We duly set off in a rather misty and quite eerie atmosphere, continuing to speed downstream. Although bthere are few stopping points, most stretches were interesting and all very different. Obviously the river gradually widens until it is almost intimidating!
After almost two hours (including some more very heavy showers) we arrived at Gainsborough where there is a visitor pontoon where we tied up - quite hairy coming alongside with the river flow! We went into the town in search of bread and milk the market stalls were only just setting up but we tracked down a small indpenedent bakery shop - definitely better than supermarket!
We returned to the waterfront which is gradually being much improved by a riverside walkway and new apratment blocks. As we were about to set off, two GRP boats raced up and indicated that they wanted to use the spot which we were vacating. Alas there was a slight bump due to the flow of the river but we did not see anything untoward in the incident until they later came racing up behind us to demand details be left at Keadby lock keeper! We shall see . . .
As we arrived at Keadby - more or less on schedule - there was a single coaster ship tied up alongside, opposite to the lock entrance. At one time this might have been a much busier wharfing place. Coming into the lock, which was ready for us, was a challenge but we managed to read the water flow correctly and came into the calm of the lock chamber without a problem.
Now for something quite different: the Stainforth and Keadby Canal (part of the South Yorkshire Navigations) is wide and once carried large quantities of commercial barge traffic, but no longer. Today, it is most attractive and the canal banks have been allowed to grow naturally.
There are several bridges to be opened, both swing and lift, both powered and not. (The first is a railway bridge that move a complete section of track sideways to allow boats through!) Each need safety gates to be opened and closed so passage is limnited by the time needed to read the different sets of instructions for each one. Some are well automated and only need a single button push to set the whole opening or closing sequence in motion.
The New Junction Cut is a long, completely straight section built in 1905, again for commercial barge traffic. Two thirds of the way along is Sykehouse lock - amazingly huge - and just below we found a welcome mooring spot. Even the sun came out to celebrate!
(And, dear reader, we have lots more pix of bridges of various types!)
