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.

Welcome to Britain in drought.

On Saturday we finally made the decision to move on, so dropping down Dallow Lock we made our way to the service point to top up our water tank. As I pulled into the service point I separated a mother duck from her ducklings. The. Commotion this caused was unbelievable. I held the boat steady until they were reunited. The rest of the day was uneventful with us mooring for the might at bridge twenty five. It was Monday morning before we moved on to Willington. We moored opposite the dragon pub which has been refurbished since our last visit to Willington. Marlene made an appointment at the hairdressers for Thursday lunch time and after her appointment we called in the Dragon to see what had been done. It was a very wet day on Thursday so we decided to stay another night. This morning was a better day so we cast of and made our way toward Shardlow where we are meeting Pamela on Sunday. At Stenson lock we were joined by a hire boat from Sawley. Ironically they informed Marlene that the River Trent was in flood, so they would have to leave the boat at Shardlow and be picked up by the boat yard.we are now moored by bridge thirteen. I checked on the waterscape website and sure enough the flood lock at Sawley is closed until further notice. Welcome to Britain in drought.

Three short moves.

Time to move on again on Wednesday,although we didn't go far. Arriving at Branston lock we were delayed due to a blocked paddle. There was a team from British waterways trying to sort it out. Eventually though the queues above and below the lock were getting bigger so they let us through. We moored a little further on so we could walk to Carpet Wright to buy a new carpet for our bedroom. Returning to the boat we had lunch then I fitted the carpet,the hardest part was opening it out in such a small space. On Thursday we took the bus into Burton and did some shopping and collect my prescription,however true to form Boots were short of one item. Early Friday morning we moved the boat to Shobnal(a mere ten minutes down the canal)and walked to Boots to collect the missing item. On the way back we called at B&Q for some more paint and some wood to make some book shelves. We have books all over the boat. Before moving a little further to Shobnal Fields I went to Shobnal marina for some gas. While there I discovered that the man who tiled our shower last March had gone into receivership. Mooring at Shobnal Fields I painted did the first coat on the other side gunwale,then it rained.This morning before breakfast I gave it a second coat,and it rained. It's looking brighter now the rain was only a short sharp shower. We have to decide if we should move on today or tomorrow,decisions, decisions, decisions.

One of my favourite moorings.

First thing Saturday morning we called in at the Marina to see about a parcel we were expecting,but it hadn't arrived. Dropping down the lock at Barton Turns,we watered up before carrying on to moor at Branston. This is one of my favourite moorings along this stretch of the Trent and Mersey. As you look out over the canal the view is of a wooded hillside with a scattering of buildings in between, the most impressive being Dunstall Hall. On the mooring sde you have Branston Water park to walk round,altogether a pleasant mooring. In the evening we walked over to the new Harvester restaurant and had a very nice meal.walking back we called in for a drink at the Blacksmiths Arms. Sunday was a quiet day where nothing much happened,except for the boat that hit us at the stern. Catching the bus on Monday morning we went back into Barton for my doctors appointment, all went well with my annual check up. Calling back at the marina only to find the parcel still hand't arrived so we asked them to return it to sender if it came. Today Marlene caught up with the washing while I gave the gunwale it's third coat of paint. We are still moored at Branston enjoying the bright sunny days, even with the showers.