From suevbutler@compuserve.com Mon May 3 18:37:02 1999 Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 17:23:31 -0400 From: susan butler Reply-To: canals@blacksheep.org To: "INTERNET:canals@blacksheep.org" , judy Subject: Trip Report - Jemima D - Day 4 - Soar and Erewash - Longish [The following text is in the "ISO-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] Trip report - Sue and Neil on Jemima D Taking in the GU, the Soar, the Erewash, the Trent and the Trent and Mersey Day 4 - 23rd June Zouch on the Soar to Sandiacre on the Erewash 7 locks, 9.5 miles, 5.5 hours Overcast, windy at first (was that last night's Balti?), sunny later Leaving the Soar and Toad Hall Neil had another look at the throttle this morning, and whatever he did seemed to do the trick, as we had no further problems. I was very insistent that I would not venture onto the Trent unless we were 100% confident that it was OK. Straight into Zouch Lock this morning, with the sight of a couple unpegging their overnight chicken run just above to enliven our morning. This is a lovely stretch - the most beautiful of the whole trip, with woods down to the river on one side, and meadows spreading away on the other. I noticed a few 'landing stages' , and then realised they were platforms for fishermen! We briefly nudged the main road at The Otter (The Soar Otter for those of you who remember the Tame Otter discussion?). This is a big roadhouse with moorings, but we didn't stop (too early). The river leaves us just before Kegworth Deep Lock, beside a most impressive and evocative residence. Neil and I turned to each other, and both said 'Toad Hall' in unison! The weir here is stupendous - as is the Lock. No wonder the crew locking up in Loughborough yesterday were nervous. Neil helps lock a cruiser up through, and I go to watch too as it is obvious that the whole operation is fraught. I'm glad we are descending! Kegworth Shallow is tied open, as it is a flood lock. Through Ratcliffe and Redhill locks (which have the buried remains of the older locks beside them). Redhill was in use, despite being marked as a floodlock in Nicholsons. There are plenty of cruisers moored along the river, and in among we spot 'Little Mo'. The big WOW! We are drawing near to the confluence of the Trent and Soar, a rising tension for us novice boaters, and suddenly we turn a corner and are in a massive expanse of water! WOW! The entrance to the Erewash is obvious in the distance, but seems a long way away. Remembering all advice, and aware of the roar of Thrumpton weir we open up Jemima's throttle, as we are now, for the first time, going against and across the current after two gentle days descending the Soar. We are the only boat moving, and Jemima just ploughs her way through the water. What a tremendous feeling. Half way across I hand the tiller to Neil (so he can't accuse me of having all the fun!) and he brings us into the Erewash . I am still buzzing as I jump off to work Trent Lock - I even forgot the A-V key in my excitement, and had to go back for it! We have been going downhill (literally - not metaphorically) since Foxton locks, (several weeks ago now) and now we are climbing up again. At the top of the Lock we moor for water, rubbish and dunny dump, and then move up a few yards so that we can calm down and explore. Hereford and Jackal greeted us immediately above the lock - but no sign of life! While we are having a drink at the Steamboat, Jan arrives and we pop over for a chat and some shopping. Also to settle a long standing argument between us on how to pronounce Erewash! We promise to return on Thursday evening, as we have decided to move on a bit further today. The Erewash We chugg slowly past the moored boats and into the industrial archeology that will be our abiding memory of the Erewash. The locks are a bit wild, Dock Holme is especially so, and sucks me forward even in full reverse! We moor at Sandiacre, just opposite the Red Lion and next to a glorious old Mill and a useful skip full of (new) carpet offcuts. A bit of digging reaps a new galley carpet and a much needed new doormat! Jemima is looking smarter by the minute. The Red Lion provides Neil access to the Scotland v Morocco game, and is a welcoming local (even though the landlord was fishing just opposite our mooring when we arrived!) One other thing about the Erewash we will remember is the fishermen - there are plenty of them - and all friendly. Indeed we only ever met friendly fishermen all week. But on the Erewash many thanked us for slowing down. This could be because there appear to be few boats around and so we were a bit of a novelty. Although I think a few fishermen got a surprise the following day More of that later. Sue and Neil Happy to be on Jemima D