We’ve heard of the Red Carpet

…….. Well, the Green Carpet is out on the Erewash Canal !! Just like last year when we were here, the green water fern is covering the canal and I’m now going to be dead cheeky and pinch the following from our friends Irene and Ian’s blog nbfreespirit who are moored just a boat away …..

the dreaded Azolla Weed. There is an interesting article on the BBC news which you may be of interest on how the environment agency are trying to eradicate it. W have also heard on the grapevine that 2000 weevils had been introduced further up this canal and as these weevils are the only thing that has any effect on the Azolla, we live in hope that they will soon be chomping their way through the plant otherwise the stuff will soon be in every waterway in the UK. ( It has already shown its appearance at Sawley and that's upstream from us!!! It only needs a few plants to have stuck to the hull or fenders for the plant to start spreading.)

I went out to take some photos to post on here but it’s just started slinging it down (in fact, I am having to write the blog by candlelight as it’s so so dark!!) So, again, going to pinch a photo or two from Ian and Irene (owe you a pint guys!!). Oh no, not needed to as Dai has battled the elements so you can see OUR pix below!!!

We have come up here ready to go into kingfishernarrowboats dry dock for a bottom blacking. Are planning to hang around here for about 4 weeks to see family; friends; opticians, vets, etc etc. Amy and Andy fly back to Thailand on Sept 12 so we will resume our travels after then ---- oh dear, need to start thinking about where to go for the winter once the Stoppage Lists have been studied.

So this last week we have cruised slowly from Willington stopping for a day or two at Weston and Shardlow --- through the broad locks starting at Stenson (where the bottom gates never seem to fully open) and ending at Derwentmouth Lock where I had fun and games earlier today running round like a mad woman cos no matter what tricks I tried, both bottom gates would not keep closed while I filled the lock! Luckily another narrow boat appeared so with their help and Dai mooring up, we did manage it eventually! Then there was no lock-keeper at the electronic lock at Sawley ---- I am sure there was last year during the summer months. Irene and Ian told me later he is only there at weekends. It is an easy lock to work as you just follow the written instructions on the operation box and press buttons as you work through the phases but it is a devil getting on and off as you enter the river.

For those of you (men) who Dai has discussed propellors with for the past year ----- well, the new bigger one is being cast as we speak and should arrive next week when we are in dry dock so I’ll be sure to let you see photos of it!! This is about as exciting for me as watching paint dry (or blacking bitumen as I will be next week) but Dai is VERY excited about it.

Since last blog we have done … 13 miles and 8 locks
Total since Setting Off ….. 1958 miles and 1588 locks