A misty start at Barton Water Park
Waiting for the Stenson LockTuesday 21st September 2010 - Branston Water Park to Shardlow
Woke to a very foggy day but it wasn't long before the bright sunrise burnt off the mist to reveal a beautiful blue cloudless sky with not a breath of wind.
Set away, Elaine walking to prepare the first lock on a heavily dewed towpath. Passed Shobnall Fields in Burton-upon-Trent and into Dallow Lock where an old lady riding a battery powered scooter offered to help Elaine with the lock gates! Elaine thought about it for quite a while before declining her services!
When filling up the water tank etc. at Horninglow Basin Sanitary Station we were plagued by a young kid on a bike who had far more questions than answers. However when questioned he was allegedly missing school as it was a teacher training day. He said "It's all about the teachers these days isn't it!"
After a late lunch at Swarkestone we finally arrived in Shardlow at around 6.00pm. It seemed like a long days cruising; perhaps because the wide lock gates were a nightmare to close; particularly when you are travelling down as a single boat. On many occasions I was having to tie up and go back and assist Elaine with the heavy gates.
At Shardlow however a mooring outside the historic 'clock warehouse' was rewarding enough as we could only guess which historic boats had moored here before us! An excellent mooring and a good meal (although Elaine now stinks of garlic!). Having winded in the basin we are now orientated for starting our journey back tomorrow.
Woke to a very foggy day but it wasn't long before the bright sunrise burnt off the mist to reveal a beautiful blue cloudless sky with not a breath of wind.
Set away, Elaine walking to prepare the first lock on a heavily dewed towpath. Passed Shobnall Fields in Burton-upon-Trent and into Dallow Lock where an old lady riding a battery powered scooter offered to help Elaine with the lock gates! Elaine thought about it for quite a while before declining her services!
When filling up the water tank etc. at Horninglow Basin Sanitary Station we were plagued by a young kid on a bike who had far more questions than answers. However when questioned he was allegedly missing school as it was a teacher training day. He said "It's all about the teachers these days isn't it!"
After a late lunch at Swarkestone we finally arrived in Shardlow at around 6.00pm. It seemed like a long days cruising; perhaps because the wide lock gates were a nightmare to close; particularly when you are travelling down as a single boat. On many occasions I was having to tie up and go back and assist Elaine with the heavy gates.
At Shardlow however a mooring outside the historic 'clock warehouse' was rewarding enough as we could only guess which historic boats had moored here before us! An excellent mooring and a good meal (although Elaine now stinks of garlic!). Having winded in the basin we are now orientated for starting our journey back tomorrow.
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