Another day with a cuppa in bed, just a shame this morning it was accompanied by a touch of a sore throat. Could this be the cold that nearly always followed the hard work of opening a Christmas show? Could this be a cold passed on from one of the panto actors? Could it be a reaction to having had both the flu and covid boosters? Or could it be I’ve managed to get covid again? I took a test later in the day and it was negative, however previous experience suggests you don’t necessarily test positive as soon as you feel poorly. The sore throat however feels less like P60 sandpaper, so I’m hoping it’s just a cold.
They are clean honest!
With the day due to be full of rain we decided to get up and get moving before breakfast. Just as the bed was slotted away an engine could be heard, I peeked out to see a garden bench passing by, NB Harnser. We just managed to get the side hatch open in time to be able to say Good Morning as Brian and Diana passed by and have a short conversation.
My panto first night flowers are surviving without feline intervention.
We couldn’t remember if we were on the mooring closest to Rugby Station or not, but this soon became obvious as we pushed of and pootled onwards towards Clifton Cruisers hire base. No more armco showed itself, just the angled stone side of the canal, which makes pulling in to moor awkward.
Winding
Just before the hire fleet sprawl across the canal there is a small arm which used to be part of the Oxford Canal before it was straightened. Now filled with permanent moorings we were able to wind.
Our destination would be a familiar one as it would be exactly the same space we’d just pulled away from, just as well as the rain was half an hour earlier than forecast.
Tilly was very reluctant to go out, understandably, but managed a few times bringing mud back into Oleanna! When will she learn to wipe her paws!!! Seems like she was using my clean dungarees to soak up the mud. No, I was just sitting on them so that you couldn’t wear them again!
Hello!
After lunch we adjusted our position as the boat behind had fired up their generator and the fumes were making their way through our back door. Mick pulled us along about 50ft so the fumes could dissipate before entering Oleanna.
An afternoon of rain and not much more. Mick caught up with Chris from NB Elektra. For a while we’ve been trying to change the default colour of the font used on the blog to just black making it easier for people to read. At the moment when I write a post each paragraph has it’s font colour changed from Dark Grey to Black, not a huge difference, but important to many readers. This is time consuming.
My tech support getting tech support
Of course we could find a ‘Theme’ that has black as it’s default, but we like the theme we already have. Chris and Mick spent quite sometime trying to find where the default setting for the font colour was and how to change it. Mick was left with some ideas to follow up and try, but sadly as I type this the font is still in Dark Grey! Thank you Chris for your time.
0 locks, 0.46 miles there and 0.46 miles back, 1 wind, 1 blogger, 1 sore throat, 1 box of tissues on standby, 4 muddy paws, 1 cosy boat, 1 wet day, 1 intermittent noise from the engine bay, 444 not 000000!
Tea in bed with Tilly. What a lovely way to start the day.
My little thug and mug
After breakfast it was time to make use of still having a car. Last weekend I’d booked myself a covid jab at the nearby walk-in centre in Brownsover. A fifteen minute walk away, but sadly not a good idea with my dodgy calf muscle, so Mick ferried me there in the car.
Brownsover Community Centre
Two ladies sat waiting for people. I was checked in and asked if I’d like a flu jab at the same time. Yes please was my answer, get it all over and done with. Left arm covid, right arm flu. All done and dusted and back in the car within five minutes. I could have had my covid jab two weeks ago, but decided that that was the last thing I’d be wanting to do on a day off from panto. Thank you NHS for being easy and available anywhere in the country. By the evening my jab was visible on my notes on the NHS app. Hopefully my Doctors surgery will stop pestering me now.
Back to the boat, then Mick returned the car, cycling back picking up some shopping for the next few days from Tescos. I managed to unpack dirty clothes, being close to a water point we’d be making use of the washing machine before leaving.
Painty history plus five weeks of panto
Much of the day was spent on the sofa with Tilly on my knee. The mooring here looks great for cats, but the proximity of the road has meant feline shore leave has been put on hold much to Tillys disgust!
A rinse down of the roof to flush through the hose
As tradition has is we sat down in the afternoon and watched an episode of Morse. We may not be in Oxford after panto this year, but two hours of John Thaw is the perfect thing. Having seen every episode before sometime ago I can remember enough about the cases that it doesn’t matter if you fall asleep, but not enough to remember who did the killing.
Only a few locations we knew
From walking 3 to 4 miles a day over the last five weeks it was very nice to reduce my step count to a tenth. Not walking also seemed to be helping my calf muscle, although my ankle is a touch swollen. I’ve had a look for a walk in centre to see if it needs any attention other than rest, but the nearest is in Coventry.
Burgers with sweet potato wedges and peas, oh how I’ve missed vegetables. This was followed by catching up on the final of Bake Off. The outcome was as I’d expected.
0 locks, 0 miles, 0 hours working, 2 jabs, 1 limping Pip, 1 car returned, episode 11, 3 on the sofa, 1 well deserved lazy day, 1 sore arm.
Coventry Basin, Coventry Canal to Brownsover Services, North Oxford Canal
Following the red lit path
Monday morning a seriously early start to the day, the alarm went off at 5:20. We were both up and out of the door in 20 minutes. I’d opted to walk across Coventry rather than get a bus or taxi. At about a mile to the Station it’s not that far, but my knees and calf muscles were playing up so Mick accompanied me with the bike in case I needed to ride instead. Coventry was dark and misty, very atmospheric.
First tea of the day.
The train got me to Banbury forty minutes before the bus to Chippy, so I sat in the station cafe with a cuppa and ate a sausage sandwich I’d brought with me watching the sun rise through the fog. The bus onwards to Chippy was quite late arriving and by the time it had made it’s way through some road works it was half an hour late. It had taken me 3hrs 15 minutes to get to work!
Abi the Director was back with us, thankfully Covid had been mild for her and her family. Paul was also back with us, there was time to sort a few problems out before the actors came on stage. It was now time to finish off the technical rehearsal. When the Pippins joined us late afternoon we then did a tech/dress. This meant that if there were any problems we’d stop to sort them. We stopped a few times and then afterwards had quite a lengthy notes session, there were still things missing costume, props wise and a few problems with scene changes.
Mick had a morning snooze on the sofa before pushing off, winding and heading back up to Hawkesbury Junction where he turned back onto the North Oxford Canal and pulled up for the day.
Tuesday. An early start for Jo and myself trying to work through the long list of things that needed finishing, making use of time on stage before the actors arrived. Having a key to the theatre was useful as I could open up.
There was one scene that needed finishing off before production photos could be taken. The finishing off consisted of a lot of cross hatching which I knew would take several hours. I chose to finish the funnels today as they would help the scenery look more complete.
A portrait of Whittington
During the afternoon scenes were worked on by the actors and I got chance to finish off the piece that would sit on the proscenium, this was done by torch light. Have to say I was rather pleased with it.
Getting ready for photos
Then late afternoon we settled down for a dress rehearsal with Josh the photographer, Becky the composer joining us by zoom and we were also joined by several members of staff and ushers to give the actors a small audience. Today we got to see the walk down costumes for the first time, still work in progress and several props were now finished. But sadly things were still being worked on, a black curtain got stuck in one scene meaning many of the photos won’t depict the show as intended.
Such a fair weather boater
Mick’s day was totally opposite. It was raining, so he stayed put avoiding getting wet. Apparently Tilly ventured out for a little while.
Wednesday another early start. The side of the ship needed finishing off and as it spans right across the whole stage in three pieces I needed to do this early so as not to be in peoples way. Finishing touches happened to more props and costumes and I did my best to tick painty notes of my list.
The wings full of scenery and props, so much so some flying was needed
Today we were joined by Gemma the Production Manager who’d been off with covid. Having both her and Paul back in the building meant jobs were being crossed off the list. The auditorium needed clearing and Sophie the DSM was moved up into the box from where she’ll operate the shows. Christmas garlands were primed to be flown in and space was cleared in the wings so there’d be room for the actors.
Highgate Hill
The first preview hadn’t sold many tickets, so last week the decision had been made to cancel it, meaning we’d be able to have another dress rehearsal. A good thing as so many of the creatives had been ill. It was actually a dress without costume, enabling wardrobe to continue working on things.
A well earned beer
One problem was found as Paul watched from the wings. The final scene change was tight and to get two large arches into position in time it was felt that some alterations to them were required. Two truck bases would need to be made, but for now he would be an extra pair of hands back stage.
The first preview went well and we rewarded ourselves with a drink next door at Checkers, followed by some chicken and chips from the burger van.
If you look carefully you might just seen the spouting water
The sun was out again on the North Oxford Canal, so Mick carried on retracing his steps of last week. In Ansty a bridge had been spouting water, social media comments had been concerned that it may be closed by C&RT, thankfully Mick got through without any problems. He thinks it’s a water pipe in the bridge that has burst. Here’s hoping it doesn’t get closed before we are back through in a couple of weeks.
Full moorings
As he approached the swing bridge at Rose Boats the canal got busy. The bridge opened and closed and opened again and the narrows approaching it were congested. This meant that when he reached All Oaks Wood where he’d shared the moorings with one other boat last week, he got the last space.
Thursday. Only one show today in the evening, giving time to do acting notes on stage and time for props, costumes and set pieces to be finished off that bit more. Measurements were taken, timber purchased, alterations to the arches would happen after the show this evening.
One of the traditions of Chippy Panto is that Edith, a lady who adorns the proscenium arch is taken down each year and replaced by something to do with the show. This year I’d decided that it should be a portrait of Whittington the cat. Photos had been taken of Nadia in makeup, this was blown up, a simple version traced onto a shield and then painted in. In previous years I have only once witnessed Edith being replaced, handy to know that it is simply done with a D handle and a safety chain. Time and care were taken and Edith was taken to John Terry’s office for her rest.
Getting all Christmasy
Garlands were fluffed up, ribbons added. Piccadilly Circus was finished off including the extra lines on the backing flat. Jobs ticked off at pace.
Jo had been meant to finish on Wednesday, but she’d decided to stay one extra night to be able to finish off one quite elaborate prop. This took her quite sometime, but was well worth the extra hours and that prop got an extra Ooooooo! in the evening from the audience.
The final lines added to Piccadilly Circus
After the show Paul, Gemma and myself got busy with saws, drills, screws, wheels, canvas and paint. Two truck bases were made up and had a coat of paint applied before we left the theatre, the paint would be dry by the morning ready for the arty bits to be added.
Mick avoided the rain as best he could. Tilly kept the stove company as he moved onwards through the autumn colour.
Autumn colour
A pause to top up with diesel was needed at Armada Boats, then he found a space just before the water point at Brownsover. This meant that Oleanna wouldn’t need to move to top up the water tank and the mooring was a good place to pick up a hire car from.
Friday. Over night I’d had cramp in my right calf muscle which has been playing up for the last few weeks. As I stood up out of bed to try to alleviate the pain I heard a bit of a popping noise! Not good, my hobbling walk would be even worse today. After packing my bags for collection later in the day I hobbled slowly in to the theatre where the truck bases were already fixed to the arches. Time to get arty and paint them.
Spring Street with the theatre at the end
Two colour washes were applied and left to dry. They had just about got there by the time the actors arrived for their warm up on stage. New things should always be shown to actors before a show so that they don’t get thrown, the truck bases would be a step up and down that hadn’t existed before so everyone it affected got to have a go.
Then I could finish painting them. The last black line of Chippy Panto went onto a truck base at 11:46, it would be dry before the final scene of the afternoon show. Other little jobs were ticked of, more garlands and ravens added, then it was time to start collecting my possessions together.
Touch up paints were rationalised and put together. Some things are likely to need a freshen up as they are used, other paints are there just in case.
Some straw still to be added
As the afternoons show started I sat down to have some food, listening to the first school show on the show relay. Not so many laughs, but total excited noise at some scenes. The model box was put together to be added to the 50th anniversary exhibition in the gallery. After the interval I sat on the back row to watch the second half, each member of the audience wearing cat or rat masks that they’d made prior to their visit.
A coat of glaze to the truck bases was just about the last thing I could do before press night. My job was done. A couple of things sadly not achievable in what time remained, but an email to Paul next week will hopefully see them get done.
A technical glitch needed sorting
Mick arrived in a hire car, we loaded all my work gear and then headed to my digs to pick up my bags there. A chat with Suzanne and a final goodbye and thank you for letting me stay again. Some cheesy chips were consumed before joining the audience at the theatre for Press Night which seemed to go down very well.
We stayed for some food post show and a drink, but by now my energy levels had run out. It was time to say my goodbyes and thank yous. Time to wish everyone a good run and a Happy Christmas in Chippy. Time to climb in the car and drive back to Rugby, have a few head nudges with Tilly, a glass of wine for the driver and go to sleep.
Dressing rooms
Dick Whittington is open and what a show it is. This year has had many problems come it’s way, covid, family bereavements, people doing their best to plug gaps in the back stage team. We got there in the end with a lot of hard work from everyone and the assistance of zoom. Now I need to rest up and get back to day to day boat life, a far slower pace will be welcome.
Sal
1 lock, 17.92 miles, 1 right, 1 hire car, 1 panto open, 616 hrs work in total, 1 designer hanging up her dungarees, 1 boaters hat being dusted off, but first the sofa calls.
Bridge 68, North Oxford Canal to Coventry Basin, Coventry Canal
Another long week in Panto land and some more cruising for Mick and Tilly.
Monday I arrived in the theatre to find sliders being cut down to size and lots of magnetic catches and door handles having been attached, all good news. But then I soon heard that Abi the Director had tested positive for covid over the weekend whilst at home in London. The cast were given various options, the one they chose was that John the Artistic Director of Chippy Theatre and the writer of panto would stand in for Abi until she returned and Abi would join when she could via zoom. Our Production Manager Gemma was also unwell so she stayed at home an extra day.
Counter getting close to completion
I got on with painting what ever I could without being in the actors way. A list of scenes required for the following days rehearsals is sent out so it takes a little bit of working out what I might be able to paint and when. The wings of the stage were sorted by Stage Management to hopefully help make the technical rehearsals easier.
In the evening we were joined by a couple of chaps to help with setting up the sound equipment and drilling holes in trees for fairy lights. By the end of the evening two out of the four trees had lights and a lot of the sound system was up and running.
The River Avon in Rugby
In Rugby, Mick and Tilly stayed put on the boat. Mick did venture out for his covid booster jab, four weeks after we’d tested positive.
Painting ovens and doors in the wings
Tuesday. More setting up of sound with Matt the Sound Designer about for one day. The aim was for levels to be set for the songs and cues to be programmed into the desk so that only minor adjustments would hopefully be needed. Songs were sung by the company accompanied by the two man band.
Dicks solo being sung in front of the Pippins and Becky the composer
Gemma joined us for a few hours but she was obviously still not well. She did her best to keep her distance, helped get sliders rehung and sorted a few bits out, but mid afternoon she headed to her digs to hopefully get some sleep.
Mark the Lighting Designer had a lighting session in the evening, meaning I was either painting by torch light or had a lot of light. This gave me the chance to get some black lining done to the sliders for Piccadilly Circus. There’s still plenty more to do on them, but at least I made a very good start.
Newbold Tunnel
In Rugby, Mick moved Oleanna up nearer to Tescos, did a good shop. Topped up with water and headed onwards through Newbold Tunnel. Over the weekend we’d discussed where might be easiest for me to get back to the boat next weekend, Rugby was a little bit problematical and quite a bit of a walk to reach the boat. We’d decided that Coventry would be better.
Wednesday. Gemma tested positive for covid this morning. Hopefully she hadn’t passed it on to anyone whilst she’d been in the building, but more importantly she could head home to recover.
Signage
Conversations were had about outstanding jobs. I can lend my hand to quite a few things, but it would all take time. Better to have someone who knew what was needed and free me up to carry on painting and helping where needed.
The Technical rehearsals begin
In the afternoon we started to Tech. This is where all the elements come together on stage. Sound, lighting, costumes, props, actors, musicians and set. Due to many reasons there were gaps in costumes, props and set pieces. Not ideal, but unavoidable. Everyone did as well as they could, one thing became obvious was that we still needed someone to help program the sound.
Loads of room!
Mick carried onwards. In winter months moorings that are normally chocka block can be empty, this was the case at All Oaks Wood. I think we’ve managed to pause there before for lunch once, but today he had a choice of where to pull in. Tilly made the most of a good outside!
Thursday. A long day of technical rehearsals. Days like today I spend mostly sitting in the dark, taking notes, attending to things as they arise. I decided to try to do small jobs whilst sat in the dark like signs, sorting out the new song sheet.
It was not me who emptied the chilled medication fridge leaving only vanilla!
Then when the actors have a break there is some time to get a bit of painting done. Wet things need to be dry before costumes are back on stage, so timing jobs can be a touch tricksy. Following rehearsals there are a couple of hours to get more jobs done. Jo the prop maker was about, so conversations turned to treasure chests and snakes.
Mick carried on moving. The journey from Rugby to Coventry can be done in under eight hours, but with a week to do it in he was pacing himself. Today he moved a touch further than he’d originally planned, through the new swing bridge at Rose Narrowboats, stopping a short distance before Hawksbury Junction, meaning there was space before other boats for Tilly to explore.
The Greyhound busy on a Friday morning
Friday. Mick decided to stay put, having a walk up to the bins at the junction a highlight of the day. The Greyhound was busy even quite early in the morning.
The tight turn at the junction. To head north use the left canal, south the right turning under the bridge.
Another early start to do some jobs before rehearsals started again. My lunch tends to be eaten in the next technical session, making use of as much stage time for jobs as possible. Abi is now very much in the room, joining by zoom, sending messages by Whatsap.
Laptop in the centre of the auditorium so Abi can join us
Today after rehearsals, Dan who’d helped set up the sound equipment and has been helping with programming stayed around to help with various jobs on stage. Some black tabs were not quite in the right place so needed adjusting. A tree needed extending, it’s track moving higher. But the most important job was to get a cloth rigged so that it could be lowered in to view and pulled out of view, it’s been out of view for three weeks.
A Curlywurly in the dark whilst taking notes
Chippy Theatre has a bit of a fly tower, but it is nowhere near tall enough to be able to fly cloths fully in and out. So the cloth has to work like a very big Roman Blind, pulling itself up on itself. We got all the cords in place, but lacked somewhere to tie it off to. So that we don’t now see too much of the cloth it’s been tied off to a cleat for other scenery, a better solution needs to be found.
Nice to see the cloth again after three weeks.
Saturday. A morning of technical rehearsals. There is still more to do on Monday sadly.
Last year I did one of these every day during panto
Also sadly today we were missing Becky, the composer, another case of covid. I am so hoping that I still have some natural immunity left as I spent much of yesterday sat next to Becky. This morning I did a test after spending time with Gemma, I’ll be doing a test before returning to work on Monday.
A nearly finished scene
All the trees were up and fairy lights working giving Mark the opportunity to light the next scene. We mostly worked our way through the scenes that have the Pippins in so as to make the most of their time in the theatre. Having three teams of Pippins means doing everything three times, one team are in costume the others not. We now just have to finish teching the rest of the show on Monday.
Mick moved on again in the morning, turning left at Hawksbury Junction and heading under the bridge decorated with swans. We last came this way about five years ago and today Mick saw a big difference. New houses and just generally better kept, possibly assisted by the City of Culture. Tilly however wasn’t that impressed!
Coventry Basin
After rehearsals I became unpopular asking for the trees that had only just gone up to be taken down. My aim for the day was to get the last two remaining trees painted, having them flat this would take about half the time. It didn’t take too much to get them down thankfully.
Trees finished. Well I might add some glitter if I get chance.
The last couple of hours I was on my own and was glad to not have to climb a ladder. By 18:10 the trees were painted, brushes washed up. By 18:25 the theatre alarm was set and I was heading for the bus stop and Banbury.
Goodbye Chippy, see you Monday
A train then another bus to save me walking across Coventry where Mick met me and we walked up the hill and over the ring road to Oleanna in the basin. Time for head nudges with Tilly, something to eat and slump in front of the tv.
He’s here!
Sunday. A Sainsburys delivery was early, I left Mick to deal with it as it was early early, but it did mean we could have a nice breakfast.
Yumm!
This was followed by the Geraghty zoom where we were all relieved to be joined by Anne who has just had a spell in hospital.
Work in progress
A slow day, much needed, but sadly I still had some work to do. A new song sheet needed designing and the best time to do it was today. Thankfully it didn’t take too long. The day will end with a roast chicken and packing my bags to head back to Chippy tomorrow. Hopefully no more cases of covid this week, fingers crossed.
Blank canvas in a morgue! It’s only an old film set.
Monday morning, Mick helped me with all my painting kit to the unit where I’d be working this week. We’d moored close to the Tramway, so it was only a short walk round to Power Park where I was met by Suzette and John from the theatre. I’d warned them in advance that I was still testing positive, I wore a mask and kept my distance as the set pieces were brought in for me to work on.
Based in and drying
A covid filled brain didn’t help with the laying out of everything, but thankfully we managed to get half the portal flats laid out on tables, all facing the same direction, so hopefully I knew what was what and it would get painted correctly.
This is the third time these portals have been used by me, the markings on the back suggests they’ve been in at least another two or three productions. However this year they have had a make over and been recanvased with a nice fresh coat of white emulsion ready for me. Today’s aim was to get the basics marked out and base colours added so that it could dry overnight. I also joined a zoom production meeting for a short time to chat set and props, then excused myself.
Tuesday. Today NB Dusty would come past Oleanna, bags of coal, a new gas bottle and a top up of diesel had been ordered from them, but their arrival time could be anytime.
Starting to mark things out
In panto land I drew out the designs on the three pieces of portal I’d based in, the stencils I’d cut out in Marlow proved very useful indeed and made the marking out very quick. Mick took time off waiting for Dusty to come and help me rearrange the flats as on Wednesday I’d be joined for a couple of days by Elise. I wanted to get enough flats based in and drawn up so that the two of us wouldn’t end up working on the same piece, helping to keep our distance as I was still testing positive.
Rats and cats
The first few repeats on a border had the black painted in. Each one taking about 20 minutes. To paint both headers just in the black would take a good seven hours!
NB Dusty arrived, Jock and Katy were both well and very jolly as usual. Mick had a good catch up with them at a distance, our paths haven’t crossed for a few years due to the pandemic. They will be doing one more run before Oleanna needs to be north of their patch for the winter stoppages, so Mick should be able to stock up again before heading over the summit of the Oxford Canal.
Elise making a start
Wednesday I was in early, drawing out the design before Elise arrived at 9am. I had just about finished when she arrived. A cuppa each and a chat before I set her going. Elise comes from a TV and film background and has only in the last couple of years swapped careers from researcher/assistant producer amongst other things to work in art direction.
Lining in
It takes a while to gain confidence painting in intricate designs. I’ve been doing similar things for decades but today was Elise’s first time. The first section took her a while, the second was quicker, the third quicker still. I continued with the border, and by the end of the day this was completed and the second border based in ready for Thursday. It had been really nice having someone around to make cuppas and to chat to.
Elise cracking on
In the afternoon samples arrived of the cloths. These basically are giant colour photocopies taken from my model that are printed onto scenic cloth. As I thought the front cloth was a touch too dark, loosing some of it’s luminosity. Adjustments could be made before the big PRINT button would be pressed.
Mick during the day had headed to the service point to fill with water whilst the washing machine was in use. He managed to coincide with other boats using the lock so had assistance through it and at the lift bridge. Tilly had been patient for a couple of days so a mooring by Spiceball Park was required to give her some much needed shore leave. Unfortunately Mick had chosen a space opposite Fine Lady Bakeries, we couldn’t remember if the noise there would continue all night, it did! A new mooring would be needed.
Cats
Thursday. More of the same for me and Elise, painting black and keeping inside the lines. Elise today was storming ahead and by the time she had to head off to London for the evening there were only a couple of bits left to finish off on her second flat. The second border was finished too. A good days work. Only two more flats to be blacked in.
It still being October the time limits on visitor moorings haven’t as yet changed to 14 days. So Oleanna needs to keep moving to stay within the rules. We hoped that nudging up along the towpath by 100 yards would count as a move, after all we’ve cruised just about 1100 miles this year with a couple of hundred more to go. Thankfully the noise from the bakery was much less and we managed a much better nights sleep.
Leak!
Friday morning I was on my own again. Two flats to black and a pod cast to listen to. Elise joined me for a couple of hours and put the finishing touches to the borders. On Thursday it had started to rain which had necessitated the moving of flats to avoid drips. Today a drip had started in the toilet above where we were working, slightly disconcerting getting dripped on when having a wee! By the afternoon this drip had managed to work it’s way through the floor and was dripping onto a finished flat! We moved things around very very quickly. That evening on Oleanna we celebrated with a glass of wine, we were both feeling better and I had my first negative test result for covid.
Saturday we had a lie in before Mick came to help me move flats about. There was red to add and a few bits to touch up on the portals. After a couple of hours the weeks mission was accomplished. There were also a couple of sliders that I started to give some attention to for the Piccadilly Circus scene. Sadly as I started to apply a wash of colour to them it became obvious that the base colour was lifting and mixing in. Not good, but fixable when they eventually dry. So it was time to pack everything up.
Meanwhile Mick headed to the arm just north of Banbury to wind, he then returned into town and pulled up just before the new glazed footbridge in the new development. Returning to the boat in day light whilst working on Panto is a rarity. Mick has been doing a very good job of feeding me this week, but his repertoire had just about runout. Having a Pizza Express opposite meant we could treat ourselves to a take away.
We then settled down to watch the latest Alan Ayckbourn play, ‘Family Album’, that is available to watch ‘At Home’ from the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough. During the summer two of the actors had been staying in our house and we’d not had chance to get to see the show. A very good play that tenderly skips between three generations of the same family in one house, and the changing roles of women over the last 70 years. Well worth the ticket price whilst it’s available on line.
Bumbury!
Sunday we woke to torrential rain. We were due to help load the van at 9:15 to get the portals back to Chippy so that they could be erected on stage this afternoon. The pick up was postponed hoping that the rain would subside and not damage the paintwork. I picked up some dust sheets on route and thankfully the rain was subsiding, by the time John arrived with the van it had stopped raining. Two trips to Chippy and the set was delivered. Tomorrow the rest of the set will arrive with the builders from Plymouth, the actors, the rest of the creatives and staff from the theatre will join together for the readthrough.
Bricks
Mick, Tilly and Oleanna will move out of town tomorrow to find somewhere that is safe for Tilly to have some shore leave.
Can we got somewhere better!
Why the subtitle of The Chocolate Orange Test? Well over the last ten days or so we’ve been having a segment as pudding after our evening meal. At first we could taste it, then as covid morphed itself we both lost our sense of taste and we could only enjoy the texture of the chocolate. After another two days the orange flavour started to return. Last night we both had full flavour back. Maybe this is a more enjoyable way to test for covid than sticking swabs up your nose!
1 lock, 1.55miles, 1 wind, 1 gas bottle, 5 bags coal, 67 litres diesel, 2 borders, 4 legs, 2 sliders, 2 days assistance, 1 chocolate orange, 1 Waiouru passing, 1 cat reminded about bringing friends home! 2 pizzas, 2 boaters negative and on the mend.
King’s Sutton Lock to Opposite the Old Foundry, Banbury
Ah tea!
TEA in bed this morning, not Lemsip! Wonderful, if only I could actually have tasted it! It was accompanied by two paracetamol. Our drugs cupboard has sat just about unused for the last three years, looking in it for the next box of pills today it’s starting to look a bit depleted. Maybe sometime soon we’ll be able to go shopping again to restock.
Goodbye
All Mick’s siblings were present this morning for the zoom. Subjects included needy tomatoes in Scotland, Robins in Surrey and Eddie Reader. Whilst we were on line the two hire boats we’d been in line with yesterday came past starting their return to base, I wonder if the lady who was trying to keep her distance had lasted the night or jumped on a train back to Oxford?
Paddle boarders using the bridge hole to get on their boards
The final push to Banbury today, the sun was out, blue skies and deer jumping around in the field opposite our mooring. We pushed off and pootled our way passing several familiar boats, over the last few years we’ve spent a bit of time in these parts and you get to recognise the local boats.
Plenty of lift bridges passed under on our way to Grant’s Lock.
Here the burnt out Lock Cottage has been cleared of all the debris and charred remains. It was sold last year, hopefully the new owner will start work on it soon. With the sun out reflecting off the brickwork the interior glowed looking all cosy and warm.
On the Banbury level
Now we took note of possible moorings for the next few days. New lengths of armco look inviting and the new housing estate looks to be just about finished on the outskirts of town. However a long stretch of the towpath is still having works done to it, so it is very narrow at the moment. We’ll have to choose our moorings with giraffe legs and the towpath in mind.
Outskirts of town
We hoped for a space at Tramway but the last space had been taken by a hire boat. We asked if they planned on staying the night, but it was only a half hour stop for them. Maybe we’d come back if there was nowhere else. Pulling in just before the bridge I then walked round the corner and spotted a big gap opposite the old foundry, we moved along and settled in.
Towpath works
Last year we’d wondered if the foundry site would end up being redeveloped for housing, but it seems as though a car body shop or garage has taken it over. Here will do us for tonight.
Much of the afternoon was spent trying to put together a Click and Collect order with Morrisons which is just across the way here. But for some reason none of our cards would be accepted on the website. The government guidance to keep away from people for five days is almost up for both of us, so Mick will do a shop tomorrow.
Time to dig out things for work. The back steps needed removing to access where I keep my paint brush bag, drawing implements were rounded up, pencils sharpened and popped in the Bourbon tin.
Tomorrow I start work painting panto in Banbury. Tomorrow we’ll see how I get on. Tomorrow I needn’t do a lateral flow test. Tomorrow I will be doing a test. Tomorrow I’ll be wearing a mask a LOT until I’m on my own again. Tomorrow the blog will go onto Panto Postcard mode for the next few weeks. Mick and Tilly will be holding the fort, moving Oleanna as needed. There are winter closures coming up that we’ll need to be through, so he’ll be single handing up to the summit and I’ll be doing my best to get home at weekends, at least this first week I’ll be able to walk to work from the boat.
1 lock, 2.01 miles, 5 minute walk to work, 2 many bags of stuff, 1 bored cat, 1 noisy garage on a Sunday, 1 boater changing hats, 2 boaters who can’t smell Banbury, having covid at least has one advantage!
When we came out to roll up the covers this morning we were soon faced with a line of boats heading towards Banbury. The first one was an Oxfordshire Hire boat with at least seven chaps on board, most probably out for the weekend. We let them pass and waited for the next boat, also a hire boat. Pretty soon it was obvious that the second boat had managed to get a rope around it’s prop, there was lots of tugging going on. How long would they be? Maybe a while. Maybe we should take advantage and pull out. We looked at each other, looked back to the hire boat and the boat behind it and pushed off.
Waiting in line
Aynho Weir Lock is one of two lozenge locks on the Oxford Canal. Above it the river crosses the canal, only a small height difference is needed, (1t 1″) but a normal locks worth of water needs to carry on down the canal to help keep Somerton Deep Lock with enough water. So the lock is wide but not deep so that it can hold all it needs. Unlike at Shipton Weir Lock we’d be hard pressed to share it with another boat so we waited in line for our turn.
Aynho Lock
The chaps worked their boat through, a boat waited above to come down. The boat behind us pulled in to wait their prop no longer fouled, the following boat hovered behind them. A lady walked up from the 50th Birthday hire boat behind, ‘I need to take advantage of any opportunity to keep away from everyone on that boat!’ the boat sleeping 10! I suggested that she also should keep away from us, the poor lady didn’t know where to put herself, she’s not going to have a good weekend!
The weir
I decided to walk up to Nell’s Bridge and the next lock, I normally do this as it’s only 0.5km. Standing still, working locks was just about okay today, but after crossing over the weir vertigo set in, making for a giraffe legged walk.
Nell’s Bridge
Thankfully now the boats were all spaced out so we worked Oleanna up Nell’s Bridge Lock with space around us.
If only!
The Pig Place was busy busy. A bacon butty would have been nice, but we carried onwards our cruising goal not too much further on today. Back in 2019 when we did this stretch, water flowed into the canal from the fields, the towpath just a little higher than both water levels, elsewhere the canal looked like it was topping up the fields. Somerton Meadows had been a lake and Nells Bridge had to be limbo’d under. Today no overflowing fields, plenty of room under bridges.
Sun through the bridge hole
King Sutton Lock (Taver’s Lock), one of the prettiest. The golden stone of the lock cottage, the steps leading up to the lock, the old barn opposite with it’s weathered blue paint and the sun at a low angle. Lovely. Up Oleanna came, time to find a mooring just past where a bridge used to be.
Kings Sutton
Here the toot of trains crossing a footpath can be heard and today because of the direction of the wind we’d be able to hear the M40 for the rest of the day. A restful afternoon whilst Tilly busied herself outside.
Up
A red pepper was sliced in half, put on a baking tray covered in foil and left to roast on the stove top for an hour. This was added to a couple of trout fillets out from the freezer, garlic, spinach, parmesan and cream, accompanied by some rice. We knew it tasted good, just a shame it tasted of nothing! For pudding we had a piece each of chocolate orange, thank goodness that still has some flavour!
Good weathering
3 locks, 3.06 miles, 4 in a queue, 0 bacon, 1 stern rope, 4 hours shore leave, M40, 1 slice of vitamin chocolate each.
With budget cuts will we get away with this substitution?
The giraffe legs were back this morning, a touch of vertigo maybe. Time to be careful rolling up the covers, stepping on and off the boat a thing I do daily but right now foot and ground coordination can be a little bit patchy.
They are black and white big really rather big!
The cows that go this way and then that way arrived after a tractor had taken them some breakfast. They aren’t shy, the grass must have been extra tasty up by the boat, but they left the ropes and paintwork alone which is all you can ask for whilst mooring alongside their field.
Two ahead
Two Anglo Welsh boats came past in convoy, very slowly, we pulled out behind them an orderly queue already formed for Somerton Deep Lock. It turns out that the boats were being moved to Tardebigge, one with an oil leak the other we’d seen yesterday with the engine boards up. There had been a problem with the propellor, it had fallen off! The chaps now have five days to get to their destination.
Somerton Deep
We waited in line. By now drizzle had been falling for sometime. Mick had changed his trousers for waterproof ones, a wise move. A boat came down between the hire boats and another boat winded above the lock, so it was our turn to empty the big deep lock. I was glad this would be the only lock today as it tends to be heavy and hard work.
Pretty practical brickwork
The bottom paddles wound easily, it was just the walk over the bottom gate with giraffe legs that got me. The gate opened, Mick brought Oleanna in, then it was time to close the gate. This big single bottom gate is heavy, but once you get in going, don’t let it stop, it’s not too bad. Handy places to put your feet on little walls by the herringbone path help greatly and waiting for Oleanna to be taken out of gear saves an awful lot of huffing and puffing.
The top paddles are stiff to get going. Adjusting where you start with your windlass to give more leverage helps a lot, then they wind up dead easy. I may have covid but Somerton Deep didn’t beat me today.
Hello!
Chisnell Lift Bridge was open and a short distance beyond was NB Perseus on a mooring commanding the views. We bipped our horn and two heads popped out from the hatch. As Mick hadn’t met Julie and Simon yesterday there was plenty to chat about. It was time to move on when a boat appeared from ahead, we’d no doubt see them later as they were heading a bit further than us today.
Coal and water sorted
Aynho Wharf was our next port of call. Fill with water and to buy some coal. We set the tap running then Mick popped a mask on to find the lady in the shop. 40kg of Excel now on the roof we can keep warm without worrying. We’ve placed an order with NB Dusty next week that will bring our coal reserves up to normal winter cruising levels.
I don’t know how Tilly Too got there! Maybe she jumped!!
We pootled on a short distance to get away from the road and moored up. Tilly was given nearly four hours and a warning to not come back too wet. Last time we moored here she returned far too soggy for it to have just been from damp grass!
NB Perseus bipped their horn as they arrived to leap frog us, another chat at the stern of the boats was had before they pushed off again, cruising in sunshine! We’d obviously followed the wrong weather forecast!
Lists of things needed next week were emailed through to Chippy. A possible extra pair of painting hands has responded, I don’t know if the producer thought they would be coming on work experience, but they have a daily rate which is bigger than mine, mine being a discounted mates rate!
I like these Oxford fences
A pork stew and jackets was put on to cook, the potatoes wrapped in two layers of foil and popped alongside the coals in the fire box of the stove. Mick said the stew was tasty, but I wasn’t so sure, it seemed bland. Maybe he was just being nice, or maybe my taste buds are being affected. Mick did offer me a taste from his plate of stew, but I knew that wouldn’t make a difference! He was just trying to be funny.
This evening the second box of tissues was emptied, Mick has less of a waterfall nose and mine has just about dried up, it’s just a shame about the vertigo!
1 lock, 3.15 miles, 40kg coal, 1 full water tank, 1 load washing, 2 wobbly legs, 2 leapfrogs, 1 damp morning, 1 sunny afternoon, 1 happy cat, 1 Tilly Too back in the window.
Thank you to the lady a Aynho Wharf today for her help.
Thank you for all the messages of concern and to Dave for offering to deliver us some coal.
An hour or so was spent going through fonts and seeing what happened to them when saved as a pdf. A font was chosen, alterations done then it was whizzed off to Promptside to see if it was good enough to be printed 25 times bigger for the panto song sheet. Emails about cloths, confirmation of sizes before the big print button could be pressed. Emails about flats being primed, was the paint too thin? Would these emails continue all day? That might be a problem as we’d be going through the big black hole of everythingness at Allen’s Lock!
Last nights quarry mooring
Today’s mission was to get as far as we felt we could manage. With one bag of coal on the roof and no NB Dusty until next week we’re needing another bag to keep us warm, so we need to reach Aynho in the next couple of days. We pushed off around 11am, still the emails kept coming about panto. I did my best to answer them as quickly as I could not knowing quite when the signal would vanish.
At Northbrook Lock a boat had just arrived above, but the chap waved us on, the lock more in our favour than his. It must have seemed odd us stopping quite a distance away for me to get off as the chap opened the bottom gate for us. Today I needed the boat to be stationary and close to the bank for me to step off, my legs having developed the wobblyness of one of those giraffe toys you used to get in your Christmas stocking. Even though I was well aware of how big a step there was my brain could not communicate this to my feet which reacted in the opposite way they needed to. Step/no step!
I walked up to the lock and explained to the chap who was very understanding and left me to close the bottom gate, he’d do the honours at the top end for us. I waited for Oleanna to rise before stepping back onboard, I don’t normally do ladders and today was most certainly not the day to start.
Dashwoods Lock, I think
Dashwoods Lock came into view, Muddy Slipper mooring below it was available. Did we want to stop? We needed to carry on, but I wasn’t sure for how much longer. Mick today was starting to suffer from the waterfall effects covid gives to your nose and I just really wanted to sit down in front of the TV and stove for a snooze, but that wouldn’t get us coal or me to work next week. There was however a possibility that we’d end up stopping deep within the big black hole of everythingness. I warned those who were still emailing me that my responses may not return for a day.
Hire boats agogo
After a short while the railway hugs the canal, not somewhere we’d choose to stop. Just about all the Oxfordshire Hire Boats were at home leaving a narrow channel to aim for through the base. There was a familiar named boat NB Perseus, Forged in Sheffield, another Finesse boat. No-one was at home.
Gradually as we approached Allen’s Lock we watched our phone signal drop away along with the internet, things hadn’t improved along this stretch. A boat had just come down the lock but closed the gate behind them, luckily for us a walker stopped and pushed the gate open for us, saving some energy.
New paddle gears
New lock gates here have a geared paddle on the bottom gates with brakes similar to those you find at Hillmorton Locks. I wonder how many of the rotten gates will be replaced this winter? We’ve only looked at stoppages on the Oxford that will affect us and not for one’s in the new year.
Dredging
Thankfully we couldn’t stop even if we wanted to above Allen’s Lock as it was full. Then not a lot further on there was a skip boat and some dredging happening. One man sat on top of his digger scouping out large chunks of reeds which he then span round to deposit in the skip boat. After a couple more scoups he helped a tug move the skip away, giving us just enough room to pass them.
Stuck across the cut
Up ahead was where the dredgings were being off loaded. A bigger digger/crane was gouging out the sludge from a skip, a third skip and tug stretched right across the canal blocking it completely. The tug driver was doing his best to get the skip out of the way, pushing and pulling, adjusting the connections, pushing and pulling. In the end he had to disconnect from the skip completely and give it a damn good biff to get it of the bottom, if ever anywhere needed dredging!
Heyford Common Lock the last for the day
Heyford Common Lock sat filling itself up, leaks round the gate and from the cill. The bottom gate beam is still how it was last year, at least today I knew it would flex before I got any movement from it. This would however have to be our last lock of the day, energy levels were getting low even though we’d topped up with paracetamol an hour or so earlier.
It’s still here! Everything’s in order
We wound our way to Somerton Meadows hoping there’d be space for us and thankfully there was. We pulled in and kept ourselves to the end nearest where Tilly likes to climb the fencing and furthest away from other boats. Tilly headed off to do what she does whilst we had some lunch and a much needed sit down.
Around about 5pm there was a loud beeping. What was that shattering the peace? A boat was heading towards us, were we moored on a bend and someone felt they might hit us? We’ve moored here before and not had any problem! Then some shouting followed.
Two Finesse boats together
Hang on, this wasn’t someone with a problem, it was someone trying to get our attention. It was NB Perseus with Julie and Simon. Mick feeling rougher than me stayed inside by the stove whilst I headed out the back with Tilly to say hello. Standing on the bank I could keep my distance easier. A couple of months ago when we met up with NB Barbarella on the River Nene, Noni signed me up to a Whatsap group for ladies on Finesse boats. I believe Julie was the instigator of the group. We’ve had text message communication and a few comments on the group, but today we finally got to meet.
See you again
Have to say it pepped me up somewhat. A very jolly couple who moor at Cropredy, I’m sure our paths will cross again hopefully when we are feeling better. Very good chatting to you both.
As the evening progressed Mick’s waterfall nose increased in flow, mine subsiding. My head also started to feel a little bit clearer as if the clouds were starting to part over head. Here’s hoping so and that Mick follows the same track.
4 locks, 6.6 miles, 2 many emails, 7 fonts down 2 1, 1 black hole of nothingness passed through, 3 skips, 1 stuck, 2nd lady with Finesse, 2 giraffe legs, 3.5 hours shore leave, what will day 5 have in store for us.
Thank you to the crew of NB Hafren for your help today.
Lemsip in bed for both of us this morning. Mick was most certainly worse than yesterday and had had a bad nights sleep. We decided to leave the bed made up for ease of afternoon snoozing should one be required.
Funny thing to fall through the hedge
As we got Oleanna ready for the off a boat was just appearing above the lock, we left them to it even though the lock was in our favour, no rushing about anywhere for us and we’d be able to keep our distance from them too. Whilst we waited there was a noise in the hedge of the garden across the cut, it sounded like something weighty had fallen into it. Two cats sat and looked about as a Mutkjac Deer appeared, not that much bigger then the felines. They really didn’t know what to make of it, their instinct to hunt like lions kept them close, but the size of it was a touch off putting.
Hope this one’s on the list for this winter
Once we were up Kidlington Lock we worked our way along what felt to be quite a low pound to Roundham Lock. A boat was appearing out of the lock, but the gate was closed behind them, a helpful passer-by who hadn’t seen us apologised as he walked onwards. This was to be the first lock that took some getting into today, the water level low not helping. I quickly remembered to wait for Mick to take Oleanna out of gear before closing the bottom gate, it’s far easier this way with the big single gates and anything to make life easier was needed today.
A lady from a down hill boat walked towards me, I explained that she might not want to get too close and why. Locks are handy for social distancing, I stood on the off side ready to lower the paddle, the lady quite happy to open the gate up for us to leave.
Someone’s keeping an eye on moorers!
Round into Thrupp not yet filled up with winter moorers. Aubrey’s Lift Bridge now has flashing lights on both sides for road users. Last year we overheard conversations about this as too many vehicles had been crossing the bridge without it being fully down and causing damage. I don’t recall seeing any stoppage notices about the bridge this year so the lights must be working.
New lights
We pulled in, disinfected our hands for the umpteenth time today and filled up with water and dealt with the yellow water and rubbish. Thankfully none of the very friendly people from Thrupp came over to chat, so we could keep ourselves to ourselves.
Under the bridge
Not far to where we should be stopping today, cruising hours reduced now thankfully. But we decided that if we could get that bit further today it would be good, not knowing what Covid might have in store for us over the next few days.
At least it won’t garrot anyone!
This year we’ve seen more and more boats moored up using their centre lines. This really isn’t good practice as it tends to encourage your boat to keel over more when boats pass and should there be any flooding this can end up sinking your boat. But this boat moored under the railway bridge was doing it in a completely different way, centre line upwards away from any harm to walkers up onto the railway bridge!
2022! New Old Bridge
Shipton Lift Bridge 219 has been rebuilt, kept open to boat traffic with a sign saying not to use it until further notice. The water level at Shipton Weir Lock was in our favour, I stepped off and opened up the gate, just to see NB Peggy pulling up behind us also wanting to use the lock.
Sharing a .lock on the Oxford Canal
The lock being lozenge shaped meant we’d possibly be able to get both boats in at once, Peggy being a touch shorter than us. She nestled in nicely and the chap at the helm pulled her right over to step off with a rope. Even though we were sharing a lock with another boat we were still at least 6m away from anyone. The lady suggested I close up the bottom gate and she’d work the top gate and paddles, so no need to be close.
Back out onto a river, the Cherwell, some speed again. We’ve got rather used to it over the summer. Then we were up Bakers Lock and back on the slower water.
Pigeon’s Lock
We pootled on to Pigeons Lock. No-one to help here, but that was fine, we hoped it would be our last lock as we were tired and starting to get cold, paracetamol levels dropping and aches setting in. Oh what a time for the bottom gate not to open fully, Oleanna didn’t want to fit through!
One of the nice houses by the lock
Time to try the waggle the gate about technique. Oleanna was brought out of the lock. I semi closed the gate and then swung it open as quickly as I could muster, maybe it opened a bit wider, but with extra umph Mick managed to get her into the lock. Phew, we’d not have to call C&RT out and sit and wait for assistance.
Quirky buildings and a good car
Jane’s Enchanted Tea Garden is no longer along the next stretch. The business was sold last year and has moved to Ducklington near Whitney. Sadly we never managed to be around when afternoon tea was being served on the banks of the canal. There are still the quirky buildings, Morris Minor and Cosy Caravan, but now it’s just for the owners.
We hoped for a space at the quarry and the moorings gods were looking our way, we had the place to ourselves. It took us time to moor up, everything so much slower than normal. Tilly was given 3.5 hours shore leave and we settled down to enjoy the effects from a top up of paracetamol and some food.
A photo to break up the words a bit
During the day I’d been receiving emails regarding a backdrop for panto. It has a practical doorway through it. Because models are quite often made certain sizes to accommodate card thicknesses the backdrop piece of model had a slightly wider opening than was needed. I normally like maths and making sure things are correct, but today it took such a long time to get my brain round the sizes, tolerances the carpenter was asking and translating it all into an opening for the cloth.
Then the very basic artwork for the Song sheet wasn’t good enough to be printed, could I resend it in a different format? Easy except the font I’d chosen altered itself between formats loosing all the characteristics I’d chosen it for in the first place. Why oh why couldn’t this all have happened last week when my brain functioned better!
Mick did a second lateral flow test this afternoon. A second line. We are now officially the Plague Boat!
5 locks, 1 shared, 6.3 miles, 4 lemsips, 8 paracetamol, 1 box of tissues in a day, 3.5 hours, 1 friend ejected, 1 cat with it! 2 lines, 2 boaters feeling sorry for themselves, 1 bag of coal left, 1 song sheet pain, 1060 or 1129? 1 brain full of covid fog, 1 plague boat.
Thank you to the crews of NB Waratah and NB Peggy for your help today.
