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(Tech Post by Mick)

When I installed the new LiFePO4 lithium batteries back in the spring of this year, I had ordered cables that were too long. Better too long than too short! At the time, I didn’t have the right tool for cutting the big chunky cables (35mm²) nor a tool to crimp new terminals onto shortened cables. In my 40 year career in telecoms and IT, I didn’t work with thick wires, the wires I normally dealt with were only 0.2mm². So I left the battery cables long and tucked the surplus away in a corner of the engine bay.

Monitoring the charging of the batteries over the summer I noticed that the batteries rarely get above 27.3 volts while charging from the alternator and the current, whilst it starts off high at 80 amps or so, quickly drops to 30 amps and stays there for hours. The domestic alternator on Oleanna is a Beta original 24 volt 100 amp. Here is an example from a long day (for us) cruising. Ignore the big downward spikes, they are where we put the kettle on.

My suspicion is that the charging specification of the alternator doesn’t get up to the 28.4 volts that are required to quickly fully charge LiFePO4 batteries. But that is more complicated to deal with so as a first step I thought I’d shorten the cables. I purchased a pair of cutters and a crimping tool as well as some terminals. Tools (and pictures) from https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/

Equipped with these tools I took a train ride down to Goole. I turned off the inverter and disconnected the incoming 230v supply. I turned off all the DC systems at the isolators. Both domestic batteries got disconnected at the terminals and from the positive bus bar. I pulled back the spare cables from the engine bay to the inside battery that is located in a cupboard just through the bulkhead, measured how much I needed to connect, took the plunge and cut the cables. I took just under a metre or so off each cable.

**Insulation cut back and heat shrink sleeving attached**

Time to repeat for the negative cable.

It was then on to the battery in the engine bay. The same length of each cable was cut off, stripped back, terminal applied, crimped, and heat shrunk.

I reconnected all the cables, thought about things for a while and turned everything on. No smoke or sparks so that was good.

The engine was started while I monitored the current going into the batteries.

The values were slightly higher than before but not hugely. Time will tell but for now that will do. I am going to investigate external alternator regulators to try to boost the charging voltage. A Mastervolt Alpha Pro III is top of the list but further investigation is required. I’m also wondering if I shouldn’t get a marine electrician to look at it and do the job.

Time to pack up and go home.

Since last posting we have enjoyed bonfire night in Scarborough. I, Pip now, have spent many of the last six years being busy on panto, normally painting the floor. Only able to hear the occasional pop bang whizzzzzzz of fireworks from Chippy stage, so this year I was determined to see some.

Scarborough has a tradition that people light fires on the beaches and along with that come fireworks, no need to go to the organised display. So we caught the Coastliner bus to Peasholme Park and walked down to the Corner to see how much beach close to high tide had left in the North Bay.

There were hundreds of people, several fires all huddled onto the 20ft of sand. Plenty of people had fireworks, just how much do they spend?! But it did mean we got quite a good display once we’d decided to move away to a safer distance. There seemed to be a bit of a duel going on between the bottom of the castle cliff and up by the beach huts, We stopped to say hello to Freddie and check he was alright, before walking around Marine Drive where fishermen sat on the accropodes with head torches and luminous lines on their rods.

**The South Bay with the Grand Hotel in the background**

Round in the South Bay there was more beach with a huge fire. People huddled round as others set up rockets facing out towards the sea, a bit more of a comfortable space and the road to be able to watch from. The beach was strewn with spent fireworks, just how much had gone up in glittering whizzing bangs? Certainly none of them had come from the sort of selection box I grew up with. The Scarborough seafront more than made up for the last few years.

Quotes have been coming in for house and boat jobs. Most of them twice what we thought they’d be. Some careful consideration will be needed before we make our minds up.

**The cavolo nero has lasted us over a week**

Veg boxes have started again.

Mick has been tidying up the garden and making use of some two year matured compost, we’ll see how the wild flowers like it.

A visit to the Stephen Joseph Theatre to see The Whitby Rebels, the true story of Captain Jack Lammiman who took a crew of unlikely misfits on a voyage to the Arctic. Three of the actors are old friends so it was great to see them, they had the better parts in a show that we weren’t too convinced about, it felt as though several ideas had been put together and none of them managed to take the lead. But it’s a local story and the audience seemed to enjoy it along with the huge set.

A day was spent in the kitchen, a second go at the chicken, leek, ham dauphinoise pie. This was tasty but as I’d used soya cream it was nowhere near as tasty as when I’d used double cream. I’ll write the recipe up if anyone fancies a go at this self indulgent pie!

**Left to Right.**
**Mary Berry crunchy top, yummy pie, River Cottage GF super nice lemon drizzle cake**

There was to be a Leckenby get together and my job was to do pudding. A request was made that there should be a takeaway version for Josh to take back to University. So one gluten free posh lemon drizzle cake and a gluten filled lemon crunchy topped cake for Josh were made.

We caught the Coastliner across to York where we got a full tour of the London Leckenby’s holiday let that they have invested in this year. Andrew and I grew up in York and it’s been 11 years since we sold our family home, so it’s rather nice to be able to meet up in the city once again. Andrew and Jac have been taking advantage of gaps in bookings to have a few days in York and putting their mark on the flat. Standard pictures of York have been replaced with pencil sketches Dad did of the bar walls, I may even sneak in a painting of my own.

The letting agents had advised them to deck the flat with Christmas cheer as guests expect such things from now until Christmas, so illuminated trees were already in position. Left over baubles were handed over to me to make a wreath for the flat door, good job I’d taken my glue gun with me expecting I’d be given a making job.

A leg of lamb was enjoyed along with lots of wine to celebrate us all being together in York. Plans are afoot for a special get together next year, we may bring our own accommodation on Oleanna, though. The sofa bed was okay but has been put higher up the list of things to be replaced in the flat, we’d been guinea pigs. A lovely evening with the London Leckenbys and a very early start to Christmas. I hate to think what Granny would have thought!

0 locks, 0 miles, 2 trains, 4 shorter cables, 2 bays of fireworks, 3 buses, 1 very wide boat, 2 boxes of things for Oleanna, 1 wreath, 2 lemony cakes, 1 special pie, 1 Leckenby get together, 1 river view, just.

A Ride In The A. 3rd November

A document listing requirements for Oleanna’s repaint has been compiled. An order made for primer, undercoat, replacements and filters placed. The living room rug keeps on being murdered (the fish is innocent by the way!). My work room has been reclaimed from items that just get dumped up there ever year. Drawings and dimensions done for various things about the house. Front flower bed trimmed back, the brown wheelie bin been filled twice and our back passage is now clear!

Frank came round once he’d heard there was some parkin to eat, he did a good job of eating several pieces before leaving. We were left with a few pieces to keep us going for another day or two, however it was all gone before it had had chance to reach it’s full stickiness potential.

Sunday, after a cooked breakfast, we had a walk down to say hello to the South Bay. Not a bright blue skied day, but at least it wasn’t raining. Plenty of dog walkers enjoying the tide being out and leaving plenty of sand to run around on. The sea had scoured away the beach by the Spa wall revealing weathered wooden planks, we’ve not noticed these before. Then because of my knee and Mick deciding that now he’s a pensioner we’d ride the cliff lift up to the Esplanade. Apparently he’s never ridden in one before!

Monday and Mick had arranged to get a lift with his friend Mark down to Goole. Mark recently has bought himself a rather lovely car, an MGA, built the year he was born. If the weather was fine they would drive down to Goole in the ‘A’. The hood sits too low for Mark so he doesn’t put it up, taking waterproofs might be a sensible precaution. If they knew it was going to rain they’d go in a far more modern vehicle.

At 11am there was a ‘Beep Beep!‘ as Mark drove up the street. Wow, what a beautiful car. Only just enough space for two and Mick’s laptop and a couple of things were better put by his feet than in the boot. ‘Can’t come in, don’t want to stop the engine as it might not start again!’. Mark’s face certainly that of a cat that had got the cream.

A quick look around the outside and then Mick worked out how to open the door, no exterior handles, before concertina-ing himself into the passenger seat. With a whooosh of exhaust fumes they sped off, Goole bound.

They chose to go up Staxton Hill (quite a steep hill up onto the Wolds) and through Sledmere down to Goole, travelling in style. On arriving at the marina Mick checked that the A would be alright going over the severe speed bumps which are followed by potholes out on the lane. These were negotiated and in through the gate. It’s hard not to notice such a car, she turns heads, so Mark got lots of comments from people.

Mick got on with the jobs in hand on Oleanna. Setting the heating thermostat to come on at 4C. Switched on the security camera that I’d efficiently turned off last week. Riveted a popper to the bow so the cratch cover would close fully and not get whipped up by wind. All the time Mark kept the engine running.

He did turn the engine off briefly so they could have a walk around the marina. Thankfully she started up again using a bit of wire (the solenoid is faulty) then time for another comment from someone before they were back on the road heading northwards.

I’d guesstimated that with our normal journey time to Goole being around 1 hr 30, a round trip without stopping for too long would be a bit over 3 hours. Mick ended up having just over ten minutes doing jobs before they were on their way back over the Wolds. No time for photos of any sort. They pulled up outside the house at 2:45pm after sitting in traffic and being noticed on their way back into Scarborough.

A very nice drive out for the two of them. Being able to have a catch up shouting at each other as they went and thankfully the heater worked. Mick definitely enjoyed himself, but he’s reassured me that he won’t be saving up for one himself, we’ll stay with our life at 4mph, after all what would Tilly have to say about it!

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 beach walk, 1st tram ride, 1 Christmas card short list, 1 boat quote email, 1 house quote email, 1 saveloy, 2 yolks, 1 nice trip out, 0 handles, 4 warm feet, 10 minutes, 0 fertan, pair 46 cast on, 1 very bored cat!

Shh! Don’t Tell Tilly. 29th October

Viking Marina

Our return to Scarborough was perfectly timed so that after all the unpacking we could enjoy an evening walk in Peasholm Park. We weren’t the only ones to enjoy Moonlight on the Lake, there were at least another 10,000 people who, over two days, walked round the lake appreciating the lanterns and illuminations created by our friends from Animated Objects. In the last few weeks I’d been a little concerned as Dawn had been very quiet on social media, this was the reason why. So many lanterns to make, from Dolphins, houses in the old town, the wonderful swans, music from a local harpist and Elvis impersonator. Plus we got chance to catch up with various friends who were all there ready to start dismantling the display. We’d have lent a hand too if it wasn’t for my knees.

Then it was time to remind ourselves that we are theatrical digs landlords and make sure everything was ship shape ready for our latest lodger to arrive. We seem to attract the baddies from the Christmas shows at the SJT, this is our second year of hosting the evil ones, although David does get to play several other characters as well in Aladdin.

The list of jobs to do at the house is long, emails and phone calls have been made and we’re hoping to hear back from people rather than just being ignored as seems to be the way of things nowadays. I’m giving a few people the excuse that it’s half term and hope to hear from them next week. The hunt for a gardener continues.

I’m wanting to do some decorating, but I don’t as yet know how my knees will cope climbing ladders. Paint has been selected for the room influenced by the pantomime cloth that is on the wall. There will be a gap of three weeks between lodgers at the beginning of next year when I’ll see how I get on, if I do okay then I’ve my eyes set on another room.

The jobs list for Oleanna is also quite long. When we left last week we were under pressure to move Tilly as stress free as possible. This meant we didn’t do various jobs that need doing when leaving the boat for a period of time. Cleaning the fridge, freezer and cooker to start with. A trip back was needed. The last few years Mick has done this on his own as I’ve been busy on panto.

Double handed and in a car, not reliant on the train, we’d be able to do more, a car was hired, a list made of things we’d forgotten or it would be nice to have, we also managed to remember to take it with us!

Today the journey was vastly different to that made on Friday. Firstly it was quiet, no MEOWING! Secondly the sun was out, no fog today. We chose to drive through Sledmere to see how golden the trees were. Most of the leaves have fallen now, but it was still rather lovely.

**Time to have a tidy and tick some jobs off the list**

Oleanna sat on her mooring, looking a little sad without her smile. Unseasonably warm we were able to have all the doors open, Tilly not being around also helped. Mick headed off to find Alastair with a list of jobs for him this winter, thankfully he was about rather than having been called out to a brake down. Engine mounts, fuel filters, stern gland and most importantly if he could make us a new connector to our yellow water tank. The one we have is loosing it’s thread and therefore not sealing properly.

I made a start on the weeding. Cleaning out the window channels. Last year I’d managed to do all windows apart from those in the galley. They’ve not been touched since and grass and moss was starting to set in, we’d have a lawn soon if I did nothing about it.

Each window was lifted out, the channels cleaned out, the soft bit that the glass sits on is where the dirt collects and was really quite muddy! Then the drain holes were cleared, important over the winter. The glass given a good clean inside and out before being put back in.

The galley windows are a touch more difficult as they both slide and are not removable. The window above the cooker was accessible from both sides, but leaning over the cooker I must have pressed and turned one of the knobs by accident. I didn’t notice the smell immediately but once I did Mick had also smelt it. Thankfully with the boat being very well ventilated we shouldn’t have a problem. Gas is heavier than air so can sink, lingering in your bilges.

The offside gally window was much harder. Mick positioned himself on the gunnel of Oleanna and our neighbours boat. He ended up kneeling down to reach the mossy bits and flick out the worst. This did require me to pull our neighbours boat in so he didn’t end up doing the splits. Both boats are quite loosely tied due to the level in the marina fluctuating with ships coming and going in the docks. The inside glass was cleaned, but the outside will have to remain dirty for a while longer. It’ll all be filthy before we’re back anyway with the dust that Goole creates.

The portholes got new cushioning on their supports, a new bit of weed hatch tape. This means they all now close properly, in fact they are now quite a tight fit and need pushing down to be able to close them. Much better than them falling open all the time.

The galley blinds have always been awkward to clean, most probably because we don’t do it often enough! If we could take them back to the house then that might make it easier. I spotted that they had brackets which with the assistance of a knife swivelled to release them. They’ll get a good soapy clean back at the house.

**Tilly Too is also headed back for a wash**

Mick cleaned out the multifuel stove and when I was finished with galley windows he moved on to clean the hob, fridge and freezer. The stove looks like it can last another year before being spruced up, I’ve not been cooking on it so much this year as it’s been so mild.

**It really isn’t that exciting back there!**

The sofa was pulled out, Shhhhhh, don’t tell Tilly! revealing the secret passageway to it’s fullest. What lurks in there? A cupboard door that used to be in front of the washing machine, which just got in the way. The left over foam from when I made an infill cushion for the dinette and a roll of sleeping mat which we bought to try to insulate the porthole frame above the bed. The mat will return to the house, the foam turned out to be a good thing to kneel on, so will stay onboard. Hoovering up behind the sofa meant a computer mouse and a knitting stitch marker resurfaced, along with plenty of pens and pencils that get filed there by Tilly for safe keeping.

Outside things were happening. The pot holes alongside the parking area and Oleanna were cleared of water. Then a JCB arrived with some tarmac/ stuff. A chap filled the holes, brushed it flat. He was then followed by a roller to flatten it all out. Blimey it vibrated so much our flue reverberated. Hopefully this will mean we don’t return to Oleanna covered in mud this winter.

Mick took some time to program the invertor into winter mode. The yellow water tank was emptied, contents taken to the elsan. The solids bucket was only in use for a few days so can sit and do it’s thing. The other buckets have been taken to the house already and added to our compost bin that is currently cooking. The other is at least 18 months old and has been deemed compost suitable for the flower beds, when they’ve been tidied up.

Then it was time for us to close everything up. Switch lots of things off including the water pump, turn the tap between the pump and taps off and open all the taps, leaving the shower head laying in the shower tray. Water system winterised. I flicked switches off in The Shed. Last rubbish to the bins and use of shore based facilities. Also time to admire the orange sky before setting off back to Scarborough.

Paint for the horn and tunnel light bracket were packed to bring back with us. Now we’ll need to hunt round the chandlers for suitable replacements.

We’d just closed the marina gate behind us when I went through the list of things we’d needed to do. ‘Damn!’ We hadn’t turned the gas off in the gas locker. Mick popped back and did the honours, we were now safe to head for home. All sorted.

Well except on reaching home we realised I’d turned off too many things in The Shed, turning the camera off that the spiders like to take rides on. Plus the heating hasn’t had the thermostat set to come on when it gets really cold. So another visit will be needed soon.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 hire car, 10,000 plus viewers, 1 bored cat already! 1 new lodger, 1 picnic by the hatch, 4 big windows, 3 portholes, 2 sliders, 1 stove, 1 hob, 1 fridge, 1 freezer, 11 potholes, 1 secret shhhh! 1 thumping roller, 1 empty wee tank, 0 camera, 0 heating, 2 tins paint, 4 quotes sought, 5 more to go, 1 still bored cat.

Tillys Turn. 25th October

Viking Marina to Scarboreugh!

Sorry if you are having your morning Ding Ding, but I am a boat cat and I’m allowed to talk poo boxes.

Now, I far prefer to use shore based facilities than my poo box, but this can take some time as apparently I get a touch distracted. In fact I don’t get distracted I just need to work myself up to it. This morning She refused to let me out, She has done this quite a lot recently and it just isn’t on! She said I wouldn’t like it outside as it was all murky and damp plus there were lots of cars and fences. I however have sat in the window and studied the branches on the trees out there and know I could climb over the fence.

She and Tom kept putting things in bags and boxes and handing them out through the side. One thing had to come back as it had bags in it that She wanted. They really were taking their time with everything and an hour of shore leave wouldn’t have done any harm at all! But, Sorry Tilly!

There were corners of the boat that I haven’t seen for ages. They needed sitting in and claiming, no-one else was going to have them. Then I got pushed into the bedroom. Oh well, time for a nice comfy cat nap. But hang on they were Tomhandling the mattress through the bathroom door, first the flippy bit followed by the big bit. What was I meant to do in there with nothing to sleep on? You can stick your head down the holes Tilly. That was a good idea. I can squeeze down the holes and then come back up through another one.

***That buckets not going to be that comfortable!***

But She soon came back and had decided that I might end up going down a hole and not come back up again and that wouldn’t be such a good idea in some of the holes as She wouldn’t be able to get me back out again. So instead she put a bucket on top of some of the holes and pushed me out through the door, She’s so indecisive!

Right Tilly, why don’t us girls go to the loo now? No thanks, I’d rather go outside, thanks! Well she went, but I didn’t.

She opened up my toy box, ohh the sweet aroma! Which would you like to take to the house Tilly? You can choose as many as you like so long as they fit in your escape pod. I’d only just got started, selecting the best mice and balls for the job, I find you need more balls in a house than on a boat as they don’t roll around by themselves as much. She then cheated, by making the escape pod much much smaller! I could have fitted all my toys in it before!

How’s about going to the loo? It would be really good if you went to the loo now Tilly. I know you want to go, you’ve glanced at your poo box a few times now! Well I didn’t want to go, not now anyway. Okay then I’ll clean it out. Blimey that’s twice in three days, was She feeling okay?

It was all very nice of her, putting lovely fresh litter in there, but really it was a waste of time. Tom looked at She, She looked at Tom, they both looked at me. My poo box was loaded with my biscuit barrel and ding ding bell and handed out of the side. Then Tom came in with the caravan!!! Within a minute I was bundled into the caravan and the door closed. That was not in my plan of anything!

Excuse me! I’d quite like to use my poo box now. I had to say it a bit louder, She still took no notice of me.

Now Tom really shouldn’t be allowed at the helm of vans, he moves the outside far far too fast. But maybe he was aware that I now needed the loo so was going fast on purpose. With the caravan sat on her knee, I could look out of the window, except it was all a bit too fast and blurry. I tried time and time again to tell her I needed my poo box, but would She listen, She would not! Instead She kept saying In for a count of three, out for a count of three, She thought it would calm me down, but I was just silent because the whole situation was just barmy!

I remembered the last trip in the caravan, She’d suggested I sat down, then She suggested I lay down. This did make it a lot better, but today I really, no REALLY needed to use my POO BOX! Shouting in her face didn’t even work!

Oh Sledmere is going to be all wonderful and golden. Well I made sure they didn’t get chance to admire it. One last warning! This is going to smell!!

Told you so!!!

I was congratulated for my timing, Tom stopped the outside from whizzing past finding a bin at the same time so no-one had to cope with the smell for long.

Nearly there Tilly. I tried to go to sleep, but my meows kept me awake. Then Tom span the outside round to the outside that never changes. I was first into the house followed by my poo box. I didn’t need that now did I!! Yes I know it’ll be going in the Wardle thank you!

Whilst She and Tom emptied all the boat into the house I did a detailed shout check of the house. Most things just where I’d left them, except for the linen basket in our bedroom, no-one knows where that’s gone.

An inventory photo was taken of my toys and my escape pod was put back together. I then found the ball I’ve been looking for for ages under the sofa. Obviously last years inventory wasn’t checked!

***Hiding behind their net curtain, I can still see you!***

I checked out the front window. Yes the boys are still next door, can’t wait to strut my stuff in the front garden, they aren’t allowed out! She said before I did that I needed my cat tags changing, so now I’m a house cat again, a very static house.

Fish for ding ding all round this evening ( I had cod, they had haddock) and a glass or two of wine for these two. Think they’d already had some before this photo was taken.

She says that it’s Toodle Pip from the Oleanna crew for now and thank you for following our travels this year. She’ll pop back when ever there is something boaty happening though, so you’ll hear from her soon.

I just hope Scarboreugh isn’t as boring as it was last time!!

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 full van, 1 mattress for the tip, 1 shouting Tilly, 1 clean pooh box, 2 cat tags swapped, 4 hats, 3 fish, 1 feathery thing, 1 snowman, 5 balls, 1 wobbly wobbly, 7 mice, 1 cat caravan, 1 pooh stop, 2 of each, 2 boaters and 1 cat back in the house.

The Last Ding Ding. 24th October

Viking Marina

It may have been the person who heads off in a vehicle at 6 something in the morning that woke me up, but it gave me a chance to check emails and see if we’d had any substitutions on a Sainsburys order going to the house this morning. A few bits but nothing drastic. I then closed my eyes for a while longer.

In Scarborough Mick took the shopping in, had time to pop things in the fridge and freezer, hopefully we’d thought of just about everything that we’d run down on the boat. Then he caught a bus to pick up a hire van. Beerhouse matched the price from Enterprise for a two day hire. He stopped off at Pets at Home for a big bag of cat litter, so that Tilly’s toilet would be stocked up. Time to drop this off at the house and pick up boxes and crates we use to move along with the cat caravan. A visit to the dentists and then he was on his way back to Goole.

**There wasn’t much point in putting two crusts back in the freezer was there!**

Finishing things off on the boat meant I should use up the one egg and the last few slices of bread in the freezer. A plate of eggy bread was very nice and would see me through till the evening.

The latest sockathon socks had their photos taken and added to the queue for editing. These will go in the post just as soon as there is time. Then the packing continued.

Mick arrived with the van, sorted out getting us plugged in with Laird. We made sure we made note of the meter reading as when we came to leave at the beginning of this year we ended up having to tell Laird how much power the Victron inverter thought we’d used as the meter reading didn’t make sense to any of us.

The sun was out, the port side of Oleanna to the bank. Time to get some masking tape out, sand paper and the touch up paint. I’ve been planning for years to repaint the grabrails, but there simply wasn’t enough time to do a proper job, I’d need several more days of just drying time to do that. So today I taped off lengths of grabrail, sanded back the old paint and around the undercoat, then applied a coat of topcoat. Hopefully this will stop any rust forming over winter and I know I can do a much better job given more time and not being in Goole. I say not being in Goole, because even after just one day we’ve already got a layer of dust on the roof! So the paint I put on today is more than likely to be anti slip by morning!

The angle of the sun brought to my attention the rust around the mushroom vent above our bed. I’d suspected this would be the next mushroom that would need attention and if we’d had another big pan I’d have been tempted to work on it at the same time as the one above the sofa. But blocking off two mushroom vents wouldn’t be so good for ventilation, plus we’ve only one big pan that I could spare. A bucket will be positioned underneath it for winter just in case.

Items were loaded into the van. My sewing machine, bags and work boxes were pulled out from under the dinette and back steps. When I took the back steps out I took the opportunity to give the floor a good sweep finding the connector we thought we’d lost for the pram hood back on the Caldon.

Mick put the pram hood back to how it should be and he also took some time to remove the tunnel light and horn bracket at the bow. I don’t believe the bracket was ever undercoated as it started to bubble with rust within a year, the tunnel light also needs replacing as that has been rust coloured for a similar amount of time, plus the horns need a bit of sorting too!

Things needed pulling out from under the sofa, This meant Tilly got to explore the secret passageway via the lower route as well as from the top. This always scares me as I’m afraid to close the sofa up in case she was just in the wrong place and I end up chopping her in half. She never listens to my concerns, she’s just too eager to squeeze through any gap!

The kitchen was all packed up, I weighed out enough rice to go with the last of the chilli tonight so nothing needed to hang around apart from breakfast stuff. Even Tilly was in finishing things off mode, the last pouch of pink food served up for ding ding this evening.

Quite a busy day all round.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 boat hooked up, 1 van, 30 litres cat litter, 1 delivery, 1 van 3/4s packed, 1 grab rail touched up, 1 smile removed, 1 pram hood back as it should be, 0 pink food left, 2 glasses of wine enjoyed.

Big Blue Bum. 23rd October

Sykehouse Junction to Viking Marina

No rush to be away this morning, we’d woken to quite a bit of dew, so no point in trying to get some paint on the grabrail, it would have only got in the way anyway. So Tilly was allowed an hour of proper shore leave, her last for sometime.

When she came in, it was time to back up to the junction and turn towards Goole on our last cruise of the year. This makes me feel a bit sad, but planning for next year is already underway so there’s things to look forward to.

At the end of Southfield Reservoir there is a CRT base camp. Four portacabins sit between the canal and fishermen. Tugs, skip boats and diggers sit on the bank ready to send the next mound of earth to back fill the pilling.

Round the next bend on Drax Straight as we call it, is another length of bank being worked on. Here they’ve only just started to pile drive the piling into the canal bed. At the next bend is where the breach happened in 2020. Here signs state there is a culvert and not to use spud legs. Best not as they wouldn’t want to relive all the works that went on in 2021 to reopen the canal here.

The log cabin looks to be occupied now, despite the underside of the roof looking unfinished. A narrowboat moored alongside, maybe the cabin owners or just a coincidence. The alpacas have increased in numbers too and sheep now graze the opposite bank.

Just before Rawcliffe is the final bend of the canal. I can zoom in on my camera and see a blue stern. This used to make me think Exol Pride was in the docks, but I now know better as this was likely to be one of the gravel barges moored just after the diesel point at Viking Marina.

As we came in through Goole Docks caisson we spotted what had changed. A sunken cruiser where we’d never think to moor. Three boats on the 14 day mooring, one that seems to be a frequent visitor. The big widebeam that had been for sale outside the old Waterways Museum has gone.

Then a new big blue bum of a boat. Off Roader, used to be the Humber Princess and has had a make over. Designed to carry freight and possibly gravel, we believe it’s due to start work shortly.

We pulled in to the diesel point at Viking Marina, easier to get into now the floating dry dock has been moved. A phone call to let Laird know we’d arrived, the paperwork already started this morning. We had a look around the chandlery for a few items. If you’re not choosy about what colour boat you have there’s a bargain to be had in Rylard paints. Sadly nothing jumped out to us on our wants list, we’ll have to order from elsewhere. We had quite a chat with Laird about where we’ve been this year, apparently he had something to do with the restoration on the Basingstoke Canal way back when.

Key fob for the gate, diesel topped up at £0.90, the cheapest we’ve had all year. We knew where we were headed so reversed back to the entrance and then slotted in alongside another narrowboat. We’d hoped we’d be able to just step across, but we are just a touch longer making things a little awkward. Laird had given us the option to move to be bank side so in the afternoon he came to help us switch over. A lady watched on astounded at how the three of us did it. She said she could tell we’d done it before. Well Laird might have but we’ve not, it did however look like we knew what we were doing!

Settled and lunched Mick got the Brompton out and waved goodbye to me and Tilly. A train to Scarborough and a stop off at Pizza Tempo required for him on the way back to the house for the night.

**Painting dungarees. Maybe of use at the house next year**

Tilly and I pottered for a while. The big holdall was filled with clothes. Ikea bags started to be filled. Office cupboard sorted through for things we might need. All the things I’d brought with me to do paintings of the canals went in a bag, so far unused. Hopefully over winter I’ll make use of them. The hope is that this years Christmas card will be a painting.

There is only so much you can pack without moving it off the boat. Once Tilly’s excitement wains from being able to get in empty cupboards, the realisation of what is happening dawns on her and she needs reassuring. Sitting staring into space with her ears at odd angles is usually the first sign. I did manage to distract her by opening a tin of tuna to have with jacket potatoes. Mick insists that we follow the instruction manual we got when we first adopted her which says, ‘Never, ever, ever, no really never ever give your cat human food’. It is the only smell that catches her nose and pulls it up into the air. I wonder what she’d make of tuna if she was try some? But meany TOM won’t let me !!!

0 locks, 1 caisson, 6.6 miles, 1 wind, 3 skip boats, 1 disturbed lunchbreak, 1 new boat on the block, 73 litres, 90p! 1 do-ci-do, 1 bank side mooring, 1 last hour of shore leave, 1 Mick locked out, 1 Pip locked in, 1 girls night packing.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y1ENKXFJqT23F3wo7

Spaghetti Fork. 22nd October

Castleford to Sykehouse Junction, New Junction Canal

Yesterday was the start of Chippy panto rehearsals for Jack and The Beanstalk. I’d be wrong if I said I wasn’t missing working on it this year. I’d also have rather been at the meet and greet followed by read through and fit up followed by fish and chips at the Blue Boar then having stinging eye drops in my eyes yesterday. I’m hoping we get chance to go down to see the show but we need to combine it with other things in the south, otherwise it would be a very expensive theatre trip. I’m still in touch with many people and am getting the occasional sneak peek at what’s happening.

Rather than drawing things out or base coating bits of scenery, today we were going to find out what the health and safety problem was at Ferrybridge Flood Lock and hope for a mooring suitable for some jobs and some cat shore leave.

We got up and pushed straight over to the water point close to Bulholme Lock. With the tank filling we sat down for breakfast. Then the yellow water was pumped into a container for disposal later. Just as we were sorting this a boat came past heading for the lock. We’d have been able to share if they waited five minutes, but by the time we were sorted they had dropped down the lock and were on their way.

I was on key duty and filled the lock. Just above the top gates was a huge island of pennywort, it spanned the the width of the lock. Mick decided to take a run up, either to split it in two or to take it into the lock with Oleanna. As soon as the bow hit the island he cut the engine and she drifted into the lock with the weed surrounding her. As the lock emptied the weed drifted in front only to be picked up again on exiting the lock. Mick then managed to loose it by stopping to pick me up at the lock landing.

Going downstream there’s about an hours cruise before reaching Ferrybridge. Lots of trees and today lots of sunshine. One of those lovely autumn days to enjoy being on the back of a boat.

Just about the only thing that gives away the old Ferrybridge power station is the old wharf where the Tom Puddings were brought to be raised up to empty their cargo of coal. The building is now gone, but the wharf still exists. Pylons stretch off in all directions and stepped back from the river power is still generated. It’s a boring landscape now the cooling towers are gone, so there’s no point in taking photos anymore.

The last couple of bends and we could see we’d caught the boat ahead of us up. A boat came from the lock too. Then through Ferry Bridge we could see the amber light, self operation! The flood lock is operable.

We caught the boat ahead up just as he was about to negotiate climbing a ladder. I managed to stop him, suggesting that as there were two of us we’d work the lock. I climbed the ladder, then over the footbridge.

Maybe the health and safety issue is with the walkway on the top gates, as you’d need a very big stride to get onto them, the step being a good three foot. But that has been the case for goodness how long. The river level board showed green! Not long till the gates could just be left open. I knew there wasn’t a gate through the handrail to reach the panel, so climbed over it. Maybe I’d have been better walking to the far end of the lock and crossing the gates there, but that was a very long way round, these locks are big round here!

On our own now, the other boat not in a rush, we carried on heading eastwards. Fishermen lined the banks and nodded at us as we passed. Lots of boats around Bank Dole Junction, quite a few big ones too. We headed right, turning left will be left for next year, or maybe we’ll head to York direct from Goole, or via Pocklington?

Kellingley Colliery is getting more overgrown around the edges, only the occasional gap to see if anything is happening, nothing since March that we could make out.

Now we were back on the waterways with big skies, reaching from way over there to way over there! We’ve enjoyed trees, hills, rivers this year, but we alos like being back here with so much sky.

The M62 comes close then drifts away. Then it returns to be passed underneath just before Whitley Lock. Here a weed boat was busy collecting Pennywort. The fork lift prongs on the bow jab into islands of leafy green, then rise up. The down side of this is it’s a bit like eating spaghetti with a fork and not being allowed to twist the pasta onto the prongs, the tomato sauce making the pasta slip off. The chap scouped up the pennywort time and time again to deposit it on the bank. Whitley Lock seems to be a place where the weed congregates. Last year there was a closure for quite sometime whilst it was cleared, at least they seem to be trying to keep on top of it this year.

As we approached the lock he asked if he could come down the lock with us. Apparently yesterday above the lock had been choaked with the weed. So we lowered down to the next pound the weed boat shooting out of the lock in front of us, hunting down the next mass of weed to collect and deposit on the bank.

This is all such familiar water to us now. Past the CRT boat yard at Heck. Plenty of work boats in, one out on the bank getting a new lick of CRT Blue.

Then Pollington Lock, our last lock of the year! In Oleanna went, the lolly pop indicators raised and down she descended to the Goole level of the Aire and Calder. The Key of Power could be put back on the main key ring and have a rest.

The VHF radio blurted something out. We always have it on around here to listen in in case there are any freight boats about. It was hard to understand what was being said, Mick checked on boat movements into Goole, Exol Pride had come up Ocean Lock an hour and a half ago. Exol was heading for the New Junction and all the lift and swing bridges, then on to Rotherham. We’d almost certainly have missed her by the time we got there ourselves.

Now at every overhead power line there were notices on the bank on posts, at every culvert notices too. Back towards Christmas 2020 there was a breach on the Aire and Calder, a huge amount of water was lost, the level from this huge pound dropped and several sections of piling and bank slumped into the canal. There is currently a stoppage notice for piling works.

Four hi-vis CRT staff walked towards us on the bank. Then a fence that really meant the towpath was closed, not one that you can manoeuvre to get round. Up ahead several work boats. New piling had gone in and a digger was back filling with earth and packing it down. One worker walked backwards with a remote controlled spikey roller. Skip boats of fresh earth were being brought from past Sykehouse Junction, no dredging silt from the canal, this back filling needed to be sturdy.

Our favourite spot at the junction was taken, so we turned onto the New Junction Canal to see what was available. One narrowboat at the far end, we pulled in just where the edging starts to flatten out and tied up. This would do us nicely.

Tilly you have four hours! Four!! Brilliant!!!!!! No eating your own body weight in rodents! Spoil sport!

After lunch I got the attachment of doom out. The rusty patches on the port side that I’d treated before Standedge needed cleaning off again. Then a coat of primer was applied. The boat ahead was being repainted by the looks of it. Tilly would now have to stay off boats and cat walks!

Mick put the mushroom vent top back on, only tightening it with his fingers, not wanting to put strain on the glued threaded bar. This will be fine. Then the interior cover went back on.

Then it was time to enjoy our evening as the sun set. Tilly zonked from so much friendly cover, now lounging on the sofa in front of the stove. Yarn was selected for the next pair of socks, they were cast on. What a lovely day and cruise.

4 locks, 16.5 miles of big skies, 0 red light, 1 lock on self operation! 2 locks shared, 1 full water tank, 1 clean pooh box, 1 empty yellow water tank, 1 right, 2 colds still clinging on, 1 grab rail with some paint on it, 4 hours of freedom, 3 little friends, 43 pounces, 2 trees, 1 slight patch of white, don’t know how that got there! 1 exhausted cat, 1 cosy Oleanna on our last night out on the cut.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZxiYHj3QcSKLyPwH7

Precautionary Nutty Chocolate. 21st October

Castleford and York

Storm Ashley arrived with us quite late on yesterday. More wind than rain. The level in the pound had come up and our fenders weren’t doing their job, but after a bit of adjustment we could settle down to sleep through the night.

Back in February at my last eye test, my optician referred me for some further tests. I’d chosen for this to happen at York Hospital as the waiting list was meant to be 12 weeks and York would be easier and cheaper to get to from anywhere in the country. Today was my deferred appointment from two weeks ago, just so happening to coincide with Huddersfield Station being closed for the Pennine improvements. I had a train planned, but trains were being held up here there and everywhere. Castleford has a direct train once every two hours to York, Mick spotted that it hadn’t arrived at it’s previous destination, so could end up being quite late. Time to make a dash for the station and try to catch the next available train via Leeds.

I made it, Mick having bought me a ticket and emailing it to me for use. No boats moored above Office Lock in Leeds and only a few in Granary Wharf, apparently the pontoons are currently taped off, so you can only moor against the bank.

The next train was very busy. I was very willing to use my walking stick card, but luckily there was an older lady sat with her bag on a seat next to her who moved it for me. She was an interesting lady. Lived abroad for much of her life, now lives in Elgin, Scotland and had just had five weeks away from her 80 something year old husband who is ‘enjoying having Long Covid too much!’ as she put it. We had quite a chat, when her family were young they did the Cheshire Ring in a week on a hire boat.

Just enough time to get something for lunch and find somewhere to eat it, a bench over looking the River Ouse. Three cruisers were moored on the high bit at the end of Marygate as the normal moorings were under water. Trip boats were still cruising along with a narrowboat heading down stream. Then I took the direct route up to Bootham, through the grounds of Bootham Hospital arriving with five minutes spare for my appointment.

Checked in I was sent to Area C. General eye test done, followed by colour blind test. Area A next and the periphery vision test. This is why I’d been referred as I’d had to redo the test back in February. Back to C for scans. I had a short wait before I got to see a doctor. Time to research diet and Glaucoma, the lady on the train this morning had suggested it could be controlled by what you eat. Leafy greens, carrots, avacados, nuts and seeds, then it mentioned that chocolate was very good. Who’d have thunk it!

I thought I’d got away without having any of the horrible eye drops, but the doctor did them herself. Talk about stinging! She could have warned me! Pressure tests, a very good look and more dribbly stuff in each eye. Verdict no signs of Glaucoma, but my periphery vision has changed in the last four years. They’ll see me again in a few months to see if anything has changed, if not I’ll be discharged, just like they did four years ago. I’ll just need to keep an eye on my slight blind spot.

With very blurry eyes I made it back to the station, pausing to purchase some precautionary Whole Nut, if I hadn’t got glaucoma I need to make sure I don’t get it, best start right away!

Onto a train back to Leeds, another back to Castleford. I returned to Oleanna via the curved bridge over the weir with the sun glinting on the rushing water, making my eyes even blurrier. I called into the Premier Store to see if they’d have anything for lunches. Todays special sandwich looked interesting, think I’d have asked for beans with it! Nothing for homemade lunches though.

Back at the boat it had been a busy day. Two loads of washing hung out to dry and Tilly had been busy in the friendly cover. There was a new neighbour too, a very familiar boat, but I don’t think the new owners originate from Scarborough.

0 locks, 0 miles, 4 trains, 6 miles walked, 1 salad by the Ouse, 2 sheets of lies, 1 eye patch, 2 stingy drops, 1 numbing drops, 2 sinks worth of water, 0 spam sandwiches, 1 small bar of whole nut, pair 44 finished.

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna

Turning The Temperature Up. 28th November

Socking Along

Bully Boy Battery Cables. 8th November