Back to Trent Lock

Today was grey and overcast, but thankfully not too windy and dry apart from a little light drizzle.We had debated which was going to be easiest, going down through Castle Lock, winding and coming back up through Castle Lock or unhitching Merlin and turning Morgana on the ropes where we were moored. We decided that the lock option was probably easiest so that was what we did. With virtually no traffic on the canal I was able to work Morgana down and then hold the lock while Ray went to wind. No sign of anyone else on the move so no problem.

After that it was back through the Nottingham suburbs to Beeston and back onto the river. Our journey upstream  took us rather longer than the downstream one but as there hasn't been any significant rain recently  the current wasn't too bad and we managed to maintain about 3 mph all the way. We shared Cranfleet Lock with a GRP cruiser who was heading for Sawley and we moored just before the floodgates at Trent Lock.

We soon warmed up with a bowl of butternut squash and sage soup each and I had a beef casserole cooking in my slow cooker while we were travelling so lots of cold weather comfort food.

Today's journey 9 miles and 4 locks

So far this year we have travelled 753.2 miles, 595 locks,  50 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 27 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1954.9 miles, 1685 locks, 106 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 67 tunnels