I like this canal

Thursday, 12 August 2010 11:04

Add the Chesterfield Canal to my list of favourites - so far!

After our sojourn at Shaw Lock and with John's back almost healed, we moved on. Gringley Lock was not a surprise as we had seen it on our wander.

As I wanted to have a little exercise and give John a chance to continue to look after his back, I did the lock. The bottom nearside gate is very heavy and the balance beam high. I managed to open and close it by using my weight rather than muscle! The top nearside paddle is not working, so the lock is a slow filler. But I managed it all!

The next "structure" of note is Drakeholes Tunnel, 154 yards long; it retains some of the original stone facing.

We have never seen the small sign at a tunnel before, but as car drivers it is obvious what is meant!  Click for a larger image.

In the tunnel, old and new linings

The tunnel cuts through Cuckoo Hill and at the end there is a sharp 90 degree left turn. The remains of a wharf have been made into visitor moorings, but I would not like to moor at the apex of the corner - our narrowboat went round the corner OK, but less experienced helmsmen might need to be more cautious!

tiller to the right a bit!

Looking back at moorings

So far, the Chesterfield has a "Brindley feel" about it - a contour canal, avoiding hills by skirting the bottom and with as few locks as possible. From the map we know that this eventually changes and we will need to be fit and ready for lots of locks!

Leaving Drakeholes Tunnel we continued on towards Clayworth.