Shardlow to Burton-on-Trent

Fri 6^th September  Shardlow to Weston-on-Trent

We made a prompt start today as rain was forecast later and we wanted to be moored up by then. We left Shardlow and went up through Shardlow Lock on our own. There are no moorings available above the lock as there is a long line of private moorings.

Ready to go in Shardlow

Shardlow Lock

At Aston Lock we noticed that some work had been done on the lock to stop the lock gates swinging open by themselves, and therefore there was no need for the hinged bars that had been there to prop the gates shut.  Soon after this we noticed diesel on the water.

As we approached Weston Lock, it started to rain, earlier than forecast, so we stopped on the lock bollards and put up the hood. We stayed there for about 15 minutes, when the shower passed on, and then we used the lock, the final one of the day for us.

Diesel

Raining at Weston Lock

Into the lock

Spelling confusion

We moored at Cliff Wood, near Weston-on-Trent, and a short while later, the promised rain arrived. We were pleased we had stopped for the day.

Heavy rain at Cliff Wood

From inside the hood

By the stern

After the rain

Evening light

3 locks, 4 miles. Dep 0845, arr 1100


Sat 7^th September  Weston-on-Trent to Stenson

Everything was a bit damp this morning, so we waited until mid-morning before setting off. Sarson's Bridge used to be a railway bridge, but is now a footpath, preceded by a low stone bridge that accommodates a farm track.  Shortly after this, there are good views of a Tudor summer house in Swarkestone. The associated house was demolished centuries ago.

Sarson’s Bridges

The summer house

Soon we came to the first lock of the day, at Swarkestone. This is where the Derby Canal came in from the north to make a junction with the Trent and Mersey. This junction is rightly marked as a winding hole in the Nicholson Guide. A cruising club now use the first part of the canal for moorings. However, there is a sign saying, “No turning in basin entrance”. “Why not?” I ask.

Swarkestone Lock

The Derby Canal – plenty of room to turn

The sign

If we had wanted, for example, to take Maggie and Clive as far as this from Shardlow, we would by now have completed 6 miles and four locks, i.e. about three hours cruising. It would be time to turn round and go back. If we obeyed this silly sign and continued on to the next turning point, it would be another three miles and one lock each way, adding an extra two hours and a half to our journey time. I think I would ignore the sign and turn anyway.  What basin? This is a canal junction.

We stopped for water using a very slow tap by a picturesque toll house with a wharf crane.

Toll house and wharf crane

As we moved off, we noticed another boat following a little way behind us, so we planned to share Stenson Lock with them. When we arrived at the lock, there were two boats coming down in the lock. When it was our turn to use the lock, another boat had arrived behind us. We shared with Taigh-on-Uillt, which means house by the stream in Gaelic.  We moored for the day on visitor moorings above the lock. James checked with the café, but they were just about to close at 2.30pm, so they didn’t have any business from us.

Lock queue

Sharing Stenson Lock with Taigh-on-Uillt

Moored above Stenson Lock

2 locks, 5 miles. Dep 1120, arr 1425


Sun 8^th September  Stenson to Burton-on-Trent

We had stopped at Stenson mainly because we didn’t want the noisy trains at Willington. We had decided to visit Willington Baptist Church, where we have been on two previous occasions.

This morning there was a heavy dew, and there was mist rising from the water, particularly from the lock. It was chilly, and we put on the central heating.

Morning views at Stenson

We set off in good time to get to Willington, use the facilities there, and find a mooring before church.  There was a space just opposite the facilities block, which was very handy. Even more handy was the fudge boat, moored behind us, so we relieved them of some of their produce.

We walked to the church, where we received an excellent welcome, with several people coming to say hello. The worship was led by two ladies on guitars, with a man on gentle drums to back them up.

We visited the Co-op for some items, before having a pleasant lunch in the Green Man. We then set off in the boat once more.

We passed an elderly couple on the towpath, and they jokingly thumbed a lift. We took them at their word and invited them on board, taking them for a 30-minute cruise. They had never been on a canal boat before. They were John and Sylvia. They left us clutching the “How do Locks work?” leaflet. 

Sadly, the photo we took of John and Sylvia seems to be missing, along with two photos taken at the church, and one of the ancient river bridge over the river Dove.

We arrived at Dallow Lane Lock, our first narrow lock for more than three months. It is under a low bridge, and stepping across the lock gates was hazardous, with the danger of banging heads. 

Dallow Lane Lock

We moored a little further on at Shobnall Fields in Burton-on-Trent.

1 lock, 7 miles. Dep 0825, arr 0925 Willington. Dep 1445 arr 1640 Burton.


Mon 9^th September  Burton-on-Trent

Today had been forecast wet, and it was drizzling for most of the day. It was chilly as well, and we lit our coal fire. We had planned to go and explore, but we stayed on board and caught with some admin.

Moored at Shobnall Fields

Smoking chimney

Next: A visit to the brewery, some shopping, and a continuation of our journey in a south west direction along the Trent and Mersey Canal.