We started off from Nottingham City centre at around 11am today. Saying farewell to the train station we moored up next to the old British Waterways building and waited for the lock ahead to be free.
During the wait, we checked the oil levels, all fine although the engine does give out alot of black smoke from the exhaust possibly from burning oil (we are currently looking into a liquid fuel to add to the oil to prevent this). As we lifted the boards back on to the deck there was a knock, roll and Whoops! the pot plant of salad leaves went overboard! The pot sank instantly and the lettuce leaves floated off toward a group of ducks who had a feast!
We shared the lock with a couple ahead of us, this is a usual bonding point for boaters sharing the odd fact or two. We left the lock last, our size and speed a factor in the decision and as I jumped on I wondered if I should've closed the top lock gates, but thought no, best to save water and leave the lock in favour of boats approaching from the North. We looked back to see a fellow boater from the lower end of the lock waving his arms in disbelief and anger at our actions and then started closing the gates himself. Oops! As Leigh suggests, there are two ways of doing everything. And as we turn a corner, there comes another boat who would've entered the lock and saved water as planned.
We passed Castle Marina and head to Lenton Lane Bridge where we did the big, final move aboard earlier this year.
We carried along the Nottingham canal passing Trevethick boat yard and some lovely looking boats.
Through another bridge for the ring road and on our way to Beeston, we spotted a sign,
3 miles from the Trent.
So far then we had sailed 2 miles from our start point. On route we had the backdrop of willow trees to hide industrial sites such as Boots. We passed a favourite mooring at Beeston, recalling days spent basking in the quite day of the sun. And today the sun was blessing us with its smile making the journey a delight!
We passed under a low bridge of cobble stones with a bollard marked from years of ropes chafing it's side as horses would've hauled boats along this stretch of canal.
We passed moored boats at a slow steady pace and pulled over just before the Beeston Lock leading onto the river. I opened the paddles to let the water level lower, then opened up the gates. Leigh drove in and after a tangle of ropes, winding open the paddles and opening the gates I bounded down the path and lept on the boat.
Beeston marina was left in our dust and we were setting down the majestic river.
On this stretch of river are some delightful and interesting human habitats...
And this is my favourite...
We were making great waves in our wake...
And the river was twinkling at us as we motored along...
We passed many other boats, with it being Bank Holiday Monday people seemed to be making the most of the weather. We stuck to the rules of passing other craft on the right...
Then we were on the approach to Cramfleet Lock and was it busy? Sure was! There were alot of shared smiles and shared locks and I was opening and closing most of the paddles and gates for a whole bunch of folk. By the end of it I was very tired and pleased to see the back of it!
Passing under the trainline bridge we spotted this waterway sign...
We were nearing Trent Lock and were taking the Trent and Mersey Canal. Heading through the open flood gate we opened out onto a huge stretch of water.
After another half an hour on the open stretch we came to Sawley Lock.
Delightfully it was electronically controlled so no need to heave-ho! I left Leigh steering the boat and enquired how to use these locks. It was very simple, with a British Waterways key
entered into a small machine and following the diagram, I pressed the buttons to 'raise' and open the paddles, releasing the water then, 'open' for the gates to, like magic open up. These were by far the easiest locks I've ever encountered.
After this lock we were finally in Sawley, passing moored boats in the Marina we found some British Waterways moorings opposite (free for us Continuous Cruisers) and pulled up for the night. It was about 6pm and we were both hungry and tired. After some great hot food we set to cleaning the roof of the boat as we are next to a water point and really needed to clear and tidy the roof for moving around. Now it is gleaming bright and alot better for the paintwork!
The fog has come down on to the canal and it looks glorious outside as the lights reflect upon the water. We are looking forward to tomorrow and need a good nights sleep so that's all for now!
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