Oxford Canal:Hillmorton

I have always wanted to join the Braidbar Owners’ Group weekend at Higher Poynton, but it never happened due to clashes with The Cutweb gatherings.   The latter haven’t happened recently, probably due to Covid.    The Braidbar Owners’ Group (BOG) meeting  has always co-incided with the Braidbar Boatyard open day.  Latterly, with water issues on the High Peak Canals due to the reservoir rebuild, Bosley  and Marple Locks have been very restricted.   The same applies this year and I appear to be the only member arriving by boat.   So it is a bit of a challenge in that respect.  Bosley Locks operate open on set days, and the appropriate day for me is Wednesday next week.  Given that I was booked for flying on Monday (yesterday) the first opportunity to make this cruise is today and here I am.  I arrived at the marina about 11:30, transferred a load of victuals sufficient for a week on the boat, got a pump out, filled up with water and got going.  I don’t know if this is going to work out.  I guess really it is a test.  Am I still up to it, single handed?  Will I enjoy it?  When Pat was with me the boat was such an important part of our lives and I still feel the same contentment as if she is still with me.  Perhaps that is why all three top gates were open for me this afternoon.  She is there sorting it all out as she always did.  Now I’m moored up just below the Hillmorton Locks I’m ahead of plan because I am timetabled to leave the marina tomorrow (Wednesday). Lots still to do on the boat, make the bed up, sort the gas, store away all the food, TV aerial, and cook supper.   Chloe has a new wheeze.  Preparing food into unit size zipup plastic bags which store nicely flat in the freezer. I have taken to this idea. Tonight I have enjoyed a (proper) bolognese sauce with spaghetti which I made into five flat packs last week.  There’s more coming  over the next few days.