Mick was into the engine bay early this morning as last night I’d been able to hear a slight squealing noise, Mick had only been able to hear it with the engine board lifted. This morning he gave the alternator belt a tighten and that seemed to do the trick. He does however have a slight thought that the bearings may be going!
Tilly still isn’t enamoured with our mooring, but she’ll have to put up with it for a few days as access to Rugby Station is required.
The coal skuttle was filled up, yellow water emptied then Mick had an early lunch whilst I had a lemsip. I think these post Christmas show colds are sent by your body to enforce you into having time off, which is good for me right now as resting my calf muscle is the most important thing.
Receipts and tissues
A little before midday Mick set off for the station, a visit to Scarborough needed to meet a plumber. A convoluted route north took him via Sheffield and Hull meaning a saving of at least £20, but he did get to see the Humber Bridge and wave to his Mum.
Back on board Tilly and I had a quiet day. It was time to sort out my expenses from Panto and invoice for the weeks painting I did before rehearsals started. The big stack of receipts were sorted through and then logged on the computer. Scanning followed and all was done. I’ll soon need to update my accounts for last year and file my tax return, maybe in the next few days.
He didn’t do it
Later part of the afternoon was spent in front of a Lewis episode, the one where poor Robbie gets to meet the chap who killed his wife. This was followed by more lemsip and some courgette, pea and feta fritters. The recipe gets better each time I do it, but before I share it with you I’ll need to make a batch of them when I haven’t got a cold.
Fritters
0 locks, 0 miles, 0 steps of the boat, 2 short explores by Tilly, 3 trains, 1 cold house, 1 invoice, £300+ expenses, 1 Lewis, 1 stove piled high, 6 fritters, 2 left for lunch tomorrow.
A lie in with Tilly in the way, it’s good to be home. After a lengthy cuppa in bed with Saturdays newspaper to read, Mick set to in the kitchen preparing breakfast, extra rations today. There was so much food that we continued to eat as we joined the Geraghty zoom. A trip to Bruges, panto and flowering cacti were discussed.
Breakfast whilst waiting for family to arrive
Another two loads of washing were required before moving away from the handy tap and a couple of items were still needed from Tescos. So Mick popped down the hill and dealt with washing whilst I rested myself.
Several boats came past, some stopping in spaces, others pausing to top up and empty.
Topping up
Oleanna had her yellow water tank emptied and her fresh water tank filled, then we were ready to make a move.
The last time I was on a moving boat was five weeks ago, cruising from near Kings Sutton Lock to the Tramway moorings in Banbury, all pre-panto. Then the ground was dry, today the towpath and boat were muddy.
Stepping off the boat was done carefully, yet my calf twinged. More rest required for it. I managed to push the bow out and off we went. The sun was trying it’s best, but that really didn’t matter, just being on the move at a leisurely pace was all that counted.
Waiting for the bow to come out
Not far today, just somewhere where we’d be happier for Tilly to head off and explore. Well it didn’t get a very good review from her. Well what do expect! There’s a great big mesh fence in the way of the good bits!
The afternoon was spent pottering and watching another episode of Morse and the final part of Inside Man, we wonder if there was enough plot left dangling for there to be a second series. Later on we enjoyed a roast chicken.
Panto reviews have started to come in, so far everyone has enjoyed themselves.
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.
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.
Spiceball Park, South Oxford Canal to Bridge 68, North Oxford Canal
Monday I was back on the bus to Chipping Norton, the bus this week being busy as the schools were back. It was also time for Mick and Tilly to start making a move northwards to make sure they were clear of any stoppages on the canal that would be starting in a weeks time. Mick had worked out a schedule which would have them near to Rugby Station for Sunday in case I’d be able to join them for the weekend.
Do you have to go?
Sometimes there are things far more important than theatre make believe, real life needed Pauls attention so we were a man down. This meant quite a few jobs that were on his list would end up on the back burner for a while and Louisa would be left to try to plug the technicians gap as well as move scenery around for rehearsals and for the pesky set designer.
I was joined by Elise who was set on the job of painting the pillars that will eventually get added to the set to finish off the portals. On stage I hid behind the backcloth and put a base coat of paint on some trees. This will help when someone comes to drill holes for fairy lights as I only want them to be in the green sections. Also having them a basic colour will assist when it comes to lighting if I haven’t had chance to finish them before lighting states get plotted.
Andrew Pepper the Dame adjusting his floppy hat
Publicity photos were taken, then we ended up the day putting a first coat of paint on the steps from the stage into the auditorium.
Leaving Banbury
Mick came across a boat jam after his second lock of the day. A deep drafted boat was stuck under bridge 157, the pound was about 8 inches lower than normal, was this going to be the case all the way up to the summit? Water was let down and the boat got moving again. Mick tried to help tow the boat, not to much effect, too much water was being lost at Little Bourton Lock a paddle was stuck up, allowing water to drain from the pound above. Mick notified C&RT and later in the day the lock was closed due to an obstruction in the paddle.
Queueing for the locks
Having got past the deep boat he aimed to moor above Broadmoor Lock, but the level there was also low and signs suggested it would get worse overnight, so he continued onwards and up Varneys Lock where levels were better.
Starting up the Claydon flight
Tuesday, Mick was delayed leaving as he met NB Dusty, a top up of diesel was worth having before waving goodbye to them for another year. He continued to work his way up towards the summit. He let a boat over take him, he’d be slower than them as he was single handing. Then as he reset the lock he was joined by the lady from the deep drafted boat, they opened the bottom gates and Mick returned to get Oleanna, only for the deep boat to come sailing past and steel the lock! Have to say Mick was not impressed.
Very wet at the summit
He made it up to the summit with lots of rain, a glance at his photo on my phone looked like the lock area was under water, but no it was just very very wet from rain. But by the time he moored up at one of our favourite moorings with a view the sun was coming back out.
How long before HS2 becomes part of the view?
Back in Chippy more things were based in and by mid morning I’d painted London.
This years London with the Pharoah from my first Chippy panto on a back stage door.
I then took myself off to sit in the Dames dressing room (which I kindly vacate for her every year) to join a zoom funeral for an old family friend near York. My brother and wife had managed to go and later on in the day I was filled in about the wake and news of other friends we’ve not seen for ages. Ian’s tribute to Janis was so touching.
A touch of privacy needed today.
During the day Louisa and I sat down and went through lists. What could we achieve and what would we need extra hands for. A carpenter would be very useful as we’d a little list of jobs more suited for someone with the right skills and tools. I also put in a request to start on the floor painting early this year. If I could work around the lights being rigged it would save me a lot of work on Saturday.
Paw prints are appearing around Chippy
Wednesday. It was time to sit in the auditorium for a bit whilst one scene was rehearsed, costumes were tried on and safety pins added for adjustments. Today I was back on my own, Elise had done a good job of getting things based in, time for the arty bits to start happening on top.
Long Johns and shower caps
In the evening whilst lights were rigged up stage and in the auditorium I made a start on the cobbled floor. Four decorator sponges were just the thing with three colours of paint.
Pinged lines and sponged cobbles
Mick made his way across the top of the Oxford Canal. Not far onwards he crossed the HS2 works. Here concrete was being erected to form a bridge over the canal. Would this be the start of the rail line or just a temporary bridge whilst the works are happening. Further on there is still the big mound of earth where it’s been for years.
Once he dropped down the two Marston Doles locks he was through the locks which would be closing next Monday, Oleanna won’t be trapped until near Christmas now. However the pound he’d planned on mooring in was being dredged by C&RT so he dropped down the top lock of the Napton flight as well.
Later on in the day he had a tap on the roof, it turns out that he was just in the perfect spot for C&RT to off load the dredgings. The chaps helped Mick haul Oleanna out of the way.
Swing that skirt around!
Thursday. Painting followed by a Production Meeting and then time for a stagger through of panto once the Pippins arrived after school. Mark the lighting designer joined us, unfortunately an updated lighting plan hadn’t got through to Louisa, so quite a bit of the rig needed adjusting. I negotiated some more time getting ahead with the floor.
Salted Caramel or Lemon?
I am being very good around the chilled medication store in the foyer which is where bits and bobs tend to get painted.
I think someone is hoping for an understudy part. Most mornings I get a hopeful look from the shelter created from old pieces of scenery.
A field of buffalo chilled medication makers
Mick dropped down the rest of the Napton flight today. How come when I’m not with him the Buffalo are around in big numbers!
Napton Windmill
He wended his way around the hill with the windmill. Thankfully he continued straight on at Napton Junction and pulled up near Flecknoe. During the day he came across a couple we’d met a couple of years ago. They had been the owners of NB Burghley Girl whom we’d towed, they now hire a couple of times a year.
NB Southern Cross stopped to top up our coal supplies
Mick ended up nudging along, due to a neighbour deciding that they’d be deaf. A third of a mile further along the noise was gone, or maybe their reason for being noisy had moved on and they were alone again!
Friday. More lighting, in fact rehearsals were moved away from the stage so that there would be time to catch up on amending the lighting rig. By the end of the day they’d managed to get ahead of themselves. Luckily the lights didn’t go out on stage until the evening so plenty of things got painted in full light before I had to resort to a head torch.
Bangers!
Mick and Tilly continued onwards to Braunston. The Bangers spire showing itself before Braunston Turn.
Mick’s managing without a navigator thankfully
There was space to moor outside Midland Chandlers so Mick picked up a stern navigation light which will get wired in properly sometime over winter. He then pootled onwards to find somewhere nice for Tilly to head off and explore for the rest of the day.
Saturday. A long day for me. I was first in the building. Checking what scenery would be needed for rehearsals today so as not to get the wrong things painty.
Some carbs to keep me going
Several things were finished off today before the lights went back out for Mark to finish focusing the lights. I was then hot on his heals, not wanting to be in the theatre into the early hours.
The stage was swept and then mopped. After two weeks of rehearsals the paint was really rather mucky. Unfortunately the stage ended up getting a much wetter wash than I was expecting and trying to mop up any excess water had the possibility of lifting the cobbles I’d already painted. So whilst it dried I got on with other bits.
Lining in with the aid of a stick
Once dry I added a touch more colour to some of the cobbles and then started to black line them all. When I start doing something like this I think it’ll take about 90minutes, but I always under estimate. Luckily a chap came to pick up some costume tails and this gave me a chance to stand upright and notice the time! I had another two visits from people checking on me before it got too late.
Soup and a bagelwhilst watching paint dry
A stop to have some soup, as is the tradition on floor painting nights, hoping everything would be dry once I’d finished. Then the first coat of glaze was quickly followed by the second, maybe a little bit too quickly, but I really didn’t want to be waiting another hour. Fingers crossed I’ve not been too quick.
Finished apart from a little bit of gold in the corners
Mick on the other hand had a far more relaxed day.
He’d considered pulling in before Hillmorton Locks at what we call Bridget’s Mooring. But the mooring already had two felines so he kept moving and opted to descend the three locks and pull in close to Rugby golf club. Tilly could have fun trying to see what was at the bottom of the holes.
Sunday. Mick nudged up towards Rugby hoping that the internet signal would improve for the Geraghty zoom this morning. For me it’s a day of rest. Someone is in the theatre rehanging doors and adding handles, but I’m just taking it easy updating the blog. Getting to Rugby was proving quite hard, getting back even harder for work Monday morning. Hopefully next weekend I’ll have a bit more time.
Later I may watch GBBO and do some of the crochet blanket I haven’t touched since I was last in Chippy. I’ve hobbled up the hill to M&S for something nice for my evening meal. I suspect I’ll be having an early night before panto gets going again tomorrow.
24 locks, 35.57 miles, 1 straight, 1 left, 1 nav light, 1 deep stealer, 1 paddle reported, 1 stoppage, 1 paddle mended, 1 full diesel tank, 1 roof full of coal, 6 long days, 1 bus, 2 bottles wine, 1 floor finished, 1 funeral, 1 missing, 1 poorly outlaw, 1 gangplank, 1 prow, 2 arches, 2 rocks, 1 cut song sheet, 1 day off.
Monday morning I was on the 488 bus which dropped me off at the end of Over Norton Road, a short distance away from my Chippy home for the next few weeks. There was time to say hello to Suzanne and pick up a front door key before heading in to the theatre where Ade and Lou (the set builders) were already stood waiting for the building to open to load the set in.
John Terry welcoming everyone to the 50th Chippy panto
I collected my model pieces together and laid the model out ready to be shown at the read through, then set to work. This year the set has a lot of what are called profiled flats. Ade and Lou had built the flats to the correct overall size, but the profiled edges needed drawing out before someone could jigsaw them in to shape. I managed a few simple shapes before having to dash off to join in with the meet and greet for the company. A very good breakfast spread had been laid on for everyone, parish notices and a quick once round the room of introductions.
Paul, Imogen and Chris busy on stage
Normally I would stay for the readthrough, but this year my time would be better spent drawing things out. So I got to do the model showing to the company before heading of to put my dungarees on.
Jo the prop maker arrived with a van full of goodies.
In the past I’ve used an overhead projector to speed up drawing complicated pieces of set. I’d been offered a digital projector to help, with all the set pieces scanned this should have been easy. But no matter what myself and Louisa (the Assistant Technician) did things just didn’t want to line up and propping the projector up at the right angle proved so frustrating! In the end I gridded everything up and drew up in the old fashioned way.
Back in Banbury, Mick and Tilly headed out of town and moored between the lift bridges so that some shore leave could be taken and enjoyed again. Bumbury really is rather boring!
A tired and out of focus photo. Ade, Lou, Gemma, Chris and fish and chips
By the end of the day, sliders were in position, over half of the profiled flats were cut out, quite a lot of set pieces were primed. Time for a drink at the Blue Bore and some food. Sadly the pub were reluctant to serve us food as they were short staffed, Chris went for a walk to find food and we all ended up sitting in The Fox. Five portions of fish and chips went down very well!
Nadia
Tuesday, Ade and Lou headed home leaving Gemma and Chris to carry on with the fit up. Make up was tried out for Whittington the cat and photos taken so that I can recreate their face in part of the design.
Louisa and Andy adding fittings to sliders
More drawing out of flats and the constant noise from jigsaws filled the theatre, when they were quiet we got to hear the cast learning the songs up in the gallery. Tracks were put up by Paul, Louisa and Andy. By the end of the day we’d achieved a lot, having the main set go up on Sunday had helped a great deal.
Healthy option tonight
Tonight the Blue Bore was considerably quieter and food could be ordered. A squash and beetroot stew with broccoli was very tasty accompanied by a glass of wine, only one mind as my head is still recovering from covid.
Something’s missing from that cill
Wednesday. Mick needed to turn Oleanna. The next winding hole was at Twyford Wharf down Grants Lock. He winded and returned to the lock where he could see several protruding bolts on the top cill. Keeping Oleanna away from the bolts was important so as not to snag the bow fender. He made it safely back up and returned to the mooring he’d left an hour and a quarter earlier, Tilly got to spend the rest of the day out and about.
Such an autumnal front door
In Chippy things needed checking over, magnetic catches adding to cupboards and wheels adding to set pieces to aid their movement both on and off stage. We worked our way through the scene changes marking positions and deciding on positions for things in the wings.
Eros based in with the model for reference
I spent much of the day priming bits of scenery. Imogen who’s on work placement with me started to base in Eros, it was very nice to see some colour going onto some scenery.
Front cloth in position
Late afternoon the actors and Pippins (local children who make up the chorus) joined us in the theatre for a health and safety briefing. For the first time we were able to show the company all the different settings, each piece of scenery being put in position, the swirling front cloth whisked off stage to reveal them. We were in a good place with everything, it just all needs painting now!
Just what’s needed after a busy day
Once the stage was clear of actors I started to mark up the Piccadilly Circus sliders. If ever a projector would have been useful it was now with sooo much lettering to draw up. To celebrate getting started with the sliders I treated myself to chicken and chips from the burger van. This is most definitely a treat best eaten on the bench under the tree by the book shop. Only thing is a small portion could just about feed a family of four!
Thursday. Mick made his way back in towards the Tramway to moor. Then in the afternoon he walked over to Enterprise to pick up a hire car. He’d hired the cheapest vehicle available a people carrier, but thankfully he was given the option of a small car instead. Loading up two buckets of compost he set of and drove up to our house in Scarborough to reset the insurance clock and check things over, leaving Tilly in charge on Oleanna with two pouches of food to keep her going overnight.
Eros just about finished
At the theatre I now have to work on things around the actors rehearsing on stage. The Piccadilly sliders are fixed on stage, so I am one of the first people in the building each day and one of the last out, taking advantage of a hour before rehearsals, lunchtime and after they have finished for the day. Today I got the sliders drawn up and started to paint them.
Being around the theatre is handy when props are needed, questions asked can be answered pretty swiftly. Possible alterations to things can be noted, today we found out that a door needs to be rehung, opening onto a scene has more comedic value than the way I’d had it built, but hopefully the alteration won’t be too difficult to do.
A very refreshing shandy
In the evening the theatre staff had a club night in the bar, Bingo. As much as it would have been nice to join in there is too much work to get done. Paul set up the sound system whilst I started to add colour to the sliders. A drink was brought through for us towards the end of the evening, a nice refreshing shandy which I enjoyed once I was off the top of a ladder.
Cakes cakes and sweeties
Friday. Every morning the treats stash seems to get replenished in the green room. With lots of dancing sugar levels need to be kept up, well that’s the excuse everyone is sticking to!
Mick returned to Banbury, returning the hire car after popping to the Gateway Shopping Centre for a flu jab. He’s compiled a list of jobs that need doing at the house, some small, others quite big and costly!
I started work on the backing flat for Piccadilly Circus. Drawn out and windows shaded in quite quickly, followed by a bit of colour. Traditional panto sets have what is known as black lining, over the last three pantos I’ve designed for Chippy I’ve avoided black lines, using shading instead. But this year having based much of my designs on Victorian etchings I could not avoid them. In fact there are far more black lines than I’ve come across before!
Saturday, Mick did a shop for the weekend at Morrisons then was just about to push off when a boat came into view, too close to push out in front of. As it came closer he noticed that it was pulling in behind Oleanna and had skeletons hung by the front doors, it was Frankie Fango an Instagram friend of mine. The two of them had quite a chat and Mick gleamed a bit of information that may come in handy next week.
He then moved on up to top up with water and timed his arrival at the lock perfectly as a lady from the trip boat happened to be there and was willing to work both the lock and lift bridge for him, that’s one lock he’d not have to single hand. He pootled onwards past the bakery and found a space alongside Spiceball Park where Tilly would be able to go out. It’s the weekend, too many woofers about to have a really good time! Pah Bumbury!!
Black line crazy
The actors were on stage this morning along with the Pippins, learning the opening song. I continued with black lines, still some more to do on the backing flat, but it will be fine for a photo shoot next week and the final lines can wait for other things to get painted first. The final rats for the portals were painted in, the last of the pillars primed and by the end of the afternoon the Piccadilly sliders were all painted in, just in need of black lining now!
That black border needs to go up a touch
There was time to have a tidy up before heading to catch the last bus back to Banbury. A quick service with only two passengers on board, it didn’t need to stop for anyone so we were in Banbury very swiftly. As I climbed onboard Oleanna I could smell jacket potatoes, we’d be having pie tonight and a lot of cuddles from Tilly!
Curled up happy Tilly
Sunday. The day started with tea in bed, followed by a cooked breakfast. Very yummy.
Being near Morrisons means gf black pudding too
The Geraghty zoom, subjects included exploding boats, hedgehog fascists, and the Queen Elizabeth Line. We seem to have coincided with a canoe race day on the canal. We’ve been around for one before, it gets very choppy, we may have to go out for a while.
A quiet moment in the canoe racing
Today I will spend mostly sitting down and not doing much, we’ll round the day off with a joint of pork. Hopefully we’ll both be rested up in time for numerous hours painting scenery and Mick single handing his way up and over the summit of the Oxford Canal before the winter stoppages start.
4 locks, 2 twice, 5.74 miles, 2 buses, 1 lovely landlady, 1 forgotten bag, 5 lots of fish and chips, 1 chicken and chips, 4 trees, 1 snake, 1 gorilla,1 stand down, 6 days of busyness, 2 sit down tea breaks, 1 Eros, 1 backing flat, 2 sliders painted, 1 cosy cat, 1 cooked breakfast, 32567 canoes!
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.
A slow start this morning so that we could join the Geraghty zoom. Subjects today acorns, anti-virals and loft insulation.
Goodbye Abingdon
Another sunny day meant the river was busy. A canoe stopped a wide beam from pulling out across the way, they were wanting to wind so waited patiently then waved us on before they started their manoeuvre.
A tall affair
Abingdon Lock was set for us and we rose up with plenty of people watching, then pulled along onto the water point. It seems that some of the water points are being changed, the other day at Cleeve Lock I’d noticed the new short hose already attached to the tap, here the water point is long and tall with a yellow surround to it.
Backflow protection
The pressure wasn’t too great and the hose just managed to reach our water filler on the off side of the bow. Water seems to be pumped up high to a small tank and then it flows through the hose to your boat. This is all to do with not wanting to have river water flowing back into the water mains, which is understandable with the amount of sewage that is allowed into the rivers. But it all takes time. We were patient and made use of the big skips to dispose of our rubbish and recycling. Talking of which, if you are a boater, have you filled in the C&RT survey regarding services and distances between them? It’s anonymous so no reason not to have your say in what C&RT will see as the national standard for services. Survey Link
The next river reach goes on and on. Not as bad as when Mick did it a few years ago with an overheating engine with a large amount of fresh coming the other way. The sunk boat is still mid channel, then numerous rowing boats and plenty of cruisers out for a Sunday pootle.
Sandford being emptied
There was a blue board at Sandford Lock, but someone had set it to empty. I walked up with the boat hook and opened the gate. The Lock Keeper arrived, he’d been just about to go for lunch as we arrived, could he help with ropes? We got ourselves sorted and then waited for a cruiser to join us. They had no idea! A rope from the bow was put round a bollard as their boat continued into the lock. The rope was moved along, then again and again. The Lock Keeper went to help, pulling them back in the lock and making sure they had two ropes round the bollards. This lock fills from the sides as well as from the end, so you need to keep hold of your rope.
Just about full
We led the way, coming across numerous rowers all at bends which made positioning ourselves very awkward! I don’t think we’ve ever come into Oxford on a sunny Sunday in term time before. I think we’ll do our best to avoid it in future!
Iffley!
Iffley Lock, the Lavender Lock was on Self Service, it always feels like we’ve arrived in Oxford when we go through here . I headed up to see what needed doing. A small day boat was just entering the lock above to be followed by an eight, the lock just wide enough for them. A chap asked if I could open the gates for them so they could get back on board, of course I could. But this all took time as they hadn’t got a rope round a bollard, the boat tipping from side to side as people got on and off.
All that Lavender
Then a Lock Keeper appeared and requested that they put a rope around a bollard and then actually hold on to it! A request came from the boat, could he help with the rope. ‘No, I’ve got covid’ he then retreated to the other side of his garden.
Our turn next with the cruiser. We let them leave first as they’d be quicker than us, all we both had to do was negotiate our way around the waiting rowing boats and those also heading towards the lock.
Someone with a different style has been decorating the walls under bridges. An Arthurian subject, with knights on horse back jousting and a unicorn.
Trip boat 1 out of the way
Towards Folly Bridge there was a log jam. The cruiser we’d been sharing with had pulled over to the side, two eights were sat waiting for a big trip boat to wind and head down stream. The eights then had to wind themselves, another trip boat was about to back away from it’s moorings, but we got in first only to meet four canoes coming under the arch of the bridge. Hopefully now the river would calm down.
Canoes next
No! The cruiser suddenly appeared having come round the island of the bridge the other way. They headed off and we soon passed them trying to moor. Hopefully NOW the river would be quieter.
Demolition works
Osney Lock had a boat coming in from above. A lady closed the gates behind the boat the chap held onto his centre line. I suggested that I could work the bottom gates and sluice allowing the lady to get on board. She was happy with this and just carried on walking away from the lock, I suspect a helpful passerby rather than crew.
Here we were on our own, no Lock Keeper. A fella walked past and informed us that the Lockie here also had covid. There was space on East Street, maybe because the old Power Station is being demolished opposite.
On upstream under the bridge to Sheepwash Channel where we turned right. The old railway swing bridge that last year was shrouded in covers has been restored, sleepers and track, the workings all shiny black and yellow. Not that there is anywhere for it to connect to as houses stand where the line once used to be.
Isis
Isis Lock. Time to dig out the windlass again. This lock means Panto, Autumn leaves, Inspector Morse watching, Christmas shopping, fish and waiting for the River Cherwell to come out of flood. It’s nice to be back.
Going up
We pulled into the first space. Tilly was given 2.5 hours, Yeh yeh, I know where I am! It’s that isthmus outside! You always tie this one up! Still no new complex opposite. Time to put a Sunday roast on and have a catch up with my brother.
5 locks, 1 narrow one, 9.58 miles, 1 right, 1 left, 2 many boats, 1 tall waterpoint, 2 poorly Lockies, 2 boats with no idea, 1 near miss, 2.5 hours, 1 roast chicken, 1 sore throat!
Thankfully you don’t have to be awake too early at the moment to see the sunrise. The golden sky warming up a chilly morning and what a wonderful morning, not a cloud in the sky.
180 degrees of sky
It would have been nice to stay an extra day, but there are places to be so no choice.
As we pushed away we waved goodbye to the clumps behind us, one day we’ll walk up there. Then further along the big field we realised that we hadn’t been the only boat moored up last night. At least they were some distance away and this morning we’d have had a much better sunrise.
A Kingfisher darted in front of us, stopping in flight and hovered like a Hummingbird or a Kestrel, it did it a second time, I just managed to get a blurry photo before it then settled down on the bank. We’ve never seen one do this before, maybe it was imitating a Tern and had spotted a possible fish.
Clifton Hamden Bridge
We pootled up stream to Clifton Hamden Bridge with it’s red brick arches. Here we met three paddleboarders who were enjoying the sunshine as they headed upstream. At the lock a volunteer opened the gates for us and waved us in. Here numerous plant pots fill the lock area. The Lock Keeper suggested we should wait for the paddleboarders to arrive which was fine with us, he then carried on moving tubas and bulbs around for winter. What a sight it must be when in full blown colourful flower.
The ladies hung onto the chains on the opposite side of the lock, they were from Culham and had done the loop this morning, presumably dropping down onto the river by the weir a little further up stream.
Sunbathing on the bed
Last year as we waited below Culham lock we watched a Mink hunting on the offside bank, two pigeons met their maker with alarming swiftness. Today there was no queue below the lock, we tied up and I walked up to see the Lock Keeper who was surprised he’d not seen us. Culham is a deep lock and assistance in getting your ropes around the bollards is needed. I was glad we’d not be sharing the lock with the paddleboarders as when that little yellow flag on the top gate starts to rise there is quite a flow around the lock.
Mooo!
Now on the Abingdon reach of the river we discussed where to stop today. A full days cruise in our schedule would have us moor a distance on above Abingdon Lock, but we were already a day ahead of ourselves. Should we stop before the bridge, after or just above the lock? First however we needed to avoid the sailors and fisherman. Both in line with each other, we slowed our pace, hoping we’d not all three be trying to be in the same few meters as each other. The fisherman had to move his long pole and the dinghy crossed in front of us enabling us to pass by with plenty of room to spare.
Fishing and sailing
The first stretch of moorings was fairly busy so we carried on through the bridge pulling in at the first mooring. Here we hoped there’d be less footfall along with some friendly cover close by. Tilly was excited running back and forth inside, only to be disappointed when the doors opened to see the number of walkers with woofers!
Abingdon Bridge
A load of washing was put out to dry, Tilly came and went, paddleboarders (all who seemed to be French) paddled by, a stunning afternoon if you were out in the sunshine. Just a shame we were creating our own shade with both front and back doors open so we had a nice cool breeze through Oleanna!
Having spent much of the afternoon having the aroma of steak and chips wafting in through the back door we decided to eat out this evening. A hunt through menus at various establishments for gf options at a price that wouldn’t break the bank came up with Beefeater, The Brewery Tap. Sadly the Brewery Tap was fully booked this evening. Mick had walked past The Broad Face so we booked there.
Antlers or just plumbing?
Odd decor, either based on a Gentleman’s toilet with all the copper plumbing powering the lights or a butchers with pink fake blossom festooned in the corners. The chap serving us was slightly odd too. I asked if the blue cheese sauce contained gluten, he said he’d ask, if it didn’t would I like it adding to my order? This meant I didn’t actually know if I was getting the sauce until we quizzed him when he came to change our cutlery.
A very nice steak with triple cooked chips, I get get a dribble of sauce too
Having said that, my steak was the best one (other than homecooked) I’ve had since we visited The Paper Mill Inn near Bugsworth Basin nearly six years ago. Mick’s burger was also very good and tasty. Just a shame there was only chilled medication on the dessert menu that I could eat, so instead we headed back to Oleanna to finish off a tub of vanilla from the freezer.
2 locks, 7.12 miles, 3 paddleboarders, 3 boats at Jubilee, 1 perfect day for boating, 1 chilly boat, 1 cautious cat, 1 newspaper, 1 glass wine, 1 pint, 1 burger, 1 steak and chips, 2 many geese and woofers!
Paddington Basin to Three Bridges, Grand Union to Teddington, River Thames
Yellow sticker time
Being right alongside an M&S Food we popped in this morning to pick up a few bits to keep us going. They lacked some things we wanted and we stuck to sourcing things with yellow sad git stickers and I was surprised to find potatoes at £1 for a big bag.
Paddington Basin
Before pushing off we took advantage of the port side being alongside the pontoon and emptied our yellow water into the big container for disposal of later. Always as Mick stands over the hosepipe and container someone comes to talk to him, this time it was Cheryl from next door.
Very good to meet you both, see you somewhere, sometime
Once suitably attired for the wind and chill factor we winded in the basin and returned waving goodbye to Eric and Cheryl, they’d be moving off today too.
In Little Venice a weed cutter was off loading mushy peas into a skip boat. Despite the water point being empty we carried on out of town knowing we’d be by a water point and elsan later in the day. A pause for me to hop off at Ladbroke Grove to nip into Sainsburys to fill in the gaps M&S had left us with and we were soon on our way again.
She wouldn’t let me say what I thought of the flotilla!
Not much further on it started to rain. We were dressed for this just in case, but as it became heavier I made excuses to go inside, well I’d the blog to update and Tilly to talk to. Once it had dried up I bobbed back up on deck with lunch.
At Bulls Bridge we turned left and headed down to Norwood Top Lock. A widebeam skip boat was just coming up and being bowhauled clear of the lock. We pulled in, filled the water tank and used the elsan whilst the two chaps brought up the tug to push the skip along.
At heffing cheffing last!
We dropped down the two locks and pulled in a short distance along the mooring, here was popular today. But we got into the bank and having just emptied the lock behind us we’d not have to listen to water gushing out of the gates all night. There was an hour before dingding, so Tilly got her first shore leave in a week. The trees are pretty good round here!
Pretty damn yummy!
Some Posh Dogs had jumped into our basket in M&S so I used four of them in a toad-in-the-hole, freezing the other two monster sausages for a breakfast sometime. My Mums old enamelled pie tin worked better than the modern one I used to use.
Three Bridges
Wednesday morning and we were on the move fairly early, we’d a flight of locks to work through and the tide catch. First things first though the obligatory photo of Mick stood at the helm whilst passing through Three Bridges, a place he used to come as a child.
Filling the top lock
Hanwell Top Lock needed filling. I glanced down to the next lock in the flight the top gates both open. Sun glinted at a low light as two chaps with long handled strimmers hacked away at the bamboo in the side ponds by the locks. All this noise had distracted me so when Mick came to have a look down the flight I was unaware that the pound below was actually getting on for three foot lower than it should be.
A light snack!
In case the bottom gates of the next lock were leaking like a sieve I walked down and closed the top gates and made sure all the paddles were down. We then ran water down through the Top Lock. Mick rang C&RT to let them know this as the pound above might need filling, he got the answerphone again. A heron considered filling itself up with an eel. Thankfully I think it was already dead as the thought of a full eel wriggling down inside a heron wasn’t a pleasant one, I also think the heron may not have survived as the eel was far too big!
With the level improved we dropped Oleanna down the top lock. Behind I could see a boat approaching, it turned out to be a C&RT tug boat. Entering the lock below one of the chaps came down to ask if we were in a hurry, only that we were booked out through Brentford this afternoon, but we were happy to wait for them. He said we’d be fine as he’d be the one letting us out onto the Thames this afternoon.
Now mob handed with three C&RT staff with us we zoomed down the flight. Someone setting ahead, two at the lock the boats were in and it also gave Derek time to walk back to the top to check the level in the Three Bridges pound. The lower pounds were quite full and emptying one lock it nearly overtopped onto the footpath. At the bottom of the flight we lost one chap, a volunteer who’d be staying on the flight today. Now we were down to two on each boat, passing our normal mooring near The Fox and Mick’s old flat.
We were surprised at how little detritus there was by Osterley Lock. There’s normally so much stuff you have to wade through it to get to the bank, today there were only a couple of footballs.
Volunteers having a good clean up
At Clitheroe Lock a gang from Sky were busy trimming back the overhanging trees and hedges. All the weeds around the lock were being removed, a great effort, many hands make light work.
The C&RT boat over took us approaching Brentford, pushing their way towards the Gauging lock. We pootled on behind. As we came under the Railway Bridge we immediatly noticed something was missing. The old wharf building that used to span over some of the moorings has gone. There is so much more sky in Brentford now, but not for long we suspect as diggers are busy behind fences on both sides of the canal.
Swirly paint job
We pulled in to top up with water again, dispose of rubbish. Sadly no-one was in sight on the boat moored close by otherwise we’d have said hello.
New lock gates going in
Derek the Lock Keeper had told us we’d need to use the right hand gauging lock as the left one was in the process of getting new gates. I could see the stop planks but nothing more as the gates on these locks are low and operated by hydraulics so don’t need big wooden beams. Not able to work the lock ourselves we had two volunteers appear to help press the buttons.
We were early for our booking, but in time for some lunch. Left over pastry from sausage rolls was made into a couple of cheese and onion pasties for us. Very tasty, but the recipe I followed had far too much filling, so I baked it and we had it on the side.
Waiting to come up
Derek arrived and waved us into the lock. As soon as the gates were closed he lifted the paddles and down we headed to the tidal Thames again. Just below the gates we could see someone clinging onto a rope and presumably their boat below. We pointed this out to Derek who said that they’d not booked and had apparently turned up last night wanting to be penned up when no-one was on duty. They’d been directed to where they could moor for the night. Derek’s attitude was that 2000 people manage to book the lock a year, what makes them any different!
Out onto the tidal Thames
Out onto the Thames, not cutting the corner, we were ahead of schedule, but a couple of days behind Plan A. We’d soon catch ourselves up.
Familiar sights. Low flying planes. A boat being towed backwards. A rowing boat doing circles.
Really?!
Approaching Richmond Lock and Weir the signs suggested that the lock needed to be used even though there were amber lights at one of the arches. This is a half tide lock and holds water in the river upstream as the tide goes out. The writing on the sign was too small to read the phone number, our info on the Thames hunted through, then we could see the drips still coming down from the weir, it was open, the sign was just lying!
Through the weir
On through Richmond and round the final bend to Teddington.
The bridges grey and dull compared to Saturdays bridges
The green light was on for the launch lock, the gates open, so we sailed straight in. The Lockie came and did the honours for us.
Teddington Lock
We tootled up to the far end of the moorings, let Tilly out and then Mick walked back to the lock to pay for a nights mooring £11. The Lockie was just chaining up the lock gates when he arrived as the spring tide this evening was due to be higher than the weir.
Seagull seat
Now back on track, we just need to keep up a reasonable amount of hours each day, hope the weather plays ball!
13 locks, 2 tidal, 9 shared, 24.58 miles, 2 days, 1 wind, 1 straight on, 1 left, 1 right, 1 clean poo box, 1 empty wee tank, 1 full water tank twice, 2 pasties, 4 giant toads, 1 eel.
