the room as only a Canadian wish AS burgers can. Random strangers offering drinks all evening. a TRULY lovely place. We'll be back again!
We dropped the guest off in Whaley Bridge on his final morning and then began our trip down the Macclesfield. The water in the upper peak AND Macc. is very low. no wonder really given how much Marple needed to make it navigable and Bosley Locks weren't much better.
The Lower Macclesfield obviously is fine - for now. Whilst moored at the bottom of Bosley, we did a bit of flower maintenance
.
No comments:
Post a Comment