Lock wheeling

Boredom.... into the third week of being back and having nothing to do was starting to do my head in. But yesterday that all changed when we became lock wheelers for Dennis and Margaret (nb Icing) They had managed to get off the river before the floods and was moored at the start of the Erewash. This canal is 11.5 miles from start to end and has 14 broad locks. Two boats travelling together would have made life so much easier but their locking buddies (Carole and Mick) were still stuck on the River Trent. So we offered our services and yesterday we were both up early, had a quick breakfast, donned the wet weather gear (yes it was raining...again) and set off to reach the first of the locks by 8.30am.

Long Eaton was full with both top gate paddles raised. Hmm, was this what we would find on every lock? And there was still plenty of water about judging by how much of the playing fields were submerged.

T'was not long before Icing appeared in the distance and almost to the exact time of 8.30am.

Using the car to get from one lock to another very nearly went without issue. Hadn't planned on the hold up due to roadworks in Long Eaton though and trying to take a short cut only got us bogged down even more because of cars waiting to join the main road. The parked cars either side didn't help as the only way to progress was when the lights changed and a sensible person held back to allow us through.  Made it to Dolkholm lock just as they came into view so a quick raising of paddles got the lock empty in no time.

The rest of the day went without hitch. Lunch was supplied by Margaret, hot cornish pasties, chocolate biscuits and tea, yummy! We eventually arrived at Langley a tad after 2pm, not bad going considering we had that 30 minute stop for lunch. So a few more photos to show and these were taken with my new Olympus waterproof camera. Small but perfectly formed for underwater filming and in wet conditions. (Ready for when we go snorkelling in NZ and Oz.)

Ian on lookout

Icing approaching Shipley lock

And seen on route

Swans in Sandiacre lock

And I was mightly impressed with the close-up setting on the Olympus camera of water droplets.

A visit from Paul, Waterways Routes

I know it has been a while since I put fingers to keyboard but to those that did read my last post will remember the incident of the submerged phone. Three days that phone was buried in rice but did that tip from Jenny work? Well, I'm pleased to say.....it did!!!!! The only damage (if you can call it that) was the battery life had shortened considerably.

Several things have happened since our return. Having taken the travel pack and alternator to Cox's it was over 5 days before we got it back and two weeks later it still awaits Ian's fair hand to install.  It really is the case of out of sight, out of mind! (and being hooked up to electric didn't help) but it will get done...eventually. There was also the saga of the new Snipe 3 satellite which was returned to Germany because it had packed up after three months. All nicely boxed and in its original packaging it had one extra item not intended for return! Our TV remote control!!!!! Ian emailed the company as soon as the mistake was noticed and a week later it was returned, much to my relief and Ian's sanity. And then there was the Beasts carpet saga. We wanted to replace the missing piece in the middle and by the seating. Since purchase, a rug was the only floor covering so we found an almost identical colour match to the fitted piece in the kitchen area at a carpet shop in Ilkeston. Back to the Beast and a templet made out of stiff cardboard complete with drawings of where the press studs went. The word TOP was marked very plainly so there would be no excuse for cutting it wrong. Hmm, we hadn't planned on idiots who couldn't read! The piece was returned from the manufacturers cut and finished the wrong way round! They could do no more but accept responsibility and replace free of charge.

Having had those few headaches it was lovely then to receive an email from Paul, Waterway Routes, saying he would be walking part of the Erewash to update his maps this coming Friday. (today) So before he set off from Langley Mill he stopped by for a cup of coffee and a natter. Now, back in the year dot we happened across Waterway routes at the Crick show but didn't go ahead with the purchase of the maps as we had recently newly acquired all 7 of the Nicholson books so it was the one topic both Ian and I wanted a conversation on. And wow, we were so very impressed with the amount of detail and the ease at which to navigate the maps, needless to say, having the maps to download on our tablets and phone should make life easier. The Nicholson books can then be removed to the drawer under the bed. I have put a link on my sidebar to where you can find out all about these very detailed and informative maps of the waterways.

Had an excursion to Chelmer and Blackwater navigation earlier this week. We may have had loads of rain here in the Midlands but very little has fallen South in Essex and because of the clear skies at night, gosh it was cold. Ice had formed on the water for the first I have seen this year.

Oh and Bonfire night, Great fun with Dan and Vickki's at Langley Mill boatyard.

 We are getting ever nearer to our trip the NZ and Oz. Everything has been planned to a T so roll on December 26th. Yep, Boxing day is the day of travel. We do have a couple of things to look forward to first. Looking after our grandsons for 5 days while Colin and Iwona jet off to Las Vegas and the usual T & T trip in December to Cromer. Oh, and of course Christmas at our daughter's new house with the rest of the family.

And wildlife