Category Archives: Aire and Calder Navigation

Three Outsides In One Day. 10th March

Goole Visitor Moorings to Sykehouse Junction

A frustrating day for Tilly, all she wanted to do was go out and all we kept doing was moving the outside!

Yesterday Mick had checked in with Alastair regarding our weedhatch. It was finished and we could meet up today to collect it, he was busy this morning but would see us early afternoon back on the Viking Marina side of the cut. Mick checked to see if he knew how much diesel was at Viking, £1.42! Last May when we filled up before the big escape it was 75p a litre. How times have changed.

Before we pushed over to fill up Mick went to check on the price at Goole Boat House, £1.20, slightly more palatable. We’d be filling up on this side today. The boat in front of us said they’d filled in Thorne last week and paid 88p, cheap, but how old is their diesel? The price will certainly go up on their next delivery!

Outside 1. It only took 53 litres to fill our tank. A pot of Danboline was bought in the shop so that I can give new bits of metal on the weedhatch a coat of paint as soon as possible, hopefully the weather will stay dry for the next couple of days to aid application.

Outside 2. We winded and headed back over the way, opposite the cement works where we’d been a couple of days ago. This was a good place for Alastair to meet up with us. Too many woofers about for Tilly to go out safely, so all she could do was gaze longingly at the trees and shout!

I managed to knit my next sock from it’s toe up to the heel whilst we waited for Alastair to arrive. He came with the weed hatch which used to have one threaded bar, but now has two, this saved him having to buy a new length of bar for the job. It was fitted into the weedhatch, all good. For the last couple of days without the cover Mick had noticed only one real affect, our reversing wasn’t as powerful as it normally would be, and there was even less control of direction.

That needs taking off and starting again

Next some Captain Tolley’s creeping crack. A bead of it was applied around the solar connection box. It quickly disappeared under where the cables go into the box, the most awkward place to seal and where water has been getting in. This will be removed when the weather improves and resealed, we’ll do a better job of it this time too.

Time to head off as there was still a possibility we’d reach somewhere cat friendly for an hour of shore leave. We waved goodbye to Alastair, winded and headed out from Goole. We’ll be back in a few days as we have an appointment with a carpenter.

Soon on the horizon we could see the bow of a boat, a blue boat, a big blue boat, Exol Pride! She was at least a mile away we kept our pace and hoped we’d not meet her at a narrowing of the canal, then we slowed down to make sure she got there first!

The bow wave she pushes is quite something. The wash not having chance to break on the banks, in fact in places they were washing over the top of the piling. We kept our course as she and her swell approached. Not too bad, certainly not as lumpy as the Tidal Thames was last year.

No blue skies this afternoon, just holey clouds with dramatic rays of sunshine.

We decided to carry on past where we’d moored the other day to where there would be trees to climb and better quality friendly cover for Tilly.

Outside 3. At Sykehouse Junction we turned onto the New Junction Canal and pulled in on the visitor moorings. Here there are T studs on the bank to tie to, so we wouldn’t be doing any damage to the bank in an area that was affected by the breach.

As soon as the bow and stern lines were fixed I didn’t waste time in noting down our location (grid reference and what3words in case of emergency) as I was being SHOUTED at. The rules were given, an hour time limit as it would then be dingding time. Tilly trotted out, SHOUTING at everything. I’m not sure if this her saying hello or just shear excitement.

About time they tied up a decent outside to explore! I made the most of it, claimed sideways trees, climbed trees and did some pouncing. As soon as She and Tom went back inside I got on with some serious friend finding. It didn’t take me long. Back inside for a slurp from my water bowl and She closes the doors on me! I wasn’t having anything of it! EXCUSE ME!! OPEN THE DOORS, I HADN’T FINISHED WITH THIS OUTSIDE!!!

Tilly could protest all she liked, but it was starting to get dark and second mates are not allowed out after dingding time. It took her a good couple of hours to fully calm down.

Apparently tomorrow is a ‘Sausage Day‘ !?! Apparently I’ll like it.

A catch up with my Scarborough Chums on zoom this evening. Gill has finally managed to visit her daughter in Canada, so there was lots of news from across the seas today.

Then we tucked into too much tasty pie. Roast chicken, leek and feta pie with jacket potatoes cooked in the stove. Very Yummy. (Click on the photo to get to the recipe)

0 locks, 6.28 miles, 3 winds, 3 outsides, 52 litres, £1.20! 2 threaded bars, 1 weedhatch returned, 1 bead of creeping crack, 1 holey sky, 1 mooring good for feline mental health, 1 very happy cat, 1 friend! 6 chums, 2 large portions of pie, 2 jackets, 15 rows to go on 6th sock, 1 back to top button, 1st Mrs Tilly stamp of approval this year.

https://goo.gl/maps/DqSAt4qhxczm8zt3A

Dernt Steal Me Curl. 9th March

Goole Visitor Moorings

The water tank was set to fill this morning then we moved back to a space vacated by Lullabelle. Our new mooring would be closer to the pub, so possibly noisier, but further away from the smelly elsan point. We then swapped our boaters clothes for something a little bit smarter and set off to walk to the station, we were having a day out.

We’d bought our Duo ticket on line, but still needed to pick it up from the machine at the station and with two trains that would serve our needs we hoped we’d left plenty of time. That however was put to the test. As we approached the second swing bridge through the docks the flashing lights started and the barriers came down. A chap ahead of us shouted abuse at the bridge keepers but was still told to get back!

We watched as a ship reversed back through the bridge, thankfully a keeper positioned to give clearance to the man with the big Key of Power, meaning the road traffic was held up as little as possible. We made it to the station platform as the train pulled in, the very nice guard held the doors for us to collect our ticket, then we were on our way to Hull, passing Trent Falls, the Humber Bridge, Ferriby and Hessle and finally into Paragon Station.

Lunch was a romantic affair, sandwiches and a bottle of water from Tesco sat on a stone bench besides the building we’d come to spend the afternoon inside.

This year is Hull Trucks 50th Birthday. For 15 of those 50 years I designed numerous shows for them, both at Spring Street which closed in 2009 (where I designed the last show) and then at the new Ferensway theatre (where I designed the first show). So it was only right for us to get to see a show this year and to wish the place a Happy Birthday.

Hull Truck was founded by Mike Bradwell back in 1971. A group of actors supported by the government all on the dole. They devised shows, music playing a large part in their process. Their first productions played to meagre audiences. Childrens shows were received well whilst they devised shows for an older audience, plays about people you didn’t see in plays, for people who didn’t go to the theatre. A van/truck was bought for £35 to tour in, it broke down and was abandoned in Gilberdyke. The admin office was the phone box on the street.

In the 70’s the acting company lived and rehearsed at 71, Coltman Street in Hull which is the title of the first production this year, written by Richard Bean. During my time with Truck a similar set up happened when the company used a house on Beverley Road for rehearsals and costume storage, actors and myself could also stay in the large echoey building.

The play focuses on the formation of the theatre company, a lot of artistic licence has been used, but the general ethos of the company shows through. Mostly young actor/musicians lead the story, added into the mix a couple of ‘Truckers’. Matt Booth and Adrian Hood (Hoodie) are old Truckers and friends, I’ve designed at least six shows with them, part of my Hull Truck family, another reason to see the show.

Being cheap skates we’d paid for two stools at the very back of the auditorium, the view still pretty good. Unfortunately our nearest neighbours were talkers, loud talkers! They had also been cheap skates, but the lady really should have spent more on her ticket and sat closer to the stage to be able to hear the play, then we’d also have been able to hear it! Some people treat a trip to the theatre the same as sitting in front of their TV at home, commenting as if they are on Gogglebox. The chap on the other side of them asked them to shut up, but it didn’t deter them. Sadly he left in the interval, where as we checked with TP the Front of House Manager and moved to the other side of the auditorium, where the lady could still be heard!

Model of Spring Street with it’s 10ft head height

Despite this we enjoyed the show, the second half very amusing. Hoodie was wonderfully straight playing Seth providing many a laugh out loud moment. The best line came from Matt as Daz, a gay Hells Angel, ‘Dernt Steal Me Curl!’* Apologies to locals if I’ve spelt that wrongly.

The second funniest lines were ‘Boner’ ‘What?’ ‘Boner, it’s an erection!’ Which were beautifully delivered by our audience neighbours!

After the show we managed to see Matt and have a quick chat, as we’re in the area for a while we may be able to meet up for a proper catch up soon.

To while away time waiting for our train we crossed the Ferensway to see what has happened to Hammonds. Hammonds was THE Department store in Hull. In May 1941 Mick’s Mum had left a new coat for alterations, sadly before she could collect it the store was bombed, Hull receiving more than it’s fare share of bombing raids in WW2. Now the ground floor is a Food Hall. Filled with local posh produce, very good for gifts rather than every day meals. To the rear are several eateries and bars, a good place for a pre-theatre meal.

We caught the next train back to Oleanna, gave Tilly her dingding and heated up the left overs of last nights dinner adding some pasta. A good day out.

0 locks, 60ft in reverse, 1 full water tank, 1 stuck at home cat, 2 trains, 2 sandwiches, 2 annoying neighbours, 1 FOH Manager, 2 Truckers, 1 old theatre home and family, 1 Boner, 2 chilled medications, 6th sock started, Happy 50th Hull Truck!

*Translated from the East Yorkshire accent ‘Don’t Steal My Coal!’

Goole, Where The Streets Are Paved With … 8th March

Opposite Spicers Auctioneers to Goole Visitor Moorings

…. Chocolate Muffins!?!

Another chilly morning. Our Sainsburys delivery arrived at the beginning of the time slot, the chap pulled the van up onto the grass right alongside Oleanna and brought out our provisions.

We’d decided to stock up on all sorts of things and start to fill the freezer again. Six boxes of wine were squeezed under the stern steps along with bags of porridge.

The wind had picked up, thankfully we didn’t plan on going far today, just across to the visitor moorings were a space had become available. If the rumours were true that the gravel barges would be starting again today we’d rather be moored on bollards than spikes in soft earth. Late morning we pushed off and crossed over, squeezing in as far back as we could to the next boat so as not to encroach on the water point. This spot means we shouldn’t have to move for water so a load of washing was put on.

We only saw one barge moving today, Exol Pride.

I’d bought some pork mince, this gets divided into two for freezing. A large chicken was jointed and skinned then put in bags for the freezer, four meals or a fraction of the price buying bits of chicken. The carcass went straight in a pan with some herbs, seasoning and water, brought up to a near boil on the hob before being left for much of the remainder of the day on the stove to make stock.

We may be near to the water point, but it also means the poo sucky wagon

As we were just about to have lunch the pump out wagon arrived! Perfect timing not! This happened last time we were moored here too. We naturally waited for the aroma to dissipate before we ate.

I had a couple of things to pop in the post, including the smallest socks I’ve ever knitted, a walk into town was on the cards. The socks were made before the March Knitting Challenge started and are for a three week old baby who’s mother I knitted a pair of very odd socks for few years ago. I am undecided as yet whether I should post out the socks I’m making for the challenge as I go, or save them all till the end.

As I walked into town, a three mile round trip, I remembered seeing a pyrex dish in one of the cupboards at the house. Was this one of my Mum’s dishes or was it the one from the boat that I’d be needing tonight? I called Mick and got him to check, no pyrex dish in the cupboard! Damn!! It’s just the perfect size and shape for all sorts of things and now it’s in the wrong place.

I had a look in Boyes, B&M, Asda, all the charity shops around one side of Goole. Yes there were dishes, but not one of a suitable size for two. Grrrr! The dish that’s at the house took long enough to find!

Being moored on the Boat House side we took advantage of stocking up with coal. Viking Marina across the way don’t sell it. 4 bags of 25kg each were added to the one left on the roof from last year. Despite the stern being heavier due to the wine cellar being replenished we now are a touch top heavy, so we sway about in the wind a touch. I think a reorganisation in the well deck is called for so that a bag or two of coal can be moved down to help with this.

We decided that diesel could wait for another day due to the wind. Word is that Viking Marina is cheaper than Boat House, they used to be the same price. With prices rising we obviously want to buy the cheapest. At the moment Boat House is £1.20, we’ll see what it is across the way.

Tonight’s meal, chicken and butternut squash gratin with a green salad. I had to make double portions to use up the squash and fill the dish I had available.

0 locks, 0.16 miles, 2 much wind, 0 winding, 0 dribbles, 6 boxes wine, 1 freezer stocked up, 14 days currently, 4 bags coal, 1 barge, 1 card, 0-3 month old socks, 1 muffin, 0 pyrex, 1 dish for 4, 1 pot of stock.

https://goo.gl/maps/CtQw7zSFLckGwR997

Jobs List. 7th March

New Bridge/M62 to opposite Breedon Concrete plant

Brrr! A chilly morning.

When Mick got up he stoked up the fire and then popped the central heating on for a boost before we got out of bed. Jack had been busy outside, the towpath having turned white and crunchy.

Drax with all twelve cooling towers working hard

Tilly was given a five hour window to explore the outside, but we soon got the impression that with the lack of trees and poor friendly cover the cold morning wasn’t really worth the effort! She did venture out every now and then, but preferred to lie cooking herself by the stove.

A large Sainsburys order was put together for the morning, pick up address at the moorings opposite the concrete plant. I’ve changed how I refer to this mooring as it isn’t opposite the old waterways museum, that just has a more romantic sound to it than the Concrete Works!

People quite often ask how we do our shopping and our stock answer has been that we quite often get a delivery to the boat. We’ve been saying we have at least twenty different addresses. Well today I checked, we have 49 across the country and I suspect this will increase this year as we’ll be travelling on new waters. Last year we paid for a delivery pass which has already paid for itself at the house, so any more deliveries are now a bonus.

By 2pm the sunny skies had vanished and Tilly wasn’t showing much interest in going out any more, so we headed back towards Goole hoping to take up position for our delivery in the morning. Fortunately there was just enough space for us so no need to amend our address.

On our way back in to Goole we’d been debating who to get in touch with regarding some boaty jobs. We have a couple of carpentry jobs which we hope our friend Frank will be able to do for us once the weather warms up a touch. Improving the freezer drawer so that it opens fully and increasing the ventilation to it. Adding magnets to our galley drawers, we’ve been meaning to do this for years, have all the bits but not a confident hand to drill the holes. We might even ask him to drill a hole for the boiler thermostat in the side of the cupboards so that in winter we don’t have it sticking out from the electrics cupboard. That list looks like I’ll need to make sausage rolls, a bakewell tart and maybe some boat biscuits in payment. Any other requests Frank?

Then there are the less woody jobs. Paint work, that is me when the temperature picks up.

Weedhatch cover. This has gradually lost it’s thread, so rattles away below the stern deck as we cruise, more so on lumpy water. Because we have a Tyler Wilson shell our weedhatch is completely separate from the engine bay, so there is no danger of us sinking. A couple of years ago Mick added wooden packers so that the threaded bar tightened at a different point, but this is now worn too.

Then the green dribbles. Who could take off the porthole liners to help find what the cause is. We had more dribbles today, slightly crystallised once they dried.

We’d thought about heading up to Sheffield where Oleanna was built or calling in at Staniland Marina where we believe Lewis Wilson now works from. Once we’d moored up Mick gave Alistair in Goole a call. This was the chap who’d come out last year when Oleanna was over heating.

He would be with us in 40 minutes.

A new threaded bar on the weed hatch cover will do the job, a bit of welding and it’ll be sorted. He popped it in his van to take away.

Then the green dribbles. No obvious way to remove the plastic liners so those were left in place. We’d had dribbles on both sides so a possible cause could be water getting in at the mushroom vent. The grill inside was removed along with the tube leading up to the roof. No damp or water ingress was noticeable.

A look outside and the possible cause was identified. The connection box for the solar panels on the roof. When we added a second panel this was removed to wire everything up. At the time we reused the black tack sealant and added a bit of silicone. Last year I’d noticed a patch of rust beside it, sanded it back as best I could and touched up the paintwork. Well it looks like water may be getting in here. Alistair will bring some Captain Tolley’s Creeping Crack and see if that does the trick. This however doesn’t really answer why the dribbles are green and crystallised once dry. We’ll see what happens.

In other news the gravel barges are apparently going to restart operations tomorrow. There may also be a third barge joining them. So we may want to move to be tied up more securely than on mooring spikes.

0 locks, 3.72 miles, 1 chilly start, 1 reluctant cat, 1 big order, 49 delivery addresses, 40 minutes, 0 weedhatch for a day or 2, 1 possible cause, 2nd pair socks completed.

https://goo.gl/maps/Gfyi67A8gwv9GaJy8

Pootling Before Breakfast. 6th March

Opposite Spicers to between M62 Bridge and New Bridge.

The sun shone through the boat curtains enticing us out early. After a cuppa in bed we donned our layers and pushed off, winding and headed out through Goole Caisson and onto the straight.

Blue sky cruising, wonderful. Tilly sat in the windows sunbathing all the way, slowly watching the outside move.

We’d just beaten a canoeist to the undisturbed water, leaving it all rippled for him to follow us. Wonderful reflections today.

The new green mesh fence continues along the north side of the canal for quite a distance, presumably to keep people off the railway line. No good for cats. The new or refreshed piles of stones for the animal escapes glowed in the sunshine. Last year there was an increase in the number of dead deer floating in the canal, hopefully these will help them escape now.

At Rawcliffe, the Croda works were giving off fumes and as we worked our way along they increased in pungency. No idea why someone would choose to sit and fish right alongside the works with that smell all day long, it made me want to hold my breath!

Another mile on we dipped out of the sunlight under the M62. Now to choose where to moor, I’d already checked the fishing facebook group and todays match was happening further up at Pollington, so we had a very long expanse to choose from.

To maximise the solar we chose to moor on the north bank with the hatch to the towpath, our chimney not able to cast a shadow on the panels this way round. The other reason being for ease of access for Tilly to come and go, using the hatch to return.

By now a breeze had picked up, so it took a while to hammer spikes in and tie off temporarily before replacing with chains. The commercial gravel barges are not running at the moment whilst investigations are on going due to the number of fish deaths in Knottingley, so they wouldn’t be bothering us. Exol Pride was moored facing towards Hull in the docks, so we doubted they would be coming past for a day or two, but chains were preferable to spikes in the softish ground.

As soon as we were settled I entered Oleanna to the VERY excited sounds of Tilly. After four months of being in the house with bully neighbours she now could have her towpath freedom back. Have to say she’s a far more relaxed cat on the boat, some sudden noises are interesting, but not as life threatening as they seem in the house!

A good nosy along the towpath, but with a lack of trees or deep friendly cover she decided it would be better back inside.

Out of the seven hours shore leave granted today I think I took an hour, the rest will be kept in reserve for another day.

Time for breakfast. Turkey sausages, hash brown, tomatoes, mushrooms and poached eggs on toast. Yummeroonie!!

After all the tidying, cleaning and packing of the last week we deserved a quiet day. Several boats came past on a jaunt out from Goole or Rawcliffe and not a sole walked past us all day. Plenty of sky surrounded us and it was just wonderful to be back onboard.

However we have a mystery which hopefully someone can assist with. Last night on heading to bed I noticed a green dribble from the porthole in the bathroom. Condensation? Well it dribbles like condensation, but then dries out to green crystally stuff. We wiped it up and then this morning it was happening at both bathroom portholes! The starboard side not so much. Has this happened because the boat got so damp a few weeks ago? Where is the green coming from? It’s definitely coming from behind the plastic porthole liner and not running off the window frame. Anyone any suggestions please.

This evening we’ve enjoyed our usual Sunday roast, a chicken with tarragon butter under it’s skin. Only one thing would have made today better and that would have been to turn the volume down from the motorway a touch. Still a wonderful day to be back afloat.

0 locks, 3.73 miles, 2 winds, 1 blue sky day, 1 out of 7 taken, 1 changed cat, 1 happy relaxed cat, 2 poached eggs, 4 turkey sausages, 2 green dribbley portholes, 1 roast chicken, 1 slow day, 3rd sock finished, 4th toe done, 1 Gold licence in the window at last.

https://goo.gl/maps/oUYS9hE5pGK1cNFe9

Finding A Window Of Calm. 5th February

Boat House Marina, Goole to opposite Goole Waterways Museum (now Spicers Auctioneers and Valuers)

Blimey, so much for a relaxed lifestyle on a narrowboat! The alarm went off at stupid o’clock for Mick to drive back to Scarborough, drop stuff off at the house and get the hire car back to base at 8:30am. Tilly and I waved him goodbye and then had a leisurely cuppa in bed.

Still plenty to stow away and I gradually worked my way through most things before dropping in on the Saturday morning Geraghty zoom, Mick was far too busy finishing things up at the house to join in this morning.

Saturday newspapers have been a bit of a rarity recently, so a walk to the Co-op was on the cards for me. They had our paper but none of the inserts which to be honest are the only bits I tend to read for the recipes, reviews and puzzles. This meant I had a lot further to walk, but did mean a visit to Boyes for a new wool needle to sew ends into my socks.

Once Tesco was visited I returned to Oleanna and was just tucking into lunch when Mick returned. A final load of washing and the dishwasher were set in motion, the water tank refilled, our mooring paid for and we could be on our way.

But the wind had got going again! Gusty wind in a marina isn’t so good for manoeuvring 58ft 6 inches of narrowboat. We’d arrived in some wind so had brought Oleanna in bow first to avoid meeting any new neighbours broadside on, so now we’d have to reverse out and turn the bow into the prevailing wind to get out.

Our mission was aborted several times. then we rolled and dropped the covers ready to push off, but no, too windy. Abort abort abort!

After getting on for an hour of waiting for a lull, we stood back outside. Tilly sat in the window all expectant for us to move the outside again. Eventually the wind dropped, I quickly untied the stern rope, flung it towards Mick. Then untied the bow, thumbs up to the helm and Mick reversed us out from the pontoon. Use of the girlie button was needed so that we didn’t end up drifting sideways. There were several shadows of people inside boats watching waiting for it all to go wrong, but thankfully it didn’t. We were pointing the right direction and heading for the exit.

As we turned left from the marina we both waved at The Floss a barge on the moorings alongside Viking Marina. Joan looked busy inside, far too busy to stop her cooking and wave back.

We headed westwards. The visitor moorings still full. The stretch outside what used to be the Waterways Museum also pretty full. Last year there had been big signs along this stretch saying no mooring, but now the new owners are allowing boats again. According to Martin from WB Lullabelle you can moor there for £10 a night including electric, so handy if you have a washing machine on board.

However we were hoping of a space opposite. The moorings here were much busier than we’ve seen them before, but there was plenty of space for us. We winded and pulled in at the front, close up to the fencing around the big barges. This would do us for the night.

*You moved the outside, I can go out now!*

The Cat Health and Safety committee conferred the close proximity to a couple of dogs and some new green mesh fencing along with it being 5pm meant there would be no shore leave for Tilly today. She only slightly complained, the promise of us moving the outside tomorrow placating her.

Ordered a week ago so as not to miss out

The count down to 7pm started. Plates were set to warm on the stove, the top oven warmed up a touch. At 6:50 Mick headed off to collect our takeaway from the gates of Viking Marina. Last week when we knew where we’d be tonight I placed an order with Joan’s Home Kitchen for a gluten free Chinese feast. Her husband stood at the gates of the marina with an insulated box waiting for us to collect.

Sweet and sour pork meatballs, Chicken with pickled vegetables, roast duck, some fried rice and stir fried vegetables. Last Sunday when placing my order I’d checked what Joan could make gluten free and I think I chose well. It was all very very tasty and we have enough left over to have in a couple of days with a touch more veg added.

At the end of last year Joan had featured on Rate My Takeaway, a YouTube reviewer who was astounded that he was getting a Chinese takeaway from a kitchen on a boat. His review was rightly very good, but it does mean that if you want to guarantee a meal cooked by Joan you need to order well in advance. She is a one woman band and her food is all homemade and cooked to order, so no tipping up hoping for a meal in fifteen minutes.

After our celebratory back afloat meal I got my knitting needles out again, time to start on the second pair of socks. First pair added to the Redlockmakes page.

0 locks, 0.4 miles, 1 reverse, 2 winds, 2 lefts, 1 hire car returned, 1 house ready for lodgers, 1 nearly unpacked boat, 1 Saturday newspaper, 1 slightly disappointed cat, 1 starter, 2 main courses, 2 replete boaters.

https://goo.gl/maps/SBHtnW5SJjKj51A36

Then There Were Three. 4th March

Goole Boat House Marina

On leaving Oleanna last Sunday we omitted to do one thing.

The electrics were turned off, the gas turned off in the gas locker, all the water taps left open with the shower head laying in the shower tray in case of freezing weather conditions. These are all good. But neither of us had turned off the stop cock from the water tank, this was bad. Sure the water pump was off, but having just filled the water tank to the top the level of this was now higher than the shower head and there was the possibility a syphon effect could happen emptying all that water into the shower tray, then into the rest of the boat if left all week!

So Monday morning Mick returned the hire car, then cycled to Seamer Station where he got a train down to Goole. It was just as well as overnight a good centimetre of water had made its way into the shower tray. Whilst onboard Mick did a couple of other jobs, like a bunged up bathroom sink before heading back to Scarborough.

Gradually through the week more and more things were put away, bedding ironed, windows cleaned, kitchen utensils rationalised.

Every day for a week Tilly has been getting white powder from her happy pills added to her evening ding ding with the hope that she would mellow out ready for her car journey today. Last year the vet gave us these pills saying they should help. Well last year she had a bit of a wobble which we thought was down to the Happy Pills, but we now think she doesn’t react well to her wormer pill. As the week has gone on, instead of being more and more chilled she seems to have become a bit more lively!

Last weekend we had a reasonable sized hire car, we hoped for the same this time despite only paying for the smallest car they have. Well luck was not on our side as we got a diddy car. Would it be big enough to get the remainder of our possessions back to Oleanna?

Mick did his best but it soon became obvious that two trips would be needed. He headed off leaving Tilly and myself to carry on cleaning and packing.

I knew exactly what was going on. Removing all the good thinks and removing any signs that I exist! Squeaky clean, unlike my mice toys. Today She told me it was my turn to start packing as She picked up my dingding bowls and didn’t put them back down!

Frank arrived with a chair he’d very kindly mended for us and stayed for a swift cuppa before I had to carry on cleaning. By 3pm there was still the last things to sort, empty the bins, programme the heating, last load of washing dried and put away, we also had one very hungry cat. The remainder of the jobs could be done in the morning when Mick returned the hire car.

The first veg box of the year and our last for quite a while

The final thing to pack was Tilly, she was very aware of this and was determined to up our step count around the kitchen before I managed to rugby tackle her. Then there was a big fight trying to pop her in the cat carrier, so much for a stress free journey! In the end we had to turn the carrier on its end and lower her inside, the puppy pad all scrunched up at one end and any aroma from the Pet Remedy spray pointless.

In the past Tilly has been placed in the back of the car, but today we had a different approach. Her carrier was put on the back seat and I sat next to her. Hopefully my presence and the occasional chin rub would help calm the situation. We managed to get beyond Staxton Hill before needing to find somewhere with a bin to pull over. One other stop at Driffield was needed. Then thankfully she started to calm down. Maybe it was the fresh puppy pad with pet remedy or a constant ear or chin rub that did it, but by the time we reached Goole I was starting to be quite proud of her.

Tilly was first onto Oleanna, her water bowl filled up and a scoop of biscuits added to a bowl. She did head straight for the ‘Feed Me’ shelf but I wanted to make sure her tummy had settled down before giving her too much to eat.

Lots of unpacking and stowing of things whilst Mick went to do a small shop to keep us going for a few days. Our habits have changed slightly this winter so we now find ourselves with a few too many beverages. Kitchen utensils were rationalised and bits and bobs collected together to be returned to the house tomorrow.

Then finally we sat down. A tofu and purple sprouting broccoli stir fry, courtesy of our last organic veg box, and a glass of wine.

It’s good to be back on board.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 last veg box, 7 happy pills, 1 clean and tidy house, 0 last walk by the sea, 2 car loads, 2 stops, 1 slightly calmer Tilly, 1 cat happy to be back afloat, 2 boaters trying to find places for everything!

Hire Boat Aroma 27th February

Bramwith Junction to Goole Boat House Marina, Aire and Calder Navigation

Houses and boats have their own advantages. In our house in the mornings I can get out of my side of the bed, walk round it and then along the landing to the bathroom. If this is done in the dark I usually bang my knee on the bottom of the bed having misjudged it’s size. On Oleanna I usually have to manhandle Tilly out of the way and then crawl over Mick’s feet to reach the bathroom side of the bed. However it is impossible to bump one’s knee and the loo is only a couple of paces away rather than a major hike across Scarborough!

The view from bed in the house is a fairly good one, although the window is not well aligned to the bed. On the boat our big window is perfectly positioned, it was designed that way. Once the condensation is removed (if only we didn’t breath overnight) the view from Oleanna’s bed can be fantastic, this morning we had such a view, the sun rising across the fields and the frost glinting on the grasses. Other days we can be staring straight at some piling or at the cabin side of another boat. The good mixed with the not so good, but the view does change often and that is one thing I miss when in the house.

With limited food supplies on board, intentional for our one night stay, Mick cooked up bacon butties for breakfast, hire boat aroma filled Oleanna for hours.

Then with winter layers donned we rolled back the covers. That wind was there again which meant we needed to think about pushing off, or not pushing as the case was. The wind wanted to push Oleanna away from the bank, so we used this to our advantage. We both untied the bow, so that we knew we’d be able to keep hold of her. I hopped onboard the bow with the rope, the wind gradually pushing the bow out into mid channel, thankfully only a passing canoe to worry about this morning. Then Mick headed to the stern, undid the rope and chain there and managed to get onboard before the stern was pushed out too. By now Oleanna was just about 90 degrees to where she’d started off, a short burst of the engine had our wind completed and we were now facing the New Junction Canal.

The Don Doors hung above our heads as we crossed the aqueduct. A line of flood debris just visible suggesting the recent flooding had been very close to the height of the canal. Flood water still sitting in the surrounding fields.

The five and a half miles of the New Junction is dead straight but crossed at frequent intervals by roads which all have a moveable bridge. All but one of these is key powered. Big swing bridges and lift bridges can hold the traffic up, but this morning being a Sunday there were more cyclists about than cars or vans. At one bridge a boat was moored on the bridge landing, secure for the storms last week (don’t blame them), but in the way today.

As we worked our way through the bridges I could just make out the light at Sykehouse Lock, amber, self service, not that surprising as there wouldn’t be much traffic about. However as we got closer I could spy movement in the lock tower. The light turned green, then red, then green again, there was a lock keeper on duty.

Over Sykehouse Lock is the only manual swing bridge. Boaters operating the lock have to move the bridge before the panels at either end of the lock will work, but a lock keeper can do things in the order they want to. As he came down from the tower with his two dogs a car came across the bridge, there was a long chat before barriers were closed, both dogs returned to the right side of the bridge and it could be opened, all the time we were getting closer.

Once in the lock he asked us to move up so he could close the bridge behind us. Then the water dropped and we could be on our way again. We were now on the pound where the breach had been at the end of 2020. There are mooring restrictions from Went Aqueduct, Pollington Lock to the bend where the breach happened, sections of the piling having fallen in towards the canal when there was a lack of water. Buoys mark the areas well.

Up at the reservoir boats were speeding by, a perfect day for it. We just hoped it would calm down when we reached Goole. We turned right, passing more buoys and headed straight for Drax power station, the only power station in the area still with its full complement of cooling towers.

Then at the 90 degree bend we had reached the breach site. Mick passed through here last year, but today was my first time. From studying all the drone photos last year I knew where the pumps had been, where the walls of the cofferdam had crossed the cut. Now other than the fence over the big culvert looking new and clean concrete and piling edged with rubber buffers you’d hardly know what a state the place had been this time last year. The fishermen I suspect are glad of a slightly better surfaced carpark on the opposite bank too.

There are loads of new signs along the straight towards Goole warning of Animal Escape ramps. These have also been improved and look like new stone has been added to them.

On reaching Goole there was next to no room on the visitor moorings, we spotted Wendy waving frantically from the windows of Lullabelle (a fellow Goole Escapee from last year) as we made our way to the diesel point on the Boat House side. Mick gave Dave the new owner of the marina a call and soon Adey arrived to show us where we’d be able to moor for a few days by the dry dock, Viking Marina had been full when we’d tried there.

Thankfully the wind wasn’t so bad as we manoeuvred Oleanna into her mooring. Adey was very helpful and chatted away for ages about what the plans are for the marina. Mick even ended up with a mud weight, a thing he’s been after for years.

A late lunch, then Mick headed off by bike to catch a train back to Thorne to retrieve the car whilst I did the most important job of pre-ordering a celebration meal for when we move back on board.

On Mick’s return we loaded the car with things we didn’t need and useful bags and boxes which would get filled in the next few days. Electrics, gas and water all turned off, another shovel of coal on the stove and we were ready for the off. Just one thing to do before heading back to Scarborough, say hello to Martin and Wendy on Lullabelle.

11.99 miles, 1 lock, 3 swing bridges, 3 lift bridges, 8 cars, 3 bikes held up, 1 lockie, 2 bacon butties, 1 self turning boat, 1 tidy breach site, 2 many buoys, 1 widebeam, 1 mud weight, 1 Chinese takeaway on order, 1 waving Wendy, 1 hungry cat.

https://goo.gl/maps/1cMnid47YhZvbUNi6

No Stopping The Prime Van Or Us. 26th February

Blue Water Marina to Bramwith Junction, Stainforth and Keadby / New Junction Canals

During the week house reclaiming jobs have been completed, for this winter. All the hallway wallpaper has been patched up, some places better than others. Daily covid test have been taken as half of the Dark Horse Company tested positive the weekend after the show, thankfully everyone seems to have only had mild symptoms and thankfully I seem to have managed to avoid it.

We’ve made the sensible but hard decision to retire our boat Christmas tree. It has served us well for the last 7 Christmases. Coming into the house has confused it the last two years, sprouting and then getting chilly again even with us trying to move it gradually back to outside. It was also getting a touch too big for the boat and was pot bound. A space in the back garden was made ready with a touch of our own compost, which we hope will give it a much needed boost. If it survives I’ll buy it some solar powered lights so that it can be a Christmas tree all year round.

During the winter C&RT do maintenance on the canal system, taking advantage of the quieter time on the canals. For boaters wanting to cruise it means a touch more planning to avoid getting stuck. Our route south is currently blocked at Newark Town Lock which will be closed until 18th March. Then Thorne Lock was due to close between 1st and 31st March for lock gate replacement, the dates of this stoppage are under review as the gate manufacturing has been delayed. All the same should we stay put at Blue Water Marina for a few more weeks we could possibly end up only being able to cruise out towards Keadby, the furthest south we’d get being Torksey until Newark Town Lock reopens.

Add into the mix the fact that we are surrounded by rivers. The River Trent to our east, River Don the south, River Aire to the north and west and the River Ouse. The recent storms have had all the rivers go into flood. Flood gates and locks have been closed helping to protect properties. So understandably during the last week we’ve been watching the weather forecasts and river levels closely.

On Wednesday a C&RT notice came through saying that the Don Doors had reopened. The Doors are two guillotine gates that close at either side of the Don Aqueduct on the New Junction Canal, this is to stop flood water from the Don backing up along the New Junction Canal. Whilst they had been closed we’d tried contacting Staniland Marina to see if they could put us up for a little while, they are just above Thorne Lock. But there had been no space for us, so we’d been relieved to hear the New Junction Canal was open again.

With the weather looking promising for the weekend, our plan started to slot together. A phone call to Sarah at Blue Water Marina meant we had a new gas bottle delivered to Oleanna and our spare keys were returned too as nobody would be in the office when we arrived.

A hire car was picked up on Friday evening and we started to pack. The aim of this trip was to move as much back onto Oleanna as possible, leaving the minimum amount for our last trip when we’d be moving Tilly.

By 9am Saturday morning the car was very full. Tilly’s magic food bowl was set to spring open at evening Ding Ding time and we left a sulking feline basking in the sunshine.

They just don’t care about me anymore! She says it’s all about me, to make my life easier and less stressful. Well being left in a chilly house with Boggy Face Alan, Stumpy Betty and Boss Eyed Shoes glaring in at me is very stressful! Think I’d prefer a car journey.

It was sunny at the marina, the grass no longer squelching under foot, I just hoped Oleanna would be drier inside than last week. Thankfully she was. First job light the stove. Mick failed first time, kindling and matches just a little bit too damp still. The heating went on and the fire was re-laid and was soon blazing away.

Water tank was emptied, not much left, then refilled. We’d wanted to sterilize the tank but with the water pressure in the marina being a touch dodgy we decided that could wait. Fresh water in our tank would most probably be fine to drink, but after months I’d rather any possible bugs were killed, we’d brought a couple of bottles of drinking water with us anyway.

The back steps came out, the dinette opened up and all the things we’d brought down last were stowed giving us room to empty the car again. Then all that stuff had to be stowed away too. Lunch by the hatch, the weather was suitable for it to be open today.

The trip computer always gets sat up like this to stop Tilly from sitting on it

Mick moved the hire car out of the marina, just in case he got back to collect it after the gates had been closed. The covers were rolled and folded out of the way. The trip computer set to record our journey. We were ready!

Time to say goodbye to Blue Water Marina

Thankfully the wind was kind to us and allowed Mick to reverse us out of our mooring, gradually we turned and headed for the entrance. Two chaps came over to talk to Mick, saying they’d just had difficulty, two of them trying to open it, they’d given up and returned to the marina. We assumed they meant Princess Royal Swing Footbridge which can be awkward. Oh well, we’d see how we did with it.

Blue sky, a chilly breeze. Perfect winter cruising weather, we’d chosen our departure day well.

On arrival I opened the control panel where a new sheet of instructions has been added. I made sure I read it fully, turned the key and headed over to close the far barriers. One barrier clicked, the other despite a wiggle or three didn’t, Hmmm! Back over the other side I closed those, click, click and tried to set the bridge in motion. It wasn’t having it. I started to squeeze my way through to wiggle the far gate, but Mick came and did it for me. Still nothing! I’d nudged a near side gate which needed a wiggle now. Hooray the bridge swung!

Water bubbled below Thorne Lock, did the gates need replacing that much? It turned out that paddles were open at both ends of the lock letting water flow through to reduce the level above the lock after the recent flooding. Putting the key of power into the control panel immediately closed all the paddles and I had control.

Just above the lock is a swing bridge with manual barriers, which is tied into the lock mechanism. The barriers and bridge will only move once the top gates of the lock are open. Up came Oleanna in her first lock of the year, she smiled from horn to horn.

With the gates open I headed up to close the barriers to the road. With one closed I was coming back to close the second one when an Amazon Prime van sped up past me and onto the bridge. I shouted about the barrier, he stopped but stayed put on the bridge. It was me who would have to give way to him, no stopping Amazon Prime!

Clear of the stoppage when ever it happens

With him out of the way and barriers closed I lifted the handle on the bridge and pushed it open to let Oleanna out of the lock. All easy. We were now clear of the possible stoppage on Monday.

Staniland Marina with a sunk boat in front of the dry dock!

As we pootled away we wondered what the two chaps at the marina had had difficulty with. Two of them not able to open it? Maybe they had been referring to the bridge at the lock, perhaps they hadn’t lifted the handle, or maybe they hadn’t read the instructions and hadn’t opened the top gates before they tried the bridge. Oh well, we’d got through and that’s all that mattered, no stopping us!

We pootled along, under the M18 and past the scrubby bits where motorbikes must race each other. A breasted up pair came towards us, the canals up here so wide and deep there’d be no problem getting past each other. A batch of new houses have met up with the canal at Stainforth.

Time was getting on and the sun was getting low in the sky. We considered stopping short of Bramwith Swing Bridge but decided we’d prefer to have the view at Bramwith Junction. Through the swing bridge and on to the lock.

Bramwith lock feels so diddy, the extended lock (chained open and not often used) makes it seem so small. Time for a windlass and to manually lock Oleanna up.

Of course as soon as we reached the junction, where we wanted to moor the wind picked up, blowing Oleanna out from the bank, so it took us a while to moor her up as the sun set opposite us. The effort was worth it for the view.

More unpacking, the bed made up and a touch of encouragement to defrost the frozen bolognaise sauce we’d brought with us, we then settled down for the evening back on board Oleanna.

2 locks, 5.85 miles, 1 hire car, 1 left behind cat, 2 car loads to stow, 3 swing bridges, 4 held up, 1 big gulp, 1 chilly blue skied day, 1 boat gradually warming up, 2 happy boaters, 1 smiling Oleanna.

https://goo.gl/maps/P84faAG97Mqea7Dr7

One Thirty. 12th February

Time seems to have been standing still here in Scarborough.

Jobs are gradually being ticked off the lists. On the house jobs list all the woodwork in the two hallways and staircases has been rubbed down, filled, undercoated and glossed. This took a long time and a lot of patience, I know I could have done it better but even my patience was running thin. The back bedroom curtains are now lined. Patching the wall paper in the hallways is partially done.

Mick has serviced the life jackets. All four were inflated and left in the boat cupboard overnight to see if they held the air. This extended to being a week before Mick finished the job, all still filled with air and well out of reach of Tilly’s claws. She decided to explore a bathroom cupboard instead. Finally our gutters have been sorted at the back of the house and our neighbours Dad came and fitted a new shower tray for us. The plumbers had quoted £3500 for a new surround and tray, all we wanted was the cracked tray replacing. Lisa’s Dad did it for a tenth of the quote and a good job too.

I had a day and night over in Huddersfield working on #unit21. Final costume fittings with only one job left to do, or so I thought! I then watched a dress run through. In the evening I had planned to get the floor marked out and based in, leaving the top coat of green for the Saturday morning, but there was a dance class booked to use the main room. Their hour turned into two and a half! So by the time I’d got the flooring laid out I only had time to draw the lines out before I gave up.

Chicken and chips with a dubious glass of pink wine was had at Nandos, think I prefer the kebab wagon in Chippy. Over night I got to spend more of my time in my Travelodge bathroom than in the bed as something had disagreed with me somewhat!

I’d planned an early start, but that wasn’t going to happen. I’d planned a walk along the Broad canal into town, but a more direct route conserved energy. During the day I gradually worked my way painting white lines followed by green, fortunately the paint dried pretty quickly. I’d hoped to be back in Scarborough early afternoon, but that wasn’t to be and thankfully Mick was at the station to help with my bags. At least I’d managed to get the majority of jobs done.

The following day I took it easy, Downton Abbey and some crochet with Tilly on the sofa. Thankfully by the evening my appetite had returned so I could enjoy National Yorkshire Pudding day with roast pork.

During this week word came from Huddersfield that a zip had broken on a set of overalls. Replacing them wasn’t an option, no larger sizes were available either. So they were sent to me arriving along with the butchest zip I could find. I have now learnt/made up how to add an extra 3 inches (just to be safe) to the sides of the overalls and how to put a zip in. Here’s hoping it works.

With a train strike on Sunday we’ve hired a car to get me to Huddersfield ready for the fit up on Monday morning. This of course means we had a car available for today. Now how should we make use of it? Well it was way past time to say Happy New Year to Oleanna!

A really rather wet, windy, horrible day. Heading over the Wolds we were deprived of the views but the amount of snowdrops more than made up for it. When we’d last done the trip to Thorne all the fields were brown, now they are green with fresh life growing. The tide was out on the River Ouse as we crossed the M62 bridge. I could see why going round the wrong side of Howden Dyke Island would be a bad thing with the amount of silt to the north western side.

Not the best photo of Howden Dyke Island

During the week Mick had noticed that Oleanna was no longer hooked up. He’d given Sarah a call at the marina to check everything was alright. It was, Oleanna had been moved as the pontoon she was moored on was being replaced. During one of the recent storms a small cruiser i the marina had been lifted up by the wind. It was tied well to it’s pontoon which also got lifted off it’s supports. The boat was found in the middle of the marina still attached to it’s pontoon!

There she was right at the far end of the marina breasted up against two other boats. Not the easiest of access, but we managed. Mick found a spare socket to hook us up to and turned the electric heating on. Then we enjoyed our picnic lunch sat by the hatch which remained firmly closed despite the view being rather good.

Mick had intended to do an oil change but the weather put him of somewhat. Instead he pottered, checked Oleanna over and ran the engine.

Down below I got on with my task for the day, some TLC for our multi-fuel stove. Last winter the top plate had started to show a little rust, the stove not having been lit for seven months. Today it was time to do something about it.

A good wire brushing on the top plate removed much of the orange, followed by some fine grit sandpaper. The rest of the stove just needed a freshen up. The big hoover came out to suck away all the dust. The hearth was cleaned too.

Everywhere then got a good wash down. Only problem was it would take quite a while to dry off, handy that we’d bought a second hand hairdryer a few years ago when we planned to put plastic up at the windows in winter. Today it got used for the first time.

I hunted round in the painty cupboard and found the tin of stove black paint. This had been bought for Lillian’s Squirrel stove before we sold her. Thankfully the paint was still good inside, it just required a very good stir up.

All the chrome bits were masked off, the door glass removed for cleaning. Then I gave everywhere a thin, hopefully even coat of paint. The hearth got a coat too to tidy it up.

That paint smells! So glad I’d decided to this job now when we wouldn’t have to put up with the smell all evening. Touch dry in fifteen minutes. Well that was hard to tell as the clock at the back of the galley had said 1:30 when we arrived and still said it when I’d finished painting.

The doors slotted back on easily, the glass back in the door. Just like new apart from the knob on the riddle handle that needs replacing as the thread has worn away. On our next visit we’ll light a small fire to bring the stove up to temperature to help the paint cure. Then hopefully all the smellyness will be over and done with when we move back on board.

A chat with Sarah suggested that there is still problems getting hold of Calor Gas. We have an empty bottle on board which we’d like to replace. Hopefully her next order of LPG will be successful, she’ll put our name on one of the bottles if it is.

Everything onboard was turned off again, taps left open should the temperature drop before we’re back next. Power was unhooked, the cable tucked away. Hopefully next time she will have been moved back to her mooring and a new pontoon making it a lot easier to get on and off.

The sun came out just as we were about to leave!

Our route back to Scarborough was slightly longer than the way there. It took us to New Bridge over the Aire and Calder, I was able to get my first view out of the window of the breach site. Today you’d hardly know what it looked like last year. Then onwards to B&Q in York to pick up some neon pink paint for #unit21 props.

0 miles, 0 locks, 2 staircases, 2 curtains, 1 new shower tray, 1 chair, 1/2 a dodgy chicken, 1 glass rose too much, 1 emergency zip replacement, 3 more inches, 1 hire car, 1 service postponed, 5 year old stove paint still stinky, 2 poo buckets forgotten, 1 cuddly Tilly, 1 pair of handknitted first night neon odd socks (neon to match the show, odd for down’s syndrome).

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna