Thursday 29th June

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.

Wednesday 28th June

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.

Tuesday 27th June

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.

Monday 26th June

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.

Sunday 25th June

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.

Saturday 24th June

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.

Friday 23rd June

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.

Thursday 22nd June

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.