Stenson to Branston Water Park (8.5 miles, 2 narrow locks)

The past few days, we have made good progress on the butty inside and out and I have managed to get some much needed painting done.

Off with the old side cloths and on with the new

We travelled the short journey to Willington, filled the watertank and turned the boats to face back the way we had come.  The weather and towpath was fairly dry, so the main task before the bad weather arrived, was to finish the installation of the black side cloths.

Lister deciding on not jumping across

Lister, our lurcher, has developed a fear of jumping between the big boat and the butty, but not back again.  That way is fine apparently! We have to pull him with his collar gently to encourage a 'leap', then he is fine.

Meanwhile, the sheets are complete!

Richard and I finished attaching the lines to hold the side cloths in place, then pulled the top sheets over the top.  Next, we trudged to the skip to dump the old tarps.  All fun and games, but I think you'll agree, she's looking good!

Lister still debating as we moor up at the gravel pits outside Willington

Yesterday, Murfins delivered a couple of month's worth of smokeless coal and we quickly stowed it all before the weather took a turn again.  This resolved the lack of ballast in the butty and stopped it bobbing around so much, when we set sail again later on.

River Dove in flood, ooh err!

Passing over the aquaduct, before Stretton, we witnessed the river Dove in full flood.  Never had we seen it this high before.

Me and Scoob on the butty on a towline

The weather has been glorious today in the sun, and I had a good go at being towed on a line rather than the 'safe' option of the cross-straps which uses more fuel.

Lister likes to sit on the back deck whilst we move along, surveying the water

The butty rising up through Dallow Lane lock at Burton

Filling up with diesel at Snobnall Marina

Coming out of the marina entrance, Richard then reversed and picked me and the butty up

The wind suddenly began to pick up as we approached Branston Lock, but we needed to get topside, as the lock was to be closed for repairs later this week.
So, now all that needs to happen, is the river at Alrewas to behave, to enable us to move up to Fradley Junction but there is also a stoppage on the locks above Alrewas for another week.  The nightmare logistics of boating in the winter!