West Retford Lock, note the bridge in the background. It is Hospital Road Bridge - the A620.

This is the same bridge in 1920.

This is Retford Town Lock with the Retford Mariners Boat Club on the right.

The Retford and Worksop Boat Club's annual celebration at Whitsunday Pie Lock. (Photo © John Lower)

In 1978, a British Waterways dredging gang pulled up a chain which had a lump of wood on the end. This turned out to be a plug about which no one knew. The whole canal between Whitsunday Pie Lock and Retford Town Lock drained away into the River Idle!

Man Face Bridge carries the main drive to Wiseton Hall.

Python approaching Man Face Bridge.

Half a mile further on one comes to Drakeholes Tunnel.

The towpath between the tunnel and Gringley Top Lock is beautiful.

Gringley Top Lock.

New gates being fitted at Shaw Lock in November 2010.

Shaw Lock summer 2011.

We were sent this gem by Mike Clarke of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Society. He reports

"I came across this when looking through the Rochdale Canal papers in GMRO, and thought it would be of interest. The location was Coopers Bridge, Misterton, and resulted from a 10 ton engine crossing a 3 ton limit bridge. The date could be December 1909."

In case you can not make it out, the caption reads
"As a steam cultivator reached the centre of Chesterfield canal bridge the structure gave way, both drivers, who had a marvellous escape from injury, falling through with the engine. Another man, who was making tea in the van behind, also escaped unhurt. The picture was taken immediately after the accident."