Easter 2011 - Part 2

Day One – Burton Waters to Torksey

So its day one of the Easter Break. The weather is great, the hoods are off and NC sets off into the spring sunshine alone meeting BV and Dev later in the day ready for the off up the Trent on Saturday. As usual the beer flows well and the BBQ is fired up but on this now familiar stretch of water, no unusual incidents occur. The moorings are busy with a mix of cruisers and narrowboats which is unusual for this normally quiet stretch of visitor moorings. Everybody is enjoying the best of the weather.

Torksey Lock Visitor Moorings

Day Two – Torksey to Muskham Ferry

Day two and a relatively late start. The tide isn’t until 11.30am and with the water levels low in the Trent we are delayed further awaiting enough water to get over the cill of the lock. Eventually we are set free and have an uneventful run up the Trent with a few time trials revealing a distinct lack of performance from NC although with some coaxing and encouragement she will get up onto the plane and cruise away with the other boats.

A couple of hours later the weir at Cromwell comes into view and we lock up onto the non tidal Trent. An hour later we are moored outside the Muskham Ferry after a few words with the arsey dinghy owner. He didn’t seem to understand that we couldn’t make NC a few inches narrower to make her fit into another mooring. Still even grumpy old men cant damped the party mood.

The Muskham Ferry Pub Moorings

Day Three – Muskham Ferry to Newark to Hazelford Lock

A nice lazy day today and we all split up and head our separate ways for the day. First stop for us is Newark to stock up on provisions and have a little tidy up of the cockpit and cabin which by this early stage look like a bomb has hit. With order restored and the water tank refilled we head off this time for Hazelford Lock Island. Again a day with no incident. Can this be true? Later in the day we all meet up again for another BBQ and yet more beer before the lads set out in the dinghies and the ladies explore the lock island and cottage. This mooring is a nice secluded spot ideal for a BBQ or to just sit back and relax.

Hazelford Lock Island

Day Four – Hazelford Lock to Gunthorpe

A real lazy day today. Only five miles and two locks to negotiate. The local boats are all heading for their home berths so with some luck the river should be much quieter. To our surprise the visitor moorings in Gunthorpe will easily fit our three boats with room to spare. This is usually a very busy mooring. So with high spirits we hoist the beer flag, inflate the palm tree and drink and BBQ the night away.

Gunthorpe Visitor Moorings