29th June '15

Yesterday we had a bit of a gloomy start with some slight showers on the way down, but made it to Saltford Lock in good time.
Chloe came over and treated us to a late Fathers Day lunch as we are right next to The Jolly Sailor. The mooring is a bit scratchy, as we're actually on the far side of the finger pontoon that serves the lock. We have to clamber out through the railings to get on and off, but since it's just about the only mooring on the Avon, we're glad to be here!
We actually had to come around the barrier that stops you going over the weir. I was not a happy bunny, but my nerves stood it....just!
Paddy's not impressed as we have to cross the lock to go out for a walk, but luckily they are VERY wide platforms.
Today we were waiting the whole day for word to travel down to Keynsham, where the actual yard is where we'll be lifted, but there was a problem with the crane so we were left waiting. C'est la vie!
This afternoon John realised that we needed a pump out. I've stopped telling him, as he always says 'not yet', so I felt a bit smug.
He looked in the Pearsons and saw that Saltford Marina had one so we manoeuvred out of our 'mooring' and went up river and through the lock. Me being a worrier, tried ringing them to see what the procedure would be, but there was no answer. We get there and there's a sign saying 'no public use of pump out, marina use only'. So I tried ringing Bath Marina but they were about to close so back we came. We'll have to both use the cassette and there's a place to empty it en route tomorrow, so all is well in the short term.
This place is used by all the locals as a swimming post! We've had teenagers throwing themselves off the pontoon into the river all afternoon, plus the canoeists across the way and yesterday there were sailing dingys. It all happens here! Today has been extremely hot and tomorrow is due to be the hottest day of the year.....wish I had some doggy shampoo, Paddy is getting a bit whiffy in the heat, but I ran out and forgot to replace it!
Fingers crossed that the crane is back working tomorrow and that we can actually get going with the boat.