Stuck in Mountsorrel Lock

Len and I took Gayle, Len's visiting American pal, to The Waterside Inn at Mountsorrel for lunch today.

We sat as close as possible to the fire as Gayle has a dreadful lurgy that threatens to delay her departure for the States on Saturday.

The window overlooked Mountsorrel Lock. Soon after we'd sat down, one of the largest narrow boats I've ever seen entered the lock. It JUST fitted in.

The water went down in the lock and the boat started forward, and got stuck under the narrow road bridge, as you can see.

The bargees called for a long extension lead to power up an electric saw which they used to cut off the chimney which was scraping on the edge of the bridge. And then they got underway.

Basil? Oh he was there, pratting along on the side of the canal.