School Outings - 1st May

Bridge 10 Trent and Mersey to lock 60 on The Erewash Canal
7.25 miles, 7 locks

What a difference a day makes.  The sun was shining, the sky was mostly blue and the birds were singing happily, high in the trees.  There was still a wind, but the temperature was a lot warmer - no hat, coat or gloves today.

Before we could head off we did have a cleaning job to do - something (we think squirrels) had been using our roof as a latrine!  We have suffered bird donations a plenty, but never anything like these droppings left behind overnight.

Monty and I headed off to the first lock - you can just see Tentatrice in the far distance about to leave our rather lovely mooring.

Looking through the hedge I was rewarded with a view of the River Trent.

 Then across the cut a blanket of bluebells

Before long we were at the first lock of the day - Weston Lock which was fairly full, so it was not long before we were able to get in and close the gates behind us.  Then across the bridge at the bottom of the lock came a group of primary school children - 9 and 10 year olds, so I guess they were year 5.  So here was I with a large audience spread out across the bridge and to my dismay the paddle gear was almost impossible to shift.  I heaved, strained and struggled, but did eventually win the day.  Lock mechanism was explained and the name 'gongoozler' explained to the teachers. I was told they were out looking for sounds as they are writing a sound poem.  We certainly gave them a lot of rushing water, the paddle gear going up and down and possibly a few grunts and groans from me.  I was offered some help with the gates, which I readily accepted and three of them were appointed as 'lock gate movers'.  I asked if they had had a good breakfast and had lots of muscles - one told me she had had 4 weetabix!  They certainly did the job and the gate was opened and closed without effort.  If you look closely at the lock bridge you can just see the tail end of the group heading off to their next destination.

Three youngsters doing what the young do - just gamboling around because they can.

And so to the next lock (Aston) with me in fear and trepidation that I would be doing battle with paddle gear again, but thankfully this proved not to be the case and no lock today gave me the trouble Weston Lock had when I had an audience.

 Shardlow lock came and went and onto

Shardlow - it is obvious that this was a very busy port in times gone by.  The buildings all have new purpose and are mostly well and considerately restored.

The first broad beam we have met this trip, but thankfully not at a blind corner.

On through Derwent Mouth Lock and suddenly you are on large waterway

  

With a field full of swans and few Canada geese.

This is looking back at the Trent and Mersey Canal

Sawley flood lock is often open, but not today

The red paddles (one at each end) have to be left open when you leave.

Past Sawley Marina which is huge - we stopped here four years ago and had real trouble finding our pontoons (we were with nb Cleddau) as none of the pontoons were numbered as you approach by boat!

The entrance to the marina

This broad beam work boat did not make the approach to Sawley lock particularly easy.  That lock is operated for you - two lock keepers on duty today.  They were both very friendly and chatty.

And so we are off and onto the River Trent

Just for a short time as we were heading for the Erewash Canal (on the left where the small boat is also heading for).  It is a very sharp left turn which with wind and flow could have been interesting

particularly when there is a large notice on the bridge to keep right as the wall on the left has been badly damaged.

The small boat was not going up the lock, but he very kindly got his windlass and helped me work the lock.  As we were leaving school outing number two came along - secondary school this time.  We did not get a chance to chat, so have no idea what they were there to learn.

New lock mechanisms to us to be found on this canal that requires 'water conservation keys' (anti vandal).

Just a short distance from the lock we moored up as we want to pull back and use the facilities in the morning.

We arrived in time for a late lunch, so headed to the pub - first The Steamboat Inn, but we were too late and they had run out of food.  The Navigation Inn came to our rescue - they don't do sandwiches, so we had a starter each and shared some triple cooked chips.  The starters were good, but we think they forgot at least one if not two of the 'triple cooks' when it came to the chips.  It was all in the interests of research. When we are here again next week there will be seven of us needing dinner.  I made a booking at The Navigation Inn as the Steamboat do not take bookings as a mater of course.  Next weekend is a Bank Holiday so a booked table is probably essential.