Voyages of Gabriel: 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.