The Erewash Canal

Sunday 2nd June

Decided today we would go for a cruise along the Erewash Canal before we leave our moorings there at the end of the month to continuously cruise on board our beautiful boat Hang Loose – so excited.  We went Cruising Down the River Soar a couple of weeks ago before we leave this area, which was absolutely beautiful.

First we had to go down to Trent Lock and turn round on the River Trent as we were pointing in the wrong direction!

Its a rainy and miserable day today – first time out cruising in the rain on Hang Loose – although on many of our hire boat holidays we had plenty of rainy cruising!

We travelled as far as Sandiacre and the sun came out at teatime which was lovely.  Had a few issues with stuff getting around the prop – Paul had to get in the weed hatch 3 times!  We found a lovely spot to moor – thanks to a very nice lady passing by who told us there was a nice deep mooring just below Pasture lock – there’s Armco there.  There is a train line next to it but it didn’t bother us too much.

If you have a cruise up the Erewash make sure you have one of the anti-vandal keys as you need it for most of the locks.  They are all big double locks and very heavy gates as well.

4.5 miles, 4 locks.

Monday 3rd June

It’s a nice sunny day – a bit breezy though and we went for a walk up to St Giles Church.  Unfortunately we couldn’t get inside but apparently it’s really lovely.  We went into Sandiacre and got a little shopping from the Co-Op and a lovely stroll back along the canal to Hang Loose.

We decided to spend the day here and chill – this retirement malarkey is vey hard work – but hey – someone has to do it!

Tuesday 4th June

We decided to get started early today as CRT are going to drain the pound between 2 of the locks so they can fix the paddle.

Bit if a dull day with showers, brightening up in the afternoon – only to absolutely hammer it down later on.

We went right up to the end through Langley Lock into the Great Northern Basin but had to go to the very end and turn around – it was a really tight squeeze going past all the moored boats by the dry dock so we would recommend that you turn around as soon as you come out of Langley Lock if there is nowhere to moor just after the lock.

NB: I have since found out that it is not actually a winding hole at the very end as it is private water so you need to use the winding hole straight after Langley Lock if you can’t get in the visitor mooring.   I’ve also been told it’s really lovely at Langley Mill and we will definitely be back to visit as we didn’t have time to stay this time.

We ended up going back down through another two locks as it was hard to find a place to moor where it wasn’t too shallow.  Well to be honest – Paul did these two locks alone while Tilly and I got dry and warm!

I had a drive again and went down Langley Lock on my own ?

8 miles, 14 locks (did Langley Lock twice)

Wednesday 5th June

Today has been a lovely sunny day.  I drove the boat all day and went down all the locks on my own!  I’ve really enjoyed it and feeling a little more confident every time I drive.

It’s great for Paul too as he really enjoys having a walk with Tilly and doing the locks.

The Erewash Canal is a great Canal for having a drive if you’re not over confident- like me – it’s quiet and not too many gongoozelers at the locks to make you nervous lol.

We stopped to do a little shop at M&S in Ilkeston – right by the canal. It’s a great canal for shops – there’s a couple of Lidl’s, Co-ops – all right near the canal.  The towpath is really well maintained and very well used by dog walkers, cyclists, joggers etc.  We met a lovely CRT volunteer picking up litter.  Despite hearing a lot mixed reviews about this canal, we haven’t had any issues or been worried about anything – we’ve met and chatted to lots of lovely locals and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

We moored up just after bridge 12 (after Pasture Lock) – it’s a lovely spot – no Armco though.  We were going to moor just below Pasture Lock, where we moored on the way up but someone had already moored there.

It was a lovely evening so as usual we sat out the front and watched the sun go down – beautiful.

6 miles, 8 locks.

Thursday 6th June

This was our final day today as we have to get back to our mooring and go home due to me having an appointment tomorrow morning.

It has been a lovely sunny day and I did all the driving again while Paul did the locks.  Today’s achievement for me was driving into a lock when there was a boat already in it – and I didn’t hit it!  Very pleased with myself.

We have really enjoyed this trip in the Erewash Canal and can’t wait till we are living on board and continuously cruising very soon.

4 miles, 3 locks

Can’t wait for our next adventure ?