TNC On Tour 2003 18 - The "Chesty" (XP)
Neil Arlidge
Seeing as the Chesterfield was so weed free we carried on past the White
Swan at Drakeholes and carried on to the Boat Inn at Haton, Bridge 66
(19:10). We had to moor past the bridge in the rough, Neil managed to get
off with pins and we put plank off the stern - only just long enough! Pub
and food OK.
Tuesday 22nd July 2003
07:05 start from Haton in brilliant sunshine. We were amazed at how weed
free the Chesterfield was. Ed and Neil did a slow cruise through Retford,
doing the little Chesterfield locks in a drawn out fashion as possible,
while Bob W and Martin C went for a quick ASDA shop.
Ranby and Osberton Pounds virtually weed free, the new "Osberton" BW weed
boat must have been working overtime. Top of Forest Locks at 11:00 and past
Straddle Warehouse in Worksop at 14:00. Eventually moored up in SAhireoaks
Basin at 15:40.
Ken the Chesterfield Canal Soc "Head of Navigation" officer soon sorted us
out and told us to moor on the Long Term secure side. Ed Mortimer soon
sorted out John Lower, who was on his NB Maddley Wood and much conversation
ensued. TNC Crew Julian Edgington arrived at around 17:00. Ken told us that
"The Railway" pub now no l;ongfer did food, so we walked back down the canal
to the "Lock Keeper" Mansfield pubby thing............not to bad, on form
Mansfield and reasonably priced OK food. Nice quiet night in basin.
Wednesday 23rd July 2003
After the now enlarged crew had finished their ablutions, we set off of the
last great TNC Challenge left.............the Turnerwood and Thorpe Flight's
up to Norwood Tunnel (06:30).
Brilliant sunny morning and we had these fabulous little locks all to
ourselves - once these easy to work flights have matured they will be
amongst the prettiest ANYWHERE in the country - absolutely stunning!
We got rather carried away and arrived at the top at 08:15. After this we
boated through the summit to the bricked up Norwood Tunnel entrance. The
first section was given the name "Ed's Cut" as he helped dredge this a few
years ago when he worked for the sub-contractors doing the work. At 09:15
the Commode D' Or planted Earnest firmly in the silted end, some 20ft off
the Tunnel. After many photies we did a "quite good" traily barge pole
reverse back to the winding point. One narrowboat had already left, the solo
boater being helped back to Shireoaks by Ken.
We started back at 09:45 and soon caught the assisted boat up. Ken insisted
we got in front,. so Neil hung around and helped Ken for most of Thorpe
Flight, down to the pretty Turnerwood Basin.
We past Shireoaks at 12:20 and carried on down, hoping to get to Ranby that
night. A cruiser in front stopped at Rhodesia to let us pass and the Ranby
Express was off again. Eventually arrived at Ranby at 16:30. The rest of the
crew have abandoned ship and have retired to "The Chequers".............Neil
will not be far behind!
--
Neil Arlidge - NB Earnest
Follow the travels of the TNC at http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk
Martin Clark
>Eventually arrived at Ranby at 16:30. The rest of the
>crew have abandoned ship and have retired to "The Chequers".............Neil
>will not be far behind!
You forgot to mention the word "sticky".
--
Martin Clark
Internet Boaters' Database http://www.auluk.freeserve.co.uk/boats
Pennine Waterways Website http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk