From tpav@globalnet.co.uk Sat May 15 11:58:32 1999
Date: Fri, 14 May 1999 19:33:03 +0100
From: Trevor Pavitt <tpav@globalnet.co.uk>
Reply-To: canals@blacksheep.org
To: canals@blacksheep.org
Subject: Lady Elgar goes North - 10

Disaster strikes!
We left Leeds and negotiated the Aire and Calder Navigation as far as
Castleford without incident. Although we didn^Òt *intend* spending the
weekend there we woke on Saturday morning to find the flood lock closed and
the river running at about a thousand miles an hour carrying every kind of
flotsam and jetsam down to Castleford Weir ^Ö heavy rain in the Pennines
apparently. On local advice we stuck to our snug mooring on the canal
section over the weekend and did not set out until Monday, by which time the
level was well down into the orange and we knew we could get out through
Bulholme Lock safely.
We got to know the crew of ^ÓNutbrook^Ô, who were moored alongside us; the
boat *reeked* of quality and I only later discovered that it had won the
Waterways World award for best amateur fit-out at Salford Quays. They kindly
let me photocopy their tide tables and Sissions chart for the Trent and gave
us much good advice. We also made use of their VHF before setting out with
them towards Ferrybridge where there is plenty of commercial activity - huge
sand boats, coal pans etc.
We parted from ^ÓNutbrook^Ô at Knottingley (they are going to York) and
uneventful travel brought us to the New Junction Canal where we encountered
a violent thunderstorm. We pressed on through the huge lift bridges
(electrically operated thank goodness) and were very impressed by the sight
of the sinister-looking guillotine gates of the Don Aqueduct silhouetted
against the huge, grey outline of the cooling towers at Thorpe Marsh Power
Station; the whole scene set off by a lowering sky with flashes of fork
lightning. Truly Wagnerian!
Unfortunately, our reverie was spoiled when we rounded the corner at
Bramwith Junction and struck a hefty underwater obstruction. Our gutsy
Perkins kept going and, although Mary was quick to hit the Morse control, it
was clear that major damage had been sustained. We were lucky to be able to
coast to a decent mooring; I checked out the engine-room and quickly formed
the opinion that the gearbox was knackered. Next day we got in touch with
Lee Guest at Thorne Marine Services who was able to confirm my diagnosis in
somewhat more technical terms!
We have now removed the gearbox and sit here awaiting repairs. Fortunately
the village of Barnby Dun is within an easy bike ride for supplies, we have
adequate water and there is excellent walking for the dog. I have also been
able to indulge an interest of mine by cycling to the old Bomber Command
airfield at nearby Snaith . Oh yes, and our brass is *glittering*!
We hope to get out onto the tidal Trent and reach Lincoln next week.

Toodle pip,

Trevor
nb "Lady Elgar" - Bramwith Lock