Category Archives: Cats on the Cut

Without Touching The Sides. 1st December

Ansty Waste Bridge 12 to Springwood Haven, Coventry Canal

Was Tilly disgruntled not to be having shore leave this morning or was it the smell of Deep Heat that had her sit bolt upright and give me a Paddington stare. I promised that the outside we’d tie up today would be far better, she settled down and patiently waited.

Extra layers required today, thermals under the padded trousers and I seem to have found the shortest thermal vest I posses, annoying as it ruckles up under jumpers. But the layers helped to keep the chill out for much of the morning.

We pootled our way along to Hawkesbury Junction and Sutton Stop Lock, passing the campervan graveyard. The water point before the lock was free so we pulled in to top up the tank. At this time of year we like to keep the tank as full as possible and having just done a load of washing it needed a top up. Mick walked the rubbish over the bridge to the bins and we were soon ready to move on.

I don’t often take the helm, my choice, I prefer working the locks. The most often asked question from Gongoozlers is about why the men are usually at the helm whilst the women work the hard heavy locks. Well everyone has their reasons, mine is that I love working locks, I get exercise, I get to chat, I get to take photos, I get a walk, I find driving a touch boring to be honest. But right now most of the reasons I enjoy working locks are not good for my calf muscle, so no choice.

When I lost my little finger I helmed Lillian through many locks. When Oleanna was brand new I took her through her first locks down from Sheffield as I was recovering from a broken ankle, that was far more daunting than taking her through Sutton Stop Lock today, all of 10 inches deep. Mick went ahead to open the lock, I nudged the bow out and headed for the narrow entrance.

**Mick waiting for the lock to equalise**

With no-one sat outside the Greyhound I decided to have a go at turning Oleanna onto the Coventry Canal 180 degree turn under the bridge to head northwards. Mick sat down to give me a better view. Gently I turned her under the bridge, I knew I wouldn’t manage the turn in one go, not many do. More like a three point turn and the bow came round, neither end of Oleanna having touched the sides.

**Not bad for the stand in photographer**

This did mean passing the job of photographer to Mick, requesting a photo looking under the bridge towards the Greyhound, a photo I don’t think I’ve taken for a very long time as I’m usually on the bank, keeping an eye out for on coming boats, setting or closing the lock.

**At least they still get a view of the canal from the top floor**

Now in Frank country, our friend grew up in these parts. The big house, once a pub by Bulkington Bridge now has a high wooden fence cutting off the view of the canal. Past Avril’s old school, one of the first Comprehensive schools in the 1950’s.

Charity Wharf. Every time we come past I wait to see what the display might be this time. In our early days of boating there was always something new to see, a new group of mannequins dressed up suitably for the season, Halloween especially good. However the last few times we’ve been past there seem to be fewer figures on display. Stig has been stood in the same position for years. There is still plenty to see, but not the display it used to be, maybe the person who used to do it all has moved elsewhere.

The Morris Minor still sits on top of the mound of stuff by the dry dock, entrance blocked off by boats as usual. A little further on we noticed the ribs of a wooden boat sticking up from the water like fish bones left by a cartoon cat.

We’d considered heading up the Ashby for a few days, a visitor mooring being £18 a night without electric put us off somewhat, so we continued on past.

Diesel was next on our minds, keeping the tank as full as possible in cold weather a good thing. We pulled over at Star Line Boats. No-one came out to help us, Mick had chance to see their prices £1.60 domestic, maybe not thank you. We’d not even tied up before he pushed the bow back out.

**Maybe the person from Charity Wharf has moved here?**

Yesterday we’d had compliments at our passing speed, today a grumpy man shouted from within his cruiser for us to slow down. We had. A quick look at his ropes suggested that maybe it wasn’t our fault he was moving about so much, no wonder he was grumpy, he’d be shouting at every boat that went past!

A boat came towards us, quite a breaking wash behind them. Their engine making such a noise as we passed, then the throttle was cranked up, more noise, more wash, I found myself shouting, I couldn’t help it. Maybe there was an emergency somewhere! They’d certainly give the grumpy man something to shout about!

A mural with a bendy tree. The first flag we’ve seen held by a giant teddy. Then the obligatory telephone pole.

Soon Springwood Haven came into view, the basin a third full of hire boats, it’s now an ABC marina. We pulled in opposite, 14:30 not much day light left for our four legged crew. The doors were opened an hour and a half shore leave granted and off she went. She was right this was a far better outside! One of my favourites

A big batch of chilli was got going on the hob then moved to the stove to carry on cooking during the afternoon. Then a batch of sweet gluten free pastry was made up and left to rest in the fridge, I’m going to have a go at making some mince pies tomorrow.

***Thank you for the good outside today***

Tilly arrived home with fifteen minutes left of shore leave. ‘Thank you for coming home’ Dreamies were dispensed. As here is one of her favourites and I felt generous I allowed her out again. At 4pm, cat curfew, I called for Tilly and was ignored. At 4:30pm I called again and waggled the big torch about and was ignored. At 4:45pm I thought I heard her running along the towpath, but it turned out to be some percussion on the programme Mick was watching about Fleetwood Mac!

At 5:10pm when I’d run out of things to keep me busy, I popped on my coat and shoes, time to be the mad cat woman. Big torch in hand I called for Tilly once again. Before I even stepped off the boat I could hear her bell. Was she on the towpath or over the bank. After a few minutes Tilly arrived along the towpath, trotting along in the dark, very ready for her evening dingding followed by a snooze in front of the stove. Only 70 minutes late. If you knew what I’d been up to out there you’d have come and joined me!

1 lock, WE 9.99miles, Pip’s Nebo 9.4 miles (missing off the start of our voyage!), Mick’s Nebo 10.1 miles, 180 degrees without touching, 1 full water tank, 0 rubbish, 1 batch pastry (not for steak pie making!), 1 vat of chilli, 1st coat of dark on door, 1 very happy stop out cat.

https://goo.gl/maps/B1yPSvcCDPi7Udn5A

Tissue Audit. 30th November

Old Newbold Loop to Ansty Waste Bridge 12 (removed)

Last Sunday as my cold started to wane, Mick was starting to show signs that I had passed it on to him. By this morning a tissue audit was required, we’d be needing more! Before he had breakfast the bike was pulled out from it’s slot and Mick cycled back to Newbold to the Co-op to stock up. By the end of the day tissue usage was in full flow as was his nose!

As we had breakfast a number checker came past. Mick wondered when we’d last been spotted? Was it in Rugby, Coventry? Would the records show Oleanna had moved far enough in the last few weeks, or would the records just show her around Rugby? This years sightings would be interesting to see as we’ve spent so much time off C&RT waters.

Last week we had a reminder regarding our gold licence. These are only available from January to the end of December, but there was suggestion that we could trade our gold licence in for any unused months. We weren’t aware that you could do that. Mick filled out the forms for a months refund, mention of a £30 admin fee he thought wouldn’t affect us, but we should get a refund of around £20 once a standard licence for December had been processed, that would pay for our Christmas Ham. Next year we’ll be returning to a Canal and River Licence, we’re not sure where we’ll be cruising yet, but we’re unlikely to be on EA waters for long enough to warrant a Gold licence for a year or two.

Time to move onwards, northwards. Quite often when we are on this stretch I am below making use of the flatness to do work, so the landscape isn’t too familiar to me. Cuttings, wide bends, the railway close by, bridges over the old course of the canal, trees and muddy towpaths. Having been in Chippy for so long I’ve missed the towpath transition from bone dry to muddy.

The autumn colours are falling, blasts of reverse required every now and again to clear the prop. We rounded the big bend passing the farm we often moor opposite where the towpath is very narrow.

There was space at All Oaks Wood, but we wanted to get further today even if it was a good place for Tilly.

Approaching Stretton Stop Mick slowed Oleanna right down as we passed under the railway bridge so that I could step off and walk up to open the bridge for us. I wanted to see how light weight the new bridge was. Amongst the few boats moored before the bridge was one familiar one. NB Chuffed.

Chuffed was sold a year or so ago, Debby, Dave and Meg now owners of NB Bonjour. No-one was on board. This is either where she moors now or she is sitting waiting her turn for a re-paint. Unless she keeps her two tone grey and red livery she’ll become less recognisable. I said hello as I walked past heading towards the bridge that was crossed by a couple of chaps who turned round and gave it a big shove to open it for us. They were happy for me to leave it open, their wobbly bendy pole at hand to pull the bridge back across. I still don’t know from first hand how easily the bridge now moves.

I hobbled back onto Oleanna, our slow pace having to reduce even more as a boat that had been on the water point decided to pull out right in front of us! Not even a full boats length in front, they couldn’t say they hadn’t seen us!

We followed behind them past the moored craft on both sides, their speed meaning that they pulled away, our speed meaning we got complimented for it by a moorer.

The new route of the Oxford Canal now avoids all the big loops that it once used to follow coming in towards Ansty. The leaking bridge (14) wasn’t leaking today. Up on the road there were cones, flashing lights, was the problem being sorted? We hope so.

Onwards now just that bit further, would the next mooring be available? Under the M69 round a bend, there was the length of armco we’d been hoping for. We were rather chilly by now, Tilly being the only one being able to enjoy the heat from the stove, it was time for us to swap over.

Two and a half hours, would I be able to use all the time? Blimey YES!! It went by so quickly despite the number of woofers that came past. She called for me at 4pm, I came running. Sadly the penny dropped that my time was up just as She put her hand around my middle to assist me in through the hatch. No matter how much I protested for the next few hours I would not be allowed to finish off what I’d started, here’s hoping it can wait for the morning.

0 locks, WE 8.18 miles, Pip’s Nebo 8.4 miles, Mick’s Nebo 7.2 miles (started late), MM 8.07 miles, 1 swing bridge swung, 1 box tissues, 1 wave to Chuffed, 1 aching leg, 1 chilly day, 1 extra layer not enough, 4 small spud in the stove, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval.

https://goo.gl/maps/kZf6Rb8DjA1uoGZx5

Another review of Panto https://pippa13.blogspot.com/2022/11/oh-yes-it-was.html

Calf Pinchers. 29th November

Newbold Visitor Mooring to Old Newbold Loop

Zooming before breakfast this morning, a catch up meeting with Amy from Dark Horse. The props list for the show has shrunk in some places but expanded elsewhere including in the size of giant props. This would not normally be a problem, construction in a workshop or even in our house would be fine so long as things fit out through a door or window. Here on the boat is a bit of a different matter! Moving a 2ft diameter mug about daily will become a pain in the proverbial! This will need a bit of thinking about and maybe the making of such things will need to be delayed until nearer the time that I can deliver them to Huddersfield. As most of the props will be made from foam we could always tow them along behind us!

Once breakfast was over and done with we should have been pushing off, but first I needed to do something. Last night walking all of the 200yards to the pub my calf muscle had suddenly reminded me that I had a problem. I’d hoped that resting it for ten days (okay walking round Birmingham shouldn’t have happened) would have helped, but it sent me a stabbing reminder. It was time to have a professional opinion. Lizzie had suggested a visit to the walk in centre at St Cross Hospital, such places are now called Urgent Care Centres. A phone call was made and unlike the centre in Birmingham they still accept walk ins, at Boots in B’ham you have to be referred by calling 111.

Fortunately the bus that passes through Newbold ends up at the hospital, so I caught the 85 and within half an hour arrived at the Centre. Waiting times looked reasonable, 27 minutes for Triage then 47 minutes to see an ENP (Emergency Nurse Practitioner), four people sat in the waiting room, hopefully this wouldn’t become one of those tales of a thirteen hour wait to be seen.

The triage nurse got me to kneel on a chair, she pinched both my calf muscles, her conclusion was that my Achilles tendon was still in tact, it was likely to be a strain, I’d be examined anyway. Time to sit back in the waiting room.

Blimey Cliff Richard looks old now, I learnt how to make a Christmas wreath and can announce to those who weren’t watching, that Neighbours will be returning to television screen via Amazon soon. All things I wouldn’t normally see on TV. I had taken a book in case of a long wait but Philip Schofield was upstaging any written word.

After an hour I was called through to see Carl. He also pinched my calf muscles, then got me to put my foot on the ground and do various things. My Achilles tendon was fine, phew. He asked me what I did for a living and I said that recently it consisted of 70 hour weeks up and down ladders and contorting myself around scenery. Carl apparently has worked in the theatre so was aware of the kind of work I’ve been doing and I should avoid doing any more for a while. Living on a boat was mentioned and I have been told to avoid working locks for a few weeks. My calf muscle has a bad strain and rest is required.

Thankfully I’d arrived before the waiting room had filled up and then managed to leave at a suitable time to catch the next hourly bus, saving a very chilly wait.

Mick had been busy whilst I was away, ringing around marinas to see who might be able to take us in for a few days. Also enquiries had been made further north or a longer period in a marina when we will need to return to the house to do winter maintenance. I had lunch, Tilly came in, maybe we should make a move.

We pushed off and made it to the water point by the pub, topped up the tank and then pootled onwards.

Through Newbold Tunnel, autumnal colours brightening up the very grey day. It was quite late so the next mooring was made use of opposite Armada Boats. Tilly thought here would be a good outside, but with it being 3:30 we thought she could wait for tomorrows outside instead, this meant us having to put up with her complaints for a couple of hours before she settled down.

**Back into what light of the day was left**

0 locks, WExp 0.67 miles, Nebo 0.8 miles, MMap 0.713, 1 tunnel, 2 buses, 90 minutes wait, 2 calf pinchers, 1 strain, 1 leg to be rested and raised, 0 lock wheeling for a while, 1 overall on order, 1 snotty Mick, £10 not £18! 1 mardy cat.

https://goo.gl/maps/6UFnYjM8dx9dhctj9

Pie Approved. 24th November

Avon Aqueduct

Time for a proper lie in, my cold felt like it was sitting on my chest now. The day went slowly on Oleanna. Tilly came and went and I ended up watching TV for much of the day with little impetus to do anything else.

Up in Scarborough Mick got a lift from our next door neighbours to the dentist, the buses out of town have changed to only running every two hours, not so helpful. So a big thank you to Andy and Lisa.

Back at the house Mick did a paw count of the local felines, everyone was present. Then it was time for him to head back to Rugby. The train via Hull had been cancelled, so instead he took the route via York. The Ouse very high and understandably no boats were moored at Museum Gardens.

Back at Oleanna I prepared a chicken, tarragon, leek and feta pie. Tilly leaving her stamp of approval on the crust. Jacket potatoes baked in the stove accompanied my pie. Very tasty even with a cold.

With Water Explorer closing down at the end of the year we’ve been looking into different ways we can track our movements. One idea is via our Victron Venus GX which can log our journeys automatically, we’d then have to down load it and do something with it. Another is via the Nebo app. Last year when we escaped Goole with SeaMaiden and Lullabelle, we all downloaded the app. This helped us see where on the river each of us were when not in view. It was designed more for off shore use, but more and more boats seem to be using it on the inland waterways.

Recently Nebo has had an update and some of the trips I logged with it earlier this year have arrivals and departures from locks, on other trips there are no way points, others it seems to make note of a lock every minute that you are there, ending up with numerous entries for one location! We’ll trial it for the next few weeks alongside Water Explorer. We’ve already adjusted our What3words app to give us a grid reference alongside the three words when we moor up. Both of these are noted down each time we move just in case we should need any assistance from the emergency services.

We’ll see what we think.

Thank you Dave Scouts for you advice on the font colour. Mick has done as you suggested, the colour is black as I write a post now, or so it seems. But then in preview mode it goes back to a dark grey! Boo.

0 locks, 0 miles, 6 trains, 1 lift, 3 lemsips, 1 lazy day, 4 paws, 1 yummy pie.

Poor Robbie. 22nd November

Avon Aqueduct

Mick was into the engine bay early this morning as last night I’d been able to hear a slight squealing noise, Mick had only been able to hear it with the engine board lifted. This morning he gave the alternator belt a tighten and that seemed to do the trick. He does however have a slight thought that the bearings may be going!

Tilly still isn’t enamoured with our mooring, but she’ll have to put up with it for a few days as access to Rugby Station is required.

The coal skuttle was filled up, yellow water emptied then Mick had an early lunch whilst I had a lemsip. I think these post Christmas show colds are sent by your body to enforce you into having time off, which is good for me right now as resting my calf muscle is the most important thing.

A little before midday Mick set off for the station, a visit to Scarborough needed to meet a plumber. A convoluted route north took him via Sheffield and Hull meaning a saving of at least £20, but he did get to see the Humber Bridge and wave to his Mum.

Back on board Tilly and I had a quiet day. It was time to sort out my expenses from Panto and invoice for the weeks painting I did before rehearsals started. The big stack of receipts were sorted through and then logged on the computer. Scanning followed and all was done. I’ll soon need to update my accounts for last year and file my tax return, maybe in the next few days.

Later part of the afternoon was spent in front of a Lewis episode, the one where poor Robbie gets to meet the chap who killed his wife. This was followed by more lemsip and some courgette, pea and feta fritters. The recipe gets better each time I do it, but before I share it with you I’ll need to make a batch of them when I haven’t got a cold.

0 locks, 0 miles, 0 steps of the boat, 2 short explores by Tilly, 3 trains, 1 cold house, 1 invoice, £300+ expenses, 1 Lewis, 1 stove piled high, 6 fritters, 2 left for lunch tomorrow.

Still 444, 21st November

Avon Aqueduct, to Avon Aqueduct

Another day with a cuppa in bed, just a shame this morning it was accompanied by a touch of a sore throat. Could this be the cold that nearly always followed the hard work of opening a Christmas show? Could this be a cold passed on from one of the panto actors? Could it be a reaction to having had both the flu and covid boosters? Or could it be I’ve managed to get covid again? I took a test later in the day and it was negative, however previous experience suggests you don’t necessarily test positive as soon as you feel poorly. The sore throat however feels less like P60 sandpaper, so I’m hoping it’s just a cold.

With the day due to be full of rain we decided to get up and get moving before breakfast. Just as the bed was slotted away an engine could be heard, I peeked out to see a garden bench passing by, NB Harnser. We just managed to get the side hatch open in time to be able to say Good Morning as Brian and Diana passed by and have a short conversation.

**My panto first night flowers are surviving without feline intervention.**

We couldn’t remember if we were on the mooring closest to Rugby Station or not, but this soon became obvious as we pushed of and pootled onwards towards Clifton Cruisers hire base. No more armco showed itself, just the angled stone side of the canal, which makes pulling in to moor awkward.

Just before the hire fleet sprawl across the canal there is a small arm which used to be part of the Oxford Canal before it was straightened. Now filled with permanent moorings we were able to wind.

Our destination would be a familiar one as it would be exactly the same space we’d just pulled away from, just as well as the rain was half an hour earlier than forecast.

Tilly was very reluctant to go out, understandably, but managed a few times bringing mud back into Oleanna! When will she learn to wipe her paws!!! Seems like she was using my clean dungarees to soak up the mud. No, I was just sitting on them so that you couldn’t wear them again!

After lunch we adjusted our position as the boat behind had fired up their generator and the fumes were making their way through our back door. Mick pulled us along about 50ft so the fumes could dissipate before entering Oleanna.

An afternoon of rain and not much more. Mick caught up with Chris from NB Elektra. For a while we’ve been trying to change the default colour of the font used on the blog to just black making it easier for people to read. At the moment when I write a post each paragraph has it’s font colour changed from Dark Grey to Black, not a huge difference, but important to many readers. This is time consuming.

**My tech support getting tech support**

Of course we could find a ‘Theme’ that has black as it’s default, but we like the theme we already have. Chris and Mick spent quite sometime trying to find where the default setting for the font colour was and how to change it. Mick was left with some ideas to follow up and try, but sadly as I type this the font is still in Dark Grey! Thank you Chris for your time.

0 locks, 0.46 miles there and 0.46 miles back, 1 wind, 1 blogger, 1 sore throat, 1 box of tissues on standby, 4 muddy paws, 1 cosy boat, 1 wet day, 1 intermittent noise from the engine bay, 444 not 000000!

Another review for Panto

https://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/review-brilliant-and-beautiful-dick-whittington-at-chipping-norton-theatre-sets-the-standard-yet-again-3925334

Five Weeks Without A Pootle. 20th November

Brownsover Services to near River Avon Aqueduct

***So much better here than where we ended up!***

A lie in with Tilly in the way, it’s good to be home. After a lengthy cuppa in bed with Saturdays newspaper to read, Mick set to in the kitchen preparing breakfast, extra rations today. There was so much food that we continued to eat as we joined the Geraghty zoom. A trip to Bruges, panto and flowering cacti were discussed.

**Breakfast whilst waiting for family to arrive**

Another two loads of washing were required before moving away from the handy tap and a couple of items were still needed from Tescos. So Mick popped down the hill and dealt with washing whilst I rested myself.

Several boats came past, some stopping in spaces, others pausing to top up and empty.

Oleanna had her yellow water tank emptied and her fresh water tank filled, then we were ready to make a move.

The last time I was on a moving boat was five weeks ago, cruising from near Kings Sutton Lock to the Tramway moorings in Banbury, all pre-panto. Then the ground was dry, today the towpath and boat were muddy.

Stepping off the boat was done carefully, yet my calf twinged. More rest required for it. I managed to push the bow out and off we went. The sun was trying it’s best, but that really didn’t matter, just being on the move at a leisurely pace was all that counted.

Not far today, just somewhere where we’d be happier for Tilly to head off and explore. Well it didn’t get a very good review from her. Well what do expect! There’s a great big mesh fence in the way of the good bits!

The afternoon was spent pottering and watching another episode of Morse and the final part of Inside Man, we wonder if there was enough plot left dangling for there to be a second series. Later on we enjoyed a roast chicken.

Panto reviews have started to come in, so far everyone has enjoyed themselves.

‘Well butter my bum and call me a sandwich!’ Dick Whittington, the 50th Chippy panto, is a smasher!

Dick Whittington Panto, Chipping Norton Review

0 locks, 0.44 miles, 2 loads washing, 1 disappointed cat, 1 twinge, episode 12, 1 week left to live, 1 large roast chicken, 0 fresh ducks for Christmas!

https://goo.gl/maps/xeFdvYAByvg8hwCq8

Double Jabbed. 19th October

Brownsover Services, North Oxford Canal

Tea in bed with Tilly. What a lovely way to start the day.

After breakfast it was time to make use of still having a car. Last weekend I’d booked myself a covid jab at the nearby walk-in centre in Brownsover. A fifteen minute walk away, but sadly not a good idea with my dodgy calf muscle, so Mick ferried me there in the car.

Two ladies sat waiting for people. I was checked in and asked if I’d like a flu jab at the same time. Yes please was my answer, get it all over and done with. Left arm covid, right arm flu. All done and dusted and back in the car within five minutes. I could have had my covid jab two weeks ago, but decided that that was the last thing I’d be wanting to do on a day off from panto. Thank you NHS for being easy and available anywhere in the country. By the evening my jab was visible on my notes on the NHS app. Hopefully my Doctors surgery will stop pestering me now.

Back to the boat, then Mick returned the car, cycling back picking up some shopping for the next few days from Tescos. I managed to unpack dirty clothes, being close to a water point we’d be making use of the washing machine before leaving.

**Painty history plus five weeks of panto**

Much of the day was spent on the sofa with Tilly on my knee. The mooring here looks great for cats, but the proximity of the road has meant feline shore leave has been put on hold much to Tillys disgust!

**A rinse down of the roof to flush through the hose**

As tradition has is we sat down in the afternoon and watched an episode of Morse. We may not be in Oxford after panto this year, but two hours of John Thaw is the perfect thing. Having seen every episode before sometime ago I can remember enough about the cases that it doesn’t matter if you fall asleep, but not enough to remember who did the killing.

From walking 3 to 4 miles a day over the last five weeks it was very nice to reduce my step count to a tenth. Not walking also seemed to be helping my calf muscle, although my ankle is a touch swollen. I’ve had a look for a walk in centre to see if it needs any attention other than rest, but the nearest is in Coventry.

Burgers with sweet potato wedges and peas, oh how I’ve missed vegetables. This was followed by catching up on the final of Bake Off. The outcome was as I’d expected.

0 locks, 0 miles, 0 hours working, 2 jabs, 1 limping Pip, 1 car returned, episode 11, 3 on the sofa, 1 well deserved lazy day, 1 sore arm.

Panto Postcard 5, 2022.

60.75 hours

Coventry Basin, Coventry Canal to Brownsover Services, North Oxford Canal

Monday morning a seriously early start to the day, the alarm went off at 5:20. We were both up and out of the door in 20 minutes. I’d opted to walk across Coventry rather than get a bus or taxi. At about a mile to the Station it’s not that far, but my knees and calf muscles were playing up so Mick accompanied me with the bike in case I needed to ride instead. Coventry was dark and misty, very atmospheric.

The train got me to Banbury forty minutes before the bus to Chippy, so I sat in the station cafe with a cuppa and ate a sausage sandwich I’d brought with me watching the sun rise through the fog. The bus onwards to Chippy was quite late arriving and by the time it had made it’s way through some road works it was half an hour late. It had taken me 3hrs 15 minutes to get to work!

Abi the Director was back with us, thankfully Covid had been mild for her and her family. Paul was also back with us, there was time to sort a few problems out before the actors came on stage. It was now time to finish off the technical rehearsal. When the Pippins joined us late afternoon we then did a tech/dress. This meant that if there were any problems we’d stop to sort them. We stopped a few times and then afterwards had quite a lengthy notes session, there were still things missing costume, props wise and a few problems with scene changes.

Mick had a morning snooze on the sofa before pushing off, winding and heading back up to Hawkesbury Junction where he turned back onto the North Oxford Canal and pulled up for the day.

Tuesday. An early start for Jo and myself trying to work through the long list of things that needed finishing, making use of time on stage before the actors arrived. Having a key to the theatre was useful as I could open up.

There was one scene that needed finishing off before production photos could be taken. The finishing off consisted of a lot of cross hatching which I knew would take several hours. I chose to finish the funnels today as they would help the scenery look more complete.

During the afternoon scenes were worked on by the actors and I got chance to finish off the piece that would sit on the proscenium, this was done by torch light. Have to say I was rather pleased with it.

Then late afternoon we settled down for a dress rehearsal with Josh the photographer, Becky the composer joining us by zoom and we were also joined by several members of staff and ushers to give the actors a small audience. Today we got to see the walk down costumes for the first time, still work in progress and several props were now finished. But sadly things were still being worked on, a black curtain got stuck in one scene meaning many of the photos won’t depict the show as intended.

Mick’s day was totally opposite. It was raining, so he stayed put avoiding getting wet. Apparently Tilly ventured out for a little while.

Wednesday another early start. The side of the ship needed finishing off and as it spans right across the whole stage in three pieces I needed to do this early so as not to be in peoples way. Finishing touches happened to more props and costumes and I did my best to tick painty notes of my list.

**The wings full of scenery and props, so much so some flying was needed**

Today we were joined by Gemma the Production Manager who’d been off with covid. Having both her and Paul back in the building meant jobs were being crossed off the list. The auditorium needed clearing and Sophie the DSM was moved up into the box from where she’ll operate the shows. Christmas garlands were primed to be flown in and space was cleared in the wings so there’d be room for the actors.

The first preview hadn’t sold many tickets, so last week the decision had been made to cancel it, meaning we’d be able to have another dress rehearsal. A good thing as so many of the creatives had been ill. It was actually a dress without costume, enabling wardrobe to continue working on things.

One problem was found as Paul watched from the wings. The final scene change was tight and to get two large arches into position in time it was felt that some alterations to them were required. Two truck bases would need to be made, but for now he would be an extra pair of hands back stage.

The first preview went well and we rewarded ourselves with a drink next door at Checkers, followed by some chicken and chips from the burger van.

**If you look carefully you might just seen the spouting water**

The sun was out again on the North Oxford Canal, so Mick carried on retracing his steps of last week. In Ansty a bridge had been spouting water, social media comments had been concerned that it may be closed by C&RT, thankfully Mick got through without any problems. He thinks it’s a water pipe in the bridge that has burst. Here’s hoping it doesn’t get closed before we are back through in a couple of weeks.

As he approached the swing bridge at Rose Boats the canal got busy. The bridge opened and closed and opened again and the narrows approaching it were congested. This meant that when he reached All Oaks Wood where he’d shared the moorings with one other boat last week, he got the last space.

Thursday. Only one show today in the evening, giving time to do acting notes on stage and time for props, costumes and set pieces to be finished off that bit more. Measurements were taken, timber purchased, alterations to the arches would happen after the show this evening.

One of the traditions of Chippy Panto is that Edith, a lady who adorns the proscenium arch is taken down each year and replaced by something to do with the show. This year I’d decided that it should be a portrait of Whittington the cat. Photos had been taken of Nadia in makeup, this was blown up, a simple version traced onto a shield and then painted in. In previous years I have only once witnessed Edith being replaced, handy to know that it is simply done with a D handle and a safety chain. Time and care were taken and Edith was taken to John Terry’s office for her rest.

Garlands were fluffed up, ribbons added. Piccadilly Circus was finished off including the extra lines on the backing flat. Jobs ticked off at pace.

Jo had been meant to finish on Wednesday, but she’d decided to stay one extra night to be able to finish off one quite elaborate prop. This took her quite sometime, but was well worth the extra hours and that prop got an extra Ooooooo! in the evening from the audience.

**The final lines added to Piccadilly Circus**

After the show Paul, Gemma and myself got busy with saws, drills, screws, wheels, canvas and paint. Two truck bases were made up and had a coat of paint applied before we left the theatre, the paint would be dry by the morning ready for the arty bits to be added.

Mick avoided the rain as best he could. Tilly kept the stove company as he moved onwards through the autumn colour.

A pause to top up with diesel was needed at Armada Boats, then he found a space just before the water point at Brownsover. This meant that Oleanna wouldn’t need to move to top up the water tank and the mooring was a good place to pick up a hire car from.

Friday. Over night I’d had cramp in my right calf muscle which has been playing up for the last few weeks. As I stood up out of bed to try to alleviate the pain I heard a bit of a popping noise! Not good, my hobbling walk would be even worse today. After packing my bags for collection later in the day I hobbled slowly in to the theatre where the truck bases were already fixed to the arches. Time to get arty and paint them.

**Spring Street with the theatre at the end**

Two colour washes were applied and left to dry. They had just about got there by the time the actors arrived for their warm up on stage. New things should always be shown to actors before a show so that they don’t get thrown, the truck bases would be a step up and down that hadn’t existed before so everyone it affected got to have a go.

Then I could finish painting them. The last black line of Chippy Panto went onto a truck base at 11:46, it would be dry before the final scene of the afternoon show. Other little jobs were ticked of, more garlands and ravens added, then it was time to start collecting my possessions together.

Touch up paints were rationalised and put together. Some things are likely to need a freshen up as they are used, other paints are there just in case.

As the afternoons show started I sat down to have some food, listening to the first school show on the show relay. Not so many laughs, but total excited noise at some scenes. The model box was put together to be added to the 50th anniversary exhibition in the gallery. After the interval I sat on the back row to watch the second half, each member of the audience wearing cat or rat masks that they’d made prior to their visit.

A coat of glaze to the truck bases was just about the last thing I could do before press night. My job was done. A couple of things sadly not achievable in what time remained, but an email to Paul next week will hopefully see them get done.

Mick arrived in a hire car, we loaded all my work gear and then headed to my digs to pick up my bags there. A chat with Suzanne and a final goodbye and thank you for letting me stay again. Some cheesy chips were consumed before joining the audience at the theatre for Press Night which seemed to go down very well.

We stayed for some food post show and a drink, but by now my energy levels had run out. It was time to say my goodbyes and thank yous. Time to wish everyone a good run and a Happy Christmas in Chippy. Time to climb in the car and drive back to Rugby, have a few head nudges with Tilly, a glass of wine for the driver and go to sleep.

Dick Whittington is open and what a show it is. This year has had many problems come it’s way, covid, family bereavements, people doing their best to plug gaps in the back stage team. We got there in the end with a lot of hard work from everyone and the assistance of zoom. Now I need to rest up and get back to day to day boat life, a far slower pace will be welcome.

1 lock, 17.92 miles, 1 right, 1 hire car, 1 panto open, 616 hrs work in total, 1 designer hanging up her dungarees, 1 boaters hat being dusted off, but first the sofa calls.

Panto Postcard 4. 2022

75.5 hours

Bridge 68, North Oxford Canal to Coventry Basin, Coventry Canal

Another long week in Panto land and some more cruising for Mick and Tilly.

Monday I arrived in the theatre to find sliders being cut down to size and lots of magnetic catches and door handles having been attached, all good news. But then I soon heard that Abi the Director had tested positive for covid over the weekend whilst at home in London. The cast were given various options, the one they chose was that John the Artistic Director of Chippy Theatre and the writer of panto would stand in for Abi until she returned and Abi would join when she could via zoom. Our Production Manager Gemma was also unwell so she stayed at home an extra day.

I got on with painting what ever I could without being in the actors way. A list of scenes required for the following days rehearsals is sent out so it takes a little bit of working out what I might be able to paint and when. The wings of the stage were sorted by Stage Management to hopefully help make the technical rehearsals easier.

In the evening we were joined by a couple of chaps to help with setting up the sound equipment and drilling holes in trees for fairy lights. By the end of the evening two out of the four trees had lights and a lot of the sound system was up and running.

In Rugby, Mick and Tilly stayed put on the boat. Mick did venture out for his covid booster jab, four weeks after we’d tested positive.

**Painting ovens and doors in the wings**

Tuesday. More setting up of sound with Matt the Sound Designer about for one day. The aim was for levels to be set for the songs and cues to be programmed into the desk so that only minor adjustments would hopefully be needed. Songs were sung by the company accompanied by the two man band.

**Dicks solo being sung in front of the Pippins and Becky the composer**

Gemma joined us for a few hours but she was obviously still not well. She did her best to keep her distance, helped get sliders rehung and sorted a few bits out, but mid afternoon she headed to her digs to hopefully get some sleep.

Mark the Lighting Designer had a lighting session in the evening, meaning I was either painting by torch light or had a lot of light. This gave me the chance to get some black lining done to the sliders for Piccadilly Circus. There’s still plenty more to do on them, but at least I made a very good start.

In Rugby, Mick moved Oleanna up nearer to Tescos, did a good shop. Topped up with water and headed onwards through Newbold Tunnel. Over the weekend we’d discussed where might be easiest for me to get back to the boat next weekend, Rugby was a little bit problematical and quite a bit of a walk to reach the boat. We’d decided that Coventry would be better.

Wednesday. Gemma tested positive for covid this morning. Hopefully she hadn’t passed it on to anyone whilst she’d been in the building, but more importantly she could head home to recover.

Conversations were had about outstanding jobs. I can lend my hand to quite a few things, but it would all take time. Better to have someone who knew what was needed and free me up to carry on painting and helping where needed.

In the afternoon we started to Tech. This is where all the elements come together on stage. Sound, lighting, costumes, props, actors, musicians and set. Due to many reasons there were gaps in costumes, props and set pieces. Not ideal, but unavoidable. Everyone did as well as they could, one thing became obvious was that we still needed someone to help program the sound.

Mick carried onwards. In winter months moorings that are normally chocka block can be empty, this was the case at All Oaks Wood. I think we’ve managed to pause there before for lunch once, but today he had a choice of where to pull in. Tilly made the most of a good outside!

Thursday. A long day of technical rehearsals. Days like today I spend mostly sitting in the dark, taking notes, attending to things as they arise. I decided to try to do small jobs whilst sat in the dark like signs, sorting out the new song sheet.

**It was not me who emptied the chilled medication fridge leaving only vanilla**!

Then when the actors have a break there is some time to get a bit of painting done. Wet things need to be dry before costumes are back on stage, so timing jobs can be a touch tricksy. Following rehearsals there are a couple of hours to get more jobs done. Jo the prop maker was about, so conversations turned to treasure chests and snakes.

Mick carried on moving. The journey from Rugby to Coventry can be done in under eight hours, but with a week to do it in he was pacing himself. Today he moved a touch further than he’d originally planned, through the new swing bridge at Rose Narrowboats, stopping a short distance before Hawksbury Junction, meaning there was space before other boats for Tilly to explore.

**The Greyhound busy on a Friday morning**

Friday. Mick decided to stay put, having a walk up to the bins at the junction a highlight of the day. The Greyhound was busy even quite early in the morning.

**The tight turn at the junction. To head north use the left canal, south the right turning under the bridge.**

Another early start to do some jobs before rehearsals started again. My lunch tends to be eaten in the next technical session, making use of as much stage time for jobs as possible. Abi is now very much in the room, joining by zoom, sending messages by Whatsap.

**Laptop in the centre of the auditorium so Abi can join us**

Today after rehearsals, Dan who’d helped set up the sound equipment and has been helping with programming stayed around to help with various jobs on stage. Some black tabs were not quite in the right place so needed adjusting. A tree needed extending, it’s track moving higher. But the most important job was to get a cloth rigged so that it could be lowered in to view and pulled out of view, it’s been out of view for three weeks.

**A Curlywurly in the dark whilst taking notes**

Chippy Theatre has a bit of a fly tower, but it is nowhere near tall enough to be able to fly cloths fully in and out. So the cloth has to work like a very big Roman Blind, pulling itself up on itself. We got all the cords in place, but lacked somewhere to tie it off to. So that we don’t now see too much of the cloth it’s been tied off to a cleat for other scenery, a better solution needs to be found.

**Nice to see the cloth again after three weeks.**

Saturday. A morning of technical rehearsals. There is still more to do on Monday sadly.

**Last year I did one of these every day during panto**

Also sadly today we were missing Becky, the composer, another case of covid. I am so hoping that I still have some natural immunity left as I spent much of yesterday sat next to Becky. This morning I did a test after spending time with Gemma, I’ll be doing a test before returning to work on Monday.

All the trees were up and fairy lights working giving Mark the opportunity to light the next scene. We mostly worked our way through the scenes that have the Pippins in so as to make the most of their time in the theatre. Having three teams of Pippins means doing everything three times, one team are in costume the others not. We now just have to finish teching the rest of the show on Monday.

Mick moved on again in the morning, turning left at Hawksbury Junction and heading under the bridge decorated with swans. We last came this way about five years ago and today Mick saw a big difference. New houses and just generally better kept, possibly assisted by the City of Culture. Tilly however wasn’t that impressed!

After rehearsals I became unpopular asking for the trees that had only just gone up to be taken down. My aim for the day was to get the last two remaining trees painted, having them flat this would take about half the time. It didn’t take too much to get them down thankfully.

**Trees finished. Well I might add some glitter if I get chance.**

The last couple of hours I was on my own and was glad to not have to climb a ladder. By 18:10 the trees were painted, brushes washed up. By 18:25 the theatre alarm was set and I was heading for the bus stop and Banbury.

A train then another bus to save me walking across Coventry where Mick met me and we walked up the hill and over the ring road to Oleanna in the basin. Time for head nudges with Tilly, something to eat and slump in front of the tv.

Sunday. A Sainsburys delivery was early, I left Mick to deal with it as it was early early, but it did mean we could have a nice breakfast.

This was followed by the Geraghty zoom where we were all relieved to be joined by Anne who has just had a spell in hospital.

A slow day, much needed, but sadly I still had some work to do. A new song sheet needed designing and the best time to do it was today. Thankfully it didn’t take too long. The day will end with a roast chicken and packing my bags to head back to Chippy tomorrow. Hopefully no more cases of covid this week, fingers crossed.

18.16 miles, 1 lock, 1 left, 1st Christmas tree, 3 positives, 4 trees, 8 pillars, 6 tech sessions, 3 teams, 0 red fabric, 7 safety pins, 2 buses, 1 train, 8 diddy maracas, 1 bored cat.

https://goo.gl/maps/Aa82XVFLWAyiKUXa6

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna