Inshore beach



heron fish watching

heron in flight

We woke to a cloudless sky and the barometer pointing to fair. The view over the Weaver valley was beautiful and birdsong filled the air. After a relaxed breakfast we cast off without the fridge flashing to ask for more power.

idyllic cruising

We paused to buy bread and milk in a farm shop only to find it was closed. In that minute (Blue Dragonfly who we have passed and been over taken by since Monday) overtook us again. Realising time was tight to enter Saltersford tunnel between the half hour and ten to the hour we tried to keep them in sight. Blue Dragonfly slowed down for moored boats and corners so we kept up fine.



Peaceful flash

We rounded the final bend with two minutes in hand. Blue Dragonfly’s nose was in the tunnel – then it slowly backed up.

“I thought I saw a boat in the tunnel,” he said. Lottie played with his terrier as we waited but no boat came out until 10 past 10.

By the time we entered Saltersford tunnel there was another boat moored behind us. Inside the tunnel I was convinced there were more boats following it but the tunnel was so bent it was hard to tell.

The canal snaked across a winding hole then entered Barnton tunnel. Once again Blue Dragonfly entered the tunnel and backed out. We floated around for five minutes with the boat behind drifting round the corner, then a boat popped out.

Old salt working base

Blue Dragonfly entered the tunnel like a ferret down a rabbit hole before any other boat could enter from the southern portal. The journey through the tunnel lasted only a few minutes unlike Blissworth and Harecastle tunnels. When we stopped at the other side of Barnton tunnel at the handy mooring rings we counted the boats as they passed us. One two three. The last two boats must have timed their approach to the tunnel perfectly – unlike us.

Factory complex

Armed with bread and milk we had lunch before we cruised on. We passed the Anderton Lift gleaming in the sunlight but there were lots of empty moorings nearby –unlike the last time we passed when it was full up.

The Lion Salt Works were still being restored but maybe they will be open for visitors next year

Today the flashes were quiet - perhaps the local wild life was sleeping hidden in the reed beds.

 

Factory pipe bridges

We passed a vast factory complex of a paint producer that stretched for miles. somehow it was more attractive in the sunlightThe afternoon grew hotter and hotter. I sat in the shade of the front door until the boat turned towards the sun. Whilst steering I tried to keep my legs in the shade from the door as I felt I was cooking, even though I had slathered the sun screen on.

Cloud reflections

As we reached the idyllic Bramble Cuttings (a tiny patch of green shaded by trees on the off side away from walkers and cyclists) the Captain decided to moor behind the other boat.

“We’ll move on and moor below the Big lock later,” he said swiftly tying up to the mooring rings on discovering our boat just fitted the shorter gap. What a relief not to bang pins in on such a scorching afternoon.

This way

We settled at the nearest picnic bench in the dappled shade while Lottie sniffed around haphazardly. The guy from the other boat fished from his stern enjoying the peace. Several boaters passed and remarked on our idyllic spot but could not moor as the brambles closed in beyond our boat.

Shade wonderful shade

Attached to the tree by our bench was a sign. Instead of the more usual KEEP OUT or PRIVATE this sign read TO THE BEACH. I though how strange then relaxed until Lottie investigated the path it pointed to. We followed her and found it led to a tiny sandy beach which led into the canal. Lottie waded out until she only had her head above water enjoying the cool water. It must be so hot wearing a fur coat in summer.



Lottie found the beach

The Captain was so relaxed with his pre-dinner beer he decided to stay the night.

“It’s a beautiful spot. Who cares if it’s a bit early,” he murmured rubbing his aching back. “The early stop will prove whether one leisure battery will cope with another full night without power.”