Swarkestone in the rain

We lay in bed this morning listening to On your farm this week on Radio 4, which was about the impact of the driest spring in living memory and then some, and to the sound of the rain on the roof. It cleared up by the time we were ready to start boating, but only for long enough to lure us on our way.

It was Sheila's turn to steer, so after I'd worked Stenson Lock (during which time it started to rain in earnest again) I retreated below and read the paper. After a while, it moderated somewhat, just in time for mooring a little bit short of Swarkestone Lock. This section of canal is actually very pleasant, running as it does through unassuming countryside, not spectacular, just very relaxing.

If it wasn't for the ferocious locks, which are deep, broad and heavy to work, it would be ideal.

It was only half ten or so when we'd finished boating for the day, and we sat around inside for a time, drinking coffee and trying to persuade ourselves that we were warm enough. It wasn't all that cold, but everything was a bit soggy, and it just wasn't very pleasant. In the end, I gave up and lit the fire, which made an enormous difference.

Apart from anything else, the sun promptly came out and the rain went away (though we are promised some more of it tonight). Indeed, by the time we'd eaten lunch, we were too hot.

To escape the now roasting cabin, we took ourselves off for a stroll along the towpath to the lock; the visitor moorings were quite deserted, but we still felt better off where we were, just the other side of Bridge 15. The towpath by the VMs is also the approach road to the BW depot here, so cars drive past a few feet from the boats.

We went on over the canal and along the cycleway that follows the route of the derelict Derby Canal towards that town; not too far, as it was now quite warm and muggy. In fact, it was like trying to walk through an orchid house, and a little exercise went a long way. The canal is the subject of an ambitious restoration scheme, though it will take a bit longer than first hoped in the present economic climate.

We've spent the rest of the day loafing, quite frankly (except for Sheila's crochet, which she had to abandon after her fingers got too sweaty to carry on). The concise crossword has been done, an attempt made at the big general knowledge one, and we had a go at the quiz and Get the picture challenges in the Indie magazine.

It's a rough life, but someone has to do it, I guess.