Did you notice how nonchalantly I slipped in we’d be travelling all the way to Goole in the previous post? And that originally I’d mentioned visiting Sheffield in the same sentence as Lincoln – before Goole?
No?
Unsurprisingly Barry did!
Geography has never been a strength of mine. Especially of the Inland Waterways. Being off the boat almost as much as on over the past almost five years, planning and navigating our cruising route has become very much a ‘blue job’.
Admittedly, the concept of returning to the tidal Trent is something I’ve consciously not delved into too deeply – until the past few days. A couple of comments on Facebook and here nudged me to consider it further. An unsettled night’s sleep on Sunday re-lived the experience of finally entering Keadby Lock after our initial attempt involved a crash into the nearby wall.
I recalled the feeling of fear that we could’ve missed the lock altogether and headed “out to sea” as I imagined. And it suddenly struck me! If we did indeed go to Goole, we’d be continuing from Keadby to the end of the Trent to turn a sharp left to get there. It’s actually the end of The Humber Estuary – where the Rivers Ouse and the Humber merge. Not to be taken lightly.
It won’t surprise you to learn Barry’s investigating further to discover whether my fears are founded or blown up out of all proportion. He’s a cool kiwi and experienced boater, taking most things in his stride. I’m a nervous Brit who’s been conditioned to be afraid of my own shadow – though I’ve been doing my best to tame that much of my life … I suspect we’ll need to meet in the middle which is our usual way of balancing the two extremes.
We’ll see what transpires. Any thoughts? If anyone reading has navigated the tidal Trent all the way to Goole, we’d love to hear from you about the experience, either below or by email barryandsandra@nbareandare.com
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I had to laugh we have allocated blue jobs and pink jobs too when we travel in our caravan.
It’s amusing isn’t it, how well traditional ‘roles’ work in confined spaces? Barry abhors grocery shopping and cooking, those are definitely ‘pink’ jobs. I’m hopeless with anything to do with boat maintenance or route planning. Blue jobs.
I got the term from a dear friend in NZ, Rivka. It made me giggle lots and it’s just become the norm now. Works for us 😉
I blogged my trip on 29th July 2016. See Stronghold on Tour 2016. I decried the chance to buy charts at Cromwell Lock and it turned out that all the sunken islands were well marked. Pretty lonely on your own down that stretch I remember and no chance to go down below and make a cup of tea whilst travelling!
Hi Ray. Brilliant! I’m horrified you did it all alone – very brave of you. Most reassuring to know that the sunken islands were all well marked and you weren’t taken out by an oncoming gravel barge 😉
We’ll definitely have a read – thank you so much 🙂
Hate to hear you were sucked out to sea! Have fun – it sounds exciting and I so hope to see you mid-year when I’m in the UK. Jan
Kia ora Jan. Keep your fingers and toes crossed lol! I’m sure nothing so dramatic is likely to occur – the Captain will cruise us safely through I’ve got no doubt. We’re really looking forward to welcoming you and your companions on board in the summer – lovely long light evenings by then 😉
We have not done that trip, Sandra, but it is on the bucket list, so I will be watching with interest. We used to live not far from Goole (Haxey, Humberside) for several years back in the 1980’s. Jennie
Hi Jennie. Good to know others are keen to do the trip too! Watch this space … 😉