We made it! - onto the Trent and Mersey Canal

We awoke this morning to brilliant sunshine which was a bit of surprise considering the forecast last night.  Checking the flood gauge below the lock we realised, after all the heavy rain during the night, the river had risen 6 to 8 inches and was well into the amber. Anyway, we set off with the flow and were soon up to an impressive speed.

On the approach to Kegworth Deep Lock we managed to turn the corner and not land up in front of this very impressive house .
After leaving Kegworth Deep Lock the flood gauge had risen into the red telling us the River Soar was now in flood.   A quick call to British Waterways in Newark confirmed this.  They also very kindly checked the conditions for us on the River Trent and they quickly rang back to confirm that, even though the River Trent was high, it wasn’t expected to go into flood until Saturday which meant we could get through to the Trent and Mersey Canal fairly safely.

Leaving Ratcliffe Lock we came across this BW crane barge which had keeled over onto it’s side and taken the adjacent pontoon with it.

The large expanse of water which makes up the meeting place of the Rivers Soar and Trent, the Erewash canal and the Cranfleet cut to Nottingham.

‘Chance’ in one of the duplicated Sawley Locks.  They are mechanised so Doug had a rest from paddle winding and gate opening!

Approaching the attractive village of Shardlow with very threatening skies.
A few miles further on we were delighted to come across the people on nb ‘Muriel’ who told us that they read our blog and who very kindly asked how Oscar was doing.  It’s really nice to meet people who take the trouble to read about us.  

Doug looking satisfied with his work.

This is our mooring this evening just outside Swarkestone and we’re being rained on very hard.  Having said that, we’ve had a remarkably good day weather wise with only a couple of short heavy showers.  As we finish this blog we’re in the middle of a thunderstorm but thankful were back onto canals!