Slowly in the sun.

Another nice quiet night, and it wasn't too hot for sleep either. We had to make a move today so we set off at out usual time.

Helen used the footbridge to take some photos of the boat, and even had me in them, as I am not seen that often.

This was me waving good bye as I thought that she would be walking to the Sykehouse Lift Bridge. She had other ideas however!

The lift bridges are all like this. They seem to be easy to use and we have never had a breakdown yet at them.

The swing bridges are all like this, and they are all like this too.

At Sykehouse Lock we were surprised to see the red light on. This indicates that the lock is manned and you should wait for the lock green signal. As it turned out the swing bridge that is in the middle of the lock had started to jam due to expansion in the heat and C&RT were there working on it. However in the season there always seems to be a volunteer here too. The old lock house has been in ruins ever since the first time we passed this way. Somebody has bought it and spent a fortune. It seems that he was refused planning permission, so mysteriously there was a fire! It is all windows with a wall round round it and nice grounds. It is a lovely spot and good access via the M62/M18.

 A little further on is the River Don/Dutch River Aqueduct. The river is still tidal at this point and to ensure that a surge tide with a wet period does not over top the canal they have built these guillotine gates at either end. These restrict the flow between the rivers heightened banks and not into the river causing flooding over the canal banks. In the photo you can see a yellow object floating in the water.

 When we got closer we could see it was a life raft type thing. We thought that we had better pick it up as it isn't the sort of thing that you want round your prop.

The tow path runs down one side on a bridge and the other side just has a rail. The water from the canal uses the aqueduct as a spill weir directly into the river.

You can see the water flowing over here. The first time we came over here C&RT were present and it had been bad weather and it was raining. We really thought they were closing the gate on us.

We have just come down the New Junction Canal, on the left of the picture and are making the 330 deg turn into the Stainforth and Keadby Canal.

 We were soon at Bramwith Lock. We used the small chamber and you can see the unused pound ahead of us. In the 1920's the New Junction Canal, opened in 1905, was losing money. It was felt that opening up the coalfields to bring coal to Goole by compartment boats would improve matters. Bramwith Lock was enlarged  at this time and this allowed the Tom Pudding compartment boats to work through so restoring the canal to profitability.

Just a little further on is Bramwith Swing Bridge with the services next to it. We stopped to fill with water and to dump the rubbish. It is a lovely spot really.

We were soon at Staniland Marina that had gone bust previously but had been taken over by another company and now seems to be busy, with a C&RT work boat in the dry dock.

Thorne Lock has a road bridge at the top gates. This interconnected with the lock gear. The lock is electrically operated but it doesn't look as though it would be. I had to help Helen with the bridge as it took some starting. I think once again it was the heat. These bare headed lock gates always make me think that some thing has gone wrong.

We were very quickly on the visitor moorings. We managed to to just squeeze in to the space that was remaining. We could not have got a fag packet between the fenders. Fortunately the boat at our stern had a high bow so fitted under their bow fended. The rail seems to be a handy spot for birds to rest and this swallow stayed still long enough for me to take a picture. We went in to town to by some supplies as we are having visitors this evening.