Category Archives: Moorings

All Nice And Spicy. 18th April

West Haddlesey to Burn Bridge

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**Hot paw buns with their marzipan prints**

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

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

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

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

An Improvement. 15th April

Leave a Reply

Pollington Visitor Moorings to Whitley Lock

An improvement in IT and TV was required, but it was raining. We waited for things to improve, it wasn’t raining hard, so hopefully it would just be a shower.

A couple of boats had moved before we’d got ourselves ready, the boat infront had lost it’s name, it had been TED, now it was nameless. By 11:30 we decided to make the move. I helped push the bow out and walked on up to Pollington Lock.

The moorings just below were occupied by two big boats, Freda Carless and Lonsdale one of the gravel barges that in recent years has done trips to and fro from Leeds.

I could see a boat approaching the lock behind Oleanna and up at the lock was a chap, his key of power in the panel and the lock gates wide open. Both boats got caught out by the force of the bywash which was hammering it down, maybe on full force due to there being eight boats in Goole Docks at the moment, the water needed for Ocean Lock.

I took Oleanna’s centre rope and passed it round a bollard handing it back to Mick as the other boat came in. The chap was very familiar, he resembled an actor who quite often plays sleezy landlords or people who are down on their luck on TV, unshaven, white haired, one day I’ll remember the actors name! The chap stood by the lock was also familiar because we’ve shared locks and been stranded at Naburn with him and his wife shortly after they’d bought their narrowboat in 2021 I think. I filled Mick in, he’d most probably not have remembered the couple, he didn’t when we crossed paths with them last year near Wakefield.

They were moving their boat up to Great Heck and car shuffling at the same time. A brief chat with the lady as they swapped over at the helm and she headed off to move the car. I closed up the lock and then set off to walk to Whitley, get my minutes in along the towpath as we’d be covering about 4 miles today, an ideal distance.

Walking gave me the chance to stop and have a good look on my way. Pollington Hall stands out from the countryside. Today it’s front door just about the same shade of green as the crop in the field. The photo has gone into my paintings folder, I like painting houses, I think I have a thing about bricks as well as good front doors. Built around 1750, it was the ancestral home of the Dobson family. William Dobson was born at the hall in 1818, he and his wife emigrated in 1842 to Tasmania. They had many children and became one of the pioneering families of Tasmania.

I walked under Heck Railway bridge just as an East Coast Main line train thundered overhead. Oleanna and the other boat just still in view ahead. This is a popular stretch for mooring, especially up towards Heck Bridge, the other boat pulled in, I made a note of a good place for Tilly where not too many boats were moored and away from the railway, we may stop here on our way back to the south.

A pause to have a chat with the familiar crew, the world was about to get even smaller. I remembered their boat name and where their house is, but not their names, Richard and Heather. We chatted about their trip over the Rochdale and where else we’d been last year. Then plans for this year, conversation came about that I was a set designer and that we had a house in Scarborough. Well Richard used to teach sculpture on Lady Edith’s Drive in Scarborough and had an exhibition at the theatre which coincided with Alan Ayckbourn’s first show. Well Richard doesn’t look old enough to have had an exhibition in the 50’s and he’d mentioned that it was possibly around 1975, so I think it was more likely to be when Alan became Artistic Director or when the theatre moved from the Library to Westwood. But still a close connection.

They are plucking up courage to cruise the Trent and go up the Chesterfield Canal, if we knew when we’d be heading back that way then I’d have suggested they joined us, but dates later in the year are a little unfixed at the moment. It was good to have chance for a chat and Mick had most probably moored up by now, so it was time to carry on.

**Was this the yard we got the bollard from?**

The towpath changes sides as the northern bank is now filled with C&RT boats, lock beams, aggregate all sorts. As I walked over the bridge I wondered if this was the C&RT yard Mick and I once visited to collect a mooring bollard to be used in Way Upstream at the SJT. I’ve wondered about it a few times as we’ve passed on the boat and now from land it looked even more possible. It was near Eggborough Power Station, now no longer, we had to walk down a track alongside the yard and canal to a specific place, put our hand through the fence and inside a plastic bag there was a bollard for us. All done on a summer Sunday after a weekend in York.

Another opportunity to stop and take a better photo of the work boats, Robin Hood always stands out from the other boats here.

As I came round the last little kink in the canal towards Whitley Lock I could see that Oleanna was moored up, covers half done, all on the opposite side of the canal so I had to walk past and cross at the lock, clocking up just over 4 miles and plenty of minutes for the day.

Mick checked with neighbours, two woofers enjoying the grassy moorings, they were both okay with cats. I kept low just in case they could see me and skuttled across to the hedge. A pretty good outside and She and Tom seemed happier now they could tapperty tap without waiting all the time! Tilly and I had a game of stick once the woofers were inside, safer that way as otherwise they’d have tried to join in.

Fund Britain’s Waterway flotilla news spare parts have been required today, a morse cable, some hose. The boats are having a little rest before continuing on towards London, the Marsworth flight has reopened and Van sent us a couple of photos of us from the cruise through Gainsborough. Thank you Van!

1 lock, 3.7 miles by boat, 1 damp morning, 1 drier afternoon, 1 Isabella, 1 green front door, 3 pairs of socks to finish off, 4 hours shore leave, 5 sticks, 1 stove lit, 4.17 miles walked, 70 minutes briskly.

https://what3words.com/crossing.yacht.football

I Got To Do It! 14th April

Leave a Reply

Bramwith Junction to Pollington Moorings

Tilly was offered shore leave this morning, but she really wasn’t too keen on the idea. I’ve told you before I don’t like it being blowy!! Sort it out with this outside!!! That told us then, time to move on.

Two boats had been moored across the way at the start of the New Junction Canal and just as we were getting ready to push off they reversed up towards the junction then forwards to Bramwith Lock. We discussed how we’d be pushing off today, the wind wanting to do the job for us. Untying is one thing, but retrieving chains and getting back on board before the boat has crossed the canal is a different matter! We managed it with both of us at the bow, no oncoming boats and then a speedy stern rope.

Onto the New Junction, time to head north. Through the Don Doors and on to the first bridge. I now opted to walk between the bridges to operate them, swinging and lifting as required. I did however hop back onboard to travel the two straight miles to Sykehouse Lock though.

**Dandelions add to an increasingly yellow world**

Here an amber light greeted us. No lock keeper! I’d get to work the lock myself for the first time in an age. Sykehouse is different from all the other locks around here. This is because it has a swing bridge across the middle of it. If you come through when there is a Lock Keeper on duty they can swing the bridge when ever they like, so quite often you are asked to move to the other side of it for them to close it before you ascend or descend. But on boater operation you have no choice.

Your key goes into a panel at the centre of the lock (the white box on the right of the photo), close to the swing bridge, instructions on it’s lid, not so handy if you are short. Turning your key releases the bridge barriers either side of the lock, these you close. This then enables you to lift the big locking mechanism (shaped a bit like a giant key on a sardine can) and then push the swing bridge round out of the way. Once it has locked into the other sardine key the panels at either end of the lock will work, enabling you to open sluices and gates as required. Then when your boat is out of the lock and gates closed you close the bridge following the instructions in reverse order. I like it, it’s fun.

Downstream panel with Oleanna starting to descend

Mick loitered by the next swing bridge for me to arrive, I then walked on to the next bridge the last on the New Junction. Thankfully the strong wind hadn’t hampered us too much.

Up ahead at the reservoir two people zoomed along on their windsurfers, one not having quite so much luck and should have taken note from the Lapwing sat on the bank.

One long blast of our horns and we turned to the west. There was a boat on the nice mooring alongside the reservoir, but we had plans to go further today to Pollington. More stretches of new piling where the bank had slumped after the breach. The grass seems to be starting to come through now, but these stretches don’t have a handy bar to tie to as they did nearer Goole.

**4, dead slow! That’s still pretty fast**

One boat was moored at Pollington, so we opted for the other end of the moorings and pulled in, just as the wind started to be really really strong. I lost my cap, which thankfully landed in the well deck and we both fought with the covers.

Tilly was given the remainder of the afternoon for shore leave, we didn’t think she’d like it, but off she went returning half an hour later for some biscuits followed by Dreamies.

Still some more steps to do I headed out, when Tilly was in, and walked up to the lock. Here a chap on a long term hire boat had pulled up and was about to open the lock gates, his boat on the wrong side of the lock, he had to walk all the way round. I then headed into Pollington and walked past what now seemed familiar from a walk quite a few years ago.

The cricket ground was being mown by a car circling with a cutter behind it, hopefully it was only the outfield being mown like this. A bank of Primroses surrounded someone’s garden. I walked back down to the canal along the road that leads to the long term moorings, eggs for sale here. There is no access from the moorings so I crossed the canal and then walked back up to the lock, the long term hirer having only just climbed back onboard his boat having descended the lock.

**The hire boat just heading away from the lock**

Back on board I hunted out some dark yellow yarn as I’d run out yesterday. Now I could finish off sock pair 64, or so I thought. I seem to be catching Mick’s sleepy reaction to the news, at least this time I put my knitting down before I zzzz’d off to sleep.

No Pollington sunset for us this evening. In fact we sat and wondered why we seem to have liked it here before. The water tap is very slow. Internet is even slower and TV reception optional! Tomorrow showers are forecast, we hope to find a gap in them and move along a bit to improve things.

All boats on the Fund Britain’s Waterways Campaign flotilla have now reached Taveners Boating Club just north of Cosgrove. A notice regarding the Marsworth flight suggests the problem may be sorted tomorrow, fingers crossed. Link to Petition.

1 lock, 7.5 miles, 1 left, 6 bridges, 11 held up, 1 blowy day, 2 outsides, 3.75 hours shore leave, 12 dreamies, 5.06 miles walked, 66 minutes briskly, pair 64 not quite finished.

https://what3words.com/fencing.dumplings.faces

What A Joy. 6th April

Leave a Reply

Cromwell to Torksey bottom side pontoon

Originally we’d been booked to pen down back onto the tidal Trent at 11:45 this morning, but yesterday Mick had stopped off to chat to the Lock Keeper. They didn’t understand why we were booked so late and suggested we should join the widebeam and head off at 10:00, less chance of meeting the incoming tide that way. So we were up, breakfasted and covers rolled up ready for the off by 9:45.

The light at the lock turned green, the widebeam undid all their ropes and headed for the lock, we followed them slowly. The Lockie gave advice to stick to the channel as best we both could as there was only 18 inches of fresh today and we’d be helped by the out going tide. In the lock we did as usual, bow and stern line, well you never know just when the wind will hit a lock wall and push your boat over to the other side of the lock, as it did to our locking buddies who only had a stern line round a riser.

There was no way for us to be first out of the lock, so we waited and then followed slowly. Should we overtake or sit tight behind? Buddies on the Trent really should always be quite close should they be needed.

Our buddies kept mainly to the channel, a little too close to the bank at times, they managed to do their own bit of pruning, hope their pram cover is okay. We opted to stay behind them, at a steady pace, we’d use less diesel, but it did feel slow compared to our normal speed on the Trent.

After a few minutes we were able to join the Geraghty zoom, only long enough to show Mick’s siblings the river and say good morning before we decided we’d need to concentrate a touch more than normal.

Blue skies. A breeze to keep us from getting warm and at times the water got quite choppy. An Egret, a bird who was invisible except for its bright orange legs, swallows or sand martins dashed in and out of the sandy banks, far too quick for a photo.

A speedboat was moored on the waterski club pontoon, then another appeared up ahead through Fledborough Viaduct going at quick a lick. At least this meant we knew which span to head for, confirmed when we eventually saw the now rusted away graffiti.

The river level was low, possibly the lowest we’ve experienced so keeping to the red line was more important to do today. As we passed Dunham Pontoon I wondered how different the water level looked compared to last Tuesday (left photo) when the flotilla woofers had paused for a comfort break.

Under the bridges and on past the sunken island and round the bend by Cottam Power Station. Next landmark would be the EA building just before Torksey Junction. The widebeam pulled in and popped themselves near the end of the pontoon, their plan now was to head to the pub for Sunday lunch, hopefully there would be some left at 1:30pm. We pulled in and left a boats length between us and them and plenty of space before the only other boat moored up.

I planned my afternoon walk. Whilst on the river today we’d been hunting out KM markers to help update Waterway Routes, those in brackets had not been spotted when Paul has cruised this way. With only a small amount of greenery on the trees we were having more luck spotting them, one well and truly surrounded by sideways trees. We’d found all of them but one, 71. If I crossed Torksey Viaduct I’d be able to walk the banks of the river and see if it was visible from land, or as we suspected long gone! My walk would also have another advantage, I’d get to be closer to Cottam cooling towers, an opportunity not to be missed.

I set off, however my plan was to be thwarted! I crossed the river and climbed down the steps on the other side to find through the kissing gate a gang of very inquisitive ginger cows. Hmmm! They came for a good nosy at me. Then a chap appeared behind me. He wasn’t too keen in trying to push through them, I gave it a go, he’d call for back up if needed.

CUSHH! I waggled my arms, made myself as big as possible, isn’t that what you are meant to do? CUSHH! No they hardly moved and what movement they did was towards me. I retreated behind the kissing gate, one of them now demanding a snog before it would let me through. NO chance!

A change of route was called for, head northwards, but the paths didn’t seem to join up for me to come back southwards. A different route all together was needed. Back across the river to Brampton where there were a few lovely looking houses. Across Lincoln golf club where two chaps were having difficulty finding their balls in the trees. Back to the river via Torksey. A shame my Sunday selfie couldn’t be closer to the cooling towers, but that’s life.

During the afternoon one boat came down Torksey Lock and one went up, so we could have got over the cill after all. Oh well we’re booked to go up West Stockwith in the morning with a push off time of 6am! So we stayed put below the lock.

The Fund Britain’s Waterways cruise reached Barrow upon Soar today after enjoying a Sunday lunch with the Soar Boat Club. If you haven’t sign it yet, please sign the petition

1 lock, 16.7 miles, 2 winds, 1 right, 1 very slow tidal cruise, 1 tree trimmed, 1 Chance encounter, 15 ginger bullies, 4.25 miles walked, 70 minutes briskly, 1 big cauliflower cheese, 1 very bored cat.

https://what3words.com/folk.connected.expanded

Sad Gits Frites. 5th April

4 Replies

Kiln Pontoon to Cromwell Lock Pontoon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://what3words.com/mouse.reservoir.highs

Storming The Castle. 2nd April

Leave a Reply

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

Leave a Reply

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

Dullcaster. 24th March

2 Replies

Kirk Sandall to Doncaster Visitor Pontoon

This outside was still rubbish this morning, especially when two she’s and their woofers stopped to chat right outside our bedroom window, and we’d all managed to sleep after 6am today too!

We pushed off at just gone 11am, another day of not moving very far. Just before the railway bridge below Long Sandall Lock there is a pontoon being put together for works on the flood banks. Here a red dinghy sat tied to the pontoon which has legs to hold it in place, another green and red boat semi submerged to one side. Had this been submerged on purpose so it wouldn’t be stolen, or has it sunk? hence all the booms round it. Not much was happening, maybe it was tea break time.

Long Sandall Lock was full, the big locks round here automatically fill themselves after a time. Once I’d hopped off Mick reversed Oleanna away, it can get quite busy below the lock as it empties. Key of power in the panel I pressed the open sluice button then the gates once the water was level.

Up she rose, pulling in above to top up on water. A narrowboat pulled in at the visitor moorings opposite, did this mean there might be an Oleanna sized mooring available in Doncaster? We hoped so. Onwards saying hello to a chap on a cruisier moored in a decidedly odd place where lots of fly tipping seems to happen. Each to their own!

Passing Strawberry Island Cruising Club we looked out for a bright blue boat NB That’s It, we couldn’t spot it or guess who else would be joining the Fund Britain’s Waterways Cruise on the Trent. With our fingers crossed we approached the moorings, Doncaster Minster standing out from the rest of the city. Two boats on the pontoon, plenty of space for us, Phew!

Not here! Dullcaster. No point in getting excited here!!

Lunch then a walk around town. Mick headed to Sainsburys for a new kettle, the old one tends to pour a little too wide! I headed to find Boyes which has moved from its old store into FrenchGate. Have to say I was impressed a really good range of items. I was after a couple of long handled mini rollers for mooring purposes, so that I could reclaim my painty one. I had a choice of handle length, I chose the longest not bad for £1.60. A mattress protector was also found for our new mattress. I also had a good look round.

**Such a shame the ground floor is completely empty**

Today I’d not managed to walk any towpath as much of it that exists was closed so I’d have to make up for it around town. I walked up to see Danum House which I’ve walked past before, but never noticed it’s Art Deco shape above street level.

I paused at the bench outside Cast Theatre where during one production week I’d waited to hear about the written survey on NB Lillyanne and if we needed to adjust our offer on her. All had been good.

A new cinema and the libaray looked interesting with an extensive collection of railway lanterns on one wall and a sculpture of a pilgrim from the Mayflower, her dress decorated with macrame.

I walked round in what I thought was circles. Turned one corner to come face to face with the rather lovely looking tower that you can see from the navigation. Sam from NB Red Wharf once told us what this had been in the past. Now it has been converted into housing a rather bog standard extension to the rear. So I was a little bit disappointed at it close to.

**I like all the parking signs on top of the painting**

However across the road was a rather good mural, a little American in its content, but still rather good.

Twice around the closed market before walking past the deli. I managed to stay outside and only allowed myself a quick peek in through the windows. That cheese counter looked so inviting! But it’s contents need to stay put and not make it onto Oleanna.

Forty minutes achieved I headed back through the bus station to the moorings. The building next door to the CRT area is being redeveloped. Holes are being dug, large piles of aggregate sit alongside diggers. They were still quite busy at 6pm, being noisy. Hope they go home soon.

1 lock, 4.2 miles, 1 full water tank, 2 roller handles, 1 protector, 1 kettle, 4.06 miles walked, 42 minutes briskly, 1 bored cat.

https://what3words.com/poster.hats.strike

New Bridge Buoys. 21st March

Viking Marina to Sykehouse Junction, New Junction Canal

Maybe someone goes to work early, moving their car from beside our mooring, maybe it’s because Mother Nature is waking up extra early, maybe the docks were being that bit noisier, or maybe I’d just had enough sleep by 6am.

This morning I wanted to get quite a bit done, mostly to do with the aim of emptying the water tank. The immersion was switched on after boiling the kettle, cuppa enjoyed in bed with Tilly keeping my toes warm. Stretches done in front of the sofa and stove, almost enough room! Immersion turned off, shoes stowed in the shoe cupboard, boat hoovered through. Immersion back on.

A shower, dishwasher loaded and turned on. Ahh but I’d forgotten to make myself a cuppa to go with breakfast! It’s not recommended to have the electric kettle on at the same time as the dishwasher. Yes I could have boiled the water the old fashioned way on the hob, but I couldn’t be bothered.

Mick had finished jobs at the house, he’d returned the van and was on his way back on the train. ETA 11am. I was running out of time to do all I’d wanted to tick off this morning. I managed to get half the floor washed before Mick arrived wanting to be let in the gate. As I finished with the mop the kitchen tap was turned on to drain what was left in the tank.

On Mick’s last visit to Oleanna, he’d started the process of disinfecting the water tank. We don’t normally do this, but as the water had been left for five months we felt it best. The water currently in the tank still had traces of the disinfectant, we’ve been using water from the outside tap for drinking and cooking since we arrived. Once the tank was empty we set the hose filling it up again and headed over to the office to hand back in our fob for the gate and say goodbye.

We enquired if ABP still did a booklet of tide times. Now that it’s all available on line they sadly don’t. Mick had wanted a paper copy at hand as we’ll be on tidal waters quite a bit this year, but he’ll happily make do with them online.

Goodbyes said, the last rubbish disposed of we were finally ready for the off. It being Red Nose Day, Oleanna’s faded nose was attached to the bow fender.

The switch on the Nebolink went on, we’ve still not fitted a voltage sensitive switch. A plan of action was made to extricate ourselves from the mooring. Reverse back to the big boats behind, then with blasts from the bow thruster bring the bow round past the other boats, hoping the wind would then catch the bow to help rather than hinder our manoeuvres. Job done we were facing the right direction.

Mick gave a blast of Oleanna’s horns just as we peeked out onto the canal. Two tones, red lipstick and red nose, if anyone had been there to witness it she’d have turned heads!

The visitor moorings were full, a boat headed towards us. Sadly a grey overcast day, so not as picturesque as when we’d pulled away a couple of years ago, heading into the sunset. Yet it was good to be on the move again.

The little hut like boat seems to have made themselves at home, possibly pruning the trees on their mooring. Someone at the visitor moorings at Rawcliffe Bridge has added a 1 to the 2 day mooring sign. Our first update for Waterway Routes.

**Quite a hazy day. The water getting choppier by the minute**

A boat headed towards us from the other side of the M18 bridge. My new camera being tested out with it’s zoom. Wearing my reactive glasses outside, does mean it’s hard to actually see what’s on the screen of both my phone and camera. The phone I can adjust the brightness of the screen, I’ll have to see if I can do the same to the camera.

The log house looked to be in the same stage of completion as it was five months ago. It looks as though people are living there now and a big wave came from inside. Lots more Alpacas in the fields than I remembered.

Round the bend at the breach site. The breach here happened just before Christmas in 2020 and took until August or September to be open again. The breach on the Bridgewater is far bigger and could well take years before any boat traffic can navigate on the embankment again.

Five months ago CRT had started work on bank repairs on the Aire and Calder. This is where when the breach happened the piling along the sides of the canal started to cave in in places due to the lack of water helping to keep it upright. Buoys have marked the areas for years. A small section by New Bridge has had piling added to it to aid the original piling to stay upright, this means the bank isn’t flat, so buoys mark the pieces jutting out.

**New animal escape ramps by new inviting piling**

But after the first true bend in the canal there is a length that has had new piling and an animal escape ram added. The piling round here is chunky stuff, chains required to moor to it. We considered pulling in to see if this would make a good mooring, but then spotted signs asking not to walk on the bank whilst the grass establishes itself. Maybe we’ll try later in the year.

**It doesn’t look as secure as windsurfing does**

Someone was zooming along the reservoir with an inflatable sail. Not sure what this sport is called as it’s not windsurfing. We’d spotted WB Yorkshire Pud up ahead, a boat we look out for and usually see somewhere around here. Time to turn towards the south for us onto the New Junction Canal. No-one was moored on the posts so we pulled in and tied up.

Tilly quickly got herself out from her hiding hole on the bed. Jumped onto the Houdini shelf to check the outside. STOP Phaffing! Let me out!!!! Don’t you know I’ve been waiting 10 tails, three paws and an ear for this moment!

But first things first, she’s never allowed straight out of the boat. We have to make a note of our location, using What3words and grid reference. Then the rules were recited, not that she was listening! Then and only then the doors were opened for our second mate to head off to explore. Time for a late lunch for us.

I’d hoped to get my walk in this morning before leaving Goole, but had run out of time. So instead I walked along the New Junction, swapping sides at the next two bridges and walked up to Sykehouse Lock. Waterway Routes has different colours for towpaths. Red is cyclable, purple walkable, dashed purple is walkable where there is no towpath. I did all three. Well I can add to this that brisk walking is fine on red paths, not so good on purple as it has the potential for ankle twisting, better to walk at a slower speed. My challenge this year is going to be keeping up my brisk walking, at least 40 minutes a day, I may have to venture off the canal to achieve this and there may be days on rivers that it is impossible, but we’ll see.

Back at Oleanna a chicken was popped in the oven to celebrate being back out on the cut and to make use of the freshly cleaned oven! We had the same chap as last year back to give it a good clean as neither of us fancy getting on our hands and knees.

***There’s a good view in both directions from here.***

Tilly made use of shore leave and was fascinated by a mole hill that kept on expanding with no friend in view!

Still a few more things to stow away and a big box to cut down to a specific size, maybe that’s a job for tomorrow.

0 locks, 6.5 miles, 1 wind, 1 right, 1 left, 4 hours! 4.6 miles walked, 57 minutes briskly, 1 lucky mole, 1 roast chicken, 2 happy boaters and 1 happy cat being on the move again.

https://what3words.com/reeling.parsnips.haystack

Decision Made, Deposit Paid. 13th February

The estimate for grit blasting and blacking came through last Saturday from Danny, I suspect Sally had given him a prod or two.

There wasn’t much need for discussion between the two of us. Tilly hadn’t met these people, so her opinion didn’t really count for much Well I wouldn’t have liked them anyway, unless they had Dreamies for me!

We’d already weighed up the pros and cons between painters. Quotes were pretty similar to each other, a couple of grand here or there different. The painters themselves were a main factor. Would they give us what we were after? Offer advice, but listen to us too? They are all skilled painters and very friendly souls.

Timing, a slot in winter preferable for us so we don’t miss out on summer cruising. A heated paintshop an important factor during winter. Also knowing when the house may be full of lodgers had an influence on dates, as we didn’t really want to be homeless or miss out on income. Which winter/year had they available slots? Not many painters we had contacted had slots available this year.

Then the Tilly factor. The shortest distance possible back to the house PLEEEEEASE!!!! Two journeys not an option, a stay in a cattery would be required PRISON!!!!

Would we be able to arrive early and over winter at the marina where they are based? Would we be able to come out of the water to wait for our slot, therefore saving money on our licence for a few months? Would this tie in with other things that may or may not happen?

I think it took us about five minutes to make our final decision. We’d be going with Tom from Gibson and Kentwright Boat Painters.

A couple of final questions were asked on Monday, a swift reply came back. A phone call from Tom on Tuesday checking on some of the extras that could be added into a formal quote. The quote was received on Wednesday, 10% deposit paid and received this morning, Thursday.

So Oleanna is booked in for a repaint in 2026!

0 locks, 0 miles, 4 painters down to 1, 10% deposit paid, 14 months, 1 winter mooring to sort, 1 sign writer to sort, 125.4 mile cat journey, 1 decision had nothing to do with cooling towers, honestly!

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna

Category Archives: Moorings

All Nice And Spicy. 18th April

An Improvement. 15th April

I Got To Do It! 14th April

What A Joy. 6th April

Sad Gits Frites. 5th April

Storming The Castle. 2nd April

Trapping The Postie. 31st March

Dullcaster. 24th March

New Bridge Buoys. 21st March

Decision Made, Deposit Paid. 13th February