Ilkeston - Green's
Lock
w/e 06 October
2002
Whilst out walking recently
I happened to be at Green's Lock on the Erewash Canal just as
a narrow boat was approaching. Although I have lived in the area
all my life and have passed the lock many times, I cannot recollect
having seen a boat pass through it before. A lady on the boat
jumped onto the towpath and expertly opened the sluice gates
to allow to water level in the lock to fall to the lower level
causing quite a bit of turbulence as can be seen above.
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After one of the lock gates
had been opened, the narrow boat inched its way into the lock.
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Water was let back into the
lock and as the boat rose, I chatted for a few minutes with the
gentleman on board. Despite what it says on the side of the boat,
he told me they had set off from Northampton on a three week
trip to explore the "Leicester Loop" based on the Rivers
Trent and Soar.
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By taking three weeks for the
trip instead of the normal two, it allowed them time to take
leisurely diversions into Nottingham and along canals like this
one - all a far cry from the hustle and bustle of this modern
age when one can reach Northampton down the motorway in less
than a couple of hours.
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Pausing the boat again after
passing through the lock just long enough to close the gate behind
them, I wondered how many times they would have to repeat this
task before returning the boat to its Northampton base.
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From Northampton, they would
have to make their way home to Essex but wishing them "Bon
Voyage" as they headed off towards Langley Mill, I hoped
that they had enjoyed their visit to the East Midlands and that
they would soon return to continue their exploration of our beautiful
country.
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