Newark

Despite our Canal40 Blog showing that five years ago we made it from an overnight mooring at the Boots Estate to Torksey in one day, we were aiming this time to over-night at Newark. This would give us time to look around the town as well as increase the chances of finding a suitable mooring (not something that is easy on most rivers, including the Trent).

We did set off a little earlier than is now usual for us - Mike popped to Sainsbury for a paper - and made our way along the remainder of the Nottingham Canal to the river. Although there has been considerable re-development of the canal-side city centre, some of it is beginning to look a little dated and may well need further improvement if Nottingham is to compete with other waterside cities.

Former Fellows Morton & Clayton Warehouse

A number of old canal warehouses have been retained and converted for contemporary uses, including one that belonged to Fellows Morton and Clayton, the once famous canal carriers.

Meadow Lane Lock

The lock landing at Meadow Lane Lock - not easy normally - was made more difficult by construction work barriers lining the edge. Still, we managed and made quick use of the sani-station and rubbish bins before dropping down to the river. (Took a little longer than it should as Mike took three attempts to take the correct BWB key with him!)

Notts Forest

Immediately opposite the canal entrance stands the huge Nottingham Forest Football Ground.

Grantham Canal

Shortly afterwards we saw the entrance to the former Grantham canal, which we had missed previously. Hopefully the attempt to restore this canal will prove fruitful eventually, A46 road construction notwithstanding.

On the edge of the city stands this impressive apartment block.

Holme Lock from above

The first of the locks going downstream is Holme Lock. As this is manned and was showing a green and red light (indicating, we think, that it is filling ready for us) we were not able to take a look at the adjacent white water sports centre - but there is a picture on our Canal40 blog.

The lock is distinctive for the huge sluice structure which controls the flow over this particular weir.

At Stoke Lock, Mike was told that the locks up here use VHF for communication and we could also use it to announce our progress. Having invested expensively in the capability for the Thames trip earlier in the year (and not having actually used it) it was impossible to resist the urge to use it now. At least this did mean locks being ready for us, although we also knew from the radio traffic that the keepers also pass on the information!

Although the journey down the Trent is pleasant - despite the chilly wind on this grey and overcast day - we will not take up too much space with the story so that we can also show some views of Newark which we explored later on.

Newark Town Lock

Although we tried to follow the advice of the keeper at Newark Town Lock to moor on the pontoons, we were thwarted by the fact that they were full! So, we had to reverse up a short distance to moor against the town wall - made more complex by the fact that several other boats arrived upstream at the same time and before long this spot was also full. However, where we ended up was at least convenient for the town centre.

Newark Castle

Immediately below the lock stands the impressive Newark Castle - or it would be a bit more impressive if three quarters of it had not been demolished by Henry VIII and subsequent stone re-cyclers, leaving just the riverside curtain wall.

It is just possible to see people looking down from the large multi-faceted window of the castle.

Opposite our mooring, the facades of some former buildings have been retained as part of an expensive development of apartments.

Newark Market Place

We walked into town - alas the market was well into its packing-up phase of the day, but we did pick up some strawberries for this evening.

White Hart

The White Hart has an ornate frontage - this was once one of the many coaching inns which would have been well used by travellers: Newark is at the junction of the Great North Road and Fosse Way as well as the river.

We spotted many reminders of the important historical role of Newark.

Inside Newark Castle

Finally, we took a good look at the castle remains - several useful interpretive boards gave us an insight into the life that was once lived out - and fought over - in this busy location.

Castle Gatehouse

After returning to the boat for a cup of tea, we made a quick trip across the bridge to Waitrose, but the promise from a local resident of late bargains was not wholly fulfilled (but we found a couple of items including a loaf of bread for tomorrow's lunch at 29p)

25 miles - 6 locks