Better together.

Whilst we were getting ready an old Sheffield keel came past. I realised that he was single handed so went to help at the automatic lock. As were were ready we said that we would go with him and speed things up for him. He was trying to get to Goole by tonight as he wanted to get out into the Ouse and Humber to get to Beverley up the River Hull the next day. Tough trip on your own with about ten locks and about worse still around six lift bridges.

Valiant of Swinton. An ex Waddington's boat.

We got into a system where we landed Helen to work the lock. I would pull the boat clear so that Valiant could enter the lock directly. On opening Valiant went ahead and I picked up Helen and followed on once more, to land Helen as we arrived at the next lock together.

Dearne and Dove Canal. The first lock can just be seen. The canal is now closed but Waddington's use it as a base. This was the home of Valiant who we are assisting down the Don Navigation.

Valiant entering the lock.

We met up with another narrow boat that was just leaving her mooring just before Mexborough Top Lock. They were just going on a jaunt so were lucky to have three in a lock. They stopped before the Low lock so we were down to two again.

Two little ones at the end of the Mexborough Top Lock.

Valiant puts ion a fair lick of speed and we were pushed to catch up with her on the river section between Mexborough and Sprotborough.

Conisborough Viaduct that is now closed.

As it happens there was somebody to work the lock for him a Sprotbotough so we weren't needed. We had told him that we were stopping at the visitor moorings above the lock so said adieu to him. I was jealous of him passing down the Humber and up the Hull. One day we will also do the same journey.

Visitor moorings at Sprotbrough.

After making fast we walked up to the village for a look see. It seems that the area is quite 'well to do' with big houses and lots of Audis and Mercedes and a few shops. We would the rectory where Douglas Bader, the WWII pilot who had lost his legs lived as a lad. Later we also went to the Boat Inn where Sir Walter Scott wrote part of 'Ivanhoe'. For a little place there is a fair bit of history. The Boat was quite pricey and was summed up with a Lamborghini parked in a disabled space. The pint of Adnams Mosaic was okay though.