County Hall Steps to Castle Marna, Nottingham
Whilst we had breakfast there seemed to be a mass exodus from the steps, one boat just turned out to be winding so they could sand their starboard side gunnel. The boat behind us pulled out, beeping their horn to warn nearby rowers that they were turning. Mick had chance to ask which way they were headed, up onto the cut, we’d be a little while yet dropping our covers, so he suggested they shouldn’t wait for us.
Once we were ready I opted to walk to the lock. Wilford Suspension Bridge closed to pedestrians today whilst the love locks were removed and TV camera crews did interviews as men used big bolt croppers to snip the padlocks from the mesh. How insignificant Oleanna looked as she headed back down stream towards Meadow Lane Lock.
The boat ahead, NB Olivella, had already cleared the lock when I arrived, it just needed emptying then the bottom gates opening. Mick loitered below, then brought Oleanna into the lock and off the river which over the last few days has stayed in the green on the level board despite Storm Amy.
We’d a load of washing on the go and wanted to top up with water at the services, NB Olivella had done the same, so we had quite a long wait to be able to use the tap. Time to check emails and messages. Another from the printers, they so don’t understand about 20% fullness! I have to admit to giving up and giving them the go ahead to print, the width of the print is after all finally correct. But I have no idea if the front cloth will arrive gathered or just flat. If it’s flat then that will be another job that someone will need to do. I messaged the Production Manager about it.
Whilst we waited I made use of the parsnips we still had and made a pan of parsnip and apple soup for lunch, it was ready and zuzzed smooth before our water tank was full.
A CRT work party were busy cutting back the undergrowth along the towpath. A whistle was blown when boats or pedestrians were about to pass so the strimmers could pause. NB Olivella had pulled in, not where you’d choose to pull in. A pair of overalls and some orange mesh fencing had wrapped itself around their prop, all was clear now so we’d be able to share Castle Lock.
I walked ahead to set the lock. A CRT chap walked up and offered to wind the paddle I was already lifting up. No Thanks, I’m fine. He then walked over to the weir to make sure it was clear of debris. Despite not quite reaching our destination for the day we pulled over near the footbridge for lunch. Silt keeping us from pulling right in, this explained why no boats had been moored there when we’ve passed recently. It didn’t matter to us, we were close enough to enjoy our bowl of soup and some toast.
Not much further we turned into Castle Marina and pulled onto their service pontoon. Time to check in and find out where we would be mooring. The marina has looked a bit sorry for itself for at least a year now, quite a few pontoons have been condemned and we were warned not to venture onto them. But Aquavista are planning a £1.5 million refurb, which the staff were excited to tell us would be starting in the spring.
Our mooring was down the far end, tucked in between a couple of boats so we reversed in so we could step off Oleanna’s stern as we’d not have a pontoon. We plugged into the electric and started to make use of the full water tank, several loads more washing followed the one we’d done on our way. Washing hung out in the pram cover and cratch to dry.
I made a shopping list up and headed over to Sainsburys, returning with what I hope will be just the right amount of fresh food, including a couple of naughty treats, one being a Sainsburys curry.
2 locks, 2.5 miles, 2 lefts, 3 winds, 1 full water tank, 1 vat of soup, 1 boat tucked in at the end, 5 meals worth, 4 loads washing, 2 bully boy batteries charged to 100%, 1 very bored cat.
