Four to One and So Near and yet so Far!

Wednesday 18th April 2018
Tardebigge to Hopwood
5.5 miles, 1 lock, 2 tunnels

We actually moved up the top lock yesterday (Tuesday) to moor near Crafted Boats dry dock as we appeared to have a problem with our bow thruster.

The daffodils are looking lovely - it will all look very different when we return in October.

The sight of Tardebigge Church is one we love.

So through the lock and on to moor near the dry dock.  As you can see Monty has not forgotten where he spends his time on the back deck supervising what the boat does! We were able to stay overnight by the dry dock - not the most scenic of moorings, but the CRT moorings on the other side of the canal are very soft and pins pull out all too easily.  The bow thruster worked perfectly and all tests showed there was no problem.  The consensus of opinions was that the thruster must have ingested some debris and then got rid of it.

So we spent a couple of days getting some last minute jobs done and finally Wednesday dawned and it was going to be time to really get going.  First I walked Monty - the weather was a lot chillier than I had expected, but it started to warm up as we walked along.  Next I took the car to Morrisons for the paper and then to home where it will stay until we return.  I took a taxi back to Tardebigge Wharf where I found Chris on the water point filling up and emptying all necessary containers.  The last thing to do was to get the Tesco delivery which was due between 12 and 1.  At 11:30 I was about to get into the taxi when my phone went.  It was Tesco!  Just a bit too early.  He waited until I arrived and then delivered the shopping to the boat.  Just before we were ready to go along came an unexpected vehicle - the local fire brigade had arrived to test their hoses and pumps.  Thankfully they were happy to wait until we were on our way.

They lined up to wave us off - I was just too slow with the camera

and once we had gone they let rip.

As you can see the expected hot weather had arrived by the time we set off.  This route is so familiar to us know (sorry slip of the brain), but it never fails to delight, particularly when the sun is shining.

and no, this is not Monty - he does not approve of swimming, but this dog was having a great time, but got a serious 'telling off' from Monty.

We passed Morning Mist

The Alarum Theatre boat with those advertising boards I helped tie on when we were lock keeping.

 I have never noticed these sculptures just before Withybed Green.  There seem to be quite a few - somewhere we need to explore by car one day for a better look.

Then on to the new marina at Withybed Green - it looks as though it is nearly ready.  It has been a long time in the planning (2007) and building.

Maybe we will have to look at it to save 45 locks every time we set off and return!

What a perfect sight - hot enough for people to be sitting outside enjoying some sun.

Round the bend at Bittel and past the moored boats on the left and

the fishing lakes on the right.  When nb Oleana went past on Monday there was one lonely fisherman.  Today there were 16 at the top lake

2 at the lower lake

and one on the reservoir, presumably on a boat unless he is walking on water

So here we are moored at Hopwood with the sun so bright at 6pm that I did not get a good photo! The added bonus - the whirlygig washing line was deployed.

So why the title?  The Four to One was the layers of clothes that were removed over the course of the day.  I cannot remember the last time I was able to sit comfortably with just one light layer of clothes.  So near and yet so far - well we knew Oleana was near by, but we missed them!  They went past as Chris was reversing out from Crafted boats and I was at home waiting for a taxi to pick me up.  Chris believes they took a photo of us, but no such luck this end.  One day we will meet.