A beautiful day for boating.

I decided to head back towards Lincoln first thing. At 0900 the mist was still quite thick as I headed down to the lock and the facilities. Turned the boat round ready to leave and moored up.

The sun was soon trying to break through and by 0930 I was underway. As I went along the layers of clothing were discarded. A very uneventful trip for the most part with bright sunshine and it is now official – summer has arrived – Ifor got the shorts out.

Not far from Washingborough I had to do a double take. I have seen the black swan and the Withern Monster but this was something else. There it was sunning itself on a low branch that stuck out of the water. Can you see it in the photo?




I don’t know whether it is a terrapin or a turtle but which ever it is it seemed quite at home and paid no attention to me as I went past. I had to grab the camera fast and only managed to take the one snap.

As I arrived at Stamp End Lock another boat was just lowering the guillotine gate. To do my bit I opened up the other gate and let them off and set it up for me to go in. What is it with locks? Everyone is a gangoozler and takes great interest in the workings.

Quick shop in Lincoln in the sunshine then off again to pick up some firewood and on to Saxilby for the night. It has been a long day and I finally stopped the engine at around 1700. if this is climate change – bring it on. I should last the summer if this is the weather for UK.

Passed a couple of boats moored at the pub just after Burton Water and the BBQ was going full blast and the smell drifted down the canal. Music on, beer cans open and sunshine with the BBQ. You can’t ask for much more.

Bit Blowy

I have stayed at Bardney Lock for today. I was going to move on but the problems presented by by the wind when I turned the boat to head back to the lock gave me pause for thought. Do I want the 30+mph in my face and when it started raining I gave in and stayed put.

The canal at this point is a long straight of about 3 km and with the wind blowing directly along it. By the time the waves get to this end of the straight they are between 12 - 18 inches in height. Consequently there is some movement in the boat.

With luck I won't be seasick this evening.

My delightful assistant of yesterday is now at home and back to school. The place is very empty without her to brighten up the day.

Restoration Project

While I was cat sitting I thought I would pick up some more gear from Grasby. To get it back on board I needed to be able to get the car as close as possible.

From Southrey I headed for Bardney mooring. A wild life morning. I spotted a small deer on the starboard side – that’s the right hand one – but it swiftly disappeared. One bird I have seen a lot of is the Redshank. One very rarely gets close to it but it soon lets you know how disgruntled it is with being disturbed. The view you usually get of it is just the dashing flight as it vanishes away from the boat.

The mooring at Bardney is quiet but a bit remote from the road and the footpath which runs next to the canal has a gate on the end of it that is chained. Along side the footpath there is still evidence of the railway line. Sleepers and rails are still to be found and there is a solitary chimney stack standing which is all that is left of a bothy. A mile further on is the lock and I know there were cars here so that was the next port of call.



Access to the lock is a sharp left hander under the old railway bridge. Immediately in front of you at this point is the old course of the River Withern. Along that route there is a marina and caravan park.

Through the lock and whilst in the lock used the facilities all of which are next to the Lockkeepers cottage.



Moved along the line of moored boats and noticed a restoration project. While I am all in favour of a restoration I feel that this time someone might have bitten off more that anyone can chew. Most of the wood seems to be rotten and the boat is full of water. The best of luck.

I have my favourite assistant onboard this evening to help with the polishing.

Slow boat to Southrey

After a trip to Sellwood Gardens in Horncastle I bumbled along the canal enjoying the sunshine. With the impending cat sitting I have made my way to Southrey for the night.

Spotted a Golden Eye duck on the way and shortly afterwards caught sight of that ghost of birds – the Barn Owl – as it patrolled along the towpath. During the day its colour is quite a brilliant white. I wish it had been going in the other direction which would have given me a longer look at it. I might even have got a photo of it.

No seal today. I wonder how it got into the system. Someone said that they come in through the lock at Boston. They must be a bit fearless to do that as I would assume that there would be a boat in the lock at the same time or at least one going out.

I had meant to go to Boston today as they are starting to use the new lock to allow boats into the drains towards Spalding. I hope it is going to be cheaper than the cost of a week in the Ancholme.

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I've seen the Withern Monster

Moving back towards Lincoln today to do a bit of occasional cat sitting while my son is away. Chilly to start with at the turn around at Tattershall but with an extra layer on not a problem.

Chugging away and checking out the wild life I spotted a grey/blue billed duck with what looked like one of those Cossack hats on its head. What was that? I looked in the book but nowhere is there a duck with a large lump like the seen version.

Reached Woodhall for the night and spotted a very large rat swimming across the canal in front of me. It dipped under the water and disappeared. Shortly afterward I saw the Loch Ness monster. There it was humps and all. Then it too disappeared but I did manage to get a picture of it.

Alongside and housework is never completed so did a bit of brushwork and then stood at the sink washing up. Out of the window the monster appeared again and this time was looking straight at me only six foot away. Monster? No. it was a seal catching fish under near the bridge at Woodhall Spa.

It was quite successful in the hunt for fish for it caught at least one while I was watching it.

It wasn’t in the least scared of the boat. Perhaps it has learnt to beg for food in the same manner that the swans will peck on the windows to attract your attention.

Thank goodness for the locks at Bardney and Stamp End otherwise we would be having elephant seals basking on the Brayford instead of swans. Nice thought though.