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.