Category Archives: Bridges

Nothing To See Here, Or Here, Or There. 17th April

Whitley Lock to West Haddlesey, Selby Canal

Sunshine!!! Not much wind, a much better day for cruising.

We pushed over to the other side to fill with water and empty the wee tank. Jobs done I headed to the lock with the key of power to empty it ready for Oleanna. Today no glitches in the system, last year there had been a power cut so the panel hadn’t worked for quite sometime and the lock had been temperamental too.

A little chat with Richard from NB Isabella who were now moored above the lock. I wonder where we’ll see them next?

Today we wanted to make up for not moving yesterday, so at least 2 hours cruising required. We passed quite a few familiar boats from these parts. A pylon caught our eye as it has three sets of arms. Then a Leeds Liverpool Short Boat Mersey, looked like it had recently been blacked.

Past the huge slag heap to the south, a new distribution centre to the north, the solar farm and then the rubble which is still Kellingley Colliery, one day it will show signs of progress, one day.

At Bank Dole Junction we turned the tight right towards the lock. It’s been five years since we’ve cruised this way, would Bank Dole Lock work without problem. In the past it’s been an extreamly slow filler, in fact we once had to go away and come back the following day after C&RT had to remove silt from around the bottom gates so that the lock could make a level.

As I started to fill the lock a car drove up, a gongoozler ready to lend a hand with the gates. He’d never seen a boat come through the lock before and because there were a few weeds in the top gates he’s assumed it wasn’t used anymore. If he saw some lock gates around the system with their fully grown gardens he’d have quite a shock!

**An interesting level marker, possibly EA**

The gates are heavy, the paddles endlessly turn, but it all worked fine and we were down onto the River Aire with it’s twists and turns.

I used to enjoy the river, meandering back and forth, three power stations to spot, Drax, Ferrybridge and Eggborough. The first of Eggborough’s cooling towers were demolished in August 2021. Ferrybridge started to be demolished in 2019, the last of the cooling towers detonated in March 2022. Now only the most distant power station still stands, Drax, only occasionally visible above the banks. So there’s nothing to see here, or here, or there! The river is now just brown, green banks and sky.

As we were getting close to Beal Lock Mick had a phone call from his friend Chris from The Pink Narrowboat. Chris is currently walking from Lands End to John O’Groats raising funds for Hope and Homes for Children. It’s his 70th birthday this year and he’s hoping to raise £70,000. But being Chris he’s not only walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats but back again too! He’s currently posting a video on his channel every day, today being Day 15 on the Somerset Levels and along the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal.

At Beal Lock we paused for lunch. This is where Houdini our first second mate discovered she could swim! Tilly wasn’t allowed shore leave, we wanted to carry on and we’re not too keen on her going out on pontoons. The lock cut has recently been given a tidy up, very little growth between the pontoon and the bank, I wonder if all the Himalayan Balsam will return later in the year?

The lock only has a small drop. Today I didn’t even bother checking the level boards as back at Bank Dole the river wasn’t even in the green! Below back on the river there was quite a bit of noise. This next stretch can sometimes have speed boats with water skiers in tow. Today however the boat that was speeding around was a touch too small to pull a skier along, it just went round and round in circles far quicker than Oleanna ever could! The chap came up to lend a hand with the heavy gates, he then said he’d race us to the next lock.

Tighter twists and turns. One day, will a flood end up creating more Oxbow lakes or do we now manage water too much to allow such things to happen? Still no power stations, oh well!

We’d heard of a boat having been in trouble along this stretch in some floods this winter. Alistair from Goole had been called out to the boat, but there was nothing he could do to help in the conditions. We thought it had been a widebeam, but today the only boat out of the water was a narrowboat.

**Through the flood lock that protects the Selby Canal**

West Haddlesey Flood Lock was open to us, no need to operate paddles or the very big gates today, we just sailed straight through and pulled up on the mooring.

Our location noted, I took a quick look at the OS map, plotted a route to see the weir and back through some fields and headed off so that five minutes later Tilly could have her shore leave without following me.

Along the river bank, I kept my eyes open in case I could see a widebeam on the bank. Nothing to be seen. Then into Chapel Haddlesey with the hope of crossing the river on the A19 to then join a footpath to the weir. But there was no footpath along the road, it’s a busy road, so I wasn’t going to risk it. Instead I carried on walking towards St John’s The Baptist, it had caught my eye because of it’s Rapunzel like tower. Rebuilt completely in 1836 and extended a couple of times, with tower and spire erected in 1891. Sadly the door was locked, a quick check in the graveyard for any access to the river bank, none obvious but I did spot George Best’s grave stone, from 1934.

**George, wonder if he was a good footballer**

Back the way I’d come, then across fields towards Paper House Farm where a track crosses the canal. No footpath shown on my OS map and no towpath shown on Waterway Routes, I chose to carry on along the footpath, across fields of Rapeseed and down into the village. An interesting looking Indian Restaurant where there was once a pub. On reaching Tankards Bridge I noticed that there was a path alongside the canal towards Selby. When we come back I may investigate further.

**Footpath through a hedge near Paperhouse Bridge**

Tilly had had shore leave, but wasn’t impressed by the young lads fishing Can’t they read the signs! Even I’m not allowed to fish! A pot of chilli was put on to cook.

Fund Britain’s Waterways flotilla news. Some boats had a day exploring Bletchley Park, we can highly recommend it too. Others stocked up at Tesco and Aldi in Leighton Buzzard continuing on southwards. Link to petition

4 locks, 1 a flood lock, 10.6 miles, 3 waterways, 1 right, 1 left, 15th Day, 1 speeding boat, 2 donkeys, 1 tower, 4.49 miles walked, 63 minutes briskly, 2 outsides, 1 vat of chilli.

https://what3words.com/seasick.appealing.cowering

An Improvement. 15th April

Pollington Visitor Moorings to Whitley Lock

An improvement in IT and TV was required, but it was raining. We waited for things to improve, it wasn’t raining hard, so hopefully it would just be a shower.

A couple of boats had moved before we’d got ourselves ready, the boat infront had lost it’s name, it had been TED, now it was nameless. By 11:30 we decided to make the move. I helped push the bow out and walked on up to Pollington Lock.

The moorings just below were occupied by two big boats, Freda Carless and Lonsdale one of the gravel barges that in recent years has done trips to and fro from Leeds.

I could see a boat approaching the lock behind Oleanna and up at the lock was a chap, his key of power in the panel and the lock gates wide open. Both boats got caught out by the force of the bywash which was hammering it down, maybe on full force due to there being eight boats in Goole Docks at the moment, the water needed for Ocean Lock.

I took Oleanna’s centre rope and passed it round a bollard handing it back to Mick as the other boat came in. The chap was very familiar, he resembled an actor who quite often plays sleezy landlords or people who are down on their luck on TV, unshaven, white haired, one day I’ll remember the actors name! The chap stood by the lock was also familiar because we’ve shared locks and been stranded at Naburn with him and his wife shortly after they’d bought their narrowboat in 2021 I think. I filled Mick in, he’d most probably not have remembered the couple, he didn’t when we crossed paths with them last year near Wakefield.

They were moving their boat up to Great Heck and car shuffling at the same time. A brief chat with the lady as they swapped over at the helm and she headed off to move the car. I closed up the lock and then set off to walk to Whitley, get my minutes in along the towpath as we’d be covering about 4 miles today, an ideal distance.

Walking gave me the chance to stop and have a good look on my way. Pollington Hall stands out from the countryside. Today it’s front door just about the same shade of green as the crop in the field. The photo has gone into my paintings folder, I like painting houses, I think I have a thing about bricks as well as good front doors. Built around 1750, it was the ancestral home of the Dobson family. William Dobson was born at the hall in 1818, he and his wife emigrated in 1842 to Tasmania. They had many children and became one of the pioneering families of Tasmania.

I walked under Heck Railway bridge just as an East Coast Main line train thundered overhead. Oleanna and the other boat just still in view ahead. This is a popular stretch for mooring, especially up towards Heck Bridge, the other boat pulled in, I made a note of a good place for Tilly where not too many boats were moored and away from the railway, we may stop here on our way back to the south.

A pause to have a chat with the familiar crew, the world was about to get even smaller. I remembered their boat name and where their house is, but not their names, Richard and Heather. We chatted about their trip over the Rochdale and where else we’d been last year. Then plans for this year, conversation came about that I was a set designer and that we had a house in Scarborough. Well Richard used to teach sculpture on Lady Edith’s Drive in Scarborough and had an exhibition at the theatre which coincided with Alan Ayckbourn’s first show. Well Richard doesn’t look old enough to have had an exhibition in the 50’s and he’d mentioned that it was possibly around 1975, so I think it was more likely to be when Alan became Artistic Director or when the theatre moved from the Library to Westwood. But still a close connection.

They are plucking up courage to cruise the Trent and go up the Chesterfield Canal, if we knew when we’d be heading back that way then I’d have suggested they joined us, but dates later in the year are a little unfixed at the moment. It was good to have chance for a chat and Mick had most probably moored up by now, so it was time to carry on.

**Was this the yard we got the bollard from?**

The towpath changes sides as the northern bank is now filled with C&RT boats, lock beams, aggregate all sorts. As I walked over the bridge I wondered if this was the C&RT yard Mick and I once visited to collect a mooring bollard to be used in Way Upstream at the SJT. I’ve wondered about it a few times as we’ve passed on the boat and now from land it looked even more possible. It was near Eggborough Power Station, now no longer, we had to walk down a track alongside the yard and canal to a specific place, put our hand through the fence and inside a plastic bag there was a bollard for us. All done on a summer Sunday after a weekend in York.

Another opportunity to stop and take a better photo of the work boats, Robin Hood always stands out from the other boats here.

As I came round the last little kink in the canal towards Whitley Lock I could see that Oleanna was moored up, covers half done, all on the opposite side of the canal so I had to walk past and cross at the lock, clocking up just over 4 miles and plenty of minutes for the day.

Mick checked with neighbours, two woofers enjoying the grassy moorings, they were both okay with cats. I kept low just in case they could see me and skuttled across to the hedge. A pretty good outside and She and Tom seemed happier now they could tapperty tap without waiting all the time! Tilly and I had a game of stick once the woofers were inside, safer that way as otherwise they’d have tried to join in.

Fund Britain’s Waterway flotilla news spare parts have been required today, a morse cable, some hose. The boats are having a little rest before continuing on towards London, the Marsworth flight has reopened and Van sent us a couple of photos of us from the cruise through Gainsborough. Thank you Van!

1 lock, 3.7 miles by boat, 1 damp morning, 1 drier afternoon, 1 Isabella, 1 green front door, 3 pairs of socks to finish off, 4 hours shore leave, 5 sticks, 1 stove lit, 4.17 miles walked, 70 minutes briskly.

https://what3words.com/crossing.yacht.football

I Got To Do It! 14th April

Bramwith Junction to Pollington Moorings

Tilly was offered shore leave this morning, but she really wasn’t too keen on the idea. I’ve told you before I don’t like it being blowy!! Sort it out with this outside!!! That told us then, time to move on.

Two boats had been moored across the way at the start of the New Junction Canal and just as we were getting ready to push off they reversed up towards the junction then forwards to Bramwith Lock. We discussed how we’d be pushing off today, the wind wanting to do the job for us. Untying is one thing, but retrieving chains and getting back on board before the boat has crossed the canal is a different matter! We managed it with both of us at the bow, no oncoming boats and then a speedy stern rope.

Onto the New Junction, time to head north. Through the Don Doors and on to the first bridge. I now opted to walk between the bridges to operate them, swinging and lifting as required. I did however hop back onboard to travel the two straight miles to Sykehouse Lock though.

**Dandelions add to an increasingly yellow world**

Here an amber light greeted us. No lock keeper! I’d get to work the lock myself for the first time in an age. Sykehouse is different from all the other locks around here. This is because it has a swing bridge across the middle of it. If you come through when there is a Lock Keeper on duty they can swing the bridge when ever they like, so quite often you are asked to move to the other side of it for them to close it before you ascend or descend. But on boater operation you have no choice.

Your key goes into a panel at the centre of the lock (the white box on the right of the photo), close to the swing bridge, instructions on it’s lid, not so handy if you are short. Turning your key releases the bridge barriers either side of the lock, these you close. This then enables you to lift the big locking mechanism (shaped a bit like a giant key on a sardine can) and then push the swing bridge round out of the way. Once it has locked into the other sardine key the panels at either end of the lock will work, enabling you to open sluices and gates as required. Then when your boat is out of the lock and gates closed you close the bridge following the instructions in reverse order. I like it, it’s fun.

Downstream panel with Oleanna starting to descend

Mick loitered by the next swing bridge for me to arrive, I then walked on to the next bridge the last on the New Junction. Thankfully the strong wind hadn’t hampered us too much.

Up ahead at the reservoir two people zoomed along on their windsurfers, one not having quite so much luck and should have taken note from the Lapwing sat on the bank.

One long blast of our horns and we turned to the west. There was a boat on the nice mooring alongside the reservoir, but we had plans to go further today to Pollington. More stretches of new piling where the bank had slumped after the breach. The grass seems to be starting to come through now, but these stretches don’t have a handy bar to tie to as they did nearer Goole.

**4, dead slow! That’s still pretty fast**

One boat was moored at Pollington, so we opted for the other end of the moorings and pulled in, just as the wind started to be really really strong. I lost my cap, which thankfully landed in the well deck and we both fought with the covers.

Tilly was given the remainder of the afternoon for shore leave, we didn’t think she’d like it, but off she went returning half an hour later for some biscuits followed by Dreamies.

Still some more steps to do I headed out, when Tilly was in, and walked up to the lock. Here a chap on a long term hire boat had pulled up and was about to open the lock gates, his boat on the wrong side of the lock, he had to walk all the way round. I then headed into Pollington and walked past what now seemed familiar from a walk quite a few years ago.

The cricket ground was being mown by a car circling with a cutter behind it, hopefully it was only the outfield being mown like this. A bank of Primroses surrounded someone’s garden. I walked back down to the canal along the road that leads to the long term moorings, eggs for sale here. There is no access from the moorings so I crossed the canal and then walked back up to the lock, the long term hirer having only just climbed back onboard his boat having descended the lock.

**The hire boat just heading away from the lock**

Back on board I hunted out some dark yellow yarn as I’d run out yesterday. Now I could finish off sock pair 64, or so I thought. I seem to be catching Mick’s sleepy reaction to the news, at least this time I put my knitting down before I zzzz’d off to sleep.

No Pollington sunset for us this evening. In fact we sat and wondered why we seem to have liked it here before. The water tap is very slow. Internet is even slower and TV reception optional! Tomorrow showers are forecast, we hope to find a gap in them and move along a bit to improve things.

All boats on the Fund Britain’s Waterways Campaign flotilla have now reached Taveners Boating Club just north of Cosgrove. A notice regarding the Marsworth flight suggests the problem may be sorted tomorrow, fingers crossed. Link to Petition.

1 lock, 7.5 miles, 1 left, 6 bridges, 11 held up, 1 blowy day, 2 outsides, 3.75 hours shore leave, 12 dreamies, 5.06 miles walked, 66 minutes briskly, pair 64 not quite finished.

https://what3words.com/fencing.dumplings.faces

High Noon. 13th April

Stanilands Marina to Bramwith Junction

Subjects on the Geraghty zoom this morning covered roofing, Neil Kinnock, foxes, bicycles ridden by Tony Ben and chocolate workshops for Easter.

A shopping trip was next on the cards. With the Brompton Mick could cycle slowly whilst I walked fastley. We worked our way through the shopping list, checked out and loaded up the bike. Now we were to split, Mick back to the boat to stow things and get ready to cruise whilst I had a date with another Mick, at high noon, at the Princess Royal Swing Bridge.

Was that Mick down there moored between several narrowboats? I couldn’t see from my camera screen, but when the cruiser pulled out from it’s mooring ‘Fund Britain’s Waterways’ Banner still showing I knew. Mick on Cruiser Amourouse had stayed with the flotilla to Soar Boating Club, but he knew he’d not be able to make it much further due to low bridges and that his boat was too wide for narrow locks which would be encountered at Foxton. He’s been gradually catching us up.

He’d teamed up with several narrowboats to do the bridges into Thorne yesterday and had hoped he’d make it back to Strawberry Island, but with delays for broken down bridges and that the other boats were wanting a few days in Thorne he decided to take us up on our offer to help him through the last few obstacles, at 84 I’d be taking all the assistance offered.

**What is it with floating chairs round here?**

How would the bridge behave today? A chap sat on the bench near the control panel with his wife in a wheel chair. I think they come every day to spectate, they used to own a wide beam, but when the wheelchair came into their lives they had to move to land.

I checked all the barriers were closed first, the one nearest the panel waggled about a bit, then clicked. I turned the key. An audible click from every barrier. I closed the barriers, having to waggle one until it also clicked. I pressed the open button and the siren started. HOOORAAY!!!

My Mick had messaged that there was a volunteer on at Thorne Lock, so I relayed that to the other Mick. I’d leave him in the Lockies hands and help to get Oleanna ready so we could push off as Amourouse came past.

Once VHF radios had been turned on we had ship to ship communication again. We were given permission to pass, so as to be first to Bramwith Swing Bridge. A swan by his nest took umberance to Amourouse and started to chase the boat. Those side fenders were going to get it! Once the cob was reunited with it’s partner things calmed down.

Liliane still boasts a campaign banner. A cruiser sat with it’s engines running in Thorne Boating Club, they soon appeared behind Amourouse and tagged along behind.

I hopped off pushed the button at the swing bridge and we let the other cruiser go on ahead towards Bramwith Lock. We checked with Mick to see if he wanted to share the lock with us, would we fit? He was quite happy to share, had done numerous times before.

Two volunteers were seeing Pearl down the electric charity boat that moors in Thorne. We waved the other cruiser on, they could go ahead of us. A chat with the volunteers regarding us sharing with Amourouse. They weren’t keen but in the end it was down to us, in fact it was down to the skipper of the cruiser, he was fine with it.

Oleanna was held both bow and stern and kept under control all the time in the lock. The volunteers reluctantly lifted paddles, extreamly slowly, understandably. Slowly the two boats rose, both safe and sound.

A quick chat between boats, we’d be happy to see Mick back through Long Sandal Lock, but he thought there’d be a volunteer on today. But if we could help at Barnby Dun Lift Bridge? We certainly could. Straight on at the junction. We pulled in at the services by the big bridge. Mick set to filling with water whilst I walked up to see the other Mick under the bridge.

Now where do I stand on the number of vehicles I held up? Do they get added to the spread sheet? It wasn’t Oleanna holding up the traffic?

A very cheery wave from Mick as he passed under the bridge, not much further till he’d get back to base. A message appeared on the whatsapp group that he’d arrived safe and sound at 3:15pm. It was a pleasure to help him on his last leg home.

**Goodbye Mick, hope to see you somewhere on the water again**

Watery chores were done. Wee tank emptied, Tilly’s pooh box got a refresh and bins emptied. No sign as yet of the new recycling labels on bins.

Mick winded Oleanna to head back to the junction whilst I walked the towpath, got to clock up 40 minutes minimum. Our mooring was still available, we tied up and let Tilly out. She wasn’t impressed It’s still far too windy for my bottom!

**Winding as another boat comes through the bridge**

A roast chicken was enjoyed. Yes we shouldn’t have as yesterdays burger had been a very naughty treat, but the remains of a chicken will last us at least three more meals which all helps when we are unlikely to see a big shop for over a week.

A pesky swan kept us company for most of the evening and a very light shower came over. Here’s hoping we only get light showers in the coming days, more importantly that the Yorkshire Dales don’t get a deluge.

1 lock, 6.5 miles, 1 bridge for us, 3 more for Mick plus 1 lock, 1 left, 1 wind, 23 years, 2 boxes wine, 1 chicken, 500grams mince, 1 mardy swan, 3 floating chairs, 84 year old skipper, 1 final wave goodbye to our flotilla chums ( who are all down on the GU now), 3.52 miles walked, 44 minutes briskly, 3 hours shore leave, 10 minutes taken, 1 pesky swan.

https://what3words.com/herb.golden.iterative

Crime Scene. 11th April

Near Godnow Swing Bridge to Staniland Marina

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Too Keen. 10th April

West Stockwith to between Godnow and Medge Hall Swing Bridges, Stainforth and Keadby Canal

Today we gave ourselves longer to get ready. We’d been told 7:45 in West Stockwith lock to then wait for the tide to turn. Of course today we were quicker than on other mornings of late and arrived into the lock 15 minutes early. Mick went to chat to the Lock Keeper whilst I watched the incoming tide whizzing past on the river.

We were far far too keen and early, we had to reverse out of the lock again as they were expecting a boat from Keadby to come up first. Oleanna was brought out of the lock and we tied on the lock waiting mooring, no land access so we couldn’t go and watch the boat come in.

The lock was emptied, ropes attached to bollards ready to hand down to the boat, then the keepers disappeared inside. Nothing was heard on our radio but then I spotted a cruiser go past the closed lock gates. Was it heading on to Torksey?

A few minutes later the keepers were back the two chaps who’d seen us up a few days ago. The gates were opened, the cruiser could be seen nosing up towards them. Obviously their approach wasn’t as it should be, so round they went again, that current whizzing along. This time they lined up better and in they came and were penned up.

Now we moved into the lock. But there was to be quite a wait for the tide to slow to slack water at high tide. The tables suggested this would be at 8:20, but the lockies know it could be 20 minutes or so later. Sure enough at 8:40 the river stopped moving, time for us to hang onto our ropes and descend to its level. Mick popped Oleanna’s nose out of the lock, I could see both ways, all clear, thumbs up, we turned to the left and headed down stream.

It being a touch later in the morning and that we’d had cloud overnight meant we’d have no fog on the river today, instead it was just grey!

The charts only have a few places where there is a channel shown in red for this stretch to Keadby. I noticed a couple of anomalies where landmarks are marked on the charts, but in the wrong places. Thankfully not too critical, but a church is quite a good landmark if it’s in the right place.

Lots of pipe line signs, pubs to pass as we started to catch the out going tide up. Our speed increasing the further down stream we got. On reaching the M180 bridge Mick radioed ahead to Keadby, the lock would be ready and waiting for us.

Under Keadby Bridge. I moved up to the bow ready for the lock. Oleanna was brought over to the west side of the river, the light at the lock red! I could spy the Lockie, the light turned green.

Once nearing the lock Mick turned Oleanna to face the out going tide. Was he too close? Had the sand bar just outside the lock been dredged? Would he turn the bow at the right time and give her plenty of wellie to get into the lock without touching?

Yes! Thank goodness as DC Lincs, the Lockie was filming us.

**One man and his boat safely off the river**

Once clear of the swing bridge we pulled in for water and breakfast, the tap quite slow so we didn’t need to rush things. Then on to see if Vazon Sliding Bridge would work today. We’d been warned a few days ago that there had been a problem, but heard on the grape vine that it had been sorted the same day. We still had our fingers crossed.

We had quite a wait hovering mid stream. This turned out to be for a couple of pedestrians to cross the railway, then the warning was sounded and the bridge slid out of our way.

**We were through just in time for a train**

Vazon Swing Bridge however was obstinate. It did as it had done ten days ago, moving a foot and then jamming. Bumping it, trying to close it, bumping it again eventually worked. Maybe the weight I’ve lost this year isn’t helping! Or maybe the fact that there is just gravel under your feet so no grip available.

I got it open in the end, but had to call Mick back as it did the same when I tried to close it, stopping short. I had planned on walking to Crowle so Oleanna was already on the way. Mick reversed her and came to lend his bottom to the beam. I suspect I’d eventually got it closed, but I’m also aware of my knee and not wanting to put too much strain on it and end up back where I was a few months ago.

**The fish painted by members of the community**

Now to walk to Crowle. Plenty of fishermen to keep Oleanna slowed down behind me for a while. There is a sculpture with painted fish on it, quite apt for all the rods in the canal.

The towpath is a track, a good surface to keep your pace brisk on, but the canal is straight, very straight! Mick caught me up close to a bend.

I then had a pause to look at the metal flower sculptures on the bank. Five varieties of flowers, the flag iris is obvious, but the others? Purple Loostrife, Cow Parsley maybe. If anyone has any ideas please let me know.

Mick picked me up under the high bridge at Crowle, then we continued. Through Godnow Swing Bridge the level crossing keeper busy chatting away to another person in bright orange. We opted to moor up where the railway line goes away from the canal, there’s a drainage ditch between the canal and some houses and a road. We also could get right into the bank which had no holes for unsuspecting feet to fall into.

Four hours Tilly! She made use of many of them. A stamp rewarded again today.

The Fund Britain’s Waterways flotilla lead boats made it close to the top of the Watford Locks today, the remainder of the boats headed into Market Harborough. I suspect a touch of shopping required and maybe some services.

2 locks, 18.6 miles, 2 lefts, 2 keen to be away, 1 perfect entry, 1 full water tank, 2 late breakfasts, 4 moveable bridges, 8 held up at the 1st, 10 days on a 3 day mooring, 0 working engine excuse, 3.07 miles walked, 50 minutes briskly, 1 warm afternoon, 4 hours, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval.

https://what3words.com/cabin.clouding.stereos

What A Joy. 6th April

Cromwell to Torksey bottom side pontoon

Originally we’d been booked to pen down back onto the tidal Trent at 11:45 this morning, but yesterday Mick had stopped off to chat to the Lock Keeper. They didn’t understand why we were booked so late and suggested we should join the widebeam and head off at 10:00, less chance of meeting the incoming tide that way. So we were up, breakfasted and covers rolled up ready for the off by 9:45.

The light at the lock turned green, the widebeam undid all their ropes and headed for the lock, we followed them slowly. The Lockie gave advice to stick to the channel as best we both could as there was only 18 inches of fresh today and we’d be helped by the out going tide. In the lock we did as usual, bow and stern line, well you never know just when the wind will hit a lock wall and push your boat over to the other side of the lock, as it did to our locking buddies who only had a stern line round a riser.

There was no way for us to be first out of the lock, so we waited and then followed slowly. Should we overtake or sit tight behind? Buddies on the Trent really should always be quite close should they be needed.

Our buddies kept mainly to the channel, a little too close to the bank at times, they managed to do their own bit of pruning, hope their pram cover is okay. We opted to stay behind them, at a steady pace, we’d use less diesel, but it did feel slow compared to our normal speed on the Trent.

After a few minutes we were able to join the Geraghty zoom, only long enough to show Mick’s siblings the river and say good morning before we decided we’d need to concentrate a touch more than normal.

Blue skies. A breeze to keep us from getting warm and at times the water got quite choppy. An Egret, a bird who was invisible except for its bright orange legs, swallows or sand martins dashed in and out of the sandy banks, far too quick for a photo.

A speedboat was moored on the waterski club pontoon, then another appeared up ahead through Fledborough Viaduct going at quick a lick. At least this meant we knew which span to head for, confirmed when we eventually saw the now rusted away graffiti.

The river level was low, possibly the lowest we’ve experienced so keeping to the red line was more important to do today. As we passed Dunham Pontoon I wondered how different the water level looked compared to last Tuesday (left photo) when the flotilla woofers had paused for a comfort break.

Under the bridges and on past the sunken island and round the bend by Cottam Power Station. Next landmark would be the EA building just before Torksey Junction. The widebeam pulled in and popped themselves near the end of the pontoon, their plan now was to head to the pub for Sunday lunch, hopefully there would be some left at 1:30pm. We pulled in and left a boats length between us and them and plenty of space before the only other boat moored up.

I planned my afternoon walk. Whilst on the river today we’d been hunting out KM markers to help update Waterway Routes, those in brackets had not been spotted when Paul has cruised this way. With only a small amount of greenery on the trees we were having more luck spotting them, one well and truly surrounded by sideways trees. We’d found all of them but one, 71. If I crossed Torksey Viaduct I’d be able to walk the banks of the river and see if it was visible from land, or as we suspected long gone! My walk would also have another advantage, I’d get to be closer to Cottam cooling towers, an opportunity not to be missed.

I set off, however my plan was to be thwarted! I crossed the river and climbed down the steps on the other side to find through the kissing gate a gang of very inquisitive ginger cows. Hmmm! They came for a good nosy at me. Then a chap appeared behind me. He wasn’t too keen in trying to push through them, I gave it a go, he’d call for back up if needed.

CUSHH! I waggled my arms, made myself as big as possible, isn’t that what you are meant to do? CUSHH! No they hardly moved and what movement they did was towards me. I retreated behind the kissing gate, one of them now demanding a snog before it would let me through. NO chance!

A change of route was called for, head northwards, but the paths didn’t seem to join up for me to come back southwards. A different route all together was needed. Back across the river to Brampton where there were a few lovely looking houses. Across Lincoln golf club where two chaps were having difficulty finding their balls in the trees. Back to the river via Torksey. A shame my Sunday selfie couldn’t be closer to the cooling towers, but that’s life.

During the afternoon one boat came down Torksey Lock and one went up, so we could have got over the cill after all. Oh well we’re booked to go up West Stockwith in the morning with a push off time of 6am! So we stayed put below the lock.

The Fund Britain’s Waterways cruise reached Barrow upon Soar today after enjoying a Sunday lunch with the Soar Boat Club. If you haven’t sign it yet, please sign the petition

1 lock, 16.7 miles, 2 winds, 1 right, 1 very slow tidal cruise, 1 tree trimmed, 1 Chance encounter, 15 ginger bullies, 4.25 miles walked, 70 minutes briskly, 1 big cauliflower cheese, 1 very bored cat.

https://what3words.com/folk.connected.expanded

Line Astern. 1st April

Keadby Lock to Cromwell Lock, River Trent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trapping The Postie. 31st March

Just over the Lincolnshire Border to Keadby Lock

As we laid in bed with our cuppas we realised that the VHF radio had been left on overnight. It chirped into life with someone asking if anyone was up yet. This was on the ship to ship channel 6 and most likely to be one of the crew from the Strawberry Island boats who would be heading to Keadby today. We wanted to arrive before them and had worked out that they had moored this side of Thorne for the night, we’d best not be tardy in getting going.

I walked up to Medge Hall Bridge just as a Post van crossed it stopping in front of the level crossing barriers to empty the post box. Before inserting my key of power into the control box for the bridge I checked if they were waiting to cross the railway or would be back across the bridge, they were waiting to carry on to deliver some post and the signaller hadn’t come out from their box to open the gates so I turned my key and closed barriers. The Postie was now stuck between the railway and canal.

Mick brought Oleanna through, the bridge was swung back, barrier open and after a train had come through the level crossing was opened and on the Postie could go. A roughish walk on to Godnow Bridge. Here the level crossing keeper has to press buttons in their hut for the canal control panel to work, they then came for a good natter. ‘Not seen a boat for ages!‘ That would be different today as behind us were at least seven boats all heading to Keadby.

Too far to walk to the next bridge, I hopped back onboard and got my knitting out, pair 64 coming along nicely. The wind wasn’t as strong today and the sun was out, a few anglers sat with their poles in the water soaking up the sunshine.

Vazon Swing Bridge is manual, I hopped off and did the honours, or tried to. The bridge swung only a few inches before it ground to a halt. We’d obviously timed our arrival well with Vazon Sliding Bridge as the sirens started warning that it would be moving. I tried closing the bridge, gave it another heave and thankfully it got moving. By the time it was closed again the sliding bridge was fully open and waiting for us, obviously no trains due soon. I quickly hopped back on board and through we went thanking the bridge keeper.

Just a couple of boats on the moorings ahead we pulled in towards the rear, furthest away from the lock, plenty of space for the Campaign Cruise boats to pull up in front. Time to give the well deck and bow a much needed sweep and wash. This took some doing, the patches of rust on locker lids are an embarrassment. I know she’s getting repainted next year, but I may have to do a DIY job so things don’t get any worse before.

We had a half hour warning of the arrival of the Strawberry Island boats, then watched to see if we could see them pulling in on the other side of the sliding bridge. One bow appeared, a second, then over the radio someone said they’d been asked to all pull in in between the two bridges before the railway bridge would be swung.

The sirens could be heard then the bridge slid to the side. NB That’s It was first through followed by everyone else. Six narrowboats and a cruiser. We were now eight boats.

Banners and bunting were handed over to us, magnets found for attaching them along with a long length of string which was useful for a banner on the cratch board. Towpath chats meant it was hard for Tilly to come home, but we gave her a corridor of safety from too many people and woofers.

Everyone got their chairs out, took over an area next to the car park. Claudia from NB Tonka had baked a cherry cake and another couple arrived by car from Strawberry Island. Lots of chats and cups of tea and beer. Numbers were handed out, this was the order we planned to go through Gainsborough Bridge in. Mick then suggested that maybe we should lock out in number order also, the faster boats bringing up the stern. We were to be 8 with Mick on Cruiser Amerouse just in front of us.

**The entrance is due to be dredged tomorrow once we’ve gone through**

There were reports that there might be an aegir on the next flood up the Trent. People tried to work out when would be best to go and view it from the lock, various different times were come up with. We walked up to have a look anyway, handy to see what the sand bar at the lock entrance looked like. If you were in the first locking in the morning you’d be wanting to keep to the right!

I still had more minutes walking to do, so walked through Keadby, spotting the fish and chips shop, another takeaway and two shops before returning. Mick and I then headed back to look at the river. Distinct signs that the tide had already turned and was coming in. Looking up towards the bascule bridge we could just make out a dark line of water ad ripples behind it. That must have been the aegir, everyone had missed it.

**We think those ripples half way to the bridge were the aegir**

Final preparations for the morning involved engine checks, weed hatch checked and everything apart from the bucket with the anchor chain and anchor came inside to sit in the shower. Ooh the well deck looked nice and clean and tidy!

**Keadby Lock with it’s flood gates closed as well as the lock gates**

Fed and watered it was time for an early night as tomorrow the Lock Keeper wanted us ready to go through the road swing bridge at 06:15. The tide wasn’t due until 07:00, but they wanted us ready in case the flood came early. The first three boats would enter the lock, the following three would pass through the road swing bridge to wait above the lock so that the road bridge only needed to be opened twice. We’d then be let through the swing bridge with Amerouse to be the last locking down of the flotilla.

0 locks, 6 miles, 4 moveable bridges, 3.91 miles walked, 48 minutes briskly, 1 as clean as she’s going to be Oleanna, 5 hours shore leave, only 2 used, 2 cats nicely sharing the towpath, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval until they all got there! 2 cats, 4 woofers, 15 crew, 2 banners, 2 lots of bunting, 1 cherry tray bake, 1 very early start tomorrow.

https://what3words.com/agreeable.edit.blackouts

Just Across The Border. 30th March

Wykewell Lift Bridge to just across the border

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna