Tuesday 24 September 2013

Big Trip - Day 29

It was a misty start to the day as we left our mooring at Zouch at 8am.  The river is very docile at the moment, but it's not always like this, as the emergency flood moorings at Normanton illustrate.






It's a rural area, and I managed to get one of my better photos of a kingfisher.



Two locks took us into Loughborough, where we continued into the basin.  This was closed when we came this way in 2006, but has now been redevoped with a hotel, bar, and student accommodation.


There's a big Tesco just a couple of minutes walk away, where we stocked up with veg; the shopping centre also has an M&S, next, and Argos, among others.

We remembered Barrow Deep Lock well, because in 2006, when we were going the other way, the current through the bridge below the lock was running very fast.  Today everything was calm.  At Mountsorrel, there are some Dutch-style houses with their own basin, which I'm sure weren't here seven years ago.  There's also an impressive bridge carrying a conveyor from a stone quarry, and the whole approach to the lock is very attractive.




We passed Seyella, looking great in its new livery, but no-one seemed to be home.  We met boat at several of the next locks, so we've had a fairly easy run. At times, the river seems exceptionally narrow; at others, you're thankful for the signs directing the way; and occasionally, the most likely route isn't the one you take.




We reached our destination at around 3pm.  We're moored at MGM's yard at Thurmaston; Doug and James are here with Chance, which is currently being blacked.  We're planning to try the local pub tonight -- but we mustn't forget that we've got quite a long day tomorrow to get through Leicester.

14 miles, 7 locks.  (370 miles, 210 locks)

1 comment:

Geoff and Mags said...

Hi both
I should have kept a better look out, we were in The Waterside at Mountsorrel Lock having lunch when you must have gone past. So sorry to have missed you. Next time....