About Us

My photo
In 1977 we hired our first narrowboat from Anglo Welsh at Market Harborough.From that moment our destiny was set. In 2006 we finally purchased our own brand new 57' narrowboat which we named 'Free Spirit'. Our aim is to travel the length and breadth of all the navigable rivers and canals of the UK. This will be our story as it unfolds.

Monday 28 April 2014

On our way........finally.

Ian had a few jobs to do before we left Trent Lock and knowing that Dennis and Margaret were also heading for Sawley today we waited until everyone was ready before setting sail at around 2.30pm. The river was in perfect conditions, just a gentle flow, and once we had entertained the gongoozler by descending the lock, we swung against the flow and headed for Sawley.

Dennis coming out of Erewash Junction

Immediate left is the Erewash Canal (brickwork shows the entrance) Then center left is the River Trent Cranfleet cut towards Nottingham and right is the Soar heading to Leicester.
 Ian had fitted a new rev counter while we were moored at Langley Mill and wanted to see if it was correctly calibrated so he got the revs up to 2300 and we took off like a bat out of hell, flying along and reaching the dizzy speed of 6 mph! The meter ran true so he was one happy bunny.


Sawley Lock came into view and we half hoped that Dave the Lock Keeper would be manning the lock. No such luck so dropping Ian off by the steps at the left hand lock ( which was against us) I then had to shoot across the river to enter the right side lock which happened to be in our favour. Not an easy task especially as Dennis was hot on my tail! We found a mooring suitable for the both boats and while Ian walked back to Trent Lock to fetch the car and take it back to our bungalow in Sandiacre, I went with my macro camera and Jade to walk across the wild meadows.
Mooring at Sawley

Jade deciding Icing was a much better boat. Could be something to do with all the treats she gets from Margaret.

A walk on the wild side.

She's in there somewhere.
Ian eventually returned by 6pm having only just caught the bus back. He hailed it as he was running to the stop and luckily the driver stopped for him. His words to Ian was "by 'eck your fit"!

3 comments:

Diane and Ray said...

Hi Irene we are on our way to do the Erewash canal and was hoping you could give some advice re moorings and a place to shop. We are at Stenson lock at the moment hoping to get to Shardlow tomorrow. We are on Nb Ferndale and I have been hoping to see you in passing as I enjoy your blog and wildlife photos. Cheers for any info Diane

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Hi Diane and Ray,

Moorings at Trent Lock, above Sandiacre Lock (junction of the disused Derby Canal, by the Bridge Inn Cotmanhay, Black Bridge Ilkeston and Langley Mill is all relatively safe (although any mooring can have it's problems but we have never experienced any trouble at these spots.
Shopping center in Long Eaton Tesco, Aldi and Asda (moor above Long Eaton Lock but don't stay over night and walk through alleyway on your right). Sandiacre town center has a Lidl. Black Bridge Ilkeston there is a Tesco 5 min walk away and Langley Mill has Asda and lidl.
We are leaving Sawley tomorrow so I expect we will see you on route. Hope to have a quick natter then. See you soon.

Diane and Ray said...

Thankyou for info, we will look out for you today hopefully not at a bridgehole. wishing you a safe journey D&R

Blog Archive