Back at Disley

From the beautiful Bugsworth Basin at the top end of the Peak Forest Canal we cruised back towards Disley. Will knew the fuel boat was headed towards us and spotted it as we were passing under the wide A6 road bridge. This was fortuitous in two ways; not only did the bridge provide a gap in the long line of moored boats, allowing us to pull into the bank, but it provided shelter from the heavy downpours. When the fuel boat had finished with the long term moorers they were able to tether alongside us and refuel Rainboat in the dry.

We'd planned to stop in exactly the same spot at Disley that we'd been at previously but it was occupied so we carried on through Higgins Clough Swing Bridge and moored in an even more beautiful stretch opposite a bank of oak copse.

Vicky had an appointment with the Haemotologist in the North East so had booked the train to Newcastle from Marple to stay with her family. Mooring Rainboat in Disley meant she had to get a taxi to the station but it was such a good, relaxing rural location for Will and the furries it was definitely the right thing to do.

The appointment went well and the consultant was happy that Vicky's iron hadn't yet risen high enough to damage her organs or bones. It was agreed we'd do a blood test and checkup in clinic every 6 months and do venesection the following week if the Haemochromatosis had caused her to load too much iron. She enjoyed spending time with her brother, Stepmum, Dad and their two energetic young Labradors Lenny and Elsie.

Meanwhile Whiskers was on an adventure of his own. He hadn't returned to the boat for 24 hours after Vicky had left but thankfully we'd kept his GPS tracker charged and Will was able to find him using it. Whiskers was pleased to see his Dad and happy to follow him back once he understood Will was taking him home.

While Vicky was away Will was cooking himself up some meaty treats with lambs shanks and a large, rare steak on the menu. He saw the first little ducklings of the year paddling past the boat and fished to his heart's content while watching a Tree Creeper a Jay and a nesting Canadian Goose in the oak copse.

We were both glad to be back together when Vicky arrived home and spent a few more bright but chilly days waiting for the wind to die down before moving on.Read more