Port Side Clean

I cleaned the port side this morning, then applied wax polish. This was after we had scrubbed the roof clean of algae and duck poo. They seem to have enjoyed perching on the cratch cover and the front end of the roof during the winter.

At lunch time we stopped near Thrupp wharf to wash the starboard side. Unfortunately we left the side hatch half open when we set off. It was at about 30 degrees. This was enough projection to catch on the side of nb Far Far Away as we left Cosgrove lock. Narrowboats don't travel very quickly but 18 tons have a lot of momentum even at 2 mph. Both boats rocked noticeably and there was a bang as the bottom hinge on the hatch door gave. We didn't notice the hatch was open until the iron trunk aqueduct as Wolverton and didn't realise it had been damaged until some time after that. The hatch would not close in the evening so we left it open (with the glass inner door closed).

Moored at Stantonbury.

Total distance is 9 miles, 2¼ flg and 1 lock.