Always a lovely sight seeing my Dad's old narrowboat moored at Fiskerton. It used to get me all emotional, because I knew he would be chuffed to bits that it is still being loved. Dad died nearly 10 years ago now, so his commission is doing well for an old girl!
The wide span of the old stone bridge at Gunthorpe. Passing through the left arch are a couple of hardy canoists out for a vigorous battle against the flow and back.
Luckily 'lockey's were on duty at all the locks enroute to Nottingham, so our path was a little smoother! Last year when we made this journey, none were in post until later in the month, so we had to struggle in the immense locks on our own.
The flooded river has scoured a wider area as it winds around corners and made the Trent a staggeringly wide river since last we came down in September. The damage was all apparent as easily 2 metres tide line high of debris along the river bank could be seen along the whole length of the river.
After a long day pushing against the river, we approached Stoke lock. This is my favourite lock along the Trent because of it's isolation and wooded lock island. The lockey was still on duty, luckily, as it neared 5.30pm. We thanked him for waiting for us and safely getting us through the lock before he knocked off for the day.
Lister is starting to look a bit more like a whippet these days and loves tormenting Scooby!
Snowdrops everywhere!
Helpful information for walkers around this area....there is a lot of wildlife regeneration work going along this stretch of the river.
The following day, the wind had picked up, so we made a run for it, before the rain came down proper.
Too late! We wondered whether the residents in the Radcliffe on Trent caravan park at the foot of the cliffs, had escaped the flooding? They are very near to the water level.
I've been on that train! Wonder if they saw us below?
Prayer trees? No just endless plastic strewn amongst the trees along the river's edge. Shame it won't degrade, probably be there 10 years from now! What a sobering sight and shameful legacy we are inflicting on our environment.
Leaving the deep lock (12 feet) at Holme Pierrepont where the National Watersports Centre borders the river.
We saw this boat at Torksey a few days before. It was waiting to be loaded as the building behind is demolished.
Nottingham Forest grounds to the left, under the bridge and we arrive at the final lock at Meadow Lane, Nottingham! A welcome break from the hard going of the Trent for a while....
