Half term - day 1
A lazy start to the day meaning a late start. The eventual pulling out of the marina didn't take place until 10.40am. We stopped at Yates' Yard at Fall's Bridge - the first time I have ever stopped there, and the last! Most unhelpful. He waited until we had squeezed in between 2 moored boats and watched us all the time before coming down and announcing that his pump out had frozen and he couldn't do it for us! What rubbish as the night time temperature hadn't fallen anywhere near freezing. He then continued to tell us how he ran the pump-out as a loss leader and wouldn't do just a pump-out anyway and I could make that widely known in the marina, if he had been any sort of business-man, he would have discovered that I also wanted a large quantity of coal and diesel too! By contrast,we pulled into Clifton cruisers very apologetically as it was 'turn-around day' only to be met by a very cheery and extremely helpful person who replied, 'oh don'tworry- we never turn anyone away if we can help it.' He then did a very thorough pump-out, filled me up with diesel, sold me some coal, magazines and chandlery items, gave my father some free apples from his tree and gave us a few washers to mend my winter chimney - what a total contrast and I would now never hesitate to recommend the services of Clifton Cruisers.Onwards through the Hillmorton Locks and towards Braunston. Finally mooring just past bridge 82 at a lovely spot at around 3.00pm. Early enough to mend my chimney, mend the handle on the coal bucket and sit in the sunshine for a while before stopping Iain and Allison on working boat Gosty Hill for a long chat and another 10 bags of coal. A total distance of 10 miles and 3 locks! Tomorrow, the turn at Braunston, locks and tunnel towards Kings Norton Junction. Now.... the rugby!
The first picture at the top shows my new cratch with wider doors rolled up to enjoy the sunshine. I shall post a full and closed picture soon.
The first picture at the top shows my new cratch with wider doors rolled up to enjoy the sunshine. I shall post a full and closed picture soon.
posted by Khayamanzi @ 7:33 pm
4 comments
4 Comments:
We also had the same good service from Clifton Cruisers. We had tried to fill up with diesel at Calcutt Boats only to be told they had sold out. We stopped at Clifton and they were so friendly and helpful.
Denise & Phil (Celtic Moon)
Hi Andy Love the new canopy, it loosk very smart, and how nice that the fitters turned up when they said they would. That makes a nice change.
Makes a note, don't stop at Yate's Yard hahahaha. Now if we had been anywhere close to you we could of deliverdd the coal to you off Hadar. She has 5 tons onboard at the moment. It amazes me that people can be so unhelpful, after all it is a cut throat business, you would of thought they would of been falling over themselves for the business.
Clifton however seem the place to be. it makes the heart glow when you find gems like that. If there was an award they would get it hahaha.
Enjoy half-term Andy....
Hi there Jo, glad you like the cratch canopy and yes, anything on the waterway that works as promised and when promised is a breath of fresh air - I bet you know that more than most!!
Denise and Phil,
It's amazing that so many people involved in the waterways world still under-estimate the power of the towpath gossip!
A double recommendation must prove that Clifton service is consistently good. Thanks for that.
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