Narrowboat Annie: Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation cruise

Friday 29 April Keadby to Thorne
Cool and cloudy, we left that lovely sailing ship Pickle behind.

approaching the sliding Keadby rail bridge

we had to wait for a pause in the train timetable

six trains passed in ten minutes!

Annie passing through. The sliding bridge is the green object on the left, operated from the signal box

Expecting a long, straight, boring trip, we were both surprised by the views and lovely scenery as we moved along. After passing the Keadby Combined Cycle Power Station, now mothballed, I remembered Chis Cooke and the team there welcoming Norman Palmer and me with A Physics sixth formers from De Aston School, working out efficiency as part of the course. The number of wind turbines surprised us, too.

Vazons Swing Bridge, one of several

looking back at Keadby Power Station on a very windy day

John estimated that the ends of the blades were moving at about 100mph, at 2 sec for 1 revolution in the strong wind

wind farm beneath stormy skies

Lowering skies, stormy weather, but surprisingly scenic without high banks

Liana operating Godstow Swing Bridge. Some of these bridges would not operate until a signalman had closed the railway level crossing gates a few yards away

Liana refitting the Coolie Hat

waiting for the cantilever lift bridge

Blue WaterMarina

services?

arriving in Thorne. new housing on right, opposite the old Louis and Joshua boatyard, now used by Tyler Wilson (?)

passing through the pedestrian swing bridge. We had to make sure all four pedestrian gates were closed before the bridge would operate.

Liana enjoyed operating all the various bridges. It was not possible to moor outside the Canal Tavern or on a pontoon at the services, so we found a less secure but pleasant mooring in the evening sunshine. A decent pint of Bombardier and Corned Beef Pie (John had to try it after friendly folk recommended it, and he enjoyed it!), in the Canal Tavern followed! Liana enjoyed her meal, too.

..... so much for mooring outside the Canal Tavern!

four boats moored at the services

room for several boats just after the services, close to the town and pubs.

Thursday 28 April Down the Trent from West Stockwith to Keadby

Smoky start to the day ....

Cold, sunny morning at West Stockwith Basin

Morning started cool but sunny, with blue skies. John drilled holes and fitted our new folding cleats near the front, to help Liana keep control of ropes in deep river locks, using those vertical wires. Lock keeper Jim got Mick Ogden to fill Annie up with diesel (85p) before we left. Accelerating out of the lock, the ebbing tide swept us down the wider river, past Owston Ferry and later West Butterwick.

passing the Crooked Billet at Owston Ferry

Dolphins are not always mammals

Renovated mill and M180 bridge

Big bridge over big river

something to avoid

Passing under the M180, contacting the lock to warn them as we passed Allthorpe church, we soon spotted that wonderful Victorian lift bridge, operated originally by filling a huge bucket with river water. Passing Keadby Lock, John turned Annie and headed upstream against the strong flow, using her powerful engine to power into the lock, turning at the last moment and only powering down as Annie entered the lock entrance (similar to West Stockwith).

Keadby Bridge, now fixed

Little and Large!

As we passed Keadby Lock, they were lifting out a boat

approaching Keadby Lock against the current (no time to wipe lens!)

safe in Keadby Lock.

Liana enjoying the moment!

Keadby Lock filling, watched by the lock keeper above

we had to wait in the lock until the lock keeper had opened the road swing bridge. Mooring is just beyond, on the left.

The helpful lock keeper operated the road bridge so we could exit the lock, and pointed out moorings on the left, after the CRT services, where we stayed overnight peacefully, opposite the historic Humber keel and sailing ship Pickle.

Keadby moorings

Annie without cratch, with Iron Oxide paint and new folding cleats and highback seats

the good ship Pickle, with Humber Keel behind

Keadby services

There is a good chippy close by, he said. We ate a healthy meal on board!

Wed 27 April Clayworth to West Stockwith Basin

At least the breeze was straight down the canal as John reversed Annie down to the clubhouse. Three Braunston boats came past as he did so, however! Good to see visitors on the Chessie. After loading up, sorting the Elsan, etc, off we went. John was dressed for warmth, which helped him enjoy the scenic trip to Drakeholes, where several trees have been removed at the moorings near the tunnel.

Drakeholes moorings

Drakeholes Tunnel

We both enjoyed the panorama over the Idle valley through the locks to West Stockwith.
Bluebells, wild garlic, aconites, primroses were in abundance in woodland, while a few cowslips littered the waterside, here and there.