Newark – Torksey (Mon 26th Aug)












 
 




           

Left at 06:10 arrived at 10:15
Managed on and off sleep waiting for 5 o’clock, Derek up and I was awake before the alarm, we always are, quick breakfast and then all set for 6, set off at 6 10.  We had warned NB Neroli(the little boat with thefamily on) that we would be leaving early, hes back to work tomorrow.  6 45 all done and dusted (Nether Lock) the worse bit was climbing un the ladder to the lock, the morning knees complaining, then down the ladder to get back on??  The only people about apart from the speeding car occupants on the fly over, were a couple of dog walkers, the very hardy perennials that are the fishermen!! And one lady who was  also fishing sat under the bridge before the lock.  The Newark Pair (swans) were out and about with their 7 babies, I think this is the same birds we have seen every time.  They are very prolific and its the only time I have seen swans with up to 10 babies, they are obviously well cared for along this piece of water.  The water is silvery, its quite flat at the moment with just little undulating ripples, there are loads of fishermen, some have caravans and cars behind them, so they must have been there for a while, they really are dedicated to their sport.  I’ve just seen those nutty cows in the water, having an early morning paddle, brr the water must be cold. The weather is O.K., a bit cool but then again its early. 7 o’clockthe winds brewing and the water is starting to get waves on it, I love the sound of the foamy ripples we create as we cut through the water.  A gorgeous  Mr Heron, has just frown by the side off the boat and onto the banking, of course he didn’t stop to pose, no picture again.  Thought we were the only ones on this, by now very bumpy water, wrong coming round a bend ahead of us is a very small boat, as it passes you can see the guy driving it is stood up, dressed in army gear and it is painted camoflague and grey.  Nearing the lock, there looks to be a couple of NBs on their way towards us, they are fastened together, moving slowly.  NB Tramps Retreat? Had a little green “Mutiny” fastened to it like a butty, it had a generator fastened to the front deck, probably its tool shed??  7 25 going down Cromwell Lock, out for 7 40 all by ourselves again. After the lock, it was tea and toast time! After I delivered Dereks and the Dogs to the back I sat in  the cratch and saw a pair of Herons, this is a first.  I think they were doing a little courting ritual, they were hopping (flying) off and criss crossing one another, landing on the bank, they didn’t seem aggressive to one another, so maybe love was in the air.  Sitting in the cratch ,getting  sleepy, I have seen yet more cows, cormorants diving, then I thought I would have a nap, decided instead to make a cuppa, took Derek his, he had a cardi, fleece and anorak on by now and his hat with ear flaps, its very chilly on the back.  We have just been overtaken by a cruiser, the Ist boat we have seen for a while on this bit of river.  There were the lovely houses, those  with viewing rooms and balconies looking over the river, its wisteria now just in leaf, it looks a lovely village, with some impressive properties.  The Cormerant stump was inhabited by 2 Cormorants today, they look great standing proudly on the black coloured trees, a living statue, they were’nt there when we came out all that time ago, I missed them.  We arrived at Torksey pontoons at 10 15, its a full hous, cruisers on the long pontoon, 2 NBs on the little one.  We asked a cruiser if he was going out, 1 is the tide time??  Thanks to cruisers Penrose, hes off up the lock eventually to Lincoln, we fastened at the side of him.  He went to see the lockie, it was 1 hour or so before he could go through, tales from NB Likorish? Of a stuck fish, from the lockie not enough water(its affected by the tide also) Boaters tales again.  We did a little dance (the boat that is ) moved on to the pontoon with our front sticking out over the end of it, and fastended Penrose to us ready for them to leave, time for early lunch me thinks.  Move NBs arrived, we think heading up the lock, they pulled along the 2 NBs which were by themselves on the little pontoon. The cruiser Penrose had a radio message that he could enter the lock shortly, 11 13, then the 2 NBs went in first and Penrose and a little cruisers brought up the rear, by and thank you to the lovely young couple with their kids for letting us have their space, they come from Goole, Yorskshire folk win through again.!!??  There were lots of comings and goings all day, Derek went up to the pub to book us a 6 o’clock slot for tea, I did a bit of painting (dolls house bits and pieces) Derek went up and down the slip way for various reasons, he snoozed and we watched some tele.  The dogs reminded him  when it was 3 as its their tea time and at about 5 we got washed and changed and waddled up to the pub.  It was quiet inside, outside it seemed the fishermen were telling their tales after spending a day on the river.  There is a caravan site behing the pub and further up the roa a village of cabis (chalets) and a retirement complex, which you may have seen advertised on the tele, the road along the side of all this is very busy.  We had a share platter, which was very nice, plus puds, then wobbled as well as waddled back to the boat for more telel.  I was so tired I kept falling asleep (its has been very hot in the dip where we are moored) We put the tele on in the bedhole and at 9 I went and laid there snoozing and watching the tele, 5 o’clock rising doesn’t suit me.

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