Saxilby to Lincoln

Last night’s mooring in Saxilby was probably the worst of the bunch.  We hadn’t realised the rail line was on the other side of the trees but were made aware of this at regular intervals.  This morning the roof was covered in willow leaves and bird droppings which needed to be promptly removed before setting like concrete.  I walked over to the local facilities to discover they are not owned and managed by CRT.  The men’s toilet light didn’t work and with the door shut it was as dark as the ‘black hole of calcutta’.  But then the last time I saw a toilet in a similar state was flying with Iran Air. Being in the dark was probably a blessing. 

I suspect we’ll try and plan our return trip so as to avoid spending a night there.    We disposed of the rubbish and topped up the water tank before leaving Saxilby for Lincoln.  This isn’t a particularly interesting cruise and is mostly long straights with high banks.  However we did note the three fibreglass cruisers that had passed us on our way up from West Stockwith yesterday had found quiet rural moorings with a nearby pub.  Something to remember for our return trip

A number of interesting boats today. The first didn’t have a cratch.

Actually it didn’t have a bow either!

Jan said this one reminded her of me!

Is this an add-on or did the owner attempt to go under a low carport?

Africa Queen Looks like not much has been done to it since Humphrey Bogart was aboard.

A former fishing boat?

The Brayford Belle winded (turned) in front of us and then moored on the CRT services.  We’ll probably top up the water tank here when we leave.

The 48 hour moorings on the Saxilby side of Lincoln were full.  Well not actually full because two more boats could have moored if the gaps had been closed.  We turned in Brayford Pool to find a large number of moored boats.  Not that we wanted to moor.  The plan was to look for a mooring on the eastern side of the ‘Glory Hole’.

A slight twist and narrow channel with traffic lights where the Fossdyke Navigation changes to the River Witham.

And then we got our first good look at the Glory Hole.

The bridge was built around 1160 and is the oldest bridge in England that still has houses built upon it.  The correct name is High Bridge.  Wkipedia states The Glory Hole is the name given by generations of boaters to the High Bridge in Lincoln.^[3] It has a narrow and crooked arch which sets a limit on the size of boats using the Witham and going from Brayford Pool, at the start of Foss Dyke, to Boston and the sea.

We found plenty of vacant moorings just beyond the A15 and had no sooner moored than it started to rain.  Exploring can wait until tomorrow.