Monday 14th May 2018
Cromwell
Lock to Torksey Lock
17.75 miles,
2 locks
Before we
set sail, Monty and I headed off for our walk. I am going, for the
most part to let the pictures tell the tale both of the walk and our trip along the Tidal Trent on a gloriously sunny morning.
First through yet more clapper gates. A bit of research has revealed why these are new to me - they were erected in the 18th century and are unique to the Trent. They allow people and horses to pass through, but ensure livestock is not allowed to escape. They get their name from the fact that when you let go of one side they automatically shut and 'clap' against the other gate. If you want more information look HERE
The birds
were singing, but I am afraid the most predominant noise was traffic on the A1
– at one point I was walking faster than the south bound traffic!
A swift
couple of miles, one empty dog and we were back and ready for the off
Past the very large weir
and into the lock and out the other side
It is quite some waterfall on the far side of the weir
Past the
aptly named White House
New
Besthorpe Jetty
We only spotted one oyster catcher, but I am sure there were others about
‘No top
windmill’ which appears to have been converted into a home
Cows to the left
and the right
The only
mechanical land vehicle we saw was this
1 hour 40
minutes after Cromwell lock and the first bridge (Fledborough viaduct) of the
day
The graffiti
gets a mention in the Trent navigation guide, but it is a little faded these
days (I was also at the helm, so missed part of it!). How someone ever got it there I have no idea.
First
sighting of Cottam Power station which is present for several miles, swapping from
right to left as the river twists and turns
Then Dunham
Toll Bridge – when this was first opened in 1832 the toll was half a
crown – a vast sum of money. Today the toll for a normal car is 40p!
Finally, we pass Cottam Power Station
And turn in
to Torksey Lock
Four years ago these moorings below the lock were completely full
The lock was
ready for us
This family
scurried out of the way
And we were
in
And out
again
A novel use
of a toilet to be found at the lock.
Four years ago,
we arrived here too late in the day to sample one of this cafés famous sausage
rolls – we arrived with great expectations that we would be in time today?
We were out of luck – it is shut on a Monday (and
Friday) for baking day!!
On we went past many
permanently moored cruisers – would there be room for us on the 72 hour moorings?
Yes, plenty
of it!
We made
really good time in excellent weather as you can see from the photos -almost exactly 3 hours from leaving one
lock and entering the next. It was a
fabulous passage with very little traffic – just the one cruiser and one
narrowboat. The sun was shining, but
coats and hats were needed to counteract the wind. Once we arrived and were out of the wind
layers were promptly removed to avoid overheating!
This board
roused our interest – a castle and church to find tomorrow.
So to the
end of a fantastic day – the chairs were out, Monty was ready, but where were the
crews? Inside preparing the Pimms!
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