Bradley Green, Coventry – Thursday 27 September 2012
This morning started in bright sunshine, but no joy with the rope.  I took a calculated risk to head off at 09:00 as I had been cutting since 07:30 and getting nowhere.  When I lost the feeling in my hands due to the cold water I went into the galley and put them into a bowl of hot water then back out.  Once I was moving the boat seemed to be running OK and as there was just the 2 Glascote locks on today’s schedule I continued on.  I passed ‘Cedar’ a Braidbar boat at Hopwas and at Peels Wharf there was a C&RT boat loose on the canal.  The locks were no problem this time as there was one coming down, and the boat ahead of me set them for me.  At Alvercote I called in to the boatyard to ask about coming out of the water, trying hard to keep away from the dog poo all along the tow-path – they only have a dry dock and it costs £250.  After a few questions it seemed the rope wasn’t causing other problems and will probably need a heat cutter to remove it, which they don’t have.  So on I went just as it started to rain.  I have moored opposite a sanitary station as I am meeting Martyn from Travelsat tomorrow for a demo of satellite dishes.  I returned to the rope cutting and after about ten minutes it all came away!  Just as well I didn’t spend the money.  The rain has stopped and now we have sunshine, typical British weather.