Bartimaeus

The running gag of Bryn bringing cold started with his first visit coinciding with our first snow when boating and continued with visits where it got wetter or our heating broke and he has arrived just after a particularly hot spell. He takes it all in good cheer and being able to make the best of things and be tolerant are great assets to maintaining a positive outlook.

The weather was now getting better and we ventured to buy ice cream from the large farm shop at Great Haywood. Last time we visited here it was wintry and an ice cream was not on our minds but we accidentally bought a very large sack of potatoes. They were excellent but took us a while to get through and had to be stored in the bedroom as there were no spaces suitable in the kitchen. We thought a half sack would be fine, but only the huge sacks were available so we decided against. Bread and a leek would be a lighter load to take back to the boat, while Bryn had a caramelised banana ice-cream.

Shane had filled up with water while Bryn and I were at the shop. There were locks for Bryn and I to work almost straight away. The bottom gates were heavy and Bryn needed help getting it to close. Opening was easier though, fortunately.

Before the next lock we came across two stopped boats facing us, with one slewn across and people on the towpath deploying ropes and a bargepole. There was a lot of engine noise but not much movement. The boat behind was hard aground. We pulled in and I ran forward to find out what was happening and if we could help, and found one was towing the other. Shane had suggested pulling backwards might help and so I suggested we could try pulling them off from behind as the tow boat was in the wrong position to try that. He said we could try if we liked, so I got out a rope. As we passed they got afloat. One person asked if we'd prayed for them. Perhaps the movement of us passing helped. Our rope was not required, but they seemed appreciative anyway. Bartimaeus the genie seems to have granted their wish.

At the next that there were queues on both sides, so we ended up assisting a few people through before, getting through ourselves. A lone boater asked if he could be "cheeky" and stay in his boat. We had three lockers available, the woman from the boat ahead of us was there too, so of course he could stay put. As I chatted to the woman, she said this was why she came here on holiday as everyone was so friendly. She came from Frankfurt. Certainly the boaters are usually up for helping each other and people often say hello as they pass, but she was also taken that people serving the public in shops and pubs, tend to address you as love or darling. It's nice to see someone from other places appreciate aspects of your own culture that you take for granted. Her husband gave a cheery wave.

The next boat in was a couple doing their first lock after a year's gap so she was pleased to have people there already to talk her through it, as well as physically help, as she felt she couldn't remember what to do. Her partner driving was sure we had failed to wind the paddles up properly but I knew that one just didn't come up as far as expected since we had done it a few times now. A local woman let us know that the top had been removed so one was shorter than the other so we were able to assure him it wasn't our incompetence nor was he mistaken about it not looking even. 

Once we got through there was a while until the next lock. After such a long wait we felt we should press on and decided to have lunch one at a time, swapping drivers and not stop. We continued to enjoy distant calves and passing ducklings. The lambs are a little older now but still cute and even better they were coming down to the waterside. Bryn enjoyed their proximity and I hoped they wouldn't fall in and oblige us to stop to help out.

We met another sheep themed boat, but no sign they were selling wool. They were too busy dancing. I was more diverted by the line of models and the Fund Our Waterways, which is a regular sight on the canal recently.

We have occasionally seen moorhen chicks but they usually hide in the reeds as we pass, so we liked getting a slightly better view. Though they were past the fluffiest baby stage.

Much easier to see and more colourful was the bank of rhododendron bushes all blooming, a purple passage.

We met locks again at the end of the afternoon. We hoped to get moored but there were not any suitable gaps and we needed to continue to the junction. Shane opted to do locks and also run ahead to see where to go at the junction to find a mooring.

While finishing up a lock himself, Bryn had to cross from one side to the other but the lock arms block the access across the gates. He chose to vault over, which is never my mode, more a slow clamber or duck under. He obviously still remembers his Parkour.

Finding mooring was proving tricky. Another attempt was abandoned. Still it was nice weather and I had a willing crew.

One lock looked like it was only just holding up with all the reinforcing braces. I appreciate they are doing a useful job but they make it even harder to enter the lock without touching the sides.

It was pretty crowded but we eventually got in against rushes without needing a gangplank, though it was a close run thing. We were able to have a Pimm's and I got that leek pressed into service for our last meal aboard with Bryn. 

In the morning I took the bus to Lichfield and Bryn and Shane came on the tandem and we arrived at almost exactly the same time. We had time for an explore. The Cathedral is worth a look, but the impressive rising altar was not on show, having chairs laid out over it. Shane showed Bryn the video and he appreciated hearing about it. In stead the main attraction, which was not there last time, was a giant table made from a recently discovered 5000 year old giant tree trunk. It was 13 metres long and is termed 'a table for the nation'. Bryn appreciated that too. 

It is staying a year in Lichfield cathedral and I don't know where it is going next but just moving it is quite an undertaking, though the planks come apart. 

Later we took in another exhibition called 'Brought up in the nineties', which was pretty recent history for us and within Bryn's lifetime, at The Hub at St Mary's. We could hear a younger boy having it explained to him that films were not on line then and you had to go to the shop and hire a video or DVD and take it back.

After a wander round the market and a tasty lunch we went to the station with Bryn. As we waited, we appreciated the upcycled display of hubcaps into art, decorating the station. The news is always focussing on disasters and I really appreciate efforts to make the world a more pleasant place to be, turning discarded plastic into beauty, welcoming people to the city and urging people to take care of their world.