36 boats and still counting.

Not an inch to spare anywhere. Boats have been squeezed in every conceivable space. If any boat comes up the lock that isn't attached to our lot and want to wind round, they'll have a blue fit!! My old camera is performing okay so I went back out to take some more of the boats arriving yesterday, as well as watching the work party on the lock cottage. On Electra their Canary was enjoying the afternoon sunshine




Mick and Carole's ships parrot canary



ECP&DA work party repairing guttering and window frames on the Lock cottage.



Norman ( mooring officer ) arriving and winding round



Dave cleaning the brasses putting all of us to shame.

We had a great night playing games last night. The committee open the cottage and everyone who arrived on their boat could join in. Most of the time we just got together and socialised but Dominoes and Mexican train proved to be very popular.

This morning more and more boats arrived. Trying to get them moored, as well as some wanting to wind round, was quite a task. So here are today's photo contribution.



Finally got the photo I wanted yesterday.  Look no longer pink



Lining the banks towards the lock



Moored below lock is Nb Perch. For years it sat in two halves on the Erewash canal before being restored by Barry Argent, the son of the old boatman Ike , and joined together at sheetstores workshop last year.

 

Ike Argent sharing a doughnut with a friend at Middlewich rally in 1992. Photo from Working boats of the UK Waterways/Boat People
Many thanks Andy

The late Ike Argent,(on R.H side of picture) Erewash Canal legend
who was a great help to the ECP&DA



No more room above the lock.

While I was walking to get into a good position to take some of these photos, I notice the Azola weed lurking in the margins. At the moment the canal appears clear of the stuff but not for long if it starts growing again.



The dreaded Azola weed in its Spring colours.

Everyone is gearing up for tonight's fun. The band has arrived and are at this moment setting up, Carole has been and fetched the meat pies, and the 3 huge catering tins of mushy peas have been opened and is ready to be heated up on the cooker. Bring it on!!!