Going up the Erewash

The day started off with a bit of sun so we decided to set off with the intention of going up the Erewash canal, something we haven't done before.

Now then, these traffic lights still give me the jitters. When we first got the boat, we got to this point very near the end of our journey, only to find the lights on red with the warning 'Proceed no further!' WHAT??!! With nowhere to moor or turn round, what do you do? Well, we went on for about 100 yards, nobody shouted at us, we stopped, had a cup of tea, phoned ahead and found that the River Soar was in flood and closed to all traffic. However, we could motor on another mile to Sawley Marina and take a temporary mooring there until the water went down. But the traffic lights didn't tell you any of that, all they said was 'Stop, do not pass go, do not collect £200.' 

Enough of that. We've passed through Derwent Mouth lock and here we are looking up the River Derwent.

And the other side, the River Trent.

We're now on the open river and the captain has the helm.

Just a farewell glance at the Trent and Mersey canal and the boat we shared the lock with. 

Ahead of us the wide river with a pipe bridge in the foreground and the M1 bridge in the distance.

You even get navigation signs on the river. Now what does that mean?

Quite obvious really, when you get there, keep right or go over the weir.

Now passing Sawley Marina where we left the boat until the river went down.

Ah, Sawley Locks and two volunteers on duty. Last time we had to work the lock ourselves. Good fun really, pressing all the buttons and watching paddles lift, gates open. Much easier than winding and pushing and pulling. 

The Ratcliffe-upon-Soar power station dominates the skyline around these parts. But, like the old power station in Bradwell, a good navigational aid when needed.

We got onto the Erewash canal and through Trent lock but that was as far as we got to go. Talking to other boaters we were advised that lock gates had been left open further up the canal and that water was very low. Their further advice to turn round before Sandiacre. Well, up to Sandiacre is all through towns with the prettier parts being further on. So, we turned round where we were and back out through the lock after having taken on water, emptied the loo and getting rid of rubbish. 

Now, isn't that grand? The clubhouse of the Trent Valley Sailing Club. And right on the junction of the River Trent, Erewash canal and the River Soar.

We're off along the River Soar passing first by Redhill. I wonder how it got it's name?!

We carried on for a couple of miles with the skies getting darker and moored for the night near Kegworth. It's a lovely mooring but it is just beyond the end of the runway for East Midlands airport. Gets a tad noisy at times - but, luckily, not all the time.