No go that way. Hello welcome to today's vlog you're going to have to
bear with me today because I'm moving the boat all by myself and that means I
am in charge of the camera and I've lost the little grippy gorilla
thing that hooks it onto the boat. So I'm kind of just sharing the ride with
you and most of the scenery hopefully you will have seen when we crossed over
Chirk last time. So today's task is to get through this tunnel by myself
and then across the aqueduct by myself and then get some water and perhaps do
two locks and then more up, and it is 3 o'clock in the afternoon!
That's a brilliant bit of luck the people behind me have said that I can follow
them through the tunnel because it is my first time and they're super super sweet
and the guy even said want me to come on the boat with you. I'm being super brave
and I said no it's fine but I am gonna follow them.
And I'm off.
The good thing is I know my light's on.
Kath said don't try to bother about straightening up all the time in this
tunnel because the waters weird and it will just take you however it
wants to. Anyway
my first solo tunnel I'm so glad these people turned up
it just makes you feel a little bit better and
they were so super sweet I can still be proud of myself for
having done it.
This is the look of fear this is I guess the where that saying and through
gritted teeth comes from because they do genuinely feel like my teeth should be
gritted.
It's all a bit of fun.
I really like to say that I was enjoying nervous
but I really not.
I just can't seem to get the boat straight and I'm sure it's just the flow of water
and I should stop struggling with it that's what Kat would say.
It's what you're saying at home as well just- enjoy the view you're saying-
I might just do that for a minute.
Just going into tick over passing up some passing by some moored
boats. I can't see around the corner.
(music)
So the mooring I'm lookin for is at Bridge were between bridge 12 and 13 or
13 and 12 because we're going down. There's hopefully a water point
because one of the reasons I've had to set off on this crazy voyage is that I
have run out of water and that's not a good thing. I guess I could
I could have walked 20 minutes to a spa and bought a bottle of water and then
move tomorrow. Or I can just move I need to need to
have a shower and wash my hair just why I'm wearing the cap. There you go the
magics ruined ruined forever. Where is Kath I hear you screaming at
your television and mobile devices- well she's not here at the moment so
that's kind of why I've had to move by myself because it was a two-week mooring
and we were we were on our two weeks so
our water usually lasts for two weeks.
Am i enjoying it?
I wouldn't say that yet. Having you guys along for the ride is really helpful
because I kind of feel like you'll like to see this and that'll be interesting
and it gives me something else to focus on
and everybody's been super friendly I think cuz I have this look on my face
everything they could believe it either
I'm a little bit cross with myself for having not done it sooner.
Kath and I always take turns at the locks and do it single-handed so we know
what we're doing but you always have the other person there.
That's where I think that if you are on a boat with someone else and you're used
to doing all of the locks or all of the passenger-ing in you should just really give
it a go especially while the other person is actually on board because you
just never know when you might have to move the boat by yourself with your two
cats.
Setting out from Chirk on my first ever solo voyage was exhilarating
little frightening but also something I was not totally unprepared for.
Being slightly familiar with this stretch of canal was helpful.
Behind me is bridge number 15 the closer and closer we get to 13 the
more happy I am to be having water. I'm following a boat now which is
actually quite nice kind of like when you're on the motorway and you follow a
truck so you just don't have to think. And theres a boat behind me as well and I've only
really encountered a couple of boats coming the other way so it's
all been fine. I've had to go into reverse a few times, and come
stationary and a couple of times the boats have had to do the same thing.
So it's been about even Stevens. I am getting very cold I have some
supplies I have some chocolates in my pocket
I'm also getting really thirsty
and the more you know you can't have any water and more thirsty you are
Go figure.
With a fire thirst and what I'm sure was dehydration setting in as well as the
slight wind picking up I was desperate to find the water tap
that's if there even was one I went towards every Bridge thinking I wonder
if there's even a tap here.
I hope this is the water there's some really good
and some really good part
water taps.
And 'hurrah' water!
Now let's remember this is my first ever solo mooring up so I hit the tow path a
little bit too fast I got off the boat the same as I would
if Kath was on the tiller and then usually she put it in reverse
however with only little of me to stop the boat it just wasn't possible.
Slowly inch by inch and helped along by the wind the bow of the boat decided to
veer right until the whole boat was jackknifed across the canal.
Some kind strangers turned up
and together we re-enacted the scene from the enormous turnip but to no avail.
I went back on board and pulled off the bow while the helpful stranger pulled in
and finally I could get some much-needed water.
See these are awesome ladies these are my Savior because they set the lock for
me and they gorgeous thank you very much you're very welcome and they said the
next lock is leaky.
So there's the cill I just have to be very careful of that.
And pull this one closed and then I
think
tie off the boat and lower the paddles for the other side
and then I can kind of see a moorings but with my name on it and then I'll
have a cup of tea and then I'll do some patting's of my back- that's a thing.
An aqueduct a tunnel jackknifing on the canal and two locks! If you have enjoyed
this solo trip please give it a like thank you for joining me and thanks for
watching.