A suggested plan for the day arrived as we had breakfast, visitors expected late morning. We gave the boat a tidy through and got dressed for the weather, hot with extra hotness and a possible walk.
Today my best friend Emma was coming to visit along with her new (to us) boyfriend Soren. they are over from Australia on a whirl wind tour catching up with friends, then heading to Denmark where Soren is from. Emma was last over in January 2020, before covid struck and it’s been the longest we’ve been apart since she emigrated down under. Our trip to York this time is purely to coincide with her being here for two days.
Walking down the back lane
A tour of Oleanna for them both, then a walk along New Walk up into Fishergate sneeking a look round the back of the house where Emma’s family lived in our teenage years. We then climbed into their hire car and headed off into the countryside, the Howardian Hills just north of York. So many pretty villages, we joked about them moving back to York and buying one of the lovely houses somewhere like Coxwold.
The pub
The car was lovely and cool, the sky progressivly getting darker and the outside temperature quite a shock on gettng out of the car. We pulled up at the Fauconberg Arms in Coxwold, a very pretty old fashioned pub, much more used to having a crackling log fire going.
Soren, Emma, Pip and Mick. Emma obviously didn’t get the blue shirt memo
Their holiday has been funded by letting out a cabin in the Blue Mountains at the back of Soren’s house. He is a guide, he takes people on adventures around the Blue Moutains, absailing and cannon exploring. Then three of four times a year he is also a guide in the Himalayas! He’s a mountaineer!!
There was so much to catch up on, I think we hardly scratched the surface! After lunch, I had to have fish and chips, we drove to Castle Howard reminising about our fathers speeding along the straight but bumpy roads, doing their best to get their sporty little cars to take off back in the 70’s.
Castle Howard
When Emma had sugested going for a walk, we didn’t quite know what to expect, especially with Soren’s job. Would we be taking on a ten mile hike up and down dale? Hence me trying to get my calf improved. But instead we ambled around the grounds of Castle Howard listening to the peacocks and enjoying the rain that fell on us in the rose garden. We joked about which wing of the house we would have each and how we’d have a pimms party every Friday night in the central hallway.
Chilled medication
Some chilled medication couldn’t be turned down. Mick a little surprised to recieve his in a tub, so Emma asked for a cone. This was added to her tub as if it was a flake! A very peculiar way of serving it.
Best friends
As there were more people to catch up with we were returned to Oleanna before they headed on to their next engagement. Big hugs were given that have to last us a few more years. There’s never enough time. The only way there is more time is to head to Australia to visit them there. We just need the SJT to employ one of our favourite cat friendly actors who would be happy to look after Tilly for a few weeks.
That’s more like it!
As we’d hardly walked anywhere and my calf was up for it, I walked around the block. Up to Scarborough Railway Bridge and back again, only a slight twinge. Hopefully I’ll be able to keep up the pace now.
0 locks, 0 miles, 1 rendez vous made, 58 years of being friends, 1st meeting, 1 celebration, 1 snoop, 9 pretty villages, 1 of each, 4 for the price of 3, 4 chilled medications, 2 cone accessories, 5 years, 5 hours, 1 hour for each year.
Up early for us and on the move backwards before breakfast. Time to top up the water tank, check if Kenny’s hens had laid then make a move before it got too hot, plus I had a meeting to attend at 11.
Roses fading on the gateway now
Water tank full, still no eggs. We waved NB Poppy goodbye, they are heading up to Ripon where they have permission to ascend Oxclose Lock on Monday morning to reach their home mooring. They were determined to make it to at least Linton today, a shame as a stop off in York wouldn’t have held them up that much.
A serious bow rope!
Off we set, with the aim of finding a shady mooring in towards town. We passed all the familiar sights. Someone was watering the grass just before Archbishops Palace, wonder how long they’ll be allowed to keep their grass green, he was being extremely generous with the hose pipe. No-one in the garden at the Palace, no-one swimming in the river, the sewage works particularly stinky today.
The river level was too low to see the roof of my old family home today, but the house behind it was still there. We spotted Philli heading off to work in her bright orange trousers. Under Millenium bridge about to celebrate it’s 25th anniversary. Now we looked for shade.
Ice cream boats not headed off to sell yet
New Walk has overhanging trees. For the next few days the shade would most definitely be required, mooring at Museum Gardens would be unbearable, Oleanna would become an oven. Now knowing where the chain eyes are of a wider diameter helped in our choice of mooring. Under a tree that wouldn’t waft onto the roof, perfect.
We got moored up, sent some messages, had breakfast, then I settled down ready for my zoom meeting with the production manager for panto. Lots to catch up on and discuss. I hope Gemma understood my points of view on finding a happy medium on the painting side of the show this year.
Mick headed into town to try to find me a very thin blue pen. Black ones are easy to come by at 0.05mm, but blue is more problematical. This is to outline parts of my model and a more standard 0.5mm pen would end up being a touch too wide for what I want once blown up by 25 times. He didn;t have any luck so I’ve ordered one which we can pick up at the house on the next turn around.
Terry’s
I painted up numerous roses on my portals. Jus when I thought I’d nearly finished I remembered there was another piece of scenery with more of them on it. Hopefully I’ve got them all painted now!
Time to check my calf out. I’ve been doing no brisk walking, and very little walking over the last few days, hoping that the rest would help. A parcel had arrived at a locker for me so an ideal opportunity to see if the rest had worked.
Lovely clock face
I took it easy at first, then increased my speed a touch. Down the riverbank over Millenium Bridge and onto Bishopthorpe Road. Onwards to a new Co-op amongst the new apartments that have been built up around the old Terry’s Chocolate Works. My parcel was there, but more importantly I was now not that far away from the art deco factory with it’s clock tower. I don’t think I’ve ever been quite so close, so it was worth a nosy around.
The chocolate works
The development seems nice and airy, retaining some of the original buildings. A restaurant/cafe/bar/deli sits close to the clock tower, gents sat out in white shirts and dicky bow ties. I wouldn’t stop for a drink. Long avenues all seem to lead up to the clock. When I was a kid, during winter months I could just make out the shape of the tower from my bedroom window. Back along a stretch of the riverbank I’ve never walked before.
Calf verdict, much improved only a slight suggestion that if I’d pushed it more then I’d have hobbled. So complete rest seems to be what I should do when it happens again.
What?!?
Back at Oleanna I opened up my parcel. What on earth?! Beauty Equipment?! I opened up the box, phew, it was an airbrush. They must sell more to the beauty market than to artists. Here’s hoping it can cope with acrylic paints, and not just acrylic nail varnish!
Around 10am a black van came past, headed down towards the lock, came back and pulled into the passing place close to us. Sean from SPL Covers was on his way to Barnsley and had stopped off to measure up for a new side panel for our pram hood. A template was made and the canvas samples looked at, the closest chosen. Hopefully we’ll have a new side within a couple of weeks. Much easier than me making a template from brown paper and sticking it in the post to Gary. Sean also showed us how they do the front panel of pram covers so that you can open your rear hatch fully. When Oleanna is repainted we’re thinking of gettng smart new covers too, if budget allows and being able to open the hatch more would be a bonus, something to think about.
Selby Basin
As I added a colour to my panto portals Mick pulled us forward to the water point to top up the water tank, next yellow water was dealt with. It was nearing midday and a breasted up pair had arrived ready to head to York. The ladies onboard the pair had hired someone to accompany them up to York to give them some confidence on their first tidal water. He certainly was knowledgable of moving a pair.
We shared the first locking down with NB Poppy, another couple doing their first tidal water, they’d hired a pilot to assist them too. We felt slightly left out it just being the two of us, Hey what about me! I’m an invaluble help. From your nest on the bed!
That sand bar gave us a little bump
Freya passed our centre line round a bollard to see us down, ‘whilst I’m in training it all has to be just so’ she said. The lock dropped, the gates opened and we waited for the go ahead from Freya, a gap in any passing debrise found. We opted to lead the way and out we came, dipping to the side as the flow caught us, then we straightened up and were zooming along with the flow again as if we’d not had a night in the basin.
NB Poppy’s owners first tidal water
Behind us NB Poppy turned out onto the river, the lock gates closed ready to be reset for the breasted up pair.
Mending Selby Toll Swing Bridge
Under the bridges and round the bend, the exciting bit of the trip over quite quickly. When we came to a longish straight I headed below to put lunch together for us, hoping I’d be back up top by the time we reached the first tight bend in the river.
On previous journeys there have been numerous Kingfishers, today not one to be seen, but how many Egrets? Or was it just the one flying off ahead and reappearing round the next bend.
Sheep and cows on the banks moo’d and baaa’d back at me when I said hello.
More tidal water! This is getting boring now!
Soon the push of the tide wained, it really didn’t feel like there was much push anymore, had we outrun the tide? Possible as we’d been let out as soon as we could bump our way over the silt build up outside the lock. It was quite odd compared to yesterday rushing along with little effort on Oleanna’s part.
It’s a hard life!
The bridge keeper at Cawood waved from his sunny seat outside his hut. As NB Poppy came into view the keeper popped into the hut, possibly to let Naburn know we’d just passed.
So low, the speed boats would have a job being launched today
Just where had all the wood gone? When we returned from our last visit to York the next stretch of the river was filled with trees, today there was the odd one, but nowhere near as much as there’d been then. Was it all behind us coming in on the tide? Or had the last lot of Spring tides swept it all out to sea?
Moreby Hall
At the 3km marker Mick radioed ahead to Naburn. A very garbled message came back, hmm what had Kenny just said? Well at least he knew we were nearly there.
Naburn Weir and a narrowboat coming towards us
As we rounded the last bend a narrowboat came into view heading towards us, maybe Kenny’d been telling us they were on the way. At the lock we were asked to pull as far ahead as possible, NB Poppy would come in behind us. He asked the crew behind us how far behind the breasted up pair were, ‘they’ll be miles behind’. Kenny opted to penn us up,we’d expected to wait for the others. Once we’d risen a foot a horn could be heard down on the river. Kenny got on the radio and was surprised to get a reply from them, they’d have to wait now.
Rising up
I chatted with Kenny about our reason for returning to York so soon. I also asked him if he had any eggs for sale, Kenny keeps hens, the cockeril will wake you in the morning. Sadly he’d sold the last of his eggs this morning, but there may be more tomorrow.
Once up we pulled over to the visitor mooring bagging the shadiest patch, oh that was nice and cool. What3words noted, then the doors could be opened for Tilly whilst Mick hung up the washing we’d done whilst on the river. Time to catch up with news on Frank and be his PA for a while. Mick had a towpath haircut. A chicken was jointed, most of it popped in the freezer, one lot made into chicken taglitelli which normally has peas in it, but today it was brocolli, not quite the same, tasty all the same.
That’s better!
2 locks, 14.1 miles, 1 load washing, 3 narrowboats, 1 butty, 2 pilots, 1 cat, 1 full water tank, 1 empty wee tank, 9 egrets, 3 herons, 0 kingfishers, 2 hours shore leave, 4 messages, 1 crackly phone, 5 potential meals from 1 chicken, 1 plan formulated for our return.
After breakfast the final checks were done, the well deck emptied of everything other than the anchor, chain and rope all attached to each other and the T stud at the bow. Mick had done engine checks yesterday and checked the weed hatch. Boating Association charts, VHF radio, life jackets. At 9:30 Mick radiod ABP at Ocean Lock. We’d been told to do this to check when we’d be allowed into the docks, it’s also to check you have a VHF radio as that is a requirement by them. There would be a twenty minute wait whilst boats moved about then they would give us the go ahead.
Sure enough after a bit of conversation on the radio we were hailed and told to proceed towards Ocean Lock. We were now entering the world of the big ships, stilettoed diggers, 50 shades of sand. Chaps waved at us from high up as we made our way. The lock gates were in their recess, we were safe to proceed entering the lock, we turned the slight right, a chap told us to stay at the back of the lock, but it didn’t matter where. We had the vast lock to ourselves. Strangely it didn’t feel quite as huge as it had done in 2021 when we shared it with WB Lullabelle and Cruiser Sea Maiden.
The huge gates closed behind us then the level started to drop. All that water for one little narrowboat! As the lock levelled out Mick rang Selby and left a message to say we were about to leave Goole. The Gates are in their recess, you can leave the lock now.For your Information there are no ships on the river. We did as instructed, the tide already visibly coming in at quite a lick. We thanked ABP and headed out to catch the tide. Well it caught us really, Oleanna dipping to one side as Mick turned us to follow the flow, keeping to the west bank for a while before moving over to the east, red line followed.
Peeking out onto the vast river
Mick had managed to down load our track from 2021 when we’d followed David on Sea Maiden, but the charts were also kept an eye on.
Goodbye to Goole
Mick’s plan had been to take a touch longer than the half hour marks on Waterway Routes, our journey of 16 miles would ideally take us 4 hours, so 4mph, this would mean us arriving at Selby around high water so we’d not have to turn to face the tide to enter the lock. Back in 2021 the Ouse was filling with flood water and our progress was far slower, infact Nigel the Lockie at Selby had wondered if he’d have to wait for us until 9pm to penn us up off the river.
Memory Map gives you your speed, 7mph, best knock the revs down! We needed to be doing only 4mph. Down to tick over to maintain steering, we were doing way above 4mph. Oh well we’d be early, the amount of fresh on the river affecting the push of the tide and our progress.
Hook Railway Bridge
Under Hook/Skelton Railway Bridge, we’d not need them to swing for us, but we did need to up the revs to stop being pushed towards the peirs. Blimey it was going at quite a lick through there!
Howden Dyke
On up towards Howdendyke, here at the wharfs they don’t have stilettoed diggers. No ships in, infact we didn’t see any boats out on the river today.
There’s a lot of water, but it’s not all that deep!
At the last wharf you do a 90 degree turn to port and head for the south eastern side of Howden Dyke Island, the M62 loooooooong bridge now visible along with Drax Power Station. When crossing the Ouse on the M62 at low tide you can see why boats need to take this route as there is so much silt to the north westerly side it just about dries out.
M62 going slow westbound
Crossing from one side of the river to the other to pass under the bridge, it really is vast soaring through the sky. The traffic west bound however was moving very slowly as after lots of work has been carried out on the bridge recently two expansion joints have failed on the west bound carriageway. There’s likely to be more road works now.
Boothferry Bridge
Stay to the north to pass under the northern most span at Boothferry Bridge, ‘We’re nearly at Grandma’s’ it being a landmark for the Geraghty family on trips to visit family from the south. We wouldn’t need the bridge to swing for us, you have to book this one five days in advance as it takes quite a bit to get it to swing.
Seriously confused water on the bridges
A few bends kept us busy, trying to stay in tick over as much as possible, we were still rocketing our way. We both wondered if we should have kept to our original plan of heading to Naburn today, no need to turn and stem the tide with the current zipping along.
Barmby Barrage
Barmby Barrage came past, our trip up onto the River Derwent and Pocklington Canal thwarted by lack of rain this year. Next year, if it ever rains again. A call to Selby Lock, were they there? Yes. We’d be early, possibly by an hour. Should we turn and stem the tide for a while, or carry on towards them. The choice was ours, they’d be there for us no matter. We thought about it, we’d carry on.
The River Aire joins to the left
Heading northwest we had wind over tide, the river became choppy. Waves with brown horses (too much silt for them ever to be white on the Ouse) crashed around us, we were surprised at how big they were.
Hemingborough
The spire of St Marys at Hemingborough stood tall caught in the sunlight.
At No Man’s Friend bend, a steep one, the river was more confused than at others we’d zoomed through. It was evident we needed more revs, Mick cranked up the engine, then some more, more, the willow branches stroking the cabin side but thankfully no more. Preemptive revs were used round the next steep bend and our line was better.
Selby Bypass Swing Bridge
Approaching Selby Bypass Swing Bridge, Mick radio’d ahead to the lock. Nigel responded, as the tide was still running we’d be needing to turn to face it to enter the lock. Once round a slight kink in the river we wanted to turn, but up ahead there was a branch, quite a chunky one sticking out of the water, drifting in the same direction as us, just at the wrong time!
The pesky branch
The lock still not visible, but we wanted to get turned with plenty of space before the lock, so should it take sometime to get round we wouldn’t be being pushed towards the next two bridges. Reverse, let the branch carry on upstream without us. It kept on going and Mick made the turn. Now to drift backwards towards the lock, where was it? The roof of the block of flats just beyond came into view just as the current was doing it’s best to push us in towards the bank and trees. Quite a bit of tooing and froing was needed to get us to stay away from the banks, little progress being made towards the lock.
Now facing the tide
With a better line and in tick over against the current we started to move towards the lock. Nigel on the radio, were we okay? Yep just taking our time. Gradually we crept backwards, lock in view, gates open waiting for us.
Now it was all about picking the right moment to turn in towards the lock. The current wants to take you one way, a patch of still water infront of the lock, the sand bank we’d seen a few weeks ago on the downstream side of the lock. Mick bided his time, then ‘I’m going to go for it’.
The flats, a topless man, that’s the lock
Revs tiller, she started to turn. The bow in the calm water, the stern now turning to get the full force of the tide. More revs, in she went. Phew! So glad it wasn’t me at the helm.
Nigel stood back and watched on as Freya took our centre line, passed it round a bollard and back to us. She then closed the lock doors and set the lock filling. Freya is being trained to be the Lock Keeper at Selby, she just needs to get her VHF licence and be certified. One big fella to one very slight lady. We got news that the swing bridge on the canal is back working, but the one out on the river is still broken.
Oleanna was winded and we pulled into a space in the basin, ready to face the tide again tomorrow and ready for a fitting too. The sun shone down all afternoon, time to trace out the design on panto portals and cloths. Then by late afternoon Oleanna nestled down into the shade the flats next to us provided, the world starting to cool down.
2 locks, 17.5 miles, 2 winds, 1 hour too early, 7mph, 1.4 when turned to face the tide, 1 hello from a willow, 2 more avoided, under 4 swing bridges, 3 hours in the sunshine, 0 shore leave, 1 surprisingly poor internet, 2 identical words in what3words.
No shore leave was granted this morning, we needed to reach Goole before Viking Marina shut up shop for the day. We’re used to their winter opening hours when they close at midday. Mick reversed us back to the junction, a touch of bow thruster had us turn beautifully to face the east and Goole.
I decided to opt out of the long stretches of canal this morning and headed back below to take over the dinette table and do some work. A look at what I’d done yesterday, a bit more of this, a look back at my Mucha reference. Most pantos have black lining, the scenery outlined in black paint. I’ve only done this once when actually I went into over-drive black lining with lots of hatching. Mucha uses a colour similar to that in the overall painting, different weights of line and not everything outlined either. Things are grouped together and selectively lined.
By the end of the hour and a quarter to Goole I’d made lots of decisions and started to paint up a sample of the cyc, backcloth which is very painterly this year. A few adjustments in tones and that should all work nicely.
Up top Mick spotted a Goole Escape boat WB Lullabelle. Martin and Wendy, moored at Rawcliffe. Back in 2021 Oleanna, Lullabelle and Sea Maiden all made a bid for freedom from Goole and headed up stream to Selby after the Aire and Calder breach. Tomorrow we’ll be doing the same cruise, but most probably on our own. Wendy waved, a shame not to be able to ask if they’d made it over to Liverpool a few years ago.
Blimey! Goole is empty!
The shed moored close to Goole Caisson let me know we were close now, I bobbed out to the bow as we came in past the ever increasing number of big barges. Straight down to the service mooring at Viking for diesel. Two boats were breasted up there, we slowly pulled in and asked the lady on board the outside boat if we could breast up. It was fine, although I had nowhere to tie the bow line to as they were a very short boat and it was too far to throw a rope over to the next boats T stud. Centre line onto their grab rail and stern line.
Three abreast in front of Phyllis
As Mick walked down the gunnel to secure us his phone rang, Selby Lock confirming we’d be able to pen up with them tomorrow and he made a booking for the following day to head on up to York. Time for chats with next doors crew and Hannah whilst being three abreast and a boat was being brought round from the slipway to go onto a lorry. If we’d been a little bit later I’d have got a photo of three abreast and a double decker. Diesel 85p.
One boat about to head for waters new
On our way into Goole we’d noted the lack of boats. No-one on the visitor moorings and only one boat moored opposite the gravel place. We’d be fine for a mooring tonight….. except! A boat came from that way, a cruiser from over there, plonking themselves on the visitor moorings a gap between each of them. We had enough room to pull in for water, but that was it.
As our tank filled Mick walked up to the auction centre to see if we could moor there for an hour whilst we visited the Coffee Dock for lunch, this was fine. I phoned Frank for a catch up and to wish him well for this week. Then we nudged up and headed for lunch.
A nice big pot of tea
Jacket potato and a panini were enjoyed in the outside/undercover area. All the time we kept a watchful eye on the boats out front. One was moved away by the marina staff, but we weren’t quick enough to grab that space. Then the cruiser started to untie, we lunged at the opportunity to move, thankfully we’d just finished our lunch.
A quick wind and we squeezed ourselves into the new space which was only just long enough for us, nestled in next to the tug Little Kirkby. How to tie up when the bollards aren’t that tall and the other boat you need to share with has wrapped their rope round the bollard three or four times so there’s little room for your rope. They’d also tied off at the bollard. I passed the bow rope under theirs and did my best to tuck it in. If you follow Oleanna on Facebook you’ll have seen the discussions about ‘dipping the eye’ this week after I’d posted a photo of a bollard with four ropes round it. Here’s an explaination on how to do it and if everyone knew about it mooring up and leaving would be a whole lot easier.
More work required today, I set about scanning the drawn out pieces of model with the aim of then using carbon paper to trace them onto thick watercolour paper so I could paint them, then cut them out. I scanned them and then printed them out, try as I could I couldn’t get the image printed the same size as the original. I enlisted the IT department, eventually we managed to find a program that worked. So much for having everything drawn out by the end of the day!
Try outs completed, now to do it for real!
Off Roader arrived around 7pm, far higher in the water by about 6ft! They only paused for a short while before we heard our VHF jump into life, they were headed for Hull, due to arrive at 3am. A while later Little Kirkby chugged into life behind us. Mick had chance to chat to Karl who was headed out to help one of the big ships who’s bow thruster wasn’t working. He was back an hour and a half later. Little Kirkby is pretty noisy so we’re glad he didn’t be come back at 2am!
Mick did a shopping trip. He looked round Boyes to see if they might have an airbrush I could buy. No chance, neither did Argos! It’s looking as though I might have to buy one via Amazon and get it sent somewhere. Needs must unfortunately. He also gave Sean at SPL covers a call to see if he might be able to help with our pram cover side, we now have a rendez vous with him at Selby, being local we should be able to get a new side quite quickly.
200th sock!
This evening I cast off my 200th sock for Dementia UK, that’s 100 pairs in the last three years. Pair 101 is going to need some thinking about which I don’t really have time for at the moment with work, so they may get bumped down the line a touch.
0 locks, 6.6 miles, 3 winds, 100 litres diesel, 1 full water tank, 0 brisk walking, 1 calf getting a good rest with hopeful improvement by the weekend, 0 shore leave, 1 chat with Little Kirby, 1 jacket, 1 panini, 1 big pot of decaf tea, 2.5 hours to print the right size, 100 pairs, 1st episode of Traitors season 2 NZ!
Shore leave permitted for an hour whilst we had breakfast and got ourselves ready for the day. Our chosen route back to York had been because we wanted to top the diesel tank up before setting forth on the tidal river again, so a return to Goole was needed. Then we plan to head out through Ocean Lock and turn left heading up stream on the Ouse.
ABP operate Ocean Lock at Goole, you can pay to go through at a chosen time, but passage is possible for free at certain times of the tide, for us it’s 2.5 hours before high tide. The other day Mick had called to make a booking, the ABP keeper doesn’t give advice as to journey times, when to lock out as C&RT Lock Keepers do. My question to Mick, was there enough time with the tide to reach Naburn? He’d booked that lock the other day but the person who answered the phone didn’t have the knowledge to give advice, they could just book us in.
Green fields around here
For reassuance he tried giving Naburn a call, just the answer phone. Maybe someone would be on duty at Selby Lock, there was. The keeper, checked a couple of things and said we should be fine. Mick asked if there would be anyone at Selby should we need to pull off the river, yes there would be someone on duty. However quarter of an hour later they called us back, saying if there were no bookings for the lock then no-one would be there.
A stoppage notice came through. Selby Swing Bridge has a fault and is closed to boat traffic, looks like we’d decided on a good route to avoid the closed bridge. But it also means there is even less likely to be a Lock Keeper on duty in Selby when we pass.
Blue skies and water today
Just as we were about to push off Gary from All Seasons Covers rang about our pram cover. Sadly he didn’t have a template for our covers still, but I could possibly use the other side panel to see if they might have matched. Or he suggested as I was a creative person I’d be able to make a template, if I could find something large enough to use. With the wind being as it is round here this is unlikely to happen soon.
We pushed off, the sun shining down, should have put sun cream on but didn’t think about it until my arms felt a little bit hot! At Whitley Lock there was a volunteer on duty, Mick had the VHF radio on and had heard some conversation between a CRT boat and Off Roader at Pollington. A boat was coming up in Whitley Lock, a single hander who had closed the gates behind him and then was clinging onto his lines for dear life as his boat rose after the volunteer had set the sluices going. The lock fills from the lock island side, so where his boat was positioned the water was bouncing back off the wall where he was trying to hold his boat. If he’d got on his boat before the volunteer had pushed any buttons it would have all been so much easier.
The volunteer worked the lock for us along with a widebeam that had arrived whilst we were waiting. No mention that Off Roader was on its way.
A long sleeved top was now required to cover pink arms. I own a couple of nice linen shirts, but they have been packed away in a suitcase at the house for eleven years! As we reached the maintenance yard at Great Heck we could see the approach of a very heavily laiden Off Roader, sat much deeper in the water than I’ve seen her of late at Lemonroyd. We made sure we held back some to give her enough room to come past all the work boats. As it came towards us the wheel house rose up having just come under a bridge.
Pollington Lock with it’s bottom gate open
Would there be a Lockie at Pollington? No just a single hander who I rushed to assist saving him some effort by working the lock to bring them up. Down we went, the bywash below not quite as strong as it has been recently, but enough force to keep the body of a deer pinned to the bank, the second one we’d seen today.
Not so green on this side of the canal
I had planned on roasting half a squash and a big bag of carrots this morning, but only remembered now. The aim had been to do the cooking whilst the world was still cool then be able to cool the boat down before it got too hot. I peeled and chopped the veg and set the oven going. Opened every window, side hatch with mesh in it, trying to create enough breeze through the boat without aiding a cat to escape.
One boat moored by the reservoir at Sykehouse Junction, but no-one on the 2 day mooring. We pulled in and took up our preffered place, not too close to the aqueduct but on the T studs. Shore leave rules were recited and the doors left wide open for Tilly to enjoy the outside and the boat to hopefully cool down with a breeze blowing through. After about half an hour all the doors were closed as Tilly had returned with a friend! Itcs dwaed godod herere, she said with her mouth full!
Watching and listening
The afternoon was spent doing colour samples for panto. Should the twisty bits be golden, cream, yellow, bright green or dark green? Should the background be a solid colour or sprayed out to the edges? Then what should the front cloth look like in comparison? Far too many decisions and too many colours on my samples to really make up my mind. I’d look again in the morning. I did however decide how I should paint the roses, an Art Nouveau style rather than a boaty roses and castles style.
Every brush stroke will be blown up to 25 times bigger
Over lunch we decided to change our cruise up to York. Going all the way from Goole to Naburn is possible, but it’s a long time to be stood at the back of your boat, but would we be able to change our lock bookings? Mick tried calling Selby and left a message. You need to give them 48 hours notice, this was only 46. He then rang Naburn to change our booking to the following day, left a message there too. Kenny called back within the hour, booking changed. We still needed to hear back from Selby though.
Just a touch tired
It was hot out there, so when Tilly returned with still twenty minutes of shore leave to go we opted to close the doors and keep her in, dingding time a touch early today, at least the wet food would help to hydrate her. But I hadn’t finished, I had buisness to attend to! Don’t you know this is a three stamp of approval outside!! She wasn’t happy, but thankfully she soon fell asleep exhausted.
2 locks, 8.2 miles, 1 right, 2 outsides, 1 heavily loaded Off Roader, 1 very sunny day, 2 pink arms, 1 designer who can’t make her mind up 2 many colours, 7 pink roses, 1 air brush required, 1 cuckoo, 24 yellow hammers, 4 hours shore leave, 1 booking moved, 1 to make, 1 friend at least, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approvel, that’s the third one, it’s an award winning mooring!
Unblurry arms, Broch, Ferry reversing, halfwit candidates and double-barreled insight were topics of the Geraghty zoom this morning.
Tilly needed encouragement to return home this morning. I went calling in one direction but really should have looked at the quality of the trees the other way as that was where she came from. A pause to roll on the towpath (Tilly not me!) meant I could hoik her up and bundle her back on board before some walkers came past and delayed our plan for the day.
Autumnal Hawkbit?
The water tank needed topping up, as I walked towards Woodlesford Lock I could see that a breasted up wide beam and narrowboat were making use of the services. We’d be carrying onwards through the lock more water points to choose from today.
Woodlesford Lock
At first my key of power didn’t seem to want to do much. The lights were working but that was all. A lift of the sluices helped to bring the panel into operation and we were accompanied down the lock by the big duck family that seem to have become teenagers in the last week. We pulled back on the lock landing/water point below to top up the tank. Pretty good pressure meant another load of washing went in the machine as we filled. Behind us the breasted up pair entered the lock, there was space for them to pull in, but they had taken quite sometime just getting into the lock, so we opted to move on before they exited the lock even if the water tank was only 3/4 full.
Robin Hood still moored above the lock
A fishing match lined the banks all the way to Lemonroyd and our nearest neighbour from the marina the other week, was sat on the mooring Oleanna had been on for ten days or so. Lemonroyd Lock was full, so we could go into it pretty quickly, no sign of the boats that had followed us down Woodlesford.
Fishing from a rib below Lemonroyd Lock!
At the bottom end of the lock I could hear voices from below. Were there people swimming? Canoes? I went to have a look and spotted a few people fishing from the lock landing close to the lock. I went back to have a second look, the sight lines impossible to see into the corner. I pressed the button to open the sluices, the water careering out of the bottom of the lock. It turned out that there was a rib tied up below the lock, it was still bobbing about as we pulled away.
Poor houses!
Down the river, numerous herons stood watching for fish, the sun shone, the wind was behind us, what a lovely day to be on the river. The first view of Castleford, those miserable houses where the rivers meet! Do the owners know how thoroughly sad their homes look from the river? I wondered if you filled in the top triangle window would their mood improve?
Through Castleford Flood Lock
A cruiser came towards us, a narrowboat headed into the flood lock in front of us, we followed with a long sounding of our horn. Time to pull over for some lunch, a gap showed itself and we took advantage. Mick popped the top of the pram hood up, leaving the sides on the roof. A while later he popped out the back, reappearing as quickly as he could back down the steps with the boat hook in his hand? The side hatch was opened up, one of the pram hood sides had been blown into the water and was seen drifting towards the bow.
No point in a photo of a pram cover sinking
Mick prodded and poked, no dark blue fabric could be seen. It had obviously sunk somewhere near the hatch, but the water being very murky wasn’t helping to find it.
We’ve had this happen once before at Radford Semele. There with a boat hook and pole, the two of us managed to pull the cover out from the depths of the Grand Union. But the Aire and Calder is a completely different beast! The hook Mick had picked up didn’t reach the bottom of the canal. The longest one was brought inside, it’s length only just reaching the bottom of the canal, so all you could do was prod what might be down there. This time it was lost for good, apologies should anyone pick it up on their prop.
I found the company who’d made it for us and whisked off an email to see if they had kept a pattern of our pram cover and would be able to make us a new side. We’ll see what they come back with next week.
Time to move on, get some more miles ticked off today, we could do no more.
Bulholme Lock
Bulholme Lock was even more temperamental, I tried all sorts of things to get the gates to open, nothing seemed to work. The Lock Available light was lit. The Water Level light was lit. The Gates Closed light was lit. I tried opening gates, I tried lifting sluices, I tried closing sluices. Nothing! I tried turning my key of power, currently powerless, but it was held captive in the panel. I stood, read the panel for any suggestions, then tried pressing the Gates Open button again. It sprang into life. Maybe the heat is starting to affect the panels!
The Tom Pudding slot behind the woodwork
Down onto the next reach of the river. Long, tree lined, a touch windy still. Nothing to see really along this stretch, no cooling towers. There is still however the wharf where the Tom Puddings would be taken to off load their coal from the nearby coal mines. Mick said they should clear the channel of trees and branches, then we’d be able to go through it and pretend to be a Tom Pudding. Well he can pretend to be a Tom Pudding, I’d rather not Thank you!
The chap who looks upstream from Ferrybridge Bridge
We checked the C&RT stoppages remembering that the flood lock at Knottingley, Ferrybridge had been put into operation some days ago. Sure enough as we approached the top gates were closed, time to climb a ladder. Mick spotted a pontoon on the weir cut, was that meant as a lock landing or a canoe portage? We carried on to the lock and I climbed the ladder.
Approaching the flood lock
There was a single hander about to open the top gates. I’d close up behind the boats swapping position and return his key, easy, much simpler for the single hander. Would I get a minute brisk walking in between one end of the lock and the other, it is quite a distance, but not quite far enough to register on my app. A boat approached from quite a distance as Oleanna exited the lock, too far for me to wait to close the gates.
It must be just under a minutes walk from one end to the other at this lock.
Right at Bank Dole Junction. No sign of any mining at Kellingley today and onwards to just after Stubbs Bridge. Near the road three boats were moored up, but up ahead there was plenty of room for us to be on our own. We pulled in, found the rods on the armco to pass chains round and then let Tilly out to explore. Only 1 and 1/4 hours of shore leave. I made sure she got to see more than just the bank and took her for a little walk along the path, not going too far as the wind was really rather strong, scent eradicatingly strong. She came back with just 6 minutes of shore leave left for the day, the back door was closed and we settled down for the evening.
5 locks, 2 flood locks one in operation, 14 miles, 1 left, 1 right, 1 lunch break, 1 powerless key of power, -1 pram hood side, 2 boat hooks, 0 chance, 1 new one requested, 1 day off work, 1.87 miles walked, 11 minutes briskly, 2 outsides, 2 Mrs Tilly stamps of approval.
Granary Wharf to below Fishponds Lock, Aire and Calder Navigation
As we had breakfast we could hear the gulper pump over on Lady Teal the hotel boat in almost constant use. We wondered how big their water tank must be and how big their califorier to be able to have enough hot water first thing for four showers one after another. It was then obvious that they were filling with water. The official tap is just above Office Lock but where Lady Teal was moored is where restaurant boats used to be, there must be a tap in one of the little boxes there. When they pulled out Mick asked the lady at the helm about the water point, yep it’s there behind the closed, unlocked door.
Waiting for the tank to fill
We rolled up the covers and pushed over, set the water filling and did a Briar Rose, got a load of washing going. Having been in water conservation mode for a while we’ve a lot of washing to catch up on. The tap had good pressure and our tank was soon full, I headed to the lock as Mick pushed off and winded Oleanna, the wind today not being too much of a problem as it can be here in the middle of Leeds.
Winding at Granary Wharf
I tried unlocking both ground paddles and giving them a turn as we’ve spotted other people using them this week. But try as I could I just couldn’t get them to turn more than twice, maybe that’s all anyone can manage, or maybe I’ve lost my umph power. A family stood and watched as I filled the lock, using just the gate paddles takes some time and they’d wandered off. But as soon as I started to push open a gate I could hear running feet approaching, we’d have an audience and assistance with the gates once the lock was empty.
River Lock
Time to say Ciao and thank you to the city, hopefully next time we visit the Leeds Liverpool will have sufficient water to make a passage easier across the Pennines.
Back on the river, under the numerous bridges and down stream to the Armouries. A beep of our horn to warn those who might be turning out from the basin. Key of power to work the gates and sluices, then we were on our way again.
City Bridges
Paul Balmer had asked us to double check a couple of things as we left Leeds. One was how long, if at all you could moor on the pontoon near the services for, the next mooring in towards Leeds had changed from 3 to 2 days. As we passed the pontoon we could tell there used to be signs on the posts, but someone has removed them. Whether that be CRT or a boater who knows, also what they used to say is impossible to know. The services here have been hit time and again by mis-use, the elsan being mended what felt like weekly for months on end, so it’s not impossible for CRT to have removed signs regarding mooring.
Two signs instead of one
At Knostrop Lock I let Mick know that there were rowers below the lock about to set off on the river. I counted three boats, more being made ready to set off. We kept our eyes open for rowers and the next bridge. Thwaite Mills Bridge used to be number 3, but new CRT blue signs now have it as 3D and Thwaite Mill Bridge, another thing checked for Paul, who’d only caught a glimpse of the signs from his bike. We wondered where bridges 3A, B, and C might be, the next bridge downstream being 6!
Being followed
Round a few bends we caught up with the rowers. Then more boats headed towards us, boat after boat after boat, far more than the three I’d counted. Fortunately we were spotted by them all, so collision courses were avoided.
Coming towards us
Fishpond Lock had had a grass cut, four chaps laid on the ground by the tower, hi-vis Community Payback on their backs. It must have been their lunch break. Once back on board we spotted a nice sunny stretch of bank, the solar could help with more washing and the whirligig could be put out to make the most of a drying wind, we pulled in, tied up and Tilly was given her shore leave rules and four and a half hours. See ya! Tilly made some use of her shore leave, but then stayed pretty close waiting for the ding ding bell to ring.
I can smell freedom!
After lunch, I opened up the latest draft of the panto script, John has worked the scene changes into it now, plus there are all the lyrics for the songs, which usually means lots of added props! Time to take notes to start putting together a props list and check we were on the same page as each other with regards to the scene changes. Act 1 then a walk around the block, followed by Act 2. I’d missed one thing, but it’s an easy addition to a propy bit of set.
4 locks, 5.1 miles, 1 full water tank, 2 Briar Rose washes, 1 wind, 3D not 3, 2 days not 3, 3 signs not 2, acts 1 and 2 read, 4.5 hours shore leave, 1.5 taken off the boat, 2.84 miles walked, 34 minutes briskly.
Should we move or should we stay? Was the question over our cuppa in bed this morning. At 9am Office Lock would be unlocked to enable passage up the locks out of Leeds. Above the lock is a water point, a top up would be welcome but not necessary. But if we stayed above the lock this evening we might have a quieter night than being by the bars and restaurants in the basin. We thought about it, we’d risk staying put.
Jobs list all ticked off
At 9am a hire boat returning to base and another boat headed into Office Lock, later in the morning another boat would head up too, only one came down that had been moored above for the last few days.
First boats up this weekend
Mick had heard from the roofer, he’d be at the house this afternoon to sort the random tile/flashing on the rear roof. Mick also wanted him to remove quite a lot of rubble that had ended up in the gutters at the front of the house so he decided to head over to make sure things happened this time. A risk we were aware, as the roofer still might not turn up on a sunny Friday when he could be playing golf!
With the drawing board back out I worked my way through the working drawings for panto. Amending where needed and redrawing the occasional pieces of scenery. It didn’t take that long.
Time to start thinking about colours. The best way to do this was by putting colours together, so I headed off to visit Fred Aldous the art shop. In the basement there were papers to choose from, paints, inks, canvases, all sorts an Aladdin’s cave, I like it here.
I’d originally thought of painting panto in chrome greens and golds, very Art Nouveau, but that would be far too tasteful. Pulling sheets of coloured card out from the racks and putting them together helped, I made quite a bold choice. I’d like to darken off around the edges, how much for a can of turquoise spray paint? £10 eek! It would be good stuff, but expensive for a very big can I’d only need a few wafts from. I’ll see if I can find a suitable colour elsewhere.
I wonder if Tilly would like a hat?
On my way back to the boat I called in at M&S to exchange my purchase from earlier in the week, I’ve now measured myself so hopefully this time the bras will fit. Another look at jeans, still none in the appropriate size!
Near Kirkgate Market
Back at Oleanna Mick had returned. He’d arrived at the house 10 minutes after the roofer had left! We both checked the webcam, they’d done something at the back of the house for three minutes. Was that long enough? A new piece of lead had been added. Will this do the job? Mick adjusted the webcam so we can see what happens the next time it rains. The gutters had been cleared out, well most of them, one that affects next door they couldn’t reach, here’s hoping the window cleaner will be more successful when he next visits.
The wonderful roof of Kirkgate Market
Should we move off now? I still had plans to scan a job that wouldn’t take long, but needed doing. We opted to remain in Leeds for the night. Gradually the ambience around us got louder, but thankfully the bar we were closest to wasn’t too noisy. It being a Friday night we expected things to carry on past 11pm, but all music stopped before 11 and soon the masses of people drifted off leaving the basin to the swans, boats and the trains coming and going at the station.
0 locks, 0 miles, 1 boat staying put, 1 last trip to Scarborough? 3 minutes roof time, 2 hours by the coast, 1 new batch of guests on the hotel boat, 3 boats up, 1 down, 1 new one in the basin, 11 sheets of drawings updated, 7 scans, 2.35 miles, 26 brisk minutes, 1 bright turquoise, similar to that at the house, 4mm pink beads, A4 gold, 1 designer wondering if she has a manual airbrush in her kit?200th toe cast on.
Photos, lots of them of the model box. Time to do the white card version of the storyboard. Also photos of all the model pieces for the Production Manager to see alongside the working drawings, these still need updating.
During the day we started to plan our next cruise. Should we go that way or this way? Which lock? We’d need to chat to lock keepers. Mick got on with the job of booking our next tidal lock, checking times, asking for advice which at the lock we’ve chosen to go through, they don’t give as they are far more accustomed to bigger boats than us.
In the seat next to me today
With the new storyboard forwarded to John I could now have a shower and get myself ready for an evening out. This meant I missed saying hello to Paul from Waterway Routes. Today he’d cycled from Wakefield to Leeds checking data for his maps. Mick sent him to check on some mooring rings above Office Lock to see if they should be included.
A train journey over to Huddersfield meant we had chance to say hello to Paul at the station as he waited for his train to whisk him off back to Bristol after a long day. It was nice to have a brief chat before we all headed for our trains.
A photo that always has to be taken
There is a serious upgrade happening to the Transpennine route so trains go the long way round to Huddersfield or have been replaced by buses. A hobble down to the Lawerence Batley Theatre, taking a slight detour to see what if anything had been happening in the Piazza, this is where Dark Horse Theatre Company used to have an old shop where they rehearsed. The far end of the Piazza and the old undercover market has all gone, were they new concrete structures or the old ones behind the hoarding?
Things are a changing
We weren’t here to see this, we were here to see a development showing of Dark Horses lastest show, We’re In Love (Actually). This has been devised by the ensemble, two members of staff assisting with scene changes and lighting, quite a scratch performance with some wonderful moments.
The Cellar Theatre at the LBT
The actors were great as always. A quick rendition of Romeo and Juliet mixed with 90’s dreams of romance and lots of references to Romantic films. A video camera was used by the actors to follow the action projected onto a screen. Green screen was used to introduce the characters.
Rebekah and Jo
Highlights included multi faces projected and manipulated with large sheets of card. Some very tender moments between the lead actors. The fish tank scene in Romeo and Juliet with some florestry wrap. Claytons dance to amuse the ladies and the one that will be with me for some time must have been during a recreation of the Titanic, Toby appearing as the iceberg wrapped up in a sheet!
A very amusing evening, yes it was rough around the edges, but I haven’t laughed so much in ages. My face ached for hours afterwards.
Naughty Nandos
We followed it up with a cheeky Nandos before getting the train back to Leeds. It’s funny going out for the evening by train, you don’t do that in Scarborough, but here in West Yorkshire I suspect it’s a frequent occurrence. A very good night out, thank you all at Dark Horse for inviting us.
0 locks, 0 miles, 250 photos, edited down to 70, 3 boats up, 1 hotel boat winding two times, 1 visit from Paul, 2 trains going the long way round, 0 cats at the station, 2.11 miles walked, 4 minutes briskly, 9 actors, 4 aching cheeks, 1/4 chicken each, 2 glasses of wine, 1 bored cat.
