Rob-M

We raked weed and poly bags out of the gate paddles on a number of locks on the Soar to get some proper flow through them.

Whilst sharing Braunston Locks recently I asked the young chap on the other boat if he minded not sitting on his rear seat whilst sharing the locks as if something went wrong and his tiller knocked him off the counter I didn't want him going through his own prop or mine. Having explained the potential consequences he thanked me and stood inside the doors of his semi trad stern for the remaining locks. Whilst sharing the wide locks through Leicester the chap on the other boat whacked the ground paddles and gate paddles straight up, this isn't something I would normally do but given our boats were both closed in the front and weren't going to sink I didn't ask him to do anything different and said to my wife to do the same at the next lock. If I thought someone was at risk of sinking or injury then I would say something though and depending how likely would depend on how loud I said it.

Good pictures, shows what the towpath through the flight used to be like before the cycle superhighway was introduced.

Won't you need a couple of dozen to hang down the sides to protect your shiny paintwork as you boat along...?

I was boating through Leicester last week with Pavo which is now a converted motor.

I certainly wouldn't be jumping between gates on a wide lock. I have seen it done on Caen Hill. I step between gates on a narrow lock as long as it isn't raining.

You can change the planning options in canal planner or add places to go through that would give you the alternative routes.

How do you know what price a boat has actually sold for...?

We noticed the last few days have been far quieter in terms of boats moving and boats moored than it was in the previous two weeks.

When we came down Tyrley with Scorpio and Leo some canoeist were approaching the bottom lock as Scorpio came out. It was quite a frightened look on the last guys face as he couldn't get out of the canoe and the bows of Scorpio were fast approaching him with the force of water making it difficult to stop.

Safely back home now having completed the Leicester Ring including the Market Harborough branch and the Welford Branch. All in it was 195 miles and 115 locks and we managed to stretch it out over 16 days. Refuelled both ways at Taft bridge and used a total of 130 litres of diesel, this included a bit of use of the Eberspacher and 100 hours of engine running. High Lights of the trip... Volunteer lockies at Fradley and Atherstone were very pleasant Volunteer lockies at Foxton let us get on with it Travelling with Pavo for four days was great company and worked locks efficiently Market Harborough very nice Food in the Wharf Inn, Welford and the Greyhound, Sutton Stop was very nice Showboating going round Sutton Stop in one in front of those sat outside the Greyhound. Plenty of unnecessary revs to make a big wash Kingfisher sightings The Leicester Ring was far more pleasant than we expected, no scrotes and very little rubbish, mainly cut weed in Leicester Meeting a few forum members Low Lights... Volunteer lockies at Stenson, should have shoved him in the cut after he accessed Mrs-M of not being able to count as she did 7 clicks on the gate paddle not the 6 he had told her to do. She told him he was patronising after he went on and on about how to do a paddle. Not one volunteer lockie actually asked if we wanted their help before they started operating paddles My near miss incident Forum boats spotted Kelpie (twice) Suzie-Q (with two tone paint) Tyto Alto Ex boat of forum member Diesel and Dust Paneke Lily Rose Delta Queen Willpower (according to Mrs-M) Badger Chertsey Hawksmoor (not sure whether it was forum members onboard) Nuneaton and Brighton Apologies if I have missed anyone else we may have passed.

Nearly back to base so taking it easy and did just a couple of hours today from Fradley to Handsacre. Had a scare when nearly fell in with boat reversing towards me (See other thread for details) Stopped in Handsacre to get fish and chips from Michael's Chip Shop.

I think I will do the same in future.

Had a bit of a scare this afternoon working through Junction lock. Going up the lock as we normally do Mrs-M went off to set the next lock, I dropped the offside paddle, opened the gate, dropped the other paddle took the boat out of the lock and engaged reverse once past the gate as I always do. I then stepped off closed the gate with the boat gently reversing back. As it was raining and the boat had moved more to the offside I walked across the gate to get back on the boat, as I stepped off the end of the gate my foot slipped (even though I was wearing my working boots) and I fell landing on the edge of the side with the boat still in reverse only inches from me. Fortunately I didn't go in to the water and I was able to roll away from the water but another few inches and I could have been in the water between the reversing boat and the lock gate with consequences I don't really want to think about. I didn't see this as a high risk activity but it has made me think about leaving the boat in gear with nobody on it.

You could check out the eddie stobart fan club.

Back in Fradley Junction today. Can tell we are now in September as plenty of spaces on the visitor moorings. The volunteer lock keeper on junction lock said he would get the gate and leave the paddles to us as I was reversing down the lock and he wanted to be sure they were done how I wanted them doing. Having looked at the weather forecast I started the day with full waterproofs on ready for the torrential rain that was meant to happen but we didn't see it.

Gone past already, didn't see anyone. We are now the other side of Fazeley. Mrs-M rather liked your garden.

It is another name for a wet wipes, usually sold in the baby stuff aisle in supermarkets and whilst good for cleaning many things they are marketed for cleaning babies bums.

I thought you came crashing out the back doors a but quickly. I gave a couple of quick toots when I saw Lily Rose but as another boat was passing you at the same time I didn't want them to think I was beeping them. We had a good meal in the Greyhound last night, moorings were rammed so I filled with water and then moved as far forward on the water point as I could get and stayed there, surprised nobody posted on here about shiny boats on water points. Today we have moved on to Polesworth, loads of boats about. Had to pull off some hirers, three other boats just carried on past them but as they were well aground I stopped to help them out. At one bridge 'ole an approaching boat gave three toots so I thought they were stopping but no that was just their 'I'm coming through' signal, fortunately I didn't expect them to stop so I had gone astern anyway. Not for the first time on this trip private boaters seem too quick to lay the blame at a hire boat when something isn't going too well but from what I have observed the issues have generally been down to the private boater not slowing down.

That what all hire boat steerers say.

Having gone through Armitage Tunnel last week we have some good scratches on the cabin side. Also picked up a few from the concrete edging by the locks on the Soar.

I have special privileges as not only on ex working boats but they are owned by CRT so we must be allowed to do anything.

There may have been a last minute fouling of the blades preventing the boat from stopping, this can easily happen especially on a deeper draughted boat. Or someone lift a paddle before the approaching steerer has stopped the boat which draws the boat faster in to the gates, I've added this happen to me in the past when someone raises a paddle as you are just nearing the gates.

I will be with the Heritage Working Boats, Scorpio and Leo, outside the Roundhouse for the weekend with the cabins open for viewing.