And the effluent runneth over.

We made a break for Sawley while the weather was good. Our prefered date to leave Sandiacre was for tomorrow but didn't like the thought of having to travel in the forecasted high winds and torrential rain. So having completed all that needed doing around the bungalow we pulled pins and left by 10am.

That willow has grown somewhat

 Not long after descending Sandiacre lock a cyclist stopped and asked if we fancied a lock wheeler. Completly gobsmacked at a cyclist actually wanting to help instead of hinder we suddenly realised it was Alan who used to own NB Marmaduke and who let us join him and new wife Carol on their honeymoon along the Staffs and Worcs canal back in 2013.

Handing him our windlass and handcuff key he cycled ahead to set the locks. On arrival at Trent lock, Carol was waiting to join us for a cruise up the River Trent. Ian went to empty the cassette at the facilities only to find it overflowing with effluent. So back on board went the unemptied loo with the knowledge that it could be done at Sawley. Alan pulled the paddles for our ascent after storing his bike on FS's roof. He too was looking forward to the short cruise up the river which, surprisingly for once, had no sailing boats to get in the way. Normally at a weekend its a matter of playing dodgems trying to miss a collision.  But instead of the yachts, canoeists were out aplenty right across the river and without any awareness of a steel boat heading toward them. until. A blast on our horn alerted them to our presence and they soon shifted out of our way and pretty quick too.

Sawley Lock

 Having only just managed to find a space big enough for FS imagine our surprised when we realised one of the boats either side of us was David and Marilyn's boat Waka Huia Thought them long gone having read their post on the 20th.  Anyway, no one on board so Carol, Alan, Ian and myself headed for Daves Micro Pub at Sawley lock. 4 decent beers to chose from as well as 4 ciders. It must be over a year now since Dave opened the pub and these days it is a very popular place to stop.

After a couple of pints of beer, Ian and Alan went off to find the loo and made an unpleasant discovery. Running down the car park from the manhole cover by the septic tank was more effluent. Yep, that elsan was also blocked! Volunteer Lock keepers at Sawley Lock were informed who phoned in the problem to C&RT stating that it could be a danger to peoples health and to treat it as an emergency. We didn't hold out much hope of anyone coming when one of the volunteers thought it unlikely to be sorted until after the bank holiday. Next facilities for loo emptying is Willington about 10 miles away. It's a good job we have two cassettes!

On our return, there was David by Waka Huia and with a knock on the boat cabin side, Marilyn also emerged. After hugs all round and a discussion by us saying we would be staying until Monday, an invite was issued for dinner on board Waka Huia tomorrow which was excepted in an instant.

Tonight we are walking to the Nags head for a meal with Alan and Carol so no cooking for me tonight...or tomorrow...yipee!
 
 A weedy resting place for these cygnets

Red Kites seen at the Brecon Beacons