Since we arrived on Tuesday I don’t think there have been any arrivals or departures on these 48 hour moorings, apart from us. I guess CRT aren’t interested in enforcing the rules here…
Nottingham was a major destination for canal traffic in the day. Goods from the north coming up the Trent, from the west on the Nottingham Canal and south from the Soar and the Trent all had to have secure storage, hence the large contemporary warehouses built along the canal.
We dropped down Castle Lock, now number 6 on the Trent Navigation but originally Lock 2 of 19 on the Nottingham Canal.
Filling with water above Meadow Lane Lock completed we dropped down onto the river again, heading downstream towards Newark.
Grass snake in the canal above Meadow Lane Lock.
They apparently like damp areas, ponds and slow-moving waterways, and are strong swimmers.
Under Lady Bay Bridge
Not sure that the Trent Basin development is much of an improvement on the 1930’s concrete warehouses that used to stand here…
Holme Lock was our first proper river lock, and we had to wait for a gaggle of boats to come up before it was our chance to go down.
Dave got his knickers in a bit of a twist trying to get into the side of the chamber.
It was windy, though…
With volunteers on the locks life was easy today, and we were off and heading to Stoke Lock in good time.
Radcliffe Railway Viaduct….
…followed by the sharp left turn below the village.
The delightful Stoke Lock comes next, with quiet, peaceful moorings above the lock cut.
I don’t doubt we’ll spend a couple of nights here on the way back upriver.
Fine cruising now we’ve left the fringes of the city behind.
Egrets, I've had a few, but then again, too few to mention...
The Ferry Boat Inn at Stoke Bardolph
The river wasn’t busy, but there were one or two boats about.
Bottoms up!
Approaching Gunthorpe Bridge our plan of using the mooring pontoon here looked to be going awry…
…but there was just enough room for us on the inside.
It’s been an enjoyable day, not much sun, quite breezy but warm.
Tomorrow we’ll be off early again to try to get to Newark soon after lunch.
Locks 4, miles 11½
1 comment:
Hi Geoff and Magg, I am Diane, I meet you with Chris Hunt (Barb and Dave's daughter) on the river by Hampton court about 9 years ago. I loved that trip so much and often get updates of you guys when you cross paths with Barb and Dave. Was just talking to Chris as she and family are coming over soon and she said how you had just seen her parents again. I remember you had a blog and decide to see if I could find it. Loved seeing the pictures and your visit with Barb and Dave. They are great people,I think the world of them. Great to see you and Magg are doing well and still enjoying life on rivers. Just want to say "Hi". My husband has heard so much from me about the canal boats it was great to show him live on the river through your photos. Cheers and Happy Boating.
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