Different boats for different folks.

After a very quiet night on the steps at Hazelford Lock we were ready for the off by 0930 but had to have a turn round the lovely secluded island by the lock.

There are path ways kept open through the brambles by the lock keepers and numerous rabbits. This has left space for wild flowers and the blue bugle was in stunning bloom this morning and there are loads of teasel heads.

Once above Hazelford lock the river runs next to the high ground and we met out first cruiser under the gaze of the church at Kneeton.

Despite the beautiful weather it was still cool on the river and so I kept my shirt on.

The track next to the canal was very busy with walkers and cyclists and there were plenty of these beasts watching goings on too.

The next lock was Gunthorpe and there were plenty of folk watching the goings on. Above the lock there were a couple of ski boats slaloming up and down.

The stretch of river from Hazelford to Holme Lock is quite pretty and on a sunny day like today even Stoke Lock was busy, but not with boats using it as it was very quiet for that. Above Holme Lock we came across these dinghies going hither and thither. I think it best to make sure that they can see exactly where I am heading and let them get on with it.

As we approached Lady Bridge just before the city we came across this sight seeing boat on a dinner (or lunch depending where you are from) cruise.

Just before we arrived at Meadow Lane Lock we passed this coxed eight and several single skulls making four types of boats that aren't very common on the canals. The Brian Clough Stand is obviously part of Nottingham Forest's City Ground. Next door is the Trent Bridge cricket ground and on the other side of the river is Notts County ground at Meadow Lane.

Meadow Lane Lock on the Nottingham Canal or Beeston Cut. It came as a  bit of a shock to the system to actually have to manual work a lock as the last must have been Fall Ing, the last of the locks on the Calder and Hebble in Wakefield. Helen is just going to shut the gate on the side that the boat we shared with should have closed. We stopped for a top up of water before setting off.

There were plenty of folk out on the towpath through Nottingham and there was also lots of drinkers by the lock at the Navigation pub by Castle Lock, and as usual non felt able to assist. This was the British Waterways Warehouse by the lock. It was huge as there is the same again astern of us. At least part of it has found a good use as the ground floor is a Weatherspoon's! We moored up near Castle Marina in the sunshine