Monday morning saw the arrival of my Niece and her partner at our beautiful secure mooring at Soar Boat Club. Once the car was unloaded, we began retracing our steps to give them a flavour of of life cruising the waterways. They were only staying a couple of days, so we decided to take them up river on the first day, then back to the mooring on the second.
Yet another hot and beautiful day saw us pottering towards Loughborough. Both Michelle and Dave had a go on the tiller and they were naturals. I think that they could be enamoured by the lifestyle. We cruised as far as Mountsorrel lock, then winded and returned to Barrow, mooring above the lock. Walking into the town, we discovered that the habit of eating out on a Monday must be somewhat alien in this locale. Every pub was meal free Monday, bar the Navigation. Somewhat cheap and cheerful, but we were thirsty as well as hungry, so it provided the correct ingredients. Several drinks and a burger later, we wended our way back. Being the kind souls we are, we gave up our comfy bed to our visitors and slept on the dinette. They slept well I think, as for us !!!
Tuesday we cruised to Loughborogh and walked to an out of town shopping area containing what I just could not stop calling a "Go Compare". ( Go Outdoors in reality ) Got a few bits and pieces, dropped them off at the boat and then had a wander into town for a non alcoholic lunch in a rather nice cafe.
We then had a splendid sunny cruise back to the Soar Boat Club and chilled out watching the wild life in the sunshine. Mid evening we decided it was time for proper food and a drinky or three, so we walked to the village pub, The Plough. The exterior looked a little tired if I am honest, but the interior was superb, as was the food and drink. We all over indulged a little, but it was a belated celebration of Dave's birthday. A very good night was had.
This morning we waved our goodbyes to our visitors and headed down river. The Soar here is truly lovely and rural, if you ignore the planes landing at East Midlands and the soaring towers of Ratcliffe power station. I am being unkind, it really is lovely and we would not hesitate to revisit. As we passed Willow Moorings we had a very quick hello to Jo who was sweeping and Ian who was supervising (only joking Ian!), we then bimbled down onto the Trent, rejoining the canal network at Derwent mouth lock. Now moored at Shardlow chilling out after a couple of welcome beers at the Malt Shovel. It has rained a little this evening, but the sun now shines and tomorrow promises to be a good un.
Cormorant drying off (photos by Dave)
Michelle in control
Heading towards the sailing club
under the M1
Back on the muddy ditches!
Miles covered 27
Locks 17 ( Some Twice!!!)
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