The lock walls were alive!

 Today we left for the final leg up to Langley Mill. The sunrise over Sandiacre lock and Lock Cottage was spectacular this morning. Always trying to find a front cover for the society's magazine 'The Outlook', well I'm pretty sure after a crop, this will do.

 

 Remember that wide beam? Well it was moored at Padmore moorings in Sandiacre. The chap was exiting with his dog and I did mention the stoppage at Long Eaton. He was completely unaware of this but asked almost matter-of-factly, how long for? My reply of two months floored him. He knew he couldn't get any further because the boat was too big and he was understandably concerned. I suggested he phone CRT to see if work had started yet, and if not, reverse back to the junction where the disused Derby enters (where we were moored) and head back to Trent Lock. I hope he gets back because there is no tap or toilet pump out facilities anywhere in the area.

Pasture lock was the first lock for today and dismayed to see it full with the top gate open. Ian then informs me the top gate swings open all the time and apart from quickly dropping the water levels in the lock after ascending to keep the gate closed, this gate will continue to swing open. Unfortunately a full lock here didn't bode well with the state of the all the rest of the locks and such was the case

Stanton lock had me shuddering! The lock walls were crawling with what looked like woodlice. Looking on the web I found this information. CLICK HERE to have a read. Asellus aquaticus never have I seen these before, and what is it with that white worm like creatures? Why should they all be in this one lock? Nearby is the Stanton recycling plant, massive pollution happened here in 2012 when a fire raged for over 60 days. I blogged about it HERE. I know these creatures can survive in low oxygen water but it did seem strange that so many were in just this one lock.

The rest of the journey was as predicted. Every lock full and needed emptying first. That was until we reached Stenson Lock. Here we met Jim and Jenn armed with a windlass and who knew we were on our way up because Ian had sent a text yesterday. They joined us on FS for the last leg and thanks to them, had emptied the last 3 locks so no hanging about.  It took over 5 hours to reach Langley Mill and after taking on water and doing the bizz with the cassette at the facilities, we pulled back onto our mooring, plugged into the electrics and put the satellite up.  That's it now until the end of March. If there is anything of interest to mention I will sign in again but for now, farewell for the foreseeable future.

And seen on route, at Padmore moorings this Muscovy duck was a bit too near to the road, I thought.

 And storage containers built near Stanton recycling plant. Not sure what they are storing, but Ian thinks it could be some sort of gas, methane perhaps because Bio Energy was written on the side.

And wildlife,

Goosander or Merganser. I can never decide.