On the move at last.....

.....but not for long.

The canal slowly thawed until Thursday night when it refroze but only lightly, I was optimistic for a move this morning, Friday the thaw began again and yes this morning it was all gone, I was ready to set off again.

The forecast was for rain showers so I donned my waterproof trousers in preparation and 9:30 saw me cast off, as I neared the first of the two Gas locks (51&52) there was a smattering of very thin ice still remaining, but absolutely no problem. It was raining very lightly.
At the second lock the shower passed and all was well with the world, I was very happy to be moving again

The locks were in my favour and no other boats were moving so I was happily minding my own business and enjoying the morning, but as I approached Northchurch lock the sky darkened and I thought I would be in for a soaking, happy that I'd put the waterproofs on in readiness.

But the rain never materialised, what did however came as a bit of a surprise although I guess it shouldn't have been really, I could see ice ahead again, well I thought ' won't be too bad and maybe just here.

Funny how wrong you can be. In a matter of a moments it was thick, throwing the boat from left to right and forcing me where I did not intend to go, I persevered for about a quarter mile but decided I did not want to proceed any further and once I reached a space in the moorings before the first of the Dudswell locks (47&48) I headed for the gap, it was now about an inch thick again and I struggled to get to the bank and then spent about 15 minutes breaking the trapped ice between bank and boat and moving it out of the way to allow me to get closer to the bank and tie up, what a palava, however I finally got moored successfully.

I walked along to the lock to look beyond it and see if it was this pound that was affected but it appears not, beyond the lock is also frozen over.
So it looks like I'm here for today and will try again tomorrow, a boat has just gone through in the opposite direction, thats good, breaking the ice will help it thaw if the sun stays out and it warms a bit.

Totals today: 2.5 miles : 4 locks