Eastwood

The observant will notice that today's blog is entitled Eastwood whilst yesterday's was Rotherham - and, going uphill, Eastwood comes before Rotherham! Well, dear reader, if you have been following the story so far you will know about Mike's little contretemps with the side of the lock at Doncaster which shifted the tiller arm (swan's neck) relative to the rudder. You will also know of our attempts to fix the problem which yesterday finally failed when Tulley's Marine Services in Rotherham admitted defeat.

Angle between tiller and rudder

We then retreated to the moorings above Eastwood Lock, about a mile further back, to await a visit from Lee at Thorne Marine this morning. As arranged he called just after nine to say that he was setting off, checking where we were and then arrived with us shortly before ten o'clock. He was able to park his vehicle right beside the lock itself so Mike reversed the boat back down into the lock - we could also use the water point and sani station at the same time.

Lee from Thorne

Lee agreed with our diagnosis but had the advantage of not only knowing more about what he was doing but also had two large hammers, one of which could act as a restraint whilst clouting the taper joint with the other. After a few hefty taps it was free. he spent a while cleaning out the surfaces of the joint in case we need to do the same thing again in the future and before long we were back in business.

A call to Dave the Lock was next. he asked if we were in any particular hurry - we guess that he could have arranged passage for us today if pushed but the honest answer was that we are definitely not on that sort of agenda on this occasion. Hence is asked us to wait until tomorrow - we also let him know that Blue on Blue, which also moored here last night, were looking for a passage.

We chatted to the couple on that boat and they are happy to be able to share locks going up - although they had not realised that a lock keeper shadows the boats all the way - but you still have to work the locks yourselves.

After another mug of coffee, time to read or, in Christine's case to mop the top of the boat, it was lunch time.

Early afternoon we set off to walk into town. Despite our hopes, there is no easy way to the Parkgate retail park just across the railway line from where we are moored. We took the towpath along to a footbridge which gives access both into town and to the retail centre.

We opted for the route into town, through a housing estate. Not only do we have to adjust our ears to the strong local accent spoken around here but also to the fact that most of the local people were not speaking English at all. There is a sizable Muslim population - a large mosque stands on the hill above the town and local signs indicated another near by.

Rotherham Parish Church

The town centre explored with a little more time did not prove to be any more extensive than Christine found on her quick foray yesterday. There is an indoor market and we picked up a few food items. Sadly the parish church - or Minster - is only open in the morning on Wednesday so we could only read the information board outside. It looks nineteenth century but in fact was largely completed in the 16th century but was refurbished about 150 years ago. It seems that there are some interesting features inside but we only have the word of the information board - until we have the chance to call here sometime in the future. But not on Wednesday (or Saturday) afternoon!

Parish Church

Old Market Arcade

There were several small arcades - one of which stands on the site of the important markets that were once a key feature of the economy and urban life of Rotherham. What little remains is now space for boutique and specialist shops. Another arcade was once the town hall.

Old Town Hall Arcade

Former Markets

We called at Tesco - the only place in town we could find our newspaper - and also a greengrocer (stock up on fruit and nut treats). Alongside Tesco is the river weir - rather more impressive than the rest of the river through the town.

River Don Weir

Religious buildings seem to be plentiful - this sign on one building opposite the main square caught our eye.

We saw the chantry bridge chapel but it is not open and there was no information on display either, so all that we know has to come via the internet!

Chantry Bridge

At the huge bus interchance, very busy with people catching numerous buses, we discovered a free bus out to Parkgate retail park which runs every 12 minutes. We hopped on board, it was already standing room only, and soon we were deposited in the centre of quite an extensive shopping area. Any of the well known national names is based here if anywhere in Rotherham. It is clear that they have been united in turning their backs on thee town centre which is clearly very limited as a result.
Although we wandered around a number of the stores we did not buy anything until, after buying tomorrow's bread in Morrisons, we made the mistake of walking back alongside Sports Direct with large Closing Down Sales signs everywhere - Christine said to Mike, "I wonder if  they have any suitable boots," as Mike had tried the place near the Calder and Hebble where he bought his current pair last year but they could not track down the exact style. Three pairs of boots/trainers and two sets of socks later we emerged with even more than we had expected - yes they were very reduced (up to 80%?) but the Closing Down actually means Moving Next Door for the benefit of a lift to the upper sales area!

There was little then to do but walk back to the boat - although we were earlier just about 100 metres from our boat it was quite a hike around the end of the retail sheds and over the only footbridge in the vicinity.

Later, after a heavy shower, there was a wonderful rainbow.


0.2 miles - 0.25 locks