It's all our fault - again! 8th May

Tuesday 8th May 2018
Trent Lock to Nottingham
10.25 miles, 3 locks

This day marked the start of part 2 of our 2018 cruise when we would join forces with nb Cleddau and crew until we arrive at Gayton Junction in early August.  Once again the sun was shining, the sky was blue with just a very pleasant gentle breeze.  Sadly all around us lay the detritus from an exceptionally hot Bank Holiday weekend - rubbish bins overflowing onto the grass and many empty glasses left around the lock for the unwary boater to trip over.

Once the boat had been filled and emptied as required we were ready to go.  Ken came and gave us a hand to get down Trent Lock and onto the river and then we were off onto open and deep water with, joy of joys, nothing fouling the prop.

Past the sailing club

To the

Through the open flood gates

and onto the Cranfleet Cut

To Cranfleet lock with one of the biggest lock landing stages we have ever come across.

Patience was required as there was a wide beam and a narrow boat to get through the lock before us.  The sun was warm on our backs and we were in no hurry - it was just a savoured opportunity to chat to fellow boaters- well for Sue and I - the men were left in charge of the boats.

 Cranlfeet is a pretty lock with a well tended garden

which at the far end has a lock keeper lurking in between the plants

 The view along the unnavigable part of the Trent is pretty good as well.

 At last it was our turn and Tentatrice and Cleddau shared a lock for the first time since 30 September 2016.

What I do need to remember about this lock and the next at Beeston is that they have windlasses permanently secured to each paddle, so no need to take your own.  Last time we passed this way (four years ago) a lock keeper told us it was because on a busy bank holiday they could see up to 250 boats going through the lock in a day and the last thing they needed was to have to cart a windlass around all the time.  Today there was no lock keeper - no doubt recovering from what I am sure was a very busy weekend.

It had taken around an hour, but we did eventually escape and were on our way to

Beeston Lock - the last of the day.  We had passed the very slow wide beam between the locks and the narrow boat must have been long gone as there was no sign of them.  The lock landing was, as you can see, very busy.  So much so that Chris gave up trying to avoid a small cruiser and breasted up with Ken.  By the time they started to enter the lock the wide beam had arrived and was forced to hover until they had left space for them to moor up.

Beeston is another well tended lock.  The water level between the river above the lock and the canal below it was almost level, so the transit was smooth and quick, once we had worked out what we were supposed to do with the red paddles.  It is another lock that you are supposed to leave the red paddles open (one at each end) - the people before us hadn't which added to the confusion.

And so onto Beeston Cut on the Nottingham Canal to make our way to Nottingham itself.  Chris spotted something lurking behind the bushes

 It is a 'porta loo' repository!

Just before the marina in Nottingham Sue, Monty and I walked ahead in the hope we would find a mooring somewhere near Sainsburys.  Boats were nose to tail all the way along, but we were in luck as there was a space just large enough for two boats right by the grass and paths that lead to a very large Sainsburys.  The boat behind us moved off once he had finished shopping, so we had even more room.

Mooring with the starboard side to the towpath gave us the first opportunity to admire Cleddau's side hatch doors with their clever interpretation of Roses (Tudor Rose)

and Castles (Pembroke Castle)

So what in all this was our fault?  Well as the photos show the weather was perfect all the way, but someone (Chris) had broken out his shorts and then someone else (me) suggested we make use of the lovely grass area to have a barbecue.  Yes you have guessed it - it rained!  Dinner was cooked on our respective boats and we then convened for coffee on Cleddau to plan the next few days until we get to Lincoln.  We are a day ahead of schedule, so it will be a leisurely cruise.

Postscript - as we were sailing along today a boat passed us called Isadora II.  As we went past the lady on the stern started waving and shouting.  Sadly we did not hear what was being said.  We got the impression that they recognised us.  We were at a loss, so if you are a reader of this blog please leave a comment and let us know who you are.  Thank you.