En härlig morgon.

Looks great out.

Walkies!

Well, what started out so promising has turned into a dull day: rain! I know the farmers, and gardeners, want it but I don't.

Walked up the canal to Cinderhill lock (Duke's bridge) and then followed the footpath to Brancliffe. Last time, coming the other way, I hadn't been able to find the footpath through the wood above the Ryton and the start of Brancliffe feeder. Going the other way it's signposted. Turns out I'd been literally within feet of it! There's a quarry at the bottom of Lindrick dale, last time I went in and turned left, If I'd turned right I'd have found it!
The slideshow above is the walk: Duke's Bridge; Brancliffe; Feeder source; Lindrick Dale; Thorpe Top Bridge and back down to Duke's Bridge. Wherever you go you're sure to find an underpant tree.

Anyhow. There was a fishing match above Morse lock, Dinnington Sportsman pub. Some anglers are bloody selfish: they leave rods over the towpath and, coming back, the brollies were enormous and blocking the way.

The angling match going and coming back

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There appears to be a lack of water above Feeder lock as Quarry, Turnerwoood top and Feeder's washes were dry. Don't think it was boats using it as I didn't see any between Shireoaks Middle and Thorpe Top Treble."

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The swan above Turnerwood double has given up on her eggs.

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Didn't see the Mandarin anywhere although his "adopted" family were on Feeder's wash. see pics above re low water.

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Looked for Nb Wychwood in Shireoaks Marina: no sign.

The other boat I saw yesterday, Sloe Mo Shun was at Shireoaks Middle on the way up and just leaving Python's pitch as I came back - he's from Hebden Bridge and he and his mate, in Nb 42, were going to a bootsale at the welfare club.

I've left uploading pics until I'm sure the camera's dry. Don't want to get any water in its innards.

Lørdag eftermiddagen

^{(Lørdag eftermiddagen = Danish for Saturday afternoon [allegedly])}

The "bottom" grebes are now displaying two chicks:

Here's a couple I 'shopped:

You can (just) see that the chicks have stripey necks.

Down to town & round the market:

You'll see Paula in there. Ain't the stuffed toys great?

Back up the canal I had to take this:

Someone was burning garden waste - the haze made it quite romantic looking.
Don't forget: this is Worksop!
I should sell it to the local tourist board.

As I approached Morse lock a narrowboat was just entering it. It turned out to be Wychwood. Been on the system for two months! More nice folk. As they had to remove their fenders to get into Morse, I thought I'd see if they had any trouble at Stret.

Fortunately they had no trouble

I did notice that the boat gave a lurch when about a foot of water had entered. It probably was jammed under the narrow bit and floated out. It's a short boat (40ft?) so that probably explains its clearing the lock.

Wychwood through Highground bridge into Deep lock.

Walking back to Morse,

Embarassingly it was a couple of hours before I realised that the name wasn't Gaelic.

I do love the Chesterfield canal.

Stoppages: Off the Trust Website:

Worksop Town Lock (no. 50) stoppage - June 13th and 14th
Urgent works needed on Worksop Town Lock. The ground paddles need to be replaced, the lock will be closed to boat traffic. We anticipate that the closure will be for two days. The lock will be dewatered for this operation. Boaters are asked to follow the advice of staff on site. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

One Slide Lock (no. 40) stoppage- June 16th
Urgent works needed on One Slide Lock. The ground paddle needs maintenance work, and the lock will be closed to boat traffic. We anticipate that the closure will be for one day. The lock will be dewatered for this operation. Boaters are asked to follow the advice of staff on site. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.