As we arrived on Friday we were welcomed by one of the Erewash Canal volunteers who came out from the little Pumping Engine House where they were working. He said we could moor where we liked, so we turned and moored alongside it. Our mooring above the lock this is actually on the Cromford Canal. This is the view across the basin to the Great Northern pub where we had an excellent roast Sunday lunch from the carvery and two drinks all for £16, luvly jubbly. Not surprisingly most tables were reserved and it was very busy there indeed. It was far too hot for cooking on board and I felt sorry for the lady who was carving the meat as she seemed to be melting.
From the side hatch we could see the old Toll House which stands on the junction of the Erewash, Cromford and Nottingham canals, which are both closed and unavigable. The Great, or rather small, Northern Basin only has room for half a dozen permanent moorers and is accessed through the swing bridge.
A mile or so of the Cromford Canal is in water and permanent moorers line both sides of it. There is a little boatyard with a double dry-dock too, and the whole area has secure entrances, so no strolling up the Cromford for us.
Behind Oakfield is Smiths Flour Mill and nearby Warburton's Bread is baked, with a handy newish Asda just up the road. We also strolled down to B and Q for some Sadolin and new switches. I also got some Geraniums to go in my lovely painted pots, Bottle doesn’t like the smell of them, but that’s tough!
Luckily for us there are some tall trees along the wide grassy towpath for shelter so we have drawn the shorts on and lounged in the deckchairs in this heat wave. So, you see, we are coping quite well under all this pressure.
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