A fairly short day’s cruising today as we did not leave Selby until just after 1:00pm, as you have to go through the lock with the tide.  So we spent the morning sorting things out and set out to go through Selby Lock and onto the Ouse, for 1:00pm with another boat called Ophelia.  This stretch of the river is tidal until you get through Naburn Lock, so we were suitably attired in our pink life jackets and the dogs had harnesses on so that there is something to grab if they do fall in.

The tides at the moment are apparently quite low so we had a smooth easy trip to Naburn Lock.  However the lock keeper informed us that there are spring tides, which are much higher starting on Saturday and lasting for a week.  

We were overtaken by a cruiser which went through Selby Lock after us but quickly caught up and went past.  On arrival at Naburn we had to wait a short time as the cruiser was still in the lock. 

Once through we decided to moor up for the evening and then head for York tomorrow.  Had a chat with the family on the cruiser, they told us that they moor up in Selby and that they do this stretch of the river often.  They are continuing on to York this evening, so may see them again tomorrow.

Sorry everyone who reads this that I haven’t updated for several days.  I got rather overtaken by events, well alcohol actually to be strictly truthful. 

At the moment we are sitting on Jeanie Deans, eating Morrisons own brand Magnum look alikes.  They taste very good.  So to try and update the journey so far.  Also added a link to the video of us entering Keadby Lock taken by Bob Ellison:  http://youtu.be/Z0nF-bBT1vk

On Thursday we left Thorne with a new plan to go to Goole.   This will delay arrival in York for a few days as Goole is in the opposite direction to the route we have planned.  However we have been told that it is worth it as Goole is an interesting place.  Had a short trip today mooring up just beyond Bramwich Lock at a spot recommended by a couple called Jan and Jim who had stayed there for a couple of nights.  A brilliant mooring with no-one around and not on the towpath side, which means the dogs can be allowed to sit outside the boat with no worries. 

Set out early(ish) on Friday morning and headed to Goole.  Graham walked the dogs leaving me in charge of the boat, fortunately he stayed on until we turned the junction as we almost immediately met a huge gravel boat coming across the aquaduct.  This is the closest we have been to one as the Trent is wide enough to keep well away.  This thing, the Humber Princess, filled the width of the aquaduct and we had to stay well over to the side.  Other than this we had an uneventful trip to Goole arriving at about 1:00pm. 

Being in Goole is a bit like being at a ferry terminus as it is a large inland port (about 50 miles from the sea).  Had a walk around but couldn’t see much of the dock areas, however there is a boat trip which we took on Saturday.  Amazing how big the dock areas are with huge expanses of water.  We then went for another walk across Ocean Lock, which is huge.  We could come out of this lock onto the Ouse and then head for York, but apparently there is a lot of commercial shipping using this stretch of water so we are sticking to the original plan and will go onto the Ouse at Selby Lock.

On Friday evening we went into the Marina Club, which is run by a retired guy who does it because he enjoys it.  A good evening with cheap beer.  So good in fact that we went back on Saturday and repeated the experience.  The karaoke on Saturday was hilarious with no-one taking it seriously and everyone joining in with everything.  A really friendly bunch of people and everyone made to feel welcome.

We were sad to leave on Sunday but it’s time to continue the journey to York.  We headed down the Aire and Calder to Knottingley were we turned onto the River Aire.  I love the Aire and Calder which is deep and wide with automated locks and swing bridges.  Why have we never been here before and why are we leaving.    

Sadly the locks on the River Aire are not automated, but only two so not so bad.  Moored up overnight at Beal Lock and met up with friends, sharing an excellent meal at the local pub, The Hungry Fox.

We are now at Selby Lock which we are booked into for 1:00pm tomorrow to get out onto the tidal Ouse to begin the last leg of the journey to York.  Had a walk round Selby this afternoon and visited the magnificent Selby Abbey, parts of which date from 1069.  

We left the tranquility of the Chesterfield Canal yesterday (Tuesday) through West Stockwith Lock, much easier leaving than the arrival.  It was a lovely sunny day, but a bit windy on the Trent which caused some waves and a bit of a rough passage.  

This huge railway bridge lifts to allow large boats through. We fitted underneath though.

Arrived safely at Keadby Lock and Graham managed to get into it without incident (other than briefly getting caught on a sand bar).  A lovely couple called Bob and Pam on nb Jam Pudd took a video of us getting into the lock.  I had a slight panic when the lock gates opened as there was a huge swing bridge just outside.  I thought I should have done something, but the lock-keeper does it allJ

Moored up overnight at Keadby opposite a boat called Spider T (picture below), which is a Humber Sloop.  She is a very large barge with rigging and sail.  http://www.spidert.co.uk/index.htm

We had some visitors at the mooring, Tiller Girl and her partner, who Graham knows through a forum he belongs to.  Had a very pleasant evening talking to them and nearly forgot to eat dinner, they told us that Spider T will be part of the Queen’s Jubilee flotilla

We set of from Keadby this morning heading towards the railway line which passes over the canal on a movable bridge.  Apparently the railway bod opens it all up.  This is all new to us but sure enough as we approached the bridge slid open and we passed through. 

We stopped at Thorne to get some shopping, Thorne is a great place with a busy little town centre and a Sainsburys for the shopping.  We decided after some discussion, and a chat with the guy moored behind us, that we would stay here overnight.  Another really hot day and I am watching a group of lads further up the canal diving and swimming, the water is deep here.  We passed through several different swing and lift bridges, mostly all mechanised, but all operated differently.  Slightly confusing at times but all adds interest.

Today was our last full day on the Chesterfield Canal.  We moved from our mooring early(ish) this morning heading for West Stockwith Basin.  Graham walked the dogs this morning and left me in charge of the boat (haha) probably not the wisest move.  All ok though no disasters.  A lesser known rule of canals is that you always meet another boat approaching a bridge where usually only one boat can pass.  We have been on this canal for 12 days now and have seen very few boats, however this morning, when I am left in charge I met a boat in a bridge hole.  Managed to pass without incident or disgracing myself though.  I also saw two canoeists, who remarked that a dog ahead (Jake) had said ‘good morning’ to them.  Anyone that knows Jake will know what he meant (haha).

We moored up this afternoon in almost exactly the same spot that we started from and went to speak to the lock keeper about going through he lock tomorrow and back onto the Trent.  No lock keeper on duty though so will have to have that discussion tomorrow.

A boat called ‘Tell Me Tomorrow’ has now moored in front of us, this is only worthy of note as it is the same boat that we moored behind at Torksey Lock.  Small world when you live on a boat.  Had homemade burgers and chips for dinner with salad and now completely stuffed.

The Chesterfield Canal is lovely, very picturesque and peaceful, with very few boats moving.  A shame really as it is beautiful.  Although there are a lot of locks to reach the end they are relatively easy to work and it is well worth the effort to get to the top.  We have had a great time here and were even introduced to a whole new dining experience by an old friend that we met up with during the trip.  Also saw our first goslings and cygnets of the trip.  Very few ducklings yet though.  Back on the tidal Trent tomorrow, heading for Keadby and ultimately York.

Yesterday (Friday) we left Shireoaks Marina where we stayed for two nights whilst we did some washing and Graham lay the floor in the bathroom.  Boat is looking good with all these jobs being finished off.  We had an uneventful trip buit it was a long day with us covering as many miles as we did over two days on the trip up.  We were both cold when we finished and tempers somewhat frayed.  Lit a fire and soon warmed up which made us both more cheerful.  Getting fed up with no sun now thoughL

Left the mooring nice and early this morning as the forecast was for rain later in the day.  We have decided on a new strategy, we are going to pretend it is February, so the weather does not seem as gloomy.

Jake has been the star of the show today.  I took the dogs for a good walk before we set off and they both went into the water.  Once we set out I decided to walk to the first lock, which was only a short distance.  Jake could see me walking and began to whine and bark.  He then decided to walk along the side of the boat, which is quite narrow.  Unfortunately he couldn’t then get on the front because of the cratch cover.  He couldn’t turn round and go back so after some persuasion he jumped in and came to the bank.  We got him back onto the boat at the lock and 10 minutes later he jumped off the back and had to be pulled onto the back deck soaking poor Graham.  After this he was sent inside in disgrace for the rest of the morning.

We got the shopping done in Retford and had a bag of chips fromn the chippy.  Can’t remember the last time I had chip shop chips, but they tasted so goodJ  Moored up in good time to have a drink before dinner.  Fire is now lit and dinner eatenJ

and men say we women are gossips!!

We started the trip back down the canal today.  I drove the boat and Graham worked the locks until the last three, when I took over so I had had some exercise.  Had ice-cream at Turnerwood triple lock, which was delicious, we both had honey and ginger flavour which was yummyJ

Saw two Canada Geese with seven goslings, which were very cute.  Only problem is all seven of them came into the lock with us.  They then tried to swim along the side of the boat to the back, so we had to push the boat over until they had all squeezed past the very small gap between the boat and the lock side.  They stayed at the back until we left the lock and then Graham herded the parents to the other side of the lock so the chicks would leave.  All seven left the lock eventually and Graham shut the gates before they could go back in.

Moored up at Shireoaks Marina again and taking the opportunity to do more washing as we are hooked up to the electric.  The dogs are both fast asleep having been for a run round the country park which has been created on the site of a closed colliery.  May stay at Shireoaks for tomorrow as well and then continue on Friday.

the end of the Chesterfield Canal with the collapsed tunnel

After much examining of the map and discussion we decided a plan to get to the summit.  This is a bit of a mammoth task as there are 35 locks between here and the top.  Decided to go as far as Shireoaks to fill up with water and empty the toilet as these are the last facilities on the canal. 

So on Saturday morning we set off.  There are loads of fishermen out this morning taking advantage of the warm, sunny day and plenty of people walking the towpath who all say hello or wave.  At Worksop town Lock two guys came out of the pub and commented on the number of boats they saw where the men steered the boat and the women did all the hard work opening locks.  Poor Graham takes this in good part, especially as he would like to work locks but I am not keen on being in control of this boat in case I scratch itJ

At Deep Lock, which is near a pub loads of people came out to watch us go through and a guy with a camera took loads of photo’s.  He gave me his card with details of his website and then stayed with us all the way up to Shireoaks.  He was a lovely guy and we enjoyed his company and appreciated his help through the locks.  He took loads of really good pictures.

We turned into Shireoaks Marina which has visitor moorings, so we decided to stay there the next day to psyche ourselves up for the 24 locks to the summit.  A lovely evening so we sat out on the front deck with a gin and tonic.  Fairly lazy day on Sunday catching up on jobs and Graham lay the vinyl in the kitchen, which looks good.

Monday morning filled up with water emptied the toilet and set off.  24 locks to the summit but this includes four sets of staircase locks, two doubles and two trebles.  The instructions for these sound a bit complicated but were easy enough to do.  Made it to the top in good time and went along to the end to view the collapsed tunnel.  After such a pretty journey this is a bit of an anticlimax but we moored up and took the dogs for a long walk as they had been on the boat all day.

We had a much deserved lie in on Tuesday.  It is always good to catch up with friends old and new.  A shame that Simon is busy at work and not able to get up to visit us, but good to have lunch with another friend.  Later on moved the boat to the top of the locks ready to start the descent tomorrow.  It is a bit colder today so had to light a fire, but Graham found loads of pieces of wood so free heat this eveningJ

We are now three days into our cruise along the Chesterfield Canal.  It is hard to describe the difference between canals and rivers, but the pace of life on the canals is so much slower and more relaxing than rivers where things happen much faster and you need to be on the ball the whole time.  Just to put it into perspective on the river we were doing 10 miles an hour at times (hahaha)!! 

On Wednesday I took the dogs for a walk while Graham sorted out some jobs on the boat.  Then we set of for the first lock, which was full and the top gates open.  Wasn’t sure what was going on as the lock was empty when I walked the dogs.  No one in sight however so shut the top gates and emptied the lock so Graham could go in.  At this point a BW guy appeared and apologised for setting the locks, much in advance, for a BW boat that was coming down.  He helped us through the lock and also the next one.  Always a bonus to have help at locksJ

Going through Drakeholes Tunnel we saw what I at first thought were bats that we had disturbed.  It turned out to be swallows that had nested in the tunnel.  We stopped for water at the water point near Retford and Worksop Boat Club and had to wriggle into a space, with help from other moorers as there was not a full boat length’s space between moored boats.  We moored up for the night between Clayworth and Hayton, in the middle of nowhere.  Good place for the dogs as not too many people about.

Thursday morning was bright and warm, actually took my fleece offJ  As the next lock was 2-3 miles away I walked the dogs and waited at the lock for Graham and the boat.  The lock was called Whitsunday Pie Lock, which I think is a fab name for a lock.  Must do some research and find out what a Whitsunday Pie is, might be nice to eat.  We stopped at Retford Town Lock to do some shopping, Aldi and Asda both next to the canal so plenty of choice.  There was also a nice craft shop that I went to look around.  Left my purse on the boat though as not allowed to buy any more yarn due to space issues!!

The entertainment while eating lunch at Retford Town Lock was a couple (male and female) having a fight.  He was sitting on a bench drinking a clear liquid from a bottle and she ran down the towpath shouting and headbutted him.  He eventually retaliated and at one point I thought she was going into the canal.  Eventually she also had a drink from the bottle and then discreetly stepped behind the bench and had a pee (in full view of everyone).  They did then both leave, which was a bit of a relief as we had to walk past them to get through the next lock.  You meet all sorts on the waterways, but this is a first and hopefully a one off.   As we moored up there was a short shower which resulted in a rainbow.

Today (Friday) was dry but very windy and cold, needed four layers todayL  A fairly short day and the locks are all now singles, which makes life a lot easier.  At the second lock of the day there was a boat already in the lock as we approached, who were pumping out their toilet (into the elsan disposal not the canal).  A novel place to do a pump out but hey ho!! Live and let live.  At the next lock I was surprised to see two shorter boats in the lock and then realised that one was being towed.  He told me that he had lost his propeller.  I thought it was damaged, but apparently it had fallen off when he got something stuck round it.  Moored up in the middle of nowhere again and Graham took the dogs for a long walk while I made a cake.  A lovely evening now the wind has dropped and we did not need to light a fire.

The view from our kitchen window

and the back deck

We are heading towards Worksop tomorrow.  Lots of locks!!

The dogs are having a fab time!!

Normal service is resumed and we are now back on the canal system.  We left Saxilby on Sunday morning and had a slow trip back to Torskey Lock.  We had planned to have a meal in the White Swan, as Graham has heard good things about the pies.  But sadly they only serve at lunchtime on Sunday so we missed it.  Went and spoke to the lock keeper and were advised that we should be at the lock by 10:00 on Monday morning as this would catch the tide right for getting to West Stockwith Lock and onto the Chesterfield Canal. 

On Monday morning as we were getting ready to leave we had a text from Sarah, asking if we were moving as if not she would come and see us with the girls.  Quick change of plan and we remained at Torksey Lock for the day.  This worked out well because not only was it nice to see Sarah and the two girls but Graham got to have his pie at the White Swan.  If any of you find yourselves at Torskey Lock I would highly recommend the White Swan as we both had a lovely meal.  Don’t be put off if the pub looks a little run down as the food is excellent.

Left Torksey at 10:30 this morning and back onto the tidal Trent.  We saw another narrow boat going in the other direction, I am guessing that they had not seen many other boats as they gave us a very enthusiastic wave.  Also saw another gravel boat, these things are seriously big and you need to keep well out of the way. The Trent was flowing fast and we made good time to West Stockwith.  Bit of a problem as we could not raise the lock keeper on the radio or the phone.  However when we arrived and turned the boat ready to enter the lock, she appeared and opened the gates.  Graham made a good attempt at getting in, as this is a tricky manoeuvre, especially when the river is flowing fast.  The lock keeper scored him an 8/10, not bad for a first attempt.  We exited the lock into West Stockwith Basin, which looks impressive and turned under the road bridge onto the Chesterfield Canal.  This is supposed to be a really pretty canal, and we are looking forward to a few days at a slower more leisurely pace than it is on the river.  Moored up just a few yards from the basin had some lunch and took the dogs for a walk.  When we got back we got all jobs done and then sat out on the front deck in the sun.  A good dayJ

Its

Leaving Lincoln behind us

We left Lincoln this morning coming through the Glory Hole at a somewhat more decorous pace than we arrived last week.  This gave Graham the opportunity to see the view from the waterJ  Had to send Jake inside though as a big gang of swans were on the river to greet us and we didn’t want any incidents with dogs falling in the river in the city centre (too many people watching).  Truly is much too snooty to take notice of swans and was allowed to stay on deck.

Along the way there are a wide variety of boats moored, most of which I missed when we came this way before.  Saw some really strange and diverse looking boats, which it would be difficult to describe, one had a cannon on deck, but I didn’t get a good enough picture to show it.  I love this aspect of being on the canals, all the different people you meet, some are real characters, and the amazing variety of boats.  Makes life much more interesting.

Passed a pub called the Pyewipe Inn.  This seemed like a strange name, so looked it up on the internet.  It seems that a pyewipe is a local name for a lapwing.  We learn something new every day!

We have moored in Saxilby and will stay here overnight.  Graham took the dogs for a walk as they have been a bit restricted in Lincoln, and later on we went for a look round the village and had a couple of beers in the pub opposite the mooring.  Nice pub with good beer, but they had Christmas decorations up.  Not sure if they were still up or earlyJ  We will be heading for Torksey tomorrow and then back onto the Trent to continue the journey.

A few of the boats we saw today