Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Day one chasing the tide.

We weren’t booked to go out onto the tideway at Cromwell Lock until 1 o’clock, so had a slow start to the day.

Newark Castle and Town Bridge on a sunny morning20150819_090150

It was 11:00 when we untied from the pontoon and set off to Nether Lock. I’d already called the lockie up on VHF so he’d set up ready for us.

Sara, as promised… This is the high-ish wall opposite the pontoons… IMG_6900

…and these are the pontoons, a bit quieter now that three boats have left this mooring.IMG_6901

Heading out of Newark
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A green light for Nether LockIMG_6903
It’s wise to call ahead here, the weir on the left has quite a pull, even in the currently low water conditions.

We were through the lock quickly, and rejoined the river at Crankley Point.

Great sky!IMG_6906

Under the A1
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It’s about an hour from Nether Lock to Cromwell Lock. The river is getting quite wide now as it heads north.

North Muskham ChurchIMG_6910

There’s pontoon moorings here I forgot to mention yesterday, at Muskham Ferry InnIMG_6911

What a contrast to yesterday. Even the anglers were smiling!IMG_6912

We arrived at Cromwell at around 12:15, plenty of time to fill the water tank, dispose of the rubbish and take Meg with me to stretch her legs up to the lock to chat to the lockie.IMG_6916

There were several craft waiting to head down, the cruisers were to go in the first batch, then the narrowboats in the second.

Our turn, and we’ve gained a cruiser. There’s always one…IMG_6919

Out on the tideway, looking back on the lock and large weir that claimed the lives of 10 young men from the 131 Parachute Squadron in 1975.IMG_6921

There’s something you don’t see every day – Mags on the tiller on the tideway, AND she’s wearing her lifejacket!IMG_6922

Wide open spaces…
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The gravel barges have ceased to run up and down the river, and it’s the worse for it.

Besthorpe New Wharf lies deserted and forlorn, but at least it’s only moth-balled…IMG_6924

Unlike those further north.
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The sky looked a bit ominous at one point, but it blew over without dumping on us.IMG_6935

The 72 hour moorings at Dunham Bridge are used more by anglers than boats.IMG_6933

Water skiing near Laneham
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Pewter skies…IMG_6938

A tight U turn is negotiated before Torksey Cut appears on the right, just after the pumping station.IMG_6940
If it wasn’t for the sign you could go straight past!

Good, plenty of room on the pontoon below the lockIMG_6941

We’re staying here tonight, then catching the lunch time ebb tomorrow to carry us down to Keadby.

Locks 2, miles 21.

2 comments:

Dogsontour by Greygal said...

Great stuff, Geoff, really useful. In terms of navigating the actual tideway, do you use the Trent charts or your commonsense? I'm just wondering how tricky it is although we'll be going up on the flood so even if I did run aground my embarrassment shouldn't last long! I want to be able to enjoy it, just a bit worried that I'll be stressing a bit.

Cheers

Sarah

Naughty-Cal said...

The pontoon at Dunham is a good place to stop. There is a nice pub in the village over the bridge that does nice food. Good BBQ spot as well.

The ski club moorings also have a nice pub just behind the flood banks, The Bronlow Arms. You do need to get permission to use the moorings though and the last time we were there the notice stated Cruisers only!