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.