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.