No need for that sort of language!

 Thursday 24th

Hmmm, looks like a boater had decided the lock landing was a great place to stop overnight. Our plan was to leave really early and to tell you the truth, if I disturbed his sleep well so be it!

 

Just after 7 when we got underway. Approaching that boat a large yellow piece of paper had been stuck on its stern. There was no way of reading what it said as the wind had twisted the note the wrong way. I noticed a light on as I crept past so no, I didn't disturb their sleep, mores the pity!

Branston water park was full. A good job then, that we stopped at the top. The usual problems of channel width just where the canal swings to the left, meeting another boat would have meant a reverse as passing would be impossible.

This taken as I looked back.

 

And the building work is coming along in leaps and bounds. Such a shame this has happened to a lovely beauty spot.

 

After a stop by bridge 33d for a Morrison shop, it only took another 20 minutes before we pulled in front of Dire Straits. 

 

All moored up when a suggestion was made that we should get diesel at Shobnall marina right next door. At 69p a litre, it would be silly not to top up the tank, so it was release FS from her shackles and a reverse to the pump through the arch, not the easiest when a slight breeze is blowing.

 

 53 litres to fill the tank and luckily, as we exited, noticed that mooring by Dire Straits was still free so  back I went just as another boat came along also wanting diesel. Gosh, it was busy after that as boat after boat all waited in turn to get to the pump. Then out came the proprietor and stuck this notice on the board.

So glad we were persuaded to go when we did otherwise who knows how long we would have had to wait tomorrow.

Talking to Jenn and Jim and who should come past but 'Mr hog the lock landing' chap. OMG talk about language! His misses asked where the marina was, I pointed and that's when the shouting began. Not at us but at that poor lady. He wanted her to go to the bow, she wasn't having any of it and then I became the target to his foul mouth. "I have f'ing anxiety, I cant get the f'ing boat in reverse and f'ing why isn't she f'ing doing what I f'ing tell her to." Well the whole of Burton must have heard him, so loud he was. The lady rolled her eyes and with her finger pointing to her head made out that he was out of his mind. OMG yet again. Off he went on another tangent, shouting, hollering, swearing, absolutely no need for that sort of language in my book. He tried to stop by the marina entrance and failed, having to jump off the boat to stop it. " Hope you fall in" Jenn shouted. We were very glad to see the back of him that's for sure, as he failed to bring the boat to a stop continuing through the bridge and out of our sight. Oh, and I did catch what that yellow paper note said.  

Ed arrived by mid-afternoon complete with the generator and new pully fitted. Fired the engine into life and Ian tested the engine speed. One very happy man as everything is now hunky dory and Ed also told me I could run the washing machine whilst travelling, so I'm one happy lady too.

Wildlife today