Zouch to Loughborough (3 miles, 2 locks)

Setting off in the morning from Zouch (Zotch, as we apparently should be calling it!) we collected a lovely coal bag around the prop just as the wind pulled the boat over the wrong side of the canal! Richard got the big boat into the towpath as I gently drifted jackknife styly over the far side.

A neighbouring boater, helpfully held the centre line as Richard braved the weedhatch, discovering the offending item and the reason for the aimless and directionless type of steering!

Zouch Road Bridge on a good bend

What a difference a cleared prop makes!  We needed it on the bend out of Zouch!  

Passing the large weir, we speeded up as the flow had slowed us down a little.

Emergency Flood Moorings at Zouch

The flood moorings look a bit unreliable!  I wouldn't want to be in a position to need them, especially as we wouldn't be able to get off the boat to shore?

Properties at Normanton on Soar

We were quite intrigued by the lack of high flood defences along the river, wondering if any of these properties were flooded by the 'yoyoing' water levels of late!

Chalets along the river at Normanton on Soar, much like the property on the Broads

Ooh, the sky started to get a bit heavy as the picture above shows.  As we approached Bishop Meadow lock, signalling the canalised stetch of route to Loughborough, hail came down briefly but painfully.  It left us soaked and the dogs inside, wondering what had just happened!

Helpful boaters had aided us through this lock and so, as we moored for the Loughborough lock around the corner, we prepared the lock for their use.  We always try to repay a service, as we were in no rush to get our mooring at Loughborough ready for the show LOUGHBOROUGH CANAL AND BOAT FESTIVAL. They sailed into the distance as we emptied the lock for the final rise onto the Grand Union (Leicester section).

Loughborough Basin with the facility block to the right.

When we arrived at the Basin, the wind had eased a little thankfully as we moored, hoping for the night, alongside a cruiser and another narrowboat.  The town is a tantalisingly close walk between the Travelodge and the Restaurant in the picture, so we had a wander to stretch our legs.

When we returned, the neighbouring narrowboat furnished us with tales of drunken students and pranks involving unsuspecting boats in this basin.  Also, he pointed out the lack of security cameras...

Moored at the waterpoint in a now empty Basin

We unattached the butty and left it at the visitor moorings whilst Richard reversed the big boat to the waterpoint in the wind.  He went back and pulled the butty over as the water filled the tank.  We were nearly on an empty tank, so we couldn't really wait and it was ok, nobody died!

The Chesterfield Canal Trust's boat Python Chesterfield Canal Trust - Python on their way to Leicester

Mooring along the towpath, narrowboat Python passed us, so we waved and wished them well.  This boat has been restored and is now going to be used as a Learning Boat, as per the above link, and we have been following the work being taken out on it.

The shop is open properly at last!!

We have spent a great week getting to know our neighbours and finding out about all things Loughborough. I swapped the shop from the offside to the towpath side again and dusted and sorted out all the stock, but the weather was windy for most of the week, preventing me opening for much of it.

My Aunty and Uncle came to visit last Monday and were thrilled by the boat.  It was great to see them as it has been a few years.

Postbox finished today ready for varnishing tomorrow....

So, I spent the rest of the time getting as much painting done to increase the limited stock I have.  Apparently, the show gets really busy.  I am getting slightly concerned, and trying not to panic, as this is the first proper show we have been involved in.

The plank to the boat!

Walking the plank could be an option.....

Alrewas to Zouch (River Soar) 32 miles, 19 locks

We made the decision to turn around and head for the Loughborough Canal and River Festival for May Bank Holiday weekend, Loughborough Canal & River Festival 2013 giving us 3 weeks to do the 35 miles and 21 locks!

Myself and Scooby aboard Echoes, steering the butty, and braving the cold

The River Soar has been very unpredictably up and down following all the rain, so we had decided not to travel back and open the shop.  A booking had been made late last year, so really, we should support the festival.

Locking down Stenson lock, deepest lock on the Trent and Mersey Canal at 12 feet approx.

We met Richard's parents for Sunday lunch at the Stenson Bubble.  My dad had his narrowboat built at Stenson, so it has a special place in my memory and I know he would have approved of our choice of lifestyle and love of the canal system.

Myself locking down through Weston lock

The next morning, we made our way down through the double locks towards Shardlow and the start of the Trent and Mersey Canal.

The Scandinavian Blackthorn blossom is everywhere now.  The blossom flowers slightly earlier than the indiginous variety.

Coming down through Aston lock, the big boat grounded unexpectedly as Richard tried to reverse back away in order that I open the bottom gates.  Luckily, fellow boaters came from all directions to help 'flush' him off the obstruction.  We were very grateful for their help.

The boys sit patiently on their respective boats as we operate the locks

During this very tortoiselike journey, we have been preparing the butty and creating more stock for the festival.  It has been most enjoyable sorting out a more efficient and inspiring stall to open.

Thrumpton weir with train beyond

We arrived at Shardlow.  We had moored outside the 2 pubs in the middle of Shardlow, but we prepared to move again as coming through under the pipe bridge were 2 hire boats. So we waited for them to pass before we attempted 'carnage corner' as I call it.  If we had remained outside the pubs, getting bumped would probably be predictable, after boaters had negotiated the prior mentioned bend!

Entrance to the River Soar

We said goodbye to one of our friends, who had been moored next to us when we moored at Bardney, many months ago and set off for Sawley.  The river was well down in the 'green' and I took the tiller passing through Derwent Mouth, where the River Derwent meets the River Trent.   It was fine!  A lot better than coming up a few weeks ago.
We spun the boats around at Sawley so the big boat was against the towpath and dealt with the  toilet cassettes and rubbish before dropping down through the automated locks to take us back onto the River Trent.

We sailed into the River Soar with relative ease and the vintage Lister engine chugged against the flow.

Lots of houses and holiday cottages sit on stilts, much appreciated after the recent flooding!

We only passed one other narrowboat coming downstream (on a bend!!) amazingly, as we had expected a lot, now the weather has improved a little!

The imposing spectical of Ratcliffe Power Station

The last time we had passed through Redhill, it was to attend the IWA show a few years before.  It all looked very different without the stalls and all the moored visitors.

Kegworth Deep lock in the distance

Apart from the occasional gust of wind, the weather was quite warm today and we found it not too difficult to moor both boats as the wind coxed us into the towpath helpfully.

Entering Kegworth Deep lock

The gates and mechanisms were heavy but in good order as we navigated up through the 3 locks to Zouch.  This part of the Soar reminded me of the River Thames, being very picturesque and leafy.

Looking back towards Kegworth lock and the grand mansion in the distance (Pearson's guide tells us nothing about it!)

The sun tried to come out again as we approached the 3rd and final lock at Zouch, but soon clouded over again...

Our boats in the washing machine lock!

Due to the absence of ground paddles, it is easy to generate a few bubbles as the gate paddles are opened (albeit gently!).

Splitting the boats in the lock, Richard pulled the butty out of the gates on the cross-straps, so that we could moor on the towpath side.  It is difficult to get us and the dogs off the boats when the butty is on the inside of the mooring.  This is a relatively short cut off the river, providing a relatively calm place to moor before embarking on our final 3 miles to Loughborough tomorrow.....