Part 2. A snail could go faster!

Friday 25th Oct (early afternoon)

So back to yesterday, That mooring space we pulled in at, not the nice straight edge one would have liked but a long sweeping curve making side fenders useless. Only by fixing the balloon fenders bow and stern could FS stop knocking on the side. While Ian was sorting this I happened to notice two C&RT bods by a workboat. "I'll just go and see if they know what the state of the river is," said I. And they did. "The Soar is in flood," said he. "But at the moment the Trent is within normal parameters." "Right then, should we try and make it to the Erewash?" I asked. His reply was yes "because there is a lot more rain to come overnight and the Trent will no doubt be on the rise and be on red boards later this evening."  Ian had just secured those balloon fenders when I returned to tell him we had to leave NOW.

Heading toward the Shardlow stop gates and the first thing we noticed was the Red light. "What the" I exclaimed. "That C&RT chap said the Trent was still open!"

But phew....the red light was for the Soar, not the Trent.

Derwent Mouth lock and we descended onto the river.

Looking at the marker board below the lock it appeared to be only just into the amber but we powered on anyway knowing there was a big weir to get past.

Amber or still in the green? Hard to tell by this marker below Derwent mouth lock.

Weir at Sawley

 Approached Sawley and the flood lock gates were closed. Gosh, I can't remember the last time Ian had to go and set this lock. Both the bottom gate and the top gate had red paddle markers meaning in times of high water those paddles must be left in the raised position when leaving.

Sawley stop lock closed. In normal river conditions, both top and bottom gates are left open.

Canalised section and making our way toward the lock

Green light showing it was safe to proceed down to the river. Sawley lock

This below Sawley lock

The rain had started again and we were most relieved to reach the junction of the Erewash Canal. Even with the river only just in Amber a bit of power was needed to do the left turn.

Junction of the Erewash

Having successfully made it off the river the plan was to stay at Trent lock for the weekend (because of the Rugby again!!!) but how dismayed were we at seeing all the moorings, including the facility point, all taken up by boaters. Wonder what the reason was as we have never seen it so full. What it did mean though was we had to continue onwards and in the pouring rain too, just when I was so looking forward to drying out by the stove!

Got to Long Eaton Lock (full and had to be emptied) ascended and Ian broke the bad news that the levels were down by a good 18 inches. Oh eck, best keep to the middle then!

 But then it all went horribly wrong. We inched forward at a snail's pace with the prop digging deep into the silt churning the clear water to a muddy soup and hardly making any headway at all. Even the ducks were unconcerned by our progress.

Ian decided to phone C&RT just in case we got stuck. "Oh yes we know about it," said the lady on the other end of the phone. "It has already been reported and we have dispatched our guys". "You should notice a rise in levels shortly" Well, that was a relief we thought still doing the heady speed of about a half-mile an hour! Then suddenly we ground to a halt. Into reverse and a horrible drumming noise followed by the boat bouncing. Into forward and the same thing happened. We were going nowhere! Down the weed hatch was the answer so it fell to Ian to do the deed. (My excuse...he has longer arms and I couldn't possibly get my hands dirty, think of the nails!!!)

Ground to a halt but to far away from the side to get off.

Thought I might have seen some fishes so near to the bottom were we.

Could be the remains of a holdall.

 Took an hour to do nearly a mile but finally we made it to Dolkholm lock. Thank goodness for those fishing platforms although I felt they were an unnecessary structures as very few fishermen had ever used them. I think they were installed when the Angling fishing championships were held a few years ago. Anyway, I digress. Ian managed to leap onto one of the platforms and while I tried to stay away from the side, Ian ran ahead to set the lock.

Now, I fully expected it to be empty with paddles up 'cos wasn't C&RT supposed to be running water down? The answer was no, not a sign that they had been there at all and so it was when we arrived at Sandiacre lock. That too needed emptying and I'm sorry to say but this annoyed me. We may have been stuck for all they cared. Of course, being cynical it was late Friday afternoon and I don't suppose they wanted the bother so close to knocking off time!

So we managed to nuzzle back into the arm, first pushing Destiny out of the way (permission had been given by the owner) and all night the rain fell. Saturday morning TV went on and Ian was ecstatic that England had won, not expecting that against such a good team as NZL  And what of  C&RT? No idea if they had turned up or not, we saw no sign of anyone on Friday pm and I doubt they would have turned up during the heavy rain on Saturday. Judging by how much water was flowing over the bywash today, they probably won't need to after all that rain.

Photo was taken this morning. What a change in the weather eh?

Lots of water flowing.

I must admit there was much relief of being able to plug into the bungalows electrics. Ian will take the travel pack and alternator to Cox's on Monday and the Snipe satellite dish sent back to Germany. Then all he has to do is repair the electric gate on the bungalow for the tenants and we will be free to head back up the Erewash.

And wildlife,