Category Archives: Bridges

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

https://what3words.com/correctly.benched.blackbird

Straight Out Of An Agatha Christie Novel. 12th August

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

https://what3words.com/dating.juggle.guests

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

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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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

https://what3words.com/workroom.prune.improvise

Assisted. 4th August

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The Lock Keeper to mile marker 23

Alarm set early so we could move off the lock landing. A cuppa made to have whilst we made ready, this included adding some more water to the pound as we’d woken up on a list. The boat in front were also awake and kept looking at the level but not doing anything about it. However it was soon rectified, the advantage of being on a short pound. We left them to it and started to make our way down into Worksop, they had plans on getting through the assisted passage as well today, there was plenty of time.

Worksop was just waking up, not many people on the towpath as I walked ahead to fill the locks. The jigsaw is still to be started at Worksop Town Lock, you’d have to be careful picking the pieces up with the amount of broken glass around this morning. A cruiser sat bobbing about below as the lock emptied. I walked on ahead wanting to have a closer look at some fine buildings just set away from the canal.

A hunt around on old maps suggests this was stables, the fire station and electricity works. The buildings have been restored and look grand. There’s also quite a few posh cars parked outside.

Further along the towpath people fished, a chap slept on the tarmac, his belongings along side him. Posh cars and homelessness right alongside each other.

Above Kilton Top Lock there was a boat moored on the lock landing, they’d come out from Shireoaks yesterday morning and headed straight here. We pulled up just as it started to rain so were indoors sheltering before things got too wet. Time for a leisurely breakfast before the lock keepers arrived. A film crew were busy on the offside moorings, possibly for the next series of Narrow Escapes.

The skies cleared up a touch a little before 11 so we helped the boat in front to fill the lock just as Richard from CRT arrived. There would be one boat coming towards us and I informed him of another boat that had said they’d be coming down today, but there was still no sign of them. The level below was a touch low but hopefully with a couple of locks full of water it would improve. It was slow going but both boats got to Kilton Low Lock.

I think the boat coming up was NB Mr Toad and as he passed Oleanna he recognised us, he’d seen us somewhere miles away maybe last year. It was our turn to go down, the Lock Keeper not the most positive of chaps and really not wanting to hang around to wait for another boat. I wonder if they turned up soon after we left or towards the end of the assisted passage window at 1pm.

I walked on ahead, where should we moor up. All the time the wind was building and a constant drizzle hung in the air. I paused at the first 2 day mooring and called back to Mick, it would be okay there but we opted to carry on.

**The three bridges of the Chesterfield**

By the time I’d walked to Rayton Farm Bridge I’d caught up with the boat ahead, they’d paused to clear the prop. At Osberton Top Turnover Bridge I crossed the canal, but hung back, not wanting to draw attention to where we were wanting to moor. I followed on behind at an inconspicuous distance reaching the 23 mile marker, walked a little distance further on then stood and waited for Oleanna to arrive.

Moored up in time for lunch and five, yes five hours of shore leave for Tilly. We didn’t think she’d be too keen as it was raining, at times exceedingly heavy and Floris’s winds starting to really buffet the trees ahead of us.

We pottered away the afternoon. In one dry spell Mick cleared the weedhatch of weed, I caught up on the blog and Tilly … well she was busy being a thug somewhere. A few hours later the following boat came past, maybe they’d pulled in after the locks and waited for the rain to stop, the wind wasn’t giving up anytime soon!

5 locks, 3.5 miles, 7am start, 1 list, 2 in the queue, 1 damp walk, 5 hours shore leave, 1 happy cat, 1 exceedingly windy day, pair 103 re-started much better, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval.

https://what3words.com/beads.serves.smirking

Aligning For Yorkshire. 1st August

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Shireoaks Visitor Moorings to Peck Mill Visitor Moorings

Today was the day to reach the top of the navigable end of the Chesterfield, another canal under Oleanna’s baseplate, a busy day for us and some hoped for shore leave for Tilly. We limbered up and pushed off, 23 lock chambers lay ahead of us.

At Boundary Lock the shallow but plentiful locks commenced, the top gate very heavy. Crossing Ryton Aqueduct we crossed the border back into Yorkshire, we didn’t realise it at the time, it was only later when I checked where South Yorkshire started. A perfect day to cross back it being Yorkshire Day.

Cinderhill Lock has a sign above it, from now on there would be no walkways on any gates other than the very top gates, not so bad on the single locks, but quite a pain on the staircase locks of three, I’d certainly be getting my steps in today but maybe not my brisk minutes!

As we worked our way up the locks we remembered last year on the Basingstoke where we’d been reminded of our ascent here. The Basingstoke however is VERY woody and the locks broad with the constant sound of gunfire. Here the by washes flowed (thank goodness), the birds sang, we were surrounded by trees but still with sight of the sky and there were plenty of walkers enjoying the lovely walk up to Kiveton.

The locks are shallow, which makes it really quite pretty. We soon dropped into our routine. I’d bring Oleanna up to a height where Mick would be able to step off (not hard on this flight) then I walk on to the next lock to empty it and open the bottom gates ready whilst Mick opens the top gate of the lock below, closes paddles and the gate behind him.

We’d been warned that the pound between locks 36 and 37 can drain if the feeder right at the top of the canal gets blocked with weed. The Lockie I’d talked with yesterday said they’d ashed up the problem lock, so unless someone else had been through from Shireoaks we should be alright. They’d try and ash it again after we’d been through today. The gate was maybe a little heavy, but the levels were fine. In fact all day I think we only had one bywash that wasn’t flowing.

Arriving at Turnerwood it was a little bit too early to take advantage of the 2 hour mooring, we were more concerned about the swans. Dad rules the towpath, but I asked nicely if I could pass and he let me. Then several grey cygnets along with one maybe a year old decided to head for the open lock. Mick hadn’t seen them, so as he came under the bridge I waved to him to back off. I chatted to the cygnets, asking where their Mum was and maybe they should find her. They decided that this was maybe a good idea and managed to find a way past Oleanna back to the pool below the lock.

The next lock is a two rise or round these parts it’s called a Double. Top chamber full, bottom empty. Easy to set, just the gates a bit of a pain to walk round to open and close.

We’d both had the same idea, once Oleanna was in the lock Mick would climb off via the roof to work the off side of the lock saving walking round all the time to do the gates. Yes I could most probably walk over Oleanna’s roof and many would, but I’d rather not. Once up the first chamber Mick pulled Oleanna into the second chamber, job done.

We worked another single and the next double. At Milestone Lock it was full, holding it’s water, we decided that once we’d ascended then we’d tie up and have our lunch there, little chance of us emptying the pound above and if a boat happened to arrive we’d be swiftly on our way, but that was very unlikely.

Next a treble, 3 rise. Top full, middle full, bottom empty. I walked round to set it, lifting a paddle on the bottom chamber to make sure it was empty, lifting a paddle into the top chamber to keep it level with the pound above.

The middle chamber required a top up so I lifted one and left it filling whilst I walked round to open the off side bottom gate, by the time I returned the middle chamber was just about at the overflow height, I closed the paddle and the flight was set for us. Mick climbed off again and hauled Oleanna from chamber to chamber.

**A bit different to the other Limehouse Lock**

Three pretty singles followed, finished by a triple. The top paddles locked off with a handcuff key which I had to request from Mick as I’d forgotten about that. The very top gate here has a very tall post, does anyone know why? It did make it easy for Mick to help push the gate open.

There was a branch down near the top of the locks, we managed to push past and push it further out of the way. Now through the woodland where the fairies live, well they also live down the locks too, that’s the only reason I can think of them for being such shallow locks and for not having walkways across the lower gates, because fairies can fly! Gosh it was seriously slow going, I’m glad I hadn’t walked ahead as I’d have been waiting for a very long time if I had.

Gradually we crawled along the summit pound of the connected canal, if the level was any lower we’d be sitting on the bottom. To lift the stern a bit to help with progress I moved to the bow. We passed a couple of boats moored on their home moorings, a caravan parked inside a ramshackled barn. The railway comes close then pushes away just out of arms reach.

Once under Dog Kennel Bridge we were getting close to the end. There ahead of us the moorings, two boats already tied up! Where had they come from? A chap on one of them came out, and when his dogs stopped barking, he offered to move up closer to the other boat so we’d have a couple of bollards to tie to. His three boisterous woofers were the deciding factor, it wouldn’t be fair on Tilly or them, plus there was the smoke billowing out from his chimney.

He said that the winding hole was very shallow, well it had been yesterday. We’d give it a go. Mick put Oleanna’s bow in towards the spillway, there was enough depth. Water was coming down into the canal, we’d been warned if the feed up here was chocked with weeds then the troublesome pound lower down would empty. It took time to turn, but we did it, conferred with each other to return to the only other visitor mooring in the pound.

Oleanna has now reached as far up the Chesterfield as we were going to attempt to get her. There is another third of a mile to the east portal of Norwood Tunnel which in 1907 had a major collapse and has never been reopened. Yes we could have a go at backing her up there, but the amount of weed and shallowness would be a serous pain and we’d already had a long day. A photo of her in the winding hole would suffice should we ever want to claim a Silver Propeller from the IWA.

Back down the canal, passing the ramshackled barn, now a very pointy eared woofer kept a close eye on us. A kilometre on we pulled in at Perk Mill Moorings, enough depth for us, only space for one boat, but sadly far too close to the railway line to allow any shore leave. But the fairies would look after me! They’ve told me so. It’s perfect!!

You are both big fat MEANIES!!!

**Content Mick, with the cricket commentary in his ear**

The 1st August is Yorkshire Day, we’d somehow managed to return to Yorkshire today and in the fridge was a chicken which needed to be roasted today, Yorkshire had beaten Sussex in the cricket, everything aligning together, apart from the mooring.

23 locks, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 4.2 miles by boat, 5.07 by foot, 20 minutes brisk walking, 1 border crossed, 22 flowing bywashes, 1 problematic pound not a problem, 1 puddle in the bedroom, 30 minute lunchbreak in a lock, 235 gongoozlers, 1 super speedy woofer, 1 pointy eared woofer, 3 boisterous woofers, 1 miffed off cat, 1 wind, 1 towel, 1 coat, 3425 invisible fairies, 1 roast chicken, 1st episode Destination X, 1 Yorkshire win against Sussex, 1 very Happy Yorkshire Day.

https://what3words.com/talked.shortcuts.jubilant

Deja Frank. 30th July

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West Retford Visitor Moorings to before Osberton Top Turnover Bridge 46

A stowaway showed itself when I was about to brush my teeth. At first I thought it was a leaf on my shoulder, I didn’t have my glasses on, but it was a very hairy leaf! I carefully removed my t-shirt to inspect it closer. Gosh what a creature, spikes and slodges and hairy bits all over. How long had it been sat on my shoulder for? Had it watched episode 8 of The Handmaids Tale which had been quite riveting last night? Would it want to stay another two nights to see the end? I decided that it would far prefer to be back on something green outside.

I walked ahead windlass in hand, key of power in my pocket, not so far to the first lock today. Across the fields I could almost see where I’d alighted the bus on Saturday to walk through the Nature Reserve back to Oleanna, it would only be a twenty minute walk from here.

Today there would be memorials, trees planted for missed ones, miles stones dedicated to family and boat trips.

We climbed up the Forest Locks, Bottom, Middle Bottom, Middle Top and finally Top Lock. We’d been following NB Scimitar who had pulled up on the 2 day moorings below Middle Top. The lady leant a hand with the bottom gates, our paths may cross over the next week as we’re both aiming for the top of the navigable canal. We paused in Middle Top to dispose of some fishy packaging, use of shore based facilities and to clear the prop before heading on.

At Forest Top Lock I climbed back onboard Oleanna, not my full brisk minutes done for the day, but a long stretch ahead to where we’d be stopping for lunch. The canal kinks round to run parallel to the A1 for a while through Randby. NB Seth Ellis a trip boat wasn’t on it’s mooring, where would we come across them?

**Plenty of apples for their passengers on NB Seth Ellis**

There is a tight bend just before the canal goes under the A1. Oleanna didn’t want to turn, the depth not sufficient for her to respond to the tiller. Reverse, still no response, Back further we seemed to be sat on something. More umph required, tooing and froing and we were on the move again just as well as we met NB Seth Ellis under the A1 bridge. The helm said how nice it was to see another boat.

A lunch break on the 2 day moorings soon afterwards. When we’d been this way nine years ago we had our friend Frank with us. We’d been trying to find somewhere suitable for a barbeque that evening. I suspect we’d thought this mooring was too close to the A1 for it to be pleasant to sit out, there must be somewhere else. However we should have pulled in, wide grassy area and enough depth, a nice mooring despite the A1. After lunch we needed to crack on. I walked ahead to top up on the minutes.

There are some canals that stay with you even if you’ve only travelled them once, others fade even though you’ve been on them several times. The Chesterfield is one of the former. Today we had the clear clear water and masses of fish swimming past, none quite as big as Frank had suggested nine years ago ‘a meter, I could swear it was a meter!’ Dragonflies of gold and blue darted back and forth, were they being amorous or seeing each other off? All far too quick to even manage to turn the camera on before they’d flitted away.

I walked past fields of cabbages or greens. Was this near where the posh horsey place was? The next lock was most certainly familiar. The bywash comes down on the side of the towpath just like a stream. The bridge below the lock and the lock cottage fenced off from view.

Once Oleanna was up the lock the two of us tried to open the top gate, a big mass of reeds in the way. What we needed now was a barge pole, or hook to try to get it the mass out. Another Deja Frank moment. Mick returned with the boat hook, we didn’t want a recurrence of what happened nine years ago when Frank used the pole to try to lift the reeds out of the water, the weight of which and ‘the pole must have been rotten’, snapped it in half. No more pole! We relived that moment.

The towpath here is closed, a falling down bridge ahead. A sign on the gate and padlocks, plus a CRT work boat on the lock landing. Someone though has sorted out access, the remains of four of the five bars of the gate lie close by, splintered ends and then sawn ends. There is quite a stretch of towpath closed, but it hasn’t stopped people, we later had some walkers and an electric bike come past us.

We passed the spot where we’d just about managed to get into the side to enjoy our barbeque on NB Lillyanne. Frank had never had bananas with chocolate cooked on the coals before ‘Bloody disgusting that! Is there any more?!’ Tilly was also chased up a tree by a dog, a rare thing. She stayed out really quite late that night, Well woofers nearly always walk that way and then this way, so I stayed up the tree for when it came back.

**Excuse me Tilly would like the use of that tree soon.**

A while later we pulled in close to the 23 mile stone. Armco and a good place for Tilly for the night, an hours cruise to Kilton Low Lock 52 which will be opened tomorrow morning for assisted passage.

***I think I preferred yesterdays outside***

Time to catch up with Frank and tell him how big the fish had been today and that our barge pole had survived the day. Sock pair 102 were cast off by the end of the evening, just the ends to weave in then they can be hand delivered in a week or so.

5 locks, 6.4 miles, 56 brisk minutes walked, 1 punk rocker caterpillar, 1 boat overtaken, 2 willows trimmed, 1 lunch stop, 1 weed hatch visit, 1.5 hours shore leave, 0 trees climbed, 102 cast off, 7 courgette fritters, 1 barge pole still in 1 piece.

https://what3words.com/beads.serves.smirking

Between Bitterns And Beavers. 26th July

Retford and Worksop Boat Club

A drizzly start to the day, so I awarded myself an extra long cuppa in bed, I’d not be catching the 10:20 bus today. As I sat having my breakfast a procession of boats came past all from the boat club moorings, the last one being Dave, what was the mass exodus for? He didn’t say, but waved a very cheery wave and headed onwards towards Retford.

At a little after 11 I made use of the post box at the bus stop, for a pair of socks, and waited for the next 97 bus, it was a few minutes late, would this affect me catching my next bus out the other side of Retford? I disembarked with everyone else and turned to check which gate the 99 would be leaving from. Ah, the 97 had just changed into the 99. I wonder if I could have stayed on board and only paid one bus fare?

A few stops in the direction of Doncaster I alighted and walked along the busy road then took the side road to the Idle Valley Nature Reserve, the largest nature reserve in Nottinghamshire. I’d enjoyed walking round the lakes near Lemonroyd earlier this year and hoped here would be just as good, if not better.

A quick comfort break at the visitor centre to set me up for my walk back to Oleanna. There wasn’t much information to be found inside, just cakes and coffee really and a pretty good view over the first of the lakes. I took a photo of the reserve’s map for ease of reference, I’d already plotted out my route along the River Idle then between two lakes where Bitterns and Beavers are meant to hang out. I knew there would be slim chance of me seeing either of them, but you never know.

Well the River Idle here is narrow and has quite high banks, the footpath wiggles its way round following every meander. There were several groups of people walking the path, but I soon left them behind. Not much really to see, just a good path through the undergrowth, lots of plants and plenty of giant blackberries, the biggest and fattest being picked as I walked onwards.

Near Tiln there was a view over a fishing lake on the other side of the river, which was the first real view I had. I hoped for better things to come as there were more lakes ahead. I opted to keep following the river alongside Chainbridge Pit, but I really wouldn’t have known it was there.

Motorbikes zoomed along Chainbridge Lane a wide track thankfully not muddy. I spotted a viewing area on my map so headed there for my lunch. There was a view as suggested, the lake some distance away and the use of binoculars essential, the zoom on my camera not really up to much as everything was so far away. I made use of the bench to eat my sandwich and have a glug of water before setting off again.

No views from the tracks, maybe I should have stayed on the smaller path on the other side of a hedge. Another viewing point, another distant view. At least here I got to see what I think was a Great White Egret as it was far bigger than the Mallards sat close by.

I turned onto the track between the Bittern Pool and where Beavers had been released a few years ago. A crowd huddled at the next viewing area. ‘No that was a Chiff Chaff. Maybe we should try at the next pool see if there are any waders’ My verdict after a brief look across to the distant lake was that yes they’d see a lot more at the next pool.

By now I was feeling that the Nature Reserve was just that, reserved for nature and not human eyes.

Maybe it’s a bit different in the winter months with far less to cover the views. I managed to make out that there was water in the Bittern Pool, but there was not one jot of a view to where the Beavers have taken up residence. I did however get to see a lot of swans, coots and some Long Horn Cattle before I turned away from the reserve and crossed over the River Idle to head back to the boat.

A bridleway headed in the required direction. Ducking under trees, tip toeing past nettles, avoiding being spiked by sloe bushes which were heaving with berries. Then across a harvested field, trying to keep to an invisible path. Sweetcorn still quite a way to go before it would be ripe enough to eat, although from past experience it’s often the type of maize used for cattle feed.

Back at the canal I crossed over into a field where a path crosses just by Clayworth Grange which has been split into three or four rather nice looking dwellings. Stick to the path, or else! I veered off slightly as there was a large patch of nettles, I don’t think anyone saw me! Back into Clayworth and I was facing the bus stop where I started the days adventure. I’d considered just walking to the nature reserve and back, but concluded that that would end up being rather a long walk. However my route with the hope of seeing evidence of Beavers had me walk over 8 miles and 20,000 paces, much at a brisk pace. I think today I set a new record of 134 brisk minutes.

**Back at the bus stop where I started**

A touch pooped I opted to stay in, not willing to walk back to the club house for a drink this evening. As I sat at the computer the boats that had passed this morning came back. It must have looked like I’d been sat here all day!

0 locks, 0 miles by boat, 2 buses, well 1 really, 1 wee break, 1 CRT key taken for another wee on the way back to the boat, 4 VERY distant views, 453234 coots, 4433 swans, 1 great egret, 1 Gatekeeper, 0 beavers, 0 bitterns, 17 cows, 8.27 miles walked, 134 minutes briskly, 3 hours shore leave, 1 bully of a cat!

Fairies Footpath. 23rd July

Log Rural Mooring to Drakeholes Visitor Mooring

Some shore leave was granted first thing, then after breakfast and once Tilly had returned the doors were firmly closed. We’re not moving fast along the Chesterfield, well you can’t move fast anyway, but for the next few days we’ve only small distances to travel.

As we rolled up the covers the boat in front of us was making ready to push off too. They’d been moored at Drakeholes yesterday morning, our aimed for destination today. Mick checked the weed hatch…. weed! Quite expected on the Chesterfield. If the levels don’t defeat us getting to the top the weed at this time of the year might do. Having a separate weed hatch, which is isolated from the engine bay, means that Mick can leave the plate that sits over the prop loose as it may need to be opened up several times a day. On a more usual weed hatch this is not a good idea and the plate/lid most definitely needs screwing down securely otherwise you will sink your boat once the prop starts to move.

I walked ahead the half mile to Shaw Lock. The chamber was empty and dry, Oleanna rose up, the bywash being stopped as the lock filled. The top gates didn’t want to stay put so I loitered to make sure they did, we need to conserve as much water as we can this summer.

Another walk on to Gringley Lock. The chamber empty and lovely flowers alongside the lock cottage. Oleanna was lagging some way behind so I had chance to read an information board. The lock was supervised by William Antcliffe for 34 years, every Saturday he would walk to Drakeholes to collect his wages, meandering his way back much later, this suggests he visited a water hole! Possibly The White Swan which became The Mucky Duck, which sadly closed earlier this year.

Above the keystone on the bridge it says W & GN 1830. I’ve hunted round on the internet to see what this might be. I’ve found mention in an interesting article that it most probably refers to George and William Newton two yeoman farmers in Gringley, they were possibly responsible for this bridge which replaced a swing bridge.

Back in August 2016 when we came down this lock we were joined by another boat. The throttle cable failed as the boat entered the lock and instead of going into reverse it sped up crashing into the bottom gates!

I opened the top gate to let Oleanna out a big branch had been in the way, it now was doing it’s best to enter the lock. I hauled it out with a boat hook, Oleanna exited then I went to close the gate. Could I get that gate to close? Could I heck!! Maybe loosing weight isn’t going to serve me well with big lock gates, the extra ballast having been handy in such situations. Mick hadn’t got too far so he came to add extra weight and we got it moving again.

I carried on walking, arranging for a lift when we reached Drakeholes Tunnel.

Crops stood in the fields, golden.

A pink flower here and there on the towpath. I’d remembered the Meadowsweet nine years ago but not this. I checked it with my app. Wild Morning Glory (Bind Weed, but it’s not quite such fairy like name). A bit further along a few more, then more and more!

My photo doesn’t really do it justice, but the towpath looked like a fairy had scattered flowers along its length, so pretty. I’ve always referred to the top end of the Chesterfield as a fairy wood, but they seem to be further down now too.

Blackberries are ripening in the hedgerows. I must start to carry a container or a bag to pick them whilst Oleanna catches me up. Some of them were really huge today and so sweet.

I passed a chap watching dragonflies in the reeds. The canal was so clear it brought back memories of when Frank was with us spotting giant fish. The shape of the canal bed very clear, covered in lettuce. A boat came towards me, the water would now be cloudy.

As the towpath turns a right angle towards Drakeholes Tunnel there was a rustic fence, planks held up on chunky branches, then a little gate made with twigs. More fairies.

I sat and waited for Oleanna and my lift through the tunnel. Time to catch up with Frank, no answer. Time to turn down the offer from a friend of more sock yarn, my bottom drawer is still really rather full of it.

Through Drakeholes our first tunnel of the year! All 154 yards of it. It’ll be our second tunnel too, but will it end up being our last one of 2025?

Round the steep bend we pulled in between two boats. This would do us for the day. A late lunch for us and four hours shore leave for Tilly. I knitted and Mick watched the cycling and cricket. A couple of boats came past, one pulling up behind us with two big dogs on the stern. Mick walked up to chat to them as Tilly was out, but it was dingding time. The Huskies were put inside and I did my very best mad cat woman. I got a response from the tall grasses in the field meaning Tilly came pretty quickly. Popping out from the friendly cover just after the chap on the boat had said something about how aloof cats can be. Excuse me, I always come when called. It’s just that sometimes it takes me a couple of hours to make the journey! Once she was inside the woofers could have their towpath freedom.

2 locks, 3.1 miles, 1 weed hatch visit, 6 moving boats, 1 slow cruise, 1stone 11 lbs too light, 2 outsides, 16524899765 fairy flowers, 1 fairy gate, 51 brisk minutes, 1 sock might need frogging, 3 juicy blackberries, 1 Frank catch up, 1 big vat of dhal and 4 onion bhajis.

https://what3words.com/dives.wizard.importers

Soggy Southbound. 21st July

Keadby Visitor Moorings to West Stockwith Basin Bridge

Not the best nights sleep sadly. I was aware of all sorts, but had finally managed to drift off by the time the put put of NB Delhi and Python came past heading for the bridge, it was still cool enough for them to go through at around 6am. In fact it was still 15C mid morning as NB Puddle Duck appeared and pulled in on the off side.

Over the last few days we’ve had a chat with the Lock Keeper at Keadby. Mark moving our booking every day to the next one and saying he’d inform West Stockwith of the change due to being held up at Vazon. Today we confirmed our booking for today and then called West Stockwith to confirm with them too.

The cruisers all moved up to the bollards so they could sit out together, we nudged up to the waterpoint to top up our tank. Items were moved into the shower to have a clear well deck, then an early lunch, just as well as the Lock Keeper called saying he thought the tide would be early. There was a boat just about to come up the lock, so could we be ready for when he opened the road bridge for them.

Final checks, life jackets, charts, etc. We were ready for when the bridge opened and swapped places with the boat. The tide was on it’s way in already, the bottom gates of the lock opened at 13:55. Originally we’d been told we’d be sharing the lock with a widebeam, but they’d not shown up, maybe stuck behind a stoppage on the Aire and Calder. So we were on our own, no buddy boat out on the river until the cruisers caught us up.

With low amounts of fresh coming down the river we had to be very cautious about following the red line. A week or so ago a boat heading for Keadby Lock hadn’t crossed over the river towards the east bank and had found themselves stuck on a sand bank until the next incoming tide lifted them off.

This is the third time we’ve done the tidal Trent this year and most sights are now very familiar.

The few bridges, the old windmills now converted into houses.

The cheeky pigeons. Owston Ferry’s two pubs.

With each turn of the river the skies gradually worked themselves from being quite blue, sun cream required when we set off, to being very grey almost black. Thankfully the river seemed to be doing a good job at turning us away from the really dark clouds. I kept quiet about it, hoping it would stay dry until we were moored up for the day. Mick however had to open his big mouth! ‘It’s going to rain!’ So it did!

We were making good progress and as we rounded the bend at Gunthorpe Mick radioed ahead to West Stockwith. I think we were going to be earlier than they’d expected, so they’d get the lock ready for us. Would we like a bow line to help us into the lock? Mick was fairly sure we’d be okay without, not really understanding what help it would be. As the radio was put down we both reached for our waterproofs as the rain started to persist. I could stand with my back to it, Mick couldn’t!

When to move through the boat to the bow? I opted to wait for us to have entered the lock. The rain was now going sideways as the white house appeared beyond the lock. When was Mick going to turn us to face the flow? We’ve not approached West Stockwith from downstream before, it makes for a tighter turn in.

He started to turn as we got close to the lock. The lock is on a bend in the river so getting turned needed to happen before the bank got too close. Would he need a nudge from the bow thruster, he’d changed the fuse this morning. Round we came. Now when to start the turn into the lock. We drifted backwards. The turn in needing revs to get the stern round enough so as not to catch the upstream side of the lock mouth, not too much to end up hitting the downstream side with the bow.

One man and his boat. He brought her round without touching any side, getting a big thumbs up from the Lockie. It was now safe to go through the boat to grab a rope before they started to bring us up.

The rain was now torrential! Water running in rivers down inside waterproof sleeves. Trousers proving just how many litres of water they could soak up. Crutch straps from life jackets doing a good job of directing water to help soak into your underwear. Oleanna rose up, we thanked the lock keepers, but didn’t hang around for a chat. Instead we headed straight through the bridge and pulled in on the first bit of armco.

But where was the nappy pin? Not been used since early April at this mooring. I managed to find a chain in amongst items in the shower and succeeded in not drenching our bed as I went past it twice. The towpath was it’s own canal, three inches deep, squelchy shoes would now fill up.

Tied up we both stripped down to our t-shirt and pants, wet items hung to drip dry under the pram hood. A warm shower each and dry clothes all welcome as the sun came back out and Tilly busied herself down the bank.

I could make us some dhal, or we could head to the White Hart for some food. The later option won. I checked the blog post from nearly two years ago when we’d last eaten here. We’d had to wait quite a while to be served, but the food had been worth the wait. Today they had a table of 25 in for a 40th, we’d have to wait. Thankfully it was worth it again. We both opted for the same as we’d had last time, Fish and chips and the steak and ale pie which is most definitely home made. Very nice indeed. We opted to return back to Oleanna for our second glass of wine, well we had to celebrate finally starting to make our way southwards.

2 locks, 13.9 miles, 1 wind, 1 full water tank, 2 hours to Stockwith, 4 cruisers 30 minutes behind, 1 lovely cruise, last 20 minutes not so, 2 sodden to their pants boaters, 1 hour shore leave made the most of, 18 minutes brisk walk to the pub and back, 1 fish and chips, 1 pie and chips, 1 boat finally headed south.