Goodbye Trent and Mersey

Apart from our trip to Norbury Junction, and the associated run up and down the Shropshire Union and Staffs and Worcs canals, we seem to have been haunting the Trent and Mersey since last September. It was therefore something of a relief to leave it behind for a while.

We made an early start, getting away from Swarkestone before eight. The lighter mornings mean that we're waking earlier, although we had to sleep with the bedroom Houdini closed last night as the rain poured down. A couple of guys were just setting off in a van from the BW base as we locked down Swarkestone; they were going to check the state of the River Soar.

As we approached Weston Lock, we passed the Darlington's boat, Phyllis May II, and they caught up with us in time to share down the next three locks, stopping after Shardlow to take on water. No sooner had we lost one partner than we gained another. A BW tug was just pulling out from the towpath with a GRP cruiser, Summat Else, in tow. At first I thought that it must be one that they'd seized for non-payment of licence, but the story was sadder than that. Apparently, she's not long changed hands, around six weeks ago, and has been the victim of theft, losing her outboard engine.

BW were taking her to Sawley, so shared down Derwent Mouth Lock with us. Towing an unpowered cruiser was quite a challenge for them in the winds we've been having today, but they managed to do it without any further damage to the boat.

We've tied on the extensive visitor moorings here opposite the marina. A trip across the cut to the chandlery after lunch enabled us to get a fresh supply of LeeScale descaler (at a fair price, I must say), so I've been able to clean up the kettle and the shower head, and will give the toilet the treatment overnight tonight.

We spent a bit of time gongoozling at the lock; there's no sign of problems with the river levels, I'm pleased to say. Indeed, after the drought we've had, it would be odd if even the heavy rain of last night made a lot of difference, though with the Soar, you never can tell.

Back at the boat, we took advantage of the handy water point to top up the tank, and I hauled the anchor, chain and warp out from the lower bow locker and rigged it. The Soar itself isn't a big deal, but there's that turn off the Trent onto the Soar past Thrumpton Weir that deserves respect.

Tomorrow, we plan to stop at either Kegworth or Zouch for the night.