Car shuffling was needed and to make it less complicated we planned to drop our car off at Mercia where Aqua are based cycle to Fradley, our guests would join us at Fradley and drop their car there so when we arrive at mercia we can drive back to pick up their car. Sorted.
So Thursday I nipped over and collected the two Bromptons from Waterlily and this afternoon we set off just after 2.30 from Mercia.
We made good time along the tow path to Shobnall where we were disappointed to find the chandlery still shut and a to let sign for a cafe or shop?
We then took to the road over to Tatenhill and just as we were coming into Barton Under Needwood my rear tyre went flat. Now normally I carry tools and puncture repair kit but yep you guessed it, nothing loaded for this trip !
So we started pushing hoping the coop in Barton might just might have a puncture kit, when this shop appeared like a mirage.....
... A cycle shop run by Adrian Timmis former Tour rider and Olympic cyclist. How very convenient. I got a puncture kit and set to....
Sorted my puncture out went to put air in Rachel's bike and yep her back tyre was now flat, so part two of the bicycle repair man show. Interrupted by a group who had just been looking at £10,000 carbon fibre bikes, they got a demo from me of how quickly the Brompton fold to very small.
The offending thorn, very little but so effective at removing air from the tube....
Extra air in the tyres saw us very quickly making progress towards our destination of Fradley Junction.
It took us best part of three hours but we did have a 45 minute pit stop. Still we are on the boat and will take her down to Willington in the morning.
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6 comments:
Not so much a mirage as a miracle!
Halfie,
It certainly felt like it, and there was a coffee house across the road so Rachel got us good coffee while I repaired the punctures. Before I found the shop I was beating myself up for travelling without tools. As I set off as soon as I got onto the tow path punctures were foremost in my mind and lo and behold they appeared
How's the boat, close to taking her yet?
Survey now complete, report expected Easter Tuesday. Might be aboard the following week!
(forgot to tick the e-mail box - now ticked)
Exciting times, when will you move it ....all in one hop?
Not sure of timetable yet. We'll let you know when we come past Fradley. Friends in Fazeley have a mooring we can use so we'll probably leave it there for a bit. Then we'll gradually move it south. If I can get leave sorted out I might do a bit on the more northerly waterways first.
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