Footpath foraging.

)930 start this morning, we were up and ready so why not. We were the first of the four boats that were moored at Drakeholes overnight to make a start.

It is a little curvaceous around Wiseton and we met two boats coming along towards us today. You have to stick in the middle of the channel until they are close, reduce the speed to minimum for steerage and then pull gently over. That way if you do ground you can come off easily. I have realised one of the tings I like best about this canal is that there are plenty of long views. On many canals the hedges are fully grown so you are just passing down a corridor. If you look at photos of the working canals there was hardly a hedge or tree to be seen. It must have made it difficult in a wind but at least you can see a view.

Another think to relish, at this time of year at least, is the profusion of wild flowers, and the clear water to see the fishes.

We were soon at Clayworth and the Retford and Worksop Boat Club moorings. Through the blind corner and under the road bridge and onto the services alongside their club house that was at one time the White Hart pub. The last time I can find it as a pub was 1958.

This is the view from the bridge in the 1960's with the old White Hart on the right. This was when the Retrford and Worksop Boat Club was formed, 1962, to campaign to save the Chesterfield. Their success, along with many others, can be judged by the view today of the towpath side that runs next to the pub. It is the long line of moored boats, as service point and manicured areas around. It wont have harmed the local house prices either.

We didn't go too much further and moored up on a rural length of Armco near milestone 35.

After a bite to eat we went for a walk into Hayton and Clarborough via byroads across the hills. This spill weir and bridge are not far from our mooring. Helen looks tired already, but it was warm.

Even from 50 mts above the canal the views were even further. You feel that you could almost see Lincoln Cathedral from here. As we walked down the byroads we came across several damson trees and I was compelled to pick a few. Luckily I had brought a punnet and plastic bag with me! Later as we emerged from the byway on to the A620 for a short bit there was a plum tree heavy with fruit so I filled up with them too. We had headed to the Spar for milk and noted that the Kings Arms next door was open. It was a good job that we found some fruits along our route as I had earmarked some damsons to pick that were close to the boat on the towpath, but somebody had got there first!! The Boat Inn at bridge 66 does not seem to be open, so I missed out there.