Wand'ring Bark moves!

Movement at last

23rd Feb 2011

After three months of enforced inactivity Wand'ring Bark finally slipped her mooring and went for a trip at the weekend. OK, it was only three miles to the Fox and Anchor at Coven, but it was great to be on the move.

Winter dredging of the Staffs and Worcester

Saturday was spent cleaning the boat out fixing all manner of bits and bobs so she would be fit to host a tip with the in-laws on Sunday. Thankfully, the rain held off and whilst the thermometer stuck resolutely at 3 degrees, it was a lovely trip. 

The engine burst into throaty roar and the refurbished Centreflex coupling spun with its new studs glittering in the bilges. Everything stayed nice and tight so that's one job which is an emphatic success. Whilst reassembling the transmission I must have pulled the prop-shaft inboard by a centimetre or more compared to its old position, and as a result the gained a better fit in the bearing which now doesn't leak a drop.

Casting off for home

The Fox and Anchor at Coven is a great food pub with  at least three guest ales on tap. With a table booked we arrived with a bare 5 mins to spare for our 2.30 reservation, and settled down to a hearty meal by an open fire. Lunch stretched on to include more drinks and a pudding and we finally left at 4.00pm - just enough time to get back in the daylight.

A warm welcome at the Fox and Anchor

With the cooker not plumbed in, a hot drink seemed out of the question till we sat the kettle on the top of the solid fuel stove and hey presto - 15 mins later it was steaming mugs of tea all round.

This may be a very short run out but after all this time ashore it was wonderful. Filled with enthusiasm I have set about planning some trips for 2011, hopefully including the Leicester ring, the Huddersfield Narrow, the Ashby and a return to the depths of the Froghall Tunnel on the Caldon. The cruising season is upon us and I cant wait!