Trent Lock to Kegworth – Moored at Shallow Lock

Well, we didn’t stop at Trent Lock after all. After a look at the forecast for today and finding it would be quite nice we thought we’d move. We haven’t come far actually, only 2.5 miles and 1 lock!

We started off with a visit to the water point at Trent Lock then set off up the River Soar. Redhill flood lock was open as it usually is at this time of year and we commenced the slow process of passing all the moored boats at Redhill Marina.

These now count among their number the 18 Shakespeare Classic Line boats from the hire fleet out of Mercia Marina which has recently gone into administration.They belong to Avante which own Redhill Marina so this was the obvious place to store them.

At Ratcliffe Lock Ken got off to help which is always very useful. In fact he now does more of the hard work at the locks than I do!

We were going to ascend Kegworth New Lock as well today but on finding the moorings at Kegworth Shallow Lock completely empty we decided to stop and moor up. We have never moored here before and it is very pleasant. There are some holiday chalets opposite most of which seem to be occupied at the moment.

After mooring we decided to walk in to the village for a paper and then, as we are not over enamoured with the pub there, we thought we would walk to The Otter on the main road. This is a nice riverside pub with lovely outside seating which we will pass tomorrow but unfortunately it has very inadequate moorings for narrow boats so we wouldn’t be able to stop there.

We arrived too early for opening time at The Otter so we had to walk further down the road and then back to fill in the time. At least we got another half an hour’s exercise! We spent a very pleasant couple of hours sitting by the river. Being under the flight path of East Midlands Airport meant there were plane watching opportunities (one of my favourite things) and there were some lovely little Goldfinches in the garden which I managed to get some photos of. And a swallow came for a rest on a post too.

We would have also been watching the boats but there weren’t any about at that time. No, they all appeared after Ken started fishing this evening, obviously!

We returned to the boat and I watched tennis while himself fell asleep in one of our newly acquired comfy outdoor chairs.

This evening I have been greatly interested in the antics of the bloke in the chalet opposite where we are moored. The highlight of this has been watching him hoovering the railings on his decking. Yes he was! Not so edifying however was his choice of musical entertainment (Whitney Houston)  and the sight of his bike rack! He is currently chopping kindling (very loudly) for his barbeque.

Tomorrow we are going to Zouch I think.

 

Bridget Written by: