Monday, 5 September 2011
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Whitley Bridge to Stanley Ferry
Saturday.
Another quiet night at Whitley Locks. Loads of washing up to do. Moved the boat up to Whitley Bridge near the Jolly Miller and walked in to the village to Spar and to pick up J's phone. Had a quick drink at the Horse and Jockey before seeting off eastwards. Passed Kellingley Colliery and Knottingley, before stopping off at Castleford for petrol. The man in the petrol sation said he was closed for one hour. Bizarre.
About an hour and a half later we left Cas and headed towards Stanley ferry where we know there is a canalside family pub. As we approached Birkwood Lock, it was beginning to go dark. We could hear at commotion and were told that the gates would not shut and that a set of keys were stuck in both sets of controls - something that should not ever happen! BW had been called out but there was no indication how long they would be. The two boat owners concerned both were a bit merry - to say the least - and we wondered if this had contributed to the situation. Rather than wait around, we moored the boat closeby and walked down to Stanley Ferry, about a mile.
In the pub, two of the boaters involved came in an hour or so after us, and at this point were making even less sense. Heading back, the lock was closed and both boats had gone.
Another quiet night at Whitley Locks. Loads of washing up to do. Moved the boat up to Whitley Bridge near the Jolly Miller and walked in to the village to Spar and to pick up J's phone. Had a quick drink at the Horse and Jockey before seeting off eastwards. Passed Kellingley Colliery and Knottingley, before stopping off at Castleford for petrol. The man in the petrol sation said he was closed for one hour. Bizarre.
About an hour and a half later we left Cas and headed towards Stanley ferry where we know there is a canalside family pub. As we approached Birkwood Lock, it was beginning to go dark. We could hear at commotion and were told that the gates would not shut and that a set of keys were stuck in both sets of controls - something that should not ever happen! BW had been called out but there was no indication how long they would be. The two boat owners concerned both were a bit merry - to say the least - and we wondered if this had contributed to the situation. Rather than wait around, we moored the boat closeby and walked down to Stanley Ferry, about a mile.
In the pub, two of the boaters involved came in an hour or so after us, and at this point were making even less sense. Heading back, the lock was closed and both boats had gone.
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Goole to Whitley Bridge
Spent a slow morning at the visitor moorings in Goole. At the Yacht Club preparations were being made for a gala day. Gent who we had met the day before asked us to move or boat so he could moor his boat on rings. We did this but then he didn't move his boat.
Cast off around 1 pm and headed upstream. Met a big cargo boat, the Humber Queen, coming the other direction. Minutes later we ran out of petrol mid-stream. After re-fuelling we carried to Pollington Lock where we had a few problems - i.e. the automatic gates would not open. Just as we were about to call BW, we heard a click and everything was working again.
We decided to stay at Whitley Lock again due to its pleasant location. As it was early we walked along the bank to Eggborough. The Jolly Miller pub is close to the water, but appeared to have fallen on bad times. It didn't serve meals and was up for sale. One of the customers said that the Horse and Jockey did "pizza and kebabs." It was about a ten minute walked on a roundabout. The pub was large but, as described, only sold pizza and kebabs, oh, and Black Sheep. We stayed for one and then went to the Spar next door to buy provisions. On the way back, along the cut, Joan realised she had not got her mobile phone. Steps were retraced but it was growing dark.
Back at the boat, K phoned J's mobile and it was answered by a lady in Spar. We said we would be back for it next day.
Dinner was pasta with courgettes and gorgonzola sauce with flatbread, eaten on the bankside. It was warm enough to sit out. No one else moored nearby.
Cast off around 1 pm and headed upstream. Met a big cargo boat, the Humber Queen, coming the other direction. Minutes later we ran out of petrol mid-stream. After re-fuelling we carried to Pollington Lock where we had a few problems - i.e. the automatic gates would not open. Just as we were about to call BW, we heard a click and everything was working again.
We decided to stay at Whitley Lock again due to its pleasant location. As it was early we walked along the bank to Eggborough. The Jolly Miller pub is close to the water, but appeared to have fallen on bad times. It didn't serve meals and was up for sale. One of the customers said that the Horse and Jockey did "pizza and kebabs." It was about a ten minute walked on a roundabout. The pub was large but, as described, only sold pizza and kebabs, oh, and Black Sheep. We stayed for one and then went to the Spar next door to buy provisions. On the way back, along the cut, Joan realised she had not got her mobile phone. Steps were retraced but it was growing dark.
Back at the boat, K phoned J's mobile and it was answered by a lady in Spar. We said we would be back for it next day.
Dinner was pasta with courgettes and gorgonzola sauce with flatbread, eaten on the bankside. It was warm enough to sit out. No one else moored nearby.
Friday, 2 September 2011
Whitley to Goole
Thursday 1 st September
Yet another slow start. Ate breakfast at the picnic tables. JB had lots of safe place where she could run around without harming herselfor anyone else. Lockside was immaculately kept.
Headed on downstream towards Goole. Saw herons and cormorants on the way. Passed the entrance to the New Junction canal and then was joined by Vermuyden's Dutch canal which runs in parallel with the Aire and Calder to Goole.
Moored at Rawcliffe Bridge but the Black Horse was closed. We ate lunch and just as we were preparing to leave it opened, around 4 pm. At the same time a stream of boats passed us coing up from Goole but none stopped. Unlike the older canals there doesn't not seem to be the same number of canalside pubs, but hti is perhaps because these waterways were built later to accommodate coal driven barges which went faster and did not need watering points for horses.
Made Goole late afternoon and walked over the swing bridges in to town. We couldn't find any waterfront pubs and ate (again) at a Weatherspoons.
On the way back we saw a swing bridge open to let a big cargo ship, the Baltic Sailor, back out. Quite a tight manoevre!
A couple of bigger boats passed us as we sat on the back. Clear, starry night.
Yet another slow start. Ate breakfast at the picnic tables. JB had lots of safe place where she could run around without harming herselfor anyone else. Lockside was immaculately kept.
Headed on downstream towards Goole. Saw herons and cormorants on the way. Passed the entrance to the New Junction canal and then was joined by Vermuyden's Dutch canal which runs in parallel with the Aire and Calder to Goole.
Moored at Rawcliffe Bridge but the Black Horse was closed. We ate lunch and just as we were preparing to leave it opened, around 4 pm. At the same time a stream of boats passed us coing up from Goole but none stopped. Unlike the older canals there doesn't not seem to be the same number of canalside pubs, but hti is perhaps because these waterways were built later to accommodate coal driven barges which went faster and did not need watering points for horses.
Made Goole late afternoon and walked over the swing bridges in to town. We couldn't find any waterfront pubs and ate (again) at a Weatherspoons.
On the way back we saw a swing bridge open to let a big cargo ship, the Baltic Sailor, back out. Quite a tight manoevre!
A couple of bigger boats passed us as we sat on the back. Clear, starry night.
Thursday, 1 September 2011
Cas to Whitley
A slow start to the day...after all we are on holiday. We walked back into Castleford for supplies and petrol. Both pubs near the canal were closed and the area near the basin is derelict mainly with scrap yards etc. If it were cleared the basin could make a feature for the town but again the navigation passes through without most people being aware of it.
Made it past Fryston and Wheldale collieries and came to Ferrybridge with its imposing cooling towers. At Knottingley the Golden Lion looked promising, offering on boards outside food from 9.30 am til late. But inside, despite its position, it was a basic town boozer, with sticky carpets and nicotine stained paintwork. There wasn't even a veggie option, unless you count a cheese and chutney sandwich. We stopped for one.
After that the canal passed Kellingley Colliery. The water is very quiet and we saw few other craft except a couple of big barges.
Crossing under the M62 we came across Whitley Locks, with a grassed picnic area. We moored up for the night and had a Sherherdless Pie with home grown veg. Despite the motorway being so visibly near, it was pleasant and quiet.
Made it past Fryston and Wheldale collieries and came to Ferrybridge with its imposing cooling towers. At Knottingley the Golden Lion looked promising, offering on boards outside food from 9.30 am til late. But inside, despite its position, it was a basic town boozer, with sticky carpets and nicotine stained paintwork. There wasn't even a veggie option, unless you count a cheese and chutney sandwich. We stopped for one.
After that the canal passed Kellingley Colliery. The water is very quiet and we saw few other craft except a couple of big barges.
Crossing under the M62 we came across Whitley Locks, with a grassed picnic area. We moored up for the night and had a Sherherdless Pie with home grown veg. Despite the motorway being so visibly near, it was pleasant and quiet.
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