Struggling on the Trent and Mersey

[NB Alnwick]

For various reasons, it has been some considerable time since we last enjoyed any decent cruising with 'Alnwick'.

However, we have just returned to our home mooring, after enjoying an extended cruise that included attending the Crick Boat Show and then up through Leicester and back to Cropredy via Loughborough, Shardlow, Fradley and Glascote. The Eastern end of the Trent and Mersey was a challenge mainly because we spent a lot of time stuck and churning up the bottom but also because our propellor was fouled with a bundle of discarded clothing and, for only the second time in eighteen years, I had to resort to getting in the water to clear the prop. Nevertheless, we had an enjoyable cruise.

I understand that, the T & M between Shardlow and Swarkestone was subsequently closed for repairs to a leaking lock but I am sure some appropriate dredging would also help.