No, I didn’t write the previous posts on the dates they are apparently published. There is not enough time to write posts when cruising on a canal like the Shropshire Union Canal, in the perfect spring weather. Too many locks, too many canalside pubs that needs visiting, too many people to chat with. Oh, yes, and not having a telephone signal most of the time doesn’t help either: no mobile hotspot.
Early Morning at Norbury Junction
We’re still at Norbury Junction. A busy boat yard (with a well stocked chandlery), hire boats, CRT maintenance yard, pub, and a very nice CRT facilities building, that puts most English truck stops to shame.
Norbury Junction Wharf
The weather is still exceptional fine. I’m up early, and decide to take some pictures. It’s f**g cold. There is ice on the the windmill on the gang plank, and on the entire boat. Not a surprise, under this clear blue sky…
Frost on the Windmill
We still have work to do. I manage to scrape all the varnish off the glass in the front door, and off the porthole glass. I also manage to get most of the varnish of the meters and gauges on the instrument panel. Lawrance changed the fridge door from right to left. To blend in with the rest of the (left-handed) kitchen, he says. But it’s done to prevent the kitchen towels getting stuck in the door and not sealing the fridge properly.
There are still fragments of paint popping up here and there in the boat. We bang the tongue-and-groove to get most out, so hopefully that problem is solved now. After we both had a (CRT) shower we go to have our mid-afternoon (half) pint.
CRT building at Norbury Junction
Then, after some reading/catnaps it’s preparing supper, doing the dishes, and before you know it it’s time to do the famous ‘ash trick’ (empty the ash pan in the ash bucket, put the ash bucket in the well deck, open one of the sides of the cratch cover and the ash miraculously disappears…).
Another day gone. Will we ever get used to a life like this?