Bottom blacking, some work on the bow seating area (only discovered during the trip) and a check of the stern gland packing were the required jobs.
We left KB at about 10 am, heading for Fradley junction. Not far for the first day but we were not in a hurry as the Trent was in flood and dropping. We decided to moor up near the cafe after the junction on the T and M. So, slow down and Kath got off the boat noticing how slippy the mooring point was and letting all know to be careful. Shortly after I heard a shout to see Kath slipping and falling between boat and side of towpath. Straight into the water and stuck, heart in hands I ran to her and suspected she had hit her head and was unconscious as there was no movement. I heaved and pulled her the right way round and with some help from daughter no.2 got her on the bank with her feet in the water by which time she was coming round from the shock rather than being out for the count. Getting her the right way was hard work, mainly because she was wearing a padded coat, which held the water. Insisting she was fine she made. It indoors to remove clothes and shower. I kept an eye and apart from clear shock, she was ok. It was a horrific event which shook us all to the core. These kind of accidents do happen, no matter how much care you take.
Lessons learned, particularly about not wearing padded coats and we are very much more aware in general as a result.
After mooring and settling we were glad we stopped as the heavens opened and it poured down for a good part of the afternoon.
Next day, Saturday we, carefully, got under way and decided to head for the Bridge Inn which we like because of the quality of food. We arrived just after 2pm and booked a table for 6:30pm. I had pizza marinara. Kath had salmon ravioli in a rich tomato sauce and Sarah had carbonara. The girls then had pud, I refrained. Sarah had ice cream and Kath had tiramisu, her favourite. Settling back on the boat we had a glass of wine then settled for bed. No sooner had we lain down then Kath complained of stomach cramps, very rare as Kath does not get ill. 5 mins later and she had lost her dinner. We concluded later that it was mixing rich tomato sauce with cream, not the events of the previous day.
Next morning, Sunday we got underway, heading for the Clock Wharehouse at Shardlow. We met up with two plastic boats, one a wee boat, the other more substantial. The wee boat was called a name related to drinking on the water, they were clearly identifying themselves with their boat name, all four of them were enjoying some alcohol, after Stensons we decided to not share with the tubs as the wee one was not in control. However, Swarkestone came up and the bigger boat was behind us so we shared. They were fine and we shared all the way to Shardlow. Once at Shardlow we passed Millar Marine, looking for a mooring on Bank Holiday Sunday - no chance. Instead we moored just shy of Derwent Lock which was cool, quiet and not smelly, despite the sewage treatment plant being over the other side of the canal.
Monday am saw us on the short hop along theTrent to Sawley where we moored opposite the marina shop. Taking our rubbish to the waste facility we noticed the police and SOCO teams investigating what we later discovered to be a murder sometime over the weekend.
We booked a table at the Harrington Arms and met friends at the boat then wandered to meet more at the pub for dinner. Food was ok, but not anymore than that.
Tuesday morning I decided to go to the marina shop to find it closed all day. So, what can a guy do at 10am with a rumbling stomach? Off to the cafe for a full English. It was delicious and I wholly recommend it.
We moved the boat down the Trent onto the Erewash at Trent lock. Flow was quite fast but I am used to making the turn and easily negotiated it into Trent lock with gongoozlers all over it.
We moored just after the lock and I took some business calls and dialled into a meeting. Some holiday huh? Wednesday am off to Wyvern Marine for the handover to Paul Barber who was inspecting the steel, blacking the boat and putting some steel cross members onto the front of the boat to strengthen the seating area on each side. I had put my foot through these earlier in the week. Paul also checked the stern gland. Off home we went and instead of a couple of days off I had to drive to Bristol Wednesday pm, coming back Thursday pm ready for another urgent meeting all day Friday.
Back to the office in Bristol on Monday, yes I am supposed to still be on holiday. I will drive back home Tuesday pm ready to pick up the boat with my mate Angus for the return trip on Wednesday morning. Photos to follow, of both trips!