Sawley Marina

Today's Navigations : Trent and Mersey, River Trent, Sawley Cut

Today began very much cooler than the past few days (some relief!) but also very overcast. It remained that way until the afternoon, by which time we were tucked up in the marina.

It was not far from our overnight stop to Shardlow - but a bit slow as there is a long line of long term moorings to pass before the lock itself. A much smaller fall than most of the wide locks from Burton but still a bit of an effort. It was set against us so first we had to fill it. When we came to leave Mike shut both bottom gates but still had the. off side paddle to shut. Crossing these locks needs a bit of concentration as the way across at either end is over the top of the balance beams. There are good hand rails (when they are not wobbly!) but the upstand on the top of the central end of each gate complicates life for those of lesser mobility (LTRU) However, by the time Mike had made it to the middle, both gates had started to open themselves. Each time he managed to pull them closed the same response! Mike then chickened out and let some water in at the top to try and keep the bottom shut. Even so, by the time he was ready to come back across for the last time, the lock had leaked empty and the opening recommenced!

The former lock cottage on the towpath side was actively having a lot of refurbishment. In particular a semi cellar was being reclaimed to give even more room. One of the contractors, a specialist in home cinemas, was busy at work - he told us that they were installing a replacement cinema which entailed first removing what seemed to be an endless load of cushions. The work is only supposed to take today! I doubt anyone will be relaxing in front of the screen for a while - the walls were just being replastered!

Below the lock we passed the iconic former warehouse. At one time, Shardlow was an important inland port and a significant amount of trade passed through here by water.

There are still many old transportation-related buildings all the way through Shardlow. This one looks as if it is ready for a bit of TLC.

Others, by contrast, found new purposes some time ago and have well matured into their new environment.

In between, Dobsons Boatyard is still in operation. We could tell that via our ears - very much metal bashing work in progress.

A little further and this outdoor trainset come complete with a house - guess which will feature as a headline in any future estate agent's blurb!

Sawley Flood Lock (not part of the original canal design) now protects the centre of the village from high waters - we saw it in action some years back when we were stuck here for a few days waiting for the level to drop. No need for its protection today . . . Neither light, one for the Trent and one for the Soar, needed to be lit.

And so to Derwent Mouth Lock, the last one on the Trent and Mersey. Its fall varies according to the river level but even with limited flow it was not a huge drop. The lock was already full from recent boat coming off the river but with three more waiting to use it we had plenty of help and we were invited to stay on board.

And so the rivers - both the Derwent, from the left, and the Trent, from the right, join together here. Quite often, when emerging from the quiet canal water the river flows push the boat in one direction from the one in which we need to go. It was so gentle today that no course correction was needed.

Looking back, this is the entrance to the canal if coming upstream. Follow the sig if tempted to take either right or left.

After passing under a large pipe bridge the M6 is equally unmissable (but much noisier!)

The navigation now continues as Sawley Cut with the river passing over a weir. Phew! We managed to miss it . . . 

The start of the cut is protected by a flood lock but today we could motor straight through. A pair of locks at the other end return boats back to the river and onwards to the Soar or Nottingham. Sawley Bridge Marina is just after the flood lock. Their diesel point is alongside the cut so we pulled in there before moving on towards the proper entrance to the marina. The fuel delivery is via a rather ancient self service system. After having first to collect a special card from the reception office we then went through a lengthy series of inputs only for the system to crash and take us back to the start! A very helpful lass from the office came to help but could not make it deliver so went back to the office to ask for advice. She came back and turned it off and on but still nothing. Tried again and this time left the power off for much longer and eventually it went into a reboot screen that took for ages to appear to be doing  anything. Finally, after entering all the details once more we were able to fill up our tank.

And so to our mooring. We had been given general directions and the number of our mooring but when we were in the vicinity of where we thought we should be there were no numbers on the pontoons to be seen. They are actually shown on the other end and we had to ask a friendly passing mooring to identify which was which - there were quite a few empty slots.

As we were coming into the marina, Mike spotted some Black Swan staff at their base (they also operate from Cropredy and had done some bits of maintenance for us early in the year). From our m mooring it was just a short distance so Mike thought it would be a good idea to see if they could some more items for us whilst we are back home. Alas, the way involves passing through a gate, the only one on site that uses a key, but it would not unlock. Two other moorers tried, confident that their keys would open the gate, but they had no better luck than Mike. So as well as looking for Black Swan, we now needed to report the problem. Alas, proud claim by Aquavista that this is the largest canal marina in the country started to wear a trifle thin when faced very nearly a kilometre walk all around the outer perimeter. Each way!

Apparently, Maintenance are aware of the problem and will fix it as soon as . . . However, Mike did see the very helpful  Black Swan people and they promised to call at our boat this afternoon. In fact, Chris was already there by the time Mike had walked all around the marina once more. He had come across in their outboard powered dinghy! He quickly diagnosed the most pressing of the issues but would I call at their office to make a formal booking for some time when we are away back at home.

Lunch was now well overdue but as soon as that was out of the way Mike walked the long trek. When he arrived at the office it was closed. However, James and Chris (the two met earlier) were both around and had already agreed that James would do the work, hopefully early next week. One of the tasks will involve having to replace the towel rail radiator in the bathroom as it has sprung a leak.

 Christine then has to sort out electricity as we had not been told what to do when we checked in (the problems with the diesel pump overshadowed a full briefing!) At least in the process we learned that Maintenance had fixed the gate so Christine was able to go the office (needed to activate the electricity) taking the short route!

By mid afternoon, sunny weather had returned by mid afternoon, but we have been so distanced by events that we have not really noticed. The one item of DIY planned for this time has had to be postponed. Now to fill the water tank . . .

2.7 Miles - 2 Locks (3 if you count Sawley Flood Lock, but we don't)