Whitley Lock Visitor Moorings

As nice as the New Junction Canal moorings were there were no shops nearby. Vicky had run out of chocolate 😱 so we moved on after 2 days, turning left onto the Aire and Calder Navigation. We had to be really on the ball driving into the wind, constantly correcting the course as Rainboat's 57ft sides were caught and blown from side to side.

After the trauma of seeing drowned deer on the Stainforth and Keadby canal, we were really pleased to see animal escape ramps built into the bank and piles of rocks acting as retrofitted escape points.

Along the towpath we spotted large nesting boxes on tall poles. We didn't spend long wondering what kind of bird used them because soon enough a magnificent male kestral soared down and delivered a catch for its young.

Stopping among a collection of other boats just before Whitley Lock we let the dogs out onto the large area of mowed grass with picnic tables. Abby leapt from her rooftop perch and dashed for the cover of brambles. It may have been the presence of another boat dog roaming free that prevented her returning until 9pm, despite us going out, looking for her and calling. We weren't too worried but she is certainly testing her boundaries.

We were joined by a camper who arrived on a blow up canoe and pitched their tent under the Horse Chestnuts. We were able to help them out with some tyre glue to mend a puncture.

The electrics on Will's bike hadn't recovered from its total submersion a few days ago so Vicky set off by herself in search of chocolate. There was a Premiere and a Londis a few km away but it was rough cycling along the towpath and she wasn't impressed when it abruptly ended at a busy road bridge. Hoiking the bike up some steep steps onto the road, Google maps directed her to ride along the narrow carriageway with white lines down either side and no overtaking markings in the middle. It just wasn't safe so she bumped along the narrow stip of grass at the side instead and was very relieved when a small gate allowed her access to onto a quiet housing estate.

To her dispare neither shop sold vegan chocolate, but at least she found a return route that didn't involve her risking life and limb.

The moorings had lots of space for the dogs to poddle about but constant noise from the nearby M62 bridge so we stayed just the one night.Read more