Bart's Blog

A Very Narrow Journey

Menu
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
Menu
Narrowboat on the Trent & Mersey

Our First Proper Cruise from Weston-on-Trent to Fradley Junction on the Trent & Mersey Canal

Posted on April 17, 2019September 6, 2019 by Steph

Off for our First Proper Cruise – on the Trent & Mersey

We have been at Weston-on-Trent since we bought Hang Loose as the lock at Aston-on-Trent is closed for repair – it should have been open on 15th March and we were planning to move on to our moorings on the Erewash Canal that weekend.  However, it is now not due to open until Sunday 24th March, which means another week where we are. We do love our little spot at Weston-on-Trent but we really want to get moving so on Tuesday 19th March, we decided that as the storm had passed and the wind had abated, we would reverse 1.5 miles back to the winding hole, turn round and go to Mercia to pump out and fill up with diesel – and then go for a cruise.  We have already been on our maiden voyage to get here from Mercia Marina.

My dad popped round with a pressie for us – a gorgeous basket of flowers for Hang Loose – thanks Pops.

Basket of flowers
Beautiful Basket from Pops

But First of all – Exciting News

Chan and Ross got engaged – he proposed on Saturday 16th March – he had even asked Paul’s permission – I had no idea!  The ring is gorgeous and we are beyond happy for them – couldn’t ask for a lovelier son-in-law.  Paul treated them and us and Pops to a celebration meal at Darleys at Darley Abbey – beautiful restaurant.

Chan & Ross got engaged
Engaged!

Weston-on-Trent to Willington

Paul did a sterling job of reversing down to the winding hole.  We did what we needed to do at Mercia Marina and then cruised down to  Willington where we moored for the night.  We had a good meal at The Dragon but it was quite a noisy night with trains going by.  The Dragon is a lovely pub and a lovely spot to sit outside and watch the boats go by – well worth stopping there if you fancy a good pub meal.

Wednesday 20th March

Brilliant to be waking up on Hang Loose again.  We cruised to Branston today and moored by Branston Water Park which is gorgeous and the weather is beautiful – like a summer day.  We had a meal at The Bridge – lovely pub right by the canal – not dog friendly unfortunately but it was warm enough to sit outside – they do lovely Italian food and we had a nice bottle of white wine.

Pub on the Trent & Mersey
Had a lovely meal here
Pub Garden on the Trent & Mersey
Sat out in the garden at The Bridge

Woke up to a bit of a cloudy day today but not cold so we set off for Fradley Junction and stopped off at Alrewas where we found a fabulous butchers and a lovely pub called William IV

Paul and Tilly outside the pub
Great pub at Alrewas

We had a lovely lunch there – everyone was really friendly and I recommend it if you stop in Alrewas – and definitely go to the butchers – well worth it!

I was very excited as well today that I had my first drive of the boat – I did drive straight into the bank the first two times but then it was fine – even went under a bridge without hitting it!!

Me driving Hang Loose on the Trent & Mersey canal
My first drive of Hang Loose
Bridge over the Trent & Mersey Canal
First bridge I’ve driven under – and I didn’t hit it!

Fradley Junction

Arrived here at tea time – it’s a really lovely spot and there’s another brilliant pub – The Swan.  It’s Thursday night which is folk night and it was a brilliant night – we really loved it – apparently it was steak night as well, which we were told was delicious but we didn’t eat there. Fradley pond is next to the locks and we had a nice wander round there the next morning.

Friday 22nd March

We turned round at the top of Fradley Junction and cruised back to Branston Water Park – stopping at the Barton Turns pub – nice couple of pints of Wainwright’s – nice old pub – had a nice chat with the locals.

Barton Turns Pub on the Trent & Mersey
Nice pint of Wainwrights to be had in here

Stayed at Branston tonight and Saturday – it’s such a lovely spot. I did some cooking and Paul tidied up the roof of the boat and other jobs.  We had a walk into the village to re-stock the gin!  Tonight we sat and chilled, played rummy – our usual evening ritual lol.  The fire is lit and we are very happy boaters?.

View of stove and catch on Narrowboat Hang Loose
Cosy
Me in the cratch with new lantern lit on the Trent & Mersey
Moored up for the night with my new lantern making it look nice and cosy

Sunday 24th March

Chan called us to meet up so we set off cruising at 9.15 and met her at Willington – had lunch at The Dragon – so lovely to see our little chick.  When Chantelle had left we carried on cruising to Weston-on-Trent and moored up at a lovely spot.

Bench on the towpath
Fave spot – nicked off Nige and Tray ?
Best seat in the house

Monday 25th March

What a fabulous spot – woke up to a cold but sunny morning – so off we went – heading to our moorings today on the Erewash Canal as Aston-on-Trent lock has now re-opened.  Lots more boats about now and it was a lovely cruise back – did our first electric lock.  We stopped and had  a gorgeous pint of Plum Stout at The New Inn at Shardlow – this is now my new absolute fave beer!

its been a brilliant trip and we can’t wait for more.

Paul and Tilly standing by the lock gate on the Trent & Mersey
Paul – pretending he’s done a lock
Paul driving NB Hang Loose down the Trent & Mersey
How happy does he look!!

So …. the plan is that I will soon be retiring and then there will be no stopping us – and I really will keep up the blogging more regularly!!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent Posts

  • Still Cruising Along The Leicester Ring
  • The Leicester Ring – Part 2
  • The Leicester Ring
  • Part 3 of our Journey along the Caldon canal
  • Cruising Along the Caldon Canal

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,120 other subscribers.

Archives

  • January 2021
  • September 2020
  • July 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • June 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
© 2021 Bart's Blog | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme