Short trip down to the Erewash Canal on the River Trent
I have to say that I personally have not really enjoyed my time these last 2 months in a marina, so when Richard said let's go, I jumped up first!
The Trent Lock pub at Trent Lock, the entrance to the Erewash Canal and Cranfleet Cut
The weather was forecast to behave on Richard's first day off (New Year's Eve) and then get crappyly windy again, so we sorted and stowed a few items in the butty and set off down through Sawley Cut lock onto the Trent.
Nice to see people out and about feeding the swans and ducks
Making fast progress down the river, we soon arrived at the Erewash entrance. The river was pushing a bit and this made the boats swing round rather quickly, ready to come in the entry to the lock landing. Richard apologised as he thought we would hit the wall, but once he gave the old Lister another turn on the flywheel, we raced accurately under the bridge with the lock straight ahead.
Clearing twigs and debris off the rudder before attempting to steer in a straight line
A boat was sitting in the lock as we pulled into the side, waiting for us, we thought. I jumped off into a couple of inches of flood water (amber boards) and went to see what was occuring. Apparently they were newbies. I was a bit concerned as they gently exited the lock area onto a running River Trent and turned left to go down river. Later, as we both cleared trees and rubbish from the lock and behind the gates, I turned and saw the same boat slowly going upstream. I hoped they were ok and got to Sawley alright!
Wonderful Mississippi paddle steamer style houseboat, as I like to think of them
The Canal and River Trust must, more frequently, attend to the state of locks on our fascinating 200 year old system as it is falling into disrepair before our very eyes. Trent Lock has both ground paddles out of action, which surely has to be a Health and Safety issue, especially when novices use the system. It is also choked full of allsorts so we couldn't get the gates open and had to ram into the tree across the middle to get in. What is more important, a new cycle track or safety/ upkeep of the system with the booming tourist trade on the canals in mind? Just please take a look at these wonderful monuments once in a while and love our heritage as we boaters and canal users of all persuasions do.
Ok, I'm being naive as usual. Rant over, but seriously, I could cry sometimes!
The butty turning ready to come out of the water
Not realising that the yard were ready for us, we moored on pins just past the lock approach and settled down for the evening. As if he were anticipating this, Paul called up and suggested now was the right time to get us securely moored in the basin, before the storm the next day. The people in the boat opposite must have thought they were watching a Carry On film, as we jumped out, pulled the pins out and finished our short journey into Sheet Stores basin.
Sitting pretty, Echoes basks in her newly cleaned elegance (but with a lot of electrolysis concerningly!)
New Year's day, we walked Lister in the rain and wind to get the car from Sawley, but somehow it didn't bother us. It is so great to get out for a walk together and with a dog (sorry Scoob) and not be on my own as I have been for most of the past 2 months. Today, the butty was dragged out of the water, pressure washed and now resides in the workshop ready for some major surgery.
Back to work for Richard for a couple more days, ready to get the big boat out of the water when he gets back!
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