We had a lovely night on the mooring but we could tell that the wind had changed as we could here the road noise when we woke up. There was a fresh wind blowing.
The first lock of the day, and the farmers were busy. We got there to find the paddles raised and a gate open. The last boat to pass us from this direction was a single hander little cruiser. Just saying!!
The next pound was very low and a wide beam was struggling. He told us the Weston Lock had been left in the same condition as Aston Lock had. I don't get wide beam boats at all. They are fantastic internally, massive living space etc, but what fun can you have driving it about on the canals of today. It is supposed to be fun not stressful. The canal around Weston Cliffs is pleasant.
Swarkestone Stand, or The Grandstand, or the Swarkestone Hall Pavilion stands out from the surrounding countryside. It's actual use is disputed, but it seems to have been built between 1630 and 1632. Whether it was as a bowling green, a grand stand for hunting in the surrounding countryside, a bull ring, a summer house or a banqueting suite. Of course it may have been used for all of them over its lifetime.
It was extremely fresh and blustery today, especially when there were no trees to give shelter, like at the top of locks. We got up and away but we were passed by a couple power walking towards the services. It seems that they were from a hireboat and 1.5 miles away had realised that they had left their key at the tap. Luckily it was still there! The building seems to have been renovated. You can see that it has windows looking up and down the cut. That is because this was a toll house as the Derby Canal has a junction just above the lock and then cross to join the Trent a little further on.
Stenson Lock often has lock keepers in attendance as it is deep and powerful. Not today. It is a deep lock and at the moment has a big leak to the bottom gates so it is hard to get a level to leave going up. Fortunately there were enough people to lend a hand.
As we approached the entrance to Mercia Marina everybody was telling us that there was a tree down just a little further on. It wouldn't bother us straightaway as we were heading into the marina as we were very short of fuel. Not quite on fumes, but it gives you an uneasy feeling knowing that there is only about 10 litres in there. We filled up with 170 litres at a very good 70/ltr, any split. The wind was a bit worrying for maneuvering around a marina but the fuel berth was in a good spot that the wind actually made easier to get on to and off too. It was good to be full again.
We has a bowl of soup and then left to moor up on the towpath to see what was what with the tree down. There was nothing to do until help arrived, so we went and had a look around Midland Chandlers and the shops on the Broad Walk.
All the shops, cafes and restaurants were open. It wasn't too busy so we had a loo around and Helen bought a card she needed and a little gift. The berths looked nice in the sun.
We went back to have a look and found one guy from C&RT was there with several boater helpers hacking bits off to allow passage, An old boat was first through and as he passed us he told us his draft was 2'6" so we should be okay, and we were. We just fitted through. We decided to crack on and head for Burton as we were trying to get to Fradley to meet a friend.
I had assumed that this house near Bridge No.26 was the Egginton Wharf managers house but it seems that it may have been built as a pub for the navvies during construction and the boat folk once it was opened. It looks a very nice place if it weren't only a few yards from the A38 Trunk Road.
As we approached the outskirts of Burton there was a very light shower and we were left with a rainbow. Why is it they never come out in a photograph as they do in reality!
The A38 is always busy as as the dusk came down it looked more so with the vehicles having their lights on. I have traveled this road loads of times and always look out for the canal point as we pass.
It was nice to pass up the narrow lock at Dallow Lane despite it the glow under the bridge that goes over it. The Park moorings are soon after and there was a spot for us. The wind had dropped with the sun and the trees are not right over head so we wouldn't be bombarded with fruit or twigs etc. It was nice to get into the boat and light the fire. A full days work.
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