Bartimaeus

During a difficult time at the pump out station in the marina, when stress levels were almost as high as the waste tank level, I thought I heard someone speaking and turned round. We were about to try the third position for getting the hose to reach. I wondered if there was some advice, but no the person was asking if I wanted a turnip. While I pulled in the rope, I accepted the offer. The turnip was on the other side of the fence. I was informed there was a donations tin and I said I would sort it soon. After much wrangling, I was relieved to spot a switch on ‘pause’ position, which explained why the pump wasn’t pumping. What a relief. I turned my attention to the turnip. The man gave me two and it was a further relief that the small suggested donation was almost exactly how much small change we had.

While it had been a hassle, we were pleased to have succeeded and the veg was a bonus though I wasn’t sure turnip was in Bryn’s list of acceptable foods. It is expanding, so it was always possible. We had an expanding list ourselves of possible options depending on when Shane was leaving, what I felt capable of with Bryn, his preferences, the weather and canal openings. All at once several things changed and parts of the canal were opened but part of the Trent was closed and Shane’s appointment was cancelled. That made some things easier. We knew Bryn liked locks so heading up the flight was not in doubt.

I expected Bryn to be happy to work lots of locks but didn’t think he would want to drive into them, but he bravely had a go. These are exceptionally narrow ones so he made an excellent job of his first one. He did another couple, and then decided he preferred locking, which was fine, there were plenty of them and we were managing well, with a short break for ice cream. We shared out the driving and I handed over to Shane to wind in the tight space. I went to get a picture of the waterfall that was now here, following a few rainy nights.

We then reversed to the end but despite the rain, the going felt slow and shallow and Shane seemed to be getting more weeded and grounded than last time. Bryn had been admiring the brambles along the way but when the boat got enmeshed in them we gathered quite a few, but not ripe ones, and a few bits of branch too. Bryn went to clean them off the roof, so we directed him to the “hedgehog gloves”, tough leather ones that would protect him from prickles.

Bryn likes nature and has enjoyed the appearance of another (or the same) oak bush cricket I had captured that morning. He enjoyed the action of a caterpillar inching across my tummy when we were sitting at the end of the canal waiting for Shane to finish a phonecall. Green brambles were not as welcome.

We suggested the meal at the Beehive and Bryn was keen. It came highly recommended. I rang to make a booking for 7pm or 7.30, but was told there no free tables but we might get seated outside. It was less warm than our previous visit, so inside was preferable, but we decided to chance it. We lucked out to get a seat inside, albeit in the bar section rather than the restaurant so we had to climb up onto bar stools which is not my favourite but as they go it was comfortable. As usual Shane preferred that I ordered and we both fancied the special of sole in a prawn cream sauce, with asparagus and new potatoes. Some items were already sold out, including the alternative ‘special’, so I asked Shane for his back up choice in case they were out. They only had one portion of sole left so the perk of the orderer, was I had that and ordered Shane’s back up for him. We all enjoyed our meal. Shane and I had the bees knees again and the view of wild flowers on the walk home was the bees knees too.

The next day was no rest day. We were heading straight back down the 22 locks. We had met the same cheery man in both directions that we had met with Roland and Margaret. He cheered on our “young ‘un”.

The weather was less warm, and even the locking crew kept their long sleeved tops on, and it was just as well we hadn’t left the side hatch open as there was a waterfall in the side at one lock, cascading right beside it.

We were still very happy to stop for ice cream whatever the weather. We thought we might try out the Hewett Arms again. It was quite nice to have already found good places to show Bryn. It was a short walk, but we arrived to find it closed. We had heard a local suggest the opening hours were irregular and were sorry not to be able to revisit. We had a tour round the fishing lake and walked back to the boat. The walk had revealed a book exchange in an old phone box that we hadn’t noticed before. Shane had some books he had finished so I picked a book up. This gave us an excuse to head back out a bit later drop off the books and wander towards the Hewett Arms again. Success this time – he was open for business. He was keen to share his interest in art and invited us to sit in the conservatory where he pointed out an apt addition to his art exhibits, Dionysius, god of wine and good life. It had been donated after the artist’s death, when the wake was held at The Hewett Arms, an offer to good to refuse.