Day 3 - Willington to Barton Turn

We set off on in bright sunshine from Willington marina at 10am, negotiating the very tight turn onto the canal, admiring the marina's newly planted wildflower meadow and encountering the first narrow locks of our journey in Burton on Trent. As is often the case, the canal passes through a place without seeming to, so although Branston Lock is only just southwest of the centre of Burton, it is picturesquely rural.

Branston Lock top gate

Jan working the gate

We found some shade for lunch by the towpath at Branston Water Park and enjoyed watching two cats let out from their respective boats for a stroll and roll on the grass.  The canal then runs alongside the A38 Ryknild Way and a railway line for several noisy miles; fortunately we found a mooring for the night just south of Barton Turn Lock, with a thick hedge providing some sound insulation.