Bargains and battles.

We set off a little earlier than normal as we wanted to stop for a shop in Newark. We passed Muskham and there were several boats on the pub moorings there. We were soon passing under the A1.

The East Coast Main Line cross not long before Nether Lock at Newark and we saw our first Virgin East Coast train.

We were soon up the lock with the help of the volunteer keeper and we were in luck as there was just one spot left on the pontoon moorings and just our size too. This is handy for ALDI so as we had a big shop to do it made it easier to get back to the boat. We first walked in to the market place as the market is always good for a look round. As it was we bought some veg, got a remnant of material for Helen to make something with, I got a new watch strap and we bought two teal loafs. We had one for lunch! We also visited Porter's purveyors of fine groceries. We got some triple smoked bacon, a p[ork pie and half a haslet. We had a coffee and a bun for strength to shoulder our way round ALDI as it was packed. I really like the atmosphere of Newark. There are some lovely buildings and there is just a good feel about the place too.

Pontoon mooring at Newark. Not quite as scenic as on the wall opposite the castle but easier to get on and off the boat.

After lunch we were just about to leave when a shower came over so we put off our departure until it had passed. I called the lock and they had it ready for us by the time we arrived.

The only wall of the castle is facing the river which makes it an integral part of the river here.

I had my first gongoozlers of the season asking  questions at Town Lock, Newark, but we were soon through and passing the old warehouse that were all part of the very important river trade. We were soon passing the marina and out into the country side.

Could have been a unicorn it looked so 'arty'.

Just like the last time we passed this way it started raining on the approach to the very large weir at Aversham. I was amused by the notice from C&RT stating that canoeist running over the weir do so at their own risk!

Aversham Weir where the  main tributary of the Trent leaves. With the rain I was able to use my new poncho. I will have to get a photo for you, but hopefully it wont rain for ages!!

Before and after Newark there are loads of these stone built steps that I think must be for fishing. They fascinate me as they are made of large stone. This means that they are not 'modern' as they would never use stone now. They are large so a great deal of effort was needed to set them up, and they have survived spates etc. I have looked on 'Google' but couldn't find anything on a quick search. I wonder if they were for exercising fishing rights in the past.

We passed another marina at Farndon and were soon at Fiskerton. There are some lovely houses here and the pub, the Bramley, looks posh too.

I love the way that they have dipped the wall down so as not to disturb the view from the sitting room.

With the threatening sky in the distance and the sun on the new leaves on the trees this looked a lovely place. However in times past it was anything but. There has been much talk of Richard III and the Battle of Bosworth and his death being the end of the Wars of the Roses. In fact the final battle of that particular war took place here two years later. in 1487. It was a bigger battle and with more casualties than Bosworth too. It was the last shout for the House of York as they produced an imposter for the young Earl of Warwick who had been named as Richard III's heir. The Battle was up on the high ground in the photo. When the Yorkists were routed they fled down to the Trent to escape down a gully and they were butchered there. It is still called Red Gutter today. The Imposter was pardoned by Henry VII as he knew he had been used and he gave him a job in the kitchen! He later gained promotion to falconer.

Just round the corner is the lock at Hazelford. There was a cruiser on the steps below the lock but we tied up there too. Mind you they soon left so as we hoped we had the little lock island to ourselves.