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.