The Trent and Mersey Canal

The Trent and Mersey canal begins at Derwent Mouth, some 2 1/2 miles upstream of the point where the Soar Navigation enters the River Trent at a complicated junction.  We leave the Soar and turn left thus avoiding Thrumpton Weir.

Passing the entrance to Cranfleet Cut

and the Erewash Canal.

Progressing on the Upper Trent

and onto power operated Sawley Lock,

all singing and dancing with buttons for each gate.

Time for a Stobart moment as we psss under the M1

We go to the far right to approach Derwent Mouth Lock

This is basically saying 93 1/2 miles and 77 locks to Preston Brook and for the first time we will be travelling the full length.

The Malt Shovel greets us at Shardlow

Everywhere there are living examples of large-scale canal architecture.

The biggest and best of these buildings - the 18th-C Trent Mill, now the clock Warehouse.

Restores in 1979, it has a large central arch where boats once entered to unload.  Today it is The Clock Warehouse, a Marston's pub.

Shardlow Lock

 Wending our way through pleasant countryside.

We are now climbing up and the locks are getting deeper( 8'1" then 10'11") and the paddles fiercer.

Swarkestone Stop

Decision made - overnighting at Swarkestone.