Loughborough to Normanton on Soar

No pictures today, just a quick update. We woke to rain this morning and the forecast was for heavy rain and high winds later. We made a dash back to the SBC, where we had planned to be for the weekend for the Classic Boat Rally, despite the weather, it should still be a great weekend. Fingers crossed the river Soar and Trent are not in flood and we can head on to the Trent and Mersey next week.

Watermead Park to Loughborough

Making the most of the good weather we headed back to Loughborough. We planned to eat out at our favourite Italian. As we pulled in to moor we spotted Ally and Marc, it was great to see them back out on the cut after their engine problems.

Wild sweet peas at Junction Lock

Junction Lock

Leaving Junction Lock

Blue skies, on the River Wreake. Pity it is not going to last.

Cossington Lock

A new little basin being built at Mount Sorrell

Leaving Barrow

Barrow on Soar to Watermead Park

Another nice day for cruising, the sun has been shining and no rain on the forecast (at least for the next few days). The River Soar is still on amber in a lot of places and still has a lot of water on, making the entrance to Sileby Mill Lock the usual slalom event. Luckily Jo and Ian walked on ahead from Mount Sorrell and set the lock ready for our approach. As the weather held, we decided to moor alongside Watermead Park and bbq rather than going to the Hope and Anchor, especially as England were playing. After a pleasant walk around the lake with Charlie we settled aboard Repent at Leisure to watch the match.

The weir at Mount Sorrell

Mount Sorrell Lock. Charlie waiting patiently to continue her walk. She is very lucky as Jo walks her the whole way whenever we are cruising.

Sileby Mill. We always comment, we wouldn’t want to moor there !!

Getting ready to bbq

Sculptures around the lake

Normanton on Soar to Barrow on Soar

We left Kegworth last Thursday as the forecast was more rain and the Soar would be in flood, mooring at the SBC at Normanton on Soar. Spent the weekend celebrating the club’s 59th birthday. Luckily the weather was fine on Monday, the Soar was out of flood but the Trent was still borderline. After discussions with Paul and Jo, nb Repent at Leisure, who we are cruising with for the next fortnight, we decided to set off towards Leicester, mooring for the night at Barrow. A quick drink in the Navigation before heading for dinner at the Hunting Lodge, then on to meet up with Ally and Marc at the Soar Bridge.

Blue skies at last

Setting off, Normanton on Soar

Bishop Meadow Lock

Nottingham Road Bridge, Loughborough

Heading towards Pillings

The weir at Pillings Flood Lock

Pillings Flood Lock

Heading towards Barrow on Soar

Sunday afternoon out on St George

After spending Saturday bbq’ing with friends, on Sunday we were treated to a trip out on St George. Look out for her on the Queens’s pageant as she will be taking part in the flotilla to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee. Thank you to Eric and Maggie for a lovely afternoon.

Easter Cruising

It was touch and go as to whether we were going or not as the River Soar had gone into flood. Luckily the river dropped overnight so we set off Friday morning.  We had a very pleasant cruise mooring overnight at Trent Lock, where we were meeting up with other boaters from the Soar Boating Club.

  Heading towards Kegworth Deep Lock

Trent Lock, moored on the floating pontoon

Saturday morning we headed up the Erewash Canal, where we had plans to moor above Sandiacre Lock. The lock cottage was opened for us to look around and a slide show was arranged for the evening by the Erewash Canal Preservation Society, showing all the hard work they have done over the years.

Approaching Long Eaton Lock

Moored above Sandiacre Lock at the junction of the Derby Canal

The lock keeper’s cottage, dated 1779, is open to the public on Sunday afternoons.

Perhaps one day we will see the Derby Canal back in water, at the moment it is used as a cycle way

Harrington Mills in the background, former lace mills characterised by semi-circular turrets housing staircases. It is also where I now work at AMX Design, situated on the second floor.

As the forecast was not looking very good for Monday, we decided to head back in the dry on Sunday. We will definitely re-visit the Erewash Canal and make it to the Great Northern Basin at Langley Mill.

Weekend out on the Soar

We are not going to be long term cruising this year, but will still keep updating the blog now and again. It seems strange not setting off this year in March knowing we wouldn’t be back until September, but we will still be enjoying our boating just the same.

Early morning at Normanton on Soar

Ian having fun in Paul’s new classic speed boat

 

Launching the Avenger 

Heading back to Kegworth

Flying our newly acquired flag, having joined the Soar Boating Club