Beeston Marina

Our lovely mooring at Beeston feels like a retreat, far from the City of Nottingham, moored up on the wooden pontoon the boat gently swaying with the flow of the current on the river Trent and outside of the cabin windows, the delightful beginning of Attenborough Nature Reserve.

I've got a the week off work and have been soaking up the environment around us from my new favourite seating spot outside...

The weather has been very mixed with heavy rain showers and glaring sunshine, a strange summer so far. It has been fascinating and frightening to watch the speed of the river flow increase as whole trees were swept over the frothing weir. The boat is well secured to the pontoon and is positioned with the bow pointing against the flow so the water breaks around the boat. As I watch the surface of the river around us, from what seems like nowhere, there suddenly appears whirls and ripples, as the constant movement of the water dances and chases it's tail.

The pontoon is one long strip which ends with a sudden stop. Stood on the edge looking into the pull of the hypnotizing river is quite unnerving. There are a mix of Narrow Boats and Cruisers on this stretch and we are by far the largest. Leigh was congratulated by another long-standing boater for his Captain skills at manouvering all 65 foot of steel into the marina pontoon.

We have been met with kindness and friendly faces here, from fellow boaters and the marina employees, which is making our idea of moving off the boat a little sad to come to terms with. However, we have good things lined up for our next chapter of the adventure, so more will follow about that soon.

Whilst overlooking the beautiful greenery of the Nature Reserve, I decided to go for a walk and explore the muddy paths in the woods and the lakes surrounding them. It was such a joy, I was met with colours, bird song, swaying trees, water dopplets falling from leaves, bridges, benches, shadows and mirroring, shimmering lakes stretching wide...

We have had good luck this week too, after preparing the boat for the Boat Safety Certificate on Tuesday, we have passed with flying colours and received a new Certificate to cover us for the next 4 years.

And so, Leigh and I look forward to a pending visit by a good friend from the North-East and our moves out to Derbyshire.

Walking in Beeston

Today I decided to take a walk. There is an easy 2 mile route circling the canal and river section in Beeston, just opposite our mooring. I decided to get some fresh air and take the camera along.

I crossed the Turnover Bridge...

And took note of the old post where the ropes from the horses pulling boats have worn stripes around it.

I strolled along towards the lock and turned right behind the lock keepers's house, to the weir. There was a strong breeze throwing spray at me and it was beginning to rain.

The river looked fierce with it's flowing currents.

Further round the path the river appeared calmer, almost serene.

I passed an old tree...

and a tree-swing.

I reached a junction in the path and took the shorter route back towards the canal.

The other route follows the river towards West Bridgeford. It was a long, straight stretch back to the canal.

Another left turn and I ended up back at the Turnover Bridge.