Category Archives: Canal and River Trust

Lock Spotting. 9th January

Shardlow

The alarm went off early and Mick was up and on his way to the bus stop at 7am. The bus this morning was packed, standing room only, presumably overnight workers from East Midlands Airport. Picking up a van from Enterprise he then called in at Wickes. Here he bought several bags of coal as our stocks are starting to run low.

The parking at the mooring isn’t the easiest. Fulltime moorers have access through a gate, but Mick pulled in as close to the hedge as he could so as not to be in the way. As he off loaded the coal onto the roof he was handed items to head to Huddersfield, all the giant sized props, materials I wouldn’t be needing on the boat etc.

**Skips heading to somewhere else by road**

As we passed by the Clock Warehouse we could see that the skip boats were being craned out onto lorries in the pub car park. The narrowboat that had been by the pub had moved over to the water point, by the end of the day they had moved back across once the skips had been taken away.

The journey northwards was pretty horrid with almost constant rain and spray on the roads. A quick pull in to get something for lunch and we were soon pulling up close to the Piazza in Huddersfield where Dark Horse rehearse.

**4E of the Huddersfield Narrow is just round the corner**

I stayed to do costume fittings whilst Mick drove to Sewerby Bridge. Close to Tuel Lane Lock is a company called JC Joel. They provide and make drapes and fabrics for the entertainment industry. Mick was here to pick up a roll of dance floor which is suitable for painting with the right additives in the paint. The existing flooring for #unit21 was cheap vinyl (I had a limited budget) and had already torn before it was laid last year, it certainly wouldn’t survive a tour to five venues.

Back in Huddersfield I tried overalls on two of the actors. Down Syndrome people tend to have short limbs so there was a lot of pinning up and a few nips and tucks on shoulders to do, the overalls are meant for builders not 4ft actors after all.

After lunch Amy (Director) and I went through the props I’d brought with me and those that had been delivered. The giant mug had it’s handle added and was immediately tried out by Amy for weight. Then Alice was called over to check she could easily lift it on her own to take a swig of tea. All worked well. The remaining covering will get added on another visit in a couple of weeks time.

The Piazza was a shopping centre and has been ear marked for sometime to be redeveloped. The shops have gradually been moving out and the empty units have been used temporarily by art groups like Dark Horse. One large unit runs an art workspace for children, their windows always have something fun to look at. Another window showed off a giant cardboard sculpture of Bob Marley, brilliant.

**Temporary Contemporary shop was the Chemists, Dark Horse behind the orange doors on the right**

I took a little time to work out which shop had been used for the chemists in Happy Valley. Now a gallery with anaglypta on its walls. As the scene moved away from the shop you can see animal heads in the window of the children’s workspace, I think the scene was filmed around February last year as I have photos of the animal heads.

Mick returned with the van and flooring. Two of the actors came out to look after the van whilst Mick and I struggled to move the large roll. A lovely chap offered to assist, then Amy came out to help too. We managed to get it into the unit, I’ll be needing some assistance to move it about when I cut it to length in a few weeks time.

**The lower deck of the M1 going over the Sheffield and Tinsley Locks**

A pause in Sheffield to visit Hobbycraft for a few bits then we headed for the Co-op in Castle Donnington to see what they had to offer before returning to the boat. Costume returns were organised, parcelled up and labelled for the morning.

Quite a busy day in Yorkshire.

0 locks, 6 locks spotted, 0 miles, 1 van, 191 miles, 2 overalls to shrink, 1 spare pair to make bigger, 3 braces tabs, 1 big swig of tea, 3 £1 books, £600 worth of floor, 2 near hernias, 1 new sandwich flavour, 1 location, 3 pairs trainers, 1 pair cycling shorts, 1 cat pleased to see us home, 12 sad git sausages, 2 sad git punnets of blueberries, 1 sad git gluten free loaf, 1 emptier boat.

Oleanna Workshop. 6th January

Shardlow

Talk has turned to what to do should the river remain too high for us to head northwards. A week would be fine, but what if it ends up being several weeks? Maybe our route requires amending. Last year we’d only been interested in stoppages before Christmas holding up our progress, we’d not taken any note of those on the network behind us this year. Would we be able to reach Yorkshire by one of the Pennine routes?

We knew Wigan closed on the 3rd Jan. But what about the Rochdale or Huddersfield Narrow? Mick looked through the stoppages. If we could get Oleanna to Huddersfield for my show that would be brilliant. We knew there was a stoppage stopping us getting there from the east, but what about the west? A long stoppage in Slaithwaite, oh well! The Rochdale has stoppages scattered around too. So no Pennine route open to us. Even if there had been we’d have needed to be through Stenson Lock before next Monday when it closes for new bottom gates.

So it looks like we are here for the foreseeable. Forecast for more rain in a few days. Great!

Time to get to work properly. Most of the jobs involve contact adhesive which is very very smelly, so not a job to be done inside. I set myself up a workshop at the stern under the pram cover for some shelter.

The hatch got a layer of plastic to protect it, aerials moved out of the way. One of the lockers was cleared for a drying area. Time to get sticking yoga mats onto the formas I’ve made. The two sugar lumps were covered before lunchtime. The vapours coming from the glue as soon as you start to spread it out was really quite something, I ended up opening one of the sides of the pram cover, but it didn’t help that much.

**Not a bad view, two widebeams added last night**

I have previous experience of this glue. Frank used to use it to fix edging onto pieces of scenery at the SJT. On one show we used it to add curves of silver laminate to what became known as ‘the doughnut’ which hung from the lighting grid in Scarborough for ‘Making Waves’ a show about the RNLI in Northumberland. None of us were too keen on this particular piece of scenery which when back lit illuminated everything above it, including ducting which normally remains unseen for very good reasons.

My first experience was at college fixing fabric to foam shapes, sitting all day in a workshop with the extractors working hard. When I got home that day I proceeded to empty the fridge of all four of my house mates food hunting for my cheese grater! It is strong stuff.

I decided that I’d only do so much gluing each day to hopefully save my brain cells, so I moved back inside to work on the giant mug. The pipe I’d bought yesterday was measured out with the hope that the hair dryer we have on board would get the pipe hot enough to bend into shape. No chance! I also needed a vice, pieces of wood all sorts which simply were not available on Oleanna. Time to rethink.

I’d bought three 90 degree elbows yesterday, if I had one more I’d be able to make a handle, quite square, but it would do the job. Pipe was cut, holes in the mug to slot things through, yep it would do. Mick was volunteered to head back into town tomorrow to pick it up along with a suitable mask to protect me from the glue fumes.

**Are you waiting for your Dingding to be served Tilly?**

Mick carried on working on the trip computer. He managed to install the Android Operating System with not too much bother. It just won’t re-boot now! Still work in progress. He then moved on to removing the Christmas lights outside.

During the day a couple of boats have come past, one presumably returning to it’s home mooring and a C&RT tug boat which returned with another skip several hours later. Will these be used for dredging? Or will the new lock gates be loaded into them for Stenson?

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 makeshift workshop, 1 stinky morning, 1 head ache, 2 sugar cubes done, 2 bottoms done, 1 handle rethought, 2 holes, 2 rolls masking tape, 1 elbow missing, 0 response from the trip computer, 1 Friday night roast, 0 way out of here come Monday, 1 pompom.

Armed With A Hacksaw. 5th January

Shardlow

A list was made of items I still needed to purchase for #unit21, including a 3m length of plastic pipe! I nearly ordered it along with elbow joints online from Screwfix, but decided to see if there might be a DIY stall in Derby Market. Derby Market Hall is currently undergoing refurbishment, but I was aware of The Eagle Market, the front doors of Derby Playhouse open into the Market. The website suggested a couple of fabric stalls, time to catch the bus.

Mick had made the decision to fit the new alternator this morning and was already down in the engine bay. I required a hack saw so collected one on the way past. The Skylink bus picked me up and whizzed me into town. I made note of a Tool Station next to the big Royal Mail building where there was a handy bus stop, a much better location than Screwfix.

The Eagle Market has seen better days, I’d say only about a third of the units were occupied. I found a couple of fabric stalls and most of what I wanted and ended up having quite a chat with the lady who lives on a boat in Shardlow Marina. Sadly no-one had any navy velcro, that will have to be ordered on line.

No DIY stalls. I had a wander around Derbion the big shopping mall, nothing of use in there, just a sandwich for lunch. Much of Derby Centre stands empty, the bright lights of the shopping centre, being out of the rain has pulled customers and retailers inside. Such a shame. But I believe Derby Council are hoping to rejuvenate the area, refurbishing the market hall being part of the plan to try to pull retailers back into the streets and make it a destination. Well that’s the standard blurb used for such places nowadays!

After a visit to Wilko I walked back to Tool Station taking note of a low wall just by the bus station. Pipe, elbows and cement purchased I headed for the low wall. Here I pulled out the hacksaw and cut the 3m length of pipe in half, no problem getting on the bus now.

At the water point in Shadlow there were three widebeams. WB Lazy Days had moved across from the pub moorings where now sat two C&RT skip boats. Then there were the two widebeams that had been moored above Derwent Mouth Lock, one having a wash, the other on the lock landing. Later on in the evening we could see tunnels lights and hear spikes being hammered in, we presume the widebeams had moved to above the lock, freeing up below.

Back at Oleanna Mick had been working hard to fit the new alternator. Three bolts and three wires, simple! Except things on the old one had settled in nicely, a touch of corrosion on the negative terminal made getting the nut undone a touch troublesome. Time and patience was required. One bolt was in an awkward position and when it came to fitting the new alternator things didn’t seem to marry up as they should do. It turned out there was a bush on one of the holes that needed adjustment. A tap with a hammer sorted this.

All bolted in and connected the engine was fired up, things checked over. Everything working as it should. Hooray!

Time to pack Christmas away, well the lights outside could wait for light tomorrow. The tree was stripped and then given a good soaking in the sink. It will get a day or two inside before being popped in the cratch.

The neon bunny was just about finished off this evening. All limbs sewn on and body stuffed, just a fluffy tail needed. Although I may want to give him longer ears as he’ll be a magicians rabbit. Tilly wasn’t enamoured with it, I may have to hide it away so it doesn’t get beaten up!

0 locks, 0 miles, 2 buses, 24volt 120amp alternator fitted, 2m poly cotton, 1m stiff interfacing, 3m cut to 2 x 1.5ish, 3 widebeams, 1 bunny, 1 miffed cat.

Two Reds. 30th December

Shardlow

The levels appeared to have peaked this morning and were just starting to come down. We knew we wouldn’t be going anywhere today.

Phone reception is almost none existent inside the boat in Shardlow so it was no surprise when Micks phone received a text message from Adrian at C&RT. He’d tried calling to see if we were still wanting our booking tomorrow to go through Stoke Lock, Cranfleet Flood Gates were still closed. He already knew the answer as did we, Mick texted back confirming that we’d like to cancel our booking. He also asked what would happen from the 3rd of January at Stoke Lock, would we need to book? The answer was that there would be plenty of people about to pen us through when we arrive, hopefully soon afterwards the lock will be back to self operation. Adrian would stand the team down for lunchtime tomorrow.

Mick spent sometime sat out the back making phone calls to cancel all our Trent lock bookings. We’re hoping we may still be able to make the window of good tides next week, but who knows what the river will do and when Cranfleet Flood Gates will reopen. Cromwell Lock said that they’d be able to get us to Keadby one way or another, maybe missing out on a stop at West Stockwith. One slightly worrying thing was that despite us both remembering Mick having talked to Keadby Lock they didn’t seem to have us in the diary! Glad we hadn’t got to the M180 Bridge and radioed ahead with no-one expecting us! Doesn’t matter now, and we’ll double check when we booked it next.

Mick also called Shardlow Marina. Oleanna was due an oil change, the price of oil was a touch more than he was wanting to pay, maybe it would be cheaper to get the bus and buy some from Halfords? He decided to pay the extra and got on the bike and headed off.

**When red lights shows it is not recommended for craft to proceed beyond this point due to flood conditions**

Down the towpath at the Shardlow EA flood gates two red lights showed. Both the River Soar and Trent are closed. We’ve stayed this side of the flood gates just in case the river comes up even more!

Tilly did more calculations regarding the wall. She eyed up the wooden signposts again, checked them for claw stability, then decided the call of Dreamies was greater than achieving her goal of getting to the top of the wall.

Inside I took over the dinette table. Foamcor was measured out and cut up to make the base shapes of some giant sugar lumps and milk pods, the sort you get in hotels. I caught up on the Christmas Day radio 4 play which was directed by an acquaintance, The Signalman. All the edges of the shapes were covered in masking tape, this should stop the contact adhesive from eating into the foam when I come to cover them in yoga mats.

Whilst the PVA glue was out I made use of it to re-stick some edging strip that was coming off in the bathroom. An off cut of foamcor proved useful to get the glue in behind the veneer. Masking tape used to hold it in position whilst the glue dries.

Mick got on with the oil change in the engine bay. He’s saved doing the filters until tomorrow, we doubt we’ll be on our way for a few days.

This evenings meal made use of the last ham, ham stock which I’d drained off when I roasted the joint. I made it into a stew with a potato, carrot and peas. The stew bubbled away on the stove top for an hour before I made use of the last of the stuffing, making a sort of topping out of it. It then went inside the oven to finish off. Verdict, tasty maybe a little bit salty, but a good invention to use up the last of the leftovers from Christmas.

Yesterday and today we watched Mayflies, a story of a man diagnosed with cancer and his wish to control the end of his life. What a jolly bit of TV to have between Christmas and the New Year! Some very good performances, but a box of tissues was very much required. To jolly things up we’ve watched episodes of Ghosts, Mick has nearly caught me up.

**Glad I can’t make the mug to go with them!**

0 locks, 0 miles, £60 oil, 4 bookings cancelled, 1 oil change, 6 inch sugar lumps, 1ft milk pods, 1 pot of stew, 2 many tears, 1 near death experience, 1 red lever, 20 catnip Dreamies spilled on the sofa, 2 swirling cats eyes!

£7 Protection. 28th December

Stenson Lock 6 to Henry Knibb Bridge 3A

Last night we had discussions about our rate of progress. Yesterdays cruise had been cold and bordering on the not so pleasant. Should we slow our progress somewhat to less than 4.5 hours a day? Would we then be able to make our booking at Cromwell? Should we keep up the hours with the hope that we’d still make Stoke Lock for the last bookable passage between Christmas and the New Year? Would todays forecast rain scupper all our plans anyway?

It was decided to continue as planned, river levels were still coming down, slowly. It would be daft not to be in a position to be able to do the next hop on the river to a safe mooring. Our current mooring was also not suitable for Tilly with the occasional train going past only 50 yards away, plus the trees creaking overhead in the wind! So layers of waterproofs were put on, we’d brave todays rain.

Father Christmas had brought me some new knickers in my stocking, little did he know that he was also providing us with means to keep the navigational phone dry at the stern. It rained for much of the morning, but nowhere near as heavy as we’d expected. It was also far warmer than yesterday, although the wind was quite strong at times bringing the temperature down.

**Coal settling in for the days cruise**

Ragley Boatstop moorings should have been our mooring last night, just as well we’d stopped early as it was full. A chap warned us about the level below Weston Lock as something yesterday had happened to a paddle at Aston meaning the pound between the locks was draining, they had difficulty, but hopefully all had been sorted by C&RT.

Along the stretch where cars are warned not to fall into the canal. We approached Swarkstone Lock. The Winter Moorings above the lock would have had space for us yesterday, but we’d have been really miserable by the time we got there. A couple of familiar boats NB Still Waters whom we’d seen a few times over the summer and the boat with an owl, Solar Afloat and chilled medication.

We dropped down the lock and just as I opened the bottom gates a hire boat arrived to drop their crew off below no need to close the heavy gates.

The next stretch of towpath is in the process of being upgraded. Pristine tarmac, mud no longer stretches out along the side of the canal. This will have some boaters moaning about a speedway for cyclists.

Weston Lock was next, another line of winter moorings. A quick look over the bridge showed that the water level was fine below. Here the bottom gates can be an absolute b****rd to close, the offside in particular. I worked the lock, avoiding the big steps up onto the beams to help protect my calf muscle and walking round the lock instead. As I lifted the first bottom paddle a boat appeared below. Hooray, I’d not have to close the gate! Result.

Aston Lock, it was now really quite breezy. As Oleanna descended, the wind hitting the sides if the chamber pushed her across the lock. Here I did have to shut the bottom gate.

We pootled on towards Shardlow deciding to stop short where Tilly might have a better couple of hours shore leave, unfortunately it’s quite noisy from the A50. After a couple of visits to outside it became obvious that Tilly was far more interested in receiving the catnip Dreamies on her return than actually being outside! These Dreamies are now rationed to 2 a time and if she keeps on at this rate they will be reduced to 1 a time! That means they’ll last longer!

With a late lunch out of the way Mick phoned C&RT to make our booking through Stoke Lock for the 31st. The lady who answered the phone had to be talked through where we meant, then she tried calling the local team for us to make the booking. Adrian was already on the phone, she’d get him to call us back.

Another look at river levels, it was now looking like the trend was in the upward direction, some stations predicting a sharp rise. This morning the strong stream section of the C&RT website had said that at Cranfleet flood gates was Amber, proceed with caution. However the stoppage notice of the floodgates being closed had not been rescinded.

We didn’t have long to wait for Adrian to call us back. He asked if we’d be able to get to the lock for the hour window on the 31st, we would as our current plan was to moor above the lock the night before. He booked us in and said someone would call that morning to confirm our passage. Mick asked him about Cranfleet floodgates, the strong stream section of the website wasn’t working now.

Adrian was the man to talk to. He is the person who decides on the closing of the flood gates in the area and sends out notices accordingly. The gates may have been opened by someone tampering with them, but they should actually be closed. River levels would be checked in the morning to see what effect todays rain had had. If the level was still going down the gates would be opened, we may get a phone call if that is the case.

Next years licence was bought, not a gold one this time as we’re likely to be staying on C&RT waters in 2023.

Ham with jacket potatoes, onion sauce and red cabbage tonight, a replay of Boxing day. The red cabbage is now used up, but there is still some ham left for another day.

3 locks, WE 7.97 miles, Pip’s Nebo 8.3 miles (including walking round locks), Mick’s Nebo 8 miles (static on the boat), 1 wet day, 1 blowy day, 1 more booking made, 4 now booked, 16 Dreamies, 20 the maximum in one day Tilly! 1 noisy mooring, 2 boaters watching the levels, 4 fingers crossed.

https://goo.gl/maps/8wurXtJcPfum8aME6

Don’t Trust The Locals. 27th December

Branston Water Park to below Stenson Lock 6.

Grey today. We’re keeping an eye on the weather forecasts and river levels. Todays trend was levels are gong down, but with an expected upwards movement due to the coming rain! Not what we want, but we keep moving in the right direction hoping that things will have improved when we get to the River Trent.

Going down Branston Lock we had a boat on our tail. Might this be a boat that we could share the wide locks with? We’d see.

Shobnall Marina was sadly not open today, their price for 50 or more litres of diesel is now £1.12, the lowest we’ve seen for a very long time. A cluster of boats sat along the next stretch, being close to the marina and shops a good thing at this time of year.

We’ve never really explored Burton-upon-Trent, it’s somewhere we head through in spring or autumn on our way to other places. Next time we’ll do our best to stop and have a look round, but having said that the Bass Museum is sadly no more, having closed it’s doors earlier this year.

At Dallow Lane Lock a boat was just pulling in below, the lock in their favour. I walked up to help with the bottom gates. I asked where they were headed today in the rain. They’d been to fill with water and were returning to a mooring close to the marina. Their plan had been to be in Alrewas for Christmas but the cold weather had put them off.

I was then asked where we were headed. My answer was ‘Hopefully Swarkstone today then if the river is behaving, we’ll be heading on to get through Stoke Lock before the new year.’ She responded with ‘Well it’s all shut off up there!’ We talked for a couple of minutes at crossed purposes, me thinking she was meaning flood gates on the river being closed, until she mentioned the Railway Bridge.

Bridge 20A had been closed for maintenance presumably by Network Rail and had been due to reopen on the 23rd December, this is why we didn’t hightail it up the T&M earlier. The lady was quite adamant that it was still closed as it was still on the C&RT website and no notice had come through saying that it was open again. I thanked her, took note and reported back to Mick. He and I were of the same opinion, we’d go and see for ourselves. Of course there was chance that industrial action had slowed down works and it being a third party maybe news hadn’t come through to C&RT.

Winter stoppages, in our experience when finished on time do not get an advice notice to say they are open. Notices come through if there is a delay, postponement, over running of works. Or on some occasions when the maintenance work is completed ahead of schedule, even by one day. So because we’d not seen anything regarding the railway bridge we assumed it was now open.

We dropped down Dallow Lane, the boat behind us now right behind us and able to open up a bottom gate for us. They were only heading to Willington today, so lock partner. Waving goodbye to the last narrow lock on the T&M. Our next one, if we stick to the current plan, will be in Middlewich maybe in about six months time.

Coming in to Willington there was a boat come a drift at it’s stern. I walked up to the front of Oleanna and pushed it out of the way. We stopped in the bridge hole just ahead, I held onto the centre rope whilst Mick went back with mallet and a boat hook. By now the bow was also adrift. Gradually he pulled her back to the towpath, hammered in the spikes. Her position not the best close to the bridge especially as we’re now back in the land of widebeams.

Talking of widebeams we passed WB Tardis. Wonder how much that pram cover cost them?! Surly it can’t be any bigger inside!

Plenty of walkers on the muddy towpath. We were wet and getting really quite cold by now. Our schedule had us mooring near Swarkstone Lock today, but we wanted to call it a day sooner than then. We pootled onwards.

First one railway bridge, then Bridge 20A. As thought it was open, from our side the only noticeable thing was a fresh coat of paint had been applied. On the other, there had been works done to the embankment and off to the side was a large compound. We’re very glad we go with our instincts and not word on the towpath, as we’d have pulled up in Willington for the night if we had.

Nowhere to moor until Stenson Lock. Here there was one gap, which was two fenders too short for Oleanna. Nothing for it but to go down the lock, at least some activity would warm us up! I took a windlass and walked ahead, I’d find out if my calf could cope with wide lock beams today.

It took forever to fill the chamber, at 12ft 6″ it is really quite deep. The ground paddles are strong but the gate paddles almost non existent. In came Oleanna, bottom gate paddles lifted, down she went. Today the sign inviting us to have an ice cream on the cafe wasn’t as enticing as normal!

We pulled in past the lock landing, enough depth for a mooring, pins went in, then second ones as the ground was a touch soft. Too late and too close to the railway line for any cat shore leave today, so we had to put up with complaints from Tilly for several hours.

Leftover bubble and squeak with duck today. We’ve still stuffing, cabbage, duck and ham to finish. What something can I make tomorrow?

3 locks, WE 9.48 miles, Pip’s Nebo 7.7 miles (operator error), Mick’s Nebo 9.5 miles, 1 railway bridge OPEN, 1 boat adrift, 1 calf coping, so far, 1 cat not coping, 4 trains, 2 wet boaters.

https://goo.gl/maps/aBgxGLekMhX8fGeS8

Destination Christmas. 23rd and 24th December

Common Lock 14 to Gallows Bridge 43

‘Rain, proper rain’ Shefali had said last night and she was right. We could have stayed put until it stopped but that could be most of the day and we had Destination Christmas to reach and things to get sorted when we arrived. So after breakfast we put layers of waterproofs on, rolled and folded the covers, they were already soaked and so were we.

**At least our lights brightened up the morning a touch**

No photos as it was peeing it down. My phone came out from the Nicholsons shelf so that I could record the locks as we went through them, then it got tucked away again in the dry. Come the 1st January this will be the way we record our journeys on our phones. We’ll wait until we have more time to alter the way the trip computer works before using it again.

A long line of moored boats didn’t boad well for being able to moor up in Alrewas, that was until we realised these were boats on C&RT winter moorings. Bagnall Lock gave Mick the run around the bottom gates preferring to stay open as always. It took a while to get the masses of water leaking in through the top gates to hold one gate shut long enough to be able to close the second one without the first one reopening.

Now we just needed a space to pull into.

No boats moored round the bend or on the narrow section. Sandy’s boat came into view, moored all alone. We carried on, our preferred mooring to be near Alrewas Lock, but from a distance that looked quite full. We reversed back close to the footbridge, leaving 2 boat cat lengths between us and Sandy ( Jezebel and Tilly could hopefully have stretches of the towpath each). We had reached our chosen place for Christmas.

Once tied up, we unanimously decided to head straight off in the pouring rain to do our collections. A couple of months ago we’d been thinking of where to spend Christmas this year. Alrewas jumped to mind. A pretty place to be, plenty of mooring, most suitable for Tilly. But also, possibly more important was Coates the Butchers. A month ago I’d placed our order for a duck and a gammon joint via their website, payment had been taken. This morning whilst grimacing at the rain from bed I’d had a phone call saying that our order was ready for collection, very reassuring. We headed off to the butchers.

**The main reason for coming to Alrewas**

We’d been told to go to the click and collect under the canopy, no need to join the queue. The click and collect had been pushed to one side to give the queue some shelter from the rain. Chatting to the chap in front, he’d moved to Alrewas when he retired mainly because of the butchers. Then the lady behind started to chat, she used to own a narrowboat until a few years ago. Her son-in-law was part of the butchers family and for several years she used to make sausage rolls for them from November to Christmas Eve, 3000 of them!

Our order was brought to us after a while. We still wanted a few things so stayed in the queue. Fresh veg, bacon and a pork pie. Thankfully the veg outside the shop was replenished. We possibly spent as much as we would have done for big bags of veg from the Co-op, but I won’t have to make soup for the next week to use it all up.

Next a visit to the Co-op for the last few bits. All done apart from some parsley, hopefully they will have new stocks in the morning.

By now we’d started to dry off, so had the weather, the queue at the butchers was longer.

On our first ever visit to Alrewas I’d spotted a knitted narrowboat in the window of an old shop. Today the Alrewas Knitwits have a big display. By the War Memorial where Post Office Road meets Main Street has been taken over by them. Penguins ice skating, a tenth birthday cake, Father Christmas taking refuge in a phone box with a large plate of cakes, an Eskimo fishing next to their igloo.

Then across the road there are wall hangings for the twelve days of Christmas, each one made with applique. I especially liked the pipers piping being girls in gingham with recorders.

Back at Oleanna we dried off and let Tilly explore for the afternoon. Although two big gun dogs did curtail her exploration for a while. She puffed herself up to almost their size! There was an extra shore leave rule today, ‘No digging in the graveyard’ That simply wouldn’t be good!

Christmas Eve.

Mick was sent on a mission for some parsley this morning. The butchers with only a couple of people in the shop came up trumps with the biggest bunch I’ve ever seen for 50p! Surplus is now in the freezer.

The day has been all about cooking whilst Tilly came and went avoiding the local woofers. Stuffing made. Bread sauce milk infused with flavour and garlic roasted to be added tomorrow along with bread. Red cabbage braised, only cranberry sauce to add. Cider gravy stock bubbled and reduced.

Christmas Eve sausage rolls were delayed as I’d forgotten to defrost the pastry last night! But they were enjoyed with a cuppa before cooking continued.

**I wonder who’s birthday it might be?**

As Mick did secret things in the bedroom I baked a birthday cake. Lemon and Almond Damp Cake, well that’s what my Mum used to call it.

The day has been much much brighter than yesterday. Plenty of people stretching their legs along the towpath and others visiting their relatives in the grave yard next door. Several boats passed a couple stopping nearer the lock.

Mick walked down to check the level below the lock, the next section is joined by the River Trent. As yesterday, it was Amber, the rain may still be on it’s way downstream, we hope the level drops over the next couple of days so that we can carry on our way. The next couple of weeks we are very much at the mercy of the River Trent.

A notice came through yesterday afternoon regarding Stoke Lock on the River Trent. There has been a winter stoppage which was due to be finished today. The notice said.

We are very sorry to advise that we need to put in place a navigational restriction over the Festive period. The repair works are complete, but unfortunately the testing and commissioning needs further work meaning we cannot return the lock to user operation as we are unable to open and close the gates automatically. The lock can be operated by a Trust colleague to allow boats to pass through and any boats wishing to transit through the lock will be able to book a passage between the hours of 11am and 12 noon on 28^th 29^th 30^th and 31^st December.

**The churchyard Christmas Tree made from rubbish**

We made a phone call to C&RT to make a booking. The chap Mick talked to read the notice a couple of times. He took it to mean that we’d only be able to ring to make a booking during the hours mentioned, on the dates mentioned. He was about to send us away to ring back on the 28th, but thankfully called his supervisor first. Unfortunately it turns out that the people we need to book it with had already broken up for Christmas, so we need to call back on the 28th. So if you were wanting to cruise the Trent between Christmas and New Year, you won’t be able to do it on the 28th as 24hrs notice is required.

Fingers crossed all calms down on the Trent quickly and our journey northwards can go ahead as planned with the tides.

The stockings are out ready and waiting for the big man in red. We’re all ready for tomorrow.

2 locks, WE 1.16 miles (not including reversing), Pip’s Nebo 1.4 miles, Mick’s Nebo 1.3 miles, 2 very soggy boaters, 1.85kg duck, 1.75kg gammon joint, all the veg, 1 last red cabbage, 2 woofers woofing, 1 bowl of stuffing,1 tuperware of milk, 1 pan of cabbage, 1 jug of stock, 1 plate of cake, 1 gammon the best ever, 2 much cream in the dauphinoise potatoes, 1 river to come down and stay down, 1 numpty, No 4, 1 rubbish Christmas tree, 3 stockings ready and waiting to be filled.

https://goo.gl/maps/z5mNXn7TtgUYhpVD7

Two Chocolates Short. 25th November

Avon Aqueduct

A negative result this morning meant I’d be seeing how my calf muscle was faring after a week of not walking anywhere other than around the boat. Our mooring here is about a mile away from Rugby Station, half of the walk through a park the other half along quite a busy road. My calf muscle seemed to be improved, the original problem having been rested away, however I’m still aware that I did something to it a week ago, avoiding going down steps and walking too far sensible precautions.

Today I headed into Birmingham, catching a tram up to Brindley Place from where I had a bit of time to kill before my appointment with the dentist. If it hadn’t have been for HS2 closing the Curdworth flight we’d have come by boat, today there was plenty of room for us to moor.

Three people were stranded on the island at Old Turn. A Christmas tree had been erected and wreaths were being added to pots for some sparkle. I hope someone returned for them as it’ll have been a touch chilly out there in the shade.

My dentist did a one stop shop for me. A check up, followed by hygienist, then a half hour wait for a little bit of patching up where I’d lost part of a filling. All done and dusted in under two hours and I could be on my way again with a much lighter wallet.

The next tram wouldn’t be for a while so I took my time walking back into town to have a nosy at the Christmas market. This meant I got to see the glowing statue of engineers Boulton, Watt and Murdock. I didn’t recall ever seeing it before, but that’s because it was only put in it’s current position in April this year.

The big wheel, ice skating ring were back. A chap sat on a crate playing his squeeze box I did it my way a song from Dick Whittington I couldn’t help but sing the changed lyrics in my head. The sky was blue, as it quite often is when in Birmingham, and the Franfkurt Christmas market seemed to be busy.

Food and drink outlets in the wooden huts with reindeer and fairy lights, I was hungry but nothing attracted me to fork out the prices that were being charged. All very festive though. I hobbled down to the station where I could buy myself a slightly cheaper sandwich.

A group huddled round someone, many taking photos. What was so interesting? Keir Starmer at a White Ribbon day event. An aid was gesturing to him to move on, I took my photo and headed for my platform only to find the lift ‘Out of Service’. By the time I’d reached the platform another huddle of people stood around Keir on the platform alongside my train. How had he beaten me? They’d certainly not come past me on the stairs. Ahh, that would be why the lift was out of service!

Mick met me again at the station, my leg a little bit sore now, maybe he’d have been willing to give me a piggy back back to the boat! Our reasons for being in Rugby were all ticked off, we could now move on. But instead we decided to stay one more night, today had been a busy day and the sofa was calling.

I made up a beetroot risotto and decided to have a go at cooking it on the stove top, imagining it might take a couple of hours. Everything was heated up in my cast iron pot and the lid put on, I normally do this recipe in the oven for half an hour. The stove proved to be good, saving gas. I lifted the lid after an hour to give what I thought would be still crunchy rice a stir. Well the rice was already cooked, over cooked in fact. A very early evening meal.

Afterwards I wanted something sweet, we still had a box of chocolates from when the London Leckenbys had visited. Mick said he’d thought of giving me them as an advent calendar, but the box is only 22 chocolates, 2 chocolates short for advent. Here’s hoping there is something suitable for him to buy in Tescos tomorrow.

0 locks, 0 miles, 2 trains, 1 tram, 2 hours in the dentists green world, 3 stuck on an island, 1 market, 1 Keir, 1 lift out of service, 45 minutes not 2 hours, 1 cold much improved, 6 monthly wormer, 1 harumphy cat.

Then There Were Two. 11th October

East Street to Kidlington Lock, Oxford Canal

Shopping arrived bang on 10am. Mick informed the driver that I was isolating. The crates were put by the side hatch and emptied into bags everyone managing to keep their distance. After a bad nights sleep the last thing I wanted to do was stow things away so that was left to Mick.

Last night the East Street moorings had filled up and this morning they emptied again, apart from those who we suspect know that the Lock Keeper has covid so won’t be coming round for mooring fees. The workmen started dismantling more of the power station opposite at 8.30am. This was not helping my headache so as soon as we’d got ourselves sorted we moved on.

In the past we’ve taken the route north up the canal from Isis Lock, today we’d be heading for Duke’s Cut instead, hoping that this route would bring with it fewer people to avoid. With the sun out, blue skies surrounded us as we cruised along Port Meadow. Model planes flew round in circles, cows and horses grazed, what a lovely day, chilly but lovely.

A group of people stood round the control panel at Godstow Lock, I willed them to walk away before I got anywhere near. A Hotel boat was just entering from above, they watched as the gates closed behind it and the crew member walked down to the panel. I kept my distance, at least 6 meters. Thankfully she was far more interested in reading her phone than me.

By the time we got into the lock, ropes sorted and the sluices button pressed we were joined by a Lock Keeper. I stayed very much by the bow rope adjusting it as needed whilst she opened and closed the gates for us.

Traffic lights gave us a green to head under Godstow Bridge where a floating pontoon with skips loitered, diggers either side of the river.

King’s Lock the first of the match stick locks, I made sure I had some hand sanitiser with me so I wouldn’t be leaving anything for the next person. Thankfully no-one was around, apart from the dragon who watched our every move.

Right onto Duke’s Cut. We think we’ve only done this route once on Lillian the first time we did the Thames, so today it was new water to Oleanna. It seems to have grown somewhat from how I remembered it, much longer. Here boats sit on a stretch of water avoiding Navigation Authorities and licences. One end C&RT water the other EA.

Faces peeked out from the dark of the boats, I may have covid but I can still say hello to people, even if they didn’t reply. The last stretch of the cut is narrow, boats lined up on both sides, we of course met a boat coming the other way up the lock. Just enough room for us to squeeze past each other.

***Only good boats go through my lock!***

Someone was waiting for us on the lock beam. Oleanna needed a good checking out!

The full length of roof was checked, then as I was about to lift the paddle I spotted the stow away in the well deck, having a good sniff of a bagged up Tilly deposit. The full length of cat walk was tried out, pauses at each window, especially the bathroom where Tilly quite often begs strangers to set her free!

Then the black cat was off to do some hunting, leaving us to turn north onto the Oxford Canal and meet a boat just pulling out from the lock.

The last lock of the day, or so we’d planned. I then walked up to the lift bridge which is now windlass operated. Doing this route meant we avoided at least two other lift bridges, are they now windlass operated?

**Lifting that took more effort than normal**

Our aim today was to reach Kidlington Lock, our normal stop after Oxford. A few boats were already moored up, but thankfully there was space for us before the lock landing. We pulled in, moored up and let Tilly out. She was gone for quite a while, does she recognise these moorings that we’ve stayed at in the past?

Time for a kip for me. Mick had been starting to cough during the day, a test showed as negative. By the end of the day we were both sat on the sofa with a box of tissues between us. The likely hood of Mick not getting covid was minimal, he’d most probably caught it off me before I suspected anything. He’s about a day behind.

Tilly came in all very silent during the afternoon. Where had she left her collar? She was quite pleased with herself showing off her white chest and strutting about. It didn’t last long as I pulled out a box with another three collars and cat tags. A blue collar with a boat cat tag was soon back around her neck, the boat doors open again, shore leave could resume.

4 locks, 5.5 miles, 1 lift bridge, 4 boxes wine, 1 box tissues finished, 2 boxes of tissues in the order, 1 straight, 1 right, 1 left, 6 meters minimum, 1 new collar, 1 cat tag, 2 snotty coughing boaters.

https://goo.gl/maps/aQimWWezVQYE57XJ8

Fluid Category 5. 9th October

Abingdon Bridge to Jericho, Oxford Canal

A slow start this morning so that we could join the Geraghty zoom. Subjects today acorns, anti-virals and loft insulation.

Another sunny day meant the river was busy. A canoe stopped a wide beam from pulling out across the way, they were wanting to wind so waited patiently then waved us on before they started their manoeuvre.

Abingdon Lock was set for us and we rose up with plenty of people watching, then pulled along onto the water point. It seems that some of the water points are being changed, the other day at Cleeve Lock I’d noticed the new short hose already attached to the tap, here the water point is long and tall with a yellow surround to it.

The pressure wasn’t too great and the hose just managed to reach our water filler on the off side of the bow. Water seems to be pumped up high to a small tank and then it flows through the hose to your boat. This is all to do with not wanting to have river water flowing back into the water mains, which is understandable with the amount of sewage that is allowed into the rivers. But it all takes time. We were patient and made use of the big skips to dispose of our rubbish and recycling. Talking of which, if you are a boater, have you filled in the C&RT survey regarding services and distances between them? It’s anonymous so no reason not to have your say in what C&RT will see as the national standard for services. Survey Link

The next river reach goes on and on. Not as bad as when Mick did it a few years ago with an overheating engine with a large amount of fresh coming the other way. The sunk boat is still mid channel, then numerous rowing boats and plenty of cruisers out for a Sunday pootle.

There was a blue board at Sandford Lock, but someone had set it to empty. I walked up with the boat hook and opened the gate. The Lock Keeper arrived, he’d been just about to go for lunch as we arrived, could he help with ropes? We got ourselves sorted and then waited for a cruiser to join us. They had no idea! A rope from the bow was put round a bollard as their boat continued into the lock. The rope was moved along, then again and again. The Lock Keeper went to help, pulling them back in the lock and making sure they had two ropes round the bollards. This lock fills from the sides as well as from the end, so you need to keep hold of your rope.

We led the way, coming across numerous rowers all at bends which made positioning ourselves very awkward! I don’t think we’ve ever come into Oxford on a sunny Sunday in term time before. I think we’ll do our best to avoid it in future!

Iffley Lock, the Lavender Lock was on Self Service, it always feels like we’ve arrived in Oxford when we go through here . I headed up to see what needed doing. A small day boat was just entering the lock above to be followed by an eight, the lock just wide enough for them. A chap asked if I could open the gates for them so they could get back on board, of course I could. But this all took time as they hadn’t got a rope round a bollard, the boat tipping from side to side as people got on and off.

Then a Lock Keeper appeared and requested that they put a rope around a bollard and then actually hold on to it! A request came from the boat, could he help with the rope. ‘No, I’ve got covid’ he then retreated to the other side of his garden.

Our turn next with the cruiser. We let them leave first as they’d be quicker than us, all we both had to do was negotiate our way around the waiting rowing boats and those also heading towards the lock.

Someone with a different style has been decorating the walls under bridges. An Arthurian subject, with knights on horse back jousting and a unicorn.

Towards Folly Bridge there was a log jam. The cruiser we’d been sharing with had pulled over to the side, two eights were sat waiting for a big trip boat to wind and head down stream. The eights then had to wind themselves, another trip boat was about to back away from it’s moorings, but we got in first only to meet four canoes coming under the arch of the bridge. Hopefully now the river would calm down.

No! The cruiser suddenly appeared having come round the island of the bridge the other way. They headed off and we soon passed them trying to moor. Hopefully NOW the river would be quieter.

Osney Lock had a boat coming in from above. A lady closed the gates behind the boat the chap held onto his centre line. I suggested that I could work the bottom gates and sluice allowing the lady to get on board. She was happy with this and just carried on walking away from the lock, I suspect a helpful passerby rather than crew.

Here we were on our own, no Lock Keeper. A fella walked past and informed us that the Lockie here also had covid. There was space on East Street, maybe because the old Power Station is being demolished opposite.

On upstream under the bridge to Sheepwash Channel where we turned right. The old railway swing bridge that last year was shrouded in covers has been restored, sleepers and track, the workings all shiny black and yellow. Not that there is anywhere for it to connect to as houses stand where the line once used to be.

Isis Lock. Time to dig out the windlass again. This lock means Panto, Autumn leaves, Inspector Morse watching, Christmas shopping, fish and waiting for the River Cherwell to come out of flood. It’s nice to be back.

We pulled into the first space. Tilly was given 2.5 hours, Yeh yeh, I know where I am! It’s that isthmus outside! You always tie this one up! Still no new complex opposite. Time to put a Sunday roast on and have a catch up with my brother.

5 locks, 1 narrow one, 9.58 miles, 1 right, 1 left, 2 many boats, 1 tall waterpoint, 2 poorly Lockies, 2 boats with no idea, 1 near miss, 2.5 hours, 1 roast chicken, 1 sore throat!

https://goo.gl/maps/3fLKfvt1Zex53v7F6

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna

Category Archives: Canal and River Trust

Lock Spotting. 9th January

Oleanna Workshop. 6th January

Armed With A Hacksaw. 5th January

Two Reds. 30th December

£7 Protection. 28th December

Don’t Trust The Locals. 27th December

Destination Christmas. 23rd and 24th December

Two Chocolates Short. 25th November

Then There Were Two. 11th October

Fluid Category 5. 9th October