15 tons of coal and 2 tons of water (ballast!)

Sculptor approaching Braunston
bottom lock with only 2 tons of
water ballast by the back end boards

Sculptor sitting comfortably on her
mooring with her 15 tons of coal and
2 tons of water ballast

The intrepid three (Steve, Rob and Kathryn) met at Lock 19 this morning and waited whilst Julia and Richard (Towcester, Lactodorum and Bideford) loaded Sculptor and then brought her back to Stoke Bruerne in the pouring rain.  She's now sitting comfortably alongside her usual moorings with a lot less dryside.

The fore-end is now at the right height to finish the repaint which we will be undertaken just as soon as the weather allows!

An update to thank Steve Dean for fixing the new fore-end bilge pump.  When we were loading the coal Richard (of Jules and Richard) moved a piece of wood which neatly took the head off the outlet of the new pump - a complete accident.  Steve took it home and expertly repaired it and it now is 'better than new'!  At the moment we don't need it as Sculptor is down by the stern (every so slightly) but if she ends up lying slightly down by the head we will need it.

New cloths are scheduled for this weekend.