It’s all new to us

Monday 3^rd April to Friday 7^th April 2017

It was a wonderful morning to say farewell to Sawly and we moved off through the Lock and down onto the Trent – we had been along here before, but before the day was out we would have had new water under the base plate.

Reaching TrentLock – we had previously been right twice before – that went down through Leicester; we had been left and explored the delights of the Erewash; this time it straight ahead and through the flood lock and onto the waters into Nottingham.

 

We hadn't been past here before - onward to Nottingham..

Having already explored the city just a few days before, we knew where we would be mooring up; the trip itself was without any problems, although we managed to pick up a winter load of wood around the bow as we cruised – we dispensed with that and found that we moved a bit more freely and easier – what a shock!!

Unlike many other cities that we have been into during our journeys, we did not have the usual rubbish around – and it was a great delight as well.

We moored up just up from Castle Lock and spent a couple of very quiet and very peaceful nights there – no noise and no trouble at all; in fact, we saw nothing at all that would suggest that we would not recommend it to anyone wanting to come this way.

 

A fairly standard photo for everyone to have - the one on the
right reputedly received from the rich and passed it onto the poor;
the one on the left removes my hard-earned and keeps it.

Just part of the streetscape

We did our usual exploration tour of the city – I do love the guided tours that I am able to be privileged to have available to me and I thoroughly enjoyed this one as well.

We see a good array of historical areas and also new developments as well – and I can highly recommend these tours to anyone – only problem is that you need to travel and moor with us.

 

St Mary's in Nottingham

This caught our eye - an early form of "auto"-correct...

...look closely at the A and the O

After a couple of days it was time to move on and this meant onto the River Trent (again) – and the wider section of the river, so after watering up at Meadows Lock we went through and out into the current, which fortunately was not that strong.

Before heading downstream we veered right from the lock outlet and then under Trent Bridge and did a bit of a cruise up to the next bridge before winding and going with the flow.

 

Coming out of Meadow Lock we turned right - this is the famous Trent Bridge

Further down the memorial to fallen services people

and then the other side of Trent Bridge - mooring on the right hand side

Thanks to an App that Diane had installed on her phone we could measure the speed and we were doing between 9 and 10 kmh without any trouble at all.

There were only two locks that we needed to get through on the river and these were no bother; we only managed to do a lazy 12 miles in total, before mooring up at Gunthorpe where we had expected to be able to use the services – sadly the elsan was non-existant, but this was not a real problem as we still had more cassettes.

Spied our first lamb of the season

A short wander around the village gave us a count of at least 6 eateries – quite a lot we thought for such a small locality, but they all seemed to be doing quite well. We popped into the pub for a coffee before heading back.

That afternoon/evening we sat down and looked seriously at our planned itinerary for the year – just to make sure in our own minds that it was all feasible. Well we ended it feeling quite a bit happier knowing that it will easily be done and we now have a preliminary schedule which will enable us to stay on track, but also allow us time to explore all of the new places that we plan to see.

In the end we were just outright lucky to get a mooring

Mist covering Gunthorpe Bridge

The view back from the Gunthorpe Lock entrance

These km markings are all the way along the river and marked in the Charts as well
so that we could easily keep track of our location.

After the early morning mist burnt away it was a glorious day

The weir was largely unprotected but the signage further back gave clear
warnings of it

would not like to get stuck over that lot

The following morning we headed off, not too early, as it is definitely easier with the lockies being present – today would be another three locks, but we would end up in Newark.

It worked out to be another 12 miles, again with the river flow behind us we cruised at about the same speed as the previous day.

This part of the river is not really a problem as the locks maintain a good depth all the way – our concerns will start later on when we are on the tidal part.

We made it to Newark about midday; moored up below the lock and right opposite the castle; then set about doing a bit of exploration in the town itself – found the market square and other parts of interest.

One view from the boat ...

This was down river from us but essentially right along-side (this photo is
taken from the road bridge further along)

And our mooring - as usual with all of our friends

Newark Market square

Later on we went out for another walk – once it had become a lot quieter – early evening time when it is still quite light – the castle was at it’s best at this time.

..and Newark Castle which was besieged three times during the Civil War...

...looking through the inner gateway into the Castle grounds and...

above the gateway... this occurred

with the setting sun

I had earlier rang through to Cromwell Lock to enquire about a passage time to Torksey – they like about 48 hours notice – it seems that 8am on Saturday would be the time to lock down. This meant that we would need to cruise up to there on Friday afternoon – not any concern as it was just 5 miles and 1 lock, but it did mean that we would finish up in Newark about midday – and that seemed to be about perfect timing for us – we had seen everything that we wanted to – even the National Civil War Trail, which uses a phone App.

If you are in Newark, look out for the App and follow the trail

History of the various areas of England has been an interest for both of us during our whole time here and it has been a real eye-opener for us in so many ways,

But time to push on and we made it to Cromwell Lock in just one and a half hours; moored up on the pontoons; went to see the lockkeepers who were very helpful – the bollards on the pontoon had electricity available and using a card we could get access – they of course had them on sale; we still had some older partially used BW cards (we have had them for a while) – surprisingly, the BW card that we first tried worked a treat – virtually free electricity for us – so on power for the night. Oh, and there was a water tap right there as well.

First objective achieved

The battery charger went on; the washing machine went on; the vacuum cleaner was out; and Diane polished one side of the boat with the electric polisher (easy as bro’).

There was time for some much needed polishing -
and with power available on the pontoon bollard, it would be a shame not to use

...I like to think that supervision is the key and one must show
some leadership in this crucial area

Gee, we wanted to stay a bit longer and make full use of it, but would need to move on.

On top of all of that the sun was out shining brightly away as well, so after emptying the bottle of red and enjoying the lovely sunshine we were back inside – a boat full of washing but a shiny boat on the outside.

This has been a glorious week; all of the new places and to top it off, power on the bollards with water on the pontoon – just all new to us.

NB: There are special thanks due to the crew of both WB No Problem XL (Sue and Vic) and NB Ewn Ha Cul (Dot and Gordon) who have lent to us copies of the Trent Charts which showed the correct lines to take in navigating the river - so far we have not gone astray, but the actual Tidal part of the Trent is beckoning to us (tomorrow)!!

40 Miles, 13 Locks

YTD:  215 miles (346 km), 148 Locks, 13 Tunnels, 3 Lift Bridges, 3 Swing Bridges

Total: 4847 Miles (7800 km), 3299 Locks, 137 Tunnels, 69 Lift Bridges, 175 Swing Bridges

The cruising season is now underway

Thursday 23^rd March to Sunday 2^nd April 2017

We left the mooring at a not too early hour – at least for us at any rate – just after 8am – did the swing bridge and the turn at the junction and the first lock – then whilst Diane headed down to set the next, it was a quick stop at the services for Elsan duty.

Rounding the corner through the junction - it may look like a collision with
the bank was likely but I assure you it was around and straight into the lock

Surprisingly, on the way out I spied Martin heading down for the same job – his was made more difficult because they were heading the other way and he had a longer carry than I did.

Anyway we said more goodbyes and no doubt we will catch them up somewhere this year.

We managed to get through the next three locks and who should be cruising along but Gary and Carolyn on nb Inca – we had left the lock ready for them but that didn’t stop us both stopping midstream for a good chat – as you do, when you are boats passing in …. broad daylight – it was a lovely and unexpected surprise – but with another boat heading up toward the lock they needed to get going and so did we.

I spy with my little eye something beginning with I....

...Inca with Carolyn and Gary ready for a mid-canal chat - yes it was a bit chilly!

Alrewas was on our horizon for the day – not a huge cruise but sometimes you just stop at the places you want – well really you do that all of the time.

We do like Alrewas and found a lovely mooring just outside the graveyard of the church – no disturbance from the neighbours tonight.

The following morning it was a lovely fine and sunny morning - this is opposite
our mooring...

...and this was sun-rise

A bit of a walk around the village – not to see anything – just to stretch our legs a bit and then we were back on the boat.

The following morning and Diane got a call from Carolyn – “How are the moorings at Alrewas?” … “we are coming back to there (from Fradley)”.

Whilst they were cruising back we decided that we might do another walk around the village but this time we did so by following the Geo-Caching App – we have decided to give this a go and find a few of the hidden “treasures" around the place; enjoy the walking and have a bit of enjoyment looking for them.

Well to reward ourselves for finding some, we called in at the Alrewas Fryer for a pre-lunchtime snack – during which Carolyn got in contact to advise that they were moored up in front of us and were we anywhere close by – we were back there reasonable quickly and then we all headed back to the William IV pub for a drink and as it turned out lunch and a bit more of a chat – this time without the need to get to the lock.

A lovely way to spend some time on an early Friday afternoon.

Gary loves his ice-cream - the big kid that he is

During this time we arranged for a bus trip into Litchfield for the following day – Gary selflessly volunteering to look after Hamish, so I was to be left at the mercy of Diane and Carolyn – there could be harder things in life.

We both love Lichfield and it characteristic cathedral (three spires) and after the pre-requisite coffee following the bus trip, we had a bit of a wander – there was some shopping, the cathedral wandering, looking on at the gathering of members of the Staffordshire Regiment to celebrate an important anniversary of their formation – we presume that they have some special privileges with the city and their march through took priority over the local traffic – everyone was having a great time indeed.

Lichfield Cathedral

Upstairs in the private chapel

Lighting candles for mum and dad and Lauren

Once a forces man then always - they marched all in step 

A hastily taken selfie - these re-enactment guys in the background were
bearing down at speed

In the end we finished everything that we had come for and after a bit of a wait for the return bus we made it back – another boat was just mooring (nb Meredith – Sharon and Paul) – we all ended up on the towpath for a few drinks and more chatting (a boating requirement).

First drink on the tow-path for the year - perfect weather for this time of year

They seemed lovely people and whilst they were not able to be full-time liveaboards, as much as they wanted, they enjoyed their boating none-the-less.

The following day (UK Mothers Day) we were off heading further northwards and this time is was a goodbye to Gary and Carolyn (they would be heading back the other way); a stop at Barton Marina – just for a look around and a visit to the store there and then a late breakfast at the café; then it was onto Burton and we moored up at Shobnall Fields.

Perfect weather again - well lovely and sunny anyway - it was a bit chilly

and plenty of water around too

We decided that a couple of nights here were warranted; we had some things to seek out which we found; some walking to do – but as it happened, we didn’t get too much of that done on our second day – a painful heel on my left foot meant that under Nurse Ratched’s instructions I was confined to the boat, whilst she went down to the pub (no she really didn’t) – but she enjoys putting on that cute nurse’s uniform and getting back into her last day job – I particularly enjoy the sponge baths – but I digress.

After some rest it felt a lot better, but the next day she still had her stern face on and equally stern voice – I do like it when she is forceful – and she locked me inside to carry on working whilst she single-handed – at least until the elsan point and then to help with the lock (although she had it under control) – after that, I had convinced her that I should be allowed to stay outside.

We moored at Willington just on the end of the Winter Moorings – perfectly allowable – and again did a bit more geo-caching (it isn’t a big place); found the new location of the Co-Op (has it really been 3 years since we have stopped here) and Diane continued her evaluation of English chippery’s – this one got an average vote but it didn’t stop her from finishing the allocation.

Willington is one of those places (Berhampstead is another) where you can moor close to the railway line and the sounds of the trains does not affect you – even the freight trains in the middle of the night – and we both had a good nights sleep.

By this time we were on a bit of cruising schedule – we had to be in Shardlow by Friday morning (9am) – and whilst it could be done in one day, we were not so inclined to want to rush through it all – but two days was easily enough time to get there.

Our first stop was at Mercia Marina for fuel and a chandlery visit; we had hoped to catch up with Jim and Joan (nb Two Jays) whom we know from our Aston days, but they had buggered off on some flimsy excuse – apparently grand-daughters don’t turn 21 every week, but we would catch them on their return – just not here.

A mooring at Swarkestone was planned and then a walk down to the pub on the Trent River – I can’t remember the name at the moment – for lunch and enjoy the views and then a peaceful afternoon back on the boat – we did try to catch up on some of the programs that we have still to watch but not much progress was made.

It seems that an enjoyable lunch, followed by sitting in a comfortable chair, by a cosy fire has some type of hypnotic effect causing you to doze off – some would say that we were getting on a bit and that it is normal for older people – I just think that we have been doing super-human efforts lately (like reading and cruising) and were totally exhausted.

On the mounting block waiting to mount something

Thursday morning arrived – I am doing my usual day job things; Diane is in bed holding it down and reading on her iPad – other blogs and facebook entries – suddenly there is a bit of anxious alarm.

Seems that a car has gone into the canal at Cuttle Bridge on the Trent and Mersey the previous evening – that was just two bridges down from us (800 metres) and on our way – oh bloody hell – there was a need to assemble a posse to go and check on it; and whilst I waited for her to get ready, I surveyed the scenery (numerous times).

We met a fellow coming up from there on our way down and he advised that there must have been some incident at the bridge – the parapet had been almost demolished, police tape was around – but nothing else ???? – what no car – nope, no car.

That section on the tow-path is the middle part of the railing from the bridge,
and not too long this photo was taken there was a car in the water

We saw for ourselves that whatever had happened, parapet was demolished with a great deal of brickwork on the towpath but no signs of any car – it was clear to proceed – thankfully.

On return to the boat wewere ready to leave and after filling with water we locked down and headed off – we will say that as we went through the bridge-hole there was some serious scraping on the baseplate and a bit of vertical movement of the boat – something was still down there

The rest of the cruise was uneventful and we moored in Shardlow about 11:30 and – in full sunshine – lovely and pleasant.

Quite relaxed we were yet again in the afternoon – very very relaxed – it was a restful nap indeed.

The reason for the hurry-up to Shardlow – the “wire” basket in our Reflecs fire was now in two parts – one small and one larger – it was a bit fragile and we feared that if we attempted to remove it again for cleaning then it would not be in a fit state to go back in and therefore no way of causing the diesel to ignite – so we needed a new one and Paul at Lockgate Stoves was going to be there for us at 9am.

The basket that we needed for the Reflecs - when I take the old
one out I will put a photo of that up on the blog 

This type of thing is usual and having had 4 winters out of it was quite good – so with the wallet just a little lighter, but more importantly with the new basket we would be able to carry on – Paul was off to fit more units to new boats – he is extremely busy at the moment as more and more new builds are having them put in.

We were ready to move on – our internet and TV signals were not consistent and since there was nothing else that we needed to be here for we journeyed just a couple of miles down to Sawley and moored outside the marina on the public moorings.

The foot was feeling immeasureably better by now – not yet 100% - but Nurse Ratched allowed me to venture out again and we wandered up into the Sawley “village/town” area – just to see what was there and to raid the shelves of the Co-Op.

A Happy Friday drink on the way back and check out the marina – Diane simply cannot walk past a chandlery these days – has to take a look inside. I am convinced that when we are back in Melbourne she will do exactly the same.

The foot was a little sore again after maybe a bit too much walking over the past few days, so Nurse Ratched has devised a new means of taping my foot to relive the pain first thing in the morning – it mainly involves stopping my foot from bending forwards.

As I found out on Saturday morning it does work quite effectively, but as far as being able to easily get my jeans on, it is impossible to point the foot and actually makes the process a bit harder – I think she wants to keep me just half-dressed and in the kitchen all day making coffee for her.

There is a list of jobs that I need to get done before we head down through the next lock on Monday and onto the River Trent, so on this morning I started on these – one of them being to replace the seal on the weedhatch as well as doing the weekly check and maintenance.

I managed to get these completed (as much as I could do) fairly easily and we decided that a bus trip into Nottingham would be a wise use of our time – after all we would be there in a couple of days and wanted to check out the mooring places (we actually haven’t taken the boat here before - so a new city for us).

Diane with friend - they shuffled off after this yelling
"Exterminate, Exterminate!!"

The Castle House stands where the original Nottingham Castle used to
look out over the surrounding countryside

We did just that and a little more – note to self – please resist the temptation to go into cities on Saturday mornings – way too many people about.

But it was a lovely ride in and back – it is not in the least bit surprising just how much noise 4 teenagers can make, even when they are talking “quietly”.

We were really looking forward to Sunday – Jim and Joan had made arrangements and would be popping over to see us after coming back from their grand-daughters 21^st, so it was certainly going to be a special day.

Another lovely sunrise - this time at Sawley

and hitting right onto the boats everywhere

We met them just near the marina café and adjourned into there for a cuppa and then lunch.

We managed to catch up on all of their news especially how very pleased and happy they obviously were with their mooring at Mercia Marina, and the more that the spoke about it the more envious we were that we hadn’t all decided years ago to moor up in there.

There are more and more marinas understanding that their livelihood is based on keeping their primary customers happy and being able to provide for their needs and not just the fly-ins who drive in for a quick visit on the way to somewhere else.

Activities, trips away, seeing quickly to problems and a 1000 other things.

They haven't aged a bit - Joan still as lovely as ever; Jim was exactly as we love him

They both looked really well and were in fine form – just such a great pleasure to see them both looking so well and so happy. It was all too soon and we were saying goodbye to them, but they did get us thinking!

25 Miles, 16 Locks, 1 Swing Bridge

YTD:  175 miles (282 km), 135 Locks, 13 Tunnels, 3 Lift Bridges, 3 Swing Bridges

Total: 4807 Miles (7736 km), 3286 Locks, 137 Tunnels, 69 Lift Bridges, 175 Swing Bridges