Cork balls. One or two?

 Spiders!!! I hate them!!! No...that's not strictly true. They have been put on this earth for a purpose, to get rid of flies and I HATE flies! What good are flies on this planet?? Oh okay, they feed the larger insects and animals! But when a spider is seen, a movement caught out of the corner of my eye, I freak out and rush to the other side of the boat with cries of "Ian get it, for God’s sake get it!"

Ian the brave. So courageous is my man that can!

Jenn collected horse chestnuts (conkers) at Derwent mouth lock 'cos an old wives tale stated that spiders dislike them. I poo poo'd the very thought but I'm now willing to give it a go 'cos I don't want an invasion of these.

Been quiet here at Sandiacre, no excitement at all, well maybe just a bit. Yesterday C&RT spent all day running water down to fill the pound between Long Eaton Lock and Dockholme lock. We watched as our water levels slowly disappeared. This time the reason wasn't the little darlings lifting the paddles, no it was a branch stuck in Long Eaton bottom gate paddle that was the problem. Then a boat turned up wanting to descend, the lady jumped off to speak to C&RT before the boat was secured and although she made it to the bank, her boat keys didn't! Cork ball should have saved the day but so much weight with numerous keys that she watched as the whole kit and caboodle sunk to the depths. Out came the sea magnet but after 30 minutes of fishing not a sign. Finally, she decided to try at a different part of the bank and 15 minutes later and with lots of rusty bits of metal as well, she got lucky and hauled them up. Moral to this tale. Check your balls! One ball may not be enough, two might just save the day!😉

 

Today a boat I knew well came into view. It was ECP&DA work boat Pentland. The society had been called out to remove a small tree that had collapsed over the towpath. Whilst at Sandiacre a job that had needed doing for ages was carried out at Sandiacre lock. The removal of the false paddle gear.

ECP&DA members on Pentland.

So yesterday, with us now having the car, we took a trip to Halford's to pick up some paintwork restorer. Extensive research (quick look on a search engine) and I came across Mequiar's Ultimate Compound. To see the Website click HERE

Itching to see if it worked I tried it on the back panel. Very impressed with the outcome so will do the rest of the bodywork back at the Mill.