Chores

• Boatwork
• Problems

Cleaning the roof

A lot to clean

Having spent a week moored up in Rodley at a boat yard (a little matter of a leaking water tank, which we only discovered when we had water swilling across the floor at the stern – all sorted for now), we were keen to get going again. So we set off again down the Leeds and Liverpool canal and into Leeds. Mooring up at a handy pontoon with a water point on the Aire and Calder Navigation, which is actually a river at this point, Kit took the opportunity to wash the boat.  Those of you who wash your own cars, imagine your car was 58ft long! Quite a lot to wash. Fortunately, we have a small pressure washer which is very useful in removing mud and debris that gets picked up on our travels.

The sides receive a going over with shampoo and will also get a polish when we get the chance – inevitably it started to rain. Incidentally, to do both sides of the boat meant spinning the boat around on its mooring – something we wouldn’t be able to do on the sort of canal we are normally on, but here on the river there was plenty of room.

Aground

Life is full of challenges we find, not least those (like the leak 😉 ) that challenge us, and it often gives us the opportunity to help others out. The other day we had to tow a broken down boat out of a rather large and deep lock – they passed us later that evening, so obviously sorted out their engine problem.

Tying up

Then the next day, we encountered this boat that had run aground at the side of the river Aire. Apparently they were keeping over to let us and another boat pass them in the opposite direction. Quite why I don’t know as the river was the best part of 50 yards wide at that point.

Pulling clear

On their way

However, the  least we could do was give them a hand. After all, next time it might be us that needs help.

So we tied their stern rope to our stern and pulled them off the obstruction.

You can see more detailed pictures by clicking on the images.

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