Category Archives: Friends

The Only Paper In Town. 23rd August

Shobnall Fields to Marston Visitor Moorings

I could hear an engine, Could this be him? I stopped eating my cereal and stuck my head out of the hatch. It was Brian on NB That’s It and he was going to pull in for a cuppa. We first came across NB That’s It at Sykehouse Lock a few years ago, then shared Johnson’s Hillock Locks and the Wigan flight with them a few years ago. They moor at Strawberry Island in Doncaster and were one of the leading boats of the Strawberry Fools flotilla that set off the Fund Britain’s Waterways Campaign Cruises this year, which we joined to go through Gainsborough on 1st April. Since then Brian and Jo have cruised down to London, honked their horns outside the Houses of Parliament, reached Lechlade, up to Torksey on to Boston, crossed the Wash, cruised to Bedford, waited for locks on the River Nene to be mended and now Brian is heading back to Doncaster single handing. Until yesterday he’d single handed his way from Peterborough to the bottom of Glascote Locks in 7 days to beat the stoppages, several flights of locks will be locked shut at the end of Monday, remaining that way until we have seen some significant rainfall over several weeks.

We’d spotted that our paths would cross, so had he, messages had been exchanged yesterday about returning our Middle Level windlass and key. This morning he’d already pulled into Shobnall Marina to top up with diesel, 200 litres (85p)! There was time for a catch up over a coffee, he can slow down now that he’s out of the danger zone. After an hour of catching up he set off again, todays mission would be to battle with striking trains!

***I’ve been up all these big trees now!***

Yesterday when I returned from Dawlish I’d spotted a boat we were looking out for, NB Jemima-D, Marc and Fabienne had spotted Oleanna and said hello to Mick, he’d just assumed they read the blog so hadn’t twigged that they were also new members of Cutweb an internet based Cruising Club that we have joined this year. I could see someone was outside, an ideal opportunity to go and say hello to them.

NB Jemima-D is a shareboat, or co-operative boat, currently with ten owners, but hoping to be back up to twelve owners soon. Marc volunteers at Harecastle Tunnel and they are watching the water levels dropping at that end of the Trent and Mersey. Boats are starting to sit on the bottom in Stoke. They were glad to still be able to cruise, but their boat won’t be returning to base for sometime. Maybe they’d get chance to do some of the Tidal Trent. It was very good to meet you and maybe our bows will cross again in the coming weeks.

Our two days on the mooring were up. What to do now? We opted to move up to just past Shobnall Marina onto another 2 day mooring. From here we can explore Burton, Tilly hopefully would have some friendly cover to explore too rather than having to climb the giant trees on the playing fields, I’ve got quite good at that! Great views from up there.

The moorings were empty, so we pulled up at the far end. A quick scout round, a busyish road through the trees and friendly cover, hopefully there’d be enough to keep Tilly occupied and away from the road. After lunch we walked in to town to go shopping for the next few days.

The Bass Pumping Station was used to pump water up from a well to be used in various ways in the brewing of Bass beer. Apparently there are another six such buildings around the town. Alongside the building is a now rusted away holding tank, it doesn’t look like it’s used anymore, but the water in Burton gave the beer a distinctive flavour.

We walked down to the Town Hall. Originally the Town Hall had been in the market square but by 1883 the building was deemed as unserviceable and demolished, the council taking to having meetings in a back room of the nearby Angel public house. In 1891 Lord Burton offered the use of St Paul’s Institute and Liberal Club for the council offices. 1894 saw an extension built, paid for by Lord Burton, providing more office spaces and a new council chamber. As the town grew the town hall needed to follow suit, so in 1939 a new four story Art Deco building was added again to the east, opening shortly before WW2 started. More info can be found here Link

Outside is a square, a statue of Lord Burton, now slightly hidden in amongst the trees. Next door is St Paul’s church which opened it’s doors in 1874 and was designed by James M Teale and Edmund Beckett Denison. It was paid for by Michael Thomas Bass, the church and vicarage costing £50,000 at the time.

We managed to find a light switch to have a look around. The organ in the south transept is now mostly empty, but it doesn’t half show off its looks, designed by GF Bodley in 1894.

Large tiles sit on pews in the north transept, these depict the life of St Paul and used to be part of the floor of the chancel. Deep stone carvings in the lady chapel mention Alexander Michael Bass who died aged 6. One window stands out from the others as it’s in memory of Phillip Lloyd Stockley, who was in a machine gun corps and died at Ypres, his father was vicar of the church.

This was to be the first weekend we’d be able to purchase a Saturday newspaper, sadly Lidl didn’t have a copy. We tried the Post Office which had a sign outside suggesting it sold papers, but it didn’t. I opted to cross the railway lines and head into the town centre to see if I had more luck there. Nothing in Sainsburys, so a longer walk was needed. This did mean I got to see quite a few breweries, the offices of Waterways World, the old and new fire stations and some yarn bombed bollards.

There is a trail of Burton Yarn Trent bollards that you can follow, I only found two of them but there are fourteen in all and their website has a pattern you can follow to knit your own cover should you want to.

I tried two newsagents and finally I found possibly the only copy of our chosen newspaper in Burton. When I got it back to the boat it turned out to have August’s edition of Harpers tucked inside, an American magazine priced at £8.99! Had someone hidden this there to pick up later for free?! Neither of us have found anything that interesting in it, but we are very pleased to have our first Saturday newspaper for what feels like months, there’ll be something to read in bed over the next couple of mornings, plus puzzles!

0 locks, 0.5 miles, 1 Fool on his way home, 2 Cutwebs, 2 BIG trees climbed, 2 outsides, 1 cat a bit too close to the road, 1 cat grounded, 1 newspaper hunt, 49 brisk minutes walking, 1 USA magazine, 10 chicken sausages in a tray bake, 1 town hall, 1 church, 1 plan for the next few days.

https://what3words.com/raced.duke.honey

Am I Your Sister Or Your Wife? 10th 11th August

Leave a Reply

Scarborough/ Retford and Worksop Boat Club

The Geraghty zoom included more about Alastair’s under croft, oil pumps, contactless access and Berlin. We then started to do chores about the house. Some curtains required some attention, just as Adam appeared to say his farewells. Chance to say how much we’d enjoyed the show last night, apparently a few bits had gone array during the show, but from the audiences point of view it is all so bonkers and seemingly array we really couldn’t tell. A shame not to have had chance to chat with him more, but he was headed for a well earned brunch and we needed to crack on. Adam scores an 8/9 on the lodger tally.

Bedding and towel washing, shower cleaning, easiest done whilst in the shower, but I didn’t need to have two showers! Gardening, dusting, a touch of hoovering, the kitchen cupboards needed a de-fingerprint as ever, kitchen floor washed. We gave ourselves a little break and headed out to buy something for lunch and this evening, plus stock up on a few things for the house, bumping into a few friends as we shopped. Time was ticking for our first arrival and I think we got there by the skin of our teeth, still a pile of ironing to be done, but that was fine.

Liza arrived having driven up from Norfolk. A quick look round the house for her to choose which side she’d prefer to be on, decision made then we helped her unload a very full car. Liza has been to Scarborough numerous times before, so she’s aware of how the seasons are likely to change over her 9 weeks, she has brought a coat for every eventuality.

An hour later Stuart arrived, having travelled by train his luggage wasn’t quite so comprehensive. I’ve worked with them both but quite sometime ago now, Liza was in ‘Life and Beth’ and ‘Snake in the Grass’ 2008 and Stuart ‘Game Hunter’ 2003, then he toured in ‘Improbable Fiction’ 2006. There was lots to talk about, lots of mutual friends. Of course there was the show they are here to rehearse, Alan Ayckbourn’s 91st play Earth Angel. The big question was, were they playing sister and brother or husband and wife? This was soon cleared up and the ironing could resume.

Monday morning, costume fittings for Stuart and Liza whilst we packed up, finished a bit of gardening then headed for medical appointments. I took a detour down to the beach, the tide was out and most of the holiday makers were close to the waters edge meaning I had plenty of room to brisk walk across the sands to the Spa, then up through the gardens listening to the brass band playing in the Sun court. I’ve not had a proper summers day in Scarborough for years! Around the houses to one which today was guarded by a unicorn. Duncan was at home for me to deliver sock pair 102 for Jaye. Nice to have a quick catch up, enough for a mention in the blog!

Once lunch was eaten we had two things left on our Scarborough list. First one a visit to see Frank. We only just caught him before he was heading out to see a friend. It’s been a few months since we last saw him and he looked pretty good. Rather than getting a bus into town we gave him a lift to see his mate, all a little bit quick, but at least we’d checked in on him in person and seen what we could see.

Next the oil from the engine service was dropped off at the tip. Jobs completed, blood test done, dentist, 1 lodger out, 2 more in, 1 new oil pump delivered, 1 box of panto delivered and scanned, Frank seen, show seen, EatMe eaten, beach walked on, time to head back to Oleanna.

A slight detour was made to Thorne Boat Services to buy 15 litres of red diesel which would make us both feel happier heading out onto the Tidal Trent in a few days. The Chesterfield is a lovely canal, but the lack of someone selling diesel canal side is a negative especially when you don’t normally have a car.

Back at Oleanna, the doors were opened up, Tilly could have some shore leave. Have to say she’d done quite a good job of keeping the boat cool, but it soon warmed up with the doors and windows open.

The last of the steak and kidney gravy from the pie went in with some mushrooms and some pasta, a good quick meal after a busy weekend.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 hire car, 30L cat litter, 2 clean and tidy houses, 1 oil pump, 1 pair socks, 3 lots of blood, 1 dentist, 1 hygienist, 3 actors, 1 Frank, 1 lift, 4 lots of bed linen ready for next time, 2 beds changed, 2 clean houses, 63 brisk minutes, 1 more mention of what’s’is’name, 1 husband and wife.

Curtailed Shore Leave. 9th August

Leave a Reply

Retford and Worksop Boat Club / Scarbados

Mick was up and off to pick up a hire car. It being Saturday Enterprise weren’t willing to come and pick him up from the boat club as they don’t have enough staff, instead it was a bus followed by a train back to Worksop.

Tilly was allowed an hours worth of shore leave, at first she was very keen to be out. However very soon high vis clad club members were heading her way, it was a work party day and all the lawn mowers, hedge trimmers were out and about. She decided, and I backed her in her decision to head back in doors as the big sit on lawn mower with two minders headed our way. The minders were to pick up electric cables. Tilly now sat and watched from inside.

**Beef to the left, Salmon to the right**

I got things together for a trip to Scarborough and Mick soon returned ready to load buckets, old engine oil along with our possessions for the weekend. With the magic food bowl primed, beef and salmon I think, and a very full bowl of biscuits, Tilly was given a big hug and told to look after the boat.

Gosh it was a serious work party, railings being painted along with fencing and into the hedgerow cutting of grass. The club moorings do look very neat and tidy so it’s worth their effort. I felt slightly guilty just walking past and not offering to lend a hand.

The drive to Scarborough was a golden dusty one over the Wolds with a brief stop off at Doncaster service station to find something to eat. On arriving at the house it felt as if Adam our lodger had already moved out, very little evidence of his existence, just a pint of milk in the fridge and a tooth brush in the bathroom. It turned out that he’d taken most of his belongings to the theatre to make his exit far easier in the morning.

A pre-show meal at EatMe in the SJT, had been booked. They like you to be there two hours before the show. We enjoyed their meatballs which were very tasty along with the chips which should never be missed. There was chance to say hello to Fleur the Company Stage Manager who was just buying her team a coffee whilst they had a meeting regarding the scene changes for the show this evening, Noises Off by Michael Frayn. To help work off all the calories I had time to walk down to the Townhall and cross Spa Bridge to see the sea. The sun was out but the tide was in and the Hispaniola was just coming back into the harbour to pick up a new batch of passengers.

Well what a show. Set over three acts, the first being a rehearsal for a play where things are constantly going wrong, so you see what happens on stage. The second act is what happens a month later on tour seen from backstage, the third another month later with how the show along with everyone’s relationships in the company have turned out, a shambolic bonkers mess! The play is normally played in a proscenium theatre, the set on a revolve so you just turn it round to see what happens back stage. The Stephen Joseph Theatre however is in the round, which makes things that bit more complicated. This is the first ever production of the play in the round. Kevin Jenkins, the designer, has done a wonderful job, the stage management team work their socks off in both intervals and it is so nice to see the stage lift and mezzanine being used once again as it was designed to be used, plus the actors have to be here there and everywhere with split timing.

**Scarborough Castle and beach huts post box topper**

Tonight was the very first performance, it would be interesting to see it again in a couple of weeks once the show has tightened up. A hysterical evening had by all.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 bus, 1 train, 1 hire car, 3 buckets, 1 lot of samples, 1 box of panto cloths, 5 scans, 6 meat balls, 3 beers, 1 elderflower, 59 minutes brisk walking, 1 bottle wine, 1 hilarious farce, 2 boaters back in the house, 1 boat cat on guard.

Pumping And Pacing. 8th August

Leave a Reply

Main Street Winding Hole to Retford and Worksop Boat Club

Mick put his overalls on this morning, ran the engine to get her a little bit warm and then climbed down into the engine bay. The Lidl electric pump came out again, connected to the starter battery, he’d thought about this, then it set to pumping out the old engine oil. It took time and was really quite noisy, but it did the job. A new Beta pump is on order and we’re awaiting a delivery. The filter was changed then fresh oil was poured in, all ready now for our trip out onto the Tidal Trent. *Thank you Tony for your suggestion re a dribble of oil, we’ll try that before we change the existing pump.

I spent some time weaving in ends of a pair of socks ready for their delivery over the weekend. Then Tilly and I had a bit of a walk along the towpath. What a lovely mooring this is. Thankfully the field we’re alongside had already been harvested, so no clouds of dust kicking up in the air as there was over in the distance where straw was being bailed up. I spotted a snake swimming across the canal, maybe that’s what I’d seen the other day, all far too quick to get a photo.

Lunch, then we made ready for the off, we’d be the only boat moving along here today. I walked ahead, only a mile to walk today, then some pacing out to do. Boats had moved about a bit on the boat club moorings, one boat had taken the space we’d had ten days ago, others had been out and winded. I was on the hunt for a suitably sized gap. 26 paces required for Oleanna.

22, 24, ah ha! 26!! Mick put Oleanna’s bow in for me to get a rope, then we did an Andy spring line to bring her into the mooring which had just six inches spare. We rang the warden, Phil this week, who came riding along on a bike. Did we want to be here or further on, someone was leaving tomorrow so we could have their spot. We were quite happy where we were with some shade during the second half of the day, which might be handy. A key for the electric was found and we plugged in, we’d be seeing Phil later on at the Club to pay our dues.

An exploration of the sideways trees was deemed to be not quite as good as the last time we were here. Mick had a towpath haircut all whilst the batteries topped themselves back up to full.

Yesterdays leftover pie was heated back up and consumed along with some Jersey Royals and cabbage, very nice. Then we walked down to the club house for a drink.

Gosh it was popular, in the main room not a seat was to be had, so we took our drinks outside and got chatting to various people. Some have moored here for years, decades even, others a few months. Cruising tales were exchanged over beer and wine as the moon rose in it’s brilliant orange fullness. A very pleasant evening.

**Not the best photo of the moon rising, I needed my camera really**

In the latest Towpath Talk there’s an article on our friend Chris Stanbury who is well on his way back from walking from Lands End to John O’Groats and back. Not sure how many more days he’ll be walking for, I think the last time we caught up with his videos he was south of Tewksbury on day 127!

**Chris! Click the photo for a link to his Just giving page**

0 locks, 1 mile, 3rd space, 26 paces, 1 oil change, 9 litres, 2 outsides, 1 snake in the water, 102nd pair finished, 2 glasses wine, 2 pints of T, 1 bunged up nose, 1 familiar closeish neighbour.

https://what3words.com/tailwind.exhaled.agreed

Two Rendez Vous. 6th August

Leave a Reply

Ranby Visitor Mooring to Retford Cemetery

A sweep through and some baking to use up some of the blackberries picked yesterday, a recipe I found on line, it suggested if your fruit was really sweet then to reduce the amount of sugar, which I did, all helping to not be too naughty, it also had no fat in it so that was a bonus too. We waited until it was out of the oven and cooling before setting off, me walking ahead.

Oleanna managed to get round the steep bend where we’d come aground a few days ago with ease, maybe the weed boat we’d seen earlier this morning had got rid of the problem for us, hopefully we’d have little or no problem with weed today.

This stretch runs very close to the A1 for quite a distance, you’d never know it apart from the traffic noise. One house has some lovely sunflowers outside, dark red as well as some very heavy headed standard yellow ones. Interesting weathered tree stumps , a creature I didn’t manage to catch on my camera swimming across the cut and a flash of electric blue from a kingfisher, who allowed me to take a silhouetted photo of it before darting onwards again.

At Forest Top Lock there was a boat moored just off the top lock landing and the bottom gates were both wide open. Below sat a CRT tug and skip boat the three crew standing around. I wasn’t wanting to speed them up as I was the advance party, there was plenty of time for them to finish their chat and come up the lock whilst Mick arrived. These volunteers have been tasked to move several skip boats up towards Turnerwood for when the canal shuts to replace the lock gates on the leaky lock. The chap at the helm kept saying that they’d leave the lock set for us, that was obvious. Then he was a bit concerned when Mick pulled Oleanna into the lock landing and roped her up so she’d not get in their way, yes we were going to use the lock straight away so he needn’t have worried.

Above Forest Middle Top Lock we pulled in at the water point to fill up, deal with rubbish and yellow water. We also made use of the time to have some lunch. A phone call came through from our first visitors of the day, a rather garbled message, but they were on their way and would find us along our route somewhere. A boat was now heading to come up the lock, it was already in their favour so we helped them up, then made use of the water to go down, also helping another boat up. They were both going to stop to top up with water before carrying on to make the assisted passage at Worksop tomorrow morning.

Surprisingly Forest Middle Bottom Lock was empty when I arrived, soon filled and Oleanna was just descending when a dayglow cyclist pulled up alongside and asked how he should put his bike onboard. This was one of our visitors, James, Jane his wife soon followed. I’ve known James since my teenage years in York, he and Jane live near Sheffield and we call them the ‘Mad Cyclists’. Shortly before Mick and I set off on our boating journey eleven years ago, they set off on their own adventure to cycle the full length of South America in nine months.

Once down the lock we could load their bikes onboard, one in the welldeck the other on the roof. Extra care would be needed whilst passing under trees now, can’t have Titanium Gravel bikes ending up in the Chesterfield Canal.

There was time to catch up on news of all the Hall family, a wedding this coming weekend. Hear about the planning of their next cycling trip, three months over Christmas. Only one more lock however to have assistance with before we made our way on towards Retford. We opted to moor a little before the more central moorings by the hospital and cemetery. Train times were checked, bikes removed from their positions on the boat and chained to a post so that we could have a cuppa inside with a slice of Blackberry and Almond cake whilst Tilly inspected the towpath. It’s a bit rubbish here I can’t find my way through the green mesh stuff!

**Jane and James ready to head off back to Sheffield on the train**

Time for the cyclists to pedal off into the distance to catch their train. Our location was now sent off to more visitors another rendez vous to be had. Time to put on long trousers and freshen up, encourage Tilly home for dingding.

An hour later Cath and Marc arrived at the hatch. Cath is a Stage Manager who worked on several shows with me at the SJT and The Orange Tree many moons ago. Marc is a wildlife photographer who is currently building up his stock for Christmas fairs.

Recently they have got into watching Canal Boat Diaries and been on hire boats, so of course they wanted a guided tour of Oleanna. It wasn’t hard to impress them, modern live aboard boats are very different to those they’ve been on before.

We headed into town to find somewhere to eat. The Brew Shed had come highly recommended by Dave at the boat club the other week. It certainly smelt good, but sadly wouldn’t have a table free until much later on. So we opted to walk to the market square where there is a Lounge. These have great menus for everyone. A whole sheet of gluten free options and quite a choice for Vegans. We settled down and caught up on news of friends as we’ve not seen each other for around eight years. Mick and I had burgers which were extreamly nice and Marc tucked into a large breakfast, which would keep anyone going for several days.

A very lovely evening after a very good afternoon. We waved goodbye to Cath and Marc, popped into Aldi for a pint of milk before returning to Oleanna for a second glass of wine.

4 locks, 5 miles, 1 full water tank, 3 moving boats, 1 load washing, 2 cyclists, 1 tight medium pair, 0.5 blackberry almond cake devoured, 2 pedestrians, 2 guided tours, 2 burgers, 1 giant breakfast, 1 nasi goreng, 3 beers, 1 wine, 1 very lovely day.

https://what3words.com/moves.switch.else

Fairies Footpath. 23rd July

Log Rural Mooring to Drakeholes Visitor Mooring

Some shore leave was granted first thing, then after breakfast and once Tilly had returned the doors were firmly closed. We’re not moving fast along the Chesterfield, well you can’t move fast anyway, but for the next few days we’ve only small distances to travel.

As we rolled up the covers the boat in front of us was making ready to push off too. They’d been moored at Drakeholes yesterday morning, our aimed for destination today. Mick checked the weed hatch…. weed! Quite expected on the Chesterfield. If the levels don’t defeat us getting to the top the weed at this time of the year might do. Having a separate weed hatch, which is isolated from the engine bay, means that Mick can leave the plate that sits over the prop loose as it may need to be opened up several times a day. On a more usual weed hatch this is not a good idea and the plate/lid most definitely needs screwing down securely otherwise you will sink your boat once the prop starts to move.

I walked ahead the half mile to Shaw Lock. The chamber was empty and dry, Oleanna rose up, the bywash being stopped as the lock filled. The top gates didn’t want to stay put so I loitered to make sure they did, we need to conserve as much water as we can this summer.

Another walk on to Gringley Lock. The chamber empty and lovely flowers alongside the lock cottage. Oleanna was lagging some way behind so I had chance to read an information board. The lock was supervised by William Antcliffe for 34 years, every Saturday he would walk to Drakeholes to collect his wages, meandering his way back much later, this suggests he visited a water hole! Possibly The White Swan which became The Mucky Duck, which sadly closed earlier this year.

Above the keystone on the bridge it says W & GN 1830. I’ve hunted round on the internet to see what this might be. I’ve found mention in an interesting article that it most probably refers to George and William Newton two yeoman farmers in Gringley, they were possibly responsible for this bridge which replaced a swing bridge.

Back in August 2016 when we came down this lock we were joined by another boat. The throttle cable failed as the boat entered the lock and instead of going into reverse it sped up crashing into the bottom gates!

I opened the top gate to let Oleanna out a big branch had been in the way, it now was doing it’s best to enter the lock. I hauled it out with a boat hook, Oleanna exited then I went to close the gate. Could I get that gate to close? Could I heck!! Maybe loosing weight isn’t going to serve me well with big lock gates, the extra ballast having been handy in such situations. Mick hadn’t got too far so he came to add extra weight and we got it moving again.

I carried on walking, arranging for a lift when we reached Drakeholes Tunnel.

Crops stood in the fields, golden.

A pink flower here and there on the towpath. I’d remembered the Meadowsweet nine years ago but not this. I checked it with my app. Wild Morning Glory (Bind Weed, but it’s not quite such fairy like name). A bit further along a few more, then more and more!

My photo doesn’t really do it justice, but the towpath looked like a fairy had scattered flowers along its length, so pretty. I’ve always referred to the top end of the Chesterfield as a fairy wood, but they seem to be further down now too.

Blackberries are ripening in the hedgerows. I must start to carry a container or a bag to pick them whilst Oleanna catches me up. Some of them were really huge today and so sweet.

I passed a chap watching dragonflies in the reeds. The canal was so clear it brought back memories of when Frank was with us spotting giant fish. The shape of the canal bed very clear, covered in lettuce. A boat came towards me, the water would now be cloudy.

As the towpath turns a right angle towards Drakeholes Tunnel there was a rustic fence, planks held up on chunky branches, then a little gate made with twigs. More fairies.

I sat and waited for Oleanna and my lift through the tunnel. Time to catch up with Frank, no answer. Time to turn down the offer from a friend of more sock yarn, my bottom drawer is still really rather full of it.

Through Drakeholes our first tunnel of the year! All 154 yards of it. It’ll be our second tunnel too, but will it end up being our last one of 2025?

Round the steep bend we pulled in between two boats. This would do us for the day. A late lunch for us and four hours shore leave for Tilly. I knitted and Mick watched the cycling and cricket. A couple of boats came past, one pulling up behind us with two big dogs on the stern. Mick walked up to chat to them as Tilly was out, but it was dingding time. The Huskies were put inside and I did my very best mad cat woman. I got a response from the tall grasses in the field meaning Tilly came pretty quickly. Popping out from the friendly cover just after the chap on the boat had said something about how aloof cats can be. Excuse me, I always come when called. It’s just that sometimes it takes me a couple of hours to make the journey! Once she was inside the woofers could have their towpath freedom.

2 locks, 3.1 miles, 1 weed hatch visit, 6 moving boats, 1 slow cruise, 1stone 11 lbs too light, 2 outsides, 16524899765 fairy flowers, 1 fairy gate, 51 brisk minutes, 1 sock might need frogging, 3 juicy blackberries, 1 Frank catch up, 1 big vat of dhal and 4 onion bhajis.

https://what3words.com/dives.wizard.importers

Stumpy And Me. 13th July

Huddles Ground Winding Hole to opposite Stanilands Marina

White top milk, W5, Trendy Walthamstow and National Bowls were topics today on the Geraghty zoom. Maybe the TV series Scrublands should have been included, set in the heart of Australia a journalist works his way through a tragedy that befell a small town. I say this as early on Mick spotted someone walking on the parallel track with a rifle in hand! They dipped down at one point, camouflage working a treat, presumably to take a shot at something, thankfully facing away from Oleanna!

We needed to make a move today, so we opted to get moving late morning, hoping some boats might have moved on from Thorne. Not far to go, only a mile and a half.

Ten years ago, as we set off to descend Gunthorpe Lock on the River Trent, I thought that I should maybe trim my nails before reaching our destination for the day. Well, today I opted to trim them the normal way, clippers and nail file, rather than the more drastic method I used for my little finger back then! All nine nails are now a similar length and shape with no rough edges from model making and no visit to hospital either.

We followed widebeam Lollipop in towards Thorne, so we weren’t rushing anywhere. They pulled in to moor at the first space, we carried on, finding that no boats had moved since yesterday. We opted to reverse back, but were beaten to the space by another widebeam that zoomed in to snatch the space. Oh well, we’d opt for the space on the bend with the wonky edging.

A shopping trip into town to stock up on veg and bananas, that was enough for today in the humidity, we settled down to potter away the remainder of the day. NB Watershed arrived and squeezed in infront of us, they plan to head to Vazon Sliding Bridge and hope to get through in the next couple of days when the overnight temperatures are due to be low enough for it to open. We will follow suit once we’ve finished in Thorne.

Front to back L to R
Heather (Lady A), Sir Alan, Laura
Sue, Ali, Paul, Jaye, Fleur, Emily, Dawn, Frank, Tigger
Andy, Kate, Lee, Ben, Michael, Ruth.
**What a wonderful bunch.**

Ten years ago we were headed to Newark, to moor at Kings Marina, pick up a hire car and drive up to Scarborough to celebrate the Stephen Joseph Theatre’s 60th birthday. This of course didn’t happen, Oleanna was returned to the pontoon moorings at Gunthorpe and we spent the day at Nottingham’s QMC. Today up in Scarborough the 70th birthday was being celebrated. A company of actors were to perform excerpts from plays performed at the Theatre through the decades and from it’s three homes. A large group of my contempories were in the audience to enjoy the afternoon. I wish we’d been there too to have a catch up, but I think today subliminally I needed to be on Oleanna.

0 locks, 1.5 miles, 1 bendy mooring, 9 nails manicured, 4 bags shopping, 10th anniversary, 70th birthday, 2 outsides, 2 woofer neighbours, 1 on a lead, 1 nips at children, 2.35 miles walked, 30 minutes briskly, 1 gunman in the friendly cover!

https://what3words.com/salary.whisk.helps

Chinese Whispers. 10th July

Doncaster Visitor Moorings to Huddles Ground Winding Hole, well a bit further on.

Today we’d be looking to find some shade. But first I wanted to see if I could find some clothes to fit me. Would Doncaster cater for my new size? I’m getting a little bit bored of hoiking up jeans and shorts and soon I’ll be getting my next bit of design fee for panto.

M&S. Doncaster ladies must be shorter than those in Leeds, which was a good thing. I tried on several pairs of trousers without having the legs trailing on the floor. Depending on their style, I’d dropped one or two sizes. However either the cut wasn’t me (wide when you’ve lost weight isn’t an option), the fabric was odd or the colour choice was dark or a snotty green. Strangely enough I left without a new pair of trousers, but a new t-shirt did make it into my shopping.

Primark. No jeans I’d consider buying, no shorts either as they seemed to be last years jeans with the legs cut off. I trawled through t-shirts a couple would mean I can get rid of one’s with holes. I also picked up a new belt which might actually do something to keep my existing clothes around my waist.

Then, ohhhhh dear! I had to walk past the deli!! A serious treat purchase was required after yesterdays successful meeting. I limited myself to two cheeses and quickly left the shop.

Just as we were about to empty the yellow water tank, three boats came past, two headed for Strawberry Island the other in desperate need of water. Yesterday the moorings had filled up, but as Mick was outside he offered for them to breast up to us, then they could have our space. We’ve come across NB Watershed a few times, but not met the owners before, Linda and Graham. We had chance for a little chat before the two hot dark blue boats were parted. It sounds like we are both hoping to head the same way, so our paths are likely to cross again whilst waiting for the planets to align.

Down stream, the sun shining brightly overhead, sun cream non-negotiable today. We’d timed our arrival at Long Sandall Lock with the workers on their lunchbreak again, they worked the lock for us from the tower.

Next the EA workers were also heading for lunch. Today the big work pontoon had moved to the river side of the cut, presumably delivering more giant piling sheets.

There was space to pull in just before Barnby Dun Lift bridge so we took shelter inside with the curtains closed for lunch, trying to keep the temperature inside as low as possible.

Twenty one held up at the bridge, a pause to use the elsan, then onwards to Bramwith Junction where we turned right.

At the lock a small boat was heading up, it was the people we’d met at Viking Marina who had had engine trouble. Sadly things still aren’t fully right for them, so they were abandoning their six month trip, the River Trent not a safe place to be with a temperamental engine. They were disappointed to say the least.

Next our turn. As Oleanna came into the lock I sent a message to our friend David who moors along this stretch, was he about? I lifted paddles and emptied the lock. In fact might that be David along the way? I closed up behind us and as I walked down the towpath I could see that Mick was hovering. It was David and his new, now 18 weeks old dog Flynn, a fox red labrador retriever. Sadly it was really hard to hear him across the way and the walk around the lock too far for either of us on a hot day when we’d all rather be in the shade. Mick asked how he was, ‘really well’ came the answer. If we end up coming back this way whilst waiting for things to align we’ll be in touch and hopefully have a proper catch up, not across the canal and get to meet his woofer.

**It’s amazing the photos you get when you can’t see the screen!**

Through the swing bridge we were now on the hunt for some shade. Our thought was maybe we’d strike lucky in Thorne, but possibly sooner. Shortly after the big winding hole Mick spotted a patch of shade. Maybe this might stay shady for much of the day, which would be good for tomorrows higher temperatures. We pulled in, enough depth and plenty of trees for Tilly. Two hours!

**Touch and go on some colours so there may end up being 15 colours**

I did a little bit of work, a long email had arrived from John which needs attention. The Lighting Designer had already made comments which made it obvious that not being in the room for our meeting meant he was suffering from the internet version of Chinese whispers. I opted to sort that tomorrow, I deserved a day off, well nearly. Instead I pulled out the yarn for my 101st pair of Dementia socks. Lots and lots of colours and possibly a new stitch to learn. It’ll be nice having something to do whilst watching tv again.

***How long is this outside staying tied up for?***

Tilly reappeared at bang on 18:11, bang on two hours of shore leave. Opening the rear doors for her was nice as it brought in a draft. She was allowed another twenty minutes before the doors were finally closed and dingding served. Our dingding this evening was mackerel salad, Tilly fancied giving it a try, but when she was told it would inhibit her tree climbing skills she opted out. It did smell nice though!

2 locks, 8.9 miles, 1 wind, 3 tshirts, 1 belt, 0 trousers, 2 types cheese, 1 right, 1 distant hello, 1 new woofer, 1 shady spot, 1 hour direct sunshine, 1 happy cat, 29C possibly higher, 1 long email of questions, 1 LD needing photos, 13 soon to be 14 colours,101st pair cast on.

https://what3words.com/pokes.headset.taxed

An Hour For Each Year. 21st June

New Walk, York

A suggested plan for the day arrived as we had breakfast, visitors expected late morning. We gave the boat a tidy through and got dressed for the weather, hot with extra hotness and a possible walk.

Today my best friend Emma was coming to visit along with her new (to us) boyfriend Soren. they are over from Australia on a whirl wind tour catching up with friends, then heading to Denmark where Soren is from. Emma was last over in January 2020, before covid struck and it’s been the longest we’ve been apart since she emigrated down under. Our trip to York this time is purely to coincide with her being here for two days.

A tour of Oleanna for them both, then a walk along New Walk up into Fishergate sneeking a look round the back of the house where Emma’s family lived in our teenage years. We then climbed into their hire car and headed off into the countryside, the Howardian Hills just north of York. So many pretty villages, we joked about them moving back to York and buying one of the lovely houses somewhere like Coxwold.

The car was lovely and cool, the sky progressivly getting darker and the outside temperature quite a shock on gettng out of the car. We pulled up at the Fauconberg Arms in Coxwold, a very pretty old fashioned pub, much more used to having a crackling log fire going.

**Soren, Emma, Pip and Mick. Emma obviously didn’t get the blue shirt memo**

Their holiday has been funded by letting out a cabin in the Blue Mountains at the back of Soren’s house. He is a guide, he takes people on adventures around the Blue Moutains, absailing and cannon exploring. Then three of four times a year he is also a guide in the Himalayas! He’s a mountaineer!!

There was so much to catch up on, I think we hardly scratched the surface! After lunch, I had to have fish and chips, we drove to Castle Howard reminising about our fathers speeding along the straight but bumpy roads, doing their best to get their sporty little cars to take off back in the 70’s.

When Emma had sugested going for a walk, we didn’t quite know what to expect, especially with Soren’s job. Would we be taking on a ten mile hike up and down dale? Hence me trying to get my calf improved. But instead we ambled around the grounds of Castle Howard listening to the peacocks and enjoying the rain that fell on us in the rose garden. We joked about which wing of the house we would have each and how we’d have a pimms party every Friday night in the central hallway.

Some chilled medication couldn’t be turned down. Mick a little surprised to recieve his in a tub, so Emma asked for a cone. This was added to her tub as if it was a flake! A very peculiar way of serving it.

As there were more people to catch up with we were returned to Oleanna before they headed on to their next engagement. Big hugs were given that have to last us a few more years. There’s never enough time. The only way there is more time is to head to Australia to visit them there. We just need the SJT to employ one of our favourite cat friendly actors who would be happy to look after Tilly for a few weeks.

As we’d hardly walked anywhere and my calf was up for it, I walked around the block. Up to Scarborough Railway Bridge and back again, only a slight twinge. Hopefully I’ll be able to keep up the pace now.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 rendez vous made, 58 years of being friends, 1st meeting, 1 celebration, 1 snoop, 9 pretty villages, 1 of each, 4 for the price of 3, 4 chilled medications, 2 cone accessories, 5 years, 5 hours, 1 hour for each year.

So Where Now?

Well we don’t really know where to go now!

Whilst work is ongoing at the house, and I’m beavering away designing Panto, it suits for us to be roughly where we are. But once the final model is painted and working drawings are scanned and with the set builders and the house full of lodgers again, we will be free for a few months.

**The queue with two already going up River Lock**

We’ve been along this stretch of the Aire and Calder for the last three weeks, I’m sure the local boats that shuffle up and down are starting to wonder if we’ve joined their numbers. I know how long certain boats have been moored in several places. Our current mooring I suspect is one that is used frequently as Oleanna gets stared at as boats go past, often winding a little further on from us. I’m hoping our last two moorings are far enough apart for the number checkers, we’ll find out if not. Anyhow we’ll be moving on in a few days and not just to the services!

So our current options.

Leeds Liverpool. The Leeds end of the canal is currently open, but on restricted hours. We could head up to Skipton, but that would be chancing it with the dry weather. If the canal is shallow it would be a tedious cruise rather than pleasureable.

Calder Hebble. Currently open. River levels fairly normal at the moment although the flood lock at Ferrybridge was closed the other day. Of course we did the Calder Hebble last year to reach the Rochdale, then back from the Huddersfield Narrow.

The Rochdale is currently closed between Lock 1 and 4 Tuel Lane. There is a leak somewhere around Lock 2 and water levels are poor. The rest of the canal is open. But to go that way would likely mean opting to do the Macclesfield to get around the Bridgewater breach. Or maybe the Manchester Ship Canal, an option we’d like to do one day, but not this year.

**Paul and Mick with the carrot cake on the HNC**

The Huddersfield Narrow is out of action due to the bank being washed away by Lock 11W in floods last winter. That route is likely to be closed for some time.

We plan on a return visit to York in a few weeks time. On one of Mick’s train journeys this week, going over Scarborough Railway Bridge he noted that the River Ouse had responded to the recent rain fall in the Dales. The level was up, almost level with the bank at the Museum Gardens moorings.

Sheffield. There’s an option open to us, we’ve been by boat twice now and brought Oleanna away from there when we moved onboard. So that’s two and a half visits.

Our preferred route southwards is the Tidal River Trent, turning right out of Keadby Lock. Currently the Chesterfield Canal is open. We’d love to cruise that way. The going is slow as we were reminded earlier this year on the short stretch we managed. However, dry weather could mean the canal closes at the top end.

**We could go to the Kinema in the woods again**

Fossdyke and Witham. Open and always an option. We could head to Boston, maybe see if the navigable drains are worth ticking off the list. Some boats from the Fund Britain’s Waterways Flotilla are headed that way to cross the Wash. Sadly we don’t have enough time due to commitments to tag along with them, we’ve seriously looked at this.

Then once further south and out the other side of Nottingham, which way should we head then?!

I suspect some of our decisions will be made for us. What will be will be, just so long as we manage to get onto the South Oxford for me to go to work in October.

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna

Category Archives: Friends

The Only Paper In Town. 23rd August

Am I Your Sister Or Your Wife? 10th 11th August

Curtailed Shore Leave. 9th August

Pumping And Pacing. 8th August

Two Rendez Vous. 6th August

Fairies Footpath. 23rd July

Stumpy And Me. 13th July

Chinese Whispers. 10th July

An Hour For Each Year. 21st June

So Where Now?