You
may as well throw away your Nicholsons along this waterway as it is so
inaccurate. Totally straight but the swing bridges and lift bridges combined with a rural
scene make for a most interesting journey. To find a bridge in the middle of this manned
(though not always) lock was most peculiar. The aqueduct over the Don has guillotine gates
at either end and the small bit of iron that stops you from dropping over ensures you are
concentrating.
Although we were heading for
Keadby, we carried on the New Junction to our overnight
mooring at Barnby Dun, just before the manned lift bridge. This is a really good place to
stop. There is a useful shop by the bridge and there are three pubs. We followed the
advice of some locals. The White Hart is a friendly and comfortable pub ten minutes up the
road. It serves good condition John Smiths Bitter and Magnet. Across the road is the
Gateway Inn which is an open plan pub with a good comfortable lounge bar. In fine form
were John Smiths and superb Barnsley Bitter.
As neither pub were doing food that night we took a short walk into the centre of the
village and came across a very well-stocked Spar. A couple of doors away was the Barnby
Dun Chinese Take-away we were heading for. The quality of the food was outstanding and the
prices were ridiculously cheap. The next day we turned round and headed for
Keadby.
The Stainforth and Keadby only has only two locks (I had almost forgotten what a
windlass was for) but makes up for it with swing and lift bridges. We used the excellent
little chandlers at Thorne. We didn't stop for a drink at Thorne but we have
heard that the Canal Tavern serves good food with eight real ales - next
time! The journey is most attractive with an interesting sliding
railway bridge at Keadby. We moored up just before the river lock on the right. Our
passage was booked for 2pm (24 hours notice needed though other boaters had said you can
just turn up).
We walked to the lock where the keeper noted our arrival and gave useful advice for
the tidal Trent. There is nothing of interest at Keadby itself though a look at the river
is worthwhile along wth a reflection on the sanity of putting a narrowboat on it. There
are two pubs. The most interesting, the Friendly Fox was closed for refurbishment on our
visit. We spotted handpumps serving Mansfield ales. The Old South Yorkshire sells no real
ale but does excellent value Sunday dinners.