Trent and Mersey Canal

We are now on part of the Trent and Mersey Canal, above Fradley Junction, that we travelled along about this time last year (in the opposite direction). Sunday proved to be quite autumn like with a very chilly wind, making us light the fire & pop the winter duvet onto the bed.

Junction from River Soar onto Trent, Erewash canal opposite

River Trent

We had a lovely time with beautifully warm weather and almost no wind as we travelled to the end of the River Soar where it meets the River Trent. Then we joined the beginning of the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Sawley electronic lock

In Sawley lock

Loughborough Basin

Loughborough Basin

 

During our river journey we spent a night at Loughborough Basin, a much smaller version of Aylesbury Basin. It was rather sad the boaters facilities were all boarded up due to vandalism and there were many youngsters hanging around until very late in the evening. The trip there was very worthwhile as I got some new boots from Go Outdoors. The following evening we were moored by Redhill Flood Lock, before we went onto the River Trent. Due to the water level being so low we had to clamber up from the boat to the bank. This spot is in the shadow of the power station. We could see the cooling towers from miles away and they looked like volcanoes when the moon rose in-between them. It was quite odd cruising straight through all the flood locks on the river as they are left open as the water level is quite low. There is a huge weir that goes under a railway that takes the bulk of the River Soar’s water down to the River Trent. Our travelling friends on nb GYR, went straight over at the confluence onto the Erewash Canal. At this point we could see how small the River Soar actually was compared to the River Trent.

 

nb GYR waiting to go into Trent Lock

 

All gates open, Redhill flood lock

Huge pipe bridge over River Trent

We spent an afternoon exploring and pub crawling around Shardlow, known as the inland port. When we went through Burton on Trent we passed nb Firecrest, so Eric & Cheryl decided to move to moor near us. In a couple of weeks Cheryl & I are taking part in a spinning marathon ‘BritSpin’ in aid of the air ambulance charity, so we discussed our

strategies for getting lots of yarn spun over dinner. The following evening John & I had a lovely evening in The White Swan pub at Fradley Junction chatting to holiday makers & locals.

Clock Warehouse, Shardlow