Past Times

From Viking Marina we  took a steady trip down memory lane.  Our first stop was at the top of the New Junction Canal.  The next morning our ropes started creaking, an indication of water movement often caused by a commercial barge.  A little later Humber Pride, an oil tanker, came over the Went Aqueduct.  Humber Pride and Humber Princess are the last commercial barges running regularly to Rotherham.    

Humber Pride fills the narrow Went Aqueduct as it returns to Goole

Our route alternates between canal and river with electric locks between them.  The Doncaster to Rotherham railway line runs alongside and crosses our path on a very dilapidated  bridge at Conisborough.  Braces and cables appear to be keeping up the bridge which I used to travel across daily on my commute to Sheffield.   In comparison Conisborough Viaduct, which is no longer used, has elegant arches which span the Don Valley.

Conisbrough Viaduct

At Swinton we moored near Waddingtons boatyard, once a thriving barge business but sadly no longer operating.  The fleet of 90 has been reduced to a dozen and the yard is now used, by Waddingtons which is still owned by the family,  to dismantle the boats for scrap.   A poignant end to this once famous fleet.

Some of Waddington's remaining barges.  Resilience, on the left, was used by Acasters to transport a transformer to Newark last year.  The yard is on the right hand side of the photo.  

On a happier note the window sill of an old wharfe building at Mexborough was the home for 3 owl chicks who looked out as we passed.

Our journey on the South Yorkshire Navigation was punctuated by shopping trips.  At Aldwarke we stopped to shop at ASDA which is conveniently next to the lock.  Wheeling the trolley down onto the jetty saved carrying the shopping.  We then moved on to Eastwood Visitor moorings at Rotherham, a short walk from the Retail World shopping centre.  We stopped here for a few days and took the opportunity to see friends and family.  Nic and Gaz took Kev shopping and he returned with 4500 teabags which should keep us going for a while!

On our return journey we stopped at Doncaster to shop at the excellent market.  All stocked up we sailed onto Bramwith for the weekend. 

 Our journey from Goole to Rotherham and back to Bramwith.  Our return stops are marked in purple.