don't rely too much on the Google tracker I have just checked it and it says we are in a field  half a mile away not as we are at Barton Turn on the canal Big brother is watching even if he is a little cross eyed.

Well its Wednesday night now We have covered around eighteen miles and I don't know how many locks We have done the massive river Trent ,the Trent and Mersey broad  canal and are now on the narrow locks , much quicker to work. we have spent some time travelling with a boat from Nottingham council "captained" by two nice ladies and crewed by a group of Duke of Edinburgh  Students on a five day trip.
Sun stroke is a distinct possibility , the weather is so good  but will it last ?
will try and add  pictures later , have now now got a 4G thingy Thanks to Mohamed  , (Mo according to his badge)  at PC World.

Ok it`s Monday evening and we are now under way  full of fuel  and water ,
three and a half days , five locks ,and  nine miles under our belts .we are now moored up on the cut just outside Sawley.
Who said it was going to be rapid progress ?
More Photo,s to follow maybe tomorrow or maybe the next day.
Apart from the boring scenic ones might have some of the CRT `s new weed control methods !!

So anyone who actually looks at this blog might have noticed that the title has changed to our boats name ,I am still playing around trying to find how things work it`s a steep learning curve for a geriatric! Next week is possibly the almost final week of work perhaps but we do hope to start our cruise soon and at least get out of Nottingham and up to Fradley and then which way after that is still under discussion .The Ashby is a favorite at the moment as the last time we did it ,it there was a race to get to the top and back in time to return the hire boat , not really the best way to see everything .I have still to sort out mobile internet  apparently I need a dongle ! to plug into my laptop to at least get started
I think I might have to ask an expert  

Good news today James from Nottingham boats left me a message to say that the travel power unit had been sorted by Coxs but that we may have to make an adaption to the system to prevent the problem occurring
We shall wait and see ..

Our first trip out up through meadow lane lock Hilary with Dennis from Nottingham boat sales who helped us in our first transition from river to canal

 

Finally got some water back in the tanks then on to castle marina for some gas and diesel  but when we got there a disappointment no diesel available but not to worry we still have half a tank left at least we got the gas so now we can have a brew

 

Captains log

Our second ever lock and this happened a touch of reverse  to stop and a massive bang ,the engine died , and after a moment of panic a quick look down the weed  hatch and this was jammed between the prop and base plate it came  out with  the help of a little tap with the pole .We seem to have got away without any damage no funny noises or vibrations

We are now back to our mooring for the time being and are waiting for the electrician to find the problem with the travel power unit

then we will be fully operational

Tomorrow is our first visit when Sybil is really ours so we are going in armed with cloths , cleaners and and all sorts of potions and personal items to start to make our own impression on her .
Monday is a visit to get a license for the year , now that's a big lump of money but you have got to have it , oh well .
I don't think we will even get a spin out yet anyway as the Trent may be too high still to set us free but we will have that freedom soon enough heading out from Nottingham up to Fradley and then to where ?