Spring Summer Cruise (23a)

Torksey VM to Cromwell Lock VM

Overnight weather was cold and overcast. However the low cloud soon departed as the Sun broke through.

Morning: A leisurely morning start, feeding the swans before doing a few other chores. First it was a fill up of the fresh water tank and then I did a pumpout of the black water tank. All this in preparation for our next leg of the trip when we would be heading up the river Trent. Then after eating an early lunch we penned down through the lock and moored up on the Trent side moorings.

Afternoon: A small flotilla of boats arrived from Cromwell. As they turned in to the lock reach, it was clear that the flow was strong. Two boats set off at 12:30, as they turned up stream it was clear that the flow was still strong. If they were intending to push against the flow, they were not disappointed.  At 12:50 the river began to rise on the measuring board, so it was time for us to depart.

We were pushing easily against the flow of fresh water for the first half of the trip. Then we had a slack water period for about three quarters of an hour. Then the flow started to build against us once more. I managed to find all the slower flowing water that I could. Just to help ease the need to run the engine too hard. A couple of miles below our destination we passed three boats heading downstream, who were moving at a quick pace.

Six long hours later we all arrived at Cromwell Lock. One of our flotilla had a problem with overheating. So had to ease off their speed.  It was good to pen up and then moor on the wall and the visitor moorings. It was time to start to make some engine checks. A quick walk with the dogs and then a can or bottle of beer were consumed before we all settled down after a busy day.
 
Evening: We all shared an alfresco meal together, enjoying the warm late sunshine. It was a long hike to the nearest pub and so the idea was abandoned. So a few more a cans and bottles of beer were consumed.

 
Wildlife:
Birds: Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Sedge Warbler, Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin, Swift, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coot, Waterhen, Kingfisher, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Kestrel, Carrion Crow, Rook, Magpie, Jackdaw, Starling, Blackbird, Mute Swan, Lapwing, Skylark, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, House Sparrow, Wren, Oyster Catcher and Robin the highlight being a large group of Chaffinch.


Butterflies: included Meadow Brown and Orange Tip 
Bats: Pipistrelle
Dragonflies: Banded Demoiselle,

 

Today's Total.

Miles: 17.1
Locks: 2
Swing / Lift Bridges: 0
Tunnels: 0
Pump Outs: 1
Engine Hours: 8.7
Solar Panels: 81 Ah

 

Accumulated Total.

Miles: 1828.1
Locks: 1131
Swing / Lift Bridges: 295
Tunnels: 26
Pump Outs: 20
Engine Hours: 2831.3
Solar Panels: 14812 Ah