Swarkestone

My word what a miserable night, thunder, lightning, wind and rain until bed time then rain most of the night and nearly all of today until about 3pm.  Our route home is closed at Alrewas due to the river being in flood and not likely to improve for a few days .
Full wet gear on and we were away at about 10am. we were going to get wet whatever time we left, and it was a miserable spot where we were. Dobson’s name is still on the yard doors, I don’t know who is building Narrowboats there now but there were at least three moored up still in primer.

The first lock we came to was with us as a boat was coming out, at least they left the gate open for us even if they did leave the offside paddle fully up. We et a chap there with a CRT jumper on and an ID card hung round his neck, turned out he was a fund raiser and was looking for the best place to stand, I suggested the pub, it was peeing down with rain but he did close up for me.
The next two locks were full and against us. I am on lock duty this trip as Diana has bit of a sore leg muscle, so into the landing stage, Diana hops of with the bow rope, I go ashore and turn the lock. Some of the flow from the bottom gates on these locks can be quite fierce so best not to try and hold the boat on a centre line.
As we came up Western Lock we could se a boat above the lock making ready to leave so we had a locking buddy for the last lock of the day . We were following at a nice speed until the boat ahead had to pull over hard to get past a fallen tree where we think they picked something up around the prop as it was a lot slow going from here.

We passed the  section with the underwater obstruction that I posted about yesterday. Chris Deuchar contacted me with this reply.
”The underwater stone has been an issue forever - primarily because I believe it is the canal bed in this cutting - and angles downward from the side.  Therefore, how far from the edge you need to travel to avoid it depends on the draught of your boat.  Mine draws some 3ft when on the move and needs to be 4-5ft from the towpath edge to avoid this.  This can be disconcerting to oncoming boats who might not realise why one is 'hogging' the centre of the channel.  So, when eastbound, it is a good idea to be ready to give way to any oncoming, westbound craft just west of bridge 11 and the adjacent railway bridge.”
At bridge 12 I met Joules Fuels coming the other way, thankfully spotted in time to just slid over to the offside and pass without problem. Although by now the actual rain had turned to showers there was still much bad weather around us.

A boat was coming out of Swarkestone lock as we approached, unfortunately the single hander had already closed up when the boat ahead arrived,. Both boats were soon in the lock and on their way up, the steerer apologised for his slow progress and thought he had a fouled prop, from his wash I agreed with him, so once out of the lock he pulled over to investigate, we carried on another 3 to 400mt to moor for the night just prior to the waterpoint, the same spot we had lunch at the other day.

Today’s journey

6 miles, 4 locks in 3 hours

Shardlow

3 boats came up Western lock this morning before we went down, the last one I assisted. It was surprisingly warm as we made our way down the canal and by lunchtime was quite hot. I was somewhat surprised by the length of long-term moorings just above Shardlow.A long run on tick over, thankfully not meeting a wide beam. Its funny how the same place names are duplicated on the canals, just on the T&M we have Western, Aston and Willington, I can also think of others on different canals.
As we went through Shardlow there were a few moorings vacant, hopefully they would be there on our return, but for now we were off through the flood lock, no lights on today and down to Derwent

lock, As I arrived the lock was full and a boater below walked up and gave a hand. As Diana brought the we saw a boat following so the other boater opened the opposite gate for them to come in. Now the interesting bit, the other boater made no attempt to get off the boat or even pick up a windlass but left everything to us to do. As we left the lock I noted the river level was well down.

The river is quite wide just after Derwent Mouth, the plan we had this morning was to wind here, but as

we knew Derwent lock was now against us we continued down through a second flood lock, Sawley Flood lock  and stopped for lunch opposite Sawley

Marina at which point our locking partners sailed by, I wonder what luck they will have at Trent Lock.
I think I read that this power station is due for demolition soon, so that will be another landmark gone.

There is a good length of visitor mooring opposite the marina with rings, so it was a handy tie up for ¾ hour in the warm sunshine. As you come through the flood lock its almost like cruising through a marina with boats moored all around.

After lunch we headed back to Derwent lock, The river section very benign and very little water flowing over the weir, I wonder it that will change soon looking at the weather forecast.

Just as we were passing the fat boat moored on the end of the lock landing at Derwent Lock, a boat was leaving the lock, then the crew started closing the gates, I pipped the horn, pip pipped it again. hand on horn continuously but still the gates closed.  The steerer of the boat as we passed made some comment about my actions, I didn’t catch it but said it would have been nice if they hadn’t shut the gate in my face. Then a lady who was sat on the seat above the lock who had heard all my horn blowing came and told the people to open the gate again just as they were walking away. I thanked her greatly.
I remembered that there was a house in Shardlow with a railway line in the garden, its still there, disappearing under the shed door.

The moorings we had our eye on coming down by the pub were all full, but there was one on the towpath side we fitted without being too far under the willow tree.

As I type this its raining, thundering and lightening but at least it waited until after we had tied up. If it hadn’t been for the weather forecast we would have gone down the Trent to Nottingham but we don’t want to get stuck it the river rises.

Today’s journey

7 miles 5 locks(not counting flood locks) in 3¾hours

Weston Lock

Another great sky last night looking back down the canal.

Normal starting time this morning, we had planned to slip across the cut to fill with water but the services were rather busy and weren't desperate so just pushed on and would fill up later. As we passed the entrance to Mercia Marina a boat was about to come out, they followed us down to Stenson lock which we shared.
Its a long time since I have seen power station cooling towers, the last ones we use to pass were demolished some years ago. I wonder how long these will remain.

The power station was served by a rail line, I am not sure if this has just been abandoned or is waiting to move on.

The branch line runs quite close to the canal for some way and seems quite busy with freight traffic including a Tesco Train.
As we arrived at Stenson Lock a single hander had just entered from below and was slowly opening paddles, a bit one side and a bit the other. I asked if he wanted a hand and he was please to accept,  So while he watched his boat and signalled me, I opened paddles. By the time he left the lock there were two more boats waiting to come up and the one following me had caught up, so we didn’t have gates to close.
We were soon going past the Ragley Boat Stop with its lovely moorings including electricity and water

We stopped for water just before Swarkestone Lock, our locking partners pulled in just ahead for lunch. as we filled with water Diana prepared lunch, needless to say it was ready just as the tank filled, so we pulled forward and had lunch. We had just finished and it started raining so we stayed put for another half hour. until it stopped, we then worked down Swarkestone lock alone.
A short way below the lock I spotted this building not far from the canal, it reminded me of the building you can see from Tixall Wide.

A little further on we passed this notice warning of underwater obstructions, it would help if there was some clue as to how far out they run, just a foot or 2 meters?

We carried on to moor for the night in warm sunshine, unlike when we left this morning just above Western Lock.

Today’s Journey  8 miles, 2 locks in 4 hours

Willington

Again last night the sky was glowing a dull reddish colour.
We set off at our normal 10 am start time, I don’t think we have been under this bridge before as its part of the development since we were last this way, I am not sure the sports ground was opposite the pub ether. On the subject of the pub, we were woken this morning with the collection of all their recyclable glass and it wasn’t quiet.

It was a dull, chilly morning and it didn’t get any better until after we moored. Not many boats on the move but we did meet a few. The moorings by pipe bridge 33D look first class, there are a few nice

moorings in quiet spots along this canal but long stretches with nothing or the noisy A38 road. The road is probably the reason there were no boats in Horninglow Basin.

I find this a sad sight to see on any canal, a completely burnt out hull, all the superstructure had gone and the steel hull buckled with the heat.        

I think the owner of the timber yard/shed manufacturer is making claim to the towpath, there is a gate from his premises to the tow path.           

There are several aqueducts along this section and I expect most of them are tributaries of the River Dove, the main channel has a splendid bridge crossing it.

We carried on to our mooring for the night right outside the Dragon Pub, but no visit tonight, I have to get rid of the damage done in France first.
Need les to say as soon as we moored up the weather improved and the sun came out, a short time later , just like bees, the boats started to appear, they must have all been waiting for warm weather before moving.

Today’s journey 7miles 2 locks in 2¾ hours

Branston Water Park

Yesterday tea time yet another ex working boat came by, this time Dove.

The sunset last night was quite spectacular, far better than this photo gives credit for, also of course the full moon, I was hoping to see the eclipse but when I got up for my wee I couldn’t even see the moon, I don’t know what the time was.

We were away at 10 this morning down to Bagnall lock. The sign is still there but the willows are in need of cutting to get back to the gateway.

We stopped for ¾hour in Alrewas to visit the butcher and Co-op before heading down to Alrewas Lock. On the way we had the pleasure, or not, of watching a Mink run along the edge of the canal and hide in the growth under the bridge, if you look very carefully you can just see his tail.I helped the boat ahead down Alrewas Lock by which time there was a hire boat coming up, rather embarrassing for the steerer, he thought I was a look keeper so they both stayed on the boat, when the truth dawned on him he was very apologetic , poor chap. One of the dangers of boating in overalls.
The river was quite benign as we headed towards Wychnor lock passing under this bridge, All the fendering has been smashed off the support leaving protruding steel and bolts, so take care to keep close to the towpath.

As we worked up Wychnor lock a Biplane circled over head, a little later we had the other extreme with this chap flying along the line of the canal.

We passed through the eye of the needle with this bridge without a towpath, it certainly slows progress being so tight with the water flow.

Again we were meeting a steady stream of boats and a couple commented on how busy the canal was. We moored for the night at the Branston Water park, no room on the visitor moorings so a bit closer to the bridge.

Today’s journey

6 miles, 5 locks in 3¼ hours

Common Lock T&M Fradley

We set off a few minutes to 10, 3 boats had already been by and we met another 21 before Fradley Junction. Again it was a little misty over the valley when we left and the canal mirror calm.

Of course we met some of the boats in awkward places and we even met one we know, Hello Sue and Allen. I better add yesterday I met Mike who commented on yesterdays blog but didn’t recognise him.
As the day went on it got warmer and warmer. I don’t know if this is CRT handiwork or the Litchfield Cruising Club, but it looks to be highlighting the ankle breakers along the tow path. One thing that

does annoy me it the mooring restriction notices that have just been left to fall off the piling into the canal. It should be part of the post gathering clean up.
We arrived at Fradley Junction right at lunch time, so no boats moving or Volockies to worry about. Out through the swing bridge and turn right ready for Junction Lock, as the lock filled I swapped with Diana so she could steer and I worked the locks as she has a gammy leg at the moment. All 3 locks were against us, but as we left Hunt’s Lock a boat was coming towards us so we were able to leave that one open. Down to Common lock which was down a foot, quite surprising considering how much the top gates leak. The bottom gates are a bit unusual having a hand rail, its more common to use the paddle gear.

Also unusual at this lock is the bench seat with the back only half the length of the seat. Its quite a sturdy affair and paid for by lottery heritage funding for the Trent Valley, so I guess they had a hand in the design.

We only did another couple of hundred meters before mooring for the night at one of the few places you can get in close to the bank.

Today’s journey

9¾ miles, 4 locks in 4¼ hours

Lazy Otter Hopwas

The day started misty but we were in no rush to get away as again it was a short day.

At Glascote locks we had a couple of boats ahead but some assistance from a lady who was waiting for her boat to arrive. We thought it strange that she had no windlass but it transpired she had taken the car home, returned by train and was waiting for two elderly boats from Alvecote heading to the Tipton Rally. We did meet one boat coming up, but that didn’t really help us. Much more traffic going down.
The old Spon Dredger that use to be at Rose Narrowboats is still moored outside the entrance to Glascote Basin, it seams a bit vulnerable there, last time we passed there was a group of youngsters sat on it, so I took the trouble to explain what it was, hoping that would be more effective than telling them to get off.

The basin as usual looks rammed full of boats.

Some time ago the lock cottage at Glascote Bottom Lock changed hands and work has been ongoing inside. Today a new roof is going on, I think that would have been one of my first jobs.

We stopped for water at Fazeley junction, unfortunately when we arrived there was already a boat filling up so we dropped in behind them. it was an hour and a half later when we left, I am sure the tap didn’t use to be this slow. While we were there I managed to get photographs of the two boats following us, one with the lady in pink who helped at the locks

When we were finally filled with water, also time for lunch and a cup of tea we set off again, by now the weather was quite warm. The sunken boat by the A5 road bridge is still there, now with a couple of bollards on the towpath to show where it is.

We chugged slowly on to just before Dixons Bridge to moor for the night. Since we have been here there has been a steady flow of boats in each direction, some slower than others, but not a problem.

Today’s Journey 4¼ miles, 2 locks in 3¼ hours

Sunday 15 Sep 2024 Glascote

A good run to the boat with no rain, but when we arrived at Tamworth everywhere was wet. It was nice to see that all the potholes at the moorings have been repaired, not sure why they waited until we were leaving to do it. We had just finished unloading the car and it started to chuck it down se after packing stuff away we sat down to dinner, thankfully it stopped just as we were ready to set off.
We haven’t gone very far, between the winding hole and bridge Anchor Bridge 73, just short of the scrap yard.The reason for the short day is that tomorrow night we have a discount voucher for the Tame Otter.

Since we have been moored up have done an oil and filter change at 6000 hours, I don’t know how many times its been round the clock, I also topped up the 4 domestic batteries with water.

Today’s journey

2 miles, no locks in one hour.