New Junction to Selby

Saturday 16th June 2017

New Junction To Beal

We woke up this morning to clear blue skies and glorious sunshine, we took our time preparing to set off to Beal and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast in the sun.

We headed off back up the Aire and Calder towards Knottingley  where we did a sharp u-turn onto the short stretch to Bank Dole lock.

Bank Dole was the first hand operated lock we had experienced for sometime and took a fair bit of effort to get through.

This lock drops onto the River Aire, the river meanders all over the place here and the cooling towers of Eggborough seemed to jump from bank to bank and from front to back, all very confusing.

Its only a short run to Beal lock where a pontoon provides safe moorings, there is water here too,

We stayed the night here and were joined late on by two other boats so it was just as well we arrived early.

We decided to eat at the Kings Arms only to find that this pub, once famous for its food, has fallen victim to the greed of the owners stripping the profits from the success of the hard work of the landlord. A very limited menu was available and the current landlord is moving on elsewhere. I hope that the pub continues to operate in the future and doesn't go the way of so many canal-side pubs. 

Sunday 17th June 2017

Beal to Selby

Another hot and sunny day so again we took our time setting off having filled with water.

The river below the lock continues its winding course with several "hairpin" bends to negotiate, further confusing the sense of direction.

This section of river is used by water skiers and wake boarders and we had our otherwise calm trip thrown into an exciting tumult of high waves through which we ploughed on our course towards West Haddersley.

The beautiful start of the Selby Canal 

Here we reach the entrance to the Selby canal with a large flood lock to negotiate. The Selby canal is always quite and very pretty, however as always there was a lot of weed to deal with as we passed along, having to reverse the prop may times to clear the weed, the canal is also quite shallow in several places so with a combination of the extra load on the engine and the intense heat we had to keep an eye on the running temperature as it had begun to creep up. 

We eventually reached the basin in Selby, we were the only visiting boat so had no problem in finding a mooring.

We are here until Friday then moving the boat to the boat yard where it is coming out of the water for blacking and a few maintenance jobs.

Conisbrough, Doncaster and the New Junction Canal

Wednesday 14th June
We spent today moored at Sprotborough and decided to walk up to Conisbrough to see the castle.
The walk was an easy stroll through woodland along side the river for the most part with a gentle climb up to Consibrough at the end. Half way along the walk we came across the great Don valley viaduct long since disused as a railway but now a footpath and cycle way, with stunning views across the valley.

The viaduct from the river

The river from the viaduct

 There is a great visitor centre at the castle with a small cafe, the castle itself is very imposing, the keep, sat on top of its motte overlooking the surrounding countryside. We were lucky as the visibility was really good with views across to the Pennines to the west, and Doncaster Minster to the east. To the south the view looks over the town of Conisbrough with all the greenery denying its industrial past.

Thursday 15th June
After calling Vicky to wish her happy birthday we prepared to leave for Doncaster, just as we were readying ourselves for departure the Exol Pride passed through, travelling upstream to Rotherham, it is always satisfying to see these Leviathans still using this amazing infrastructure.

Boaters are warned about tying up securely when these boats are around and we saw just what can happen as the boat behind us had all but its forward mooring pins pulled out as the tanker passed.

We set off for Doncaster which is only a couple of miles downstream, once through Sprotborough lock.
We arrived at the visitor moorings in Doncaster, here you can moor for up to 72 hrs and (although not listed in the guidebook) there are all facilities except pump out.
The moorings are secure and are very close to the town centre just by the minster, so we had a walk round to explore.
We also found a Launderette here so managed to get all the washing done too.






Friday 16th June
Following our overnight stop we had a quick walk round the market, a bit disappointing because half of it was closed, so once back at the boat we decided to move on up the New Junction canal and moored at the top close to its connection with the Aire and Calder.
As I write this we are deciding where to stop on Saturday night, maybe Beal or West Haddersley on the river Aire; it is such a gorgeous day it is tempting to stay put!

Sheffield and Sprotborough

Our few days in Sheffield have been really enjoyable and we can recommend taking the trip up, do not be put off by the thought of the 12 locks of the Tinsley flight as the lock keepers operate the flight in an efficient and timely manner with everything prepared before you arrive so you are up and down in no time.
The city has changed beyond all recognition since our last visit, with the centre full of new buildings and road layouts, on Friday it was warm and sunny so we sat out side a bar near the Peace Gardens and enjoyed a drink and bite to eat whilst watching the world go by.
We moored in Victoria Quays (about 10 minutes walk from the town centre), this is operated by CV Marine and all facilities are available, however we did not see a diesel point, not a problem for us but worth noting should you want to visit.

Scruff and Alfie

The chap that looks after the mooring is called Paul and he most most helpful and made us feel very welcome, we went to a family function on Sunday and he offered to look after our dog Scruff whilst we were away, Scruff enjoyed her time with Paul and his dog Alfie who became Scruff's best friend!
On Saturday we were joined by Carole and Jim who stayed overnight on the boat, we went to the Old Queens Head for dinner, this is a great pub, they allow dogs so Scruff was able to join us too.
The menu is usual pub fayre with the addition of a Czech section, well worth trying as two of our party tried this and really enjoyed it, the pub is located close to the Bus Station on Pond Hill, to rear of Ponds Forge Leisure centre.

A rare selfie! with Steve and Geri

Our trip down to Sprotborough began with the short run to the top of the flight of locks, these had all been prepared by the lock keepers and we were soon under way, again we travelled with Geri and Steve on NB Tischomingo and enjoyed their company all the way down to Sprotborough finishing off with a visit to the Boat Inn. We wish them Bon Voyage as they continue their journey down the Trent and hope that we will meet again on our travels.

Red light !!

Our journey down was briefly interrupted at Mexborough top lock, we had picked up on the radio that a large oil tanker was travelling in front of us, these boats require a travelling lock keeper to operate the mechanised locks to speed up their journey. We arrived at the lock after the lock keeper had left, normally in this condition we would expect to see an amber light, indicating that the locks are set for self operation.
This lock had a red light meaning the lock was in-operable so a call to CRT was required. CRT called me back and informed us that a lock keeper was on his way down to sort it out, he arrived approximately 30 minutes later and penned us through, he kindly offered to drive down to the next lock to and get us through to make up some of the time. This the second favourable experience we have had with CRT on this journey.
We finally moored at Sprotborough this is a great spot set in a magnesium limestone gorge, all the buildings are built of this soft yellow stone that seems to glow in the sunshine.

Rotherham To Sheffield

A great day today, helped up the 14 locks to Sheffield, including the 11 Locks of the Tinsley flight, by two CRT lock keepers. We shared our trip up with Steve and Gerry on board NB Tishomingo, having two boats in the locks always makes it much easier.
Travelled under the famous Tinsley viaduct, unusual views from below having passed over it in the car many times.
A few days rest here now until Tuesday.

Tinsley Bottom Lock

Tinsley Viaduct

 

Another view of the viaduct

Approaching Sheffield

 

Finally made it

Pollington to Rotherham

Another long day to day however the weather was mostly dry and much less wind. Made the turn from the Aire and Calder onto the New Junction Canal - a 5 mile straight with several lift and swing bridges and one lock. Got to the first lift bridge and a CRT man opened it for us as there was a workboat travelling behind us, also there was a volunteer lock keeper at Sykehouse Lock so we both stayed on the boat reducing our travelling time still further.

Making the turn onto the New Junction Canal

The CRT work boat finally caught us up

At the end of the New junction Canal we joined the Sheffield to Keadby canal and onto Doncaster

 

Doncaster Minster

After Doncaster we joined the river Don and into the Don Valley, I love this section of river passing through Sprotborough and up to Mexborough all the locks are mechanised so make life much easier.(have been all the way from Leeds). I saw an otter on the river today,first time I have ever seen one!

A1 Viaduct

 

Mexborough Top Lock

Conisbrough Castle

As we approached Mexborough I received an email, from CRT, stating that the next lock was closed for maintenance and would not open until 8 am tomorrow, this would cause us an issue as we had booked our ascent up the Tinsley flight into Sheffield for Friday morning, a few quick phone calls and CRT obligingly sent a lock keeper to get us through - great service Jo at CRT. 

We reached our destination following 10 hours of great cruising.

Wed 7th June '17Leeds To Pollington

Had a really rough night with the boat been thrown all over the place by gale force winds, (too many beans Lucy) joking aside the wind really howls in Leeds Dock, had to get up about 4 am to strap the pole, plank etc to the roof.
Decided to set off and see how we get on as we could always stop at Woodlesford, the wind was not as bad as in Leeds Dock, it at least blew in the same direction and that was from behind  us so didn't cause too much of a problem. The wind speed peaked at around 2 in the afternoon then gradually subsided. Finally reached Pollington after 8 hrs cruising.

Thwaites Mills the marquee
to the left had blown down!

Brotherton Church

Good Bye Coal - hello Solar
Kellingley

An iconic view of Ferrybridge
The cooling towers will presumably
be demolished soon as the station is clos

Stranded

Not going anywhere today due to the wind. CRT have also closed all the flood locks due to the rising river levels so we could be here for a few days.
Will have to change to plan B for trip to Sheffield and take the car!

Sad Day

This morning we had to take our Border Collie, Hazel, to the vet because she has not been well for the last few weeks and was gradually deteriorating. After much discussion and the vet telling us that her kidneys had all but packed up we had to say goodbye. Hazel fell asleep quietly after giving us both a quick glance. She will be greatly missed as she has been with us for 14+ years and was well known on our home stretch of the canal as she always sat in the same place watching the world go by, even the lock keepers missed her as we passed through on our way into Leeds.
Hazel had the last laugh later as I had to drop our car off at my Dads and I had her squeaky ball in my pocket, as I cycled up my Dads street the ball squeaked each time I turned the pedals causing much amusement as passed along.
We had hoped to get a bit further today but due to the events this morning we decided to stop in Leeds Dock, outside the Armouries.
The weather hasn't been too bad considering the forecast and we are hoping that the rain tonight doesn't cause the river to be closed tomorrow.