More very hot weather was confidently predicted for today, although we had a little of the overnight rain that has caused flooding further south! However, it was not yet hot when we both woke just after 5 am and quickly agreed to turn this to our advantage and make a quick(ish!) getaway.
In our case, 'quick' meant that we were on our way just before 7 am. The sky was still largely cloudy but soon cleared away to leave us with bright blue sky for the rest of our trip.
Christine took a short walk along the towpath last evening and spotted there could well be several boats that have been abandoned. It is not easy for the navigation authorities to be sure and that they are not someone's home, however minimal they may be. Hence the time it takes to have them removed. This one at least should be well on its way to being scrapped, when resources allow (it is quite an expensive task)
We soon arrived at Beeston Lock - paddles are left open at both ends when not being used for the passage of boats. This ensures that the many boats moored along Beeston Cut are not grounded. We met a member of CaRT staff the lock. He said that if one is left closed, someone soon lodges a complaint and he has to come out, when on call, from the other side of Newark.
We had hoped to use the elsan disposal point here. There is a good brick building that until recently offered shower and toilet as well but we were nor surprised to find that they were now permanently closed. What was frustrating was that the elsan seems to have gone as well.
We had not noticed before that there us a small museum and tea room here - we do not know much about it but the milkman has obviously been around and lots of customers for tea are expected!
In most cases, faced with gates this size it would be reasonable to assume they were at the bottom end of a deep lock. Here, these are the top gates and today the rise was perhaps as little as 150mm. We assume that the lock is designed to protect the cut from really high flooding - even higher than the lock landings.
And so we launched out onto the wide expanse of the River Trent, and were glad that we had cleared the prop last night. We bowled along at a good speed even at only 1200 revs.
Although we were on the lookout to take some photos of particular features, these were more destined for our CanalMap picture database and when we came to look for ones suitable for a blog, we discovered that we had been a bit remiss (like wedding photographer missing out the bridesmaids!)
It was still quite early and a decent breeze added to helping make this a very pleasant cruise for just over an hour. We noted this small ship on our last trip but at that time could not see a name. So, we crossed over to take a closer look but still no name. However there was a CaRT registration number which we later looked up. I seems that it is called Arwenack and was built by Groves and Guttridge at Cowes on the south coast in the 1930s. Beyond that so far we have found nothing so, if anyone knows more, please let us know.
There are two well marked obstacles on this reach - this one is probably about the place where once a ferry crossed over.
At the end of this section is Cranfleet Lock, a bit more of a proper rise or fall - nominally 2.7 m but probably a bit less with less water in the river. Another disappointment followed. On the last noted that the list of facilities on the board beside the lock clearly stated rubbish disposal. However, this t4oo has been withdrawn, according to a local moorer because the waste company declined to come down the approach drive (which does not stop plenty of traffic bringing members of the yacht club or day visitors) At least there was a litter bin so last night's prop waste went there along with an empty drink can that Mike collected on his way up from the landing pontoon.
Beeston Cut is quite short - just before the far end are the automatic flood gates which unsurprisingly were wide open!
At the junction with the River Trent there is a brightly coloured display - we could not make out the inscriptions but it did not seem to be the more usual memorial to a local person who died in an accident.
The crossing over the river to the mouth of the River Soar was event free, thankfully, and we were now on rather more sedate surroundings! We soon passed through another flood lock Redhill.
Once more were on high alert as we passed Redhill Marina, on the look our for Oleanna. Alas we did no better than last time - not enough of either of two boats we did spot under cover was showing to determine if it is Macintosh-inspired (see 15 June here).
At Ratcliffe Lock we remembered to avoid the new large gravel bar that blocks part of the lower lock landing. Whilst waiting for Mike to prepare the lock, Christine could admire the local landmark and wonder how much longer it will stand here.
Mike had a very lucky escape at the top gates. He was closing one and stepped off the good brick lock surround onto the rougher ground beyond. Although he noticed that there was a significant drop (the land must have subsided after the lock was rebuilt) he failed to see a deep pothole. This left him falling to his knees but most fortunately not doing any real damage to either ankle or knee (so far at lea
The River Soar, although not to be taken for granted, is a much more intimate affair than the Trent. The temperature was quickly getting up to forecast.
There was nothing significant about Kegworth New (Deep) Lock, one of the risers was missing and so our carefully planned way of securing the boat with Christine in it, we just had to come up gently. And gentle it was! It took over 20 minutes to fill, even with all paddles open.
As we waited, a fisherman came across the top lock on his way back from fishing at the weir. He was very enthusiastic and keen to show off his hand made lures (if that is the correct term) especially this lone which had proved very successful!
We had planned to stop for our overnight mooring just above the lock at the same place as on the last trip. Although it was now getting quite hot, even if still only 11.30, Christine raised the idea of continuing on the Zouch Lock where is a favourite mooring just up onto Zouch Cut. The only downside was that as we left Kegworth, the camera battery ran out and so no pictorial proof of us reaching the revised destination at around 12.40. Fortunately there was plenty of space available (at times others also favour this stopover!)
We were then very relieved to have no further plans for the day except lunch, sleep and dinner! Based on yesterday's experience, the new battery allows us to run a fan in the main cabin for much of the hot part of the afternoon without rushing to turn on the engine every couple of hours or so!
11.8 Miles - 5 Locks
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