Tales of the Riverbank

[harrison]

Soo. Landlocked this weekend and thoughts of cabin fever setting in, so meandering towards a river cruise. Total river newbie so basically no bleedin idea. Any local knowledge desperately needed.

Based near Derby and relatively local to the Trent so thought the Newark area looked like a doer? Found a slipway at Farndon Marina which hopefully gives access to a decent stretch of water between locks/rapids...can’t be arsed negotiating locks in me little blow up boat, and not adverse to going up and down a couple of times between locks for my maiden voyage. Sorted out what licences I’d need for cruising the waterways...think I’ll go for a 1 year 30 day explorer ticket as this might be a nice off season thing to do.

So taking the T38 with 3.5 wild horses bolted on the back for a leisurely river rat cruise. Any locals able to advise if ok, or don’t waste your time it’s crap, and if so, where would be best to try?

Any help/advice gratefully received.

[Gavstick]

I live in Newark and Farndon is 5 mins away. Launching at Farndon marina is around a tenner. But 2 mins away in Farndon from the marina is the Riverside pub. Large free car park and a nice slipway which is free. I often used to launch my kayak from there.
I have just acquired a excel sd360 and a 6hp Suzuki outboard. All sat boxed up and awaiting its maiden outing.
Let me know when you are going and if poss I'll meet you and give you some more info!!
Martyn

[harrison]

Hey Martyn,
Thanks for heads up re slipway at Riverside....as it’s my first trip here think I’ll still launch at Farndon Marina as the facility’s look good...haven’t got a trust key anyways to unlock the slip barrier.

Probably head up there tomorrow morning for an hour or two’s pootling if I can sort out a licence tonight.

[harrison]

Launched from Farndon Marina slip yesterday and did a nice leisurely 14 mile jaunt upstream to Fiskerton, downstream to Newark and back to marina. All without having to go through any of those pesky locks.

Good slipway, security and facilities at the marina so worth the £15 fee in my book. As suggested by Martyn there is a decent free slip and parking just down the road at the Riverside pub. Barrier locked so will need a waterways ‘trust’ key to use this slip.

All in all a good day out.

Farndon Marina Slipway

Farndon Marina Entrance

Somewhere on the Trent 1

Somewhere on the Trent 2

[harrison]

Twas a cracking sunny hot day last Saturday and we were landlocked in middle earth, rib bust and at dealers.

So T38 to the rescue for another river run from Farndon on the Trent. Even managed a cheeky 25mph flat out on a quiet stretch (at least we were in the waterski zone)

All in all another good day out.

Not a cloud in the sky

Looking a bit Peaky Blinders at Newark

Swift pint or two at Fiskerton

Bit too much wash methinks

Scummy Trent water all hosed off

[sonny1]

whats broke on the rib then ian? oh, like you i went to the boat show but i went saturday ,first time for me ,it was really good. the wife went shopping and left me to it, just wish she would leave her purse ,i could have had a field day

[harrison]

Power tilt foobarred. Hopefully will be covered under warranty.

Glad you enjoyed the boat show.

[Andy]

Wow, now there is a thought.

Just checked here....https://www.waterways.org.uk/pdf/wwwaterwaysmap

I can launch at Bedford Beach, and go along the Ouse to get to the wash to do a spot of sea fishing !
If I keep to maximum speed limits, (6 to 10 knots) it will only take me around 10-12 hours of boating by river.
So me thinks this would make a great 3 day jaunt with a spot of fishing inbetween lol !

[harrison]

whats broke on the rib then ian?

Picked up boat from dealers yesterday and took it out for a blast today.

All fixed now with 1500 quids worth of new ptt assembly....thankfully all under warranty.

and No. Not on the river

[Andy]

OH ! Look how clean the boat is !

Wow, its been hissing down all day here yesterday, and expected wet all day today and tom here ! Look nice weather you have and calm seas !

Ill have to bring mine up and we can have a mini jolly !