A Shardlow double.

Having not moved any further than the diesel pump since arriving at Sawley Marina on the first of July,this week we cruised up to Shardlow twice. The first was on Wednesday when we went to pump out the waste tank. This caused me some embarrassment, being a D.I.Y pump out I collected the key from the office and paid the fee. I connected the hose and turned on the power and nothing happened,trying several times without success I finally returned to the office. They sent a man to see what the problem was, it turned out all it needed was priming with a drop of water,simple when you know how. Finishing the pump out we set off to Shardlow,our aim was to wash both sides of the boat as it was covered in cobwebs. The first side we washed at the top of Derwent Mouth Lock,this is the first lock on the Trent and Mersey Canal. As we approached the lock we noticed the side of the lock was covered in school children having their lunch. After finishing the first side of the boat we proceeded up the canal through Shardlow village to the winding hole below number two lock. Having turned round we moored opposite Dobsons boat yard for lunch. In the afternoon we washed the second side then headed back to the Marina. It had been a lovely day,even the weather stayed fine. Our second trip was on Saturday, our eldest grandson Dominic was staying with us for the weekend so we decided to go out for the day. As we set off we found our selves behind two wide beam boats,this would mean a wait at the first lock,however,the lead boat turned round just past the road bridge and the second boat turned up the Trent heading for Shardlow Marina. This left us clear to lock through without a wait. We moored out side the New Inn before taking a walk round the village. Once again we turned below number two lock before heading back toward the Marina. On the way back Dominic took the helm taking it into Derwent Mouth Lock,needles to say he was quite proud of himself when it all went well. After mooring back at out berth in the Marina we walked down to the Plank and Leggit for dinner.

End of season fast approaching.

Would you believe it it's September already,where does the time go. We are just back at the boat having had a nice week at Stephens with the boys. I went on some walks with them round the Berkshire countryside. Marlene is resting her Achilles tendon that she injured before we went to Stephens. Wednesday evening we all went to Pizza Express so we could meet Stephen's new lady friend which was a great success.On Thursday we went Tenpin Bowling in Reading Harry won by one point with me second, I messed up my last ball taking only six pins instead of the eight I needed.The journey home went quite well except the train from Reading to London Paddington was packed to bursting. We had planned to cruise with the boat when we got back,however,I have some more dentist and doctors appointments coming up, nothing really important but time consuming. Next weekend we are looking after our youngest grandson( Duncan) while his mum and go to London for a dueathlon Richard is taking part. After that we are going up to Yorkshire with them so we can visit mother. That will take us to mid September and probably still more dental appointments,so the chances of going far with the boat before the end of the season are receding fast.