After I finished blogging last night Ken caught two Barbel, one of 4.5lb and just before midnight he caught a 8.5lb one. He was pretty chuffed with himself!
This morning I had to rush out of the bathroom because when Ken went up to the lock to see what the state of play was regarding space on the water point the CRT workers were there getting ready for the day and told him they would let us up the lock before they began working on it.
This meant we got off to a good start and were in the lock just after 8am. Ascending the lock and filling with water took the best part of an hour (it’s surprising how long these things take) and we then cruised the 5 miles to Gunthorpe Lock. After ascending Gunthorpe Lock we were pleased to find plenty of space on the pontoon moorings.
We don’t mind mooring on the high wall but we were expecting Mum and Dave who may not find it so easy going up and down the ladder! We got moored up and they arrived just as I was going off to empty the loo and take the rubbish. Ken was pleased to discover that Mum had come bearing gifts of cheese straws and a lemon cake!
With the sanitary tasks completed we all went to the pub where we met John and Kath. Mum and Dave were staying with them this time and not in the Unicorn which did prove to be a bit inconvenient for them as regards getting back after dinner.
The next day Dave very kindly drove us to Future Tackle (after a slight detour) so Ken could collect the spare top section of the pole he bought the other day which he had inadvertently left in the shop!
We returned to Gunthorpe and once again went in the Unicorn with John and Kath. Mum and Dave stayed for the afternoon and we went back to the Unicorn once more for dinner.
It was a very pleasant couple of days and we will see them again at the end of the month in Southampton for the weddingless weekend!
