On the move but without permission

 It didn't half rain last night. Thunder, lightening and the amount of water falling from the sky... well one hoped that this would help considerably with the water levels!

 

This morning jobs were found to do. With another day of waiting we had to keep ourselves occupied. It was as I took a step onto the gas locker at the bow to wash the cratch windows that something strange happened. Water was beginning to run from the direction of the lock. Heart leapt into one's mouth and I could hardly contain the excitement of CRT having finally arrived and opened the lock. But...and there was a very big but...no sign of CRT anywhere. In fact one of the boaters had taken it upon himself to open the lock for them. A special key was mentioned, was it a universal one that fitted all padlocks? No it was not. I will leave you to guess what did actually open that padlock! It involved brute force!  This is a series of photos from this morning.

First boats in at the top

What a brilliant idea to stop the leak through the bottom gate. A boat pole!  Simple yet very effective.

We were next to go in

 It was lovely being on the move again. On exit to the lock it was very noticeable just how much water was in the pound. In fact the by wash was overflowing! CRT could so easily have come this morning and let everyone through. It took the initiative of this one boater to get us all moving again. Now I don't condone what he did. It's tantamount to vandalism but for CRT to leave us all in limbo when there was no need to delay boaters any more, you can fully understand why he did it.

Overflowing the by wash.

The news about the lock soon got the boats moving.

All the pounds were full. No sign of any low water, it was a shame that the boat we locked up with stopped for water before Shardlow Lock. So we ascended alone, caught up the two boats that locked up ahead of us at Aston lock and discovered two CRT bods helping boaters through. Tongue in cheek we agreed when asked if we had come from Shardlow. After all no way were we going to mention what had really happened. "We are running water down" said one of them. "I'n readiness for that lock to open tomorrow". I did feel very guilty by that little white lie told and was most relieved at leaving the lock. CRT will soon find out about what happened when they arrive at the lock tomorrow!

We were joined at Weston lock and so had a locking buddy. Everything was going to plan, I chatted to the lady when suddenly, into reverse she went and the engine stalled! Thankfully we were almost up so weed hatch came up and a discovery made. A blooming great log had caught around the prop! The boat hook managed to dislodge it and between the male boater and Ian, pulled it from the canal. Ian then disposed it as far from the water as possible.

They ascended Swarkestone lock alone. One of the CRT bods had told Ian of an Aldi by bridge 13. Provisions had got very low, the essentials had to be bought. The moorings were not great, had to fight the high vegetation especially nettles! When wearing shorts this was real hazard to the legs! Anyway the walk took about 10 minutes, two slip roads had to be crossed with fast approaching traffic, but we are still here to tell the tale and being slightly more agile these days helped.

The last lock of the day was also done alone. Swarkestone lock had loads of gongoozlers, plenty of questions asked and a lovely way to pass the time as FS ascended. Dark clouds loomed so decision made to stop above the lock. So glad we did because not 10 minutes later yet another thunderstorm and this time hail was mixed in with the rain. 

 

Probably start fairly early tomorrow because more bad weather is forecast for the afternoon. We may try to reach Branston Water Park. Christine is due to meet us there with the new solar control switch either Tuesday or Wednesday. It's a nice place to stay.

 And seen on route

Why do they make them so big!!!!

And wildlife