HAPPY TIMES TO BE HAD IN NOTTINGHAM.

 

Three Generations

The wind was still strong, but the Captain took the decision to head to Nottingham after lunch the next day.

After 2 large river locks that were manned, I had my first exercise for a while and had to do Meadow lock. This lock takes you off the river and onto the Beeston and Nottingham canal, which runs through the city before rejoining the river at Beeston lock. There was a CRT reported problem with the lock, with instruction to take care when operating it. But I had no trouble with it and we were soon up and back on the calm waters of the canal.

Part of the Canal Mural in Nottingham

We headed for our favourite moorings in Nottingham, near Sainsburys, with only one more lock to do, Castle lock, we were soon moored up and off to the pub, The Olde Trip to Jerusalem. A Green King pub that offers an excellent choice of real ales, so one of our favourites.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ye_Olde_Trip_to_Jerusalem

We had a couple then headed back to the boat for a quiet night, the plan of action next day was to take a walk into Nottingham, and head up to Victoria Centre and the indoor market there (I do love a market). We took a slightly different route than normal, and had intended to call in at the Broadmarsh shopping centre on the way, only to find it had been demolished since our last visit, and was still being redeveloped. But it was still an enjoyable walk into the town. We made it to the Victoria centre, and I was quite upset to see how the market had deteriorated. Most of the stalls seemed empty, and there was a general air of neglect about the place. The Caribbean food stall was still there, and busy, which was great and a stall offering loose herbs, spices, nuts and seeds was interesting. I managed to get some star anise I needed. 

The Emett Clock in the Victoria Centre

Then off to try a couple of pubs, The Bell, on the Market Square had Old Peculiar on for the Captain, then on to the The Dragon, and a real find in here, Dark Drake by Dancing Duck

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bell_Inn,_Nottingham

http://the-dragon.co.uk/

And finally back to the Trip.

I had heard from my daughter Jess next day (Saturday) and we arranged for them to come for Sunday lunch. So after a bit of shopping I settled in to do some cooking, roast chicken, cauliflower cheese and a lemon merengue for pud. After my hard work the Captain took me for another pint, this time we tried The Canal House which belongs to Castle Rock Brewery. We have cruised past this canalside pub on many occasions, but never visited. It is an interesting pub, with a spur off the canal actually in the building, so you have to go over a bridge to get to the bar. We sat outside in the sunshine, although it wasn’t strappy top and shorts weather (not really had much of that this summer) it was pleasant, and a great people watching place and a great pint,

https://www.castlerockbrewery.co.uk/pubs/canalhouse/

My daughter Jess, her husband Stuart and baby Lowen turned up on time, we had a lovely meal together and time catching up. Lowen is such a happy baby and a credit to them both.

Proud Grandparents

After they left we headed off to pick up a parcel, the Captain had ordered me some Korean Gochujung paste which I needed for a couple of recipes I wanted to try, couldn’t find it in Sainsburys but they do do it I discovered later.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gochujang

We had a pint in the Waters Edge as it was the closet pub and we didn’t fancy walking too far, but were very disappointed so only had the one.

The weather had still been hit and miss over the past few days, but the Captain decide it was nice enough to move to Trent Lock the next day, and it was a very pleasant trip. Beeston lock is a flood lock and a pain to operate. Before doing the lock we intended to put water in, but unfortunately there was a boat on the water point and one waiting, so we changed our minds, we knew there were a number of water points ahead of us. The reason the lock is a pain, is because you have to leave the 2 red paddles up when you leave the lock, this ensures a flow of water going into the Beeston canal. It is also awkward when leaving the lock to get onto the pontoons to pick up your crew. And of course for us the wind wasn’t helping either. Getting off the pontoon was a task but the Captain knows all the tricks in the book, and after a couple of set backs he had us on our way to Cranfleet Lock, this is a very deep lock, but luckily for us there were lockees on to help us through. I did jump off to help out and chatted to the lockees whilst waiting for our boat to lock up. This turned out to be a mistake as the high walls made it difficult for me to get back on the boat, but I managed it with the Captains help, and went for a shower whilst we filled with water. The tap was very slow, and after ½hr we gave up and set off for Trent Lock, with fingers crossed we could get on the pontoons there. Unfortunately we now had a widebeam in front of us who took the last spot on the outside of the pontoon, so we had to back into the inside of the pontoon, but the couple off NB Spruce Goose came out and helped us pull back, and we were soon moored and having a chat, joined by their beautiful German Shepherd Bailey.

A Well known Landmark

Off to the pub after lunch, The Steam Boat, and it was quiet for a Bank Holiday Monday, I think the weather had a lot to do with it. But the Captain was more than happy when he saw they had Imperial Drake on by Dancing Duck, at 6.5% abv its a very moorish stout, and so nice he had 4 pints sat in the sun. On not so good news, we spoke to Simon the owner of the pub, and he is thinking of closing the pub and converting it into Airbnb apartments. I sincerely hope not but only time will tell.

We stayed put next day as we were still a bit early to go up to Langley Mill Basin. The trip up the Erewash usually takes us 2 days. There are 16 double locks over 12 miles. The first 8 take us to Ilkeston and The Gallows for the night, and then the final 8 locks the next day and the Great Northern for a pint. But that’s for next time.

Just an update on Nick and Alison, due to the weather they took their time getting to Nottingham and arrived on the day we left, and are staying there for a week. So we don’t know when our bows will cross again but hopefully they will one day.

21 miles, 7 locks, 1 river and 1 canal