Backwards and onwards

We left Boston on Monday, a bit more than a week ago now. Our return trip to Lincoln took us until Thursday. Mooring in about the same spot as on our downward

Lincoln Cathedral

trip. Falcon stayed here while we spent the weekend on the Isle of Wight with Lorraine and family.

Torksey Lock

It was lovely to see them all.
We traveled back to Lincoln on Monday. Then after a busy morning at the launderette and supermarket we returned the car and moved on spending the night at Saxilby.
Wednesday was a different day. In the morning we cruised the last bit to Torksey, then at about 4pm when we would usually be settled for the night we set off for the lock!
Because we were going out on to the River Trent we had to leave at the right time for the tide. As we were going on the outgoing tide the 15 miles down River only took 2 1/2 hours. Paul had been a bit worried about the trip, in particular turning into West Stockwith Lock. He had to go past the lock and turn around in the river then come back full speed and turn into the lock at the last minute. Following instructions from the lock keeper he did it perfectly. So now we are on the Chesterfield Canal.
This is very different from the Fosdyke and Witham Navigation as it is fairly shallow with lots of weed. Very rural and very pretty. A RAF buddy of Paul's lives not far away at Worksop and our friends Sheree and Alec are coming on Sunday to stay a few nights. So lots to look forward to.

Boston, not the USA

Our mooring at Boston

Looking at the Boston Stump from the boat

We arrived in Boston on Friday. Not the most interesting canal as there are long straights with high banks so you can't see a lot. However there is a variety of bird life. Paul even spotted and owl. About 2 pm. Sat on a branch watching us go by. Lots of tiny ducklings around now too. As we left Lincoln the cathedral was still an impressive sight on top of the hill for some distance.

A bit further on and the Boston Stump came into view. This is the tower of St Botolph Church. Not sure why it's called that but it seems locals named it that a long time ago. Yesterday we had a walk around the town. Again some lovely old buildings. We also found Aldi and Asda!
Will be starting our return trip soon.

Enjoying the sunshine

We arrived at Newark on Thursday as planned. Going through the lock we passed right by the castle. It can be seen on the right. It was much narrower than you think

Arriving at Newark Lock, castle is in the left

 a castle should be.

Cromwell Lock, now on the tidal Trent

 We explored the town. Lots of old buildings with small shops dotted randomly.
On Saturday we were up early and were leaving Cromwell Lock by 8.15! Now briefly on the tidal part of the river. Briefly as after a couple of hours, turning right, we reached Torksy Lock. This brought us on to the Fossdyke and Witham Navigations.


We are enjoying the sunshine that has finally arrived, such a difference a day makes!
Yesterday we arrived in Lincoln. The cathedral is on top of a hill. In fact the road up to it is called Steep Hill!
We could see the cathedral from quite a distance as we approached along the canal.

Cruising through the centre of Lincoln

As you can see we are in the midst of things! On the left out of the picture below is the  central market, a lovely old building. There are lots of beautiful old buildings around the city, including a castle as well as the cathedral.
We plan to move on later today. Next stop Boston. Once there we will turn and make our way back to Torksy and the Trent.

On the River Trent

We had good weekend, despite the awful weather, catching up with the guys Paul joined the RAF with 51 years ago. Back on board on Sunday, it was Tuesday before we left the canal behind and dropped down on to the River Trent.

Meadow Lane Lock

 This is the last lock on the canal, we came out on to the River and headed for Holme Lock. We moored there for the night by the National Watersports Centre. We had a walk around some of the centre where there is a canoe slalom. There were several canoeists practicing and it was quite interesting to watch.

Approaching Lady Bay Bridge

The look of concentration

Spending the night there we stayed until after lunch waiting for the rain to stop. Today we have come through Holme Lock and Stoke Lock (see picture below). As this is a river the locks are manned, also they are very large! Especially as it is rather quiet on the water and there has been just us in the lock! Tonight we are moored at Gunthorpe, just before the lock of that name. Hope to arrive at Newark tomorrow.