Henry Knibb Bridge 3A to Shardlow 48hr Visitor Moorings
Sunrise from the bathroom
Both of us had checked the river levels during a conscious moment over night, so neither of us were rushing to get going this morning. As we had our cuppa in bed we checked again, both the Government website and Gaugemap, levels were still going up on the rivers. Cranfleet flood gates would remain shut today.
The bacon was very good
Time to make use of those nice field mushrooms I’d bought in Alrewas along with the bacon. Once breakfasted we made ready to move into Shardlow, away from the traffic noise and to see if there was space by the pubs to put a supermarket order in for delivery.
Didn’t the cottage used to have something like Wisteria on it?
A slow pootle to Shardlow Lock past all the moored boats. The lock was full and a grassy island sat just above the top gates waiting to make it’s way down with us. Despite Mick trying to discourage it’s descent it won and entered the lock with Oleanna. A Grandad with pint in hand brought his grandsons over to watch us at the lock, just in time to help close the off side gate.
Nearly down
A top up of water was needed, a load of washing and the dishwasher had been at work already. Tilly’s pooh box got a refresh then we were ready to find a space. As we passed the moorings outside JD Narrowboats I spotted a very shiny NB Hunky Dory, was this THE NB Hunky Dory the owner having got in touch with us years ago at their planning stage. This was to be a boat with not one but two incinerator toilets, high spec kitchen appliances. This was all pre-pandemic, was this their winter mooring, or was the boat only just finished? Both very possible.
Not much passing traffic here
Two boats were on the moorings before the bend, we hoped there might be room for us at the far end, but rings hadn’t been used with others in mind. A glance up to the pubs, three boats were nicely spaced out there too, it didn’t look hopeful for a delivery so we reversed back to the first mooring ring. Yes there is a git gap in front of us, but we are on the last ring. Mick walked up to check on the pub moorings, there were four boats, no room for us.
A cuppa and a shopping list were put together then Mick headed over to Leicestershire in the bike, across the River Trent, to pick up a few things to keep us going for the next few days.
Tilly came and went for Dreamies. There are calculations going on with the hope of being able to reach the top of the brick wall alongside our mooring. The C&RT wooden posts may just assist. The mortar between the bricks is too new to get a good grip. Depending on how long we are here, she may discover that she can walk just a few yards along the towpath to an open gate to see what’s on the other side of the wall! There’s no fun in that though!!
An enforced stop means I need to get on with some work. Props for #unit 21 will be needed soon into the New Year and I have quite a lot of materials on board to get started.
Green mats
I unwrapped a couple of the yoga mats I’d bought. These are cheaper than plastizote, come in a good colour but are a touch softer than I’d thought. Making certain things from them won’t be a problem, but the biggest prop may need extra support. I spent the afternoon measuring the mats and working out how best to cut them up. I’d not taken into account their rounded corners, but as the thicker mats are bigger than advertised this shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Next I measured all Oleanna’s doors, hatch and windows. I need an opening of at least 60cm for the big prop. Oleanna has a maximum opening of 54cm! If I took the front door frame out then maybe, just maybe there’d be enough room. This would mean making the prop in our bedroom as the bathroom doors are narrower. Hmm, maybe I’ll cut everything out and assemble it in Huddersfield when I get there.
Detailed calculations
The door openings did make me wonder how deep our washing machine is. It’s not a full depth machine so maybe it would fit through the doors sideways? Was it brought in before the doorframe was fitted? Now what about the cooker? One day we’ll have the joy of finding these things out!
As the day progressed the river levels have risen further. Our bookings on the Trent are looking like we won’t be able to use them.
Using stuff up rice
Last of the Christmas duck was added to some fried rice this evening. That’s the end of the duck and birthday cake, just the ham to finish off tomorrow.
1 lock, WE 0.65 (will this be our last journey recorded on Water Explorer?), Pip’s Nebo 0.8 miles, Mick’s Nebo 0.7 miles, 1 load washing, 1 dishwasher load, 1 clean pooh box, 1 clean pooh bucket, 2 many git gaps, 1 mathematical cat, 2 yoga mats, 1 sheet of calculations, 1 boat going nowhere for a while.
Sandy tapped on the roof this morning to wish us well before we were on our way. Good to meet her, hope she enjoys the rest of the winter and our bows will surely cross sometime in the future. We have a vague plan for next year, she still has yet to decide which waterway to explore.
Goodbye Alrewas, thank you for Christmas
We pulled up at the water point to fill the tank, all the washing up over the last few days meant it would take a while to fill up. Other boats had started moving long before us, in both directions and we were passed by a boat heading towards the lock.
Just in the green today
With windlass in hand I walked down to the lock, the boat ahead of us motoring off into the distance, it’s speed increased with the flow on the river. Plenty of walkers about, one chap stood and watched as I emptied the lock, then he walked round with his dog, I thought I was going to have some assistance, but no.
Left span of the bridge please
A glance back towards the gauge, just in the green. Our speed increased to 6mph as we passed the weir then dropped again to 2.5, no change to the throttle. After Wynchnor Lock we were off the river section and up alongside the A38. When heading south we always wave to the lorries as they pass to see who responds. Today I had to stand looking behind us, straight towards the sun. It being Boxing Day there weren’t so many lorries, but we gave everyone a wave. 50% responded with a honk of their horn and a wave.
Goodies
At Barton Turns we could have stocked up on chutney or jam from an honesty box. This is where I got our strawberry plants from a couple of years ago. The shadows were long at the locks, seeing Mick’s confirmation to wind a paddle up was tricky, a bigger thumbs up required.
Long shadows
A pause by the cafe before the canal turns away from the A38 to dispose of rubbish. Then we were back in the land of narrow bridges, breathing in hoping Oleanna would fit through!
Tatenhill Lock, still as chocolate boxy as it is in the spring and summer. Here we had gongoozlers appear from left and right. It feels odd there being so many walkers after you’ve just cruised past lorries driving back and forth with gravel on one side of the canal and a large builders merchants on the other. But all around are lakes, which today were attracting the Boxing Day walkers.
Tatenhall Lock
Not far now to Branston Water Park where the visitor moorings were empty, we pulled in as soon as we could hoping Tilly would have a less interrupted shore leave. Now either the number of woofer walkers was too much for her or maybe it was the alure of catnip Dreamies that kept bringing her back inside! She did have a good length of time outside just before cat curfew, returning with 5 minutes to spare.
Pretty
Today was far chillier than yesterday and the cloudless sky gave us a rather lovely sunset.
Crescent moon
4 locks, WE 4.98 miles, Pip Nebo 5.5 miles ( I worked the locks today), Mick Nebo 5 miles, 1 none complaining calf, 1 big wave, 1cm of green, 7 boats moving, 5 out of 10, £3 for chutney or jam, 3 jackets in the stove, 2 big slices of ham, 1 lovely sunset.
A chores day. Time to top up with water, dispose of rubbish and stock up the cupboards, time to move the boat!
Before we set off I set Water Explorer (on our trip computer) and Nebo (on my phone) going. Mick also tracked our journey using Waterway Routes on Memory Map on an old phone we have out the back for navigational purposes, this also acts as a back up should someone forget to turn the power on to the trip computer! Yes that would be me!
Moored to go to Tescos
We pootled back up to Brownsover where the water point and the moorings either side of it were empty and pulled in to fill the water tank. Tilly’s pooh box got a good clean out, and was soon christened by her. Once we’d filled and emptied we pushed over to the other side of the canal and moored up on the last ring, the nearest mooring to Tescos. Nebo and Water Explorer were both stopped at this point.
With bags in hand we walked down the hill to do a reasonable sized shop. The entrance from the path into the car park was an absolute disgrace, two skips over flowed with rubbish strewn across the parking bays. Why are humans so disrespectful of each other and themselves?
Following along the embankment
Back at Oleanna things went in the fridge, but everything else could wait. Trip computer and phones were clicked on again to track our next journey. We had to wait for quite a while as a boat passed extreamly slowly, most probably something around their prop as they didn’t speed up that much once they’d passed us.
On we pootled remembering our first time along the high embankment on NB Lillyanne when you could moor along the next stretch which now over looks the not so new Elliott’s Field retail park. Back then mooring was awkward, a big hop down off the bow of Lillian and the angled banks not helping.
Getting close to where the old canal used to cross the new straightened canal, a young lady advised us that there was a magnet stuck on the canal bed and we’d need to pass it on the off side. Mick offered to see if he could lend a hand in pulling it up.
The long line of red headed right across the canal. With the engine out of gear Mick caught the line with our boat hook and tried pulling upwards hoping that a different angle might work. It stayed stuck to whatever it was hooked up on, as we carried on drifting past the hook stayed around the line and pulled out of Micks grip. Our favourite, gifted from the Southern Waterways hook was now slowly sinking into the canal.
The youngsters attaching their second line to the bridge, which of course won’t stop it from getting stuck at the bottom of the canal.
Another magnet was readied to try to pull our boat hook out, but it being aluminium this wouldn’t help. Thankfully the hand grip floats so a foot of it was still visible above the water. We reversed. Out of gear. The handle swung round away from us. In the end with use of our stern line the handle was brought round to meet a hand and was pulled back out of the water.
A second go at pulling upwards didn’t work. We said sorry for not being able to help and carried on our way, leaving them wondering how to retrieve it.
We passed several boats
The moorings at Newbold were just about empty, we pulled in at the far end, still where there would be enough distance away from the road for Tilly to explore safely. A late lunch followed by preparing tonight’s meal, beef and beetroot curry. With everything brought to a bubble on the cooker the pot was transferred to the top of our stove and left to do it’s thing for a couple of hours, slowly bubbling away tenderising the beef.
Serious yummy smellsClick photo for recipe
Time to look at our first results from our tracking experiment.
Water Explorer. 2 journeys recorded. 0 locks. 1.67 miles.
Trip 1, no way points so it didn’t follow the canal, distance inaccurateTrip 2, way points so a more accurate distance
Nebo. 2 journeys recorded, although the second one includes the first. 0 locks (these are never recorded). 2.6 miles although each voyage added together was only 1.9 miles (this may have included walking around at the water point and in my back pocket, even going to Tescos).
Map covering both journeys. Max speed obviously not correct!Morning VoyageAfternoon Voyage
Memory Map put onto Google Maps. 1 journey recorded from the phone on the stern of the boat. 0 locks, not possible to display locks on Google. Distance, on Google 1.8 miles, phone recorded distance as 1.79 miles in Memory Map.
Google only shows start and end times, on way points
Of course we could download the Memory Map data onto another map where we could access more details. We’ll work on this. However, we’d like to be able to reuse our trip computer and GPS that sits in a window of Oleanna, out of any harm from weather. The little laptop is really quite old so it’s hard drive would need wiping as it currently runs on Windows XP, and make it into a Chrome Book. This would mean we could record either Nebo or Memory Map trips on it.
This experiment has of course highlighted that Water Explorer with it’s recording of way points does not always give an accurate distance travelled, we’ve known this but put up with it.
0 locks, 1.67miles/1.9miles/1.8miles/1.79miles, 1 full water tank, 0 rubbish left on board, 1 clean pooh box, 4 bags shopping, 1 Saturday newspaper just remembered, 1 magnet stuck, 1 more muddy outside! 1 experiment still on going, 1 very tasty curry, 2 not so good bought naan breads, my homemade gf ones are much better
Time for a proper lie in, my cold felt like it was sitting on my chest now. The day went slowly on Oleanna. Tilly came and went and I ended up watching TV for much of the day with little impetus to do anything else.
A double stamp but not of approval!
Up in Scarborough Mick got a lift from our next door neighbours to the dentist, the buses out of town have changed to only running every two hours, not so helpful. So a big thank you to Andy and Lisa.
Hello Alan!
Back at the house Mick did a paw count of the local felines, everyone was present. Then it was time for him to head back to Rugby. The train via Hull had been cancelled, so instead he took the route via York. The Ouse very high and understandably no boats were moored at Museum Gardens.
A full Ouse
Back at Oleanna I prepared a chicken, tarragon, leek and feta pie. Tilly leaving her stamp of approval on the crust. Jacket potatoes baked in the stove accompanied my pie. Very tasty even with a cold.
Pie approved
With Water Explorer closing down at the end of the year we’ve been looking into different ways we can track our movements. One idea is via our Victron Venus GX which can log our journeys automatically, we’d then have to down load it and do something with it. Another is via the Nebo app. Last year when we escaped Goole with SeaMaiden and Lullabelle, we all downloaded the app. This helped us see where on the river each of us were when not in view. It was designed more for off shore use, but more and more boats seem to be using it on the inland waterways.
Recently Nebo has had an update and some of the trips I logged with it earlier this year have arrivals and departures from locks, on other trips there are no way points, others it seems to make note of a lock every minute that you are there, ending up with numerous entries for one location! We’ll trial it for the next few weeks alongside Water Explorer. We’ve already adjusted our What3words app to give us a grid reference alongside the three words when we moor up. Both of these are noted down each time we move just in case we should need any assistance from the emergency services.
We’ll see what we think.
Yum!
Thank you Dave Scouts for you advice on the font colour. Mick has done as you suggested, the colour is black as I write a post now, or so it seems. But then in preview mode it goes back to a dark grey! Boo.
Bridge 68, North Oxford Canal to Coventry Basin, Coventry Canal
Another long week in Panto land and some more cruising for Mick and Tilly.
Monday I arrived in the theatre to find sliders being cut down to size and lots of magnetic catches and door handles having been attached, all good news. But then I soon heard that Abi the Director had tested positive for covid over the weekend whilst at home in London. The cast were given various options, the one they chose was that John the Artistic Director of Chippy Theatre and the writer of panto would stand in for Abi until she returned and Abi would join when she could via zoom. Our Production Manager Gemma was also unwell so she stayed at home an extra day.
Counter getting close to completion
I got on with painting what ever I could without being in the actors way. A list of scenes required for the following days rehearsals is sent out so it takes a little bit of working out what I might be able to paint and when. The wings of the stage were sorted by Stage Management to hopefully help make the technical rehearsals easier.
In the evening we were joined by a couple of chaps to help with setting up the sound equipment and drilling holes in trees for fairy lights. By the end of the evening two out of the four trees had lights and a lot of the sound system was up and running.
The River Avon in Rugby
In Rugby, Mick and Tilly stayed put on the boat. Mick did venture out for his covid booster jab, four weeks after we’d tested positive.
Painting ovens and doors in the wings
Tuesday. More setting up of sound with Matt the Sound Designer about for one day. The aim was for levels to be set for the songs and cues to be programmed into the desk so that only minor adjustments would hopefully be needed. Songs were sung by the company accompanied by the two man band.
Dicks solo being sung in front of the Pippins and Becky the composer
Gemma joined us for a few hours but she was obviously still not well. She did her best to keep her distance, helped get sliders rehung and sorted a few bits out, but mid afternoon she headed to her digs to hopefully get some sleep.
Mark the Lighting Designer had a lighting session in the evening, meaning I was either painting by torch light or had a lot of light. This gave me the chance to get some black lining done to the sliders for Piccadilly Circus. There’s still plenty more to do on them, but at least I made a very good start.
Newbold Tunnel
In Rugby, Mick moved Oleanna up nearer to Tescos, did a good shop. Topped up with water and headed onwards through Newbold Tunnel. Over the weekend we’d discussed where might be easiest for me to get back to the boat next weekend, Rugby was a little bit problematical and quite a bit of a walk to reach the boat. We’d decided that Coventry would be better.
Wednesday. Gemma tested positive for covid this morning. Hopefully she hadn’t passed it on to anyone whilst she’d been in the building, but more importantly she could head home to recover.
Signage
Conversations were had about outstanding jobs. I can lend my hand to quite a few things, but it would all take time. Better to have someone who knew what was needed and free me up to carry on painting and helping where needed.
The Technical rehearsals begin
In the afternoon we started to Tech. This is where all the elements come together on stage. Sound, lighting, costumes, props, actors, musicians and set. Due to many reasons there were gaps in costumes, props and set pieces. Not ideal, but unavoidable. Everyone did as well as they could, one thing became obvious was that we still needed someone to help program the sound.
Loads of room!
Mick carried onwards. In winter months moorings that are normally chocka block can be empty, this was the case at All Oaks Wood. I think we’ve managed to pause there before for lunch once, but today he had a choice of where to pull in. Tilly made the most of a good outside!
Thursday. A long day of technical rehearsals. Days like today I spend mostly sitting in the dark, taking notes, attending to things as they arise. I decided to try to do small jobs whilst sat in the dark like signs, sorting out the new song sheet.
It was not me who emptied the chilled medication fridge leaving only vanilla!
Then when the actors have a break there is some time to get a bit of painting done. Wet things need to be dry before costumes are back on stage, so timing jobs can be a touch tricksy. Following rehearsals there are a couple of hours to get more jobs done. Jo the prop maker was about, so conversations turned to treasure chests and snakes.
Mick carried on moving. The journey from Rugby to Coventry can be done in under eight hours, but with a week to do it in he was pacing himself. Today he moved a touch further than he’d originally planned, through the new swing bridge at Rose Narrowboats, stopping a short distance before Hawksbury Junction, meaning there was space before other boats for Tilly to explore.
The Greyhound busy on a Friday morning
Friday. Mick decided to stay put, having a walk up to the bins at the junction a highlight of the day. The Greyhound was busy even quite early in the morning.
The tight turn at the junction. To head north use the left canal, south the right turning under the bridge.
Another early start to do some jobs before rehearsals started again. My lunch tends to be eaten in the next technical session, making use of as much stage time for jobs as possible. Abi is now very much in the room, joining by zoom, sending messages by Whatsap.
Laptop in the centre of the auditorium so Abi can join us
Today after rehearsals, Dan who’d helped set up the sound equipment and has been helping with programming stayed around to help with various jobs on stage. Some black tabs were not quite in the right place so needed adjusting. A tree needed extending, it’s track moving higher. But the most important job was to get a cloth rigged so that it could be lowered in to view and pulled out of view, it’s been out of view for three weeks.
A Curlywurly in the dark whilst taking notes
Chippy Theatre has a bit of a fly tower, but it is nowhere near tall enough to be able to fly cloths fully in and out. So the cloth has to work like a very big Roman Blind, pulling itself up on itself. We got all the cords in place, but lacked somewhere to tie it off to. So that we don’t now see too much of the cloth it’s been tied off to a cleat for other scenery, a better solution needs to be found.
Nice to see the cloth again after three weeks.
Saturday. A morning of technical rehearsals. There is still more to do on Monday sadly.
Last year I did one of these every day during panto
Also sadly today we were missing Becky, the composer, another case of covid. I am so hoping that I still have some natural immunity left as I spent much of yesterday sat next to Becky. This morning I did a test after spending time with Gemma, I’ll be doing a test before returning to work on Monday.
A nearly finished scene
All the trees were up and fairy lights working giving Mark the opportunity to light the next scene. We mostly worked our way through the scenes that have the Pippins in so as to make the most of their time in the theatre. Having three teams of Pippins means doing everything three times, one team are in costume the others not. We now just have to finish teching the rest of the show on Monday.
Mick moved on again in the morning, turning left at Hawksbury Junction and heading under the bridge decorated with swans. We last came this way about five years ago and today Mick saw a big difference. New houses and just generally better kept, possibly assisted by the City of Culture. Tilly however wasn’t that impressed!
Coventry Basin
After rehearsals I became unpopular asking for the trees that had only just gone up to be taken down. My aim for the day was to get the last two remaining trees painted, having them flat this would take about half the time. It didn’t take too much to get them down thankfully.
Trees finished. Well I might add some glitter if I get chance.
The last couple of hours I was on my own and was glad to not have to climb a ladder. By 18:10 the trees were painted, brushes washed up. By 18:25 the theatre alarm was set and I was heading for the bus stop and Banbury.
Goodbye Chippy, see you Monday
A train then another bus to save me walking across Coventry where Mick met me and we walked up the hill and over the ring road to Oleanna in the basin. Time for head nudges with Tilly, something to eat and slump in front of the tv.
He’s here!
Sunday. A Sainsburys delivery was early, I left Mick to deal with it as it was early early, but it did mean we could have a nice breakfast.
Yumm!
This was followed by the Geraghty zoom where we were all relieved to be joined by Anne who has just had a spell in hospital.
Work in progress
A slow day, much needed, but sadly I still had some work to do. A new song sheet needed designing and the best time to do it was today. Thankfully it didn’t take too long. The day will end with a roast chicken and packing my bags to head back to Chippy tomorrow. Hopefully no more cases of covid this week, fingers crossed.
Shopping arrived bang on 10am. Mick informed the driver that I was isolating. The crates were put by the side hatch and emptied into bags everyone managing to keep their distance. After a bad nights sleep the last thing I wanted to do was stow things away so that was left to Mick.
Extra vitamin C required
Last night the East Street moorings had filled up and this morning they emptied again, apart from those who we suspect know that the Lock Keeper has covid so won’t be coming round for mooring fees. The workmen started dismantling more of the power station opposite at 8.30am. This was not helping my headache so as soon as we’d got ourselves sorted we moved on.
Blue blue blue
In the past we’ve taken the route north up the canal from Isis Lock, today we’d be heading for Duke’s Cut instead, hoping that this route would bring with it fewer people to avoid. With the sun out, blue skies surrounded us as we cruised along Port Meadow. Model planes flew round in circles, cows and horses grazed, what a lovely day, chilly but lovely.
Hotel boat on it’s way
A group of people stood round the control panel at Godstow Lock, I willed them to walk away before I got anywhere near. A Hotel boat was just entering from above, they watched as the gates closed behind it and the crew member walked down to the panel. I kept my distance, at least 6 meters. Thankfully she was far more interested in reading her phone than me.
By the time we got into the lock, ropes sorted and the sluices button pressed we were joined by a Lock Keeper. I stayed very much by the bow rope adjusting it as needed whilst she opened and closed the gates for us.
Godstow Bridge
Traffic lights gave us a green to head under Godstow Bridge where a floating pontoon with skips loitered, diggers either side of the river.
King’s Lock the first of the match stick locks, I made sure I had some hand sanitiser with me so I wouldn’t be leaving anything for the next person. Thankfully no-one was around, apart from the dragon who watched our every move.
Right onto Duke’s Cut. We think we’ve only done this route once on Lillian the first time we did the Thames, so today it was new water to Oleanna. It seems to have grown somewhat from how I remembered it, much longer. Here boats sit on a stretch of water avoiding Navigation Authorities and licences. One end C&RT water the other EA.
Approaching the lock
Faces peeked out from the dark of the boats, I may have covid but I can still say hello to people, even if they didn’t reply. The last stretch of the cut is narrow, boats lined up on both sides, we of course met a boat coming the other way up the lock. Just enough room for us to squeeze past each other.
Only good boats go through my lock!
Someone was waiting for us on the lock beam. Oleanna needed a good checking out!
The full length of roof was checked, then as I was about to lift the paddle I spotted the stow away in the well deck, having a good sniff of a bagged up Tilly deposit. The full length of cat walk was tried out, pauses at each window, especially the bathroom where Tilly quite often begs strangers to set her free!
Cheeky! That’s my Cat Walk!!!!!
Then the black cat was off to do some hunting, leaving us to turn north onto the Oxford Canal and meet a boat just pulling out from the lock.
The last lock of the day, or so we’d planned. I then walked up to the lift bridge which is now windlass operated. Doing this route meant we avoided at least two other lift bridges, are they now windlass operated?
Lifting that took more effort than normal
Our aim today was to reach Kidlington Lock, our normal stop after Oxford. A few boats were already moored up, but thankfully there was space for us before the lock landing. We pulled in, moored up and let Tilly out. She was gone for quite a while, does she recognise these moorings that we’ve stayed at in the past?
Time for a kip for me. Mick had been starting to cough during the day, a test showed as negative. By the end of the day we were both sat on the sofa with a box of tissues between us. The likely hood of Mick not getting covid was minimal, he’d most probably caught it off me before I suspected anything. He’s about a day behind.
The tree stole it!
Tilly came in all very silent during the afternoon. Where had she left her collar? She was quite pleased with herself showing off her white chest and strutting about. It didn’t last long as I pulled out a box with another three collars and cat tags. A blue collar with a boat cat tag was soon back around her neck, the boat doors open again, shore leave could resume.
4 locks, 5.5 miles, 1 lift bridge, 4 boxes wine, 1 box tissues finished, 2 boxes of tissues in the order, 1 straight, 1 right, 1 left, 6 meters minimum, 1 new collar, 1 cat tag, 2 snotty coughing boaters.
A slow start this morning so that we could join the Geraghty zoom. Subjects today acorns, anti-virals and loft insulation.
Goodbye Abingdon
Another sunny day meant the river was busy. A canoe stopped a wide beam from pulling out across the way, they were wanting to wind so waited patiently then waved us on before they started their manoeuvre.
A tall affair
Abingdon Lock was set for us and we rose up with plenty of people watching, then pulled along onto the water point. It seems that some of the water points are being changed, the other day at Cleeve Lock I’d noticed the new short hose already attached to the tap, here the water point is long and tall with a yellow surround to it.
Backflow protection
The pressure wasn’t too great and the hose just managed to reach our water filler on the off side of the bow. Water seems to be pumped up high to a small tank and then it flows through the hose to your boat. This is all to do with not wanting to have river water flowing back into the water mains, which is understandable with the amount of sewage that is allowed into the rivers. But it all takes time. We were patient and made use of the big skips to dispose of our rubbish and recycling. Talking of which, if you are a boater, have you filled in the C&RT survey regarding services and distances between them? It’s anonymous so no reason not to have your say in what C&RT will see as the national standard for services. Survey Link
The next river reach goes on and on. Not as bad as when Mick did it a few years ago with an overheating engine with a large amount of fresh coming the other way. The sunk boat is still mid channel, then numerous rowing boats and plenty of cruisers out for a Sunday pootle.
Sandford being emptied
There was a blue board at Sandford Lock, but someone had set it to empty. I walked up with the boat hook and opened the gate. The Lock Keeper arrived, he’d been just about to go for lunch as we arrived, could he help with ropes? We got ourselves sorted and then waited for a cruiser to join us. They had no idea! A rope from the bow was put round a bollard as their boat continued into the lock. The rope was moved along, then again and again. The Lock Keeper went to help, pulling them back in the lock and making sure they had two ropes round the bollards. This lock fills from the sides as well as from the end, so you need to keep hold of your rope.
Just about full
We led the way, coming across numerous rowers all at bends which made positioning ourselves very awkward! I don’t think we’ve ever come into Oxford on a sunny Sunday in term time before. I think we’ll do our best to avoid it in future!
Iffley!
Iffley Lock, the Lavender Lock was on Self Service, it always feels like we’ve arrived in Oxford when we go through here . I headed up to see what needed doing. A small day boat was just entering the lock above to be followed by an eight, the lock just wide enough for them. A chap asked if I could open the gates for them so they could get back on board, of course I could. But this all took time as they hadn’t got a rope round a bollard, the boat tipping from side to side as people got on and off.
All that Lavender
Then a Lock Keeper appeared and requested that they put a rope around a bollard and then actually hold on to it! A request came from the boat, could he help with the rope. ‘No, I’ve got covid’ he then retreated to the other side of his garden.
Our turn next with the cruiser. We let them leave first as they’d be quicker than us, all we both had to do was negotiate our way around the waiting rowing boats and those also heading towards the lock.
Someone with a different style has been decorating the walls under bridges. An Arthurian subject, with knights on horse back jousting and a unicorn.
Trip boat 1 out of the way
Towards Folly Bridge there was a log jam. The cruiser we’d been sharing with had pulled over to the side, two eights were sat waiting for a big trip boat to wind and head down stream. The eights then had to wind themselves, another trip boat was about to back away from it’s moorings, but we got in first only to meet four canoes coming under the arch of the bridge. Hopefully now the river would calm down.
Canoes next
No! The cruiser suddenly appeared having come round the island of the bridge the other way. They headed off and we soon passed them trying to moor. Hopefully NOW the river would be quieter.
Demolition works
Osney Lock had a boat coming in from above. A lady closed the gates behind the boat the chap held onto his centre line. I suggested that I could work the bottom gates and sluice allowing the lady to get on board. She was happy with this and just carried on walking away from the lock, I suspect a helpful passerby rather than crew.
Here we were on our own, no Lock Keeper. A fella walked past and informed us that the Lockie here also had covid. There was space on East Street, maybe because the old Power Station is being demolished opposite.
On upstream under the bridge to Sheepwash Channel where we turned right. The old railway swing bridge that last year was shrouded in covers has been restored, sleepers and track, the workings all shiny black and yellow. Not that there is anywhere for it to connect to as houses stand where the line once used to be.
Isis
Isis Lock. Time to dig out the windlass again. This lock means Panto, Autumn leaves, Inspector Morse watching, Christmas shopping, fish and waiting for the River Cherwell to come out of flood. It’s nice to be back.
Going up
We pulled into the first space. Tilly was given 2.5 hours, Yeh yeh, I know where I am! It’s that isthmus outside! You always tie this one up! Still no new complex opposite. Time to put a Sunday roast on and have a catch up with my brother.
5 locks, 1 narrow one, 9.58 miles, 1 right, 1 left, 2 many boats, 1 tall waterpoint, 2 poorly Lockies, 2 boats with no idea, 1 near miss, 2.5 hours, 1 roast chicken, 1 sore throat!
Thankfully you don’t have to be awake too early at the moment to see the sunrise. The golden sky warming up a chilly morning and what a wonderful morning, not a cloud in the sky.
180 degrees of sky
It would have been nice to stay an extra day, but there are places to be so no choice.
As we pushed away we waved goodbye to the clumps behind us, one day we’ll walk up there. Then further along the big field we realised that we hadn’t been the only boat moored up last night. At least they were some distance away and this morning we’d have had a much better sunrise.
A Kingfisher darted in front of us, stopping in flight and hovered like a Hummingbird or a Kestrel, it did it a second time, I just managed to get a blurry photo before it then settled down on the bank. We’ve never seen one do this before, maybe it was imitating a Tern and had spotted a possible fish.
Clifton Hamden Bridge
We pootled up stream to Clifton Hamden Bridge with it’s red brick arches. Here we met three paddleboarders who were enjoying the sunshine as they headed upstream. At the lock a volunteer opened the gates for us and waved us in. Here numerous plant pots fill the lock area. The Lock Keeper suggested we should wait for the paddleboarders to arrive which was fine with us, he then carried on moving tubas and bulbs around for winter. What a sight it must be when in full blown colourful flower.
The ladies hung onto the chains on the opposite side of the lock, they were from Culham and had done the loop this morning, presumably dropping down onto the river by the weir a little further up stream.
Sunbathing on the bed
Last year as we waited below Culham lock we watched a Mink hunting on the offside bank, two pigeons met their maker with alarming swiftness. Today there was no queue below the lock, we tied up and I walked up to see the Lock Keeper who was surprised he’d not seen us. Culham is a deep lock and assistance in getting your ropes around the bollards is needed. I was glad we’d not be sharing the lock with the paddleboarders as when that little yellow flag on the top gate starts to rise there is quite a flow around the lock.
Mooo!
Now on the Abingdon reach of the river we discussed where to stop today. A full days cruise in our schedule would have us moor a distance on above Abingdon Lock, but we were already a day ahead of ourselves. Should we stop before the bridge, after or just above the lock? First however we needed to avoid the sailors and fisherman. Both in line with each other, we slowed our pace, hoping we’d not all three be trying to be in the same few meters as each other. The fisherman had to move his long pole and the dinghy crossed in front of us enabling us to pass by with plenty of room to spare.
Fishing and sailing
The first stretch of moorings was fairly busy so we carried on through the bridge pulling in at the first mooring. Here we hoped there’d be less footfall along with some friendly cover close by. Tilly was excited running back and forth inside, only to be disappointed when the doors opened to see the number of walkers with woofers!
Abingdon Bridge
A load of washing was put out to dry, Tilly came and went, paddleboarders (all who seemed to be French) paddled by, a stunning afternoon if you were out in the sunshine. Just a shame we were creating our own shade with both front and back doors open so we had a nice cool breeze through Oleanna!
Having spent much of the afternoon having the aroma of steak and chips wafting in through the back door we decided to eat out this evening. A hunt through menus at various establishments for gf options at a price that wouldn’t break the bank came up with Beefeater, The Brewery Tap. Sadly the Brewery Tap was fully booked this evening. Mick had walked past The Broad Face so we booked there.
Antlers or just plumbing?
Odd decor, either based on a Gentleman’s toilet with all the copper plumbing powering the lights or a butchers with pink fake blossom festooned in the corners. The chap serving us was slightly odd too. I asked if the blue cheese sauce contained gluten, he said he’d ask, if it didn’t would I like it adding to my order? This meant I didn’t actually know if I was getting the sauce until we quizzed him when he came to change our cutlery.
A very nice steak with triple cooked chips, I get get a dribble of sauce too
Having said that, my steak was the best one (other than homecooked) I’ve had since we visited The Paper Mill Inn near Bugsworth Basin nearly six years ago. Mick’s burger was also very good and tasty. Just a shame there was only chilled medication on the dessert menu that I could eat, so instead we headed back to Oleanna to finish off a tub of vanilla from the freezer.
2 locks, 7.12 miles, 3 paddleboarders, 3 boats at Jubilee, 1 perfect day for boating, 1 chilly boat, 1 cautious cat, 1 newspaper, 1 glass wine, 1 pint, 1 burger, 1 steak and chips, 2 many geese and woofers!
A cuppa in bed before breakfast, followed by a zoom meeting with Amy and Penny from Dark Horse Theatre Company. They have been successful in being awarded funding to take #unit21, the show I worked on last February, on tour next year. Lots to talk about and things to put into motion. There will be two new cast members, so some costume bits to do. New props for Act 2 and an upgrade to the set if we can afford neon lights. All very exciting.
oops!
Not a sight you expect to see on the Thames, a large boat sitting in the middle of the river. I wondered why they’d dropped anchor there, then realised their anchor had not been dropped and was still nestled on the bow. Wild swimmers passed as we approached saying that the boat was grounded, inside silhouettes of passengers could be seen one holding binoculars. Mick considered asking if we could help, but such a big boat and such a small narrowboat!
Whitchurch Lock
At Whitchurch Lock the Lockie was surprised that the Captain had taken such a line on the river, but The Amazon Queen had been stuck since last night and they were trying to get hold of a tug to get them afloat again. I had a look at their itinerary, last night they should have been at Mapledurham, this morning a hearty breakfast before setting sail to Sonning to enjoy dinner and a show at The Mill, we doubt they’d make it in time now!
Past Shooters Hill and the Seven Deadly Sins. Shooters Hill is supposed to have been named in the C17th after an artillery station was positioned there in the Civil War to guard the Thames crossing, cannon balls were dug up when the Great Western Railway was being built.
It feels like some serious pruning has taken place in front of the Sins as I’m sure one of them used to hide away. They still are wonderful houses, we tried to decide which one we liked the best, maybe the last one.
Goring Weir
The railway moves away for a while as the river passes through Beale Park, only one boat on the moorings there today, a chap just checking the signs £10 for 24hrs, maximum 48hrs pay at the café, same as last year.
Goring Lock
The white board at Goring Lock changed to Blue as we approached, the Lock Keeper was heading off to check out reports of a tree down over the towpath, he’d started to empty the lock for us. Boat hook at hand and bow rope on the roof are now the standard set up on the Thames.
A short distance on was Cleeve Lock also full. Despite its shallow rise the water comes in with quite a force. I was glad that the control panels were not on the other side as I’d have been bombarded with acorns dropping in the wind which was increasing in strength. Last year we’d watched as people got showered by the new tap at the water point. This year someone has provided a suitable length of hose attached to the tap to avoid such occurrences.
If only the staircase was a helter skelter
Our schedule had us stopping in the next reach of the river. We had a choice, moor below Cleeve Lock, not enough cruising hours. Carry on and try opposite Sheridan Marine, last year the mooring was very awkward with a high uneven bank. Continue to Wallingford and see if there was space for us, or get a day ahead of ourselves and reach Day’s Lock and one of our favourite moorings on the Thames.
Serious stuff
Lunch was had on the move, we slowed down for a big pontoon to be moved and have it’s supports dropped to the river bed to steady it ready for more pile driving on a new stretch of bank.
Hello Fran
Wallingford Bridge, not much spare room for us, maybe one mooring but we wondered if that space was reserved for a trip boat, maybe the African Queen, well she’d not be needing it today! As we passed the last couple of boats we spotted NB Atropos whom we’d spent the really hot days with on the Great Ouse. We beeped the horn and called out to say hello, but Fran was busy exploring the Castle. Maybe next year our paths will cross again.
Benson Lock, quite deep and the start of Lavender at the locks was on self service. Above is one of the bases for the big Le Boat Hire boats. Today they were four deep, not a spare space on the moorings. A couple of boats were being loaded with bags and shopping, one boat just returning from having a test drive with this weeks holiday makers.
Whittham Clumps comes into view, a hill with a clump of trees on the top, one day we’ll take a walk up there, but today we just wanted to moor up before it started to rain. The Lock Keeper saw us up through Day’s Lock, then it was time to find a mooring.
New looking signs and music at the farm on Sundays
New signs along the bank, both here and below the lock there is now a mooring charge. Below the Lock (Thames Path £7) with a very high bank and plenty of friendly cover an awkward mooring. Close to the Lock (Day’s Lock £10) some parts a touch too shallow for us, but a reasonable step off your narrowboat and one or two straight lengths. Then where we were heading (Lake Field £7) in between the trees maybe a touch uneven bank, but a feeling like you are the only one moored on the field. Basically today we would be the only boat here.
Tilly and I had a walk up and down just before the heavens opened. Would this be our first time here without a good sunset? The rain didn’t deter Tilly and she looked round for friends. I put a bolognaise sauce on to cook and Mick waited for the rain to stop so that he could chop up some kindling and light the fire.
Potential
Then as the sun was dipping down towards the horizon the sky cleared. To the west we had a sunset, to the east a rainbow. Day’s Lock never disappoints!
Lovely
5 locks, 15.7 miles, 1 grounded boat, 1 Tilly fan, 7 sins, 2 days into 1, 1 blustery day, 2 hire boats, 1 short hose,1 favourite mooring, 1 downpour, at least 1 friend, 1 bag kindling, £7, 1 sunset plus rainbow.
The stove isn’t being kept in overnight as yet so on a chilly morning it’s hard to crawl out from under the duvet, but we succeeded this morning. Breakfasted and on our way at 8am, today would be a busy day.
Such calmness after yesterday
As we pushed our mooring away the mist on the river rose and swirled around us. It reminded me of one of my first trips out in the theatre van in Scarborough. Heading to Bempton to find props for a show we drove through my first proper experience of sea fret. The mist drifting through the transit vans cab from one window to the other right in front of our noses. Today with the low sunlight catching it at the right angle it was magical.
Still misty water
Shiplake Lock was on self service so I did the honours. The lock was empty but the bottom gates didn’t want to open, it took forever for the lock to go through the sluice cycle before the gate button would work. The still water below the lock reflected trails in the sky. Oh what a beautiful morning. I just needed to find my gloves!
The lock island here has sheds with large tents. Earlier in the year these are all occupied, but now in October there were only a couple of tents erected, the rest removed and most probably stored til spring. We pulled in to top up on water. A Kris hire boat arrived and the couple on board had difficulty with their ropes as a gentle breeze caught them and pushed the stern out across the river, so we went to help, the chap on board saying he’d rather be on a narrowboat! It turned out that they used to own a shareboat with Carefree Cruising as did we. Their boat was an earlier one and the syndicate has just sold it, each of them getting a nice return.
Hold back!
At Sonning we had to put the brakes on as a cruiser was heading downstream under the bridge. It’s easier for us to stop as we were facing the current. We paused for a second boat to come through and then made our way up to the lock which was on blue boards, self service. However there were plenty of people around the lock and one came to open the gates, a large tug and skip boat came through leaving one chap on land to work the lock for us.
Hollyhocks replaced by courgettes?
The massive display of Hollyhocks we’d seen last year are now reduced to one rogue plant still with a couple of flowers showing. Get the Lock Keeper chatting about the hollyhocks and you’ll never stop him!
New moorings
Paul from Waterway Routes had asked us to check on reports he’d been having about new moorings at Sonning Lock. The reports had been correct a new length of good edge has been added to the nearest length of moorings, add to that nice new bollards. This does however mean that there are now signs saying to see the Lock Keeper as the moorings are chargeable.
No room for us today!
Our hopes of a mooring close to Tescos were dashed for the first time. In the past there has either been just one space left that we’ve shoehorned ourselves into or someone has been about to leave. Today we tried one space, but it was far too shallow and the stump of a tree overhung it. We regrouped, stocks onboard were low, but I was certain I’d be able to rustle up three meals, we carried onwards.
Cranes and boats everywhere
Next was diesel. Could we remember which of the boat yards was known for being the cheaper one, above or below Caversham Lock? I thought it was below so we pulled onto the service pontoon. A chap who was craning boats in and out shouted to help ourselves, ‘Okay, but how much is it?’ £1.39! Yes please the cheapest we’ve paid in months and on the Thames.
Once the tank was full we headed into the shop to pay. What a curious shop! Did we want to buy a hat? A ceramic bust of Churchill, some slippers, Javanese puppets, a tin train, a model ship with rigging, a clockwork rower or a Dalek? Eventually someone came to take our money, they were having a busy day moving boats.
Reading Town Hall
Caversham Lock had a keeper on duty, we asked her if we could stop at the end of the lock landing to head to the shops. Thankfully she was fine about it. We headed to Aldi who supplied us with much of what we wanted, but there were a few annoying gaps. Mick took the majority back to the boat whilst I tried M&S in the Station, then M&S in town, then Sainsburys finally had some cereal I could eat without added slugs or flies.
I love this house, ship weather vane and a bell in the tower
On we pressed, water diesel and food stocks replenished. Would we be able to make up for time we’d lost yesterday? We passed the wonderful house with the nautical theme.
£325,000 click on the photo for details
A summer house was being shown to prospective new owners with it’s grass and 70ft mooring. Nice.
Above Mapledurham we disposed of our rubbish, then continued on to try to find a mooring. The first place we were about to pull into we were warned was too shallow by a chap chopping wood. On to Pangbourne, we’ve never managed to find a space here, but today there was room along the high bank.
Sort the woofers out!
Tilly wasn’t overly keen due to lots of footfall and woofers, but when next door came back with his dog and started to sand things she decided she’d rather be inside. At least we’d got back on track today and achieved all the chores.
4 locks, 13.2 miles, 1 full water tank, 1 clean pooh box, 3 bags rubbish gone, 88.02 litres diesel, 3 bags shopping, 4 shops, 0 room for us, 1 postbox, 1 Lara, 1 last Pangbourne space, 2 hours shore leave, 1 final goodnight to Janis x
