Misterton

Here I am Rune

Distance 14 miles

Total 1345 Locks 70 Tunnels

Running total mileage 1925.7 miles 

Well we have had our trip down the ‘mighty’ Trent which went without any mishap, hope that the second and third sections we have yet to do go as well. There were a few waves on the way but the one thing about travelling down on the tide is that you don’t hang about much, most of the way we were doing about 6knots on 1500 revs on the engine (on the canal that would drive at half that speed).The cruiser with the dodgy engine obviously made it to wherever he was heading since we didn’t come across him moored in the river anywhere, although in fairness there was another narrow boat turned up last night and went out at the same time as he did so I suppose that they were both making for Torksey Lock since the they left an hour before we did. Our timing of arrival at West Stockwith was perfection as we arrived dead on slack water so it was just a case of motoring straight into the lock, as the lock keeper said it was just like coming in off another canal. To give an idea of how close the timing was, in the time that it took the lock to fill to put us up onto the Chesterfield Canal, the tide had turned and already started to ebb, slack water around these parts doesn’t last very long! I have to say that it is very convenient to be able to call up the Lock-keeper on VHF as you approach the lock and ask him to prepare it for our arrival, almost like having your own personal butler!

Waiting for the lock to open at Keadby

The lock gates open and away we go....

First obstacle is to get across to the far side of the river to go through the railway bridge

....A relaxed piece of river...

...and arrival at West Stockwith

We have only come a short way along the Chesterfield to Misterton but it certainly seems quite a picturesque canal, I look forward to seeing the rest of it.