HAPPY TIMES TO BE HAD IN NOTTINGHAM.

 

Three Generations

The wind was still strong, but the Captain took the decision to head to Nottingham after lunch the next day.

After 2 large river locks that were manned, I had my first exercise for a while and had to do Meadow lock. This lock takes you off the river and onto the Beeston and Nottingham canal, which runs through the city before rejoining the river at Beeston lock. There was a CRT reported problem with the lock, with instruction to take care when operating it. But I had no trouble with it and we were soon up and back on the calm waters of the canal.

Part of the Canal Mural in Nottingham

We headed for our favourite moorings in Nottingham, near Sainsburys, with only one more lock to do, Castle lock, we were soon moored up and off to the pub, The Olde Trip to Jerusalem. A Green King pub that offers an excellent choice of real ales, so one of our favourites.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ye_Olde_Trip_to_Jerusalem

We had a couple then headed back to the boat for a quiet night, the plan of action next day was to take a walk into Nottingham, and head up to Victoria Centre and the indoor market there (I do love a market). We took a slightly different route than normal, and had intended to call in at the Broadmarsh shopping centre on the way, only to find it had been demolished since our last visit, and was still being redeveloped. But it was still an enjoyable walk into the town. We made it to the Victoria centre, and I was quite upset to see how the market had deteriorated. Most of the stalls seemed empty, and there was a general air of neglect about the place. The Caribbean food stall was still there, and busy, which was great and a stall offering loose herbs, spices, nuts and seeds was interesting. I managed to get some star anise I needed. 

The Emett Clock in the Victoria Centre

Then off to try a couple of pubs, The Bell, on the Market Square had Old Peculiar on for the Captain, then on to the The Dragon, and a real find in here, Dark Drake by Dancing Duck

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bell_Inn,_Nottingham

http://the-dragon.co.uk/

And finally back to the Trip.

I had heard from my daughter Jess next day (Saturday) and we arranged for them to come for Sunday lunch. So after a bit of shopping I settled in to do some cooking, roast chicken, cauliflower cheese and a lemon merengue for pud. After my hard work the Captain took me for another pint, this time we tried The Canal House which belongs to Castle Rock Brewery. We have cruised past this canalside pub on many occasions, but never visited. It is an interesting pub, with a spur off the canal actually in the building, so you have to go over a bridge to get to the bar. We sat outside in the sunshine, although it wasn’t strappy top and shorts weather (not really had much of that this summer) it was pleasant, and a great people watching place and a great pint,

https://www.castlerockbrewery.co.uk/pubs/canalhouse/

My daughter Jess, her husband Stuart and baby Lowen turned up on time, we had a lovely meal together and time catching up. Lowen is such a happy baby and a credit to them both.

Proud Grandparents

After they left we headed off to pick up a parcel, the Captain had ordered me some Korean Gochujung paste which I needed for a couple of recipes I wanted to try, couldn’t find it in Sainsburys but they do do it I discovered later.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gochujang

We had a pint in the Waters Edge as it was the closet pub and we didn’t fancy walking too far, but were very disappointed so only had the one.

The weather had still been hit and miss over the past few days, but the Captain decide it was nice enough to move to Trent Lock the next day, and it was a very pleasant trip. Beeston lock is a flood lock and a pain to operate. Before doing the lock we intended to put water in, but unfortunately there was a boat on the water point and one waiting, so we changed our minds, we knew there were a number of water points ahead of us. The reason the lock is a pain, is because you have to leave the 2 red paddles up when you leave the lock, this ensures a flow of water going into the Beeston canal. It is also awkward when leaving the lock to get onto the pontoons to pick up your crew. And of course for us the wind wasn’t helping either. Getting off the pontoon was a task but the Captain knows all the tricks in the book, and after a couple of set backs he had us on our way to Cranfleet Lock, this is a very deep lock, but luckily for us there were lockees on to help us through. I did jump off to help out and chatted to the lockees whilst waiting for our boat to lock up. This turned out to be a mistake as the high walls made it difficult for me to get back on the boat, but I managed it with the Captains help, and went for a shower whilst we filled with water. The tap was very slow, and after ½hr we gave up and set off for Trent Lock, with fingers crossed we could get on the pontoons there. Unfortunately we now had a widebeam in front of us who took the last spot on the outside of the pontoon, so we had to back into the inside of the pontoon, but the couple off NB Spruce Goose came out and helped us pull back, and we were soon moored and having a chat, joined by their beautiful German Shepherd Bailey.

A Well known Landmark

Off to the pub after lunch, The Steam Boat, and it was quiet for a Bank Holiday Monday, I think the weather had a lot to do with it. But the Captain was more than happy when he saw they had Imperial Drake on by Dancing Duck, at 6.5% abv its a very moorish stout, and so nice he had 4 pints sat in the sun. On not so good news, we spoke to Simon the owner of the pub, and he is thinking of closing the pub and converting it into Airbnb apartments. I sincerely hope not but only time will tell.

We stayed put next day as we were still a bit early to go up to Langley Mill Basin. The trip up the Erewash usually takes us 2 days. There are 16 double locks over 12 miles. The first 8 take us to Ilkeston and The Gallows for the night, and then the final 8 locks the next day and the Great Northern for a pint. But that’s for next time.

Just an update on Nick and Alison, due to the weather they took their time getting to Nottingham and arrived on the day we left, and are staying there for a week. So we don’t know when our bows will cross again but hopefully they will one day.

21 miles, 7 locks, 1 river and 1 canal

A DETOUR.

 

In Keadby Lock

We decided we had enough time to take a slight detour, as we weren’t due in Langley Mill until the 1^st week in September, and the Captain fancied some fish and chips from Saxilby chippy, one of the best on the system. Since we were going that far we decided to head to Lincoln for a night too. After discussing it with Nick and Alison they decided to join us, they had never been to Lincoln, and had time also, as they didn’t need to be back on their home moorings on the Shroppy until early October.

We were booked to go out of Keadby onto the Trent at 1pm, going with the tide to Torksey before joining the Fossdyke and heading to Saxilby for the night.

We were joined on the Trent not only by Nick and Alison, but by a Brummie called Paul on NB Thunderstruck, he had only recently bought his boat (like a couple of days before) and had no life jackets, maps or an anchor, so the lockee had refused to let him out on his own the day before.

There was enough room in the lock for all of us and it was agreed that we would lead, being experienced, followed by Paul, and Nick bought up the rear. We all had a radio (supplied by the Captain) in case of any problems and to keep in touch.

It was hard going on the river, the sun was out but the wind was terrible, and we were cruising into it. The high winds created waves like you would see on the ocean, and they slapped against the front of the boat creating even bigger waves. But the flow on the river was actually sluggish. This meant the journey to Torksey took a lot longer than in the past.

Paul stayed on the pontoons at Torksey, whilst we headed up the lock and onto the Fossdyke to Saxilby. It soon became apparent that we would not make it to the village in time to have a pint, and get fish and chips, as the chippy closed at 9pm. We eventually arrived and moored up just after 8pm. We headed straight to the Sun, which was really busy and a tad noisy. We discussed heading to the Anglers but it started to rain, so that idea was knocked on the head.

https://www.facebook.com/thesuninn20/?locale=en_GB

Next door to the pub was Bella Pizza, I have had a kebab from there before and was impressed, so we decided to get food from there and take it back to the boat after more beer.

The kebab was lovely and plentiful.

https://www.saxilbybellapizza.co.uk/

After a quiet night we headed to Lincoln, passing the moorings at Brayford Pools and going through the Glory Hole, also known as High Bridge, it is the oldest bridge in the UK to still have buildings standing on it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Bridge,_Lincoln

Through the Glory Hole

We found good moorings. Nick and Alison who had not been to Lincoln before set off to do some sight seeing, whilst we had a quiet time, before heading into town and the Cardinals Hat, a great real ale pub, dating back to the 14C. It is said to be named after Cardinal Wolsley who was Bishop of Lincoln in 1514, before having his head chopped off by Henry VIII

https://www.visitlincoln.com/food-drink/the-cardinals-hat

We also found out it was Lincoln Pride next day, a great reason to stay put for another day.

Nick and Alison joined us in the pub after exploring Lincoln Castle. We organised to head out a round 11am next day so as not to miss the parade. But it meant we were in the pub just after 12, not ideal, but just the one.

We headed back to Torksey, and I took the time to prepare a Sunday lunch for all of us. We moored just before the lock, and Nick breasted up against us to leave enough room for anyone who needed to use the services (water and pump out) that are there. And off to the pub, (I am not sure who is the bad influence on who here). The White Swan is under new management since September 2023, they are hoping to start doing food soon after a major kitchen refurb.

https://www.facebook.com/whiteswantorkseylock/?locale=en_GB

An early start next day (8am) as the tide dictates when you can rejoin the river. The wind was against us once again, and again the journey took longer than expected to get to Newark. One thing in our favour, the locks were all manned so I didn’t have to get off, bonus.

Our favourite moorings in Newark, the pontoons were full. So we had to moor against the low wall opposite for the night, but there were no plans to go out that night, I think we were all too knackered, although Nick and Alison went off and did some shopping at Aldi.

I was on it next morning, and as soon as a couple of the boats left the pontoons I got the Captain in gear and we moved across, so much better. Nick and Alison followed a little later. They were cooking tea for us that night, a curry, but of course first we had to try a few of the pubs. First the Organ Grinder, belonging to Blue Monkey brewery of Derby, the choice of beer is always good and the price reasonable.

https://bluemonkeybrewery.com/organ-grinder-pubs/newark/

Then onto the Prince Rupert, again a good choice of beers but a little more expensive.

https://www.theprincerupert.com/

Finally Just Beer, a proper micropub.

https://www.justbeermicropub.biz/

In here we met Polly and Ian from NB Meadow Pipit, we had met them before in Atherstone, so it was great to catch up, they had had a new engine fitted but were having some teething problems, hopefully it will all be good soon.

Then back to the boat for a lovely curry and more beer.

Nick and Alison decided to stay in Newark for another day, but we needed a pump out at Newark Marina which was through Town Lock, the next lock on our journey, so we decided to head to Gunthorpe for the night.

Getting a pump out was fun, the wind was again against us, and right in the middle of the mooring for the pump out a large yogurt pot. The Captain could see he wouldn’t fit in before the fibre glass boat, and didn’t want to chance the wind pushing us into to it, metal against plastic isn’t the best idea.

He phoned the marina and someone came out and moved the boat forward, then the Captain performed a perfect manoeuvre into the space left. He deserved a round of applause.

The wind has been a problem since we joined the Trent, and this didn’t change for our trip to Gunthorpe. The locks were all manned again so I had very little to do. We did have an air show as we left Hazelford lock. A Chinook helicopter scared the living daylights out of me whilst I was steering, the Captain was having his lunch and a break from the wind in the boat, as it came from behind me, really low and loud, but it was great to see. As was the jet fighter and the stunt plane that flew overhead as we cruised.

A Chinook

The pontoons at Gunthorpe, which have usually been really busy, were almost empty to our surprise but it meant we could easily moor. After a couple of pints in the Unicorn we battened down the hatches, as the wind was going to get worse, and decided to play it by ear next day for our journey into Nottingham.

85 miles, 8 locks, 1 river and 1 canal