10:30 Thursday morning and we're ready to leave...
Geoff is ensuring that wife Mags will be kept warm today.
We're going down the Prees Branch to for fuel. (photos from our walk yesterday)
It's really cold and very windy as I crabbed down the canal with the wind broadside negotiating the lift bridges. Lift Bridge 1 in this picture is apparently grade II listed but it really does look like all the rest!
At Whixall Marine yesterday George had noticed that the diesel was only 87p per litre and fixed at zero tax ?? ... we were disappointed and cross when we arrived for fuel the place appeared to be shut but then we realised that it was a self-service pump, you put your credit/debit card into the machine, enter the maximum amount you want to spend, take the nozzle and fill your boots tank! brilliant! The marina belongs to BWML (British Waterway Marinas Limited) and because it's so quiet during the winter the shop is only open a few hours per day so there's not always an employee to hand to calculate the various taxes on fuel purchased, hence zero rated.
The terminus of the Prees Arm ... beyond this bridge is a nature reserve ...
... looking back towards the main line ...
... hungry sheep ...
... nosey too!
As I waited for George to let lift bridge 2 down after I'd gone through the wind took my bow out into the channel and my stern obviously into the bank where we had a hell of a job getting out again, but we did ...
As I waited for George to let lift bridge 2 down after I'd gone through the wind took my bow out into the channel and my stern obviously into the bank where we had a hell of a job getting out again, but we did ...
... and continued back up the a arm; we now turn left to continue our journey and hopefully catch up with the rest of the convoy.
Back to today's pictures ...
.... new trees have been planted
... playing leap frog with NB Armadillo, they'll probably pass us again ...
St John's Church Bettisfield in the distance ...
Interesting narrowboat - I love the bow (front) of this
It's narrow and and flow on this canal restricts movement tremendously, add on the wind that was blowing ... it took a lot of effort to get through here!
The countryside is rather flat ...
... but beautiful ...
... in its own way.
We'd had a text that Geoff and Mags had called it a day near Hampton Bank Bridge and there they are 3rd boat down with just enough space for us to slip into. A cuppa with them and then ...
... and our afternoon walk ... a buzzard keeping lookout ...
... and a pretty sunset to round off the day!
I have something different on my diesel page for that marina. I got a feeling somebody, or maybe themselves reported that if you arrive when staff are there you can self declare, but if you use the credit card pump then you have to have 60/40.
ReplyDeleteThat is on my diesel page at the moment. Can you confirm that the split was 0?
Oh and... heh I always remember something else to say once I have pressed the publish button!
ReplyDeleteAnd, can you all check the recycling places and let me know as you head towards the end? Does Tesco have one in the car park and if so is it 100 yds from the arm or futher?
Will do Sue
DeleteHi Sue, I have no idea what happens if there is an employee there to calculate the boaters own declaration or whether or not they insist on 60/40, but I can confirm that the notice stated zero rated because of the reasons I've given. We did not have the opportunity to self declare and so did not. George said that the notice at the marina gave the price of diesel was 87p per litre zero rated for the time being, then it gave the prices for 60% and 40% . Not sure if that makes any sense to you?
ReplyDeleteHmmmm. Well if there is a notice there saying that then I can change it on the list as zero rated for the pump. No doubt someone will get back to me from there if it is not right.
ReplyDeleteIt is owned by British Waterways Marinas Ltd, I am surprised they have done that to be honest.