Saxilby to Newark on Trent (Kings Marina) 26 miles, 3 locks

One night at Saxilby and we were off for Torksey further up the Fosse Dyke (oldest canal in Britain, built by the Romans).  The weather was not forecast too brilliant for the next few days, so we needed to get the river done before we got caught out again with yet more flooding!

Chief Refreshment Supervisor and sometime Tiller girl

Tiller man proper (note the lifejackets)

So 2 days later once the 10feet of 'fresh' water coming down the river had reduced significantly, we set off in bright sunshine.  The journey from Torksey up river to Cromwell lock should take us around 4 hours.  So we hoped 4.5 to 5 at most would get it done.

We weren't the only loonies out there!

Imagine our relief when we saw Battlestone moored up empty at High Marnham!  The gravel barges sneek up on you when you are unaware and then like Jaws announce that they need to get past.  They are truly huge beasts and unusually quiet as they carry on their journey.  It can be a bit intimidating and we wondered if there would be another one coming down loaded, for us to meet on a tight bend.....

No, didn't even see any other boaters out cruising!  After around 4.5 hours, Cromwell lock loomed into view with the weir to the left of it.  We had done the Tidal Trent and it felt amazing!  Now all we had to do was find somewhere to let the dogs go for a wee!!

Luckily I had a stockpile of old Towpath Talks for just such an occasion.....



We pressed on to Nether lock just before Newark and the snow fell again!  This time it didn't stop until we were  moored safely in Kings Marina.

The entrance to Kings Marina.

We had rung on ahead to Greg to reserve a double berth and managed to catch the last one!  The river visitor moorings, we found out later during a walk into town, were full, so we had made the right decision.

This morning we awoke to a frozen marina, but only a crisp freeze,  nothing can stop 20 tonnes of steel when we needed to get out onto the river!

Again, the 'lockey' was on duty and emptied the lock at Newark castle to let us in.  Above the lock, the water was again frozen, so we had to push through it gently!

The ice sits stubbornly on the water as we looked back at the lock (castle in the background).  Today's plan is to get to Nottingham, as the heavens will again show us what rain looks like, according to the forecast....