HOMEWARD BOUND, HOPEFULLY.

 

Home at Willington

We did stay and visit the boats on Saturday. Caught up with Dan, Vikki and Tom, and someone we hadn’t seen for a while Dave Ross, who brought his boat Colonel to the gathering. Colonel was built in 1899 for Fellows Morton and Clayton, and was originally fitted with a steam engine. It was converted to diesel in 1924 and passed through many hands before Dave. He had it repainted in the original Fellows Morton and Clayton signage last year and it looked very smart.

NB Colonel

https://hnbc.org.uk/boats/colonel

Dave had done some welding on Avalon Two a number of years ago, and attended to couple of the Swan Lane Christmas get-togethers. It was great to catch up with him, but he seemed surprised we remembered him.

Then off we went again down the same bit of canal we had travelled twice already this year. We stopped at Willington of course, handy for pubs and a little shopping. Then on to Burton for a bigger shop at Lidl, and a new pub to us, Bernie’s. A lovely micro pub with a great selection of beers. The Captain loved ‘We require more mini Rolls’ by Shiny Brewery, a deep chocolate cake flavoured stout at 6% very morish. I was happy with a Helles lager by Bluntrock Brewery from Cornwall. I chatted to the lady behind the bar, who turned out to be the owner, and found out that Bluntrock was her brothers brewery. That’s definitely keeping it in the family.

https://www.facebook.com/BerniesBurton

We called in at the Alfred, but only for the one on this visit.

Before leaving Burton we needed a pump out, diesel and a gas bottle. So the Captain made the very very tight turn into Shobnall marina, one of the best marina’s on the system for price and friendliness. Although the gas bottle we had been using had probably about 6/7 weeks left, the uncertainty of when we would get home meant we really needed o replace our empty spare, and at £46 it was a good price. The price of the diesel was a shock at £1.38 per ltr, as when we had checked a week before it was only £1.16, thanks Trump. It was still a good price compared with other suppliers, but still a shock. So we filled up, and after I had picked the Captain off the floor when he got the bill, we set off again.

https://www.facebook.com/p/Shobnall-Marina-100063568994555/?locale=en_GB

Like I have said this is a route well travelled by us this year, so our next stop won’t be a surprise to most of you was Barton Turns. We managed to moor just below the lock, and of course headed of to the pub, the Barton Turn Inn, this had recently changed hands and I was happy to see it busy. We got chatting to other boaters which made it a very enjoyable evening, and we even had an extra pint. Nothing dark on for the Captain, but he made do with a decent pint of Birra Morreti.

We pushed on the Fradley Junction next day by passing through one of our favourite canal side villages, Alrewas, and found good mooring opposite the Laughing Duck cafe, a busy establishment popular with boaters and walkers alike. We didn’t visit but we did head to the pub, the White Swan or Mucky Duck as it is known to boaters. It was busy, but we found a table and had a couple.

Next day and it was back on our home canal the Coventry, a windy day that wasn’t helped by a very slow hire boat ahead of us. Now there is nothing wrong with going slow, but it can be difficult to control your boat in windy conditions if you are going too slow. We were approaching a sharp blind bend, when the Captain reminded me this is were we had nearly collided with Taylors Afloat after they cut the corner last year, and lo and behold we met another boat in exactly the same place only this time they didn’t cut the corner, and we were able to pas one another with out incident. This made the trip to Whittington interesting.

At Whittington there are 2 pubs the Dog, the Bell and also a Coop. We found good moorings and took a walk into the village with the intention of visiting all 3 places. We had been in the Dog before, so decided to try the Bell first, it was great, with a lovely community vibe and Caffrey’s stout on for the Captain, but what made it for me, was the traction engine models displayed throughout the pub. Now most of you won’t know, but I used to collect these, and had about 25 displayed in my living room in Ripley, I had to sell them when we moved on the boat obviously due to lack of space, but I do miss them. I asked the barman about them, they had belonged to the Landlady’s father, who had sadly passed away, and what was on display was only a small part of the collection. I would have loved to see them all. As you can guess we never made it to the Dog as the Bell was just too nice.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/233916176680323/?locale=en_GB

We made it to Fazeley Sunday afternoon and managed to moor. We headed to the chippy for our tea (after a couple of pints of course). The Fazeley Fish bar has never disappointed us, and the it was the same on this occasion.

https://www.facebook.com/Fazeleyfishbarfazeley/

Now we are in limbo, the Atherstone locks are still closed, the Captain did as promised, email CRT on Friday suggesting a restricted opening schedule of either a few hours a day, or 1 or 2 days a week to allow boats to leave the affected area and get to were they needed or wanted to be. Today (Monday) we have received a standard reply saying we should hear something back within 5 working days, but I am not holding my breath they will come back with good news.

As it turns out there is an alternative route home, but its long and involves lots and lots of locks.

So our normal route home is only 25 miles and 13 locks, but the alternative route home is 86 miles and 107 locks. We are still deciding what our next move is going to be, I will keep you posted.

Our way's home, the easy way and the long way

37 miles, 16 locks and 2 canals, the Trent and Mersey and the Coventry.

EXHAUSTED BUT WE GOT THERE.

 

    Leaky Gates on the Erewash

The last week has been busy and exhausting. After the weekend we had a couple of days to kill before we went into dry dock to black the bottom of the boat. Vikki had requested we go in a few days early which we happily agreed to. The dry dock at Langley Mill hold 2 boats, and we were going in with Paul on Time Warp, who we had come up the Erewash canal with. He moors at Langley Mill so wouldn’t be going back down with us.

https://langleymillboatyard.co.uk/

Wednesday came, and at 10am Dan, Tom and Vikki were ready to start letting the water out of the dock. The gate was closed and the sluice opened, and slowly the water went down, we were soon on the trestles that the boat sits on, giving us access all round the boat.

First job was all the Captains, he donned his fishing waders, a waterproof coat, and a full face guard to pressure washed the bottom and side of the boat, thus removing all the algae and loose bits of this and that. They had a new pressure washer,, which was so powerful it nearly blew him off his feet.

When it was done he examined the hull of the boat, and was pleased to report back it was looking good.

The bitumen has to be applied to a dry surface as it is water soluble until it dries and cures. This meant the weather needed to stay dry. Thursday, and after an early shower the Captain decided it was time to start. The first coat of bitumen is always the hardest to apply, as you have to work the bitumen into all the pits in the hull. We apply the bitumen to the sides of the boat all the way to the gunnels but not the actual bottom of the boat. It took about 3 hours to do both sides, my hands ached from holding the fluffy roller we use, and don’t get me started about my back. So after a couple of pints and tea we had a quiet night.

The Captain had decided we needed a new cup on our skeg, this is like a pin and socket joint which the bottom of the rudder sits it, and it wears over time. Our had been causing the tiller to vibrate for sometime. Tom came along and removed the cup and made us a new one.

Rudder, Skeg, with Pin and Socket at the Bottom

The second coat went on much easier than the first, but I had realised that the roller I was using, was too large and heavy for my delicate hands and wrists (lol). Luckily for me Vikki had a smaller one I could use and it made the job so much easier for me.

The final coat went on on Saturday, before we headed off to Dylan’s 3^rd birthday party. We had a great time, safe in the knowledge that the heavy work was out of the way. The weather had been kind to us too.

Dylan and his Birthday Cake

Sunday and the Captain just pottered, repainting the tunnel bands, red and cream, and touching up bits here and there. Then we went to Ripley to meet up with my sister and hubby for a few pints.

Later in the afternoon Adam, Julie and Dylan joined us which was lovely. To finish off the afternoon the Captain and I headed off to Rokaa, a Turkish restaurant in Ripley, we had a wonderful meal, with enough left over for lunch next day.

https://www.rokaturkishkitchen.co.uk/

Tom wasn’t able to weld the new cup on the skeg on until the Tuesday, so Monday was quiet. After he had finished, the Captain painted the rudder and weed hatch in readiness for going back in the water on Wednesday.

We were undecided whether or not to head off Wednesday and go as far as the Gallows, which is half way between Langley Mill and Trent Lock, or wait until Thursday, and treat ourselves to a meal at the Gurkha restaurant just around the corner from the boatyard. At 10am Vikki and Tom closed the sluice, and once the boat was back floating opened the gate. We decided to not hang about and after shopping head off. We moored near the water point and headed to Lidl. Another boat was winding, so I asked the crew if they were heading down the canal and she said yes, so I suggested they waited a short while for us and we could buddy up. She said she thought her Captain just wanted to getting going, so wouldn’t want to wait for us to do our shopping. And he didn’t, as we returned from Lidl he was just going down the lock.

Now bearing in mind there has been problems with low water levels on the Erewash all summer, this was extremely stupid and shorted sighted. Its all about water conservation and using double locks with 2 boats helps with this, whilst 1 boat following another makes the water situation worse. It also meant that when we set off every lock would be against us, so more work for me.

We went to settle up with Vikki, and had a good moan and chin wag with her before setting off. On our way down the canal we made a list of all the problems with the locks, overhanging trees and encroaching vegetation. This will be sent to CRT in the hope something will be done to improve the canal for boaters.

We made it to The Gallows, moored above the lock and headed off to the pub.

The journey to Trent Lock next day was challenging. There had been plenty of water the day before but weed had been a problem. The water levels fell the further down we went. The pound above Long Eaton lock was so shallow we were dragging along the bottom, which made it very slow going, but we eventually made it to Trent Lock and found a mooring on the pontoons. It had been a couple of exhausting days for both of us, but we are happy to be heading home.

But first we had to stop at Shardlow for the Historic Transport Gathering at the weekend. We luckily found moorings without to much of a problem, and the Captain treated me to tea at the New Inn. After, we walked to the Clock Warehouse which is hosting the gathering, the selection of boats looked amazing, and we managed to catch up with Dan who has bought his boat Norway to the gathering.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567784071210

Norway is a replica Knobsticks, or pottery boat, They were built to work around the Potteries, there were many carriers, The Anderton Company, Mersey Weaver, Potters and Son, Meakins and Seddons to name a few, they are renowned as being very fine lined boats, which swim beautifully due to their unique barrel sided hull shape. Currently there are only 5 original knobsticks left, Sweden, Bedford, Dorset, Dane and Walton, and the replica Norway now bringing the total to 6.

Norway is based on her original ironwork, and is faithfully recreated in steel, to the original dimensions, as documented in the Anderton Notebook which belonged to Harold Hood, the Anderton Company dock foreman, and is held in the National waterways archives at Ellesmere Port. To recreate the unique hull shape the hull has been built using steel planks, so looks like the wooden original. Dan, Tom and Vikki built her, and she was launched at Langley Mill Boatyard in October 2025.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551878912240

So we are sat at Shardlow, and going to look at the boats this afternoon. We still can’t get home to Coventry as the Atherstone flight of locks are still closed. The Captain is waiting until we get to Fazeley before kicking up a stink about the closure, because in our opinion the flight could be opened on restricted hours, or just once or twice a week to allow boats to get to where they need to be.

Norway at Trent Lock

15 miles, 8 locks, 3 canals, the Cromford, the Erewash, the Trent and Mersey and 1 river the Trent.

8 HOURS HARD SLOG

 

Made it to Langley Mill Basin

Up the Erewash Canal. 16 locks, 12 miles.

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

It was a hard long day as the title suggests. An early start for us and we were ready for the off before 8am, but we needed to put water in first. There is a water point above Trent lock, so we locked up and moored on the water point. Paul and his friends turned up whilst the tank was filling, and after introductions to Stuart and John, they headed off to the first lock at Long Eaton. We followed on with a full water tank.

The water levels were low, but passable, but that caused the prop’s on both boats to snag huge amounts of blanket weed, this needed to be removed on a regular basis to allow the boats to keep moving.

After Long Eaton lock, Paul, John and myself jumped ship and walked to the next lock. It was further than I expected, but it meant we could prepare the lock so the boats could come right in. I actually left Paul and John to it at this lock, and walked up to Sandiacre Lock, the next one, to get it ready, but much to my joy I found the lock empty and the gates open, I then remembered that the gates on this lock swing open easily, so it saved me a job. On Sandiacre lock is a lock cottage which is owned by the Erewash Preservation group, it is open to the public at times, and shows how the interior of the cottage would have looked at the beginning of the 20^th century. We have been in and its well worth a visit.

https://ecpda.org.uk/index.php/home/sandiacre

Sandiacre Lock Cottage

I did confess to the guys that I hadn’t actually had to set the lock, but just wait for the boats.

My walking was about done after this and I stayed on board between the locks, but jumping off to help lock the boats through. Paul did walk up the shorter pounds to set the next lock, which was a great help.

On this canal some of the paddle gear is fitted with anti vandal locks, this is to stop people messing about with them and draining the pounds. Over the last few years these lock have fallen into disrepair and not been used that much. I was pleased to see that on some of the paddles these locks had been renewed, but not so pleased when I realised that some had not been fitted correctly. Basically the lock consists of a metal bar that sits above the winding gear, this is opened using an anti vandal key. The bar slides back and allows the gear to be wound up. On one I found the bar was situated actually in the centre of the winding gear, so couldn’t be engaged to stop the paddle being raised by naughty people. But the bigger problem was with bars which were too long, and even after you had slid them back, still impeded the paddle meaning you couldn’t wind it up to allow the water in.. So annoying.

Anti Vandal Lock


 

Anti Vandal Key

Of course the weather didn’t help the day along either. We had a sharp shower as we set off, and then at a lot of the locks the heavens opened and we got drenched, only for the sun to come out as we cruised to the next one.

We also had problems with boats moored on the lock landings again, which made it difficult for us to jump off to set the lock. I know the canal has been closed for a long time so boaters thought that this wouldn’t be a problem, but its still a no no in my opinion. And Paul wasn’t a happy bunny either.

The first half of the canal to Gallows lock seemed to take an age, and if we hadn’t agreed to go all the way to the basin with Paul, we would have probably stopped here for the night, but time seemed to pass faster through the last 8 locks, and soon (well not that soon) the last lock was insight and there was Tom and his partner waiting to help us through. Tom is the brother of Dan who runs Langley Mill Boatyard. Dan and Vickki were away with their 2 daughters camping, but we will catch up with them when they get back. Tom told us to moor in the dock and asked if we would be willing to go into be blacked a few days early, not a problem for us at all. We were soon moored up and headed to the pub for a well earned pint and a bite to eat. We went to the Great Northern, and the Captain was very happy to see Dark Drake by Dancing Duck brewery on the bar, and I was happy with Madri. The food was basic pub grub but hit the spot quite nicely.

Now we are on the Cromford Canal.

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

Langley Mill has everything we need, so we were happy to be staying here for a couple of weeks, there is a Lidl and Asda for shopping, 3 decent pubs for beer, the Great Northern, The Railway Inn and the Bunny Hop. Food wise, obviously the Great Northern does food, and there is a very good Gurkha restaurant, a chippy and Chinese takeaway rolled into one, Kentucky Fried Chicken and a McDonald's. Bus stops just outside the basin run to Derby, Nottingham, Heanor and Ripley.

In the basin there is water and an elsan. The boatyard does diesel and pump outs for people they know. But there are no CRT bins.

The weekend was the bank holiday, and there was an event on in the basin on the Sunday organised by the Preservation Society. There were shire horses, a variety of stalls, music all day, a kiddies entertainer and welly wanging. The Toll office and the pump house were both open too. My son Adam, his wife Julie and young Dylan came to visit, and they enjoyed looking around what was on offer, but I don’t think Dylan was too impressed with the huge shire horses, they stood 18.2 hands and were called Ebony and Bayley.

https://www.facebook.com/ErewashCanalAssociation/posts/can-you-help-please-ebony-and-bayley-two-shire-horses-are-visiting-the-great-nor/1084761193898419/

We are going into be blacked on Wednesday rather than the following Monday, and are praying for the weather to be kind to us. It needs to be dry when we apply the bitumen to the hull and sides of the boat, and whilst it dries.

We also have some family times planned. We are seeing my sister Diane and hubby Mick in Ripley, and going to Adams for a BBQ for Dylan’s 3^rd birthday at the weekend.

Dylan, the Captain and me

We are hoping when we head back down the Erewash, the way home to Coventry will be open and we wont have to kill more time waiting.

12 miles, 16 locks, 1 river The Trent, 2 canals, the Erewash and the Cromford.