Stepping out of the boat this morning, the towpath was a mudbath. So much rain! How fortunate we were that the downpours stopped before we had to walk to the rail station. What a palava preparing the boat to be left for a few days. We have been warned that bikes should be taken inside or we may not find them waiting for us on our return. Then we have to double padlock one end and remove the tiller. The bow has a heavy ironbar that you put across the frontdoor. Of course, the lou decided to show us it was full so that had to be changed and the fire alarm got knocked off the ceiling. No amount of sellotape would repair it! We also found a very wet patch in the corner of the cabin we sleep in – not sure why. Will need to investigate on our return. Eventually, wraps made and packing completed (including everything that needs charging up and remembering all the chargers!) we set off for London. Eventual destination the Holiday Inn at Guildford – R knows how to treat a woman! Four days of unlimited internet and full size baths – what a treat. Infact this is an ‘essential journey’. R’s got to have his varicose veins dealt with and his new tooth fitted but nothing can be done before a Covid test and a couple of days isolation. So armed with lots of breakfast and snacks our mini-break begins.
I can’t even remember the last train journey I took but it certainly bore little resemblance to today. Hardly anyone on the platform, very few punters on the train and when we arrived at Euston, it was like a ghost station compared to normal. Very sobering. Friend of Holly’s who’s an Uber driver picked us up and London itself seemed rather strange with the lack of its usual buzz although in true London spirit we did see a friendly game of footy going on in one of the parks!
NarrowboatTLC 