We got back to the boat on Sunday just when there was a deluge of rain, short lived but enough to get us soaked as we unloaded the car. Amy was soon off back home as there was 'Poldark' to watch. We were unable to see if the shirt came off again as I couldn't get a signal on the TV. We started packing the stuff away and weren't long before we turned in.
The sun was definitely out the next morning and we went for a walk round Goole before setting off. Goole was just a a hamlet before The Aire and Calder Canal Company decided to make it their junction with the Ouse. This was to bypass the shallows that had built up on the Ouse between their other 'port' at Selby. The Aire and Calder Company were the British Airways or Virgin of their day as there were a huge company.
This is No.5 coal hoist and was built for specifically for the lifting of the Tom Pudding compartment boats out of the canal and tip them into holds of ocean going ships. The red lighthouse tower behind it is the light house that was actually on the trent Falls beacon. This is where the Ouse and Trent meet to form the Humber. I seem to remember that one of the new pilots managed to land on the training wall that extended from it. It was removed and replaced with a new light post with a sector light on it.
A view from South Dock Bridge. Three ships working cargo. Lore Prahm has been a visitor to Goole for many years as I have brought up here in the 90's.
These landmarks can be seen from the Motorway. The white one is a water tower to supply water pressure for domestic usage. The brick one is the hydraulic tower that supplied pressure for the machinery around the dock. Steel is a big cargo in and out of the dock.
Goole's original purpose was to export the south Yorkshire coal abroad. This is the last railway wagon coal hoist left in the dock, and the only one I have seen anywhere.
We got underway around midday. Goole is a fascinating place and near the docks some of the original buildings can still be seen. They are identifiable by the rounded corners of them. Viking Marine were very friendly and we would use them again for a stop over. We saw several boats on the move on the Aire and Calder until we came to the junction with The New Junction Canal and turned left.
Helen wasn't looking forward to the Sykehouse lift bridge as the road can be quite busy. All went well though and only two cars held up.
Next was the Kirk Lane swing bridge and once again all went well.
Very close is the Sykehouse Lock with a manual bridge in the middle of it. I noticed that the water was been let out as we approached and we were very pleasantly surprised to find a Volunteer keeper working the lock for us. It turns out that he is also working on the Transpennine Cycle Trail. We were mooring up just after the lock so I went back and gave him a slice of cake as a thank you. After lunch we went for a walk on a beautifully still day with the sun beating down. It was over the fields to the Village of Sykehouse.
There were several banks of primroses and other wild flowers looking very cheerful as we passed.
Sykehouse claims to be the longest village in Yorkshire. The longest village in England is said to be Brinkworth in Wiltshire. Sykehouse is also the place of origin of the very rare Sykehouse Russet apple that was thought to be extinct but has be rediscovered in Oxford and Doncaster. We stopped for a pint at the Old George in the village. It looks like they do good food at their restaurant too.
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