Yesterday we stayed in Newark and as the fishing tackle shop in town has unfortunately closed down we walked to Farndon to Future Tackle. This was a walk of about 2.5 miles each way.
Ken got a new pole and some bait then we walked back to town. It was quite hot when the sun came out and by the time we got back we were ready for a pint! However, as I had developed a couple of blisters and Ken’s inner soles had disintegrated we had to pay a visit to Boots first for blister plasters and new inner soles.
With our pharmaceutical supplies purchased we headed for The Castle Barge and although the wind was pretty blustery we sat outside. The beer was Timothy Taylor’s Boltmaker and was advertised as the ‘Champion Beer of Britain’. Unfortunately it didn’t live up to it’s billing, it was rather cloudy.
So, with the beer not up to scratch and the weather having taken a turn for the worst we finished at the Barge and went off to The Old Post Office which looked like a nice pub. It wasn’t quite as good as it could have been and we thought we should have just gone to the Wetherspoons!
Today we set off early (just after 8am) and I went to operate the lock as the lock keepers don’t start until about 9-30am. However, just as I opened the lock the lock keeper turned up. He said he came from Hull and left early to avoid the traffic. He finished operating the lock for us and we were off.
We were going to go to Gunthorpe today but when we got to Hazelford Lock there was a CRT barge in it and they were doing some work o the lock wall. I had a word with the lock keeper and he said they would be taking the barge out in about 30 minutes, he would let a boat down from the top and we could then go up.
Ken and I had a discussion and decided that as we don’t need to be at Gunthorpe until tomorrow we may as well stay below the lock. We have always liked the look of it here but we hadn’t been able to get in before. We are on the lower moorings but they are still higher than the ones on canals!
We had another walk to the Bromley at Fiskerton and sat outside although it was still fairly windy.
This afternoon and evening Ken has been fishing in the hope of catching a nice barbel but has only caught a small chub thus far.
Tomorrow is Ken’s birthday and we are off to meet Mum and Dave at Gunthorpe.
