Going with the Flow

And our own personal current hasn’t been running very fast!

‘Listening to the radio’ has taken on a whole new meaning – VHF Channel 74!  John did the VHF training a couple of years ago and now, here on the Trent, it has been very useful.  All of the lock keepers have been really lovely – they are friendly, helpful, professional and knowledgeable - they are worth their weight in gold.

Making our way downstream we have stopped at:-

GUNTHORPE   Very good, secure BW pontoon moorings.  Scenic area.  No village shop but a variety of places in which to eat and drink should you choose to.  Lovely walking along a very pretty stretch of the river.

FARNDON   Secure, BW pontoon mooring but not much of it!  We pretty much took up all the available space!  A St John’s Ambulance boat moors here permanently.  What a fantastic job these people do – taking frail and elderly people for trips up and down the river whenever conditions allow.

There are two riverside pubs, a small Londis/PO in the pretty village and lovely walks for both people and dogs. 

 

NEWARK   Only my opinion but, like Staines, I don’t think Newark makes enough of it’s riverside frontage.  There’s plenty of mooring but most of it is against high walls and not very inviting especially for n/b’s.  Mind you, I can well see the appeal of those high walls when the river is in flood!  There’s a small amount of BW pontoon mooring but only enough for about six n/b’s.  We couldn’t get on there so moored opposite against the wall of the Town Quay behind a floating bar/restaurant.  All was very quiet.

 

Newark itself – what a nice town!  My friend, Gill, has a sister who has lived there for many years and she said I would like it!  There are lots of different shops many of which are down little alleyways or in arcade-type areas.  The large market square seems to be utilised very well.  Sadly, there’s only one remaining wall of the old castle but behind this wall is a delightful, landscaped public garden full of seats and a band-stand.

 

 

CROMWELL LOCK   We are now moored up by the big lock at Cromwell.  We have arranged to go through tomorrow morning and will continue downstream on tidal waters for 16 miles to Torksey where the Fossdyke Navigation begins.

Being a special Bank Holiday weekend, quite a lot of boats have been on the move – both cruisers and narrow boats.  I guess the big, sea-going cruisers go down to Trent Falls and join the Humber.  What a shame the weather has turned wet and cold for the Jubilee celebrations.  Everywhere we’ve been there’s flags and bunting – on schools, shops, pubs, restaurants, houses and boats.  There’s evidence of a lot of support and respect for our Queen and a real feel of British pride in the air.  I do hope it is predominantly British and not just English.