On Monday 30th May, following the Trailboat Festival, a flotilla of our five tripboats, Python and lots of the trailboats cruised from Staveley Town Basin towards Chesterfield. All reached Tapton Lock, most reached Tapton Mill Bridge, several reached the River Rother. The latter group included Seth Ellis, making it the only tripboat to have cruised every navigable inch of the canal in its current state of restoration.
Below we have some photographs. These are in gegraphical order, starting at St Helena’s.
First of all you might like to watch a couple of videos.
Click here for a bowcam video made by Delilah travelling from below Hollingwood to Staveley Town Basin.
Seth Ellis turning where the canal leaves the River Rother. (Photo © John Lower)
Python just above Tapton Mill Bridge (no. 1).
Python going through Tapton Mill Bridge.
Python approaching Tapton Mill Bridge – note the Crooked Spire. Python had to turn a couple of hundred yards further back and then reverse because there is nowhere beyond this point for it to turn.
Navi, Beehive, Toad Hall and John Varley II moored at Marmalade Wharf, with Madeline heading towards St Helena’s. One day this will be a perfectly normal sight.
Hugh Henshall passing Marmalade Wharf.
Madeline just before Tapton Tunnel (no 1A).
Seth Ellis gongoozlers at the model boat platform just before Tapton Tunnel.
Madeline at Tapton Lock (no. 1).
Hugh Henshall at Tapton Lock.
Python at Tapton Lock.
Python at Tapton Lock on its way back.
Hugh Henshall passing Python and Kes just below Tapton Lock.
Kes, Sukie and Bittern at Wheeldon Mill Lock (no. 2).
Seth Ellis and Schandelle at Wheeldon Mill Lock.
Schandelle at Wheeldon Mill Lock.
John Varley and Markie at Wheeldon Mill Lock.
Markie at Wheeldon Mill Lock.
Seth Ellis and Schandelle just below Wheeldon Mill Lock.
Python just below Wheeldon Mill Lock.
Madeline between Bluebank and Wheeldon Mill.
Python between Bluebank and Wheeldon Mill.
Navi at Bluebank.
Python at Bluebank Lock (no. 3).
Python approaching Bluebank Lock.
Python just above Bilby Lane Bridge (no. 7).
John Varley II at Dixon’s Lock (no. 4). (Photo by Kath Auton)
Toad Hall at Dixon’s Lock. (Photo by Kath Auton)
Hugh Henshall at the abutments for Hounsfield Bridge (no. 8). (Photo by Kath Auton)
Hugh Henshall at Hollingwood Lock (no. 5).
Seth Ellis at Hollingwood Lock.
Beehive and Toad Hall at Hollingwood Lock.
Python at Hollingwood Lock.
Python at Hollingwood Lock.
Navi at Hollingwood Lock.
We must give enormous thanks to the volunteers who spent all day operating the locks for the boaters. These included Dave Jackman, Ruth Tesdale, David Fox, Roger Ward, Keith Gascoyne, Malcolm Brocklehurst, George Rogers, Jack Dent, David Blackburn and Helen Atkinson.