Thursday 15th September

We woke this morning to beautiful sunshine and little or no wind, a typical September (Indian summer) day, this must be one of the best cruising days we have had for weeks and certainly one to remember.

Our plan today is to cover the twelve miles between Hazleford and Holme Lock, passing through Gunthorpe and Stoke locks on the way. As I mentioned before it was like a balmy summers day as we tootled up the Trent, enjoying every minute of the journey, even the swans and ducks seemed to be making the most of the late summer sunshine. Part of the journey reminded us of the Thames passing Beal park which we did last year, and we also managed to spot two pairs of White Egrets which I guess are quite rare nowadays.

First we came to Gunthorpe lock, where we stopped over last year in the pouring rain, what a change this year.

After Gunthorpe came Stoke Lock and on to Holme lock, where after passing through we moored up for the night. At Holme lock is the National Water sports Centre and while taking Socks for a walk we watched some canoeists negotiating the course (not for me).

At Holme lock we had to sit outside and wait for the Nottingham cruise boat to clear before we went in.