Wednesday 14th September

At last after spending several days in Newark we are on our way again, now that the strong winds have gone. Having said that, Newark is a lovely little market town with lots of little always and shops, with a market three times per week. We visited the castle, or what is left of it and had a good time mooching around.

We set off from the pontoon at around 10.30 making for the Town Lock and on to Hazleford Lock for the night. The weather although still a bit windy was warm and dry, making for a pleasant trip up the Trent. Passing under the Town bridge and by the castle we negotiated the lock and onto open water, and with the flow against us, progress was a bit slow.

On passed the big Averham weir we made for the Farndon marina where we planned to take on diesel and do our housekeeping duties, Telephoning ahead we made our arrangements for fuel and on arrival pulled alongside the wharf and topped the fuel tank, I think for the last time this year.

From here it was a steady cruise to Hazleford lock and once through it we moored up alongside the wall for the night. When I say wall it was about seven feet from the water to the top which made getting on and off difficult although not impossible. Poor Socks had to first get onto one of the side seats, then onto the roof which let about a two foot jump onto the bank, but for him it was worth it as there was plenty of room for him to have a run. Gypsy however had no such problems as she was on and off the boat all evening, but the good girl she is, once called she came back for bed time.