Newark to Gainsborough

 Mon 25^th Jul  Newark to Torksey

We started by having breakfast at Waitrose, which was very pleasant. Trip Advisor review posted. Then shopping before setting off.

Breakfast at Waitrose

It was breezy and cloudy today as we continued our journey downstream. We passed the chute or loading hoist, and an old industrial site, now dwarfed by the A46. In Nether Lock we shared with a narrowboat called Joan. The lock was boater operated, and was ready for us as a boat was just leaving.

Chute

Industrial heritage under the A46

Nether Lock with Joan entering

After this we passed a dredger at work before the other branch of the Trent rejoins at Crankley Point, before the A1 crosses over. We then proceeded to Cromwell Lock.

Dredger at work

The navigation rejoins the Trent

Under the A1

Joan following us

At Wilfrid’s Church at North Muskham

On the pontoon at Cromwell with Joan

We emptied a cassette and discussed with the lock keeper about tides. Joan was going through Torksey Lock, so was advised to wait for an hour or two. We were told we could go when we were ready, so we set off without further delay.

Cromwell Lock

Out onto the tide

Cromwell Weir and Lock

A loading wharf for gravel barges

Carlton Mill

Insides of bends can be shallow

Fledborough Viaduct

We weren’t expecting to see a man in the water

Dunham Toll Bridge and mooring pontoon

Purple Loosestrife

Cottam Power Station

The junction at Torksey

Moored for the night on the pontoon

Joan arrived later, but Torksey Lock was not ready, so they had to moor on the pontoon. At about 6pm, the lock opened, and three narrowboats emerged, and Joan went in.

We had a peaceful night.

Water art

2 locks, 20 miles. Dep 1140, arr 1305 Cromwell Lock. Dep 1330, arr 1635 Torksey.

Tue 26^th Jul  Torksey to Gainsborough

It was cloudy this morning, but the wind had eased off and it was calm. We kept an eye on the flow on the Trent, as the tide was coming in. When it eased off, we cast off, and went back to the junction, past what looked like a large tree trunk, but it turned out to be made of canvas. We turned to starboard and punched the tide until it turned a little later. We soon passed Torksey Castle, and went under the railway bridge, with views of West Burton Power Station at every turn.

Back to the junction

Log made of canvas

Torksey Castle

Torksey Railway Bridge

West Burton Power Station

We passed another old windmill at Marton. The journey to Gainsborough was 11 miles and apart from some sharp corners, where we kept to the outside of the bends, there was not a lot of interest to see. The tide was high, so there were no wading birds at the edges. There was an occasional dead animal – we saw two sheep and a bullock.

Marton Mill

Dead animals

Gainsborough Railway Bridge

Sharp corner

Flour mill

Coming into Gainsborough

Gainsborough Arches

We moored on the secure visitors pontoon, facing upstream (except when the tide is coming in). There is a ramp from the pontoon to the top of the flood defences, and when the tide is low, the ramp is steep. The powers that be had chosen today to jet wash the ramp and the pontoon – the first time they had done it. We had to move our boat to avoid the spray.

Gainsborough from the pontoon

A steep climb

Jet washing

We went for a wander round the shops, and had an excellent Chinese Takeaway.

0 locks, 11 miles. Dep 0930, arr 1130.

Next: A short journey on the tide to West Stockwith, where we enter the Chesterfield Canal.

Farndon to Newark

Fri 22^nd Jul Farndon to Newark

We waited for the rain to pass before we set off. Shortly after Farndon the first landmark is Staythorpe Power Station, with its accompanying variety of pylons. Alongside is Averham Weir, a long shallow weir that takes most of the River Trent off on a long diversion around Newark, reappearing the other side of Newark Nether Lock. This weir is a good place to spot water birds such as egrets, oyster catchers, and cormorants.

Staythorpe Power Station

Pylons

Averham Weir

Oyster Catcher

Heron

After this, the channel is much narrower, and as we enter Newark, the River Devon comes in from the right, through Newark Marina. There are interesting buildings such as an old maltings, warehouses, the castle, and Newark Town Lock, before going under the main bridge in the town, called Trent Bridge.

Maltings

River Devon

Warehouse

Newark Town Lock

Newark Castle

Trent Bridge

We wanted to moor at the Kiln, as there is a floating pontoon there, and it is easier to get off the boat there than at the other moorings which are on high walls. Thankfully, there was half a space in front of a wider boat that was moored there. We turned round in the stream and moored at top end of the pontoon, with our bow line tied to the walkway.

Moored at the Kiln

We went to visit Boots for a prescription and Wilko for some O-rings (which they didn’t have). We admired the old buildings in Newark, and had a drink in an ancient pub called the Prince Rupert, before eating in a Nepalese restaurant called Everest.

Old beams

The Prince Rupert

Newark Castle

1 lock, 4 miles. Dep 1210, arr 1325

Sat 23^rd Jul  Newark

James went for a walk to Homebase to buy some O-rings. Success this time!  Nearby was an old brewery that has been converted into homes. A maltings next door is going to have a similar transformation. In the bushes, on the riverbank, there was an old chute – perhaps for loading beer barrels onto boats?

Brewery

Maltings

Chute

Later we went to an old pub called the Ram for a meal with Hazel’s cousin Rod, his wife Mary and their son Richard. It was good to catch up with them

Rodney, Hazel, Mary, Richard

No boating today

Sun 24^th Jul  Newark

We walked to Newark Baptist Church, and were sorry to find that it had closed down, despite the website saying otherwise, and a poster on the door saying the service times.

Newark Baptist Church

We went instead to Newark Evangelical Church, which was close by. We had a warm welcome there, and the talk was good, based on Psalm 23. The worship was led by a lady on keyboard, a lady on flute, two lady vocalists, and the preacher who played trumpet.  The songs chosen were all from the last century, including “Our God Reigns”, “Living under the shadow of His wing” and “Only by grace can we enter”. At least we knew them all.

Newark Evangelical Church

Music group

Back via Tambo Lounge for lunch, and an ice cream kiosk for dessert.

The Old White Inn on the marketplace

No boating today

Next: A visit to Waitrose for breakfast and a few items, before setting off downstream to Cromwell Lock and the tidal Trent to the Chesterfield Canal.