On past Barnby Dun, Long Sandall lock and into the centre of Doncaster for the next night with an industrial landscape. The following day was along a very green-tree lined river, Dun navigation, to a lovely spot at Sprotbrough. The locks had flood damage and took some operating due to falty sensors but to tie up in this idyllic spot was worth it. No moorings but ground anchors hammered into the bank did the trick. Very peaceful and with friendly fellow boaters.

To get home, we had to turn Waterdog which was the next 'challenge' since there weren't many places wide enough to get her round. We went above Sprotbrough on the river and then found a spot with no anglers where we could put the bow in the starboard bank and gently motor the stern around to face back the other way. Then reverse out of the bank and cooly (much relieved) motor away. Lorna had walked to the lock to have that ready and we were off. Progress was good on the return as we knew what to expect and delays were few.

All the way back to 'New Junction' in one day and tied up before 4pm.

Several celebrations were held during the cruise - Excuse No.1 was that Lorna had owned Waterdog for 10 years and we are finally able to use it on the larger canals of NE England. Excuse No.2 was our 10 year anniversary, Excuse No.3 was the 28th wedding anniversary of Pete and Tracy and Excuse No. 4 was that we went a whole day without a notable crisis. Anyway, some cold bubbly was brought out and quaffed as the sun went down in a really idyllic spot. The last day's cruise was from 'New Junction' back to Goole and Tracy finally plucked up courage to steer. She could see the bow with the aid of a plank to stand on and took Waterdog dead straight down the centre of the canal. Then dead straight through half of the very narrow aquaduct until I increased the revs/speed and we started bouncing of either side of the steel channel! Snooker we call it. :-)

We got back to Goole by lunch time after a great cruise to Sprotbrough and back. The cruise doesn't sound spectacular but the great weather and greater company made this the best week of the year so far. The wheelhouse turned out to be brilliant and taking it down was difficult but manageble. We had worried about its size and weight but we are very glad that we made it 3m x 3m, double glazed, insulated and with a door each side. Very practical and a great evening retreat.