Day Thirteen – Holme Lock to ‘between’ Nottingham and Beeston Lock – Monday 31st July
I feel the need for speed ((Hand on a minute there Peachy you do remember you sold your motorbike to fund this adventure don’t you? The only speed you can muster now is when you hear an ice-cream van outside or catch sight of a Costa coffee in the distance.))
It’s time to cruise but before that we empty the Elsan just in case the one at Meadow Lane isn’t working and am I pleased we did. Rank does not cover the state of the Elsan at Notts. I will add it to my next vlog with a warning to watch it wearing your marigolds! We remove the sides of the cratch covers ready to set off and sort out the bikes. It’s not a quick process but by about 9 am we are on the move. It’s a real shame to leave these moorings. It’s a lovely area as are the people we have met.
We moor up on the pontoon which is across from Notts Football ground so we can tie up and both head up to ‘set’ the lock as I remembered from last time that they were a bit stiff. We then take down the rest of the cratch covers as it will be too high to fit under the bridges. I will try and pop on a photo so you can see what I mean for those who haven’t seen the boat.
I go back to the lock as chris unties and guides the boat expertly into the lock. We close the gates, fill it up and then move the boat onto the side so we can fill up with water. It feels bloody brilliant to get back onto the canals. I really enjoy river life but it’s like the boat knows it’s back where it should be. The engine doesn’t need to work as hard and we feel like we can relax more. It’s not that we are worried or anything like that on the rivers but they are naturally more dangerous than the canals – as a rule!
Water filled we carry on cruising through Nottingham. It’s surprisingly quiet today. Maybe because it’s a Monday and the weather is very changeable. Much to our relief we manage to fit under the tunnels without any problems and soon arrive at Castle Lock. It’s about 11.30 am and all quiet with only a couple of gongoozlers. We make short work of it and just before we cruise out of the lock, the promised rain arrives. We continue a little bit further and then moor up to have lunch then make our way to Sainsburys to stock up. It’s only a few minutes’ walk away so good for the heavy shopping ((you mean Beer and Malibu?)) No, erm tinned things and stuff like that actually.
Lunch done we decide to crack on and eventually spot a nice mooring between Castle Lock and Beeston Lock which suits us just fine. It’s lovely and peaceful ((Wait until tomorrow Peachy. Just wait!)) now you’re doing it with the click bait and building the tension. ((Yes, but I’m good at it!))
There are some beautiful willow trees lining the side of the canals here. The water is quite shallow and it’s mesmerising to watch the reeds in the gentle flow of the water and all the little fish going about their day. The only thing which hasn’t been good the last week or so is the mosquitoes… ((Ohhh, I’ve been waiting for this one. I’ve got a story about it…
“Hey Bob.” Bob says.
“Hey Bob.” Bob says stretching, just to confirm his nickname of Big Bob.
“How’s it going?” Bob asked. All mosquitoes are called Bob but no-one knows why. Possibly something to do with them not having a large capacity for remembering things – a bit like Peachy you could say.
Big Bob waited a few minutes deciding if he should spill the intelligence he’d come across in the past few days. It was a tough decision but Big Bob knew he wasn’t known for his ability to keep a secret, which annoyed him sometimes but he’d long ago decided you are who you are. Mother Nature was stubborn at best and it was safer not to question her thought process as there were worst things to be. His kind didn’t get a long life span but they had the ability to pass on juicy gossip and there was a lot to be said for that.
“Well,” Bob asked. Knowing Bob had something to tell him.
Big Bob leaned in closer, “See that narrowboat over there. The Plot?”
Bob looked over to the boat moored up next to the river and smiled.
Big Bob had a matching grin.
Bob said, “That good?”
Big Bob nodded, “I had myself a ten course meal. I’m telling you, Bob. It’s the tastiest blood I’ve ever had. Do you remember once Bob said the best blood was in Yorkshire. It turns out he wasn’t lying like we thought he was Bob. Something about those pale Yorkshire legs.” Big Bob smacked his lips.
“Right then.” Bob said, his stomach rumbling as he set off.
Big Bob relaxed back. He couldn’t drink another thing.
See there, Peachy. That’s a good story. Stick with me kid and you will go far!))
Well, I can only apologise. I tried to delete the story!
Until tomorrow. x
Miles/Distance: Roughly 8 miles I think!
Locks: 2 (Meadow Lane Lock & Castle Lock))
Tunnels: 0
Swing Bridges: 0
Facilities…
Toilets: Yes but I would recommend wearing a full haz suit to enter – video of it in vlog 3 of the journey which should be out on Sunday! It’s not for the faint hearted!
Elsan: Yes – as above
Bins: NO – they have been removed so people have just been dumping the rubbish where I presume the bins were.
Showers: Yes as above. Probably last used to film a horror movie.
Waterpoint: Yes – easy to moor next to and use. Good water pressure.
General: I think the above says it all and the videos finishes the picture!
(picture is from Hazelford Lock but thought you can just about see the size of the cratch covers!)
