Homeward bound

 

On the home run now, (shame) it's still early Autumn and much too soon to return to home moorings. But it's that second wave of Covid 19 that has decided us. Best be in a place we know than out on the system somewhere. Having a conversation with Jim and Jenn, (they are of like mind) we have decided to delay our return until next Monday, staying at Sandiacre instead. Gives u's a chance to get a MOT on the car. 

Gosh, it was chilly first thing. Even felt cold in bed! Maybe the time has come to change the quilt for a higher tog rating.

Left for Weston lock at a more respectable hour. Jim took the lead dropping Jen off at the first bridge. Walking is her passion, puts me to shame as, apart from the Llangollen, she has walked all the canal waterways from end to end! 

 

Not far past bridge 12 another tree was down. One boat width to squeeze through and Ian straight on the phone to C&RT to report it.

 

First lock, Weston, and Jen already there raising paddles. Hardly any breeze so both Jim and me held out. A good job too because Jim left Dire Straits right in the middle to bob about and disappeared below.

Jenn still walking and this time toward Aston lock

At Shardlow lock that small dingy is a right menace. Not at all tied on properly it swings out to catch the unawares.

Finally to Derwent lock to take us back down onto the River Trent. Not a fan of this lock, well not so much the lock as the landing at the bottom. It has to have a high wall in case the river rises but makes it extremely difficult to get the crew back on board on normal to low river conditions.

Dire Straits bringing up the rear.

Sawley Flood lock

Sawley's moorings had 2 spaces left. Good-oh  as the plan was to have an end of our cruising season lunch at the Plank and Leggit. And very nice it was too. 3 courses for £6.20, absolute bargain but one had to be a senior citizen to qualify for those rates.

So tomorrow we make for Sandiacre. Back onto the Erewash and lets hope the water problems have been sorted.

And wildlife,

Two Cobs and I though sparks would fly but apart from displaying aggression, it was all a bit 'mouth and no trousers'!