Hello and welcome back to my blog 😊.

This morning I was out early and enjoyed a delightful 7.5-mile walk from Farndon to Newark along the river Trent and the Trent Navigation. I parked at the Riverside pub in Farndon and set off walking at 07:30. The pub lies adjacent to the River Trent and I was soon walking beside the river – all was still and quiet.

It wasn’t long before I was crossing a white pedestrian bridge over the entrance for Farndon Marina where there were boats galore to admire!

As I walked along the bank of the river I had super views of Staythorpe Power Station on the opposite bank. The buildings were reflecting in the calm waters.

The power station is owned by the German energy company RWE Generation UK. It is the second largest gas fired power station in the UK and the third largest in Europe.

Soon after this I passed by Aversham Weir. You couldn’t help but notice it – the sound of the tumbling water was booming and an indication of just how powerful moving water can be. It was just after this that I left the river Trent and joined the Trent Navigation.

The Trent Navigation was completed in 1772. It created a navigable channel right through Newark. Goods such as corn, wool and coal could now be landed right in the town and the economy prospered.

The Navigation is rich with swan life.

I passed under the A46 road bridge and in the distance I could see a church spire – Newark was close.

My path took me past the bottom of peoples gardens and I saw my first old warehouse of the day- it is being restored, presumably, into apartments.

I passed a wonderfully quaint boat called ‘Ruffian’ moored up at the bottom of one of those gardens – I really liked it.

Further on I reached the outskirts of Newark, passing Newark Marina. Nearby is Newark Rowing Club – founded in 1873 according to a proud sign on one of its buildings.

As I walked further I saw an old cobbled footbridge and thought that looks great!

As I neared the centre of Newark I passed more converted warehouses to admire. I just love to see the heritage buildings still enjoying a useful life.

A light shower remined me that the weather forecast for the morning had mentioned rain. I passed a Canal and Rivers Trust site and their dry dock – the largest inland dry docks in the UK.

A couple of police dinghies past by, heading for the lock.

Soon I was walking by Newark Town Lock – I could see the ruins of Newark Castle behind.

The castle was built in the mid-12th century. During the English Civil War the castle was besieged three times but remained loyal to the Royalist cause.

I continued along the path passing under Trent bridge and then further along I crossed on to the opposite bank via a modern pedestrian bridge.

I had reached the turnaround point on my walk so I headed back retracing my path but taking a short cut back to the start point.

I had thoroughly enjoyed my walk, seeing new sights and the rain kept away.

Happy Walking! 😊🚶