A heavy day through Leicester

Now don't be misled by the heading. OK, then why did I write it like that if I didn't want to mislead you? Hands up, you've got me! Anyway, the heavy bit refers to the locks and the lock gates. 

We set off in sunshine again, sailing regally past the Hope and Anchor which was just around the corner from where we stopped for the night.

And here we have the captain steering confidently into the lock. If you're on Facebook there is a story you can see showing all this in action. But what you can't see are the two ladies who had been chatting to her who wanted to watch how all the magic happens. And she did it perfectly, not a bump or scrape in sight. Usually when people are watching everything goes wrong but not today.

The trouble is that once in the lock it took an age to fill because only one paddle was working.

You get a good view of the National Space Centre from the canal. Another heavy lock just coming up.

Another reminder of the past, the chimney of the old Wolsey factory now surrounded by new flats and appartments.

Another chimney now put to good use as a communications hub.

Limekiln lock has some impressive artwork, all part of an improvement project in 1967.

The plaque on the lock wall with all the details. 

Some parts of the canal around Leicester are quite depressing running through industrial areas. However, some of these places are being improved no end with new housing developments. An improvement, from our point of view, on what it was like before.

So, we've come through Leicester and have arrived at Leicester cathedral. Sorry, Leicester City Football club. Well, it's a cathedral to some.

And, once again, here comes the captain entering Freeman's lock. Heavy old gates and I said that I would do them all today. Probably just as well because there was one gate that I couldn't close on my own. The captain had to get off the boat and help me out. And that's another thing, hardly any other boats on the move, certainly not going in our direction. 

More new houses at what we think was once a clay pit. 

And established houses with nicely manicured lawns.

Moored for the night just before King's lock near Aylestone. Also, it's Sunday night and time for a roast pork supper.

Down memory lane

Once again looked at the forecast and decided to set off fairly promptly. That's after we popped into Sainsbury's for some milk - and, of course, one or two other bits which we didn't realize we wanted.

As you can see, the sky is clear and we have left the centre of Loughborough to turn sharp right to continue our journey. 

The Boat Inn, another pub which, when we first visited, used to serve homemade food. Still popular by the looks of it.

Though we ought to have a picture of a swan in all its glory.

This block of flats used to be occupied by 3M Healthcare. We would wave to people in the canteen on the ground floor. How times change.

And this used to be a builders waste recycling plant with stone crushers, etc.

Also on the opposite side. It was a noisy, dusty place, somewhere that you wouldn't want to moor. How times change.

One thing that hasn't changed is the Peter le Marchant Trust. Mind you, it's now got three boats for use by disabled and elderly people.

Oh, and I'd love to be a Sea Cadet here. Just look at the equipment they can play with. It's funny but I've always wanted to mount a cannon on the front of our boat. 

And here's Pillings Lock Marina our first home for Polgara. Happy days.

A lovely stretch of river on the way to Barrow upon Soar.

Now which one do we choose? Sometimes the best thing is to stick to the centre of the canal - not always the correct thing to do but OK in this instance.

Yet another pub, The Navigation. We were tempted by a house for sale opposite this pub and on the canal side but it was far too small.

Nearing Mountsorrel and we remember these houses being built. They've certainly matured well with time.

The impressive bridge at Mountsorrel built in 1860.

And the impressive weir.

Guess what - The Waterside Inn - lovely liver and bacon (in the old days).

And look again. British Longhorn.

Came past Sileby and Cossington and stopped for the night just past Junction Lock. 

It's Loughborough in the rain

The forecast is for rain later in the day. We set off as soon as possible without even washing up the breakfast dishes. No point in missing good weather when there's bad following behind.

There's not many pictures today because it's been dull but here's one of Zouch, looking back at the Rose & Crown pub. 

And just around the corner is the weir.

And the automated floodgates.

When the river is in flood, all you can do is moor up against these pilings and wait for the water to go down.

Such a shame, this was once the Albion where we had several homemade lunches. Now it's a private house. 

We made it into Loughborough basin just before the heavens opened. Managed to get off the boat later when the rain eased off and popped into the nearby shops. Fire alight again, watched another episode of Professor T and then turned in. 

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.