THE state of the waterways notwithstanding, this has been a good cruise for us, our early morning starts and breakfast on the move giving us a clear 'run' they ending around noon.
Of course, there have been hiccups—one being when a boater went well ahead and pinched 'our' water for his boat, and waiting a good 15 minutes, his 'it is just round the corner' a definite porky, with a further excuse 'I didn't expect anyone being here so early'. And that at 8.30—well into the day for us. Poor boating etiquette was that.
The dreaded Stenson
On the whole though it was not too bad until we reached the dreaded Stenson Lock, where even the two volunteer lockies were getting exasperated by one woman with Wegonen-Dunnit not even allowing a lockie to lift the second ground paddle and the gate paddles firmly closed—as can be seen— even though the boat was just a foot from the top, it taking over 20 minutes to raise.
The excuse for this she told us was: "He doesn't want the boat to move around." What does the fella think its made off—green cheese? If there was no one waiting, all well and good, he could take all day, but by the time his precious boat had reached the top there were three boats waiting to go down and a poor sod at the services by the lock unable to use the winding hole owing to the queued boats. Selfish sod.
Into the fields
Alas, I regress, so back to Branston where you may have remembered we moored, alas on pins. We don't moor for the delights of the park, but for a 'round' walk into the fields and woods back to Tatenhill Lock to accomplish She Who Must etc demand of exercise for us all. Your waterways guide may perhaps show you the green lines denoting the public right of way.
It was along here were we noticed the sign in Polish stating 'Prohibition of fishing' at the lake, for you may know they like a tasty bit of fresh fish, it even being a tradition at Christmas.
But the anglers want them all for themselves, to catch and throw back, constantly multiplying, that personally I cannot understand as after all they are a food, and were used as such when I was of tender age.
No warnings
Back on the broad locks we shared one with a Canaltime, and was aghast to see that the two warning notices that have always been legible on the stern bulkhead, warning of slowing down past moored boats and other thing had completely faded away! All was left were two blank sheets. Mind you, this company allows such things to happen, as I well remember a Canaltime boaters reversing into the stone bank when turning at Alrewas, being slung into the canal and drowning..
Soon after every Canaltime boat had a yellow line across the stern deck stating not to stand behind it (by the side of the tiller) when reversing, but alas, they too have long faded away.
Does not qualify
I would have thought that Dallow Lock at Burton would have been worth tarting-up, as after all it is in a town, but alas for some reason or other—perhaps not enough visitors!—it does not qualify, as like the others it is in a rather run-down condition desperately in need of some TLC.
But I was really surprised that the undergrowth had been allowed to cover those rather attractive steel murals by the side of the lock. Is nothing sacred?
Even the grass, though flattened by the rain, still very thick, has obviously not seen a mowing machine for many a month. Our very first cruise on our first boat included Dallow Lock many years ago, and I can honestly state that I have never seen it or it surrounds in such a neglected condition for the many times we have been through.
Where is it all going to end, I ask?
Trying Stenson
So it was to Stenson, and wanting some gear we had decided that as our own chandlery at Sawley would be closed, and Midland Chandlers at Mercia too expensive, we would try the one at Stenson the whole lot having been taken over, but alas, though 11am, and well within the stated opening times. the door was firmly locked. You will remember we spent some considerable time there waiting for Wegonen-Dunnit to eventually appear. Later we tried the chandlery at Shardlow, but alas were told that was long gone, so it looks likes digging deep and a visit to Midland Chandlers after all.
After a morning in the rain it was decided on a surfaced walk for the evening so it was to the end of the ex railway track of the former Derby Ashby Railway at Bridge 11, being completely perplexed at the many railway bridges even at right angles, and discovering an actual working railway. These walks certainly prove interesting. If you don't, perhaps you should try them, especially if you have a dog on board—he/she surely deserves it!
Still struggling
We managed to share a boat down Weston, but the fella on that boat struggled to get the bottom gate paddles up, and as it was Jan's turn, she too had quite a job. I'm of the opinion that they are purposely tight—I was told many years back that they are adjustable to some degree—to stop them being dropped and damaged. Could be right, as they were in the same condition on May. Wonder how many had to wait for another crew not being strong enough to wind them?
And finally, what really confirmed the state of the waterways were two paddles out of order on the dreaded Aston Lock. Yes, my friends, not the odd one, as so often but two! However they are ground paddles so what the hell, no doubt thought Cart, there are still the gate paddles!
So perhaps the last word to a woman, Jan—"Having just gate paddles is a sure fire disaster on a lock like Aston."
How right. With no ground paddles to safely lift the boat out of harms way, just think of a newcomer opening up the two gate paddles with the water gushing straight into the boat. Another call to River & Canal Rescue...!
Victor Swift