A very wet trip back.

It's blooming typical isn't it. Why couldn't today's weather have been as good as yesterday, especially as Colin and family were coming to show the children how FS gets refloated and then help take her back to Sandiacre. We just had to get on with it, rain or no rain, so before the family arrived Ian attached the side fenders and front and rear ropes went on. Colin arrived at 10ish and Mick was ready to get us floating 30 minutes later.

Son Colin, Daughter-in-Law Iwona and Grandsons Oliver and Oscar

Ian and Oscar open the paddle

Mick ready to open the gate

Once out we winded and headed back to Sandiacre in the pouring rain. Oscar wanted to take the tiller and show us how to steer the boat. And a very good job in he did too.  Just needs to grow a tad more so he can see where he's going!

For once I got to sit in the well deck under the cratch in the dry watching the men do all the work. Iwona and I drank coffee and ate biscuits and loved the fact the men were getting wet.

Colin looking a bit like a drowned rat.

The boys at Dolkholme Lock to help daddy close the gate.

Last lock of the day at Sandiacre and this time Iwona gave a hand. I was lovely and dry still and enjoying my time of leisure.

 After we got moored up daughter Christine arrived with Son-in-law Kev and Grandsons Josh and Thomas.

The cousins obviously pleased to see each other

Christine and Thomas

 The arrangement was for all of us to walk to the Bridge Inn for a meal. First Kev took Margaret and Colin back to Trent Lock to fetch cars, while the rest of us trotted off to the pub to try and get a table for us all. In we walked mob handed and asked for a table that would seat 11 plus baby, not an easy task but the staff took us to their large round table and pushed another table on the end. Worked brilliantly and all the meals came out hot and delicious. It was after the meal was over that I got a lovely surprise from Colin and family. A huge bunch of flowers as a late birthday gift. Having only one vase on the boat, the flowers Christine gave me on my birthday got mixed in with them and a lovely display they made too.

Christine and Thomas

From L to R. Baby Thomas, Kev, Margaret, Dennis, me, Ian, Josh, Oscar, Oliver, Colin and Iwona

Not sure what we are doing tomorrow. Ian wants to make a start on making the dining table and I suppose I may as well start on the Spring Clean! Oh joy of joys.