Part 3 Providence and Harmony at Trent Lock

The sun rose slowly over the Cut and we climbed slowly from our bed to the breakfast table. The lithe supple bodies have gradually diminished and become a series of minor groans related to the knees or back. We were nearer to breaking our fast but no nearer to resolving our difficulty to get a key that would operate the lock. We noticed movement through our window on the starboard side. It was a boat reversing from a dry dock sited on the opposite bank.

Named Harmony, which didn't reflect the feeling we were sharing the owner then moved the boat in front of ours to moor and to take on water. The perfect time for me to discard some unwanted items in the boat, deposit it in the waste bins provided for boaters and talk to the other boats skipper. You never know he might be able to offer me a useful suggestion.

Climbing out from the cratch (the canopy over the bow) I learnt another thing. The skipper was topping up his diesel tank from a jerry can. Brilliant I thought because one wouldn't wish to run short particularly in the winter and encounter all the problems with bleeding the fuel feed for the engine. So Halfords in Ilkeston was paid a visit a few days later when we reached it.

Chatting with Harmony's owner he said that we wouldn't be able to go along the canal without what is euphemistically called a handcuff key. But then he said he had a spare which cost him £5 and he would be happy to help us by selling it back at the same price. The first of many random pieces of kindness, providence or good fortune.

We were able now to sail along the Erewash and Harmony had restored our harmony. A reminder to all of us that help freely given can be found at the most unlikely times and places and there is more goodness than we think.

It was our first time on this stretch of canal and I think it is lovely. A mix of the rural and urban, friendly people on the towpath and a mother in law waiting for our arrival in Ilkeston.