A 'Chance' meeting.

Had a bit of drama at Deptmore lock yesterday morning. I lone lady boater came up the lock, got off her boat and had closed the top gate when somehow she lost her footing and fell in. I arrived minutes later just as a couple who had witnessed her fall, managed to pull her out. She was visibly shook up and as she admitted to us, if there had been no one around she wouldn't have been able to get herself back onto the boat.. One of the things we bought years ago was a safety rope ladder which we hang from one of our seats at the back. At least we would have a chance of climbing out. Its something to think about. as this could happen to any one of us.

It is only the bag that looks battered. It has a handle that can be pulled to release the ladder.

Leaving Bruce and Shelia to enjoy another day at Deptmore lock,( which personally I thought was crazy seeing as a huge marquee had been erected next to the canal ready for a  wedding reception to take place that day and, no doubt, the music and partying would go on well into the night )  we set of for Tixall Wide. Doug and James on Nb Chance had been in contact to say they had arrived at Tixall and would we join them for a BBQ.

James showing off his painting skills on the plank

Tea and coffee greeted us as we arrived.

 I don't know if its just us, but when we get together with boaters for a BBQ, we usually bring our own meat and then some sort of contribution with the salad stuff. So when we had the invite, I made my coleslaw and came with our chops and enough sausages to share. Well, if you have ever been entertained by James and Doug you are in for a treat. First the nibbles appeared, then the wine. After that James got the BBQ ready and Doug brought out a starter, Avocado and Mozzarella with basil leaves and tomatoes. Then Doug started on the cooking.  We were only expecting to eat our own meat, but oh no! Out came chicken drumsticks, kebabs and home made vegy burgers, as well as our chops which, in the end, we divided up between three of us as James is vegetarian,. and the sausages. Meanwhile,  the salad stuff arrived with the rolls for the burgers. It was all so delicious. By now we were feeling completely stuffed and, as the temperature dropped and the wind picked up, we all went for a warm in Chance. The wine continued to flow, as well as much hilarity and then, would you believe, Doug produced a lemon Torte with fresh raspberries, picked by Doug's own fair hand at Great Haywood farm shop, and cream. By now I was begging for mercy. Please no more food but I must say Doug is a fantastic cook as the Torte was easily as good as any desert you would get in a restaurant. You would think by now that that was the end of the food. When the coffee was made out came the chocolates!!! What I want to know guys is, why don't ypu put on any weight! Just by looking at all that food I gained 5lbs!  Thanks guys for one of the best evenings we have had for a long time.

Jade looking after the table of nibbles, while James clears away his painting masterpiece ( plank and pole!!!)

Freespirit & Chance moored together.

Lovely Rudd caught yesterday in the Wide

We were hoping, this morning, to wind the boat so Ian can touch up the black paint on the bow where I  'removed it' when hitting the bridge 'ole and, 'getting it wrong' when I entered some of the locks. Only trouble is its blowing a hooley and the sky is starting to look very ominous.And as for me. I'm glued to the TV watching our team GB. Its all so very disappointing up to now. Lets hope things improve as the weeks go by..