On Thursday night we moored above Holme Lock, just downstream from Nottingham. Among the swans on the river was this black swan - not a common sight except in London parks.
Our fuchsia and geraniums have flowered all summer long. People have praised our rooftop garden, though to be fair more people have commented on our plastic ducks! However the flowers are now past their best and we left them dug in under a tree by Holme Lock. We wonder if they will come up next year.
On Friday morning we came through Holme Lock with another narrowboat called Kleine Monde (small world).
Gunthorpe Bridge is made of concrete and probably dates from the 1930s. However it really is quite attractive with the detailing on it.
Below Gunthorpe Lock, steep wooded slopes line the river to the east with flat meadows on the other side. As this photo shows the weather could have been better.
At Fiskerton there was space at the end of the pontoon for visitors, so we stopped for the night. High piling dominates one side with fields on the other side. We had a meal out at the pub, 'The Bromley' just above the boat. Pretty good food and not too pricey.
On Saturday morning we cruised the last few miles into Newark.
Having turned to face upstream to moor, we then had to spin Leo round to carry on downstream. You can see the pub behind Ian.
The river below Fiskerton is very bendy with distant views of Staythorpe Power Station. Eventually the river passes the Power Station and then the long and unprotected Averham Weir shown here. Each of the posts had a cormorant on top.
Above the weir we entered the cut that goes through the town of Newark, leaving the Trent behind. The tall spire of St. Mary's Church is clear ahead.
Our last lock in 2017 was Newark Town Lock seen here in front of the castle.
Below the lock we passed under the Town Bridge.
And here is Leo in her winter mooring. Later on Saturday afternoon we walked to the station and caught the train back home. Newark benefits from the main line train service and is very close to the A1.
So that brings us to the end of boating for 2017, though we might go out for some short trips. In fact we are off to Newark tomorrow with the car to unpack the boat and do the engine service that is due. So the final stats for this year are that we have travelled 922 miles and through 522 locks. We have been cruising for 5 months from mid April to September. So now we'll hibernate and think about where we'll go next year.
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