Down to Doncaster.

We slept well and woke to a better day wit the sun shining. We didn't rush as we weren't going far.

I was just getting ready to set off when Helen decided she had something else to do. The delay worked well as just then a lady appeared at the controls of the bridge and I could then see a couple of Dutch barges approaching from the other side. They very kindly left it up for me to come through between them. Better than holding up the traffic with a double lift as it is a busy road.

St Oswald's church has been out on a limb since 1922. In 1919 the Pilkington Glass company bought land nearby to build a new plant. They also built facilities for the workers and the village of Kirk Sandall gravitated away from the old centre. It seems now that it is becoming the centre of housing once again as there seems to be loads of new homes being built. Shame the church is closed, but is

kept by the Churches Conservation Trust and still has occasional services. It could well become the centre of the community once more.

The pipe bridge carries something, I hardly think it will be water, across the flood plain to the right and also the River Don that is just beyond the piling. This is the area where the normal tides run up to. I expect with a surge they will get all the way to the weir at Doncaster.

The canal reminds me of The River Aire beyond Castleford, quite un canal like here.

Long Sandall Lock was soon in view. To the right is the old narrow lock. I think this was one that was superseded by the  200' locks that were created in the 1980's. The amber light is on showing that the lock is in boat operation mode. Helen manages the controls with aplomb and we were soon through and on our way again.

This is Strawberry Island Boat club and we had seen several boats from here heading north today. Last year there was a large number of them on the Nene and Ouse.  In the distance can be seen Doncaster Minster, or the parish church of St. George's. It is right by the visitor moorings so we can see how far we have to go. The previous medieval church burned down in 1853 and was replaced in 1858 designed by George Gilbert Scott. He also designed the St. Pancras Hotel and the Albert Memorial, and not the bloke who designed the UK telephone box, Giles Gilbert Scott.

It was good to see that there was room on the visitor moorings for us