Lincoln Return

The day had a better forecast than yesterday but even so there were several light showers and precious little sunshine after a bright couple of hours. We needed to made good progress today as there are effectively no moorings in Lincoln. Stopping before then would leave a tight schedule for tomorrow but pressing on means reaching Saxilby at least. Hopefully, we thought, there will still be room there.

The backdrop to all of this is our aim to transit the Trent from Torksey to West Stockwith on tomorrow afternoon's tide. This means leaving the Fossdyke around 4 o'clock.

River Witham - wide and straight

 The wind was not as strong but it still needed attention to ensure that the boat was not blown across into the weeds at the edge. As the normal side of travel was the down wind side, we were frequently quite close! Also, going against the flow meant that we were making significantly slower progress than yesterday.

A Bankful of Poppies

Cows and Clouds

 One of the problems with re-tracing steps immediately is that all the best photo opportunities were grabbed for the blog on the way down! However, this means that we can focus on smaller details which we spotted when not concentrating on the bigger picture of exploring unfamiliar territory.

At least this fisherman will not complain about passing boats

Interesting place for a picnic

Strong pumping

At Southrey, one of the drainage pumps was operating - it was not doing so yesterday - and the flow had quite an effect on our boat as we passed by.

Near the former Sugar factory, an older plane few low overhead but, as a piston engine, made much less intrusive a noise as it came up over the river banks and made off towards Lincoln. No doubt some expert will be able to recognise which particular model of aircraft it was.

Former Sugar Beet Factory

Great Northern Railway below Bardney Lock

Leaving Bardney Lock

The sun shone for a short while as we passed the sugar factory but disappeared by the time we arrived at the nearby Bardney Lock.

If it had fitted our schedule, the isolated Fiskerton Fen moorings would have had our vote, but we had to press on.

Cow Sculptures

We managed a photo of the Cow Sculptures this time - we missed doing so on the way down as we were in the midst of a thunderstorm!

As we reached Stamp End Lock on the outskirts of Lincoln, two river craft were just exiting onto the pontoon. They seemed disinclined to move off which meant a delicate manoeuvre as the slightest touch could do real damage to a 'plastic' boat. Just as we were about to pass, one of the crew pulled their bow rope in, forgetting that this immediately pulls the stern out! Fortunately we made it into the lock without incident.

Stamp End Lock

A narrowboat was waiting above the lock to come down but we could not leave immediately the guillotine gate was open as the control box will not release the key until it is closed once again.

We passed through the centre of Lincoln without stopping - Christine wanted a picture of the underneath of the Glory Hole - she thinks it looks like the crypt of a church.

Underneath the Glory Hole

Once we had passed the long line of moored boats and were back on the Fossdyke, we made very good speed indeed and arrived at Saxilby just after seven o'clock. Warily we passed under the road bridge wondering if there would be any space - lo, there was plenty. Relief! At least we do not have to make an early start tomorrow (unless we opt for the morning tide . . .)

32.8 miles - 2 locks