Category Archives: Christmas

Stamping Mud. 10th January

Shardlow

**1.52m down 11cm, but not a good forecast**

Another early morning, well for Mick returning the van and sending off the costume returns. Frustrating that despite the returns going back to the same company, they had to go in three different packages, one to Poland via UPS the other two by Evri. Because of the two different couriers it meant Mick having to visit two different Premier stores in the torrential rain before returning the van.

On his arrival back to the boat he put on his chefs hat and cooked us a breakfast. As he cooked, a stream of water appeared from the window above the cooker. There was so much water coming down the glass outside, the water had filled up the frame and was finding it’s way inside. This year I haven’t got round to taking the windows out and giving the frames a good clean out. The drain holes on this window were almost certainly blocked. So as Mick fried and poached our breakfast I donned my coat and provided myself with some pointy thin sticks.

**Co-op bacon not as good as Alrewas bacon**

The drain holes were totally blocked. Prodding from above and then below saw rivers of muddyness drain down the cabin side. I managed to do enough of a job to keep the water draining away and not entering the boat. A better more comprehensive clean out is required before too long, but that will require a warmish dry day as each window will need to come out of it’s frame.

Having now got soggy legs and Mick having had the early start we both deserved breakfast, it was very yummy.

Tilly really wanted to be out, but the rain was putting her off. But in the end her need was far greater than staying dry and she sprang off somewhere on the towpath. She soon returned much relieved and came for some Dreamies. The next few hours as I worked my way through the last few items to order for #unit21 she came and went as often as any cat could. The day gradually drying up, but the towpath remaining very wet and extreamly muddy. My list of jobs bore the brunt of Tilly’s muddy stamps.

Time to sit down and do figures. Time to finish off last years accounts, add up my design fees and money from lodgers. Downloading bank statements takes some time, then reconciling them. Things are a little more complicated this year as my self employed year doesn’t run the same as the tax year for our lodgers. Maybe I should move my accounting year and maybe I am too diligent with the figures. It all takes time and concentration (well only a couple of afternoons worth), which isn’t helped with Tilly coming and going, demanding Dreamies every five minutes! Mick was understanding and watched some old episodes of All Creatures Great and Small with the subtitles on, after all he needs the figures from the lodgers for his return too.

Still some more to do tomorrow, then the tax return filling in, only to be told I don’t owe any tax just some National Insurance contributions, which I already know.

Dinner this evening was jacket potatoes with the remainder of the chicken from our Friday night roast and some homemade coleslaw. One day we will finish the red cabbage bought for Christmas!

0 locks, 0 miles,1 van returned, 3 parcels, 3 refunds, 20 rolls of tape, 1kg green confetti, 2nd payment, 4 hours of numbers, 4 muddy stamping paws! 1 overdue catch up.

Oleanna Workshop. 6th January

Shardlow

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Armed With A Hacksaw. 5th January

Shardlow

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Two Reds. 30th December

Shardlow

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Calculations. 29th December

Henry Knibb Bridge 3A to Shardlow 48hr Visitor Moorings

Both of us had checked the river levels during a conscious moment over night, so neither of us were rushing to get going this morning. As we had our cuppa in bed we checked again, both the Government website and Gaugemap, levels were still going up on the rivers. Cranfleet flood gates would remain shut today.

Time to make use of those nice field mushrooms I’d bought in Alrewas along with the bacon. Once breakfasted we made ready to move into Shardlow, away from the traffic noise and to see if there was space by the pubs to put a supermarket order in for delivery.

**Didn’t the cottage used to have something like Wisteria on it?**

A slow pootle to Shardlow Lock past all the moored boats. The lock was full and a grassy island sat just above the top gates waiting to make it’s way down with us. Despite Mick trying to discourage it’s descent it won and entered the lock with Oleanna. A Grandad with pint in hand brought his grandsons over to watch us at the lock, just in time to help close the off side gate.

A top up of water was needed, a load of washing and the dishwasher had been at work already. Tilly’s pooh box got a refresh then we were ready to find a space. As we passed the moorings outside JD Narrowboats I spotted a very shiny NB Hunky Dory, was this THE NB Hunky Dory the owner having got in touch with us years ago at their planning stage. This was to be a boat with not one but two incinerator toilets, high spec kitchen appliances. This was all pre-pandemic, was this their winter mooring, or was the boat only just finished? Both very possible.

Two boats were on the moorings before the bend, we hoped there might be room for us at the far end, but rings hadn’t been used with others in mind. A glance up to the pubs, three boats were nicely spaced out there too, it didn’t look hopeful for a delivery so we reversed back to the first mooring ring. Yes there is a git gap in front of us, but we are on the last ring. Mick walked up to check on the pub moorings, there were four boats, no room for us.

A cuppa and a shopping list were put together then Mick headed over to Leicestershire in the bike, across the River Trent, to pick up a few things to keep us going for the next few days.

Tilly came and went for Dreamies. There are calculations going on with the hope of being able to reach the top of the brick wall alongside our mooring. The C&RT wooden posts may just assist. The mortar between the bricks is too new to get a good grip. Depending on how long we are here, she may discover that she can walk just a few yards along the towpath to an open gate to see what’s on the other side of the wall! There’s no fun in that though!!

An enforced stop means I need to get on with some work. Props for #unit 21 will be needed soon into the New Year and I have quite a lot of materials on board to get started.

I unwrapped a couple of the yoga mats I’d bought. These are cheaper than plastizote, come in a good colour but are a touch softer than I’d thought. Making certain things from them won’t be a problem, but the biggest prop may need extra support. I spent the afternoon measuring the mats and working out how best to cut them up. I’d not taken into account their rounded corners, but as the thicker mats are bigger than advertised this shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Next I measured all Oleanna’s doors, hatch and windows. I need an opening of at least 60cm for the big prop. Oleanna has a maximum opening of 54cm! If I took the front door frame out then maybe, just maybe there’d be enough room. This would mean making the prop in our bedroom as the bathroom doors are narrower. Hmm, maybe I’ll cut everything out and assemble it in Huddersfield when I get there.

The door openings did make me wonder how deep our washing machine is. It’s not a full depth machine so maybe it would fit through the doors sideways? Was it brought in before the doorframe was fitted? Now what about the cooker? One day we’ll have the joy of finding these things out!

As the day progressed the river levels have risen further. Our bookings on the Trent are looking like we won’t be able to use them.

Last of the Christmas duck was added to some fried rice this evening. That’s the end of the duck and birthday cake, just the ham to finish off tomorrow.

1 lock, WE 0.65 (will this be our last journey recorded on Water Explorer?), Pip’s Nebo 0.8 miles, Mick’s Nebo 0.7 miles, 1 load washing, 1 dishwasher load, 1 clean pooh box, 1 clean pooh bucket, 2 many git gaps, 1 mathematical cat, 2 yoga mats, 1 sheet of calculations, 1 boat going nowhere for a while.

https://goo.gl/maps/P3TN186TzVZ1ev9P7

£7 Protection. 28th December

Stenson Lock 6 to Henry Knibb Bridge 3A

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

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

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

**Coal settling in for the days cruise**

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Don’t Trust The Locals. 27th December

Branston Water Park to below Stenson Lock 6.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://goo.gl/maps/aBgxGLekMhX8fGeS8

50% of Lorry Drivers. 26th December

Bridge 47 to Branston Water Park

Sandy tapped on the roof this morning to wish us well before we were on our way. Good to meet her, hope she enjoys the rest of the winter and our bows will surely cross sometime in the future. We have a vague plan for next year, she still has yet to decide which waterway to explore.

**Goodbye Alrewas, thank you for Christmas**

We pulled up at the water point to fill the tank, all the washing up over the last few days meant it would take a while to fill up. Other boats had started moving long before us, in both directions and we were passed by a boat heading towards the lock.

With windlass in hand I walked down to the lock, the boat ahead of us motoring off into the distance, it’s speed increased with the flow on the river. Plenty of walkers about, one chap stood and watched as I emptied the lock, then he walked round with his dog, I thought I was going to have some assistance, but no.

A glance back towards the gauge, just in the green. Our speed increased to 6mph as we passed the weir then dropped again to 2.5, no change to the throttle. After Wynchnor Lock we were off the river section and up alongside the A38. When heading south we always wave to the lorries as they pass to see who responds. Today I had to stand looking behind us, straight towards the sun. It being Boxing Day there weren’t so many lorries, but we gave everyone a wave. 50% responded with a honk of their horn and a wave.

At Barton Turns we could have stocked up on chutney or jam from an honesty box. This is where I got our strawberry plants from a couple of years ago. The shadows were long at the locks, seeing Mick’s confirmation to wind a paddle up was tricky, a bigger thumbs up required.

A pause by the cafe before the canal turns away from the A38 to dispose of rubbish. Then we were back in the land of narrow bridges, breathing in hoping Oleanna would fit through!

Tatenhill Lock, still as chocolate boxy as it is in the spring and summer. Here we had gongoozlers appear from left and right. It feels odd there being so many walkers after you’ve just cruised past lorries driving back and forth with gravel on one side of the canal and a large builders merchants on the other. But all around are lakes, which today were attracting the Boxing Day walkers.

Not far now to Branston Water Park where the visitor moorings were empty, we pulled in as soon as we could hoping Tilly would have a less interrupted shore leave. Now either the number of woofer walkers was too much for her or maybe it was the alure of catnip Dreamies that kept bringing her back inside! She did have a good length of time outside just before cat curfew, returning with 5 minutes to spare.

Today was far chillier than yesterday and the cloudless sky gave us a rather lovely sunset.

4 locks, WE 4.98 miles, Pip Nebo 5.5 miles ( I worked the locks today), Mick Nebo 5 miles, 1 none complaining calf, 1 big wave, 1cm of green, 7 boats moving, 5 out of 10, £3 for chutney or jam, 3 jackets in the stove, 2 big slices of ham, 1 lovely sunset.

https://goo.gl/maps/GazxeWNSZb6VLbFA6

The Big Day. 25th December

Bridge 47, Alrewas

**Smoked salmon and scrambled egg breakfast**

After stockings came a glass of Bucks Fizz and breakfast, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, using a bit more of the parsley mountain now in our freezer. A festive chat with the London Leckenbys who were about to sit down to ham sandwiches and presents.

**VHF for tidal waters and Trent Locks**

Next Christmas presents. Thankfully delayed deliveries hadn’t managed to spoil our main presents. Tilly and I had clubbed together to buy Mick a new VHF radio as ours had gone faulty on the reflections flotilla, we’d ended up having to borrow one. Now that we seem to go on slightly more adventurous cruises we went for a better handheld radio than before. This should cover a larger distance. Mick put it on charge straight away and then had a go at turning down the squelch.

I got a cordless sander. I should also be able to get other tools that will use the same battery. When working on panto, Jo the props maker had a very small hand friendly cordless electric drill, so I’m hoping that might be the next tool to be added to the collection. We got plenty of other goodies too.

Time for a Christmas walk before any more booze was consumed. The last two years we’ve headed down to Scarborough sea front to have the wind clear away any cobwebs. This year we’re back on the canals, not quite the same as the north east wind making your cheeks ruddy, but just as good.

We chose to walk into the village, turning up Post Office Road. The Crown pub seemed to be popular as families turned up for a pint and lemonade.

The model cottages sitting facing each other both had wreaths on their front doors. At first I thought it a shame that they hadn’t consulted each other and gone for the same. But when I spotted the wreath on the red door, it made me laugh.

Baubles hung from a tree, this needed investigating. It is a memory tree for Mums and Dads, some of the baubles have messages written on them. Below there was a tin with a couple more baubles, were these for anyone to use or sat waiting for particular offspring to come and hang them on Christmas morning.

There was a nice looking house for sale, £620,000 for a five bedroom house, not bad. Although it feels lovely and light inside I think it’s lost some of it’s period character with the modern cupboards everywhere.

Back to the canal and a walk to look at the river levels. In the amber, Mick said it had gone down since yesterday, if it carries on in that direction that would be good. We walked down to the weir a short distance further on. The river swirled confused under the walkways and sped it’s way to the weir. Mick thought with enough umph we’d be fine going past.

A look inside the church, still warm from the mornings services. A big tree stood to one side, this with the smell reminded me of Christmas Days in the 70’s when we’d head to The Homestead for drinks with the Rowntree family in York. There in a hallway stood a tree as tall as the room, it’s base swathed in cotton wool. Trains, sledgers, animals decorated the snow below the poor tree that strained under the weight of SO many decorations. The sight kept my brother and myself transfixed, the coloured lights twinkling in the oak panelled hallway as the hubbub of adults came from the library where sherry and mince pies were handed out. At ten to one Peter Rowntree would call everyone silent, there would be a toast to Christmas and then a round of Happy Birthday for me. Today stood in All Saints I glanced up at the clock, ten to one, the time I was born.

In the churchyard many of the gravestones have been moved to the sides, this was done in the 70’s when the grounds had a change of layout. In the nearest corner to Oleanna stand the three wise men and their camels, followed by a donkey. His tail had been pinned on several times before.

Back to Oleanna, a few more Catnip Dreamies for Tilly had her gazing into nowhere for quite some time. I think she was just that little bit off her face!

The duck was pricked, stuffed and popped into the oven. Timings worked out for everything else. Bread sauce and cabbage put on top of the stove to reheat. Veg peeled ready to roast or steam. Sausages wrapped in blankets to keep them warm. It was as if we’d done Christmas dinner on the boat before! Well it’s actually easier here than in the house believe it or not.

Not normally one to watch the Christmas Day speech, lunch is normally timed to clash, but this year we thought we’d give Charles a chance as the pigs in blankets went in the oven. I think normal timings will resume next year.

Two plates brimming full were dished out, some roast potatoes had to be put back to make space for all the extras. All very nice, although my experiment of using oat milk for bread sauce won’t be repeated, it was okay but a little porridgy.

Full to the brim, Snowman was watched before the day moved to Birthday. Cake, candles a cup of much needed tea and then presents.

I got a gluten free recipe book, some waterproof thermal work gloves, some magnifying work glasses to help with model making and illustrations and a box of Pantomime yarn from Riverknits. I’m not sure I’ll knit the pattern the yarn came with or something else, not decided yet.

Another glass of wine accompanied Morecomb and Wise. A very good birthday and Christmas.

0 locks. 0 miles, 3 stockings crammed full, 5 bedoingee balls, 5 chocolate oranges, 2 styles of quality street wrappers, 1 vhf radio, 1 sander, 1 bottle of English fizz, 2 bottles wine, 1 packet of serious crack for cats, 1 spaced out Tilly, 15 pairs socks, 3 cans of beer, 4 spices, 7 silicone lids, 2 boxes matches, 1 pair of glasses, 1 book, 1 wifi camera, 2 plates only just big enough, 2 slices cake, 2 rather full boaters, 1 lovely day.

He’s Been! Christmas Day

Alrewas

The big man has visited Oleanna and he’s been most generous, we must have been good this year. Mick even got an award winning hose tap in his stocking!