A Shocking Way to Start the Day - 10 May

Thursday 10th May
Nottingham to Stoke Lock, River Trent
6.5 miles, 3 locks

An early foray to Sainsburys for a few fresh supplies was on the agenda for this morning.  Provisions secured and just as I rounded the corner and was in sight of the boat a young lass in her 20's was knocked off her bike by a Canada Goose.  It just took off and ploughed right into her.  Chris was on our stern deck and we both rushed to her aid. Thankfully she suffered nothing worse than a few grazes and dirty hands from having to put the chain back on her bike.  Hand sanitiser and kitchen roll were supplied and she was on her way to work.  I did comment that being late for work due to being knocked off your bike by a goose, might just be a uniqueexcuse!  She replied that she would blame the traffic as she could not take the ribbing that would ensue.

Next task was to find a letter box - easier said than done, but I did eventually succeed, but had to walk as far as the train station.  Having listened to the rain for a lot of the night (along with very noisy geese) we were pleased to find the sun on our backs when we headed off past our first goslings of the year

 one of whom had been left behind on the wall - it did make the leap down eventually

to the first lock of the day just past Nottingham Castle.

 Out of the lock and under the bridge which has a large complement of pigeon spikes - which the pigeons seem to use as places to roost!

The area round what used to be a canal museum is certainly very attractive

We both stopped to use the services at Trent Bridge (we think the taps here win the prize for being the slowest in the country - unless anyone knows any better?) before going down the lock and back onto the

River Trent where they are about to build some new properties which I am sure will be quite pricey given the location by the river and overlooking

Trent Bridge Cricket ground City Ground - home to Nottingham Forrest (thanks Adam)

Past what used to be the Grantham Canal

A brief stop was made at Holme Pierrepoint Water Sports Centre where Sue, Monty and I went for a walk.

When we stopped here four years ago the whole area was a hive of activity (see here if you are interested - https://pippa13.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/to-gunthorpe-holme-pierrepont-and-then.html), but today everywhere was completely deserted.

A new addition since 2014

which looks like awesome fun - well it would have been for us a few years ago!

 Even the very lengthy rowing lake was deserted

Yet more white water as we made our way back to the boats

and on to Holme Lock - our first big Trent lock which we went through with another narrow boat.  The lock is 40 feet deep (despite what the sign at the lock says it must mean 40 foot long) (edit number 2 - having had a re-think, it is much longer than 40 foot long; we reckon it is 40 foot deep when empty, rather than the rise and fall) and when full holds enough water for 10,000 baths.  Each year the gates at this lock open and close more than 4000 times to let boats through.

Good timing for these two boats who were approaching the lock as we left.  It is so good to have deep water under the hull again. 

Our destination for today was the moorings just above Stoke Lock.  The age old question on big rivers – would there be any room as the pontoon only takes 3 boats.  Our luck was in – almost made to measure.

And what a spot – for the first time this trip we have fantastic views from the side hatch.  This is definitely going down as a 5 star mooring.

To cap it all there is even great walking for humans and dogs.  A woodland walk

and some lagoons to explore.  

Sue, Monty and I set off to find the latter, but first we had to get through a gate that was completely new to both of us – a clapper gate.  I expected the two sides to move together, but, no they are entirely separate.  

The Netherfield Lagoons are a part of a nature reserve.  Utter peace and quiet – just the sounds of water and birds singing in the trees.

Walk back to the Radcliffe Railway viaduct, turn right 

and you will come across the first lagoon which is large and a haven for water birds

What we could not place was the four structures that the birds are making good use of.  They are obviously man made, but neither of us has any idea what purpose they serve other than a place for the birds to land?  

 Could those pipes be places for chicks to seek shelter?  If anyone knows, please leave a comment. Thank you.

The second lagoon (there are others, but we failed to find them) appears to have a pond dipping platform 

with an information board showing what may be found.

The whirligig beetle is a new one to me - most of the time they swim close to the surface and swim in erratic circles when alarmed - hence the name.

Before returning to the boat we walked up to the lock – a very well-tended area with one of those audible devices that gives your arm a good work out winding clockwise to start the tape.  It was worth the effort as it tells of the work of the volunteers who work so hard to manage this small piece of woodland.

Whilst we enjoyed a cuppa after our walk we had the thrill of an historic boat (Python from the Chesterfield Canal) sailing past.  Such a distinctive and evocative noise.