Retirement with No Problem

Elkington to Hemploe, Grand Union Canal, 3 miles 0 locks

It was a lovely morning when we set off after heavy overnight rain.  The wind had gone, and I was already looking forward to taking the girls Lucy and Meg for a hike in the afternoon.   I spied a circular walk a few bridges ahead, and that’s where we aimed for.

More maintenance needed at bridge 32, what a sorry state this was in….

It is used too.  I was surprised when I walked over it later…

I wonder sometimes if the loads these tractors pull are too much.  I remember being in Marmont Lock on the Middle Levels when a huge trailer full of pumpkins came over that little bridge there.  The tractor driver was obviously aware that it would be difficult as he slowed right down, but as I watched the trailer bent over dangerously.. In fact two pumpkin fell into the water from off the bridge.. and lately a trailer fell into the Trent and Mersey Canal near Stenson Lock leaving a big clear up job for British Waterways as well as a queue of over 100 narrowboats waiting to continue their journeys.

The only good thing about the trailer over the Middle Levels that day was that I retrieved one of the pumpkins from the water which will be used this weekend as Wendie, Dan and the grandchildren arrive for our traditional Halloween weekend!

Anyway, we put the pins in on a remote section of this canal around bridge 34, and found a bit of wood which we sawed up.. then I was off..

Goodness this is a lovely country you know..

Oh yes, I meant to tell you … I was reading and putting in a bit myself on the Canalworld Forums last week about using satellite TV on narrowboats, and I came across this excellent ‘clock’ from Allen of NB Keeping Up

I have used it for the last three or four days to find the dot in the sky and it works 100% and is so quick.  I check on the stern of No Problem to make sure our mooring will allow a sighting of the satellite then I take the ‘clock’ to the satellite itself, line it all up as instructions tell us and hey presto smack on every time!  Brilliant stuff! Well done Allen!