And Ian makes the turn

 What a glorious start to the day, no wind so even though the temperature gauge should a little above 5 degrees, it was a pleasure to be out and about and the very short cruise to the water point was done without hat and coat.

So Ian is still hobbling. The pain in his knee comes in waves, yesterday was a goodish day, today his wincing is ever present. He thinks it is the cartilage as many a time the knee just gives way. As for me, well mine has improved enormously. Still rubbing in Ibuprofen Gel as so far haven't found any of that magnesium gel Marilyn advised me to get. May have to look at buying it online when we return to the Mill. Anyway because of his inability to walk without wincing I grabbed the windlass to do the lock. This did mean he had to steer and do the right turn at the junction. Just as the lock was almost ready another boat appeared. With us still on the water point Ian waved them on but they wouldn't hear of it, said we had got the lock ready for ourselves so we should go first. What lovely people and not only that but the lady said I could get back on board. I thanked her and said I would rather stand on the bridge to see if Ian made a mess of the turn seeing as he has almost never had to do it in the past. We laughed together, Ian was not amused!

Anyway a brilliant job was done as the photos showed and passing the visitor moorings, why was I not surprised to see that cruiser still there, the one Ian and Marilyn moved a few months ago. Check out the post HERE. 

I took over the steering whilst Ian went inside, he actually prepared and cooked the sausages for tonight's sausage casserole dinner. He then placed it on top of the stove to slow cook, so looking forward to that especially as I get a night off from cooking!

  Meanwhile FS cruised past Charity dock, Marston Junction and Ashby canal. Just beyond the junction that traffic cone was still there making boaters aware of a submerged obstacle, i.e. a boat! That had also not been removed! Then it was onwards to Boot Wharf and the horribly narrow bit due to moored boats. Hardly any room to get past so all I could do was go as slow as possible, hope nothing was coming and prey no contact was made. I got through without incident but for anyone just starting their boating life, this would be a real challenge!

Charity Dock

Marsden Junction and Ashby Canal

Boot Wharf

Looks a big enough gap but the angle of the boat with the cream gunwale, because it stuck out, made trying to get around it rather difficult.     (My white balance on the camera was set wrong hence the blue colour!)

Almost before Springfield Haven and looking toward the railway line, a steam locomotive went thundering past. Was it the Flying Scotsman? The engine looked right but I saw it so briefly I may have been mistaken, and even searching the web drew a blank. Maybe someone out there will enlighten me! Anyway, not far from the railway a lovely rural mooring was found. The sun was still shinning and FS's roof got a wipe down from having been targetted by pigeons. All down the sides as well, massive amount of the stuff, sticks like glue and takes some elbow grease to remove!

Tomorrow's weather looks a bit iffy so we may decide to stay. We could do another jigsaw, I picked one up at Huddersford boat gathering but it has a thousand pieces and not sure if it will fit on our table. We can but try.