Category Archives: Bridges

Crime Scene. 11th April

Near Godnow Swing Bridge to Staniland Marina

Shore leave was granted whilst we had breakfast. Just outside our hatch and along this stretch of bank were these plants, a little like asparagus. My plant app suggested that they are Common Horsetail.

A boat that had been moored on the off side yesterday came past, a cruiser with an outboard motor. Would we catch them up to play leap frog at the swing bridges? In the distance was Medge Hall Swing Bridge I could just about make out that the cruiser worked it’s way through and then vanished round a rare bend. We pushed off to follow and I walked the bank to get the bridge ready for us.

I caught a lift to Mauds Swing Bridge where we caught the boat ahead up. I hopped off to walk to the next bridge and offered to work the road barrier on my side for the chap, but he wanted the practice so I walked on.

Another sunny day, no need for coats or thermals by midday. I pushed the buttons at Moores Swing Bridge after waiting for the cruiser to catch us up, then walked on again. He arrived at Wykewell Lift Bridge first, but was mooring miles away from the bridge, which can be quite a busy one, so I offered to press the buttons again, holding up 5 as the two boats came through.

**There are a few of these along the railway, does anyone know what they are?**

Mick suggested I got back onboard and not to walk to Princess Royals Bridge, it would have helped me clock up a few more brisk minutes, but I hopped back on board, knowing I’d be needed at the bridge.

The cruiser chap pulled in on the wrong side to operate it, we pointed out where the bridge landing was, he moved up as I hopped off to get the process of elimination going on getting the bridge to work for us.

I turned the key, an audible click! Blimey someone had actually closed the bridge fully. Three barriers clicked into their closed position, the nearest was reluctant, but after some wiggling from cruiser chap and myself it eventually made a noise. Sat watching were three men and a lady in a wheel chair. I asked if this was their usual Friday afternoon entertainment, it seemed it was. I pressed the open bridge button, the siren started woopee! It then takes what feels like a few minutes for anything obvious to happen, Cruiser chap was about to wiggle gates again, I persuaded him to just be patient and actually it would be good to go and get his boat.

He was after services, I pointed out where they were, it looked quite busy at the finger pontoons. He said he’d carry on to Bramwith for the next services and off he went ahead of Oleanna. Mick pulled us in against a narrowboat at Thorne Marine. Mooring up a little tricksy around the shorter boat. He’d estimated we’d need about 80 litres of diesel, the pump clicked off at 79.5, but then a top up from there added 14 more litres.

With the temperatures due to fall in a few days we wanted some more coal. They sold Newheat so we got a couple of bags to keep us going, maybe until the autumn. Then we asked if they might have a grub screw. We’d lost one from the front door handle and the catch seemed to be playing up a touch. The chap brought out a box and Mick and he rummaged through to find the right size (M6 for future reference), this was free with our purchase of coal and diesel £1 for domestic today.

The finger pontoons were full. The cruiser that had moored up when we were topping up with water two weeks ago was still there. The boat that had caused a lot of bother winding etc. We carried on, our preferred mooring above Thorne Lock. Here volunteers were on duty. The chap who doesn’t say much was on duty, he very gently fills the lock and another fella seemed to be on barrier duty for the swing bridge.

Helping with the barriers and bridge I chatted to this chap. The cruiser from the services was heading towards the lock now. Apparently they had been called to the boat a couple of days ago as someone was in difficulty, they performed CPR but sadly had no luck in reviving them whilst the emergency services arrived. A chap who’d been on the boat legged it when he heard that the ambulance and police were on their way. Later on this chaps body was found on the boat, the cruiser had become a crime scene. The volunteers had been asked if they could move it for the police, the chap I was with refused, not wanting to go back on the boat.

Reports in the local papers a few days later suggest the first person had collapsed in the street, their death unrelated to the death later in the day. So some of what the volunteer told me was speculation. However the second death is being treated as murder and two people have been arrested, but released on bail pending further investigation.

Mick pootled Oleanna up to a free space opposite Staniland Marina, this would do for all of us. Tilly vanished off to play in the woods for quite sometime, another stamp of approval awarded. We needed a few things for breakfast so I headed up to Lidl, the rest of the shopping will be done another time. We also looked at the bow door handle to replace the grub screw. The bar inside the handle was too far one way, so required a bit of adjustment so that it wouldn’t keep slipping.

1 lock, 6 bridges, 7 held up plus numerous pedestrians, 1 boat leap frogged, 5638 trees to climb, 94 litres diesel, 40kg coal, 1 grub screw, 1 door handle fixed, 4.92 miles, 44 minutes briskly, 400grams blueberries, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval.

https://what3words.com/icon.furniture.thorax

Too Keen. 10th April

What A Joy. 6th April

Line Astern. 1st April

3 Replies

Keadby Lock to Cromwell Lock, River Trent

The alarm went off before the dawn had even started to show us her colour. A cuppa made and consumed whilst we rolled back the covers and did our final checks. Woofers were being walked, life jackets added as the sun came up in stunning oranges.

The light at the road swing bridge ahead of us turned to green, time for the first six boats to push off and get ready to go through. One boat seemed very quiet, NB Aladin, I pointed this out to one of the Strawberry Island crew, a loud knock on their roof brought Alan to the stern, they were up, but a message late last night had made them think we wouldn’t be pushing off for another half hour, however the Lock Keeper thought differently.

It would take a little while for the crew of NB Aladin to be fully ready, so we ended up taking their place, joining with the second locking boats, NB That’s It and NB September Sapphire.

First three boats went into the lock, second three came through the road bridge behind them, the bridge closed to let the morning traffic through. Then the second three nudged back so the top lock gates could be closed. I lost count of how many Lock Keepers there were silhouetted on the bottom gates.

We all waited, the tide was still to turn. We all waited some more. We’d pushed off at 06:28 and by the time the tide was coming in, the first flood gone past and the level deemed suitable for the first locking to exit the lock onto the river it was 07:35. NB Rum A Gin exited first keeping to the right, followed by NB Tonka, the third boat NB Purple Emperor. They in turn, turned with the tide and kept their engines to just about tick over, just enough to keep steerage so that the rest of us would be able to catch them up.

The bottom lock gates were closed, the lock refilled, then we entered the lock and were soon descending to the river.

First out NB That’s It, then NB September Sapphire, then us, the sand bar below the lock far less of a worry now. We needed to catch up with the first locking boats and hope that the last two ( NB Aladin and Cruiser Amourouse ) had enough umph to catch up with us all before reaching West Stockwith where more boats were set to join us.

The sunrise had promised us a wonderful bright day, the Forecast had promised us not much wind, yet the weather was making it’s mind up. The river was misty as we turned out onto it. Once under Keadby Bridge the sky was turning black. Extra extra layers of clothing were required as we plunged into a bank of fog, nav lights a definite requirement.

Oh Blimey would this fog be with us all the way to West Stockwith and through Gainsborough?! We hoped not as photographers and TV crew were going to watch us as we passed under Gainsborough Bridge. Thankfully it passed after about twenty or so minutes everyone nithered to the bone!

By 08:33 we’d caught up with the first locking of boats. A glance over our shoulders every now and then to check if anyone else was insight. We’d heard on the radio that NB Aladin and Cruiser Amourouse had left the lock. Mick on Amourouse had slowed for sometime and not answered his radio. Was there a problem? It turned out that Mick had cleaned his filters yesterday and forgotten to turn the water back on to cool his engine, therefore he was overheating as soon as he put power on to leave the lock. A problem soon fixed when he realised.

Then from behind we could see them both catching us up. As they got closer we could do-ci-do to get into the correct order. Except the boats joining us from West Stockwith had been told that the cruiser was Tail End Charlie, so we had to swap with Mick again.

The line of boats was in order all at a good distance from each other as we were approached by two boats from West Stockwith pushing the tide to reach our stern.

Crowds stood on the bank as we passed the lock, 4 drones were spotted above, one having just filmed our bow as we passed. Oleanna’s horns were tried out fully for the first time!

Once we’d passed the lock another two boats joined on behind, then possibly another two. Were we twelve, thirteen or sixteen boats now?

Getting a little close at times in line, I was reminded of the best tip given out at a Tideway Cruise briefing by St Pancras, keep checking behind you. On the Thames there are so many boats all moving at different speeds and directions you really need to have eyes in the back of your head.

Rounding the final bend towards Gainsborough Bridge we all got into line as best we could. Plenty of people up on the banks to wave and the boats cruised by with the tide beeping their horns. NB Rum A Gin led the way, camera crews on the bank, more drones, Nick Roberts who’d joined from the Chesterfield Canal was tail end charlie with a camera crew on board.

No time to stop, the tide rushing us all towards the bridge. A lapse in concentration, too busy waving, one boat narrowly missed a bridge peir, the following one gave it a bump, Mick quickly adjusted our position as the currents tried to push us sideways towards the peir too, we got through without touching.

Now the crowds disappeared, but the tide still had it’s power. The hope of stretching the gaps between boats before the next tight bend didn’t happen, you had to keep your wits about you. But then as the excitement of the crowds at Gainsborough waned the flotilla managed to jostle itself some space between boats. Time for breakfast.

I ducked below to rustle up some bacon for butties and a warming cuppa each, maybe today would have been a good day to wear our padded winter trousers and a few extra layers!

The boat with Nick and the camera crew sped up as we approached Torksey passing several of us and then turned in towards the lock, leaving the majority of us to continue at around midday.

Blue skies, vapour trails, the grassy banks of the river. We followed our red line on our charts. Past the Landmark Trust house. Pylons stretching across the sky.

At Dunham boats pulled in for a woofer comfort break, Tilly just tucked herself behind our pillows. Does Tom really have to move the outside SO fastly!?!

Lining up with pylons and white markers on the banks, the river gradually got more meanderous. NB Purple Emperor came past, ‘I’ve got a head of stem up, might as well keep going. The Lockie knows we’re coming’. Our speed was more than those in front of us, so we passed when a suitable time came. Only one downstream boat was passed, it’s existence radioed back for others to be aware of.

With a couple of kilometres to go Mick radioed Cromwell Lock, the lock was ready and waiting for us, nice to have the conformation. Round the final bend, the weir in front of us, a green light, round to the right and into the long lock.

**Heading into the lock to get off the tide**

The Lockie decided to pen up the first five of us, then drop the lock for the remaining three. Four abreast in the lock, ropes holding us all together. The Lockie asked me to tie my rope off as we were next to the wall. This of course now meant that NB Tonka’s rope was below ours and when the time came to untie it took a bit of undoing as everything had tightened ascending the lock. At times like this somewhere else to tie off to would be good, two new T studs will be added to the bow before Oleanna’s repaint. It would have saved me walking onto the bow to release ropes as others were starting to move they’re boats forward!

A quick chat, if the pontoon was free it would be best for those with dogs to moor there, we’d be happy with a low section of wall. Others tucked themselves in around the pontoon which was empty before we arrived. It was a while before the second penning of boats arrived, a bit of sorting out to do for ease of getting off boats, then we could all relax.

Hazel arrived at a picnic table just above Oleanna’s mooring with a box of bottles. Time for survivors drinks. Gosh what a selection! Whisky, Rum, Gin and thankfully wine.

Everyone was wind blown, tired and now getting a little bit sozzled through lack of food all day and it was only 4:30! After a glass of wine I decided that today would be the first day when I wouldn’t achieve my 40 minutes brisk walking, I also wouldn’t get anywhere near to 10,000 steps breaking a streek of 72 days. Well it had to happen sooner or later and today was a suitable day to let it slip.

We retired, the stove lit to try to warm us up and some left over bolognaise heated up with a good serving of pasta, with another glass of wine. Then we were early to bed to rest up before another day of beeping our horns tomorrow.

2 locks, 44.6 miles, 1 right, 1 straight on, 8 boats into 14, 2 horns getting a good blasting, 1 bump, 2 near misses, 1 fog patch, 2 cats, 5 woofers, 15 crew all survived, 7 drones, 2 bacon butties, 2 nithered boaters, 1 glass and sozzled, 0.49 miles walked, 0 brisk minutes, 9 hours on the go, 1 long fulfilling day.

https://what3words.com/tarnished.flamenco.skewed

Trapping The Postie. 31st March

Just Across The Border. 30th March

3 Replies

Wykewell Lift Bridge to just across the border

The wind sort of seemed to have calmed down this morning, well that was until we were wanting to push off. It at least had changed direction and was now wanting to push us across the canal. This would help as we left, but not help at the following bridges.

I considered walking all the way today, to save pulling in, but that would also have meant Oleanna going at a slower speed than maybe it would be necessary if the wind continued. Also the first few stretches were shown as purple dashed path, not the best to walk with briskness, so I stayed onboard.

The sun was out and despite the wind the world looked wonderful. Tilly readied herself to cross the border, leaving Yorkshire behind. A quick cat lick of my tail would impress any welcoming committee.

Not far to the first bridge, Moores Swing Bridge, it took a few attempts to get close enough to the bank to hop off to press the button. Further to Mauds Swing Bridge where you still have to manually close the barriers either side and then push the bridge to open it. A runner came along just as I was about to open the bridge to road traffic again, she didn’t want to have to wait too long otherwise her timings would be out. She was fine to carry on, just had to duck round the barriers.

Now a long straight of Orange towpath on Waterway Routes, I could easily walk this, so I did. The breeze made for interesting water, choppy catching the sunshine, blue sky overhead and wind turbines turning helping to generate around 80% of the renewable energy used by the country today. All good, just hope it calms down for Tuesdays cruise on the River Trent.

We’d had our eyes set on a mooring we used a few years ago between Medge Hall and Godnow Bridges where the railway curves away from the canal for a short distance. But as I walked along the bank looked perfect for Tilly. Sideways trees, a few trees, plenty of friendly cover and most importantly no road. I called Mick we discussed it, he could see how the bank was to pull in, I couldn’t, we carried on.

Now was it that line of trees or would it be the next where Yorkshire ends and Lincolnshire starts? I tried consulting the OS map on my phone, only to receive a message from Mick saying we’d just crossed the border.

Then a possible place to stop just by a very slight bend in the canal, ideal for Tilly, but would she think so too? We pulled in not too close to the bank, the bottom being close to the top, but close enough. Care was needed stepping on and off as long grass disguised holes behind the edging as Mick found out, thankfully with both feet at once, straight down! Only harm done was two soggy feet.

Well where is the welcoming committee? I’d got all spruced up too!! Some shore exploration was done, the bow access to the outside preferred to the stern due to the wind. I really don’t like it blowing up my bum! But Tom and She could have tied it up better!

Our shopping yesterday had failed in purchasing a pint of cows milk, used only for tea nowadays. Was there still a shop at Keadby to purchase one? Or would a walk into Crowle be a better bet. I looked at the map, a good 4.5 miles round trip for a pint of milk. Well it would mean I made up for yesterday and I’ve tried to get a longer walk in most weekends, so off I set.

Down the towpath to Medge Hall Swing Bridge, my favourite along here with it’s signal box and post box. I should have hung onto those socks to post here today, oh well! There was a clunk as I approached the level crossing, the signaller had released the lock so I could cross, he also stuck his head out to let me know it was safe to cross.

Along a dirt track, across vast fields with pylons high above. A slight fizz as I touched a metal gate to get round it, these fields were electric! In fact these fields look like they will become a solar farm as there are planning permission notices on every field.

On reaching the edge of Crowle I checked my map, which was the nearest shop. Tesco Express. A pint was purchased then popped in my fleece pocket to try to keep it out of the sun as I walked back the way I’d come. The signaller clunked the gates so I could cross the tracks again, then it was back along the towpath to Oleanna for a good sit down.

To celebrate crossing our first border of the year we enjoyed a roast chicken with a glass or two of wine as the sunset back in Yorkshire.

0 locks, 2.8 miles, 1 border crossed, 2 bridges, 0 held up, 5 hours shore leave granted, 1 squashed adder, 6.42 miles walked, 107 briskly, 1 pint of milk, 1 roast chicken, 1 sunset.

https://what3words.com/episodes.burst.burglars

Dear Princess Ann…. 29th March

2 Replies

Bramwith Swing Bridge to Wykewell Lift Bridge

Sunshine and lack of wind, brilliant, we’d be back on the move again, along with others. As we untied a couple of boats came past both heading for Thorne, would there be enough space for us to moor? Would we be able to top up on diesel before heading out onto the tidal Trent on the 1st? We pushed off and headed eastwards.

The ends were woven in on pair 63 of my sockathon as we made our way through Stainforth. It had been quite chilly when we’d left so we’d dressed to cheat the wind, but as we came under the railway bridge towards Staniland Marina a chap from a boat suggested we’d not be needing the waterproofs today.

I peeked along the first line of boats to see if I could spot Della who has had about six pairs of my socks from me in the last couple of years, but I couldn’t spot her, maybe when we come back this way I’ll give her a heads up as it’s nice to meet the people who’s feet I’ve knitted for.

The service point was free, we pulled in. Yesterday we’d tried ringing to check how much their diesel was and what hours they’d be open today at Staniland, but no-one answered. Mick walked to the chandlers whilst I inhaled the fumes from someone blacking their boat in the shed next door. Still no sign of anyone around to sell us diesel, we decided to drop down the lock and call in at Thorne Marine instead.

I walked on to the lock where a volunteer was washing weed through the lock, ‘won’t be a minute’. I stood on the towpath ready to close the road barrier and then push the bridge out of Oleanna’s way, closing it quickly to let a car across. The volunteer pressed his buttons on his remote, with this he can work individual gates and sluices unlike on the pedestal. I chose to ride down the lock on Oleanna, nothing for me to do lockside.

There was a gap suitable for Oleanna to pull into at Thorne Marine, but would the pump reach our tank? It took a little bit of jigging about and moving a small cruiser for us to reach the hose comfortably, the tank was filled and a length of flexible conduit purchased to tidy up the cables on the tunnel light and horns.

Then to the dismay of a fishing match we reversed back and turned into the visitor moorings, soon followed by a big cruiser that came back and forth disturbing everyone’s fresh bait as another narrowboat tried to squeeze past!

Shopping. Our next shops will be in Newark so some fresh items were required, we headed to Sainsburys and Lidl. Lunch, socks packed up, receipts scanned, water tank filling. I headed off to pop the socks in the post and top up my minutes walking. Yesterdays migraine thankfully was much improved, but was leaving me with a slight unsteadiness whilst trying to find a post box. I tried by the Post Office, an obvious place, but none in view. I spotted one across a busy main road and decided that with no crossing I’d carry on with my hunt. Then 50 yards from where I’d first looked, round a bend from the modern Post Office was a double whammy box, this must have been where the original Post Office had been.

Back at Oleanna it was either stay put for the rest of the day, or make a move now before sitting down. The later was chosen just as a call from the fishermen came along the line at 4pm, the match was over, lines brought in. We’d not be disturbing anyone now.

**lights, buttons and instructions for the Princessess bridge**

With the key of power I walked up to Princess Royals Bridge, yes the temperamental bridge. I turned the key, no clunk. I waggled barriers one wasn’t held back, I waggled it more. A very chatty lad came over to chat and ask me all the questions he could think of whilst I tried to re-read the instructions in case there was a new handy hint to get the bloomin bridge moving. More wiggling. A lady watch with her dog saying that you need to keep your finger on the button to close it properly for far longer than you’d imagine, except I was trying to open it!

Mick pulled the boat in, time to get him involved waggling gates too. More questions about Oleanna now and ‘Do fish follow boats?’ he was fishing with his mates. I pressed the open button, still nothing. I pressed the closed button, the warning siren sounded, no movement noticed, but we did get a big clunk. With all barriers now moveable we closed them all, a crowd collecting now. The bridge moved. Mick brought Oleanna through and I started to close the bridge just as one of the young lads decided to walk along where the bridge was heading. ‘Get out of the way! You moron!!‘ Thankfully he did.

I made sure I kept the button pressed for far longer than you’d think and then some to get the big clunk before opening the gates. We could be on our way again as the young lads flung their lines back into the canal hoping to catch a fish or three.

**NB Christopher B tucked in and for sale**

The wind picked up as we passed NB Christopher B. Two years ago we’d shared bridge hopping with NB That’s It and NB Christopher B when Lesley had an awful accident at the next bridge trapping her leg between the side of the piling and their boat. Their boat is up for sale £58,000. I wonder how they are doing?

Past Blue Water Marina and on to Wykewell Lift Bridge. the wind was now very strong. I took extra care whilst stepping off, the sky darkening all the time. Was it nearly time to stop for the day? Maybe.

I lifted the bridge holding two cars up, Mick brought Oleanna through and pulled in at the bridge landing. Once back on board there was no getting Oleanna off the bank. We tried pushing the bow out, a reverse Andy, the bow thruster worked a bit. But we decided we’d had enough so managed to bow haul her off the bridge landing where she obediently sat by the bank as we tied her up for the night.

Sorry Tilly too late and it wasn’t a suitable mooring for cats anyway.

Blimey that wind was ferocious! Fat fenders deployed to keep us away from the big iron bar along the piling. Bungs needed in the portholes on the windy side to stop the drafts and whistling. Our extractor fan was making noises even though it wasn’t on!

**Boats at Strawberry Island all ready to head off**

Back in Doncaster at Strawberry Island Cruising Club the intrepid boaters headed for the Fund Britains Waterways Campaign Cruise all gathered with flags flying and bunting fluttering for the launch of their cruise southwards. Seven boats look like they will be heading to Keadby for Tuesdays early start.

Last night we’d heard of a possible breach on the Macclesfield Canal. Water was making it’s way out of the canal disrupting the towpath. By this morning boats were being moved from the affected area above Bosley Locks and stop planks were going in. The breach having increased in size over night. This now means another route from the north to south is blocked, leaving the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Trent the only means to get up and down the country. Thankfully for us we’d not planned on heading over to the north west this year, but plenty had and have been replanning routes that now will require some extra thought.

1 lock, 5.2 miles, 3 bridges, 2 cars held up, numerous pedestrians held up, 1 full diesel tank, 1 full water tank, 1 load washing, 1 chicken to roast, 1 launch party, 1 more big hole in a canal.

https://what3words.com/florists.twilight.wiggling

Toooo Windy to Wind. 28th March

3 Replies

Bramwith Junction to past Bramwith Swing Bridge

The original plan for today had been to wind, tie up again with the port side to the bank. Then I’d be able to wash down that side of Oleanna. Then we’d wind again and start making our way along the Stainforth and Keadby Canal to Thorne for a top up of diesel. However, it was way too windy to be winding so much. Was this just here where the canal is quite exposed? Or was it everywhere?

We decided to push onwards and hope for a space on the otherside of the lock and swing bridge where it might be more sheltered. I walked on ahead leaving Mick to push off against the wind, having the lock ready might be a good thing if he had to crab his way towards the lock without getting too familiar with the moored boats.

First manual lock of the year, windlass in hand, long extended beams. I was about to find out what my knee made of pushing gates. I lifted the paddles to fill the lock, unhooked one chain holding the gate in its closed position, waited until everything was equalised. Then pushed making sure my feet were straight ahead of me and pointing straight, this is one thing my physio had been insistent on for my stretches. The gate moved as requested and not a jot of pain in my knee! Hooray!!!

**Hello David, we’ll have more time to say hello soon**

I crossed over the bottom gates to open the other side of the lock giving Oleanna a bigger gap to aim for in the wind. It looked as if it was taking Mick quite a bit of doing getting off the bank, but he made it in the end. Oleanna dropped down the lock, I already had the key of power to work the swing bridge ahead so walked on after closing up the lock.

The sun was out, but boy that wind was strong. I crossed the bridge, no traffic in sight or audible, I pressed the button, a car appeared from nowhere! I paused the operation then started it again. Swing done not one vehicle held up. Time to find a mooring. Mick tried a couple of times to bring Oleanna in and then found a stretch where she came into the bank, well until the wind caught her determined to have her moor on the off side. We got her tied up in the end.

*You’ve missed a bit!* I haven’t started yet!!!

Our new aim was to get the port side washed then move on up to Thorne to be able to fill with diesel. The buckets were filled with water and soap, roof emptied of planks and poles, Tilly let loose on the towpath. I worked from bow to stern, first the roof then the cabin side, the bank too high to do a good job on the side of the gunnels.

Mick pumped up our tyre fenders, went fishing for the spare club hammer that had fallen off the pram cover as he pulled them up. All the time the ‘Moderate’ wind (according to the BBC) blasted across the canal. A few boats came past. A narrowboat towing a cruiser zigzagged its way towards us, almost into the bank then into the offside trees.

With the washing done we decided to stay put for the day, the wind too string for us to battle with it, the forecast much better for tomorrow. All day we’d been listening in to BBC radio, today was Adam from NB Briar Rose last day with the BBC. One comment on Instagram was the usual Good Luck with your new life. I nearly replied, Looking forward to seeing you in your new life! I wonder how long it will be before our bows cross somewhere on the network.

Time to top up on the walking. Unfortunately my Active10 app hadn’t been working so far today, so I wasn’t sure how many brisk minutes I’d done, I hoped it would still be keeping track. I plotted out a route to include some of the Bramwith circular walk along the flood banks of the River Don then back from the next road bridge along the towpath.

A sign at the first stile suggested my chosen route would not be possible, bank repairs were taking place. I decided to walk to see if there was a way round them to be able to loop back on myself. Lots of green and clouds skitting along the sky, wonderful.

Then sadly about a quarter of my way into my planned route I was aware of something a bit odd in my vision. Was this a migraine coming on? I looked this way and that, got my phone out of my pocket, the signs were pointing towards a migraine, only one thing for it but to turn round and head back. Thankfully the flood bank is straight but the location of the high stile wasn’t visible. I got home safely, found the box of pills in the cupboard and sat down for much of the remainder of the afternoon. An early night called for.

1 lock, 0.9 miles, 1 bridge, 0 held up, 2 waves to David, 0 eggs, 0.5 clean boat, 1 cat up a tree shouting about it, 3.18 miles walked, 40 minutes briskly, 1 headache, 2 blowy to do much.

https://what3words.com/slept.hoops.cadet

Lifting. 23rd March

1 Reply

Site of Smallhedge Swing Bridge to before St Oswalds, Kirk Sandall, Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigations

On the day we were loading the van in Scarborough we heard the first Woodpecker giving itself a headache. Back in the house this signalled the start of Spring to us. This morning from somewhere in the hedgerow we got to hear our first ChiffChaff of the year. Here on the boat this signals the start of Spring. Just a shame the sun didn’t make an appearance!

Tilly was given shore leave whilst we had mushrooms and poached egg on toast for breakfast. A full cooked breakfast will be a very rare treat for us this year. Sausages and bacon to be kept at arms length, although I have purchased some chicken cumberland sausages which are sitting in the freezer. Not tried these yet, so we’ll see.

The Geraghty zoom is still going strong five years a week or so since we started it at the beginning of the pandemic. All five siblings were present today, nieces and nephews are too busy doing other things, but we do get updates regarding grandchildren and trips abroad that they make. Todays topics included, Grandma put downs (social services not required!), Revenue Control officers, Richard II and distant relatives, and lifts this coming week.

Tilly came home part way through the zoom with a friend expecting to be let in through the side hatch, this of course was not granted. Herfjoke newieds a secihgond stabmlihymp of apprbjbjgchoval She said something but no-one knew what she was saying as her mouth was full!

**The new Rugid tablet, waterproof and able to show both Waterway Routes and Victron VRM which shows battery, solar etc statuses.**

Another day of not going too far, we pushed off, I caught a ride to the first lift bridge, otherwise it would have been a very long way round walking back to the lock to get on the official towpath side. I hopped off at the bridge landing and waited to cross the road, cars zoomed past and over the bridge, all far to quick for my liking.

Key of power in the control panel. I listened hard, let a few cars cross the bridge before I couldn’t hear anymore. Turned the key and pressed the lift button. The lights flashed and the barriers were just starting to come down when I heard a car zipping along out of view, no obvious slowing down, just more acceleration! I took my finger off the button and stopped the barriers just above where contact would be made, What a Prat! As he sped off I was able to continue pressing the button and lift the bridge.

Two more bridges along the New Junction, I walked between them. One a lift bridge the other a swing, vehicles obliged and stopped. I then got back on board for us to go under the Don Doors crossing the River Don.

Bramwith Junction, one of our favourite moorings around here was occupied, the narrowboat taking advantage of views to both sides of the canal and a clear sky to top up on solar. We weren’t going to stop here today, instead we carried straight on to Barnby Dun, pulling in at the services. The offcuts of cardboard box were put in the bin then we were ready to continue on our way.

Waiting for a gap in traffic at Barnby Dun takes some patience as it’s such a busy road. It took a while for no vehicles to be in view, I turned the key and pressed the button. The driver of the first car to pull up on my side of the bridge sat and stared straight at me, as if that would make me stop the process and let them through!

I now elected to walk to where we planned on mooring, just short of Kirk Sandall. All the chilled medication vans have gone from the house by the bridge, now there is a Morris 1000 and a selection of other cars. I caught Mick up as he was stepping off Oleanna hoping to tie up. Not quite into the side at the bow, we wondered if we’d bash whatever it was under the water. We needn’t have been concerned as today we didn’t see one boat moving.

Tilly was given the rules and some extra guidance, beware of the bicycles and woofers. I kept my eyes peeled and there they were bicycles, TWO of them. I ran away and gave up on this outside after two minutes! No point in even asking to go out until they’ve moved it again.

Lunch followed by a need to top up my walking for the day. Our mooring was right next to a footpath that runs into the woods and up to The Glass Park. Years ago we walked some of the paths round here, but I don’t think we got up to the playing field as I did today. Up ahead of us on the canal used to be Pilkington Glass, Pilks to the locals, the pipe bridge still exists. There is a rather good blog post here, hopefully I’ll get chance to read it fully and more about Doncaster in the next few days.

I walked through the park and down past the station, turning onto Pilkington Road to head back to the canal. A new housing estate that has grown up around St Oswald’s Church, Kirk Sandall is called Silica Court. The church is looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust and is rarely open, we however managed a visit years ago, so if you are interested here’s a link to the post from that day. The rather wonderful old barn has been converted into living accommodation, so the church no longer stands by itself.

With 60 minutes brisk walking under my belt I decided that not reaching 10,000 steps today didn’t matter. The last few items were stowed away on board. Coats, hats, gloves, drill sander put under the dinette seats. There was now room to breath. Time to sort out the mess I’d made on my latest pair of socks last night as I fell asleep in front of the TV mid row, my fingers continuing to knit without guidance!

0 locks, 4.7 miles, 4 bridges, 19 held up, 1 straight on, 2 outsides, 1 really really good, the other 1 pants, 3.86miles walked, 60 minutes briskly, 1 sock sorted, 1 van load of stuff fully stowed.

https://what3words.com/basket.relatives.refreshed

3rd Painter. 4th February

Uplands Marina

With a window between house jobs and appointments we booked ourselves a hire car for two days so that we could cross the Pennines to visit another couple of boat painters.

Mick headed off early to pick up the car and I got on with my exercises followed by my daily walk, today before breakfast. I’m doing my best to get fitter, loose some weight and get ready for boating again, so I’ve downloaded the NHS Active 10 app. This measures how many minutes of brisk walking you do in a day. I aim for 30 minutes, on some days I’m managing far more which just shows how much better my knees are now.

The magic food bowl was set for Tilly. I thought She was starting to pack to go back on the boat, exciting! But no, I’d be home alone with Thomas Tom and Singing She next door to keep an eye on. Our car journeys normally take us over the top of the Yorkshire Wolds, but today we were back on the A64 heading towards York, then the M62 across over the top of the Pennines in the rain.

**I’m helping put together a community mosaic**

We were headed for the top of the Trent and Mersey Canal. Once off the main roads place names started to become familiar, a few more wiggles and we were crossing the canal, Anderton Marina to our left and the boat lift to the right. A pit stop at the services was required, we pulled up by the rubbish skip a white van parked next to it. A chap inside asked if we were wanting to use the elsan, no just the loo. He was there to mend the elsan and it should be up and running again in half an hour.

Whoever cleans the service block manages to mop the floor, but the black mould around the sink and on the door frame was horrible, plus the smell was pretty bad too, maybe something to do with the elsan. I made sure I washed my hands knowing I’d be able to get out of the block without touching anything!

We had our lunch over looking the marina. Long pontoons stretching off into the distance, much bigger than we’d imagined it to be. There was one familiar boat moored up by the slipway. NB Firecrest, Eric and Cheryl whom we’d met shortly before the Thames flotilla and then afterwards whilst in Paddington Basin.

Time to see if we could find Nick from The Paint Shed. We’d been warned that the boat they’d be working on today was quite a rusty old boat and they would just be starting to strip it back. The covered dock was very noisy, but someone spotted us and Nick came over to say hello, he just needed to finish something so maybe we’d want to wait in the office.

As a scenic artist I’ve had several spray guns in my life, several giving up the ghost on me getting clogged, that’s when I yearned to have more than one. Here they had at least four and several spare needles for them too, I was jealous.

Nick came to chat, then we had a walk around the marina. As with most boat painters the nearest marina tends to have several boats that they’ve painted, so as we walked he pointed out boat after boat and told us roughly how long ago it was that he painted them. Of course today was a good day for him to show off his work, rain makes everything shiny and bright, he admitted they all looked top notch when wet.

Over the years we’ve seen quite a few boats painted by Nick, the last one we shared Big Lock in Middlewich with, it looked immaculate and when we asked how recently their paint job had been we were surprised when they mentioned years rather than weeks. So we’ve seen quite a bit of his work around the north west, when it hasn’t been raining.

We sought refuge back in the paintshed to have a look round. They certainly had their work cut out on the boat in there. One chap was stripping the paint off in the well deck as another was removing window frames. Here they strip every boat back to bare steel using scabblers, needle guns etc. Then the shell is acid treated, this kills off any rust and gives the shell a layer that acts as a primer. 2 coats of 2 pack epoxy primer are followed by 2 coats of 2 pack base coat, then 2 coats of the desired finish including bow, stern hatch, tiller and anti slip painting all in their heated dock. Their sign writing is done by Robin Wagg.

The Paintshed’s dock is not a dry dock, meaning that they don’t do blacking at Uplands Marina as your boat sits in the water. They can black your boat but they do this at Hesford Marine on the Bridgewater, there the hull could be shot blasted. Nick chooses a day with suitable weather, the chaps at the marina shot blast the hull and then Nick very quickly follows them with the first coat of 2 pack blacking to keep the hull as dry as possible. He also insists on doing the job himself. We chatted over logistics for this. Ideally the hull should be shot blasted and blacked before the cabin is painted. However this does mean that when the cabin is being prepared dust and swarf from the sanding is likely to end up sitting along the water line of the new blacking, not ideal really.

Their next slot for painting would be March 2026, but he suggested that we should get the blacking done in the last warmer months of this year when the weather is better for such things. He’d be able to do it in September then we’d look at mooring at Uplands for the winter so then Oleanna would be sat ready and waiting for her painting.

We chatted through all the other jobs on our list, he made some suggestions and nothing would be a problem. He called Caldwells Windows regarding a delivery he was expecting, but also asked them if they do double glazed sliding windows for us. They don’t, I’d suspected as much just from looking on line.

Nick is a nice cheery chap, we liked him. We worked out an estimate for blacking and shot blasting so that this could be added into the price he’d come up with, so we’d be able to compare painters prices better.

Down side to The Paintshed was the blacking having to be at a different time in warmer months. September was suggested, we already have a lodger booked in the house, so we’d be homeless and more to the point Tilly would be homeless! Not being able to grit blast the cabin sides and get them painted quickly due to a days cruise between Hesford and Uplands Marina is also a negative. The distance back to Scarborough in a vehicle for Tilly also might be too much. So sadly as much as we liked Nick and the boats of his we’ve seen he dropped into second position.

It was still quiet early in the afternoon when we left. What to do with ourselves for the rest of the afternoon? Cinema? Nothing on we fancied. We ended up driving to find the portals of the tunnels on the Trent and Mersey, one found, no boats waiting to go through. Then headed on up to Midland Chandlers at Preston Brook to see what we could see. Mick was after a few connectors for the tunnel light and horns and some new screws for fixing things back onto the bracket. We had a good look round and gave up, only purchasing a bottle of Marine 16.

**Neoprene lined fender hooks, might be worth it once Oleanna’s painted, expensive though**

We then wiggled our way back towards Northwich. Sign posts to Lewis Carroll’s birth place and visitor centre caught our eye close to Daresbury, shhhhh! Would these be close enough to the canal to be able to walk there in the future? It was too late in the day now to visit.

Our accommodation for the night was the Travelodge at Lostock Gralam, just off the A559 to the north west of Northwich. It has recently had an upgrade! I think this means a new lick of paint, a funky covered arm chair and a new painting above the bed. Instead of having Rudolf’s red nose in the painting we now had a stylised landscape with moon and we’d be serenaded by a black cat plucking a fiddle.

Nearby is a La Turka, a Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant. It was big with a very good menu having plenty of gluten free dishes. Mick chose a pizza and I had chicken kebabs with a side salad, twice as much as was need for both of us, maybe we should have got a doggy bag for breakfast. It was very nice and I suspect if we ever moor near Wincham Wharf we’ll be back as it’s only 1km away.

0 locks, 0 miles by boat, 1 yellow car, A64, 3rd painter, 1 blogging boat, 4 spray guns, 1 wet day, 2 complicated sadly, 1 small bottle Marine 16, 1 Dante pat, 1 cat and fiddle, 1 pizza, 2 kebabs, 1 side salad, 1 bottle of wine on a week night, 1 cat home alone!

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna

Category Archives: Bridges

Crime Scene. 11th April

Too Keen. 10th April

What A Joy. 6th April

Line Astern. 1st April

Trapping The Postie. 31st March

Just Across The Border. 30th March

Dear Princess Ann…. 29th March

Toooo Windy to Wind. 28th March

Lifting. 23rd March

3rd Painter. 4th February