"Lock to Lock"
Ilkeston - Barker's to Stenson's
w/e 13 September 2009
All this week's pictures were taken
with a Kodak DX6490
Following the longest section of our walk between
the "Locks
on the Erewash Canal" as the canal passes to the east
of Ilkeston, we have now reached the shortest section which is
from Barker's Lock to Stenson's Lock.
Immediately on leaving Barker's Lock there are two narrow boats
moored alongside a landing stage on the opposite bank of the
canal. Those white boards on each of the boats indicate on closer
inspection that they are both for sale so if you have in the
region of £65,000 you too could be the proud owner of a
narrow boat.
To record this photo as your favourite
from this week's selection vote for "Boats For Sale"
below.
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Three more signs on the opposite bank make interesting reading
showing that Dilnot Ltd are suppliers of new narrow boats and
there is also a signwriting and painting business on the same
site which is no doubt very useful for adding the customary decoration
to the boats. The third sign bids welcome to The Moorings showing
it is part of B.C.F. - the Boater Christian Fellowship.
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At the far end of the landing stage is a parade of artificial
animals. At least we hope they are artificial as we are not used
to seeing crocodiles (alligators?) roaming free in this part
of the world! Having said that whilst I was taking these photos
something in the water was trying desperately to pull a young
coot under amid loud squawks and cries of warning from all the
birds in the vicinity. We are not sure whether it was a water
rat or a large fish but trust it was not a living relative of
that plastic croc.
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Beyond the landing stage, one of the post war developments in
Ilkeston saw the building of many properties on the Nelson Street
site and quite a few of them now back onto the canal.
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Moving on the canal continues its northward journey before swinging
gently to the east increasing the gap between the houses and
the water. The eastern bank of the canal is bounded like much
of the rest of the route we have been following, by trees, hedges
and fences shielding the towpath walker from the industrial activities
beyond.
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  Those industrial activities for the majority
of this stretch are mainly comprised of a coal distribution centre.
Peering through the green vegetation broken occasionally by a
splash of red rowan berries (above), the hoppers (left) where
coal is transferred to lorries can be seen standing high above
the fence line. Looking back to the canal (right) the eastward
detour is soon halted as it turns back to the north.
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And as soon as have we round the bend, we come upon Stenson's
Lock. So within the relatively short distance from Awsworth Road,
the canal has gone up two significant levels and this should
mark the end of this series as Stenson's is the last of the six
locks. The canal however obviously continues towards the Langley
Mill Basin and still has a fair distance to travel before
leaving the Ilkeston boundary. I hope to add a bonus seventh
part to the series soon and continue along the towpath past Cotmanhay.
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Before concluding this part though there is still time to look
over the playing field adjacent to Stenson's Lock. I've always
known this as Booth's Playing Field and vaguely remember playing
football on here in games lessons whilst at school. I also remember
that we had to walk to and from the ground from the centre of
town but I cannot recollect the route we followed. The memory
must still be in my head somewhere but the trouble is getting
it out!  I
seem to remember an old railway carriage or something similar
that was used as a changing room but again the memory may be
playing tricks. If anyone can confirm any of this I'd love to
hear from you.
In the bonus part seven then, we'll continue from Stenson's Lock
and pass the Bennerley Viaduct, seen here (right) from the Booth's
Playing Field as we head further north.
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