Big Locks

Since our last post we have moved off the Trent & Mersey narrow beam section and on to the wide bit.  The canal itself doesn`t look much broader, it`s the locks that are bigger - big enough for two narrow beam boats to enter together, or one wide beam to go it alone. (Narrow beam boats like M are 6`10" wide, while wide beams, with all the accompanying luxury and extra living space, can be up to 12`). We haven`t seen many on the move but they are out there, moored up in marinas or alongside on the rivers, plotting. They`re just waiting for the chance to come towards us on the narrowest section for miles, at a bridge, close to a bend, by overhanging trees ... .

After a night above Fradley junction (still on the narrow part of the Trent & Mersey, and where it  meets the Coventry Canal) we dropped down and moored above Keepers Lock, in `the junction` itself.  Fradley was busy (probably more than usual because of restrictions on the Leicester section of the Grand Union, the other route to the North) so we had a pleasant evening watching boats go by and walking V a short way up the Coventry.

Fradley Junction - from the Coventry Canal

The next day saw us through Alrewas and its short river section, and then onto Burton-on-Trent.  We passed the Burton breweries, Shobnall Basin`s chandlery and the watering point at Horninglow without hesitating - despite the pull of beer tasting tours, more shiny bits for the boat and the usual, "have we enough water"? conversation.  We had a night at Branston Water Park - always a favourite spot because of its views - and then stopped, after passing through Willington, at the Ukrainian near Western. 

Shardlow Lock

By then we were using wide beam locks.  The first on the way down is Stenson, which has a problem at the moment with its bottom gates: apparently, there`s a build up of gravel that`s preventing them from opening fully.  The two boats going down ahead of us got wedged together trying to leave and remained stuck long enough to receive advice from every direction imaginable - other boaters waiting to come up, boaters (us) waiting to go down, the adjacent pub, cyclists, dog walkers, dogs - and cause an eight boat queue on the other side.  But like all advice, the source is as important as the information - and if in doubt, do your own thing.  Eventually, one of them, an American on a hire boat (an inexperienced boater) was switched on enough to get them both extricated from the lock.  Things then resumed to normal, but a bit slower, as two boats couldn`t enter or leave the bottom gates together.




A boat nudges into Stenson Lock with a view to pulling out a boat that`s wedged in



M drops in Stenson.  Advice: do your own thing

Do your own thing.  A boat at Willington with a foredeck hydraulic motorcycle ramp 

There`s been little rain since we`ve been out these past two months and the water levels on both canals and rivers are noticeably low. Canals are artificial waterways and unless water flows into them from rivers, it has to be pumped. To help prevent water loss, we`ve been very careful to make sure that all the lock gates are closed properly when we leave them.  Despite being heavy, it`s surprising how many bottom gates will open of their own accord when there`s no water pressure in the lock to keep them shut. 



Deep locks on the Trent & Mersey - there`s always water passing through the gates 



M`s been putting a few hours in now in order to get back to Pillings Lock Marina before November and it`s shorter days and (an assumed) change to winter weather. From the Ukrainian we dropped into Shadlow and stayed the night on the town moorings opposite the old wharf.  Although there`s still a boat yard, most of the buildings have been converted to waterside apartments.  It`s a nice place, with it`s pubs and old buildings, and the canal lined with drooping willow trees.



The wharf at Shardlow



M on the Shardlow town mooring

Now that we are getting close to home and the prospect of normality returns - living in a house and in one place for a while - Sue`s wondering how long she`ll be able to cope with her long(er than normal) hair.  I think she`ll persevere.

Water Gypsy