Category Archives: Bridges

Drum And Bass Pace. 28th September

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Sainsburys, Nottingham to Stoke Lock, River Trent

Knapolitans, blood transfusions, hash brown recovery, coffee and conspiracy were some of the topics covered on the Geraghty zoom. It was very good to see everyone this morning back home where they should be, fingers crossed it will be the same next Sunday.

Mick returned to Sainsbury’s to pick up some food caddy bags that we’d forgotten about yesterday, then we were ready to push off. Last night our mooring had been pretty quiet for the centre of Nottingham, Mick had been aware of people chatting and walking past, I’d been aware of some road noise, but thankfully the students didn’t keep us awake as they have done in the past. This morning however was a different affair as the Nottingham half marathon was going past on the road. Supporters cheering runners on, runners with ghetto blaster strapped to their backs kept the drum and bass pace going.

Choral accompaniment

At Castle Lock we had a different musical accompaniment to normal, the pub’s speakers being drowned out by a choir on the bridge below the lock singing Amy Whitehouse songs as the half marathon passed by them, what a jolly affair. As I was closing the bottom gates a cruiser came into sight heading for the lock so I pushed the gate open again for them and walked round.

Looking under Trent Bridge to the steps

I walked ahead to Meadow Lane Lock. At the 90 degree bend Mick brought Oleanna round after a blast of the horn. The fishermen complimented him on his turn as they are more used to small cruisers totally messing it up. The lock was full so we could go straight in. Then with only one paddle working to empty it we took our time to descend. It then felt an absolute eternity until I could open the gate, is my reduced ballast playing a part?

New bridge

Surprisingly there were no rowers, sailors or boats of any sort on our way down stream towards Holme Lock. We’d considered mooring at the County Hall steps and it looked like there would have been room for us, but we opted to go a little further today. The new Waterside Bridge is being constructed on the north bank, there will be a navigation closure when it gets moved into position. Mick radioed ahead to the lock. We were told to take our time as the lock needed refilling and this would take 15 to 20 minutes. Engine now in tickover we sauntered the remainder of the way.

In my opinion the volunteer here should alter the wording of their instructions. They stand pointing to a cable riser for you to pass your rope round, then says ‘Pass a loop round here’. Never pass a loop round one of these cables, I know why!

Radcliffe Viaduct

Onwards downstream, the willow trees starting to turn yellow as Nottingham gets left behind. Would there be space above Stoke Lock for us? Would we be able to moor on the low mooring? Not on the pontoon, so that Tilly can have some shore leave. As we rounded the final bend I zoomed in with the camera. One boat on the pontoon, nobody on the low wall, Hooray!!!

Approaching Stoke Lock

We winded to face upstream and pulled in right to the end of the mooring. Shore leave rules were recited to Tilly and off she went, claiming everything in sight then she headed off into the trees, her limp not seeming to bother her too much. This year we’d started to leave the stern hatch slid open so she can jump out (it’s harder to jump back in), saving us getting up and down to open and close the door so often. However, to stop her from over stretching and reduce her jumping for the time being the hatch will remain shut, we’ll get more exercise opening the door for her. The option of seeing a vet is still there, I’ve noted the location of a surgery close to the canal back in Nottingham.

I’m not sure how that is taking it easy Tilly!

During the afternoon Mick had decided to lift the engine boards, there had been an unusual noise, he thought that maybe he should tighten the stern glad, checked the gear box oil, he refilled the greaser. Then popped Oleanna into gear. Hmmmm! I’m normally the one who notices a different tone coming from the engine, I’d not noticed it when we were under way today or even yesterday. But right now, she sounded ropey, grindingly ropey! Mick’s initial thoughts were that maybe it could be the gear box or the drive plate. He’d give Alastair in Goole a call in the morning to see what he thought.

A little later than planned I got on with a bit of work for panto, but I’d not reached my 40 minutes brisk walking for the day, so headed out to walk back towards Nottingham and see what the Netherfield Nature Reserve was like. The riverbank path is pretty good for a mile or so back towards Radcliffe Viaduct, then it narrows and started to be a little muddy. I tried to find a path shown on the OS map, but only one end of it was obvious heading into a field that had been growing maize.

Netherfield Lagoon

A steep bank brought me up to the lagoons, quite good views across the water, but nothing but standard water fowl to spot. I walked round the bottom end of the lake back down some steps by the viaduct, rather than a scramble down the muddy bank I’d come up. Time to return to the boat to pop a chicken in the oven to roast. We really should have waited longer before buying parsnips. They are one of my favourite vegetables, but before the frost gets to them they can be exceedingly woody and very boring to eat! Shame we’ve a couple left over, maybe I should make some apple and parsnip soup.

Bunny!

3 locks, 6.9 miles, 1 left, 28 voices, 4567687382 runners (maybe slight exaggeration there), 1 volunteer, 0 life jacket, 1 wind, 1 good mooring, 2 neighbours, 1 stern hatch closed, 4 hours shore leave granted, but take it easy Tilly! 1 growling engine! 63 brisk minutes, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval.

https://what3words.com/spooked.hologram.tinkle

100.8% 20th September

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Trent Junction

Our morning view

Recently we’ve had a couple of people who subscribe to the blog via email, say that they’ve not been getting our posts. In one case they have stopped altogether, in another they receive all of them once a week! The Oleanna IT department doesn’t understand. We unsubscribe them, then resubscribe them again, which seems to work. Whilst doing this we can see how many posts have reportedly been sent to each subscriber and the percentage of posts that are opened by the recipient. In one case they have received over 300 posts, their read rate is 100.8%! Incredible for what should be a totally new subscriber. Another person who we know reads the blog regularly has a read rate of 96.7%, not bad Ade! We don’t necessarily believe these stats, and don’t worry, we’re not keeping an eye on you. But you know me and numbers!

Tilly was granted shore leave whilst we had breakfast, then was called in so that we could go out. Luckily she was only in the sideways trees by the boat, so this only took a matter of seconds for her to return for a morning cat nap. Mick headed off to buy a newspaper and I strode off along Cranfleet cut for my walk.

Someone was keeping an eye on me

Two volunteers were waiting for boats, chatting about weather warnings. Bunting hung from everything around the lock, there is a beer and cider festival at the boat club this weekend. A burger van was serving up bacon and sausage butties and a nearby field was filled with motorhomes all come to drink and enjoy the music.

That’s why we had some boats moving long after dark last night

I followed the river path round a big meander in the river. The occasional glimpse of the river below, but never a good view. I tried to see if I could spot the boat we’d rescued a month or so ago, see if they’d got themselves out from behind the sign on the offside, but the view was obscured, we’ll see when we come past tomorrow.

The airfield

Model aeroplanes were doing tricks over the river, a silver arrow shaped plane diving towards the ground then spinning back up to the sky. A wind sock wafted in the breeze and a crowd watched as planes came in to land. It was all happening on the opposite bank, so sadly I couldn’t get close.

I then walked over a bridge crossing one of the many lakes alongside the river. Crossed the railway, one of many lines in this area, HS2 would have added another line, but this stretch has been cancelled. Into an industrial area of Long Eaton, then a housing estate, under, across more railway, more uninteresting housing. I’d hoped there might have been an interesting factory, or stretch of houses for which I could look the history up, but no.

There it is!

Drizzle started to fall as I zigzagged my way past 80’s houses. I had been going to join the canal at Fields Farm Road Bridge, but opted to cut a corner, under a railway bridge where I sheltered for a few minutes hoping the now heavier rain might ease.

Then to the canal. Here I spotted that tomorrow there will be a Heritage Open Day at Mills Dockyard. We’ll maybe come and have a look as we’ve not been into tracking down places to visit recently.

Not the healthiest of snacks

I paused to see what was on the menu at the Lock Cafe, some tasty morsels no doubt, but I didn’t fancy the dripping toast. Back to Oleanna for lunch. Today the temperature had dropped considerably, the stove was lit.

Trent Lock

Lists of panto questions were typed out and distributed in three directions, I don’t expect to get any answers over the weekend but I’ll be otherwise occupied at the beginning of next week so I wanted to get it out of the way. Then the big pan came out to make up the sweet potato dhal I’d been going to make last night, plenty left over for another meal next week.

0 locks, 0 miles, 100.8%, 1 weeks worth of blog in one? 87 brisk minutes, 4.69 miles walked, 1 Saturday newspaper, 1 slightly damp day, 3 questioning emails, 250grams lentils, 2 sweet potatoes, 1 chilli, 1 lost weather station outside sensor.

If Anyone Is Interested! 15th September

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Near Massey’s Bridge 12

Hello!!! If anyone is interested …. I’m fine, thank you.

Sunshine and wind

My left arm was a touch sore but it has recovered nicely now with a bit of bed rest and gentle exercising, the occasional pounce has got it back in full working order. I get daily strokes and have no idea what all the fuss has been over Tom’s one. No need to visit the green Toms and Shes for me. Thank you Dave for your concern.

Today, however is a touch too blowy for my liking, even too blowy to sit on my throne under the pram hood, so it’s the window view for me today.

Not many berries left on the bushes

A touch too blowy! Understatement. I managed to sit it out for a few hours, the small willow trees opposite bending right over, the Hawthorne hedge giving us some shelter from the gusts. Mick tightened our ropes, not that there was much slack in them to start with. By midday I’d worked my way through panto references pulling out good images for Min the props maker, but I’d also had enough of the lumpy water. I was starting to feel a touch seasick.

Apparently the worst of the wind had passed over, so I headed out for a walk on solid ground. Up to the viaduct. I crossed the canal and then followed the old Midland Railway, Derby and Melbourne Line until it met with the Sawley and Western Line at Chellaston East Junction. Here I could hear the woofers barking away that we’d heard on our way west a few weeks ago, they were tucked away behind trees and a big fence. The Derby and Melbourne Line used to turn into the Derby and Ashby Line heading through Tonge which is 10 miles from Derby. The mile posts sponsored by East Midlands Electricity seem to cover both railway and canal.

Derby to Tonge

I’d done my best to rush through the trees, but they’d offered me some shelter from the wind. I intentionally zigzagged my way along the open road, being in view of on coming traffic as well as avoiding trees and being blown into the road by possible gusts. It was a hood up day, even that needed hanging onto! Thankfully soon a footpath dipped away from the road to Massey’s Bridge on the canal.

Humans are horrible!

Now on through the fields on the other side, low growing crops and some fields left after the harvest. A stile, an electric fence, a pile of beer bottles and cans! Someone had managed to get them all here full, why couldn’t they take them away empty!

An intentional line of trees, then a slightly ornate stone wall surrounded the destination of my walk today. Swarkstone Pavilion. I’ve seen it from the canal many times, looked at the details on the Landmark Trust website, but never managed to get this close before.

Thankfully the weathered oak gate isn’t filled in, so I respectfully had a nosy through it.

This was the location for an album cover photo shoot for Beggars Banquet by the Rolling Stones in 1968. The images weren’t seen by the band to be edgy enough at the time, they preferred graffiti on a toilet seat, however the record company didn’t like this either, so it ended up being just copperplate writing on a white invitation. One image from the photoshoot ended up being used as a promotional poster for the album. More info can be found here

No chance of playing bowls today on that lawn

The pavilion was built to give a grandstand view over what ever took pace in front of it, inside it’s stone enclosure, be it jousting, bear-baiting or bowls. It is Tudor/Jacobean and was built in 1630 by mason Richard Sheppard, designed by John Smythson. It belonged to Swarkstone Hall a great house which was demolished in 1750. It came into the hands of the Landmark Trust in 1985, they re-roofed it and put in floors so you can now stay there. Have to say I’m glad I wasn’t staying there today as to reach the bathroom you have to cross the roof terrace!

It is a wonderful building even though it is only just a bit deeper than it’s two towers are wide, so quite a skinny building.

Tithe Barn

I headed onwards to see what I could see, an old Tithe Barn which has been converted into a house. then across another field to St James’s Church. The church dates from the 12th and 16th Centuries and was rebuilt in the 1870s. Sadly today the doors were locked, I only just managed a peek through a door but couldn’t see much.

St James’s

An angel in the graveyard warned me to look up. They were right as a chunk of the roof had recently come crashing to the ground. I kept my distance as I walked round and apologised to the residents below my feet.

I crossed back over the fields. The turn around staff at the Pavilion were just packing up their car to leave, the property ready for the next guests arriving later today. Sheep grazed in the fields. I returned to the boat along the towpath, discovering the possible culprits of us being kept a wake a few nights ago. Two chaps were busy sawing up big logs with a chainsaw. Along the towpath the wind had brought down a few more branches for them to claim. Maybe the sawing we’d heard around 1:30 in the morning had been them collecting suitable wood, hoping no-one would notice in the dead of night!

Branch down on the T&M

Back on board I managed to eat some lunch, my stomach having calmed down. Mick took a walk to the viaduct turning right to have a look at the River Trent. The wind hung around for much of the remainder of the day. Tilly didn’t venture far, in fact she gave up with outside and ended up having to use the still clean facilities onboard.

0 locks, 0 miles, 40+mph winds, 565642387686534 berries on the towpath, 1 pavilion, 1 church, 1 angel, 47 brisk blowy minutes, 2 chainsawers, 1 paint list, 1 props folder, 4 homemade chicken spring rolls.

Out In The Open. 14th September

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Massey’s Bridge, a little bit further on

Breakfast, poached eggs and mushrooms on toast this morning. Then 16,000 views, weighty porridge, poor Olive and Sue Pollard were all topics of conversation on the Geraghty zoom.

Route 6 on the viaduct

With rain forecast for this afternoon followed by strong winds tomorrow we opted to move sooner rather than later away from any trees that might come down. I walked ahead to check for a suitable mooring, more or less back where we’d moored a couple of weeks ago. Only 0.1 mile, but that would do for us.

A quick comfort break for me before I strode off on a walk, hoping to return before the rain set in.

The towpath here is a lovely surface for cyclists and today they were making the most of it, but soon they veer off onto the old viaduct heading to Melbourne. I popped up to have a look at it myself. A great view back towards Swarkstone. Messages have been added to the iron work to encourage exercise, with bees and butterflies to jolly things up even more.

There was a great big hole

Back on the towpath I carried on to Weston Lock, where I turned towards the Trent. The path became more and more muddy, soon the reason why became obvious. A large gravel pit with diggers, in fact just about the whole north bank has been taken over, very glad I’d put my walking boots on today as the mud in places was quite deep.

The Priest House

I’d walked down here to check to see if the hotel across the way was where we’d attended a wedding a few years ago. We’d considered mooring NB Lillyanne by Weston Lock, but the lack of river crossing meant we’d ended up in a hotel in Castle Donnington. It was The Priest House. A little less idyllic today from the north bank surrounded by diggers and then there was the roar of cars going round Donington Park Racetrack. The car park looked busy though, maybe racing drivers staying at the hotel.

I nearly came a cropper in this puddle

I walked along the river bank until the path brought me to more gravel works, a lake marked on the OS map had very little water in it, but a good quagmire of mud to wade through. Under the railway and then along quite a good track to the canal, crossing over it at Weston Grange.

Weston on Trent was founded in 1012 by King Ethelred the Unready. Weston Lock on the canal was built in 1770. The village was split in two when the Midland Railway branch line was built in 1873, and a station served the village until the 1920’s.

Coopers Arms

Lots of cars seemed to be heading up towards Weston Hall which is now the Coopers Arms, a popular carvery by the looks of it overlooking a lake. It was built by Thomas Roper in 1633 and is one wing of what would have been a much larger stately home, however the rest f it was never built.

I could hear the tinkle of a bell, bigger than the one Tilly wears. A look across the field I was about to enter I could see a chap walking with a bird of prey on his arm, sadly I’d missed it in flight.

St Mary The Virgin

Next came St Mary The Virgin Church, which dates back to around 1280. Many of the grave stones have been moved to the edges of the yard. Quite a few of them have been carved from what looks like slate. A line of them dating back to 1769, whoever carved them had a very curly style, very flamboyant, but it does make them a touch hard to read.

A path brought me down to Hospoda, Ukrainian Country Social Club which was quite unexpected. Down a steep path back to the canal. The little bit of dampness in the air thankfully held off really going for it until I was back, tucked up inside Oleanna.

The social club

The rain came down, Tilly insisted on exploring, returning very soggy and muddy. The rain came down more, there must have been quite a social gathering in the sideways trees to keep Tilly outside for so long! Some work on panto filled the afternoon until we popped a chicken in the oven to roast.

0 locks, 0.1 miles, 6.21 miles walked, 103 brisk minutes, 2 heavy muddy boots, 1 very soggy afternoon, 1 soggy moggy, 1 file of cloths for printing sent, 6 sketches requested for Separate Doors, 1 roast chicken.

https://what3words.com/glow.probing.plump

Dashing. 11th September

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Lowes Bridge 15

Tilly requested to go out this morning, before any shore leave was to be granted we got her to walk up and down the boat to see how that limp was doing. Heading towards the stern and Mick, there was a slight spring in her step. But when called back to me by the bathroom the limp was there! Was this a sympathy limp? All that walking backwards and forwards would give anyone a limp! Shore leave was granted and we got on with the morning.

Tonge?

Supplies are running low, a supermarket delivery might be possible to the lock, but it would be a long walk back to Oleanna as we don’t really want to move up just yet. Only one thing for it, head to Aldi a miles walk away for a top up shop of fresh things. Taking the Brompton we walked towards the lock. Dark skies behind us, which way were the clouds moving?

Wonder how often Starfire goes out?

The Derby Canal branches off to the north of the Trent and Mersey above Swarkstone Lock, the first stretch up to a bridge still in water and used for moorings. A path runs alongside what was the canal, now overgrown, the by wash at the lock flowing like there was no drought! Under the A50, cars and lorries hammering their way along to Stoke. We now walked through a modern housing estate, round a roundabout to a crossing. A big clap of thunder, we weren’t going to get away with staying dry for long. As soon as the green man showed, I picked up my pace and Mick got on the Brompton, we managed to get under the roof of Aldi just as it started to hammer it down. We’d got here, but would we get back dry?

Two bags of shopping then quite a wait to see if it would stop raining. Maybe it was lighter rain now, we couldn’t stand here all day! We got part way back through the housing estate when fork lightening could be seen up ahead, it didn’t take long for the rumble of thunder to join it. We picked up our pace again dashing for the A50 and some shelter. Of course this was the time when Frank called to report about his latest visit to the hospital. Not totally drenched we waited out the worst of the rain and I chatted about drugs with Frank, I’m sure others have done similar under this bridge!

How many drug deals has this face witnessed?

Back at Oleanna we were damp around the edges, the stove was lit and we started to dry off. A suggestion came from the IT tech support at Chippy to log out of Microsoft 365 in Word, then log back in again. This didn’t work. But with the help from my IT department and logging out of Microsoft fully, then back in again I got back into the system, just one file I couldn’t access which might not have been there, I’d managed to get sent to me a few days ago so that didn’t matter.

Grown up

The afternoon was spent finishing off touching up images for print and rationalising the paint call with what the theatre already has. Then it was time to do some very grown up paperwork. Our Lasting Power of Attorney forms. Our stupid printer doesn’t like the paper we’ve currently got to do double sided printing, so with both of us and both Health and Wealth forms filled out on line we used getting on for 100 sheets of paper. Four stacks of paper now wait to be signed and witnessed before heading off in the post.

A touch flat, but still tasty

Tonight we had toad in the hole with chicken sausages. Maybe I didn’t use enough oil in the tin and the sausages didn’t add any fat to the cooking equation, so the Yorkshire pudding didn’t rise. Oh well, at least the mushroom and pea gravy made up for it.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 wave to Nichola and Andy, 2 bags of shopping, 1 soggy bag of oats, 2 soggy boaters, 1 semi limping cat, 88 plus sheets of paper, 4 stacks, 1 envelope, 1 fat pudding, 6 chicken sausages.

Just A New Pair Of Glasses. 8th September

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Near Mercia Marina

Crossing Scarborough Bridge in York

Mick was up and off very early this morning heading to Willington Station to catch trains up to Scarborough. Going with him to the hospital last week had been reassuring to me, he should be fine with the trains, in fact he’s pretty much fine with everything. The usual comments and photos came through on Whatsapp, plenty of room on the Doncaster pontoon and there was space for a few more narrowboats below the Museum Gardens in York. He was soon back in Scarborough where the sun was shining and heading for the house.

He caught our lodgers up with his news, reassuring Liza that he was doing okay. Then he had a rummage around upstairs upstairs for some samples I’d been sent a month or so ago which I thought I’d not be needing. Well it turned out that there wasn’t anything suitable in the pack in the end!

Scarbados in the sunshine

Next appointment was at the GP surgery, a periodic check up, bloods, blood pressure, etc. Unfortunately the person he saw couldn’t answer various questions he had regarding recent events as they weren’t a doctor. He also tried to get them to amend his address, but their records were correct. So the next time anyone contacts him from the hospital, if they do, he will need to quiz them again about it. He also made an appointment to talk to a GP about the questions he still has.

That’s a long drive

Back on board, I read through Act 1 of the new draft of panto, making notes as I went. Then headed out for a walk. Today I opted to walk further towards Stenson, cross over the bridge which now only gives access to the house that’s for sale, they have quite a long drive! People were already making the most of sitting by the canal at Lagan the Indian Tapas Restaurant, I felt it was a little early myself.

Past houses, picking up some free Bramley apples, then back towards Willington with great views across to the cooling towers. I had to bob into Mercia Marina as the footpath ran out when the road crossed the entrance. Building work was on going the giant Meccano set being put together.

Powerful

A visit to the Co-op for a few items then I found a new route back to the boat along a very straight footpath alongside the railway line. A steep bridge needed to be climbed over the tracks, here several train spotters loitered with binoculars, I wondered what they were waiting to see.

Long railway footpath

Back at Oleanna I had lunch, then worked my way through Act 2 of panto. Hope John has mentioned to the costume designer that he’s added a new character, plus I’ve now got a puppet to design. Time then to work my way through the props list amending it. I wanted to check on some notes but for some reason the system wasn’t allowing me access, so I ended up having to call it a day with work and turned my attention to putting a big vat of chilli together.

End of Act 2

Mick had also sorted himself an opticians appointment, he’d done this before he’d been diagnosed as having had a stroke. He could have cancelled it, but as he’d at one point been going to see an Ophthalmologist, then wasn’t, he decided that he’d still go and chat to the Optician. All tests were done and his vision hasn’t changed since his last eye test which was back in February, but maybe he could do with a new pair of glasses. For him to get his driving licence back he’ll need to be seen by a GP after the month has elapsed since his stroke.

His connections were good getting back to Willington, moorings on his journey had filled up during the day and had that been Cruiser Orchid moored near Lendal Bridge in York?

0 locks, 0 miles, 8 trains, 2 acts, 4 apples, 63 brisk minutes, 5 hours shore leave, 1 address still wrong, 0 GP, 1 optician, 1 new pair of glasses, but that’s all, 1 designer logged out without reason, draft 2 nearly but not quite finished.

Covered Cruising. 15th August

Cromwell Lock to Hazelford Lock

Up early, we were in need of filing with diesel and to cruise around three hours today. Currently we have a destination in mind for my meeting on the south coast which needs us to keep moving, not too much, but a constant direction to move in. Once I’ve visited the set builders for panto the original plan was to start heading southwards to be around Banbury or Oxford by late October for me to go to work on panto whilst being able to return to the boat at weekends. Unless there is significant rainfall in the next month we really don’t see the waterways that will be closing on the 26th August or that are already closed due to low water levels reopening in time. So we need another plan.

This isn’t the miserable chap

Current thinking is to stay in the Trent/Soar area so that we don’t miss our repaint slot at Redhill. Originally we’d planned to be out until the New Year with at least one lodger already booked in for the Christmas show. But if we can’t get onto the Oxford we may see if we can come out of the water earlier than planned and very sadly curtail our years cruising, returning to Scarborough when our current lodgers leave. Well that is our current plan and almost certainly going to change for one reason or another, but we are almost certain we’ll be back in the house before Christmas.

No, only the moon!

Back to today. It was going to be hot, really quite HOT with little cloud cover, so we set off quite early for us , the first to leave the moorings. Paul from Waterway Routes had asked us to check if something wasn’t there, a photo was forwarded to him from the location to confirm that there was only blue sky.

Straight on to Nether Lock

A couple of boats had wild moored on the banks, the second one turned out to be a miserable chap on a cruiser who’d been plonked right in the middle of the high wall at Cromwell when we arrived yesterday fishing from his boat. He’d got miffed off with boats mooring around him. As we passed him today, his fishing line was out and he shouted over to us that he was waiting to be rescued as he’d got his rope around his prop. Somehow he’d managed to tie to the bank using his hook up cable. It sounded like someone was on their way to rescue him so we passed slowly and left him to continue to be miserable.

Under the railway

On the off chance, Mick radioed ahead to Nether Lock, a reply surprised us both from the Cromwell Lock Keeper who was at Nether, he’d already set it for us, the light would be green so we could go straight in. We’d been spotted by the Lockie on duty at Cromwell. As ever at the Trent Locks we were asked if we’d be continuing on to the next lock or not, this is so they can let the next lock keeper know there’s a boat on the way. Apparently all the locks are manned at the moment, 9 to 4. Handy to know as there are a couple of locks with sandbanks below them which makes it hard to drop crew off to operate them.

Not even the ducks noticed !

Mick rang ahead to King’s Marina, they’d just opened for the day, their diesel was £1.10 domestic. We’d considered on topping up enough to reach Shobnall where the price will be much lower, but for peace of mind we decided to top the tank up. Mick did a perfect manoeuvre onto their service pontoon, but nobody noticed! Paula the Harbour Master came down to serve us, 103 litres, yes we were welcome to top up with water and use their bins. She’s a very friendly lady and happy to help. The marina toilets and showers were being upgraded along with the installation of a dog shower, I think most Aquavista Marinas are getting these. There is also a pergola going up as a social space for the moorers.

Newark Castle quieter here today than in April

Back on the river Kiln Pontoon was just about full, several boats were moored on the low wall opposite. Town Lock opened up for us and a volunteer took our ropes and saw us up. Everywhere we go at the moment people say what a wonderful day it is, good boating weather. We have to disagree, we’d far rather it was chucking it down!

moo

Now along the meandering river heading for Hazelford Lock moorings. The Newark Crusader pulled out from Newark Marina and followed us. Mick radioed them to see if they wanted to pass, they’d see once we’d got out of town. Sure enough soon after the houses stopped they radioed back asking to pass on our starboard side. Starboard side, our starboard side? We did as requested, looked over our shoulders to see that they were adjusting course to pass to our port, which is the correct side to pass on. They had to adjust course again.

Under the cover

With the sun beating down on us we opted to raise the pram hood to give ourselves some shade. With the front window rolled up and sides off it wasn’t too bad, but we’d still rather not cruise with it up as it impedes visibility, plus if you catch it on a bridge, it’s a costly repair. Today we really didn’t want to get burnt and knew there’d be no low bridges.

Boats came towards us, almost a constant stream of them. We’d best get used to this as we’re on a busy river again, today it felt like we were on the Thames it was that busy. Some boats just out for the weekend, some for the day. Quite a few after the CRT notices yesterday doing their best to get back to their home moorings, some cruises having taken people three weeks to reach here and now they have 12 days to get back!

All the way the visitor moorings were just about empty, but would they be at Hazelford? We had our fingers and paws crossed for some shore leave for Tilly on the lock island. As we rounded the last bend we could see one wide beam on the moorings and our preferred space was free. We pulled in deployed the big fat fenders, opened the side hatch followed by the stern doors for Tilly. Two hours to start with, then another three would follow if she didn’t get too hot. We’d managed to moor up at lunchtime, perfect.

One of the Trent km markers

I did a bit more touching up of cloths for panto, then headed across the bridge below the weir to walk to Fiskerton. A nice riverbank walk. Plenty of fishermen set up for the weekend with their tents. Cows grazing the brittle yellow grass. Thankfully the sun had lost it’s heat so I had a pleasant walk, returning through the Blackthorn archway that in April had been so white, today most of the sloes have been picked.

Barbeque at sunset

Time to barbeque and make the most of the setting sun whilst sitting out on the big steps at the moorings. Burgers and veg kebabs with a glass or two of wine. We like this mooring, we all like it a lot.

My two favourites

2 locks, 13.6 miles, 103 litres, 1 slip up, 57 brisk minutes, 1 pram hood up, 4 hours shore leave, 1 pot of blackberries, 2 burgers, 4 veg kebabs, 1 sunset, 1 lovely evening.

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Straight Out Of An Agatha Christie Novel. 12th August

Retford and Worksop Boat Club to Log Rural Mooring

There was the hire car to return this morning, a Sainsburys delivery to arrive, water to fill up and the yellow water to empty. Mick headed off to Worksop with the car, he thought he’d topped it up, but according to the computer and Enterprise it needed another 2 litres of petrol! Soon sorted and he got a lift back to the boat club where I was waiting for our shopping. We swapped over and I headed back to fill with water then stow our shopping.

Thank you RWBC for our lovely stay with you

Phil this weeks warden arrived a bit after 11 to read the electric meter for us, we now needed to go down and pay at the club house along with using the elsan for the yellow water. All checked out and our dues paid. Thank you to the boat club for a very friendly stay. Having electric was great, over the 8 days we’ve stayed with them we used a little over £8 and did quite a few wash loads and used the immersion heater and topped our bully boy batteries right up.

Our aimed for mooring was quite a distance away so I hitched a ride. We’d already gone a few miles when I decided on my walking plan, I’d hop off at Wiseton and walk on from there, we’d have lunch at Drakeholes then carry on. Mick checked that he’d given me the key of power after using the elsan. No he hadn’t. Maybe he’d left it at the bow when stowing the yellow water container. No he hadn’t. I checked everywhere inside, doing a girl look rather than a boy look. No. A phone call back to Phil at the boat club, Mick thought it might be on the window cil in the service block. Phil rang back, it was there, he’d happily drop it off with us at Wiseton as he had a job to do using his car. What a star, that saved either my legs walking or Mick cycling back for it. It only took Phil five minutes to catch us up and drop off the key.

Woodbine Cottage

I walked into Wiseton whilst Mick carried on along the canal. Blimey I’d just walked into an Agatha Christie Novel. Straight ahead was Woodbine Cottage built 1830, with it’s white picket fence, lead windows and ivy covered frontage. I turned left hoping to find a track which would lead back to the canal further on, only to stumble on a For Sale sign.

You’d need a sit on lawnmower for that lawn

Cedar Cottage built around 1860. What a lawn and flower beds. Yours for £515,000 quite a period piece.

Further on were big wrought iron gates, no view of the hall. A hunt round on the internet suggests a new hall was built in 1771 for Jonathon Acklam. This was extended in 1787 by William Lindley of Doncaster. During WW2 the house became badly dilapidated and ended up being demolished in 1960. In it’s place a Neo-Georgian house was built for Major General Robert Laycock in 1962 on his return from the governorship of Malta. It stayed in the Laycock family until 1992 when it was sold to a colliery owner Richard Budge who then sold it in 2012. More info on the hall can be found here.

The Stables

Opposite the gates is an extensive stables block built 1899. Sadly private signs are everywhere so the track I’d hoped to walk was out of bounds. But every cloud has a silver lining as it meant I got to walk past more wonderful houses.

Look at those Chimneys!

I stopped to take a look at the octagonal chimney stacks. I said hello to a fellow sat outside, he told me that the houses used to be the Laundry for the Hall and the large chimneys were needed for the big fires under the coppers used to boil up the washing. I congratulated him for having such a wonderful house and chimney.

Under Lady’s Bridge 72

Back onto the canal I soon caught up with Oleanna going under Lady’s Bridge where I’d hoped to walk to from the village. The 2 day moorings were full at Drakeholes so we pulled in at the end to have lunch in the shade, it was starting to get really quite warm out there.

Gate Houses for the old hall

Now to walk the last stretch of the canal that I’d missed on the way up, over the top of Drakeholes Tunnel. I paused to say goodbye to the people on NB Misfit from the boat club then carried on up the grassy bank. I thought that the tunnel carried on under the road, which gave me a chance to look at The Duck which recently closed. Opposite behind fencing are the gate houses for Wiseton Hall (early 19th C) which look like they are undergoing renovation. I soon noticed my mistake and back tracked to walk along a gravel track leading to the other side of the tunnel.

Gringley Lock

I reached the locks before Oleanna and had time to set them, it did take a while before I could open the top gates as below the water was boiling out from under the gates. At Shaw Lock I spotted a stall at the nearby farm house, so once Oleanna was down I went to have a look. A lot of homemade chutneys and sauces for sale along with some veg. I suspect the owners have had enough marrows as these were free! Having just stocked up on veg I didn’t feel the need to help them out.

Not much further the Log Rural Mooring came into view, no boats moored so we could choose the shadiest section. Chairs were put outside in the shade and Tilly was given a couple of hours of towpath time.

A barbeque was on the cards this evening. Salmon with ginger and lemongrass, potato salad and sweetcorn. All slowly cooked over the coals. At one point it started to rain, Mick brought a brolli out, but it really wasn’t going to spoil anything and soon everything had dried up in time for us to eat. A perfect mooring for a hot afternoon, shame we don’t think we’ll find one for tomorrow.

Yum

2 locks, 6.4 miles, 1 tunnel, 1 full water tank, 4 boxes wine, £8.37 electric, 1 left key of power (which do have our phone number on them!), 1 hero Phil, 1 Agatha Christie village, 5 moving boats! 84 brisk minutes, 29C, 2 rain showers, 2 salmon steaks, 2 cobs, 1 bowl potato salad, 4 glasses wine, 2.5 hours after cat curfew permitted shore leave.

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Am I Your Sister Or Your Wife? 10th 11th August

Scarborough/ Retford and Worksop Boat Club

The Geraghty zoom included more about Alastair’s under croft, oil pumps, contactless access and Berlin. We then started to do chores about the house. Some curtains required some attention, just as Adam appeared to say his farewells. Chance to say how much we’d enjoyed the show last night, apparently a few bits had gone array during the show, but from the audiences point of view it is all so bonkers and seemingly array we really couldn’t tell. A shame not to have had chance to chat with him more, but he was headed for a well earned brunch and we needed to crack on. Adam scores an 8/9 on the lodger tally.

It was dry just in time

Bedding and towel washing, shower cleaning, easiest done whilst in the shower, but I didn’t need to have two showers! Gardening, dusting, a touch of hoovering, the kitchen cupboards needed a de-fingerprint as ever, kitchen floor washed. We gave ourselves a little break and headed out to buy something for lunch and this evening, plus stock up on a few things for the house, bumping into a few friends as we shopped. Time was ticking for our first arrival and I think we got there by the skin of our teeth, still a pile of ironing to be done, but that was fine.

All ironed in the end

Liza arrived having driven up from Norfolk. A quick look round the house for her to choose which side she’d prefer to be on, decision made then we helped her unload a very full car. Liza has been to Scarborough numerous times before, so she’s aware of how the seasons are likely to change over her 9 weeks, she has brought a coat for every eventuality.

An hour later Stuart arrived, having travelled by train his luggage wasn’t quite so comprehensive. I’ve worked with them both but quite sometime ago now, Liza was in ‘Life and Beth’ and ‘Snake in the Grass’ 2008 and Stuart ‘Game Hunter’ 2003, then he toured in ‘Improbable Fiction’ 2006. There was lots to talk about, lots of mutual friends. Of course there was the show they are here to rehearse, Alan Ayckbourn’s 91st play Earth Angel. The big question was, were they playing sister and brother or husband and wife? This was soon cleared up and the ironing could resume.

Tides out, so’s the sun!

Monday morning, costume fittings for Stuart and Liza whilst we packed up, finished a bit of gardening then headed for medical appointments. I took a detour down to the beach, the tide was out and most of the holiday makers were close to the waters edge meaning I had plenty of room to brisk walk across the sands to the Spa, then up through the gardens listening to the brass band playing in the Sun court. I’ve not had a proper summers day in Scarborough for years! Around the houses to one which today was guarded by a unicorn. Duncan was at home for me to deliver sock pair 102 for Jaye. Nice to have a quick catch up, enough for a mention in the blog!

A right good sunny seaside day

Once lunch was eaten we had two things left on our Scarborough list. First one a visit to see Frank. We only just caught him before he was heading out to see a friend. It’s been a few months since we last saw him and he looked pretty good. Rather than getting a bus into town we gave him a lift to see his mate, all a little bit quick, but at least we’d checked in on him in person and seen what we could see.

Unicorn on guard

Next the oil from the engine service was dropped off at the tip. Jobs completed, blood test done, dentist, 1 lodger out, 2 more in, 1 new oil pump delivered, 1 box of panto delivered and scanned, Frank seen, show seen, EatMe eaten, beach walked on, time to head back to Oleanna.

A slight detour was made to Thorne Boat Services to buy 15 litres of red diesel which would make us both feel happier heading out onto the Tidal Trent in a few days. The Chesterfield is a lovely canal, but the lack of someone selling diesel canal side is a negative especially when you don’t normally have a car.

A boot full of boaty things

Back at Oleanna, the doors were opened up, Tilly could have some shore leave. Have to say she’d done quite a good job of keeping the boat cool, but it soon warmed up with the doors and windows open.

The last of the steak and kidney gravy from the pie went in with some mushrooms and some pasta, a good quick meal after a busy weekend.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 hire car, 30L cat litter, 2 clean and tidy houses, 1 oil pump, 1 pair socks, 3 lots of blood, 1 dentist, 1 hygienist, 3 actors, 1 Frank, 1 lift, 4 lots of bed linen ready for next time, 2 beds changed, 2 clean houses, 63 brisk minutes, 1 more mention of what’s’is’name, 1 husband and wife.

Pump Problems. 5th August

Mile marker 23 to Ranby 2 day moorings

I’m in here for a very good reason, honest

Floris was still whipping up the air this morning, we opted to stay moored for a while. This meant Mick could do an oil change, a little bit over due but now we’re through the assisted passage we’ve a day in hand. Overalls on, back doors pulled closed, the wind was blowing right in at the stern, he lifted the engine board and got started.

Hiding from the wind

It was handy not to be working locks as some time was required as Frank’s medical PA.

We came back with plenty

Tilly wasn’t being too busy outside, maybe she’d used it all up yesterday. So to keep her occupied we went for a walk Blackberry hunting. The ones alongside the boat were already wizened as though they never really come into fruit, but maybe a bit further on they would be better. My hunch was correct and quite a mass of almost overly ripe plump blackberries were ready to be picked. Tilly wasn’t much help, but a new patch of sideways trees kept her busy whilst I filled a pot with almost half a kilo of berries. I feel some baking coming on.

I got the wood glue out, time to restick some of the edgings on shelves and cupboard doors. The glue seems to be giving up being sticky in some parts of the boat. So some encouragement for the glue to go in the gap, a good squeeze, wipe down and some tape to hold it in place whilst it dried. Job done.

Trying to cobble something together

Mick wasn’t having much luck. The sump drain pump had stopped pumping, not good when you want to pump the oil out! He’d had a go with an electric pump he’d bought from Lidl a while ago, but this would take forever and possibly drain our starter battery. After trying numerous things he ended up giving up today. Maybe rigging up the electric pump to the 24v-12v dc-dc converter in the electrics cupboard so the domestic bank could be used instead?

After lunch we opted to move on a bit to the next mooring.

It’s a good view here when the wind stops

This morning a CRT tug had come past with a skip boat, as we made ready it came back without the skip, would we be slowly following this to Osberton Lock? They crawled past us, but as soon as they had gone past they cranked up the speed. We followed, at a far slower speed.

Eeek!

This stretch of towpath is currently closed right up to the lock, the next stretch is where the problem bridge is. From the canal it didn’t look like anything was wrong, but looking up the side it’s had quite a wallop and bricks are ready to tumble onto the towpath.

The Lock Landing available

Above Osberton Lock, CRT were just leaving having removed the skip to further up stream, we actually now had a lock landing to land at, then a limbo under the once five bar gate. I lifted the paddles to set the lock just as the heavens opened! Both of us retreated to the shade of the trees, thankfully the downpour didn’t last long. I opted to walk the remainder of the way, knowing I’d not be getting my full quota of steps or brisk minutes done.

Here she comes giving me a reason to be stood here

Past the green/cabbages/cauliflowers again, if only there was a way down into the field to see what they were. I soon approached the Ranby Moorings. Here at one end sat the boat from The Lock Keeper, they have a cat called Nutmeg, so I headed to the far end of the mooring and loitered for Oleanna. Not only am I now a mad cat lady, but I also loiter on the towpath!

1 lock, 2 miles, 1 blowy day, 1 litre of oil pumped out, 1 litre of oil put back in the engine, 0.5kg of blackberries, 5 edges stuck, 1 cat walk, 1 sharp shower, 0 climbing trees, 1 mad woman waving to the other boat.

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