Monthly Archives: June 2011

June 11th 2011 Ready for blacking and central heating

We had a lazy start to the morning but then got busy stowing everything away and packing some items to take back home with us. We payed a visit to Justin at Aqua boats just to check everything was still ok for Shell Bell to have her bottom blacked on Monday a process that takes around […]

June 10th 2011 Back to Mercia for bottom blacking

It was calm and sunny as we set off from Shardlow for Willington. Shell Bell is going to have her bottom blacked and new sacrificial anodes welded on the hull.(These help prevent corrosion) We are also having central heating installed.  The journey would be 11 miles and five locks. At the first lock we went through with a nice couple from […]

June 8th \ 9th 2011 Rain hail and sun

Ratcliffe on Soar power station signs at trent lock junction We are now making our way back to Willington but are stopping at Kegworth and Shardwell on the way.  On Wednesday the weather dominated our travels. We were lucky to get through the first lock just after a heavy shower but we got absolutely soaked […]

June 7th 2011 Barrow and back

fantastic canal side garden Barrow upon Soar In order that Shell Bell is back in Willington for the weekend we needed to start thinking about turning round.  However, we wanted to go to Barrow upon Soar so we decided to head there and get back to Loughborough for tonight.  We had a plesant journey, very […]

June 6th 2011 we join the academics

locking up with NB Kathrick A sunny start to the day, we set off from Kegworth to Loughborough.  Still on the Soar the countryside scenery was beautiful.  The first lock was another double, but there were two coming down (so the lock would be set for us) and another waiting to go up NB KATHRICK (so […]

June 5th 2011 Locks yachts and STRESS !!!

Who said life on the canals was relaxing?  What a day!!!  It was overcast and windy (of course) when we started out. We hoped to reach Ratcliff on Soar by this afternoon.   The first lock (western) went quite smoothly. We went through with some hireboaters. Just as well because the paddles were really stiff.  And […]

June 4th 2011 Big Locks !!!!!

Inside Stenson Lock We have a week before Shell Bell has to be back at the boatyard so we decided to try and navigate to Loughborough. We have travelled the road many times but this will be the first time by canal. Although it was sunny the wind still persists.  This made no difference as […]

June 3rd 2011 Back on board

New guests fed and watered time for work Friday afternoon and we on our way back to Mercia for another week on Shell Bell before she goes in to be blacked.  A lovely sunny day – very hot in a car without air conditioning!!!!   Everything seems to be good on the boat. No leaks.   Once […]

31 May June 1st & 2nd 2011 skip & box filling

The past three days we have been busy getting ready to move house. We have had an interesting time putting stuff in boxes and dumping rubbish in the skip that eventually arrived first thing Wednesday morning. It was due Tuesday afternoon. It didn’t take long to fill the skip with Scott’s help!!. But alas still no date for […]