Will St Swithin’s Come Good? 15th July

Staniland Marina to Thorne Visitor Moorings

Rain forecast for this afternoon we opted to move sooner rather than later and hope there would be space on the visitor moorings as we were in need of a refill of water and there is the preferred place for Sean to come and fit our new pram cover side.

At Thorne Lock two narrowboats were just coming up, the bridge still needed to be swung, so I helped with the barriers and pushed the bridge out of the way with the chatty volunteer. He isn’t really chatty, in fact he hardly says anything just an acknowledgement that you’ve said something. I hopped back on board and headed to the bow, hoping there’d be space for us on the moorings.

The bank moorings were full, but there was only one widebeam on the pontoons, yipee! We turned in bow first, bagging the pontoon that would serve us best. It took a while to get moored up as the pontoons are so short and the wind wasn’t helping, pushing us away. Then out with the hose pipe, we then remembered about the trickle of pressure here. Oh well we weren’t planning on going far today anyway, just turning round infact.

The rain started early as the water tank filled, we headed indoors to do chores, have a shower and then have lunch. As soon as the tank was full we winded and reversed back onto the pontoon, the side needed by Sean against the pontoon now. We just need to know when he’s coming. Mick called him.

Thursday! Oh blimey, do we overstay by a day? Or go away and come back risking that we won’t be the right way round or even find a space again? We’ve opted to move on if the moorings get busy, but if they don’t we’ll be on our way as soon as Sean has finished work.

It rained, quite hard at times. it’s what we need more of. Will St Swithin’s come good and it keep on doing so for the next 40 days and nights? What we actually need to know according to Wikipedia is if it rained on St Swithun’s Bridge in Winchester today or not?

I got news through that my digs for panto have been booked. I’m staying at the haunted bakery where I had one night when working on Cinderella two years ago. A very nice husband and wife for hosts and a fascinating building 10 minutes walk from the theatre. Susanne who I stayed with before has moved out of Chippy and it’s just that bit too far to walk along dark roads.

I’d arranged to see Della today, but the rain was off putting. However I changed my mind as the sun came out a little after 5pm, I sent her a message and set off to go for a walk anyway, it turned out she’d opted to visit her sister instead.

I had nice walk around the fishing ponds that you can see from the train and managed to get my 40 minutes of brisk walking done before the heavens opened again. There’s lots of ripe fruit hanging from the trees.

Then I sat down to check over the sock I finished last night. Hmm! It fitted me okay, but could do with just a little bit more space for the next size up. I don’t normally try the socks on that I knit, but having done a section of alternating yarns every stitch I wanted to make sure I’d compensated enough for the extra thickness. I reworked out my pattern and cast on a new sock, keeping the original as reference.

I’d suggested watching a film, but there were three days worth of cycling on the box to watch, so Mick spent much of the afternoon watching scenery in France. By the end of the day Mick was up to date with everything and the heavens had opened up again. Rumours are that Vazon Sliding Bridge was opened during the day today. A boat approached getting ready to moor up and wait for it to open at 4am, but they got straight through. Sadly by the time we reach it the temperatures will have risen above 15C again and we may end up having to wait a few days.

1 lock, 1 swing bridge, 0.5 miles, 1 wind, 1 very windy day, 1 soggy day much needed, 1 load washing, 1 clean pooh box, 1 full water tank, 0.5 of a sock, 3 days worth of cycling, 1 drugs run, 2.61 miles, 42 brisk minutes, 2 naughty pieces of chocolate orange (left over from Christmas), 1 haunted digs, 0 shore leave until we’ve a new side.

https://what3words.com/dividing.against.pigtails

A Mouthwatering Afternoon. 14th July

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Stanilands Marina

Out the back was checked for our neighbours woofers this morning, the coast was clear, Tilly could have a couple of hours shore leave. She was busy when Mick headed off to catch a train up to Scarborough, a routine blood test after a change in medication required. Thankfully he’d taken a jumper with him as it was a touch chilly in Scarbados when he sat by the Town Hall to eat his sandwich before walking up to the doctors.

Here in Thorne, once Tilly had returned I headed out for a walk. Comrade the Keel had gone into the dry dock, another boat into the other dry dock out in the open, it was really quite busy!

Wide Beam Pearl was just entering the lock, crew training so they got to work the lock even though the chatty volunteer was on hand to help. I carried on along the towpath to Princess Anne’s footbridge. Here the nearest house is for sale. For £250,000 you could own this property and get to know the locals really well whilst they wait for the bridge to open and close for boats. Maybe you could be the engineer who gets called out to sort it. I may now have jinxed our next passage through it!

**Who knew there were Hippos in Thorne!**

Along the road past Nationwide Boat Sales, then back onto the towpath. Blimey the heat kicking up from the baked bank was enormous, thankfully a breeze occasionally wafted across helping to cool the situation. I walked on up to Blue Water Marina and crossed back over the canal at Wykewell Lift Bridge.

The greenest lawn in Thorne showed itself, striped astroturf, nice! Followed by a house surrounded by shingle and some very large succulents. Past a pub that is now a restaurant which had great reflections of the iconic Thorne water tower.

I turned onto West Street which runs right alongside the canal. Here is where some people prefer to moor. Maybe the space next to Oasis might be handy for us in the next couple of days to get our pram cover side fitted. Back through town to post some colour samples off.

**The closest we’re likely to get to seeing Oasis!**

A touch of work this afternoon, well admin. I needed to sort my expenses claim out and do an invoice for the next third of my design fee. Once these were done I planned on pottering about and then heading over to the marina for a meet up with a Boat Woman. However mid afternoon I got a message from Della’s daughter saying she didn’t know what time she’d be home, there had been a hold up at work. No problem, I suspect we’ll be here for another day at least so we’d rearrange.

I went through the props list for panto instead, noting things that could do with a sketched design. There is a large amount of food in the script so I spent a mouth watering afternoon looking for reference pictures of cock au vin, duck a l’orange, crêpes souzette etc. These will all need pantoising but a good start, although quite a few of them would just be in casserole dishes!

Mick was soon home, only five minutes or so at the doctors. Job done.

0 locks, 0 miles, 4 trains, 3.42 miles walked, 61 minutes briskly, 1 small prick, 1 Hippo, 2 many yummy dishes, 2 gates locked, 1 postponement.

Stumpy And Me. 13th July

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Huddles Ground Winding Hole to opposite Stanilands Marina

White top milk, W5, Trendy Walthamstow and National Bowls were topics today on the Geraghty zoom. Maybe the TV series Scrublands should have been included, set in the heart of Australia a journalist works his way through a tragedy that befell a small town. I say this as early on Mick spotted someone walking on the parallel track with a rifle in hand! They dipped down at one point, camouflage working a treat, presumably to take a shot at something, thankfully facing away from Oleanna!

We needed to make a move today, so we opted to get moving late morning, hoping some boats might have moved on from Thorne. Not far to go, only a mile and a half.

Ten years ago, as we set off to descend Gunthorpe Lock on the River Trent, I thought that I should maybe trim my nails before reaching our destination for the day. Well, today I opted to trim them the normal way, clippers and nail file, rather than the more drastic method I used for my little finger back then! All nine nails are now a similar length and shape with no rough edges from model making and no visit to hospital either.

We followed widebeam Lollipop in towards Thorne, so we weren’t rushing anywhere. They pulled in to moor at the first space, we carried on, finding that no boats had moved since yesterday. We opted to reverse back, but were beaten to the space by another widebeam that zoomed in to snatch the space. Oh well, we’d opt for the space on the bend with the wonky edging.

A shopping trip into town to stock up on veg and bananas, that was enough for today in the humidity, we settled down to potter away the remainder of the day. NB Watershed arrived and squeezed in infront of us, they plan to head to Vazon Sliding Bridge and hope to get through in the next couple of days when the overnight temperatures are due to be low enough for it to open. We will follow suit once we’ve finished in Thorne.

Front to back L to R
Heather (Lady A), Sir Alan, Laura
Sue, Ali, Paul, Jaye, Fleur, Emily, Dawn, Frank, Tigger
Andy, Kate, Lee, Ben, Michael, Ruth.
**What a wonderful bunch.**

Ten years ago we were headed to Newark, to moor at Kings Marina, pick up a hire car and drive up to Scarborough to celebrate the Stephen Joseph Theatre’s 60th birthday. This of course didn’t happen, Oleanna was returned to the pontoon moorings at Gunthorpe and we spent the day at Nottingham’s QMC. Today up in Scarborough the 70th birthday was being celebrated. A company of actors were to perform excerpts from plays performed at the Theatre through the decades and from it’s three homes. A large group of my contempories were in the audience to enjoy the afternoon. I wish we’d been there too to have a catch up, but I think today subliminally I needed to be on Oleanna.

0 locks, 1.5 miles, 1 bendy mooring, 9 nails manicured, 4 bags shopping, 10th anniversary, 70th birthday, 2 outsides, 2 woofer neighbours, 1 on a lead, 1 nips at children, 2.35 miles walked, 30 minutes briskly, 1 gunman in the friendly cover!

https://what3words.com/salary.whisk.helps

Rather Shady. 12th July

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Huddlesground Winding Hole

No rush to go anywhere today, infact with temperatures set to be similar to yesterday we opted to stay put for the day as our mooring has proved to be rather shady.

Another 9 hour sausage day for Tilly. As with yesterday she vanished off into the friendly cover and trees in the morning not to be seen for hours, we’re certainly saving on the ‘Thank you for coming home‘ Dreamies! Then an afternoon kip when we can have the stern doors wide open followed by some more shore leave in the later part of the day before ding ding at 6pm.

Mick caught up with some cycling this morning, then sat out on the towpath listening to the cricket whilst I got on with amending bits of panto model. An extra section added to some gates for extra stability. Drawings amended to match, they just need scanning now.

Overnight something had disagreed with me so it was a bit of a wobbly day. Mick was fine so I don’t know what it was. No lunch for me, but by the afternoon and once I’d finished work I headed off for a walk.

I followed the towpath behind us to the winding hole, a narrowboat sat in full sun, their dogs keeping guard. Here there is a parallel footpath on the other side of the very dry ditch where we see people and the occasional motorbike, I chose to walk back towards Thorne in the dappled shade of the trees, I could see why Tilly likes it so much here. I’m surprised she hasn’t given it a stamp already, maybe it’s because she’s been too busy!

Plenty of rotting trees, one oak stood on just a small section Left of its trunk, plenty of branches and leaves above, it creeked so I made sure I walked away quickly, only to find another tree that had fallen across the path some time ago, the warning painted in red now just about illegible.

Through a field by the M18 back to the towpath. I opted to carry on to see what the moorings were like opposite Staniland Marina. A few spaces, the best one just recently taken by a Humber Keel Comrade. If we time our arrival well tomorrow we’ll hopefully catch a space when someone moves off and not end up being opposite the bar, which was packed!

My stomach still a little bit iffy, so Mick made me some nice scrambled eggs on toast, just the ticket.

0 locks, 0 miles, 3.39 miles walked, 62 minutes briskly, 9 hours, 3 hour kip, 201st sock up to the heel, 3 Mrs Tilly stamps of approval! No you are only allowed to award one at a time Tilly.

Sizzling Sausage Day. 11th July

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Huddles Ground Winding Hole

No intention to move today, the sun already shining through the trees behind us this morning when we woke up, hopefully it wouldn’t catch the cabin sides until late afternoon.

Today was what we call a sausage day on Oleanna, no moving the outside and Tilly could come and go as she liked all day. I have no idea why it became known as a sausage day, I just said it one morning and it’s stuck. Today had the potential to be a sizzling sausage day with temperatures set to rise above 30C. We hoped our shady mooring would mean we stayed well below that.

After pottering much of the morning away updating the blog and spread sheet I decided to do some work. There was that long email from John to respond to, a storyboard to put together, scanned plans to check and annotate, maybe even a bit of model making.

Well it took quite sometime to work through the email. Then I had over 200 photos to sift through to make up the storyboard, this always takes so much time, but it’s worth it.

Tilly wasn’t seen much in the morning, she came in for an afternoon snooze, which allowed us to have the stern doors open for a while. Mick sat out under our oak tree listening to the cricket and occasionally having to move out of the way of the rays of sun coming through the canopy.

I didn’t manage to get my model bits done, but I’d had enough for the day. Time to get ourselves ready for a barbecue. Blimey I now realised that I’d been sat down all day, too hot to go brisk walking. Veg and halloumi kebabs with some sizzling chilli turkey sausages, quite apt for today.

**Ground soaked before lighting and a bucket of water at the ready**

There had been more boats go past than we’d expected today and all of a sudden we’d become where boats were meeting each other. Only just enough room for a big cruiser and an even larger Dutch Barge to get past us, neither wanting to slow down to let the other one pass.

Considering it had been such a hot day, we all had managed to stay pretty cool.

0 locks, 0 miles, 10 out of 10 for a perfect mooring, 460 miles this year, 2 many roses, 4 scans not good enough, 2 more colours added to socks, 6 more stitches required, 1 slow day, 1 busy busy day for some! 1 big cat nap midday, 4 sausages, 4 kebabs, 4 glasses of wine between us.

Chinese Whispers. 10th July

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Doncaster Visitor Moorings to Huddles Ground Winding Hole, well a bit further on.

Today we’d be looking to find some shade. But first I wanted to see if I could find some clothes to fit me. Would Doncaster cater for my new size? I’m getting a little bit bored of hoiking up jeans and shorts and soon I’ll be getting my next bit of design fee for panto.

M&S. Doncaster ladies must be shorter than those in Leeds, which was a good thing. I tried on several pairs of trousers without having the legs trailing on the floor. Depending on their style, I’d dropped one or two sizes. However either the cut wasn’t me (wide when you’ve lost weight isn’t an option), the fabric was odd or the colour choice was dark or a snotty green. Strangely enough I left without a new pair of trousers, but a new t-shirt did make it into my shopping.

Primark. No jeans I’d consider buying, no shorts either as they seemed to be last years jeans with the legs cut off. I trawled through t-shirts a couple would mean I can get rid of one’s with holes. I also picked up a new belt which might actually do something to keep my existing clothes around my waist.

Then, ohhhhh dear! I had to walk past the deli!! A serious treat purchase was required after yesterdays successful meeting. I limited myself to two cheeses and quickly left the shop.

Just as we were about to empty the yellow water tank, three boats came past, two headed for Strawberry Island the other in desperate need of water. Yesterday the moorings had filled up, but as Mick was outside he offered for them to breast up to us, then they could have our space. We’ve come across NB Watershed a few times, but not met the owners before, Linda and Graham. We had chance for a little chat before the two hot dark blue boats were parted. It sounds like we are both hoping to head the same way, so our paths are likely to cross again whilst waiting for the planets to align.

Down stream, the sun shining brightly overhead, sun cream non-negotiable today. We’d timed our arrival at Long Sandall Lock with the workers on their lunchbreak again, they worked the lock for us from the tower.

Next the EA workers were also heading for lunch. Today the big work pontoon had moved to the river side of the cut, presumably delivering more giant piling sheets.

There was space to pull in just before Barnby Dun Lift bridge so we took shelter inside with the curtains closed for lunch, trying to keep the temperature inside as low as possible.

Twenty one held up at the bridge, a pause to use the elsan, then onwards to Bramwith Junction where we turned right.

At the lock a small boat was heading up, it was the people we’d met at Viking Marina who had had engine trouble. Sadly things still aren’t fully right for them, so they were abandoning their six month trip, the River Trent not a safe place to be with a temperamental engine. They were disappointed to say the least.

Next our turn. As Oleanna came into the lock I sent a message to our friend David who moors along this stretch, was he about? I lifted paddles and emptied the lock. In fact might that be David along the way? I closed up behind us and as I walked down the towpath I could see that Mick was hovering. It was David and his new, now 18 weeks old dog Flynn, a fox red labrador retriever. Sadly it was really hard to hear him across the way and the walk around the lock too far for either of us on a hot day when we’d all rather be in the shade. Mick asked how he was, ‘really well’ came the answer. If we end up coming back this way whilst waiting for things to align we’ll be in touch and hopefully have a proper catch up, not across the canal and get to meet his woofer.

**It’s amazing the photos you get when you can’t see the screen!**

Through the swing bridge we were now on the hunt for some shade. Our thought was maybe we’d strike lucky in Thorne, but possibly sooner. Shortly after the big winding hole Mick spotted a patch of shade. Maybe this might stay shady for much of the day, which would be good for tomorrows higher temperatures. We pulled in, enough depth and plenty of trees for Tilly. Two hours!

**Touch and go on some colours so there may end up being 15 colours**

I did a little bit of work, a long email had arrived from John which needs attention. The Lighting Designer had already made comments which made it obvious that not being in the room for our meeting meant he was suffering from the internet version of Chinese whispers. I opted to sort that tomorrow, I deserved a day off, well nearly. Instead I pulled out the yarn for my 101st pair of Dementia socks. Lots and lots of colours and possibly a new stitch to learn. It’ll be nice having something to do whilst watching tv again.

***How long is this outside staying tied up for?***

Tilly reappeared at bang on 18:11, bang on two hours of shore leave. Opening the rear doors for her was nice as it brought in a draft. She was allowed another twenty minutes before the doors were finally closed and dingding served. Our dingding this evening was mackerel salad, Tilly fancied giving it a try, but when she was told it would inhibit her tree climbing skills she opted out. It did smell nice though!

2 locks, 8.9 miles, 1 wind, 3 tshirts, 1 belt, 0 trousers, 2 types cheese, 1 right, 1 distant hello, 1 new woofer, 1 shady spot, 1 hour direct sunshine, 1 happy cat, 29C possibly higher, 1 long email of questions, 1 LD needing photos, 13 soon to be 14 colours,101st pair cast on.

https://what3words.com/pokes.headset.taxed

Beaut! 9th July

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Doncaster Visitor Moorings

It’s always the same. You set an alarm for early o’clock and just can’t get to sleep. Then add into the mix Doncaster Minster being so close and it’s bells marking EVERY quarter of an hour ALL night! Not the best night’s sleep.

I managed 7 minutes brisk walk to the station and was ready and waiting for my first train of the day to Birmingham New Street, next one on to Banbury. I was glad of reserved seats on both trains and opted to keep the model on my knee, it was safer there than anywhere else.

At Banbury Station I had to use telepathy to find my lift. Firstly the drop off zone has been moved due to building works and then it was play hunt the producer. I’d not met Rachel the new producer at Chippy before today, luckily I’d told her to look out for my big blue ikea bag.

At the theatre the green room was filled with a welcoming committee, which was very nice. They were actually waiting for me to cut the chocolate and hazelnut gf cake Paul had made.

**A Bake Off topping but was there a missing raspberry?**

Plenty of time to set up and enjoy a slice of cake before the final model meeting started. A new lighting designer joined over the Internet, marketing, development, technicians and Gemma the Production Manager made for quite an audience, but thankfully I didn’t get Designers wobble doing scene changes in the model.

We worked our way through the show, questions and explanations as we went. At the end there were lots of lovely comments, the best was from John the Director saying he thought it’s my ‘best design yet!’

After lunch Gemma and I hid ourselves away in a dressing room to see if we could afford to build it. Three quotes had come in for the build and some figures for the printing. At the moment it seems we can afford it without having to cut elements and Gemma had taken on board my suggestions about painting and parts of the build. I’ll be kept occupied, but hopefully not as busy as in previous years.

**Waiting in Banbury for my direct train home**

I got a lift back to the station with Paul, his wife Helen and Jack their son. Mick had a pizza ready to go in the oven for when I got home along with a glass of wine as my goal of leaving the majority of the model box with other people had come off. A very good day all round.

**A small box of props and a couple of things and my technical drawings**

Now if you fancy coming to see the show get your tickets booked before the end of this month as the prices have been held at last year’s prices.

Meanwhile in Doncaster Mick has spent time in the engine bay, planning the installation of some Victron bits which will make the charging of our bully boy batteries more efficient.

Oleanna was passed by Dutch Barge Pheonix owners of NB Honky Tonk whom we’d met at Lemonroyd a month ago. Hopefully we’ll get chance to say hello if our paths cross in the next few days.

0 locks, 0 miles, 3 trains, 1 big thumbs up, 1 addition to make, 1 alteration to make, 1 Le to add, 1 yummy cake, 1 bip of a horn, 2 gizmos added, 1 bored cat, 2nd blog post written on my phone on the train home, 1 designer thinking she deserves a glass of wine when she gets home!

1 designer got her glass of wine, followed by a second one.

Alternative Plans. 8th July

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Smallhedge Bridge to Doncaster Visitor Moorings

Sorry Tilly, no shore leave this morning, and none likely later on either. We needed to get moving and had to have a few possible mooring alternatives up our sleeves.

At the end of the first bridge landing we came across a wide beam who was waiting for another boat to leapfrog the remaining bridges with. He untied his boat then asked as we pulled in if he could follow us through, yep no problem. I didn’t take note of his tall chimney at the time but thankfully I’d lifted the bridge far enough for it. A boat heading the other way gunned it to come through too, 3 boats with one button press and only 2 cars held up.

Of course now we were following a single hander. I was quite happy to hop off and work the last two bridges for us both, but he insisted, or maybe he just didn’t hear! This did mean it took quite a while for him to tie up, work the bridge, then catch us up at the last bridge of the New Junction.

Under the Don doors and on to Bramwith Junction. The wide beam turned left and we were on our own again headed towards Doncaster.

A water stop at Barnby Dun lift bridge and a check on bus services for tomorrow. 6 something would get me into Doncaster an hour before my booked train. Not ideal, but an option if we couldn’t get to Doncaster to moor or if the moorings were full.

At Kirk Sandall I checked the trains to Doncaster, I’d also have an hour’s wait for my train whether by bus or train. Another option, but also not ideal.

We pootled on, checking the CRT stoppage notices. A couple of days ago Long Sandall Lock was out of order, the customer pedestal wasn’t working, but engineers had been called the following day. Our question, had they been and mended it and the notice hadn’t been updated? We were willing to give it a go.

The people working on the embankment were all heading for lunch. Crammed onto their little boat heading back to base as if they were crossing the channel.

As we approached the light at the lock was amber, the window in the tower was open, people were inside. Surely if the lock was still out of order the light would be red.

The light turned red, just as I was about to step off the stern. The lock started to empty, then the gates opened. The chaps in the tower were on a lunch break from working on the weir so worked us through. We mentioned that the stoppage notice hadn’t been updated, they’d ring it through. A couple of hours later a notice to say it was open arrived.

Passing Strawberry Island we looked out for Cruiser Amourouse, tucked away on the far side of the island. The boats from the flotilla that set out at the end of March have now split. Some are heading back to base, others exploring the Great Ouse and River Cam before returning north.

Now we had our fingers crossed for some space on the pontoon in Doncaster, this would save having to wake up around 5am tomorrow. As it came into view we sighed with relief, two small cruisers on it and plenty of space for us. We tucked in right on the end as far away from the building site by the gate as possible.

A few bits to do on my model, darken a barrow and add bits to strengthen other pieces of scenery. Mick headed out to get a few bits and was requested to let me know before he stepped back on board as I had a lot of blue lining to do and I didn’t want them to go wobbly!

My hope is to not be returning from Chippy with the model box tomorrow, with that in mind I wanted to take photos of the model. Tilly did her best to assist, getting in the way!

***Hmm, you’ve missed the blue lines off the front of the stage!***

Music. Fairly loud music, it couldn’t be, could it?! It was Cruiser Orchid, thankfully they continued on towards Doncaster Lock and moored up just about under the railway for the night despite there being plenty of space on the pontoon.

Jobs done. Model packed. Yarn selecting failed, I’ll just have to write this blog post on the train tomorrow instead of knitting socks.

1 lock, 8.8 miles, 4 bridges, 12 held up, 1 water tank full, 1 clean pooh box, 3 alternative plans, plan A achieved, 1 feline note, 176 photos to sort through, 1 model packed, 4 chicken spring rolls, 1 bored cat.

https://what3words.com/hurray.bleat.notes

The Committee Said ‘Move Along’. 7th July

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Pollington Bridge to Smallhedge Swing Bridge, New Junction Canal

A better day weather wise. Best get a move on! But first Tilly was allowed some shore leave. It’s good here! Thankfully she came back when called and we could push off.

I set up the drawing board so I could work as we cruised, I then walked to Pollington Lock, not far ahead. Here a single hander was just finishing comeing up the lock, we were able to swap positions and me hand him his key back once the gates were closed. He kindly offered to work the lock for us, but I’ve spent too much time inside recently to miss the chance of pressing buttons.

Once down the lock I started on my groundplans for panto. Positions of the permenant bits of set easy, then trying to save tracing paper and adding all the moveable elements onto the same plan. In the end I opted to do two plans, one for each act. At the same time I added things to my cross section, which shows heights of scenery and how they can be hidden from view in the flies. I’ve opted to move the bit of scenery I wasn’t sure about to give it more room, but in it’s new position it may require some tweaking to make it work better.

I spotted the tower at the shooting range just before Sykehouse Junction. Mick made the turn to start heading southwards. A boat reversed out from the junction and headed to Goole, a widebeam following us kept on course for there too. Paddle boarders were having a short break on the Went Aqueduct and chatted to Mick as we passed.

It was soon time to work the key of power. Up came the first bridge, holding up one car with a trailer filled with bags of sand. I opted to walk to the next bridge where we coincided with two boats having just come down Sykehouse Lock. Their crew beat me to the bridge panel, I waved Mick on through the bridge as the second boat was a touch behind the first.

**There’s a lot more growth on the New Junction today**

A boat was waiting to go up the lock, crew stood at the bottom gate panel, they were joined by the other crew member. I suspected I knew what the problem might be. Either they couldn’t find where to insert their key of power to get things moving, it is half way along the lock in a separate box that unlocks the barriers to a swing bridge first, then the swing bridge, then you can operate the paddles and gates. Or there was something not quite in the right place therefore connecting a circuit enabling things to be worked elsewhere.

I think they were about to call CRT out when I arrived. It was their first time on moving their new to them boat and the first time through Sykehouse Lock. They’d been told how to work it by people at their marina where they were returning to. They’d done everything but the swing bridge hadn’t clunked into position. I pulled it back a touch, said not to lift the handle but just to let the bridge do the work for you. As it closed into the open position the handle clunked down, circuit connected everything else would now work.

Mick brought Oleanna into the lock, followed by NB Emily. They bought her six months ago and discovered water where it shouldn’t be. So she’d been in Goole having some welding done by Alistair and now was water tight again ready for a refit by them. I stayed to help close up the lock as Mick moved Oleanna on towards the now removed Smallhedge Swing Bridge. At last I’d done some walking, although I don’t know how far or how brisk as my phone was inside the boat.

We moored up close to a tree that Mick thought Tilly would enjoy. ‘Five hours Tilly!’ Brilliant!!!

I’d just put the kettle on and started to clear the table when Mick said there were a couple of Grebes just in front of us with what looked like their nest, which was drifting towards us and Tilly. Ah!!

We needed to move and leave the parents to it, their body language at just us being there wasn’t relaxed, then add Tilly into the mix! Now we needed to remove Tilly from the outside, no easy thing when it’s brilliant here! was her body language. Time to head for a walk with my cat. It took some persuading but in the end she turned to follow, made use of the cat walk, where Mick pulled her inside. Doors closed. Job done.

We untied and moved away as carefully as we could without disturbing Mum and Dad. As soon as we were away from the bank they relaxed, heads back at normal height. We moved along as far as we could before suitable places to tie to were lost. The wind would make the nest drift towards the lock, not such a good thing. Maybe it had originally been in amongst the reeds and had become dislodged by fast moving craft.

Now settled Tilly was allowed out again. There might not be such a good tree in this outside, but the friendly cover is very friendly. So friendly that we decided that shore leave should be stopped short today!

I continued and finished the last of the panto plans. Title boxes added and all filed away ready for my meeting. Just a few bits to do tomorrow and I’ll be ready. Sadly I finished too late to select yarn for the next pair of sockathon socks. Maybe I should do that before I start work tomorrow.

2 locks, 5 miles, 3 swing bridges, 1 held up, 1 already swung, 1 right, 2 parents, 1 egg, 3 outsides, 2 many friends, 14 sheets of drawings complete, 20 years.

https://what3words.com/wing.eggplants.blazers

Such A Cherub. 6th July

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Stubbs Bridge to Pollington Bridge

A new puzzle this morning. A new name!

Today the wind was much reduced. Tilly had some shore leave whilst we chatted to Mick’s siblings. Topics today, down grading hire cars, Inverness, Halifax, £1000 for a Premier Inn room and disembodied voices.

The yellow water was delt with, a load of washing put on and Tilly came home on cue, time to make a move. The drawing board was lifted back onto the dinette table and I worked my way through the rest of the scenery whilst Mick moved the outside.

He pulled us up to top up with water above Whitley Lock, here we disposed of our old hose reel, one less thing to move about in the cratch when coming in to moor up. With the key of power I did the honours at the lock and we dropped down to the next long stretch of canal.

The side hatch went from being open, to having the glazed doors closed, to having the outer doors well and truly closed. It sounded like Mick was pulling us in, had we reached Pollington Lock? He was pulling in on the wrong side of the canal for that. It was raining, the sky was black behind us, this was soon to arrive overhead, so Mick was aborting our cruise.

He’d pulled up just short of some bollards. I had to shout to make him aware of them, so we nudged up to make mooring a lot easier and more importantly quicker!

After lunch the weather calmed down. Tilly went out, a whole new outside for her to explore. It got the paws up, or should that be down for a stamp of approval.

By the end of the day I’d finished the working drawings. Just the groundplans and section to finish off now, but they can wait for tomorrow.

I popped burgers and what would have been veg kebabs into the oven to cook, outside not really suitable for a bbq. We’ll end up having eaten everything suitable for outdoor cooking by the time the next heatwave arrives, which looks like it is on it’s way. Shady trees will not be so easily found as they were in York. Plus our route southwards is more than likely to be blocked due to high temperatures, low levels and sand bars! What will be will be, and we’ll see where we can get to once we are no longer tied to my panto designing.

More cycling and cricket was watched.

1 lock, 5.5 miles, 1 very soggy afternoon, 1 leaking window, 1 drain hole cleared out, 5 sheets drawings, 1 panto drawn up, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval.