Mon Jun 9th - 32 miles, 1 furlong, 6 locks - Clayworth to Thorne Total cruising time 10 hours 35 minutes.
Arthur duly arrived at the boat at 6.55am and we got under way at 7.05am. This end of the canal is quite shallow in places and I was picking up quite a lot of crud. Down the weed hatch while descending Gringley Top to remove a mountain of weed and a fairly sizeable branch which had got snared on something and was being towed along behind. Reached Stockwith Basin at 11.50am in plenty of time for the planned 1.30pm departure. Another trip down the weed hatch to give me a good run down the Trent. Phoned a boatyard in Thorne to arrange for the boat to be slipped and the rudder to be straightened - slipway booked for 10.30am on Tuesday. Filled up with diesel, 190 ltrs at 65ppl - no, there's not a typo in the price. I think they're getting a new delivery of diesel on Tuesday, so the price will probably jump to in line with others. Was locked out with another boat (also heading to Keadby) by Sue at 2.10pm for the run down to Keadby. Passed Keadby Bridge at 3.50pm, and called up the lock-keeper on the VHF to tell him we were nearly there. Into the lock without any trauma at 3.55pm and through the lock and swing bridge by 4.15pm. Slight delay at Vazon Sliding Rail Bridge while a couple of trains went over, then it was a pretty straight run through to Thorne. I must admit, the Stainforth and Keadby is probably one of the best canals to be on if you've got a bent rudder post! All of the swing bridges were passed without incident except for Moor's, where there must have been 20 youngsters playing and jumping in the water. No point trying to shoo them away as I'd just get pelted with the weed they were throwing at each other. The only thing to do was to try and keep tabs on where they all were and make sure you didn't injure any of them when swinging the bridge. Got to Thorne and moored up just beyond the new Thorne swing footbridge at 7.50pm. Blue skies all day today with only some thin cloud in the evening - must be because Chris has gone back to work. Terry Streeter NB Arun - Thorne
