Voyages of Gabriel: Gainsborough to Clayworth

Wed 27^th Jul Gainsborough to Gringley-on-the-Hill

It was sunny this morning as the tide was coming in and we waited for the ebb.

Waiting for the tide to turn

Two large gin palace cruisers came in with the tide, going flat out, and creating a huge wash. We were concerned that our ropes would break, or the mooring cleats would be wrenched off the the pontoon. We guessed they had come in from the Humber, and were trying to keep pace with the limited window for the incoming tide before it turned. No pics as we were hanging on tightly.

When the incoming tide slackened enough we set off north through Gainsborough, negotiating a very tight turn called Morton Corner. The tide soon turned, and at West Stockwith Lock, we went past the lock before turning into the flow, which was by now ebbing quite fast. We slowly drew level with the entrance, and then turned in with a quick burst of power. Thankfully we scored full marks as we didn’t hit the walls.

Morton Corner

West Stockwith in sight

Into the lock after turning

Sanctuary

Gates closed behind us

At the top

We went to the facilities to empty cassettes, and Hazel used the shower. We had to moor on a slipway, with views across to East Stockwith. There is no bridge, so the two communities are divided by the river.

On the slipway for the facilities

East Stockwith

When we had done what needed to be done we left the basin and started our journey up the Chesterfield Canal. In less than a mile we had the two Misterton Locks, which were both in our favour. For some unexplained reason, overnight mooring in Misterton is not allowed.

Misterton Low Lock

No overnight mooring

The canal is very shallow and in places has reeds on both sides, resembling part of the Aylesbury Arm. We spotted six dead fish in a short stretch, possibly due to the extreme hot weather recently. There is evidence of a previous brickmaking industry nearby.

Reeds

Weed catcher boat

Old man’s beard

Dead fish

Old Brickworks

We found a very quiet mooring with bollards, in sight of Gringley-on-the-hill.

Our first mooring on the Chesterfield

3 locks, 7½ miles. Dep 0920, arr 1040 West Stockwith facilities. Dep 1120, arr 1330.

Thu 28^th Jul Gringley-on-the-Hill to Clayworth

After a peaceful night, we had a slow journey on a shallow section through two locks to Drakeholes, following a contour around Gringley-on-the-hill.

Visit to the weed hatch

More brickworks

Gringley Lock

Following a contour

At Drakeholes Tunnel we met BCF boat Madeley Wood with John and Barbara, emerging from the entrance. Sadly, there was nowhere to stop and chat. They moor at Shireoaks, so we will probably see them on the way back.

Madeley Wood

Later, we exchanged photos, so here is their photo of Gabriel entering Drakeholes Tunnel.

Entering the tunnel

Drakeholes Tunnel

There is an ornamental bridge (No 72) leading to Wiseton Hall, named on Ordnance Survey maps as Lady’s Bridge, but the Nicholson Guide marks it as Old Man Bridge. There must be a story here somewhere.

Old Man Bridge

St Peters Church, Clayworth

Kestrel

We stopped at Clayworth to visit the Retford and Worksop Boat Club (RWBC). We made contact with the resident site manager, who said it would be fine to have a parcel sent there. We need a spare part for one of our cassettes.

James had a chat with the man on Melita, who is also visiting the club. He said his boat is named after the tune for “Eternal Father, strong to save”, also known as “For those in peril on the sea”. Melita is the old name for Malta, where Paul was shipwrecked.