Tuesday 5th January

Well we’ve revised our plans again after it took half an hour to drag the potty cassettes to the nearest Elsan and after deciding that we don’t want to keep reversing to the water tap. The bridge behind us is closing on the 8th for repair works so we can only take the boat forward, not back. The next Elsan and watertap is at Cowroast a couple of miles along the canal. We also found out today that a couple of the nearby lock gates are going to be shut soon for repairs and that could well lower the water in the pounds around Berko resulting in boats getting stranded at worse. So we will move on for essential services. At some point we need to meet with James to help not only sort the water problem but glue the tiles back on the wall around the stove. Although we are moving we will keep ourselves to ourselves as much as possible. I have already stocked up with a weeks worth of fresh food and today Jules Fuels came by and filled us up with diesel as well as supplying three bags of coal. With only moving the boat for very limited time we risk getting rather cold and damp. The engine has to run for us to have hot water and central heating. I think we will have to light the stove much earlier in the day. So enough fuel is essential.

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It was lovely to find the parish church open and as it’s epiphany season I thought it appropriate to photograph the beautiful nativity scene with the arrival of the three wise men. I also took a picture of Dean Incent’s House although I have no idea why he’s famous!

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As its our last night in Berko we treated ourselves to a delicious Cypriot takeaway. We deliberately moored as close as we could to the restaurant so that the meal would still be hot and i think it was literally a three minute walk from the boat! We have tried to support the takeaway cafe’s whilst here as much as possible to help keep their businesses going. They all seem very Covid aware with lots of hand sanitizer, social distancing and mask wearing. On our walk I noticed many of the shops suggesting browsing their wares online and then doing a click and collect pickup. I hope it will help them ride the storm and keep their businesses afloat.