Wednesday 14th July 2017

Well we made it! Down the tidal Trent and into Keadby lock which is apparently one of the most difficult locks to enter on the whole system. Taking the advice of the lock keeper we were up at 6.30 and off by 7am from Torksey heading to Gainsborough. We reached there at 9.15 am and moored on the floating pontoon to wait for the next tide. After breakfast and a walk to the shops we chatted to the other two boats who were waiting with us. One had left with us, but the other had left two hours later but had had to fight the tide all the way. This latter boat had done the trip before unlike we two novices and spoke confidently about nudging slowly into the lock mouth. 

Off we went! The experienced boat disappearing into the distance very quickly whilst we novices sailed on a few hundred yards apart. The river continued to bend and twist so here are just a few photos of our journey.

Eventually after nearly 5 hours of total sailing the M180 appeared and here we are after just passing under it. 

The river is much wider and as we approached the lock commercial vessels could be seen.

To enter the 21ft lock entrance from the mighty Trent is no mean feat. Graham had to cruise past the entrance and then swing through 180 degrees and creep up to the opening avoiding the silt bars on each side. This photo shows us starting the turn as the boat ahead enters.

After successfully locking up onto the Stainforth and Keadby canal we could relax but took a walk back to the lock to take a picture showing the silt build up which we needed to avoid. ( you also need to get there between set tide times or there is not enough water to get over the cill.)

We covered about 25 miles today and the weather was perfect😀👍