Another short trip today brought us the 3 miles and 2 locks from Kegworth to Zouch. We are moored in our usual spot above the lock. As we arrived fairly early we decided to get the bus to Loughborough.
Ken wanted to go to the workwear shop for a new bib and brace and some leather work gloves for holding ropes and doing locks with. After this we popped in to Wilko’s for a box to go under our new table. Why do we need a box to go under the table? Well, the old magazine rack, which used to go in the space now occupied by the table, had to go leaving nowhere to put the papers, tv guides and the handsets. Except on the table, which in turn left no room on the table for cups/glasses etc.
Also we did buy the table with the intention of being able to take it outside to use with our new comfy chairs. They have no attached tables as our old ones did so a dual purpose table was purchased. However it was a pain in the arse to have to get all the crap off the table before being able to take it outside!
Solution, a nice hessian covered box to fit under the table for the crap to go in when we want to use the table both inside and out, sorted.
A trip to the pub ensued. Just while we waited for the bus back of course. Talking of the bus back this was a bit of a fiasco. The bus turned up, a bit late but not too bad. Everyone got on expecting to go where they wanted. The journey got underway but we hadn’t even got out of the town when the driver announced that due to an accident at Hathern he would have to take a detour.
Consternation followed and people started to leave at various stops. The driver got to the roundabout where he usually leaves town, went right round it and started to go back the way he had just come.
Eventually it transpired that the only place he would be going to suit the current crop of passengers was Zouch. Luckily this was where we wanted to go so we stayed on and everyone else got off!
The trip from Loughborough to Zouch on this new route took in some rather narrow country lanes. Add in the speed at which the bus was going and meeting tractors, vans etc on blind bends it was like being at Alton Towers! At one point we went so far up the bank the leaves off the hedge came through the window and were stripped off the branches giving us a leaf shower.
Things slowed down when we got to Normanton on Soar however because we met all the traffic diverted from the other side of the accident and it was grid locked. We edged our way past a row of parked cars and inconsiderate drivers trying to get through and eventually managed to move on.
As we had come a different way we were dropped off quite a long way from the usual stop but it was ok. We were entertained by the sight of an old steam roller holding up the already irate drivers who thought they were making a short cut to avoid the accident up the road! There were quite a few old vehicles about today, on their way to a rally somewhere near here.
This afternoon I have been watching tennis (again) and Ken has been sorting out his fishing gear.
I think we are staying here tomorrow.
