Category Archives: Food

Easter Oranges. 20th April

Selby Swing Bridge

A lazy start with the Saturday newspaper in bed, listening to the Abbey bells. We were up in time to join the Geraghty zoom, breakfast had to wait for later though. Subjects covered, empathy, sheep with hankies, sponsored relay cruising and a walkie talkie lunch.

**We forgot to defrost some sausages, just as well really**

Yesterday we’d found some gf black pudding so that was added to our egg, tomatoes and mushrooms. Tasty.

A walk down to the lock to see if a Keeper might be about. The door to the little hut was open and Nigel was sat relaxing, he’d had an early start checking the levels up on the Ripon Canal this morning. We checked that we were still booked in for tomorrow and heard that there were five or six cruisers headed from Naburn this afternoon. That would be worth coming back to watch, we headed into town to see if we could find the Easter Bunny.

We’d missed all the fun by the market cross. The Abbey was setting up tables for something later today. Not many people about. We had a good wander around.

Houses for sale, this nice looking little terraced house down Rupert Street, wiped clean of any interior detail. Mr C’s Chippy, now when did we have 2 of each from here? Did we have a car at the time? It turns out it was when we were waiting for the River Ouse to come down on our escape from Goole in 2021, Tuesday night is GF night.

Down a side street towards St James the Apostle Church. A row of rather fine terraced houses, one of which is prime for some TLC, filled with original features. But would you keep the avocado sink and toilet?

We made our way back past the station and my favourite door in Selby. It used to roll to the sides and has had some remedial work at some time. But the tarmac on the pavement restricts any possible movement along with brackets at the top, possibly holding it now to the building.

Back at the lock the first of the cruisers was coming up off the river. Just as Nigel was dropping the water for the following boats they arrived. One winding to face the tide, the gates just opening in time. The other winded a little further down stream and then made their way back to the lock and entered before Nigel had given the go ahead. Nigel wasn’t too happy with this.

**The Lockies Key of Powerful Powerness!**

Several gongoozlers watched on, crew from the first boat came to help, but all were very much kept in check by Nigel, looking out for everyone’s safety. Ropes round bollards and risers these two boats were penned up. The boats had all timed their arrivals with penning up in mind, good gaps between them.

The next arrived winded and had to stem the tide for a bit as the lock emptied. The next and final boat came past the lock, winding further down stream. Would they both fit in the lock together? The lead boat was nudged right up to the top gates. Tail end Charlie waved in to join them, directed by the Lockie, instructions relayed by the crew to the skipper inside the cabin. A perfect entrance to the lock, the skippers first time turning into Selby and their first time on a river!

Close to Oleanna was a newly arrived boat. We stopped to say hello thinking they might be joining us tomorrow. But the crew despite having boated for well over fifteen years and been just about everywhere, they have never gone on tidal water. They’d come and watch tomorrow and give it some more thought.

I was short on my walking for the day, so carried on past Oleanna to see if I could find Staynor Hall which looked like it was surrounded by a new Persimmon development. I walked round into the houses. Looked for what I thought would be an old building but could see nothing but a green modern school building at the back of some playing fields. It may still be there somewhere, but disguised in a plain modern building.

I tried to find a path back towards an older housing estate, but found it fenced off, so had to return through the land of little boxes. The road arched round to Denison Road which brought me back to the Swing Bridge. Time to put that joint of Pork in the oven.

The flotilla appears to have now split into three. Two crews having headed back to their houses for Easter, another two in Hemel and I’m not sure where the lead boats are now. Happy Easter to them all. Just incase you haven’t signed it yet, here’s a link to the Fund Britain’s Waterways petition

0 locks, 0 miles, 8:45 start at the tip, 4 slices black pudding between us, 1 slow walk, 5 cruisers, 0 space in the basin, 5.36 miles walked, 48 brisk minutes, 1 joint of pork, 2 beers, 4 glasses wine, 1 quiet evening, 0 Easter eggs, 2 chocolate oranges left from Christmas.

We Have No Bananas. 19th April

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Burn Bridge to Selby Swing Bridge

Our plan to see if we could get in along the full length of moorings at Burn Bridge was thwarted this morning by there being an angler who’d set up camp half way along from us to the bridge. Instead Mick went along with our boat hook, dipping for depth. Shallow, shallow, until he prodded at about the point where the old moorings had extended to. We reckoned there was under 2ft of depth by the bank all the way along the moorings. An email to C&RT with photos will be sent as it’s all very good to make the moorings safe, but only if it’s worth mooring there!

Mick pushed off and I walked the towpath in to Selby, by the end of the day I’d walked the full length of the canal. Oleanna’s speed was greater than mine today as there were a few sculptures to stop and look at on the way. Little if any information can be found about them which is a shame.

In towards Selby we passed Selby Boat Centre, this is where we purchased chain for our anchor and a new set of ropes from a boater who let us moor alongside, way back in 2014 on Nb Lillyanne.

Two boats had passed us this morning, the first was moored close to the Fire Station. We tried pulling in behind them, the chap coming to lend us a hand and have a good natter. Then we tried in front, just before a bend. Then on a bit further round the bend. I remembered we’d had the same problem last time we were here, but had eventually succeeded opposite the Council Tip. We kind of managed to get in behind a widebeam, this would do us.

**One of the canal culverts leading to a drain alongside the fields**

No shore leave for Tilly as the road is close and had a queue for the tip today.

After lunch we walked over the railway to the supermarkets. Meal plans for the week hadn’t included anything extra nice for it being Easter, so at least a chicken was sought. First call was Aldi, who are reportedly trialling a Gluten Free range of products, however Selby doesn’t seem to be a store that stocks them.

Next was Tescos. Big signs where the bananas should be. What is it with Tescos and Bananas, the lack of them seems to be a regular thing in their stores, yet Aldi was full of them. No Saturday newspaper of our liking! Then there was a serious lack of suitable roasting meat of all varieties, unless you were going to have 24 for roast pork!

**We decided not to choose this option for our Easter Sunday meal**

Third supermarket was Morrisons. Newspaper, bananas, and some choice of meat. We got a pork joint that should last us a few meals but not the rest of the month. To finish off my walking for the day I briskly walked down to the lock. The tide was heading out to sea, but not at the great speed I’ve seen here before. Minutes ticked off I returned to Oleanna to make a fish crumble for our dinner.

In flotilla news , the boats continue heading southwards. 2 new cables were fitted to one boat this morning by RCR. Hopefully that will be the end of problems for them all. Petition Link here.

0 locks, 2.2 miles, 2 shallow for all, 1 angler, 2 sculptures, 1 woofers wee, 1 more enquiry, 3 supermarkets, 1 joint pork, 1st of the year I think, 0 Easter eggs bought, 5.42 miles walked, 42 minutes briskly, 0 shore leave.

https://what3words.com/gathering.twee.drip

All Nice And Spicy. 18th April

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West Haddlesey to Burn Bridge

Showers. Tilly was offered some shore leave, which she took up for a while before retreating inside. I’m a fair weather cat and I like it like that in my older years. Thankfully the showers petered off, not that they’d been very soggy.

We’d toyed with staying put for the day, but our options for shopping were just about none existent and if we left it too long before heading into Selby then it would be Easter Sunday with just about all shops closed. Mick spotted a Tesco Express near to Burn Bridge so that was our aim for today.

I opted to walk, at about 3 miles it would be a good way of ticking off the brisk minutes. We both suspected that I’d beat Oleanna as the Selby Canal is really quite shallow, so slow cruising. It also gave me chance to check out the footpath along the first stretch.

A big sign showed lots of local walks and that the towpath continued to Tankards Bridge, information already passed on to Paul at Waterway Routes. The footpath was good and obviously well used. I kept my pace up and kept just in front of Oleanna with enough time to pause to take photos.

**Paperhouse Bridge with the tunnels/culverts/aqueducts either side**

Yesterday I’d crossed Paperhouse Bridge where two round areas sit alongside the canal. Our maps suggest that the canal passes over these on aqueducts, even though they look just a bit like fancy side ponds. But information from the big notice says they have a tunnel, culvert between the two of them. These were designed by William Jessop to collect water and help stop the canal from getting flooded. There were originally four such tunnels/culverts/aqueducts, one has since been filled in.

I paused by the high wall mooring. Mick rang. As it was available, should we stop here for the day? Plan changed, he reversed Oleanna back to attempt to moor. There seemed to be quite a few branches in the way. He got the stern in and then with the boat hook managed to pick a branch out. However there were more branches and these were stubborn to shift. Back onboard to try from there, it wasn’t easy. I helped by staring at the branches. But that didn’t even help. After quite a bit of revving we decided to give up and continue to our original mooring.

On we plodded to Burn Bridge. Mick pulled in at the end furthest away from the busy road, under the willow tree. We’ve been here before several times and despite the road it’s a nice mooring. Had something changed? There seemed to be more grass on the bank. The stern came in, but when trying to pull Oleanna in she stopped just that little bit too far out to be able to comfortably step across. The bottom was far too close to the top! We tried again, nope! Not wanting to go any further, or to try mooring nearer the bridge we opted to bring the stern in and have the bow sticking out, after all we’ve not seen a moving boat for a couple of days and we’d still not be blocking the navigation.

Some mixing and stirring was required by Tilly, some festive baking needed despite watching what is eaten at the moment. This was left to rise whilst we walked to Tescos for a few essentials, we’ll do a bigger shop in Selby tomorrow.

Whilst I added spices and fruit to the mix, Mick chaperoned Tilly’s shore leave. We knew she’d be far more interested in the friendly cover at our end of the mooring, but every now and again she’ll do something unexpected, if that involved the road that would be very bad indeed. I took over once the buns were proving again.

Mick checked the stoppage notices. The moorings at Burn Bridge have been closed since June last year.

Please be advised that some moorings at Burn are currently unavailable due to ongoing safety renovations. The original footboards, planks, and structure had deteriorated beyond repair and are being replaced along the original banking. Alternative moorings are available at Haddlesey, and Gateforth landing. The notice stopped on 14th April.

**The mooring is a quarter of what it used to be**

Looking back at old photos, it looks as if they have removed and not replaced the original footboards. This extra few feet may have meant having enough water to get into the side and now it is far too shallow. We’ll have a go at pulling in further along in the morning to see if it’s all too shallow for us.

**Hot paw buns with their marzipan prints**

All was baked and ready to be a pudding after our main course this evening. We can’t have Easter without Hot Paw Buns! The boat smells all nice and spicy now.

The flotilla to London has had quite a few problems today, failing hydraulics on one boat and a second morse control cable has broken. RCR are on their way to fix it tomorrow. Petition Link.

0 locks, 2.8 miles, 3 tunnels, 1 towpath, 2 attempts to moor, 2 many branches, 1 willow tree trimmed, 1 very jaunty angle, 5 bananas, 1 pot humous, 130 grams cranberries, 12 Hot Paw Buns, 1 willow climbed three times, 2 pairs of socks wrapped and ready to send.

https://what3words.com/backyards.comical.grazes

Nothing To See Here, Or Here, Or There. 17th April

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Whitley Lock to West Haddlesey, Selby Canal

Sunshine!!! Not much wind, a much better day for cruising.

We pushed over to the other side to fill with water and empty the wee tank. Jobs done I headed to the lock with the key of power to empty it ready for Oleanna. Today no glitches in the system, last year there had been a power cut so the panel hadn’t worked for quite sometime and the lock had been temperamental too.

A little chat with Richard from NB Isabella who were now moored above the lock. I wonder where we’ll see them next?

Today we wanted to make up for not moving yesterday, so at least 2 hours cruising required. We passed quite a few familiar boats from these parts. A pylon caught our eye as it has three sets of arms. Then a Leeds Liverpool Short Boat Mersey, looked like it had recently been blacked.

Past the huge slag heap to the south, a new distribution centre to the north, the solar farm and then the rubble which is still Kellingley Colliery, one day it will show signs of progress, one day.

At Bank Dole Junction we turned the tight right towards the lock. It’s been five years since we’ve cruised this way, would Bank Dole Lock work without problem. In the past it’s been an extreamly slow filler, in fact we once had to go away and come back the following day after C&RT had to remove silt from around the bottom gates so that the lock could make a level.

As I started to fill the lock a car drove up, a gongoozler ready to lend a hand with the gates. He’d never seen a boat come through the lock before and because there were a few weeds in the top gates he’s assumed it wasn’t used anymore. If he saw some lock gates around the system with their fully grown gardens he’d have quite a shock!

**An interesting level marker, possibly EA**

The gates are heavy, the paddles endlessly turn, but it all worked fine and we were down onto the River Aire with it’s twists and turns.

I used to enjoy the river, meandering back and forth, three power stations to spot, Drax, Ferrybridge and Eggborough. The first of Eggborough’s cooling towers were demolished in August 2021. Ferrybridge started to be demolished in 2019, the last of the cooling towers detonated in March 2022. Now only the most distant power station still stands, Drax, only occasionally visible above the banks. So there’s nothing to see here, or here, or there! The river is now just brown, green banks and sky.

As we were getting close to Beal Lock Mick had a phone call from his friend Chris from The Pink Narrowboat. Chris is currently walking from Lands End to John O’Groats raising funds for Hope and Homes for Children. It’s his 70th birthday this year and he’s hoping to raise £70,000. But being Chris he’s not only walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats but back again too! He’s currently posting a video on his channel every day, today being Day 15 on the Somerset Levels and along the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal.

At Beal Lock we paused for lunch. This is where Houdini our first second mate discovered she could swim! Tilly wasn’t allowed shore leave, we wanted to carry on and we’re not too keen on her going out on pontoons. The lock cut has recently been given a tidy up, very little growth between the pontoon and the bank, I wonder if all the Himalayan Balsam will return later in the year?

The lock only has a small drop. Today I didn’t even bother checking the level boards as back at Bank Dole the river wasn’t even in the green! Below back on the river there was quite a bit of noise. This next stretch can sometimes have speed boats with water skiers in tow. Today however the boat that was speeding around was a touch too small to pull a skier along, it just went round and round in circles far quicker than Oleanna ever could! The chap came up to lend a hand with the heavy gates, he then said he’d race us to the next lock.

Tighter twists and turns. One day, will a flood end up creating more Oxbow lakes or do we now manage water too much to allow such things to happen? Still no power stations, oh well!

We’d heard of a boat having been in trouble along this stretch in some floods this winter. Alistair from Goole had been called out to the boat, but there was nothing he could do to help in the conditions. We thought it had been a widebeam, but today the only boat out of the water was a narrowboat.

**Through the flood lock that protects the Selby Canal**

West Haddlesey Flood Lock was open to us, no need to operate paddles or the very big gates today, we just sailed straight through and pulled up on the mooring.

Our location noted, I took a quick look at the OS map, plotted a route to see the weir and back through some fields and headed off so that five minutes later Tilly could have her shore leave without following me.

Along the river bank, I kept my eyes open in case I could see a widebeam on the bank. Nothing to be seen. Then into Chapel Haddlesey with the hope of crossing the river on the A19 to then join a footpath to the weir. But there was no footpath along the road, it’s a busy road, so I wasn’t going to risk it. Instead I carried on walking towards St John’s The Baptist, it had caught my eye because of it’s Rapunzel like tower. Rebuilt completely in 1836 and extended a couple of times, with tower and spire erected in 1891. Sadly the door was locked, a quick check in the graveyard for any access to the river bank, none obvious but I did spot George Best’s grave stone, from 1934.

**George, wonder if he was a good footballer**

Back the way I’d come, then across fields towards Paper House Farm where a track crosses the canal. No footpath shown on my OS map and no towpath shown on Waterway Routes, I chose to carry on along the footpath, across fields of Rapeseed and down into the village. An interesting looking Indian Restaurant where there was once a pub. On reaching Tankards Bridge I noticed that there was a path alongside the canal towards Selby. When we come back I may investigate further.

**Footpath through a hedge near Paperhouse Bridge**

Tilly had had shore leave, but wasn’t impressed by the young lads fishing Can’t they read the signs! Even I’m not allowed to fish! A pot of chilli was put on to cook.

Fund Britain’s Waterways flotilla news. Some boats had a day exploring Bletchley Park, we can highly recommend it too. Others stocked up at Tesco and Aldi in Leighton Buzzard continuing on southwards. Link to petition

4 locks, 1 a flood lock, 10.6 miles, 3 waterways, 1 right, 1 left, 15th Day, 1 speeding boat, 2 donkeys, 1 tower, 4.49 miles walked, 63 minutes briskly, 2 outsides, 1 vat of chilli.

https://what3words.com/seasick.appealing.cowering

A Hoolie Of A Day. 16th April

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Whitley Lock Moorings

The height of wind today was meant to be around 4pm with gusts of around 40mph. We woke to waves on the canal and wished we’d moored facing the other way round as the waves were enjoying giving Oleanna’s stern a good slap. Last night we’d already decided not to head anywhere today, we’ve not got that far to go for our next deadline so waiting a day isn’t a problem.

Tilly had a go at liking the outside, but soon gave up and sat in front of the stove, Mick had to light it for her, although we felt the benefit of it too.

As the wind was due to get worse I decided to go for my walk early in the day, so as to avoid the worst affects of the fresh air. I looked at various routes. One to look at where the cooling towers of Eggborough Power Station had once stood. Another to West Haddlesey to look at the lock off the River Aire onto the Selby Canal from the opposite bank of the river. But these were all a bit too long. Another into Whitley village to see what it was like, but to not back track on myself would have meant too many miles again.

Instead I opted to walk across the field behind the mooring, up to High Eggborough, a handy post box here. Then along a footpath through a pig farm. Lots of ladies snuffling the ground or sheltering in their arks.

The path came out at Great Heck. I’ve heard lots of good reports about The Bay Horse Inn here, real ale and good food, although only the usual gluten free options of steak or gammon, so I won’t be rushing here for a pub meal.

Back to the canal and then I retraced my steps onto the towpath. By now the wind was really quite strong. I opted to walk to the side of the footpath just in case I got blown over, then I might not land in the water. Two fishermen sat huddled up, one without any shelter, the other had at least found some bushes to hide behind. Blimey that wind was bitter!

After lunch Mick and I set to with a job a we’ve been putting off for ages. A new wheel under our corner cupboard. The original ones have a rubber wheel with a plastic centre. One of these had cracked and the plastic centre on one side had given up on holding up all our crockery sometime last year. This meant the cupboard was now grating along the floor as we move it in and out. Last year we found some castors that we thought we’d be able to use, the right diameter and we’d be able to remove the wheel to replace the broken one on the cupboard without having to remove the whole cupboard to get to the underside of it.

The cupboard was emptied of everything, then it was chocked up with some handy kindling to make removal of the old wheel easier. A new wheel was removed from it’s fixing and tried in the old one. Ahh the diameter was the same, but the thickness of the wheel was just that bit more and it would have to be forced into the fixing, but then it wouldn’t be able to turn freely!

The new wheels are all rubber, with a harder plastic centre to them. Could I shave off the centres to make them fit better? This meant digging out my work boxes from under the dinette to find a scalpel. I sliced off bits to reduce the width, then tried it again. Yep it fitted, phew! We now just needed to lift the cupboard a fraction to get the bolt through the middle. The cupboard was blocking the route to the back, so Mick walked round the outside of the boat, only to find we’d not unbolted the hatch, so there wasno access that way. In the end I laid on the floor with Mick’s feet positioned where there was any space, the lift was quick, bolt through, nut tightened, job done and now a small visible gap under the edge of the cupboard. I’ll have to try to tidy the floor up at some point now and disguise the scrapes.

The pull out drawer that has been disconnected for some time was screwed back onto the pull out cupboard, so finally the pan drawer pulls out again with it, also creating a good hidey-hole for Tilly, who’s been bemused at it not having a top to it.

It was still early and as I’d dug my work boxes out from under the dinette I got on with painting up three versions of a new colour scheme for Oleanna.

Top one is how she is now. Then two versions with cream cabin sides, one with blue stern and bow, the other all cream. I’d had reservations about having an all cream boat, but as soon as I started putting lines on the cabin sides it started to feel good, quite French really.

We looked at the schemes. Both agreeing on the one we preferred, but it raised other questions. Should the cabin ends be the same as the cabin sides? Should the well deck and stern be dark so as not to show up the mud so much? If we’re painting the mushroom vents, should we consider having coloured window frames? Should they be blue? Thank goodness we’ve got a year to think about it all!

As the stove had been lit most of the day, we utilised it’s heat and had jacket potatoes with the last of the roast chicken made into a coleslaw, very yummy.

Sock pair 63 had it’s ends woven in and pair 65 was cast on. I still need to finish off another pair, which is a slightly more complicated job, but that pair will hopefully be handed over from boat to boat in the next week.

The Campaign flotilla has split again. The lead boats were at The Globe near Leighton Buzzard this evening, the others I believe were at Fenny Stratford. Petition Link

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 dormant cat, 3.85 miles walked, 64 minutes briskly, 4pm, 6pm, 9pm it started to calm down, 56889656454567 white horses, 1 wheel fixed, 2 new colour schemes, 2 many new questions!

High Noon. 13th April

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Stanilands Marina to Bramwith Junction

Subjects on the Geraghty zoom this morning covered roofing, Neil Kinnock, foxes, bicycles ridden by Tony Ben and chocolate workshops for Easter.

A shopping trip was next on the cards. With the Brompton Mick could cycle slowly whilst I walked fastley. We worked our way through the shopping list, checked out and loaded up the bike. Now we were to split, Mick back to the boat to stow things and get ready to cruise whilst I had a date with another Mick, at high noon, at the Princess Royal Swing Bridge.

Was that Mick down there moored between several narrowboats? I couldn’t see from my camera screen, but when the cruiser pulled out from it’s mooring ‘Fund Britain’s Waterways’ Banner still showing I knew. Mick on Cruiser Amourouse had stayed with the flotilla to Soar Boating Club, but he knew he’d not be able to make it much further due to low bridges and that his boat was too wide for narrow locks which would be encountered at Foxton. He’s been gradually catching us up.

He’d teamed up with several narrowboats to do the bridges into Thorne yesterday and had hoped he’d make it back to Strawberry Island, but with delays for broken down bridges and that the other boats were wanting a few days in Thorne he decided to take us up on our offer to help him through the last few obstacles, at 84 I’d be taking all the assistance offered.

**What is it with floating chairs round here?**

How would the bridge behave today? A chap sat on the bench near the control panel with his wife in a wheel chair. I think they come every day to spectate, they used to own a wide beam, but when the wheelchair came into their lives they had to move to land.

I checked all the barriers were closed first, the one nearest the panel waggled about a bit, then clicked. I turned the key. An audible click from every barrier. I closed the barriers, having to waggle one until it also clicked. I pressed the open button and the siren started. HOOORAAY!!!

My Mick had messaged that there was a volunteer on at Thorne Lock, so I relayed that to the other Mick. I’d leave him in the Lockies hands and help to get Oleanna ready so we could push off as Amourouse came past.

Once VHF radios had been turned on we had ship to ship communication again. We were given permission to pass, so as to be first to Bramwith Swing Bridge. A swan by his nest took umberance to Amourouse and started to chase the boat. Those side fenders were going to get it! Once the cob was reunited with it’s partner things calmed down.

Liliane still boasts a campaign banner. A cruiser sat with it’s engines running in Thorne Boating Club, they soon appeared behind Amourouse and tagged along behind.

I hopped off pushed the button at the swing bridge and we let the other cruiser go on ahead towards Bramwith Lock. We checked with Mick to see if he wanted to share the lock with us, would we fit? He was quite happy to share, had done numerous times before.

Two volunteers were seeing Pearl down the electric charity boat that moors in Thorne. We waved the other cruiser on, they could go ahead of us. A chat with the volunteers regarding us sharing with Amourouse. They weren’t keen but in the end it was down to us, in fact it was down to the skipper of the cruiser, he was fine with it.

Oleanna was held both bow and stern and kept under control all the time in the lock. The volunteers reluctantly lifted paddles, extreamly slowly, understandably. Slowly the two boats rose, both safe and sound.

A quick chat between boats, we’d be happy to see Mick back through Long Sandal Lock, but he thought there’d be a volunteer on today. But if we could help at Barnby Dun Lift Bridge? We certainly could. Straight on at the junction. We pulled in at the services by the big bridge. Mick set to filling with water whilst I walked up to see the other Mick under the bridge.

Now where do I stand on the number of vehicles I held up? Do they get added to the spread sheet? It wasn’t Oleanna holding up the traffic?

A very cheery wave from Mick as he passed under the bridge, not much further till he’d get back to base. A message appeared on the whatsapp group that he’d arrived safe and sound at 3:15pm. It was a pleasure to help him on his last leg home.

**Goodbye Mick, hope to see you somewhere on the water again**

Watery chores were done. Wee tank emptied, Tilly’s pooh box got a refresh and bins emptied. No sign as yet of the new recycling labels on bins.

Mick winded Oleanna to head back to the junction whilst I walked the towpath, got to clock up 40 minutes minimum. Our mooring was still available, we tied up and let Tilly out. She wasn’t impressed It’s still far too windy for my bottom!

**Winding as another boat comes through the bridge**

A roast chicken was enjoyed. Yes we shouldn’t have as yesterdays burger had been a very naughty treat, but the remains of a chicken will last us at least three more meals which all helps when we are unlikely to see a big shop for over a week.

A pesky swan kept us company for most of the evening and a very light shower came over. Here’s hoping we only get light showers in the coming days, more importantly that the Yorkshire Dales don’t get a deluge.

1 lock, 6.5 miles, 1 bridge for us, 3 more for Mick plus 1 lock, 1 left, 1 wind, 23 years, 2 boxes wine, 1 chicken, 500grams mince, 1 mardy swan, 3 floating chairs, 84 year old skipper, 1 final wave goodbye to our flotilla chums ( who are all down on the GU now), 3.52 miles walked, 44 minutes briskly, 3 hours shore leave, 10 minutes taken, 1 pesky swan.

https://what3words.com/herb.golden.iterative

The Express Train. 12th April

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Staniland Marina, Thorne

Tilly was left in charge today with her evening dingding already served before 9am, we were off for a day trip and some culture.

We took the train from Thorne North, the conductor on the train said we’d need to change at Goole for our Express Train to Scarborough. This made us both laugh. How can the train be an express when it stops at every stop and takes 1hour 58 minutes? You can drive it in about 1 hour 20 minutes!

The train arrived in Scarborough with plenty of time to spare before lunch so we decided to have a look at the new exhibition at the Old Parcel Office at the end of the station car park. Fruiting Bodies is an sculpture exhibition from London based art collective Changeable Beasts. There were a couple of pieces which caught our eye in a good way, a pear tree that has been trained for the last five years to be symmetrical, a pair of red trainers swathed in watches and some large wooden blocks that have been painted and carved with patterns. The rest of the exhibition looked like the pieces had been pulled out of poor unsuspecting human bodies and really didn’t do anything for either of us.

Time to pick up our tickets at the SJT and settle down for lunch. A big treat lunch at Eat Me of burger and chips, they do do other things, but their burgers are so good they can’t be resisted. Quite often we bump into someone we know, today was no exception as Duncan came in soon followed by Jaye old friends of ours. We also had a visit from Annie one of our lodgers at the moment.

With an hour to kill before the show I sped off to clock up some more minutes and left Mick to saunter to the Town Hall to look out at the sea. I walked across Valley Bridge and then down into the valley to check on the daffodils. One side of the valley past it’s best, the other still pretty good. These are daffodils for Marie Curie.

When I got down to the beach I had to change my planned route as of course it is the Easter holiday and the Foreshore was rammed, the beach pretty busy too.

I opted to walk to the Spa instead, a wedding soon to take place in the Sun Court, then back over Spa Bridge into town and back to the theatre where we met with Frank, who’d also come to see the show at the SJT.

Love’s Labour’s Lost (more or less) has been adapted by Elizabeth Godber and Nick Lane. A hen and stag do end up both taking place in Ibiza. Songs from the 90’s aid the plot with girl power, Cher, Meat Loaf, Shania Twain to mention just a few. Plenty of gyrating hips, mislaid love letters, Hawaiian pills from Swindon, Lara Croft, Blind Date and Stars In Their Eyes. It was as expected bonkers, very funny, great cast all round, but maybe just a touch too long. Having half of the cast staying in our house we had to come to see it, very glad we did. Only one week left of the run.

**Love’s Labour’s Lost when the show was at Shakespeare North.**

A cuppa with Frank and chance to briefly meet Jo for the first time, another lodger before we caught the train back to Thorne, changing this time from the Express train at Brough.

**My favourite quote from my last Ayckbourn show**

A very good day out.

*Where’s my dingding?!* In your tummy Tilly!

In Fund Britains Waterways Flotilla news, all boats have now ascended the Foxton flight, some have made it down Watford and are making their way south on the Grand Union. There may be a little delay in their cruise southwards as a lock is closed on the Marsworth flight, hopefully it will be mended quickly. If you haven’t already please sign the petition

0 locks, 0 miles, 4 trains, 1 exhibition, 2 many entrails, 2 burgers, 4 slices of extra cheese (between us), 1 more Duncan mention, 3.84 miles walked, 41 minutes briskly, 1 busy Scarborough, 1 wedding, 1 hen and stag do, 4 lodgers, 1 bonkers show, 1 cat with an empty bowl, 2nd dingding please, 0 chance Tilly.

Sad Gits Frites. 5th April

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Kiln Pontoon to Cromwell Lock Pontoon

After breakfast we both headed to see if there was anything to buy with yellow labels. Mick headed to Waitrose, a pint of milk and a Saturday newspaper, plus a look around to see what might have yellow stickers on that could go in the freezer for another day.

I headed to the other side of the river to M&S, here I was greeted with quite a few yellow stickers. It seems the morning is best at M&S, evening best at Waitrose. I scanned loaves of bread, spicy Spanish rice. Not many things either took my fancy or I could eat. However a box of Frites and a gf Tiger loaf of bread jumped in my basket. Once back at Oleanna the former was split into two and the loaf sliced up and all popped into the freezer.

**A blue world down on the river today**

We pushed off heading down stream. Mick radioed ahead incase there was a Lock Keeper on duty at Nether Lock, again Cromwell Lock replied that there was no-one there today. The key of power would be needed. Since coming through Nether Lock the last time the buttons seem to have been made more sensible. The lock resets itself to being full, in the past I’ve had to press the OPEN button as if the lock was empty, waiting for the flashing to stop before doing it again despite the sluices already being open. Today the gates just opened and I could call Mick to bring Oleanna straight in.

At the bottom end things also seemed to be quicker, the periods between button presses much shorter than I remembered, however it took forever for the lock to realise it was now empty, stop it’s flashing light and let me open the gates.

Down on the river it was breezy, white horses, lumpy water. Thank goodness we’ve opted to keep the stove ticking over inside.

Approaching Cromwell pontoon we could see a widebeam was moored up. Would there be room for us on the outside? Or would we opt to wind and reverse into the upstream inside? The widebeam was right in the middle of the outside, two spare mooring cleats in front, one behind, enough room for us if they nudged up. We winded and headed for the inside, at least we’d have a view from our bedroom window. Later on we found out that when they’d arrived it had been so windy they were relieved to just get moored up to the pontoon.

Lunch then a walk up the river bank, back to North Muskham. About a 10/15 minute walk you come across a tea room at a farm, Lil Maggies and the Secret Barn, laid out in (surprise surprise) a barn with a tent and caravans about. It was too late for me to sample their vitals, but maybe when we come back this way later we’ll see what’s on offer.

**St Wilfred’s of North Muskham, not to be confused with St Wilfred’s of South Muskham**

I walked up to St Wilfred’s Church, the very well worn door obliged in being unlocked. Inside was far smaller than I’d expected, chairs rather than pews. Parts of the church date back to 1190 and it contains what are probably the earliest octagonal piers in the county. The chancel and north aisle were rebuilt in 1530, funded by J Barton of Holme, the family coat of arms appears around the church. The Tudor oak rude screen is very impressive for such a little church. They have developed a very canny way of avoiding molten wax from dripping on peoples heads.

I looked for a slightly different route back to the boat avoiding the A1. This took me through the village past a totem pole and around a large lake surrounded by a housing estate and then back onto the river bank. A rather blustery walk.

The pontoons here have electric posts. Mick went to see if he could get one of them to work. They used to work with the old CRT pump out cards that you could buy on line or at Locks. These are supposedly being phased out at pump outs and chip and pin readers installed. There was a time when you could trade your old cards in, we never got round to doing this so had a couple on board. The second card Mick tried worked, it had one unit left, the post sprang into life. The unit lasted two wash cycles, a second tank of hot water and some tumble drying before it stopped working.

This evening we’ve enjoyed half of our yellow stickered ‘sad gits’ frites with some salmon, very nice it was. We’ve also raised a glass or two to being boat owners for 11 years, having picked NB Lillyanne up from her previous owners in 2014.

The Fund Britain’s Waterways Campaign Cruise reached The Soar Boat Club at Normanton on Soar today. If you haven’t already done so please sign the petition, the link is at the top right hand side of this page.

1 lock, 5 miles, 2 yellow labels, 1 pint, 1 newspaper, 0 shore leave again for Tilly, 5.02 miles walked, 73 minutes briskly, 11 years of floating our own boat.

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Penning Them Up. 3rd April

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Hazelford Lock to Kiln Pontoon, Newark

A lie in, Tilly wasn’t impressed by the morning view, ah but I remember what lies at the top of those huge steps! Once we were up and dressed shore leave was granted for two hours. On previous visits to Hazelford Lock Tilly has been a little reluctant to go up the big steps to see what laid above, but once she’d got up there she was kept busy. Today she charged up to the top, claimed some wooden railings for herself and was gone out of view for quite some time. Well I remember outsides just like you do, but from different heights. This one has a lot of friendly cover and could keep me going for days!

A shame that at 10am when Tilly came in we decided to go out, the VHF radio needed to be on higher ground for us to hear any activity from the Campaign Cruisers, they now seem to be known at Waterways Warriors! We walked up to be by the lock, the radio crackled after a while a few times. Then there was Alan from NB Aladin radioing someone.

Mick replied, saying that so far there was no sign of a Lock Keeper at Hazelford, but we were here with our key and ready to pen them all up. Alan replied and relayed the message to the following boats. They would be about 40 minutes, we were early.

**Radio in hand listening to channel 6**

Alan radioed again whilst passing Fiskerton, this is where we’d radio a Lockie from, hoping they’d have the lock ready for us. The flotilla had stretched out somewhat and he’d underestimated their cruising time. We decided to get the lock ready for them as using the boaters pedestal you can’t just lift the bottom paddles and it be done in a jiffy. No, you have to wait for that flippin flashing light to stop before lifting the paddles a couple more inches with another button press and it always seems to take forever for the level to be acknowledged before the gates will open. I checked above the lock before we started to empty it, no sign of anyone approaching the top side.

Then eventually NB Aladin appeared round the bend, he slowed on his approach, he’d touched the bottom whilst coming past Oleanna. The others followed with quite big gaps between them and pulled up to line up with the blue risers in the lock. The natural inclination is to stay as far back as possible in these big locks, but if we were to get everyone in one lock they would have to nudge up a bit.

Four abreast with quite a gap at the rear of the final three narrowboats, Mick managed to get Cruiser Amourouse tucked in at the back with plenty of space for us to close the gates behind them.

Our space on the flotilla now taken by NB Kallisto who will be with them until Nottingham. We penned them up and then wished them all a final farewell. Our plans take us back northwards this summer, so we’ve come on a bit of a detour to take part in getting things rolling on the cruise. We’ve really enjoyed our time with them, but now it’s time for us to turn round and head back the way we’ve come. Hopefully in the future our bows will cross with them all at some point, somewhere.

Above the lock a narrowboat appeared, it winded and then held it’s position. It looked very much like they would be joining the flotilla too. How great would it be if as the flotilla passes boaters join in for a mile or two to show their support for the campaign. Of course at the moment it’s easy to join them with big stretches of river and huge locks, it’ll be harder once they get on the canal in Nottingham as only two, not eight boats will fit the locks.

Back at Oleanna we decided to give Tilly some more shore leave and have lunch before departing. A phone call was made to Cromwell to check on tide times to Torksey over the next few days. We need a bit of time in Newark to restock then we can be on the move again. We booked in for our second tidal lock. Mick then called Torksey to see if we’d be able to get up the lock the day we arrive and when would be best for us to carry on to West Stockwith, the chap couldn’t help much about times, best to talk to the Lockie at West Stockwith.

Tilly came back for Dreamies and a toilet break only to find the back doors now firmly shut, time to head down stream. I was not impressed!

Back down stream, passing the power station (nowhere near as impressive at the one’s we’d passed on the tidal river, I wonder how long the cooling towers will stay? Past Leicester Trader, the Parish Church spire came into view.

Mick radioed ahead to see if Town Lock had a Lockie, he got an answer but it was from Cromwell, the Lockie in Town had left an hour ago so it was on self service. The Key of Power would get some use, here you can whack the paddles up to fill the lock should you so wish, all whilst the lady keeps on repeating herself and you burn your fingers on the buttons whilst opening and closing gates.

**Newark Castle a touch quieter than yesterday**

There was space at the end of the pontoon a few more boats having arrived since yesterday. First thing after apologising to Tilly again that there’d be no more shore leave today was to fill the water tank and water the strawberries.

Time to go for a walk. I headed back to above Town Lock crossed the bridge where the flood gates are, further into town, once round the market square. The wonderful building opposite the church, with the tiled shop front is up for sale. I’ve always wanted to know more about this house. It’s Grade 2 listed and has three bedrooms! Far bigger than I’d imagined with a walled garden too!! The mirror and furniture in the drawing room are well worth a look.

I then carried on down past the Palace Theatre and on to Newark Northgate station, a quick check for any yellow stickers in the M&S foodhall before crossing the river to do the same in Waitrose, but nothing jumped out as a bargain so I left with two bananas and a pint of milk.

1 lock, 8.5 miles, 8 in a lock, 3 hours shore leave, 1 happy cat, 1 disappointed cat, 1 lock booked, 1 full water tank, 4.15 miles refresher walk around Newark, 50 minutes briskly, walk3 jackets baked in the stove with chicken coleslaw for tea.

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Storming The Castle. 2nd April

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Cromwell Lock to Hazelford Lock

More of a lie in this morning, although I was awake to see the the colourful sunrise across the river, so glad we’d not ended up breasted up yesterday without the view.

09:30 was push off time for all boats. NB Rum a Gin led the way, Hazel had an appointment with a film crew at Nether Lock at 10:30, she’d already been on a local radio station. Radio checks done, the boats gradually moved off upstream.

News came through that the camera crew had gone to Town Lock so they were having to relocate. The lock was sat ready and waiting for us, photographers at the ready and several Lock Keepers. Would we all fit in the lock together? The Lockie preferred to pen up four of us at a time, he was still in training so wanted to avoid any safety issues that eight boats in a lock might incur.

Up we rose slowly, the camera crew had now arrived. Tug Ruffian sat close to the top of the lock waiting to escort the flotilla into Newark, but we’d have to wait for the other boats to be penned up. A cruiser was waiting around the corner held back by a red light, the Lockies knew they were there. So they got to descended between the flotillas lockings.

***You’re going to make horrid noises again aren’t you!***

Hazel was interviewed on the bank whilst we waited for the other boats to arrive and then the TV presenter climbed on board to travel in to Newark with them. We followed behind Tug Ruffian. People stood on the bridge over the entrance to King’s Marina where we’d over wintered ten years ago. Blasts of horns announced our arrival long before anyone could see us.

At Kiln Pontoon a familiar looking narrowboat ( recently bought in Goole) got ready to tag along with us to muster outside the castle. The plan last night had been to breast up to attempt to block the river. However today we were not as organised as we’d been yesterday.

No-one had mentioned this to Ruffian, so they pulled in and asked for a rope from us. NB Purple Emperor having pulled up in front against the wall. We were all in the wrong order to be able to breast up in length order as had been the plan. So we ended up with two lots of boats, 10 in all a few short of blocking the navigation.

It took a while for those unused to the current on a river to get tied up. Once bows were under control and the camera crew were on the bank, Hazel called the flotilla to Sound our horns! A wall of sound stormed around the foot of the castle as people watch on from the banks and bridge. Blimey it was noisy!

More interviews were done on the bank with people from the IWA and CRT explaining about the need for continued funding for Britains Waterways.

Now the flotilla split, some headed back to kiln pontoon, shopping required. Others headed to Town Lock, we managed to join them and rose up. Some pulled in on the wall of Newark Basin, NB That’s It carried on behind Tug Ruffian, Brian then cruised round into Newark Marina, I think they’d over shot where they’d planned to moor up for a quick dash up to York.

We followed Ruffian to their mooring, just behind Leicester Trader. Les helped us moor up along side, time for lunch. Our radio chirped back into life a bit after 2pm, boats were heading our way and wanting to breast up. This also took some doing, but eventually all were secure and ready to clamber off to have a look around the last Trent Barge still in her original form.

**Les with his boat, or is it a museum?**

Les Reid and Friends have endeavoured to restore the boat back to her original state. As there is no museum to put her in they’ve put the museum inside. Numerous photographs cover the walls, ropes with knots, a sea toilet, a cabin all sorts can be found in the hold. The museum is an archive dedicated to the River Trent. We watched a couple of films and had a good look around. Many many thanks to Les for opening her up for us today.

Time to move on. Farndon Marina had offered the flotilla moorings for the night. NB Kallisto, the new boat from Goole, pulled up on the CRT moorings and others breasted up on the marina pontoons. This is where we waved them goodbye, well for today and carried on upstream to Hazelford Lock for some shore leave for Tilly away from the crowds.

A short while on, our radio chirped up, it was Alan from NB Aladin asking if he could breast up to us as we were a similar length. This obviously wasn’t to be as we were already at least a mile upstream.

The sun shone, the birds tweeted as we rounded the bend with what feels like park land, the sheep grazing down to the waters edge, we spotted the first swan sat on a nest. It had been great fun being with everyone, but it was rather nice to be back on our own again.

By the time we reached Hazelford Lock and pulled in it was getting on for being too late for Tilly to have shore leave. So instead I made use of the time before dark and went for a walk.

First across a field joining a track leading back to a road. The blackthorn blossom was heavy on bushes. The road didn’t have a footpath, what to do? Was it a busy road? Should I alter my planned route? I decided the road wasn’t too busy and looked reasonably straight so continued as planned, swapping sides of the road to keep in view and stopping when traffic came towards me.

Then down a road towards Hazelford Residential Home where long term moorings stretch along the river bank towards the lock. Here I followed the Trent Pathway, ogling at Tortus, the boat I’d love to have when I grow up!

**Standing between a Trent Clapper Gate**

Through a couple of Trent clapper gates. These are designed to automatically close behind you, the way they are hinged and their shape encourages gravity to aid them to close. If you go through and let one side hit the post the other side will open up and close again, clapping shut behind you.

On the weir a heron stood on a bottom step. Still in amongst all the frothing water. No fish in sight, but one might come sooner or later. Back at Oleanna I rustled up a chicken curry old style, with bananas, sultanas, cashews and some yoghurt to help use up some of the roast chicken and dived into the shower.

Two busy days on the campaign cruise, now time to be quiet and on our own … until tomorrow morning.

2 locks,13.5 miles, 8 boats now 10 boats, 1 film crew, 2nd BBC local news, 1 loud arrival, 1 storm of sound, 1 Trent boat, 1 informative Les, 1 boat out on our own, 2 late for shore leave, 3.25 miles walked, 50 brisk minutes, 1 quiet evening.

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Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna

Category Archives: Food

Easter Oranges. 20th April

We Have No Bananas. 19th April

All Nice And Spicy. 18th April

Nothing To See Here, Or Here, Or There. 17th April

A Hoolie Of A Day. 16th April

High Noon. 13th April

The Express Train. 12th April

Sad Gits Frites. 5th April

Penning Them Up. 3rd April

Storming The Castle. 2nd April