So....What did I do on my birthday?

Got down and dirty that's what! Time again for the annual Erewash canal cleanup. Organised by C&RT, the arrangement was to meet at Gallows Inn for 9.30am. First we all had to sign in before the usual dishing out of life jackets, high viz jackets, gloves, grappling hooks, litter pickers and copious amounts of black plastic bags and a pep talk from Sean. Ian was sent out with 4 others to litter pick by the M1 bridge and I was given the task of official photographer as well as litter picker along the route to Sandiacre. Nothing of any excitement came out of the canal this time. Not like last year when we had to involve the police! (Click here) So this is more of a photo blog then anything else, and as always I do go a bit overboard when taking them. Tonight I'm to be taken out for a meal as a birthday treat by Ian, Margaret and Dennis. Save me having to cook after all that exercise!

On doggie do's spray duty and boy was there loads of it from Gallows all the way to Sandiacre!!!!

 In fact I had a bit of a go at two people who allowed their dog to mess on the towpath right in front of us. No attempt at picking up so armed with bag I marched up to them only for them to say the dog was a little loose so couldn't pick it up. They didn't even have a bag with them when challenged so I know they don't usually bother!!

Ian in amongst the brambles with Michael in the front.

By the M1 bridge

Coming in to moor for lunch. Sean supplied the tea and coffee and biscuits.

No rings to tie to so why not wedge the workboat across the canal. Logical really!!!

Lunch break

Collected from the offside in the first hour this morning.

Well and truly stuck

And the rescue by the barge.

Not quite like the motorbike on last years cleanup.

Good place to leave the workboat. Only problem, it's stopping us from moving tomorrow! C&RT are doing the final bit of the canal to Trent lock so no doubt they will be gone by the time we want to set off.