We left early at 08:05 as we wanted to moor the night in Barton Marina. Dan had spoken to them by phone and was told they don't take reservations, so he didn't want to arrive late and find there were no visitor moorings left.
We were back on a narrow canal after the wideness of River Trent.
There were stretches of farmland.
When passing moored boats one has reduce speed so the boat makes no wake to rock them. Thus the time it takes from travel from one place to another depends on unknowns including the number of moored boats - and anglers who also have to be passed at minimum speed.
But our Captain was pleased with our progress. We arrived at the modern Barton Marina at 16:20 and tied-up at short time moorings by a row of shops and cafes.
Krisie returned with the bad news that the marina office closed at 16:00, twenty minutes before we arrived. Dan was unable to raise anyone by phone and no-one in the shops knew anything. The moorings were behind gates and without a key one could not leave the boat.
We were midway through the cruise and planned on using the marina's self-serve laundry and pump-out services; both now closed to us.
After an hour or so Dan steered the boat back to the canal and moored. We had a consolatory glass of fizz and walked down a road to our evening meal.
We had a booking at The Waterfront at the marina, and when we saw this Garlic and Rosemary pizza bread with red onions under starters we ordered one to share as it brought back memories of the delicious complimentary garlic pizza bread served at Beyerskloof Winery Bistro.
A bottle or two of South African Chenin Blanc and very good fish and chips restored us, but Dan was thinking about where to go for a pump-out.
Weston Lock to Barton Marina -16 miles - 5 locks - 6h15
plus 55 minutes moored for lunch and shopping at Willington.
For Day 9 click here
For Day 1 click here
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