Take Five: Tinsley and Sheffield

We were up in good time with a bright sunny morning, but we had a date with Dave the Lock Keeper at Holmes Lock. He will then escort us through the Tinsley Flight.

Blue on Blue, with Lynn and Peter, set off a few minutes later as they too were booked for the journey up to Sheffield. The depot where the oil tanker delivers its load appeared - we understand that it brings used oil to be reprocessed as a lubricant for machine tools. We arrived first at Rotherham Lock, the first of the shorter locks. In fact they all turned out to be long enough for us and we did not have to resort to the technique we used on the Calder and Hebble last year.

Rotherham Lock

Just below the lock gates there is a strange wheel shaped metal insert - others have wondered at its purpose but it seems likely to have been the base of a swing bridge as there is a suitable indentation in the lock tail stones on the opposite side.

New York Stadium

The scenery was remarkably pleasant and the next section as we passed the New York Stadium was back on the river.

Ickles Lock

Holmes Lock

We duly met with Dave the Lockie at Holmes and he explained to us the routine. He is indeed quite a character and an enormous asset to the waterways. Not only is he very knowledgeable but is totally committed to engaging as many people as possible with the canal.

Jordan's Lock Weir

Above Jordan's Lock is a well signposted weir - whilst today it was very gentle with very little water flowing over for much of its length, in days before the installation of the boom and when there was excess water it must have been very daunting.

David Walker, Lockkeeper and Canal Ambassador

The Tinsley Locks are generally very rural in their immediate aspect. One of the reasons that boats have to be accompanied by the lock keeper is that there is no water feed above the bottom of the flight, including the summit pound. A back pump runs continuously topping up the flight but it is all too easy for boaters to waste water.

Tinsley Lock 10

Wild Flowers below Tinsley Viaduct

Just below the Tinsley Viaduct, that carries two roads as well as a motorway across the valley, Mike snapped this amazing collection of wildflowers.

Tinsley Lock 7/8

Locks 7 and 8 were combined as part of a development in the 1960's to support rail freight traffic and a new marshalling yard. No concessions to the heritage lobby in those days as it was constructed in harsh concrete.

Tinsley Lock 3

Tinsley Top Lock

Above the top lock we bade farewell to Dave with our combined thanks - the photo also shows the outfall from the back pumps, surprisingly small quantity given the amount that flowed over the top of several gates in the flight.

Brown Bayley Bridge 10A

The rest of the summit pound into Sheffield became gradually more urban but rarely did industry encroach right to the water's edge although several sites of former works have been flattened.

The Supertram line from Meadowhall into the city centre runs alongside the canal for much of the pound.

Sheaf Quay

In time for a rather late lunch we pulled into the visitor moorings alongside the impressive Sheaf Quay building, whilst we awaited instructions about where to moor overnight. We plan to stay two nights but Blue on Blue will probably stay a little longer. An electric hook up will help both of us and avoid running the engine each day.

Straddle Warehouse

The end of the canal is noted for the Straddle Warehouse which still stand proudly across the final section - most of the mooring is just before this structure.

Supertram Bridge

Once we were settled, by now mid afternoon, we set off to walk into the city centre and explore what it may have to offer. We walked up the long slope to a footbridge over the wide inner ring road to reach the tram bridge - the footpath into the city runs alongside.

Supertram

Sheffield Cathedral

We spent some time at the cathedral - until about a hundred years ago it was the parish church but after it was made the centre of a new diocese it was extended quite a bit. We were a bit surprised that there were no welcomers or other staff visible - although the building is very pleasant it did feel somewhat without a life or, even, purpose.

Sheffield Cathedral

We had a little debate about whether one building was the Town Hall or the City Hall - so Christine made sure we had a photo to check! (It was the Town Hall)