There were several jobs we wanted to do whilst still being on the pontoon. The dishwasher had a clean cycle, the wet dry vac was used to go through the boat and then retreated back into it’s cupboard, it’s been out under the dinette table for far too long!
Mick headed to Waitrose early on for a newspaper and to see what they might have in their sad gits yellow stickers section, he came back with some chicken in sweet chilli sauce and a box of sweet potato fries all at half price.
Back to B24
By the time the chores were done it was lunchtime. After several days of just about nothing moving in Newark, all of a sudden there were boats. First the wide beam we’d shared Stoke Lock with, they were headed back to their mooring today, then the trip boat from Newark Marina. No need for us to push off to make room for someone, but once lunch was done we pushed off anyway. Winding, then heading down stream, taking the first left. Now where was B24?
Next to the Waverely
Well we guessed, and guessed correctly. This is where we’d had a mooring a few years ago. Once secured to the short pontoon in Kings Marina we walked up to the office to check in. Part way there we were greeted by the husband of the lady who runs Kings, she was hot on his heels. Once we’d said we weren’t part of the Aquavista 100 club, just old fashioned visitors we were invited to pay for our three nights here. Paula and her team were very welcoming as ever. No need to show us around as we’ve been here quite a bit including our second winter on NB Lillyanne, but she did introduce us to their cow planters, each named after the flowers in them. King’s has won the Aquavista Marina in bloom four years now, two on the trot. Close to the office was an honesty table with fruit and veg, including pears and garlic, maybe I’d come back later for some to go with our chicken.
Tilly managing to balance on the FEED ME shelf
Tilly’s pooh box was refreshed. We need to make an adjustment to her box. Even though this box is higher than her previous box, and she got used to it back at the house, she keeps missing it. Why oh why did we get a cat who doesn’t sit down on the loo! We think a heavy bit of board might do the trick, or try to cut the lid sections in half.
The Parish Church
I walked to Argos to see if the mats I’d ordered had arrived, I’ve not had anything from ebay about them even being dispatched, but it was worth a try. Sadly they weren’t there! They should have arrived yesterday. We’ll try again on Monday, but that is our cut off point.
I then went in search of paper bags to use alongside our separating toilet. Our toilet paper goes in a bin which is lined with a paper bag for ease of disposal. Mick had tried all the supermarkets to buy some. But he’d forgotten that Morrisons have paper bags for their fruit and veg. I picked some up along with some beans for this evening.
Home grown produce at the marina with an honesty box
Back at Oleanna, Mick had dealt with the yellow water and Tilly was doing her best to sort through our dirty washing into piles on the bedroom floor. I set about making a baked French Cheesecake to take to my brothers tomorrow. I’d made this for my birthday cake last Christmas and it was very nice, just a little risky in a different oven. It browned a little bit quickly, but came out looking good after being covered in foil.
One expanded cheesecake before it sank
I did an update of Frank things to one of his old friends. Dave has been very useful with extra information when needed and I wanted him to know that things were on course for Franks release from hospital. He made one comment in his reply which may change everything. I might be looking for an understanding plumber at very short notice to sort the problem which may stop our plan in it’s tracks. Not much I can do about things until Monday now. Here’s hoping Frank’s past actions or lack of them are not going to come back and bite him!
0 locks, 0.2 miles, 1 wind, 1 left, B24, 2 friendly welcomes, 1 empty wee tank, 1 clean pooh box, 8 paperbags, 1 hoovered boat, 2nd Saturday with a newspaper, 1 spanner possibly in the works, 1 cheese cake chilling in the fridge.
This morning we were up and walking to Newark Northgate to catch a train northwards. Mick had a hospital appointment in Scarborough to attend and it would give us the opportunity to visit our friend Frank who is also at the hospital. The trains ran as timed and when we arrived in Scarborough Mick headed to the house to pick up items we’d omitted to bring with us, the most important one being Tilly’s dingding bell. Although I suspect we miss it more than she does! Whilst at the house he also cut the grass.
Pesky seagull
I on the other hand headed to Tescos to purchase a few things for Frank. Yes I could have bought things in Newark but Frank is particular about the size of his bananas etc, so it was just safer to go to the right shop. I still had quite a bit of time before visiting hours started so I headed to the Town Hall to eat my butties with a view of the sea. Here there was a juvenile seagull who sat and watched my every mouthful. I did wonder if I’d be mugged by adult gulls as so often happens around Scarborough, but I managed to consume everything myself.
Latest pair of socks
It’s quite a walk to the hospital, Mick caught the bus and we met outside the main entrance. Time to find Frank, who had moved wards last night, luckily someone had left a message with our friend Ben as to where Frank was. Frank had been admitted about ten days ago in not such a good state. Whilst he’s been here they have fed and watered him and thankfully he now has a walking frame, I’ve been trying to get hold of walking aids for him for the last month, being passed from GP to Council and back again. Frank looked far better than the last time we’d seen him.
The ward staff had been waiting for our arrival and phone calls were made saying we’d arrived and a nice nurse Joni came down to meet with us. Frank is now stable enough to go home, but there are things that need to happen before he can. A care package and his house needs making suitable for him and his new walking frames, he’s got two! They’d like to be able to move Frank home as soon as possible. I put my PA’s hat on, Oh blimey there’s a lot to do!
Boaty artworks in the hospital corridors
Next, we headed to find Mick’s appointment, arriving early he was called straight in by a nurse, soon followed on by the consultant. Questions asked, answers given. A blood test requested and another test to follow. Now came the question from Mick regarding the blood test, could it be done anywhere in the country as we don’t plan on being in Scarborough again soon. As ever the answer came back as expected, it would be unlikely that the consultant would get to see the results. I put my PA’s hat on again, could he have them done in York? Yes! Brilliant, this was possible next week.
Sun setting on the way back
Back across the hospital back to see Frank. We made plans, chatted through things that should be set up and found and followed up on. We came away with a long list of jobs to try to put into action. All fairly easy when in Scarborough, but not so when in Newark! The train journey back was spent compiling a Call To Arms for the Frankness group of friends.
Not the best pizza!
Back in Newark we headed to feed Tilly, then straight out to Pizza Express for some food. There was only one other table occupied and we’d been warned that they close at 9pm. We ordered a large glass of wine each, some dough balls and a pizza each. Well, we’ve had far better from Pizza Express in the past, in fact we were quite disappointed by it. I’d rather have made my own pizza, it would have been far tastier and we’d not have needed a saw to cut into them! Of well it was sustenance after a long day.
Friday. Today we should move off, maybe back to the bank opposite, maybe down to Cromwell Visitor mooring. But there was a lot to get done today and we’d not seen any boats moving. If it got busy, we’d move off.
Walking the streets of Scarborough from Newark
I set about finding cleaners for Franks house. Mick set about trying to sort out paperwork for Frank. At times we became detectives working out old addresses. Thank goodness Mick had turned the volume up on Franks phone yesterday. He couldn’t remember house numbers, but the houses names. I spent an age walking up and down streets via google street view looking for the house name, then Mick found a lead.
It was soon decided that spending a day in Scarborough would be wise to make sure things would happen at Franks house even if I can’t be there all the time to help. Various Frankness friends had limited availability, one comment was if only this had happened during the school holidays, have to admit that would have been easier for us too. But you can’t help when you get ill. During the day, numerous messages, phone calls were made and a plan came together. It would take maybe a bit more time than the nurse we’d talked to yesterday had hoped, but Frank’s house should be sorted for him to go home soon.
Time for some head space, I was sent a video of a cement mixer, that helped a touch, but a walk would be far better.
I set off to head to Kilham Hall. Across the railway line at Newark Castle I stopped to look at the objects outside a place we’d once attended an auction for a new mattress for NB Lillyanne. What an eclectic mix of things! Polar bears, lions, chandeliers, Hulk Hogan, Policemen, fancy chairs, trunks, signage, all sorts piled up high inside the big old railway buildings. I considered a chair for panto, but it was far too expensive to just chop up for what we want.
Right back to that walk. I turned off and found the footpath, however the path had to cross two very busy roads, even busier on a Friday afternoon. I’d hoped there would be an underpass, but no such luck. I wasn’t in the mood to dice with death, so I opted to return to town and do some shopping instead.
However, there was another antique place that needed to be looked at on the way back. This was far more classic antiques. Everything spaced out with more air round it and the price tags far more too. Lovely wooden this and that. I was caught by a chap with a thick Irish accent as I looked at a marble table with such an intricate inlaid pattern. ‘Isn’t it wonderful, so much work, solid marble, that blue is the most expensive marble you can get. It’s a stupid price too. A table like that is worth £10,000, but it’s for sale for £1,700!’ Well I didn’t want it for Oleanna, extra ballast of that type would have her capsize. I said I wasn’t buying, just looking, he soon left me alone.
Outside there were two chaps trying to sort how to fit a Grandfathers clock into their convertible Audi. I left them to it and climbed a staircase to a big heavy door, it said as much on it. Opening it I was suddenly greeted by music, lift music! Outside there had been no noise what-so-ever, but inside the vault on the first floor the music played out loud and clear. Most surreal! I looked round all the cases of silver, jewellery, pottery, etc. Maybe there’d be something for friends for their 60th birthdays coming up. No, nobody actually needs any of this stuff, so I opted to leave empty handed, closed the door behind me, shutting the music inside.
Strawberries!
Time to shop for things to make a cheese cake, Aldi did me proud for most things, but I really didn’t want six lemons or four oranges. So Morrisons came up trumps with those and some vanilla essence. Back on board I made some Strawberry coulis to go with my cheesecake and once cool it went in the freezer to help keep things cool on Sunday.
A bowl of pasta each, a glass of wine and a sit down. A pretty full on day, but hopefully the Frank plan will come together next week.
0 locks, 0 miles, 9p after three days, 4 trains, 2 buses, 1 annoying seagull, 1 seriously bored cat, 1st plan hatched, 15 minutes before the appointment time, 2 disappointing pizzas, 2nd plan hatched, 1 distracted walk, 2 Stage Management heavens, 2 detectives, 1 form filled in and ready, 2 crackers with cheese, 1 pot of bubbling strawberries.
Opposite Kiln Pontoon, Newark to Kiln Pontoon, Newark
Whilst having our morning cuppa in bed we could hear a boat across the way on the pontoon heading off. A peek out of the front blinds, it was the smaller of the narrowboats, we might just fit, but then we might not. We opted to stay in bed a while longer and see what happened.
A while later the narrowboat that had been moored in front was making to head off, well I could see the chap had a life jacket on and was about to untie his bow, time for us to get dressed and spring into action.
Such a pretty theatre
We pushed over and into the now large space, tied up and got on with the rest of the day. There was a brief chat with Heather from NB Bleasdale who is currently on her other boat in Ireland, as ever she suggested somewhere to visit nearby, Kelham Hall, I may have a walk over there in the coming days.
I spent sometime finding some foam mats for our lockers, thank you Ken for the suggestion. A purchase on Ebay which I should be able to pick up in a few days time from Argos here in Newark.
Fray Bentos originally came from Uruguay
Then it was time to finalise the artwork for panto ready to be sent to the printers. Have to admit I’ve been putting this off for a while, nervous as to whether I’ve got the artwork as good as I can and if it’s in the right format etc. Doing this kind of thing once a year isn’t really enough for it to have become second nature to me and when the order is around £5000 worth, it needs to be correct! Checking and double checking, I uploaded it all to WeTransfer and off it went, only for an out of office email to come back from the chap I’ve been dealing with. Argh! The link would expire before he’s back! I resent it to his colleague, then after a brief chat the order was placed. I can now forget about that part of the show.
The comprehensive scaffolding at the castle
I made a list of other jobs still outstanding and gradually worked my way through them. All done by mid afternoon, time to go for a walk and find something to eat tonight. As the temperature today was far lower than yesterday I opted to make use of the current Pie and Mash deal at M&S, £10 for two pies and three side dishes, more than enough for us.
Artists impression
Up at the castle I got chance to have a look at what is happening. With the aid of funding from the National Heritage Lottery Fund and the Government’s Local Regeneration Fund, the castle’s Romanesque Gatehouse is being reinstated, well, rebuilt! Lost rooms will be brought back to life. What I suspect is a visitors centre will be below. The artists impression of the finished tower includes a roof top area which will give a good view over the river.
New stonework everywhere
Whilst out I realised that I’d forgotten to order the paints for panto and I needed to check what undercoats I’d like the set builder to put on the set pieces before it gets to Chippy. This worked really well last year and cut down my hours, meaning I got to have a few evenings not working my socks off. All this was done and emailed off to the relevant people. I think that is now panto back in hand apart from answering questions from people, fingers crossed.
0 locks, 120ft reversed, 1 pontoon mooring, 1 whinging cat, 0 shore leave, 1 blog still not working, 47 emails about it in a day, 7 cleaned up scans sent to the printers, £500 worth of paint ordered, 2 pies, 1 creamed spinach, 1 carrot and swede, 1 lot of garlic potato wedges.
Today was a work day for me, a couple of panto meetings to fill the day. However the day started off with conversations with Chris who hosts the blog. His servers were having some problems, we’d been wondering if the blog had now got far too big and thoughts had turned to splitting the last ten years of posts onto a separate blog to reduce the blog’s size. Conversations were had, maybe he should try turning things off? So for the time being you may not be able to comment, or you may have to sign in to comment, we’ll see what the next few days brings.
Hello down there!
Tilly asked to be let out early, just as we’d been getting ready for breakfast. We were going to be here all day, but I did want to see her so I limited her shore leave to a couple of hours. She returned within the time limit, jumping onto the stern, Mick opened the back door and in she came. Hang on! What’s that in your mouth Tilly? I£&(*s a M&”&***Se my F*&%£DY. I hadn’t really wanted to know as she had broken the first rule of ‘NO friends home’ She was picked up and escorted straight to the bow doors and out onto the well deck, the doors closed firmly behind her. Mick hadn’t spotted that she had company! She soon didn’t anymore!!
Tractor thankfully not making smells
My first meeting of the day was with Gemma the Production Manager for panto. The last few weeks she’s been busy, I’ve been moving to the boat and been occupied with other things, so we both felt quite a bit detached from the show. We chatted through where we’d got to, should we try to source 4m long cardboard tubes locally so they can stay in long lengths? After a pause to take a phone call we decided that we were still in quite a good place, just the order for the print to be placed, I need to do a little bit more to the artwork and then it will be ready.
After lunch we had a catch up chat with Helen and Min the props makers. Conversations about confectionizers, snowballs, skis, buckets all sorts were followed by lantern discussions. All good and on course.
Very Important Cattle
Time for a walk, I crossed the river and headed down stream to Fiskerton, passing numerous fishermen, through several clapper gates and arriving at The Bromley pub which seemed to be popular for a Monday late afternoon. I carried on past the big houses hiding behind their flood walls and on to where a footpath heads away from the river along a flood bank, it was quite nettley!
The Moo Hoofpath
The path then crossed over a steam, into a field which was close to where cattle live, their hoofpath surrounded by wooden fencing and a rather interesting gate. Then I was at Fiskerton Mill which sits on the River Greet. It began as a corn mill run by Osbert the ‘milner’ in 1248. In 1579 it was listed as two mills, by 1792 it was listed as a cotton mill. In 1829 there were five bobbinet machines in use and by 1832 it was a lace thread mill. 1837 it was converted back into a corn mill which burnt down in 1851, the mill was rebuilt in 1872 with several sets of stones, it continued to work into the 1920’s when it started to produce animal feed which stayed in production until 1980s.
Fiskerton Mill
Today it seems to be split into a few homes. At the front there was a box of eating apples left for people to help themselves. I still had a bag for such finds from last year in my bumbag so I helped myself, I think I picked an apple of each variety. Thank you.
Quite expensive this one
Back through the village and to the pub. Here the old wharf building is for sale. A modern conversion of quite a large building the ground floor high above where flood waters come. It comes with the moorings on the river, all yours for £1.5 million. It’s a little odd that there are no interior photos in the brochure, but then a lady was just finishing varnishing the balcony doors, maybe more photos will follow.
A Tilly friend safe on the opposite river bank
Back at the boat I spent some time sending messages to friends before chopping up some of yesterdays roast pork and making us Paprika Peppery Pork. Very nice, it’s a favourite that I haven’t made in an age.
During the day we’ve constantly been getting emails from the blog saying that it was unresponsive, then a while later that it was back online. This evening on a few occasions when we’ve been informed it was back online we had a go at putting up a post about our technical difficulties. This took about 2 hours to actually achieve a post, that is seriously slow. Chris has spent a lot of time trying to sort things today, but unfortunately he’s not had any luck, it sounds like it’s something out of his hands.
0 locks, 0 miles, 1 grounded cat, 1 friend, 1 upset stomach, 2 panto meetings, 1st contact in 5 days, 1 little list of jobs, 4.58 miles walked, 1 impossible blog, 312 emails, 1 very sad message to send, 1st Mrs Tilly stamp of approval of the year!
22nd September
Hazelford Lock to Opposite Kiln Pontoon, Newark
This morning Chris called, where his server is located is apparently being hit by a Denial-of-Service Attack, commonly known as a DOS attack. So for the time being Chris can do very little. Apparently the part of the centre where his server is located people were now installing something that should help, but only time will tell. Have to say I’m a little bored of writing the blog in Word, so I hope it gets sorted soon.
Tilly wasn’t allowed out today, yesterday she’d had a bit of a dodgy tummy so she was on reduced rations. Hopefully a quiet day inside would help to sort her out. After breakfast we winded and headed on further downstream to Newark.
Blue skies
We’d started off in jumpers, but soon with not a cloud in the sky, these came off! We nearly brought out the sun cream. The last few days have been windy, but today not a jot of a breeze, just blue skies, what a wonderful day to cruise.
Mick radioed ahead to Town Lock, the Lockie was just letting someone down and then would refill the lock for us. No Heather Bleasdale on the mooring by the weir, no rubbish bins by the CRT yard, they have gone. Soon we were descending in the lock with the Lockie asking if Oleanna was a new boat, no just a new paint job.
Quiet at Newark Castle today
Past the castle which seems to be having quite a bit of building work going on with scaffolding up at one end. Under Trent Bridge, ahh no space on the Kiln Pontoon. A couple of the boats we recognised from our trip a few years ago on the Great Ouse. Dutch Barge Karma was moored right on the end , followed by a cruiser so accessing the water point was going to be seriously hard. Our tank was down to about a quarter, so we needed a fill up especially as we’ve been on frugal rations for a few days and really wanted to have showers. Only one thing for it, head into King’s Marina and fill up there.
Maybe we should stay in here
An angler had just cast their line across the entrance to the marina as we approached, I called out to them and they reeled it in. Our arrival on the service pontoon ended up being timed with lunchtime. Mick walked up to the office, then called the number left on the door, it went to a mobile and then to an answerphone. He left a message saying we hoped it was alright to fill up and if we needed to pay then that was fine as we’d be back to moor for a couple of days at the weekend. No one challenged us as we filled up the tank. We also took advantage of being at a good level to empty the yellow water, Mick decided not to use the elsan as that would be a touch too cheeky!
Back out of the marina we headed back upstream and pulled in a bit of a way behind The Newark Barge and tied Oleanna to the wall. From here we’d be able to see when a space appeared on the pontoon and being alongside the low wall we’d just about be able to get on and off the boat to head into town.
Gosh it was warm now, mid 20s. This is when Tilly prevents us from having front and back doors open to get a breeze through the boat. I do have a plan for the stern doors at some point so that we could have the rear hatch slid open, but my carpentry skills leave a bit to be desired.
Back of one of the old breweries
A list of items to be bought was made then I headed into town to see what I could find locally. B&Q, M&S, B&M, do all shops have to operate under initials nowadays? I worked my way along the retail park on the east bank of the river. Very few yellow labels in M&S for a ‘Sad Git’s’ meal, I opted to see what Waitrose might have instead. Into town and to Boyes for some new egg poach pods as the old ones had gone very sticky over this winter.
WHAT!!!!
No market today, I strode across the market place. Hang on! What!? WHAT??! On the front of Boyes there was an obvious gap no Boyes sign just their tag line partially visible. Initial panic subsided when I noticed a sign saying they’d moved, Phew! Round into a more modern building not far away. Well as with the Doncaster store the new shop is bigger and brighter than the old one. There are still all the reassuring items for sale.
Phew!
Poach pods, something to be able to keep my CP ring around my neck when painting or working locks, a new retractable tape measure for knitting and a few more items. Next was Waitrose to see what sad gits items I’d find there. I’d timed my arrival too early really, the staff were just starting to pull items off the shelves, but I came away with a curry for this evening.
After sweeping the chimney the other day Mick had laid the fire ready to be lit, well tonight was not going to be the night as it was still very warm when we retired to bed.
1 lock, 9 miles, 1 very sunny day, 25C? 0 clouds, 1 full water tank, 1 empty yellow water tank, 2 paddling cows, 1 mooring against a wall, 0 view, 1 suede strip too short, 1 lobster clasp only just big enough, 2 hot for pies, 2 poach pods, 1 new store, 1 new innards for sheep, 1 bored Tilly still with a dodgy tummy!
Here’s hoping our blogging woes have all been sorted. One thing that will be a bit different for a while is that Mick will be updating our blog roll manually, as and when, rather than it being automatic. We also think we’ll be reducing the number of blogs we have links to with the hope of returning the roll to automatic at some point in the future.
So, whilst we’ve not been posting I’ve been writing blogs in word to try to keep on top of things and remember stuff. They now need photos adding and formatting etc which all takes time. So because we’re also on the move now I’ve decided to update you all by putting two days together until we’re just about caught up.
19th September
Stoke Lock, River Trent
Tilly was given 8.5 hours of shore leave this morning as we’d decided to stay put for the day. There were jobs to do. Tilly came and went, had a roll around on the bank where the silt was at its best, turning her sleek black and white to a dusty grey! But once this was done, she seemed to come and go purely for the Dreamies, I’d bought catnip flavour to help attract her back to the boat and it was working, working very well, every five minutes!
There were people to message, a receipt for rent to redo as I’d missed a couple of payments, oops!
Then I had a chat with Jamie regarding the set build of panto. We briefly went through each item Jamie will be building, any problems I’d designed into them that could be rectified, maybe widen a base a little for stability, was there room for maybe an extra inch for structure? I made a list of jobs I needed to do, questions I need to ask. Work done for the day.
Serious fishing
After lunch I headed off for a walk, retracing a walk I did last year to Burton Joyce. Past the lock, along the long access road where numerous vans were parked up and what looked like a very serious fishing match was on going. If Gongoozler is the name for a person who watches boats going through locks, what is the name for people who watch fishermen? One group had brought their chairs and a picnic to watch one chap.
With an audience
Along a stretch of road, through a wooded area and into another field where the fishing match continued. When the match ended how would they notify one end to the other, the wind today was really rather strong and was likely to blow away any call, maybe the stewards had horns that they could sound in relay down the river bank to stop fishing.
I turned into the village, crossed the railway line and then headed for the Co-op. It’s quite a long way to walk for a Saturday newspaper and a parsnip, but the Co-op is of a reasonable size. Mid afternoon they still had a paper of our chosen flavour but sadly no parsnip, maybe some sweet potato would do for the roast instead.
Tilly’s km Marker
My return walk was via the road, over the level crossing at the station, this is possibly where Tilly and her brothers were rescued getting on for eleven years ago, abandoned by their original owner at around four months old.
I like village signs, this one has 2.5D details!
The under sink cupboard in the galley was cleared out, given a wipe down along with all the things inside it. Thankfully I managed to put everything back in a slightly more ordered manor, at least I now know what’s in there! There was only one empty bottle to remove.
Chicken Tagliatelle tonight and some knitting with Tilly sat on my knee.
This evening we discovered that maybe our new 5G router was interfering with the TV signal. Mick turned it off and the picture returned to normal. The router was put on to 4G and we could all now watch TV without it breaking up.
0 locks, 0 miles, 5.07miles walked, 3 for a fishing picnic, 1 newsapaper, 2 sweet potatoes, 150 or 200 treads, 350 or 450 bar, 1 clean cupboard, 5G bad!
20th September
Stoke Lock to Hazelford Lock, River Trent
The blog is starting to run reeeallllyy sloooowly. Taking an eternity to load photos when normally it takes a second or two, in fact it was soooo slow at doing anything! During the day I battled on when I had time, but soon it was apparent that there was something happening beyond our control so I gave up. The blog is normally a couple of days behind us anyway so I always have a bit of leeway.
A Mick breakfast followed by the Sunday morning Geraghty zoom, included subjects that I now can’t remember, but it was an interesting zoom.
We made ready to push off. I walked up to check whether there might be a lock keeper on duty today, the light at the lock was on red not amber, someone was about! Mick radioed to the lock, no answer came. He tried again, still no answer, but then a chap wearing blue appeared at the top of the steps, ‘Morning, are you okay?’ We were, just wanting to use the lock please.
Gongoozlers at Stoke Lock
With covers rolled we headed towards the lock, down the lock cut there was a widebeam getting ready to go down too. He asked if we could take the starboard side of the lock as his throttle is on the port side, of course we could oblige. I think last time we shared Stoke Lock with a widebeam the crew had no idea how to keep their boat under control in the lock, but todays crew were totally in control. Up above by the lock control tower there was a group of walkers who’d been invited up there to watch what happens, the Lockie was very informative. Once down we headed off first, the widebeam would be mooring at Gunthorpe, but they’d come and work the lock for us as we’d helped them.
The next reach is so pretty. Grassy fields down to the river, the blue sky and sunshine glistening on the water. I think it’s our favourite reach of the Trent. Geese a gogo, sheep, it’s just lovely.
The widebeam following on
We seemed to be quite a distance ahead of the widebeam so we pulled back on the throttle to let them catch up. Plenty of space on the Gunthorpe Visitors pontoon, but it is quite a distance from the lock, they’d be an age coming to help us. I saw them pull in, the lady jumping off the bow to moor up. We loitered in the lock cut, maybe we’d be quicker if I climbed a ladder to work the lock. Then whizzing along the road came the chap on an electric scooter, very happy to press the buttons at the lock for us.
Gunthorpe Lock, for those who have followed the blog since our Lillian days will know this is my least favourite lock and why. I checked to see if I could see a large fish or a clone of myself, but the water was too cloudy for that. Mick brought Oleanna in gently to THE blue riser on the port side. I passed the end of the rope round it. Was that an indentation to the blue plastic coating?!
Now on towards Hazelford Lock, our chosen mooring for the day. More walkers fewer fishermen on the bank. I looked at Nebo and spotted a Lancaster Bomber Memorial on the the map, maybe a good location to walk to this afternoon.
Tugs and crane boats above Hazelford
The Lockie responded to our radio call and penned us through, only one sluice operational on the bottom gates so it would take a while to empty the lock. Below we winded to face the current coming over the large weir and pulled in to moor on the lower wall, it’s still quite a way up from the bow, far bigger than a step.
Long shadows at the big steps
Tilly was given an hour or so whilst we had lunch. She needed a bit of encouragement to get to the top of the big steps, but there lies a cats wonderland of who knows what! After a while she returned to use the onboard facilities at quite a rush. Hmmm, she had a dodgy tummy, time for her to have a snooze inside!
The path back to Gunthorpe
My walk took me over the bridge below the weir and back along the river bank we’d just passed. Moored boats, narrow tracks, then out into green lush fields, a big lake reaching off to the west, sheep, horse riders, and Trent clapper gates. The sun shone what a lovely walk.
At the far end of the boating lake stand two tall stones, a memorial to two Lancaster Bombers that crashed close by in 1945 two weeks apart. They had been on training flights from RAF Syerston, one’s portside engines had caught fire, the other had over ran the runway, all the crew of both planes had died, Canadians, New Zealanders and British airmen.
Hazelford Weir just before sundown
On my return a joint of pork went in the oven and then my attention turned back to panto. Updating the technical drawings for Jamie. Asking questions of the lighting designer, Checking a few depths, all good.
3 locks, 9.7 miles,2 lock keepers, 1 zooming scooter, 1 poorly cat, 2 Mark 3s, 5.21 miles walked, 1 joint of pork, 9 big red crosses, 1 sock up to it’s heel.
Due to problems that our web site host is aware of the blog is running very slowly. It may take some time to fix so for the time being we wont be posting. We’ll save everything up for when things are sorted.
I was expecting a phone call from the panto set builder this morning. I got my drawings out from the cupboard and sketchbook to make notes, have to say over the last couple of weeks I’ve been ignoring panto, too many other things going on, but that will soon be changing. As I’d not had a call by 10am we decided to push off, todays goal a cat friendly mooring, after all Tilly’s been inside for too long now!
Oleanna so small
I walked down to Castle Lock, passing a burnt out, sunken boat. As we arrived a family were sitting down at one of the tables outside the pub alongside the lock, not sure if they were having breakfast or an early lunch. Dad complimented Oleanna on her looks. All four paddles worked at the top end of the lock today, just as well as the bottom gates were leaking lots. Then the bottom gate wanted to swing open and stay that way, it always does. Mick and Oleanna headed off into the distance as I walked round to close everything up, which did mean I got quite a nice photo of the British Waterways building with Oleanna looking insignificant below it. I caught them up at the sharp bend. Spotted a flood level stone by the railway bridges I’d not seen before.
Meadow Lane Lock was full, top gates closed, but they only needed a slight push to get them moving. As I lifted the paddles on the bottom gates I took a look onto the river to see if there was much traffic around. Firstly a few canoes, but they’d be long gone by the time the lock was empty. There was however a blue van half submerged on the opposite bank. Firecrews, Ambulance, Police all in attendance. A Rescue rib joined them from up stream and gradually the van was being winched out.
As Oleanna left the lock I told Mick there was nothing on the river apart from a blue van, he of course knew nothing about it and thought I was bonkers! The off-side gate wanted to swing open so he reached up with a boat hook as he left to encourage it to close behind him, only managing to leave the boat hook hooked onto the gate. These gates are so tall I do my best not to cross them, thankfully Mick managed to reverse back up to them to retrieve the hook.
Onwards downstream. About this time last year we’d seen the new Waterside Bridge being put together on the bank, this year it spans the river very elegantly. A yellow diamond, we presume, marks the highest point of the arch and green triangles point to it.
Something happening at the Weir
As we passed the sailing club we radioed ahead to Holme Lock where there was a Lockie on duty. Thankfully the lock was already in our favour, so there was no hanging about for it to fill. We were directed to the island side of the lock where the steel risers go higher up the lock wall.
Going Down
Onwards under Radcliffe Viaduct Rail Bridge, round the big bend towards the weir and Stoke Lock. I zoomed in on my camera, two boats were moored. Hang on, they were both on the pontoon and the low wall mooring was free! Yes, Tilly you shall have shore leave!!!
Tilly and Tilly Too so excited about shore leave
We pulled in with the port side to the bank, Mick would now be able to sweep the chimney too. Once moored up the noise of excitement from Tilly inside the cabin was incredible! Tilly Too stayed quiet, she always does! Rules are rules though, the three words have to be written down first! Then shore leave rules recited.
Tilly you have four and a half hours, no friends home dead or alive or putting them on the roof for later, no jumping in, no bullying, no going on other peoples boats! Enjoy yourself!!Okay then, if I must!
A job needed doing straight away, attaching the new landing net to the old pole. The connector through the years had come apart and been taped up. Some maximum uhu glue and a lot of lx tape to keep everything in place was used connecting everything together. It was now laid on the roof to go off and hopefully will take the weight of a second mate should it need to.
But…….
Well I never!?! How did they do that!?! I had to look twice, thrice, four times! I checked through the one way hatch. Yes inside was still the same. But outside isn’t! They’ve not only moved the outside, but they’ve changed what goes around the inside too! It’s all milky creamy now, but the front and the back are still the same! Wow!
I’m kind of glad that we’re the only boat here on the low wall. Who knows, other than Tilly, if she is going to get confused now her boat is no longer dark blue? Or has she always and will always just go by scent too and fro from Oleanna. Well she smells differently too!
The insides the same!
Tilly didn’t venture very far, possibly because the Dreamies on offer are the Catnip ones, their purchase done on purpose to attract her home more often, or maybe this outside isn’t as good as we thought?
After lunch Mick swept the chimney, maybe a job that should have been done before the repaint to cream, but then it was also good to get rid of any grit from the grit blasting too. We had a go at emptying the yellow water. This was interesting, the new pump worked, but only for about five seconds! When installing it Mick had added a fuse as the instructions had suggested, on the original fitout there hadn’t been one. There is already a suitable breaker on the circuit in the electric cupboard so he removed the fuse at the pump and now it works. Phew no need to keep our legs crossed!
I’d intended doing more kitchen cupboard tidying, but ran out of motivation. Anyway my afternoon was taken over by whatsapp messages from Scarborough and from panto people, things are starting to heat up on that front!
I had a walk down to the bins at the other end of the lock cut. Thankfully they are still there. We’ve heard so much over the last few months about bins being removed from the network on social media.
Mick installed our new 5G router. This should improve our internet, but it appears to have affected our TV signal, or it may just be that the signal is bad here as we’re in a dip. Although it did get a thumbs up last time we were here. Other moorings will assist in this.
David Leckenby 1925 to 2012
3 locks, 6.9 miles, 0 Chippy chippy call, 1852, 14 years, 1 submerged blue van, 1 low wall, 1 befuddled cat, 0 friends, 1 net mended I hope, 1 fuse, 1 fire laid ready and waiting, 1 sock fairy, 1 empty yellow water tank, 1 clean pooh box, but does this mooring deserve a Mrs Tilly stamp of approval? 1 cat not too sure!
Last night we’d given our cruising plans some thought. Our original aim had been to head to York for a get together with an old friend and family. We’d considered it possible in the time we had, had we left Redhill on Monday, maybe Tuesday at a push, but another days delay? We know the route pretty well and can plan day to day in our heads, but we still did a Canal Plan route, 45 hours cruise. We then checked the tides. The day we’d be looking to go from Cromwell to Torksey were possible. The remainder for the Tidal Trent to Keadby, not so good. One tide was very early in the morning, like not long after midnight so all of the trip would be in the dark. The other late afternoon, so by the time we’d get to Keadby we were unlikely to be in time for a lock keeper. Mick has a hernia, so he’s not keen on standing for long periods of time at the tiller.
Action shot
Tides, cruising hours and hernia have put the kibosh on that plan. However, it would still be advantageous to head northwards for a while, but at a much slower pace before we turn and hope to get south for Panto. After all, the majority of our plans haven’t come off this year, so we might as well add another one to the list!
Pennywort
We made ready to push off, Mick at the helm and me on the towpath. It was quite a pleasant walk in towards Nottingham. Less pennywort on the canal than we remembered from last year. A group of boats were moored up by Thane Road Bridge, all moored to rings, I made a note of the mooring before carrying onwards. Maybe these are new rings, or maybe their proximity to the two bridges make for a not so attractive mooring.
Passing Lenton Chain Junction
I climbed back on board at Lenton Lane Bridge as we’d be turning into Castle Marina shortly and there are too many boats moored near the entrance to be able to climb aboard there.
Boats!
Gosh what a difference a year makes. Last year many of the pontoons at Castle Marina had been condemned, they had been for a few years. But Aquavista have invested a lot of money here. the five pontoons has been reduced to four, meaning they can accommodate more narrowboats, but in return cutting down on the number of cruisers. They still have a couple of winter moorings available should anyone be interested.
We filled with diesel, 64 litres at £1.50 domestic, Ouch, thank you Donald!
Back out of the marina pulling in close to the entrance for Sainsbury’s. Lunch first then we’d go and do a big shop ready to fill the freezer.
We came back with four big carrier bags full. I set about filling the fridge with cold stuff. The new fridge is great because it actually gets cold, but the arrangement of the door shelves is very odd and the main shelves seem to be a couple of inches shorter than our old fridge. The most annoying thing about it is that the crisper is not wide enough to hold a wine box! It’s something we’ll have to get used to and we’ll have to buy smaller bottles of tomato ketchup in future as the current one is too tall.
Next thing was to find a suitable container for our wood litter, we use it in our separating toilet and Tilly uses it in her pooh box. We buy it in 30 litre bags and where the bag now needs to be stored it could easily fall over when Tilly’s pooh box is removed. I headed off to B&M which was full of new students buying essentials for their accommodation. Storage boxes were plentiful, but just about all of them were too wide for the gap I wanted it to go in. Then high up I spotted a container that would hold 20 litres of dog biscuits, it came with a scoop. It would fit the gap and leave enough space behind it for the remainder of the bag of litter. It looks quite smart and we won’t tell Tilly it’s meant for woofer food!
After the last week and now no need to keep going today we opted to slow right down and stop for the day. Yes, down at County Hall the mooring is nicer than opposite the student flats, but we were in need of a rest, plus there were still jobs to do and the students haven’t moved in yet.
It’s just not FAIR!!!
Tilly thought that the bushes looked really interesting alongside us, but She said it would be really bad if I got to meet a sooper fast bicycle, especially on my first shore leave in ages! Instead Tilly watched me repack mince, sausages, turkey steaks and jointing a chicken to go in the freezer. Now we just have to hope that the freezer can cope with getting everything cold!
Mick tinkered with the wires in the new connection block for the TV and radio aerial. We now have TV signal again! Hooray!!
Red Pepper Salmon tonight and some knitting now we have light again.
0 locks, 2.7 miles, 2 rights, 1 wind, 64.11 litres, 0 gas, 1 more change of plan for the year, 1 trolley to the boat, 1 more day of feline boredom, 1 woofer litter box, 1 slow day that wasn’t actually that slow.
Redhill Marina to New Boots Footbridge 18, Beeston Canal
Now that Tilly is sitting in the windows she’s been eyeing up the grassy bank alongside the mooring here. There will be friends in there, but there is also a wasps nest that I’ve told her she’d best not go sticking her arms down!
Mick phoned round and found a suitable 24 volt Whale Gulper at Sawley Marina to replace the broken one we use for the yellow water, then Tom arrived with our fridge, all going well so far this morning, we’d soon be on our way! Unfortunately a phone call put a damper on our mood.
Fridge delivery
Tom very kindly brought the new fridge on board and down the stern steps for us. It needed wiring in and then leaving for six hours before we could use it. It worked!!! Hooray!!!!! We did have to remove a batten from the cubby hole it went into as it was just a little bit taller than the old fridge, I suspect the batten was only there for neatness by Finesse.
Apparently these were instead of the fridge!?!
I mentioned the scratch and misty windows to Tom. He returned with some Tcut for the scratch and thinners for the windows, all easily remedied. There was also a big box of paints for us. 2 Pack blacking, coloured top coats, Multiforte for the gunnels and some yacht varnish. All in pretty big tins! I’ll need to cull the old paints and varnishes that I’ve had for ages as they won’t be needed now.
Paints
I was given instructions about touching up. If anything goes back to bare steel, put some blacking on it no matter where on the boat as Oleanna was blacked top and bottom. Then finish off with which ever colour is required. Multiforte use a flock roller and the others a brush which should be cleaned in standard thinners. Mick asked about washing and polishing, not sure why he asked as he does his very best not to have to do either! The paint on Oleanna will continue to cure for the next six months, so we should only wash her with water and a microfiber cloth for the first year. Keep on top of any paint work touch ups and if we get a bit of a mark use some Tcut. After a year, maybe we could give her a buff up, should we feel she needs it. Hopefully I’ve remembered it all here for our future reference.
The gas bottles in the bow were nudged about to accommodate the third one, which currently is empty. Mick then turned his attention to the single light above the sofa. The wiring at the switch had different colours to the wiring at the bulb end. The switch is actually a two way switch so Mick moved the wires and hey presto the light works again! Hooray!!!
My inbox pinged. Someone had made a donation to the Felicity Edition Sockathon. It was from Felicity’s children, Bubbles and her brother Matt. Originally Bubbles had said they would donate £2000 from their Mums estate, but they had gone a touch better with £2500! Wow, how wonderful. I’m glad the light above the sofa is mended now, as I’ve still a lot of socks to get through!
As we finished our lunch I sent a message to Tom giving him a ten minute warning of our departure. Covers down. Life jackets on. Nebo on. Anything else. No. Time to push off. Did we still know how to boat?
11 months later
Tom waited by the bridge over the flood lock to film us going through. Oleanna is the 52nd boat he’s painted. It’s rather a nice landmark to pass through with it’s redbrick arch. We’d passed through it on the 13th October last year and now 11 months and 3 days later we were leaving Redhill and setting off on our travels. A wave back to Tom and a thank you.
Bye Tom
Time to put my navigators hat back on, that way please! Straight, left, left and on upstream to Sawley Locks. The sun was shining through the clouds, blue sky, so wonderful to be moving again. Have to say the day had made me a bit emotional!
Left please.
Approaching Sawley, two volunteers appeared, pointing us to the left hand lock, then to the left hand side of the lock for an easier ride up. One of them came to take my bow rope which had handily got itself into a knot despite having been coiled properly. They were suggesting passing the rope around two bollards behind me which didn’t make sense as Mick would have a stern rope up to a bollard. We rose and chatted with the volunteers, a boat heading towards them wanting to come down, we said we’d be coming back shortly as we were only going to pick something up at the marina.
Going up!
We pulled in by the diesel point and headed into the office. Our pump was sat waiting for us. We looked round for some matting to go in lockers, so that tins of paint don’t go rusty on the new paintwork! But all they had was thin antislip matting which I just know would be annoying. We’ll keep looking and the box of paints will sit and wait a while longer before being stowed away.
Moving again
Winding was interesting as there was a sunken cruiser exactly where the bow wanted to go, so Mick resorted to steering with the bow thruster. We were directed to the other lock this time and chatted away to the volunteers again. It was one ladies first season as a volunteer and she had loved it, shame the season was nearly over. This was strange to us as today we had that Spring feeling you get when you first set off for the year, not that the end of the boating season is getting close!
That’s a nice boat you’ve got there
Navigation again, second left please! Trent Junction was very busy, hardly any space on the moorings at the top of Cranfleet Cut, just as well we wanted to go further. The lock was set against us, I remembered from last year how it takes an age to level out to open the top gate, it still did. In fact I had to call Mick over to lend his bum.
Down back on the River. Ahead big plumes of black smoke were billowing from a fire in Barton in Fabis. Thankfully it wasn’t coming near the river. This section of the Trent is very familiar, the lovely houses on stilts, two had been for sale last year, they must have new owners now. Keeping to the left of obstructions, no-one to rescue today, but it did look very shallow in places.
As we approached Beeston Lock we wondered if there would be boats moored on the lock landing. Yes two narrowboats, but there seemed to be space at the end. No hang on a dark green small cruiser was sat right in the middle, from a distance it had just merged into the pontoon. We managed, you have to really.
Down the few inches of the lock, Mick bumping Oleanna as he’d brought her into the lock, the first scars to the gunnels. Good job they are easy to touch up, well, when you get round to it!
One very happy boat
Our original plan had been to moor up at Sainsburys and finish off our shopping now that we can have a freezer as well as a fridge. But Mick really wanted to sit down, so we called it a day, pulling in where we always seem to moor at Beeston.
Tilly was so excited at us stopping. She escorted me to the table to find the note book to write down our location. Next thing is to let me out! You need to stroke my head now, and open the door. No, really you have to open the door now! NEOWWWW!! Sorry Tilly, the bikes are too fast, you’ve told us how pants it is here several times before and it’s Ding Ding time anyway.
Time to pop that bottle of bubbles
Mick started to fit the new pump as I put together Chicken Curry Old Style. When food was ready it was time to celebrate properly. Mark who had been a witness at our Civil Partnership, had given us a bottle of champagne, we’d planned to drink it the first night all three of us were back on the boat, however not being able to chill it meant we postponed it to tonight. Thank you Mark for helping us celebrate moving again.
Cheers!
8.8 miles, 4 locks, 2 flood locks, 1 new fridge, 1 mended light switch, 3 months maybe, 1 big box of paints, 1 filmed departure, 1 navigator, 1 new pump, 1st cruise of the year, 3.5 hours, 1 disappointed cat, £2.5k! 1 diplomatic message, 2 boaters glad to be back moving, 2 chinks of glasses.
The advantage of being on hook up is hot water first thing in the morning, so a nice hot shower was enjoyed. My morning was filled with trying to catch up on the blog and making phone calls to social services.
Are you moving the outside?
Jim arrived a little before 9 to do the engine service. Mick asked him to check the engine mounts, the stern gland and that the half tank of diesel that’s been in the tank for 11 months was still okay. He started the engine up to warm the oil, this meant that Tilly found her way behind our pillows under the gunnel, it’s nice and cosy there for an autumnal cruise. Sadly she wouldn’t wake up to a different outside today. We provided him with filters. However, when he opened one box the filter inside it wasn’t the right one, another box was the same! It looks like Beta sent the wrong filters last time Mick placed an order. Thankfully we did have enough of the correct filters for the service to be completed. Jim went away with the incorrect ones as he’d have more use for them than us.
Now all we needed was the fridge to arrive, then we could be off.
Our own banner
A bit more unpacking was done. Mick bumped into Tom who had a delivery for us! It was something we were expecting a Fund Britain’s Waterways banner, but sadly the fridge hadn’t as yet arrived. If you haven’t already signed the petition here is the link again. For the banner to go up I needed to clean the cratch window first. I then moved onto the galley windows, they were a touch misty. These are our original windows and I suspected they’d got a dusting of primer at some point over the last few weeks and it would take a bit more than elbow grease to clean them. I also spotted a little scratch by a galley window, eek!
Next the anchor went back on its holding prongs (for want of a better term) some weed hatch tape was put down behind it to help protect the new paintwork. Good job done.
As we’ve been on board for a few days it was time to empty the yellow water tank. We’d considered moving across the way to do this so that the portside was against the bank, but we really didn’t want anyone else to steal our mooring or miss out on the fridge being delivered. So the long hose came out, everything connected up. ‘Ready?’ ‘Ready!’ I flicked the switch. The pump made some noise. The pump didn’t however make the right noise! It was doing something but not pumping any yellow water. Mick came inside, we tried again. Still nothing! Well there’s another thing to show us how much Oleanna didn’t appreciate being left over the winter!
Mick decided to access the gulper and see what he could find. Tilly decided to close her eyes some more. I decided to go for a walk, via the shore based facilities.
Cremations on the go?!
Today I headed to Ratcliffe on Soar village, back along the marina road, then along the track under the A453. Here a hot rod hearse sat, most probably a fisherman’s car. Then on to the village and towards the church, Holy Trinity. On my way I was caught by an old chap who asked if I had joined them, meaning had I moved into the village.
I quickly realised that I could be stood here for quite sometime! Thankfully after about 20 minutes or so someone else walked along with their dog and gave me the opportunity to politely leave and head into the churchyard.
Holy Trinity
Several new graves, some lovely headstones, a mesh door to keep birds and a local cat out of the church. The church dates back to the 13th Century and had major restoration work carried out in 1886 at the cost of £830 to Earl Howe. It’s a small simple church, but with several carved memorials dating back to 1539 for the Sacheverell family.
One fancy the other plain
Two stones lay side by side for sisters. The younger sisters stone looks like every font was used possible, every line different, whilst the older sister got just the one with no swirls.
The village runs into a manor house not much further along the road, so I turned and walked the other way. Only pretty boring houses, nothing of much interest at all. But when I started to head back towards the boat a mosaic in the bus shelter caught my eye. In fact there were two, one on the wall the other the floor. No idea who had made them and Gaby who runs the community mosaic group in Scarborough would have been a little critical at the amount of grout needed. But none the less, they are a very nice addition.
Big dark clouds were starting to loom, I picked up my pace back to the boat. Mick was midst thinking. He’d taken the yellow water pump to bits, but not found anything obvious. We’d be needing a new one. I hunted round found several at varying prices, we decided to wait and see if either Sawley or Beeston chandlers might have one in stock in the morning.
Mick then hunted round to find a means of emptying the yellow water tank manually. We’ve had to do this only once before when the original gulper pump gave up on us as it was 12 volt and should have been a 24 volt one. There is a manual pump, but the pipes and top to it have perished in the last ten years, so this wouldn’t help. A more basic pump was at hand, but the pipe too thick to get down into the tank. He hunted round for narrower pipes to attach. In the end he sacrificed some pipe from the engine coolant overflow which was then attached to the pump with some self-amalgamating tape. The pipe reached far enough and whilst I cooked our meal Mick slowly managed to empty the tank. Now we need a new gulper, a new hand pump and some new pipe.
The usual yellow water pipes at dusk.
I think we’ll now have reached the £1000 in remedial works that ‘Bring Out Another Thousand’ that BOAT stands for!
I tried a new recipe to use up some of our roast chicken, Rice with Chicken, Tomato and Beans a very handy find as I had everything for it onboard. It took a little longer to cook with brown basmati rice, but it deserves to be added to the recipes section of the blog.
Click photo for recipe
TV signal hasn’t been found, so we’re watching the box via the internet sat in the dark. I should really look back at the blog to see what thumb sign was shown for this mooring last year, just incase the TV aerial has gone faulty too!
0 locks, 0 miles, 0 fridge, 1 broken gulper, 1 bored cat starting to dig, 1 banner, 1 ball of string required, 1 anchor back where it belongs, 1 bow thruster locker checked, 2 windows not quite clean, 2 mosaics, 0.5 hours to empty tank, 2 boaters using shore based facilities in the dark, or crossing our legs!
