From the log of n/b Collie II - by Kenn
Tuesday 30th June 1987
Left the boat yard about 12ish with Tom and Ang. After buying a new 13kg gas bottle and 10g of diesel from Davisons we set off down the Trent and then up the Soar. In fantastic sunshine we travelled to Loughboro'. After stopping in the BWB yard and walking to the shopping centre we carried on and arrived at Mount Sorrel just before 7pm and moored up. After refilling the grease gun I repacked the rudder bush.
Wednesday 1st July 1987
Departed Mount Sorrel about 9am in red hot sunshine and cloudless skies. The Soar is very deep and we made good time. One short stop at Aylestone for food mid afternoon. Eventually oil pressure went down to 0 every time we dropped to tick-over We stopped and I checked the oil level, full but black and like water. The aux battery took charge all day and turned out to have one cell dry. We now have no more distilled water. Tom has learned how to handle the boat and work locks really quickly and as we all seem to be enjoying ourselves we carried on until we got to Kilby about 20:30. After refilling the water tanks and emptying the loo, we set off to turn round. The canal is so narrow here but eventually on the 4th go we managed it just in front of bridge 86, Ellis's bridge. 21 locks done today and 18 1/2 miles. Water pump switch needs adjusting again.
Thursday 2nd July 1987
We set off at 08.30 in order to get the drop on two hire boats also moored at Kilby. We just couldn't face 20 odd locks all against us. It was a beautiful morning and most of the locks were full and with the top gates open, so straight in. The water is crystal clear in places and we've seen hundreds of fish, even some big carp. We all saw a Kingfisher which seem to be a bit scarce up this river and canal when compared with the the Trent and Mersey. We stopped just above Barrow Deep Lock just before 7pm. 21 locks and 20 miles but quicker and easier than yesterday. Topped up the coolant header tank, tightened the stern gland, topped up the oil, about 19 gs of diesel left..This puts it back where it was last Saturday.. I don't beleive we've just used 10g of diesel.. There is a leak around the fuel filter but I don't think that accounts for it either, Oh and the K and N has vibrated off into the oil bilge..... All three of us are showing signs of severe sun exposure (going brown) and it looks like the weather is going to hold.
Friday 3rd July 1987
Yet another roasting dawn. I washed the boat down around half eight only to find that the roof dried faster than I could put water on. We set off about 09.30 and pottered off down river. Most of the locks were for us and even spending most of the day at tickover we arrived at Redhill lock about 14:30. The lock keeper told us that Collie(1) which we had seen moored downstream of Loughboro' had blown its engine and needed towing back. A walk over to the farm and a deal was set at 10 gallons of diesel for the fetch. Tom, Ang and I returned to Calverton from where I rang Mum and Dad. Dad's not working tomorrow so the fetch is on. After Tom and Ang left for home I fetched a gallon of oil and Joanne. I changed the oil for fresh Duckhams and eventually got much more pressure. The hour counter is now connected up. After much washing of hair we crashed out.
From the log of n/b Collie II - by Joan
Saturday 4th July 1987
Fabulous morning. Mel and I arrived about 9:15, boat reving, ready to go. We met Joanne. At Redhill lock a lad came across wth 2 by 5 galls cans of diesel in a wheel barrow and we soon put it in our tanks. This is the fee for the collecting COLLIE from Loughborough.. Arrived about 1.30pm and got her in tow. We had a trouble free run back except for KENN FELL IN, he fell off the side and had to swim, he said his knees were grazing the bottom of the canal. We delivered COLLIE to the lock keeper at Redhill and set off back to Sawley. Most enjoyable day, very hot and 10 galls of diesel for our efforts. Back at 6.30pm. Lovely day