Wow, River Trent higher than we thought.

 17th Jan

The couch to 5K run was in progress opposite the park just as we were about to set off. Wow, it was well attended, over a hundred I think, some in fancy dress, some pushing buggies and some parents running with their children. I'm more of a couch to kitchen person, just to make a cup of tea, and all that running looks far too strenuous for me! I'm blaming my flabby muscles, old age and not being as agile as I once was.

 

Leaving Branston Water Park, that nice gentlemen on his boat, the one who tried to moor yesterday but failed because we pinched his mooring, waved us goodbye. Probably glad to see the back of us! I still feel uncomfortable about what we did. 

 

First lock of the day, Branston Lock

We stopped just past bridge 33 for a Morrison's shop and then continued to Shobnall for diesel. 85p for over 50 litres, take less than that and its 90p litre. It was an easy reverse through the entrance to the marina, the pump is at the far end and this is the best way to get your filler near to the pump. Hardly a whisper of wind to make this manoeuvrer difficult today. 

 

Our aim was to moor past Willington, (after using the facilities) near to the Mercia Marina entrance. OMG, on the skyline before the entrance was this monstrosity. What was being built now? Ian thinks it's flats, I will have to do a bit of research to find out.

 

Jan 18th

Rain was falling heavily as we woke so no thoughts of even attempting to leave for Shardlow. The plan was for a lazy day catching up on TV programs but by 10 am, the rain stopped. A look on AccuWeather for this area showed a window of about 4 hours when no rain would fall. Decision made, we would leave.

No sooner had I cast off when a sudden reverse was needed as this dog jumped out in front of FS. The owner's fault for not looking for boat movement and throwing in a stick. They took note pretty sharpish when they did see FS almost level to them! 

 

What a far cry from when we left mid-October with very low water levels to now. Bywashes by the locks running rapidly and part of the offside bank before bridge 25 had collapsed leaving the canal water to flow into the field.

 

Willington Cooling Towers have become local landmarks. There have been many development plans for the site, but all have been rejected. We personally want them to remain, it's a landmark we welcome, knowing Willington is not far off. 

From Willington we cruised to Stenson and the start of the broad locks that we now have to endure right up to Langley Mill. Stenson is a deep lock, it took forever to fill and nearly as long to empty! New gates have been installed, (not sure when) but still there remains a problem when the nearside bottom gate wouldn't open sufficiently to let FS out. (to make life easier for us only one gate needs to be opened) There is a lot of debris in the water from rotting reeds and penny wort, which may be the culprit, but I suspect it's something more substantial.

 

Swarkstone lock is by the junction of the Derby canal. Only a short section of the arm is still in water, but the TRUST are confident that one day the whole length will be restored.

The River Trent flows very near to the canal at Cliff Wood, bridge 10. We knew the Trent was on red boards, but had no idea just how bad it was. I can't see us getting back to Langley Mill any time soon!

 

Approaching Weston lock, I got such a shock when a loud thud was heard right at my feet. I was mortified to see our tiller pin dog lying in two halves on the deck. Crikey, one of the halves could easily have disappeared into the depths. We sure were lucky they stayed on the deck!

 We were helped at Weston, by the gentleman that lives in the lock cottage. He's been helping boaters for the last 5 days because a widebeam was moored below on the lock landing. Previous to that it had been moored on the water point for three days.  CRT have been informed but to date, nothing has been done!

The rain held off until we reached Shardlow. Not sure if we should attempt to go down the lock and then be faced with no mooring space so we stayed at the top. Tomorrow we will walk down to see what, if anything, is available

 

And seen on route

Offside mooring near Horninglow

Egret