New footbridge over the Trent at Sawley
By 9am, I was firing on just the one cylinder as we prepared to move off towards Aston for the evening. Richard was absolutely fine, which is unusual for him after more than 2 pints these days!
Pretty much everywhere we look, quagmires have emerged, making a simple walk with the dogs, more like a test of balance and skill at dodging the deep puddles!
Passing through Shardlow, we waved goodbye to Matti on his boat, with whom we had spent the previous evening, along with his girlfriend Kathy. He would be moving off as well soon, so we would probably pass each other again ...
The old Derby and Sandiacre Canal - view back towards Swarkestone lock
Aston, as always, was a quiet stop for us, so we could do some proper painting and work on the boats. The next day, we swapped over roles on the boats; me on the motor and Richard on the butty. Thankfully nothing eventful happened, and I steered us to the lock approach at Swarkestone. Rather than praise my nothing short of perfect handling of motor towing butty (albeit cross strapped) Richard commented on my ability to step over a large gap when it suited me rather than when he wanted me to 'just jump!'. Normally I wouldn't like to take a risk, but it was that or drift out a bit further....
View of the D & S canal towards Chellaston, showing old stone walling, and me wrestling with my granny trolley
We completed the lock at 11feet deep nearly, just Stenson to do and we would be in narrowguage lock terrritory again. The weather was at it's finest crappest, so we moored up and set to work once more in the butty.
A cycle ride into Allenton, the following day, was bitterly cold for Richard, as he had neglected to wear enough clothes.
Please don't make me jump down there! Lister contemplates the shallow jump into the old canal - onto grass. He is not brave at all, bless
Loaded down with paint and hardware, and having done a charity shop trawl (as seems to be a narrowboater type tradition, we are finding) we slowly cycled back to the boat, returning later along the same old canal just to Chellaston, this time, for some food and to walk Lister.
Is it Spring yet? This daffodil, like everyone else, doesn't know what to do!
The old D & S canal - just before Chellaston shops
Armed with the right size screws and brackets, work on the butty, continues in earnest...look at the scumbling on the right - Getting rather good at this Richard! ;)
This morning, we awoke to yet more of that white stuff, but unhindered, we moved the boat to the waterpoint to fill up whilst the washer sprang into life.
Defying the weather, we set off towards Findern and Stenson
The evening before, fellow boaters had moored in front of us with quite a commotion. Richard had been in and out of the butty, so went to ask what was afoot. They were trying to get a longer boat into a shorter gap and failing! Taking some paint off our boat, Richard had suggested, they moor behind us instead.
View back to Swarkestone and the waterpoint
However, this morning their friends involved in the 'small gap' drama, untied their boat and completely unaware of the power of the wind, allowed their boat to drift bow first into the offside of the canal and the boat opposite! Once again, Richard found himself running to the rescue, as the boater's crew seemed unable to get out and help their Skipper!
I held onto the butty with icy cold fingers waiting for these clueless holiday makers to get a grip of the situation and let me have my husband back! I told Richard not to look back as we set off on our journey. The 2 boats were getting blown all over the canal on their approach to the lock!
Ragley Boat Stop - a little chillier than last time we stopped!
Stenson lock was the last double width lock to overcome before we moored further out of Stenson, in another quagmire however! It has snowed all day and the wind has bitten!
Peaceful (We ignore the A50 nearby and the occasional train!) mooring at Stenson
I sorted out a bit more in the butty, ready to get the shop area ready for next weekend and my first opening of the season! Richard decided to go on a forage for wood for the fire.
Not long after and Richard returns, frozen solid with the boys but with some success....
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