A gap in our summer cruising.

Over two week since my last posting,but to be honest our boating has been zero. When Nathan came to pick up the grandchildren we went back with them. Pamela had gone on a surprise pamper day and a barbecue was planned for her return. While waiting we went bowling in Grantham. The barbecue was a success except for a couple of showers. Pamela was surprised to see us and her close friends when she came home. We stayed till the Wednesday when taking the train north we visited Richard for a couple of nights before going to my mothers on the Friday. We finally returned to the boat on Monday. Tuesday we went in to Castle Bonnington to register at the doctors. When ever we checked the river it was closed, so we stayed in the Marina and dodged the showers while walking some of the footpaths. One of the days we walked up the river to Shardlow, where we had a pot of tea at the New Inn before returning. This last weekend with the change in the weather we sat on our small patio in front of the boat and relaxed in the sun. Tomorrow we have a health check with the nurse at our new doctors, then hopefully on Wednesday we can do some cruising.

More river closures.

Saturday the river at Zouch was in the Amber so we left and cruised up to Kegworth deep lock. On arrival we found that it was still in the red zone at Kegworth. Mooring up I phoned Sawley to ask the state of the Trent,I was told although the Soar was out of flood the Trent was still in flood. We decided to stay at Kegworth until the Trent was open and we could return to Sawley. A phone call on Sunday morning confirmed it was still in flood. With the prospect of another day at least moored where we were, we decided to explore the local foot paths. Walking half way from Kegworth deep to Kegworth shallow we found a path on the right which took us over several fields to the village of Sutton Bonnington. The day before we had walked from Zouch to Sutton Bonnington to do some essential shopping. On Sunday we found another path that took us back across to the River Sour about a mile from where we were moored. When we arrived back at the boat I once again checked with Sawley to see if there was any change in the Trent. To our surprise we were told it was open to traffic. Armed with this information we left Kegworth. At the end of the Soar where it joins the Trent we turned left heading for Sawley Lock. The river was still high and flowing fairly fast. Approaching the lock the cross current was rather strong but with a little more power we entered the quiet water on the lock approach. Coming out of the lock we were shocked to see the red light was back on showing the river was closed again. Sunday night we moored opposite Sawley Marina. After mooring we went to the Plank and Leggit for our tea and a couple of pints. On Monday we walked round to the Marina and signed the contract for our mooring in the Marina. Returning to the boat we took it in to our new berth. Since then we have spent our time doing jigsaws and reading due to the heavy rain, although we have had a couple of nice days,at least some of the day.today Pamela brought Archie and Amberley to stay the night while her and Nathan go out to celebrate Pamela's birthday.