A Weeks Cruise to Tixall Wide

Just a short catch up blog to log our very enjoyable cruise to Tixall Wide and back. We had a lovely time in the company of mum and dad and we were very lucky with the weather.

Leaving Sawley Lock

Our first overnight mooring at the Ragley Boat Stop

Leaving our overnight mooring at Branston, heading towards Tattenhall Lock

Morning reflections

A rare photo of Ian

Wychnor Lock

Wychnor Church

Common Lock, Fradley

Approaching Fradley Junction

Moored outside the Plum Pudding, Armitage.

Haywood Lock

We just managed to moor at Tixall Wide, it is always a popular spot. Ready for our return journey, surprisingly the weather was getting hotter every day. We certainly chose the right week.

Colwich Lock Cottage

Mum and Dad looking well

Colwich Lock

Local school children’s art mural at Alrewas

Late evening moored below Stenson Lock. Bbq finished and cleared away, mum busy blackberry picking.

Heading towards Weston Lock

Back at Willow Moorings

Photos courtesy of Peter Millhouse

Completed 72 miles and 52 locks

Bank Holiday Cruising

The weather forecast for the weekend was not looking very promising. Drove home from work at 5.00 in heavy rain and thought that was the start of it, but we managed to get to Trent Lock in the dry, not only that but we had a pleasant cruise without any wind. We had a table booked and were meeting up with other friends from the Soar Boating Club. The following morning we set off for Holme Pierrepont, where everyone was gathering for a bbq. As we sat having pre dinner drinks!! the heavens opened with the first  heavy shower, we sat it out under our brollies. Just as the others arrived, a few hours later, we had another storm, this one included hail and thunder. Despite the brollies we did get a soaking, much to the amusement of those sitting in the dry. Thankfully that was the last and we had an excellent bbq.

Serenity, Repent at Leisure and Autumn Glory Too moored at Trent Lock

 

Richard and Lynne on Albert approaching Cranfleet Lock

Next in line, Glenis and Frank on Ecraser Rouge

Approaching Castle Lock

London Road, Nottingham

Leaving Meadow Lane Lock

Holme Pierrepont

Moored outside Sainsbury’s

A quick shop to buy more charcoal, then we carried on to Beeston for our last bbq, before heading back to Kegworth on Monday morning. Luckily we didn’t listen to the weather forecast and we had a very enjoyable weekend.

Shardlow to Sawley

After two nights at Shardlow waiting for the rivers to come out of flood. We had the all clear from Shardlow to Sawley, but the Trent below Sawley was still in flood. We decided to make our way to Sawley and shuffle cars so I would be able to get to work on Monday. Derwent mouth was still running quite strong, but we managed without any incidents. Now to sit it out again until it is safe to go.

Late evening outside the Clock Warehouse, Shardlow

Moored at Sawley

Willington to Shardlow

Unfortunately we have been informed that the rivers Trent and Soar are both in flood, so Shardlow will be as far as we can cruise today. We have had strong blustery winds today, but cruising conditions were a lot better that expected. Approaching bridge 10, near Weston

Approaching Shardlow Lock

Moored overnight outside the Clock Warehouse

Branston to Willington

The forecast for today was looking grim. We set off to wind at Barton Turns, before we even got there the heavens opened. There was torrential thunder storm after another, which lasted for most part of the day. Getting wet was an understatement. We had to press on as we were trying to get back for the weekend and hopefully avoiding the rivers going back into flood. Just coming out of Burton on Trent, we were stopped by two B.W. guys asking for assistance. Unfortunately there was a dead puppy in the water on the far bank that they couldn’t reach, they gave Ian the rake and we managed to pull it back across. After reaching Willington, our evening was spent in the newly refurbished Dragon and a very nice meal it was too.

Tattenhill Lock, sunshine in between the heavy downpours.

Ragley Boat Stop to Branston

We planned to overnight at Branston so that we could visit another favourite of ours, the Bridge. It didn’t disappoint us, we had a very nice Italian meal and also met up with neighbours from Willow Moorings, Dick and Jean.

Ian and Jo working Stenson lock

New signage for Marston’s brewery at Shobnall

Approaching Branston Lock

Overnight moorings at Branston

Ratcliffe on Soar to Ragley Boat Stop

Paul had a phone call from a B.W. friend to say the Trent was open again. So we set off stopping at Sawley to get our temporary canal licence. The sun was shining for most of the day. Having done eight locks, we were hoping to get to Willington, but as we approached Ragley Boat Stop the showers were getting heavier. So we decided to moor here overnight.

Ian and Jo helping boats through Ratcliffe lock

Trent Lock

Sawley Lock

Shardlow Lock

Waiting to pick Ian up at Aston Lock

Weston Lock

Swarkstone Lock

Overnight moorings at Ragley Boat Stop

Normanton on Soar to Ratcliffe on Soar

Having been told the rivers were both open for navigation, we set off for our week on the Trent and Mersey. We had only got as far as Kegworth lock when we met up with two B.W. guys and was told the Trent had just gone back into flood. We moored for the night just before Ratcliffe lock and had an enjoyable afternoon in the sunshine drinking and chatting.

Devil’s Elbow, River Soar

The views from our mooring