Bardney Lock showing the level of the river

Today (Monday) has been a glorious sunny day.  However when Graham walked the dogs at around 7:00 this morning he reported back that the lock was looking rather full.  Haha!! What he meant was that water was flowing over the top gates, through the lock and across the bottom gates.  There should be approximately a 4 foot drop through the lock but the water was so high it is all level (see photo).  We reversed the boat to the lock so that we could top up with water and whilst there spoke to a guy from BW.  He advised that it would be best to stay put as it was not possible to get back into Lincoln due to the water level.  After some discussion we decided to stay where we are as we are only about 1.5-2 miles from Bardney and a Co-op so at least we can get provisions if we need to.

We spoke to some people this afternoon who told us that the last time the river flooded they rescued people from the visitor’s moorings in canoes as the access to the floating pontoons flooded.  But I think we will be ok as we have plenty of food on board and Graham has planned a route off the pontoon if it floods.  Not sure I can make it though so might have to practice swimmingL

The moorings here are very tranquil and we are on a floating pontoon so the boat is safe.  There is plenty to see and yesterday when it stopped raining Graham and I went for a walk and saw two owls hunting.  Having come back to the boat and looked in the book we think they are short eared owls.  Amazing! I have never seen owls this close other than in captivity.  This evening we sat outside in the sun with a glass of wine watching the swallows swooping over the water and this morning we saw a cuckoo.  The last time I saw a cuckoo was in Ireland several years ago.  It is a bit frustrating that we can’t move but it is a lovely place to moor and later on we may take a walk and see if we can see the owls again.  I think the trick is to just chill and enjoy the moment rather than stressing about having to be somewhere for a specific time.  Not sure how long we will be here for and where we are headed for next but I will update when we know.

Pictures of floating pontoon that we are moored on especially for Vicki!

Approaching Lincoln City centre through the Glory Hole

We stayed in Lincoln yesterday, Saturday.  Did some food shopping in the morning and then went to see the Cathedral in the afternoon.  A very impressive building.  We decided to do the full tourist bit, and had the guided tour of the Cathedral and also did the roof tour.  The roof tour was amazing and included being on a walkway right up near the roof, with an incredible view of the whole Church, also a real close up view of the stained glass window that we were standing right in front of.  Also went outside on the roof and unusually into the roof among the rafters.  A fascinating look at this beautiful building.

We decided to move onwards towards Boston today, with the plan to moor overnight at Bardney Lock.  However whilst dry it is extremely cold and I think we may have decided not to continue to Boston as the river/landscape is rather bleak in this weather.  Went as far as the lock and filled up at the water point and then turned the boat and moored up on the floating pontoons.  Spoke to another couple who had come up through the lock and they told us that the river is flooding the other side of the lock.  Walked up later with the dogs and confirmed this.  Also heard a cuckoo, which I haven’t heard for a long time.

Graham tells me that a huge storm is forecast for tonight and into tomorrow, so looks as though we have made the right decision and will wait here until the storm and the river subsides.  It seems that since Graham and I have taken to the water it has done nothing but rain, so feel free to blame us for the appalling weather, and let’s hope we get some sun soon.  It is getting very windy so I guess the forecast is probably right.

Why is it that I never have a camera when I need it?  Graham took the dogs for a quick walk and silly Jake stepped off the pontoon into some reeds, presumably thinking it was grass.  Apparently he just stood there gradually sinking and then Truly decided to follow him in and go for a swim.  Stupid dogs, why do people think collies are intelligent (haha).

Pictures taken during the roof tour of the Cathedral

 Brayford Pool

 The Glory Hole, where we nearly came to grief

 Modern Sculpture as you pass through the very old Glory Hole

Brayford Pool

I took the dogs for a long walk this morning while Graham did some painting inside the boat.  Didn’t see anyone and the dogs had a great time.  Truly went swimming, as usual she just slid into the water and then swam around in circles, very strange but she loves it.  Jake was keen to go in but needed some inducement, like a stick.  Silly boy went in eventually but couldn’t get out and had to wait for me to pull him out, and then run before he shook himself all over meJ  All went well until Jake jumped up and caught his mouth on the ball flicker, loads of blood everywhere and had to put him on the lead until he calmed downL

When got back from dog walking, went to Torksey caravans with Graham, to get a gas canister and then set off to Lincoln.  Uneventful journey until we got to Lincoln then it got more interesting.  Went through Brayford Pool, a large stretch of water with loads of moored boats and swans and turned onto the Witham Navigation.  This was fairly fast flowing and required concentration from the steerer.  We nearly hit a wall and poor Graham missed everything and we had to walk back so he could see it.

We passed under the Glory Hole in a bit of a rush.  This is a bridge with a half timbered building spanning the navigation.  The bridge dates from c.1160 (see piccy) and is very impressive.  As you exit the Glory Hole you see a modern sculpture, also in photo, which is a lovely contrast.  We passed several city centre moorings, which looked lovely but may not be suitable for the dogs.  But where we eventually moored is also not great as the first thing Jake did was to completely disgrace him self by barking at and chasing two swans.

We will stay here overnight and probably Friday night as well and then head for Boston on Saturday with another overnight stop before we get there.  Looking forward to exploring Lincoln tomorrow as it looks a very interesting and impressive place. 

We left Newark at 10:00 this morning to travel down to Cromwell Lock and onto the tidal Trent.  Shared the first lock with another narrow boat Millrace, which is also going to Cromwell Lock and beyond.  Reached Cromwell Lock at around 11:30 on Tuesday morning, where Jeanie Deans and Millrace waited for another boat which was on its way.  We managed to rope the boat front and rear but Millrace couldn’t get a line on the front and were drifting diagonally across the lock just held at the back.  The other boat was a guy on his own, delivering a boat to a customer.  He just came alongside us.  All this free floating in locks is a bit weird for someone used to two boats at most being in a lock and filling it. 

As we left Cromwell Lock, and the haven of the non-tidal Trent, the Lock Keeper mentioned that there were a couple of gravel barges ahead and that we should give way to them.  Two of these monsters came past us travelling in the opposite direction.  The photos show the size of them, the one of the back of the barge was taken just before the wave created by it hit us causing lots of turbulence and a bit of a bumpy ride!!

Silly Jake decided to dice with death by sitting right at the back of the boat with his front feet almost over the edge.  We had to send him in eventually as I didn’t give much for his chances of being retrieved if he fell in, especially as the shaft of the boat hook is broken. 

We arrived at Torksey Lock about three hours after leaving Cromwell Lock and entered its safe and calm haven just as the heavens opened yet again, and we got soaked.  Oh well!  We need the rain so shouldn’t complain.  Torksey is a very pretty lock and looks complicated with capstans which are turned to open the lock gates.  These are decorative as well as functional (see photo).  The Lock Keepers were very helpful and friendly, as they all have been, and gave me various leaflets about Lincoln and plenty of advice about mooring and services etc.

We are now on the Fossdyke Navigation, which is the oldest man made waterway in England, having been built by the Romans in AD120, and in the Lincolnshire fens.  Once on the top of the bank you can see flat farmland for miles.  The dogs love it here as there is no one else around and they can get on and off the boat and just wander around.  A lovely evening and we sat outside and enjoyed the last of the sun, and Graham repaired the boat hook.  The forecast for Wednesday is pretty grim with lots of rain, so we have decided to stay at Torksey until Thursday.  It was nice to see Simon from Emma B on Wednesday morning when he called to see us on his way through.

We left Gunthorpe this morning at about 9:30 after speaking to the Lock Keeper, and shared the lock with a trip boat.  We got completely soaked as it rained and hailed as we went into the lock, only stopping as we exited.  I am loving the automated locks though as no hard work winding paddles and pushing gates, just as well when you see the size of the gates.  We headed for Newark where we intend mooring overnight.  Arrived in Newark at about 1:00pm and found plenty of mooring spaces on the floating pontoon.  We purchased an electric card as there are electric points on the moorings and also water points.  So we took the opportunity to run the washing machine and wash dog beds, towels, coats etc (how sad are we). 

Had lunch and then went to have a look round Newark, which seems to be a very smart place with some nice shops and several supermarkets.  I know nothing about Newark and will have a look on the internet later to see if anything of note has happened here.

Graham looked at the maps and realised that we are not far from Cromwell Lock which marks the beginning of the tidal part of the Trent.  I am a bit worried about negotiating this bit, but Graham as ever is full of confidence that all will be ok!!  He phoned the lock keeper at Cromwell lock who says if we leave here at 9:55am we will arrive at Cromwell Lock at about 11:00 and should be at Torksey Lock (where we finish the tidal section and turn into the Fossdyke Canal) by about 1:00pm.  Arrgg!! I had expected to moor up this side of Cromwell Lock and not have to think about the tidal bit until Wednesday.

I have posted some piccy’s to show the size of some of the boats on the river and also to try and show the size of the locks, not sure that you can see the scale of it from the photo’s though.

Left the mooring at about 11:00am this morning (Sunday) and headed out of Nottingham.  We passed under a fine example of helical brickwork on the way, or so I am told.  If you want to know you will have to google it (haha).  Also had to negotiate a 90 degree turn, which Graham managed with enough style to get a cheer from the watching fishermen.  I have to say that Nottingham Magistrates Court, which is canal side, is a very large and impressive building.  After filling up with water and emptying toilets we dropped down the last lock on the Nottingham canal and on to the Trent.

Travelling on the Trent is a whole different ball game, much wider and faster than travelling along the ditch.  The new VHF radio was used to contact the lock keepers which is brilliant as the locks are then ready and waiting for you to pass through.  The lock keepers are all nice guys and very helpful with us rank amateurs using these locks.  The locks are enormous and one small narrow boat is lost inside.

We moored up at Gunthorpe at around 4:00pm and I cooked a roast chicken dinner which we had with a glass or two of red wine.  It is a lovely evening and standing on the pontoon looking back at where we came from the river looks very calm and peaceful.  Just watching a swan fly past closely followed by a goose.   Have seen loads of birds today including several Grey Geese and loads of Crested Grebes, which I have never see on the canals.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, we move on to Newark.  Really enjoyed Nottingham and will definitely go there again.  But also enjoying the peace and tranquillity of a river mooring at Gunthorpe this evening.

Eventually arrived in Nottingham on Friday after leaving the Erewash Canal on Thursday.  When we left the river was high but the warning boards were showing orange so ok to proceed with caution.  However by the time we got to Cranfleet Lock (about 20-30 mins) the lock keeper was saying that the river was ‘officially in flood’ and he was going to shut the flood lock.  Advised us that we should be ok to get to Beeston and requested that if we saw anyone heading towards Cranfleet to let them know that the advice was to turn back and wait at Beeston, where there are at least shops.  Got to Beeston is short order, about 30 minutes and moored up on the canal side of the lock.  The plan was to carry on to Nottingham as we were running low on essential provisions, like coffee (need my caffeine fix in the morning).  However the heavens opened yet again so we stayed put overnight.  The piccy above is the weir at Beeston which had water thundering over it. Andy (Hill) suggested that we should have gone white water rafting J

Friday dawned fairly clear and sunny, but cold.  Graham made some more modifications to the washing machine, which has not really worked properly since it was installed.  Hopefully got it cracked now, fingers crossed. 

Arrived in Nottingham about 1:00ish and moored about two boats away from Emma B.  Saw Simon briefly and hopefully catch up with him later in the week.  Did some shopping in Sainsbury’s and then went for a look at Nottingham.  Only got as far as ‘Ye Old Trip to Jerusalem’ allegedly the oldest pub in Britain where we had a rather good pint of Old Speckled Hen.  We will be staying here until at least Sunday or Monday.  Possibly longer if the rain continues and the Trent remains in flood conditions.

Stayed in Nottingham on Saturday for some retail therapy, well buying Graham some clothes that fit anyway.  Love Nottingham and love mooring in city centre locations as you get all the buzz and the accommodation is free.  Brilliant moorings all through Nottingham city centreJ  Moving on tomorrow I think but won’t be going too far as I have a roast dinner to cook.

We arrived back at Trent Lock yesterday, having left Langley Mill on Monday morning and spending an uneventful two days heading back.  We were ready to move on to Nottingham today but woke up this morning to rain.  It's still raining now so may have to stay here for another night and head out to Nottingham tomorrow.

The viaduct in the picture is the Bennerley Viaduct, made from cast and wrought iron and much more impressive than the photo.  This is now disused and we climbed the bank during our walk on Saturday (which I know think was nearer 8-9 miles) and stood on top with a fantastic view of the whole of the valley.

More when we move on to Nottingham.

Moored up last night in Great Northern Basin at Langley Mill at the end of the Erewash Canal.  Yesterday was an eventful day starting at 7:00am when Graham realised that someone had kindly pulled our mooring pins in the night and we had floated across to the other side of the canal.. He was a bit surprised when he opened the side doors and saw the towpath further away than anticipated.  As it was still early he decided not to start the engine but to push the boat across with the boat pole.  Managed to utilise a poker and a piece of wood to use as mooring pins as ours had gone, but Graham used the magnet and managed to retrieve one of them.

As there were 10 locks to do today we decided that I would steer the boat for the first five and then Graham would take over for the rest.  But disaster struck on the second lock as there was a low bridge and I managed to wipe out our exhaust chimney and ended up with half the bridge on the top of the boat.  This caused a bit of a tantrum on my part and I refused to steer any further. 

Eventually arrived at the basin and moored.  It is small looked as though there was no mooring space.  However spoke to the guy from the boatyard and he told us that we could moor more or less anywhere with no problems.  Decided to stay overnight and Sunday and leave on Monday morning.

Sunday morning we took the dogs for a walk which Graham had checked out and which should have been about three miles, however it kind of developed and ended up being more like six or seven miles and we were both so worn out we had to call into the pub for a pint and a carvery lunch.  Excellent! Then back to the boat for a kip.  

Have really loved the Erewash Canal and it seems a shame that it is not used much.  Everyone that we have spoke to has been friendly and I even had a bunch of kids helping with one of the locks.  Spoke to one of the blokes that was involved in restoring the canal and he was very informative and was telling us about plans to try and restore parts of the Cromford Canal which joined up with the Erewash at Langley Mill.

On the move again tomorrow and will probably take two days back to Trent Lock and then onwards to Nottingham.

Now sitting looking out of the side doors at a lovely evening, enjoying a glass of wine and waiting for the fish and chips to cook.  A lovely day cruising slowly up the Erewash Canal.  At the crack of dawn (well 10:00am) we reversed up to the water point and while filling up had a chat about this and that and what is wrong with the world with another boater. Then set off.  As we approached a bridge we noticed a moored boat that looked familiar and quickly realised that it was Resolute, another Norton Canes boat but with a tug deck.  Simon from Emma B said he had seen a boat like ours along here so I guess that it was Resolute.  

Had various mixed reviews about the Erewash, however we have had no problems.  We really love the mixture of urban and rural that is a feature of the Erewash, and have spoken to loads of different people along the towpath, all very pleasant and no problems at all.  Although one bloke was sad that he had missed us coming through the bridge as it would make a lovely shot with the Church in the background.  I think he meant a photographJ  I loved all the houseboats at the beginning near Trent Lock there are some really amazing ones, including a very palatial looking double decker with bay windows and stained glass.

Truly rolled in something horrible again this morning so we took both dogs swimming when we moored up, which they loved.  Not so keen on being dried before let into the boat thoughL

I had an excellent shower this afternoon as the water was lovely and hot.  I am now a bit concerned about the shower though as I told Graham my hair was feeling very soft and he remarked that it must be the water as the dogs fur was soft too.  As far as I know the dogs have been in the canal but not the shower.  So where is the water for the shower coming from!!

A good day and a nice relaxing evening, the pace of life on the Erewash feels much slower and calmer than on the Soar.  Hopefully get to the end tomorrow, although it is 10 locks, and moor overnight in the basin, which I have heard good reports about.  Think there is an Asda, very exciting might manage to get Graham some new jeansJ