Hence I have always regarded the Stamford Canal as stopping at Market Deeping where it rejoined the Welland to the west of the main crossroads in the town - i.e. downstream of Market Deeping Mill and lock and upstream of Market Deeping Bridge. How this junction came to be known as Tongue End, very close to Market Deeping town center, (Lot 21 1865 auction) I have no idea, but perhaps the name derives from the tip of land where the canal and river met at a fairly acute angle being shaped like a tongue.

To my mind we could perhaps overcome the confusion by referring to the whole nine-mile navigation as the Stamford Navigation, of which the Stamford Canal formed an important part.
I say "formed" for most of the line has disappeared with the stretch in Market Deeping having been filled in.

This also helps understand the nonsense of the head of the navigation being quoted as Hudds Mill, where the canal section began, whereas the main wharves were on the river on the way up to the town bridge.

The first big surprise for me was a winding hole in Tallington. Once Ken pointed out its position, its shape can clearly be seen in the grass alongside the canal bed.

The path runs along the canal bed, and the bench is situated just about in the middle of the winding hole.

The next feature is the railway crossing. Today very little of the canal can be seen at the crossing. Ken told me that the rails on the Eastern side crossed the canal just below the Tallington Horse Holmes lock. They had to curve the track bed round the end of the lock to avoid the need of embankment to cross the canal at the higher level above the lock. Later, more tracks were laid on the Western side over the top of the lock. Lock structure likely still remains buried under the track bed. The tunnel is still under the Eastern rails, though filled in. East of the railway the canal bed progresses to West Deeping with a mysterious curve through the field. We couldn't see any obvious reason for the curve. Possibly to avoid marshy ground, or following the contour to avoid embankments. (More study needed here) In West Deeping we found the canal watered before it disappears into private gardens. Most of Structure remains of the St Andrews lock.

It has been rearranged far from how it was originally.

The tail of the opening into St Andrews lock has odd sides, possibly to allow boats easier entry from the basin

Ken, examining the ironwork on St Andrews Lock

The road in West Deeping was crossed by ford with a footbridge over the canal. Here there is evidence of a feeder that supplied an arm.

The arm is clearly visible cutting across the field to the East of the road terminating at the building, which is at the side of what looks to be two derricks. The derricks poles don't look very original. They look to be positioned where the arm ends, exactly where loading, unloading would have taken place.

Many thanks to Ken for taking the time to show me the remaining features. And for sharing his knowledge about the canal.