Farewell to Sheffield

Wednesday 10^th May 2017

Although we had not been here for such a long time, it was about right for us to leave.

We had rung through to CaRT the previous day to make the booking and so we were up a bit early to get to the top lock before 9:30 – actually we got there about 8:15 and the lock-keeper was just preparing the locks.

He advised that there would be a wide-beam following us down and if we were ready in about 30 minutes we could start our way down and he would catch us up.

Breakfast time then and after we were finished it was time to move off – it is always nice to be cruising with the sun around and today looked like being a lovely day.

We worked our way down, pretty much the same as we had done on Sunday when we came up.

We saw more of the lock-keepers (yes plural) than we expected – they were all very good – looking after us and the wide-beam coming down after us and also keeping a check on the single-hander coming up from Holmes Lock – a busy day compared to Sunday – but Nigel (who was on again) said it was about average – even all the way through summer.

He reminisced about the time a few years ago when the basin was first re-opened and there was a boat festival in Sheffield – apparently the two mile stretch between the top lock and the basin was so full of boats that it was practically two-up breasted on one side and one on the other, with just enough space for a single boat through the centre (obviously before the prevalence of wide-beams).

We made it down the Tinsley flight and then through Jordan and Holmes locks to complete the escorted section – in just over 2 hours – we simply then had to just move a little further through Rotherham and past the oil works (where the Exol Pride visits) and we moored up in a little place called Kilnhurst.

When we had passed it going towards Sheffield we thought the moorings looked alright – so why not try them.

There is nothing in Kilnhurst to make you need to stop, but the moorings were quiet and peaceful and conveniently located after the trip down.

Bright sunshine, quiet mooring spot

11 Miles, 18 Locks, 2 Swing Bridges

YTD:  380 miles (612 km), 208 Locks, 15 Tunnels, 5 Lift Bridges, 15 Swing Bridges

Total: 5012 Miles (8066 km), 3359 Locks, 139 Tunnels, 71 Lift Bridges, 187 Swing Bridges

A bit of a look around

Monday 8^th May 2017

Our mooring point – just outside the basin, might at first appearance be thought of as one not too likely – road bridge over the canal not too far back; general appearance of the area being a bit rundown; no security on the mooring; but I can assure you that it was as peaceful and quiet as any that we have had on the entire system.

So it all meant that when we awoke on Monday morning we were a little stiff and sore from the lock exertion but otherwise quite refreshed.

After getting through a fair bit of work and making Diane her morning coffee, we set out to do our exploring.

Yesterday’s planning did a load of good – we knew exactly where we had to go – coffee and the TIC – where we found some tourist maps of historical significance and it allowed us to do what we normally do.

Along the way we found ourselves at the Moor Markets where Diane was able to get a couple of pairs of boots repaired and we purchased some very good looking locally made pies and other bits and pieces.

 

The big kid in her comes out again, but it is also a
copy of the nearby statue..

...see just about the same

A tribute to the energy and work put into the efforts during both
World Wars by the women of Sheffield

I am almost certain that I have mentioned before that we find one of the best sources of information about the history of any village, town or city, is the main church.

Sheffield Cathedral was that source – there was a fair amount of the important parts of the city’s history; the architecture was lovely and well worth a visit.

Lighting candles again - for both her mum and dad and also for Lauren -
I shall need to increase her budget for candles

We also paid a visit to the Town Hall – usually it is to get a look at the foyer – if you have ever looked in the local town hall, you will find that there has been a bit of expense on the reception area / foyer – it gives the first impression.

We were not disappointed with the Sheffield Town Hall, but also there was a display of some of the silver work that had been created in the city of the last 200 years – again another surprise.

A dedication to the lives lost when HMS Sheffield was
sunk during the Falklands War

After some lunch, we managed to get a bit more shopping in and on the way back to the boat we found a quick way to the railway station (for tomorrow’s adventure).

Having been here before we perhaps did not need to see as much as we would normally – we had a feel for the city (again).

There is a feel about Sheffield which reminds us very much of Melbourne – and that is the tram network – people not used to them being around can be apprehensive, but we find them quite re-assuring; also we found that there were areas where pedestrians had a great deal of access to tramway areas without the usual health and safety rubbish that goes on in this country. It also meant a lack of car access.

So, it was back to the boat for a cuppa; I had work to finish; Diane had feet to rest.

The final assault on Sheffield

Sunday 7^th May 2017

We were due to meet the CaRT guy at Holmes Lock at 9:30 - and there was just the matter of a couple of miles and two locks to negotiate before we got there.

It is called Swan Lake because of their numbers - on the way into Rotherham

Home to the Exol Pride - the nemesis barge..

...but reprocessing old oil products has got to be good for everyone

The precarious entrance to Rotherham Lock - that white beam is the lock

New York Stadium - home to Rotherham FC - today was their last home game
for the season and last in the Champioship - they have been relegated back
to League 1

It seems to be our custom that we like to get somewhere early and in this case it was no difference – so we had some breakfast and not long after that, Nigel, the CaRT guy arrived and unlocked the paddles.

 

No shortage of water here...

Lock full and locked

We had a chat and it was then time to get going.

Nigel had already unlocked all of the flight and had the locks being emptied by leaving a paddle up on each of the bottom gates.

He would work with us as needed through the entire flight plus Holmes and Jordan Locks and, as we were the only boat passing through, he would also lock everything up after we passed through.

 

Again, the scenery is great...

...not so the weir - this one just beyond Jordans Lock - the River Don flowing down

Along the way we had plenty of chances to talk with Nigel about all sorts of things including the flight of locks – especially the flight of locks; learning more about the history and current situation with all sorts of things.

It is not an exaggeration to say that the lock gates – both top and bottom – were extremely heavy – in one case, Lock 9, it needed two of us just to close one of the gates.

The dynamics of the in-flow of water from the gate paddles was quite strong, so care needed to be made – as always, you find out these things after a couple of locks.

We made it to the top of the flight about 12:10 and then there was only the two-mile cruise into Sheffield – all moored up at 1 o’clock.

 

You might be waiting a while for some boats to slow down -
but we certainly complied

Beyond the swing bridge are the moorings with power, but we opted for those
bollards on the right - in the sun and very open - good signals.

Arriving at this time allowed us all afternoon to re-explore the city centre and re-aquaint us with the layout – we had been here in 2014 for 1 day.

Check list – Tourist Information Office found (check); coffee shops found (check); Crucible Theatre found (check); find quickest way into the city centre (check); plan for tomorrow (check).

 

The Town Hall - side view

No it is not a green Tardis
- it is the last of the South Yorkshire Police Boxes

For Diane' sister Vivienne's who has a thing for elephants - this one is
in The Wintergarden

One thing caught my eye whilst I was preparing this blog – in all of our travels over the time on Ferndale we have made it to 5000 miles of canal travel – it is a fair distance but at the speed that we travel it is a long time spent on the back of the boat.

8 Miles, 13 Locks

YTD:  369 miles (594 km), 190 Locks, 15 Tunnels, 5 Lift Bridges, 13 Swing Bridges

Total: 5001 Miles (8048 km), 3341 Locks, 139 Tunnels, 71 Lift Bridges, 185 Swing Bridges

Le Tour de Yorkshire - er I mean France

Sunday 6th July 2014

Today we were up especially early, for us, and we were on the road at 7:30 am; firstly on the A518 to Uttoexeter; then the A50 to Derby; followed by the A38 to the M1 and finally off at Junction 33 and in towards Sheffield.

Just under 2 hours, which we were pleased with.

We moored at the Park'N'Ride and took the tram into the centre of Sheffield to have a bit of a look around and get our bearings and information. We did manage to find the cheapest of the tram fares ₤6.50 for a family ticket including the parking - cheaper than the ₤7.00 for 2 adults.

We must have been early getting there because the locals were still not out and about yet.

There were however plenty of people around handing out maps and able to supply plenty of information - after all they were expecting about 250,000 people to be passing through.

Why were we there?  For Stage 2 of le Tour de France.

We had been wanting to see the famous race for quite some time and with it starting in Yorkshire this year, there probably wouldn't be a better or easier time to get to it.

We  had hoped to be cruising into Sheffield this year but Holme Lock at Nottingham put paid to that, but the car for the weekend has been a good substitute.

On the tram ride into the city, Diane was quick to point out narrowboats moored up close in, so that would be something to check out as well.

Time for a coffee; a look through the market stalls; a bit of a sit down at the city fanzone, before we strolled down to Victoria Quay to check out all of the essentials.

How many moorings; facilities; waterpoints; toilets; showers and elsan - yep, all down; we will be fine for next year.

In doing all of this we didn't forget to have a good look at the architecture around the city centre - worth knowing what it is like before you visit for a bit longer.

Not being entirely sure about the crowd situation at various points we thought it wise to make our way out to the finishing area and see about a point on the course that might be easy to get to.

In the end we opted to stay just 200m down from the end; a place on the fence and not too many others around - we knew that would change - after all we had another 4 and 1/2 hours to go.
It started slow but there was a bit of a carnival atmosphere around as people chatted away and had fun at the expense of those going up and down the home straight.

Novelty sellers; police; officials all seemed to be out to enjoy the day as well.

The horn seller and customer

The two people (centre and right) are undercover cops, checking
that all vendors have licences

Along the way there were a great multitude of cars and other vehicles making their way along the track towards the finishing area.
The team cars; team buses; the caravan of sponsors vehicles; a group of young academy riders finishing their 30 km race. All these things designed to provide something for the ever increasing numbers of people starting to invade and line the barricades.

We met a couple next to us who were from Doncaster (23 miles away), who were so concerned about the length of the journey that they had decided to stay overnight rather than be too tired - heck, we would travel that far to a decent cake shop.

We also met a man with his daughter and son, also enjoying the atmosphere - he was finishing a course at Sheffield University after which he would have to head back to Libya.

Lovely people, all of them that we spoke to throughout the day.

Diane almost accosted the young police officer (special constable), assigned to the station near to us - a really nice guy and very friendly indeed - Craig was his name - in her own way, she eventually talked him into swapping hats for a photo shot.

The commentary over the public address system kept us reasonably informed about what was happening in the race - we were the wrong side of the giant screen televising the race.

We were fortunate that it was a fine day - sunny but not too hot; a bit of a cooling breeze and of course no rain.

The tension started to mount as we were told that the riders were 10km, then 8, then on the final climb and finally only 2km away.

Eagerly looking down the course, expecting them to appear, when suddenly they did.

We couldn't see them so clearly at first, but quickly we could make out a rider who we knew was Vincenzo Nibali, but could have been mistaken for a kingfisher - a fleeting flash of blue.

Hastily followed by a throng of other brightly coloured lycra-clad bodies on cycles - Diane didn't even have time to drool over the male torsos presented before her.

Almost as quickly as the riders came up the last rise to the line and there were a line of others continuing to pass by, it was all over really.

We bustled our way towards the presentation area, already heaving with like-minded people waiting and wanting to get shots of the group who had won on the day in the different classifications.

Finally we headed off to catch a tram back to collect the car and make our way home, but the numbers wanting to do the same put us in the mindset to go back to the fanzone where we were and just sit down for a while.

As it was, the bigscreen soon turned to the BBC coverage of the men's final at Wimbledon and we managed to see the final set with victory going to Djokovic - Diane was disappointed for Federer, but it was a good match as well.

Eventually we caught the tram, found the car, made our way out of Sheffield and stopped for something to eat.

By the time we arrived back on Ferndale, it had been a 14 hour day of travelling, standing, touristing, sitting and waiting for about 15 seconds of thrills with the final sprint to the line.


Was it worth it?  Yes, we now know more for the next time that we go !