Alrewas Lock.

Continuing down the Trent and Mersey Canal we came to the river section at Alrewas.  Well we did after cruising past what felt like miles of moored boats at tickover.  The rule is you pass a moored boat slowly, this is because the movement of the water displaced by the boat can throw the boats about.  If you are moored "on pins" (metal spikes you drive into 
the canal bank) this can cause them to pull out.

The blip is an unusual view for me, as I enjoy working the locks.  However there was a boat waiting to come in so the gates didn't need closed and the crew suggested I board rather than the more difficult lock landing on the river.

The river passage is always interesting.   First you check the "boards" to see if the river is in flood. The boards are fixed a red section at the top - dangerous to continue, Amber - continue with care, Green - normal flow.  All was normal and being a river was deeper than the canal and the water clearer.  Not, contrary to popular opinion, because the canal is dirty but because the being shallow the propellers of the boats stir up the silt.