Off the river.

As we were moored outside Sainsbury's it would have been rude not to step inside and gain the benefit of a voucher for petrol after spending £20. It was an easy way to stock up on wine etc. We were off in the sun but it was quite bitter in the wind. We seemed to be going very slowly as were were travelling at 'canal' speed, but we were soon past Boot's Estate and at Beeston Lock. A boat with a new to boating couple aboard were just entering so we managed to share with them.

There is loads of blossom on the trees this year so making a very floral passage down the cut.

The approach to Cranfleet Lock.

The placid Trent and the trees around Thrumpton Hall contrast with the towers and chimneys of Ratcliffe Power Station. There was no smoke or steam so it seems to be shut down but it complies with the new pollution regime and even takes Nitrous oxide out of the flue gas now, despite it being coal fired. Maybe it is on a make over.

As we passed out of Cranfleet Cut there is the sign pointing to where we have come from. It was very quiet at Trent Lock and nothing on the visitor moorings their either.

We were soon at Sawley and decided to moor up on the pontoon below the lock to top up with water and dump the rubbish before penning up. Both were accomplished quickly and we were soon enjoying being locked up by the two volunteer lock keepers and then we were off again.

After the M1 Motorway bridge is the Sydney Harbour Bridge, well the bridge carrying the water main over the Trent.

At we got to Derwent Mouth Lock we were in our first lock queue of the year. There was a small cruiser waiting to go up but the two ladies didn't have much strength. We couldn't fit in the lock with them as they were a little too long and a little too wide. We helped them on their way and then another boat down before we penned up too. Helen is sitting patiently on the lock beam of the lock as it fills with a lovely horse chestnut tree coming into leaf. The First bridge on the Trent and Mersey Canal is Porter's Lock. I not that our name is attached to the No.1 bridge!

We were soon at Shardlow and the number of lovely buildings is great. This one is ripe for development. I loved the windows and the mellow brick.

The Clock Warehouse with it's interior discharging berths with Shardlow Lock on the left.

Looking back from the lock with the lovely willow. It must have been fascinating when the full cargo carrying days were in full flow.

We caught up with the cruiser at each lock and assisted them each time. For this last couple of locks we shared with share boat 'Debdale' and had a good chat as they knew Hull well. We kept going until after Weston Lock and then it was getting cooler and cooler and the clouds getting blacker. It has been a long day but we are now clear of the river so even if it pours we only have a short stretch of river that could delay us now.