Category Archives: Mental Health

Litter Panic. 19th April

Cambrian Wharf to Cast Iron Roving Bridge, BCN Main Line

Time to make use of the final hours of having a car. Last night we’d put the finishing touches to a click and collect from Tescos, so Mick headed off to do that first thing. I on the other hand headed off to the Dentist for a check up, the main reason for coming into Birmingham. Thankfully I got another pat on the back from Colin and he managed to move my hygiene appointment to tomorrow which will save us loitering for a few days.

The walk to the dentist and later our mooring

Meanwhile Mick had chatted to the plumbers in Scarborough and arranged to meet them tomorrow morning, he’d be going by train this time. Our lodgers were informed and hopefully everything can be sorted whilst they are out at rehearsals.

Over the last few days we’ve had one of our CO alarms go faulty on us, replacing the batteries hadn’t done the job, so that needed replacing. Then last night the heat sensor in the main cabin had started beeping, this one you can’t change the batteries so it would also need to be replaced. Although after testing it the beeping stopped, we’d still rather have a new one.

Neither of these had been available to add to our click and collect order so we headed out in the car to Selly Oak where we’d have a choice of shops. We also needed to hunt for wooden cat litter.

The cat litter is as important for Tilly as it is for us. We use it in our composting toilet, both as a base layer and as cover (slightly fluffed up with water). Recently we’ve not found any in supermarkets, maybe all supplies have been diverted into generating electricity at Drax. Mick the other day managed to find somewhere we’d be able to buy a tonne of it, but that would be a touch excessive and we’d need to adjust Oleanna’s ballast.

There was none in Tesco’s Sainsburys, Wilkos. But we did manage to get replacement detectors. The search continued at the next retail park where there was a Pets at Home. They obviously knew we were hunting for wood pellets as there was a big pile of 30L bags right by the front door. We normally get 10L bags which tuck away easily. We looked round 15L was the smallest they did, Hmmm? If the shortage continues we’d be daft not to have stocked up. So we panic bought 30L’s of cat litter. All we had to do now was get it back to the boat and find somewhere to stow it where it wouldn’t get damp and expand!

Mick returned the car to the airport. I had a good catch up chat with David, he is sleeping better and eating, all progress in the right direction, still a way to go. Then after lunch we moved over to the water point. Here a load of washing was put on, rubbish disposed of and the hose connected to replenish our water supplies.

Only needing to be in Birmingham for a couple more nights we moved over to opposite the Arena and pulled in where we knew Tilly would appreciate the friendly cover. Almost on straight lines Mick added a spring line so we’d not get pushed and pulled around with the trip boats so much.

Just as I was putting down the cratch cover a group of ladies shouted across from the other bank. ‘Where can we buy tickets?’ Sorry, tickets?! ‘For a boat trip. How did we get over to you?’ It took a little bit to explain that this was my home, but I thought they might be able to get a trip if they headed back towards Gas Street.

As Mick spent hours booking train tickets to get to Scarborough (4 returns costing about half the price of a ticket for the whole journey), Tilly explored the friendly cover and I got out my knitting needles for the first time this month. There are pairs of baby socks to knit.

Today Versus Arthritis announced the final figure that they raised during the March Challenge which was £138,676.84. I personally raised £320, knitting 9 pairs of adult socks for donations. Now over the next week or so when we’re not boating I’ll be knitting at least 9 pairs of premature baby socks, one for each person who sponsored me. Thank you to everyone who sponsored me and also a big thank you to Lisa who donated some wonderful yarns. I’ll be changing the Redlockmakes page to show the finished socks on the feet they were knitted for soon.

I really enjoyed the challenge and it gave me something to do whilst we weren’t busy boating, sorting the house or working. I’m considering maybe doing it again next year, but for a different charity. I wonder if there are any other Indie Dyers who’d like to donate a skein or two of yarn to the cause?

A sockathon, but for which charity? Alzheimer’s Society. Down Syndrome Association. Mind. British Heart Foundation. Cinnamon Trust. Or maybe to a charity who offer disabled people trips away on a boat. So many to choose from, any suggestions please.

0 locks, 0.22 miles, 1 hire car back, 4 return tickets, 2 detectors, 6 monthly check-up, 30L cat litter, £320, 1 full water tank, 1 spring, 1 full day, 2 hours towpath exploration.

https://goo.gl/maps/cX3DzeVVQATNFwJd7

Narrowness. 10th April

Cuttle Bridge 13 to Shobnall Fields

Sunday, time for breakfast and some shore leave for Tilly.

We’d moored not that far from Swarkestone Lock so I walked up with a windlass in hand to make it ready. Someone had left a bottom paddle up which meant it was in our favour. There were plenty of people milling around the lock, runners, walkers, cyclists and a group of lads who offered advice to Mick on how to open the gates, strangely enough Mick didn’t barge the gates open as had been suggested!

I opened up the opposite ground paddle first to see if that would hold Oleanna against the wall better, it worked, just as well as our centre line hadn’t been long enough to reach Mick’s bollard of choice. It was a gentle ride up.

Three more miles and we were at the deepest and last of the broad locks on the Trent and Mersey, Stenson Lock. This one is counter intuitive, I would definitely be opening the opposite ground paddle first, but which one next? We couldn’t remember.

The lock was filled with loads of branches and twigs, the bottom gates only opening half way each. A chap came along unlocked a box alongside the bywash and pulled out a keb. This is like a garden folk but with bent prongs and is used to clear obstructions. He started clearing the bywash.

I opened the opposite ground paddle and then asked the chap, as he was local, which paddle was best to use next. The opposite gate paddle was his answer, followed by the other gate paddle then the same side ground paddle half way at first before taking it all the way up. He also gave us a handy tip to use the bollard nearer the stern to stop Oleanna from wanting to surge forwards, a method used on the River Wey. That made sense and we’ll do our best to remember it for next time. He said that working all six big locks in this way would work. I wonder if the locks south of Chester would work better using this method?

No stopping for chilled medication from the cafe today sadly. Oleanna had moved across to the towpath side and the chap very kindly offered to close up behind us and we still had quite a distance to go today.

A cuppa and some darning kept me busy as Mick steered us along the now increasingly busy canal, the proximity of Mercia Marina now very obvious. Yet we were still surprised at the amount of mooring available in the village. This stretch is always longer than you remember it to be. Across the Dove Aqueduct where we once got soaked in a hail storm. Swans are starting to sit high on their nests with Dad’s passing suitable nesting material towards Mums.

Mick managed to catch the back of a polo shirt when he went on the underground river tour in Sheffield the other week, this made quite a big hole. I said I’d mend it for him. A year ago Lisa had pointed me in the direction of a Japanese lady who darns things with a passion and not just for mending purposes, but more a work of art. I’d got a darning mushroom and have been wanting to give it a go.

I felt the rip needed a patch, so that went on first, then I started with threads in one direction, catching them as I went, maybe this would add something to the finished mend, or maybe it would just become annoying! I got as far as one lot of cotton going across before my eyes were getting a touch bog eyed, maybe I need a magnifying glass. I decided to stop just as we reached Dallow Lock, the first of the narrow locks and only 3ft 10″ deep.

I emptied the lock, kicked/pushed the bottom gates open and realised that I haven’t done this for a while, maybe I should have stretched before hand. In came Mick and Oleanna and up she rose. As we pulled away another boat arrived below they were taking quite a bit of time to tie up. Then the lady walked up to the lock, she stopped at the bottom gates, then walked to the top ones, looked at the paddles. Her hesitation suggested that this was her first lock, by now we were too far away and another boat was approaching from above, hopefully they would lend a hand.

Plenty of space at Shobnall Fields so we pulled in furthest away from the bridge hoping this would be a good place for Tilly to have a couple of hours. It was, but what lay over the garden fence was far more interesting!

We settled down and popped a chicken in to roast.

Yesterday I’d heard from David that he’d been joined by someone who seemed to want to give him a helping hand, they offered to retie his ropes for him! Then they asked questions that really were none of their business. David has been around boats for at least 30 years and most certainly didn’t need assistance with his ropes. Some questions should also never be asked, you have no idea what is going on in someone’s mind. A smile can often mask what really lies behind it.

3 locks, 10.52 miles, 1 lock mastered, 1 long pound, 1st narrow lock, 1/3rd mended, 1 newbie boater, 1 park, 1 nosy cat, 1 narrowminded boater, 1 very big chicken.

https://goo.gl/maps/anFpAnu7J3xCNm3U9

Which Way Now? 9th April

Trent Junction to Cuttle Bridge 13, Trent and Mersey Canal

Depending on which route we take we are either an hour behind or a day behind our schedule, this will almost certainly determine which way we go. But which way is that?

Tilly was given 90 minutes shore leave as we had breakfast and joined Mick’s sisters on the Geraghty Zoom this morning. It’s lovely that we are all still doing this two years on. Tilly came home within time so we were able to push off as planned.

The rowers were out and one of their support boats was doing its best to try to move what could only really be described as a tree in the river. They attached a rope, nudged it this way and that, tried to get it up the club slipway without much luck. Hope they got it sorted in the end.

Trent Junction is where the River Trent meets the River Soar and the Erewash Canal. The Erewash is a dead end, so we wouldn’t be going that way this time. Cranfleet Cut we’d just come from, so we’d not be going back. This left us two options, the Soar or the Trent. Our summers cruising plans would suggest going onto the Soar would be the most direct route, but a detour is required, so we’d be sticking with the Trent for a little bit longer.

We headed upstream, past Trent Lock pontoon, the chilled medication van already stationed to serve todays gongoozlers. It was chilly out there, we were glad of our winter layers despite the sunshine.

Sawley Lock, the left hand lock had it’s gates open waiting for us as the right hand one was already being filled by another boat. I hopped off and headed to the panel a big shiny box with exactly the same instructions as those on the small pedestals downstream. There were only a couple of spaces available opposite the marina, this is where we should have been last night, but we’d had a much nicer mooring.

Sawley Flood lock was open so we could pass straight through and back out onto the river before we were to join the Trent and Mersey Canal. Another junction, not left to the marina, not right onto the non navigable Derwent, but straight on to the canal.

Two boats were ascending the lock, the chaps stood chatting on the top gates, only the ground paddles lifted. ‘We’re in no hurry’ said one chap as they moved to open the gates. We emptied the lock and worked Oleanna up off the river. Last year this signalled our successful escape from Goole, today it meant that apart from the river section at Alrewas we shouldn’t now get stuck if the river level comes up.

A pause for lunch in Shardlow before I walked ahead to make use of the post box by Broughton House which commands its position on London Road. Eight semi-circular stone steps lead up to the front door of the house which was built in the early 19th Century by James Sutton one of the merchants who developed the inland port of Shardlow.

Across the way at a side door to Holden House people were being served hot drinks and what looked like a blackboard menu of sandwiches sat against the wall. May have been worth a proper look if we’d been staying longer.

Shardlow lock was just being exited by two boats, a small narrowboat exiting second with novice crew on board, they seemed to be enjoying themselves but were a little bit confused as to which side they should pass Mick as he approached. I’d already lifted the ground paddles before I spotted another narrowboat pulling up below, we apologised and said we’d wait at the next lock, but the chap wasn’t going that far.

A quick chat with David to see how he was today before Aston Lock. Today wasn’t as positive as the last few days, but he was still making progress with the boat. Not everyday will be a great day, but this week he has certainly achieved lots.

At Aston Lock we gained eleven gongoozlers a family of cousins out for a walk. This meant we had extra hands to work the gates.

I’d been warned by a boat going downhill that the bottom gates at Weston Lock were leaking like a sieve and it was taking an absolute age to fill. When we got there we’d caught up with the two boats ahead of us, the chaps again stood on the top gates chatting away with only the ground paddles opened.

‘We’re in no hurry’ the chap said again. I did point out that the bottom gates were leaking and that maybe opening the gate paddles would help fill the lock. It took a little while for the penny to drop, all that was happening right now was that they were letting water flow through the lock whilst it still had another foot to rise, they could be there forever, well until the pound above ran out of water!

We followed up. Are all these wide locks counter intuitive like Stenson Lock? Opening the same side ground paddle really didn’t hold Oleanna against the wall. Here we got a shower of hail too, just enough to get us all soggy and chilly before the sun did it’s best to return.

As we approached the stretch where there is an underwater stone shelf, keep to the off-side, a boat was coming towards us. They were going at quite a rate, their bow faced towards us and just as they passed the yellow sign their stern hit the shelf, lifting the boat out of the water! Blimey!! The chap on the front thankfully didn’t fall in. We checked they were all alright before we carried on, all seemed fine.

It was cold now, should we catch up with ourselves, or pull in before Swarkstone Lock? The latter was more attractive with fields alongside the canal that Tilly would enjoy. We tried several places, but ground to a halt at least a foot out from the bank. In the end we gave up and moored up with a gap between us and the towpath, Tilly could easily jump it, so could we. Time now to warm up inside.

5 locks, 8.42 miles, 2 straight ons, 5 siblings, 2 outsides, 2 catty men, 1 leaky lock, 2 shallow to moor, 1 card, 1 shelf rearing, 1 cosy stove, 1 orchestra conductor in the making.

https://goo.gl/maps/4V9bzVYbrELLeqRM9

There Is Only One Way. 8th April

Stoke Lock to Trent Junction

Needing to catch up and the sun being out meant we were happy to push off this morning. Blue skies lift the heart and thankfully there were blue skies back in Newark too making life that bit easier.

Three sunny miles cruising up to Holme Lock. Mick tried radioing ahead in case there was a Lock Keeper on duty, but officially they start back next week. No reply came so I was to work the buttons.

Holme Lock is huge and always takes an age to empty and even longer to fill. Add to that the button controls and their flashing lights! Well we were there for sometime before I could even open the gates. With Oleanna in the lock I started to press the open button to bring her up, water gushing in, yet the level taking forever to fill.

All of a sudden the towpath opposite there was a todo! A family had been walking their dog on a lead when another dog appeared and attacked it, it kept coming back for more no matter what the people did. The lady said things to me which I really couldn’t hear and I was trying to concentrate on Oleanna. I think she thought I was a Lock Keeper and would know which boat the dog eventually ran off to. Unfortunately I couldn’t help.

Now on our way into Nottingham, the reach was quiet, no sailing boats out today and despite the cricket season having started there was no-one playing at Trent Bridge.

Hang on! Were there people in the garden of Southfork? This is the first time we’ve ever seen anyone near this house! New builds are still going up along the river, including a new development overlooking Meadow Lane Lock.

A widebeam was coming down in the lock, the lady saying they were going up the river, so I signalled to Mick that they would be turning upstream. Well that’s not what she meant at all, they were heading downstream to Stoke. Fortunately Mick had moved so they could pick up crew anyway.

We pulled onto the water point where I jumped ship and headed off to Hobbycraft to buy myself a sketchbook and some tracing paper so that I can be ready to start Panto when the next version of the script arrives.

Mick topped up the water, emptied the wee tank and rinsed off the roof before I got back.

Along the next stretch I stood in the bow with a tape measure. We’d offered to measure the height of the new rail bridge for David to see if he’d be able to get under it. When on the River Wey a few years ago we managed to work out our air draught to the top of the horns. The new rail bridge was 88cm above them. The tape came out again once round the 90degree bend as some of the bridges seemed low too. In fact one of them only measured 75cm above our horns.

Approaching the Sainsburys moorings we were surprised at the number of boats moored up near the student accommodation. We pulled in to the last gap we could see, just as well as round the corner it was nose to tail boats! Yes we moored right in front of a no mooring sign, yes we had lunch, yes we went shopping and no we cannot work out why there is no mooring there!

Nest making, we also saw a pair necking today

Mick called round to check on diesel prices. Castle marina £1.75. Mercia £1.78! Then Shobnall, if we wanted over 50 litres it would be £1.20. Being twelve hours cruise away we should be fine until then and at that price it will almost certainly save us £50! We did however pull into Castle Marina for some coal £13.50 for 25kg of Excell. They had some Marine 16 too but at over £30 Mick decided to leave it and see how much it might be at Shobnall.

Back onto the Nottingham and Beeston Cut we pootled our way westwards catching up with an extreamly slow boat who thankfully let us pass. Starting to get cold we wanted to stop so tried pulling into a gap. The wind did it’s best to push Oleanna away from the bank and even with both of us clinging on we couldn’t get her into the side, we’d try further along. Well there were no gaps further along. Nottingham seems to have had an increase in local continuous cruisers, we reckon there’s about five times the amount of boats than there used to be.

Beeston Lock where windlasses are welded onto the paddles

Only one thing for it we’d have to carry on along the river and hope for space on Cranfleet cut or at Trent Lock. It was cold and threatening to rain, but we had no choice.

We did our best to keep towards the western bank, after hearing the story of NB Legend getting stuck on an old submerged wall last year we really wanted to avoid any possibility of re-enacting the incident.

Soon Cranfleet lock was in view and we tried to remember if we knew which paddle to lift first. No recollection at all. Having four gate paddles it’s confusing, thank goodness you can hang back in the lock. It turned out that I guessed correctly choosing the paddle on the same side as Oleanna, but in the middle first followed by the outer one.

Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station just across the way

At the junction we popped out far enough to see if there was space on the pontoon at Trent Lock, there was, but on the inside so no view. However there was a space on the wall at the junction so we pulled in at 7:30, stoked up the stove and got warm again.

5 locks, 15.2 miles, 2 rights, 1 junction, 1 beautiful day, 5 times as many boats, 3 bags coal, 0 diesel today, 8ft 8inches we think, 1 inch too low, 2 boxes wine, 1 shopping trolley back to the boat, 0 shore leave, 1 tidier boat, 1 more good day for David.

https://goo.gl/maps/F1CniEGNnBT3Rk3E9

29mph, No Thanks. 7th April

Stoke Lock

Checking Windy, the Met office and the BBC confirmed that today would be windy. We didn’t fancy 29mph with gusts up to 45/50mph accompanied by heavy rain at times so we decided to stay put and finish off Saturdays newspaper in bed, this normally happens on a Monday morning, but for obvious reasons it was now Thursday.

A Sausage day! Well almost as they did pop out at one time leaving me to shut my eyes for a while. I remember it here, red sandyness under my paw pads. Steep banks for friend finding and pouncing. The trees are interesting too, but I was mostly kept busy with the friendly cover. Tom said I had to leave the woodpeckers alone anyway, so I did.

I had a chat with David mid morning. A touch of confusion had crept in about the way forward. We’d also all got confused as to who we’d met with on Tuesday. Was it the Crisis team? After David had rung round we were a touch more confused as the Crisis team had discharged him back to his GP and the GP … well.

With the numbers we’d called on Monday to hand David finally got things sorted. Yes he had been discharged from Crisis to the Community Mental Health Team and his GP had had a letter regarding this. He’d also heard from C&RT, they were giving him permission to over stay which was great news.

I spent much of the day trying to update the blog, my normal morning routine not followed for a few days meant I was quite behind with some long posts to write, so it was good to get them done.

Then the bag of gluten free white bread flour came out. I’d seen a recipe for Hot Cross Buns a week or so ago which I’d wanted to have a go at. Tilly and I normally make Hot Paw Buns which have marzipan in them. They are very tasty but a little heavy so I wanted to see what this new recipe was like and if I could adapt it.

It’s been a while since I made bread with this flour, it always turned out a touch potatoey, suitable for toasting and adding a lot of butter to, a little like potato scones. Because of this I wasn’t too sure how it would turn out.

The dough was made up with what dried fruit I had on board, raisins and cranberries and left to rise whilst Mick and I went for a walk to the bins by the lock.

Stock Lock is the prettiest on the Trent, surrounded by woodland. We extended our walk across the lock gates to have a look at the weir, thundering it was. A few years ago a narrowboat was pushed over the weir, a lady was swept overboard, thankfully all survived, shaken up quite badly.

On return to the boat the buns had an egg wash and crosses added, then went in the oven and baked for half an hour. I made up a sugar syrup to glaze them with when they came out, they looked really quite promising.

Click photo for recipe link. Not bad, quite tasty but not as good as Hot Paw Buns

Verdict, not as good as hot paw buns, but not a bad second place. We just need to eat these before I’m allowed to make paw buns.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 day staying put, 1 near sausage, 9.5 hours for Tilly, 6 rain showers, 29mph, 1 sheltered mooring, we’d hardly have known, 10 hot cross buns, 1 more step on the right direction.

Braving The Elements. 6th April

Newark to Stoke Lock, River Trent

Today we had to move on, there are appointments and places we need to be in the next few weeks. We got ourselves together, topped up with water, bought milk and some gluten free bread flour from Waitrose (I’ve not been able to find it elsewhere).

Time to check on David. He’d not slept well. We offered to make phone calls so that people knew that he’d moved yesterday and that C&RT were informed so hopefully if he needed to overstay he wouldn’t be hassled by the enforcement officer adding to his woes, we also requested that the Welfare Officer was informed. We’re not sure if they can help, but it was worth a try.

We loaded bags of rubbish into our well deck to dispose of at the next bins. Gave David a box of lateral flow tests and said our goodbyes. Hopefully we’ve been able to help a bit, there is a long way to go, but hopefully the next time we see him he’ll be back to the David we met last year. He needs company and conversation, a boat can be a very lonely place. I’ll be keeping in touch with him over the next few weeks. He may write a piece about his experience trying to get help with his mental health which I’ve said I will post. If it helps just one person then it will be worth it.

NB Chance came past, a quick opportunity for Mick to say hello to Richard whom we’d cruised the Tidal Thames from Limehouse to Brentford with last summer.

Easter weekend you won’t be able to get a space here

We started to untie just as NB No Rush came into view, so we held on for a while until they had pulled in. With the forecast not being so good for the next couple of days they planned on staying put, where as we were going to brave the elements and try to tick some miles and locks off heading southwards.

We made our way to Town Lock, Mick dropping me off at the low wall. The volunteer Lockies start back next week, so we’d be working the locks ourselves. The lock is a public right of way with access over the lock gates, so an annoying woman repeats ‘Please keep clear of the lock gate area’ as soon as you turn your key to open the panel. Having said that the lady at the top gate did get bored of her own voice a couple of times as I took my time filling the lock.

We pulled in just before the next bridge to dispose of rubbish, thankfully the Biffa bin was empty and not full. The high walls on the Trent don’t make such things too easy on a narrowboat.

Soon we were on our way. Soon it started to rain. Soon it started to blow a hoolie at us!

Not the most pleasant cruising weather, maybe if we’d been on David’s boat inside with the windscreen wipers going it would have been more bearable. I was able to stand with my back to the prevailing wind and rain, watching the way ahead with the reflection in Mick’s glasses!

Past Newark Marina, we could do with some coal but the thought of pulling in to find they hadn’t any put us off. Then the big Averham Weir and Staythorpe Power Station, not too many cormorants drying themselves today. Farndon and Fiskerton visitor moorings came and went. Since leaving the tidal river we’d only seen two moored boats, Newark had been empty, just where is everyone?

Hazelford Lock came into view, we needed a break, time for lunch. We pulled in to the only space available, and placed ourselves slap bang in the middle of the moorings, no-one here either. Were we the only ones on the river?

After lunch we regrouped, Windy suggested the wind was now even stronger than it had been before, but it should ease after a couple of hours. So we stayed put on our mooring waiting for the weather to abate.

Three hours after we arrived we pushed off again. The controls for the lock a little frustrating again, this time the open button remaining constant at the top gates, but that meant I could lift the sluices as we required them, until all of a sudden the light started to flash at me. That was it until the water was level.

Sunshine! And wind! Clouds scooting across the sky.

This reach of the river and the next are our favourites. Low banks (or cliffs as Mick referred to them today!) of red sand, hills covered in trees many with blossom, geese and ducks all trying to chart a flying course but getting blown in the opposite direction. The only downside with our favourite bit is the lock that lies in the middle, Gunthorpe Lock!

The lock landing below the lock is really frustrating as it is on the weir side. So you approach it to drop crew off, with the force of water coming from the weir pushing you away from the pontoon. This meant we couldn’t get close enough to drop me off from the stern. I ended up having to jump off the bow, sensible but how would a single hander manage it? Maybe we could have pulled up on the otherside of the pontoon, but then Oleanna would have been pinned against it by the flow coming from the weir.

Then there is the other reason, this is where I lost my little finger in 2015. I’m happier being up top operating the lock than having to face those blue risers, but I still hate it with a passion!

As we cruised in the decreasing sunlight, rain clouds swept overhead, rainbows arced high above us, wind made our cheeks ruddy, little lambs ganged up with each other to go running about. We passed Burton Joyce where Tilly came from and waved to the lovely ladies who’d rescued her.

The remains of the stew from a few nights ago had some sausages added to it and was left to carry on cooking on the stove top as we cruised our way to Stoke Lock. Last year as we approached there was a boat below the lock that had grounded on a sandbank. The river had been dredged so we hoped after Mick had dropped me off that he’d still be able to get into the lock. This was all fine and we locked up the pretty lock with a couple of families gongoozling.

We had now reached our destination. With the winds set to be even higher tomorrow we planned on staying put on the low wall mooring. Here Tilly could have some shore leave once again whilst we avoided the stronger winds for the day. We just hoped our chosen mooring would be safe as there are quite a lot of trees around!

Over the last week I have managed to make contact with my cousin’s son to see if there was any news from Ukraine. Messages have gone back and forth and yesterday evening I got an email from Tim. Saying he is safe is all relative, he is far safer than a lot of people in Ukraine.

The house he’d bought two months ago is still standing, but without doors or windows, his car and garage are ruined. Looters moved through and all their possessions have gone. This is all from reports from those who are still in Chernihiv where there is no water, gas, electricity, little food. Tim and his wife are living with her mother some distance away. Despite the Invaders retreating they don’t know when they will be able to return, all the bridges have been blown up and there are reports that the roads are mined.

‘Hard to believe this is 2022! With no road or village signs and blackout curtains required at night, it is like Dad’s Army and would be funny if not so tragic.’ It is hard to know what to say, other than I’m relieved that they are still with us.

4 locks, 17.99 miles, 1 goodbye until next time, get well, 1 windy rainy day, 3 hour lunch break, 0 shore leave again! 1 beautiful stretch, 3 approaches, 1 b**tard lock, 9.75 digits still, 0 clone, 1 broken zip, 1 double rainbow, 1 river just to ourselves.

https://goo.gl/maps/MTwq5zhYaBMfPW2R8

Strength And Courage. 5th April

Muskham Ferry to Newark

Waking up in the morning can take some courage. Having the strength to get out of bed to attend a meeting about your mental health is extremely hard, opting to stay hidden under the duvet a much easier option. Add into the mix not having slept properly for weeks along with not eating much for days. We all knew though that the meeting had the potential to be a step forward.

The taxi arrived bang on time and on our journey in to Newark I recounted our journey from Keadby to Cromwell. David has been around boats for much of his life and yesterday he’d been imagining where we’d been on the river, which bend, what landmark we’d passed. All this to help keep his mind busy.

A dated building close to Aldi was where we were to meet two chaps who’d come from the Crisis team. David wanted us there with him, to be an extra voice in the room. If things seemed to be going round in circles then hopefully we’d be able to help. Unfortunately the room could only hold three people, fine for the two chaps and David, but that wasn’t going to happen. We split into two, Mick staying with one of the chaps to have a conversation about our concerns, then David, myself and the other fella headed to a more private room.

We talked through David’s problems, what support he could access. The chaps had read through his notes thoroughly before coming this morning, he was already known to them. Hopefully he was reassured that he could access their help at anytime. There are certain things that David needs to do for himself, then other support channels will be open to him.

The room was too hot and stuffy, thank goodness the Covid guidelines had dictated only three of us could be in there at any time. But the heat was too much, fresh air was needed. Outside we now could chat to the other chap, his area of support different. The general thought was that if David could get back to Newark on his boat then he’d have so much more access to things that could help, they’d all be within walking distance of his boat, but the move had to come from David.

Now David was exhausted there was no point in continuing with the meeting. Before we left I made sure that they understood that living on a boat can be very isolating, please could someone call him regularly, just for a chat as well as to check on him.

In the taxi on the way back we talked things over that had been said, related them to other people we knew. For me it had been good to hear what the chaps had to say, and now be able to help David remember as I used to when my Dad had hospital appointments.

After a rest David joined us for a sandwich, at last we’d seen him eat something. Could we help him to get his boat started? He was afraid that over the last few weeks his batteries had dropped so much charge that they may never recover. He’d been surviving on what solar power he was getting. Certain things on the boat having stopped working.

With us around he summoned up the strength to pull out his generator. This was started to kick start his engine, but would it work? The generator worked and after a while David tried to start his engines, his boat has two. With lots of dials in the cockpit he could see what charge was going into the batteries, Mick and he consulted over such things. After about fifteen minutes both engines were running, his boat still had life. This alone was a huge achievement and one that brought a smile to everyone’s faces.

David now asked if he could move the boat with us up into Newark, he had purpose and drive. After a discussion it was decided that we’d move one boat at a time and that we should strike whilst the iron was hot. We would move David first, all three of us onboard, I would work Nether Lock leaving Mick and David in the cockpit.

A bit of rope adjustment was needed before we could set off as both boats were tied together as the mooring cleats on the pontoon were none existent for the centre lines. With this done and the Key of Power in my pocket, all three of us onboard the engines pushed us round into the current to head towards Newark.

Mick and I have never really been on a cruiser before, so being inside in the cockpit felt a bit strange, no wind burn for us today standing outside, but what a treat. All the gauges were checked by David, even the depth sounder was turned on! This was handy when we reached a section of the river where the depth below the keel reduced from 2.5m to 0.5m, no wonder our progress had slowed, the engines were adjusted accordingly.

Mick was given a go at the wheel. The difference between a tiller and wheel instantly showed itself as we started heading towards a bank! Just a different mind set, steer as you would in a car not a narrowboat.

Being able to climb outside and have a wider gunnel to stand on before going ashore was nice. They then took the boat back to hover whilst I emptied Nether Lock.

The newish lock controls here were really frustrating. They gradually allow you to lift the sluices, pressing the Open button when it is constant, but when it flashes nothing will happen. So you press it, wait for it to go constant, press it again. The sluices fully up the water drained out. Below the lock the water stopped being busy, obviously the water was now level, but the light kept flashing and flashing and flashing and fla….. you get the idea!

It was decided to close the whole thing down and try again. I still had to wait an absolute age for the sensor to realise that the lock was now empty and that I’d be able to open the gates. In came the boat, Mick using a rope to hold them in to the side and I gradually lifted the sluices when all was calm below. The top gates behaved as you’d expect, thankfully.

Back on board we now had to squeeze through a gap between the bank and a skip boat which had been left that bit too close to the bend. David just managed to get through, we wondered if Oleanna would have difficulty being longer.

In Newark we pulled in onto the pontoon. Mooring cruisers is slightly different than for a narrowboat so we followed the skippers lead. Time for David to have a rest.

We popped into town to pick up a repeat prescription and check in a couple of shops for a new sketch book for Panto. Sadly Hills didn’t have the one I like with a hard cover and suitable paper should I want to use paint, but not so expensive that you wouldn’t want to scrawl notes in it.

A taxi from Castle Station and we were soon on our way back to North Muskham to move Oleanna.

Untying took a bit of thinking about. The centre line wasn’t really doing too much, maybe taking a bit of strain away from the bow line. But as soon as the bow line was undone the stern would be pushed round by the current meaning I’d need to be onboard, Mick would need to whisk Oleanna out from the moorings as quickly as possible before the bow had chance to make contact with the cruiser on the other side of us.

It all went to plan and we waved goodbye to North Muskham. Thank you for helping our friend.

Deja vu cruising, just slightly chillier than being on the cruiser. We’d made sure we wrapped up well, winter cruising clothes and wind burnt faces. 3 egrets took off in front of us, don’t think we’ve ever seen three together before.

Mick pulled in below Nether Lock to drop me off at a ladder, no just stepping off as I’d done earlier. The large overhang causing concern for our cabin sides, but we managed to keep Oleanna away from harm.

Prepared for the wait at the bottom gates I’d taken gloves with me this time, nothing to do but kick one’s heels for ten minutes before the light turned solid and I could open the gates.

Up above Mick managed to squeeze Oleanna past the skip boat and pulled in to wait for me to climb back down a ladder. Caution should be taken with some of these ladders on Nether Lock as there is quite often not much room behind the runs for your toes!

David joined us for some food, a plate of chicken pasta, possibly the most he’s eaten in days. Conversations about boating, toilets of course! We got to see a bit of the David we’d met last year today. He’d been strong and brave and achieved much, he was rightly proud of himself. The day however had been exhausting for him.

1 lock twice, 2 boats, 3.4 miles, twice, 3 taxis, 2 chaps, 3 in a room, 1 sandwich, 1 plate of pasta, 1st repeat prescription pick up, 0 sketch books, 2 engines working, 1 day of achievements, 1 email from my cousin in Ukraine, 1 Harry, 1 lobster.

Here are a few links to places where you can find help with mental health

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/crisis-services/

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/

https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline

https://www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/help-in-a-crisis

Dashing Up The Trent. 4th April

Keadby Visitor Moorings to Muskham Ferry, River Trent

Neither of us slept well last night. An early start on tidal waters, the trains going over Vazon Sliding Bridge through the night, not knowing what we would find when we reached David, plus the thought that the conditions on the river could be unsafe due to high winds so we’d not reach Cromwell today.

The alarm went off at 6am, enough time for a cuppa, do final checks and put Tilly’s escape pod together. A phone call from Kirsty saying we had ten minutes before she’d open the road bridge in front of the lock. Covers were sorted quickly, ash can back on board then we followed NB No Rush towards the lock, the light having turned green a couple of minutes earlier.

Kirsty said the flood was still a way off so she would let us down the lock slowly and wait for the level outside the lock to be right before opening the gates. We sat in the lock gradually going down chatting away to Will on NB No Rush. Both boats had the same plan, Cromwell, but if conditions were bad then a stop at either Torksey or Dunham. We exchanged phone numbers and with both boats having VHF we knew we could be in touch even if we were out of sight of each other.

It took 40 minutes for things to be right before the gates opened in front of us. Will suggested we went first as we had more reason to get somewhere today and he’d been told he travels a touch slower than most. Out onto the river, the push from the tide not yet really going for it.

We’d not been down to the lock to check if there were any ships moored on the river as we do normally, so it was a relief that there wasn’t one there to surprise us.

Dressed appropriately, thermals, padded waterproof trousers, jumpers, fleece, waterproof coat, we hoped we’d be able to withstand what ever the weather threw at us. The large expanse of river was ahead, we gradually crossed over to go under the eastern span of Keadby Bridge. NB No Rush appeared from the lock behind, at first seeming to keep up with us, but as the two boats settled into their cruising speed with the tide we slowly pulled away from them.

Time for breakfast, sausage sarnies and an insulated mug of something hot. Meanwhile below Tilly was not impressed with the speed we were moving the outside, I’m not a speed monster!

With our Trent chart in a plastic bag for protection from a little rain early on, we followed the red line marking the channel, around us the level gradually rising with the tide.

This was our fourth trip southwards on the Tidal Trent. First trip was on NB Lillyanne in 2015, then on Oleanna’s maiden voyage when we managed to catch an early morning spring tide which carried us all the way to Cromwell. Then last year when we’d come round Trent Falls escaping from Goole. Today the westerly wind would be over the tide giving us waves when we turned into it. Thankfully they weren’t too big.

Familiar landmarks were passed, Owston Ferry (Which pub did Mick’s grandfather stay at?), The entrance to the River Idle, West Stockwith Lock.

Gainsborough where we’d considered stopping last year, but with spring tides and a possible Aegir the following morning we ended up continuing on to Torksey. We were rushing with the tide by now as the river narrows and twists through the city. Areas where the water gets confused as to which way to flow, bubbling around Oleanna.

Then the power stations still with their full compliment of cooling towers could be seen, at one stage both in line with each other.

Torksey Viaduct. A quick check of Windy and the forecast strong winds had moved on a few hours. We agreed to carry on, so far conditions hadn’t been too bad. We passed the turn off to the lock and the pontoons below it, not a boat in sight.

Along the straight to Dunham Toll Bridge we could see NB No Rush was still with us. Last chance to stop on the pontoon here, but we kept on going. A phone call to Cromwell had been made to make sure we’d be able to get in with them today, all was fine.

Things were getting choppier, more twists bringing us in to the wind. Gradually our speed dropped as the push from the tide dropped away and the push the other way from 2ft of fresh water coming down from Cromwell took over, a few more revs needed from Oleanna’s engine.

Overhead power lines were being worked on, pinging in the wind as they whipped around as we followed the channel directly underneath them, a rescue boat was moored at the corner just in case.

Round the meanders where posts sit far out in the water marking where sandbags extend to. Under Fledborough Viaduct where someone needs to refresh the England graffiti so you get the right span for the channel.

Then at the bends where you line up with an old mill on the bank we came across two narrowboats heading downstream, luckily there was enough water for us all to pass without anyone going aground, handy it was a spring tide with fresh coming down.

We’d been told to call the Lock Keeper at the 48km marker, Mick left a message. The final bend and Cromwell Weir came into view followed by the lock. The light was red, but shortly turned to green as the gates opened to welcome us off the tidal Trent. Being able to be right back in the lock made for a gentle ascent.

We needed a pit stop so pulled on to the inside of the pontoon mooring alongside a chap who’d just come from Torksey this morning. Lunch and an empty of our wee tank. NB No Rush soon followed us up, they’d stopped to give the dog a comfort break at Dunham. Blimey that wind and now rain had got up, Will very nearly lost his boat whilst trying to moor up, Mick ran to lend a hand and between everyone they got their boat secured.

Time to move on. David was moored at North Muskham outside the Muskham Ferry. Here there are finger pontoons, short finger pontoons, would we be able to moor up safely? It took three attempts to get Oleanna’s bow close enough to the pontoon for me to jump off and quickly secure the bow rope before the wind and current dragged the stern away down stream pivoting the bow into the side of a cruiser. Thankfully things held and we could finish securing Oleanna next door to David.

Just like Mr Ben a chap turned up on the pontoon, saying he was from the local parish council and asked if we were David’s friends? We’re not sure how it came about, but David has been supported by the Parish Council of North Muskham for about a week. Piles of fire wood sat on the pontoon and a pub meal was being paid for by them each day.

So pretty and in better light than last time we passed.

We are by no means mental health experts, we can listen, hold a hand, give hugs and try and help with practical things. David was in a state as we’d expected. The man we’d met last year we knew we’d not be seeing today. With his problems he’s let the boat and himself go.

Where to start? What to do?

David had been in touch with so many organisations, he’d managed to register with a GP in Newark, the Crisis team had been out to him. But it all felt like he was going round and round in circles, nothing helping, nothing working, just constantly being pushed to the next organisation or a different part of the NHS.

We made a call to his GP. The receptionist tried to help but couldn’t, if David was feeling suicidal than he had to go to A&E something he really really didn’t want to do. Eventually we were given the number of the Crisis team. Mick called them leaving a message voicing our concerns. He had a call back, data protection meant that David had to give consent for us to be part of the conversation, so the phone had to come off speaker and be handed to him. Once that was sorted we were told that David had an appointment for the morning in Newark.

We did a bit of shopping for him, an idyllic walk along the side of the A1 to get to the service station! Sitting outside chatting with David we were joined by a lady who’d been wild swimming, she knew the right things to say, to ask questions, showed care for a complete stranger. What a wonderful person she was.

David joined us inside Oleanna to warm up, have some food, maybe a shower. Instead we ended up chatting with Heather Bleasdale on the phone about all sorts of things, quite a bit about the cruiser she bought a few months ago and what jobs were needing to be done. The pub delivered some chips for David, but they weren’t what he needed, sleep was more important to him even if he’d not eaten properly for a few days.

Later on Mick got another phone call from the crisis team, where were we and what time would we like a cab to get us to the meeting in the morning. We’d assumed that the meeting had already been planned, but it turns out our concerned phone calls had triggered it. The lady was very helpful, told us who we’d be meeting. We hoped that this would be the way out of the circle David felt he was in.

I cooked a meal, we watched TV, went to bed early hoping we’d get a better nights sleep.

2 locks, 1 swing bridge, 1 windy day, 2 possible stop offs, 0 used, 2 sausage sarnies, 1 pit stop, 3 attempts to moor, 1 narrowboat clinging on for dear life, 1 broken man, 1 wonderful woman, 2 phone calls of concern, £19.75 for 30grams of tobacco! 1 meeting for tomorrow.

https://goo.gl/maps/wH2KGSTxHefnsyBs7

A Call For Help. 3rd April

From where we were to Keadby Visitor Moorings

Mick got into the bios of the lap top, set various things in motion which were going to take just about all day. We left it to do it’s thing. Thankfully Tilly seemed to be more her normal self and full rations were reinstated.

A Sunday morning cooked breakfast was enjoyed before we got going. Time to do the remaining swing bridges.

Godnow Swing Bridge is interconnected with the railway level crossing, a little building sits between the canal and railway to house the level crossing keeper. There used to be a huge control panel to work the bridge, but this has now been replaced with one of the slim C&RT two button panels.

Once the key is turned the crossing keeper has to close the rail gates to road traffic before you can close the bridge to road traffic. The old manual barriers have been replaced with the drop down kind. A lot better than it used to be as it had it’s moments. We managed to hold one car up.

Onwards gradually the sky being filled with more and more power generating. The gas power station and wind turbines making the most of the flat landscape.

Vazon Swing Bridge with the slider behind

Vazon Swing Bridge is the most simple to operate on the Stainforth and Keadby, turn the key, lift the latch and push. Once closed we then had a wait before we could proceed further.

We’d actually timed our arrival pretty well. A goods train coming over the Vazon Sliding Bridge in front of us almost immediately. Then the bridge keeper put the bridge into operation for us. Sirens, flashing lights go on for what feels like forever. Then the whole bridge starts to slide back diagonally across the cut to open our route. No dawdling to be done here, I’m sure there was a big gap between trains, otherwise we’d not have been allowed through, but you still feel the pressure and scoot through.

The Keadby Lockie was chatting to a chap on a cruiser when we pulled up, he was most probably called Mark. The flood in the morning would be at 7:10 and Kirsty would be on duty to pen us down. We would be joined by another boat later today who would be joining us for the trip, we could be Trent buddies.

The big crane boat waiting to head to Thorne on Monday

We filled with water and started to make ready for our tidal journey. The well deck was cleared and washed down, the chain bucket brought out from a locker. One end attached to the anchor the other to the T stud on the bow. Mick checked the weed hatch and gave the engine a check through too. Only Tilly’s escape pod to put together in the morning.

Tomorrow the plan had been to make use of the big Spring Tide and make it all the way to Cromwell Lock. A long day at the tiller. But looking at Windy the wind was set to get quite high in the early afternoon the further south we got. Maybe we’d split the journey at Torksey and continue on Tuesday. A phone call had been made to the Cromwell Lock Keeper to book us in for Tuesday, but asking if we made it there on Monday could we pen up then instead. This was fine so long as we arrived before 4pm. All sorted.

A shower full, quite miss the Christmas tree being in there

Then things changed, with just one phone call. Our friend David, whom we escaped Goole with last year has been having a hard time with his mental health. He’d reached out to us just before we moved back onto Oleanna and we’ve talked a couple of times since. He was in a really bad way, could we get to him today, he couldn’t be on his own anymore.

David was near Newark, the way we were heading, but 45 miles away. We certainly couldn’t get there by boat today and no trains were running. What to do? We talked and talked and in the end promised that we would fight against the wind tomorrow to get to Cromwell to be with him.

I then tried ringing an NHS Mental Health helpline, but without knowing who David’s doctor was this was hard. His phone would also soon have run out of battery with little chance of charging it up as his boat batteries were dead. The lady tried to help, suggesting getting him to A&E. I considered dialing 999 but that didn’t feel right. I conferred with Heather from NB Bleasdale who also knows of David’s situation, she also agreed that 999 was not the thing to do.

This has been written with David permission, he wants to try help raise awareness of his situation. For obvious reasons my blog posts may be a touch patchy for a little while.

0 locks, 2 swing bridges, 1 sliding bridge, 1 car held up, 0 trains held up, 5 hrs 35 mins, 1 shower full, 7am start, 1 call for help, 1 promise made that I hope we can keep.

https://goo.gl/maps/tEF8MkBfUH9YtdZd9

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna