As hoped.. the lights green so we can get on with leaving the Soar behind us..
Sent the kids on ahead as the flood lock landing was full of boats and there would be no where to stop.. got there, found CRT opened the gates.. I was tempted to just go for it and leave them behind.. but the dogs were with them.. so had to pick them up – but the kids got back on as well.. damn it!
Got out of the River Soar, where it joins the River Trent.. and there was quite a flow to deal with.. directly opposite, the entrance to the Erewash canal.. our target for today – between two rather large concrete pillars and under a bridge.. sideways on so the flow doesn’t push me into the wall.. and at the last moment.. kick the back out and in we go.. just missed the wall..
Pulled into the lock landing to find someone there waiting – with engine problems.. we pulled their boat into the lock with ours – so they could get off the river incase the levels change and get them onto a stable canal.. they said they would be OK – so left them to it on the lock landing..
Lots of moored boats on the southern reach of the Erewash.. some with their own stables!
Now.. I think I may need to slow down a bit for this one.. bit harsh CRT.. speed cameras!!! 😉
Several locks on and through Sandiacre.. We were advised by one of the boaters at the “red light” yesterday to not stop here – its looks nice.. but there is always trouble when boats moor up.. so onward.. and there has not been a lot of boats moored since the start of the canal.. and the few we have seen have their windows boarded up.. so yea.. keep going..
And into Ilkston. Again.. not a lot of boats, but the mooring here seems OK, next to a field, with an Enterprise near by.. for one night – we should be OK. Just a shame about those two damn noisy Alsatians guarding the workshop opposite..
Time for a kick about in the field CC thinks.. OK… 🙂