Days 1 - 7. Wed 24 - Tue 30 June Sawley Marina to Branston Water Park

Three months almost to the day after the start of lockdown and we leave Sawley Marina, turning west up the River Trent aiming to reach Oxford.  The route takes us from the Trent to the start of the Trent & Mersey Canal at Shardlow (see below) then south westwards to the junction at Fradley, where we join the Coventry Canal and travel south. The Coventry becomes the Oxford Canal at Hawkesbury and continues to Braunston, where we turn right for a short stretch on the Grand Union, then south on the southern section of the Oxford Canal to Oxford (that bit's off the bottom of the map).

Using the same route out and back, it's 137 miles each way with 146 locks in total, a mixture of broad and narrow, deep and shallow. There are at least two sections where the canal route runs onto the river and an anchor is needed.

Duck helpfully clears escape route from our mooring on the marina

View from Catnap's stern on our mooring, with narrowboats, cruisers, a vintage seagoing wooden yacht and a 'floating home'

Free at last! On the Trent with the M1 motorway bridge behind us

...and looking ahead, the Victorian water pipe bridge just before the confluence of Rivers Trent and Derwent and the entrance to the Trent & Mersey Canal

It's an odd feeling leaving the marina after relative isolation in our small community. The management announced protocols for cleaning and using communal spaces and banned the public and all non-resident boat owners from visiting.  At first all residents were asked to lockdown in our boats, but that was impractical and soon we were cautiously using our outside patio spaces and those of us who grow vegetables on the allotment began to plant and weed. We only know of one person here who has had Covid symptoms - out of 100 or so - and he went into quarantine on his boat with help with shopping etc from neighbours and recovered. There are many people who are 'shielding' due to age or medical conditions like asthma.  So we consider ourselves fortunate.  We ourselves have hardly been outside the gates apart from a weekly 'click and collect' for groceries, occasional walks and recently once restrictions allowed a family visit.

As we write, restaurants and pubs open on 4 July with social distancing. Although it might seem natural to want to go and have lunch out, we're cautious and aware there are several 'spikes' of infection - one close by in Leicester.  The UK isn't requiring people to wear face masks in shops as France and other countries are - reckless considering the truly dreadful total of deaths and the government's inability to take timely precautionary action.

The weather is changeable - often this is the view outside

The pretty lockkeeper's cottage at Shardlow

Shardlow Heritage Centre in an 18th century salt warehouse, vintage working boats outside

Shardlow Clock Warehouse once an important canal building now a pub. Deserted today, due to open again soon

We stop for a cuppa while cygnets grab a bite of the weed on our hull. We've been stationary so long that it's got luxuriant!

Any chance of something more exciting?

Weston Lock, the third on the T&M and some welcome sunshine

We always look for a shady tree in the heat

Breakfast in the saloon - yes, it's a bit messy!

Looking back at the lock approach to Swarkestone, lock no. 5.  Very few boats moving on the canal, but we met one at this lock, which shared the load

All six double locks completed, we've filled up with water and moored for the night at a favourite spot at Coach & Horses bridge near Willington.

The peace and green of the rural waterways; why we love this life

The first narrow lock on the T&M, on the outskirts of Burton upon Trent

Into the countryside again, at Branston lock in the wide floodplain of the river

Tuesday 30 June and the end of the first week. Arrive at Branston Water Park, planning to shop at the nearby Morrison's - no more 'click and collect'! Will be interesting to see how the social distancing is going...

Recommended onboard entertainment this week, via Netflix and MUBI:

Occupied - Norwegian series about an imagined Russian take over of Norway. Vichy inspired but set in the present and follows a group of characters including the PM. An engrossing watch, great on the politics and immediate/emerging dilemmas for those in charge and ordinary citizens colluding and resisting.

The Sinner (series 3) - Police procedural, more of the same if you've seen previous series although is getting way beyond realistic or believable.  Good acting and production values.

Seinfeld (series 4) - new to us and pretty dependable for laughs

Inside the Mossad - fascinating insight, interviews with past senior and field staff.

The Martian (film, dir Ridley Scott) - based on the book by Andy Weir. Unlike many sci-fis, utterly convincing technically as well as gripping. Denis thinks it's been dumbed down and the book is better, though.

Frank (film, dir Lenny Abrahamson) - truish story of an ordinary guy who joins an eccentric band led by Frank, who wears a papier mache head. Reflects on the nature of artistic expression, mental illness and friendship.