And our need was a definite must. Loo and water situation was getting a wee bit critical. Emptying the 2 cassettes meant a trip in the car to Shobnall services but to get water we had to up stakes and head for Barton Turns. So having listened to the BBC weather forecast on Breakfast TV the decision was made to go sooner rather then later. The wind had picked up so not a good day to try and wind the boat at the entrance to the marina. First though, we had to go up Tatenhill and Barton Lock.
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| The lovely Tatenhill Lock at 8.30am |
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| Looking at the top pound. |
Apart from the wind blowing directly in our faces the excursion was very pleasent. Instead of stopping below Barton lock to water up we thought it a better idea to go on up and wind first. Now I'm not the best at turning FS. Give me any junction at any angle and I usually make the entrance in one but for some reason I have a mental block about winding the boat. And I didn't disappoint this morning. Talk about a right pigs ear!!!! Ian went to the front to check if the entrance was clear, I started the turn and got into the entrance beautifully and then the trouble started as I put the boat into reverse. Not sure if the wind got me or I am naturally hopeless but I got FS well and truly wedged between the cladding on the marina side and the cladding on the towpath. Ian had to come to my rescue by jumping off the boat at the stern, grabbing the stern rope and hauling me round. As usual I was watched by all and sundry and I had no doubt that raised eyes and mutterings about blooming 'women drivers' were foremost in their mind!
Barton lock was being turned round as we approached which, if I had been able to wind properly, would have been our lock. Still it was only a matter of 5 minutes before the hire boat was up and on there way and we were descending. A sign at the top made us aware of the problems below.
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| A major section of the lock landing had disappeared into the canal and the poles with cones on the top marked the spot. |
Having spent 30 minutes on the water point (I was waiting for the washing to finish) we once more set off for the park.
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| Ian walking to the rubbish point with the very narrow bridge in the distance |
We are now moored up on the 14 day moorings at the park end. I much prefer this mooring as it is almost at the park entrance and we seem to see more wildlife this side of the bridge. Still waiting for that phone call to make the dash to our daughters. The phone is now clued to my side and put by the bed every night!
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| One of the many resident Canada Geese with goslings |
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| Running down the towpath Mr and Mrs Partridge |
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| And on the lake a Great Crested Grebe feeding her rather large chick |
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4 comments:
Thankyou for the info on the Erewash, we had a good time and enjoyed the canal. Also like you Paul pulled us out of the water and fixed our tiller Cheers Diane and Ray
So glad you got sorted. Paul is a most obliging man, if he can help he will. The Erewash is one of those canals that you either love or hate. We understandably love it but, there again, it is where we live. Hope you got your 'end of navigation' plaque. Let us know if you didn't and we may be able to get one sent.
Hope to see you again one day.
Xx
Essential tool to go with a cassette toilet for emergency situations, a shovel!
Hi Keith, We have a shovel and so far
haven't had to use it. With the moorings by the park so well visited we didn't think it a good idea to dig a hole and empty the loo. People round these parts may object. They just don't understand our boating ways (:
Hope you are continuing to improve.
Love to both of you. Xxxx
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