It is officially Autumn, and certainly there was an autumnal feel and look as we left Nottingham, past Castle Marina, and past where the old Nottingham Canal used to connect.
To avoid a large weir at Thrumpton, the navigation leaves the river at Cranfleet, followed by a longish lock cut, before joining the river again at a water crossroads near Trent Lock, where the Erewash leaves to the right, and the Soar joins to the left.
We continued on up the Trent, going through Sawley Locks, operated by volunteers. We went first to the fuel pontoon, where buying fuel was a frustrating experience. To start with, we were not allowed to buy fuel unless we had a BWML (British Waterways Marinas Ltd) fuel card, which we didn’t. We had to go to the marina office to get one, which involved going online to register all our details. Then they only allow fuel at a fixed proportion for tax purposes: 60% propulsion. We normally declare 30% propulsion. Most places allow you to declare whatever percentage you think is right, as boats that travel a lot use more for propulsion than liveaboard boats that only travel occasionally. The use of the BWML card only records the boat and owner details, and is not a form of payment. We still had to use a credit card. Then the final irritation was that the fuel line does not reach the full length of the fuel pontoon, so we had to move the boat!!!!
Getting water was rather easier – connect the hose and turn on the tap.
We moored overnight on the visitors mooring rings at Sawley.
Tue 3rd September Sawley to Shardlow
Today’s plan was to meet Maggie and Clive at Shardlow where they had arrived with their caravan, and take them for a boat trip to somewhere like Kegworth or Zouch on the Soar, and they would bring their bikes and ride back in the morning, while we continued round the Leicester Ring to get to Fazeley.
There was a very poor phone signal both in Sawley and Shardlow, but we had a breaking-up call from Clive to say he had hurt his back and plans would have to change. We said we would come to Shardlow anyway to discuss things.
We set off through Sawley Cut and joined the mighty Trent once more, cruising under the M1 and across another watery crossroads, where the Trent comes in from the left, the unnavigable Derwent comes in from the Right, and the Trent and Mersey Canal is straight ahead.
Derwent Mouth Lock is the first one on the Trent and Mersey, and one of the balance beams had come apart recently, closing the navigation for two days. The repairs had been made, and we could see new welding evidence on the lock gate. Above the lock we saw Seyella moored up, last seen in Nottingham.
Further on we rounded a corner and had to stop, because some men with hard hats were doing some maintenance on the flood gates, which are normally open. They had closed them temporarily, so we had to hang about. There were no bollards, and there was a strong wind, so we were blown into shallow water, where we picked up something on the prop. It turned out to be a pair of trousers.
When the gates were opened and we were allowed through, we puttered on very slowly, spotting Maggie at the first bridge in Shardlow, waiting for us. She came on board, and thankfully we found some visitors mooring rings a little further on, where we were able to tie up and remove the trousers from the propeller.
After walking to Shardlow Marina where their caravan was parked, we all decided that lunch in the Malt Shovel was the best course of action. Farmhouse scrumpy cider – excellent! After snoozes on boat and caravan respectively, we went to the caravan for drinks and nibbles later.
The Malt Shovel
With Maggie and Clive
The Clock Warehouse
Next: two days of boat trips and car excursions based in Shardlow with Maggie and Clive
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.