Category Archives: Friends

I’ll Be Wearing Orange Trousers. 27th April

Museum Gardens, York

Subjects covered on the Geraghty zoom this morning included, 10 year old shopping, 10 pin bowling, the Popes Funeral and rowing. This has been relayed to me as I was out walking to meet a complete stranger somewhere on the river bank.

It was lovely and warm, but I had to keep my red fleece and pink (used to be red) cap on as I looked out for a woman wearing orange trousers. Our route had been confirmed along the east bank of the river and which streets would be walked. A message came through saying that she’d set off from her end, I set off at speed hoping to get back onto the river bank before we met.

Once on New Walk I kept my eyes peeled for a pair of orange trousers, had she meant bohemian orange trousers? Or hi-vis orange work wear? Past where we’d been moored last week I could see the occasional flash of bright hi-vis orange, yep that had to be Philli with Pickle her dog.

Philli owns Sabrina W on the York University Rowing Club moorings, we’d been trying to meet up to hand over a pair of socks, but she’s been working nights and could only call in before 8am, not a time that we are usually dressed. Big hugs and a treat for Pickle then lots and lots to talk about. I am the first Facebook ‘Boat Woman’ she’s met and the first time she’s met another Phillipa, well she’s a Philippa. Both born and beard in York with connections to Fulford. Then there were connections to the world of theatre and the learning disabled. Try to stop us talking in the sunshine, poor Pickle was getting a touch bored of all the gabbing. I did however find out about the temporary path on Fulford Ings.

A few years ago when the river had been in flood constantly for what felt like months and the moorers could only get to and from their boats by rowing boat, the amount of sewage that escaped from a pipe that crosses the Ings was appalling. Manhole covers were excrement volcanos! She had obviously made quite a fuss about this and last summer had a visit from Fergal Sharkey, who has been campaigning to stop the water companies from discharging sewage into the rivers. Well soon afterwards work started on replacing the old sewage pipe. Well done Philli.

Finally I handed over her socks, her favourite colours and a portrait of Sabrina W. Thank you Philli for the photos of them later on, it was great to meet you and yes we will visit when we’re next in York, I really want to have a look around Sabrina W.

Back to Oleanna for a late breakfast and potter before the London Leckenbys came by on their way to the station. A food parcel of pork and salad bits was deposited with us, hugs all round then they were away to Scarborough Bridge and the station, Andrew and Jac back to London and Josh returning to Manchester.

Sitting out in the sunshine we awaited our next visitor, Diana an old family friend. It was lovely to see her and show her Oleanna, she now can picture us onboard when I post photos on Facebook. There was lots of news from her family to catch up on and news from Fulford, sadly most of this was about people passing away. None the less we had a very jolly two hours in her company.

0 locks, 0 miles, 2 boat women met, 1 pair of socks handed over, 1 very late breakfast, 3 Leckenbys on their way, 3 meals worth of leftover pork, 1 Diana, 1 kg put on, 4.22 miles walked, 51 minutes briskly, 1 more day of indulgence to come.

*If you watch the film about Sabrina W you’ll see how Selby has changed. I can’t imagine pushing round Selby Swing bridge now and polling a dumb barge through it, hefty hefty work!

Arrivals. 24th April

New Walk, York

Awake again at 7am with the University rowers. A while later a couple of sculls came down from York Rowing club, the lady asking her friend about boats moored along this stretch. There are only two of us, the other up by the Foss which we’ve seen elsewhere , it does have the look as if it might be staying for a while. Her friend said boats moor up for a couple of days and then move on. She said something about how there obviously wasn’t any enforcement. Well there are no signs to say we can’t moor here or back by the Foss, we’re not exactly in anyones way. Well maybe the trip boats are winding a little bit sooner than they were a week ago, but only by a hundred yards. So we don’t have a problem with it and she shouldn’t either.

A slow morning. I wanted to print off some things , so Mick left me to it and he went to have a look at the station works. Once I’d finished off what I was doing I took a walk along New Walk to Millenium Bridge, crossed over and walked back up the other side of the river past Rowntrees Park. There is a caravan site here and motorhomes were arriving in a steady stream.

Some preparation for tomorrows party, I’m in charge of pudding so made a batch of sweat pastry from a new recipe book I got at Christmas. I’d got so far with it when there were Hellos from outside. Andrew and Josh had arrived for the weekend, having driven up from London in a small van bringing the old family dining table with them for the flat in Fishergate. They’d been thinking of swapping the flats existing table for a while as it wasn’t really large enough for six. So a return to York for the table Dad had made and that we grew up with was perfect especially for this weekend. We had chats and a cuppa, then they headed off to await a Tesco delivery followed by Jac who’d be arriving later by train.

Pastry finished and a batch of what looked like nice rosemary crackers, however they turned out to be a little disappointing, a river bank hair cut for Mick.

Time to finish my walking for the day, up a snicket between houses that I hadn’t noticed before, checked the opening times at Alligator, a wholefood shop that’s been there since the 70’s, then walked down streets where school friends used to live back towards the river bank. Sadly a great fish and chip shop has gone, time your arrival close to closing and you’d get double helpings. The Wellington Pub is awaiting new management to run it, a lovely little pub. I was tempted but I couldn’t spot the bar billiards table that used to reside in the side room, so that was a deal breaker.

***This outside is getting boring now!***

In flotilla news, word is that Denham Deep Lock should be open again on Saturday afternoon. We’ve got our fingers crossed for all the boats heading to Cavalcade and the Campaign Cruise to the Houses of Parliament.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 mardy rower, 3.2 miles walked, 56 minutes briskly, 1 batch pastry, 24 crackers, 5 tinged, 1 brother, 1 nephew, 11 pictures, pair 65 cast on.

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

Whitley Lock to West Haddlesey, Selby Canal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**An interesting level marker, possibly EA**

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**Footpath through a hedge near Paperhouse Bridge**

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

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

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

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

High Noon. 13th April

Stanilands Marina to Bramwith Junction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Express Train. 12th April

Staniland Marina, Thorne

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A very good day out.

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

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

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

Penning Them Up. 3rd April

Hazelford Lock to Kiln Pontoon, Newark

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

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

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

**Radio in hand listening to channel 6**

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**Newark Castle a touch quieter than yesterday**

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

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

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

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

https://what3words.com/croutons.divisible.users

Storming The Castle. 2nd April

Cromwell Lock to Hazelford Lock

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**Standing between a Trent Clapper Gate**

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

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

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

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

https://what3words.com/niece.give.teaches

Trapping The Postie. 31st March

Just over the Lincolnshire Border to Keadby Lock

As we laid in bed with our cuppas we realised that the VHF radio had been left on overnight. It chirped into life with someone asking if anyone was up yet. This was on the ship to ship channel 6 and most likely to be one of the crew from the Strawberry Island boats who would be heading to Keadby today. We wanted to arrive before them and had worked out that they had moored this side of Thorne for the night, we’d best not be tardy in getting going.

I walked up to Medge Hall Bridge just as a Post van crossed it stopping in front of the level crossing barriers to empty the post box. Before inserting my key of power into the control box for the bridge I checked if they were waiting to cross the railway or would be back across the bridge, they were waiting to carry on to deliver some post and the signaller hadn’t come out from their box to open the gates so I turned my key and closed barriers. The Postie was now stuck between the railway and canal.

Mick brought Oleanna through, the bridge was swung back, barrier open and after a train had come through the level crossing was opened and on the Postie could go. A roughish walk on to Godnow Bridge. Here the level crossing keeper has to press buttons in their hut for the canal control panel to work, they then came for a good natter. ‘Not seen a boat for ages!‘ That would be different today as behind us were at least seven boats all heading to Keadby.

Too far to walk to the next bridge, I hopped back onboard and got my knitting out, pair 64 coming along nicely. The wind wasn’t as strong today and the sun was out, a few anglers sat with their poles in the water soaking up the sunshine.

Vazon Swing Bridge is manual, I hopped off and did the honours, or tried to. The bridge swung only a few inches before it ground to a halt. We’d obviously timed our arrival well with Vazon Sliding Bridge as the sirens started warning that it would be moving. I tried closing the bridge, gave it another heave and thankfully it got moving. By the time it was closed again the sliding bridge was fully open and waiting for us, obviously no trains due soon. I quickly hopped back on board and through we went thanking the bridge keeper.

Just a couple of boats on the moorings ahead we pulled in towards the rear, furthest away from the lock, plenty of space for the Campaign Cruise boats to pull up in front. Time to give the well deck and bow a much needed sweep and wash. This took some doing, the patches of rust on locker lids are an embarrassment. I know she’s getting repainted next year, but I may have to do a DIY job so things don’t get any worse before.

We had a half hour warning of the arrival of the Strawberry Island boats, then watched to see if we could see them pulling in on the other side of the sliding bridge. One bow appeared, a second, then over the radio someone said they’d been asked to all pull in in between the two bridges before the railway bridge would be swung.

The sirens could be heard then the bridge slid to the side. NB That’s It was first through followed by everyone else. Six narrowboats and a cruiser. We were now eight boats.

Banners and bunting were handed over to us, magnets found for attaching them along with a long length of string which was useful for a banner on the cratch board. Towpath chats meant it was hard for Tilly to come home, but we gave her a corridor of safety from too many people and woofers.

Everyone got their chairs out, took over an area next to the car park. Claudia from NB Tonka had baked a cherry cake and another couple arrived by car from Strawberry Island. Lots of chats and cups of tea and beer. Numbers were handed out, this was the order we planned to go through Gainsborough Bridge in. Mick then suggested that maybe we should lock out in number order also, the faster boats bringing up the stern. We were to be 8 with Mick on Cruiser Amerouse just in front of us.

**The entrance is due to be dredged tomorrow once we’ve gone through**

There were reports that there might be an aegir on the next flood up the Trent. People tried to work out when would be best to go and view it from the lock, various different times were come up with. We walked up to have a look anyway, handy to see what the sand bar at the lock entrance looked like. If you were in the first locking in the morning you’d be wanting to keep to the right!

I still had more minutes walking to do, so walked through Keadby, spotting the fish and chips shop, another takeaway and two shops before returning. Mick and I then headed back to look at the river. Distinct signs that the tide had already turned and was coming in. Looking up towards the bascule bridge we could just make out a dark line of water ad ripples behind it. That must have been the aegir, everyone had missed it.

**We think those ripples half way to the bridge were the aegir**

Final preparations for the morning involved engine checks, weed hatch checked and everything apart from the bucket with the anchor chain and anchor came inside to sit in the shower. Ooh the well deck looked nice and clean and tidy!

**Keadby Lock with it’s flood gates closed as well as the lock gates**

Fed and watered it was time for an early night as tomorrow the Lock Keeper wanted us ready to go through the road swing bridge at 06:15. The tide wasn’t due until 07:00, but they wanted us ready in case the flood came early. The first three boats would enter the lock, the following three would pass through the road swing bridge to wait above the lock so that the road bridge only needed to be opened twice. We’d then be let through the swing bridge with Amerouse to be the last locking down of the flotilla.

0 locks, 6 miles, 4 moveable bridges, 3.91 miles walked, 48 minutes briskly, 1 as clean as she’s going to be Oleanna, 5 hours shore leave, only 2 used, 2 cats nicely sharing the towpath, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval until they all got there! 2 cats, 4 woofers, 15 crew, 2 banners, 2 lots of bunting, 1 cherry tray bake, 1 very early start tomorrow.

https://what3words.com/agreeable.edit.blackouts

Packing Up. 18th March

Scarborough

We are now into the run down for returning to Oleanna. We’re down to one ears wait!

**Our last Sunday walk on the Esplanade**

I had managed to find other things to do to help avoid cleaning things like the oven, but that avoidance didn’t go quite to plan. A day keeping a good friend company at a hospital appointment went too well and rather than being there most of the day it only took a few hours before positive results came flooding through. I had thought I’d be able to attend my last mosaic session which would have aided my avoidance, but the lady who runs the sessions had come down with a lurgy so an afternoon of sticking tiles to brown paper was called off. Only one thing for it, carry on with the packing and cleaning.

There are various items that go too and fro to the boat each time we move. Sometimes they are needed, other times they just stay in the boat cupboard waiting to return, then they get tucked away under the dinette.

A big light weight box was delivered, packing removed from inside and the space being taken up by a lot of air was used to pack light things including a bunch of bayleaf twigs, thank you Frank! The box will be reduced in size as soon as I have time and some space on the boat. Documents read and amended. An enquiry from an actor regarding digs later in the summer was replied to.

Gradually the dining room filled up with items to head to Oleanna. Tilly stayed calm, she was asleep for most of the time! The occasional sniff round things just to check we were packing in a sensible way. Overflow fridge moved inside as the lean to will be dismantled in a few weeks time and only one of us needs to be around for that. Beds made up, fresh bathroom linen put out, our next set of lodgers will see four actors take over the house for a few weeks.

**It’ll have to wait until next year to be finished**

Despite hoping to get my next big painting completed, I soon realised that this wasn’t ever going to happen, my paints needed to be packed up and the canvas put safely away from the bleaching rays of sun light that come through my work room window, the painting is now unlikely to be finished until next year.

Three paintings however have been put in frames and left in what is known as the fishtank until I can think of where they can be hung, another job for next year.

Monday night we had a very tasty chicken tray bake using up various items from the freezer, I’ll be making that version again. Tuesday involved packing up the kitchen and cleaning things down.

**Daffodils in The Valley starting to come out, it will be a sea of yellow in a weeks time**

I managed to get my last full walk in round Scarborough in the sunshine. Down the Valley, the daffodils just starting to come out. Across the sands in front of the Spa, the tide out. Up through the gardens on the cliff to the Esplanade. I paused to pull up my big girls pants and register with a new dentist. We’re not likely to cruise through Birmingham this year and as Colin my dentist there has moved down to Cornwall, now seemed a good time to change to a more sensible location.

More cleaning and packing, including sparkling up the big shower after the last shower had been taken. Just time to put some reasonable clothes on and walk up into town to meet with Mick’s old friend Mark. A drink at The Stumble Inn, we’ve not been in there before, followed by what seems to be becoming a last night tradition in Scarborough a meal at The Taj, well it saves on the washing up back at the house.

**The boys tucking into their starters**

Tomorrow we move.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 full dining room, 3 wees, 1 oversized box, 1 signature, 1 enquiry, 1 resigned cat, 2 papadums each, 2 much food, 1 set of scales tucked away, 1 stone less until today, 1 empty kitchen, 2 troughs of strawberries repotted, 1 urn of strawberries for lodgers, 2 boaters and 1 boat cat ready for the water again.

Lipstick!!! 5th March

Scarborough / Goole

**Painting finished and waiting to be hung**

Whilst being in Scarborough we’ve managed to catch up with most people, some more than once, some many times. However one person has eluded us, I knew there’d be trouble if he didn’t get a mention here on the blog, so there was only one thing for it, best invite Duncan and Jaye round for some food. It also gave me a good excuse to make the Squash Winter Herb Crust Butter Bean Pie I’d made last winter. It was just as delicious as last time, the company wasn’t too bad either!

**Lovely to have an evening with you both**

More walks have been had.

The other Saturday I took advantage of all the sunshine and managed to walk through the old cemetery, down Peasholm Glen to the park (sadly no Naval Battle taking place), round by The Corner onto the North Bay, said hello to Freddie and held his hand, then walked round Marine Drive spotting the fin of a dolphin in the waves, round the south bay which was a bustle with day trippers and back home up the valley (the daffodils still waiting to come into flower). A good 5 mile walk.

More of the roof space has been emptied, we just hope the floor of upstairs upstairs can take the extra weight for a few months! Family history treasures have been seen for the first time in eleven years, theatre models have been reduced in number and scrap books of when the SJT first opened perused.

I think I’ll have quite a project next winter sorting through my Dad’s kitbag with letters, sketch books and negatives from the late 1940’s.

With the weather being that bit better Mick hopped on a train to head to see Oleanna with the aim of getting the horns and tunnel light attached and wired up ready for cruising soon.

Earlier this week we’d seen photos of a ship bound for the Trent that had managed to get itself on a sand bank on the Humber. This was achieved on one of the biggest spring tides of late. Tugs, the Coast Guard came out from Goole and Hull to try to free it at the next two high tides. They had no luck, so with the tides now getting lower the ship will be stuck for another couple of weeks with the hope that when the next spring tides come it will be able to be re-floated. On Mick’s return train journey he managed to catch a glimpse of it, here’s hoping we manage to stay the right side of the buoys when we come to cruise the Muddy Humber in the summer!

Mick checked over the electrics on Oleanna. The engine was turned over for a while. He popped into the office to catch up with Hannah and pick up the new BSSC. When we come to leave we may need some extra pairs of hands as we are breasted up to the boat next to us. People to flick and hold ropes as we extricate ourselves would be handy.

Then it was time to fix the horns and tunnel light back on the cratch. The cratch cover needs removing to do this at the top, then it slides back over the top of the bracket. Mick had purchased a waterproof box so all the cables could be connected and stay dry. However, as thought, it was too bulky to slot in somewhere on the bracket.

Cables were joined, self amalgamating tape used then covered in heat shrink. This hopefully will keep everything dry until he has a smaller box for the connections.

Before he’d left Scarborough this morning we’d discussed Oleanna’s smile. Now with 24volt horns the cable connecting them isn’t actually needed as it was before when they were 12 volt, it will purely exist to give her her smile back. What colour should it be? I was given the choice of black, grey, red or cream. Red would fade and her smile had been black, so black in preference.

The horns were connected up to power and tested. The same tone plus one a touch higher. He hunted round for a suitable piece of wire for the smile and connected it.

I got a message that he’d not manage to catch the next train but would be on the following one. This was followed by several photos that I’d nagged him to take. The light in situ. The horns in situ. Then her smile.

Hang on hadn’t I said not to use red wire this morning?! Either he had no suitable wire other than red, or he’d not been listening to me!

I showed Tilly to see what she thought.

Why has Oleanna got LIPSTICK on?!?!!

When questioned later Mick said he had been listening, but had no choice as there was only enough red cable available for the job. Having some black cable would be a good thing in his tool kit, so once some has been purchased the red will be swapped out.

So even though Oleanna looks a little bit strange with her statement smile, she at least has it back along with her voice. History of lipstick.

**Red lipstick showed strength and power in WW2**

0 locks, 0 miles, 2 trains, 1 ship aground, 2 horns, 1 light, 170 Rimmel Alarm Red, 1 Duncan, 1 Jaye, 1st tidal lock booked, but more about that in the next post.

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna