Trent & Mersey Canal

Passing beneath the M1 on the Trent

We left Sawley at 10:15 in warm and sunny weather passing through Sawley Flood Lock and back onto the River Trent.  A mile of river cruising took us under the M1 to Derwent Mouth where the Trent and the Derwent meet.

18th century warehouse in SHardlow

Here we left the rivers to join the Trent & Mersey Canal where Derwent Mouth Lock took us up from Derwent Mouth into the village of Shardlow where we stopped to fill up with water.  The village is of some historical interest.  It was once a major trans-shipment port where cargoes from all over the midlands and north west were loaded from horse drawn narrowboats onto larger ships to be taken down the river Trent and on to the North Sea.  There remain several warehouses and other old buildings dating from this period. 

Densie in Aston Lock

The Trent & Mersey Canal leaves Shardlow at Shardlow Lock the second after Derwent Mouth Lock of 6 large double width ones in this section of the Trent & Mersey.  Apart from Shardlow Lock they are all deep with stiff paddles and heavy gates. 1.5 miles  beyond Shardlow we ascended Aston  Lock and moored up at 13:30 for a late lunch.

Moored above Aston Lock

Our plans required us to travel a further 4 miles and 2 locks but we were both hot and tired from our exertions and so decided to stay for the night.

Journey Statistics

Distance: 3.73 Miles
Locks: 3
Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

To the River Trent at Sawley

 This morning we left Loughborough early at 9am as we had an rather long journey to make.  "The Rosery" with whom we travelled yesterday stayed in Loughborough  to shop. 

Normanton On Soar Church

After leaving Loughborough we passed through Normanton on Soar with its many large houses and gardens leading down to the river.  Passing boaters are stongly disouraged from exploring the village by the absence of anywhere to moor.

Beyond Normanton there is Zouch Lock wherewe were joined by "B'twixt and B'tween" who accompanied us for the rest of the time on the Soar descending 2 further locks.   This figure does not include. Kegworth Shallow Lock and Redhill Lock which are only used when the Soar is flowing strongly.  At other times both top and bottom gates are left open

Beyond Redhill Lock the Soar meets the much larger River Trent.The section ends at Sawley Locks. which  are electrically operated with by volunteer lock-keepers on duty.  Above the lock we moored for the day iSawley Cut where ther are extensive boat morrings and a large marina.

On the Trent with B'twixt and B'tween in the distance

Moored in Sawley Cut above Sawley Locks

Journey Statistics

Distance:10.58 miles
Opertionsl Locks: 6
Time: 5 hours 5 minutes

Loughborough

 The weather was cool and grey when we left our Sileby mooring and descended the lock.  The next lock at Mountsorrel was only a mile further on.  Here we were joined by another boat, "The Rosery"  who accompanied us for the rest of today's journey.

Mountsorrel Mineral Railway Bridge

Beyond the village the river passes beneath the impressive Grade 2 Listed Mineral Railway Bridge built in 1860 to transport the granite from the extensive quarries in the area.

In Barrow Deep Lock with The Rosery

A mile and a half later we entered Barrow upon Soar where we descended Barrow Deep Lock.  AT 9 foot 7 inches it is not that deep but likely to be the deepest in the area.

  

)n the Soar after Barrow

Shortly afterwards the canal again joins the Soar.  As can be seen in the photo, the Soar is now a significant river very different to the stream that joined the canal before Leicester.

By lunchtime we had reached Loughborough and moored up alongside The Rosery in the modern wharf near the town centre.

Journey  Statistics

Distance:7.07 miles
Locks: 3
Time: 2 hours 55 minutes

A glorious trip north on the Soar

 Last night we ate out at the Aroma Spice, a small indian restaurant in Birstall.  It was delicious, one of the best indian meals we have ever eaten. Highly recommended.

We are now nearly a day ahead of schedule so did not leave Birstall until 10am.  It has been a glorious trip with blue skies, beautiful river scenery and 3 locks.  Our engine had been running long enough to recharge our batteries when we reached Sileby Lock at lunchtime so we decided to moor up for the day above the lock next to a bridge over a small weir.

Cruising down the Soar

Further down the Soar

Moorfed at Sileby Lock

From our window we can see the river flowing slowly by and large numbers of dark blue damsel flies fluttering above the water. Inside the boat despite both front and back doors and a couple of windows being open the thermometer is showing 30 degC. Hopefully it will cool down a bit overnight.

Journey Statistics

Distance: 5.1 miles
Locks: 3
Time 2 hours 45 minutes

Helping the police with their enquiries

 In the morning we walked to the large Leicester Market to look for fresh provisions.  The market is  separated into different sections.  One area for meat stalls, another for fish stalls , and the third for fruit and vegetables. Back at the boat we had crab bought at the market for lunch.

We then set off north down the Soar.  At the first lock, North Lock,  a police lady  came up to tell us that the bridge below the lock was a crime scene but we would be allowed to pass through if we stayed on the boat.  She then asked for help.  The evidence sheet on which she had compiled her notes had blown into the canal in the gusty wind and she could not reach it! With a bit of manoeuvering we were able to retrieve the soggy notes from the canal and hand them back to the very relieved police lady.

Mill Lock

Former mills

Beyond North Lock there is much evidence of old industry including a large mill with a tall chimney festooned with numerous aerials. Leicester was a centre for manufacturing clothing. Beyond the mill the Soar looked increasingly like a real meandering tropical river with thick overhanging vegetation on both sides. 

On the Soar north of Leicester

And then the rain started. Heavy rain. Somewhat of a surprise since it was not forecast at all. As there was nowhere to shelter we quickly put on our wet weather clothing and opened up a large umbrella so only got fairly damp.  By the time we reached Birstall Lock, the last one for today, the rain had stopped.  We moored soon afterwards at good moorrnigs in the village of Birstall.

Birstall Lock in the sunshine

The village centre is only a short walk from the river.  There ae a few shops including a Coop where we bought some items we coud not get in central Leicester and an Indian restaurant we plan to visit this evening.

Journey Statistics

Distance: 3.78 miles
Locks: 4
Time: 2 hours 40 minutes

Moored in the centre of Leicester

 Yesterday I described the attractive mooring and the owl box.  Unfortunately we could not stay. In the early evening the boat had developed a noticeable list.  Further investigation indicated that the water level in the canal was falling. So at 7:30pm we decided to move further down the canal to somewhere safer.

This required a half mile journey beyond the next lock where the canal is fed by water from the River Soar.  The remainder of our route until we meet the Trent follows the Soar with the locks being located in short canalised sections.

 Whilst Denise was filling the lock a passer-by asked whether we needed any help;  It turned out that he was a volunteer lock keeper so I inquired about the low water level.  Apparently the pound was known to be leaking but the cause has not yet been found.

Rather than changing yesterdays blog today's journey statistics include last night's move.

We set off this morning at 9:15. Although one may not believe it from the photos most of the journey was within 2 miles of the city centre. At Freeman's Lock, our last lock of the day the Soar is diverted around by a large weir.

Aylestone Mill Lock surrounded by the treets of Leicester

Weir at Freeman's Lock

Beyond here in the centre of Leicester the canal flows through the impressively wide Straight Mile beyond which we moored within walking distance of the city centre at Friars Mill.

View down the Straight Mile

Moored at Friar's Mill

Joutney Statistics

Distance: 3.61 miles
Locks:5

Time: 3.5 hours

Many hands make light work - io the edge of Leicester

 The day started cool and grey with a small amount of rain.  Once the rain had ended we set off at 9:30. At the second lock we were pleased to find that another narrowboat, Upton, had waited for us to arrive to mnimise the effort by sharing the double width locks together. 

The weather improved greatly during the day with the clouds clearing and the temperature rising. We stayed with  Upton for the whole day during which we descended 12 further locks.  The scenery was some of the best we have seen on this holiday as the tree lined canal provided wide views over grassy meadows and distant hills.

Sharing a lock with Upton

We stopped for the night at 15:45 near the Leicester suburb of Glen Parva whilst Upton carried on towards the city.centre.  Out of the window I can see the reedy banks of the canal, hedgerow trees and a grassy field with an owl nest box on the top of a high wooden pole. Hopefully we will get a view of any occupant later this evening.

Moored near Glen Parva

Journey Statistics

Distance: 8.1 miles
Locks: 14

Time: 5 hours 20 minutes