Back to Keadby

After a couple of days at Gunthorpe we sailed on to the next moorings which are at Hazelford Island.

On the moorings at Hazelford Island.   CRT's crane is on site because they have been working on the high wall and the boat heading downstream is the St John's trip boat Crusader. 

The island used to be home to a thriving population of rabbits but when we walked along the grassy paths it was obvious their numbers had dramatically diminished.   There were still plenty of smells to excite Bess and Brinny who enjoyed a good run round. 

Bess keeping an eye on Brinny from her spot in the shade

During one of our walks I spotted a bright butterfly which I haven't been able to identify.

The brightly coloured butterfly

On Sunday we moved on to Newark passing a variety of birds at Averham Weir. 

The posts at Averham Weir make a convenient place to preen

Newark is convenient for shopping with a good market and I couldn't resist some arts and crafts purchases from various shops.  Kev picked up an ebay delivery from Argos and of course called in at Just Beer.  Flocks of sparrows live in the bushes lining the river wall and some sat long enough for a photo.  

Fluffed up in the wind at the side of the Trent

On Thursday we pulled off the pontoons and over to the opposite bank which is conveniently near to Morrisons.  After shopping we left Newark heading north for Cromwell Lock.  

The pontoons at Newark

We stopped at Cromwell over the weekend and caught up with some maintenance jobs.  We also fitted some extra eyelets on the gunwhales to hang more fenders to protect our paintwork and bolted on some additional mooring cleats.  These will be useful as mooring bollards and rings aren't always conveniently spaced for the length of the boat.  

On Monday we went down through Cromwell Lock onto the tidal section of the Trent.  The water levels were very low exposing the shoals which extend into the river and can be a hazard to boaters. 

A gravel shoal which has built up on the inside of the bend in the river

We had a good run to Torksey where we stopped on the pontoons overnight.  The next day we had a 7 am start in order to make the most of the outgoing tide.  It was misty as we set off but shortly afterwards the mist turned to a thick fog which was alarming because we could barely see the banks.  Kev was able to keep on course and gradually the fog cleared.  

Sheep walking along the bank in the fog 

Despite the fog we had another good run and on arrival at Keadby turned into the lock to find the invasive floating weed is back.  Up on the canal we carved a path through the green carpet and pulled up for the day.  

Our journey from Gunthorpe to Keadby