Bl**dy blanket weed!!!

 Hmmm, not exactly the start to the great getaway that we wanted. So full of promise this morning with the weather dry although overcast, both Dire Straits and FS as ready as they could be for a prolonged cruise, Jenn already on her way to Eastwood to set the lock and Ian lifting Langley Bridge paddles for us to descend and then to lock wheel via the car for the journey to Sandiacre.

Jim took the lead, I followed closely behind and then a sudden a hand signal from Jim, stop, stop! What could be the problem thought I. Soon realised when Jim suddenly climbed onto the roof, proceed to the sharp end and remove his chimney! Of course...Anchor bridge...so low as to warrant one having to duck unless you wanted a sever headache. Jims chimney would have become a crumpled mass of steel if he had left it on.

The journey down to Hallem went without hitch. With Ian lock wheeling and Jenn shutting gates, it all went like clockwork until that is, we descended Hallem Lock. Here it all went horribly wrong.

Jim was in the lead again, Jenn had walked on to Stanton lock and Ian was taking the car to Pasture to get that lock ready. It was very obvious as we came out from the lock that blanket weed was very prevalent.

Not good news as once around the prop, a devils own job to remove. Not far to Stanton lock when Dire Straits came to a sudden halt. On tickover, FS was just about moving but because Dire Straits had come to a halt, I too had to stop FS. Bad, bad move as once into reverse the prop became a magnet to the blanket weed and the inevitable happened. A big dilemma now as both of our crew were off the boat. Jim managed to attract the attention of a passing canoeist and then threw a rope to a passing cyclist who managed to get Jim into the side.

Not that it did Jim much good because although he managed to clear the prop, as soon as he set off again the same thing happened.

 As for me, not a hope. All I could do was phone Ian, explain the situation and for him to drive all the way back. Somehow I managed to get FS's bow toward the bank, enough anyway to throw a rope to Ian when he arrived. Then it was weed hatch up, arm glove on and Ian disappearing headfirst to tackle the mass. But another spoke went into the equation when a boater turned up wanted to ascend Stanton Lock. A quick explanation by Jenn and he offered to wait while we sorted ourselves out. Once FS was free of weed, Ian took FS to breast up with Dire Straits and drove both boats into the lock.

Jenn keeping hold of the center rope, just in case

A suggestion was made (by me) that once down and because the lock landing was a bit on the shortish side, we would come out first leaving Jim in the lock, the waiting boat would then go in next to Dire Straits and finally for us to pull Dire Straits out.

Even though I do say so myself, this worked extremely well and before long we were both on the landing with both props being attended to.

Sandiacre at last and we moored on the visitor moorings. Never have we encountered anything quite like that amount of weed on the Erewash. It must be because of the lack of boat movement due to Covid 19 lockdown. Hopefully, on our return in Autumn, it will all be gone!

And the 'below Langley Bridge lock' swans with 6 cygnets.

And seen on route

I swear those swans will be the death of me!

Blooming 'eck how much more can one take! More drama yesterday when one of last years cygnets, fully grown but still harbouring those distinctive brown feathers, came up in some haste from below the lock. As stated in a previous post we have another family of Swans that patrol between Langley Bridge lock and Eastwood so the reason was very apparent why that youngster hightailed it up to here. Of course, it couldn't have known about our resident swans but it soon found out!

Jim and Jenn came to help, Jim with a broom to ward off the Cob and Jenn to try and stand guard. That Cob was determined to get to the interloper and nothing we could do would deter it from its mission. We watched in horror as the youngster was pinned against the fence and attacked unmercifully. A hole in the fence was its saving grace allowing it onto the street but now it was in danger of being hit by cars. Jim to the rescue by herding it back toward the gate and Jen stood by to stop it from going onto the road

 Sods Law said that a vehicle would turn into the drive and this is exactly what happened. That car owner, assessing the situation did no more than grab hold of the swan youngsters neck, place an arm around its body and began to carry it below the lock. OMG, we soon put him right about that but instead of just placing the youngster on the grass he did no more than release it into the water in the basin. This was the worst thing he could have done because it was still fully accessible to our resident swan family.

Big, big dilemma now. How to keep that youngster safe. An idea formed that maybe we could swing FS across from the boats to the bank cutting off the Cobs route to the youngster. In theory, this was sound except for one thing. This would mean we couldn't get on or off the boat! So another brainwave. How about using Pentland instead and I'm pleased to report this worked a treat. Slight flaw in the plan, the Cob could still see the youngster and was in a highly charged state of attack, swimming backwards and forwards continusly along Pentland's hull. The Cob even tried a run-up to take flight but there was not a long enough stretch of open water for it to lift off so as far as we were concerned the youngster would be safe enough staying trapped in the basin.

Trying to get hold of a wildlife rescue nearby was almost impossible. The only one we could make contact with was Linjoy in Burton-on-Trent and they couldn't get to us until today. First thing this morning I phoned again and although they would have come out later asked if we could try Brinsley wildlife rescue about a 10-minute drive away. They were only too happy to help but the biggest problem was how to get the youngster whilst it was still in the water so we offered the use of Pentland as a means of transport. Thankfully they came this afternoon and as luck would have it the youngster had got itself onto the bank of a private mooring, Jenn, Jim and I kept it on the bank whilst Ian kept a lookout for the rescuers to arrive. It all went like clockwork and we were told its release site was in a large wildlife wetland reserve which already had plenty of rescued swan youngsters. So alls well that ends well and so looking forward now to Monday when we can leave all the Langley Mill dramas behind.

A right pair of crocks and into the drink I go!

Accident-prone...that's how we saw ourselves recently. It was Ian who first injured himself by falling off the stern of FS! All he wanted to do was make a phone call and not wanting to disturb my Netflix viewing, he took with him a freshly made cup of coffee fully expecting the call to last for a while. Carrying both cup and phone he made to step off the back of FS, foot contacted the wooden block put there for my benefit (high step, short legs) and ended up in a heap by the stern button fender! Said block had rolled forward and with both hands occupied, down he went. Hearing the commotion I rushed out to find him on the floor clutching his side and blood dripping from his head! Head wound always bleeds massively even with a small cut and luckily this was only a small cut. More worrying was his shoulder and him clutching his side. Ian being Ian though got up, shook himself off and said he was fine. Hmmm....not convinced seeing as every time he tried to do anything with his left arm he winced. And annoyingly he broke one of my cups!!!! But this was NOT to be the only incident that happened to us as you will see later.

Block of wood

Last Sunday and we managed to move out from between those boats in the basin by pushing all the boats on our starboard side towards the bank. Taking the helm I eased out and managed NOT to hit Bath in the process. Deciding to moor bankside before going through the swing bridge this meant we would be able to wash and polish the starboard side.

Help from Jim and Jenn to pull those boats back.

The following day we set too removing the roof furniture and took the best part of the day to clean all the grime from the old girl and polish the side. Ian also decided to touch up the scratches on the gunwale where he accused me (blooming cheek) of having scratched the paintwork! Anyway, it was a good job we did stay that night as those stupid Swans (will they ever learn) first tried to take the family below lock again (and we all know what happened the last time they did that) and then, when I rushed over to stop them, headed straight for the road! Thank goodness Jim and Jenn were around 'cos between us and, discounting any injury that could have been inflicted by the swan's aggression, managed to get the family back to the canal.  Phew!

That night it turned cold and although Ian never feels chilly I complained bitterly about the air temperature and wanted the stove lit. So off he goes back to the workshop where a good supply of cut logs was to be found. On his way back and trying to take a short cut to FS, his feet slipped down the wet bank and once more he was deposited unceremoniously onto the ground, missing going into the cut by the skin of his teeth. More injury's to add to join the first couple as one of the logs dug into his side and bruised one of his ribs. Good God, I thought, my able-bodied hubby was turning into a physical wreck!

Now, you would think that would be the end to our woos but like I have said before,  'Everything comes in threes'.

On the Tuesday and before the predicted rain was due to set in, we went through the swing bridge to be on our old mooring spot. Jim and Jenn had already pushed across to make room. Now the next phase of FS's clean up came into force. Ian was busy doing other things so once again it was left to me to do the deed. Having successfully washed the roof and cabin sides, dried all the paintwork out came the polish for the Portside to be done.  Well....in all the years we have moored by the swing bridge never have I ever fallen in. Tuesday was to be the exception. Picture this if you will. I had started putting on the polish gradually walking backwards as I'm doing it and working my way toward the bow of the boat. Before I continue with my tale I should just say that the swing bridge hadn't always been across the entrance to the basin as a stop lock was the only means to enter the Nottingham canal from the Cromford canal. As with any lock there is a lock gate recess and it was into this recess that I backed into!!

See that mooring ring? I believe that was what I landed on before going in

 OMG!!! There was nothing I could do to stop myself other than put both arms out, the left onto the gunwale and the right onto the bank. So there I was trapped between FS and the bank with no means of getting out. Shouting for all my worth Ian came running and how relieved was I that he had heard me. Somehow that man of mine managed to drag me out even with his injuries! Sitting on the side I became aware of the pain in my coccyx region. It was obvious what I had done. On the way down my bottom had made contact with the bank presumably hitting the mooring ring before the rest of me entered the murky depths. There I sat for a while feeling a right idiot, especially as just at that moment an elderly couple came walking past. Laughingly I told them what had happened but boy did I feel a fool. Anyway long story short, I stripped off just inside the back doors, made my way to the bathroom to shower and once dressed resumed the polishing of FS. It was only when I went to sit down later that I realised I may have to stand up all night! The pain....excrutiating. Plenty of Panadol and a soft cushion helped but I think this could delay our departure this weekend, especially as today is Friday and I'm not much better. As for Ian, he is also pill popping so another few days won't hurt either of us. In a way I should be thankful for small mercies. Having a rather larger than average posterior may have cushioned my injuries somewhat😉😁

Instead of staying on our old mooring, we pulled back through the swing bridge to allow Jim and Jenn to move back and plug into the electrics. It's a bit nearer to the road here and we do get a lot more footfall past the boat but as it's only for a few more days (hopefully) and this is something we can easily cope with on the short term.

The Wagtail chick certainly has grown.

A short jaunt down the Erewash

Out of the blue came an opportunity to go for a cruise. Gosh, both of us thought this the most exciting thing that had happened to us since our return from Oz.

Early afternoon we get a call from our chairman Norman. He had been contacted by a member of the Friends of Cromford Canal about a large amount of rubbish left by Eastwood lock. Norman's question was "Could we help with the clean up"? Well of course and how welcome was that! Not for the picking up of the refuse left by those antisocial moron's who thought it was okay to leave their rubbish lying around but because we finally had a job to do which didn't involve working on FS.

The plan was for us to drive to Shipley lock armed with pickers and black sacks, for Norman to also take the car to help transport the filled bags back to Langley Mill and for Jim and Jenn to walk to Eastwood for 3pm. Sounded good but then a sudden thought, "Why couldn't we take workboat Pentland for a run out instead. She is ECP&DA workboat after all and a good opportunity to blow away the engine cobwebs. A quick phone call back to Norman and it was all arranged.

Arriving at Eastwood the 'large amount' of debris turned out not to be so huge after all but even so it was a totally unacceptable scattering of tins, bottles and general rubbish by the lockside. Even the hedge bottom was full of it. Finding two pair of socks, a flannel and towel lying around also made us think the lock had been used as a swimming pool. If only they knew about the risk of Weil's disease in contaminated water! Anyway, it only took about 30 minutes to remove every bit, what it will be like when the next hot spell arrives is anyone's guess!

L to R, Norman, Ian and John Barker from Friends of Cromford.

Pristine again

Winding for the return journey.

We have also made a decision. We will take FS out of the basin on Sunday, not an easy task with boats either side and historic Bath in our path. This will mean we can wash and polish the sides, a very much needed job. Then hopefully, if lockdown doesn't recur because of the measures the government has taken to ease the crisis, then we will be leaving on our travels the next weekend.

Some more wildlife photos from the basin.

Bath time

Nearly ready to fledge

Not a wasp or a hoverfly but have no idea what it is. Any thoughts???