Voyages of Gabriel: Two recovery days

Mon 6th Aug Ellesmere to Blakemere

Although the mission was now over, we had a few jobs to do before we could depart. Firstly we needed to unload our PA system from Chris’s car, where it had been stowed in haste last night. We had a few helpers to carry it from the car to Gabriel. As we brought things onto the boat, one of the microphone stands caught the cat flap, and broke off the little red wheel that sets the flap as open or closed or one way in.

We stowed the equipment in its rightful place under the dinette, as we won’t be using it again for a while. The battery powered PA system had been kept on Graham’s boat Dawn Run, and it was duly returned to Roger Garland.

We went to Tesco for some shopping before we departed, with a slow cruise down to the end of the arm and back, past all the mission boats.

Sailing past the fleet

Past Dawn Run

We made the obligatory stop at the sanitary station for cassettes, rubbish, and water before reversing out in a curve to face downstream. We had applause from the man on the fuel boat! We set off for just over a mile to Blakemere, where we were pleased to find that our intended mooring was unoccupied. There are rings to moor onto, and a patch of woodland for Hugo, plus, on the lake, a fishing pontoon large enough for a table and chairs.

We had a dappled sky, and a beautiful lake view. Tim and Hilary came in their car for a meal later, and they were able to park above Ellesmere Tunnel and walk to the boat from there. It was a very pleasant evening.

Unusual sky

Lake view

Tim and Hilary

0 locks, 1 mile, 1 tunnel

Tue 7th Aug Blakemere back to Ellesmere

It was a glorious morning with sunshine filtering through the trees as we had breakfast by the lake. We went a further mile to the winding hole where we turned and cruised back to Ellesmere, mooring just before the arm.

Sunny trees

Breakfast location

Ellesmere Tunnel again

Moored near the junction

We walked into the town and went first of all to the pet shop, where we were delighted to find a cat flap exactly the same as one that was damaged. We decided to buy the whole thing, as the old one was very worn and the “see through” flap was opaque.

We went on from there to the Red Lion, where a lunch time gathering of BCF members had been arranged. It was good to see some we had never met before, and some we hadn’t seen for a while, such as Alan and Hazel Dilnot.

One the way back we paused at Vermeudens for sausage rolls and bacon, but sadly they had no pasties left. We had yet another visit to Tesco before departing via the sanitary station (again!) in the direction of the Montgomery Canal.

We passed Kairos and Gospel Belle, moored near the very noticeable Thursday’s Child, who we saw near Bunbury in June.