We left Sheffield this morning after two nights just outside the swing bridge. The moorings were quite secluded and perfectly safe but two nights were enough for us. We had hoped to start down the locks at about 11.30 allowing us time to shop before departure but Derek, the lock keeper, decreed it was to be 9am!!! The run between Sheffield and the top of the Tinsley flight is not particularly salubrious but the area round the locks themselves is much better.
On our free day in Sheffield Geoff had his normal wander around the town and Emma and I took a tram ride out to Meadowhall which is a vast shopping centre out of town.
We had company down the locks which always makes life easier especially since some of the gates are very heavy and stiff.
As usual I had the more sedentary task of steering the boat whilst my crew did all the hard work!!! Emma is still with us so that was a big help. The other boat was single handing but he did do some of the work so it was a pleasant run down and took only an hour and a half. (2 Hours going up)
After the 12 locks of the flight we had 4 more locks before reaching our destination of Eastwood Lock, our intended mooring for the night.
Just before Jordans Lock is a huge weir by a 120 degree turn......I always pray that the engine does not let us down in such a place!
The visitor moorings were free when we reached Eastwood and the temperature, as forecast, had leapt up so a very pleasant afternoon and evening were spent, even enjoying a Pimms in the sunshine,,,,,,,,,
The only activity of the afternoon was the Humber Princess passing by. This is the only big vessel that plies this particular stretch of water as far as we can gather.
So now we are on our way north again, destination York and Ripon...we hope. It was good to have reached Sheffield but not good enough to encourage us to repeat thr trip.
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