Hurray, we are back on the 'Holderness'! It was October that we were last here. Life conspired to stop us heading this way before. We have been fearing the worst for weeks now, damp and mould inside and the engine hole been full of water, rust every where, that we would just have to spend days getting it fit to go out in.
Meanwhile I had been helping a mate to deliver a boat earlier in the week. He had a shell built at Wilson's in Sheffield. He had bought a reconditioned 1958 Gardner 4LK that is his pride and joy.
Stoppages were checked and the Tinsley Locks were booked. We headed to Sheffield from Hull and were quickly loaded our stuff aboard, and soon after set off. Here we are at the Wilson's yard just before heading off to Tinsley top lock.
The Sheffield Canal towpath is being updated as is the case in many places around and there are several spots where the artists have been allowed to work. For me this was the best of them.
As we had been getting ready to leave the berth we were passed by the 'Pearl', a new wide beam charity boat for the Ethel Trust that was on the way to work out of Thorne. She was mob handed. Also a private boat passed with a single hander. We all met at the top of the lock with the charity boat going first and the others sharing. The C&RT team helped for some of the locks and we were chasing the 'Pearl' down the locks. We were glad that they had plenty of help as there was so much water going over the top of the locks half way down that 7 were needed to prise the bottom gates open, not helped as the beams were shorter than would be ideal due to walls and bridges been close.
We made it to the bottom of Tinsley Locks, No.12, and this was the head of navigation of the River Don before they were built. This meant that all cargo for Sheffield went on by cart from here. The boat goes well astern to pick me up in the river from a pontoon on the river side. We lost the services of the C&RT crew when we got to Holmes Lock.
Here we are in Rotherham Lock after completing the Tinsley flight. The big guillotine gate that provides flood protection for Forge Island is new, but other that the flood walls nothing has been done to the new Forge Island development to the left in this picture. The lock gates are still as stiff as hell and I only just managed to get them open. The 'Pearl' had gone ahead of us so I was working the two boats through.
We had planned to stop for the night at Swinton. Here is Waddington's Yard in the first two or three locks of the abandoned Dove and Dearne canal. We pulled alongside on the berth earlier than we had expected. We had had great weather too, a very slight shower that didn't get us wet compensated for by the fact that there was very little wind and the sun did come out. We therefore decided to continue on to Mexborough Low Lock.
We arrived there about 17:30 and moored up near a couple of other boats. Other than trying to complete the trip in two days by continuing the idea of mooring here was to take advantage of the hotel just behind the hedge. There was no slumming it for us and we were soon settled in our rooms, having a shower and then heading off for a pint or two and a meal. There was nothing in the boat other than the engine so I think we deserved a little luxury. We were up at 0600 for breakfast at 0630 and we were off just after 7am. The single hander had stopped at Swinton but the 'Pearl' had moored for the night at Mexborough Top lock but just passed us as we let go. That meant that we were able to leapfrog each other to get the next lock ready.
Hdre we are just leaving Sprotborough Lock and Phil just getting the centre line ready to pick me up at the pontoon.
The 'Pearl' worked the Barmby Dunnlift bridge for us before they turned for Thorne on the Stainforth and Keadby Canal to Thorne, whilst we headed up the New Junction Canal. There is many bridges to work and only one lock.
Just another bridge to get through. They are all mechanised except for the one in the middle of the Sykehouse Lock. We have had no difficulty with any of the large mechanised locks after Rotherham, or the bridges. All have behaved impeccably.
At the junction with the Aire and Calder Canal we turned right and headed for Goole, where we arrived 90minutes later. Phil made a great job of getting in the very tight entrance in the wind and threaded his way to his berth with aplomp. Very Impressive. We had a 9hr 30 mins day on Monday and a 9 hour day on Tuesday that gave us a day in hand so well worth doing. I am really looking forward seeing the fitting out completed. As Phil is a joiner I'm sure it will be immaculate. A big thanks to him for letting me help him to Goole it got me in the groove for our trip away.
What of our arrival at Kings Bromley and 'Holderness'. All was well. It smelt lovely in side and not damp. The bedding etc was fine and I'm not sure whether Helen was disappointed that she didn't get a run in to Lichfield's Dunelm, or similar. There was a little water in the engine hole but not bad at all.
We emptied the car and Macy the cat. Macy is pretty deaf and blind these days but she was almost frisky when she realised where we were and very soon settled down. I went round turning everything on, gas water, heating etc and then took the chimney out and the cleaning rods to sweep the chimney before we needed to light it. I then blacked the stove and polished the glass, getting rid of the ash and soot too. I filled up the water tank and filled the coal scuttle and wood basket as well as putting the TV aerial up. It is so nice to be back aboard and come rain or shine we will be off tomorrow for several days away. Now I have sat down it is so great to be back and the relaxation has really started.
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