Having joined the river Trent at Trent lock the navigation quickly leaves the main river and makes it way through Nottingham via the Nottingham and Beeston canal. Thankfully some of the original warehouses have been retained and offer a glimpse of what my working predecessors might have seen as they arrived to deliver and collect goods from the wharfs.
After meandering through the city the canal rejoins the mighty Trent at opposite the famous Trent Bridge cricket ground. Within a square mile are also the two football clubs, Notts City and County. Just upstream is the City Hall with a splendid view over the river.
On the main river the locks become much larger and are operated by full time lock keepers who are contactable via VHF radio which makes the passage so much easier. Almost like having a butler as one simply calls up on the radio and they will have the lock ready for your arrival.
The trip from Nottingham to Newark can be done in day but took a leisurely two days stopping overnight at Gunthorp lock where I was treated to a beautiful sunset.
The approach to Newark is dominated by the remains of the riverside castle. On the right is a splendid river boat, Sonning, offering trips up the river.
Newark is a welcome stop as it has good shopping facilities yet retains much of it's old market town charm. The market dates fro m12C and was granted a Royal charter by king Edward VI in 1549.
Only a few miles onto the tidal reach one is reminded that much larger vessels operate on the river at Besthorpe wharf where 600 ton barges can be loaded with gravel.
Today I traversed the first 16 miles of the trip stopping at Torksey lock overnight to await the morning tide to carry me on to Keadby. The river is similar to a motorway in that it allows you to travel quicker but does not offer a great deal of scenery along it's route.
Tomorrow morning I'll head up the last 26 miles to rejoin the canal network on the South Yorkshire navigations at Keadby.
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