Now then tell me

is it normal to cross over someone else's boat to reach the towpath.  Or is it just plain bad manners?

the reason I ask is that I observed people off the boat behind me do this twice.

The first time he crossed via an occupied moored boat near the lock landing at Barton Turns.  The lock landing was vacant as I was already in the lock.  He seemed a nice fella and we had a chat whilst operating the lock so I didn't think much of it.

But then at the next lock SHE crossed the front of my boat from the back of theirs so basically they had overtaken my boat.  This was at Tatenhill Lock which those of you who are familiar with has the lock landing away from the lock itself.  There is an oval shaped pound with a narrow entrance complete with an historic boat moored by the lock cottage in between the lock landing and the lock.

As I walked back to my boat having set the lock in my favour I commented (in jest) I hope you aren't queue jumping.  Well she went off on one ... we don't do that blah blah.  I pointed out that her boat was now blocking the entrance to the pound.  Oh he will reverse etc ...

I told him that I might have upset his wife with my comment.

He then bizarrely proceeded into the pound and breasted up to the moored boat.  If they had gone to the left hand side and left me a straight run at the lock it would have been okay, but no ...

They were adamant that they were not going to queue jump so I had to zig zag into the pound, he then reversed and I managed to get into the lock.  I was still trying to be polite so as I came up to the woman I said you can't beat a bit of fun and games of an evening and she responded with well you made a bit of a meal of it you could have gotten a broad beam through there.

IS IT ME???

So am I making too much of it?    I have been simmering for days now.  I spoke to another boater and he said if anyone stands on your boat uninvited you are within your rights to throw them in the water because of piracy?  Perhaps a bit drastic.  I know that if I was moored up minding my own business and someone casually crossed my boat rather than use the lock landing I would be furious.   But then I feel guilty stepping across a CaRT boat left moored on a lock landing so perhaps I am a little sensitive.  I suppose it is the equivalent of crossing someone's garden as a short cut to the street behind.  What if Rob had been in bed with a migraine?  Often happens and someone stepping across the front deck?  boom boom boom

And don't get me started on going to the front of the queue in a bank and making the people standing in the queue supposedly in front of you manoeuvre their way past you

Let me tell you if I meet up with this pair again I will not be polite.  I know who you are 515xxx.

And what if there had been a boat waiting to come up after I had vacated the lock?  Hmmm that would have been fun.

And then yesterday ...

I turned off the Trent and Mersay onto the Coventry and the towpath changed sides.  Phew.  What timing the gas bottle finally ran out at lunchtime.

You have to remember that on my boat the gas bottles are in the side of the boat not at the front or back like normal peoples.

So I went out with my special spanner etc and took the empty one out and put it on the front deck.  Went back and connected up the other bottle at which point I was joined by another boater and we got chatting.  I clearly got distracted so that when I went inside to turn the gas back on I realised I hadn't actually opened the valve.

With hind sight probably a good thing as on going back and doing so I heard an ominous hiss which wouldn't go away even when I re did the connection.  So no gas.

This morning because the batteries were so low I had to run the engine in order to boil the electric kettle!!!

Luckily I was just outside a Marina and I called in to buy my replacement bottle and they very kindly agreed to swop the faulty bottle for me.  So I do at least have two usable full bottles.

Batteries again

Well I finally girded my loins and checked the levels in the 'new' lead acid batteries.  I had been told in no uncertain terms that I should have checked them every month!  Ooops.

The four easily accessible ones were okay to deal with.  However the one under the electric cupboard on the swim not so much fun.

I had to undo the engine surround, lie on the battery box, squeeze under the wooden beam surrounding the engine that the floor panels rest on, then hover in the unsupported yoga snake position whilst undoing the 6 caps using a 20p piece gripped with mole grips in left hand and right hand holding it in the slot.  Then placing a small funnel in the holes and pouring using a small china milk jug!  All in all I used about 4 litres of distilled water over the five batteries.

I am pretty sure that the problem I have been having is down to the battery on the swim as I think the first cell was very very low.  I will only know for sure when I can actually check the level in it.  I bought some drinking straws on the way home for this purpose but on returning to the boat I left them in the car and Rob has taken them home again.  Snarpip!!!

Blue Buzzard who told me to check the levels in the first place says I now have to do it every week!  On account of the amount of water I had to replace and the potential damage I have already done to these batteries.  Frankly I don't care if they die a tragic early death -  I want gel ones again!  Stamps her foot in annoyance.