We set off from the moorings at Eastwood just after half past ten, but after being helped through Eastwood Lock we had a delay at the next, Aldewark Lock. The control panel was showing a fault and no combination of button pushing made any change. Having telephoned the helpline the local CRT team arrived and we were underway again in less than an hour.
Although the navigation has been ‘improved’ there are still many attractive old features remaining, including several fine stone bridges, some complete with tow rope grooves.
Retracing our route back to Doncaster we had chance to give Robert and Dylan a chance to helm.
After an overnight stop at Doncaster we continued up the canal until we came to the turning for the New Junction Canal, which would take us up to the Aire and Calder Canal and Goole. Shortly after the junction came the first of two aquaducts at each end of the canal. The first crosses the River Don and another taking it over the River Went.
The New Junction Canal has a series of lift and swing bridges and we took it turns with ‘Evangeline to operate these.
We eventually reached the junction with the Aire and Calder, which is opposite a large reservoir. The canal and reservoir seem to be separated only by a series of scuptural boulders.
It was getting dark as we arrived in Goole and were greeted by Chris Sherburn who was working on his new boat ‘Ouse Patrol’. On his advice we moored alongside the keel ‘Sobriety’ for the night. The following morning Sally joined ‘Evangeline’ for the cruise back to their mooring in Stainforth, while I stayed and moved ‘Daybreak’ to the mooring where she will be based for the next few weeks.