Tuesday 2nd August

After preparing the boat for our trip down the Trent Sally and I joined Alex and Hillary of NB, Steelaway for a final glass or two of wine (me tea) before we said our goodbyes for this year. I have to say it was rather sad as we had been together, on and off since the 11th May when we first me on the Bridgewater canal, and have together tamed the tidal Ribble, and the Ouse, not forgeting the Wigan Flight.

Anyway it was up at the crack of dawn to be ready to enter Keadby lock at 06.30 and our release onto the Trent at 07.00. A few final words from Mark the lock keeper and we cast off to lock up with two other boats.

Once inside the lock with the gates closed behind us, we had about a ten minute wait for the tide to turn before being released. At 06.55 the lock gates were opened and off we went, and we were the second boat out and full of aprehension, but all went well and we were soon gathering speed and heading down to Torksey.

The tidal flow was that good that we seemed to be wizzing along at may three times our normal cruising speed, passing under the Keadby road and rail bridge and on under the M180. It was then a glance behind revealed one of the commercial sand barges coming up our rear and planning to pass us, which he did and soon disapearing off into the distance.

Settling down, it was time for a snack, and Sally went below to muster up some tea and crumpets.

Next we came up to West Stockwith and the junction with the Chesterfield canal, which was Alex and Hillary's planned destination, and the reason for our goodbyes last night, as they left Keadby some two hours after us.

It was here that we had our first of two hairey moments, as we rounded the tight bend after the lock entrance we got caught in the under currents that bounced back off the bank, making the boat heal at what seemed a nastly list although it did not last long (long enough to open all of the drawers on the port side of the gally. The next was at Morton Corner, but this time listing to port with the starboard gally drawers opening which made us both laugh.

 Then on and through Gainsborough and under the bridge with only nine more miles to go to reach Torksey.

Torksey in sight we passed under the bridge, passing the church and the castle ruin we made our turn into the lock. We called the lock keeper on the radio to book a lift onto the Fossdyke and was told to follow in if there was room.

In the lock at 10.20 after a fast trip down the Trent, finally mooring on the visitors moorings where we met up with John and Jo of NB, Acen for a cup of tea and a chat.

WHO ME !!!!!

I also did a bit more painting to the hatch cover. (all in all, a great day).