Beggars belief!

Well well well! Who'd a thought that replacing a paddle would cause more problems than it aught. Such was the case then when we headed into Stenson lock to discover that the paddle on the bottom gate towpath side was out of action and the offside paddle had only recently been replaced. C&RT hadnt quite got it right as the replacement was much thicker which consequently didnt fit in the groove properly. This meant it had become a right B to wind up or down, so tight it was. All this had been relayed to Ian by a volunteer, (not C&RT)  Bob who takes pride in keeping the lock side neat and free from rubbish, helping boaters to ascend and descend and has done for years. With Bob's help, and using both windlasses at the same time (yep you read right!) the paddle was eventually raised. Bob's advise was to now use a long-handled windlass if at all possible which would make winding the paddle up much easier. We have one but I don't suppose many other boaters do.

Stenson Lock

Bob and Ian

For those that don't know this is a paddle. This new one was fitted at Aston Lock when the new gates were replaced.

With only one paddle working emptying the lock took an age. Ian got back on board leaving Bob to see us down. His advice...Go make a cup of tea. Emptying this lock may take 20 minutes and the kettle will have boiled and tea drunk before these gates are opened!

May well have been cold this morning, the mist was rising from the water but a pleasant day to be on the cut.

 Occasionally something is seen that beggars belief and makes for much amusement. This made us wonder who in their right mind would secure a maintenance pan to a twig!

With us passing at tickover and the sapling at full stretch.

I'm sure this won't take many passing boats to dislodge.

So okay....not quite a twig but honestly...I ask you...one speeding boater and this sapling would have been pulled up complete with roots!!!

  We only had 5 locks to do, 3 of which had to be turned. Got lucky at Shardlow with a boat having just left and at Derwent mouth, a lovely couple saw us coming through the bridge 'ole and waited for us to share the lock.

Junction of the Derby and Sandiacre canal to the left and Swarsktonelock on the right. (photo taken on panning mode)

New gates at Aston Lock

Arriving at Shardlow

The nice couple waiting at Derwent Mouth lock for us to join them. The descent was onto the River Trent.

 The short river section took no time at all and as we entered through the stop lock noticed that there were loads of moorings available at Sawley, we picked one midpoint near enough to visit the micropub but equally near enough to the road. We hope to meet Carole and Alan tomorrow for a meal at the Harrington Arms.

Another panning view. The river Derwent joins the Trent

Sawley cut to the right

Stop lock

Wildlife today,