Out of Familiar Waters

It has been a long running joke that we could not sail to Boston.  We've made several attempts that have all been thwarted for one reason or another.  The most notable was during  the 2007 floods which resulted in a 10 day stay at Saxilby until the water levels dropped and then it was time to return home.  Our first destination was therefore going to be Boston.

Thorne was to be our first stop as we had arranged to meet up with Cath & John and the kids for the weekend.  We also had an important date on Saturday – Shaun and Laura’s wedding.  So while we caught the train to Rotherham for the wedding Bess went to the Staniland’s Regatta with Cath & John.   On our return we enjoyed a meal at the Canal Tavern in Thorne and had a good evening before setting off the next day. 

From Thorne we sailed to Keadby, pleased to find all the notorious swing bridges were in good working order and did not cause us any problems.  On the approach to Keadby we noticed a thick covering of green weed, similar to duck weed.   From Keadby Lock we enter the River Trent which is tidal so the tides determine the time to go through the lock.  We were due to leave at 7am on Monday 3^rd September so the incoming tide would give us a helping push upstream to Torksey.

At the allotted time we entered the lock only to find the green weed had pushed in front of us to  create a buffer between the boat and the sides of the lock.  Two other narrowboats were following us in and the depth of the weed increased.  It was quite a struggle for the third boat to push through the weed and come alongside.  We would normally secure the boats in place with ropes but on this occasion no ropes were required, the weed held us firmly in place.   Once out onto the Trent the weed dispersed and we made good time to Torksey, arriving before the tide turned.

Green weed in the lock.  The far bank of the River Trent can be seen through the lock gates.

The weather was glorious at Torksey – I was able to sit out with my patchwork which is going to be made into a bag for the shelves above our bed.  With Bess stretched out on the jetty beside me this was a perfect relaxing afternoon – apart from the strimmer which wailed like a banshee on the opposite bank.

The next day we set off with the intention of shopping at Saxilby and then continuing our journey.   However in the spirit of this lifestyle we changed our minds and stayed overnight in Saxilby.  On Wednesday 5^th September we sailed into Lincoln which is the furthest we've travelled on the Fossdyke navigation. 

We stopped on the visitor moorings outside the University, I don't think I'd want to spend the night on these but they were fine for our purposes.  We walked into town for some shopping and to have a look at the Glory Hole.  This is a narrow alley in the centre of Lincoln under which there is a tunnel for the canal.  This old tunnel passes under an old timbered building and a street.  The entrance is timbered and has limited headroom.   We decided there was enough room without lowering our wheelhouse ( the roof lifts off and windows fold down for such situations) but all the same we took Brent III through very slowly.   

On the other side of the Glory Hole the canal passes through the main shopping centre and we noticed some boaters had moored up against the railings to go for their shopping saving a walk from the University.

The Glory Hole tunnel which passes under the timbered building in the background and a  busy street.

The map below shows our route between Goole and Lincoln.