The boys have gone away.

Tim came and collected the boys yesterday from Sawley Marina, and in a phone call this morning told me that they went back to Machester across the moors on little country roads, navigated by the map book (rather than electronically) by Olek. I always knew that boy was clever! And navigating by map book is always more satisfying because you can see the whole route instead of just the bit you are on, and you know where you are in the country - being oriented, I call it.

Olek's steering has come on leaps and bounds in both skill and confidence - he steered pretty much all the way from Loughborough to Zouch the day before yesterday, including into and out of the locks, and then most of the way to Kegworth Deep Lock (with a short break for me to chug very slowly at East Midland Boat Services to see if we could get a pump out - answer in the negative ... so on to Sawley).

Watch thie video - with sound. Expertly edited by David ...

Next year he'll be on his own and I will stay in bed all day or read or both ...

Heading into the wind towards the locks at Sawley. I think Mick was looking for a race ...

Checking to see how much he was gaining on us!

You can tell it was windy because Julia had her jacket on

Pumpout accomplished (self service) at Sawley, and we managed to get diesel. However the process isn't that simple - first of all you have to have a BWML card, which you can apply for on-line. However their standard process is to post it out. Given our UK postal address is the boys' place in Scotland that would not have been too terribly helpful, now would it. Fortunately, the lovely Kate in the chandlery issued me with a card over the counter.

Last night we stayed across the cut from Sawley Marina breasted up against Unknown No 3. Far too much chardonnay and cider were consumed along with totally unhealthy snacks and garlic pizza bread, but we were all fine this morning. We are now moored down at the junction of the Trent, Soar and Erewash - directly across from that building (the yacht club) in the photo above. Mick and Julia have gone on a mission to Long Eaton to buy cider, chardonnay and the other non-essentials, I've made bread, and a chocolate brownie. I can rely on the bread being fine but the brownie will probably taste good but it looks a bit suspect. May need early sampling, just for quality control purposes.