On to Beeston.

Travelled 3 miles, 0 locks in a time of 1 hour 30 minutes.

For most of the afternoon, we had heard thunder rumbling in the distance and the threat of another storm was on its way. At around 5 pm the sky turned dark, the thunder thumped and lightening flashed over the apartments opposite the boat. Rain oh my god did it ever. The canal danced as the huge rain drops thumped on to the surface of the water. All the walkers and cyclists ran and cycled for cover, many of them getting soaked in the process. It turned out that Nottingham was one of the worst hit by the rain, which lasted for a good half an hour. There was plenty of flooding around the area as the drains could not cope with the pressure of all the water. After the storm, calm was returned to the canal and a good evening was had on board.

This morning we woke to sunshine and calm, so we moved the boat a short distance to Sainsbury’s to do a food shop before moving off at 10.40 am.

The junction of the Beeston Cut and the Nottingham Canal, which used to head northwards to the Erewash Canal from this point, but no longer, however it does continue through Nottingham until the River Trent is re-joined.

A good use of old toilets.

Along the Beeston Cut there is this sign along side a footpath, which actually goes through a brick wall. I wonder if it is like the platform at the station in Harry Potter, if your a walker you can walk through the wall, or maybe you have to pole vault over the wall??

At 12.10 pm we arrived in Beeston and moored up, although we are not right into the bank, but there are rings which are oddly spaced, still we managed to moor up. I made us some lunch and then we took ourselves off for a walk around some of the Attenborough Nature Reserve.

We did not walk around the whole site, but did manage to walk around the main pond. Keith is still struggling with his back, so we did not want to over do it. On our way round we did sit down part way round so he could rest.

I rescued a Froglet who was going to get either mown down by a bike or trodden on by a walker.

Ratcliffe Power Station.

Take your pick.

Gravel extraction is still on going and yet the wildlife are very happy.

Delta Sanctuary where the Bittern has been seen in the Winter.

The reserve is a fantastic place and definitely worth a visit. Next time we come this way we will stop and do the whole site, providing Keith’s back is ok of course. We strolled back in the afternoon sunshine past the Marina, club, cafe and chandlery with its pirate.

Love this landing craft.

Beeston Lock Cottage is very pretty.

Along the cottage is a short arm of water, where a lock used to be.

The lock used to take shallow drafted boats down on to the river, but now the canal is the only route.

Back on the boat we opened the boat up to let some air run through the cabin as it was warming up. Paddy and Marmite both went out on the back counter to take in the last of the afternoon sunshine. Dinner tonight will be another salad as it is to hot to cook again.

Back in Nottingham.

Travelled 1.6 miles, worked 2 locks in a time of 1 hour 35 minutes.

So did you get them?

I am talking about the thunderstorms last night. We sure did. The sky turned pitch black and then it began, thunder, lightening and eventually rain. The lightening was amazing, we were treated to a real light show. I am a huge lover of thunderstorms and just had to stand outside and watch it until the rain began to fall. Before going to bed the heat had dropped a little making it much more pleasant to sleep.

I was awake at 4.30 am all hot and bothered and listening to the thunder which had begun all over again. I got up at 5 am quietly so not to disturb Keith as he slept. I sat in the saloon listening to the thunder whilst drinking a nice cool drink. I stayed up until 5.30 am, and then went back to bed, settled into a nice deep sleep until 8 am when Keith climbed over me to make a cuppa. The thunder and lightening was still rumbling on in the distance and rain was steadily falling, it was going to be a wet walk for Paddy and I.

Up and dressed, Paddy and I set off for the first walk of the day and no sooner we stepped off the boat, it began to rain and then it poured and poured, so by the time we got back to the boat we were both soaked, but it was so refreshing to the skin and the heat seemed to have gone from the air.

Keith and I had thought we may just stay put with the weather being so indifferent, but after lunch the sun began to shine and so we decided we would make a move.

At 1.15 pm it was goodbye to Holme Pierpont and its beautiful surroundings, I really enjoyed watching the canoeists.

Nottingham Princess the trip boat, had winded at the lock and was now following us.

First sighting of Nottingham.

Modern and traditional.

We turned right before Trent Bridge and we were back on to the Nottingham Canal.

We stopped at the sanitary station above Meadow Lane Lock to empty one of the cassettes. The toilets and shower are out of commission due to abuse and will not be in use until further notice. I find it sad that people feel the need to abuse something which really are so useful to boaters.

Onward into Nottingham.

Castle Lock was in our favour, which was an added bonus.

We moored up not long after leaving the lock, this will do for the day.

Moored alongside the National Water Sports Centre, Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham.

Travelled 14 miles worked 3 locks in a time of 4 hours 35 minutes.

I can honestly say I had the most wonderful weekend. Even though it was a task to get Paddy off the boat for his walks, the mooring above Hazelford Lock was lovely, it was like having our very own private island with all the joys of the wildlife and peace. For the wildlife photographs you can check out my Canal Flora and Fauna Blog.

We left Hazelford Ferry Island at 8.45 am with very low cloud shrouding the river.

It made it feel quite eerie with the cloud rolling up the river.

We met the C&RT crane boat heading towards the lock.

Near the Ferry Farm Park I spotted a pack of hounds taking their morning stroll. This stretch of the river is lovely with rolling hills and countryside which looks like it has come from a painting. The woods along this stretch have names, Shipmans Wood, Ewans Wood, Watsons Piece all on the Trent Hills. It is just a shame that there are no moorings along this stretch, it would have been nice to have stopped at Hoveringham, but there are no moorings.

The first lock for the day was Gunthorpe Lock. Keith had called the lock up to let them know we were on our way and so the lock was ready for us when we arrived.

We left Gunthorpe Lock at 10.05 am.

The Gunthorpe moorings were busy as expected.

Gunthorpe Road Bridge.

At Stoke Badolph there is The Ferry Boat Inn, but the moorings are well below par which is again a shame, because I am sure if proper pontoon moorings were available boaters would stop.

We were over taken by a lovely little cruiser who we then shared Stoke Lock with.

When we left Stoke Lock we left the cruiser to head off first, as there would be no holding them back.

Last lock of the day was Holme Lock.

Due to a couple of dutch barges coming down we moored up on the pontoon below the lock and waited our turn at 12.20 pm.

One of the boats to leave the lock. Grace is a stunning boat and I told the owner so. 12.50 pm it was our turn to use Holme Lock, which is a slow filler.

Having come up through Holme Lock we found a mooring and moored up at 1.30 pm. Lunch was the first thing to be done, because we were both famished.

After lunch we locked the boat up and walked over the bank to check out the National Water Sports Centre ad Country Park.

There were plenty of youngsters using the canal slalom. Now I have seen it may times on the television, but to see it up close and personal was exciting.

Rather them than me though.

It really is very impressive.

Happy to pose for a photograph LOL.

The rowing lake is much longer than I expected. It is an amazing place and well worth the visit if you can find a mooring.