Two Days in Nottingham

Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st July in Nottingham.
It was good to wake up to a bright morning in the centre of Nottingham, even if it didn't last.

Rain arrived shortly afterwards and was clearly set in for the day. We took a walk into the centre of town for the inevitable "few bits" but then returned to MM and battened down the hatches for the rest of the day.
In the "Lockside Tea Room" at Long Eaton, we had met a solo boating lady called Joan and had reassured her about the level of the Trent. She had been planning to go back down the River Soar through Leicester, but the Soar is still closed due to high water levels, so she too followed us into Nottingham and moored behind us. She very kindly invited us to tea on her lovely narrowboat "Early Byrd".
Wednesday morning dawned a tad brighter; the rain had stopped and Joan set off to go back to Beeston to await the re-opening of the River Soar (it is now the 2nd today and its still closed); we waved her off and R helped her through Town Lock. A fascinating and very spiritual lady - we wished her well on her travels.

We had already explored the centre of town when we were here three years ago so, we decided to walk on down the canal to the lock that goes out to the River Trent - partly to see how high the river was and how fast it was running.
Meadow Lane Lock connects the canal to the river opposite the Nottingam Forest football ground and we expect to go through this lock tomorrow and on to the Trent.

The river level was just touching the orange, which means that the level is up a bit and caution should be used. It is also running quite fast but, so long as it stays at this level, it should not be a problem.
As we walked along the river frontage, we passed flood marks cut into the wall beside the embankment. The flood levels were frightening!

The river maps we have indicate the course to steer along the river to avoid any shoals, although the river is sufficiently high that running aground is a very remote possibility. The maps also mark the number of kilometres from the centre of Nottingham and this pillar on the embankment, erected in 1873, appears to be the zero point.

We walked for over a mile along the riverside, known as the Victoria Embankment. It seems that there is a huge music festival here next weekend and all along the embankment were hundreds of food stalls and fairground rides all setting up in preparation for the weekend. At the end of the embankment we came upon the vast war memorial gate and gardens.

Behind the gardens was another large park covered in more preparations for Saturday's festival. It is clearly going to be very big!
To one side of the park was a very advanced Cycling Proficiency road network, complete with working traffic lights and every conceivable sort of junction and obstacle. A far cry from the few cones and chalk marks on the school playground of our youth!

Clearly this had to be the way back to MM!

Nottingham has an excellent tram service. It was certainly very quiet and smooth as compared with conventional buses.

We walked back past the very imposing railway station building.

The canal through the middle of Nottingham is officially called the Nottingham & Beeston Canal, as marked on the pedestrian bridge next to the huge "British Waterways" building, and MM is moored next to it. Sadly, the BW building appears to be unoccupied at present.

Our walk was about four miles, but we never found the Sheriff (except the one in 1873 on the milepost). Clearly he had got wind that Robin and Marion were back in town and had gone into hiding.
Two days: MM didn't move but 3.7 hours to charge the batteries.
Trip: 207 miles, 123 locks and 131.0 hours.

A Visit from Ray-J

Monday 29th July 2019 in Nottingham.
We were pleased and relieved when the day dawned fair, as we are expecting a visit from Ray-J today.

Ray-J is the son of an old family friend from Boston USA; he is visiting Theresa in Brighton for two weeks and he is on his way up here by train. We are so pleased that he has taken the time to come and visit us as we have not seen him since we were in Boston in 2012.
The morning was taken up washing down MM's roof and windows to remove the effects of three days of going through muddy locks and mooring under trees in the rain.
Ray-J was due to arrive at nearby Long Eaton station at 11:57, so R set off in good time to get a "few bits" and to be there to met him.
Unfortunately, it seems that he was deep in conversation when the train arrived - and so went on to Derby! Luckily there are frequent trains back from Derby to Long Eaton, so he soon returned and he and R walked back to MM.

It was marvellous to see him again. M swears that he has grown even taller but he certainly looked very well. Surprisingly, he was just able to stand upright in MM despite being 6ft 5in tall! After a cool drink, a tour of MM and a quick catch-up, we set off through Trent Lock and on to the River Trent.
Ray-J said that the only locks he had ever seen were on the Panama Canal - and those only in photographs - so we had to point out the slight difference in scale and the need to rely on muscle power rather than hydraulics. R showed him how to operate the paddles and he picked it up very quickly.

Out on the River Trent, the sunny day really was a blessing and the river looked lovely.

He took the tiller for much of the time and handled MM very competently.

Our objective was Nottingham because Ray-Jay had a rail ticket from there to his next destination in Bristol, leaving just after 6:00pm - so we had lunch on the move and arrived in the centre of Nottingham in time for dessert and a relaxed chat before he had to leave.
We said goodbye to him on the quayside and, despite bending his knees, he still dwarfed R!

R walked him to the station. We were so touched that he had taken the time to come so far to see us. Hopefully, he will have fond memories of his first narrowboating experience.
Today: 9 miles, 4 locks and 3.3 hours.
Trip: 207 miles, 123 locks and 127.3 hours.

The EreWash-Out

Friday 26th to Sunday 28th July 2019 on the Erewash Canal.
We set off early in the morning past the houseboat that looked even more like a Mississippi riverboat in daylight. It's quite something!

Almost immediately we had to stop to remove weed from around the propeller, which slowed our progress to a crawl and had the engine labouring.
Our aim today was to get to Sandiacre. On the way, we passed an old Tollhouse that is now the headquarters of the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association. It is open to the public on occasional Sundays.

We also passed the entrance to the canal that used to go to Derby and then on to connect to the Trent & Mersey Canal. It closed in 1947 and has mostly been filled in. There is a very optimistic restoration group but no sign of progress.

Sandiacre was only three locks and three miles away, but it took us over four hours as R was down the weed hatch no less than seven times for weeds, plastic bags and other bits.

We learned from locals that there are constant complaints about the weeds, including one occasion when ten local moorers threatened to withhold their licence fee from the C&RT unless they did something about it (the result of this protest was not known).
The guide book described the mooring in the centre of Sandiacre as "delightfully landscaped". Certainly, the grass was well kept but the guide book didn't mention that the major road was only a few feet away!

At least Sandiacre had a large department shop. It was M's first time in a Lidl (she's reserving judgment!).

Opposite the mooring was a very attractive former lace mill building, now used as offices, but in the main, the surroundings were mainly run down industrial sites and housing.

Rain arrived next morning and continued to accompany us, along with the weed and plastic round the propeller.
The flow of water at this lock was impressive, but in general the pounds were very low.

At Ilkeston, we finally decided that we had had enough and we turned around and headed back south, not least because a passing boat told us the the weeds got even worse if we went any further north.
Not many more photographs because of the continuing rain and our frustrating progress (or lack of it). At least going down through the wide, heavy and badly maintained locks was much easier and quicker than going up.
We found a nice quiet mooring just south of the charmingly (?) named Gallows Inn Lock. R went down the weed hatch for the fourth time today to find a piece of stout rope firmly wedged between the propellor and the hull, which took over an hour and a half to get (most of it) off and R injured himself in the process. Needless to say that R was not in good humour for what was left of the evening!
Overnight and on Sunday, the rain continued although it was more like drizzle most of the time. Having taken the decision to return to the start of the canal, we wanted to get going and set off early - even before we had breakfast.
The church of St Giles was an impressive sight high on a sandstone ridge. One of the few attractive vistas on this canal.

The propeller picked up yet more stuff so, as we were approaching a wide road bridge, R decided to stop underneath it so he could go down the weed hatch in the dry.

It was a fortunate decision because suddenly the rain started to come down in torrents, bouncing up off the water. We decided to stay under the bridge and take the opportunity to have a coffee and snack while we waited for the rain to ease off.
Finally, and with a huge sigh of relief, we arrived back at Long Eaton and the start of the canal. Soon after, we rewarded ourselves with a trip back to the lovely lockside tea room, where we were warmly welcomed by the owner, who sat and chatted with us for some time.
In three days, we did 16 miles, 20 locks and R went down the weed hatch no less than 13 times!

What can we say about the Erewash? Rename it the WeedyWash? It was disappointing to say the least; the surroundings are uninspiring, the weed and detritus (beer cans and wine bottles) in the canal all pervading, badly maintained lock gates, anti-vandal keys that are either broken or only on one paddle (which makes them useless) and some lock gates that were so heavy and out of balance that it took both of us to move them.
Oh, and the weed hatch! Enough said....
To be fair (he says reluctantly) for the first two days, after the hot, dry weather, the pounds were very low and there was almost no water running down the bywashes - and we are quite deep draughted. On day three, after two days and nights of rain, the pounds were full and there was water pouring down the bywashes - so we probably saw it at its worst. But, after thirteen times down the weed hatch, we have no particular wish ever to see the Erewash again. It's most unlike us to be so critical but it was a very disappointing experience.
Three days: 16 miles, 20 locks and 12.4 hours.
Trip: 198 miles, 119 locks and 124.0 hours.

Here We Go Again...

Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th July 2019 at Long Eaton.
A very straightforward train journey brought us back to Sawley Marina by early afternoon. All the trains were air conditioned and not crowded; how very fortunate that we didn't travel a day later as many services were affected by the heatwave.

We wanted to fill up with diesel but it was close to closing time, so we decided to stay an extra night and fill up in the morning, which also meant that we could have breakfast in the excellent marina café before we started off.
On Thursday, we started with breakfast and then filled with diesel and water before setting off down the River Trent and the entrance to the Erewash Canal.

The day was already very hot and we passed a group of children cooling off in the river.

This is the junction between the River Trent, the River Soar, the Erewash Canal and the Cranfleet Cut that goes round the downstream weir on the Trent. A helpful signpost helps you to choose where to go.

We approached the entrance to the Erewash Canal with the first lock immediately after the lock moorings.

 

The wide lock on to the Erewash is usually well populated with Gongoozlers watching the proceedings and patronising the local pub and tea room.
One particular young lad, Jayden, watched us with great interest and, after M fell into conversation with him and his Dad, they ended up on MM going through the lock!

The shady moorings above the lock were all taken but we managed to tuck into a rather reedy space a little further up.

When the temperature in the boat reached over 35 deg (phew!), we decided to head off to the tea room next to the lock, highly rated by the guide books - and rightly so.

It is a delight, full of narrowboat memorabilia including a family group in traditional clothing by the entrance.

Outside was a traditional delivery bike and an old ice cream cart - unfortunately not containing any ice cream, which would have been very welcome on such a hot day!

The heat was very enervating, so we were not late to bed. M lay in bed reading and admiring the view of this huge houseboat opposite that rather resembled a Mississippi riverboat.

Today: 1 mile, 2 locks and 1.0 hours.
Trip: 182 miles, 99 locks and 111.6 hours.

Delightful Companions on the River Soar.

Wednesday 17th July 2019 at Sawley.
M was up early at 5:30 with a pretty sunrise.

Our neighbours were up and breakfasting already while keeping an eye on us.

We had planned to set off by 8:00am but half an hour before that a boat passed us and we elected to go with them to share the locks, even though it meant finishing our porridge rather hurriedly! These large river locks are so much easier with two boats.
The boat was nb "Aqua Life", a brand new hire boat from Barton Turn. The couple on board, Adrian and Elvira, were delightful. He said that he had been boating since he was five but for Elvira it was her first trip - and she was clearly enjoying it and helming like she was born to it.
For the first part of our trip, we were under the approach path for East Midlands Airport.

At Ratcliffe lock, M was unable to open the bottom gate. It turned out that a large log was jammed behind the gate. R to the rescue - he used the long pole to move it out of the way.

Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station dominated the landscape as we approached the confluence with the Trent.

As we moved on to the Trent, we reluctantly had to part company with Adrian and Elvira. They turned down the Trent towards Nottingham while we turned up the Trent towards Sawley. We stopped together and hovered in the middle of the Trent.

Adrian is hoping to have his own boat when he retires and so they both came on MM to have a quick look round to get ideas while R held the two boats side by side.
Finally, we set off again and bade them farewell. We wish them well with their narrowboating dream.

The first lock on the Trent resembles those on the Thames.

The lock is fully automated and operated with a key and a series of push buttons.

We moored up opposite Sawley marina where we will take MM tomorrow.

As M got one of the fenders out, the knot holding it on came undone and it fell into the water. Luckily, R was able to use the hook to snag the rope attached to the fender - so we got it back!

 Due to the very early start, we were moored up by 11:00am and so we walked into Sawley marina to introduce ourselves and found that they had an excellent café; naturally lunch there was a must!

The marina is huge with excellent facilities but M said she would not like to moor there long term because of the unrelenting roar of the M1 just a quarter of a mile away.
Tomorrow, we will put MM into the marina and catch a bus and two trains to Exeter. Not exactly the shortest way home but there is a very special concert there tomorrow evening - as a result, we will be home on Friday and back on MM next Wednesday - so, please watch this space!
Today: 7 miles, 6 locks and 3.2 hours.
Trip: 181 miles, 97 locks and 110.6 hours.

A Chain Ferry and the Last Entry in a List of British Settlements

Tuesday 16th July 2019 in Zouch
Early morning on the river. The first train went through just after 5:00am; M thought that she heard a goods train go through in the middle of the night, but it didn't disturb us.

The Peter Le Marchant Trust operates three trip boats from their base here, taking old and disabled people for trips on the river. (M said that they looked younger than us!) We have seen this boat a number of times on the river, always\ full of happy smiling faces.

This railway bridge is in the process of renovation as part of the current work to connect the Great Central Railway heritage line to the Great Central Railway, Nottingham to make a joint line over 18 miles long. There is only a 500 metre gap between the two. Already the bridge over the main railway line and the bridge over the A6004 have both been renovated, this third bridge is being worked on and then it is just a case of re-instating a couple of hundred yards of embankment. So, watch this space!

The former wharf basin in the middle of Loughborough survived a plan to fill it in to make a road and, although it is not particularly attractive, it does provide several mooring spaces. We took advantage of one to go and get a "few bits" from the nearby Sainsbury's.
Walking to the Post Office in the town centre took us past this pub named after Loughborough's famous bell foundry, one of only two now remaining in the country.  The foundry is no longer open to the public but we were lucky enough to be part of a private visit a few years ago.

Leaving the basin, we passed the junction down which we had come earlier. This bridge is called "Chain Bridge" because it marks the junction of the Leicester and Loughborough canals and the toll keeper used to put a chain across it if he was not there to monitor passing boats.

M fondly remembers passing this lock and cottage three years ago. The lovely house may well have been a lock keeper's cottage originally but it is now a private residence with a beautifully tended garden.

In 2016, as she was lock wheeling here, M complimented the owner on his garden; at which point he produced a pair of secateurs, cut off a large red rose and presented it to her.
Today, he was not in his garden but his wife (?) waved from the conservatory. M though it better not to mention the rose - she didn't want to be the cause of a "domestic"!

Normanton-on-Soar still appears to have a little chain ferry to get you across the river from Nottingham to Leicestershire.

The ferry certainly is still there but it is not clear how often it runs.

The church of St James presents a charming scene and is very unusual in that it has a dedicated pontoon so that chuch goers or visitors have somewhere to moor.

This lovely house next to the church may have once been the vicarage if so, it would have been a very attractive living!

We moored up at the strangely named village of Zouch. The origin of the name is the old English word for "poor ground". Its greatest distinction appears to be that it is always the last entry in any list of British settlements!
Today: 6 miles, 2 locks and 2.9 hours.
Trip: 174 miles, 91 locks and 107.4 hours.