Lots of comings and goings

We have had a very enjoyable and busy week since we last posted. We have welcomed several guests on board, visited relatives and thoroughly enjoyed the company of new found friends.

We said our goodbyes to James and Doug on Tuesday morning and headed off towards Mountsorrel. At the lock we met up again with David and Sheena on nb Tombee Too and cruised the remainder of the day with them, unfortunately in some quite heavy rain, although it did brighten up later on.

Unusual development at Mountsorrel with moorings

Jasper checking out the scenery

We travelled as far as Zouch cut and that evening we were visited by Johns friend Nick and his seven year old twin boys Jack and Hugh. They spent a bit of time with us and explored the boat and then we went and worked out how a lock raised and lowered a boat.

Hugh & Jack

Wednesday saw us head down through Kegworth, past the imposing Ratcliffe on Soar power station and onto the Trent, where surprisingly enough we met up with David and Sheena again at Sawley Locks. We travelled with them again and decided to call it a day just above Weston Lock as the biting wind finally won the day. They came aboard for a drink to round the afternoon off before we were joined by our friends Dean and Denise for the evening. It was great to catch up with them after some time.

Ratcliffe Power Station

Our mooring that evening was actually right opposite the end of the garden of Louise's Auntie Jean and Uncle Barry. Thursday morning was forecast to be windy and wet and it duly arrived right on cue. So off we went for a coffee with Jean and Barry and we returned a couple of hours later laden with some freshly cut runner beans and a big bag of plums.....well worth the little visit. We had so much produce, we shared it with David and Sheena and then arranged to travel up to Findern with them and have a meal at Nadee Indian Restaurant beside Bridge 21.

Stenson Lock

The weather really picked up and we had a decent afternoon trip. We enjoyed a drink aboard Tombee Too before our youngest son Luke and his girlfriend Annabelle also joined us....never ones to miss out on a free meal !!! The evening and the meal were excellent.

This morning we said our goodbyes to David and Sheena as they headed off before us. The last five days with them have been really good fun and it is scary how many things we have in common. We have thoroughly enjoyed their company and hopefully we will get the chance to do it again sometime soon.

David & Sheena nb Tombee Too

We then walked up to Mercia Marina and had breakfast at The Willow Tree coffee shop before meeting another of Johns workmates, Paul, and his partner Jane who were very excited as they were actually picking up their first boat, Lady Mellisa. It is quite similar to ours being an Aqualine and we had a good look round it with them before leaving them to settle in before they sail it back to Kings Bromley over the weekend. Best of luck guys !!

We finally set off late morning and have had a very pleasant cruise in some good weather. We passed Bruce and Sheila on Nb Sanity Again at Horninglow as they headed back towards Mercia Marina. We have moored for the night just above Wychnor Lock on the river section towards Alrewas, our last night before we head for home tomorrow.