Here We are Again

 Heritage Open Days is over for another year. All a bit strange really during the current times, several buildings not opening and I was only allowed 5 on my history walks, but I was well attended for each one. Now that it is over we wasted no time in getting away to the boat

No.1 son came with us to drive the car back and help unload. We were soon unpacked and filled with water and ready for the off. We set off in the lovely weather in shorts and it is always good to start a trip in good weather and not have to unload/load in the rain.

We turned right out on the cut and called the Town Lock informing them we were on the way. We were told that there trip boat, 'Sonning' and a narrow boat were in the lock coming down and we should wait until the Sonning had swung and the other boat had passed us. We passed the barge pub and ducked through Trent Bridge and waited there. It seems that they have removed the restrictions fitted to prevent you passing through the arches except one. I think the dredger must have been this way.

The sun was shining on the Castle wall but nobody was there to share the lock with us.

It is easy to see that the season has moved on in the month we have been at home. Harvests are in, although the sunflowers are still waiting. Another cut of silage has been taken and the leaves on the trees have lost there shine and are just starting to turn.

Here is the 'Enigma' that I saw on our last passing of Fardon Marina, and I remembered to take a picture this time. Maybe not too clear but the high wheelhouse pivots down on an arm to stow right at the stern. I've never seen anything like that before. We were thinking of mooring up at Fardon but with it being such a lovely day we continued onwards.

There were a few cruisers and launches about, but no narrow boats. The narrow boat that was on the mud in Gawburn Nip near Stoke Hall had gone. There is more water today than there was last time we passed this way so must have been able to float off. Still plenty of fishermen about. In fact more than last time, and on a Monday afternoon.

For the first time ever we saw that the visitor mooring were right by the pub. When we had passed this way previously there must have been something large'ish on the pontoon that hid the sign. We carried on regardless, but the pub was pretty busy.

We arrived at Hazelford lock and moored up on the wall below the lock. We finished off stowing the stuff we had brought and then I set to with the important job of getting the stove ready for use. Last time aboard I had fixed a leak by the chimney collar (I hope) and now I had to de-rust the stove and treat with Feretan. I will finish it off tomorrow and then set the firecement so that it is already for the return of the cooler weather. It is great to here aboard again, and here at Hazelford Lock where we had a little trip from Newark just before we went home. The day finished with a wonderful sunset to cap a great day off.

We are heading towards Nottingham and then Birmingham perhaps. I think we will put a bit of a shift in to get well on so that we are closer to our destination and off the river too.