After days of frusration with poor mobile signals we are not much better in Newark however, the rain makes me a little more forgiving with a poor 3G signal down in the chasm below the mooring wall. Getting the dog off the boat requires lifting off the roof. Thank goodness its a small dog. So from where I left off at Sprotbrough with a mobile phone report.
Wednesday 8 June
A quiet day waiting for our friends to pass. Did however spot the Humber Princess in the lock which was impressive. Apparently this a twice a week trip to Rotherham.
Thursday 9th June
Sprotbrough to Thorne
Our aim was to stop at Sprotbrough Lock and get water, which we did, but the roof of the boat is below the lockside making access difficult and the water pressure was too low to get a quick fill. After 15 minutes we gave up. 10 minutes after leaving the lock I spotted an odd looking dummy lying legs up the bank and head half in the water. The face was white and waxy looking with pink lips. Just to be sure, I stopped and backed up. It was half hidden by a large bush. Getting closer it looked very realistic and then we saw that it was breathing, agonal jerking breaths - a woman dressed in jeans and nylon jacket. We tried to get the boat as near as possible whilst calling 999, but it was difficult due to brushwood debris and the bush. Emergency services wanted to know where we were of course, the most difficult question of all. Fortunately we were near some sort of a rowing club and I turned the GPS on to give coordinates. Then, in the interval what could we do. We managed to get the bows within a foot of the head which appeared to be resting on the mesh of a metal fencing frame and the brushwood in the water. Water was lapping her forehead and she was of course unconcious, no doubt very hypothermic. To have attempted to get in the water would have run the risk of sinking the raft and drowning her, and getting off to the bank well nigh impossible. Furthermore, her lower legs were bent down and appeared trapped between the very steep bank and the bar of the fencing frame. It would have been impossible to drag her onto the boat. About 10 minutes after our call, the police ambulance and two fire appliances arrived. Using one of our spare mooring ropes, and with great difficulty, she was hauled up the 10 feet onto the bank and into the waiting ambulance. It made me realise that it would have been extremely difficult to deal with alone just the two of us, and how fortunate we were near some sort of road access. Also, had I not spotted her she would not have lasted much longer. The large tanker, Humber Princess must have passed earlier that morning and the wash would have gone right over her head if she had been there then.
After this incident, the day seemed to pass quickly. Stopping at Thorne, Stanilands Marina, for diesel, we were asked if we would like a mooring with electricity for the night. We accepted. It was free of charge except for £1 for the juice. Then we discovered the marina laundry. Pat was happy. Thorne is not a bad little town. A high street about 10 minutes walk away with small supermarkets, a Co-op and Somerfield, but lots of small shops which are much more interesting. Contact with the police later in the day elicited litle as one would expect, save that the woman was still alive, but sedated. (police speak for on a ventilator in ITU perhaps).
Friday 10 June
Thorne to Keadby
We wound up our 240v line and set off. The first swing bridge, the pedestrian one in Thorne was tempremental but Pat eventually got it to work. Apparently, when you insert the key and lift the lid of the control pedestal there is supposed to be a click of relays energising the gate locks to release. It took several goes once a passer by had explained. Then at Moors Bridge Pat found a BW key already in the control box which she couldn't get out and the fault light showing. Nothing to do except call BW. That took 90 minutes. All the others worked OK, but we did have to wait ages for the Vazon sliding railway bridge to be worked for us. It's a very busy railway line. I recall waiting for about 6 trains to pass. No other boats waiting at Keadby, so plenty of mooring and the fish shop is still open and quite busy with the deep fried black pudding still on the menu.
Saturday 11 June
Keadby to Cromwell Lock
Our original plan was to go to Torksey, but when enquiring of the Keadby lock keeper when best to go on the Cromwell he said that it would be appropriate to go all the way today given the neap tide. Originally we had been told 12:50 to go out, but this was revised once two other boats had turned up. He would let us into the lock at 12:00 and let us go as soon as there was enough water. We went out at 12:30. There was not much of a tide running at this stage and we only made about 6 mph on Ribble style revs. This built up to a massive 8.2 later on and I guess the tide turned about 45 minutes before we got to Cromwell . 7 hours in total. The overnight moorings at Cromwell are a bit disappointing for a doggie boat. The quayside was level with the roof. Alfie managed it on his own after a few tries, but it has to be said that the grass and barbecue facilities are impressive. Who uses them in this weather?
Sunday 12 June
Cromwell to Newark
A beautiful sunny morning, but it didn't last. The front heralding a day of rain was already visible in the distance As we hadn't visited Newark before, it seemed sensible to make a short day and stop here for the night. Its certainly a stop with lots of interest. The castle, a pretty centre with a market square and lots of restaurants. Pity about the weather.
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