This blog is about our canal cruising and walking with family and friends.
August 2020
My beautiful niece Lauren came to visit us and Chantelle on Hang Loose and do some canal cruising as she had never been on a narrowboat before. Unfortunately Chan was at work on the afternoon shift so we had to go to the pub without her on the first night.
We went to The Coopers Arms at Weston-on-Trent, which is a very short walk from where we are moored – and thankfully, they now let dogs in which is brilliant.
It’s a really lovely family run pub and they are so friendly and welcoming. We had a pint or two before moving on to Espresso Martinis! They certainly know how to make a good cocktail. The food is delicious too and well worth a visit if you are moored here. During lockdown restrictions they have been (and still are) doing take away food and drive through carvery cobs, which are amazing. Check them out on Facebook or Instagram.
Weston-on-Trent to Erewash Canal
Our cruise took us from Weston-on-Trent, through Shardlow, out on to the river and to Sawley. From there we went back onto the river before turning on to the Erewash Canal at Trent Lock.
The cruise today was 6 miles and 6 lock and Loz had her first go at ever driving a Narrowboat – she was a natural. However, she was not impressed at us making her wear a life jacket when none of us did!
Even though it was a chilly and wet day we had such a good time.
After cruising a little way along the Erewash Canal we moored opposite our friends Nige and Tracey (where we had a mooring for the first 6 months of having our boat) as we had arranged to meet up for a pint at The Steamboat. A good night followed at the pub and we were all a little worse for wear the next day!
What a brilliant few days.
Cruising from The Erewash Canal to Sutton Bonington
Wednesday 2nd September 2020
To leave the Erewash Canal we had to cruise a little further along, turn around and cruise back to Trent Lock. We cruised back to Sawley to use the services and then turned again to go back onto the River Trent before joining the very beautiful River Soar.
Our friends Em and Zak were already moored at the village of Sutton Bonington. We joined them there and this soon became one of our new favourite mooring spots. The only downside is that it is under a flight path!
Homebrewing
Our new hobby (after being with Mark, Lorraine, Zak and Em) is homebrewing. Whilst here we have started some damson and fennel vodka, a white wine kit, bullace gin and some wine made with grapes grown by Smanth.
There are lots of lovely walks around this area and we went for what was going to be a little stroll one sunny day and ended up walking 9 miles.
Sutton Bonington is beautiful and it’s lovely to be moored up on the river. The views are just lovely and we’ve had some amazing sunsets and views of the night sky.
A Walk at Calke
Saturday 12th September 2020
Today we had a 4 mile walk around Calke with Chantelle. It was a lovely day and the pups loved it. Calke is a small village in South Derbyshire and includes the historic house, Calke Abbey, a National Trust property.
Family and friends are the best!
You can also watch a vlog of our cruise with Loz and Chan on YouTube.
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