Six swing bridges, one lock and one lifting bridge were the order of the day; BW are due an award, just two had the same operating gear! We must have passed about 40 fishermen, of which 39 were friendly and passed the time of day, quite a change from the narrow canals. We entered Thorne to find a surprise awaiting us – a new swing bridge not mentioned in the Nicholson guide. The mooring for this bridge was unuseable as it was in a poor position, with a curved edge and about 20 feet long. The alternative on the opposite bank was at least long enough, but had no mooring rings or bollards. The was a problem with the auto locking access gates, but playing with the key and banging the gates to the closed position did the trick. We found the BW facilities block and moored up. In Thorne I managed to buy a car radio extension lead, I could then refit the car radio aerial and the television aerial; both had been removed in the preparation for the repaint. On through Thorne lock and the swing bridge immediately above, which has the release mechanism tied in to the lock top gates. Nearly done for the day, heading for a secluded mooring place that we had found last time, offside, past the motorway bridge. We saw five boats moving today, the most since leaving Nottingham. Weather today, fine, sunny and dry with moderate gusting wind.
2008 journey thus far: 74 Locks & 173.5 Miles & 9 Swing Bridges
