Left at 09:50
arrived at 15:20
Up to a very wet day, dull
and misty, the lock opens at 9:30, Derek up ? need I say more, me up 8 ish
ready for 8 30. We are heading for
Newark, theres a festival there so only half a chance that there will be a
mooring for us, contingency plan, we will moor at the bottom of Nether Lock on
the way out of Newark. Water took and age
to fill so we are just getting ready for 9:30.
We had to go the end of the channel of water leading to the lock to turn
round as its very windy, two cruisers were heading for the lock, Derek got the
lockie on the radio, he was preparing it, its very deep and takes an age to
fill. It was worth the trip to the end,
the orange markers for the weir were all occupied? Cormorants, gulls and other
sea birds are standing with their backs to the wind, having a breather, some of
the Cormorants had their wings spread to dry off, they looked really comical
and cheered me up, the icing on the cake, a single Black Swan, perusing the
scene, wow that was a lovely way to start the day. We entered the lock first as we don’t want to
squash the cruisers, thats usually the form the lockie likes, off on our way
down for 9:40ish, in the end it was 3 cruisers and 2 NBs. I chatted whilst still waiting, to a guy on
his bike, he was on his constitutional cycle, he rides from home to the lock,
brings his flask of tea and a few biscuits, chats to the boaters and lockie and
then heads back for 11. He said it was
in time to visit his wife and tell her about what hes seen, I assume she must
be in a home, so it was quite sad really.
He did say he had enjoyed our chat and it had brightened up his day (and
mine) We talked about families, the
olden days (of which I feel I now have plenty) pets and favourite meals, all
because I asked if he had brought his bacon butty. We went down the lock
smoothly, he wished us a safe journey as I disappeared below the lock side and
we both waved as we entered the fast flowing river, him giving us a thumbs
up. Stoke Bardolph, seemed to come very
quickly, I had time to make a coffee, there were two NBs coming out, so we had
to wait for the green light to enter well after they were out of the high
walled channel leading out into the water beyond. We got in and it was slow and steady down, on
the outside of the lock the river was really choppy, waves going ove the bow,
weeeee!! What a ride. That was no 2 there
are 5 (including Newark Town) to get to Newark, the weather is dry but misty
and muggy by now, its 10 55. Passing
Stoke Bardolph, the wild fowl were having fun as always, there is a big water
pipe creating an even faster flowing waterfall and they all take great delight
in sailing at the bottom of it, I assume helping to clean their feathers. The front cratch window is now wet through
and we are having a shower in the river
ourselves? I’m warm and toasty in the
cratch, Derek is getting blown about, hes like Captain Pugwash at the
moment. Two of the cruisers went in
front of us, we are now being overtaken by a little one “Live De Life” the lady
of the boat is driving with a King Charles Spaniel, draped over her knee, the
dog looks scared! I had been fancying a
bacon butty, mentioned earlier, so I asked Derek how long to the next lock and
whilst listening to Terry Wogan, mad one and a cuppa, it hit the spot, no need
to eat now till tea time??? Yeh, sure you believe me. One of the cruisers we shared the lock with
had decided to stop on the high wall just before the next lock for lunch, of
course another one took its place. There
were now four cruisers and 2 NBs, the gongoozlers were out in force, all
standing at the top of the lock to watch the fun of us going down. The cruisers were of course itching to get
out of the lock well in front of us, one even ended up putting his boat across
the opening gates and then speeding off.
Outside the lock there were dog walkers and anglers (like fishermen
best) its nice there there is a little pebbly beach to run the dogs or the children on. There are fishermen and their gear, some have
loads of rods, their very long waders on and tents and there are also little
groups of cows, they seem to like the grass along here and sometimes a little
dip in the water, it must be refreshing, it is running very fast. Hazelford, there is lots of twisting and
twirling going on by the cruisers that went in front of us, three cruisers and
one little NB coming out of the lock. The cruisers waiting to go in are like
racing drivers vying for position, they blocked the exit at one point for NB
Tuglet to come out, they are big kids really.
I Think we are four plus 2 again, if we fit that is, 4 cruisers, one by
itself on the left hand side, the others over the other side, we went behind
the single one, a very nervous Mr “Penny Farthing”,. Luckily for him Derek can
keep pulling us back as Mr PF was worried we would clip his engine with our
bow. They are only holding on to the side with their tiny boat hooks, the lady
sat on the front of the boat. Then there were 2 NBs behind us, ! breasted up
with the NB that has been with us all the way.
The locks are really smooth but the cruisers were moaning in case the lockie put too many steel boats in, they really wind
me up, in a hurry to get there first, then “farty” when it come to sharing the
locks(rant over) they then of course zoomed out of the lock. The lockie told Derek to be aware that we may
meet the Trip boat and saying that its very busy in Newark, with a wry
smile. Ranting, even if only internally,
makes me hungry (its hours since that butty) I made a cuppa and pudding, cake
and cream , Dereks delivered in a tin mug? Well I never said it was the
Ritz?? Sitting in the cratch listening
now to Elaine Paige, music from the musicals, good Sunday listening, there were
a herd of cows, some in the water, a couple in the water under a willow tree
eating the leaves, maybe they had a headache? The others, some babies, brown
and white and black and white, munching away and casting us a sidewards glance,
totally at one with the world, it made me chuckle, great way to calm ones
nerves, watching the wildlife. Approaching Newark, the trip boat that had
passed us earlier was on its way back, thats what the lockie meant, it would we
thought take all the lock up, It moors just beyond the lock. Newark Dyke, the channel of water leading to
Newark and the lock, it had fishermen all along it, I dont know if it was a
competition but most of them had quite serious faces, except for one really
relaxed guy, he was sending up zeds big time.
Id forgotten how long this bit is, it seemed to be taking an age to get
to the town. We are passing lots of
houses on the right hand side and some tall waterside properties, some of the
little terraced cottages have moorings at the end of their gardens and there
are still cruisers dashing by us, heading for the open water. It took us about 30 minutes to get through
the Dyke and we got to the bridge hole just before the lock and could see the
trip boat seemingly stuck across the water, Derek thought the wind had caught
it. We actually shared the lock with the trip boat, a cruiser and the NB that
had been with us all day again. Gongoozlers galore, the fun fair and very loud
music could be heard and lots of general jollity was going on, we didn’t think
there was a chance of the pontoon. We
passed lots of boats that were mooring on the high walls at the side of the
park, Derek shook his head and we continued through the bridge and towards the
pontoons. At the pontoon there was a
space, not really big enough, right next to the end where a little NB was
hanging bunting on the back deck, I asked if it was a party, no afternoon tea,
was the reply, posh or what. The
Pontoons had 2 large cruisers, 1 NB by itself, then 2 very (shall we say in
need of TLC) NBs, who had apparently been there all week, a space and the
little NB bringing up the rear. Derek
asked the man on the little boat if he would mind pulling right to the end of
the pontoon, he did that and took hold of our rope to try and fit us in the
space. We could fit if we went on a
slant with our stern fastened to the littler of the TLC NBs on the outside
edge. Derek asked the lady on the two
boats if that would be ok, she said fine, we were fastened off by 3 20ish. The little NB is staying tonight and as we
got sorted round their guests arrived, Grandmas and Grandads, they are all sat
on the end of the pontoon in their colourful fold up chairs, having champagne
and cupcakes wearing pirate hats, lovely!!
Derek walked the dogs and got a paper, I got changed and washed up and
decided on what was for tea. Needless to say I wont be going into Newark, we
are both very tired, its been a long day.
Its very warm now and for once the scrap yard opposite is quiet. I prepared tea and Derek set about ringing
Cromwell Lock, they let you out on to the tidal Trent, on to Torksey, the half
way point. Then he rang Torksey to let
them know the set up and to find the time for going to Keadby. To hit the right
tide we will have to do Nether lock, the next big lock in front of us, it is
usually manned but not till 9:30, we will have to set off from here at 6:30 to
hit Cromwell to go out at 8?? I’m not a
happy bunny, but I will just have to grin and bear it, its not the early
rising, its working the very massive lock, even if its only buttons, its a
great deal of water to be in charge of and of course getting Derek, dogs and
Esmerelda down safely. Derek says he
will come and suss it out with me before we do anything, the controls are
locked in a white box and I want to make sure I get it right. We will fill up with water tonight, Derek has
gone to the shop for a paper, toilet rolls and milk, to keep us going till we
get home. On writing this we have had
tea and are getting tele so can try and relax before our early start tomorrow.
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