Bartimaeus

When we were stopped on Sunday, Shane was pleased to see some swans and cygnets come to the hatch. They hissed and splashed a bit at first, not the most friendly greeting, but were clearly enjoying getting fed. Shane even gave them some of his own home baked bread, a new experience for the swans. Shane got a surprise when the eager adult male, lunged for a beakful and got some of Shane's thumb along with it, not a chunk of flesh, just a scrape of skin, but enough to draw blood. He carried on feeding them, but threw from further back after that. The crumbs fell on them and they nibbled from each others backs, or their own.

We were in a pretty location with sheep and lambs in stead of cows and calves. We had various ideas about when to do different things, though we had plenty time. Shane had plans to fit in a cycle ride but the days were beginning with rain, which didn't appeal. The afternoons were brighter. Inside was bright as the flowers he had given me had large lily buds, which were now opening up to be the main attraction, and scented too. There are still more to come. I am topping up the flower food.

After lunch in sunnier weather I went to cast off. We were attached by the chain rings. Shane had got stung by a nettle putting the chain in, so I tried to avoid that - there weren't many nettles and this was a less nettly spot. The chain D-shackle got caught on the piling, as it sometimes does and it wouldn't come out. I knelt to try to reach the Shane and give it a jiggle and altered my grip on the large ring. The shackle being stuck below the piling didn't stop the large ring slipping off and going straight through - who knew things that can't go up can go down? It surprised me anyway, as I  hadn't completely let go of it and even when it is not held, it often lies happily on the top of the piling or on the grass beside it without going through, sometimes it is actually too narrow as it's only the small ring that is put through. Anyway, it had shot through and to the bottom in a flash. Shane was quick to come to my aid with the correct tool for the job. I cast off my cardigan to keep my sleeve dry and set to. Unbeknownst to me, Shane was taking photos. Getting up with the retrieved chain felt triumphant even if I had got a minor nettle sting in the process - it was worth taking off the cardigan; l would definitely have got a wet cuff while guddling.

We got going and inched our way along until we got to another good stopping point. Shane went for an explore. He came back and told me about a farm shop he had seen but warned it was just a small, cash only, honesty stall. I decided I  could walk up and take a look and use the time to record butterflies - I didn't see any, being on the shaded side of the canal didn't help. I did find a sign to a cafe that looked like it might close soon. I hadn't brought any money but messaged Shane in case he fancied bolting along for afternoon coffee and cake, though the sign wasn't that convincing that there would be any.

I walked up the path and found the railway station. One of Shane's plans included the heritage railway. I realised I had missed tea for the day, if Shane didn't appear soon with cash, but it at least looked more promising here than it had at the end of the road.

I found the inside of the station and cafe were like a museum with old costumes and decor. They were open and the man said while he was here I could have had something, even though it was almost closing time. The cakes sounded tempting but without payment I said we would try to come back another time and he gave me a link to the Facebook page and told me that they were open on Tuesday as well next week, increasing the chances we would have to visit. For now I was enjoying the rooms and marvelled at how the cups were arranged in a tray. There was a fair mix of exhibits.

As I was taking my leave, the man came over to the leaflet stand and handed me a train timetable and events leaflet then followed me out and remarked that he liked my trousers, "very eye-catching" he said. It had been a very friendly exchange, though with no money for his cafe. I expect he is a volunteer. He was much smarter dressed than me, with very shiny shoes. I look forward to trying his cafe out next week. 

The next day we aimed to get to almost the end, if we could moor there. On our way to the end we had been warned of a fallen tree by a day hire group. We have been warned of trees before that were not an issue, and I couldn't tell if they had turned or squeezed past. They didn't seem alarmed enough. Perhaps the edge of the storm had reached here. Just as we thought we had passed the area of concern we saw a tree, or a branch, across the water just beyond the bridge. 

The way wasn't completely blocked but wiggling round after the bridge and into the shallow edge, did make it tricky and I thought the barge pole might get a rare outing. I was distracted by a spectacular large moth, a tiger moth. I had seen one just as we set off too, but it actually landed on the side of the boat this time, but I had left my camera inside, in case the tree tackling would have endangered it. The moth didn't stay long. At the same time there was another interloper on the roof. It was all go!

Shane got a saw out but it was passable without it, though boats without a bow thruster might have struggled more. We carried on and I reported it to the Canal and River Trust using their online form. 

It was a tad gusty and mooring took a little longer than usual, but all was well and we had a meander in the evening to look at the stop bridge and the end we hadn't reached yet. There is a characterful shop, though shut by then, part is open to browse with an honesty box. They are fund raising and bricks can be sponsored. A brick can also be sponsored without a name, if you want to pay less or support anonymously.

There had been a conversation about whether we could reach the end with the man moored next to us... And also whether he would get through the tree. He was suggesting roping it through. Taking it slowly seemed the best plan. We were still happy to just take in the scenery and enjoy a slow explore of the Ashby this time.

The next day we went through the bridge.I was ready to swing it, but was told I could get back aboard as a few volunteers were cheerfully operating the bridge. Shane had chosen to reverse through and they were saying he was making a good job  of the reversing...so far! Shane said it went back well and the thrusters helped. We were now in the section that we couldn't reach before.

We moored up in a peaceful spot and walked to the end. I was counting butterflies again at the start and there were lots of swallows at the turning point at the end. It is too short a winding hole for us, hence the backwards travel. A few are confused to see anyone go backwards.

We had a walk into Measham. On the way I saw a few flowers I didn't recognise. What a great thing the plant app is or I would never have known what this was. I didn't recognise it and it was so distinctive, It didn't even know it was a flower at first.

We found a mosaic sundial, depicting the history of working life in the area. And next to it was a museum. It was open, and most days it wasn't so we went in.

Inside there were volunteers who greeted us warmly. We got a lot of the stories of the local history and people. Three men gave us stories and explanation of every aspect. I was first directed to the pottery. 

With coal mining, a pottery, and a tannery there was plenty of local industry at one time. Pottery wasn't the only clay product. There were local bricks and chimneys sold all around the country. They had a display of the bricks and drainpipes and the apprentice piece  miniature models of chimneys that were  carried by salesmen and shown to potential buyers. I had wondered why there were such small chimneys. 

I was directed to some free books and found one about the Jacobite rebellion. It was a surprise to me at first, then I remembered they had only got as far as Derbyshire. A further revelation awaited. A box had been found that had nails on the top but gold inside. It was thought to be some hidden Jacobite gold. Later I heard the tale being shared with Shane to explain how a man suddenly became richer than expected. It wasn't clear if it was the same cache, as the tale was slightly different. There may have been a few bits of hidden gold at the end of the Jacobite journey. Who knows what became of it all?