Friday 4^th October 2019

We decided to stay in Stone and have a work day. Brenda went into town shopping while I serviced the engine. This job is becoming much easier using bits and pieces collected to make the job easier, and practice. Still a pain though, operating the sump drain pump manually 400 times to empty it.

The stove was lit for the first time this year. The boat is always cosy with the stove lit. Just a shame it heralds the winter.

Cup hooks were fitted in to the galley porthole shelf to hang the mugs on and free up the sink unit worktop.

Brenda had bought rubber backed carpet mats for the steps leading out the back of the boat. These steps have always annoyed us. They had ground glass mixed in with varnish as an anti-slip measure, but quickly the glass became dirty, impossible to clean and let the back end of the boat down badly. The mats were cut to fit and the aluminium corner edging holds them in place. Along with a butterfly patterned rug, the result transforms the back end and we are both well pleased with it.

In the afternoon we went for a walk, first alongside the canal and then through the town. We had been hearing rumours that the chandlery business was to close along with the boatyard and all the private mooring moorings were to go, the resident boats having to move, and a new housing development built on the site. It transpires that all that is occurring is the owners of the chandlery building doubled the rent and so the owners of the chandlery business are retiring. A damn shame that yet another canal business comes to an end. This chandlery has been in Stone for countless years. How long then, before the whole site does becomes empty, cleared and new housing appears.

Stone Boat Building and Chandlery

We stopped for a pint in the Swan, a pub just off the canal that has a brilliant atmosphere and a large selection of beers.

There is a really old, iconic pub that sits right alongside the bottom lock that apparently dates from the 14^th century and is said to be the oldest pub on the canal system. The place also appears in the Guinness Book of Records as none of the rooms are on the same level. While the place should be an absolute gold mine, it is, unfortunately, a dive. When we stopped in Stone last year, we went into this pub. It was almost empty which sent alarm bells ringing, and there was a couple at the bar arguing violently while their five kids where running riot in the place. Walking past the pub today, the same woman was in the beer garden absolutely pissed, so we gave the place a miss.  

The Star Inn, Stone

On the way back to the boat, we came across the fuel boat Hassall, whose progress we had been following on their web page. Hassall was a regular sight in Middlewich and we had wanted, ever since moving onto the boat, to put business their way. We arranged for them to stop by us tomorrow morning.

Brenda called into the nearby M&S Foodhall and bought a Thai Meal Deal for our dinner. It was a treat for us and a delight.

Weather: a pleasant, autumnal, day.