Thursday 30 July 2015

What's Goole all about?

Hello. Me and the pooch went for a ride out yesterday, we were fed up of staying in. Well I thought pooch was fed up, maybe he wasn't. I put a few bits and bobs into the car, he stood at the door watching me, then I put his collar on, and when he saw the open car door he scurried back indoors and into his bed. Oh dear, he doesn't want to go, I thought. C'mon Rock, we is going for a ride, I picked him up and plonked him on his favourite cushion on the front seat. He was alright once he was settled in and I explained to him that it wasn't going to be a long journey. 
I had Goole in mind, with a nice leisurely drive, crossing over the River Trent at Gunness Bridge and up through the country lanes, through the villages of the Isle of Axholme. It isn't really an island, but it's surrounded by four rivers, the Ouse, Trent, Don, and Idle. This site gives more information. 
After tootling through the villages we came to Reedness, which is not far from the River Ouse. Spotted was this redundant Chapel, now up for sale through auction to take place in September. Originally it was on the market at £55,000. I would love to live in a place like this, but not this one in this location. It was flooded in December 2013 when the tidal surge hit many villages along it's banks. Even those a good distance from the waters edge suffered the same fate. Also this building is a bit too close to the road for my liking.  But if you are interested, here is the listing on Right Move web site, which shows pictures of the interior, and side gardens. 
We arrived in Goole, and I was careful to find free parking. Thank you Leisure Centre.

These are the signs you have to look out for to make sure you are not ripped off. Sharing the same entrance as the Leisure Centre is a retail park with a large car park. The signs are high up on posts, you have to squint to read them, the wording is intimidating, and anyone in a hurry could be caught out if they are a few minutes over their time. Even one minute will bring a demanding letter through the door. As I have said before, if you are unlucky enough to make a mistake, then the first place to appeal is the owner of the shop you bought goods from, save receipts. If no joy there, go to the MSE forum and follow the advice on there as regards appealing to the company. Be prepared to be bullied into submission. There is a court case going on at the moment, a Mr Beavis has taken his appeal to the highest court in the land, and a judgement is expected in October. If he wins, and I sincerely hope he does, it will set a precedence as to how private parking companies run their business in the future.

Right, now I have got that bee out of my bonnet, we are parked free at Goole. The town is built on docks, and in the middle is the wonderful St John's Church, left standing among the huge freight sheds. A little bit of calm among the heavy industry. Shame there wasn't a bench to sit on.

The town centre is pedestrianized, this is an interesting resting place, made of stainless steel, the pictures and words all cut out like stencils.  

The Clock Tower stands tall in the centre of a roundabout where six roads meet.

I used to have an outdoor stall at the market, it was flippin freezing standing around, and not many customers. I had to give it up. I remember another stall holder felt sorry for me stamping my feet to try and keep warm, she gave me a pair of fingerless knitted gloves. I still have them years later. A kindness not forgotten.

There are many old buildings like this one, all reminiscent of a thriving dock town. 
We didn't escape the rain, one heavy shower had us sitting on a bench under the canopy at Morrisons Supermarket for half an hour.

I like to look round a working port, but alas, there are not many docks accessible to the public. I have a fascination for heavy cranes and marvel at the skill of the operatives.

The Lowther Hotel in the background.

This is the Sailors Memorial Garden, on the banks of the river. It has a fence around it with a locked gate.


Time was getting on, I was a bit late starting out anyway, so it was back to the car, and a quick drive down Dutch River Side to the Yorkshire Waterways Museum. The museum was closed, but I had a walk around the marina. If you want to visit, the museum it's free to enter. A few pics. A massive place with lots of residential canal boats.






Take a look at the website if you want to know more.   There's a lot more to Goole than I saw, I just look at the bits that interest me.

It was 8pm when we finally landed back home. A nice afternoon out. Thanks for reading.
Toodle pip

21 comments:

  1. You're lucky to only need an escape from rain for a half hour, and I love all the photos. We've been having day long rains and some flooding, so I look forward to being able to be outdoors for a bit. Rocky looks content in his buggy.

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  2. thanks for all the pictures.Goole looks very interesting.We pass through there on the Hull train. I always say lets get off and go in Boyes [ which you can see from the train] Vince always says we'll see enough of the Boyes shop in Hull. ha ha. ( for wool).It always reminds me of the Woolworths shop from years ago. =+

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  3. Thanks for sharing. I was interested in your comments on your market stall. I've been thinking of having one - I've just opened a tiny ebay shop but sales are slow. Natalie

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  4. links to interesting info. thanks Ilona. Vince's grandad was a trawlerman out of Hull and 2 of his uncles worked on the docks.

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  5. I wonder why they build a memorial garden and then lock people out? Isn't the point so that there is a little oasis of calm where you can sit and maybe remember people lost at sea? Seems like buying china and locking it in a cupboard and never using it?

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  6. But glad you had a nice day anyway.

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  7. Thanks for the info. We will have to visit the waterways museum- I see the have boat trips too. Deb

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  8. I do love going on little jollies with you. I didn't scurry back indoors but kept reading. :)
    xx

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  9. Lovely pics from your outing!

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  10. We had a day return trip to Doncaster recently and decided to get off the train at Goole on the way back to Hull. In the 2 streets nearest to the station we found about 6 charity shops. I got myself a few bargains, making a great end to a day out. We talked about going back another day in the car and it seems there are some other places to visit while there. Thanks for the links and sharing your photo's.

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    1. Hi Lesley. Yes, I noted the charity shops, there are a lot in Goole. I couldn't go in them with the dog, and I wouldn't leave him outside. Maybe another time.

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  11. I wouldn't have wanted to leave that little town and the next time Rocky doesn't want to go...I will. ;) The church took my breath away. Thanks!

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  12. It has been raining so much here that I cannot wait for a day out! Thanks for sharing yours.

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  13. I love to log on to your blog first thing in the morning. I either get a lovely glimpse of England or your zest for life or both. It's a good way to start the day, thank you.

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    1. Thank you CC. It's nice to know you are there.

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  14. From Margie in Toronto - Love to hear about these days out Ilona - you find such interesting spots - not just the ones in all the tourist brochures.
    Friends and I are trying to do something similar over the next year or so - get out to all the little towns around the big city that we can do in a day or the occasional overnight weekend trip - it's amazing what you find.

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    1. A great idea, Margie. Goole has never appealed to me much at all. In the past I have been there to the docks with a lorry load of stuff to go on a boat. Sometimes if you look at a place a bit more closely you fins other things of interest.

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  15. Parking is such an issue in the UK. I'm sure it is the same in U.S. cities but where I live in the suburbs almost all parking is free. There are no signs or restrictions at grocery stores and other retailers. Only parking right near the water has a charge through parking meters. If I ever get back to the UK and have a rental car I will definitely remember about the parking. It does seem like a scam and I hope the man in the court case wins.

    The marina looks lovely and wouldn't it be fun to live on a boat at least for awhile.

    It was a nice day out for you and Rocky.

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    1. Yes, I think boat life would be good. There was one for sale, looked in good nick as well. Tempting, but I know nothing about the workings of a boat.

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  16. Hi Ilona.I always enjoy your days out and learn more and more about your beautiful country.What strikes me is that so many names and geography of locales are so similar to ones around here.We live very close to the town and river of Trent and the military base is there too.My cousins had a houseboat and though they never lived there full time they enjoyed it as a holiday getaway.They finally let it go and bought a used camper instead,because they enjoyed the flexibility of that more.Looking at your photos and reading about new places that you and dear Rocky visit is a day brightener.That's a very unique bench though must be chilly to sit on when it's cold out.Loved the scenery ,buildings and boats.How nice to have found free parking,eh?Bye for now,D.

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  17. ohmygoodness.....that chapel!

    (LOVE your blog btw )

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