We
had arranged with Maureen, the lock-keeper at Marmont Priory, to be there at 9 am. We were a little bit early so drifted onto the lock landing in the wind and waited. Duly let down, we carried on on the wider and deeper lower level and so were able to make better speed. This was fortunate because the wind was atrocious, needing arctic gear as this picture shows,
and the sooner we were out of it the better. This was truly winter weather.
We eventually passed the entrance to Popham's Eau, and then the Twenty Foot Drain and the houses on the outskirts of March finally came into view. The town moorings had plenty of room this time and Pat rushed off to find a supermarket. Just round the corner (block) is a large Sainsbury. I went off to find some DIY stuff, but including some stove door rope and adhesive. Our stove has become a problem. The door won't shut and the top has burst up allowing the front panel to angle forward very slightly. I believe this is due to rust and no doubt the failure of whatever stays are used to hold the thing together. Clearly this is a job for an expert as I believe the whole thing will need to be dismantled, cleaned and reassembled. It is now 12 years old and out of guarantee. The problem is where to find someone capable on our route not to far away. We really shouldn't be needing it in the middle of May but with this bitter weather we feel a need! So... there is a good DIY shop further down the main road on the south side of the bridge.
Pat took the dog for a walk and found some more moorings adjacent to a park, so we moved.
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