A canal trip

An uplifting post for 'Blue Monday', featuring a trip on the canal with the Peter le Marchant Trust      

Back in 2004, a travel company created a marketing campaign centred around the idea that somehow the third Monday in January was the saddest and most depressing day of the year, arriving as it does, with the Christmas-overspending credit card bills, after at least two full weeks back at work (if you were lucky enough to have a break), and after spending precious time with family and friends (if you were lucky enough to do so). The weather, at this time, is also quite likely to be a bit overcast, which might further dampen some spirits. But, despite the elaborate mathematical equations that went behind the creation of the marketing ploy, the idea of there being one day - ‘Blue Monday’ – that is more depressing than any other day, is not supported by everyone, and indeed, some organisations believe this concept is actually harmful. There are many websites out there which explain the concept and comment upon it – Wikipedia, and livescience.com are but two.

As for me? Well, I have highs and lows, I have periods of happiness and periods of sadness, most of which seem to be related to events or situations that can happen at any time, and I don’t necessarily feel ‘blue’ on ‘Blue Monday’. Strategies for dealing with this usually include getting myself outside for a walk – whatever the weather! I am happy walking around the local housing estates, through fields, in woods, or along canal towpaths – anywhere really! And I’m lucky enough to be able to do this.

Over the canal bridge!

The local canal is a go-to place, not just for a leisurely walk, but also as a route into town, which avoids busy and noisy roads, providing instead a walk through nature, with the sound of water as an accompaniment – the leaky lock, the wash of a passing vessel, the splash of the canoeist’s oars, the trickle of water flowing into the brook. I do, however, understand that not everyone can walk this beautiful route, but there are other ways to appreciate this environment.

Over the years I have had many canal boat holidays, across many different canals to many different places – a long trip from Mountsorrel to Oxford springs to mind, as does a trip from Sawley Marina to Lincoln, and one from St Neots to Cambridge. I’ve also been on lots of day trips, or half-day trips, many in the local area, but further afield too – like Stratford.

With a friend on one of the many extended boat trips over the years

Last summer I was very lucky to be able to join a canal boat trip from Loughborough to Mountsorrel. I’d known of the Peter le Marchant Trust since the very early 1980s, when they were based on Derby Road, just under the Belton Road bridge (No.40), and regularly passed their distinctive boats on my trips along the canal. 

The former base on Derby Road just beyond the bridge (left)

You can read about the history of the Trust, and about what they do over on their website.

I never thought I’d qualify to be one of those people travelling on one of the Trust’s boats – Symphony, Sonata, Serenade etc. – until the pandemic of 2020 changed this, and the Trust opened up their trips to anyone. Perhaps it was recognised that a relaxing trip along the canal, seeing and hearing the wildlife, chatting to other travellers, while drinking cups of tea and eating a sandwich, could be of benefit to everyone.

The four-hour trips leave from the Trust’s base on Beeches Road, and travel either in the direction of Loughborough, or Mountsorrel. On the day of my journey, we left Canalside Moorings around 10am, and headed out towards Barrow. Even while we were preparing to leave, we were treated to a visit by the local pair of swans with their six fluffy cygnets, conditioned by the regularity of the boat trips, to know when there were rich pickings to be had!! 

Once aboard (I chose to sit up front) it was fascinating to watch the experts turn the huge Symphony, for their trip to Loughborough. The phutt-phutt-phutt of the Lister diesel engine was as familiar to me as the chug-chug-chug of the steam engine, and I could feel the vibration of the engine through my chair and my feet! 

Almost immediately we set off on Serenade, we caught sight of a black-headed gull in flight across the canal. We were reminded that although we often refer to similar birds as seagulls, there is actually no such thing, so these we saw here (and there are loads at Charnwood Water) were the black-headed variety of gull, while the ones at the seaside, are herring gulls.

 

Incidentally, it was also on this early part of the journey that I was reminded that the Leicestershire Industrial History Society were doing guided tours of the GlenfieldTunnel. I shouldn’t have needed to be reminded since I’ve been a member of that Society for 10 years, but I did need to be reminded that tunnel tours are staffed solely by members of the Society, and it was about time I did my stint!

Anyway, back to the canal, and sitting on the little bridge (No.34A) that goes over the canal, where the Grammar School Brook and another join the Hermitage Brook, was a pigeon, while swifts (or perhaps they were swallows) and dragonflies were flying overhead. I regularly walk this area, and there are often moorhens sitting in amongst the lily pads, and birds twittering in the hedges, too. A short distance further along, past the houses on Tuckers Road and Coopers Close and the trees, we came to an area of marshy land, where the heron is often to be seen – and the bird didn’t disappoint us today!

On the approach to Millers Bridge (No.34) we saw yellow lilies, and the bridge was gloriously reflected in the water. 

Approaching Millers Bridge

Passing through the bridge we emerged to the sight of wonderful trees, and spotted the footpath sign, which leads across the bridge and through another marshy field (often full of cows) which leads to the footpath, which comes out onto the A6 beside the Bull-in-the-Hollow. It was a warmish day, so the insects were also out in force!

 

The Woodthorpe Bridge (No.33) is beautiful. If you were to leave the towpath here, you would join the Bull-in-the-Hollow path if you turned and went over the bridge, and you would be able to link up with the Moor Lane path if you turned left, and passed by the electricity pylon. The latter is not a designated footpath, but it is one that is regularly used and has been identified as one to be registered. You can find more information about this government scheme, and advice from the Ramblers society about how to register a footpath.

When we reached Woodthorpe Bridge, there were two boats coming the other way, so we held back for a few minutes to let them through, before ourselves passing under the bridge, where the height was so low, all of us sitting at the front were advised not to stand up! 

At this time of year, the trees stood tall and green, particularly the plane trees (although they look pretty spectacular when leafless, too), the hedges were bountiful, and the waterside plants tall and resplendent. Another pigeon was spotted, this one sitting on the electricity wires!

It was only a short distance to the next brick-built bridge, Top Bridge (No.32), and like Millers Bridge the reflection in the water was beautiful. At this point, we were surrounded by lush greenness, and the hit of colours from irises, daisies, and lilies! I don’t know where this bridge actually leads to, but suspect it is to the farm that used to belong to the Moss family. 

Top Bridge

On our left, we spotted the blue brick of the Midland Mainline railway track, and heard the whoosh of the diesel trains as they passed over the bridge. To our right was the winding hole – a widened area of the canal, specifically designed for boats to turn around – and just beyond that, the entrance to Pillings Marina.

We travelled straight through Pillings Lock, (No.52) as this is a flood lock, so the gates were open, and the water level flat between the two stages. Until 1957 I believe there was actually a lock keeper's cottage here, which at one time was the home of a family by the name of Pillings, then Pine, then Meredith.

Over the canal is what I suppose is known as a turnover bridge (No.31), although this is clearly not one designed in the eighteenth century for the horses pulling the barge to cross to the towpath on the other side! There’s a stunning photograph on the internet of an older bridge on the Macclesfield Canal in Cheshire. When I am out walking, before crossing over the bridge, I usually stop to look at the weir on the left.

Pillings Lock

Looking back at the mooring posts

After Pillings Lock we spotted horses, dressed as though it were winter; swans; cormorants (where I learned that cormorants sit high up in trees in order to dry their wet, non-waterproof feathers); Canada geese, moorhens, and terns (I think), as well as willows and osier beds. 

Just before reaching Barrow Road Bridge (No.30 – which appeared to be called County Road Bridge on the return journey), we marvelled at the houseboats, and waved to the canoeists and their dog!

The Barrow Road Bridge is quite familiar to me the car-driver, as the single-lane bridge into Barrow which has traffic lights at either end. When crossing it in a vehicle, I hadn’t realised just how big it was! 

Barrow Road Bridge

At this point, the River Soar turns off to the right, and the canal continues to the left. Along the canal to Barrow Deep Lock, we again marvelled at the houseboats, and spotted the caravans on the caravan park that extends under the A6. Immediately before Barrow Deep Lock we passed under Barrow Lock Bridge (No.29) having first checked the levels were right for us. 

Entering the lock

Once in the lock, the Peter le Marchant volunteers had the wonderful job of opening the ground paddles to let the water flood in and fill the lock, so that we could proceed with our journey. How lovely for me to be able to sit up front and watch the operation, and not have to get involved, as I had done so many times before!! What started as a trickle of water become a torrent, but certainly wasn't as scary as that time I stayed in the boat at Trent Lock when that started to fill!

A trickle ...

A torrent ...

A flashback (opening the lock gates at Loughborough Lock) c.1983

And, once more we were off on our journey, this time passing stunning willow trees, beautiful gardens, and llamas, before reaching Barrow Upon Soar Bridge (No.28 – which seemed to be called Mill Lane Bridge on the return journey), with the Navigation Inn on the left, and Barrow Boating on the right. 

We continued our journey, passing the weir (No.27A), and now travelling along the wide River Soar, which was absolutely glistening and reflecting in the sunlight. In the distance, and to the right we could see the chimneys and buildings associated with the Mountsorrel stone quarry.  We passed the small vessel that carries people who are scattering the ashes of their loved ones along the canal, which has been designated as a tributary of the Ganges.

There are plenty of footpaths across the fields around this area, but if you are walking in the wet weather, best to wear wellies, as the ground does get very waterlogged. On the left we passed what I think was the boating clubhouse, and the new Meadow Farm marina.

 

Ordinarily, the journey would continue on to Mountsorrel, passing the new(ish) housing at Mountsorrel Staithes (a staithe was a raised landing area where goods could be unloaded, and is a term that is still used in areas where there is a strong Scandinavian link. Whether this link was there before the houses were built (in a Dutch style) I don’t know).

The yellow house in  the middle is part of the Staithes (photo from 2017)

The boat would then normally pass under the 1860 bridge (often known as Mountsorrel Railway Bridge), and Mountsorrel Road Bridge (No.24), before mooring at the Waterside pub, where people could refresh themselves. However, today, for some reason or other (which now escapes me), that wasn’t possible as there was something happening in the area. 

The 1860 bridge pictured in 2017

So, the boat was turned around close to Meadow Farm Marina, and we headed back to Barrow Boating, where we moored for lunch. There was plenty of time to have a wander around the area, before getting back on the boat to continue our journey homeward, feeling a bit like Toad on the open road! Along the way, we saw similar things to those we’d seen on the outward journey – wildlife, trees and plants, fields and bridges – but we were also now accustomed to the toots of the trains, the hoots of the coots, the chatting of our companions, the waving of people on passing boats, the whoosh of the fishing lines being thrown out into the canal, the agility of the cyclists on the towpath, the smell of being in the countryside, and the gentle sway of being on water.

The return journey from Meadow Farm marina

Approaching the Navigation Inn

Approaching Barrow Deep Lock

The entrance to Pillings marina

Finally, we returned to Canalside Moorings relaxed and refreshed, re-energised and at one with nature, and perhaps with ourselves.

I do hope you've enjoyed travelling along our beautiful waterways with me! We are so lucky to have them - and it's sometimes hard to visualise them being used for their original purpose of transporting raw materials, which would have been far from the relaxing journey we've had today. 

With many, many thanks to the staff and volunteers at the Peter le Marchant Trust for sharing their wonderful knowledge of the areas, and ensuring I had a safe and thoroughly enjoyable journey.

If you’d like to join the Trust on one of their trips, pop over to the website, where you can find all the details you need! 

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posted by lynneaboutloughborough

With apologies for typos which are all mine!

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Dyer, Lynne (2023). A canal trip. Available from: https://lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.com/2023/01/a-canal-trip.html [Accessed 16 January 2023]

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