Not the best of starts to our Summer/Autumn cruise

It was one of those spur of the moment decisions. Monday, watching breakfast TV, our ears pricked up with the mention of a hurricane heading our way. Wow, that was worrying, especially as a trip to Sandiacre was on the cards later this week. A few jobs had to be done on our bungalow and taking the boat down was the logical thing to do. When BBC weather girl Carol said it was an ex-hurricane but with gusts of 40mph plus and would be arriving by Thursday, we decided then and there to come out of the basin, reverse through the boatyard to get diesel from Tom at £1.05 litre and then moor across the canal by the facilities. It was a good opportunity to be by a convenient tap and wash the starboard side of FS, and by jove she needed it. Took some scrubbing to get rid of the grim, I can tell you! We could have left that afternoon, but a dentist appointment the next day got in the way.

Waiting for diesel

Tuesday dawned fine, a great day to do the 5-hour cruise down to Sandiacre. By the time Ian came back from the dentist, and we had set off, it was after 1 pm. Going into the lock, I was slightly concerned by the amount of grey smoke the engine was producing, but was reassured when told it could be the fact the engine hadn't been started for a while.

Very noticeable as we left Sandiacre lock was how low the water levels were and with the increase of reeds and blanket weed, the going was slow.

Many a reverse to try and clear the prop, which produced more of that deep grey smoke. By the time we reached Eastwood lock, I was very concerned by the amount and smell. 

Even Ian, my man that can and knowledgable about everything, had doubts about the first scenario. Revving the engine when we got into the lock produced more of the same, but this time in bursts of white smoke as well.

 Now this was concerning! So he checked to see if water had got into the overflow from the header tank. That was clear, it wasn't head casket! He thought about the injectors, decided to phone Tom from Langley Mill Boatyard, who also thought this was what it could be. His advice was to get to Shipley lock where there was a large car park, and he would come and see us on Wednesday. 

Considering we left Langley Mill about 1 pm ish, it took nearly two hours to do 2 locks in about 1.5 miles,   Never has it taken so long but travelling on tickover, scrapping the canal bed more often then not and having to clear the prop, was the reason. It definitely didn't bode well for the rest of the journey down the Erewash. Mind you, that will happen only if we don't have to be towed back to Langley Mill to get the engine fixed. Now that would be interesting because with no winding hole for miles, it would mean a backward tow!

So a mooring presented itself below Shipley, unfortunately we had to take the last bollard of the landing because the only other mooring available was where a boat had been moored for over a year. I got out the bucket and washed the port side of FS and suddenly realised Shipley lock had been filled. A paddle was up on the top gates, and no sign of anyone about. Because of the dire water situation and because Shipley lock leaks like a sieve, this lock never stays full so Ian did no more than walk back to find out what was going on. When he returned about 10 minutes later, it was with a story that beggars belief. A chap wanted to try out his bait boat and not wanting to lose it in the canal, decided to bring the water levels in the lock back up, (he had a windlass belonging to his brother) and leave a paddle raised so the water wouldn't disappear. Ian was not best pleased, told him about conserving water especially on this canal and closed the paddle before any more could be said. As he walked away the levels dropped as he knew they would and then watched as the chap frantically tried to retrieve the boat on the rapidly dropping lock!

 And a Kingfisher has returned to the basin.