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The Lovely Chesterfield Canal.
So, we arrived at the lock to this hidden gem of a canal. And the entrance was once again a bit like getting into Keadby. We were cruising swiftly along, and
Mick had to execute a turn into the tide and then nose into the opening of the canal. And the minute we rose up the lock and saw what was ahead of us, I just knew that this was going to be one very special exploration.
It had been a long day, so we moored just past the marina and enjoyed a chat and a drink with Richard, (on NB Firefly), on the sunny towpath. He was to be our travelling companion along this lovely canal.
Next morning, it was dewy underfoot and the sun was just burning off the morning mist. We had decided to get off early. This is quite a narrow canal, a bit shallow, so basically you cruise at tick-over speed. Just the job really. The canal is incredibly lovely and one to be enjoyed at as slow a pace , as possible.
It meanders through the Nottinghamshire countryside and farmland. At some points there are no roads, no traffic noise, just the sound of bird-song. Warblers, buntings, kingfishers, and its all sooooo quiet. You can just hear the swish of the water as we pass by. It goes to say that the weather is just perfect. Blue sky, sunny and warm. It would be a bit of a different picture if it was pouring down.
2nd Night we pulled up at the Retford and Worksop Boat club, moorings. Richard is a member of the South Pennine boat club, so it’s a case of who you know, helping a bit here. They found us somewhere to moor up. It’s the week-end of their summer rally, and we have been invited to join them, if we wish,for a spot of welly boot slinging, egg rolling etc. Sat night there is some sort of C & W crooner, who has sung in the US. Mick said we would stay if it was Dolly.
However, we need A PUMPOUT
Also, its combine-harvesting time around here,and bleddy hell, do these tractors, balers, combines etc move. !!! Nothing like those old things we saw in Gargrave. These have enormous bouncy wheels, with brawny young country boys at the wheel,bouncing merrily along the village roads. Just as we had gone to bed thurs night, we heard a screech of brakes , as one flew across the bridge, but there was no following crunch of metal , so I assume some poor driver had had a lucky escape, and just needed a change of kecks.
!!!. We stayed Thursday night, and then the 2 year old tv went blink blink. So Friday morning, 3 ( me and 2 old chaps – sorry Mick and Richard!) of us got on a bus and went into Retford. Very nice town. Got a tv, wandered about a bit. I tried to spend some money, but to no avail, so we arrived back at the bus station to find…..NO BUS, we had another 45 mins to wait. Hm, hm. Err. I had mis-read the bustimes on the timetable. Oh come on guys, its easily done. !
Friday night we went into the R and W boatclub clubhouse for a spot of conviviality, with other boaters. Red wine and Bread and dripping. Mmmmm. Not proper dripping though, as it had no black jelly in it. Saturday morning and off we go again. Loads more to follow
So, we arrived at the lock to this hidden gem of a canal. And the entrance was once again a bit like getting into Keadby. We were cruising swiftly along, and
Mick had to execute a turn into the tide and then nose into the opening of the canal. And the minute we rose up the lock and saw what was ahead of us, I just knew that this was going to be one very special exploration.
It had been a long day, so we moored just past the marina and enjoyed a chat and a drink with Richard, (on NB Firefly), on the sunny towpath. He was to be our travelling companion along this lovely canal.
Next morning, it was dewy underfoot and the sun was just burning off the morning mist. We had decided to get off early. This is quite a narrow canal, a bit shallow, so basically you cruise at tick-over speed. Just the job really. The canal is incredibly lovely and one to be enjoyed at as slow a pace , as possible.
It meanders through the Nottinghamshire countryside and farmland. At some points there are no roads, no traffic noise, just the sound of bird-song. Warblers, buntings, kingfishers, and its all sooooo quiet. You can just hear the swish of the water as we pass by. It goes to say that the weather is just perfect. Blue sky, sunny and warm. It would be a bit of a different picture if it was pouring down.
2nd Night we pulled up at the Retford and Worksop Boat club, moorings. Richard is a member of the South Pennine boat club, so it’s a case of who you know, helping a bit here. They found us somewhere to moor up. It’s the week-end of their summer rally, and we have been invited to join them, if we wish,for a spot of welly boot slinging, egg rolling etc. Sat night there is some sort of C & W crooner, who has sung in the US. Mick said we would stay if it was Dolly.
However, we need A PUMPOUT
Also, its combine-harvesting time around here,and bleddy hell, do these tractors, balers, combines etc move. !!! Nothing like those old things we saw in Gargrave. These have enormous bouncy wheels, with brawny young country boys at the wheel,bouncing merrily along the village roads. Just as we had gone to bed thurs night, we heard a screech of brakes , as one flew across the bridge, but there was no following crunch of metal , so I assume some poor driver had had a lucky escape, and just needed a change of kecks.
!!!. We stayed Thursday night, and then the 2 year old tv went blink blink. So Friday morning, 3 ( me and 2 old chaps – sorry Mick and Richard!) of us got on a bus and went into Retford. Very nice town. Got a tv, wandered about a bit. I tried to spend some money, but to no avail, so we arrived back at the bus station to find…..NO BUS, we had another 45 mins to wait. Hm, hm. Err. I had mis-read the bustimes on the timetable. Oh come on guys, its easily done. !
Friday night we went into the R and W boatclub clubhouse for a spot of conviviality, with other boaters. Red wine and Bread and dripping. Mmmmm. Not proper dripping though, as it had no black jelly in it. Saturday morning and off we go again. Loads more to follow
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