mud slide

heading for the narrow cutting

We were back to English weather with the morning being damp, unable to chose between dry or wet. We set off after 10.00 hoping it would stay dry. The water was clear as no boats had been moving.

rooftop garden

A boat closed up as I waited for a boat to turn across me onto the Shroppie at Autherley Junction and was close behind after I waited for three boats to exit the narrow cutting north of the junction. It followed closely as we entered the stretch just wide enough for one boat but I kept to a steady pace. We passed one passing place then I saw a boat approaching as we neared the far end. I let the boat idle as I neared the next passing place and the boat behind almost nudged us. Couldn’t he see I had nowhere to go? The boat started to reverse so the Captain waved him on and signalled to the passing place which was hidden from the approaching boat.

At last he sneaked into the gap and we eased past, unfortunately for the boat behind us he swung across the cutting slowing his escape. Before long the boat was on our rear fender so the Captain took the helm and let him pass. Surprisingly it took a long time for them to pull away. It wasn’t until we slowed to pass moored boats that they vanished round the corner.

Once alone we had a quiet cruise and the sun eventually made an appearance at mid day. We moored in the tree lined cutting beyond the pub at Cross Green.

unusual tiller

While eating our lunch we could hear children playing on the off side. They seemed to be slithering down the steep bank. Suddenly there was a squeal and a splash. A boy stood up in the shallow water almost opposite our boat. He tried to climb back up but slid back into the water again. His brother tried to drag him out but the slope was too steep.

“Just stay there,” the older boy said. “I’ll have to call dad.” He dug out his phone and made a quick call while his brother stood knee deep in the canal. Soon his father appeared further along the bank.

just a little bit muddy

How did you get down there?” the man asked. He lurched through the undergrowth and joined the older son on the bank.

 Gailey top lock

He stamped down a few nettles that were in the way then leaned over. “Give me both hands,” he ordered. The boy did so and his father dragged him out of the canal. “What a mess!” he said, without seeming angry or surprised, and herded the boys back along the bank and up between the trees.

The disturbance caused Lottie to slide off the sofa and go exploring. she took a dip and emerged muddy, so the captain had to wash her again.

We had a leisurely cruise round to Gailey enjoying the lock-free stretch.

We moored at the visitor moorings at Gailey as far from the lock as we could as Lottie loves the twittern of trees there and it is quieter. Lottie showed her appreciation by strolling around while we sorted things out.