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.

Wednesday 3rd August

Left Retford at 830, the sun was shining but not for long. It came and went and it became quite windy.

Met one of the cruisers from Shireoaks below Forest lower mid lock, he had engine trouble but was going the other way.

Stopped for lunch in Worksop outside the Canal Tavern. Decided to check out this pub. It has recently been refurbished and has a new landlord but had not started doing food yet. So, as it was gone 2pm, it was back to Wetherspoons again.

When we got to Shireoaks I drove Kate back to her car at West Stockwith. I then carried on home from there via the route that we had used on Sunday down the east side of the river.

Tuesday 2nd August

Left West Stockwith at 9.

Stopped for lunch at the White Swan, Drakeholes. The beer was good and we were even allowed to eat something other than the carvery.

Carried on to Retford and moored in my usual place on the west side.

Called in on the Rum Runner but they weren't doing food so we went the the Market Hotel. They had 3 interesting beers on, including 2 from the new Bradfield brewery in Sheffield.

Monday 1st August

Went shopping in Waitrose at 8.30 then left Newark at 9.00, and sailed straight in to Nether Lock.

On arrival at Cromwell lock there were two other narrowboats waiting who were both going to West Stockwith. They both went faster than us but we decided that we were going fast enough.

Had lunch on the way. By the time we got to Gainsborough we had an hour to kill so we stopped on the 'secure' pontoon. As soon as we did, two kids, who were already inside the secure gate, descended upon us. We decided to stay with the boat rather than risk leaving it while we went off for a pint.

Another boat turned up to kill time, but when the kids visited them they changed their minds and carried on.

We left at 15.30 and went slowly, as the current was quite strong, to cover the last 4 miles in an hour.

The tide started to come in at about 16.30 just before West Stockwith. This caused a flurry of activity anongst the other 3 boats as they all had to turn round again. All 3 boats managed to sqeeze in the lock together, and we moored against the wall to wait for the second locking, for which we were on our own.

After locking up we filled up with diesel, only 40l, and moored in the basin. Then Ian drove me back to Newark. I then drove to Shireoaks to meet Kate who was early.

Having left my car at Shireoaks we went for a meal in Wetherspoons in Worksop, then drove to West Stockwith.

As the Waterfront Inn was closed we went for a pint in the White Hart.

Sunday 31st July

A cruiser turned up at the lock before 9am and they seemed rather incompetent so I gave Dave a key to go and get the lock ready. The lock keeper turned up while we were going through but let us finish the operation by ourselves.

Moored outside the marina at Farndon and I drove Ian and Dave to Sawley where we had lunch in the Harrington Arms. Daves Moules were overcooked and had to be rejected.

After lunch we went went to Sawley marina where Dave left us. Ian and I shuffled cars to Farndon and Newark.

Moved Jacob from Farndon into Newark in time to get a reasonable moring. Then we did the the major car shuffle to get a car to West Stockwith, over 30 miles away. On the way back we stopped for a pint in Gainsborough.

Saturday 30th July

Left my car at Gunthorpe and Dave drove me back to Sawley, where Ian was waiting for us.

Left Sawley later than planned so had to stop at Beeston for lunch. Found the Jolly Anglers first but they weren't doing food, so we went to the Boat and Horses and had a quick lunch there.

After that we were stuck behind a dutch barge which was going rather slowly until Meadow Lane lock. When we got back onto the Trent we went at full speed to try to get to Gunthorpe, where I had booked a table at Tom Browns for 6.30.

Moored above Gunthorpe lock and got to the restautant just after 7pm. A good meal marred only by Daves dissapointing 'local' cheese board. Afterwards we went to both the other pubs.

Monday 18th July

Cooler and more wind today. Pottered slowly down to the first lock, Aston lock, in the hope that another boat would come along. No such luck, and I had to do all three locks with limited help from oncoming boats.

Jacob Mk 2 was still at Shardlow Heritage Centre. And obviously had somebody on board but no one peered out to look.

Filled with 70l of fuel at Sawley marina and went to ask about a short term mooring. For up to two weeks you can stay on the visitors moorings, at a price, which I paid.

On the way to Long Eaton station I stopped for lunch at the Harrington Arms.

Travelled to Shireoaks via Nottingham and Worksop. Then drove back to Sawley to collect all the dirty washing and have tea before driving home.

Sunday 17th July

As there is only one train on a Sunday that stops at Willington, which is the next station near the canal, Ian left at 9am to catch the first train of the day from Burton.

I stayed until the chandlery opened at 10am when I bought a proper seal for the water filler cap and a bottle screw for the front fender to hold it tight enough to stop it moving sideways. I fitted both of these immediately.

Stopped for lunch at Willington. Had a bit of an incident while mooring, something caught round the propeller and I crashed into the stern of the boat in front. No damage was done and the offending item turned out to be a fishermans keep net. Still it's only the second time in six weeks that I've had to go down the weed hatch.

There was a choice of three pubs so I chose the one which has Cask Marque plaque outside. I had an nice pint of mild and a substantial Pork Hock with mash and peas.

Carried on till just past Weston and moored for the night in the shade opposite Weston Grange, as it was still very hot.

Saturday 16th July

Another 8am start and the coldest day for a while. We even had the doors shut all night!

Stopped at Alrewas for lunch and tried the Geoarge and Dragon first, where they had a special, limited, menu for the village fair. We then moved on for another pint in the Crown while the parade was going past..

Stopped for the night on the Marstons visitor moorings in Burton on Trent. We had booked a table in the Old Cottage Tavern, where we both had Steak and Stout pie accompanied by their lovely stout.

Then on to the Burton Bridge Inn, where the bar had moved from its original position. It's now in between the two rooms.

Finally we went to the Coopers Tavern, as we had 5 weeks ago. It wasn't any busier than it had been then midweek, but at least there was a cheery barmaid this time instead of a grumpy old man serving.

Friday 15th July

We were woken up at 5.30 by the first train, but managed to get some more sleep until 7.30.

Set off at 8am and made it through Meaford locks in half an hour and Stone locks in good time. After that there was some waiting at most locks.

Got to Weston in time for an early lunch at the Woolpack on the village green.

Carried on down to Great Haywood junction where we stopped to empty the loo. We also succumbed to an ice cream, as by now it was very hot in the sun, though cooler in the shade than it has been for a long time.

Carried on down the Trent and Mersey, meeting no one at the next two locks.

Stopped for water at Ash Green.

Stopped for the night right outside the Plum Pudding which was excellent 5 weeks ago. The beers were the same but I didn't recognise most of the menu. We had an excellent three course meal not spoilt too much by the live singer. Where else can you get ice cream for a starter and soup for a dessert?

Thursday 14th July

Started at 9am. Met with horse drawn boat Maria again at Hall Green lock going the same way as us. Since we last saw them on Sunday they had been up to Bugsworth Basin. We saw them again later when we emerged from the end of the Macclesfield canal. They were heading north up the Trent and Mersey, we turned south.

Arrived at the north portal of Harecastle tunnel at 1315. There were no other boats waiting and the tunnel keeper advised that it would be about an hour before we could go through.

We went off to try the Harecastle pub, but they did not have any real ale so we went to Tescos to get some milk and sandwiches.

Started through the tunnel at 1335 and it only took about 30 minutes.

Stopped for the night above Meaford locks, right next to the west coast main line! Walked to the George and Dragon but they were fully booked for food so we carried on to the Darlaston, which is a family eating pub with no real ale. After our meal there we wnt back to the George and Dragon to try their three beers.

Wednesday 13th July

Set off about 8.15 to finish our ascent of Marple. Turned right at the top onto the Macclesfield Canal.

Stopped on Bollington embankment and walked though town to the Poachers Inn, where we had a cheap two course meal.

On through Macclesfield and down Bosley locks in record time, 1hr 30mins. We only met one boat in the flight so most of the locks were full.

Carried on till 8.15 having a sandwich on the move and moored at Buglawton, so that we could walk to the Beartown Brewery.

Tuesday 12th July

Left Stoak at 8am. The pound below lock 14w was now sufficiently full for us not to run aground this time. However when we got to 10w the pound below that was too low due to an obstruction on the cill of the bottom gates of 9w. We managed to get the bottom gates to close enough to use it and filled the short pound enough to get through.

Andy left us in Stalybridge at lock 6W and Ian and I carried on to moor below lock 4W again, for an early lunch.

We tried to go to the other GBG pub, but it, along with many others, was not open. However the Station Buffet was open and we both had the Archers mild.

On down to Dukinfield junction where we turned south onto the Peak Forest Canal. Decided to go part way up the Marple flight and we stopped for the night near the road above lock 8.

Went for one pint in the Navigation Inn then to the Italian Restaurant which was good and quite quick. After that we went the GBG pub, the Hatters Arms, then back to the Navigation Inn for a Robinsons Double Hop which we had not seen elsewhere.