Day 007 - a tale of 2 rivers.

An interesting day to say the least!

Off this morning at about 9.00 and onwards towards Trent Lock passing through the picturesque and historic Shardlow.

Onto the River Trent which is running extremely slowly and at a very low level, (pheeew!) and merrily past all the green traffic lights and 'normal stream conditions' warning signs. A quick 'pit stop' at Sawley Marina to get diesel, water and a few other bits 'n' bobs we needed before onwards towards the Soar.

The soar was equally as unforboding with the only challenges being the horrendously stiff locks and paddles and very heavy gates that have a constant liking to swinging open again the minute your back's turned unless a top paddle is drawn quickly or before closing them. Some interesting eddies and currents that 'transport'your boat into positions you wouldn't necessarily choose to be in but wide open water which is fun andexciting from the relative clam of the canal system.

You really know you're on a river when you see signs like this!

All good news to see 'open' signs and green lioghts ahead.

Managed to get through Loughborough which was a great place and surpassed my dubious concerns. Lots of major regeneration has clearly taken place over recent years and this makes for an interesting and pleasant passage.

Now moored up just past Loughborough and in a very pleasant spot: even the sun was shining briefly. Tomorrow - Leicester and a totally different story I'm sure!

Great TV signal tonight but still only a few bars of GPRS thanks to Orange and certainly not enough to reliably upload pictures. Managed to upload and publish yesterdays pics. but then it suddenly decided to stop uploading any images whatsoever so sorry folks, it seems as if all the pictures are going to have to be published the following day from when they were taken!!

****OK, managed to get some pictures uploaded - just as it starts pouring with rain, may be it likes the rain!****