Wind and water

Friday, 27 August 2010 18:16

Cruising in high winds can be problematic!

We left Hazelford Lock in the sunshine but there was a very stiff wind which became stronger as the day went on. This section of the River Trent navigation is apparently one of the most attractive sections. It was a shame that the wind was in our eyes most of the time so we saw the scenery through tears! Howeve,r some of the photos came out well!

The Trent Hills towards Kneeton; the church is just visible above the trees:

After Hazelford, the river cuts through the countryside, hills to the east and fields to the west, with the occasional isolated village. Hoveringham (once associated with gravel extraction) is not far from the west bank and these houses beside the river are rather attractive. The wind was blowing the tree, as you can probably see.

We passed another narrowboat, Hafren, but they caught up with us when we had to hang around below Gunthorpe Lock. The reason for the wait was that a lady had fallen from a narrowboat above the lock and the Lock Keeper, together with passers-by, the Police, Fire and Ambulance Services were involved in rescuing her.

Gunthorpe Lock and weir

The Lock Keeper gave me all the details as we rose in his lock - the lady was in her 80s, not wearing a life jacket and had hit her head causing her to fall. I don't think she was badly hurt, but the Lockie suggested it might be a good idea for them to wear life jackets in future.

As the top gates opened we saw the narrowboat moored in the really choppy lock cut

The moorings above the lock had some lovely boats on them - using all the services that are available at Gunthorpe.

Gunthorpe once had a ford and ferry. Allegedly, Queen Boadicea defeated the Romans nearby in AD 1. The Vikings took a liking to the area too and settled there. The present road bridge replaced an 1875 iron toll bridge

Gunthorpe Road bridge

Stoke Lock was the next lock upstream and we arrived in time to use the boaters facilities to dump and empty! We were joined by nb Hafren in the lock, who decided to moor up above and shelter from the wind.

In Stoke Lock

Passing under Radcliffe railway viaduct, we arrived at Holme Lock and waited on the pontoon for the Nottingham Princess trip boat to ascend ahead of us.

Holme Lock is an interesting one beside the huge Holme sluices, with the National Water Sports Centre on the other side.

moorings in sluice reach

We went through and moored above the lock on the visitor moorings beyond the lock reach. It took some time to moor up as the wind was very gusty and we needed to manoeuvre Epiphany so that she rested against the well-spaced wooden posts along the piling. We needed to use tyres as fenders as the piling is under the wall.

Moored above Holme Lock

Later John went out to explore and take photos of the area. More of this to come ......

River Trent, Hazelford lock to Holme Lock

4 hours 38 minutes, 12.45 miles, 3 locks