Romily Visitor Moorings, 3 Years Aboard!

Up until this point the fuel boat has been keeping Rainboat topped up with diesel. However, its run ends at Marple Locks. Not to worry though because the company delivers to boats by road, using a van, large containers and a wheelbarrow. With a delivery due we made the short journey to Romily Moorings where there were other boats moored and easy access to the road.

Rather than give Tiger her Trazadone (which is brilliant for reducing travel anxiety but does tend to knock her out for most of the day) Will walked her and Leo along the towpath and over the top of Hyde Bank Tunnel while Vicky piloted Rainboat through. The route over the tunnel wasn't suitable for wheelchairs but we were able to swap on the other side, with Vicky walking the dogs the rest of the way and Will taking Rainboat.

Romily is more practical and less picturesque than the towns we've recently passed through but it was good to have access to so many shops and services. We were kept awake a little with the sound of Aldi lorries offloading stock but got to treat ourselves to a Chinese takeaway and pub lunch so the disadvantages were balanced out by advantages.

The warm weather has allowed us to hang washing outside. We've been keeping on top of the laundry pile but depleting our water. Just to be on the safe side Will checked where the next water point on our route was. We were immediately put on edge when we discovered it was on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal another 7.5 miles and 8 locks away! The previous one was in Marple, 16 locks away. We could do a five mile detour to reach one on the Ashton Canal but didn't want to spend the time and energy going out of our way so we immediately went into water conservation mode. We've been toying with the idea of getting a Water Freedom System fitted. This technology takes water directly from the canal and forces it through multiple filters and an optional UV light to remove all sediment, parasites and chemicals. There is also an optional tap filter that would make it safe to drink. With it, we wouldn't be forced to conserve water or worry about where the next water point.

The 29th of April saw the 3 year anniversary of moving on to Rainboat. We didn't do anything in particular to mark the occasion but used it to acknowledge how very happy we are living this alternative lifestyle.Leia mais