Down to West Stockwith

 Saturday September 5 Chesterfield Canal (9 miles, 4 locks)

Thankfully, we have had a decent day’s weather! Setting off from Clayworth, we avoided a few islands of weed, and passed three oncoming boats in the first mile! The canal is only one third width in many places, due to the lilies, sedge and other weeds.

Today has been a good day to enjoy the start of Autumn: The deep red berries adorn the hawthorn, while the bunches of green seeds weigh heavy on the ash trees hanging over the cut.  Green acorns hang from oaks, while Small White butterflies seek the last pink flowers of the Rose Bay Willowherb, lost among the ripened seed heads bordering the canal.

Before Drakeholes tunnel we saw a Kingfisher swooping along the canal ahead of us. John had to honk the horn as a canoeist started into the tunnel from the other end, as we entered. Very sensibly, she turned and waited for us to pass, when we had a laugh together.

After a deeper section near Drakeholes, the canal was often shallow, and really needs dredging.

The two Grindley Locks were ok: Shaw Lock had top gates open, possibly because they were very leaky, filling the lock, after which the wind blew them open?

The  marina at the brick kiln site has not made much progress. Throughout the day, we saw lots of walkers, bikers and anglers enjoying their Saturday.

John was allowed to buy sausages, smoked bacon and liver from the excellent butchers in Misterton, opposite the Coop. He rang lock keeper Jim at West Stockwith to organise our trip up the Trent tomorrow. We go with the flood tide at 0900 all the way to Cromwell Lock, 28 miles, reaching there about 1500 / 3pm, hopefully, weather permitting.