Scarborough / Castle Marina to Beeston Turnover Bridge 19, again!
A glimpse at Hull Fair
Breakfasted, a chat with the Liza and Stuart, then it was time to say our goodbyes and pop the cat caravan in a blue Ikea bag and head back to the station. Another four hour journey, work progressing well on sock pair 106. The tide was further in than it had been yesterday as we passed the Humber Bridge.
Tide’s further in
A change at Sheffield gave me enough time to briskly walk to M&S for a sandwich each whilst Mick changed platforms and got us a cuppa. On closer inspection of the PG tea, we wondered how long it would be before the tea would actually look like tea? On the train the brewing was checked again, still no more colour. A sniff. Hang on this wasn’t decaf! Well it is naturally decaffeinated as it was Camomile tea with milk!
This is NOT tea as we know it
Back in Nottingham we walked back to Oleanna via the canal. I popped into Sainsbury’s to buy some bicarb and vinegar, I’m going to have a go at cleaning the sink traps of gunk.
Pair 106
Tilly was happy to see us both. We kept the caravan out the back so it didn’t spoil our return for her. Dry washing was packed away, a few items like socks still a bit damp were popped in the tumble dryer, the dish washer popped on. Once these had used as much electric as they needed we disconnected from the hook up, untied and pushed off back out onto the cut.
The birds have taken over the marina
Slowly we made our way back out towards Beeston. Today there was no warmth from sunshine, today we needed fleeces and fleecy coats. A bit under 3 miles we pulled in where we now seem to moor in Beeston. The spikes went in far easier than they did a couple of months ago when the earth was baked hard.
Needless to say Tilly wasn’t impressed with the new outside. Well it’s just the same as everywhere else in Nottingpants!
Colour in the trees
Pizza, then it was time to get started on Celebrity Traitors, there’s also Blue Lights and Bake Off to catch up on and that’s before Riot Women starts on Sunday! So a plea to the world, please no spoilers as we’re already a little bit behind, plus when I’m in Chippy I may get even more behind.
0 locks, 2.7 miles, 1 left, 2 trains, 2 bicarbs, 1 litre white vinegar, 2 camomile teas, 50 brisk minutes, 1 empty food bowl, 1 small pile of biscuits, 1 caravan hidden in the bow now, 1 stove lit, 2 pizzas, 1.2 episodes of Traitors watched, oooo!
Whilst we had breakfast there seemed to be a mass exodus from the steps, one boat just turned out to be winding so they could sand their starboard side gunnel. The boat behind us pulled out, beeping their horn to warn nearby rowers that they were turning. Mick had chance to ask which way they were headed, up onto the cut, we’d be a little while yet dropping our covers, so he suggested they shouldn’t wait for us.
The Mighty Trent
Once we were ready I opted to walk to the lock. Wilford Suspension Bridge closed to pedestrians today whilst the love locks were removed and TV camera crews did interviews as men used big bolt croppers to snip the padlocks from the mesh. How insignificant Oleanna looked as she headed back down stream towards Meadow Lane Lock.
Under Trent Bridge
The boat ahead, NB Olivella, had already cleared the lock when I arrived, it just needed emptying then the bottom gates opening. Mick loitered below, then brought Oleanna into the lock and off the river which over the last few days has stayed in the green on the level board despite Storm Amy.
We’d a load of washing on the go and wanted to top up with water at the services, NB Olivella had done the same, so we had quite a long wait to be able to use the tap. Time to check emails and messages. Another from the printers, they so don’t understand about 20% fullness! I have to admit to giving up and giving them the go ahead to print, the width of the print is after all finally correct. But I have no idea if the front cloth will arrive gathered or just flat. If it’s flat then that will be another job that someone will need to do. I messaged the Production Manager about it.
Whilst we waited I made use of the parsnips we still had and made a pan of parsnip and apple soup for lunch, it was ready and zuzzed smooth before our water tank was full.
Volunteers doing a grand job
A CRT work party were busy cutting back the undergrowth along the towpath. A whistle was blown when boats or pedestrians were about to pass so the strimmers could pause. NB Olivella had pulled in, not where you’d choose to pull in. A pair of overalls and some orange mesh fencing had wrapped itself around their prop, all was clear now so we’d be able to share Castle Lock.
My windlass has not been used so much as in most years
I walked ahead to set the lock. A CRT chap walked up and offered to wind the paddle I was already lifting up. No Thanks, I’m fine. He then walked over to the weir to make sure it was clear of debris. Despite not quite reaching our destination for the day we pulled over near the footbridge for lunch. Silt keeping us from pulling right in, this explained why no boats had been moored there when we’ve passed recently. It didn’t matter to us, we were close enough to enjoy our bowl of soup and some toast.
Parsnip and apple soup
Not much further we turned into Castle Marina and pulled onto their service pontoon. Time to check in and find out where we would be mooring. The marina has looked a bit sorry for itself for at least a year now, quite a few pontoons have been condemned and we were warned not to venture onto them. But Aquavista are planning a £1.5 million refurb, which the staff were excited to tell us would be starting in the spring.
Our mooring was down the far end, tucked in between a couple of boats so we reversed in so we could step off Oleanna’s stern as we’d not have a pontoon. We plugged into the electric and started to make use of the full water tank, several loads more washing followed the one we’d done on our way. Washing hung out in the pram cover and cratch to dry.
Tucking ourselves in
I made a shopping list up and headed over to Sainsburys, returning with what I hope will be just the right amount of fresh food, including a couple of naughty treats, one being a Sainsburys curry.
Christmas is on it’s way!
2 locks, 2.5 miles, 2 lefts, 3 winds, 1 full water tank, 1 vat of soup, 1 boat tucked in at the end, 5 meals worth, 4 loads washing, 2 bully boy batteries charged to 100%, 1 very bored cat.
My turn today for a flu jab, sadly I don’t get a free one, too young. Last year I opted for a jab as we had David staying at the house and the Christmas show company in Scarborough were passing something round that I really didn’t want. Best to keep on with it as I’ll soon be mixing with numerous people in Chippy.
A rather nice clock
I marched up into the city centre, a mile and a half away to the chemists Mick had been to, I’d managed to book an appointment yesterday. A sit around for a while before I was seen and a complimentary blood pressure check was thrown in, well I’m over 40 so they get offered. Then back through town. A far more direct route was found than Google had been offering me.
Standing in This Place by Rachel Carter
Mick had tried calling Castle Marina on Saturday to see if they might be able to accommodate Oleanna for a couple of nights, he’d even filled out a mooring request form on line. Tumble weed. He had a go at ringing them again this morning and finally had luck. We were found on their system and quoted £19 a night including electric. He booked us in. Our other options had been to moor on the towpath in Beeston, or to have spent a couple of days going up the Erewash Canal to Langley Mill. Oleanna has yet to go up the Erewash, but we’d rather not be on a schedule and have spare days should there be any problems with levels.
We’ll need a bigger bag than this when we go away!
Over lunch we put the rest of our plan into action, booking train tickets, theatre tickets, checking there’d be room for us and booking a table to eat. Now we just had to decide what to do with the rest of the day.
The Justice Museum? Some art? It was a lovely warm day so we opted to stay outdoors.
Mick and a Red Oak
We walked up stream to catch a tram to the other side of Nottingham, hopping off at the High School stop. This is very close to the uphill entrance to the Arboretum. I’d downloaded a PDF guide to the special trees so we knew where to find them as we sauntered around.
A very nice place to sit in the sunshine
The Arboretum is the oldest park in Nottingham, opened in 1852 by Mayor, Mr W Felkin and the Sheriff of the Borough, Mr Ball, in front of 30,000 people. It has a collection of over 800 trees some of which date back to the parks opening day. Today it is very popular with students, Nottingham Trent University more or less surrounding the park.
The Chartist Feargus O’Connor MP
Way back in my twenties I applied to Trent Poly to do Theatre Design, in fact I applied two years running and was rejected twice. I don’t think I could talk the Trendy Bollocks* they wanted. I wonder where I’d have ended up had I been admitted. Have to say the day after my second interview I had my second interview at Croydon College (they’d offered me a place the year before), a more practical course. As I walked into the interview the course leader and scenic tutor welcomed me back and I realised I’d only wanted to go to Trent because it was still in the north! I’m quite happy they rejected me now.
Quite a few of the trees have lines round them, what’s this about? Anyone know?
In the park there were 36 trees for us to spot, all with signs by their trunks so it wasn’t hard. They ranged from a Red Oak to a Pagoda Tree to an Armenian Hawthorn to an Indian Horse Chestnut and possibly the oldest tree in the park the Cut-leaf Alder which is nearing its end, no leaves to show us today.
There’s a band stand, which had its shutters down. A Chinese Bell Tower with canons facing out to each corner. A fruit and Nut garden still in its early stages of growth. The Aviaries. Here it took us a while to see any birds. Locals donate birds which are cared for by the park staff. There were four of five Cockatiels with their blusher pink cheeks. The circular Aviary is Grade 2 and was built in 1892. Not only did birds inhabit the aviary, but there were famous visitors to the park, Henry the Goose and Cocky the Cockatoo who was brought to the gardens to amuse the children, a local paper reported his death at the alleged age of 114.
The Chinese Bell Tower
This morning I’d had the set builder of panto call and this afternoon there was yet another set of proofs to approve for the printing. I went through them with a fine tooth comb, raising a couple of questions. Either I’m not making sense, or the company have come from a very different background to theatre so the language is different between industries. Hopefully soon, very soon they’ll press the big red PRINT button.
Deep black, Paris drivers, the Waverley replacement and cinnamon roll whirls were topics for this mornings zoom. There’s been a touch too much hospital leap frogging going on recently with Mick’s siblings, so it was good to see everyone at home again.
I hate those black birdies! Such kill joys.
The wind had died down, Tilly had an explore, but that got thwarted by a crow. The down pours had stopped, time for a trip out somewhere. We had an early lunch and headed off to catch a number 9 or 10C bus to Ruddington, hoping to time our arrival perfectly for the Framework Knitters Museum as it opened. We’d checked the website earlier on, the cafe would be closed on Sundays from now on, no point in going for lunch.
Look it says it’s open
A pleasant 20 or so minute bus ride, then a walk through the village to the museum. A couple stood near the doors and a chap was taking photos. It was a minute to go before the museum was due to open, but because there was an OPEN sign in the window Mick had to check the door, a bit like he checks paddles on locks occasionally. The door was firmly locked. More people arrived, no lights went on inside. A small notice on the door confirmed that the cafe was now on winter opening hours, so closed on a Sunday, but no mention of the museum!
The bin says it all really
Nine more people arrived, some like us had travelled a distance to get there. I hunted around on the website, looked at their social media. A post from last weekend on Facebook said that last Sunday was their last Sunday open before winter. Well you really had to hunt round to find that information!! Later in the day Mick had another look at their website which suggested that a new exhibition had just opened yesterday and at the bottom it had their Sunday hours as 10am to 4pm! We relayed the info to everyone else who was stood around waiting for the doors to open. What a disappointment all round, I’d been looking forward to our visit today! No more opportunities for us to visit!!!
What to do with ourselves? Maybe Ruddington Village Museumwould be interesting, only open on Thursdays between Maundy Thursday and the end of September! At least they were honest about it on their website.
Tracks
I’d spotted a transport museum not that much further out of Nottingham, the website suggested it was open until 4, it was just approaching 2, hopefully that would be long enough to make it worth the extra bus fare for me. We found the bus stop and waited. Only about four more stops to the end of the route at Rushcliffe Country Park. Here we found the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre, a miniature railway showing us the way as people sat crouched on the back through the woods.
Some old rolling stock, a couple of engines out to see. A shop. But where was the entrance? There didn’t seem to be one. A big shed sat with its roller door firmly rolled down. We didn’t want any jigsaws or memorabilia from the shop.
No access for a closer look
Buses tightly packed into another shed, at least the doors were open here. You just couldn’t get inside to have a closer look.
Blurred because he was going at such a speed
The miniature railway was a hive of activity, grown boys sitting behind their mini engines, some carrying passengers, whistles tooting and level crossing lights flashing. We could have got on board ourselves, a ride only £1 after all! But a child under 5 would have improved the experience, we didn’t have one with us.
We walked round some more, trying various doors, all locked. It seems much of the world is now closed on Sundays in October, only the fanatics around to ride their mini trains. Thankfully the toilets were open, so we made use of them.
A lovely Ford Popular was parked up, a chap climbed inside. Mick asked if the windscreen whippers were vacuum operated, these went slower the faster you drove and were pretty much useless when it rained. They were, he tends not to drive it in the rain.
Not much to look at really!
Not much else to look at, so we left the chaps on their mini trains to it and caught a bus back towards Nottingham. I hopped off a few stops early to top up on brisk minutes walking back to Oleanna whilst Mick carried on making use of his bus pass.
The end of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was watched and a chicken was popped in the oven on our return.
0 locks, 0 miles, 1 dragon boat, 1 rubbish outside, 3 buses, 1 bus pass, 3 x £3 bus fares, just for a wee! 0 frameworks, 5 train drivers, 2 engines, 1 Popular, 1 roast chicken and veg, 2 beers, 1 calmer day on the buses, 1 anomaly in this post, can you spot it?
There seem to be so many Egrets on the Trent this year
Mick showed me the old drive plate this morning. It’s not meant to turn, well only if something goes wrong and it’s designed to be the thing that breaks protecting the gear box. Turning it over we could see how much it was moving about sideways too.
With the hope of not getting wet we wanted to be off and away in good time, but as we pushed off it started to spit, this gradually increased to light rain as we headed up stream waving goodbye to Stoke Lock. That’s another lock on the River Trent where we’ve had an incident of some sort, we’re up to three now!
Goodbye Stoke Lock
At the 5km mark Mick radioed ahead to Holme Lock, the volunteer answered very quickly. He’d have the lock ready and waiting for us, ‘Come in on the green’. Walking through Oleanna I popped my waterproof trousers on, no point in getting soggy whilst penning up in the lock!
It was good to be back on the moveeven if we got wet!
Holme Lock is such a slow riser, but then again it is a big lock. Thankfully all the paddles at the top end work, you’d be there half a life time if they didn’t! More scaffolding was going up on the weir. No moving boats in sight, maybe we’d be the volunteer Lock Keepers only boat today.
A sign on a sunken boat made us both smile. I suspect the owner hasn’t found the situation amusing. You Sank My Battleship. Bankriver, Banksea’s lesser known cousin.
Two cranes were around parts of the new bridge, enclosures created up high and some welding going on. Formers were going together on both banks for concrete, the footings of the bridge soon to be poured. The local news suggested the bridge would be going into position next month sometime.
Trent Bridge
Under Trent Bridge and to County Hall Steps. Here hopefully we’d be far enough away from trees during Storm Amy. There are rings to tie to, which we’d need to keep an eye on if levels rise, these are quite high up on the steps and selecting the right rings for Oleanna’s length proved a little tricksy, but we got there in the end.
Not if they’ve any sense in this weather!
It was now raining pretty heavily. I suggested twenty minutes shore leave to Tilly. She managed to get two steps up the bank and endured twenty seconds before returning for some Dreamies. Rubbish, now I’ve got to use the on board facilities!
Yesterday I’d had a lengthy email from Chippy about the roses we’re aiming to make for panto. Four people had made around 20 in three hours, was this a practical idea? I know I can make at least 4 in an hour, if not 5 or 6 if I really got going. I’d made suggestions to lighten the load from volunteers, cutting the estimated number needing to made from 600 to 250, but we’d need to buy roses to fill the gaps. Jo the General Manager at the theatre had made another 10 at home last night, a bright pink star goes to her. It’s now down to those who hold the purse strings, that’s if they ever reply to emails!
The ducks were having difficulty swimming upstream against the waves and wind. Mick headed out to buy a few things and I walked around the block. This involved crossing Wilford Suspension Bridge. The bridge will be closed for a day next week to remove all the love locks, the owners have been asked to come and remove theirs. Walking along the north bank was quite blustery and I was always aware of the big trees.
I checked Meadow Lane Lock, it was still there, then turned to face the wind, blimey!! Crossing Trent Bridge I tried to keep to the outside edge, the wind pushing me towards the cars, then back along the bank to Oleanna. The wind too strong to have a longer walk today.
The locks
When we’d moored up today, Mick had used one of the new fender hooks, hoping it’s lower profile would mean that the pram cover could be poppered down all the way along, leaving little chance for the wind to catch a loose section. He’d used a buoy fender to keep us away from the bank more in the wind. However the weight of the buoy and the wind had meant the fender hook slipped off from the grabrail, thankfully the buoy floats and the boat behind had stopped it from being blown too far, so we didn’t loose the eye. We’ll try a more standard fender from it when the wind has calmed down, but so far it seems that they might be kind to paint work, but lack enough gripability.
Jacket potatoes went in the fire box, the coals not up to full winter heat yet so the potatoes cooked but didn’t get crispy skins. With them we had a chicken coleslaw using up the last of the roast chicken (from the freezer) and various bits of veg.
1 lock, 5.5 miles, 1 soggy morning, 1 far more soggy afternoon, 6 Egrets in flight, 1 NHS letter to London, 1 storm Amy not here yet, 1 noisy night ahead, 23 brisk minutes, 20 seconds, 1 slippy fender hook, 3 jackets, pair 105 knitted, pair 106 designed, 1 rose coup hopefully averted.
Mick cleared the engine bay before breakfast, anything that might get in the way was put on the bank. A phone call from Kane with his ETA came at just gone 9am and his satnav was pretty much spot on as he walked up to Oleanna at 10:25, a big crow bar in his hand and other tools and a new drive plate in his rucksack.
Engine held by strop and crowbar
He set to work removing the gear box to gain access to the old drive plate. This all took a while. Before the last bolts were removed he passed a strop around the engine and suspended it all from his crowbar which was positioned on our stern lockers. Inside I could hear just about everything, as the last bolt was removed I could hear the engine slump just a touch into the strop.
A new version
Inside I got on with re drawing the gates for Panto. Once scanned it was sent off to Jamie to see what he made of it. I didn’t hear back from him today. I then turned my attention to a logo that is needed for the show, an adjustment of a very well known brand logo was needed. This was done and shared. Not many little jobs left to do on my to-do list.
Gear box removed
Outside work progressed. The drive plate was removed. Yes it had been the culprit, not that you can see that easily without moving it. Time for a cuppa and for Kane to stretch his legs. His estimate the other day of three hours to remove the drive plate halved. Would putting the new one on be as quick?
Lots of crud where the old drive plate used to sit
Tightening things up in a confined space, engine suspended almost where it needed to be caused a little cursing from the engine bay. A few bangs occurred, at least he’d warned us they might happen. He’d had to remove the oil sump pump from the engine, this had failed on Mick at the last engine service. Mick asked if instead of putting the old one back on, could Kane install the new one we’d already got. It maybe took him an extra five minutes to fit, but he didn’t mind.
Guess which one Kane used
After three hours in our engine bay the ignition key was turned on. Oleanna was put into gear, no grinding noise. Then reverse, no grinding noise. Hooray!!!
Brand new Drive plate
Kane said the old drive plate would have lasted a while longer before failing, but best not to find out how long! Mick was given instructions to make sure some bolts were still tight in a week or so’s time with a 17mm spanner. Job done. Kane now headed off into Nottingham to his next job somewhere between Castle Marina and Sainsbury’s.
We had lunch. Should we move on today or stay put? If the river was busy with people looking for moorings we’d have moved, but as we’d only seen a couple of boats so far today and one of them had pulled away from the pontoon mooring this morning we didn’t feel we had to move. Also we were the only boat moored on the visitor moorings and there is space for four. As well as all that, C&RT had given us an overstay approval until 14th October. So we stayed put.
12km from Nottingham
My walk today took me along the road from the lock to Stoke Bardolph. Plenty of anglers and someone being trained in paddle boarding. I then carried on walking along the road on the river bank towards the big bend in the river where I followed the footpath. Here the anglers had set up fences around their vans, I wondered why for a while, but then twigged when I saw a heard of cows. Maybe these cows are known to lick vans like those do to boats at Lechlade on the Thames.
Back along a path that crossed the railway. Was this the crossing where Tilly had been found nearly ten years ago with her siblings? Then into Burton Joyce village. A lovely village hall where the local amateur dramatic society have just put on a show. Several nice looking shops and buildings. I popped into the Co-op for some milk. A heritage trail to follow, maybe next time when it isn’t a five mile round walk. Back in February 2016 my brother gave me a lift to Burton Joyce to a house on the hill here. That was to pick up our little thug Tilly who we adopted from Burton Joyce Cats, they no longer exist.
Lots of jolly pebbles
At the station there is a pebble display to mark the Platinum Jubilee. Lots of local groups and the school contributed to it painting pebbles. I was amazed at the number of cats wearing crowns, then later realised they were actually Corgis! The Beef Eater certainly had very square shoulders.
Back along the road to the boat. Today I’d tracked my journey via the NHS Active 10 app, 87 minutes brisk walking; on my step counter 12110 steps just short of 5 miles; but also with the OS app. The Ordnance Survey app had tracked my route and said it was 5.42 miles. So which do I believe? Have I got my step counter calibrated correctly to my stride? Have I actually been walking further than recorded all year?
Walsall Schnitzel tonight, turkey that needed finishing off from the freezer. We discussed where we should go now and when. There’s a storm coming, so we don’t want to stay at Stoke Lock with all the trees. Would we have enough time to go that way or should we just stay pottering about for a while longer?
0 locks, 0 miles, 1 new drive plate, 3 hours, 1 new gate drawing, 2 logos, 1 rose email, how many? 1 last day of good shore leave for Tilly, 4.95 miles, 0r 5.42 miles, 82 brisk minutes, 1 huge gaggle, 1 mended boat ready to push off.
The early morning mist clung to the river early on. As the clock ticked closer to breakfast time the mist increased and the view of the cooling towers almost disappeared before the sun took over and burnt its way through.
An email from the printers arrived, the final adjustment corrected. At last everything was ready to be printed and the big red button could be pressed on the copy machine. It feels like it’s been going on forever! Maybe it has!!
Keeping an eye on Trent Junction
Tilly was given shore leave, rules recited and the reasons I call her home reinforced today!
NB Hereward
Part way through the morning a shiny boat came past from Redhill. NB Hereward was on its way from being repainted by Tom at Gibson and Kentwright. Very nice looking boat. She’d gone back in the water a couple of days ago. I wonder if the owners had much to clean up, I’ve heard that the grit from being grit blasted gets everywhere inside despite all openings being covered up.
Compass Squiggles
Time to think about illustrations for the Separate Doors book. I’d had an idea whilst on the train and squiggled it down. But now I realised it was actually two ideas rolled into one. I ended up with three versions sketched out to send to Vanessa for her to point me in the right direction for the style of the book.
This afternoon’s walk had me walking up the Erewash towpath, further than I’ve been of late. At the very tree covered bridge into Sheet Stores I could just make out the stern of NB Bargus, it looked like Kat was delivering to a moored boat in the basin.
After we’d seen her in Burton her stern gear had developed quite a big problem and was letting in water when the prop turned. Brian on NB Elk had breasted the boats together and taken her down the Trent, up the first lock on the Erewash to Sheet Stores where NB Bargus was lifted out to await new parts, some welding etc. Whilst she was out of the water Kat blacked her and put the base coats on the port cabin side to paint out the old livery and get her looking more like a Jules Fuels boat. Bargus was now back in the water and preparing to head back to the Trent and Mersey. I’d seen that Kat had planned her next coal run and sent her a message asking for a top up, but after hearing nothing back we’d assumed she was already on her way up stream, but we’d been wrong. Later in the day we heard from her and yes she still had supplies on board and would see us in the morning.
A busy line
I walked through the same boring estate I’d walked the other day, it wasn’t any more interesting walking in the opposite direction. Across and under the many railway lines. At one level crossing I had to wait for a train to pass and then almost as soon as I’d crossed the lights started to flash again, only a couple of minutes between trains.
Water park
I opted for a different path back to the river, this one I thought might be more interesting as it was between two lakes. However, the lake to the right was totally invisible because of trees and the one to the left I only caught a little glimpse of the water park before brown fencing cut off my view totally! Back to the river bank with its high foliage so no view there either. The best part of today’s walk was listening to the birds and spotting them all on the pylon and cables, singing their hearts out.
Tweeting birdies!
Back at Oleanna Tilly was hanging about, well you told me I had to come back when told to! That is when I noticed she was limping again. It’s not been noticeable for quite a few days, but was definitely back now. We’ll see what some sofa and bed rest does for a day or two, then see if we need to pay a visit to those people who wear green!
Chilli Turkey Sausage and Squash Risotto
Lurking in the bottom of the freezer had been four chilli turkey sausages. I decided to see what they would be like in a risotto with some roast squash. It turned out to be really rather nice. Recipe will be found here.
0 locks, 0 miles, 1 misty start, 1 big PRINT button pressed (I hope), 3 squiggles, 1 invoice, 1 coal boat, 3 railway crossings, 1 boring walk, 72 brisk minutes, 1 out of 4, 4 turkey sausages, 0.5 squash, 2 plates of yummy food, 1 chink of glasses for William.
‘Girl’ the comic, Marie Antoinette, Processed water, Singing washing machines and the Life of Brians were all discussed this morning on the Geraghty zoom.
Puddle hopscotch
Plenty of puddles to play hopscotch with this morning along the towpath back to the start of the Erewash Canal. Over the very steep footbridge to Mills Dockyard. The place had a jolly hub hub of activity and some very beautiful things to look at.
Mills Dockyard
Mills is quite an historic boat yard. Founded by Amos Mills in 1895 concentrating on wooden barge building, houseboats and rowing skiffs, the company has been passed down through four generations and is now run by Amos’s Great Grandson Steve Mills. Steve restores wooden boats as well as offering services for more modern boats.
Outside lay two rather wonderful skiffs. The woodwork varnished to such a glorious finish. Restoration works had been carried out on these boats and my they were gorgeous. Rattan backed seating. Leather upholstery, pristine coils of rope and polished engines.
More boats sat indoors, a wonderful beaver stern playing out from a beautiful pram hood.
Car or a boat?
Then under cover were two cars. Or where they? One with the body of a boat and wooden mud guards. I believe this will be exhibited at the NEC later this year. Then behind was Burglar Bill, Matt Black, evil gangster style speed waiting to be unleashed on the neighbourhood.
Burglar Bill
History filled walls, the chandlers showed off traditional painting. A one man band sang, played his banjo and hit his suitcase held in place by a toad. Clog dancers clogged and people enjoyed cake and cuppa all under the Sunday sunshine.
Shardlow levels
Time to wind and get moving before the river levels start to rise after the recent rain fall. We chose our time to push off between the sailing dinghies racing at the club opposite.
There were plenty of people enjoying the beer festival by Cranfleet Lock. The level not wanting to equalise again to open the top gates, so I enlisted a chap to help push, he thought the beer was exceptionally good, it certainly wasn’t helping with his diction!
Below Cranfleet Lock
A cruiser zoomed to join us in the lock. However their width was just a touch too much for us to share. Two people appeared at the bottom gates, one starting to lift a paddle before the top gate was even closed, they soon stopped. Mick closed the off side top gate and I could see what was about to happen. The crew at the far end started to whip up the paddles, without checking first. Mick still on the bank, we both shouted to stop.
Thankfully they stopped. Once Mick was actually on Oleanna we gave them the go ahead. I walked down to chat. ‘Sorry I shouted’ I lied. He said, ‘I’ve had a boat for 7 years, so I know what I’m doing!’ I refrained from, in my mind, stating the obvious that he really didn’t! If he’d have waited for the go ahead from the skipper and for the skipper to be on the boat, we’d not have had to shout and he’d have known what he was doing. Helpful people are not always helpful and they could well have been drinking since the bar opened this morning!
Have they gone aground? Was it intentional?
Once down, we were on our way, zooming with the increased flow on the River. No sign of the boat we’d helped to rescue a few weeks ago. But where he’d been stuck there was now a cruiser seemingly stuck. No-one on board that we could see, so no-one to help should they need it.
The lock landing nearly full of moorers!
At Beeston Lock we worked our way down the lock with help from a white haired chap who was made up when I said he could open and close gates. A top up of water then we needed to find somewhere to moor.
Coming into Beeston Lock
No space alongside the road anywhere. I counted 18 motor homes parked up. Through the next bridge. Gosh when we’d come the other way there had only been a couple of other boats along this stretch, today it looked chocka. One possible space which we manged to shoehorn ourselves into, the nearest neighbour impressed that we’d guessed right.
I had a walk to check how far the station was, I’m on an early train in the morning. Then I carried on crossing the railway again and returning to Beeston cut via the Attenborough nature reserve.
Gadwalls
Mick had been under instruction to pop a joint of pork in the oven before I returned. I’d left it uncovered in the fridge for most of yesterday to help dry the rind out, the plan worked and we had very good crackling. The joint big enough for four meals for the two of us and some sandwiches.
2 locks, 5.5 miles, 4 beautiful boats, 2 extraordinary cars, 7 years! 1 unimpressed cat, 14 minutes to the station, 68 brisk minutes walking, 1 beer, 1 joint of pork, 1 camera charged, 1 bag packed.
Late last night a new annotated props list landed in my inbox. This morning it was time to arrange a meeting with Min the Props Maker and find out what the props budget is. This done, breakfast consumed and Tilly back on board we pushed off to drop down Derwent Mouth Lock. The Chestnut tree here producing some serious conkers, all glowing brown fresh from their shells, things of beauty. I picked up a few to enjoy for a while until they grow dull as they dry out. Long gone are the days when kids would be seen throwing sticks up into trees to bring down what might turn out to be a truly legendary conker.
M1 ahead
Now to cross where the Derwent meets the River Trent. I’d checked the level board this morning, the level had dropped by at least a bricks worth since yesterday, yet the push of the current coming down stream had us skidding to keep going straight ahead to Sawley.
Sawley
Through the flood lock, past all the moorings, space for visitors, but we didn’t want to stop. Volunteers were keen to help at the locks down onto the river, but we wanted to offload some of our rubbish as it was starting to take over the stern of Oleanna.
We managed to place some of it in the bins which were already quite full. According to the volunteer, they have problems with bin collections here at the moment. Between Sawley and Fradley there is now only Willington where there are bins, since we last did this stretch two bin sites have gone, no wonder these bins are getting overwhelmed. We kept some back to add to the next bins.
Down the lock and back on the river, no space on the pontoon today, but we weren’t wanting to stop there anyway, our second mate would complain about the lack of friendly cover and trees close by. Down to the junction of the Erewash, Trent, Cranfleet cut and the River Soar, we headed right, south, a kingfisher darting along in front of us and an Egret watching on.
Coming in to moor
Through the flood lock at Red Hill, named as the sandy bank behind the houses on stilts is very red. Then we looked for a space to pull in, just enough room for us. A lorry arrived with a narrowboat sat on its trailer, what looked like a fresh coat of paint above the gunnels, but old blacking below. The lorry nudged back and forth on the slipway getting into position for the boat to be lifted off.
We walked round and found the office. Mandy welcomed us in, we’d said we’d be calling in for a chat. Oleanna is booked in with Tom at Gibson and Kentwright for a repaint early next year and we wanted to sus out about coming out of the water early to wait for our slot on the hard, which will save us money on our CRT licence.
Lorry lining up for the boat to be lifted off
Mandy was very straight with us about the marina and their rules. It is a very busy boat yard, with boats moving around on the hard most days. Several builders and painters on site, so it’s not a place that suits everyone. No dogs or kids allowed, too dangerous to have them running around. They would need to know if we wanted to do any work on Oleanna whilst she’s out of the water so she’s blocked up appropriately. Would we want power? We’d need a long lead as the meter may not be next to the boat. Don’t expect them to drop everything should you want something moved as they are very busy. They also charge 6 months land storage when you arrive, then if there are any months unused when you leave you get them refunded. Our quote from Tom includes three moves, so we’d be adding another one. Coming out of the water, laying up and six months storage would come to just under £2000, all payable the day we arrive! Gulp!!
We chatted about dates, all possible. We chatted about being still on the water whilst we move off, then being lifted out, less stress for Tilly, also all possible. We left with a mooring contract to fill in and her quote.
Back we go
The boat on the lorry was now being lifted by the big crane, just high enough to get the lorry out, then it was lowered, ropes handed down to chaps waiting so that when the boat is back in the water they can move her about. We wanted to go back the way we’d come. Where to wind? Ahead not really enough room and with a narrowboat about to be launched we’d be in the way! A winding hole back through the flood lock, Mick reversed us back then did his best to wind in between the banks of pennywort.
Back to Trent Lock where we pulled in to try out the new mooring rings that have recently been added, much better spacing than of old and not too big a step off Oleanna. Tilly was given the rules and off she went to explore whatever lies behind the hedge. CRT notices came in regarding the South Oxford, Coventry and Grand Union Canals, these will not be opening yet, but they hope to open them for a window of two weeks at the end of October for boaters to return to their moorings. If we positioned ourselves well we’d be able to make it to Oxford or Banbury for me to commute from the boat to work on Panto. But then we might find ourselves getting stuck at the wrong end of the country and miss our paint slot. The CRT notice just reinforced the decision we’d made a couple of weeks ago, to keep the boat north and if possible I’ll have a long weekend back home, if not Mick might come to Chippy or London for a weekend instead.
After lunch Mick headed off into Long Eaton to pick up his prescription and I got myself ready for my meeting with Min. At 4pm the meeting started. Getting to know each other, how we both work, when things will be needed for rehearsals was one side of the meeting. Then there was the nitty gritty of each item, a long long list for a pantomime.
More panto lists
Mick arrived back a little after 5, we’d not got half way through Act 1. We jumped about a little, some props having things in common with items later in the show. 6pm, we’d not reached the interval. Tilly came home wanting food, Mick fed her. We could break the meeting and carry on some other time, maybe over the weekend. 7pm, Mick was happy to wait for food, he had a shower. Four hours after we’d started Min and I reached the end of the list, both of us with lists of questions for other people, but a very good thorough meeting. Thank you Min.
What to do for food? Emergency tuna pasta or see if one of the pubs was still serving food, it was possible it being a Friday night. We tried The Steamboat Inn first, no-one at the bar, a few people sat drinking, no signs of any food being served, we turned round and walked on to The Trent Lock.
Tonights naughty meal
Yes they were serving food, quite a few tables occupied, we picked up menus and ordered. A glass of wine to accompany a bacon chop, egg and chips, just a different name for Gammon really, but it was very nice and saved cooking late, just that bit more expensive than the dhal I had been going to make this evening!
Back on Oleanna we had another glass of wine and ended up as we quite often do on a Friday watching old music programs. Tonight there was one about great guitarists. Jimi Hendrix was playing something that sounded remarkably like Smoke on The Water. Had he written it? Or was it Deep Purple? Jimi died in 1970, Deep Purple recorded it around 1971. Mick checked on line and came across a forum, this had started a spat.
Jimi wrote the song and then the singer from deep purple found a tape laying on the ground, played it, and it was the song. so they learned it and gave themselves credit.
The “tape” as he specified was not considered an ideal medium to record music because it was too primitive be used for anything that requires detail. The cassette tape was primarily used for diction. It was not until ’71 that companies began to modify and tinker with the technology to make it suitable for different applications i.e. music recording.
Don’t try to bring logic and facts to this thread, Jimi Hendrix wrote Smoke on the Water, PERIOD.
No, I wrote Smoke on the Water. PERIOD. He stole that song from me, just as The Beatles took my idea for Sgt. Peppers, The Rolling Stones took my “Satisfaction”, and that prick Beethoven stole my Ninth. And don’t get me started on those bastards, Mozart and Bach. The Vienna Waltz? That was mine too. I dropped my USB key in Autstria, and the next thing I know, Strauss is taking credit for all my sh*t.
2 locks, 3 flood locks, 3.6 miles, 2 rights, 1 wind, £2k, 4 hours props meeting, 2 A4 sheets of notes, 2 late to make dhal, 5 minutes brisk walking! 2 bacon chops, 2 glasses of wine, 1970, 1971, 1972? 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval.
A quick sweep through and tidy up this morning before logging into a production meeting for panto. Roses, frames, lists, all sorts were discussed, if anyone knows a drummer who’d like to be in Chippy over Christmas please send them our way!
Gemma and I carried on after the meeting, a few nips and tucks with the set builder should bring the budget back in line without me having to revisit elements of the set. Props meetings were lined up for next week so that our props maker Min can get cracking with purchasing things.
Mick had made himself scarce during the meeting, walking down to look at the garden centre and Swarkstone. He soon returned when the coast was clear for a bite of lunch.
BLUE!
The day went from bright blue sunshine to serious downpours. I chatted with Tilly, would she be willing to spend some of the afternoon asleep on our bed, so that a visitor could come on board called Rolo. They don’t normally ask, so I thought it was quite nice to be consulted and didn’t mind being ushered that way. However She closed the bathroom door! That’s not normal either!!
Rolo, he’s not quite got the hang of posing for photos yet
Bridget and Storm have been camping for a few days near Derby and popped over to see us, bringing their 16 week old mini Dacshund called Rolo. Okay so I hadn’t mentioned to Tilly that Rolo was a woofer! We thought that because of the changeable weather it would be nice if he could come and join us onboard too. Well what a boat guest! He sat and gradually nodded off whilst us humans chatted away, plenty to catch up on not having seen them since last year at the Cheshire Locks.
A woofer! His legs aren’t long enough to be a woofer!!
Then there was lots of paperwork to do. Yesterday we’d printed off forms for or Lasting Power of Attorney, these needed us to sign them, there to be a witness and then someone who had known us for two years who could advise as to whether we were doing this of our own free will and of sound mind. Bridget only had to sign each document once, Mick and I several times, but poor Storm was kept very busy witnessing signatures and writing out his address each time.
Storm, Rolo, Mick, Bridget, Pip and Tilly somewhere in the sideways trees
Tilly after a while wanted to see what was going on. I suspect knowing Bridget and Storm over the years helped along with that Rolo was a similar size to herself. I’d been expecting Tilly to cause a fuss, but she gave Rolo a look or two, Rolo woofed back (blowing his cover admittedly), no cartoon cat tail or arched back, Tilly just walked on by and headed out to the sideways trees. The only time there was a fuss was when Rolo was back on the towpath and Tilly decided to defend her boat, but that was short lived.
Blimey!
We had a lovely afternoon chatting away. One more visitor came to ear wig from across the way and sat whilst we all had a good look at his plumage and I managed to get possibly the best photos I’ve ever taken of a Kingfisher.
I walked them back to their van, one night left on the campsite before returning home. Lovely to see them both and hopefully it won’t be so long before we can get together again.
The causeway
I’d not been for a walk, so headed down to the bridge over the River Trent. Storm had mentioned the causeway that stretches off into the distance from here. The footpath not really of a suitable width to walk with cars zooming past, so I found a footpath through the adjacent field, which gave me quite a good view. I’d had my eyes on a 5.5 mile walk through this field, Stanton by Bridge, the outskirts of Melbourne to then cross back over the Trent on a disused viaduct getting me back to the canal above Weston Lock. But it was far too late to start on such a walk, so once my shoes were totally soaked from wading through the long grass in the field I decided to turn round and return getting them just that bit wetter. If I come back this way I’ll put my walking boots on as mud is starting to make a welcome return in the countryside.
A pleasant, if toe dampening, evening walk
Chilli Citrus Salmon this evening with baby potatoes and salad. Yum
0 locks, 0 miles, 11am meeting, 2 months ago I did that! 35,802 roses, 365 Microsoft playing silly b**s, 2 litre flask, 1 keen props maker, 3 visitors, 5 woofs, 1 well behaved Tilly, 1 proud She, 28 signatures, 1 big envelope required, 46 brisk minutes, 2 soggy shoes, 2 dripping socks.
