Car Shuffle and Aston Lock

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

Mike was off in reasonably good time, just before 8 am. The aim was to take the car to Brinklow, our next planned stopover. The drive did not start well as the sat nav refused to s tart up! In the end, he set off with the route being displayed on his phone. However, after about two turns, on the route towards the motorway, the sat nav in the car suddenly sprang to life and stayed active for the rest of the journey. Suspicion is that the marina has some poor spots for a phone signal.

At first, the ETA at Brinklow marina was only two minutes before the time for which a taxi had been booked, leaving no margin for delays. The departure  time had been planned last night on the basis of arriving at least 15 minutes before the taxi was due! As he travelled down the motorway it improved somewhat so Mike assumed that the usual slow section around the M69 intersection had been 'priced in' and that traffic was now moving through there a bit less slowly. And so it seemed.

With the sat nav saying only 4 minutes to go, the taxi driver checked in to make sure Mike was going to be ready for him and to let him know what the fare would be. Coming though the last village and suddenly the 4 became 9 and the route took him up a narrow lane and all the way around the tiniest mini roundabout! In the end, Mike arrived with one minute to spare before the booked time and as soon as Mike had left the car the taxi was at the gate to the marina.

Just in case time was short, Mike had bought his tickets on line yesterday and he was a tad relieved when the bar code on his phone opened the gate to the platforms! The route back now involved three trains and a bus. The first train was just three minutes late departing but as long as it did not worsen, there was time to catch the first connection at Tamworth.

Checking the platform number online, Mike discovered that his next train was almost half an hour late as the result of another train in front of it having a fault. It was now a matter of seeing how much more time the train would lose before arriving at Derby, to work out an ETA back to the boat. 

The wait on Derby station was not long and the local stopping train to Newark (first stop Long Eaton) was on time, even if it was not the one planned. A bonus was that the walk to the bus stop was shorter than Google showed. There are two bus routes that pass the marina and, with some useful local help, Mike boarded the next to arrive only minutes later. He still checked with the driver that he stopped at he right place!

It did not feel like it at the time, but surprisingly, despite the keruffles, Mike arrived at the boat barely half an hour later than planned.

Meanwhile, as usual, Christine had taken advantage of Mike's absence to clean the floor and some other housework. 

Time for a much needed coffee (Mike had not had a chance to buy one on his travels) and then lunch. We were even able to set off a little earlier than our plan for the day! Christine walked around to the marina office to return the gate fobs (since a fob and key was needed to do this, we could not return them earlier!)

Mike nudged carefully out from the mooring - the layout here really only just allows for 60 foot boats. It does look as if many of the longer term moorers here are river cruisers and only perhaps less than half are narrowboats.

Now turned through 90 degrees to face the way out and so to pick up Christine waiting somewhere near the exit onto the navigation.

Almost immediately after leaving the marina is Sawley Flood Lock which is intended to protect the marina and other moorings on the Sawley Cut when the river is in flood (it does not always work as the flood levels in recent years have exceeded the protection that the lock affords)

Today all is benign - even the wide Trent weir did not feel especially menacing, Best not to take it for granted, though.

Under the motorway - strange to recall that it was built even before we moved to Loughborough in 1967.

The next large water pipe structure carries the Leicester Pipe of the Derwent Valley Aqueduct over the River Trent. Built in the early part of the 20th century, it consists of a single span bowstring girder on cast iron supports. It carries two pipes, of 33 inch and 36 inch diameter. (Geograph)

Derwent Mouth is the confluence of the River Trent coming in this picture from the left and the River Derwent, which looses its identity here on the right. Our route to the Trent and Mersey Canal is straight ahead, between the two rivers.

A boat was already coming down at Derwent Mouth Lock - we had met the boater when we passed this way a few weeks ago. He said then that he did not move very much!

No need to close Shardlow Flood Lock - only excuse for including the picture again is to assure Adam that we can sometimes get the names right!

This boat is moored at Shardlow - it looks splendid and a challenge for non-Gaelic speakers to pronounce! They really do want us to know where they come from but not too make it too easy. Always curious we put the LatLong into Google and found that it points to Taynuilt on the A55 into Oban in Scotland. Presumably this is the Anglicised version of taigh-an-uillt!

Unlike to next few locks, Shardlow is a remarkably shallow. Both cottages at the lock are under renovation but the Lock House work seemed to have come to a halt after a bit of demolition. A Notice from  CaRT very recently indicated that it was now and should not encroach on the canal side access. Close, though!

And so to Aston Lock. It is rather deeper than the first two on the canal and we had to make sure that the boat really was under rope control before opening paddles to lift it up. As we were just opening the gates, two boats arrived in the other direction so we could leave the lock to them to close up. We found a space where we hoped, just beyond the upper lock landing to moor for the night - a bit earlier had been rather noisy from a main road.

4.0 Miles - 3 Locks

Sawley Bridge Marina

Today's Navigations : River Soar, River Trent, Sawley Cut

There was fairly wet rain as we awoke but it gradually cleared before 9. The view upstream from our mooring was  much pleasanter than the space that we had been heading for last night!

We were in no doubt that we were directly under the flight path - this one had rather less than a minute before touch down and taxiing to its unloading spot. We say 'unloading' not to depersonalise the passengers but more because we were rather surprised when looking up individual planes overhead to discover that at least as many are cargo flights as holidaymakers opting for a low cost airline to a stay in sunny Spain (or wherever) Although the  arrivals list on the airport web site only listed about five flights due in for 10:30, there was already a steady stream.

Just after setting off we could see The Hermitage, a splendid house on the opposite bank. At one time there was a much fuller view of the frontage but trees and shrubs now get in the way. 

After being in the same family for 48 years to came on the market in 2021 for just under £2 million but a report in LeicestershireLive in 2022 said that it had not yet sold and the price dropped to £1.6 million. Although parts of the property date back some time - it is said that the family of Catherine Parr once owned it - it has also been significantly extended and updated in the 20C. Its name comes from its use at one time as a spiritual retreat for use by senior churchman mid journey.

And so to Kegworth New Lock (once known as Kegworth Deep, a much more helpful name!) It proved to be as difficult to fill as when we came up. Even though we did not forget the ground paddle this time, it made little difference and for a long time it stayed at just one brick of the river level above, until we resorted an Unauthorised Boater Technique which eventually allowed us to open the gates. (If you want to know how we managed it, you will have to find a black op communication channel to get in touch with us!)

Emptying the lock was a much faster operation!

Kegworth Shallow Lock was, as expected, a 'straight through' setting - we had toyed with the idea of making to here for last night but if there was no room then we would have had a problem as there is little else before the Trent! As it happened, there would have been just one space available but we would have had to deal with Kegworth Lock at the end of the day. It was much pleasanter where we were.

The last lock on the River Soar that we needed to operate was at Ratcliffe. We came through at pace as a boat was just leaving and we were helped by a boater that had arrived below and was waiting to ascend. He and is wife started Continuous Cruising  three and a half years ago and are still very much enjoying there lifestyle.

Redhill Marina seems to have made good progress over the last few years to upgrade itself.

As we passed, a nervous owner was watching very carefully as his boat was being lifted out in the large cradle. They seem to be focussing on boat painting here from what we have heard.

A short distance later (again, the flood lock was open at both ends) we were out on the wide expanse of the River Trent, making sure that we turned in the right direction - that weir looks quite menacing even in the benign flow. (see here for when we negotiated this junction in less friendly conditions) After the fast rate down the last part of the Soar our speed over the ground came right down as we now travelled upstream. Whilst back in the crossing cited above we thought we were not making much speed, the sudden expanded water  can be deceptive and we suspect that this time was not a lot different, really.

We then passed one of the boat clubs based at this intersection, with the canalised section towards Nottingham off on the left of the picture.

We continued upstream for about a quarter of an hour and at Sawley Locks we first called at the service pontoon, just under the railway bridge and the pontoon at the river level. We slightly adapted our plan as we have opted to book a night in the marina but water and elsan are not quite as convenient there than on the pontoon. One of the lockies came around to see if we were planning to use the locks and so when we eventually set off up river to turn around and them make the very sharp turn around into the lock entrance, the gates w3ere already open for us. This is very helpful - more so here than in many aces because there is no proper lock landing and most boats have to ask one of their crew to make the nerve racking climb up a vertical ladder to get to the operating controls.

The two volunteers brought us up smoothly and efficiently and we were soon on our way along Sawley Cut to the marina. We called first at the fuel station to fill up with diesel - Christine eventually managed to wrestle successfully with the process to obtain our moorer's discount! When Mike was removing the fuel cap ready for the fill, he found that the restraining chain had come apart from the cap. He could not find anything on board to retrieve the chain from down the fuel pipe but managed to get a piece of stour wire (actually a spent welding rod!) which when bent into a hook end, did the job. Alas, he then found that the small piece of metal that holds the chain in place had disintegrated (which is why it was detached rather than by the use of too much force) He later found something as a likely replacement but as Christine had by now come back with the helpful member of staff (who sorted us out last week!) this latter repair is 'work in progress'.

Finally we had to reverse back to the marina entrance and then weave our way around to our mooring - we are on the same spot as last time so able to use the electricity on the meter that we had left over time. The car shuffle to Brinklow will now be tomorrow morning.

5.2 Miles - 3 Locks

Kegworth

Today's Navigations : River Soar, Loughborough Cut

Although we have noted several times in this blog, we have only had one really sunny day so far. Today was no different. However, it would be unfair not also to mention that we do not recall a single day when we did not at least a glimmer of blue sky. Today it took until well after we had moored for the occasionally slightly damp clouds to clear and leave us with a fine evening - at least it meant we could see  quite clearly the planes arriving to land at the airport just over a mile way. We could, in any event, hear them as the flight path, alas, was directly overhead! A heavy shower arrived soon after sunset.

First stop today was Barrow Deep Lock, just 100 metres ahead of where we moored overnight, even if it was then out of sight. As we prepared the lock,  a group of youngsters were carrying out several large kayaks from the nearby caravan park for an adventurous trip that would include shooting the rapids down the bypass weir.

This gives some indication of just how deep the lock is when emptied to the lower level.

A river section followed and at the end of it we passed through Pillings Flood Lock as we entered the long Loughborough Cut. (Many of the River Soar locks below Leicester are on some sort of bypass cut but other then here they are fairly short)

We were rather nonplussed by this line of bollards - a useful mooring but in the middle o nowhere. Sometimes this is because they were once associated with a wharf or a mill but the older maps show nothing at all in this location.

We now entered the outskirts of Loughborough where a substantial amount of housing has grown up over the past two or three decades - and still continues to spread outwards. On our journey upstream we spotted several signs that warned boaters to take care because of works in progress, but we failed to see what they were. We took a closer look his time and, firstly saw that one of the logos on the signs was that of a demolition company.

Just after passing under this bridge we looked back to see some scaffolding that was yo assist with the rebuilding of the brick wall alongside the canal. The site contained a rather decrepit looking industrial building which we suspect is why a demolition  company is involved. More housing?

During the past few days we heard somewhere that the Great Central Railway restoration trust have now received planning permission to extend their line further north - you may remember that we commented how the line comes to an abrupt halt just to the left of this photo.

We have now discovered that the next project is to fill in the 'missing gap' of around 500 metres gto where another trust has restored the section of the Great Central line into Nottingham. One of the main obstacles was the A60 where the original bridge/viaduct has been removed. So far, this bridge has now been restored but is still someway from either track. Clearly the remainder of the work also has an obstacle - restoring the level of the track back up to its original height. The photo shows what lies just to the left of the previous picture - a major drop won of about 2 or 3 metres! So far we have not discovered any details of how this is to be achieved.

We continued on to Loughborough Junction. We could have moored just before but that is an extra walk to the shops so we speculatively started to turn towards the basin knowing that if there were no spaces we would have to come back to the junction and reverse a short way to tie up. However, as we came out under the junction bridge a couple of walkers kindly told us that there were two spaces free in the basin! The other two spaces looked remarkably like they did when we left here nearly a week ago! Both boats seemed to be here for a good stay.

After a visit to the nearby Sainsbury supermarket we continued on down to Loughborough Lock as it was still not yet quite lunch time. Here we found a couple of lads who wanted to see how a boat goes through a lock. Mike quickly handed them a lock key and they equally quickly picked up what was needed to be done. They cycled off down the towpath but our hopes of having fully trained lockies to help at the next lock - alas we later saw them cycling back up again - perhaps we were too slow for them!

Half way to Bishops Meadow there is this brick bridge, still confusing called Swing Bridge. Some guides, and occasionally in notices from CaRT there is an assumption that this really is a swing bridge. On the maps from early 1900s, a swing bridge is indeed marked here but by the time we started to use this road in the late 1960s it had been replaced. As far as we know, it only serves the long term moorings and the lock cottage at Bishops Meadow.

Just after the bridge  a number of cars are parked alongside and amongst them we spotted this one, its postfix A reg means that it dates from 1983 (unless it was purchased as a special) At over 50 years on the road it has done well.

We paused above the next lock for lunch. A boat arrived just as we were 'thinking' about resulting our journey and quickly enquired if they were going down, hoping to be able to share the work. But alas, they were heading for the water point but by now we were ready to go ourselves.

Soon after the lock we rejoined the River Soar for a long bendy section.

We managed a better photo of Normanton Church although some blue sky would have improved it further.

At Zouch we shared the lock with another boat that had just entered it ahead of us. They were only out for a short trip and so allowed us to go ahead of them once the lock was empty. A large log caught behind one of the bottom gates that we had to exit separately anyway.

The final stretch was again a pleasant river section of about half an hour brought us down to just above Kegworth Deep Lock where we found  a useful mooring with piling (not a lot of that on the river) so we pulled in and left the remainder of the Soar for tomorrow. A number of rowing crews - not sure where from - were  practising on the river, coxed men's and coxless women's teams. (Sorry, no pix)

9.8 Miles - 5 Locks

Barrow-on-Soar

Today's Navigation : River Soar 

Gain the day started cloudy but not cold, quite pleasant but not good for photos! The forecast had a threat of rain just before lunch time but it looked as if we were going to be on the edge of showery spell.

We had moored just above the lock landing at Birstall so Mike went to set the lock - it had been empty from the day before (we saw almost no boat traffic all day apart from rowing boats and paddle boards. In the wing wall he spotted these two unusual holes which looked as if they had been made fairly recently.

From the other side the view would surely spark the imagination of someone (young or old) with a  creative idea around alien creatures!

Meanwhile the steerer waited patiently as the crew closed up the lock.

Next stop, Thurmaston Lock.

Beside the downstream lock landing is a piece of public art. As yet we have not found anything about it and we did not spot any explanatory board nearby. This style of public art, made by cutting an image from sheet steel, seems to have become more popular in recent times. At least it is much harder for vandals to do much damage.

We paused at the Hope and Anchor to use the water point, as we did on the way up. some local people told Christine that the pub has been closed for some time after it was badly damaged by flood waters.  It has recently been bought by a couple who have experience in running a pub elsewhere. Work is underway to refurbish it and some flood defences have also been created. Not all the work recommended was funded so locals are fund raising to pay for the remainder.

On again and we passed the Junction with the River Wreake.

At Cossington Lock. Christine managed to enlist help from a paddle boarder who was taking a rest on the upstream lock landing. As a result we completed negotiating the lock in short order even though we had to turn it.

Below the lock at the start of a short set of moorings in the weir stream is a fuel boat, seeming open for business. Alas we did not need anything today.

Again, Sileby Lock needed to be filled.

Alongside is a small statue.

We could not decide whether it is intended as a memorial to someone but there are several stones with epigrams written on them. This one says If nothing ever changes then there would be no more butterflies. Interesting thought even if we are unsure what it is intended to tell us!

The main weir is alongside the lock and even in today's reduced flow conditions it still feels quite ferocious. Alas a photo does not have the same impact - perhaps it is the sound as well as the action that creates the feeling. We moored below the lock for a lunch break.

Just before Mountsorrel Lock we passed under the A6 for the first of two crossings in a short distance. The road takes a direct line whilst the river follows a sweeping bend. The bridge may be ordinary but, for the moment. the blue sky was a novelty.

The pub alongside Mountsorrel Lock was reasonably busy even through its extensive outdoor seating was not fully occupied.

From here we a had a half hour run on another very bendy section - by the time we reached Barrow, Mike's shoulder was quite worn out with all the heavy steering! A number of the waterside houses display flags but this one, Thank you VARDS has us stumped. We found several uses of the word or acronym but none seemed remotely worth flying a flag for!

This four bed house is on the market for £800K and comes with a mooring at the end of the garden. Even at that price, it is well below the most expensive in the village that the same agent is managing.

We called at the boater services at the start of the short cut that includes Barrow Deep Lock (that is for tomorrow) We were very keen to use the elsan as for the first time in a long while we were onto our third and final cassette - Leicester does not yet offer such a facility.

Where to moor? There are a few Visitor Moorings just before the services, quite empty and we could easily reverse back to them. However, we then remembered that we were held up here in 2007 (see) we found the adjacent weir very noisy! So, we carried on down the cut and moored just above, but still out of sight of, the lock

8.5 Miles - 6 Locks