Mrs Trackman

Wondering how the islanders on the Soar are doing? Imagine it might be underwater? If so, it's a shame as the owners put such a lot of effort into making it a viable island.

Only just discovered this topic after chatting to Matty last night. We are on the Trent in Nottingham but managed to make it to a pontoon on Wednesday as the river rose. Trent has been rising since we arrived here, further up this morning still. Looking at shardlow, levels may have started flattening. Hoping will calm down before the next lot of rain due though think been fine rain much of the night.

Thanks Richard for organising a very successful banter. Not your fault the pub was unexpectedly not doing food after all. A great turn out of lovely people. Sorry we had to rush off early for a train.

Mr and Mrs trackmen planning on being there tonight. Definitely not by boat.

Funnily enough someone's just been paid overtime to tell us the Calder and hebble has shut-as we watch the Trent whizzing by.

Simply not true. The motorist who killed a cyclist in regent Street London was let off as the poor dear, 'simply didn't see the bike'. So, not only is the faster vehicle not given the blame but apparently it's ok to drive without being able to see.

Not read all of this but does sound as though, at laSt, there's some sense and some overnight moorings for visiting Saltaire. Not been since 2006 when the new rings were put in, then immediately followed by the ban after 6pm-which we only saw as we left the boat to go and eat out. Lack of moorings generally on that stretch hasn't encouraged us to return. In fact we only found out about the new rings when I mentioned to a lockie how we were finding it tricky trying to moor.

I don't very often read this forum anymore, partly as so busy and partly because I find some people's attitudes to others dire. I can't face reading all of the horrible things some of you are saying so sorry if repeating what others have said. We love Burton on trent. It's a very handy mooring for the nearby lidl and the railway station. It just isn't a destination for restaurants or even meals in pubs. It's a fair walk into town but if you take the trouble you'll be rewarded by simply amazing victorian buildings. The brewery owners had some fine houses right in the town centre. If you venture a bit further you'll reach the trent. It just isn't a tourist destination or a twee village like Alrewas. It's just a town where people live and work and we love it.

All the best to everyone. Keep posting info and pictures to those of us enjoying the challenge by following your tales.

The whole thing is such a pain. we haven't been able to moor at Holme lock for several years since the start of the hydro scheme. we used to love going there-in fact we were on the waiting list for a mooring there for 10 years before they abolished waiting lists. before the hydro schemw started operating we were at least able to wind and back down to take on water-we darent try that now.

Just found out meadow lane lock (where Beeston cut rejoins the trent) has been shut today, don't know if now reopened. Not used to having to check for stoppages in summer but got caught out just before easter when Aston lock on the trent and Mersey was shut from a Monday to a Friday.

Went by the island yesterday and very impressed to see someone making a real go of it. There seemed to be a veg patch, greenhouse, bee hive, solar shed, wood stack, etc. The island looked much tidier than when we looked at it. Someone has worked very hard and was good to see their results. I wish them well.

That is the plan. Was supposed to be fixed in winter stoppages.

So. We don't get many boating trips at the moment due to family commitments. Made it away for few days leaving at 5.30 yesterday afternoon. Today left trent junction at 8.15-& were back there 8 hours later after finding out Aston lock closing in morning. I admit didn't check stoppages but no notices anywhere and stupidly thought winter programme over. It was only because we happened to go through the lock with a volocky ( first time that had ever happened to us at that lock) that we found out, would have made life very difficult for us if stuck waiting for it to reopen-supposed to be on friday. As it was , it meant we spent the day getting back to where we started but fortunately we do have plenty of options. And it's been such a wonderful sunny day and the countryside is just beautiful.

Years ago I saw a 12 volt slow cooker for sale at the shop on Buckby locks. Seems a better option for most boats if they are still available. Didn't think worth the space for us as in winter the boat man's stove serves the same purpose.

You might not have felt so happy about dog poo if you had had the experience our grandson had last time he visited our boat, running towards us he managed to slip, fall and land with his head on a pile of it-it was absolutely disgusting, over his face and matted into his hair.

I am getting seriously fed up with dog deposits. Last week we abandoned the erewash -it was bad enough to find the grass we moored against with lots of dog mess but someone let their dog do it all over our ropes. Then this weekend at Beeston our grandchild managed to fall and land head first in a pile -it was absolutely disgusting, in his hair, on his face, everywhere.

Well. I always note matty's weather information as I know he keeps a close eye on forecasts. Am hoping warnings are worse than the event. Was bad enough cycling against last night's winds and very gusty on Beeston cut last night.

Absolutely brilliant. What fun. Thanks for posting this.

Not very helpful as can't remember where I read it but sure I saw there is a Web site like air b&b but for staying on boats. Guess take a risk with standards but surely get reviews? We, too would love to stay on a Paris barge.

I used to love doing Hatton locks with 18 9-11 year olds and 2 boats. The children were divided into 3s each group with an adult, swapping rest breaks and tasks as we progressed. They loved the challenge of getting down faster than any previous trip. At the end we'd say, wow! That's amazing, you lot did it in.....can't even remember, have feeling might have done it in 2.20 but probably more like 2 45. They were always happy with that. Not likely to work with adults and as others have said does depend who else is on flight and whether locks for or against you. Hatton locks are slow and there's a lot of walking. Beautiful flight though.

Just found out trackmen may be required for child care duties but no one ever stops long enough to give us details! Still hoping might be able to fit bit of both in.

Mr and Mrs trackman will be there at the banter

Beeston on green today

Interesting times. The trent at Beeston fell a long way overnight so that it wasn't far in the red. During the day it didn't seem to fall much more. At Cranfleet the trent still looked quite high and the floodgates were still on at 4pm