A week last Thursday we loaded Moonshine up for our much anticipated 4 day visit to Hull. On Friday morning we penned out of Ocean Lock, and had a good calm fast run down river. Once in the lock at Hull, we were directed to C pontoon near the boat hoist, as the visitor moorings being close to the new foot bridge construction site were said to be very noisy. We spent an enjoyable 4 days there, however on Monday and Tuesday the winds had gotten up very strong from the west, thus making a very uncomfortable ride back up river. We therefore decided to stay an extra day and returned back to Goole on Wednesday once the winds had abated. We penned out of Hull Marina on their 1st penning, and with a moderate wind still blowing wind against tide we headed back up river at displacement speed.
The new AIS installation has worked flawlessly, and Ocean Lock were able to pick up on Moonshine's location advising several outbound ships that we were on our way back inbound. This has been a very worthwhile investment.
Returning back to Moonshine again on Friday evening, and after completing some mechanical jobs in the engine room on Saturday morning, we were on the move once again for a quiet overnight stay at Sykehouse Lift Bridge allowing us the opportunity to spark the old Weber bbq back up again.
Whilst in Hull earlier in the week, we decided our Nav lights were looking rather tired and the lenses star crazed/opaque reducing the range. We looked into replacing the complete units, but discovered that replacement lenses would be a lot cheaper option, as there was nothing wrong with the bodies and internals. We placed an order from a German Chandler's on the Sunday, and promptly received said new lenses on Wednesday. This was a nice easy job to do whilst at Sykehouse.
Having had our liberties returned after lockdown and with friends enjoying their own holidays, we are now looking forward to our holiday in early September. We are crossing everything for this, in the hope that another national lockdown does not scupper our plans.
