The party's over.

The day started dull and overcast and that matched our mood really. We got on as normal and set off to our terminus for the year.

The Hopwas Wood didn't look so beautiful without the sun shining on it but we will be close enough so that with luck we will be able to come and see the autumn clours soon.

Instead of flashing white and looking futuristic and a valuable asset like they did yesterday the  wind generator looked quite menacing today. It always surprises me what a bit of sun can do.

As previously promised I jumped off when we passed the boundary stone marking where the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal joined with the Coventry Canal in July 1799. The stone and plaque were erected two hundred years to the day after the event by the local IWA and dedicated by Roger Harrington of British Waterways. There has been a lot of water and many, many boats passed since then, and after all it is  25 years ago.

We were following a very slow boat and had to slow down for lots of moored boats too so we were a little behind scedule when we winded at the entrance to Kings Orchard Marina. I wanted to get port side to so that I could get that side cleaned before we went in as I knew that would be the 'off side' of the pontoon. A boat went in to get a pump out and then there was another on the services so we had lunch and packed up a little more before going in.

The wind was in a generous direction today and light to boot so no problems going on the services and then reversing on to the same pontoon we had for a week the last time we were here. The price of diesel has gone down since then and is now 59p heating. We filled up to the brim so as to try to stop any condensation in the tank over winter as so far we have been lucky in not getting and water in the fuel tank which could cause problems with the growth of fuel bugs. That would need some treatment to prevent it clogging up the filters and systems. We are on our pontoon, electric hooked up and now ferrying stuff to the car.

The sun had come out just as we turned into the marina so I hope that is a good omen. I think I have done everything required to lay the boat up for a prolonged period. Hurricane turned off, water closed down and shower hose off. Taps drained. We don't drain the system down as we leave thermostatic convection heaters plugged in on very low to ensure nothing freezes up in the boat. If we are having an ultra cold snap we will have to visit to check I expect.

We were reluctant to leave but once the decision is made there is no use in dragging it out. Macy didn't seemed to be bothered this time. She seems to sense something is going on normally and look very forlorn. I hope this doesn't mean that she doesn't like being on the boat as she didn't meow or move about in the car as she usually does. Mind you I did make her a great spot to settle down in. 

 I gave the boat a little pat as we left and whispered thanks as she hasn't missed a beat this year. other than the Hurricane breaking down for a week or two (but that didn't cause any problems other than pecuniary) and us bending a blade on the propeller, again. I will have to do some figures as it can't be fuel efficient to have a bent blade, and add that to the fact that we are putting off a blacking this year as we are having a re-paint this time next year we may be pushing a vertical lawn (a very weedy underwater section) through the water with a two and a half bladed propeller!

It took us a couple of hours to get back home as the slight delay leaving got us mixed up in the rush hour. It was good to be back home in a way. We could boil the kettle in seconds and can put the lights on without thinking too.  The first load of washing was on before the tea was made and we were having our traditional welcome home tea of beans on toast.

Another year of fantastic memories lodged in the memory bank and the pictures to prove it. I will not be blogging every day from now but will add one or two a week until we get back aboard for another prolonged cruise next year. Thanks for reading.