Hello and welcome back to my Blog 😊.

Today ‘The Three Amigos’ did a fabulous walk beside water – and on occasions through water (but not on the water!). A consequence of the recent Storm Bert.

Our route took us from Shardlow, and the Trent and Mersey canal, to Cranfleet Lock – an 8.5 mile there and back walk.

It was a stressful drive around Nottingham to get to Shardlow and well done to Chris for safely navigating the icy roads, flooded bridges and horrific rush hour traffic jams.

The temperature was just above zero and the sun was shining as we left the car park and set off optimistically, for a nice walk.

The frost lay white and crisp upon the grass and it looked a typical wintery vista.

We hadn’t being walking for too long when we met a dog walker who informed us that the canal had breached its bank further on. We pressed on to see whether it was passable.

Chris went forward and, after assessing the situation, decided that we could pass through safely. So that’s what we did, and although our boots were submerged, our feet mercifully remained relatively dry.

The canal would soon merge with the River Trent after passing through a lock. The river was very fast moving and the surrounding land flooded. We navigated our way across reeds to avoid another flooded path heading for a pedestrian bridge (Long Horse Bridge) to cross the river.

It was a good morning for capturing some nice images.

Our route took us under the M1 motorway.

Continuing onwards we reached Sawley Marina where we found a great number of boats moored up. As we passed by it was nice to smell the aromatic wood smoke from the wood burners. There were some lovely boats moored there to admire.

In the distance we could see the cooling towers of the recently closed power station at Ratcliffe-on-Soar. We could see what looked like steam coming from the cooling towers but, because the plant has closed, it must have been morning mist venting through the towers.

After passing Sawley Lock we crossed another bridge across the river Trent. The views of the fast moving river were impressive.

We were headed for Trent Lock which is a major waterway junction.

At Trent Lock there are two pubs and a tea room so I guess its a popular spot in good weather.

We stopped for a cuppa and a bite to eat here admiring the view. I do like walking beside water – its special. After our break we continued walking along the Cranfleet cut to reach the Cranfleet lock where we about turned and headed back.

Walking back we found that the flooded paths had receded slightly so that was a plus. I do wonder with global warming and the increased frequency and ferocity of storms how our waterways will cope in future years.

We all had enjoyed the walk and the weather.

Happy Walking! 😊🚶‍♂️

Hello and welcome back to my blog 😊.

This morning I did an 11 mile walk along the Grantham Canal from the Dirty Duck pub in Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir to Redmile and back again.

I set off walking at 08:00 and I didn’t meet a soul for 3 hrs – it was wonderful!

The Grantham Canal is a dis-used canal that runs from Grantham to the River Trent in Nottingham (33 miles). It is what is referred to as a contour canal because when it was built it followed the contours of the land – hence it is wiggly! It is gradually being restored by The Grantham Canal Society. The aim is to get the canal fully navigable again and this will involve putting in a new cut to get from the outskirts of Nottingham to the Trent because of roads etc that have been built across the original route. It is a very long term project.

To see more of the canal towards the Nottingham end see my blog https://wordpress.com/post/oldblokewalking.blog/1881

The canal opened in 1797 having cost £118,500 to build. From Nottingham the canal carried coal, coke, lime building materials and groceries. Returning from Grantham boats carried corn, malt, bean, wool and agricultural produce.

The walk was a mixed bag of nice pathways and very muddy ones.

Along the way I saw 4 herons close to the towpath but do you think I could capture a photo – as soon as I got anywhere near they flew off further away from me. Most frustrating but wonderful to see them.

A de-tour was required around lock 13 which is just at the early stages of being renovated.

In the distance I could see impressive Belvoir castle.

I really liked the reed beds along the way.

I said ‘Hello’ to quite a few Swans – good job no one was about!

Near Muston there a breach in the side wall of the canal visible and the water had dropped 2 feet. It has breached here before and the temporary repair has failed. The Canals and Rivers Trust has been made aware.

Along the way I passed a disused Lengthman’s hut – the Lengthmen were responsible for lengths of towpath including repair and maintenance of banks. To see what a restored Lengthmans hut looks like see my blog https://wordpress.com/post/oldblokewalking.blog/1686

Roughly half way I stopped for a coffee and a scotch egg. It was definitely on the chilly side this morning. On the return leg I avoided a boggy section of the towpath taking a cycle trail instead.

The path took me through a tunnel that had some interesting graffiti in it.

Soon after I was arriving back at my car.

It had been a great walk and I look forward to my next.

Happy Walking!