South Yorkshire Waterways guide - available from http://www.richlow.co.uk/
The Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation (SSYN) which includes the Don Navigation, and the New Junction, Stainforth & Keadby and Sheffield & Tinsley canals.
These waterways probably have the widest variety of navigational features, and the same can be said of the surroundings - including flat rural fenland and a climb to a city centre.
As a result the following pictures only give a taste of the SSYN, but hopefully they will encourage boaters to visit these surprisingly remote waterways.
They were taken in 2011 during Richlow's research for our South Yorkshire Waterways guide. Richlow guides - Written by People Who Go There!
These are wide waterways, no need to look for winding holes.
On the right is Humber super-sloop Spider T on her Keadby home mooring. She took part in the Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the Thames in 2012.
Commercial traffic uses the New Junction Canal and the Don Navigation (here at Mexborough) so they are even wider.
There are many types of bridges - this one on the Stainforth & Keadby Canal is operated by the railway signalman.
Whereas, this one on the New Junction Canal is power-operated by boaters.
Some locks are manually operated - others look as if they are but this one at Thorne is also power-operated.
Other locks are somewhat larger, and are obviously beyond balance-beam pushing!
And this is how the large modern locks and moveable bridges are operated. Insert a BW (C&RT) key and press the buttons. It's a controlled operation, with lock paddles gradually opening to prevent turbulence.
Lock-side posts have white bands which rise and fall to indicate the position of the paddles. Here one shows the paddles have started to rise - at this stage they will be opening very slowly.
The SSYN has canals - as here at Thorne which is the major boating supplies centre.
It also includes the River Don - here between Rotherham and Sheffield, with a weir clearly marked.
And it has a canal over a river - the New Junction Canal crossing the tidal River Don.
Yes, there is commercial traffic - that's why boaters have the luxury of power-operated bridges and locks.
This is Humber Pride, but the Goole-Rotherham run is usually done by her sister Humber Princess. Once or twice a week.
Humber Princess at Aldwarke, showing why the locks are the size they are.
The Richlow guide has tips and information about sharing the SSYN with girls like this.
Humber Princess has a retracting wheel-house for this bridge at Aldwarke.
Beyond the head of commercial navigation, the stretch between Rotherham and Sheffield is more pleasant than may be imagined.
On the Sheffield & Tinsley Canal - overhead one of Sheffield's modern trams, which provide a good way to explore the city and its suburbs.
The Richlow guide includes information on Sheffield's events and entertainments, and public transport to visit the surrounding Peak District.
Richlow's flag-ship Madeley Wood in Sheffield basin (Victoria Quays). A pleasant and surprisingly quiet location.
We hope these pictures may tempt you to visit this part of the national waterways network.
South Yorkshire Waterways
Page 24. Navigation Notes. Final Paragraph. General Information about Doncaster Rowing Club's Regatta
Takes place annually on the Saturday of the late May Bank Holiday (on the 26th in 2012)
Two buoyed lanes in the River Don. The 600 metre course stretches 300 metres either side of the clubhouse (map 8). Boats race downstream. 09.30 to 18.00, with a lunch-break. About 70 races - starts are every 5 minutes. The club's website http://www.doncaster-rowing-club.org/ states that "River traffic will be stopped during races but will be allowed to pass between races."
South Pennine Ring - Part 1
Page 6. Bookings and Operating Hours - Rochdale Canal
All bookings (Tuel Lane Lock, Summit Passage, Manchester Locks) are taken via the C&RT Manchester & Pennine Waterway office, see p41.
Page 7. Tuel Lane Lock Operating Hours - Summer 2012
The lock is always operated by a lock-keeper. Duty hours are Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday 8.30am until 5.00pm. No booking required, just turn up.
On Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday there is no lock-keeper on duty. Passage on these days is possible between 8.30am and 3.00pm but must be booked giving 48hrs notice. Contact details as above, on p41.
Chesterfield Canal - A Richlow Guide
Page 16. Boat Inn at Hayton
This pub has closed. We do not normally advise of individual closures as the situation changes so quickly. But there are mentions of the pub in both the Navigation Notes, and the "Hayton" paragraph.
Page 32. Hollingwood Common Tunnel
The entrance to the tunnel has been cleared and made safe. Added - "The entrance on the far bank, with a grill and a fence, can be seen from the towpath near Works Road Bridge (8c)."
Page 41. Contact details
Tripboat Seth Ellis (Retford) - 07925 851569 and sethellis@chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk
Chesterfield Canal Partnership - Hollingwood Hub, 22 Works Road, Hollingwood,
Chesterfield S43 2PF 01246 477502
geraint.coles@derbyshire.gov.uk
South Pennine Ring - Part 2
Page 28 and Map 16 Sellers Tunnel
We understand the complicated works involving the removal of Sellers Tunnel, and the relocation of locks, have been completed.
But we have been unable to check the situation, in order to update the Navigation Notes, because of the wettest April on record and an injured Richlow leg. On-site checking will take place as soon as we can.
So please allow for our frailties.
Narrowboat on the Trent
Page 36 Keadby Lock Size. Length Restriction. About 60ft is the normal length restriction on boats using Keadby Lock. The chamber is 67ft according to the lock-keeper, but other considerations are the wide walk-overs within the chamber on the river-end gates, which tillers can rise up under. Longer craft can only pass through when the tide in the Trent makes a level with the canal and all gates can be opened, by prior arrangement with the lock-keeper. This means waiting outside on the tideway for appropriate conditions, and is not recommended. Note, that such craft will only be able to proceed as far as the similar-sized Thorne Lock.
The chamber of Keadby Lock is wide enough to accommodate three narrowboats abreast.
Narrowboats, having come in from the Trent. The centre one is 60ft long, plus fenders. On the right is Richlow's flagship Madeley Wood, with John Lower on the roof. Note, he is wearing a life-jacket.
Narrowboat on the Trent www.richlow.co.uk Post Free
Lincolnshire Waterways
Page 26. Geordie's Chandlery and Boat Sales. New owners, David and Sue Ball. Boat services are now - Pump-out, diesel, petrol, Calor Gas, water, chandlery.
General supplies include groceries, newspapers, coal, logs, stamps, ice-cream, fresh and frozen food, pharmaceuticals. 01205 280311
Pages 26 and 52. Witham and Blues. The Ferry Boat Inn at Langrick Bridge has been transformed into the Witham and Blues - restaurant, coffee-shop, bar. http://www.withamandblues.com/
