The Chesterweed Canal

With Graham and Pauline

Fish in the canal!

 On Friday Graham and Pauline met us at the Hop Pole  and after taking them for a cruise we came back to the pub where we had a lovely meal. Saturday we went back to Retford with the intention of getting the train. However just after we moored it poured with rain! So we postponed our trip until Sunday. The weather was much better so we got the train to Kiveton Park. From there it was a short walk to the head of the canal. Where we had hoped to reach with Falcon. The water here was very clear. So few boats! Could see lots of fish in the water, even in the photo!
We then turned back to walk down the canal. Just flat for a couple of miles where we found our selves at the top of the Giants Staircase.  This is a flight of 21 locks. Including 2 tripple staircase locks and 2 double. It doesn't finish

Just love the name of this lock.

there, another flight of 3 locks brings you to Shireoaks. I must say it was easier just walking than having to work all the locks, twice! Once in each direction, but not the same. We didn't even meet any boaters we could help.
We had planned to go somewhere for lunch at Shireoaks before catching the train back. However the cafe there was shut down and the pub a short distance away wasn't answering the phone! So we bought sandwiches in a little shop and walked all the way to Worksop!
There we got the train back to Retford before finally getting our pub meal at The Ship. Very nice it was too. Yesterday saw us starting our return trip. The picture above is the lock we passed through yesterday. Should be back to the River Trent either Thursday or Friday.