What...Reversing onto a river!!!!

Plans had changed and we are no longer going to stop at Sawley. Feeling most unwell all I wanted to do was get back to Sandiacre to see the doctor. I know I have some sort of infection, my temperature had gone sky high, I'm running to the loo every 5 minutes and I couldn't get warm. So we left by about 9ish and dropped down Stenson lock with the help from a volunteer, Bob. Many of you will know of him as he has been helping boaters on this lock for years. Most welcome considering how I felt because he told Ian to get back on FS where he took the helm and Bob did the the rest.

At Swarkestone the disused Derby & Sandiacre Canal meets the T&M. We moved to our bungalow in Sandiacre in 2003 and was told by Paul Birtles a member of the Derby and Sandiacre canal society that canal would be completed in 5 years. I think that date was too optimistic as funding and finding volunteers is a never-ending task. I just hope it will be completed in our cruising lifetime.

Derby & Sandiacre to the left.

 At Shardlow, we locked down to the River Trent and onwards to Sawley.

Shardlow

Flood lock at Sawley

Sawley lock

No lock keeper manning this lock now. Too late in the year so Ian got to push the buttons again. But all was not well as a blooming great widebeam was on the only spot where I could get Ian back on board. Then it moved off, all would be well after all but no, talk about messing around. The bow rope was still attached to the bollard and knotted so badly that undoing would take an age. Nothing for it but Ian to climb down the ladder and for me to hover midstream until they sorted themselves out. Turns out this was a brand new boat and a 'new to boating' couple. They told us they were still finding their feet and was scared they may damage the boat. Hmmm, I don't think that will be long judging by their handling skills.

Turned left off the River Trent onto the Erewash canal and in front was Trent lock with an open bottom gate. I cruised in forgetting to stop at the landing to allow Ian to get off so another ladder to be negotiated. Up we go and onto the facilities. Both cassettes needed emptying and then the worst news! Elsan was out of action and the Metro Rod Drain Care and Repair van was on site. C&RT was also about and came to break the bad news to us. With no immediate fix to the drains there was nothing for it but to reverse back into the lock, descend, and then reverse out of the junction onto the river. By now the time was well after three. By the time we made it back to Sawley, tied to the pontoon below the lock, empty both cassettes and then get back to the Erewash again, ascend the lock and get moored it was nie on dark. Not feeling great this was a big blow as all I wanted was to sit down in front of the fire and wally in self pity! And for C&RT not to put it on their advisory list (and it's still not on even though the C&RT chap said he would phone it through to the office) is yet another bad mark against them.

Erewash canal

C&RT breaking the news.

Descending backwards to the river

Out of the lock towards the river

Out onto the river

Pontoon by Sawley with the facilities above

Back to the lock

We did leave this gate open when we left for Sawley. The chances of another boat coming along at this late hour was very slim and we felt it would be quicker for us on our return..

Last photo before we moored.

And I did take a few wildlife photos in between staying below in the warm,