Category Archives: Cats

Sheep Worrying.12th June

Fessey Bridge 58 to Linford Wharf Winding Hole

Just over three and a half miles before our next lock this morning. This stretch is familiar as on our first trip to London and back we cruised it both ways as we had visitors who parked at Stoke Bruerne and had come to help man the locks. Andrew Jac and Josh helped us down before Christmas and Mike and Chris helped us back up after, each time we had a meal at The Barley Mow before returning to Stoke Bruerne.

Today we are still amused by the Elderly Ducks sign at Kingfisher Marina.

A wooden boat was enveloped with plastic sheets whilst having work done on it. A farmer and his sheep dog trained in a field, those poor sheep, back and forth.

At Thrupp Wharf the hedges have grown somewhat but we still managed to spy a familiar boat as we passed the entrance.

After about three miles it was time to join the Geraghty’s for our weekly catch up. People are so small on a phone screen, but at least we’ve now worked out how to get more than one person showing at a time.

We made our excuses as we pulled up at the service block where we dealt with yellow and fresh water. As the tank filled we signed back in to family until it was time to pull away as a wide beam was waiting behind us.

Just beaten to the lock by another widebeam we now waited patiently for our turn. We dropped down to be level with Milton Keynes and then crossed the Ouse Aqueduct which always surprises me being so high up.

We made our way in to Wolverton mooring up away from the swans, the cob here having his own facebook page as he tends to argue with his own reflection, today he had a problem with an inquisitive cat in one of the flats.

Tilly was left with instructions not to wind the swans up as we headed off to Tescos. Tescos was busy, we were there on a Saturday so what did we expect! It really wasn’t pleasant and having to queue to pay rather than use scan and shop made it even worse. Asda across the road was less busy, a visit required as Tilly was running out of her current preferred food, fortunately they had a box of pink poultry in jelly. Trying to explain to a cat that you just can’t buy what they want and that there is plenty of what they liked a couple of months ago tends to fall on deaf ears.

We decided to carry on rather than have lunch before continuing. Would our luck be in to get a mooring at Great Linford? Would it be shady enough for the next couple of days as the temperatures are set to soar?

At Bridge 72, Bradwell Road Bridge building work is still on going on the off side. Extensions to a house seem to have been in build for sometime and they always catch our eye as we go past.

Wonder what he’ll have to say to us on Monday?

At the start of Great Linford Manor Park we could see several workmen all engrossed with their phones sitting around diggers, fencing surrounding them. Works going on in the park.

The off side moorings came into view. Until you are quite close you can’t make out if the two visitor moorings are free as they follow a line of permanent moorings. The first section was half empty, behind them was more fencing and a digger was very busy moving earth about.

Both spaces were free, right next to a very big hole where the digger was being busy. What’s going on? This was a very big hole! We pulled into a little bit of shade, the digger would stop at some point, but was it suitable and safe for an inquisitive cat?

There are big things happening at Great Linford at the moment following on from an award of £3.1million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Many of the historic features of the park are showing signs of age. Here by the moorings the Water Gardens are having their walls rebuilt using local limestone. A bridge and cascade is being built between the two ponds restoring the flow of water. Lots more information on the works around the Park can be found HERE.

We decided to carry on a little bit further and pull in under the trees along the towpath. More accessible pathways have been created in the Wilderness which is great, but sadly it most probably means that the daffodil bulbs we planted in memory of Houdini our first second mate will have been dug up.

We remained in shade for some of the afternoon, the starboard side catching the rays later in the day. Tilly coped with the busy towpath as we coped with the music and general hubbub of being back amongst the human race in an urban area. The fire pit in the park beside us is still going as we head to bed, thankfully those enjoying it are quite quiet.

1 lock, 8.61 miles, 1 Briar Rose, 1 very busy shopping trip, 12 more days of feline supplies, 2 boxes of wine, 1 stroppy swan, 1 big building site, 1 park mooring still empty.

https://goo.gl/maps/K66x6fmHM7KENxuF6

Rinsing Down the Port Side. 11th June

Evan’s Bridge 42 to Fessey Bridge 58

About five minutes after lights out last night, Mick already making the sound of a man asleep I heard a noise. I sat upright in bed. What was that?! It was a similar noise to that which Tilly makes when she comes home to find the back doors closed, she jumps up from the board that covers the engine onto the sliding hatch, the engine board making a slight rocking noise which is subtly echoed by being over the engine bay. Who was in the pram cover?

Had we got an intruder? Had the ants come back on mass? Mick being on that side of the bed headed off to investigate.

So much for checking the ropes on a night time and locking up! According to Mick, Tilly must have opened the hatch, all by herself! I gave Tom a Tilly look, She understood my look.

Shortly before Gayton Junction, by a bridge there was what looked like a LOT of rubbish that had been dumped there. But on closer inspection there was a canoe tied up to two mooring spikes. A bag and a rucksack, an assortment of cuddly toys. By the bridge was a carrymat and possibly a sleeping bag. Was someone living on the canoe? Using it to move their possessions? Had they settled by the bridge?

At Gayton Junction we looked down the Northampton Arm, one day we will venture down there and explore new waters, but not this year there are more important things to do this year.

Soon we were approaching Blisworth Mill, looking fine as ever. New houses were going up on the towpath side, this is where Mikron’s van was parked last time we passed, it would most probably now be in someone’s living room.

An interesting greenhouse, wonder if it folds flat for bridges?

Then Blisworth Tunnel. 1.75 miles long it is straight and quite often you can see from one end to the other. Today however the tunnel was full of mist, fogging up our view. We were glad of an extra layer of clothing under our waterproofs because it was decidedly parky in there. Beams from our lights were visible as the light from the northern portal faded away.

Blisworth is wide, two narrowboats can easily pass , which is what happened at the 1km mark. The light from ventilation shafts showed quite clearly in the mist, then the water coming from them would be caught in our tunnel light, a quick mental note of where the heaviest water was before we found out if we’d missed it. One shaft gave the port side quite a good rinse down.

At the southern end we came back out into the sun, a wide beam moored up presumably waiting for a booked passage tomorrow morning. Two narrowboats may be able to pass in the tunnel, but if you came across a widebeam, one of you would have to reverse.

With no one following us through the tunnel we watched people on their boats to see if anyone sprung into action hoping to share the locks ahead. But no such intention was seen. The top lock was full so we went straight in and started to work our way down.

We passed an uphill boat in the next pound which saved opening gates. The next long pound has moorings, but nobody was getting ready to go down hill there either so we carried on.

The next three locks are quite close together, you can get one going and walk to set the next one without too much of a walk. I set the top lock, the next one having just emptied and the bottom gates were being pushed open, the next lock sitting with the gates open waiting.

The boat came out of the lock and went way over to the offside. What were they doing? Then I could see the side of it, an ABC hire boat, maybe they’d got their lefts and rights mixed up and gone drastically off course. Then there was more cabin side visible, ahh they were winding! Another boat came into the lock, soon followed by the hire boat having successfully winded.

I waited for them to start filling the lock before I opened up the bottom paddles, our water could help raise them. By now the lock below had been turned for an uphill boat, so when we’d moved into the next lock we waited again before emptying the lock. I spent the wait admiring the cow parsley growing on the lock gates!

Below Lock 18 you used to be able to walk under the bridge on the offside, but now a very big pipe fills the walkway access blocked by fences.

A chap was trying to open the bottom gate at Lock 19, here only one paddle works and the amount of water leaking in at the top was just about winning. The two of us managed to get the gate moving, he headed off to get his boat. He’d been expecting to share with another boat that was following at the lock below, but instead a Weedon hire boat came along to share. They pulled into the lock, I suspect their second ever uphill lock with the amount of panic showing in the chaps eyes.

The chap at the helm shouted to his wife to hold the boat in at the bow using a rope. I suggested his centre line would be a better idea, he should take his time instead of trying to rush. By now the boat wanted to be on the other side of the lock and fortunately the chap bringing in his boat behind was able to avoid any collision.

Discussions were had how to do the next lock between the hirers. All very well having a plan, but both boats ended up on the same side of the lock! I think the single hander was going to need quite a lot of patience to get up the flight!

Plenty more boats were waiting to come up, the one working paddle creating a queue. Mick wove his way through the uphill boats and brought Oleanna into the bottom lock. Now we just wanted to find ourselves a mooring with a view.

We worked our way past numerous boats, the container boat moored by Bridge 57, I don’t think it can travel very far due to it’s height and straight sides.

Sadly no space showed itself deep enough for us with a view to the east, so we made do with a high hedge and gaps across the way. None of this mattered to Tilly as there was plenty of friendly cover and trees to climb.

Whilst Mick listened to the cricket I set about with a brush, buckets and cloths. Time to spruce Oleanna up. It’s a long time since she’s had a wash, the mooring in Goole wasn’t long enough to make washing the cabin sides easy, then I had work, then there has been the escape and now our continued journey southwards.

After a couple of hours half the roof was clean and the port cabin side was reminded of what shade blue she had originally been painted. One half of the tunnel bands got a good wash and were returned to being shiny again. Just have to wait for the towpath to be on the starboard side to finish the job.

7 locks, 8.61 miles, 1 straight on, 1.75 mile tunnel, 5 mysterons, 1 near escape, 2 many boats, 40% of Oleanna clean again, 60% still revolting, 1 happy cat to have towpath company, 8 actors measurements.

https://goo.gl/maps/yX1v8PUSBXAk55GeA

Too Many Visitors! Breach 52. 10th June

Norton Junction to The Wharf, Bugbrooke to Evans Bridge 42

Well Shefali said it was going to be cloudy today. I for one was quite looking forward to not having to put sun cream on and having a day off from turning into a lobster. But as we woke there was still an amount of sunshine necessitating the application of cream.

Peeking through the bridge at the junction

A couple of boats came past over breakfast heading towards the junction, maybe they were early through the tunnel, but which way would they be going?

As we got ready to push off another boat from behind did the same, we hung onto our ropes and let them pass as they were just a little bit ahead of us. Would we have a partner for the Long Buckby flight? Or would they turn up the Leicester Section? Seven years ago to the day we came out from the Leicester Section on NB Lillyanne accompanied by NB Blackbird and turned towards Braunston at the start of our life afloat.

We followed the boat down towards the flight where another boat was tied up above the locks at the services. We pulled in at the water point and let the two boats ahead team up, assisted by a couple of volunteers. Never seen volunteers here before.

We dealt with yellow water, fresh water and rubbish then pulled up towards the locks, the volunteers setting the lock for us. Someone came up to tell them that a pound in the flight was very low, possibly too low to navigate. Oleanna descended on her own as no other boat showed itself, I walked on down to set the lock ahead.

The pounds between the top four locks of the flight are quite long, certainly not close enough to walk on to set the next lock then walk back to open and close gates. Even though the bottom gates are very heavy I quite like these locks. Some graffiti brought smiles to us as we passed. We were back in our routine of going down hill, each of us knowing which job to do or leave for the other one.

Boats managing to get through the low pound

The volunteers walked down to check the level in the low pound ahead of us, although I think they had been beaten to it by a full time Lockie. At Lock 10 the bottom gates were open and soon a chap in blue arrived. We closed the bottom gates, leaving a paddle up on one gate then he lifted a paddle at the other end, sending water down. All we could do was wait and watch as the boats ahead of us made it into the next lock and then onwards.

The lockie walked back and forth, checking the troublesome pounds level and then that of the one above. After quite a wait he was happy for me to close the bottom paddle and fill the lock and be on our way.

Now on the flat we made our way with the noise from the M1 for accompaniment.

The towpaths were having a hair cut. A duck smoked a woodbine. We passed three Tilly boats. Batman and Robin rested their superhero bones and a koala peeked out from a welldeck.

At Weedon we noticed the nice metal windows on the back of a building for the first time. Have these always been here, but just covered in ivy and masked by trees. One window has been replaced, I quite like the difference.

All the visitor moorings on the embankment were empty again, not even Heather Bleasdale was leaning out of her window to say hello.

The diesel point at Rugby Boats was free so we pulled in to top up the tank, at 79.9p a litre this was far better than it would have been in Nuneaton. Tilly sat in the window and kept a very close eye on the dog. Sitting out of the water was NB Cream Cracker, we are pretty sure that seven and a bit years ago this was the first boat we looked at. She is currently under offer and presumably out of the water for a survey.

Onwards past a spillway where C&RT chaps were installing a dam. It looks like work has been done to one end of the spillway and they were about to start at the other end. Not sure if one chap was assisting in holding a scaff bar in place or had just come for a chat.

We soon arrived in Bugbrooke our stopping place for the night, a late lunch was followed by a sweep through and tidy up as we were expecting a visitor. Our friend Lizzie works for Unusual who are based just by the West Coast Main Line here in Bugbrooke.

It was decided that we’d have a cheeky drink at the pub, so as soon as Tilly came home we locked the doors and headed over the bridge to find an outdoor table. After a couple of hours and a bottle of wine we were just about caught up on everyone’s news. Lovely to see Lizzie again, plans are being formed for a bit of a get together sometime later in the summer.

Back on Oleanna we were about to start cooking when Mick noticed that we had quite a few visitors. Somewhere on the bank there was an ants nest, most of the occupants were now having a great time on Oleanna! They marched in through the side hatch ready to explore further!

Despite a couple of glasses of wine we decided to move on getting away before news got back to the nest and more visitors might arrive. Being alongside the railway it took us a couple of miles before the track got to a distance we thought we could cope with, a handy M appeared on our map so we pulled in. The sheep behind the sideways trees filled the gaps between the trains going by. After sweeping down the outside of the cabin we finally sat down to eat at 8:50, Tescos Indian with homemade gluten free nan breads.

7 locks, 10.75 miles, 1 low pound, 3 coming up, 2 super heros, 1 stiff paddle, 4 train tickets, 2 nights hotel, 1 clean (inside) boat, 1 toy box opened up, 6 toys selected, 2 hours catching up, 1 bottle Pinot, 45636768235246 ants! 2 mains for £5, 2 homemade fluffy nans, 1 koala!

https://goo.gl/maps/twaUiefEjwNpQT6k7

https://goo.gl/maps/VbkLfC79QxA4XnHP8

Breach Update from C&RT today

The Aire & Calder breach repairs remain on track and the navigation due for opening by mid-August. During w/c 5 July a phased re-watering will commence, levels will be increased gradually and monitored by our engineers. The cofferdams will remain in place until the phased rewatering is complete.

We continue to do everything possible to get the navigation and towpath back open as soon as possible for everyone to enjoy.

Please see separate notices regarding arrangements to book passage through Pollington Lock and Sykehouse Lock.

Buttercups And Daisy. 9th June

Dunchurch Pools Marina to Norton Junction, Grand Union Canal

Three miles to Braunston Turn and with each bridge and bend I kept my eyes open, waiting for the first glimpse of the Banger spire. As we came under Bridge 85 there it was just peeking above the hedges. As we got closer and closer the view improved.

Buttercups, cows and sheep now graze the ridge and furrow fields.

Tufts of wool clung onto the barbs on the off side, I wonder if I’d be able to collect enough of it for a hat?

Our hope was to be able to pull in outside Midland Chandlers at Braunston Turn if there was space to buy a few things, nothing urgently needed. The water point just before was occupied, so we couldn’t stop there, then there were two boats tied up outside the chandlers. Oh well, we might order what we want and get it sent somewhere, as I say nothing urgent.

A short distance on Mick spotted that the boat coming towards us was NB Kamili, stood at the stern were Andy and Irene, friends of ours from Crick. We missed each other a couple of years ago on the Thames when the level came up and before that we didn’t quite coincide for a New Years meal at the Red Lion.

Only chance for a very brief chat as our bows passed each other. Their summer will see them cruising to Stratford and onto the River Avon, I’m a little bit jealous, but then so was Irene with our trip.

The Gongoozers Rest was busy, seats on the towpath, their clientele enjoying the mornings sunshine along with a mug of tea and a bacon butty. We tried our best to peer through the hedge to see if we could spot NB Blackbird but it wasn’t that easy.

The bottom lock of the Braunston flight was full, I could see a boat waiting below the next lock, were they waiting for a boat to come down? I waited a little while, no water seemed to be coming down, so I set the lock for Oleanna. There was nobody coming from behind to join us, so I just hoped the boat ahead would wait for us, did they understand my wave?

The chap walked towards us, this meant one of two things. Either there was a problem up ahead or he quite liked a walk to tell us that they were waiting to share the locks. Thankfully he liked the walk and we teamed up with NB Red Kite for the remaining five locks.

We met two boats coming down, but the flight was really quite quiet. The bottom off side gate at Lock 4 really didn’t want to close fully. We emptied the lock before it got too full, despite it emptying at the same time and gave the gate a waggle, then closed the gates the otherway round. This improved things but it took quite a lot of umph to get the top gates open due to the leak.

Lock 5 was having repairs done to the gate surrounding brickwork. New bricks added and large sections replaced, you had to be careful where you put your feet. Mick mentioned about the gate at Lock 4 to one of the chaps who said he’d have a look, hopefully he’d have a long keb to clear what might be getting in the way.

The top lock cottage looking very smart today

We were soon at the top and waving goodbye to NB Red Kite, sorry we didn’t get your names, but the lady had the biggest smile I’ve ever seen. Hope they enjoy the Leicester Ring.

They went ahead to the tunnel. Time to turn on the cabin lights, get the life jackets and big torch out. We followed, not quite sure how far ahead they were. A light pointed towards us from the far end of the tunnel.

Quick calculations were done. There is a kink in the tunnel between 500m and 400m from the eastern portal. The tunnel is 1873m long. If the boat we could see had entered the tunnel when we did then we should meet them in the middle, well away from the big kink. This was the case, just after the halfway mark our bows passed each other.

Another light! Where would we meet them? Calculations. Oh it was likely to be at the kink. Mick slowed us down and then when the kink was very obvious to us we stopped as the boat coming towards us was just on the other side of it. We reversed to give them more space. As they clung to their side of the tunnel it meant their bow ended up right in front of Oleanna, we reversed a touch more both of us willing them to swing round before impact. The boats did touch as did the tunnel sides, but at least it was only minor.

One more boat to pass and then we could motor on through to the end.

The newish piling before Norton Junction was where we were aiming for today. It’s a popular stretch, but we’d timed our arrival well, a gap our size just opposite the view. The edge was a touch overgrown, which became obvious as we pulled up, here there is a spring making the towpath a touch squelchy. With our bedroom away from the constant trickle of water we’d not have a problem sleeping so we tied up, let Tilly out and enjoyed the view.

An afternoon of research for me, whilst Mick sat out on the towpath listening to Tim Spector regarding the new covid variant. We’ve been logging in with the covid app for well over a year now, changing our location everyday as we move.

Once work was done for the day, a load of washing was just about dry on the whirligig, Tilly returned quite excited as it was nearly time for dingding. She was so excited that she missed her footing on the gunnel and ended up with two wet back legs! Silly Tilly. The grass made me do it!

Over the last couple of weeks we’ve been heading up hill, ever since we left Trent Falls, with the exception of coming back down Torksey Lock. In that time we’ve cruised 182 miles and risen through 54 locks. Tomorrow we start going down again.

6 locks, 7.42 miles, 1 straight on, 1 tunnel, 2 mysterons, 1 damp spot with our name on it, 0.3 of a wet cat, 2 hours work, 2 space buns, 11pm still light in the sky.

https://goo.gl/maps/1KrrjnqpP6juNgJK6

Everyone’s Moving. 8th June

Hungerfield Bridge to Dunchurch Pools Towpath

Yet another lovely day with blue skies as far as they could reach, a red hot air balloon gently rose over the trees opposite our mooring, what a wonderful day for a flight, although I’m not sure you’d find me up there in a basket!

The old route shown by the dashed grey lines

A couple of boats had already gone past us this morning, heading towards Hawkesbury Junction so there was hope that we might get a mooring at Rugby. We pushed off and made our way along the straighter route of the Oxford Canal, numerous twists and turns, huge loops were bypassed in the 1820’s speeding up the travel time along the route. Some parts of the old loops remain and have been converted into Marinas, big arched bridges crossing the entrances.

Through Newbold Tunnel, plenty of boats coming towards us. Our tunnel light, not having been used this year (in fact not since going through Foulridge Tunnel), needed adjusting to favour the starboard side.

Across the Aqueducts that signal Rugby is below. Coming through Masters Bridge 58 we were pleasantly surprised to find that end of the moorings empty. We bagged the end mooring closest to the bridge collected together our shopping bags and walked down to Tescos.

Not one delivery van in the loading bay when we arrived. The number of pickers picking shopping for others, there was almost one in every isle! We did a reasonably big shop to keep us going and thought about getting a click and collect sorted for when we get to Leighton Buzzard. As we left the store every space in the loading bay was full with a van, all being restocked for the next set of deliveries.

A big push and we were over at the water point, this tap having much better pressure than the one at Hillmorton. Onwards to find a shady spot for lunch before we got to the locks.

It really is busy down here. So many moving boats, yet it seems that everyone is doing what we are and that is moving. As yet we’ve not really had a problem getting a mooring, now watch as I’ve most probably jinxed us!

Clifton Cruisers was easily passable most of their hire fleet out and about. Their café seemed to be popular with a good sized outside area. Houlton Bridge, is a new bridge linking the new town being built on this side of Rugby. It’s not an architectural masterpiece but I do like that they have cast it’s name into the concrete.

Along the moorings below Hillmorton Locks there were two interesting boats. Instead of standard windows the steel work had shapes cut out with glass behind. I quite liked the look of them, but Mick pointed out that the glass inside would be a bugger to clean. I have a feeling they were workshop boats, possibly a blacksmith.

Someone has created a willow niche dedicated to the NHS, it is starting to sprout so obviously the withies have taken root. Rather a nice living tribute.

A boat was just coming out of one of the bottom paired locks, the other already empty it just needed opening up. We rose as a boat came into the lock next to us, the lady having a bit of difficulty raising the paddles. On to the next pair.

We swapped with a boat that had just come down and started our ascent whilst another boat entered the other lock and started to empty it. Below the boat following us pulled up right in front of the gates waiting for it to be emptied, quite presumptuous, no wonder the down hill boat blasted it’s horn at them!

At the top lock we were assisted by a fellow from a boat moored just past the lock landing. He was spending his day helping boats up and down a chair sitting between the two locks so that he could sun himself as he waited.

Up ahead the new town of Houlton is taking shape. Houses a little away from the canal are already up, enough space between them to roll a wheelie bin. More foundations close to the canal were waiting for the next phase of construction.

The moorings along Barby Straight are something that makes me a touch jealous, a lovely garden to sit out in. The Tinman looks after one and someone has created a modesty screen with painted pallets. It is always slow going along here, passing the moored boats and when others are coming towards you too, it’s even slower.

4pm was fast approaching, we’d not far to go to reach our chosen mooring spot by Dunchurch Pools Marina but I had a zoom meeting, I just hoped that us moving wouldn’t cause problems with internet signal. Amy and I managed to connect and a few minutes later Mick pulled us in to a space for the night. I had to excuse myself from the meeting to let Tilly out, otherwise she’d have taken over totally!

Discussions on costume designs, what would be needed for the photo shoot in a few weeks time and we touched on the set design too. I could just sort the costumes for the photo shoot now, but as I’m in charge of the budget I also want to have an idea on everything else that is needed. Time to do some research into music festivals and neon hairdos. Quite different to panto!

3 locks, 10.4 miles, 1 tunnel, 0 mysterons, 2 boxes wine, 1 new pair trousers, 1 full water tank, 1 yellow water container emptied, 1 hot day, 2 pink arms, 4pm meeting, 9 but 7 actors, 2 days prep, 1 hotel to book.

https://goo.gl/maps/dSarXfALYpV7TQFD6

Pushing Through Frank Country. 7th June

Springwood Haven to Hungerfield Bridge 35, Oxford Canal

Up and ready to lend a hand with NB Burghley Girl if needed this morning. Bob was down in the engine bay tinkering, ready to move across the canal. Last night his plan had been to pull their boat along to be level with the online service mooring at the marina, then give her a great big push, hoping that she’d make it across the cut on push power alone. But this morning Bob decided to start the engine up to get them across the way.

So Mick held the centre line as they got ready, then gave the bow a small push as the engine was started. Across the way they went, around about five minutes of engine power before it cut out due to lack of fuel. They made it across and whilst tying up Burghley Girls engine started to chug slower and slower, dark puffs coming from the exhaust until the fuel was totally exhausted.

Springwood Haven has recently been bought by ABC Boat Hire, next year expect to see more hire boats around. So there was no engineer on site who might be able to help, but they certainly sold diesel and a delivery was waiting for staff to arrive.

We waved Bob, Sue and Amy goodbye, wishing them luck. Once filled up they pulled back away from the services to get the engine going, their aim to day was to push on as far as they could towards their home mooring before turning the engine off.

Today I needed to get some work done. A script needed reading for #unit 21 a Dark Horse Theatre Production that will be mounted next year but will require costumes very soon for some images that will be used to promote the production. So as we tootled along I read making notes, Nuneaton isn’t that inspiring anyway!

We considered pulling in at Star Line Boats for a top up of diesel, but a day boat was tied up on the service mooring, just as well really as the domestic rate was 90p a litre! We’d last a while longer thank you!

Gardens have added interest, narrow sheds and skeletons fishing along with Easter Island heads.

At Marston Junction where the Ashby meets the Coventry Canal work was on going. New piling going in with a very big rubber buffer to help protect the bank whilst helping numerous boats to retain their paintwork! As we passed, so did another boat heading northwards as one was coming out from the Ashby.

Charity Dock is still chocka block with things to look at, although the mannequins seem to be fewer than in previous visits. The Morris Minor still sits high up on top of the scrap and The Stig has been given some shade, pour chap has lost a hand.

Now we were seriously in Frank Country! Our friend Frank grew up around Coventry, his Dad actually being sent away from the city. We passed where Franks sister used to go to school. The house by Bulkington Bridge was for sale the last time we were here and the grey walls down to the canal have seen much better days, the garden also doesn’t seem to be a priority to the current owners.

The Newdegate Arm now overgrown followed, this is where the mineral rail used to end and when Frank was a young lad he used to play here.

We paused for a lunch break and also to make use of the towpath being on the portside so that we could empty the yellow water tank before the Oxford Canal made it that bit harder. As we ate a green boat came past, NB Burghley Girl. Bob must have got her going quite quickly after we left. We waved knowing that they would be pushing on for as long as they could today so our paths were very unlikely to cross again.

How come the grass has always just been cut near Hawkesbury Junction?

There was plenty of space to moor as we approached Hawkesbury Junction which was a surprise. But as we got towards the hand brake turn to the stop lock the number of boats increased. One boat dropping the foot to join the Coventry, another two behind, then one boat waiting to go up the foot onto the Oxford.

Not knowing which way the boat was going to go coming down the lock Mick held back before the narrows to keep out of their way. They came out, faced towards Oleanna and then reversed back to the moorings, the Greyhound Pub next on their agenda for the day.

Mick turned towards the lock to await our turn which wasn’t long and almost hands free for me as there were so many crews ready to help.

I now retired down below to get on with some work. This tends to be the case when we’re along this stretch as there are a couple of hours cruising when crew are a touch redundant. Whilst Mick navigated us along the new straighter version of the Oxford Canal I looked back at emails regarding the show.

Last year there had been hope that #unit 21 would happen this last February, so Amy and I had already had various conversations and ideas about it. She has been living with the show for some time, I on the other hand had put it away as I didn’t have a contract . Sifting back through emails I discovered that the script I’d read this morning wasn’t the latest version! So another reading was required with lots of note taking.

I’d just finished the script and popped back up as the little swing bridge at Rose Narrowboats came into view, perfect timing. I hopped off when the canal narrowed and swung the bridge open, closing it straight after us as someone was wanting to cross. A hire boat had just pulled out heading towards Rugby, meeting another boat coming out of the cutting, our progress was going to be quite slow!

Slow is good along the next cutting. Here the banks have eroded and slipped several times.

Gabions have been placed along the towpath to help keep things where they should be, but the slippage above appears to be pushing them as well.

Coming up to All Oaks Wood the moorings looked full and had a constant stream of boats coming towards us. The hire boat pulled in behind the moored boats and waved us on, we could face the masses coming the other way instead!

Boats just kept coming and coming, waiting for them all to pass would only mean more arriving. So we pulled out and slowly moved our way along, the hire boat following on behind.

Inside the wood we could see that an area had recently been cleared of trees. Was this to make way for HS2? Nothing showed up on our map so we don’t know what that is all about. Just round the next bend there was plenty of space, well so long as you can get into the side! Having moored here now several times we knew where to aim for and succeeded first time.

Tilly got to have a bit of towpath time but the friendly cover and sideways trees seemed to be a touch too dense for her to burrow her way through to the field behind. I finished off my working day by watching a film, 1984.

In 1984 I sold a lot of copies of the book as I was a book seller then, but I’ve never read it or seen the film. I did know sufficiently enough about certain scenes to warn Mick that he’d maybe prefer to be elsewhere before John Hurt got to see what was awaiting him in room 101! Some very useful references to aid my design. I’m now ready for a zoom meeting about the show tomorrow.

1 lock, 16.09 miles, 1 swing bridge, 1 handbrake turn, 4 waiting boats, 2 different scripts, 1984, 4 or 5, 2 longtails, 3 git gaps, 1 designer ready.

https://goo.gl/maps/ELrAGh36CmVMbCka8

Tilly To The Rescue. 6th June

Meadow Lane Bridge 60 to Springwood Haven

Our Saturday newspaper doesn’t tend to get looked at until Sunday morning nowadays so we allowed ourselves just a little bit longer in bed before getting up and having breakfast. As we chomped away on our cereal a chap appeared at our side hatch, this was Bob from NB Burghley Girl. They’d been having problems with air in their fuel line for quite sometime, once the engine got going they could cruise, but he’d been having to pump diesel through to the engine every morning for this to work. Today it hadn’t and a call to RCR had been made.

Bob was hoping to be able to bow haul Burghley Girl closer to the services which were a mile in front of us so that it was easier for an engineer to get to them. We obviously offered to lend them a hand by giving them a tow, just our cereal to finish and get ready for a days cruise and we’d be with them. We had to go and help another boat cat, we couldn’t leave Amy stranded! I organised the crew and they moved the outside to meet Amy’s outside.

We’ve only really towed once before and that was a short boat through Islington Tunnel that was seriously overheating. Bob had set up his bow line to be able to attach to one of Oleanna’s dollys at the stern. With both boats connected on a shortish line we pulled away, just as a boat appeared behind! No stopping us now we were committed as Burghley Girl had momentum and wouldn’t stop for anyone.

We tried to keep a steady speed of slow, hoping there might be enough to give Bob some steering, but it seemed like Burghley Girl just wasn’t interested, she just followed. One bridge hole she was bound for the bank, Sue managed to position a fat fender so that the impending bump wouldn’t be too much.

Thankfully we didn’t meet an oncoming boat and the one following us kept a distance behind. As Bradley Green Bridge 49 came into view we slowed right down. With armco just after the winding hole we pulled in, Burghley Girl just slightly overtaking us and coming to a halt. She was pulled into the side and once we’d pulled through the bridge to the services for water they nudged up further away from the winding hole, nearer to the bridge where it would be easy for an engineer to get to them. We waved them goodbye and wished them luck with their onwards journey back to their marina, still a few days away with an operational engine.

As we approached the bottom of the Atherstone flight a boat came past saying we’d be a welcome sight as there were plenty of boats coming down, but none going up. We headed straight into the bottom lock where numerous crew stood willing to help, another boat already in the pound waiting to come down and one in the lock above.

When Oleanna was half way up, the lock above was emptied. These locks are slow fillers but quick to empty. The boat coming down came out of the lock and the crew started to close the gates! Oh Hang on! Not again! I shouted and shouted, Mick sounded the horn and what seemed like four people then reopened the gates for us.

Once in the next lock I was joined by the crew from the next boat waiting to come down. It was as if the world had teetered on the edge of oblivion when the gates had been closed, they really weren’t looking forward to following a novice crew and sure enough everyone was going to know about it. Well we all make mistakes at times and we all started with no knowledge at one time. Hope both boats enjoy the rest of their hire boat holidays.

At most locks we met someone coming down. I think I only had to close a couple of gates behind us. We loved the sign alongside Lock 6 of the Atherstone Locks!

Chatting to a chap at one lock I asked where they were heading to, a nosy but standard question whilst waiting for a lock to do it’s thing. He said Liverpool. Brilliant, had they been before? No. They were in for a treat. When were they booked to go down the locks, had they got a casual cruise or a mission on their hands. Booked?! No, do you need to?

I was fairly sure you did need to book and suggested that he looked at the C&RT website for the Liverpool Link. Liverpool can be a popular destination, there’s plenty of space in the docks, but passage is limited to so many boats a day. Hope he manages to get a booking that suits.

We’d not noticed these metal bars on the edge of Lock 6 before. Mick did when he nearly tripped on one. They look like they were added to protect the lock side from ropes wearing them, but why are there no others on the flight?

By the time we’d reached lock 5 the top gates were open and no boat visible. Most of the talk had been of the volunteers on the flight, but only one was visible at the next lock, maybe it was lunchtime. I walked up to see what was happening, a boat was just coming into Lock 4. If they were going to stop for water just before 5 then I’d drop the lock for us, if not I’d wait for them. They were carrying on down the flight.

By now the rain that had accompanied our towing this morning had returned, coats were needed. The volunteers reappeared and helped us up the last few locks. Our ascent marked up on the chalk board making it seven up and eight down, we’d certainly met all the downhill boats somewhere or other.

Our planned mooring for tonight was opposite Springwood Haven, we decided to press on and have a late lunch when we arrived, allowing Tilly more shore leave in one of her favourite spots.

Near Mancetter I could hear drums, then the occasional swirling flag was spotted above the hedges then brass instruments. Something was going on, but sadly the hedges stopped us from getting a good view.

Three years ago we spent quite a bit of time along this pound as I designed panto for Chippy. Then there were works going on and boulders had ended up in the canal. Now there is a long length of wharf for Rothen work boats. A short distance on a new marina has sprung up. In our experience when marinas are built a hole is dug which sits there for years and years before any definite sign of intention is made, but this one has popped up within three years.

A few more miles and we reached our destination a day ahead of schedule. Our preferred spot was already taken, but there was still lots of space. We pulled up and let Tilly out. She was straight up the bank to see what lay beyond!

A couple of hours later a green boat came past slowing down, NB Burghley Girl. They pulled in in front of us and moored up for the day. Numerous checks had been done by the engineer and the cause was thought to be that that the pipe from the diesel tank to the engine maybe had rust spots, with the level of diesel now being low air was being pulled through the pipe rather than diesel. We don’t quite understand the theory but it’s not good. They need to get the level back up in their diesel tank, then things should improve. Springwood Haven was however closed today so they would have to wait for the morning.

Chairs and cuppas were brought out and we had a good natter with Bob and Sue and got to meet Amy, although Amy and Tilly did keep their distance. I’d been happy to help, but no way was I going to actually meet another boat cat! We both kept a respectable distance away, well except when I had a peek in through their window!

11 locks, 6.8miles, 1 mile towing, 2nd Lockdown boat, 1 Ribble Link boat, 3 volunteers, 1 novice hire boat, 1 far more experienced hire boat, 7 up, 8 down, 4 hours, 1 boat cat.

https://goo.gl/maps/8ooJaQhmejsh18os9

Thumbs up, Mrs Tilly stamp of approval, maybe even one from Amy.

No, I’m Spartacus, 5th June

King’s Orchard Marina to Meadow Lane Bridge 50

Settling into the earlier routine now we got going in the morning sunshine a touch later than yesterday. Standing on tip toes I could just see a big digger and some fencing. Is this our first glimpse of HS2? I’m sure we are going to see more as we work our way southwards.

At Whittington we skirted round the village with neat back gardens all open to the canal. In fact one garden seemed to have a welcoming committee out to greet us. The gardens here were to set the theme for our days cruise.

The polytunnels that used to fill the fields alongside the canal have been moved away, the contents of which didn’t look very productive from what I could see. The tractor weather vane still looks good especially with the bright blue sky we had.

Another Geraghty zoom on the move, today we could worry them all as we passed through the shooting range, no flags were showing so we were fairly sure we’d be safe. Popping out the other side of Hopwood Woods one cloud hung behind our heads, would more join it through the day?

At Fazeley Junction two new birds have joined the Kingfisher and Robin not quite in the same style, but the Finches (?) are still quite effective. Fortunately Mick was on the ball and followed his instincts as to navigation as I’d got side tracked somewhat by the birds and had not given him directions! We turned left towards Coventry, soon arriving at Glascote Locks.

Quite often there is a queue here for the two slow flowing chambers, but as we arrived one boat was just finishing in the bottom lock so there was only a slight pause for us before we could start to ascend.

As with most narrow lock flights, I waited until Mick was happy, maybe the lock half full before I walked up to the next one. I could see that there was a slight gap between the gates indicating the chamber was empty, I’d just need to push them open. Well the next photo contradicts what I’ve just said.

That is because despite Oleanna most definitely being in view from the next lock, she had almost reached the level of the joining pound, a chap arrived and wound both paddles up to fill the lock. I’d walked about two thirds of the way to the lock, called out but wasn’t heard. An about turn for me back to help Mick open the gate and drop the paddles, no point in raising the blood pressure, surely the chap would apologise.

If he was a single hander I could be of assistance, I walked back up, crossed over the bottom gate so as to drop the offside paddle once the lock was full. The gate was opened, he brought his boat in and was just closing the gate as his partner arrived with some shopping, she stepped on board and took over the helm, well once she’d sorted herself out by which time the chap had already lifted a bottom paddle. I waited for a thumbs up from the helm. When the gates opened she seemed a touch bemused that there was a boat sitting waiting in the lock below!

We paused for lunch and a top up shop at the handy Co-op before carrying on. Our aim for the day was to get ahead of ourselves again and get towards the bottom of the Atherstone flight so we could climb them all tomorrow instead of just the bottom two.

More wonderful gardens including the one where they really must hoover the grass to keep it so immaculate!

Clouds were gradually gathering. Some impressive cirrus above our heads, their long whisps stretching off.

At Alvecote Marina we looked at the old work boats that moor there and hunted round for a blue boat with a bench on the bow. There she was NB Harnser having a little rest between cruises.

Under the M42 where a couple were busy painting their roof making use of the shade from the bridge and easy mooring with armco.

A short distance on there is a little island, behind which are some private moorings, NB Spartacus being one of them. The proposed route of HS2 will pass directly over the heads of these boats as it clings to the route of the motorway.

Onwards some more, not quite wanting to get to the bottom of Atherstone today. We passed under the railway and then skirted round a small hill which we hoped would shield us from the trains. A couple of boats were moored up their tabby cat sitting watching the world go by. A bit further and we passed NB Burghley Girl, we pulled up a little way on from them as yesterday I’d seen them walking their Siamese cat. Not often you get three boats in a row all with cats. We kept our distance so each feline could enjoy their own patch of towpath.

Tilly was straight out, along the cat walk at speed. She’s seen some movement up ahead that would require a pounce into the friendly cover. Would two hours be sufficient? Six would have been better!

A copy of a script was printed out as a quinoa crust quiche cooked in the oven. Time to get my head round my next show as before I know it I’ll be doing costume fittings. The quiche went down very well accompanied by some Jersey Royals, there’s enough left over for a couple of days time too.

2 locks, 14.24 miles, 2 lefts, 1 turned lock, 0 apology, 5 zoomers, 0 shots fired, 1 Saturday newspaper the last copy in the shop! 3 cats in a row, 32 pages, 1 quiche, 2 more colours on the crochet blanket.

https://goo.gl/maps/FonQdQVCRQLEW7o98

Thumbs up. Not enough time for a stamp of approval. Reusable blocks still being problematical!

Plop! 4th June

Alrewas Lock to Kings Orchard Marina, Coventry Canal

Pushing off just a touch earlier than yesterday we weren’t the first to move by any means but we did miss out on any queues that might form later in the day.

Alrewas is such a pretty place with it’s half timbered buildings and thatched roofs. On the narrow stretch it was a relief to see that the boat on the off side was no longer there, the house recently sold. Sadly I couldn’t find the details to have a nosy.

Bagnall Lock despite it’s new (to us) gate beams still doesn’t want the gates to stay shut, luckily Mick had equipped himself with the boat hook to hold them closed for our second attempt.

A greeting came from NB Bridge Street as we passed. They had been one of the boats around Nantwich and Hurleston in the first lockdown last year. I wonder who else we’ll come across this summer?

Fradley Marina is under construction close to Common Lock, the pontoons already numbered. We wondered where the entrance would be, only to find it with a digger moving earth around and a chap stood by the stop planks, still a while before the marina gets connected to the canal system.

We swapped with a boat coming down and headed on up to Hunts Lock, here the first volunteer greeted us, each lock manned at Fradley and advance warning radioed up to the next lock.

Pulling in at the services the café was quite busy. A chap sat with his head in the clouds whilst waiting for his water tank to fill, here is a very slow tap and he’d already enjoyed a cooked breakfast from the café. Fortunately we were only after emptying our yellow water tank and dispose of the rubbish.

Mick got out the adapter and hose connectors for the wee pump whilst I got everything ready inside. Plop! “Oh BUgger!!!” What had gone in the drink? If it was the lid that would be quite easy to replace, but the adaptor would be a problem!

Sure enough it was the adaptor. Time to get magnet fishing and hope that something on it was magnetic. A few dips into the gloom of the canal and fortunately it resurfaced, a jubilee clip coming to our aid. I think we’ll be adding a few more to the adaptor before too long. Now with everything we needed we could pump out the last few days worth of yellow water to dispose of in the elsan.

The lockie at Junction Lock was absent, but the locks are really easy so I just carried on until she returned. Gongoozlers watched our ascent, one little boy being quite disappointed that we’d finished as the gates opened. A lady from an on coming boat had come to help and as the Lockie made a comment about there being a butty with the boat I realised why the ladies face seemed familiar.

The little lad seemed to perk up when I said that the next boat had an extra boat in tow and inside that boat I was pretty sure it would be filled with jam!

Unfortunately I couldn’t remember Helen’s name at the time and we’ve never met and we were now at the point where a conversation would have got in the way of a lot of boats as two were holding back at the swing bridge waiting for us to exit the lock and turn onto the Coventry Canal. She acknowledged that I was correct about the jam just before I headed round the corner to hop back on board, Mick turning as Andy Tidy brought NB Wand’ring Bark and the Jam Butty into the lock.

One of the lockies had made a comment that we were taking the easy route by turning down the Coventry, lock free cruising for 14.4 miles. Well after the miles we’ve done in the last week and a bit, we’re allowed an easy day!

Now on the flat we were on the look out for places to moor. Passing the garden that gets narrower and narrower until a railway line pushes it into none existence. Fields of wheat rippling in the breeze. Streethay Wharf where the diesel is 86p a litre. Here the canal thankfully turns away from the A38 and starts to make it’s way across country towards Fazeley Junction. So far no sign of HS2 handily shown on Waterway Routes maps.

A place we’ve stopped before is Kings Orchard Marina, armco either side of the entrance, we pulled in calling it a day before lunchtime. Tilly was given a couple of extra rules due to our proximity to car parking on the other side of the hedge. Luckily no car would be going fast as the gravel seemed to be quite noisy and would put a curious cat off nosing around too much.

I finished my illustration, scanned it and printed out a couple of copies, then walked down to Hudlesford Junction where a post box sat by a pub ready to receive my offerings. The day had become much hotter than we’d thought it would.

Mick clambered onto the bow to adjust our bow fenders whilst Tilly did her best to find some shade. The lower fender had maybe been a touch too low for river cruising, so Mick had removed it for the last few days. Now we are back on the canals and narrow locks it would be better if it was back on the bow to help protect the paintwork.

The anchor, chain and rope were all given a dip in the canal and then laid out to dry before being put back in the bucket all ready for deployment the next time. However, the next time won’t be for a while so it will all be stowed in a locker, making more space in the well deck.

5 locks, 5.6 miles, 1 left, 1 swung bridge, 1 magnet find, 1 empty wee tank, 1 jam filled boat, 6 hours Tilly time, 2 cards posted, 1 parrot walk, 1 clean anchor, chain and rope, 1 muddy locker lid still, 0 reusable blocks!

Thumbs up!

If Only You Could Change The Sound Track. 3rd June

Branston Lock to Alrewas Lock

Today we managed to get going earlier. A limit has been imposed on the length of time we take to have a cuppa in bed and instead of having our second drink after breakfast we have it with it. We don’t want to be rushing things in the morning not unless we really have to, but so far we’ve saved a full hour.

Branston Lock was surrounded by Canadian geese this morning. Four adults looking after their creche, so I talked to them nicely and requested that they allow me to walk round the lock to open paddles and gates. By the time Oleanna had risen in the lock another boat had arrived to come down, the lady came to work the lock, but the geese were not quite so amenable to her. So we left so that they could enter the lock before having to get anywhere near the geese again.

In the last five years plenty of building work has been going on. A new estate to the west of the canal and quite a few houses appearing close to The Bridge Inn. This was where we’d planned to moor last night, but maybe despite the noise from the road our mooring had been better last night as we didn’t get disturbed by early building works.

Next up Tatenhill Lock. What a pretty lock it is with it’s cottage alongside Link.

Then we had to breath in to pass through bridge 36, hoping the spread we’ve seen to our waistlines lately hasn’t expanded Oleanna’s gunnels. She fitted no problem.

Just looking at the scene you’d never guess that on one side lorries carrying aggregate and concrete were hammering past to and from the works, on the other side the busy A38. If only someone could change the soundtrack this would be a wonderful stretch of canal. It’s places like this that we wonder what it was like in March last year when the country closed down.

The noise slightly dulled at Barton Lock with buildings between the canal and the road. Here a group of what I’m assuming were Duke of Edinburgh canoeists were pulling their boats out above the lock, which meant the towpath was quite congested just as I wanted to look at some plants that had been left with an honesty box. As Oleanna finished rising I spotted that there were some wild strawberry plants for sale, I requested some coinage from Mick and we left with a tray of flowering plants. I just need to find containers to plant them in.

The canal now sits alongside the A38, so busy with traffic. We played our game of waving at the lorry drivers to see who would respond. We had quite a few beep beeps but got more waves back. Glad we brought smiles to some faces today.

Ahead at Wychnor Lock a boat had come out from Barton Turns marina and was ascending. I went up to chat and help. The paintwork on the boat had seen better days but I soon spotted that it was a Narrowcraft boat, NB Lillyanne (Lillian) was a Narrowcraft. I mentioned that we’d had a bright yellow boat from the same builders. The chap wearing a suitably coloured polo shirt said he’d most probably driven Lillian. When they had been having their boat built he had been asked if he could move a bright yellow boat to be sign written, he’d been warned that the colour would attract attention.

Now the canal meets up with the River Trent for a while, the next pound having numerous bridges to keep the towpath dry. A warning to keep away from the weir means giving the engine some extra umph.

Alrewas Lock needing setting but that was soon done and Oleanna had reached her destination for the day, just slightly ahead of schedule. Well we’d rather stay here than back alongside the A38. There was also a butchers to visit.

A full on six hours for me today! Well that was until I was told off for breaking the first boat cat rule! She wasn’t too pleased with me bringing a friend home, popping it on our bed got a different reaction.

After a small top up shop at the Co-op and Coates the butchers I got on with adding some colour to my illustration. Then it was time for the Scarborough Chums zoom with a special guest this week, the lovely Susie Blake.

The evening was spent sat out doors chatting to our boat neighbours. We had another barbecue, well the butchers had some nice looking lamb steaks and asparagus which we couldn’t see go to waste.

5 locks, 5.54 miles, 1 hour quicker, 1 sunk boat removed from lock, 4 strawberry plants, 0 pots, 6 beeps, 8 waves, 1 wolf whistle, 1 yellow helmsman, 6 hours, 2 lamb steaks, 2 pork steaks, 1 pork pie, 1 bunch asparagus, 2 pints milk, 1 perfect mooring for a barbecue, 1 fender discussion, 1 friend, 1 illustration coming along, 1 Susie, 1st episode, 2nd series Line of Duty, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval.

https://goo.gl/maps/jcP5oTYZKc9dKVXi7

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna