Scale of Tolls displayed at the Cavendish Bridge over the River Trent at Shardlow
We had to kill a bit of time in between us arriving at Sawley/Long Eaton and the yard being ready for us to commence alterations to our butty boat. So we went a bit further up to Aston Lock, mooring at Shardlow on the way.
We've been on some long walks with the dogs. This one took us up to Borrowash via Elvaston Castle
Of all the days we picked to go for a walk to the bank, we went when it chucked it down. The boys had their coats on for most of it, so they were alright. We had a lovely walk around the grounds of Elvaston before returning to the boat at Shardlow covered in mud and wet through!
Sitting nicely whilst we set the flood lock for the boats at Sawley on the way back to the Erewash Canal
PJ Barber (where we are having our alterations done) is based on the Erewash Canal, which is located at the junction of the river Trent and Soar at Long Eaton. His yard is a short distance from the first lock (Trent Lock) off the river.
Leaving the cut at Sawley, we soon see the power station at Ratcliffe
Nearly there - sign depicts routes available: left for the Erewash Canal
Richard waits whilst I set the lock at the bottom of the Erewash Canal (Trent Lock)
The weather was predicted to be awful, so we got off the river early in the weekend so that we didn't get stuck at Sawley. The water level was just in the amber as we came down, but not bad going.
The lock is usually full of the detritus coming off the river and coming down the canal (potty included!)
Steadying the boats in the lock as the water raises them up
We spent the weekend on the canal before setting off Monday morning for the small cruise up to the yard. We had already ripped the inside of the cabin out in readiness for the new steel one to be created, so the inside of the butty is currently a no go zone, full of wood and everything rammed up beyond the cabin area.
Picking the cross-straps up on the butty
Gently winding our way past the houseboats
A much better morning, we set off to Sheetstores (PJBarber).
Breasting back up before the entrance to the yard
Do you think anyone is missing a tonne sack? We found one round our prop just as Richard was about to reverse into the entrance!
We waited outside the yard entry as Paul had a reshuffle of boats to make some room. As Richard dropped the engine into gear, an awful grinding noise made us both jump to action.
As we were mid channel in the canal, I went forward to fend off the widebeam moored just across from the entry as Richard went down the weed hatch. Yes, our first tonne bag for this year, thank you very much!
Luckily as the motor is coming out of the water as well as the butty, we can check that all is well with the propeller.
The butty waiting for it's turn on the hard standing
Richard power washes the butty, getting all the slime and old bitumen off ready for blacking
For the next week and perhaps a half, we will be blacking both boats and getting the stern replaced on the butty as well as the new steel cab. The 'swim' should be better, as at the moment the stern doesn't allow for the water to go around the rudder (elum) properly. So lets get started!
No comments:
Post a Comment