Last of the fine days?

The forecast is predicting showers for tomorrow, and slowly dropping temperatures through the week. So there were a lot of people out and about on the water today, making the most of what might be the last sunny day for a while.

We had visitors yesterday evening, sister Kay, partner Paul and my niece and nephew Samantha and Aiden came to see us before we move out of the area. The last of Mags' third ginger cake in a week miraculously disappeared... It was good to see you all again.

I had some shopping to do, a visit to Maplin’s followed by a visit to Aldi, so it was 11 o’clock again by the time we got away. By this time the day had warmed up after a chilly night, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, the dog walkers were, well, dog walking.

Out onto the Loughborough Canal at Chain Bridge

I was just topping up Loughborough Lock when a day boat out of Pillings Lock Marina arrived to share the lock with us.

Loughborough Lock


If you’re on your own when filling this lock, don’t make the mistake of closing the paddles on one side, crossing over and attempting to open the gate on the other. By the time you’ve got across the gates, the lock will be emptying again! You need all the paddles up to overcome the leak between and through the lower gates.


Bishops Meadow Lock is the last on the canal section, below this the river rejoins the navigation after it’s detour around the town.

Bishops Meadow Lock



The river comes in from the right just below Bishops Meadow Bridge

The river is starting to broaden as it heads towards the Trent.

Approaching Normanton
Bonny, isn’t it.

Zouch Lock was our third and last for today. We’d lost our day boat companions by this time; they’d intended to stop at The Plough at Normanton, or maybe the Rose and Crown at Zouch, for lunch. Just above the lock is moored a fine looking Dutch barge replica.

MV Galatea

Now that I do like….

Mags in Zouch Lock

One of our favourite spots near Devil’s Elbow was occupied, there was only one boat there and room for another, but why encroach on someone’s space when there’s lots of opportunity to moor further on? So we pushed on, past The Otter, and moored nearer Kegworth.



One reason I went to Maplin’s this morning was to pick up some satellite cable and “F” connectors. Our new aerial, although the same as Chance’s, does not seem as good as theirs. So I’ve swapped the old co-axial cable for the decent satellite stuff, and changed the co-ax connecters as well. The signal strength seems to be much better now.

All being well, the Trent and Mersey Canal and Shardlow tomorrow.

Locks 3, miles 5¾