Change of plan no less

Up sharp yesterday morning, boated prepped, dogs prepped, a cup of tea and a slice of toast for the human crew and we were off to the water-point here at Marple to service Caxton before heading down the locks. Once serviced I wandered around the corner to find Matilda Rose and start preparing the locks for both boats. Their curtains were still closed and there was no sign of life - had they overslept? No. But we on Caxton had not switched on our phones and when we did there were no end of missed calls and messages to say the forecast was awful and MR was staying put. Silly Caxton crew.
We moored up again and went into Ashton to the Vodaphone shop to get my new phone and mobile broadband dongle. Now I just have to figure out how it all works...

Belted - part two.

We said goodbye to the southern part of the Peak Forest Canal today and trundled up into Marple in preparation for our trip down the Marple flight tomorrow. Joe 'popped' into the local car spare and accessory shop here in Marple to enquire about the belts we need for Caxton. Arriving back on the boat twenty minutes later was a delighted Joe who had met 'a man that knows what he is talking about and couldn't be more helpful!' The chap ordered the belts, 'Come back after four and I will have them in and bring me your fuel filter and we will see what we can do.'
So we now have three belts, a fuel filter and an oil filter for £35 instead of Betamarine's £100. Result!!!

The shop in question - Harrods.

The phone rings...

The phone rings on Wednesday evening as I am cooking dinner - a glance at the number, I don't recognise it, so answer formally - it could be the PM, who knows? It's Matt, from Vodaphone.
Hello Matt?
Your contract with Vodaphone is about to end so here are the following options for consideration -
a) if you are happy with your current phone we can offer 600 inclusive minutes plus more texts than you can use in your lifetime for £15 per month, or
b) a new phone, (I name the phone I might want)the same bundle of services for £25 per month.
I an currently paying £35 pcm
Why thank you Matt, can we speak tomorrow perhaps after I have had a chance to talk to my Husband - and finish cooking dinner?
No problem he tells me.

Yesterday the phone rings, it's Matt.
Have I made up my mind?
Yes, I will change my phone but can you send it to one of your shops please?
No.
Can I just pick it up from a shop then?
No.
Ok, can you send it to a Post Office, Post Restante, so I can collect it?
No Problem, what is the address?
I rattle off the address of Whaley Bridge PO.
When will it be sent?
The courier will deliver it tomorrow Matt tells me.
Courier? The Post Office won't accept courier deliveries you will have to put it in the post says I.
No can do, says Matt.
What can we do then I ask.
I think you will have to upgrade your phone at one of our shops says Matt.
Really?

Dear Deer

Taking advantage of the fact that we are moored at Disley, we set off this morning to walk the Parish footpaths up into Lyme Park. We stopped for a coffee at the NT cafe before continuing our circular walk back to the boats. We were priviledged to see this pair grazing near the Gritstone Way - further on was the herd or hinds with Mr BIG, their Stag but sadly they were too far away to photograph.

Belted

Joe E-mailed Betamarine enquiring about some spares for Caxton's engine. Oil filter, alternator belts etc. This morning Betamarine replied. An alternator belt will cost £27.50, less 10% discount, plus 15% VAT and then £10.80 delivery.
On looking on line for the said belt it seems we can buy it for £7.
Is it me, or are people taking the proverbial?

Post ...please

An empty watertank forced us to move off yesterday but by the time we had serviced Caxton and moved on to the moorings at Tesco, Whaley Bridge, the rain had stopped. I toddled off (it's the way I walk these days) to the Post Office in Whaley Bridge to collect our mail and also the mail for Matilda Rose. I was priming myself for an imaginary confrontation, or not, about collecting post for someone else but in the event the Postmaster barely glanced at Jill's driving licence before handing over the single letter that was expected. "Any mail for Kimantas please?" No, none for that name came the response. "Are you sure, it was posted on Friday?" Rolling his eyes he shuffles off out the back and returns with an envelope. "It was with the registered, you should have said it was Special Delivery."
I bit my tongue.
The letter had been delivered to Whaley Bridge PO on Saturday but I had been sent packing Monday when I enquired and nearly sent away again on Tuesday.
I returned to the boat via Tesco and then headed off with Fletcher and Floyd as we walked back up The Peak Forest canal towards Disley, followed by Caxton. We are now moored up for two days to allow Graham of Matilda Rose to return to Grantham and sort out some probate matters.

It's raining, it's pouring

And we have opted to stay put - for now anyway. We were going to move off this morning at 9.30 but a look out of the porthole at the teeming rain persuaded me to pick up the phone and call NB Matilda Rose - "We're not going in this are we? - (Subtle or what?) - and the predictable answer came back - "No let's hold off and see what the weather does."
So fire lit, heating on, cup of tea to hand, I will watch the wet stuff outside, from the inside for a wee while.
Wimp!