Ilkeston - We've Had Some Rain
w/e 25 February 2024
All of this week's
pictures were taken with a Nikon D3300
Yes we've had some rain. As
is the custom with British people the main topic of conversation
whilst standing and waiting at any bus stop, is usually the weather.
This week pot holes have also been commented on quite widely
and both subjects were evident when we took a walk along part
of the Erewash Canal between Larklands and Millership Way.
We approached the canal via Monk's Way and the lane down to Potter's
Lock is pitted with pot holes. Earlier heavy rain had formed
puddles in them and made it difficult to determine the depth
of the holes but this one looked as though it would cause significant
damage to any vehicle passing over it.
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There were more pot holes where the lane turned at Potter's Lock
and more evidence of the rainfall in the surface water and also
the muddy wheel tracks in the rutted grass.
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The water level in the canal was also high and almost to the
top of the lock gates.
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It's unusual to see through the hedgerows at the side of the
towpath but they appear to have been cut back and without their
summer foliage, there were views of the River Erewash at several
places - and the river was running fast and high too. Where the
canal turns away from the river, standing water could also be
seen in the industrial premises off Digby Street.
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It was at the same turn in the canal that a boat approached where
we exchanged a greeting with those on board. The boat belongs
to the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association
and the improved appearance of the canal and the hedgerows is
most probably down to their work.
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Rushes have also been cut back along the canal and that will
no doubt please the anglers using these fishing platforms.
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It's hard not to notice the large tree on the other side of the
canal at any time of year and even in its skeletal winter appearance
it still looks magnificent.
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It's also hard for me to pass The Ashes (Gordon Street Playing
Fields) on the other side, especially when football training
is in progress, without recalling the goal I scored direct from
a corner in a games lesson at school many years ago.
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But continuing on, we passed under the bridge at Station Road
and walked to the footbridge over the canal and the way into
Johnny's (Wash Meadow Park). The reflection in the water is of
the newer road bridge a little further on which carries Millership
Way over the canal.
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Our intention was to walk through Johnny's
to Rutland Street but standing water put paid to that idea so
we turned right to access Millership Way. Yes, we've had some
rain!
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