At Newark and Nottingham

We remained at Newark for nearly a fortnight but before we left finally, we allowed ourselves to drift astern from the Town Quay, downstream in the swift current, about fifty yards to tie up at the Pontoon Moorings on the other side of the river to top up our tanks with fresh water.

 

Newark Castle

 

‘Roots and Wings’ beneath Newark Bridge

Also two forty volts electricity was available here and though the bright sunshine on our solar panels had kept our twelve volt batteries fully charged up till then, we celebrated for a few days in the sheer decadent pleasure of having the higher voltage on board with a water point alongside. We revelled in the luxury of having the immersion heater giving us continuous hot water which made the use of endless showers and washing machines so much more pleasurable. There was no feeling whatsoever of the anxiety or guilt that normally accompanies life aboard a twelve volt ship.

Since Newark is Janis’s adoptive hometown, we stayed here for so long in order to see all her old friends, of which there were many and all made me feel very welcome as well as their old friend.

Thank you to Lorna and Patrick; to Tina and Steve; Jenny and Shazz; Jane, Mel, Anne, Ray and Peter. It was lovely to see you again and thank you for your many kindnesses.

We wrenched ourselves away on a fine and calm last Tuesday morning and made our way up the wide glassy Trent through Newark Lock by the imposing ruin of King John’s Castle, past sleepy Farndon and through the large locks at Hazelford and Gunthorpe. We were happy to tie up for the night on the upper landing of the latter.

After a short walk up the village main street and back, we were happy to turn in early for a good start the following day. Though the street in which we walked contained only quiet residential properties with a small parish church at the inward end, many people were at the river side, where one pub and four posh looking restaurants, all neighbours, were vying for customers. This part of the river seemed so popular at this time of the day.

 

The wide, calm and glassy River Trent

 

Egyptian Geese

 

Aproaching Trent Bridge, Nottingham

 

The remains of old Trent Bridge, now on a busy traffic island

 

A fine looking visitor on my after deck

 

Wednesday dawned another calm day and we were able to make good progress up to Nottingham, tying up at the steps outside the County Council Offices at the wide and imposing Trent Bridge in the early afternoon.