A very brief hello, nice to meet you with Darren this weeks lodger. It’s been a busy week for him and will continue to be as they open tonight, then have two shows tomorrow. Just hope he makes time to change his bed linen before meeting up with family on Sunday.
Our hydrangeas are a little bit odd
A few final things to do about the house, some weeding on the paths to the front doors. Bags packed, empty pooh buckets back in the car. Time to get on with other things. Around the corner we dropped a pair of sockathon socks off, the youngest toes to have some of my socks so far.
Then to Mick’s doctors for the appointment he should have had last week. A change in his prescription which will require a follow up blood test in two weeks. Hopefully that can be done as a day trip by train and he can do that at the hospital to save having a fixed appointment. Picking up his prescription meant a wait of a few minutes, time to buy a sandwich each.
My favourite rose
By now it was obvious we’d not be back at Weedon Bec in time to return the car today, a phone call and £50 lighter we had the car for another day.
A day out would be nice
Leaving Scarborough was slow, we have to remind ourselves of summer traffic to and from the coast. Next stop, the tip to dispose of engine oil. Then Mick managed to keep going straight past the bottom of Staxton Hill, our more usual route back to Oleanna, and headed to York. Our satnav suggested serious congestion on the A64 so we opted for one of Mick’s old scenic routes from his telephone engineer times in York.
I refrained from buying holiday clothing at the hospital
The X-ray department was found at York Hospital, an hour waiting time suggested. Mick headed off to fill the car with petrol avoiding having to pay for parking. I was moved to a different waiting area where it seemed I was surrounded by people from Scarborough. Bronwyn called me over, three x-rays done of my left knee. She would cancel my appointment for five weeks time in Scarborough and I should hear about the results within two weeks. My waiting time and x-rays had taken 80 minutes, it had definitely been worth fast tracking myself. Maybe Mick could have his blood test done in York? A question to be asked of his GP.
A move from the Orange waiting area
Out of York through Fulford where I grew up. We paused at the Designer Outlet to stock up on my smelly tea from Whittards. Then back to the M1 and heading southwards, slow going at times. We bobbed into the small Tescos at Weedon for something to eat tonight and were back on the boat before 8pm.
Hello Fulford
A very productive trip.
0 locks, 0 miles, 1 rushing lodger, 1 pint of milk left this time! 2 more sandwiches, 1 new prescription, 3 x-rays, 80 minutes instead of five weeks, £50 for an extra day, 4 packets of tea, 1/3rd off, 1 blood test, 1 warm bored cat.
Another early start, but today it wouldn’t be accompanied by a sunrise, today we’d be joining the M1 to head northwards again to Scarborough. Tilly’s magic food bowl was primed with two meals, we hoped we’d be back before the second compartment opened but there was a chance we’d be late. A promise was made that it would only be one BIG sleep and not two before we’d be back inside.
With bags packed, Mick lifted the bow tyre fender and pulled Oleanna closer to the bank for me to get off, Blimey it’s s big step. Then it was time to slowly make my way down the 47 steps to the graveyard, sideways. There’s a handy village car park under one of the arches of the viaduct. Weeden Bec is handily close to the M1 so it wasn’t too long before we joined the northbound traffic.
Our plans for the rest of the summer were discussed and those leading into winter. It all depends a touch on my knee and what the outcome will be. We could make our way back to Yorkshire sooner rather than later. We have lodgers in the house for quite some time and may have more for the Christmas show, but being closer to Scarborough for appointments would make things cheaper. But that would have us hanging around, waiting! At the moment we don’t know what we’d be waiting for or how long. After discussions we decided to continue with our planned route, but to have a back up plan on hand should we need one.
The north west will be our destination. When the time comes to head back to Scarborough we decided that the only sensible route would be to return via the Trent. Currently two out of the three Pennine crossings are closed leaving only the Leeds Liverpool open, at the moment! The Trent is a quick route north even if we’d have to do a big loop to the south to get to it.
Crossing the soggy border
A comfort break at Doncaster services, then over the top of the Wolds. Ten years ago we cruised into York on NB Lillyanne, today we crossed the border into North Yorkshire in a car, both journeys apt on Yorkshire Day.
Our lodgers last week had left the house very clean and tidy, our current lodger was already at work, very busy teching ‘Brassed Off’ that has come from Keswick. The washing machine went straight on, the ironing board set up.
Finally today we were going to be getting smart meters for gas and electric. In the past we’ve been told that this wouldn’t be possible as we have two gas meters on the same account. The engineer arrived and set about his work. Electric first with a double hub, one for each side of the house, the chap hadn’t fitted one of these before. As soon as the power was back on another load of washing went in the machine, tumble dryer drying bed linen ready for ironing.
All ready for Sundays arrivals, well nearly
Mick sorted out our deposits into the compost bins and then had a hack away at the overgrown back garden, some of which was added to the compost bins to help keep the mixture right. Grass was cut, a small attempt to make the gardens look better, we really must get someone to keep them in check!
A letter had arrived with a date for my knee x-ray at Scarborough Hospital, in 5 weeks time. I’d noticed on my NHS app that there was a possibility of being able to walk into York Hospital without an appointment. A call to the GP, Scarborough Hospital then the GP again, I had the referral emailed to me. Next job was to get it printed out, a mission for the IT department with our antiquated hardware in the house.
During the afternoon a C&RT stoppage notice came in.
Network Rail has advised that the Vazon swing bridge at Keadby is not currently operational due to a malfunction. A new part is required and this has to be manufactured. It is anticipated that this will take at least seven days and that the structure will remain in the closed (to boat traffic) position during this time.
Blimey! Even the Trent route can have problems.
Loads of room!
This week we’d arrived by the seaside in good time, an order was placed for two Haddock and a large chips, one side of mushy peas. Whilst Mick headed off to pick it up I made use of the living room floor to do my exercises. Having loads more room meant they took a good five minutes less than on the boat. It also meant I noticed one of the tiebacks on the curtains was upside down.
A proper trip back to the house
Next time we have fish and chips we must remember we only need a regular portion of chips between us!
Bed linen ironing was finished, a bed made up, some light dusting and a long shower for each of us. A good turn around day.
Ironed
0 locks, 0 miles, 1 blue hire car, M1, M18, M62, A614, A64, 2 lawns cut, 3 sets bed linen washed and ironed, 1 bed made, 1 attempt to fast track the NHS, 3 smart meters, 2 of each, 1 cat left in charge, 1 Happy Yorkshire Day.
The alarm again, but not quite so early. We’d not be getting the sunrise views of yesterday. Dressed and cuppas made, waterproofs, life jackets and the big torch out the back. Hopefully we’d both have drunk our tea before our mugs would get topped up in Blisworth Tunnel.
Blisworth Tunnel at 7am
As we entered we both exclaimed that we couldn’t see the other end. Blisworth may be 1.7 miles long but it is straight. I think it was just our eyes getting accustomed to the lack of light as within 50 meters the pin prick of light could be seen. The advantage of going into the tunnel at early o’clock is that we were unlikely to meet anyone coming the other way, we had the tunnel to ourselves.
Big torch at the stern showing the concrete central section of the tunnel
The torrent of water that cascades from one of the air shafts wasn’t as bad as we remembered it and avoidance tactics were taken so we missed the worst of it. Other drips gave the roof a good wetting. Our big torch at the stern not only helps you to see at the helm it also means you get to see details on the brickwork and concrete sections. Why are some of the deposits orange and others creamy white?
Straight on to Braunston
Out the other side. A lack of boats moored before the bridge. Where have lots of boats gone? Past the wonderful old mill and northwards. Straight on at Gayton Junction, we’re heading northwards. Boat names and decorations to keep us amused.
At Bugbrook we waved across the pub garden to Unusual where our friend Lizzie works, a new building with actual windows gives some views towards the canal. In the tree lined cutting the Raymond and Nutfield crew were eating their breakfast, soon to cast off and follow us.
40 bags of coal piled up very neatly on someone’s mooring. Coal bought at this time of year comes with discounts so if you have a permanent mooring it’s worth it.
Round another bend the service mooring at Rugby Boats was available. We pulled in to top up on diesel £1.09 domestic today. I stepped off to look at the boats on brokerage, skipping across the posters for their names. NB Quaintrelle! We’d wondered what had happened to Mike and Aileen. Years ago when we were all new to boating we’d shared the Long Buckby flight then our paths crossed several more times before they headed off to explore the French waterways. Their last posts had them with two feline crew and having finished cruising the waters across the channel. Two years ago we’d seen Quaintrelle moored at Weedon. All the best to the new owners you’ve a boat that’s been places and we hope Mike and Aileen are well and have happy future plans.
Very neat potential heat
Not far now to our planned mooring for the day. There was space on Weedon Bec embankment. The moorings on the offside by the church would soon have the benefit of shade, so we pulled in there. The bank is extreamly low only about four inches higher than the water in the canal so quite a big step for my knees. Today I’ve developed a side step so that I can step around the cratch board to be able to tie the bow line, something I’ve been avoiding for the last couple of weeks. But once back on the boat today I wouldn’t be hopping on and off, I’d be staying put.
Finishing breakfast before setting off
Tilly was given a couple of hours and we sat down for a very late breakfast. Tilly did get longer, I just wanted her to come in for a drink every now and again as it was so hot. After a while Mick headed off to check on suitable parking places nearby. He found Tilly checking out the cemetery and suggested it was time she came back to the boat rather than follow him! Blimey all the way back up this outside, its very steep, so inconsiderate on a hot day!
Plenty of boats came past, our mooring lines had quite a bit of play in them, time for a spring line, but also we needed better fenders as Oleanna bumped and scraped along a submerged shelf. First the buoys were tried, they had nothing to stop them from rising up onto the bank. Then the tyres, these certainly held us out, but also wanted to pop up over the bank edge as it was so shallow. Mick had an idea, the mud weight we’d been given a few years ago might just be the thing. He tied a rope to the mud weight and then tied the tyre to the weight. The mud weight was lowered into the canal and the tyre fender sat at the right height. Brilliant, no more grinding on the submerged shelf.
Tyre fender with mud weight
Being on the off side meant we expected little footfall. A couple walked past part way through the afternoon, both with backpacks. We thought they were heading for the boat behind us. Normally there would have followed noises of boat doors being opened, but their conversation just drifted away as if they’d carried on walking past the boat. Mick saw no evidence of anyone on the boat during the remainder of the day. So either the couple were very quiet at opening doors and sat with no lights on or they had gone elsewhere. Were they Weedon Bec’s version of the Wheelie Shoppers of Nantwich?
Mick headed off to pick up a hire car, Daventry’s Enterprise has just recently moved to Weedon. I took the opportunity of having the boat to myself to do my exercises in front of the tv. From start to finish it took me 40 minutes. When my brother had knee problems recently he was only given four exercises to do, they took him ten minutes. I’m meant to do mine twice a day! Hopefully as I get better at them they will take less time.
Just checking things out
With the car picked up, Mick dug out our recent purchase of a trolley, time to take the contents from our separating toilet back to the compost bins at the house. Three trips to the car, three times up and down the embankment, he certainly got his exercise today. On his final return trip he heard quite a lot of buzzing around his head. Then a sting! He returned straight to the boat. Good job he’s not got that much hair as I could see the sting in his scalp.
Before pulling it out with tweezers I checked what to do on line. It suggested scraping the sting out with something blunt, pulling it might release more poison. I scraped and scraped, there couldn’t be any poison left in it, it didn’t want to come out, so the tweezers were needed. A clean with soap and water, followed by a small bag of frozen peas applied for ten minutes, off for ten, then back on again. An anti-histamine was also taken, it hurt, but thankfully his head didn’t swell up. Time for a more relaxed evening, listening to the very good bell ringing practice from our nearest neighbours at St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church.
Above Soloman’s Bridge to Stoke Bruerne Visitor Moorings
Sometimes it’s really worth getting up early
An early alarm. We wanted to be up Stoke Bruerne locks before the sun was heating everything. A cuppa was made then Mick pushed us off, no time for exercises this morning! Well I suppose I could have done them as we cruised along on the flat, but that would have meant missing out on the sun rising and I wasn’t going to do that.
Gorgeous
Already above the horizon as we pushed off it was beautiful. Just the right amount of clouds to add to the picture.
Hello!
A wave to NB Briar Rose as we passed Thrupp Wharf. Adam’s mooring was a touch further and it was available, this had been our scheduled stop for yesterday. Currently in the shade, but the sun would soon be streaming over the hedge and stay heating it up until sunset, we’d chosen last nights mooring well.
Slowly past any moored boats. Windows, doors open to let the cool air inside, they didn’t want waking by us. Scum appeared on the canal surface. It got thicker the further we went. By Kingfisher Marina it was really bad, then within a hundred yards it vanished and the canal was back to it’s sludgy brown self.
Sheep clambered to reach the tastiest morsels, a fence now holding it’s inhabitants safe away from the waters edge, one year we had to mount a rescue for a lamb who’d discovered that it couldn’t swim very well.
Four boats sat below the flight. Was anyone stirring? Might we have a locking partner? We crept past, no sign of any life.
Clinging on
Mick went to set the bottom lock, only a foot of water to empty. As I passed the bottom gates I could see a crayfish clinging to the side of the gate. Almost certainly a Signal Crayfish an invasive species. It looked like it had lost one of it’s big claws, after a minute or so it fell back into the lock beneath the water.
Opposite gate paddle lifted
We worked our way up the bottom five locks, most with just a small amount of water requiring emptying before the lock was set. Dog walkers were starting to appear, a chap opened his car doors, a pot of flowers on the bonnet. No need for jumpers now, the world was starting to warm up.
Sold £379,000 click photo for details
Mick hopped back on board so that I could have a sit down before the top two locks. The next lock was full but was soon emptied and as Oleanna rose I glanced ahead, a volunteer popping his head round the bridge above. We’d been spotted, then the top lock started to empty. Was there a boat coming down? Or was it being dropped for us?
Curious
A hire boat appeared, Dad at the helm, Mum and a little girl in a Captain’s hat accompanied a volunteer walking down. The top lock would have been their first lock of their trip, for us it would be our 543rd of the year.
A volunteer stayed to help us, Mick and the chap chatted away. Another boat arrived above ready to take our place in the lock. Now we needed to find some shade, ahead a tree lined cutting, we hoped to find some good cover for the rest of the day.
Two hire boats looked like they’d got a good stretch, up ahead another patch looked good. We pulled in in front of another boat tied up and sat down for our breakfast at 10am, the days cruising complete.
Tilly was given 8 hours shore leave with the request to return for water at regular intervals. She was kept busy in the friendly cover for quite some time.
A good shady spot
The sun moved over, starting to catch us. The boat behind pushed off, a more comprehensive patch of shade just behind where it had been moored. Luckily Tilly came home just as we were wanting to pull back into the new patch of shade. This lasted us for the remainder of the day. Our days mission complete. Locks climbed before it got too hot and to keep the boat as cool as possible.
We’ve cruised through Stoke Bruerne several times now, but never visited the museum, it’s either been closed or we’ve had visitors. So with walking pole we took our time walking back to the museum. It being an old wharf building there was no step free access, but so long as time was taken and I could sit down periodically it would be fine.
The museum is laid out over two floors. Various objects sit in cases. One corner suggests a blacksmiths forge. A boatman’s cabin can be leered inside of. Details about Blisworth Tunnel. Smells of the tunnel and horses! All quite child friendly.
A spider belt
Two things we didn’t know before we visited. 1 That the boat women made Spider Belts for the men, worn for Sunday best. 2 That the tunnel was cleaned periodically to clear the soot from the walls, a very dirty job. There was also a cross section of the Grand Union, interesting as it showed Foxton Summit pound to be higher than Tring, the Welford Arm even higher.
Cross section of the Grand Union Canal
There are also three examples of roses, as in Roses and Castles done by three different people. William Hodgson (left), worked as an artist for Anderton Boat Company in Stoke. He was shown how to paint at the Northwich School of Art and also painted theatre backdrops. He included racehorses, swans and sunsets in his paintings and his roses were considered to look the most realistic. Have to say his style was my favourite. Frank Nurser (middle) worked at Braunston at the Nurser Brothers boatyard. His roses started with a large petal to which smaller ones were added around it. He also painted fairytale castles. His style is possible the most common you’ll see today. Then Fred Winnet (right), he worked as a painter for the Clayton Company at Oldbury. His style very painterly and the least like flowers of the three.
Some chilled medication was enjoyed in the shade of some trees outside before we slowly returned to Oleanna to let Tilly back out.
Blueberry Cookie, not as good as it could have been, also not in focus
The rest of the afternoon was taken up with yarn auditions for sock pair 31 and taking a digs list booking for our house next year! Is it too early to be starting to plan what we’ll be doing in the Spring yet?
7 locks, 6.1 miles, 05:15 alarm, 2 jumpers, 1 amazing sky, 1km of scummy scum, 8 HOURS! 1 cool boat, 1st visit, 1 Mr Ben, 2 many stupid comments, 0 chairs on the top floor, 2 magnum medications, 3 pairs socks wrapped and ready to go, 8 weeks!
No point in watching you, you can’t even get your leg over your head!
As I started my exercises Tilly came to supervise. I’m not doing it correctly apparently, she doesn’t understand how I’m not as flexible as she is. She soon lost interest and preferred looking out of the window. As I carried on lifting my bad leg into the air a chap walked past the window, soon followed by a lady who stopped right in front of me. She bent down and said ‘Has Daddy left you behind?’ She stood up with a small dog in her arms, the dog the only one aware of me looking out at them.
After breakfast we went for a little bit of a walk. Last time we moored here I think the park was still being worked on so I wanted to see how the interconnected ponds looked now, reinstated to how they had been designed many moons ago.
Linford Alms Houses and pond
A circular pond tumbles down into a second one towards the canal, making a pretty picture with the Alms Houses behind.
We had a look at the information boards. Linforde is mentioned in the Doomsday Book and it’s thought there was first a settlement here in the C10th. In the C16th Richard Napier lived here, he was a renowned physician who based his treatments and their timings on astrological readings. I wanted to know what ‘pigeon slippers’ were, well they were just that slippers made from pigeons, one of Napiers treatments! More here on Richard Napiers treatments. In 1800 the canal cut right through the pastoral landscape of the manor which dated from the previous century. When the railway arrived the peace was shattered but both forms of transport aided the village to grow.
Sadly any further walking wasn’t possible for me so we headed back to the boat where locals were suggesting to the boat behind us that fishing and barbeques were not allowed on the manor land. No signs saying so, at least our barbeque last night had been on the concrete edging, so no scorch marks on the grass.
This has been a building site for at least ten years
We pushed off, the boat behind us moving into our space so they could stay longer and be out of the way of the community boat tomorrow morning. Pootling along we passed the house that is constantly being built, piling and some excavation alongside the canal and I think some stone work on the main building is new.
The Wolverton mural always requires a photo or two. Hot air balloons like the Olympic torch. There was a space on the moorings round the corner, we pulled in a few extra items of shopping required to keep us going. Mick head off with a shopping list and thankfully remembered to add a bag of onions to items that would make food preparation over the next few hot days more bearable.
Onwards, we need to keep up our pace northwards. Over the Iron Trunk Aqueduct and towards Cosgrove Lock, here a boat waited for our arrival so that we could share. They’d had a worrying phone call this morning which meant they needed to move today, on a bit of mission we let them lead the way out of the lock as we were wanting to top up with water which would take some time.
Cows flicking their ears at the flies
With fresh water filled and yellow water disposed of we moved on. Todays mooring should have been Adam’s mooring with the view through the hedge, but that wouldn’t give us any shade. I remembered tall hedging just after Solomon’s Bridge but that was already filled with boats that were wonderfully cool. We pootled on trying a few places, but the bottom was too close to the top. We only had as far as the next bridge before the towpath changed sides and we’d have to moor on the sunny side of the canal. Another attempt got us quite close, this would have to do. I’d not be trying to get to shore so as long as Mick could manage, Tilly was guaranteed to be able to jump the gap, which she did without any calculations required.
Surely you could have tied it up better!
Two salmon steaks had been defrosted, no room for a barbeque today so I pan fried them with some red pepper and garlic, one of my favourites. Ends were woven in on the latest two pairs of socks before an early night as tomorrow we want to beat the heat up the Stoke Bruerne flight.
Apples reddening in the sunshine
1 lock, 5.6 miles, 1 bag potatoes, 2 red peppers, 1 bunch spring onions, 1 full water tank, 1 hot hot day, 2 hours of Tilly time, 2 hot for a stamp, 30 pairs of socks finished.
Time for knee exercises. This morning I decided to have a go on the bed before it was put away for the day as the majority of stretches are done lying down. Most worked, although I wonder whether a firmer surface would be better as they seemed a lot easier this morning than when I’d done them in front of the sofa. One however required using the bed diagonally as other wise my foot was trapped under the gunnel. They take time, the time I usually spend writing the blog! I’m currently chasing the blogs tail and am a few days behind. Just need to sort a new routine.
Ready and waiting for zoom
As I stretched away half an hour Mick got to work in the galley with breakfast. We’d not quite finished when the Geraghty zoom started. Subjects, 2024 Olympics, The Last Supper, Strawberry eating Squirrels for the third time, swarf, and Romanians falling off things.
Tim on Sola Gratia heading off as Mick crosses the lock gates
As we were about to get ourselves sorted to move off NB Sola Gratia’s engine was started up, their pram hood lowered and they pushed off. Perfectly timed as a boat was just coming out of the lock. Next it was our turn, we pushed off and got ourselves ready to wave.
Simply must wave
Back in 2014 the end house opposite the moorings had a very well kept garden and sat behind the French windows two people waved at us as we came past. Such an enthusiastic wave we obviously reciprocated. Ever since whenever we pass we wave with the hope of getting one back in return. The garden isn’t quite so immaculate as it was and who knows if the same people live there, I hope they do, a medical looking table/trolley sits by the French window obscuring our view. From a few feet into the darkness we could just see an enthusiastic wave back and maybe even a thumbs up! I so hope other people wave to them to help brighten up everyone’s day.
Heel turned now onto the home straight
I got my knitting out to carry on whilst we cruised along on the flat. The trip to Scarborough and visitors for a day meant despite starting this pair of socks early, I would need to do a sprint to get them finished before the end of today.
Past familiar sights, the bridge that kept us south during winter 2015, lots of familiar boats, a friendly heron taking advantage of a good perch. Before one bridge there was a breasted up pair that had come past earlier, they were breasted up to another narrowboat. Turns out they were there to mend someone’s cratch cover, plenty of space to get past them. Red Lion Cruising club where we’d watched a Mikron show a few years ago. There was space at Campbell Park if we’d wanted it, but we were hoping of a much better mooring.
Under a couple of bridges, there on the offside was a space we’d been hoping for, Linford Manor. The first space has notices saying that it is reserved for Electra the community boat, but that is only on Tuesdays. The second space is still a 48 hour mooring we pulled in there, shame not to have the view across the park, but instead we had some shade. Tilly was given a few hours shore leave and we settled in.
Glad they’ve left a bit of it untidy
With our shopping I got a chicken, too hot to roast it so it was jointed, the majority heading for the freezer. I diced up one breast ready for some kebabs, marinaded it for a couple of hours before threading it onto skewers. Veg and haloumi kebabs were also prepared. The kebab rest would be used to it’s full capacity today.
Kebabs are us
Another boat arrived and moored behind us. Tilly and one of their dogs had a slight altercation through the side hatch. But we all soon settled down to cook our food outside. What a lovely evening.
0 locks, 6.6 miles, 9 exercises, 1 diagonal, 1 smelly stretchy band, 1 stool, 1 Tilly getting in the way, Well she doesn’t know how to do cat yoga! 14 rows left, 48hour garden mooring, 2 chicken kebabs, 4 veg and haloumi kebabs, 2 sniffy woofers, 2 bowls of chilled medication, 2 hot for a stamp.
Wyvern Shipping to the bend near Burnt Oak Bridge 109
Mick headed off to collect a click and collect from Tescos. Maybe it would have been easier to have reversed back to Tescos to collect it but we hadn’t thought of that when placing the order. Once he’d off loaded the shopping it was time to return the van to the other side of Leighton Buzzard. I spent the time stowing the shopping and repackaging mince, sausages, salmon for the freezer. Tilly hopped on the feed me shelf to help point out that I’d forgotten to order some onions! Too late for Mick to pick any up, hey ho!
Oh No! There’s only one onion left! And That’s red!!!!!
Finally it was time for breakfast, a top up of water then we were ready to move on.
Leighton Lock gates
Alongside Leighton Lock a group watched as Oleanna lowered in the lock. Along side the towpath was filled with Himalayan Balsam, the smell familiar from my childhood suggested the seed pods would just about be ready for a good shake, flinging them far and wide. I stopped doing this when I became aware of how invasive it is.
The Globe
Quite a lot of room by The Globe, we carried on round a few bends hoping for a space where the railway is that bit further away from the canal. We were in luck and quickly grabbed the length of armco. Another short move but one that would give Tilly some quality shore leave.
You are far too big to be making that baby noise!
As we tied up a family of swans came over with their entitled ways. Mum, Dad and two cygnets. Little fluffy powder grey cygnets fit the high pitched noise they make, but when they get to just about the same size as their parents it really is odd! Just when do swans voices break? When do they take up smoking 20 woodbines a day to get that husky voice?
Yesterday we’d had a request from the SJT in Scarborough, a last minute room for an understudy this coming week. This was possible except we’d not be able to do a turn around between lodgers. Thankfully wonderful Fleur the Company Stage Manager was willing to go and check things over for us and make up a bed. We had quite a chat whilst I imparted knowledge of bedding and towels, bins and keys at the house. No cheese left this time requiring Frank to empty the fridge.
Jesus
This evening a C&RT stoppage notice came through. A large fire has occurred at Leighton Pump Station immediately adjacent to Lock 27. Police and the fire brigade are on site and navigation is closed until the site can be made safe. This was the only lock we went through today, it was fine when we left it, honest!
It’s a tight squeeze
Where to do my knee exercises? In front of the bed wasn’t wide enough for my yoga mat. Between the sofa and the TV was wider. I wrapped the foam around the cardboard tube and secured it with some gaffa tape. Time to have a go. The instructions were good mostly, some moves I could feel my muscles working. One made my knee scream at me, hopefully that will get better the more I do them. They took quite a bit longer than I’d thought, here’s hoping they help.
Knitting in front of the opening ceremony of the Olympics. Well the whole concept of using the Seine was one I thought was great and I was keen to see how it was going to be executed. We tuned in shortly before the Can Can dancers kicked their legs out of time with each other. Gosh that would have looked so fantastic if they’d got their choreography in time, but instead it was just a bit of a damp skirt swirling mess.
You should come out here, it’s great!
The majority of the audience would be watching on TV, but it all felt a touch disjointed, Eurovision like where you get taken to the next competing countrys video before hearing their song. I loved the slow motion horse, for the first couple of minutes, but soon got bored. Some great shots of Paris, tiny figures singing from up on high only visible to drones, I’m glad I wasn’t watching it from the banks of the river. Was the venue just too big for the event? It certainly was Gene Kelly wet for the cat walk section. Then the flag being raised upside down! Stage Managers across the world must have been wondering had the flag been folded the wrong way? Had it been put on the props table the wrong way up? Had someone been handed it upside down? Or had the four flag unfurling people turned it by accident? We soon were more interested in the holes on the flag pole that ensure there’s a breeze to keep the flag fluttering.
A lovely evening on the bend
The hot air balloon caldron for the Olympic flame made me think of the Wizard of Oz and Jules Verne, it is a rather nice different look. What was important was all the smiling faces of the athletes, soggy but smiling and waving on their boats. Good luck everyone!
Not far to cruise today, over a mile but not much further. Yesterday we’d chosen our mooring well, not much further on boats were moored just about all the way into Leighton Buzzard. A hire boat came towards us, we slowed and pulled into a handy gap to let them come past. Then we pulled back out to carry on past all the moored boats. Mick had spotted a boat following us a distance away, next thing we knew they were right up our stern, they certainly weren’t going slowly past the moored boats. Another gap, we pulled in and let them pass. ‘Where’s the best place to moor for Leighton Buzzard?’ they asked. ‘Anywhere you can fit in’ was our answer, ‘there’s also some moorings just after the bridge and a shopping mooring by Tesco’. They shot off ahead, we carried on in our respectful way.
There was a space left outside Tescos, we didn’t need it as we had somewhere else planned for the next couple of nights. Up ahead the breasted up hire boats of Wyvern Shipping, their blue cabin sides with red grabrails stretched out ahead. We pulled in on their service mooring and went into the office to say hello.
Hire fleet
We were instructed to pull back just beyond the winding hole, normally a youth boat moors here, but we’d just passed it going out for a couple of nights so we could have their mooring. Mooring fee paid in cash we were given instructions of where we could park a van. What a nice mooring with a grassy area alongside and a handy tap. Tilly thought it looked good, but there’d be no shore leave here!
Toy selection time
Mick headed off to pick up the van, once we’d had lunch and overnight bags were packed we were on our way. Magic food bowl left out in case we were delayed on our return tomorrow.
Through Woburn
What a laborious drive to Scarborough! It took forever!! The satnav suggested we should head north on the A1 as there were problems on the M1, once we’d committed ourselves the radio suggested the M1 was now clear. Oh well! I checked the last order for collecting fish and chips in Scarborough, our eta 10 minutes too late.
Pizza instead
Some supplies were picked up before we headed to the house. Annie and Alyce already entertaining the audiences at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Dracula. Pizzas with extra toppings and a bottle of wine. It’s funny being at the house when other people are living there, we don’t feel that we can sit in either living room so tend to stay in the kitchen so as not to intrude in their space. We were long in bed before anyone came home from work.
Thursday morning we both sneaked a shower and tidied the spare bedroom before having breakfast. Time for a quick catch up with Annie before we had to be on our way for appointments.
Mick dropped me off at my doctors an appointment with a Physio, Mick headed to the dentist. I always have difficulty in relaxing in such situations but today that was what was needed as the chap manipulated my leg and knee. He listened for grinding, twisted me, we even had what felt like a little dance. Maybe I shouldn’t have had a pain killer this morning as it had numbed much of what he was after. I answered questions, what did I do for work. I’m not sure he understood about narrowboating and working locks, but painting scenery was easier. I left my appointment having been referred for an xray and a long list of exercises to do twice a day, instructions emailed to me.
Mick picked me up and we headed back to the house, enough time to cut the grass. I had a rootle around through my work room. One item I’d need for my physio exercises was a foam roller. Some cardboard tube from a carpet and an off cut of foam from the giant mug I made a while back would do for that. Just needed to find a resistance band, the chemist didn’t do one, but Sports Direct did.
Up to the theatre for a treat lunch at Eat Me! Well we’d missed out on fish and chips so we could have one of the best burgers about with a good view out of the curved window above the SJT canopy. As normal we bumped into people we knew, all getting ready for the afternoons matinee so only enough time to say hello.
Next appointment at Mick’s doctors. The van was positioned so I had another good view, this time over looking the south bay from the Esplanade. A Sikh family posed for numerous photos with the harbour and castle in the back ground, they were loving it. Mick was back very quickly, before his appointment. It had been cancelled! Rightly so as it wasn’t with anyone who could adjust his prescription, good job we’d been coming to Scarborough for other things too and a shame nobody had bothered to tell him! A new appointment was made for when we’re back next.
Our return was on the M1 which felt just as slow as our journey north. Tilly was pleased to see us and a touch surprised, she’d obviously not listened when I said we’d only be away for one BIG sleep.
A rather nice mooring
0 locks, 1.3 miles by boat, 435 miles by road, 1 physio, 1 dentist, 1 hygienist, 0 nurse, 0 doctor, 2 pizzas, 2 burgers, 0.25 of a sock, 1 more lodger shoe horned in, 1 referral, 2 returning hire boats, 1 very fat knee, 10 minute paw ball game.
Jumpers this morning, Brrr! Tilly had some shore leave whilst we had breakfast, we’re so going to get it in the neck the next morning we say no! She was off and self catering before we knew it!
As we rolled the covers up ready to push off a boat approached, were they wanting the water point? Yes but only a quick top up, five minutes at most. We slowly pushed off and followed the to the tap to wait our turn.
I chatted to the chap as they topped up their tank, should they wait for us? Our tank was nearly empty and a load of washing was on the go, so despite the good water pressure I suggested they go on ahead without us, we could be an hour. Gosh this chaps deodorant or after shave was a bit pungent. Is this a new thing? Nose curling aromas in hot weather, I’ve smelt similar over the last warm days from people passing on the towpath, their aroma almost visible in the air!
Crossing the gates
The tank took quite a while to fill as expected, then we were on our way again. Solo down the first two locks of the day, quite a few boats coming towards us but none to share with. Gosh that chaps deodorant had been strong, it was loitering in the air as we went along! I made a comment to Mick about it. ‘Ah no, there were loads of house flies on the pram cover so I gave it a spray of insect repellent, maybe that’s what you can smell.’ That would explain why the smell hadn’t gone away, sorry to the chap from the boat ahead, you didn’t smell, it was us!
Grove Church Lock. The converted church over the wall, an over grown gate into the garden and on top of a trimmed tree lay a squirrel sunning itself, almost blending into the bark. Both top gate beams have had the temporary mend treatment recently. The offcuts left by the lock and sawdust still evident. Gates are supposed to last around 25 years, the date on these gates 2000. I suspect there’s an awful lot of lock gates reaching the end of their natural life after all the works that went on around the millennium. Hopefully these temporary measures will help the gates to last that little bit longer.
Temporary measures
As we approached Grove Lock a boat was just pulling out of the marina above and another boat was coming up the lock. A yellow bag is over one of the ground paddles so it’s a slow filler at the moment.
Busy lock
We joined the other boat going down, having to shout over their smart speaker. Didn’t all the hanging basket brackets have narrowboats on them before? The lady suggested I exit first which I did, Oleanna wanting to veer right over in front of her boat, miles away from where I wanted to pick Mick up at the lock landing. Oh A*se! I made a right mess of it but managed to get myself back to pick Mick up and not barge right into the following boat.
Officially leaving the SARF!
We now looked for a mooring for the day, pulling in where the towpath has recently been cut. Ant nests avoided, including some yellow ones, can’t have them marching up our ropes for Tilly to roll around on!
Another two outsides day! This mornings had been pretty good, this afternoons was even better! So much better that after she’d found a rather large friend in the cut grass right by the cat walk she was brought in and grounded for the last hour of shore leave. We didn’t want a replay of the other day when she got herself too full! Such meanies, I’m going to find another boat to live on! Not all other boats do ‘Thank you for coming home’ Dreamies!
He he!
The start of a tidy, dust and clean was made as we’ll have some visitors in a few days and pacing myself is the way forward. As we sat down to eat our meal facebook reminded me of ten years ago. Ten years ago it was a very hot day, we’d handed keys to the house to an agent, packed the car with possessions and Houdini our cat and headed to Sowerby Bridge where we’d left NB Lillyanne after the Tour de France. Ten years ago today we moved on board fulltime to a life afloat. If things hadn’t gone pear shaped during the pandemic with the house we’d still be full timers. When people ask us if we live aboard now we pause and stumble a little bit before answering, ‘Well nearly!’ We are in our hearts. A glass or two of wine was allowed to celebrate our tenth anniversary.
Houdini our first second mate
3 locks, 3 miles, 1 full water tank, 1 deodorised pram cover! not man, 1 mess up, 1 magic pill not having quite the same effect, 2 more beams, 3 (at least) friends, 1 cat grounded, 2nd sock cast on, 10 years of life afloat, we were only going to do it for a year!
Reluctant at first Tilly was allowed an hours shore leave whilst we had breakfast. I wonder if when we speed up our cruising again whether we’ll get complaints at not being allowed out in the mornings.
As the covers were rolled up it started to spit, we went back inside to sit it out, no point in getting damp if you don’t need to. A delay of half an hour and the world was dry again.
Early C 20th lock cottages
Seabrook Bottom Lock has the first of a series of Lock Cottages that are always pleasing to the eye. Their white walls and dates proudly stamped above their front doors, they always have to have their photos taken.
Shy
Ivinghoe Top Lock the cottage faces away from the lock a touch shy hiding behind trees. Here we met a single hander moving the old trip boat from the Aylesbury Arm down to be a new trip boat in London. It was fairly recently sold and has been somewhere for work. The onboard facilities looked really quite basic, Mick wondered if the chap moving it was staying onboard, no comfortable cushions on the seats to sleep on.
Slowly to the next lock
I slowly pootled Oleanna down to the second Ivinghoe Lock so that Mick could finish closing up behind me and walk down. As I rounded the bend I could see that the top gates of the lock were sat open enough to get Oleanna into the lock, I now remembered that this pair of gates would rather settle slightly open. As Mick arrived he closed up the towpath gate then started to walk round. I nearly suggested he gave a paddle a couple of clicks round to help hold the gates closed, it would have been a good idea as they both wanted to swing back open. I talked nicely to them as Mick wound a paddle up slightly to help encourage them into closing.
The gates also need a few kind words on leaving, saving Mick having to walk round. In normal times, Mick catches the bottom gates with a boat hook and encourages them to stay closed as Oleanna leaves a lock, but these are not normal times and I’m not going to adopt Mick’s methods.
Horton Lock Cottage
A pootle to Horton Lock. Here there are pens and huts for young cows to grow in confinement, not right. A young chap was being given instructions with a strimmer to trim all the nettles alongside the farm moorings, he had his work cut out!
Anyone for tennis
Another cottage. The owners have done work to the garden, a sunken seating area overlooking a tennis court! Rather nice.
Roar!
All the way we tried to spy the Whipsnade Lion on the distant hills. Definitely in need of some tlc, it’s quite mangy now.
I’m not used to this view of Oleanna
Some armco attracted us into the side. Mooring away from ants nests takes some time, then avoiding crab apples falling on the roof is the next concern, but we managed to find a suitable length to tie up on for lunch. It was soon decided that lunch would actually turn into the rest of the day and Tilly was allowed another four hours.
After lunch I wanted to see how I fared on a short walk. Since leaving Aylesbury I’ve only walked the length of Oleanna. The pain killers are doing a great job with my knee, no need for the walking pole inside. I was starting to feel a touch of a fraud, was this just down to my inactivity?
Tilly accompanied me for good measure and I took the pole too. First we walked back the way we’d come. On turning round the noise of an engine was getting closer, a cruiser coming along at quite a lick. No slowing down to pass Oleanna and the wake of about a foot ricochet back and forth for a good five minutes, they may as well have been an Uber boat on the Thames!
A similar distance the other way until Tilly found the pole to be of more interest than the walking. We have a new game it seems. My knee did pretty well, but it’s now starting to ache for much of the day. Time to sit down and knit, this pair will be finished way ahead of time!
4 locks, 1.9 miles, 3 cottages, 100 yards of nettles, 2 outsides, 8 lengths of the boat, 1 pole game.
