CX54WEK
Well-Known Member
It was a slow start to this holiday due to our friends who would be accompanying us having prior arrangements on the Saturday. This meant we had a day to load up the boat, fill with diesel and water and carry out all of the necessary engine checks prior to our departure on Sunday.
Sunday morning brought with it a freshening breeze and the threat of rain showers, however on the whole it stayed fine and dry with only one or two light drizzley patches. The destination today was Torksey, so no need to rush. At around lunch time we set off in convoy and moored up at the lock for around 3pm. A quick word with the lockie had the plan set for Mondays trip down the Trent to Keadby setting off at around 10am which would enable us to have an hours break on the pontoon moorings at Gainsborough.
An early night on Sunday saw us ready and raring to go on Monday morning. The lockie came to usher us in at 9.45am, so we eagerly sit in the lock and wait, and wait and wait. The hydraulic gearing for the gate paddles was refusing to work. 45 minutes later and we where finally onto the Trent. The wind had picked up again but this caused few problems once underway. The 1.5 hour saunter down to Gainsborough bridge was soon broken up by the start of the unrestricted speed sections of the river below Gainsborough and before too long West Stockwith was long gone and the M180 motorway bridge was in sight. In hind sight we could have stopped at Gainsborough, however with the delay in the lock had not bothered. Still we where soon locked up off of the river and into the safety of the basin at Keadby, neither boat having trouble getting into the lock without touching the sides!!! A fine night was spent in the company of the locals in The Old South Yorkshire as yet again the pub proved to be a friendly night out at bargain prices.
Monday morning saw us ready to leave by 9am. This morning we had a steady jaunt to Trent Falls pushing the last of the incoming tide to hit high water at Trent Falls before hitting the Humber. The trip to Trent Falls was pretty uneventful. A handful of commercial craft where plying their trade but other than that we saw little of interest besides the large quay heads. We did as planned hit Trent Falls at high water before ensuring all breakables where packed away and steaming off down the Humber towards Hull. The river soon widens down this stretch to become a huge expanse of open water, with the dredged shipping channel marked by a series of bouys and light ships. It wasn’t long before the games began of wake jumping, doughnutting and general tom foolery. Unfortunately it isn’t easy taking photos from a boat moving at 30mph of another boat moving at 30mph!!!! The humber bridge was soon passed and time to settle back down into a plod as the lock wouldn’t be ready for a further 20 minutes. Unfortunately the river wasn’t as bumpy as we had hoped, but we where soon tucked up safely behind the lock gates to Hull Marina.
The marina and surrounding areas where a pleasant suprise and very well kept with obvious money spent to regenerate the water frontage. The one downside to this was the mooring fees, which at £36 for two nights plus £1 per night for electricity where a little on the steep side.
Wednesday was supposed to be the day we headed for Spurn Point, however the wind had got up and the weather didn’t look too promising. One look at the Humber and we decided to have a day ashore to explore the offerings of Hull. Again we where surprised by the variety of places to visit. First on the cards was The Deep, followed by the The Hull Maritime Museum, then a whole host of public houses.
As usual on the day you need to get somewhere the tide was a late one. We had to be back to Torksey by 5pm on Thursday as the lockies where all off duty on Friday, and our friends had another meeting to make on Friday evening. The tide was midday!!!! With hopes a little forlorn for making this target we set off down the Humber at some speed soon gaining on the commercial craft ahead. After passing these craft we where soon at Trent Falls and making good progress. We left the Humber Bridge at 12.30pm and had reached Torksey by 3.45pm. This was without breaking any speed limits as we slowed right back down when we reached Gainsborough bridge. Again good fun was had by all and the lockie locked us back onto the Fossdyke by 4pm. Another night at Torksey was on the cards.
On Friday we did the tourist trip into Lincoln and had a good look around the city with stops including the catherdral and a few good pubs before heading back to Burton Waters to let the clean up commence!!
All in all a successful trip with no breakages, no damage and some more confidence gained in the boat ready for her sea adventures this spring. The videos will follow when sorted out.
Sunday morning brought with it a freshening breeze and the threat of rain showers, however on the whole it stayed fine and dry with only one or two light drizzley patches. The destination today was Torksey, so no need to rush. At around lunch time we set off in convoy and moored up at the lock for around 3pm. A quick word with the lockie had the plan set for Mondays trip down the Trent to Keadby setting off at around 10am which would enable us to have an hours break on the pontoon moorings at Gainsborough.
An early night on Sunday saw us ready and raring to go on Monday morning. The lockie came to usher us in at 9.45am, so we eagerly sit in the lock and wait, and wait and wait. The hydraulic gearing for the gate paddles was refusing to work. 45 minutes later and we where finally onto the Trent. The wind had picked up again but this caused few problems once underway. The 1.5 hour saunter down to Gainsborough bridge was soon broken up by the start of the unrestricted speed sections of the river below Gainsborough and before too long West Stockwith was long gone and the M180 motorway bridge was in sight. In hind sight we could have stopped at Gainsborough, however with the delay in the lock had not bothered. Still we where soon locked up off of the river and into the safety of the basin at Keadby, neither boat having trouble getting into the lock without touching the sides!!! A fine night was spent in the company of the locals in The Old South Yorkshire as yet again the pub proved to be a friendly night out at bargain prices.
Monday morning saw us ready to leave by 9am. This morning we had a steady jaunt to Trent Falls pushing the last of the incoming tide to hit high water at Trent Falls before hitting the Humber. The trip to Trent Falls was pretty uneventful. A handful of commercial craft where plying their trade but other than that we saw little of interest besides the large quay heads. We did as planned hit Trent Falls at high water before ensuring all breakables where packed away and steaming off down the Humber towards Hull. The river soon widens down this stretch to become a huge expanse of open water, with the dredged shipping channel marked by a series of bouys and light ships. It wasn’t long before the games began of wake jumping, doughnutting and general tom foolery. Unfortunately it isn’t easy taking photos from a boat moving at 30mph of another boat moving at 30mph!!!! The humber bridge was soon passed and time to settle back down into a plod as the lock wouldn’t be ready for a further 20 minutes. Unfortunately the river wasn’t as bumpy as we had hoped, but we where soon tucked up safely behind the lock gates to Hull Marina.
The marina and surrounding areas where a pleasant suprise and very well kept with obvious money spent to regenerate the water frontage. The one downside to this was the mooring fees, which at £36 for two nights plus £1 per night for electricity where a little on the steep side.
Wednesday was supposed to be the day we headed for Spurn Point, however the wind had got up and the weather didn’t look too promising. One look at the Humber and we decided to have a day ashore to explore the offerings of Hull. Again we where surprised by the variety of places to visit. First on the cards was The Deep, followed by the The Hull Maritime Museum, then a whole host of public houses.
As usual on the day you need to get somewhere the tide was a late one. We had to be back to Torksey by 5pm on Thursday as the lockies where all off duty on Friday, and our friends had another meeting to make on Friday evening. The tide was midday!!!! With hopes a little forlorn for making this target we set off down the Humber at some speed soon gaining on the commercial craft ahead. After passing these craft we where soon at Trent Falls and making good progress. We left the Humber Bridge at 12.30pm and had reached Torksey by 3.45pm. This was without breaking any speed limits as we slowed right back down when we reached Gainsborough bridge. Again good fun was had by all and the lockie locked us back onto the Fossdyke by 4pm. Another night at Torksey was on the cards.
On Friday we did the tourist trip into Lincoln and had a good look around the city with stops including the catherdral and a few good pubs before heading back to Burton Waters to let the clean up commence!!
All in all a successful trip with no breakages, no damage and some more confidence gained in the boat ready for her sea adventures this spring. The videos will follow when sorted out.
