Retford to Shireoaks
The final day.
Set off at 8.15 to get to Worksop for lunch. Only managing 2.5mph still, but the plan allows for this. Found the 1hr error in the plan where it says it takes 6 hours for Retford to Worksop and we usually do it in less than 4.5.
We took the full 5 hours to get to Worksop. Went to the Mallard for lunch but they didn't have any rolls so we bought sandwiches on the way back to the boat.
Final two hours up to Shireoaks in the
hottest day for a week.
Gringley to Retford
Had a bit of a lie in as we only needed to get to Retford. Stopped by the furure Aldi store in Retford, to go for lunch in the Rum Runner before they stopped doing food at 2pm.
After that we moved on to my usual mooring in west Retford. Then we went to catch a train to Lincoln. Just missed the 1623 so we went to the Market Hotel to kill the hour wait for the next one.
Arrived in Lincoln just after 6. Went to the Jolly Brewer first, hoping to eat there. As they weren't doing food we then went to Wetherspoons. Then up Steep Hill past the cathedral and round the castle to the Strugglers Inn, and finally the Victoria, one of the two Tynemill pubs in Lincoln.
Caught the last train back and finished the evening in the Rum Runner.
Keadby to Gringley on the Hill
I got up at 7 to see the lock keeper when she came to talk to the other boats. They were going further upstream than us, and therefore leaving earlier. She said we would go at 10.20.
Although the new lock keepers building is no longer covered in scaffolding, it isn't finished, and the hydraulics were being operated manually.
A perfect day for a trip up the river, we had no spray on the deck this time. Arrived at West Stockwith at 11.20 which is when we had been told high water was. Locked in to rhe basin and filled up with fuel. Only managed to get £13 worth in, so I obviously didn't need to have filled up at Stanley Ferry.
Moored on the unused water point just outside the basin as suggested by the lock keeper. Went for lunch at the Waterfront Inn. As we weren't certain what food we might get In Gringley, we had a large lunch.
in the afternoon we carried on up the
Chesterfield Canal and moored above Gringley lock. Walked up the hill into the Gringley on the Hill to the Blue Bell. Here they had 4 cask ales and were doing food till 9pm. Unfortunately they only had large meals on the evening menu so we were forced to have one. Their chips were excellent home made ones.
Pollington to Keadby
Woken up today at 7am by a fully laden barge going upstream from Goole. Got ready to set off in case another leisure boat appeared going down. We knew from a boater in the Bay Horse that there was one moored at Great Heck.
A narrowboat appeared and was given a green light by the lock keeper. We quickly got going ready to follow them in, but had the gates shut in our face. This was because another barge was coming upstream. After this had come through, the lock keeper let us through and then put the lock back to self operation.
Turned off the Aire and Calder onto the New Juction canal. We were surprised to find that Sykhouse lock was manned, and he set the lock for us. He told that a tanker from Doncaster was due, bound for Goole. Sure enough we crossed the tanker before the next lift bridge.
At Top Lane lift bridge the narrow boat that had been one mile ahead of us since the incident first thing, waited for us. We were then able to operate the next swing bridge for them.
Turned east onto the Stainforth and Keadby canal at Bramwith Junction.
Moored outside the canalside pub at Stainforth. Although they were doing food they do not have real ale, so we carried on to Thorne.
In Thorne we went to the Punch Bowl Inn where we had a dodgy pint of Old Mill Bitter and a starter off the specials board.
On the way back we popped into the Canal Tavern. Although this is no longer in the GBG, we had a very good pint of Adnams Broadside.
The new swing footbridge there is already playing up. On the advice of locals we had to reopen it slightly, then close it again, before the gates could be opened.
The next lift bridge was having its rams replaced, but this was more of a problem to road users, as they had the road blocked off for the day. We were only held up while they moved their workboat out of the way.
When we arrived at Vazon rail bridge I was surprised that the signalman came down to meet us. This was because he had bad new. Due to the heat sometimes the bridge doesn't close and they have to have an engineer there in case it doesn't.
Initially we were told that it would be an hour but it was over two hours, during which time two other boats had arrived. We eventualy got through at 8.30, just in time to get to the Auld Yorkshire before they stopped serving food at 9pm. However when we got there it was closed.
We the tried the the Barge. They had stopped doing food at 7.30 but they did show us menus from two takeaways in Scunthorpe that would deliver there. We chose the Chinese and had a pint of Pedigree while we waited.
We took the takeaway back to the boat. It wasn't very good but we shared a large bottle of white Chimay afterwards, and that was.
Leeds to Pollington
The canal basin is right next to the station, so I was woken up by a train at 5.30.
Arranged to share the big locks with a pair of boats who were going to Castleford. So we locked out onto the river and went down the the next lock to wait for them. To kill some time we had a pootle round Clarence Dock. One of the boats in the dock, Lion, was also going downtstream, so we locked down with them instead. At the next lock, another boat, a hire boat from Thorne, caught up, so we had three boats sharing down to Lemonroyd.
The owners of Lion said that they recognised Jacob. They live by the canal at Whitchurch, so they probably saw us last year. They had even done some fundraising for the Hope House hospice.
Stopped for lunch at Allerton Bywater. I could see from the river that the Victoria was closed, but more importantly the Boat was shut as well, and a third pub too. So we had lunch on board. The Boat used to be in the GBG and brew its own beer.
Pressed on through Castleford and glad to be off the boring section. We were overtaken by one barge near to Ferrybridge.
Stopped above Pollington lock. There are two pubs here both were supposed to have real ale and food. The first one depite the new sign by the canal was not doing food and we phoned the other and they don't dp food at all anymore. Then I phoned the Bay Horse in Great Heck two miles away ant they were and they gave me the number for a taxi in Rawcliffe. So we summoned a taxi. Had a good 2 course meal there, washed down with some Old Mill bitter.
Walked back to Pollington. Checked out the other pub in Great Heck on the way, but that wasn't open at all.
Wakefield to Leeds
Left Wakefield at about 9 and through Fall Ings lock onto the Aire and Calder. This should be our last manual lock for a while, also there will be no more short locks.
Arrived at Castleford to find the lights on the flood lock on red, and a sand barge was coming through to go to Whitwood. After it, and a couple of narrow boats had come through, we were allowed through and moored with two other boats west of the coal chute.
Went to the Griffin for lunch, but it was shut, so we went on to Wetherspoons.
After lunch we turned round and headed up the River Aire for Leeds. This is very boring stretch.
In Leeds there wasn't really room in Clarence Dock so we carried on to the canal basin.
Went to the Scarborough Hotel and had a meal there. Then to Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar which is down an alley off Briggate, and Tom Tom doesn't know where it is. This pub is in the national inventoryand is one of the oldest in Leeds. Here we saw the Landlord of the New Beehive and his daughter, who stayed and chatted with us for quite a while.
Then to the Baroque, which is a conversion from a bank or something, and appeared to be an Okells house.
Then on to the Victoria Family and Commercial. They had called time when we left, just after 11, so we went just up the road to the George. Peering through the windows there weren't any interesting beers so carried on back towards the boat to try and find the Wetherspoons. As we couldn't find it we carried on and found that the Scarborough Hotel was still open.
Huddersfield to Wakefield
Decided to do a long day to get to Wakefield for the evening. After a visit to Sainsburys we set off down the Huddersfield Broad Canal for Cooper Bridge. Here we turned right to go down the Calder and Hebble.
Stopped for lunch at the Navigation in Mirfield but their restaurant was not open. So after a pint we went back to the boat for a cheese sandwich.
At Dewsbury we did not do the town branch to save time.
Moored In Wakefield near the reidential moorings near Fall Ings lock again. We went first to Fernades Brewery Tap to see what that was like. It reminded me of the Leggers at Dewsbury. Then to Wetherspoons for a meal, and then to Harrys Bar. This was rather disappointing so we went back to Fernandes, where we had an excellent stout of theirs.
Slaithwaite to Huddersfield
Got up at 8 ready for an 8.30 start, but we were beaten to it by the boat moored behind us. As there were only two of them we were on their tail all the way. Then they got something round their prop and noticed a problem with their engine, so we overtook them at lock 12.
Had the same trouble as on the way up in the pound between locks 7 and 8, we got stuck just outside the lock and had to let some water down.
In Huddersfield we went to the Albert Hotel for a late lunch, then on to The Head of Steam to see Ian off. Sure enough the beer in there is not as good as in the Station Tavern, but it is more inviting.
Retired to the boat for a while then out again for some more to eat in Wetherspoons. Finally we went to The Rat and Ratchet.
Marsden to Slaithwaite
My birthday.
Got ready for an 8am start but there was no sign of activity then. At 8.45 the two boats that had come through the tunnel yesterday came down from the tunnel end for a 9am start down the locks. We went first and made good progress, 2 hours to the bottom of the first 11 locks. Here we had coffee and moored temporarily to wait for the other two boats to pass so that we could ground ourselves near the next lock. After one boat had passed, and the other moored to the railings where we were, we moved down and moored near the end of the footpath down from the Olive Branch. We actually managed to get a pin in-between two stones for the front and attach a rope to an overflow at the rear.
Adrian and Elliot arived at 12.15 whilst I was cooking Eggs Benedict (alsmost). After lunch we carried on down to Slaithwaite, which only took another 2 hours.
After a cup of tea, Adrian and Elliot got a taxi back to their car, which they had left at the Olive Branch.
We started our evening with a pint in the Wharfside, then took a taxi to the Olive Branch. Here we had an excellent 3 course meal accompanied by their house beer, Holme Valley Bitter from the Upper Agbrigg brewery near Holmfirth.
Then we got a taxi to the Sair Inn, Linthwaite to sample some of their beers. We started with Dark Mild which was only £1.40 a pint! While we were there there was a local power cut and candles were brought out, no draught lagers were then served. We walked back to the boat from there.
Marsden to Standedge Tunnel End and back.
Got up early to go and see if there was room for us to go through the tunnel as passengers. As one of the boats had two dogs, they had to take them another way, so there was room for us. We started through at about 9.20 and it took 3 hours. Was quite glad that we hadn't been able to take Jacob through last year due to the worry about damage.
Uncle Eric and Pat met us at Diggle and we went to the Diggle Hotel for lunch, I had wild Boar steak. Then they took us back to Marsden. In order to turn Jacob round we went up to the visitor centre to wind and then backed into the tunnel end wharf to empty the toilet. While I was doing that Ben got out the width guage and agreed that Jacob was officially too wide.
Moored back at Marsden.
Went to eat aagin at the Tunnel End Inn, then back to the boat to await Dais arrival by train.
Went back to the Tunnel End Inn while it was still light then into town to go to the Riverhead Brewery Tap.
Had a look in Oliver Street at the building used for Aunty Wainwrights shop in Last of the Summer Wine. It obviously used to be a shop, but being in the back streets it hasn't survived as such.
Slaithwaite to Marsden
Up at 8 ready for 8.30, but the boat in front beat us to it and went first. The first section through Slaithwaite has some single file sections, due to it having been filled in after closure.
Passed the Empire brewery next to the lock in Slaithwaite with the guillotine bottom gate. We've yet to see any of their beers for sale.
Made good progress but were surprised to find that all the locks were empty. This turned out to be due to most of the bottom lock gates leaking.
Arrived at the appointed place, which is the last winding hole before Marsden and there is also a reservoir here . There was only one other boat here when we arrived.
Walked to the Olive Branch on the main road, which is now more of a restaurant than a pub, although they had one beer on a handpump it didn't seem to on. We had a starter for lunch as we only had 45 minutes. The portion was large and we were given bread with it so we were satisfied, and the quality was very good.
Headed back to the boat in time for our escorted passage up the last 11 locks. The second lock is very narrow and Ben, who was our escort, paid careful attention. He suggested that having got through that we must be able to fit through the tunnel.
This last section of canal is very pretty and we got through without any serious problems. We moored at the top, half under the minor road bridge by Marsden station. We were told that we could move up to the tunnel mouth moorings at 4pm, which is when the visitor centre closes.
Andrew arrived by car shortly after.
Later we walked up the canal to get to The Tunnel End Inn. When we heard a train go over the canal near the tunnel we decided that we would not want to spend the night there.
We heard from another boater who had already spent a night there, that although the Tunnel End Inn didn't advertise food on a Thurday evening, if you asked and she realised that you were a boater, they would do something for you. Sure enough when we did we were offered most things off the menu. To make her life easier we all opted for the Steak and Ale Pie.
Then we went to have a look round the town. We found the Riverhead Brewery Tap, which had a large selection of its own beers. Later on in the evening what sounded like the local Morris band was rehearsing upstairs.
Huddersfield to Slaithwaite
Proceeded up the Huddersfield Narrow canal through the section that had been filled in and is now made navigabl by moving two locks and having two tunnels under factories.
Ran aground below lock 8 and had to let water down from the pound above.
Tried to stop for lunch at Golcar. First we tried below lock 13, but it was too rocky, then above lock 14, but it was impossible to get mooring pins in the towpath.. We settled for running aground above lock 14 and having lunch on board as we were not expecting any boats to pass.
Carried on and moored on the 48hr moorings above lock 21 in Slaithwaite. This lock is another one that has been moved to al passage under a new brige.
Not having any information about the pubs here, we found that the nearest pub, the Wharfside Inn, was a Skipton brewery pub, had 4 of their beers on and was doing food so that kept us amused for the evening.
Dewsbury to Huddersfield
Late start due to a late night. We started by filling up with diesel, which is only 50p/l and will almost certainly be more expensive further on.
Stopped for an early lunch at Mirfield in the Navigation Tavern. This is in the Good Beer Guide and their restaurant did us a very good sandwich, at a price.
After that we carried on up to Cooper Bridge where we turned on to the Huddersfield Broad canal, and into Huddersfield. Moored opposite Sainsburys. Went into town to the Albert Hotel. They had stopped doing food as they had a function on, so after a pint there we went to Wetherspoons to eat. After that we went to the Station Tavern and then to the Rat and Ratchet. This in an Ossett bresery pub with 6 of their beers.
On the way back we manged to get onto the towpath west of Bates tunnel. We found some notices on lock 1 about a water shortage and made a note of a number to ring.
Castleford to Dewsbury
Awoke to find that the water level had gone up overnight due to the thunderstorms last night. A sand barge set off at 8, so we followed him up to the flood lock, expecting it to be in use as a lock, however it was open. Although the level in the river was in the amber section of the strong stream warning board, the level was dropping. So we proceeded through and up the river Aire.
The barge we had followed out of Castleford we found later unloading at Whitwood Wharf. We arrived at Woodnook lock to find another boat waiting to come down as there was no mains power to the lock due to the thunderstorms last night. After only a short delay power was restored.
Passed through the old aqueduct over the River Calder at Stanley Ferry, then stopped briefly at the sanitary station.
Moored near the residential moorings in Wakefield. Went into town to find the Fernandes Brewery Tap, however this is not open most lunchtimes, so went on to the Six Chimneys (Wetherspoons) to eat. Then we went to the Talbot & Falcon, but that was closed today. We then went to find Harrys Bar, which is tricky as it's down an alley, but that doesn't open at lunchtime either. We then went back to Wetherspoons. On the way there we I bought a new airbed at Argos, and some short sleeve shirts in Marks and Spencer to cope with hot weather.
After our long lunch break we carried on to Dewsbury where we moored at the end of the arm. There were no BW moorings here but the boatyard here were happy to let us use one of their vacant berths.
Had our first pint in the Leggers Arms which is at the the basin, then on to Wetherspoons to eat. After that we went to the West Riding Licensed Refreshment rooms at the station. There was a quiz on so we sat on the platform.
Had a bit of a lie in as we only needed to get to Castleford. Set off through the open flood lock and up the Aire to Ferrybridge. Here we joined the Aire and Calder. As it was Sunday there were no commercial boats. There were however quite a few pleasure boats and we shared Bulholm lock at Castleford with three other boats. Then at Castleford there were boats everywhere. We moored on the first visitor moorings by the coal chute where there was already one other boat moored on what is normally a deserted mooring.
Walking into town for a late lunch we saw a poster for the Castleford Riverside Festival on the 2nd July.
Had lunch at Wetherspoons then on to the Shoulder of Mutton. We picked up a copy of the Wakefield CAMRA magazine which turned out to be produced by Tetley Dave, the landlord.
Back to the boat for a few hours. Topped up the batteries which are now losing even more water than usual due to the new fridge.
On the way into town for the evening we stopped at the Griffin, then on to Wetherspoons to eat again. As it rained we stayed put.
Set off at 8am in order to be at Barmby for 11am. Yet another chance to admire all the dead sheep in the river.
We let two other boats overtake on our way down to Barmby, both were also going to Selby. The wide beam boat locked out first, then we locked out with the relatively narrow old wooden cruiser.
When we arrived at Selby the tide was still ebbing at 12. The cruiser was keen to go into the lock at slack water, so we hung around for a while until the cruiser had gone in and then followed him.
The cruiser stopped at the facilities so we carried on to Selby boat centre, where I wanted to buy some rope. They didn't have the right type of rope but I did get some grease, and we fillled up with water.
Carried on, having lunch on board on the way, to moor outside a defunct pub. Walked down the A19 to the pub in Burn, which is in the Good Beer Guide. After that we carried on to moor at the junction with the River Aire. The flood lock here was open this time.
Walked to the George and Dragon in West Haddesley to eat. The final England match was still being played when we arrived. After that we walked to the Jug in Chapel Haddesley, which is in the Good Beer Guide. Here the tennis was being projected onto a sheet.
Set off at 7am in order to be at Barmby for 10am as requested. Rang Selby lock and left a message that we were going there today, in case Barmby Barrage had not done so.
Arrived at Barmby by 10am but were told we couldn't go till 11am. Another boat which had been due to go out at 10, in order to get to Naburn, eventually arrived at high speed at 10.50.
I had not heard from Selby and Barmby had not been able to raise them today, so we waited as long as we could before admitting defeat and having to stay another day on the Derwent.
Walked into Barmby village to check that the pub really was shut at lunchtime, which it was, and back to the boat yet again for another sandwich.
Headed back up river for another night at Thorganby.
Left Melbourne on what looks like being a glorious day.
Made good progress down the Pocklington, then turned right onto the Derwent. Passing the Ferryboat Inn it looked like it was no longer a pub. Shortly after that we hit a partly submerged branch which we thought was a sign of things to come, but it didn't get any worse and we made it in good time to Sutton lock. We had been advised not to try to get through this lock and it was evident that one of the bottom gates has a cracked vertical. As the lock was open we moored inside and went for lunch at the Grey Horse, Elvington.
Headed back downstream to the junction with the canal and managed to moor on the west side so that we could get to Thorganby.
Still thinking that the Ferry Inn was no more, we took the footpath to Thorganby to find the pub in the village. This turned out to have changed into an Indian restaurant. We went inside and they had Copper Dragon IPA on handpump, and it was good. So despite having had a large meal at lunchtime we stayed for a meal and some more beer.
After that we walked back via the road past the Ferry Inn and discovered that it is still functioning, so we went inside for even more beer.
Up by 7am ready to catch the tide. Heard on the VHF that a barge was going to be using Victoria lock at 8, so I called up hoping to go out with them. However we were told to use Ocean Lock, which is the biggest one, all on our own.
As there was no delay it meant we were out on the river too early and were doing up to 8mph without trying. Made it to Barmby in 1 1/2 hours and the tide was still running fast across the entrance to Barmby Barrage. The lock keeper said we should be OK if we took it slowly.
As we turned into the entrance we grounded on some underwater obstruction, but after a few minutes we started to move again and got into the lock safely. We were lowered about 5 feet to the River Derwent and went on to moor at the waiting pontoon. I went back to get our River Derwent certificate which is valid for a year. (The Derwent is managed by the Environment Agency).
Made good progress in the deep water and moored in a field near the Breighton Ferry pub. However this turned out to be closed, so we walked into the village of Breighton to find the other pub, but this had disappeared and been replaced with new houses. So back to the boat for lunch.
We carried on up the river and, after we made contact with the Melboune Arms to check that they were doing food this evening, we decided to turn off onto the Pocklington Canal and stop at Melbourne.
The first lock on the canal was in very poor condition with very leaky gates. After that the canal became very weedy, and towards the second lock I was having to throw weed off the prop every 100yds and still struggling to do 2mph. After the second lock the canal was much better, and all the swing bridges were in good condition.
Arrived at Melboune where a trip boat was setting out. They suggested that we moor on one of the, very short, finger pontoons, as they wanted to use the visitors mooring upon their return.
The pub only had John Smiths which was not quite as good as yesterdays, but the food was very good. Having seen the sweet menu and seen some being delivered to other customers, we both decided to have the Chocolate Torte with Cherry compote.
We finished the evening by going back to the boat for a bottle of decent beer and to plan for tomorrow.
Left Thorne at 8.30. Turned right at Bramwith junction onto the New Junction Canal. It may be dead straight for 6 miles, but at least there are lots of automated lift and swing bridges to play with.
Another boat set off as we approached Sykehouse lock so we shared that and went through the next two lift bridges together. There was also a single handed boat waiting to come through Sykehouse lift bridge so we let him through.
Turned right onto the Aire & Calder towards Goole. We stopped for lunch at Rawcliffe Bridge. The pub by the canal was shut, so walked to the Rawcliife Bridge Hotel where had some surprisingly good John Smiths. Got some milk in the Post Office/Garage and went back to Jacob for a sandwich.
Carried on to Goole where we moored outside the sanitary station. Ian went to the waterways museum which is now free.
Walked through the docks to get to Aire street, where we found the Macintosh Arms. Had a nice pint of Tetleys Imperial there, then went on to the Wetherspoons for something to eat. When we arrived they only had guest beers on, and there were 7 of them! We both had something off the Grill night menu as we were able to have any beer we wanted to go with it.
Batteries only down to 89% this morning, they were 84 yesterday. Perhaps the Smart Gauge is still learning.
Moved into West Stockwith basin ready to lock out. One boat locked in and there was only one other boat locking out with us. Swan from Battyford was also going to Keadby. Topped up with 40l of diesel and got a replacement gas cylinder.
We were out on the river at 10.10 and picked up speed as the ebb started to run. Very choppy and quite a swell in places where the wind was against the current. The front deck and windows were wetter than ever before and there was also more than ever before in the bath.
Arrived at Keadby 2 hours later, it's 12.5 miles. Had more trouble than before turning to face the current to go into the lock probably due to the big tide.
Keadby lock is now completely mechanised but they are still building the new lock keepers hut.
The Auld Yorkshire at Keadby is shut on Mondays so we had to go to the Barge for a poor pint of Tetleys. They were not doing food so we returned to the boat for a homemade sandwich.
Set off for Thorne, but had to wait about 25 minutes for the Vazon sliding rail bridge which was busy, and all the trains were going over it at walking pace.
In Thorne we moored on the secure moorings at the sanitary station where Swan had also stopped. We went to the Windmill which we had seen mentioned in Donny Drinker as having got Doncasters Pub of Season award. They had three real ales but no food. We had the Adnams bitter which they ruined by using a sparkler.
Then we went to the Punch Bowl Inn which is an Old Mill Brewery hotel. We had a reasonable meal and tried all three Old Mill beers that were on.
Set off at 8.35. The pumping station which we had noticed last night was still filling up the canal from the river Idle, despite the fact that the canal is full and the river is low.
Stopped at Clayworth for lunch at the Blacksmiths Arms, which was very good, followed by another pint in the Brewers Arms. Dropped into the Retford and Worksop Boat Club on the way back to enquire about River Idle cruises. Their next one is next year but will be for members only and membership is expensive.
Moored outside West Stockwith basin for the night. Ate on board then went to the Waterfront Inn for beer.
Ian arrived by train at 9.15 and we set off for Worksop about half an hour later. Made good progress due to most of the locks being full, but we were delayed when we got stuck coming out of Haggonfield lock. There was a piece of wood behind the gate so it wasn't fully open and this was enough to jam Jacob.
Lunch in the Mallard then on to west
Retford for the night. Went to the Market Hotel first to eat despite it no longer being the Good Beer Guide. They had 7 beers on however the one that I had wasn't quite right, but not bad enough to reject. Then to the Rum Runner for the rest of the evening. This was surprisingly empty, maybe as a result of the new licencing laws, as they were still open when we left.
Decided to paint the inside of the galley doors. I've only had the paint 5 or 6 years.
General putting things back together, tidying up and cleaning in preparation for departure tomorrow.
Arrived last night for what should be my longest continuous stay on Jacob yet, 26 days and nights. It will also be the longest time that Jacob hasn't moved, over 10 months.
Fitted my new SmartGuage battery monitor, then changed the engine oil and fitted new oil, fuel and air filters.
