William is due to visit us today to put spring washers under the bolts on the drive shaft. This is good as there are a long list of questions on the functioning of the boat that we want answers to. He arrives bang on time at 9am and fits a washer and locktight on the bolt that has been working loose. The others are left alone, on the basis of if it ain't broke don't fix it
I learn how to check and top up the gearbox oil. William digs out a huge magnet that lives on the boat and has a fish around in the water for the missing chimney cowl. No luck
We invite him inside for a cup of tea and some of Vera's home made date and walnut loaf. Our various questions are answered, and he reveals that the syndicate might dissolve and sell the boat next year. This is a bit of a shocker, but as we now own one ninth of the vessel we will be able to buy ourselves into another boat share if that's what we decide to do
It is 10.30 before we finally slip anchor and head on our way.
The first obstacle of the day is the Grindley Brook flight of six locks
Luckily for us there are two volunteer lock keepers on duty, and they do most of the work going through the staircase locks. They are very friendly and chatty, which is great for Vera, but I am just stuck on the back of the boat
My only consolation is these dandelions brightening up the deep, dark and damp lock
The next three locks also go quite smoothly, with ascending boats reducing the work required for descent.
The day is warming up nicely, and I gradually remove more and more layers of clothing
We stop for a pint at the Willeymoor Lock Tavern. It's a lovely little pub, with an amazing teapot collection. We buy lunch there, which is the first time that we have eaten out at lunchtime on this trip
We are trying to get to the Wrenbury Mill Boatyard before it closes, to replace the chimney cowl, and to have the tank below the toilet emptied - what is known in the boating world as a pump out. William had warned us that the pump out at Overwater, costing £20, is self service, and you only get 4 minutes and 30 seconds to do it before the meter runs out. Wembury Mill do this for you, so we want to watch, learn and pick up tips
All is going well until we reach this lock. There is a boat coming the other way, which is good news as they will leave the lock and we will enter without having to stop or open the gates. So I hang back, slowly drifting towards them, just enough engine to keep the boat straight. They take forever to leave the lock, and I find that our boat won't move. We have clearly drifted onto a shallow mud-bank. I try steering to the side, reversing, but nothing is really working. Poles are deployed to push us away from the bank, and eventually we are free, and able to continue
We are passing through dandelion country
The bluebells are also out, their distinctive scent hanging in the air
Another thing you see along the waterways are run down and abandoned boats such as this one. I'm sure that they all have a story to tell
We make it to the boatyard before closing, and are booked in for tomorrow morning
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