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
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