Day 4 Radcliffe on Trent to Kelham

What could be better, two boiled eggs for breakfast from Kate's free range chickens. Plus sandwiches and biscuits for my pack up. Just the job, I can recomend these digs :o) It was such a lovely morning that Kate and David walked with me for a while, bringing Deano along. I'm glad they did because it was usefull to have a little local knowledge to make it more interesting. Radcliffe is in a similar disposition to where I live, it's high up with good views over the Trent.

David asked if I wanted to go down through the woods to the bottom to have a look at the weir, yes please says I. That's the way I am heading, downstream towards home.

Opportunity for a photo, even the dog is smiling. He is a happy little fella.

Here is the barrage to stop boats going over the top, they are channelled through the lock over on the other side.

I love the sound of rushing water.

Time to say goodby to my friends, and carry on. This is the Church of St Peter and St Paul at Shelford.

And this is the Old School House, now turned into a private dwelling. Notice the solar panels on the roof.

Out of Shelford I am following the Trent Valley Way, down a lane and across some fields. I crossed over the A6097 and took a left turn towards Gunthorpe. This is where I need to cross the river to be on the right side for my next stopover.

This is an attractive bridge.

Not far over the bridge we have another lock and a weir. It all looks neat and tidy.

The boats come out here at the other side.......

and avoid this weir.

All I've got to do now is follow the river bank for a few miles. I still check the map though because I like to know exactly where I am, and also I can make a few adjustments to the route if I am walking too slow or too fast. On this trip I want to time it to reach my destination between 5 and 6 o clock.

I came across these two memorials in a field. I'm sure there is a story behind these, but I can't find it at the moment. Overhead I saw a lot of light aircraft, just over the trees of Flintham Wood is Syerston Airfield.

Here is a relic of the past, an old winch used to haul the Hazelford Ferry back and forth across the river. According to the map there is a public house here. Nope, it is no more, The Star and Garter Hotel, which used to be called Hazelford Ferry Inn, is now a care home. Bother, I actually fancied a pint as well.

There is a bench to sit on and an information board.

Well well, here we have another weir, this time it's got two sides of rushing water.

There aren't many pleasure boats this far up. It's interesting how the use of the river changes. I have passed lots of boats further upstream, but now it's all quiet, except for the odd one.

Just past Fiskerton the river has a very long loop, I decided not to follow it but to go straight across. Oh bother, I've got to walk across the middle of this ploughed field. Not very pleasant but that's what walking is all about, just getting on with it.

Now this is a posh modern Power Station coming into view, it's at Staythorpe. With all the twisting and turning of the river you get to see landmarks from all angles. Now it's in front of me......

then I am walking close to it on my left.

Pointing my camera through the mesh fence.

This is some kind of modern sculpture on a plinth. Couldn't tell what it's made from, iron maybe.

At the end of the Power Station the arrow says turn left.

Not far now, underneath this rickety old railway bridge....

through Averham, and into Kelham. I reached my bed for the night, a lovely cottage called The Old Post Office. The beautiful aroma of home baked bread greeted me as I went inside. Wendy and David Hearn were lovely hosts. Their B & B is absolutely spotless, my room was furnished cottage style, with great attention to detail. I highly recomend this as a place to stay. I had picked up some food at a village shop so it was a night in for me.