Sawley here we come.

In away I'll be glad when the Olympics are over!! The Decathlon is due to start this morning and Ian worked out that if we left by 6am, we should make Sawley for about 11. So with a groan as the alarm went off at 5.45am, we clambered out of bed and were  ready to pull pins by 6.10am. I mentally said sorry to all the boats moored near to us as the engine started and glided as quietly as possible past Nb Jandi. The canal at this time of the morning is quite magical. Mist was rising from the water and the reflections crystal clear without the movement of water. A heron kept flying off in front of us, no doubt peeved that we had spoilt his fishing.

Most of the locks were set against us but we got lucky at Aston where two boats were just just coming out. As Ian has had his pic line inserted I did most of the locks. All but Stenson because Ian wanted to have a go at doing it himself. He soon discovered that he couldn't manage winding the paddles, and resorted to a ratchet windlass we bought over 2 years ago when he had part of his shoulder blade removed.

Mind you I struggled massively to shut the left hand bottom gate at Aston. I pushed and pulled but could shift it no more then a foot. Ian had to tie up and come to help. A lone boater would really struggle with it, even if they were fit. Soon we were at Shardlow and then onwards to Derwent lock. Here I had a problem with keeping the bottom gate shut!! I had to crack open a top paddle, then dash toward the bottom gate to shut it. I hope C&RT get there act together and sort out these problems. On the exit and moored ( if that's the right word ) on the landing was a plastic cruiser. Or should I say the just the upper part of the cruiser. Another problem for C&RT.

If you look beyond the cruiser and back to Derwent lock, You can see the open gate which refuses to stay shut.

Final leg towards Sawley, crossing the River Derwent, and onto the Trent. Plenty of moorings to be had at 11.30am and Ian has already found the correct satellite to receive the UK TV signal. ( quite often  we get German TV by mistake!). Tomorrow Ian is off to see the Consultant and get a blood test ready for the Chemo to start on Monday. Before that we have one more mini cruise to go on before heading onto the Erewash. Back to Shardlow for a party and BBQ on Saturday. I'm hoping for good weather!!!

Young calf eyeing up the swan on the Trent.