I HAVE been fascinated by the recent—no it's being going on for months—correspondence regarding the merits of Sawley and Mercia marinas, writes, Mike Stone.
There are other mooring venues in the area that never get a mention; why not?
Barton Marina
A few miles away in different directions are Pilling and Castle marinas and there are two sites at Shardlow. If you wish to be on a canal and away from those ‘dreaded wide locks' on the Trent & Mersey why not try Barton Marina? (Pictured.)
It has all the facilities of Mercia and more, providing a range of outlets including a café, coffee shop and deli, restaurant and pub, café bar and cinema—both of the latter serve until late—as well as a range of shops.
Moored for several years
We have moored there for several years and when we go out head up the Trent & Mersey usually in front of all those who have yet to work out that if two craft leave Mercia together at least one will have form a queue at Dallow Lane Lock! We drive a extra 10 minutes down the A38 and finish up two hours ahead of them!
Okay so there is some traffic noise—there is everywhere—but otherwise it's a great marina with friendly people and not as many boats as the other two!
As they say on the radio—"Other marinas are available!"