From AHarvey523@aol.com Sun May  2 15:45:59 1999
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 14:07:21 EDT
From: AHarvey523@aol.com
Reply-To: canals@blacksheep.org
To: canals@blacksheep.org
Subject: Trip Report 2 - started short, got longer

Part 2

After a good night's sleep, apart from waking thinking of Felix (see earlier
post) we got up late and had a good breakfast.  We set off about 11.15 to do
the few hundred yards to Paul Aldridge's Wombourne Canal Services for a pump-
out.  After a good chinwag to Paul and Carol and a cuppa, we went on our way.
But not for long.

At Botterham Staircase there was a branch stuck in the top paddle, which was
also stopping the gate from closing.  BW were called, in the shape of a chap
called Des.  After a lot of poking and raking and opening and closing and
upping and downing (for the boat stuck in the lock) it was eventually cleared.
I was disappointed, as it was hot and sunny, and a pleasant place to stop.
However we had phoned father in law, and said that as we were held up we may
not be able to collect and feed him tonight.  He was feeling bad with a cold
and prefered to stay in anyway, so we didn't have to rush home after all.  

When we got back to Ashwood came the farce of backing up the marina.  Well,
we're at the top end, and have to negotiate about 300 yards with several dog-
legs, lift bridge, double and treble moored boats.  Sunny Sunday afternoon,
Everyone on their boats, watching....

It's only the second time we've done it - clipped 15 minutes off the previous
best time of 1 hour!

I missed quite a few of them (boats) this time, but not to worry, I'm bound to
get them next time.

Regards
Ann the Equal Opportunist