Jean and John's first trip on Jemima-D

May 2010

A delightful first trip, all May freshness, enjoying getting the feel of J-D, and soaking up the beauty of the valley.

Saturday 15th

An excellent induction from Mike and a trip to the Park Lane sanitary station to fill up and empty. Had fun(?) finding out how the cassette toilet worked! We came back to the mooring and had great fun making a meal and putting the bed together, made all the cosier by a coal fire.

Sunday 16th

Set off, taking it easy, to Cheddleton, moored by the Flint Mill. A drink in the Black Lion, walk through the churchyard, then along to the Boat for a meal and drink, back along the towpath.

Monday 17th

Retraced our path back to base, as we had to head back to Leicestershire for a day and night.

North of Cheddleton

Tuesday 18th

Back at base for the night. Mike had charged the starter battery while we were away, though it may not have been necessary.

Wednesday 19th

Headed off again, further up the valley, accompanied by several trips of the steam loco for good measure (including an enthusiast having lessons later on). Moored for the night in Consall just past the bridge after the Black Lion, an area owned by the RSPB, walks in the bluebells woods.

The southern end of the Churnet section

Approaching the cottage below the Black Lion

Going under the gridge by the Black Lion

Moored by the old railway bridge south of Consall station

Locomotive going by across the canal - Another learner driver practising

Thursday 20th

On to Froghall, through the tunnel with bated breath, yippy! made it with inches to spare...a quick look round the visitor centre and talk to the warden. Had a look at the lower basin, it had a lot of weeds in it and we did not fancy getting them round the propeller so we stayed in the top basin. Walked to the steam train station, had a nice chat with the volunteer painting the gate about the upkeep of the line (they had a train full of brownies at the weekend, and primary school children the day before, so were recovering!). Ice cream and chat with the lovely lady at the refreshments, reminiscing about the horse drawn boat, Badger the horse and a trip John made in 1982 with other Leicestershire county councillors to learn about horse drawn canal operations. Then back, mooring overnight at Cheddleton, just past The Boat.

Friday 21st

Last day beautiful and sunny, back to the mooring via the Park Lane sanitary station. A wonderful start to our boating adventures, couldn't be better, eager for more. Jemima-D is a pleasure in all respects.

Approaching the Black Lion on the Churnet section

J-D with woods carpeted with bluebells in the background

Moored at Froghall

She fits! - J-D entering the southern end of Froghall Tunnel

Still in one piece - J-D coming out of the northern end of Froghall Tunnel

Returning along the Churnet section - View ahead from J-D with woods on both sides of the river