Gone for a Burton.

It was a beautiful morning, until you stepped out on deck and the wind had a cruel edge to it. We would be heading into it all day too. We passed through some lovely wooded areas before we arrived at Swarkestone Lock. We just missed a boat going up so we were on own. We decided to stop at the water point to top up. We very rarely miss a day to top up the water tank, especially if there is a vacant tap.

Just by the lock the Derby Canal left the Trent and Mersey. From Derby it continued and joined the Erewash Canal at Sandiacre. In the photo, about where the boat is moored in the distance was a a link down to the River Trent that is still close by.

There were a few boats moving as we passed through Stenson Lock and passed Midland Canal Centre and Mercia Marina. The visitor moorings at Willington were quite busy but we carried on.

In the distance is Monk's Bridge which spans the River Dove. There was a bridge here in 1294 and in 1394 it became Monk's Bridge as the Crown granted a monk permission to collect alms for it's upkeep and eventually built a chantry chapel on it. It was rebuilt in 1775 and was by passed by the dual carriageway A38. The aquaduct was built by James Brindley in 1777. The pill box comes from WWII and demonstrates what a access point the road rail and canal used in their building as it was expected that they would also be used by our enemy.

We have seen many more ducklings today and some must have been born a while ago as they were quite large. We laos have seen several single ducklings that have been cheeping away as they have become separated from the rest of the family. I expect the strong wind blowing down the cut means that once blown down wind they find it very difficult to get back up wind. We discussed towing a bath astern and scooping up all the waifs and strays but that is the circle of life I suppose.

At Horninglow Wharf the A 38 is literally just above it so would not be my first choice for a residential mooring. However  it is enhanced with a nice mural to brighten up the outlook. 

Just past we came to Dallow Lane Lock and so to our first narrow lock. It is always a milestone to get back to the narrow canals. We were lucky there was a spot on the end of the off side moorings at Shobnall Fields. It was quite interesting getting on to it with the wind blowing off it but we were soon moored up. 

After a late lunch I put up a couple of the double glazing units and then went out to clean up the engine hole. Helen disassembled an old skirt and made ready to refashion it.