Voyages of Gabriel: Keadby to Thorne

Wed 4^th May Keadby to Crook o’Moor swing bridge

Our water tank was almost on red, so we reversed to the tap and did the necessary. Hazel took the opportunity to use the shower in the facilities block. When we emptied the cassette we found a sign saying “No Fishing”!!

No fishing in the elsan point

We had a leisurely departure in sunshine. The first obstacle was the sliding railway bridge, unique in the UK, and one of only three in Europe. We had to wait a few minutes for two trains to pass before the signalman opened the bridge for us.

Sliding bridge

Bridge slid away

We then had Vazon Swing Bridge, which needed pushing and was quite heavy. We need to get into practice in preparation for the Leeds and Liverpool Canal later.

Vazon Swing Bridge

Then we passed under the new Pilfrey Bridge, high and modern, which has a new road, with no traffic. This possibly serves the gas power station at Keadby.

Pilfrey Bridge

There were lots of wind turbines in the very flat landscape. We encountered a fishing competition on the left, with everyone looking very serious. At the same time we spotted five deer in the field on the right.

Wind turbines

Fishing competition

Deer

The railway follows the canal all along this stretch, and there is a station at Crowle Wharf, with moorings opposite. Convenient if you want to catch a train somewhere. Goodnow Swing Bridge is next to a railway level crossing, and as soon as we swung the barrier, a railwayman emerged from a box to close the crossing gates. The bridge is mechanically powered, so no need to push.

The railway departs slightly from the canal at this point, and we found a place to moor with lovely views of marshy fields. It looked a good place for barn owls but none appeared.

Quiet mooring

There were reed warblers and skylarks, a lonely frog and a peacock butterfly. Glorious dandelions everywhere. Hugo with was very pleased to be somewhere with plenty of grass.

Peacock Butterfly

Dandelion

Hugo very happy

We were treated to a lovely sunset, improved by the vapour trails from aircraft passing unheard overhead.

Sunset at Crook o’Moor

0 locks, 5 miles, 2 swing bridges

Thu 5^th May Crook o’Moor to Thorne

Within half a mile we came to our first obstacle, Crook o’Moor Swingbridge, which requires a key, but is manual. There is an old style signal box on the railway, which again runs adjacent to the canal. It was a sunny day with flat landscape, wind farms and rape fields, which were at their most colourful. There were also lots of vapour trails high in the sky.

Crook o’Moor Swing Bridge, alternatively named Medge Hall Bridge

Medge Hall crossing

Vapour trails

Railway adjacent to Canal

Wind farm and rape fields

Two miles further on there was another swing bridge. This was a bit more of a challenge because someone had parked a van in the path of the swingbridge arm, so no-one could open it. There were already two boats waiting to come through from the other side. It was a hired van, and there was CRT literature visible on the front shelf. The other boaters had been there for two hours. They had tried moving the van. They had tried all the doors in an attempt to move it. They had phoned Enterprise Van hire, and also CRT. Eventually one of them had a phone call back from CRT to say that the driver was now in Keadby, and someone was on their way to move the van.

When he arrived in another Enterprise van, he muttered an apology on behalf of his colleague, and moved the van to a better location, before driving off again. Apparently they were data checkers, who walk the towpaths checking licences and recording the positions of boats. We were surprised that they used two hired vans for this.

No parking sign

Blocking the operation of the swing bridge

Two other boats waiting

Free at last – Maud’s Swing Bridge

We had three more bridges to operate: Moore’s Swing Bridge, which is mechanically powered but we had to put the barriers in place. Then Wykewell Lift Bridge, which is all automatic, including flashing lights and barriers. Finally there is Princess Bridge in Thorne, which is powered, and thankfully someone from the moorings on the left operated it for us, as the landing area was very limited.

Moore’s Swing Bridge

Wykewell Lift Bridge

Thorne Bridge and Princess Swing Bridge

We headed for the visitor moorings, where several boats were already tied up, with chairs on the grass, enjoying the sunshine.

We went to explore the town and visited Sainsbury’s for some vital supplies, including wine. We noticed a lot of pubs, and some small shops, but we never saw a fish and chip shop. They are more keen on pie and peas around here.

We noticed a Methodist Church which might be a possibility for Sunday, if we stay. We are ahead of schedule.

Thorne Methodist Church

As we returned to the boat, a CRT man arrived and gave us a leaflet about a 40s event being held this weekend. We had been wondering where to go to church on Sunday, as up ahead it looks as though there may not be any churches when we want them. So we decided to stay for the celebrations.

0 locks, 5 miles, 4 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge

Fri 6^th May Thorne

We heard a cuckoo in the early morning before we were up. There was also a very friendly goose who was hoping to be fed.

Friendly goose

James had a go at painting the bow deck. He had to sand off some rusty bits, wash down, and apply some rust beater before getting the paint on. Hazel spent a lot of time putting chords on songs.

Rusty deck

After sanding

Rust beater drying

New paint

No boating today

Sat 7^th May Thorne another sunny day

James put a second coat on the bow deck before it got too hot. We then went to find out what was happening in the town. We caught some of the parade, and saw that all the shops had union flags out and many of the shopkeepers were dressed in 40’s outfits. Some had had special hair do’s. There were vintage cars, army vehicles and marching bands.

Vintage cars

Marching bands

We came upon a group of Christians who were singing worship songs, so we joined them for a while. A lady in uniform with a piano accordion also joined in. There were also some others there who asked us about Boaters Christian Fellowship.

Christian outreach

Joined by a lady accordionist

In the square we listened to the opening speech by Field-Marshall Armstrong. There was a pipe band from Sheffield, wearing a Sheffield tartan (we didn’t know there was one.) The girls on the drums were most impressive with their co-ordinated movements. There is a short video to show their prowess.

Fancy drumming

Dressed up in style

Old cars

We went to the church hall where there were more stalls, and we stopped for pie and peas in their cafe. We started talking to the people we had met earlier who asked us about BCF. All three of them had three-wheeled walking aids.

Betty, Pat and Clarry, the wheelie team.

Classic cars

Triumph Herald (James had one of these)

We then went to the Canal Tavern to see one of the acts – The Lady Bugs. Good harmonies, but sadly out of sight round a corner for us.

Lady Bugs

Later we caught a glimpse of the George Formby Experience at the Willaspoons. This was not so good, as the TV was also on for the football. We didn’t stay.

In the evening we went to the Indian Spice restaurant where had a good meal, before going to the Red Bear to see Marina Mae. She was very good, dressed in the style of a 40’s cabaret singer.

No boating today

Sun 8^th May Thorne Sunny

Hot and sunny

Just as we were about to set off for church, Betty, Pat and Clarry turned up by the boat, and Pat gave us some Irish magazines, with some songs in, as well as a book of daily bible studies.

We had decided to go, not to the Methodist Church, but to the Anglican Church of St Nicholas. We had been told that the vicar was on the ball, and they were having a special service to link in with the 40’s event.

The worship was ably led by a brass band. The talk was about the second coming of Jesus.

St Nicholas Church, Thorne

Worship led by a brass band

We walked back through the celebrations and had an excellent carvery lunch at the Canal Tavern, being entertained by the Land Girls, who were very good. Full of enthusiasm, and getting the audience involved.