A weekend with family.

On Thursday we went into Derby to the theatre to see Butterfly Lion. When we booked we were told that there would be some children at the afternoon performance. When we got there the place was full of children. The buzz of their conversation reminded me of a bee hive, until the lights went out then after a loud cheer all went quiet. The play written,by the author of the War Horse was a lovely story. Friday morning we went down the lock and moored on the 48hr moorings. Later that morning Richard and Gill arrived to have lunch and leave Duncan while they went to London for the weekend. In the afternoon we took the bus to Castle Donnington for a look round, later we went into Alverston to do some shopping. While on the bus Duncan saw the cooling towers at Radcliffe power station and shouted look Volcanos. We were blessed with the good weather again on Saturday,Pamela,Nathan,Archie and Amberley came for the day and we had a picnic in the park before calling for a pint at the Navigation Inn. Richard and Gill came back Sunday evening and stayed till today. This morning Marlenes cold had turned into a chest infection and she had to go to the doctors in Castle Donnington for some antibiotics. It had been a great weekend with the family.

At the weekend we found two circular walks near Swarkstrone. The first which we did on Saturday went down the canal from bridge thirteen to bridge twelve. Then leaving the tow path to our left we crossed fields of rape seed before going over a small bridge then another field to the church. We then took the track to the road. Crossing the road we followed a small road to Swarkstone lock, then returning along the tow path. Our Sunday walk took us back along to Swarkstone lock then we followed the route of the old Derby canal before turning left up a wide track then over a field to the road.following the bus route back to bridge thirteen. Monday morning we left our mooring and headed to Weston upon Trent where we watered up before mooring just above Aston lock. While traveling Marlene did the washing which dried nicely in the sun. Yesterday we dropped down Aston lock and moored just above Shardlow No2 lock. For the last couple of days both me and Marlene have had a bit of a summer cold,getting a bit better now should be fine for the weekend.

Fifteen days going nowhere.

Yes, I know,it's fifteen days since my last blog. We were then at bridge thirteen heading for Willington. Today we are at bridge thirteen heading for Shardlow. Hopefully when we get there the River Trent will be low enough to navigate. The only significant things to happen in the last fifteen days were Marlenes birthday,for which we went to the cinema, then a meal at the Dragon in Willington. We then put the boat in Mercia Marina for four nights while we went to Yorkshire to see mother and attend Marlene's sister and brother in laws Diamond wedding anniversary celebration. On our return we went back to Willington village and waited for Diesel in a can to come and top us up with diesel. Since we last topped up the owner(Graham) has sold the business to Simon. While at Willington we met a fellow Yorkshire man who is planning to cruise the same area as us this year,so we may see him again this summer. As I said we are heading to Shardlow where we are meeting Richard and Gill,who are leaving our grandson Duncan with us from the 25th to the 27th while they go to London. On the 24th Marlene and I have tickets to the theatre in Derby to see Gwen Taylor in The Butterfly lion. I nearly forgot, on Wednesday we went to Sudbury Hall for the day and were lucky enough to get some good weather. As well as the hall there is a museum of childhood, with all the toys we used to play with,makes you feel old.

Return to Willington.

We moored at bridge thirteen Last Thursday with the intension of catching a bus to Calke Abbey a national trust property,however, looking in the book we discovered that its not open on Thursday and Friday. On Friday morning we carried on to Shardlow,arriving around lunch time we moored above the lock. In the afternoon we walked down to the New Inn and booked a table for Sunday lunch. Due to the Trent being in flood all the hire boats from Sawley were moored below the lock outside the Old Clock Warehouse which is now a pub. Taking the bus on Saturday morning we went into Alvaston to do some shopping. The buses were running late for our return to Shardlow due to a home game for Derby football club. Heavy rain greeted us on Sunday morning and the side of the boat was a chalky white from the cars splashing through the puddles on the track at the side of the mooring. Pamela, Nathan and the grandchildren arrived in time for coffee before walking down to have our lunch at the New Inn. We all had steak which were cooked to perfection. While waiting for the Trent to return to normal level we went for a look round Derby on Monday. A walk round Shardlow Marina passed some time on Tuesday. Finally on Wednesday we walked to the lock where you join the river to see how high it was. Having seen it we decided that we would return to Willington and try again later. So this morning we dropped down the lock and watered up, then turned round and headed back. Tonight we are moored near bridge thirteen and tomorrow we will continue on to Willington.