Friday 21^st September 2018

A river is made navigable by the fitting of locks such that the level is dropped, keeping the river stretches in between level, rather than flowing downhill. Wherever a lock is placed, the river has to be diverted, over a weir, around the lock. Exactly the same principle is used on canals where a sluice bypasses water around the lock, to remove excess water above. Most stretches of river containing these locks are artificial “cuts”. The weirs and bypasses on the River Trent are huge compared to the canal sluices and to the weirs we have seen on the Weaver.

The cut here at Sawley has the normal lock at the downhill end and at the uphill end it is fitted with a floodlock, so forming part of the local flood defences. This floodlock is normally left open. However, in times of flood it can be shut, so sending the excess waters over the weir. The floodlock has to have an uphill and a downhill paddle open when the gate is shut to maintain the level in the artificial cut.

Last night there was a lot of heavy rain and very strong winds. About 5am the boat started to develop a significant starboard list. Apparently, the river level had risen suddenly and alarmingly and the floodgates were shut, but not before the level in Sawley Cut, including the marina, had risen by about 12”. The pontoon we are tied up to has a fixed height and does not move up and down with the water level. So our ropes had become bar tight giving us the list, it was a hell of a job getting them slackened.

In the evening, we walked up to the weir and the amount of water going over the top is quite staggering. It must be a frightening sight in times of serious flooding.

Alex did not turn up until 3pm and we were reluctant to start before. So really our whole day was spent reading and waiting. When Alex did arrive he fitted a new holder for the starter battery. Although the problems we were having are now resolved, we are remaining here until Sunday or possibly Monday to ensure there is no further trouble. The weather forecast for the weekend gives further rain and wind so we would not be moving anyway.

In the meantime, the engine idle revs have steadily been dropping off. Alex is a Beta agent and so has agreed to look into this also. The manual states that they have to be contacted to rectify this.

So more waiting although hopefully, Alex will resolve the idle revs tomorrow and we will be free to leave. We have now been here for 9 days.

The weather has turned much colder now. Our shorts and T-shirts have been consigned to under the bed, jeans, jogging bottoms and fleeces have become the order of the day, and the heating is being run.

Weather: occasion rain, sometimes heavy. Very windy, becoming stronger towards evening.