Almost Worksop

The weather forecast predicted a month's rainfall in one day - and it certainly felt like it! It was raining as we set off at the top of the long flight back down to Shireoaks and it stayed that way all day - until we moored!

Top Lock

Despite the rain it was not cold and we made good progress. The staircase locks were as slow going down as on the way up but in several case we did see water over the overflow and could understand how easily the lock side could be flooded if too much is let out at once.

It is indeed a rural and pretty setting for the canal - here Milestone Lock 29 - and it is a shame that so few boats are able to benefit from it. (it was not until mid afternoon before we saw any boat on the move and that was the only one)

Three Lock Staircase

Milestone Lock

Yesterday we saw that there was plenty of water to supply the flight but today there were several inches over each of the bywashes.

Turnerwood Basin

We reached Turnerwood Basin in just about two hours where we stopped on the two hour moorings for a coffee break.

It was still raining as we reached the bottom lock of the original flight and ever increasing overflows. Those just below locks can make it difficult to keep the boat on the right line.

Boundary Lock was completed in just under three hours - allowing for our coffee break and Mike dropped Christine at Shireoaks bridge so that she could pick up a paper and post a birthday card. Mike continued to Shireoaks Marina where he planned to fill the water tank as well as empty the elsan. Although he managed the latter, he found that the water tap where he connected the hosepipe produced no water! There was no other option as the one we used yesterday was occupied by a couple of boats that arrived after we left. In any event we stopped alongside to have a lunch break.

When we set off we thought that the rain was easing - but that did not last long and real wet weather returned.

The next section is a little less lock-intensive but the breaks are not long enough to do much else. We arrived at Deep Lock and moored in order to visit the nearby Sainsbury store for weekend shopping. It took us a while to find our way out of the pub car park and then, as we walked along the pavement to the pedestrian crossing to the Sainsbury care park a car drove at speed through a deep puddle which soaked Mike up to his knees!

Back at the boat as we set off, although the one moving boat of the day arrived and we allowed it to go ahead as they had quite a large crew.

Stret Lock

Stret Lock proved no problem as we descended gingerly - the bridge alignment makes access and exit from below a bit tricky. Perhaps the bridge was built when the canal was not in use.

Morse Lock

A short run brought us to Morse Lock and Christine admitted that we had perhaps done enough for one day. Although we were about to continue through Worksop when we saw just below the lock a good mooring we called a halt and set about finding dry clothes!

Later in the evening the sunshine arrived and it was a pleasant spell - for the walkers, fishermen as well as ourselves!
3.4 miles - 31 locks