Tilly was left in charge today with her evening dingding already served before 9am, we were off for a day trip and some culture.
We took the train from Thorne North, the conductor on the train said we’d need to change at Goole for our Express Train to Scarborough. This made us both laugh. How can the train be an express when it stops at every stop and takes 1hour 58 minutes? You can drive it in about 1 hour 20 minutes!
A bit of culture
The train arrived in Scarborough with plenty of time to spare before lunch so we decided to have a look at the new exhibition at the Old Parcel Office at the end of the station car park. Fruiting Bodies is an sculpture exhibition from London based art collective Changeable Beasts. There were a couple of pieces which caught our eye in a good way, a pear tree that has been trained for the last five years to be symmetrical, a pair of red trainers swathed in watches and some large wooden blocks that have been painted and carved with patterns. The rest of the exhibition looked like the pieces had been pulled out of poor unsuspecting human bodies and really didn’t do anything for either of us.
Hmm!
Time to pick up our tickets at the SJT and settle down for lunch. A big treat lunch at Eat Me of burger and chips, they do do other things, but their burgers are so good they can’t be resisted. Quite often we bump into someone we know, today was no exception as Duncan came in soon followed by Jaye old friends of ours. We also had a visit from Annie one of our lodgers at the moment.
Naughty, but very nice
With an hour to kill before the show I sped off to clock up some more minutes and left Mick to saunter to the Town Hall to look out at the sea. I walked across Valley Bridge and then down into the valley to check on the daffodils. One side of the valley past it’s best, the other still pretty good. These are daffodils for Marie Curie.
The Valley daffodils
When I got down to the beach I had to change my planned route as of course it is the Easter holiday and the Foreshore was rammed, the beach pretty busy too.
A hazy Scarbados
I opted to walk to the Spa instead, a wedding soon to take place in the Sun Court, then back over Spa Bridge into town and back to the theatre where we met with Frank, who’d also come to see the show at the SJT.
A fab location for a wedding
Love’s Labour’s Lost (more or less) has been adapted by Elizabeth Godber and Nick Lane. A hen and stag do end up both taking place in Ibiza. Songs from the 90’s aid the plot with girl power, Cher, Meat Loaf, Shania Twain to mention just a few. Plenty of gyrating hips, mislaid love letters, Hawaiian pills from Swindon, Lara Croft, Blind Date and Stars In Their Eyes. It was as expected bonkers, very funny, great cast all round, but maybe just a touch too long. Having half of the cast staying in our house we had to come to see it, very glad we did. Only one week left of the run.
Love’s Labour’s Lost when the show was at Shakespeare North.
A cuppa with Frank and chance to briefly meet Jo for the first time, another lodger before we caught the train back to Thorne, changing this time from the Express train at Brough.
My favourite quote from my last Ayckbourn show
A very good day out.
Where’s my dingding?! In your tummy Tilly!
In Fund Britains Waterways Flotilla news, all boats have now ascended the Foxton flight, some have made it down Watford and are making their way south on the Grand Union. There may be a little delay in their cruise southwards as a lock is closed on the Marsworth flight, hopefully it will be mended quickly. If you haven’t already please sign the petition
0 locks, 0 miles, 4 trains, 1 exhibition, 2 many entrails, 2 burgers, 4 slices of extra cheese (between us), 1 more Duncan mention, 3.84 miles walked, 41 minutes briskly, 1 busy Scarborough, 1 wedding, 1 hen and stag do, 4 lodgers, 1 bonkers show, 1 cat with an empty bowl, 2nd dingding please, 0 chance Tilly.
West Stockwith to between Godnow and Medge Hall Swing Bridges, Stainforth and Keadby Canal
Today we gave ourselves longer to get ready. We’d been told 7:45 in West Stockwith lock to then wait for the tide to turn. Of course today we were quicker than on other mornings of late and arrived into the lock 15 minutes early. Mick went to chat to the Lock Keeper whilst I watched the incoming tide whizzing past on the river.
We were far far too keen and early, we had to reverse out of the lock again as they were expecting a boat from Keadby to come up first. Oleanna was brought out of the lock and we tied on the lock waiting mooring, no land access so we couldn’t go and watch the boat come in.
The lock was emptied, ropes attached to bollards ready to hand down to the boat, then the keepers disappeared inside. Nothing was heard on our radio but then I spotted a cruiser go past the closed lock gates. Was it heading on to Torksey?
Safely off the river
A few minutes later the keepers were back the two chaps who’d seen us up a few days ago. The gates were opened, the cruiser could be seen nosing up towards them. Obviously their approach wasn’t as it should be, so round they went again, that current whizzing along. This time they lined up better and in they came and were penned up.
Now we moved into the lock. But there was to be quite a wait for the tide to slow to slack water at high tide. The tables suggested this would be at 8:20, but the lockies know it could be 20 minutes or so later. Sure enough at 8:40 the river stopped moving, time for us to hang onto our ropes and descend to its level. Mick popped Oleanna’s nose out of the lock, I could see both ways, all clear, thumbs up, we turned to the left and headed down stream.
There are still landmarks
It being a touch later in the morning and that we’d had cloud overnight meant we’d have no fog on the river today, instead it was just grey!
A crocodile
The charts only have a few places where there is a channel shown in red for this stretch to Keadby. I noticed a couple of anomalies where landmarks are marked on the charts, but in the wrong places. Thankfully not too critical, but a church is quite a good landmark if it’s in the right place.
Where’s all that water coming from?
Lots of pipe line signs, pubs to pass as we started to catch the out going tide up. Our speed increasing the further down stream we got. On reaching the M180 bridge Mick radioed ahead to Keadby, the lock would be ready and waiting for us.
Keadby Bridge
Under Keadby Bridge. I moved up to the bow ready for the lock. Oleanna was brought over to the west side of the river, the light at the lock red! I could spy the Lockie, the light turned green.
Keadby Lock look out
Once nearing the lock Mick turned Oleanna to face the out going tide. Was he too close? Had the sand bar just outside the lock been dredged? Would he turn the bow at the right time and give her plenty of wellie to get into the lock without touching?
Yes! Thank goodness as DC Lincs, the Lockie was filming us.
One man and his boat safely off the river
Once clear of the swing bridge we pulled in for water and breakfast, the tap quite slow so we didn’t need to rush things. Then on to see if Vazon Sliding Bridge would work today. We’d been warned a few days ago that there had been a problem, but heard on the grape vine that it had been sorted the same day. We still had our fingers crossed.
We had quite a wait hovering mid stream. This turned out to be for a couple of pedestrians to cross the railway, then the warning was sounded and the bridge slid out of our way.
We were through just in time for a train
Vazon Swing Bridge however was obstinate. It did as it had done ten days ago, moving a foot and then jamming. Bumping it, trying to close it, bumping it again eventually worked. Maybe the weight I’ve lost this year isn’t helping! Or maybe the fact that there is just gravel under your feet so no grip available.
Keadby Power Station
I got it open in the end, but had to call Mick back as it did the same when I tried to close it, stopping short. I had planned on walking to Crowle so Oleanna was already on the way. Mick reversed her and came to lend his bottom to the beam. I suspect I’d eventually got it closed, but I’m also aware of my knee and not wanting to put too much strain on it and end up back where I was a few months ago.
The fish painted by members of the community
Now to walk to Crowle. Plenty of fishermen to keep Oleanna slowed down behind me for a while. There is a sculpture with painted fish on it, quite apt for all the rods in the canal.
The towpath is a track, a good surface to keep your pace brisk on, but the canal is straight, very straight! Mick caught me up close to a bend.
I then had a pause to look at the metal flower sculptures on the bank. Five varieties of flowers, the flag iris is obvious, but the others? Purple Loostrife, Cow Parsley maybe. If anyone has any ideas please let me know.
Mick picked me up under the high bridge at Crowle, then we continued. Through Godnow Swing Bridge the level crossing keeper busy chatting away to another person in bright orange. We opted to moor up where the railway line goes away from the canal, there’s a drainage ditch between the canal and some houses and a road. We also could get right into the bank which had no holes for unsuspecting feet to fall into.
This will most definitely do
Four hours Tilly! She made use of many of them. A stamp rewarded again today.
The Fund Britain’s Waterways flotilla lead boats made it close to the top of the Watford Locks today, the remainder of the boats headed into Market Harborough. I suspect a touch of shopping required and maybe some services.
2 locks, 18.6 miles, 2 lefts, 2 keen to be away, 1 perfect entry, 1 full water tank, 2 late breakfasts, 4 moveable bridges, 8 held up at the 1st, 10 days on a 3 day mooring, 0 working engine excuse, 3.07 miles walked, 50 minutes briskly, 1 warm afternoon, 4 hours, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval.
Another misty start to the day, glad we wouldn’t be out on the river this morning. Instead we walked into the village to pick up a few bits and bobs.
She’s peeling a bit
Queen Elizabeth II now looks very faded covering up one of the windows of the Victoria Institute. Quite a lot seems to be happening here, a new roof and woodwork stripped back, hopefully it will have a new life sometime soon.
We’ll be stopping here later in the year
A look inside the butchers. I decided not to purchase two lamb steaks to make some Misterton Lamb, that can wait for when we’re back later in the year. Mick however purchased a pork pie to have for lunch over the next few days. Next a call into the Co-op. Cheap bananas perfectly ripe for us, the one’s onboard Oleanna can ripen a touch more, if we’ve too many I’ll find a banana and oat loaf recipe that hopefully won’t be too fattening.
We sauntered up the road a little more to the Methodist Chapel, it’s iron gates were in memory of the local blacksmith. The local dancing school have taken over what we thought had most probably been the original Co-op. Was the carved stonework familiar from other Co-ops? I’ve had a quick look back through photos of Macclesfield and Saxilby thinking that might be where we’ve seen them before, but no.
Heading back to the locks
Back to Oleanna and it was time to make a move back towards West Stockwith. I walked ahead to set the locks, the top one empty the bottom half full, we’d had a boat come past us earlier today, but they must have been moored above the locks last night as the sides were bone dry. We dropped down them trying to avoid jamming reeds behind the gates.
Mick headed onwards to pull up on a different length of armco to keep Tilly guessing whilst I closed up the lock and had a catch up chat with our friend Frank back in Scarborough.
Yep this outside looks suitable. Lots of sideways trees, trees to climb and plenty of friendly cover to keep me busy for AGES!! Tilly was happy, and that’s all that mattered.
I’d not managed to do all my walking for the day, so plotted a route round on the River Idle. I first checked the visitor mooring in the basin. If it was free, once evening dingding had been rung we’d move up to fill with water and be closer to the lock for the morning, another earlyish start. But NB Airbourne was in the space we’d hoped for, we’d have to fill up somewhere else tomorrow instead.
St Mary the Virgin
The River Idle Flood Gate was open by a few feet as I passed looking for the footpath on the northern bank of the river. However it looked to be going through someone’s garden so I opted for the southern bank instead. But before that I had a look inside St Mary the Virgin Church, a Georgian church perched on the river bank built in 1722 by the trustees of William Huntington on the site of his old shipyard. It has been restored several times and has recently had a new roof courtesy of the village, this summer there will be a celebration of the completion of the latest restoration.
A small pretty church, just don’t lick the walls there may be traces of arsenic in the green paint!
I followed the river bank, past the two flood gates to the Pump House. Here either side of the Mother Drain stand two pump houses which were used to drain the surrounding land, they were the first steam powered pumps to be used outside the Fens. The first was built in 1828 and was known as Kate after the engine it housed. The one engine couldn’t cope with all the water it had to move so a second pump house was built, called Ada in 1839. They both became redundant in 1941 when the drainage system was reorganised to go to Gringley.
Kate on the right, Ada on the left.
The buildings were derelict for many years until in the 1990’s they were converted into a dwelling. Now you can stay in either the Pumphouse Forge or the Pumphouse Artists Studio. My walk then returned to the canal and back to Oleanna.
Part of the Fund Britain’s Waterways flotilla ascended Foxton Locks today, the other part enjoyed cake with the volunteers at Kilby Bridge. Down to one boat in a lock at a time.
In other news , our friends Paul and Christine Balmer have reluctantly put their narrowboat Waterway Routes up for sale with ABNB this week. Paul will still be producing his very detailed maps, but no longer travelling the waterways on their own boat. I strongly suspect they will have kept a windlass each and may appear as if by magic like the shop keeper in Mr Ben and help at the occasional lock flight given half the chance, especially if there’s some apple flapjack on offer!
2 locks, 1.3 miles, 1 cat fooled into having a new outside, 1 pork pie, 6 bananas, 1 loaf bread, 5.56 miles walked, 49 minutes briskly, 0 water, 2 pumphouses, 4 chickpea chapatis, 2 dollops dhal, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval, 1 much loved boat for sale.
Basin Bridge to Manor Farm Winding Hole to Coopers Bridge 80
No rush to go anywhere today really, so the back doors were opened for Tilly to explore as we had breakfast and waited for the mist to be burnt off.
By 11am we were ready to move off. Our average speed today would be about half of that we’ve made so far this year, the Chesterfield Canal is shallow, reedy and at times weedy. Having said that, take it slowly and then there is more time to enjoy this lovely canal, try to go fast and you’ll get exasperated. We know of several boats that have given up part way and missed the beautiful top end of the canal.
Locks on the paddle gear
Having said that, this time we have no intention of going right to the end, but hopefully later in the year we’ll be back to take Oleanna to the navigable end for the first time. But where should we moor today?
Misterton Top Lock
I walked on ahead opening up the two Misterton Locks. Here you need a CRT Key of Power to undo the anti vandal locks on the paddles. Mick brought Oleanna into the bottom lock coasting through the bed of reeds that lay on the water. ‘Lovely Day’ was heard from numerous walkers, they were not wrong.
Keeping an eye on each other
At Misterton Top Lock a couple were pruning their hedge, ‘CRT are meant to do it’ Well it’s great that you are helping them. Up by the top gates was a swan, I think a cob. On past experience of swans on the Chesterfield I made sure I kept an eye on him, we had one fly at us, trying to attack our stern fender on NB Lillyanne, thankfully today I couldn’t see any nest that he was protecting. He kept a keen eye on me too then did a very balletic stretch with one leg and a wing, a pas de swan.
A moving boat, a hire boat returning to base
I carried on walking, two moorings marked on our maps, but could we find another just that bit further out into the countryside and before the first winding hole. I was tempted to carry on to a 2 day mooring further on, but that would have meant more hours cruising and Mick reminded me that we have half a tank of diesel for the Tidal Trent and to get back to Thorne and since we last filled up we’ve done 120 miles. Diesel is none existant on the Chesterfield.
Already quite pretty
I spotted a few places where the reeds might have been thin enough to pull in, but as we’d passed a hire boat returning to base just above the locks the water was cloudy so I couldn’t work out the depth. Only a couple of possibles. I looked over my shoulder, my brisk walking meant I was leaving Oleanna well behind. I walked up to the winding hole, then onto the next bridge, then returned. I’d wait for Oleanna to wind and then point out where it might be possible to pull in. But each of the places the bottom was too close to the top, we returned to the next bit of armco thankfully far enough away from the road and with plenty of friendly cover too keep Tilly amused for a while.
Winded and coming back
Off she went, tail swishing with excitement. I’d done my walking for the day so got on with a couple of jobs. One was to mend the turny bit on a kitchen blind. The glue holding the wand and the turning piece had given up, so hopefully that was a quick fix with some Max UHU.
Someone’s in there
The other job was to replace a press stud on the blinds we have at the bow door. These fabric blinds roll up and get poppered in place. A week ago one of the poppers came apart so we’ve been a one blind up, one blind down kind of boat for a while. Ages ago I bought myself the means to attach poppers with the aid of a hammer. The floor much better to get the rivet part flattened out inside the popper. I then looked to see if I could use the same poppers on the pram cover as one has been missing on the straps that hold the rear flap open for quite a while. Despite the poppers looking the same size, I couldn’t get one to pop onto the other half, just a fraction too small. Oh well I’ll see if I can find a different brand that might be just that bit bigger.
Poppers
I then got on with tracing out a profile of Oleanna from a photo. I want to do several different versions of her new paintwork before we commit ourselves to going for cream cabin sides. The first go was a bit wonky, so I ended up tracing the photo onto tracing paper and then straightening out the wonky lines. This will now get copied onto watercolour paper so I can paint the cabin sides and see what she’ll look like with the colours reversed.
Torksey Lock Bottom side to Stockwith Bridge 85, Chesterfield Canal
What is it with bubbling tidal rivers?! We’d not heard a jot of it yesterday afternoon and evening, but as soon as we’d just managed to nod off last night the river bubbled it’s way up the sides of Oleanna’s hull making for an unrestful nights sleep. Not so good when the alarm was going off at 05:30!
Getting ready to push off
As we got dressed outside light was starting to clear away the nights darkness, getting ready for the sun to rise. Extra layers, thermals, padded trousers, although Mick couldn’t find his. Vest, long sleeve top, jumper, fleece and coat on top before a life jacket. This morning it was going to be cold!
The frozen covers rolled up, Nebolink turned on. The boat from further down the pontoon pushed off bang on 06:00, he said to Mick that he was headed for Gainsborough Pontoon. It took us another ten minutes before we untied our ropes and pushed off up to the junction where we turned northwards.
Cottam Power Station
Cottam Power Station pastel colours in the dim light. Mist rising from the river. Where was the castle? That’s the viaduct, but which part of it to aim for? There is an island and a peir to watch out for. I described where we needed to be as best I could with the outline of trees just sitting above the fog.
Visibility was such that we could only just make out both banks, were we in the middle? Time to concentrate, rely on Memory Map and Waterway Routes to show us our location and which way we were facing. Mick had the track we’d made last Tuesday showing on his tablet, maybe if we stuck to that line we’d be fine. The tide all the time pulling us along towards the North Sea.
Oleanna seemed to freeze more as we cruised along
First Mick spotted the wake in the water from NB Airbourne, they couldn’t be that far ahead of us. We slowed our pace as best we could and there about 100ft ahead was the boat. We let them get further ahead, better to have space between us today seeing as how we couldn’t see very well.
Here comes the sun!
The sun started to rise to our right. Vapour trails which had been pink as we set off turned yellow above our heads. The mist glowed, the best light diffuser you can get. We just needed the sun to be up and start burning it’s way through the fog. Should we have set off? With our gps and nav lights we felt confident that we shouldn’t bump into anything we shouldn’t.
Mistical
What a stunning sun rise. My photographs snatched between moments of concentration. Our charts show places where you should line up between white poles so as to avoid banks of silt. The river was quite low, would we be able to stick to the red line? One recently painted post came into view, we just needed to spot the other one. We knew that trees had been cleared to make this easier, but not when there was fog, we only spotted it when the other post had long since vanished behind us. We got away with it.
Cwor!!!
Blimey it was cold despite having layers upon layers. Fingers frozen, needed to be used to turn pages and keep Memory Map alive. I soon turned off the sleep mode on my phone, the screen alive constantly.
There they are
There was the boat in front, he’d pulled away from us a bit more. A clearing of the fog, great. Then we were plunged back into the next cloud of freezingness. Today is the first time we’ve not managed to see the Landmark Trust property up on the hill, we could just about work out where it might be and wondered what the current guests would make of their view over breakfast today!
West Burton Power Station
West Burton Power Station sat in the cloud ahead like the giants palace in Jack and the Beanstalk. Mick’s phone rang, it was John the Lockie from West Stockwith Lock, checking to see we were on our way, he’d got up early to come and meet us. A reassuring phone call to have, knowing there’d be someone at the lock to get us off the river.
As we came to the tight turns south of Gainsborough the mist started to clear a touch, John had said that it was clear at West Stockwith, phew we’d be able to see our way into the lock. Past the flour mill and we could see the boat ahead clearly, the morning world now revealing itself to us.
Gainsborough Bridge with plenty of room today
What a difference to last Tuesday. The tide we’d been pushed along by then was obviously much higher, the tide today lower and that bit slower. The arches on Gainsborough Bridge felt to be a third bigger than last week, how had anyone had a problem going through?
NB Airbourne pulled in towards the pontoon, we slowed Oleanna’s engine so as not to add to the difficulty of mooring up on a tidal river. The chap seemed to be alright, the boat staying put as he dealt with ropes.
A phone call to John at the lock. There was 4ft of water over the cill, we should be fine to get in. Mick cranked the revs up a notch.
Gainsborough was very very quiet today. No crowds on the bank. No beeping of horns. No drones above following us. However one large banner still hangs from a balcony facing downstream. The flotilla would today be arriving in Leicester making a noise getting peoples attention again.
West Stockwith lock in front of the white house
Now the mist had all burnt off as we headed up the last straight before the bend where the lock is. John called he was ready for us. Had we watched the videos of how to turn into the lock? We’ve been in twice here, once at slack water, the other time turning to stem the outgoing tide and then make our way back towards the lock.
John and a trainee lockie guiding us in
I moved to the bow before any manoeuvres happened, Tilly had already assumed the brace position on the bed tucked up amongst our pillows. Mick turned Oleanna then brought her back towards the lock, John stood signalling to keep going straight towards him. Mick the pushed the tiller over to kick the bow round, maybe just a little bit early as the starboard side touched the lock mouth before the bow had got in the lock. Ropes passed down to us, then we rose up into the daylight, quite a warm morning now!
Two bums to the beam
We pulled over onto the visitors mooring in the basin. Time to warm up and have breakfast, we’d finish off the bacon from last week. Then it was chores time, Tilly’s pooh and the wee tank sorted.
Breakfast!
Not far now to our chosen mooring, we winded and then pootled to the first length of armco along the Chesterfield Canal. Time for a rest for us and some much needed shore leave for Tilly.
A big muddy ditch once the tides out
Todays walk took me back upstream along the river bank, the tide still working it’s way out to sea, the mud banks looking very, well, muddy!
The Station
I then crossed fields which are used as a flood water reservoir, the roads and footpaths closed off when it’s full, today a bright green grassy crop was doing well. I got a green light to cross the railway, Walkeringham old Station House along side. The station opened in 1867 and closed to passengers in 1959.
I passed a long line of houses that were built for workers at West Burton Power Station, crossed the main road at Walkeringham Cross, not that there is much of a cross ontop of the stone steps now.
An intriguing property
I passed South Cottage, that sits at an angle to the main road, tiles and brick work on it’s façade, surely there must be information about it somewhere. The only thing I can find is a suggestion of a Sunday School on an old Ordnance Survey map.
The Staff
Across fields to where big mounds sit fenced off from the world, part of WW2 petrol tanks. A sign close to the road suggesting the work force is maybe a touch young.
For Sale
Up near the canal a house for sale. Lovely gardens. Then back along the canal to Oleanna, walking past the first two locks of the Chesterfield Canal and an awful lot of reeds in the water, that’ll be interesting tomorrow!
The Chesterfield Canal
Eight years ago today, we finished packing a van with a third of our possessions, popped Tilly in her escape pod and drove to Sheffield to move onboard Oleanna, our new home. Such an exciting day.
The Fund Britain’s Waterways Campaign Cruise hit Leicester and threatened to return Richard III to Yorkshire. They are still making quite a noise, but we think they sounded way better with Oleanna’s horns added into the mix. If you haven’t signed it yet please sign the petition.
1 lock, 15 miles, 1 wind, 1 extremely foggy morning to be following another boat, 1 stunning sunrise, 1 kingfisher, 2 lock keepers, 1 empty wee tank, 1 clean pooh box, 1 cooked breakfast reward, 5.71 miles walked, 86 minutes briskly, 1 big Mrs Tilly stamp of approval, 64th sock yarn chosen, 1 quiet afternoon and evening.
Originally we’d been booked to pen down back onto the tidal Trent at 11:45 this morning, but yesterday Mick had stopped off to chat to the Lock Keeper. They didn’t understand why we were booked so late and suggested we should join the widebeam and head off at 10:00, less chance of meeting the incoming tide that way. So we were up, breakfasted and covers rolled up ready for the off by 9:45.
Glad we weren’t a cruiser!
The light at the lock turned green, the widebeam undid all their ropes and headed for the lock, we followed them slowly. The Lockie gave advice to stick to the channel as best we both could as there was only 18 inches of fresh today and we’d be helped by the out going tide. In the lock we did as usual, bow and stern line, well you never know just when the wind will hit a lock wall and push your boat over to the other side of the lock, as it did to our locking buddies who only had a stern line round a riser.
What a pretty day
There was no way for us to be first out of the lock, so we waited and then followed slowly. Should we overtake or sit tight behind? Buddies on the Trent really should always be quite close should they be needed.
More banks visible today
Our buddies kept mainly to the channel, a little too close to the bank at times, they managed to do their own bit of pruning, hope their pram cover is okay. We opted to stay behind them, at a steady pace, we’d use less diesel, but it did feel slow compared to our normal speed on the Trent.
Egret
After a few minutes we were able to join the Geraghty zoom, only long enough to show Mick’s siblings the river and say good morning before we decided we’d need to concentrate a touch more than normal.
Can you spot the bird?
Blue skies. A breeze to keep us from getting warm and at times the water got quite choppy. An Egret, a bird who was invisible except for its bright orange legs, swallows or sand martins dashed in and out of the sandy banks, far too quick for a photo.
A speedboat was moored on the waterski club pontoon, then another appeared up ahead through Fledborough Viaduct going at quick a lick. At least this meant we knew which span to head for, confirmed when we eventually saw the now rusted away graffiti.
The river level was low, possibly the lowest we’ve experienced so keeping to the red line was more important to do today. As we passed Dunham Pontoon I wondered how different the water level looked compared to last Tuesday (left photo) when the flotilla woofers had paused for a comfort break.
Under the bridges and on past the sunken island and round the bend by Cottam Power Station. Next landmark would be the EA building just before Torksey Junction. The widebeam pulled in and popped themselves near the end of the pontoon, their plan now was to head to the pub for Sunday lunch, hopefully there would be some left at 1:30pm. We pulled in and left a boats length between us and them and plenty of space before the only other boat moored up.
Torksey Viaduct now a footpath
I planned my afternoon walk. Whilst on the river today we’d been hunting out KM markers to help update Waterway Routes, those in brackets had not been spotted when Paul has cruised this way. With only a small amount of greenery on the trees we were having more luck spotting them, one well and truly surrounded by sideways trees. We’d found all of them but one, 71. If I crossed Torksey Viaduct I’d be able to walk the banks of the river and see if it was visible from land, or as we suspected long gone! My walk would also have another advantage, I’d get to be closer to Cottam cooling towers, an opportunity not to be missed.
Mooos
I set off, however my plan was to be thwarted! I crossed the river and climbed down the steps on the other side to find through the kissing gate a gang of very inquisitive ginger cows. Hmmm! They came for a good nosy at me. Then a chap appeared behind me. He wasn’t too keen in trying to push through them, I gave it a go, he’d call for back up if needed.
NO way am I giving you a snog!
CUSHH! I waggled my arms, made myself as big as possible, isn’t that what you are meant to do? CUSHH! No they hardly moved and what movement they did was towards me. I retreated behind the kissing gate, one of them now demanding a snog before it would let me through. NO chance!
A change of route was called for, head northwards, but the paths didn’t seem to join up for me to come back southwards. A different route all together was needed. Back across the river to Brampton where there were a few lovely looking houses. Across Lincoln golf club where two chaps were having difficulty finding their balls in the trees. Back to the river via Torksey. A shame my Sunday selfie couldn’t be closer to the cooling towers, but that’s life.
Sunday selfie
During the afternoon one boat came down Torksey Lock and one went up, so we could have got over the cill after all. Oh well we’re booked to go up West Stockwith in the morning with a push off time of 6am! So we stayed put below the lock.
Bloomin blossom
The Fund Britain’s Waterways cruise reached Barrow upon Soar today after enjoying a Sunday lunch with the Soar Boat Club. If you haven’t sign it yet, please sign the petition
1 lock, 16.7 miles, 2 winds, 1 right, 1 very slow tidal cruise, 1 tree trimmed, 1 Chance encounter, 15 ginger bullies, 4.25 miles walked, 70 minutes briskly, 1 big cauliflower cheese, 1 very bored cat.
After breakfast we both headed to see if there was anything to buy with yellow labels. Mick headed to Waitrose, a pint of milk and a Saturday newspaper, plus a look around to see what might have yellow stickers on that could go in the freezer for another day.
Sad Gits bread
I headed to the other side of the river to M&S, here I was greeted with quite a few yellow stickers. It seems the morning is best at M&S, evening best at Waitrose. I scanned loaves of bread, spicy Spanish rice. Not many things either took my fancy or I could eat. However a box of Frites and a gf Tiger loaf of bread jumped in my basket. Once back at Oleanna the former was split into two and the loaf sliced up and all popped into the freezer.
A blue world down on the river today
We pushed off heading down stream. Mick radioed ahead incase there was a Lock Keeper on duty at Nether Lock, again Cromwell Lock replied that there was no-one there today. The key of power would be needed. Since coming through Nether Lock the last time the buttons seem to have been made more sensible. The lock resets itself to being full, in the past I’ve had to press the OPEN button as if the lock was empty, waiting for the flashing to stop before doing it again despite the sluices already being open. Today the gates just opened and I could call Mick to bring Oleanna straight in.
At the bottom end things also seemed to be quicker, the periods between button presses much shorter than I remembered, however it took forever for the lock to realise it was now empty, stop it’s flashing light and let me open the gates.
Down on the river it was breezy, white horses, lumpy water. Thank goodness we’ve opted to keep the stove ticking over inside.
Us and our neighbours
Approaching Cromwell pontoon we could see a widebeam was moored up. Would there be room for us on the outside? Or would we opt to wind and reverse into the upstream inside? The widebeam was right in the middle of the outside, two spare mooring cleats in front, one behind, enough room for us if they nudged up. We winded and headed for the inside, at least we’d have a view from our bedroom window. Later on we found out that when they’d arrived it had been so windy they were relieved to just get moored up to the pontoon.
Lunch then a walk up the river bank, back to North Muskham. About a 10/15 minute walk you come across a tea room at a farm, Lil Maggies and the Secret Barn, laid out in (surprise surprise) a barn with a tent and caravans about. It was too late for me to sample their vitals, but maybe when we come back this way later we’ll see what’s on offer.
St Wilfred’s of North Muskham, not to be confused with St Wilfred’s of South Muskham
I walked up to St Wilfred’s Church, the very well worn door obliged in being unlocked. Inside was far smaller than I’d expected, chairs rather than pews. Parts of the church date back to 1190 and it contains what are probably the earliest octagonal piers in the county. The chancel and north aisle were rebuilt in 1530, funded by J Barton of Holme, the family coat of arms appears around the church. The Tudor oak rude screen is very impressive for such a little church. They have developed a very canny way of avoiding molten wax from dripping on peoples heads.
I looked for a slightly different route back to the boat avoiding the A1. This took me through the village past a totem pole and around a large lake surrounded by a housing estate and then back onto the river bank. A rather blustery walk.
North Muskham Totem pole
The pontoons here have electric posts. Mick went to see if he could get one of them to work. They used to work with the old CRT pump out cards that you could buy on line or at Locks. These are supposedly being phased out at pump outs and chip and pin readers installed. There was a time when you could trade your old cards in, we never got round to doing this so had a couple on board. The second card Mick tried worked, it had one unit left, the post sprang into life. The unit lasted two wash cycles, a second tank of hot water and some tumble drying before it stopped working.
This evening we’ve enjoyed half of our yellow stickered ‘sad gits’ frites with some salmon, very nice it was. We’ve also raised a glass or two to being boat owners for 11 years, having picked NB Lillyanne up from her previous owners in 2014.
The Fund Britain’s Waterways Campaign Cruise reached The Soar Boat Club at Normanton on Soar today. If you haven’t already done so please sign the petition, the link is at the top right hand side of this page.
1 lock, 5 miles, 2 yellow labels, 1 pint, 1 newspaper, 0 shore leave again for Tilly, 5.02 miles walked, 73 minutes briskly, 11 years of floating our own boat.
With a few days before the next suitable tide for us to return downstream from Cromwell we have some spare time around Newark. Ten years ago we spent the winter months here so got to know it pretty well.
Town Lock newly painted
This morning there was a prescription to collect from Boots, grub screws to be hunted out as we’ve lost one from the handle of the front door. I’d come across mention of an artisan gluten free bakers, that had to be worth a visit and maybe even a suspension of my current avoidance of baked goods.
We set off individually, I headed to the bins by the flood lock trying to clock up brisk walking minutes and then into town crossing over Town Lock and up to near the castle where there is this house for sale.
Grade 2 with period charm!
Round the shops and the Friday market. No bakers in Chain Lane sadly, just cuddly toy pastries, pies and cakes in one window.
The market wasn’t half the size we remembered it to be and just where was that really good tool and hardware stall, nowhere to be seen. Maybe this was the wrong day for them. Some clothes, plants, a glutenfilled bakers and what seemed to be a cauliflower stall, the white heads piled up and very few other veg visible.
Guaranteed to be gluten free
Into Boyes, would they have grub screws, nope! A walk down the other end of town where Wilkos used to be, some new development going up there. With none of the smaller items on my list found I then walked up Barnby Gate to find Hills the art shop.
The market and Parish Church
But where was it? It’s always further than I think, but I was certain the shop front I stood in front of used to be the side with all the racks of paper and card. Next door thankfully showed signs of artist equipment. I went in.
I was after some heavy weight watercolour paper in an A3 pad and some mount board. I chatted to the assistant. They have had to let out part of the shop to keep going, their main business picture framing, the sale of the odd tube of white paint wouldn’t keep them going. We discussed watercolour paper pads, only one quite costly option, then mount board which was £10 a sheet! Flipping heck it’s been a while since I bought some. When the assistant returned with two very large sheets of mount I was told that they were £10 for A0, they could cut them in half, but half a sheet would still be £10. I chose to take all the sheet, but if they could cut them in half that would be far easier to store on Oleanna.
Cauliflowers and plants
Before I left with my big package under my arm I made sure I thanked them for still existing, finding a good art shop is getting harder and harder and certainly one with stock that you can look at and feel near impossible. I may even have said we’d come to Newark specifically for me to visit them, only half a lie.
Some pretty colours
Back at Oleanna we had lunch, Mick had succeeded in buying a pork pie. I wrote some more blog, quite a bit to catch up on and getting on for 700 photos from two days of the Fund Britain’s Waterways Cruise to edit.
Squeezed into the drawing board slot
The Brompton then accompanied us back into town, our chosen supermarket was to be Morrisons, here we hoped to find everything we’d want under one roof at a reasonable price. After an hour we headed back to Oleanna the Brompton earning it’s keep once again as a sherpa.
Mick also spent some of today trying to get tidal locks booked. The West Stockwith phone number was on answerphone and suggested to call the main CRT number, which he did. They said you should be able to book on the number he’d called, but try Keadby.
Loaded up
Times and dates were discussed with Mark at Keadby. Our original plan had been to head to Torksey, wait for the level to be right to go up the lock for Tilly to have some shore leave for a day, before making our way onto West Stockwith, then should the tides be right we’d carry on to Keadby the following day. However we’re now into neep tides and the likelihood of being able to get over the cill at Torksey was slim. Our message would be passed on to West Stockwith.
The Sonning no longer moored below the castle, now sold and possibly in Hull
Later the Lockie from West Stockwith called, he’d had a missed call. Times, dates and tides were discussed. We changed our plans. Up to Torksey, no point in waiting to see if there’d be enough water to go top side. Instead we’d head onwards to West Stockwith the following day and have a couple of days on the Chesterfield canal before carrying on to Yorkshire. We were booked in at all relevant locks, three more tidal days. However Mark at Keadby had mentioned that Vazon Sliding Bridge was currently out of action! This would mean we’d only be able to get to Keadby and not onwards to Thorne. We left our bookings as they were, there was no official stoppage notice from CRT. Should we need to find a different route in a weeks time then we’d look into going round Trent Falls/End as we have somewhere to be. Hopefully by then the bridge will be sorted and our original plan will still work.
The Palace Theatre panto cast
The Campaign Cruise made it to Nottingham County Hall steps yesterday, today they all cruised through Nottingham, some carrying on to the Soar, other stopping at Trent Lock where the Erewash, Soar and Trent all meet at one big cross roads.
Various photos and bits of footage have been gathering, so I thought I’d share them with you. Thank you to people who have taken photos of us on Oleanna, a rare thing as I’m usually the one behind the camera.
A lie in, Tilly wasn’t impressed by the morning view, ah but I remember what lies at the top of those huge steps! Once we were up and dressed shore leave was granted for two hours. On previous visits to Hazelford Lock Tilly has been a little reluctant to go up the big steps to see what laid above, but once she’d got up there she was kept busy. Today she charged up to the top, claimed some wooden railings for herself and was gone out of view for quite some time. Well I remember outsides just like you do, but from different heights. This one has a lot of friendly cover and could keep me going for days!
Hazelford Lock cottage
A shame that at 10am when Tilly came in we decided to go out, the VHF radio needed to be on higher ground for us to hear any activity from the Campaign Cruisers, they now seem to be known at Waterways Warriors! We walked up to be by the lock, the radio crackled after a while a few times. Then there was Alan from NB Aladin radioing someone.
Mick replied, saying that so far there was no sign of a Lock Keeper at Hazelford, but we were here with our key and ready to pen them all up. Alan replied and relayed the message to the following boats. They would be about 40 minutes, we were early.
Radio in hand listening to channel 6
Alan radioed again whilst passing Fiskerton, this is where we’d radio a Lockie from, hoping they’d have the lock ready for us. The flotilla had stretched out somewhat and he’d underestimated their cruising time. We decided to get the lock ready for them as using the boaters pedestal you can’t just lift the bottom paddles and it be done in a jiffy. No, you have to wait for that flippin flashing light to stop before lifting the paddles a couple more inches with another button press and it always seems to take forever for the level to be acknowledged before the gates will open. I checked above the lock before we started to empty it, no sign of anyone approaching the top side.
First one in
Then eventually NB Aladin appeared round the bend, he slowed on his approach, he’d touched the bottom whilst coming past Oleanna. The others followed with quite big gaps between them and pulled up to line up with the blue risers in the lock. The natural inclination is to stay as far back as possible in these big locks, but if we were to get everyone in one lock they would have to nudge up a bit.
Sneaking in at the back
Four abreast with quite a gap at the rear of the final three narrowboats, Mick managed to get Cruiser Amourouse tucked in at the back with plenty of space for us to close the gates behind them.
Eight in the lock
Our space on the flotilla now taken by NB Kallisto who will be with them until Nottingham. We penned them up and then wished them all a final farewell. Our plans take us back northwards this summer, so we’ve come on a bit of a detour to take part in getting things rolling on the cruise. We’ve really enjoyed our time with them, but now it’s time for us to turn round and head back the way we’ve come. Hopefully in the future our bows will cross with them all at some point, somewhere.
Banners
Above the lock a narrowboat appeared, it winded and then held it’s position. It looked very much like they would be joining the flotilla too. How great would it be if as the flotilla passes boaters join in for a mile or two to show their support for the campaign. Of course at the moment it’s easy to join them with big stretches of river and huge locks, it’ll be harder once they get on the canal in Nottingham as only two, not eight boats will fit the locks.
Goodbye, have a good time
Back at Oleanna we decided to give Tilly some more shore leave and have lunch before departing. A phone call was made to Cromwell to check on tide times to Torksey over the next few days. We need a bit of time in Newark to restock then we can be on the move again. We booked in for our second tidal lock. Mick then called Torksey to see if we’d be able to get up the lock the day we arrive and when would be best for us to carry on to West Stockwith, the chap couldn’t help much about times, best to talk to the Lockie at West Stockwith.
Tilly came back for Dreamies and a toilet break only to find the back doors now firmly shut, time to head down stream. I was not impressed!
Back down stream, passing the power station (nowhere near as impressive at the one’s we’d passed on the tidal river, I wonder how long the cooling towers will stay? Past Leicester Trader, the Parish Church spire came into view.
Hot buttons
Mick radioed ahead to see if Town Lock had a Lockie, he got an answer but it was from Cromwell, the Lockie in Town had left an hour ago so it was on self service. The Key of Power would get some use, here you can whack the paddles up to fill the lock should you so wish, all whilst the lady keeps on repeating herself and you burn your fingers on the buttons whilst opening and closing gates.
Newark Castle a touch quieter than yesterday
There was space at the end of the pontoon a few more boats having arrived since yesterday. First thing after apologising to Tilly again that there’d be no more shore leave today was to fill the water tank and water the strawberries.
Time to go for a walk. I headed back to above Town Lock crossed the bridge where the flood gates are, further into town, once round the market square. The wonderful building opposite the church, with the tiled shop front is up for sale. I’ve always wanted to know more about this house. It’s Grade 2 listed and has three bedrooms! Far bigger than I’d imagined with a walled garden too!! The mirror and furniture in the drawing room are well worth a look.
I love this building, £289,950
I then carried on down past the Palace Theatre and on to Newark Northgate station, a quick check for any yellow stickers in the M&S foodhall before crossing the river to do the same in Waitrose, but nothing jumped out as a bargain so I left with two bananas and a pint of milk.
1 lock, 8.5 miles, 8 in a lock, 3 hours shore leave, 1 happy cat, 1 disappointed cat, 1 lock booked, 1 full water tank, 4.15 miles refresher walk around Newark, 50 minutes briskly, walk3 jackets baked in the stove with chicken coleslaw for tea.
More of a lie in this morning, although I was awake to see the the colourful sunrise across the river, so glad we’d not ended up breasted up yesterday without the view.
Under the railway
09:30 was push off time for all boats. NB Rum a Gin led the way, Hazel had an appointment with a film crew at Nether Lock at 10:30, she’d already been on a local radio station. Radio checks done, the boats gradually moved off upstream.
Nether Lock
News came through that the camera crew had gone to Town Lock so they were having to relocate. The lock was sat ready and waiting for us, photographers at the ready and several Lock Keepers. Would we all fit in the lock together? The Lockie preferred to pen up four of us at a time, he was still in training so wanted to avoid any safety issues that eight boats in a lock might incur.
Tug Ruffian waiting for us all
Up we rose slowly, the camera crew had now arrived. Tug Ruffian sat close to the top of the lock waiting to escort the flotilla into Newark, but we’d have to wait for the other boats to be penned up. A cruiser was waiting around the corner held back by a red light, the Lockies knew they were there. So they got to descended between the flotillas lockings.
You’re going to make horrid noises again aren’t you!
Hazel was interviewed on the bank whilst we waited for the other boats to arrive and then the TV presenter climbed on board to travel in to Newark with them. We followed behind Tug Ruffian. People stood on the bridge over the entrance to King’s Marina where we’d over wintered ten years ago. Blasts of horns announced our arrival long before anyone could see us.
Back in line astern
At Kiln Pontoon a familiar looking narrowboat ( recently bought in Goole) got ready to tag along with us to muster outside the castle. The plan last night had been to breast up to attempt to block the river. However today we were not as organised as we’d been yesterday.
Coming through Trent Bridge
No-one had mentioned this to Ruffian, so they pulled in and asked for a rope from us. NB Purple Emperor having pulled up in front against the wall. We were all in the wrong order to be able to breast up in length order as had been the plan. So we ended up with two lots of boats, 10 in all a few short of blocking the navigation.
Blasting out Newark
It took a while for those unused to the current on a river to get tied up. Once bows were under control and the camera crew were on the bank, Hazel called the flotilla to Sound our horns! A wall of sound stormed around the foot of the castle as people watch on from the banks and bridge. Blimey it was noisy!
Jo on NB That’s It
More interviews were done on the bank with people from the IWA and CRT explaining about the need for continued funding for Britains Waterways.
Going up
Now the flotilla split, some headed back to kiln pontoon, shopping required. Others headed to Town Lock, we managed to join them and rose up. Some pulled in on the wall of Newark Basin, NB That’s It carried on behind Tug Ruffian, Brian then cruised round into Newark Marina, I think they’d over shot where they’d planned to moor up for a quick dash up to York.
More breasted up boats
We followed Ruffian to their mooring, just behind Leicester Trader. Les helped us moor up along side, time for lunch. Our radio chirped back into life a bit after 2pm, boats were heading our way and wanting to breast up. This also took some doing, but eventually all were secure and ready to clamber off to have a look around the last Trent Barge still in her original form.
Les with his boat, or is it a museum?
Les Reid and Friends have endeavoured to restore the boat back to her original state. As there is no museum to put her in they’ve put the museum inside. Numerous photographs cover the walls, ropes with knots, a sea toilet, a cabin all sorts can be found in the hold. The museum is an archive dedicated to the River Trent. We watched a couple of films and had a good look around. Many many thanks to Les for opening her up for us today.
Time to move on. Farndon Marina had offered the flotilla moorings for the night. NB Kallisto, the new boat from Goole, pulled up on the CRT moorings and others breasted up on the marina pontoons. This is where we waved them goodbye, well for today and carried on upstream to Hazelford Lock for some shore leave for Tilly away from the crowds.
A short while on, our radio chirped up, it was Alan from NB Aladin asking if he could breast up to us as we were a similar length. This obviously wasn’t to be as we were already at least a mile upstream.
The sun shone, the birds tweeted as we rounded the bend with what feels like park land, the sheep grazing down to the waters edge, we spotted the first swan sat on a nest. It had been great fun being with everyone, but it was rather nice to be back on our own again.
All alone at Hazelford Lock
By the time we reached Hazelford Lock and pulled in it was getting on for being too late for Tilly to have shore leave. So instead I made use of the time before dark and went for a walk.
What a magical archway of blossom
First across a field joining a track leading back to a road. The blackthorn blossom was heavy on bushes. The road didn’t have a footpath, what to do? Was it a busy road? Should I alter my planned route? I decided the road wasn’t too busy and looked reasonably straight so continued as planned, swapping sides of the road to keep in view and stopping when traffic came towards me.
Then down a road towards Hazelford Residential Home where long term moorings stretch along the river bank towards the lock. Here I followed the Trent Pathway, ogling at Tortus, the boat I’d love to have when I grow up!
Standing between a Trent Clapper Gate
Through a couple of Trent clapper gates. These are designed to automatically close behind you, the way they are hinged and their shape encourages gravity to aid them to close. If you go through and let one side hit the post the other side will open up and close again, clapping shut behind you.
A hopeful Heron
On the weir a heron stood on a bottom step. Still in amongst all the frothing water. No fish in sight, but one might come sooner or later. Back at Oleanna I rustled up a chicken curry old style, with bananas, sultanas, cashews and some yoghurt to help use up some of the roast chicken and dived into the shower.
Two busy days on the campaign cruise, now time to be quiet and on our own … until tomorrow morning.
2 locks,13.5 miles, 8 boats now 10 boats, 1 film crew, 2nd BBC local news, 1 loud arrival, 1 storm of sound, 1 Trent boat, 1 informative Les, 1 boat out on our own, 2 late for shore leave, 3.25 miles walked, 50 brisk minutes, 1 quiet evening.
