Narrowboat Tacet

Silent Movement - Our gap year travelling the inland waterways



Friday 26 August 2011

Leaving Sheffield

On Wednesday we were ready to leave about 8.30am to get to the top of Tinsley Locks for 9 when the lock keeper had said he would have them open and ready for us.


On the way down we stopped at a steel works that we had noticed on the way into Sheffield. We had seen the hot metal being worked and wanted to see if we could get some photos.
It was a rolling mill, one of only two left working in the traditional way in Sheffield. As we stopped some of the workers came to see what we wanted, but unfortunately they were having trouble getting the mix for the steel right for the job they were doing that day, so they had not started rolling the metal and there was nothing to see. They have found a niche market in specialised drills that has enabled them to carry on working and producing steel products. So sadly no photos to show you.
So it was a busy day with 21 locks and 17 miles covered down to Sprotbrough, but the weather was beautifully sunny and hot. The rain began in the evening after we had moored up and there were some heavy showers during the night.
Thursday we stopped off at Doncaster for a superb lunch at the Georgian Tearooms in the town, unfortunately it was not a market day so not many stalls open at the large Market area and inside the market halls. 
On the New Junction Canal we 'leap-frogged' through the swing bridges and lock with nb Emerald. 
Rush hour on the New Junction Canal
The Humber Princess loaded with oil travelling from Goole to Rotherham
Under the footbridge and we moored up for the night at the end of the canal.
This morning we set off for Knottingly to take Anna to the station for her journey home. It was raining, as the forecasters have been promising for a few days. After lunch and seeing Anna off, we set off again in the rain and moored up in Castleford at 6pm. 


48 miles, 29 locks, 6 bridges


2 comments:

  1. Having already done the Leeds Liverpool, I was expecting to hear that you were heading south (until I looked at the Inland Waterways map!! LOL). I'm fascinated to know where you are going next!

    What a shame about the steelworks. That would have made some impressive photographs!

    ReplyDelete
  2. We have one more Pennine crossing to do!
    The Rochdale Canal is our next destination. We have to return to Sussex next weekend for a wedding party and my Mum and Dad's 50th wedding anniversary party. So we shall be looking out for a safe place to leave the boat too.

    ReplyDelete