Introduction

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2014 Voyage begins - at last! Erewash Canal to Shardlow (2.35miles, 3 locks)

Our brief wait at Trent Lock on the Erewash Canal at Long Eaton (Nottinghamshire) ended up being a long week, after rain raised the River Trent water levels dramatically.
The following pictures show yesterday's little voyage.


Approaching Sawley locks on the River Trent

All week, we have been busy transforming the bare shell interior of the butty into a basic workshop, shop area and store with the additional 19feet we have gained through the recent stretch.



Gracefully steering along Sawley cut (sorry about picture quality)

As we have the car back now from the garage, we have been able to get the bits and pieces needed for the rest of the work and also were in the right place to have all the wood delivered.


Trent and Mersey Canal straight on!

So, yesterday, the water levels went down into the amber, enough for us to decide to move. Richard had spent most of the morning flushing and coaxing large branches and rubbish out from the exit of the lock and onto the river Trent, with not much success and it swirled around and came back in before we could set off!


Approaching Derwent Mouth lock in the sunshine

We filled up with water, emptied the cassettes, took the rubbish to the bin and set the lock up to go down onto the river.  Leaving the Erewash Canal, there was a tense moment as Richard struggled with the steering with all the rubbish tangled around the propellor.  He had got rid of it before leaving the next lock and normal steering was resumed.


Waiting to leave Derwent Mouth lock

I had leapfrogged the car to Sawley and met Richard at Sawley lock, ready with the gates open.  The blood pressure was up as I had run with Lister from the car park, but got there with loads of time to spare.  


The boys relax after a good charge around on the towpath

The intention had been to just get off the river and be within a walk to the car, so we had moored at Shardlow just above the Derwent Mouth lock.
Today, Richard finished the counter and shelving woodwork inside, we now have to wait for the sheets (side cloths) to be ready for collection.....

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