The mooring near Walsham Gates was just lovely. I took Macc for a walk towards Newark Lock last night, and the whole area was stunning.
We did the same walk this morning, but the light makes everything look different.
We set off a little before 9, having done a wash load of Macc’s bedding. Newark Lock is close to the ruins of Newark Priory, which really stood out in the sunshine.
Above the lock, the weir stream goes through a pretty collection of mill buildings.
The next section looks different again. I imagine this whole area can flood.
When we got to Papercourt Lock there was a boat waiting on the lock landing — the one that moored behind us at New Haw the other evening. A National Trust guy asked us to moor up behind them as they were fixing a paddle on the lock. They had a huge work boat in there and a ladder down into the lock. The other boaters told us they’d been told at 9 that the work would be done in two or three hours. At least the lock landing was pretty shady.
We’d been waiting less than half an hour when the guys moved their boat out above the lock, emptied it, and did a bit of tidying up — then called us in. There’s a weird to the right which tries to push you over as you approach. The other side of the weir is another pretty lock cottage.
We left the lock first because the big work boat was somewhat in the way of our locking partners, plus they were also planning to stop to walk into the village of Send. They were hoping for a shop, but judging by Google maps, we’re not sure there is one any more. Beyond the lock is a rather unexpected industrial unit which seems very out of place. I’m sure it’s been expanded since we were last here, and it seems The Tannery Studios are now working spaces for creative industries, and there are even film and photographic studios there.
We’d planned to stop for water at Cartbridge Wharf but there was a boat already filling and another waiting, so we carried on. They were pleased to hear that Papercourt Lock was fixed, though. Worsfold Gates are another lock which is normally open, with the gates only closed in times of flood. The NT yard is also there, and the guys who’d been working on the lock were back there waiting for their next job.
When we got to Trigg’s Lock there was a boat to come down. He was a single hander, so Adrian worked the lock for him for which he was very grateful. We came up and then wanted to find a place to moor before the next lock. Just through the first bridge was a lovely spot with a proper edge and mooring posts, that’s not mentioned on the NT list of moorings or even on the Waterway Routes map. Some local walkers told us the mooring has only been here two or three years, and that there is another a little further along. We put Macc on his long lead tied to a post, so he could snuffle about and have a lie down on the cool grass.
We started off fairly shady, but knew the sun would come round — although we also hoped it would then go behind the trees on the other side. Quite a few walkers have stopped for a chat. After lunch I took Macc for a walk over the field between the navigation and the river proper. We then went over a bridge over the river.
On the other side we followed the footpath to Send church, which is well outside the village.
Macc was pretty hot and was keen to have a drink from the river. There was a place which was obviously a dog entry area, but he was put off by the drop of six or eight inches into the water. In the end I just picked him up and popped him in — although the mud did come up to his tummy! He had a long drink and a paddle, and was like a completely different dog when he came out, dashing up and down and making himself hot again.
Since we’ve been here only a couple of boats have come past — including a big widebeam that’s moored behind us. We had gone right to the end of the mooring in order to leave space for another boat, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be disappointed when someone actually makes use of it!
4 miles, 3 locks. (46 miles, 23 locks)