West Stockwith

It is goodbye to the safety of the canals

Keadby Lock

Not for nothing is it called "The Mighty Trent"

Keadby bridge was built in 1916 and combines both rail and road. When it was operational, it operated by water being pumped into the tank on the right and once sufficient weight was added the whole section lifted into the open position.  These feats of engineering never cease to astound me.

M180 motoerway bridge

The Trent is 150 miles long, with a catchment area of over 4000 sq miles.  It once flowed due East from Nottingham, discharging into the Wash. At some point that channel must have become blocked and the river changed to it's current northerly course, to join with the Ouse. 3000 cubic ft of water a second discharge into the Humber - a greater volume than the Thames!

There is not much to see because of the flood embankments but a bit further up is this ex windmill. I did have a bit of excitement at one point - the engine overheated.  I was mighty glad when the warning light went out after a few minutes (seemed like hours) in tick-over.

The wash from this cruiser was fun, even though I managed to turn the bows into it - and he had slowed down!

Waiting to get into West Stockwith (entrance in the middle of the photo) and the Chesterfield canal.  It is a tricky approach and I would have done it completely wrong had it not been for the lock-keeper's instructions.  When the tide is coming in, you keep tight to the left wall, head straight for the opposite wall (it is an acute angle) and, just as you think collision is inevitable, the locky gives you the sign to go hard to port 

 

and in she goes without touching.

The river Idle with flood gate

The Idle joins the Trent

After mooring in the basin, I walk down to the White Hart. It has it's own aptly named brewery and 6 ales on tap. I manage to sample 3 (including the Idle Sod and Idle Dog) but, after a huge mixed grill, I have to admit defeat - maybe the other 3 on the way back?

Stage one of the tidal Trent negotiated.

13 miles; 2 locks

TOTAL:  593 miles (250 miles broad, 71 miles river, 13 miles tidal); 294 locks (161 broad); 78 moveable bridges