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~Pocklington Canal~

15th December 2012

Business took me well into Yorkshire, curiosity took me even further....

Canal Bridge

Canal Bridge

Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....

No Way Through

Waterlogged Track

Jo Hall joined me for this walk on her doorstep. I had researched the walking possibilities on "The Walking Englishman" - link later and we used two cars to create a linear walk. Plan A was to use this track to get to the canal from the village of Melbourne. However, the excessive rain of two weeks ago has left a lasting legacy and flooded fields have overflowed across our path. We retrace our steps and take the next access road.

Melbourne Marina

Melbourne Marina

Pocklington Canal is navigable only as far as Melbourne Marina, we will walk the unused part up to Canal End. The other way, it joins up with the River Derwent at East Cottingwith. No fish are allowed in the marina.

Pocklington Canal

The Canal

Swans landing

Swans Landing

Two swans landing in a flooded field. It looked like a natural lake, but there's no lakes on the map. This land is very low lying and flat, not something I'm used to!

Church Bridge

Looking Back to Church Bridge

Pylons

Plyons

This area is a "must visit" for Pylon Appreciators. There is a "junction box" where no less than four main lines intersect.

Pylon

Pylontastic

An L3c, if I'm not mistaken. Note the extended middle crossarms, so designed to reduce conductor clashing in high winds.

Canal Lock

Canal Lock

One of seven locks between Melbourne and Canal End.

Sandhill Lock

Sandhill Lock

Walbut Lock

Walbut Lock

Top Lock

Top Lock

The "Top Lock" is the last one before the end of the canal and the only one with a lock-keepers cottage - now a private residence.

Canal End

Canal End

Our walk then followed the A1079 back to the turning for Allerthorpe, where t'other car was parked. In hindsight, the end car should have been on the empty car park at Canal End as there is no footpath along the busy road - just a soft verge.

Towpath Talk

Guest Publication - Towpath Talk

Walkers: Jo Hall, Jodie & Amber, and me.

Time taken: 2hrs 30mins over a distance of about 6 miles.

Route: Melbourne, Pocklington Canal .... Canal End, A1079 to Allerthorpe.

Weather and Conditions: Sunny intervals, declining to grey and overcast.

Greetings Count: A quiet walk along the towpath. There's always a dilemma, a brief nod or a "how's things?". The latter can lead to a unwelcome natter which is sometimes difficult to extricate oneself from - man with silly hat and Shih Tzu, poor dog.

Richard's Refreshment Review: We had light refreshments in a fine cafe in Pocklington, whose name I have forgotten and whose frontage I failed to photograph. But it was pretty good, see if you can find it! Opposite a hairdressers.

All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2012 ©

Pocklington Canal Society

Pylon Appreciation Society

The Walking Englishman - Pocklington Canal Walk

Take me back to the start ....

Take me home....