Category Archives: Bridges

Waiting Day (2) 19th July

Vazon Swing Bridge

No phone call in the early hours last night, we’d not expected one, even though we both woke up just in case. I think the temperature got down to about 17C, not sure now as we’re constantly looking at different forecasts just in case one is in our favour.

Tilly headed off into the friendly cover despite it doing it’d best to rain. We’d become complacent leaving the back doors open to improve the breeze through the boat when of course Tilly returned with her mouth full. Thankfully Tilly is not like our previous second mate Houdini whom you’d have had a cat-in-hells chance of picking up in such a situation. Tilly was deposited out on the stern deck and the doors firmly closed!

Mick bobbed up to the signal box for a chat with the keeper. Reece wasn’t aware that the bridge can now be opened no matter what time of day, just so long as the temperature is 15C or lower. He asked Mick to forward him the CRT notice and he would check with York. A while later he gave me a call, Mick was correct and the new information about the bridge hadn’t been passed on to him and possibly other signallers.

The rain today was going to be torrential or so we’d been led to believe. As it was just spitting I decided to head out to see if I could find a newspaper, knowing our chosen flavour of print was very unlikely to be on the shelves of one of the two shops in Keadby. As I approached the bridge the red light went out, Reece had spotted me and I’d timed my arrival well with a suitable gap in the trains.

This morning Keadby Road Swing Bridge must have worked as now, sat on the visitor moorings was NB Drunken Duck and a small cruiser who’d come off the river. No obvious signs of life to say hello so I carried on to find the shops.

Oh those chips smelt nice from the chippy. I wonder if it’s the only chippy in town?!

There was a selection of papers in the first shop, and as I’d expected not of our flavour. I walked on to the next shop where there were none to be had. Oh well at least I’d got out for a walk.

**The yellow is where you walk when there are no trains**

There was a train coming as I approached the bridge, Reece could be seen gesticulating ‘Sorry’ as the siren sounded for what felt like an eternity, but it did give me chance to spot the sunflowers growing in a field on our side of the tracks.

***It was fun this morning, now it’s just WET!***

We’d a new neighbour. Mick had nudged up to make room for NB Lady Phoenix and he and the owner were having a good chin wag. It was now starting to get that little bit wetter, so we retired inside our boats and settled down for the remainder of the day.

This afternoon’s knitting viewing was The True History of the Kelly Gang (2019). A fictionalised account of how Ned Kelly changed from being a compassionate boy to a gang leader. The end of the film is quite gory when there is a big shoot out, but Ned dies like a Kelly.

Rain hammered down most of the afternoon, but then cleared into the evening leaving us with quite an atmospheric fog hanging around the power stations. Will today’s rain have helped bring the temperature of the bridge down enough? We’ll see.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 damp and WET day, 4 boats off the river, pair 101 knitted, 1 film, 0 newspaper, 1 seriously rationalised pile of work stuff, final 1/3rd of the quiche eaten.

Waiting Day (1). 18th July

Vazon Swing Bridge

We both woke early, would the temperature have dipped sufficiently for Vazon Drawbridge/Sliding/Railway Bridge to move out of our way? Mick put some clothes on and walked over to the signal box, a different signaller from yesterday. Here he met up with a chap from NB Early Rise, who is waiting on the other side of the bridge. A phone call had already been made to York, the temperature not low enough even at the coolest part of the day. Chats were had, then Mick returned and joined me back in bed for some more shut eye, after all it was only 5am.

Over breakfast we considered our options. Should we wait here by the swing bridge, close to the trains kerchunk kerchunking over the sliding bridge through day and night? Or should we try to find a different mooring? One where Tilly could go out further away from the bridge. We decided to have a pootle to see if we could find anywhere. But first Mick walked up to the signal box and made sure they had our phone number for when the temperature dips enough and the bridge opens.

There had been hi-vis people at the bridge this morning along with Northern Power Grid. The domestic electrics were off in the signal box and had been mended. The hi-vis people were from Network Rail and they had been busy painting parts of the bridge white, this will help reflect some of the heat away from the structure. Now as we untied I spotted several blue t-shirts, CRT t-shirts. Hands were shook between orange and blue, might they be about to do a test opening? No chance, the temperature way above the 15C.

We winded and headed back towards Thorne, maybe, just maybe there might be enough depth for Oleanna back close to Pilfrey Bridge, not too far away, but just far enough. There was a lack of blanket weed making the canal obvious to those with four legs and feet, no rocks in view. But sadly no matter how much we tried the bow or stern didn’t get to within jumping off closeness of the bank. We opted to return from where we’d come. When the back doors opened up again, Tilly was most peeved that all we’d done was shake the outside up a bit!

Mick headed for a walk and a possible earwig at what was being said at the bridge between orange and blue people. Other than stopping to tie a shoe lace he didn’t find an excuse to loiter within ear shot for long and ended up going to say hello to NB Early Rise instead.

Once the meeting had finished the blue bods walked back towards Keadby Lock and stopped for a chat. There was quite a high up person in amongst them. CRT are putting a lot of pressure on Network Rail to get the bridge working for boaters more reliably. They are hoping that the safe working temperature might be raised, even by just one or two degrees. Sections of the bridge had now been painted white and a big light installed so should passage be needed when it’s dark there is now light.

Network Rail are working towards publishing a weekly weather report for the bridge, noting windows where the temperature will be at a suitable level for it to operate. Apparently the chap who oversees Vazon for the railway, is in charge of around 9000 bridges, and Vazon takes up half his time!

So we just have to sit and wait, ready to snatch the first opportunity to go through.

My migraine improved enough to go for a steady walk. I’d spotted a couple of paths when we were here last, checked them out on Google maps and set off to cross the railway, then the first ditch and to walk round and back through a wood.

To cross Vazon, as a pedestrian, requires you to press a plunger and wait for a red light and siren to stop, meaning that the gate is now unlocked. If the siren and light stay on, there is a train coming, which there was on my way out. Once it’s clear you zigzag your way across the tracks which go diagonally across the sliding bridge. It’s well worth looking at by foot even if you have to cross at speed rather than loiter on your way across.

The first track I aimed for had a very protective Cob and his swan family, so I looped back round and walked through the wood to a track and up to the main road. The tide was on it’s way out but still pretty high, would any boats be making their way down stream right now?

**Pouring water on the road bridge to cool it down**

At Keadby Swing Bridge, the road bridge just by the lock, two Council employees climbed out of the van and walked to the bridge. Here they started up a generator and started to pump water onto the bridge, most probably where it pivots. There was evidence of them having done this earlier in the day. It turns out that at least one boat had been headed for Keadby today, they’d been told to moor up in Gainsborough overnight as there was a problem with this bridge too! Here’s hoping it’s sorted by the morning for them.

After all the excitement at the bridges, even if we didn’t manage to get going, it was time for an easier afternoon. Blimey it was hot and sticky inside, more so outside.

Mick pottered on with a few jobs, adding new hooks to fenders, wrapping wire round the yellow water connector whilst Tilly and I watched Denmark (2019) and knitted. Denmark is a bittersweet comedy about a down-on-his-luck Welshman who travels to Europe with a crazy goal, to get himself arrested and sent to a Danish prison where the beds are warm and the water is hot. It’s a gentle British film, with cool outdoor scenes which were welcome today.

Our only neighbour here had been absent during the day. He’d left his woofer shut up inside his make shift boat. We’d been getting quite concerned as the howls were becoming progressively more pathetic. Mick had wondered over to see what he might be able to see, which wasn’t much from a safe distance, we’ve been aware of this chap for a while. Then thankfully the owner returned, beer in hand and quite merry. The door to his boat was flung open and his large dog surged for the bank, all four legs crossed. After dancing a jig or two he packed up all he wanted, bundled his dog back onboard and frantically untied and set off into the sunset. So apart from the trains we should have a quiet evening now.

0 locks, 1.3 miles, 2 winds, 4 blue, 3 hi-vis, 1 sticky day, 0.5 sock, 1 film, 1 mended dishwasher, 2 fenders, 2 broken bridges, 2 more hi-vis, 1 jig, 1 woofer on our radar, 1 boat setting off into the sunset, 1 good place to smoke!

As One Wait Is Over. 17th July

Thorne Visitor Moorings to Vazon Swing Bridge

We’d guessed that they might be on their way today and sure enough photos appeared on the Strawberry Fools group this morning of sunrise at Vazon Railway Drawbridge, 5am the bridge had been at the right temperature for boats to go through and NB Purple Emperor with Ian and Alley were the next boat from the Fund Britain’s Waterways Cruise to be heading for home. Breakfast had just been served up when we heard the Princess Royal Footbridge opening up. Sure enough on the other side was the familiar bow.

Three boats in all came through, the second crewed by a chap we remembered from the get together on the bank at Keadby and again in Newark. Ian manned the gates as Alley led the boats through, we were spotted and there was time to say a few hellos. Alley was so looking forward to being back home by the end of the day after their three months cruise of around 1000 miles.

We put together a shopping list, perishable items and headed on up to Sainsburys. Some salad we’d got from Lidl had expired long before it should have, all slimey and horrible so that along with fruit needed sorting. On our way back we got a call from Sean from SPL covers, they had arrived and let themselves through the gate, we were only two minutes away. As we arrived back the new side was already on and Sean was hand sewing up where the zips on the pram cover had come adrift. The blue just about matches and the see through panel is just that, see through compared to the original one which is now more frosted.

When Oleanna gets a repaint, we’ll be looking at smart new covers for her, not a cheap thing, we asked Sean for a ball park figure. £1200 for a new cratch and around £2300 for a new pram cover, he suggested we have the sides zipped so we can roll them up rather than remove them completely and risk another one falling into the canal and drifting away. A good idea, but how do they fare when the whole pram hood is folded down? We always do this for cruising, many boats around here never seem to take their covers down preferring to just have the sides up and peek out of the sides. Research needs to be done on this.

BIt of a tight squeeze to get under there, that chimney needed to come off.

We were now free to leave. A top up with water, a shower too to maximise the tank fill as we’ve no idea how long we might be waiting in Keadby for the drawbridge to open. Lunch, then we came out from the moorings, leaving them empty, Mick reversed us back onto the diesel point at Thorne Boat Services. £1.05 a litre, a touch more expensive than in Goole but the last place before the Chesterfield Canal.

I walked up to the bridge whilst Mick winded Oleanna. As I turned the key in the panel the gates all clicked, a good noise. I made sure every barrier was locked in position and the bridge swung first time. I can now see where the confusion lies with boaters. A light comes on on the panel saying that the bridge is Closed when it isn’t quite and you have to keep pressing the close button until you hear the barriers click unlocked, a light illuminates saying the bridge is Locked. Job done without a hitch.

Out through the remainder of Thorne, time to work the bridges. Time also to decide how far we should go today. To where we’ve stopped before between Medge Hall and Godnow Bridge? Or all the way to Keadby in case the drawbridge might open overnight? We’d certainly be crossing the Yorkshire/Lincolnshire border.

The canal started to get greener and greener, both banks a stretch of pet fooling green away. Our landing net has not lasted eleven years and I doubt would take the weight of Tilly now should she casually walk onto the green and find she needed to be buoyant. Temperatures didn’t seem to be as high as they’d been forecast, maybe it would be worth going all the way to Keadby incase the temperature dropped to 15C and we’d be able to get through.

I chatted to the bridge keeper at Godnow, did he know anything about Vazon? Everyone is asking as they come through by boat, he was careful what he said more concerned with the wasps nest by the door to the little hut.

At Crowle I hopped off Oleanna to walk the rest of the way, over 2.5 miles would see my brisk walking to where it needed to be today. Soon it started to spit, Mick tried out the new umbrella he bought after leaving the old one at the cricket the other week. As we got within a mile of our planned enforced stop for the day I got the hint of a blind spot in my vision, a migraine coming on. I hoped I was wrong, but it soon was evident that my suspicion was correct. I rang Mick, getting back on board soon would be a good thing, but also it looked like there was a stretch without too much weed which would be good for Tilly and shore leave.

Sadly the bottom was far too close to the top as Mick tried a few times to come into the side to moor up. Only one option, carry on to the bridge landing at Vazon. Three little yoghurt pots sat on the bridge landing, a big space in the middle for us. We were just starting to tie up when the drawbridge started to make it’s familiar noise of sirens, this is what you hear when the keeper is about to open it for boat traffic. I took a key of power for the manual bridge before hand and walked up to the signal box to check on things.

Up the steep staircase to chat to the keeper. ‘You got my hopes up there!’ I said. Sadly we’d not be allowed through. A phone call was made to York to check on the bridge temperature, 19C it needs to be 15C for them to open it for boats after it failed a few weeks ago. Maybe overnight the temperature would drop enough for us to sneek through, I gave them my number to call in the early hours should our luck be in.

**Vazon Swing Bridge our mooring for the night …. or longer**

My migraine now took over. Reading and speech problematical, time to lie down for a while with my eyes closed, Mick and Tilly being quiet.

The trains however weren’t quiet, neither are the bridges or sirens at the bridge and level crossing which seems to be in constant use, that person in the box is kept busy.

Later in the evening Mick bobbed up to the signal box and suggested we’d be happy for them to call us during day light hours, going through in the dark, having to open a manual swing bridge and then moor up would not be the safest thing to do, but as soon as the sun was up would be fine, if the temperatures dropped enough.

A quiet evening in front of the TV. My was phone left on with the sound turned up, I was in bed a little after 10pm leaving Mick to watch the cycling and waiting for the news to come on after the football. We’ll see what tomorrow brings, we’re not that hopeful.

0 locks, 9.4 miles, 1 reverse, 1 little hot pork pie, 105 litres at £1.05, 6 bridges, 4 held up, 1 digger, 2 black labs swimming, 1 returning boat, 1 new pram side, 3 bags of fruit and veg, 1 border crossed, 1 wasps nest, 61 brisk minutes, 1 sock frogged, 2 warm, 1 sensor in York, 1 white painted bridge.

https://what3words.com/predict.acrobats.daunting

Will St Swithin’s Come Good? 15th July

Staniland Marina to Thorne Visitor Moorings

Rain forecast for this afternoon we opted to move sooner rather than later and hope there would be space on the visitor moorings as we were in need of a refill of water and there is the preferred place for Sean to come and fit our new pram cover side.

At Thorne Lock two narrowboats were just coming up, the bridge still needed to be swung, so I helped with the barriers and pushed the bridge out of the way with the chatty volunteer. He isn’t really chatty, in fact he hardly says anything just an acknowledgement that you’ve said something. I hopped back on board and headed to the bow, hoping there’d be space for us on the moorings.

The bank moorings were full, but there was only one widebeam on the pontoons, yipee! We turned in bow first, bagging the pontoon that would serve us best. It took a while to get moored up as the pontoons are so short and the wind wasn’t helping, pushing us away. Then out with the hose pipe, we then remembered about the trickle of pressure here. Oh well we weren’t planning on going far today anyway, just turning round infact.

The rain started early as the water tank filled, we headed indoors to do chores, have a shower and then have lunch. As soon as the tank was full we winded and reversed back onto the pontoon, the side needed by Sean against the pontoon now. We just need to know when he’s coming. Mick called him.

Thursday! Oh blimey, do we overstay by a day? Or go away and come back risking that we won’t be the right way round or even find a space again? We’ve opted to move on if the moorings get busy, but if they don’t we’ll be on our way as soon as Sean has finished work.

It rained, quite hard at times. it’s what we need more of. Will St Swithin’s come good and it keep on doing so for the next 40 days and nights? What we actually need to know according to Wikipedia is if it rained on St Swithun’s Bridge in Winchester today or not?

I got news through that my digs for panto have been booked. I’m staying at the haunted bakery where I had one night when working on Cinderella two years ago. A very nice husband and wife for hosts and a fascinating building 10 minutes walk from the theatre. Susanne who I stayed with before has moved out of Chippy and it’s just that bit too far to walk along dark roads.

I’d arranged to see Della today, but the rain was off putting. However I changed my mind as the sun came out a little after 5pm, I sent her a message and set off to go for a walk anyway, it turned out she’d opted to visit her sister instead.

I had nice walk around the fishing ponds that you can see from the train and managed to get my 40 minutes of brisk walking done before the heavens opened again. There’s lots of ripe fruit hanging from the trees.

Then I sat down to check over the sock I finished last night. Hmm! It fitted me okay, but could do with just a little bit more space for the next size up. I don’t normally try the socks on that I knit, but having done a section of alternating yarns every stitch I wanted to make sure I’d compensated enough for the extra thickness. I reworked out my pattern and cast on a new sock, keeping the original as reference.

I’d suggested watching a film, but there were three days worth of cycling on the box to watch, so Mick spent much of the afternoon watching scenery in France. By the end of the day Mick was up to date with everything and the heavens had opened up again. Rumours are that Vazon Sliding Bridge was opened during the day today. A boat approached getting ready to moor up and wait for it to open at 4am, but they got straight through. Sadly by the time we reach it the temperatures will have risen above 15C again and we may end up having to wait a few days.

1 lock, 1 swing bridge, 0.5 miles, 1 wind, 1 very windy day, 1 soggy day much needed, 1 load washing, 1 clean pooh box, 1 full water tank, 0.5 of a sock, 3 days worth of cycling, 1 drugs run, 2.61 miles, 42 brisk minutes, 2 naughty pieces of chocolate orange (left over from Christmas), 1 haunted digs, 0 shore leave until we’ve a new side.

https://what3words.com/dividing.against.pigtails

Chinese Whispers. 10th July

Doncaster Visitor Moorings to Huddles Ground Winding Hole, well a bit further on.

Today we’d be looking to find some shade. But first I wanted to see if I could find some clothes to fit me. Would Doncaster cater for my new size? I’m getting a little bit bored of hoiking up jeans and shorts and soon I’ll be getting my next bit of design fee for panto.

M&S. Doncaster ladies must be shorter than those in Leeds, which was a good thing. I tried on several pairs of trousers without having the legs trailing on the floor. Depending on their style, I’d dropped one or two sizes. However either the cut wasn’t me (wide when you’ve lost weight isn’t an option), the fabric was odd or the colour choice was dark or a snotty green. Strangely enough I left without a new pair of trousers, but a new t-shirt did make it into my shopping.

Primark. No jeans I’d consider buying, no shorts either as they seemed to be last years jeans with the legs cut off. I trawled through t-shirts a couple would mean I can get rid of one’s with holes. I also picked up a new belt which might actually do something to keep my existing clothes around my waist.

Then, ohhhhh dear! I had to walk past the deli!! A serious treat purchase was required after yesterdays successful meeting. I limited myself to two cheeses and quickly left the shop.

Just as we were about to empty the yellow water tank, three boats came past, two headed for Strawberry Island the other in desperate need of water. Yesterday the moorings had filled up, but as Mick was outside he offered for them to breast up to us, then they could have our space. We’ve come across NB Watershed a few times, but not met the owners before, Linda and Graham. We had chance for a little chat before the two hot dark blue boats were parted. It sounds like we are both hoping to head the same way, so our paths are likely to cross again whilst waiting for the planets to align.

Down stream, the sun shining brightly overhead, sun cream non-negotiable today. We’d timed our arrival at Long Sandall Lock with the workers on their lunchbreak again, they worked the lock for us from the tower.

Next the EA workers were also heading for lunch. Today the big work pontoon had moved to the river side of the cut, presumably delivering more giant piling sheets.

There was space to pull in just before Barnby Dun Lift bridge so we took shelter inside with the curtains closed for lunch, trying to keep the temperature inside as low as possible.

Twenty one held up at the bridge, a pause to use the elsan, then onwards to Bramwith Junction where we turned right.

At the lock a small boat was heading up, it was the people we’d met at Viking Marina who had had engine trouble. Sadly things still aren’t fully right for them, so they were abandoning their six month trip, the River Trent not a safe place to be with a temperamental engine. They were disappointed to say the least.

Next our turn. As Oleanna came into the lock I sent a message to our friend David who moors along this stretch, was he about? I lifted paddles and emptied the lock. In fact might that be David along the way? I closed up behind us and as I walked down the towpath I could see that Mick was hovering. It was David and his new, now 18 weeks old dog Flynn, a fox red labrador retriever. Sadly it was really hard to hear him across the way and the walk around the lock too far for either of us on a hot day when we’d all rather be in the shade. Mick asked how he was, ‘really well’ came the answer. If we end up coming back this way whilst waiting for things to align we’ll be in touch and hopefully have a proper catch up, not across the canal and get to meet his woofer.

**It’s amazing the photos you get when you can’t see the screen!**

Through the swing bridge we were now on the hunt for some shade. Our thought was maybe we’d strike lucky in Thorne, but possibly sooner. Shortly after the big winding hole Mick spotted a patch of shade. Maybe this might stay shady for much of the day, which would be good for tomorrows higher temperatures. We pulled in, enough depth and plenty of trees for Tilly. Two hours!

**Touch and go on some colours so there may end up being 15 colours**

I did a little bit of work, a long email had arrived from John which needs attention. The Lighting Designer had already made comments which made it obvious that not being in the room for our meeting meant he was suffering from the internet version of Chinese whispers. I opted to sort that tomorrow, I deserved a day off, well nearly. Instead I pulled out the yarn for my 101st pair of Dementia socks. Lots and lots of colours and possibly a new stitch to learn. It’ll be nice having something to do whilst watching tv again.

***How long is this outside staying tied up for?***

Tilly reappeared at bang on 18:11, bang on two hours of shore leave. Opening the rear doors for her was nice as it brought in a draft. She was allowed another twenty minutes before the doors were finally closed and dingding served. Our dingding this evening was mackerel salad, Tilly fancied giving it a try, but when she was told it would inhibit her tree climbing skills she opted out. It did smell nice though!

2 locks, 8.9 miles, 1 wind, 3 tshirts, 1 belt, 0 trousers, 2 types cheese, 1 right, 1 distant hello, 1 new woofer, 1 shady spot, 1 hour direct sunshine, 1 happy cat, 29C possibly higher, 1 long email of questions, 1 LD needing photos, 13 soon to be 14 colours,101st pair cast on.

https://what3words.com/pokes.headset.taxed

Alternative Plans. 8th July

Smallhedge Bridge to Doncaster Visitor Moorings

Sorry Tilly, no shore leave this morning, and none likely later on either. We needed to get moving and had to have a few possible mooring alternatives up our sleeves.

At the end of the first bridge landing we came across a wide beam who was waiting for another boat to leapfrog the remaining bridges with. He untied his boat then asked as we pulled in if he could follow us through, yep no problem. I didn’t take note of his tall chimney at the time but thankfully I’d lifted the bridge far enough for it. A boat heading the other way gunned it to come through too, 3 boats with one button press and only 2 cars held up.

Of course now we were following a single hander. I was quite happy to hop off and work the last two bridges for us both, but he insisted, or maybe he just didn’t hear! This did mean it took quite a while for him to tie up, work the bridge, then catch us up at the last bridge of the New Junction.

Under the Don doors and on to Bramwith Junction. The wide beam turned left and we were on our own again headed towards Doncaster.

A water stop at Barnby Dun lift bridge and a check on bus services for tomorrow. 6 something would get me into Doncaster an hour before my booked train. Not ideal, but an option if we couldn’t get to Doncaster to moor or if the moorings were full.

At Kirk Sandall I checked the trains to Doncaster, I’d also have an hour’s wait for my train whether by bus or train. Another option, but also not ideal.

We pootled on, checking the CRT stoppage notices. A couple of days ago Long Sandall Lock was out of order, the customer pedestal wasn’t working, but engineers had been called the following day. Our question, had they been and mended it and the notice hadn’t been updated? We were willing to give it a go.

The people working on the embankment were all heading for lunch. Crammed onto their little boat heading back to base as if they were crossing the channel.

As we approached the light at the lock was amber, the window in the tower was open, people were inside. Surely if the lock was still out of order the light would be red.

The light turned red, just as I was about to step off the stern. The lock started to empty, then the gates opened. The chaps in the tower were on a lunch break from working on the weir so worked us through. We mentioned that the stoppage notice hadn’t been updated, they’d ring it through. A couple of hours later a notice to say it was open arrived.

Passing Strawberry Island we looked out for Cruiser Amourouse, tucked away on the far side of the island. The boats from the flotilla that set out at the end of March have now split. Some are heading back to base, others exploring the Great Ouse and River Cam before returning north.

Now we had our fingers crossed for some space on the pontoon in Doncaster, this would save having to wake up around 5am tomorrow. As it came into view we sighed with relief, two small cruisers on it and plenty of space for us. We tucked in right on the end as far away from the building site by the gate as possible.

A few bits to do on my model, darken a barrow and add bits to strengthen other pieces of scenery. Mick headed out to get a few bits and was requested to let me know before he stepped back on board as I had a lot of blue lining to do and I didn’t want them to go wobbly!

My hope is to not be returning from Chippy with the model box tomorrow, with that in mind I wanted to take photos of the model. Tilly did her best to assist, getting in the way!

***Hmm, you’ve missed the blue lines off the front of the stage!***

Music. Fairly loud music, it couldn’t be, could it?! It was Cruiser Orchid, thankfully they continued on towards Doncaster Lock and moored up just about under the railway for the night despite there being plenty of space on the pontoon.

Jobs done. Model packed. Yarn selecting failed, I’ll just have to write this blog post on the train tomorrow instead of knitting socks.

1 lock, 8.8 miles, 4 bridges, 12 held up, 1 water tank full, 1 clean pooh box, 3 alternative plans, plan A achieved, 1 feline note, 176 photos to sort through, 1 model packed, 4 chicken spring rolls, 1 bored cat.

https://what3words.com/hurray.bleat.notes

The Committee Said ‘Move Along’. 7th July

Pollington Bridge to Smallhedge Swing Bridge, New Junction Canal

A better day weather wise. Best get a move on! But first Tilly was allowed some shore leave. It’s good here! Thankfully she came back when called and we could push off.

I set up the drawing board so I could work as we cruised, I then walked to Pollington Lock, not far ahead. Here a single hander was just finishing comeing up the lock, we were able to swap positions and me hand him his key back once the gates were closed. He kindly offered to work the lock for us, but I’ve spent too much time inside recently to miss the chance of pressing buttons.

Once down the lock I started on my groundplans for panto. Positions of the permenant bits of set easy, then trying to save tracing paper and adding all the moveable elements onto the same plan. In the end I opted to do two plans, one for each act. At the same time I added things to my cross section, which shows heights of scenery and how they can be hidden from view in the flies. I’ve opted to move the bit of scenery I wasn’t sure about to give it more room, but in it’s new position it may require some tweaking to make it work better.

I spotted the tower at the shooting range just before Sykehouse Junction. Mick made the turn to start heading southwards. A boat reversed out from the junction and headed to Goole, a widebeam following us kept on course for there too. Paddle boarders were having a short break on the Went Aqueduct and chatted to Mick as we passed.

It was soon time to work the key of power. Up came the first bridge, holding up one car with a trailer filled with bags of sand. I opted to walk to the next bridge where we coincided with two boats having just come down Sykehouse Lock. Their crew beat me to the bridge panel, I waved Mick on through the bridge as the second boat was a touch behind the first.

**There’s a lot more growth on the New Junction today**

A boat was waiting to go up the lock, crew stood at the bottom gate panel, they were joined by the other crew member. I suspected I knew what the problem might be. Either they couldn’t find where to insert their key of power to get things moving, it is half way along the lock in a separate box that unlocks the barriers to a swing bridge first, then the swing bridge, then you can operate the paddles and gates. Or there was something not quite in the right place therefore connecting a circuit enabling things to be worked elsewhere.

I think they were about to call CRT out when I arrived. It was their first time on moving their new to them boat and the first time through Sykehouse Lock. They’d been told how to work it by people at their marina where they were returning to. They’d done everything but the swing bridge hadn’t clunked into position. I pulled it back a touch, said not to lift the handle but just to let the bridge do the work for you. As it closed into the open position the handle clunked down, circuit connected everything else would now work.

Mick brought Oleanna into the lock, followed by NB Emily. They bought her six months ago and discovered water where it shouldn’t be. So she’d been in Goole having some welding done by Alistair and now was water tight again ready for a refit by them. I stayed to help close up the lock as Mick moved Oleanna on towards the now removed Smallhedge Swing Bridge. At last I’d done some walking, although I don’t know how far or how brisk as my phone was inside the boat.

We moored up close to a tree that Mick thought Tilly would enjoy. ‘Five hours Tilly!’ Brilliant!!!

I’d just put the kettle on and started to clear the table when Mick said there were a couple of Grebes just in front of us with what looked like their nest, which was drifting towards us and Tilly. Ah!!

We needed to move and leave the parents to it, their body language at just us being there wasn’t relaxed, then add Tilly into the mix! Now we needed to remove Tilly from the outside, no easy thing when it’s brilliant here! was her body language. Time to head for a walk with my cat. It took some persuading but in the end she turned to follow, made use of the cat walk, where Mick pulled her inside. Doors closed. Job done.

We untied and moved away as carefully as we could without disturbing Mum and Dad. As soon as we were away from the bank they relaxed, heads back at normal height. We moved along as far as we could before suitable places to tie to were lost. The wind would make the nest drift towards the lock, not such a good thing. Maybe it had originally been in amongst the reeds and had become dislodged by fast moving craft.

Now settled Tilly was allowed out again. There might not be such a good tree in this outside, but the friendly cover is very friendly. So friendly that we decided that shore leave should be stopped short today!

I continued and finished the last of the panto plans. Title boxes added and all filed away ready for my meeting. Just a few bits to do tomorrow and I’ll be ready. Sadly I finished too late to select yarn for the next pair of sockathon socks. Maybe I should do that before I start work tomorrow.

2 locks, 5 miles, 3 swing bridges, 1 held up, 1 already swung, 1 right, 2 parents, 1 egg, 3 outsides, 2 many friends, 14 sheets of drawings complete, 20 years.

https://what3words.com/wing.eggplants.blazers

Windy Passage. 4th July

Selby Basin to Stubbs Bridge, Aire and Calder Navigation

A boat headed to the water point first thing, once it was done and it had reversed to behind us, we set about winding, and then heading back to a mooring ourselves. Time for breakfast, then we’d be ready for the off. Today we were lucky as it was a training day at the lock so there were five CRT staff about, so plenty to help us through the swing bridge.

Two chaps came to help us. We’d not seen them before, apparently, they do a refresher course on the tidal locks every couple of years and today was that day. One chap pressed the buttons on the panel for the bridge, the other stood by the little hut on the off side, where presumably they can operate it by hand if needs be. The bridge seemed to behave well and as soon as we were through a couple of narrowboats came into the basin with passages booked up to York today. There’d be six boats heading out onto the river.

So far this year I’ve only walked the Selby Canal, so today I opted to stay on the boat and not get my brisk walking minutes in. After my panto meeting I need to get back to walking every day, I’m quite missing it.

If I had walked I think I’d have beaten Oleanna to the other end. We’ve been on the Selby when it’s been covered in duck weed, but today it was blanket weed which needed avoiding as much as possible, it’s horrible when it’s round your prop. Certainly no 7mph along here, very slow going!

I sounded our horns as we came through West Haddlesey Flood lock where we turned onto the River Aire. Here it was windy, very windy and with all the twists and turns you didn’t know which side of your hat to keep hold of.

**The boat that had been on the bank is now sunk!**

At one steep bend a wide beam came past, he shouted to us that he’d had difficulty at Beal Lock with the gates. This is where we’d had difficulty a few weeks ago and had had to use the boat to help open a gate to get the lock equalised. But as we approached it was obvious that CRT were there checking things over. They opened the gates for us.

This was the same two chaps who’d helped us through the bridge, we wondered what time we’d be meeting them at Bank Dole Lock later? They’d been called out but hadn’t found anything wrong with the lock as yet. They worked us through and opened the top gates, one of them only partially opening, maybe that had been the problem?

There were two boats on the pontoon above, we tucked ourselves in at the far end and had a lunch break before carrying onwards, todays aim to get off the river and catch up with where we should have cruised to yesterday.

It was now very VERY windy out there. I left my hat inside as I’d not want to loose it when I needed both hands to work Bank Dole Lock. The chamber was full, a couple were magnet fishing above. Mick and I emptied the lock and opened the gates. Oleanna was just coming in as a cruiser arrived above. There was plenty of time to chat to the crew who had borrowed their son’s boat for the day and they’d already been through this lock, only one top paddle working. We swapped over with them and headed back to the main Aire and Calder Navigation.

Gosh that wind was strong! We just wanted to get that bit further, to Stubbs Bridge where we seem to moor nowadays. Oleanna was held into the side by the wind as we tied to our chains and retired inside. Tilly was given an hour or so, we thought she’d not like it out there, but she was kept occupied sitting in the shelter of the boat and then pouncing into the grass.

I put together the first draft of a props list for panto. I’m really hoping we don’t need quite so much fake food, but we’ll see what John thinks when he’s seen the list.

The evening was a very VERY blustery one. With one side of the pram cover missing things had a tendancy to be moving around out the back. Our bedroom porthole needed closing and a bung bunging in it to stop it from rattling all night long. Here’s hoping we manage to get some sleep.

1 flood lock, 2 locks, 1 left, 1 right, 13.3 miles, 1 wind, 2 much wind, 2 helpful CRT staff, 1 pouncing cat, 1 props list, 1 very blustery night.

To Joint Or Not To Joint. 2nd July

Selby Basin

A couple of sips of tea in bed then we were up. The wind had lulled, we were quick to get ourselves winded so that the port side could be by the bank ready for Sean to arrive to fit our new side to the pram cover. All went well and we were soon tied up back to the bank and having breakfast.

The Sainsburys delivery chap called checking he was heading in the right direction having pulled up at the end of the road. Mick had already spotted him with his trolley of five full trays of groceries. This all needed to be stowed away. What should be frozen and what shouldn’t? I’d ordered lots of things that could be barbequed, but will the weather be suitable now? Should I joint the chicken or save it for a roast at the weekend?

Mick had left a message for Sean yesterday, he left another this morning. This week he was taking as holiday, so we didn’t want to pressure him just because we were in a handy place. Sadly no answer came. What to do?

With the swing bridge being temperamental at the moment we’d be needing assistance from C&RT. It would be opened this morning, should we reverse through to the other side, but to wind we’d either have to wait for the bridge to be opened again or reverse all the way to West Haddlesey. We opted to stay put for the day and hope Sean would be with us sometime.

I got my model back out and successfully worked my way through all the remaining painting notes except for the blue lining of the portals. Popped things in the model box, ahh one more note to give the barrow a slightly darker brown. The finished model is within a gnats hair of being finished. Hooray!!!

Mick came back from a walk, Sean had called and apologised. He could be with us tomorrow afternoon. Not ideal we kind of need to start moving to get to a station for my next panto meeting. As much as it would be nice to have all sides on our pram cover again, we opted to catch up with Sean next week somewhere. We’ll be on our way again in the morning.

**Floor sprayed, edging and black done**

0 locks, 0.1 miles, 1 wind, 1 model almost finished, 1 darker brown, 2 boats through the bridge, 6 bags shopping, 2 joint or not 2 joint? 2 boxes gf couscous, 4 burger buns? 0 Sean, 0 side, 0 shore leave for Tilly.

The River Alone. 2nd July

Naburn Visitor Moorings to Selby Basin, Selby Canal

Rain overnight had woken us, the windows needed closing to stop the rain from coming in. Then the geese decided the weed on Oleanna’s waterline was tasty at first light! So not the best nights sleep.

No shore leave this morning, we had the tide to catch. As we waited we did chores, Tilly’s pooh box got a refresh, yellow water emptied, then we moved up to the water point and topped up on fresh water. Nigel arrived and suggested we should be ready a little earlier, 1pm in the lock.

I remade the archway for panto and we had an early lunch, all as the heavens opened up again. Would we be getting wet on our way back to Selby today?

As the rain cleared we got ourselves ready for the off. Kenny walked by so we had chance for a chat and a thank you, we’ll maybe see him next year and finally be able to try some of his chickens eggs.

At bang on 1pm we were entering the lock, we’d be on our own on the river today. Nigel said to give him a call when we were on the straight before the bend, before the two Selby bridges, we said we’d radio him from there. After ten minutes the bottom gates opened and let us loose out onto the tidal Ouse again.

**Lock empty and gates opening ahead of us**

It started to rain.

But thankfully it didn’t last long and by a couple of hours or so into our cruise we took our coats off as we were starting to overheat.

Heading down stream you punch the tide all the way to Cawood Bridge. On our last trip this way, we encountered a river of wood heading towards us from around the 3km marker all the way to Cawood. Today there seemed to be hardly anything in the river to start with, maybe the last spring tides had take it all out to the Humber.

Sheep had been shorn. Egrets outnumbered Herons again. A couple of oystercatchers.

The floating landing at the ski club was actually afloat today, on our way up it had been sat on the mud. Would we be followed by speed boats? Well we think we counted five boats high up on the bank, but thankfully none looked like they were about to be backed into the river.

As Cawood came closer so did the floating logs, quite big rafts of them headed towards us. Mick did his best to swerve to miss them and then get lined up to go through the bridge. The bridge keeper waved and chatted to someone on the phone or radio.

It was soon very obvious that we’d picked up some wood on our bow. Once round the tight bend, the tide starting to go slack Mick tried his best to stop Oleanna and reverse to leave the branch behind. But it was caught good and proper, doing an impression of a dolphin at our bow, rising and falling.

I took a boat hook through the boat, giving Tilly something to think about. It took a bit of doing to free at least three big chunks of wood and a long spindly branch from our bow, all pushed well away so we could continue.

**Our rugged trip computer, speed rising**

The tide had now turned, our speed increased, the rafts of wood now heading in the same direction as us.

Last nights weather forecast had been for 9mph winds but as we turned onto the long straight with the wind over tide it was obviously far stronger! We clung onto our hats. I checked Windy, 17mph and gusts of up to 35mph! Round the bend onto the straight Mick radioed to Nigel, the lock would be ready for us.

My phone binged, a message from the production manager for panto with a quick question. She’d have to wait as we sped under and through the Selby swing bridges. The sand bank just below Selby Lock gave us an idea of where we were heading for, the blocks of flats a landmark of where to turn to face the tide. Mick turned the bow thruster on, should it be needed, then swang the tiller round. Oleanna skidding down the river at 90 degrees to the current. Was there enough room to get round, a touch of reverse and round again. We now slowly headed backwards towards the lock where the gates stood open and Freya and Nigel waited for us.

Oleanna seemed to want to go into the lock backwards, but that certainly wasn’t the plan, that landmark sand bank was getting closer all the time. Nigel gave subtle hand signals to keep going backwards. Then once our bow was in the right position he gave Mick the nod to bring her round and into the lock.

Third time this year in at Selby without touching the sides, well done Mick. A centre line passed round a riser and we were on the way up off the tidal river.

What did we want to do now? Sean from SPL was due in the morning to fit our pram cover side, so we needed to be somewhere he’d be able to get his van close. We’d also need to wind to have the port side to the bank. Above the lock there were a couple of boats moored in the corner, add into the mix the strong wind, it was decided that we’d just moor up and hope for less wind in the morning. Tilly was disappointed with the lack of shore leave. Nigel and Freya would be about tomorrow morning to get us through the road swing bridge once we’d had our cover fitted.

I worked my way through a few more panto model notes, soon this model will be finished, soon! Then we decided to treat ourselves to an India takeaway from Jinnah. Mick ordered on line then headed off to collect it. Well we’d had a couple of numbers come up in the premium bonds this morning, enough for a nice takeaway.

There was enough food with just our starters, an onion bahji and liver tikka. So we decided to do a Harnser and save enough for a second meal in a day or twos time. Very nice it was and we’ll get to enjoy it all again. Our next problem, what to watch this evening as there’s no more Traitors?

2 locks, 14.1 miles, 1 full water tank, 1 clean pooh box, 1 clean pooh bucket, 1 empty wee tank, 1 new improved arch, 15 big roses, 23 small, 20% fullness, 1 bored cat, 3 swing bridges, 1 windy passage, 2 popadoms, 2 onion bhajis, 2 mains, 1 salad, 1 side, 2 much food, 2 glasses wine, 1st episode of GOLD.