From ian.cardinal@lichfield.anglican.org Sun Aug 29 11:31:05 1999 Date: Thu, 5 Aug 1999 20:29:45 +0100 From: Ian Cardinal Reply-To: "uk.rec.waterways@list.deja.com" To: "uk.rec.waterways@list.deja.com" Subject: Trip report After a fairly grotty winter we decided that a few days extra holiday wouldn 't come amiss and booked four days on "Millstream" at Sileby Mill. The hiring business is no longer owned by John Evans, but has been taken over by a couple from London. They seem very pleasant, and Millstream was certainly her usual luxurious self. We stared at 9am on Monday 2nd - this week. The weather was setting up to be a heat wave, although he forecast was a bit mixed. Our two teenagers had taken a friend each with them - one male - which put luggage space at somewhat of a premium, but we coped admirably. And off we set. My usual calculations went to pot as the river was quiet, and the speed was so much greater than "canal tickover" on the Soar. Obviously I should buy a copy of canal planner eh Syd? But as we started down the Loughborough canal section, my usual nervous disposition was taking over. Why had we only two keys on the ring for the boat - one starting, one locking the front doors - where was the BW key? At Bishop's Meadow lock (lunch) I made sure I wasn't being even more stupid than usual and tried the keys at the water point. Nope, we had missed a key. A quick call to Sileby Mill solved it, and (partly our fault) we had gone with the wrong key set. Alex was very helpful and brought us the correct set at Zouch. It had rained hard over lunch time, but now the atmosphere was positively steamy, and we sweltered all the way down to the Trent. It had been 2 years plus since we came down this way, and I had forgotten how deep and tough some of the locks on the lower Soar are. The two newest at Kegworth and Radcliffe are no exception. Why did they build them with only gate paddles at the top end by the way? Still the four kids practiced gaining upper body strength on them, and it was about 5pm when we emerged through Red Hill Lock and on to the Trent. I knew I wanted to stop around here some where, but my forgetful nature wanted to "reccie" before we moored, so we gave Millstream so Wellie for a bit of fun for a few minutes - delightful how much headway she made in a wide waterway - must have a well designed hull plus a good engine. The Trent navigation Inn had moorings mostly taken, and though I wondered about locking through into the Erewash, you couldn't see much from the River. In the end we moored just at the entrance to Cranfleet cut - which turned out as good as anywhere. Yes, I know it's against by laws, but we had a quick dip in the river here. Dibbling feet proved wonderful in some fairly warm water, and three of us just had to go in. Water quite clean, and we stayed near the boat. Within half an hour or so others were following our fine example - it really was hot. A bit too hot, really. A stroll to the "Steamboat Inn" was curtailed by a very sharp shower of rain, watering down my beer. At that very moment the goats escaped too, from the farmyard. Maybe they fancied a pint, since they ran into the bar!! We got back to the boat fairly pronto. Nice pub, shame about the service - a queue 12 deep with only one man serving - he refused assistance when it was offered by another member of staff - strange, but true! Next 2 days to follow if anyone interested -- Ian Cardinal (aka Norman the Narrowboat)