The weather forecast for today was for a rather wet morning - it was correct! we needed to make a prompt start as we were heading to Willington so that we can catch a train first thing tomorrow morning to take the girls back home - or at least to Reading. Willington can be a popular mooring and early arrival is necessary to find a mooring close to the station.
It was already raining when we awoke and even heavier by the time Mike was ready to start. As soon as he cast off, another boat - a HireaCanalBoat from Sawley - also started just ahead of us. This was handy as Mike was, at this stage, ready to work the lock on his own. Shardlow Lock was just a couple of minutes the other side of the main road bridge.
The four people aboard the other boat were very cheerful despite the weather but this was their first main day and only their second lock!
Yesterday when we walked up to Shardlow village we noted that many of the buildings had names such as Shardlow Grange, Shardlow House - this, seen across the fields, is Shardlow Manor, now offices and a day nursery!
After the next lock they opted to take a break - dry out and have coffee. Mike just stayed wet and had his coffee handed out through the back cabin door!
At Weston Lock there was no other boat in sight so Mike, now with assistance from the rest of the crew, came up the lock only for a boat that had been moored up a little earlier arrived. He was clearly in a hurry.
However, by this stage the rain had cleared for a while and at least three boats that had been moored overnight above the lock were preparing to set off. It was clear that at least two of them bitterly resented not having done so a couple of minutes earlier! By the time we arrived at Swarkestone Lock there was a line of four or five boats mooring behind us. A couple of boats were already entering the lock from above.
Just before Swarkestone Lock we could see Swarkestone Old Hall Pavilion, built in the seventeenth century. Its original purpose is in some doubt but it gradually was allowed to fall into disrepair until taken over by the Landmark Trust. retaining only the main structure, they have converted it into stylish holiday accommodation.
These locks are set quite well apart but are also very deep. The boat that had been most immediately following - and barely said hello when we first passed them - wanted to get on as fast as possible. As a result they not only opened the top ground paddles as quickly as possible but also immediately lifted a gate paddle. Whilst this might fill the lock just that bit quicker it is also in these locks highly dangerous and there are clear notices warning not to do so! They made it clear that something was wrong with us for wanting to take things just a little safer . . .
One of the next boats waiting below was also rather grumpy and drew the bottom paddles as quickly as possible, failing to notice that the top gate they had once shut had immediately drifted open (many around here do this) As a result, we struggled at max engine power to avoid being sucked back into the lock - they then let the top gate close with a tremendous bang with the force of the water.
Anyway, our lock sharing boat set off at high speed and it was not a surprise to find that at the next lock they had already turned it. As it happened, this lock had three very helpful and knowledgeable volunteer lock keepers - they had be no more impressed than we had.
The five huge cooling towers of the former Willington Power Station (built in 1950's) continue to dominate the landscape even though the rest of the plant has long been demolished after the closure in 1990's. Last year planning consent was given for the construction of gas fired units on the site although elsewhere there are reports that some of the land may be used for an extensive housing estate.
We arrived at Willington just after two thirty to find that there were still a couple of spaces close to the station. Amusingly, the next boat on was the boat that had raced ahead of us but at least we were able to moor with a space in between.
Christine, Alice and Jess walked to the village to find a shop - a newspaper and a card for their other grand parents whose golden wedding anniversary party they are going to tomorrow. Christine also chatted to a fender maker on a boat by the road bridge and thought that one of his might make a good replacement for our existing bow fender which was beginning to look rather worn.
Mike took a couple of photos of our bow so that we could check that the fender on offer was suitable - it was and so Mike walked back to the boat, the proud owner of a brand new bow fender. He had to keep a straight face as he walked past the aforementioned moored boat - which as it happens also claims to be a fender maker. The irony is that Mike had thought about asking him about a new fender until put off by their lock behaviour!
Finally, Christine and the girls took a look at The Dragon, a pub beside the canal, and booked a table for 6:15 for us all to have a meal out.
Meanwhile, Mike successfully fitted the new fender (never an easy task, leaning over the bow, trying hard not to drop any of the bits in the water - at times it really needs three hands!)
By now, the rain had well and truly cleared and it was a bright sunny late afternoon.
11.6 Miles - 5 Locks
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