Done the Don!

Friday, 30 July 2010 00:27

Rotherham and four locks

We left Eastwood Lock to go and drop Ray at Rotherham Station. We were not sure if we would have to go through Rotherham Lock before she left us. As it turned out we were able to moor on the "trip boat mooring" just below the station ticket office. It could not have been more handy! So it was a sad goodbye to Ray, but it was so good to be with her for a few days.

This mooring is obviously a popular place for fisherman as one was already there and two lads waited patiently for us to move off. This is despite two obvious notices saying "No fishing"! Maybe the trip boat no longer runs?

Rotherham Lock was immediately after this, so it was goodbye to the electrically operated locks and back to the windlass - and watermate key - to open the paddles.

Looking back

Although the locks are the original size of locks on this navigation (61 foot 6 inches), it was hard work - the lock gates were very heavy and I had almost forgotten how paddles work! Top and bottom paddles on the towpath side have to be left open two turns.

The Court House is beside the lock, with the car park on the other side of the lock. We saw a few "suits" crossing the lock gates, but no wigs and gowns!

Ickles Lock was next and there was a BW chap checking the lock. John was able to inform him that one of the bottom paddles was not working (sadly a common occurrence all our way up to Sheffield today); He was not aware and would not have been if we had not been there - he had no windlass to check.

Arriving at Holmes Lock: we saw more BW men working beside the lock. This is where all the BW "operatives" are hiding: on the River Don! Another narrowboat, Second Chance was waiting here. The lock was locked up, however on of the chaps had a key and was able to let us through. David, another BW man was to see us through the Tinsley Flight and we were to meet him at the bottom.

Our final Lock on the River Don was Jordans Lock and from now on we were doubled up with Second Thoughts, a much shorter narrowboat.

Above the lock, the channel bends around a large weir, which carries the River Don down past Jordans Lock. It must be impressive when it is in flood; as we passed it, I was glad that the river conditions were good. You can just see the lock on the extreme middle right of the photo below.

The river leaves again at Halfpenny Bridge, beside Tinsley Bottom Lock (12), and it is here I shall leave you as we wait for BW's David to arrive.

Moorings above Eastwood Lock to Tinsley Bottom Lock

2 hours 18 minutes,  4.02 miles, 4 locks