Thorne

Since we had the car at hand, we began the day by driving the short distance to the large Tesco store on the outskirts of Scunthorpe, only a few minutes away. We bought some items for the weekend as well as replenishing the store cupboard.

Keadby Power Station

After returning to the boat we set off, passing the gas fired power station which had been our landmark for the past few days.

Sliding Railway Bridge

  Immediately afterwards we approached the Sliding Railway Bridge, a rare design which involves sliding the tracks at an angle so that boats can pass through - the railway line itself is only just a little higher than the canal and follows its line very closely to Thorne.

Just a few metres on came the first swing bridge, a frequent feature of the canals in this area. On the Stainforth and Keadby this is because the land is very flat and roads pass across on the level. Each bridge has a variant of design, both as a bridge but more especially in terms of the operating mechanism. Some are manual and some are mechanised but each has an interlock so that the bridge cannot be opened unless the protective road barriers are in position.

Vazon Swing Bridge

When moving, we made good speed as this is a wide and deep canal, expanded late in the history of canals so that it could allow larger barges to bring goods to and from Keadby and hence down the river. Today it is very quiet and we saw four boats moving all day, although a couple did arrive at Keadby for the tide before we left.

Stainforth and Keadby Canal

Godnow Swing Bridge

Godnow Swing Bridge is a bit different - the Network Rail crossing keeper has to shut the level crossing gates before the bridge can be opened, presumably because there is insufficient space to fit in a separate protective gate and also to prevent vehicles stopping on the railway line.

Two of the boats we met today were at bridges - the first one was a larger sea-going vessel.

We took turns at operating the bridges - most of the manual ones are reasonably easy to work but Christine recruited a couple of rail workers with one that was a bit reluctant to move!

Wykewell Lift Bridge

Wykewell Bridge is a rather different lift bridge - more like those on the Welsh and Oxford canals. Fortunately - given its size - it is fully mechanised, including the road barriers, warning sirens and flashing lights.

We called at Blue Water Marina where we have booked a mooring for the next couple of weeks. We filled the fuel tank and replaced the gas bottle which ran out just before lunch. Two very pleasant lasses run the marina (actually for their dad!) and were very helpful, especially when Mike took an extremely long time to manoeuvre the boat to the right place for the fuel pump!

Thorne Pedestrian Swing Bridge

Thorne pedestrian bridge proved resistant to opening - several local onlookers came to give advice and eventually it opened. Then came the problem of persuading it to close - Christine had to open it again and go through the complete closing cycle.

Thorne Lock

Only one lock today, at Thorne, but the added complication here is a swing bridge immediately above the lock. An interlock means that the key used to operate the mechanised lock cannot be removed until the bridge and gates are fully closed.

Once we cleared Thorne we looked for somewhere to moor - not so simple today as, although the landscape before Thorne was very open and from the canal it is possible to see a long distance, the next stretch is very different. Not only is it much less straight both sides are enclosed by low trees and we wanted to stop where we could find a satellite signal.

11.0 miles - 1 lock