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