Wedged solid in Stenson lock

Who would have thought when we got underway this morning that things were about to go horribly wrong!  Firstly, more boats were around today, but none going our way so although we waited for a while at Weston lock, no boats appeared. This lock is a pig of a lock. Even with one ground paddle lifted to half way, the force of the water flings you forward and even in full reverse, I couldn't stop the momentum. Thankfully Ian dropped the paddle quick before I crashed into the gates ahead.

At Stenson lock we noticed a Nb Kingfisher waiting at the lock landing so putting on a bit of a spurt, made it before they had time to close the gate. (Neither Mr nor Mrs had noticed us behind them)  Having dropped Ian off first I was beckoned in by the other boat owner. Wondering why they hadn't opened the right-hand gate properly I attempted to sidle in. It all happened after that! Unbeknown to me the right-hand gate refused to open any more, and the other boat owner, instead of moving forward to give me more room, just sat in the middle.The inevitable happened. I came to a grinding halt, half in and half out of the lock. Okay, so I thought I would just reverse out. Wrong 'cos reverse didn't make a blind bit of difference. I gave it some more power, still nothing. The chap in the other boat then went to move his boat forward, still nothing. We both then tried, me in reverse and him in forward and all we managed was to produce a load of smoke. After a lot of head shaking and consultation from other boat owners waiting to descend, we decided to phone C&RT emergency number.  Ian was still topside and trying to shout instructions, meanwhile more boats started arriving at the top. C&RT wasn't that helpful but did say that someone would be sent from Loughborough to assess the situation. I had visions of being stuck down there for hours. The lady in the other boat suggested bacon butties which I thought a brilliant idea. How our crew topside would have got them would probably mean rigging up some sort of basket system.Thankfully it didn't come to that. Ian was still trying to shout instructions and all the while more and more boats were still arriving at the top. Suddenly Ian had a brainwave. With a number of bodies watching and discussing our predicament, if they all heaved on the right hand gate together and my contribution of putting the boat hard in reverse, it might just give me enough room to squeeze out. Guess what! It worked. Nb Kingfisher edged forward at the same time and because they were now far enough forward, I could bring FS back in, . Phew...... what a relief. Next was a quick phone call to C&RT telling them we were okay but also a bit of a moan about the state of the gates. We were reassured that someone would still be down to have a look.

Stuck at this angle

Wedged against Nb Kingfisher

Wedged on the bottom gate

View looking from the front to the back and you can clearly see that both gates wont fully open.

This is as far as both gates would open!

After all this excitement the rest of the trip to Branson water park went without hitch. I took loads of photos again so here is my selection. I may have to start another blog just for my wildlife photos.

Waiting for lunch at Stenson lock

Branston water park

Plenty of rabbits on the towpath.

Being well and truly told off!

Jade enjoying a swim

and a good shake. Thanks for that Jade!

Our great escape.

Oh what a glorious day today, made even better because we have finally left the Erewash and are now moored at Aston lock on the T&M. But can anyone tell me why there are so few boats on the move. After all it is beginning of June and very nearly summer. Even the moorings at Sawley and Shardlow were virtually empty. Most baffling. Maybe this is the norm these days, or are we just behind the times having sat at Langley Mill for 10 months. Anyway we shared Trent lock with Clarice Elizabeth, they turned left and headed towards the River Soar, while we turned right towards Sawley. One lone boater was waiting to ascend Sawley which was very fortuitous for us and from then onwards not a single boat came past us, nothing until we reached Aston lock. 2 boats were already in the lock and on there way up and surprise surprise one of them was John and Christine Bayliss who came down to Sandiacre with us on Saturday. So all in all the journey was a good one only hindered by C&RT on the Erewash installing those reed rolls by the fishing pegs. C&RT reckon water voles will return but I'm not so sure. All it will do is make the channel narrower, choking it with reed, because not enough boats cruise up the Erewash. We will wait and see.

AWACS plane circled over head by Trent Lock

Aston Lock moorings

Enjoying a celebratory beer.

View from Aston Lock

My first Mayfly of the year. Just happens to be in June!

Life may have returned to the Erewash but at what cost?

Busy old day for both of us. We hadnt planned it that way because by now we should have been well on our way up the T&M. Best laid plans and all that always seem to get scuppered where we are concerned. Last night our tenant came to see us and after the usual pleasantries mentioned that the back gate had all but collapsed. Not only that but my wooden planter holding a fairly mature acer  had nothing round it to support the root ball, woodworm having feasted happily on the wood. So this morning after I had shopped and Ian had fetched another gas bottle, he started on my planter. He made a new frame and attached a wooden edging roll around. I make the task sound simple and quick but it took him the best part of 2 hours.

Next task was the gate. This wasn't as straight forward as the planter, the post having rotted at the bottom held most of the weight of the gate. It lent forward quite alarmingly and the gate was unable to be kept shut. To get round the problem of not replacing the post, Ian made a stake to prop up the post, used very long nails to secure the stake and then shaved a good 1/2" off the side. It  worked a treat even though we still had to use a bit of brute force and ignorance to get it shut. It will do until we get back and the main thing is it can once more be locked.

At a precarious angle

Not a straight post to be seen.

Not having time to replace the post this was a 'make do and mend'

Job done. May not be pretty but at least it can now be locked.

Now for the distressing part of my post.

Yesterday I mentioned life had returned to the lower Erewash, where the pollution had started at Stanton, to here at Sandiacre lock. I showed fish fry swimming by our moorings and newts, frogs and tadpoles have all been seen today.

But what is also amongst the lily pads are larger fish. It appeared that some fish did survive the pollution but what is so very noticeable is what is growing on them. To me it looks like some sort of fungus and I have no doubt that these fish must be dying very slowly, one of which is now lying dead beside Mike's boat Destiny.

Small roach. roughly 5" long. Signs of the fungus near the tail fin.

I believe this is a chub. The eye looks affected.

You can see the white cotton wool like substance covering it's body

Dead bream

I feel I should send these photos to the environment agency, though what they can do about it is any ones guess.

This was DESPICABLE!

Sometimes I despair at the mentality of some people. I witnessed a dog terrorising a duck for over 15 minutes. Her ducklings (counted 8 but could have been more) had been scattered in all directions and she was frantically trying to lure the dog away from them. When I came upon the scene only a man on his bike was standing watching. I asked if he knew who the dog belonged to but he just shook his head. I followed the swimming dog and the now traumatised duck a few yards further up the canal and around the next bend stood a man. He said nothing but just stood watching. I again asked if this was his dog and he stared back without a word. I asked him again and he still refused to speak. Thats when I got cross and started taking photos and telling him I would report him to the RSPB for allowing the dog to continue chasing the duck without even attempting to call it out. Finally he answered and said it wasn't his dog! Then he walked off. By now the duck was exhausted but the dog just kept going for her. Finally when she had lured the dog well away from the ducklings she took off, circled and headed back toward where she had last seen her babies. As there was nothing more for the dog to chase, it came toward the towpath, scrambled up the bank and legged it after the man. I watched as he bent down, patted the dog and walked off. Utterly despicable.

I wish now I had taken a photo of the man but without knowing his name, or where he lived it would have been pretty pointless. Anyway after the drama I continued on my walk. Took Jade for a swim in the river and noticed the first Damselfly of the year. I managed to get a couple of close up photos and then spied a Banded Demoiselle hiding amongst the foliage

Large red Damselfly

Large red Damselfly in close up

Banded Demoiselle

.On my way back to the boat I was constantly looking for the duck and ducklings. It wasnt until I was nearly at Sandiacre lock that I spied them on a garden amongst the greenery. So glad they were all alright.

Amazing what one finds in the canal!

What a glorious day to set sail and leave Langley. By 9.30am all the jobs to prepare the boat for the off had been completed. Ariel taken down, loo emptied, electrics unplugged etc in the meantime   John and Chris winded and got into Langley Bridge lock. I left Ian to wind Free spirit while I headed off toward Eastwood lock to get it filled. I fair skipped along knowing it would be many months before we returned A fantastic feeling of freedom overcame me. Sounds a bit melodramatic but you have no idea how Ian and I have longed for this moment.

John first in and Ian winding.

Approaching Eastwood Lock

 John took the lead after Greens lock but we were baffled when he suddenly stopped right in the middle of the canal. Thinking maybe he had something round his prop we slowed right down. Then the hand signals started and he frantically kept pointing to something on our starboard side. At first I thought it was a push chair upside down until Ian said he thought it was a hose real. Sure enough as we got closer it did appear to be so. With me taking the helm Ian grabbed the pole and with a momentous effort managed to oik it out and place it on the roof. Once we got to the next lock John  said it would do very nicely for the association. I thought he just meant the reel but I was wrong, he wanted the hose as well. I did point out that the hose would be very contaminated but he felt sure that after a thorough clean with milton it would be fine. Glad I wont be the first to fill the water tank with it!

The rest of the journey went without hitch. Ian had to get his pole out again ( careful ) when a small reed island tried to impede the closing of the lock gate. 4 3/4 hours after leaving Langley we pulled onto the mooring by our bungalow. This is where we will stay for the weekend, sorting out a few problems our tenants have and then hopefully on Monday we pull pins and head for Stafford boat club and our friends wedding.

John and Chris Baylis on Nb Thornbury

Thats me in red. Proof that I occasionally do the locks

One final photo. Back in September 2012, I reported on the fire and pollution at Stanton recycling plant. Well I am pleased to report that there are 100's of healthy looking fish fry at the waters edge by our moored boat. Life has returned to the Erewash.