Lock to Lock
Hallam Fields to Gallows Inn
w/e 15 March 2009
All this week's pictures were taken
with a Kodak DX6490
Close to Hallam Fields Lock, two narrow boats were moored and
just out of sight were three more. I've seen boats (possibly
the same ones) here before and I'm thinking that they are probably
permanent moorings. To the right of the picture a post bore a
number of signs indicating rules and regulations relating to
the canal whilst another sign indicated the Trowell Marsh Nature
Reserve.
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Along this section of the canal, the land to the right is mainly
open countryside with only the Erewash river and the railway
lines running in the valley between the canal and the village
of Trowell but much of the left hand side of the canal is occupied
by industrial units at Hallam Fields. At this particular point
however the grassy bank leading down to the water is well tended
and presents an entirely different ambience to when the canal
was in its heyday when heavy industry was predominant.
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All along the route the canal, the railway line and the river
follow the easy path through the valley. As the expanse between
the canal and the river widens on the approach to Nottingham
Road the intervening land is filled by the Gallows Inn Playing
Fields, views of which this is one become visible at various
points from the towpath through the hedge.
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As the canal begins to skirt the playing fields, the industrial
units opposite start to be replaced by residential properties
at the end of short side streets off Corporation Road although
there are still a few small business premises. Despite the signs
on posts like the one mentioned earlier prohibiting cycling,
tracks on the towpath show that this is generally ignored as
the canal towpath presents a fairly level and safer alternative
route between Langley Mill in the north and Long Eaton in the
south for pedal pushers of all ages.
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With the rugby posts on the Gallows Inn Playing Fields visible
beyond the car park adjacent to the changing rooms, this sign
at the side of the canal might have been worth reading if the
vandals hadn't reached it first setting it on fire and leaving
litter in the hedgerow as well. The "Clean It Up" notice
could equally apply to humans as well as dogs!
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Further evidence of irresponsible behaviour was this abandoned
bike nearby, almost totally submerged in the murky waters of
the canal. Whether it had been thrown in from the towpath or
fallen off a passing boat is unknown but it looks as though it
has been there for some time.
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The end of this section is now almost in sight with the gates
of Gallows Inn Lock becoming visible under the bridge that carries
the traffic on Nottingham Road. Another of those "regulation
posts" is visible on the right hand side of the path.
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The canal was built in 1779 and a plaque on the lock side of
the bridge commemorates the bi-centennial but with the sun reflected
off the canal to illuminate the underside of the bridge it was
time to ascend the steps to Gallows Inn Lock and then make my
way home to put those thoughts of another series into action.
I'll continue the series with the next section to Green's Lock
in Part 2.
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