New recruit for C&RT

Blast!!!! My spring clean went a bit overboard and I managed to knock one of my plates off the wall smashing it to pieces. Really quite upset about it as this is one of the last gifts given to me by Ian's parents. It was a plate called Entering the Light by Susie Morton and had three horses heads on it. Looking on the web I can get a replacement from America but at $35 plus postage I feel it's a little steep. Maybe one will come up on ebay. Will have to keep looking.

Easter has been and gone and I was glad to see C&RT arrive to clear the bywash. Last done by them on Good Friday, the amount of reeds and roots coming down the canal was staggering. If it had been left any longer I'm sure a complete blockage would have occurred. To get rid of the debris all they did was push it down through the bars, and not only that, they opened the top gates and allowed some to float into the lock. Ian happened to see them and asked the question of why? The reply was that it was easier to get rid of it at the next bywash at Dockholme and the next person to use the lock would flush it out. Didn't have a chance to take a photo as the next person to use the lock was Michael and Carol on Electra. With them was Liz a new C&RT recruit experiencing for the first time the trials of boating and locking for the day. I was surprised that Michael was opening the difficult ground paddle at Sandiacre. Surely Liz should be doing it! She needs to know how hard this paddle is to lift! Liz said herself that she was amazed how heavy the gates and paddle gear were on the Erewash. Maybe this could work in our favour as after today Liz will be desk bound dealing with problems phoned in by the boaters. At least she will know what we are talking about!

Lots of water coming down the canal

Another job Ian has managed to finish is the second lockers air vent and the pop riveting of the grills across that holes he cut. The wood (oak) has been bought for the table top so I'm fully expecting a complete dining table by tomorrow. The shelf has gone but the plug socket will have to stay. There is nowhere for it to go, which is a shame really as one can never have enough sockets!!!