River Trent

We manage to watch the rugby (well done you Welsh boyos), with an excellent picture in the basin at West Stockwith.  Rather more excitedly a rescue is taking place that may stop our journey today. A narrowboat is stuck in a bank after it's engine failed. The owner banked it so that it wouldn't wash away with the tide. He was rescued by the fire brigade and he just had to hope that the boat wouldn't flood or refloat at high tide.

The boat that was going out to attempt to rescue him didn't even know the bloke, he'd been given his number by a mutual friend. Anway off went 'Stalwart' like a knight on white charger.

We left West Stockwith lock just as 'Stalwart' was returning with the boat. Me and Sue, the lock keeper, both agreed that that was what boating was all about.

The trip up the Trent was lovely, sunshine all the way.  Thankfully Sue phoned Mark at Keadby to let him know we were setting off. It turned out Derek the lock keeper I'd booked in with hadn't passed the info on so there was no one at Keadby to open up for us!

Traditionally I always bake scones as we travel up or down the Trent and today is no exception. Tea and scones served at the halfway point. Having forgotten to bring scone cutters onboard we had to settle for Trent Triangles.  Just as delicious.

Mark made it to the lock in time for us to phone him to announce we had just passed under the motorway bridge. Adrian performed an absolute text book entry (ooh er missus) which was so very different from the last time we were here on what was essentially our maiden voyage. Leaving Mark some still warm scones on the lock side, we wave goodbye and head on our way along the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation.