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.