Sunday 23^rd September 2018

We had been planning to start our run up the River Soar towards Leicester today. However, taking the dog out for his walk this morning down to Sawley Lock, the marker board for the river is almost in amber and there is a very strong flow on the river itself, so we reluctantly decided to stay put for the day.

The river sections have marker boards that have green, amber and red sections, showing the level in the river and hence the flow. Green show it is safe to proceed, amber proceed with caution and red is unsafe to proceed.

Dave, the proprietor of the Lockkeepers Rest micropub and ex-lockkeeper, had said that the River Soar was a cheeky river that, with it being narrow in places, was susceptible to flooding, but the level drops as quickly as it rises. So, treating any river with respect, we decided to err on the side of caution and have a rest day. We both seem to think anyway that, being in a marina grinds you down, and you need a rest day when you leave.

We walked back to the marina as we had forgotten to return their keys and spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon reading, before going back to the micropub for a few more pints before dinner. A really good start to a really good dinner.

                             A cracking atmosphere in the Lock-Keepers Rest Micropub, Sawley Lock, River Trent

So here’s to tomorrow and our long awaited run up the Soar. We are so looking forward to rounding the wide sweeping bend in the river at Trent Lock that we have seen so many times now.