On Monday 26th April 2021 Darrol the engineer from Long Term Narrowboat Hire at Heyford Wharf arrived at Sawley Marina with a new Eberspächer system to replace our Webasto Central Heating. All very 'Vorsprung Durch Technik'!
We have had 5 days of rest and recuperation with electrical hookup, washing machines and shower blocks, which was lovely although the security was a bit tedious, having to carry keys and electronic blibbers to get through every gate on site.
Vera had to have her lead on at all times on site, but could run about with gay abandon on the heath next to the marina.
The big chimneys of Radcliffe on Soar were ever present on the horizon.
At 11:00 on Tuesday 27th April we left the haven of Sawley Marina and headed out onto the scary wide River Trent, passing through Sawley Locks where we shared the lock with some muppets who were trying to manually open the lock gates and paddles, which was impossible as it was all electronically controlled from a console...
We chugged passed lots of moored exotic wide beam boats and Derby Motor Boat Club before turning sharp left into the first lock on the Erewash Canal. This held a mixture of des res houseboats alongside “seen better days” rundown shacks and American Hillbilly-style lockside facilities.
Many boat yards were so dilapidated that it made a mockery of their boast to be expert in restoration and rehabilitation of boats.
We moored up in Long Eaton beside the Tamworth Road by this encouraging sign!
We walked into town with backpack and shopping trolley to do shopping at ALDI.
Vera and Steve set off to checkout the next lock on the road to Ilkeston.
Vera was keen to try the duck poo at Long Eaton Lock.
In the next picture if you zoom in you may see The Duke moored up on the left bank, well passed the little boat moored on the right under the bridge.
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