Langley Mill

We had a hard day ahead of us if we were to make it all the way to Langley Mill - the end of the Erewash Canal. We had agreed to make a decision about whether to turn around earlier at 10 o'clock. By that stage we were just below Shipley lock and tantalisingly close to the end, but it would mean a strenuous run to get sufficiently far back to Trent Lock to make tomorrow's final run to Willington an achievable target.

Lock followed lock (or so it seemed) but we eventually passed under the bridge just before the last lock into the terminus basin at around 11:20 - thus taking us officially onto another canal: The Cromford Canal.

Whilst Mike attended to the usual facilities Christine went to a nearby Asda for a paper. As she returned, Mike was just beginning to wind the boat - made rather more difficult by a couple of boats the moored in the winding hole. even so, turning a full 70' boat would be an achievement.

Also joining the canal network here was the Nottingham Canal, now disused.

We set off to retrace our steps - at least all the locks were set for some kindly boaters (us yesterday!) We took rather longer over our lunch than was originally allowed for but we need time to recover some energy!

An unusual name - the place name seems now to be Gallows Hill but we have not seen any indication of its derivation. Wonder what it does for house prices!

On the was back we spotted two other former canal junctions which we missed on the way up. The first is the former Nutbrook Canal, never very successful and long closed. It ran through the site of Stanton ironworks and they retained a short part of it for transportation until after the Second World War but later were only interested in it as a water supply. Its junction is now reduced to two missable holes in the wall!

The converted mill which we noted yesterday: Christine took a closer look as we passed this time and it seems as it is mainly apartments now - not offices.

Just above Sandiacre Lock - scene of yesterday's mayoral visit - is where Derby Canal joins in. Although this too is now disused there are well developed plans - now at the Outline Planning stage - to restore it to full navigation as well as proving a valuable recreational asset for walkers, cyclists, joggers and fishermen.

Oh, and the new plaque and lock cottage  we failed to snap yesterday!

We were pleased to have reached this far - just a little sooner than we had predicted - but were glad to moor for the night just below the lock.