Yesterday we went from Willington to Ragley Boat Stop, a trip of only about 90 minutes. Mick and Cathy had arranged to go down Stenson Lock with us so I could do the lock as Cathy is incapacitated at the moment. We passed them outside Mercia Marina and continued to the lock. After doing the lock we both headed for Ragley Boat Stop.
Once we had moored up and had a cup of tea (yes I did say tea!) we cleaned the port side of our boat and M and C painted under the gunwales of theirs.
It wasn’t a bad day weather wise for a change so after our travailles we went up to the pub and sat outside in the sun as is our wont.
In the evening we went back to the pub for a meal (mediocre as usual) and several bottles of wine, somewhat better than the food!
Today we set off quite late for us (nothing to do with the effects of the wine!) and travelled the 4 miles and 1 lock from Ragley to Weston on Trent. There was a Canaltime boat moored behind us and as we set off at the same time it was convenient to share the lock.
This Canaltime was the same one which had been behind us at Branston when we had the 4am disturbance. Funnily enough they still had the piece of coal which had been used to vandalise our paintwork laying on their back deck, where the perpetrators must have dropped it, so we got it back!
We stopped at Weston about 11 am and as the fire had gone out yesterday we decided it was a good opportunity to sweep the chmney. A rather messy and obnoxious job but a job well done and now with the chimney swept and the fire box cleaned out the relit fire is going like Hell! Just as well as Ken is fishing so the doors and the cratch are open.
After cleaning the chimney we walked to The Coopers Arms for a well deserved pint of Bass and a sit by the lake. It was a bit breezy sitting outside but very pleasant.
Tomorrow we are off to Sawley I think.
