Again. with high temperatures confidently forecast for today, we made an early start. We have used our overnight mooring before and found it pleasant and quiet despite the proximity to the main rail line between Leicester an Loughborough. At this point it is barely 100 m away but the thick line of trees shields some of the sound and there is not much at night time, Certainly we were not disturbed by its presence.
We immediately arrived at Pillings Lock where there is similar flood protection, including a radial gate, like that at Zouch, The warning signs definitely try to frighten boaters!
As expected, the lock itself was open at both ends. The result is quite a distinct flow along Loughborough Cut until the navigation joins the river again below Bishops Meadow Lock.
Next was Barrow with the attractive County Road Bridge just below the lock. There is now a sign advising boaters to pass through the central arch - alas it has a diagram that shows only three arches, not the actual five! (To be fair, the Grade 2 listed entry describes it as having three main arches and two sub-arches) It dates from 1845 although it looks somewhat older.
We have been having an email dialogue with CaRT Customer Services since out issues on the last trip. It is not an issue that CaRT are right to review what are their core services and duties but the implementation has most definitely less that good quality. Signage, consultative notices and actual practice had fallen below even the meanest of standards. This came to a head last time here at Barrow and so we were on high alert to see how the actuality compares with what Customer Services have said.
The first point we noted were (at least) two signs that direct boaters to take their waste to the nearby Mill Lane. We have not been able to find any reference to Mill Lane Services but guess that most boaters would assume that Barrow Mill is meant) This, of course, has been closed on the grounds of inability to upgrade to the new standards and the contractor's unwillingness to find a way to collect the contents.
We pulled in to the service mooring where the signage has been altered to remove the elsan and the water point sign hand scrawled to confirm the changes. (BTW, the CaRT online map still shows water and elsan available here).
Keen to empty a cassette, Mike checked the service block and found that the door to the elsan could now be opened with a standard Watermate key. However, the sign has been defaced to confuse! The inside to the unit looks as if it has been removed from the cleaning rota.
At least a little bit mollified we set off again and immediately passed the short designated Visitor Mooring. If you have followed this saga, the signage will not come as a surprise!
The nice blue signs were installed on a justification of enhancing the CaRT reputation. It does not take an expensive consultant to know that failing to maintain their accuracy more than negates the impact and leaves the organisation looking less than well organised.
The next stretch is lined on the Barrow side with properties that come down to the water's edge. It does not look as if many fear much of a flood as expensive items are close to today's river level.
Nearing Mountsorrel we saw quite a lot of horses, many with very young foals. (The nearest had buried themselves in the waterside reeds so a good picture proved elusive) We understand that the land is owned by a gypsy and traveller organisation. Fleeting conversation with someone on the bank indicated that the Betty Hensers horse fair is this coming weekend but we have so far found it invisible on the internet.
Certainly, quite a number of vans have gathered in the next field. (See here for our previous encounter!)
We noticed on the far skyline some obviously industrial units. Looking later at our maps we believe that they form part of the Mountsorrel Quarry, currently owned by Tarmac.
In 1860 the quarry was connected to the main rail line near Barrow station, crossing the river on this splendid single track viaduct, still thought by some as one of the finest of its age. The track has since been lifted but today material is transferred on a conveyor belt to a Tarmac Railhead where it can then travel onward by a proper train.
Sileby Mill looked as attractive as ever, especially enhanced by the blue sky background.
We then only had Cossington and Junction Locks before we could retreat from the heat and glare of the midday sun and sit out the afternoon on a favourite mooring. Mike did have a check on the prop to do as he thought that the boat was being a little sluggish again, but thankfully nothing much was found.
The water was better at reflecting the camera and tiller arm than the prop but it is just possible to make out the bundle of weed below (in the picture) the prop. The task was made more difficult than it should be as the cabin metalwork on the outside was too unbearably hot to touch for more than a couple of seconds at a time! Getting down to the hatch necessitates levering oneself by holding onto the structure!
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