After spending Saturday bbq’ing with friends, on Sunday we were treated to a trip out on St George. Look out for her on the Queens’s pageant as she will be taking part in the flotilla to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee. Thank you to Eric and Maggie for a lovely afternoon.
It was touch and go as to whether we were going or not as the River Soar had gone into flood. Luckily the river dropped overnight so we set off Friday morning. We had a very pleasant cruise mooring overnight at Trent Lock, where we were meeting up with other boaters from the Soar Boating Club.
Heading towards Kegworth Deep Lock
Trent Lock, moored on the floating pontoon
Saturday morning we headed up the Erewash Canal, where we had plans to moor above Sandiacre Lock. The lock cottage was opened for us to look around and a slide show was arranged for the evening by the Erewash Canal Preservation Society, showing all the hard work they have done over the years.
Approaching Long Eaton Lock
Moored above Sandiacre Lock at the junction of the Derby Canal
The lock keeper’s cottage, dated 1779, is open to the public on Sunday afternoons.
Perhaps one day we will see the Derby Canal back in water, at the moment it is used as a cycle way
Harrington Mills in the background, former lace mills characterised by semi-circular turrets housing staircases. It is also where I now work at AMX Design, situated on the second floor.
As the forecast was not looking very good for Monday, we decided to head back in the dry on Sunday. We will definitely re-visit the Erewash Canal and make it to the Great Northern Basin at Langley Mill.
We are not going to be long term cruising this year, but will still keep updating the blog now and again. It seems strange not setting off this year in March knowing we wouldn’t be back until September, but we will still be enjoying our boating just the same.
Early morning at Normanton on Soar
Ian having fun in Paul’s new classic speed boat
Launching the Avenger
Heading back to Kegworth
Flying our newly acquired flag, having joined the Soar Boating Club
We had an excellent meal at the Victoria Hotel in Beeston last night, only a short walk from the canal moorings. Set off this morning with blue skies and sunshine, making the final stretch on the Trent very enjoyable. From Trent lock it got quite busy and we were queuing for some time at Ratcliffe and Kegworth Deep lock. Finished a fantastic week off by having a final meal with Paul and Jo at the Otter.
Leaving Beeston lock, passing Beeston Marina
Approaching Cranfleet lock
Turning at Trent lock on to the River Soar
Passing by Redhill Marina
Frogs in the lock chamber at Ratcliffle lock
Approaching Kegworth
Waiting at Kegworth Deep lock
The disused chamber adjacent to Kegworth Deep Lock
Total Locks: 22 locks
Total mileage: Approx 70 miles
We said our goodbyes before setting off this morning. As we approached Nottingham we saw more and more police, Nottingham Forest were playing at home against Leicester. The singing got louder as we neared Castle Lock. A crowd of Leicester fans were outside the pub, it gave us a good laugh as we finally got through the lock. Moored at Beeston tonight where we plan to go out for a meal, along with Paul and Jo’s friends Pete and Anne.
Approaching Holme Lock. The exit for the white water course on the left
Nottingham Forest Football Ground
Waiting for the lock at Meadow Lane
The Waterfront, Nottingham
Castle Lock. The police looking on.
We were planning to moor at Holme Pierrepont again, but as we left Stoke Lock moorings were available on the floating pontoon, so we took advantage. It is a beautiful part of the Trent and we had planned to meet Ian’s cousin Kate and Anthony who were joining us on their boat for a bbq. Unfortunately Paul and Jo had to go off in search of an emergency vet, Charlie had got caught up in some fishing line and the barbed hook had gone through the skin inside her mouth, luckily she didn’t swallow anything, but she did have to be sedated for them to remove it. They got back in time for the bbq, Charlie doing fine although still a bit wobbly on her legs and feeling rather sorry for herself.
The Unicorn, Gunthorpe
Approaching Stoke Lock
Stoke Lock
Looking back from our moorings
Kate and Anthony’s boat Curlew
Had a very enjoyable Italian meal Tuesday evening at Il Castello, finishing the night with a last drink in the micro brewery Just Beer. Spent yesterday exploring the historic market town of Newark, lunching at the White Hart. Set off this morning in grey cloud, but still quite pleasant. Luckily we managed to moor at Gunthorpe where we have yet to decide which one out of the three places we are going to eat in this evening.
Leaving our moorings outside the BW offices at Newark
Leaving Newark Town Lock
Ian’s sister and brother in law’s boat, Wine Down in the centre
Cruising towards Gunthorpe hoping to miss the rain
Waiting below the weir for the lock to open
Moored for the night at Gunthorpe
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