Category Archives: Narrowboat Life

Gaps In The Sky. 11th May

Pollington Lock to Castleford Visitor Moorings

Dressed appropriately for the forecast we pushed off around 9:30am leaving the baritone sheep with their lambs. I walked up to Pollington Lock with the key of power, a narrowboat had just come into view. Would they be heading for the lock or water point? The lock was full so whilst it emptied we worked out that the following boat was planning on a day filling up their water tank from the extremely slow tap.

Button pushing was easy compared to having to press and hold the buttons last summer on the Nene and Great Ouse. We were very quickly and on our way again.

The train app came out as we approached Great Heck, would the train get there before us? Well three came past, each one vying or the photo opportunity from the canal.

Plenty of C&RT blue boats were in at the maintenance wharf, a cheery wave came from inside a wheelhouse. As we came towards Whitley Lock we could see someone in blue with a life jacket, a banner/flag wafting in the breeze, there was a volunteer on duty, no need to drop me off. The chap was knowledgeable about his lock and by the portside ladder would be nice and calm for our ascent as the lock fills sideways further back.

**Not a photo of Eggborough, well it isn’t there anymore** !

The first gap in the sky. If you’d not lived round these parts or travelled on the motorways here you’d not notice what is no longer here. Eggborough Power Station no longer towers above the village of it’s name. It used to generate enough power for 2 million homes between 1967 and 2018 when it closed. In 2020 demolition works were started. Initially it was going to be replaced by a gas power plant, but with the rising costs of gas this did not happen.

Now the long flat towards Knottingley. The site of Kellingley Colliery is now mostly filled with a solar farm. Areas still have mounds of slag and rubble, new buildings are rising on the far side. Sadly the sign I’ve taken photos of over the years has now gone, soon there will only be the concrete wharfs let to suggest there was mining on the site.

By now the brolly was in use, we were getting quite damp. A mooring for an early lunch would do us. Several boats were moored around the junction with Bank Dole Cut, but it looked like we’d need to dig out our mooring spikes and get wetter still. We carried on, passing the flour mill, the towpath garden.

Then another gap in the sky! Not one cooling tower left at Ferrybridge Power Station! I thought they were going to keep three of them, but not one in sight. Available bollards pulled us over to moor, ropes tied off to them rather than the boat as they were soo far away. The drone from a canalside factory stopped bang on 12:30 giving us a half hour of peace and quiet. Tilly surveyed the area from the dinette windows, This will do nicely please! Except we’d not gone far enough today.

Ferrybridge flood lock was in operation, would there be much of a difference in height. Not really. Mick gradually moved Oleanna along the long lock as I walked from one end to the other, lifted the sluices the level light illuminated and I could open the gates. Thank goodness you don’t have to wait for these locks to go through all it’s motions (which at times do nothing on the Trent Locks). Just a long ladder to climb down to get back onboard.

The long river stretch, which once made me soo excited to be soo close to Ferrybridge Power Station. I really had thought that three of the towers were going to be left. I shouted out my disgust to those who blew the great dumpy towers up. Now set back from the river stand grey buildings with spindly tall overcast chimneys that produce the power.

On 28 July 2019, the first of Ferrybridge’s cooling towers was demolished, followed by a further four on 13 October. The main boiler house, bunker bay and two chimney stacks were demolished in August 2021. The original plan of generating power with gas was no longer, so the final three cooling towers came down on 17 March 2022. The skyline of my childhood blown up forever. Now they produce energy from waste in their boring grey square buildings!

Rain came back, so did the brolly as we cruised up the river.

Bulholme Lock was full, all the key powered locks automatically fill themselves when no one is looking. As I pressed the buttons for it to fill I did wonder where the water comes from. Standing above a lock you normally get a flow of water heading for the sluices, but here the water remained calm. It must come from the far end of the extended lock, under the side.

Plenty of places to choose to moor. We pulled in where the bank is low and the bollards in useable distance. The boat moored in front, a chap we’ve come across a few times, NB Borderlines which has the coat of arms of York on the side. Tilly was given three hours shore leave, she took two and a half before we decided the doors should close for the day. Our dripping coats were hung up in front of the stove which Mick lit. We then had to open most windows and the hatch before we over heated, maybe next time it’s a touch chilly we’ll just dig out an extra jumper.

I spent a couple of hours on a second read of my panto script taking notes as I went. Still a few more pages to go, then research and logistics will start. Just how to materialise a coach on Chipping Nortons little stage and what should it look like?!

The chicken stock brought from Scarborough was still quite icy in the middle! But I persevered and made us a mushroom and chicken risotto.

When we left Goole we’d heard that our friend Lisa is selling her boat, NB Ivy, that was moored across from where we were. A heart breaking sale for Lisa. If you are interested here are the details. I hope she finds a caring new owner for NB Ivy soon.

3 locks, 1 flood lock, 14.4 miles, 1 volunteer, 1 soggy day, 2 wet boaters, 2 good looking moorings, 1 person after my job! 1 stove lit, 2 mafting boaters, 1 content cat.

https://goo.gl/maps/Wh84dTDLnyjyy8K46

Swooping Kazoos. 10th May

Viking Marina to Pollington Lock

Both of us were awake around 6am, after trying to pretend we were still asleep for a little while we gave up and got up. A cuppa each then it was time for Mick to take the van back to Scarborough. I originally was to get a lift to Tescos for a few bits but when we got to the gate and noticed the lake on the approach road had grown overnight and I’d have to wade back through it, it was decided that Mick would pick things up on his return as he’d have a Brompton with him.

What a lovely morning. Blue blue skies as I tidied away more things in the boat.

By 9am there was much activity going on in the marina. The boat crane was being moved about. I headed out for a nosy and to keep an eye open for our Sainsburys delivery. The boat crane was heading for a cruiser out on the hard, a lorry sat waiting to transport it to the Broads for adventures new. All this would take time, but would it coincide with my delivery arriving?

The nice delivery lady pulled up as close as we dared and was happy to move should the lorry want to leave the marina. We were speedy with popping everything into bags and thankfully had plenty of time before the lorry wanted to leave.

Time to repack items headed for the freezer, a chicken to joint. Mick phoned, his mission to take things to the tip in Scarborough from the house before returning the van had failed, the tip being closed on Wednesdays! Then trains had been cancelled between Scarborough and Hull due to a goods train becoming separated from it’s engine. Thankfully Mick was allowed to change his route and return via York, normally a more costly route.

A bite to eat was needed then we went to check out of the marina, handing in our gate fob. Three months and two days Oleanna had been in residence. In that time we’d only managed to use 18 units of electric, far different than when we stayed a couple of years ago and the electric bill exceeded £300! We are wiser now than then.

Once the ropes and fenders we’d left tied to the pontoon were recovered, the cratch and pram hoods rolled and folded away, life jackets on we were ready. We reversed away from the pontoon, winded and headed out of the marina, turning left towards Goole docks.

Time to fill our diesel tank. Mick had paced out the gap between the big gravel barges and the floating drydock, we might just fit. He reversed Oleanna into the diesel point the bow came round with a few inches to spare, made to measure. 50 litres, the domestic price now lower than £1. We paid our dues and then said our farewells. Thank you Laird.

The wind was starting to pick up, just as we were wanting to wind. It helped to a certain point then hindered the last part of the manoeuvre, but we got round in the end. Time to head along the very familiar straights, a cruiser just beating us to the way ahead.

Fishermen lined the banks a match in full flow meaning not many responded to our Hellos. We did see a few fish being reeled in. On we pootled, darkening skies threatening to soak us.

**Drax, the only power station left in the area**

Past the breach site. The cooling towers of Drax gradually getting further away, bye bye to the NORF.

Ducks, Herons, Swans, Grebes and the occasional Lapwing kazooing overhead. Oh it’s so nice to be back out in nature again.

At the end of the New Junction Canal we continued heading westwards, waving to our friend David who moors at the far end. The last few years we’ve taken the fast route southwards on the River Trent, but this year we’ve opted to cross the Pennines before making our way southwards.

How much further? The skies were really starting to turn dark. Patches of blue sky and low lying rainbows brightened our view. It was a touch later than we’d hoped and Tilly deserved some shore leave, so we pulled in on the visitor moorings below Pollington Lock.

Once our location was noted from What3Words, Nebo stopped and cruising report on it’s way, I recited the rules to Tilly.

You have one hour. No Friends home dead or alive, or putting them on the roof for later. No jumping in, no bullying, no going on other peoples boats. She ran to the stern doors, once opened she shot out, towpath time!

I accompanied her for a little walk to the far bench, her tail held high as she followed me, then this was followed with thank you head nudges. There wasn’t really enough time for her to explore further as she required her quota of ‘Thank you for coming home!’ Dreamies.

A touch more unpacking before we tucked into Toad in the Hole with some rather nice mushroom and onion gravy. That’s the sausages used up from the freezer in the house, the chicken stock was still solid so will be used tomorrow.

0 locks, 8.6 miles, 2 winds, 1 left, 1 van returned, 3 cancelled trains, 3 diversion trains, 2 boxes cereal, 6 bags, 4 boxes, 2 moving cruisers, 1 chicken jointed, 18 units, 50 litres, 1 mass fishing match, 1 hour, 1 walk, 6 sausages, 14782 compressed photos, 1 blogger trying to remember what to put at the end of the days list!

https://goo.gl/maps/2hbjA9H6b7ifurEt8

It’s Mooo not Meow! 9th May

Viking Marina, Goole to Viking Marina, Goole

Change around laundry and ironing completed. The Shed reclaimed as a bedroom with organised storage. Upstairs upstairs tidied. Windows washed. A sister-out-law to visit. Food eaten. Outfits remarked on. Who stole the youngest Prince? Beds made up. Clothes and food all packed. One on loan sewing machine returned and the last pair of socks delivered.

It was time to load a van and return to Oleanna.

Tilly’s pooh box and scratch post were the last items to be added to the van. I knew what had been happening, they normally keep me locked inside when they load up everything, but today I was allowed to supervise. I may have been distracted by the elaborate bird feeder though. Maybe I’d be allowed to supervise in the big white box, but no chance of that as I was bundled up into the cat caravan! I know I wouldn’t get under Toms feet, but She says that Tom isn’t so sure. Hopefully the scratches on my chest from the tussle with Tilly will fade without leaving scars. This morning we’d decided not to add any extra stress to her day by trying to give her a travel sickness pill. If only she’d lie down the motion wouldn’t be half as bad!

I’d refrained from saying how well Tilly was doing as we passed our usual stopping place on Staxton Hill, she then showed signs that we’d soon need to stop to refresh the puppy pad in the caravan. Thankfully there were only two stops today then she calmed down, sat with her back to the door of the caravan where I could sort of stroke her.

On our route we somehow got talking about cows. Tilly tried joining in, but her mooing fell short!

On arrival at Viking Marina, Tilly was the first thing off the van and inside. There was time to appreciate the nice clean floor before it was filled with bags and boxes that all needed emptying and places found to stow it all. Tilly checked everywhere over, peeked out the back and then settled down, It’s good to be back home.

Alastair chatted with Mick. Two new engine mounts had been fitted. The stern nav light attached. Leak on the skin tank had required a 46mm spanner to tighten the pipe and all was good.

With everything for the galley, saloon loaded onto Oleanna it was time to make a move. Well just reverse back, wind and come in for the bow to be nearest the bank. This would make filling the water tank easier. The bags of clothes would come straight into the bedroom, plants could go on the bow straight away and Mick would be able to reach to replace a steel cable tie on the bow fender that had broken in Bramwith Lock three months ago.

Whilst knitting socks my back has improved, but sadly moving things around, stoopid stooping has encouraged it to ache again. A few hours sitting down helps. Today though to be able to sit down lots of things needed to be stowed, moved here and there. Yes Mick could have done it all, but it was just easier to get on with it, someone needs to remember where things have been stashed after all! Tilly didn’t help with any of this, she was far more interested in the secret passage and refusing to come back out when I wanted to put the sofa back into sofa mode!

Once we’d remembered we’d put the duvet and pillows in vacuum bags Mick made the bed up whilst I adjusted the Sainsburys delivery for the morning. Diner was some left over gammon we’d shared with Kath (Mick’s sister) and Bill one of our lodgers, with some carrot and parsnip hash. Thank you Mick for being on cooking duty.

0 locks, 180ft, 1 wind, 27 cheese scones, 1 painted wall, 1 van full, 2 puppy pads, 1 proud She, 1 last pair of socks delivered, 1 determined Duncan, 1 more painting hung, 1 slot filling booking, 1 chocka boat, 1 empty water tank, 1 full water tank, 2 new engine mounts, 1 stern light, 1 secret passageway, 1 cat on the shelf, 2 happy boaters, 1 happy cat.

Just About Ready. 1st May

It’s getting busy round here!

**Wonder what’s being loaded or unloaded today**

On Monday Mick climbed aboard the 9am train heading for Goole, a new mop from Boyes in his sights. The purchase if possible was to have a telescopic handle for ease of storage under the gunnel. In the past we’ve bought mops and brooms with this attribute which is handy as none of our cupboards on board are tall enough for full length handles, well the one that Oleanna was designed with had other contents in mind.

Mick succeeded with his purchase along with a new bucket, colour coordinated with the bathroom! The bucket is a little bit bigger than the previous one so will also have to sit in the bathroom instead of being stowed away in a stern locker. This means two things, there will be less room to stow bags of cat litter, but with the bucket and mop more accessible maybe the boat floor will be washed more frequently! Maybe!

It being a Bank Holiday Mick wasn’t expecting to see much work going on in the marina, however a boat was being lifted out onto the hard for some work.

Here’ hoping our new engine mount arrives soon and can be fitted along with the other boat jobs that are on the list.

Back in Scarborough I spent much of the day packing up socks. My Sockathon is now over. Fifteen pairs of socks which have helped me raise just under £722 for Dementia UK, over a hundred pounds more than my original target which is brilliant.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/pip-leckenby-1677835197682?utm_source=copyLink&utm_medium=one_page&utm_content=page/pip-leckenby-1677835197682&utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_term=d28fdfe80a6241719603d8d9e8bdaa72

All socks, other than those to be hand delivered, were sent out on the 3rd May by second class post. I’ve set up a page on the blog to show them all off, but their owners/sponsors need to see them first before you do. Thank you to those who sponsored me and I hope that those I knitted for people fit and keep your toes cosy and warm until the spring arrives!

Plenty of yarn left, so I may do it again. Think I’ll have a go at a pattern with a different stitch, rather than just stripy (this helps count rows quickly when knitting at speed).

This week has seen me attempt to be a plasterer. Hopefully the wall will be dry and flat enough for me to paint before we leave. Windows are to be cleaned, floor hoovered, duvet covers and sheets to be ironed and beds made up for the next set of lodgers.

Upstairs upstairs has had a tidy ready for more things, hopefully soon the room known as The Shed will be empty enough for one of us to sleep in when we come to do turn arounds between lodgers, therefore saving having to make up a bed for ourselves.

My panto script has also arrived for Cinderella and an initial zoom meeting arranged, so I’ve got some work to be getting on with once house jobs are done and dusted, literally.

**Thankfully Robbie’s cruise in the dark on the Trent wasn’t shown!**

Hopefully next time you hear from us we’ll be back on board and sailing off into the sunset! Taking you with us of course.

0 locks, 0 miles, 15 pairs, 1 panto script, 1 target passed, 7 windows to wash, ! shower still leaking! 1 visitor, 1 clean floor, 1 new mop and bucket, 3 rendez vous to be kept, 2 boaters and 1 boat cat yearning to be back afloat, 1 countdown started.

A Quick Wash And Brush Up. 28th April

*updated since this morning

Today Mick has headed down to Goole to give Oleanna a check over and a touch of TLC. When last we visited I was ashamed of how dirty the floor was! So a visit to do a touch of spring cleaning was needed before we move back on board.

Here’s hoping the trains behave better than on his last solo visit.

He has instructions to purchase a new mop, the one we have has a very solid foam head and takes several days for water to penetrate it to be able to wash the floor. So he’ll pop into trusty Boyes on his arrival and if there is the correct oil in stock he’ll purchase enough for the next engine service. *No mop was purchased today, 10 litres of oil and a new kettle instead.

A visit will also mean being able to give Alastair a gentle nudge to prompt him into doing the jobs before we move back on board, we’ll be wanting to be off pretty smartish. *The requirement of a new Engine mount means the jobs are being delayed until the mount arrives and can be fitted. Spring cleaning consisted of a very good hoover top and bottom, but no mopping.

**Evidence of Alastair on Oleanna’s stern**

Back in Scarborough we’ve had a change over of lodgers which means the house is really quite busy. The jobs list is slowly having things ticked off it as there is only really Mick working his way through it at the moment. But as of Monday I’ll be joining in again as my Sockathon will have finished.

Only three more days to go, including today. So far I have kept up the sock a day routine which means that I am heading for 15 pairs in April! My reserve pairs of socks will be knitted after all.

A post last week on a women’s Facebook group suggests I could have knitted at least another 7 pairs to raise money. There will be quite a bit of yarn left from the donations I had so I’m considering knitting more but as and when I have the time. Boating, seeing old friends and soon Panto designing will be taking over. But if I can raise a few more pounds for Dementia UK that would be fantastic.

Talking of funds. Last night after an update post on Facebook I had a couple more donations which has taken me just over my target. Thank you sooo so much to everyone who has sponsored me. There is however still time to make a donation to help me keep knitting for just a few more days. An episode of Downton Abbey has been watched a day. Watching them so close together shows just how horrible most of the characters are and what trials they all endure. Yet there is caring too. We’ll not finish them all by the time we’re back onboard, so they will have to fill rainy afternoons. Here’s hoping there aren’t too many of those as we’ve the River Aire to navigate first and we don’t want to be held up by flood water!

We’re all counting down the days now to being back afloat. The freezer is gradually being emptied, I may have to make some pea soup to finish off the frozen peas and chicken stock. I also made a boo boo when making cheese scones the other day, so there is a batch and a half of basic scone mix frozen, just requiring yoghurt egg and cheese to be added for any emergency cheese scone moments in the next few days.

0 locks, 0 miles, 27 socks so far, 1 toe too, 8 pairs to weave ends in on, £~~626.97~~ *£641.97 raised, so far, 1 dementia nurses training, 1 boat with filthy floors, 1 wall prepared, 1 new boiler, 2 sides of flashing sorting, 15 windows, 1 decorator, 0 scaffolding yet, 1 tube of Captain Tolleys for the shower, 2 more lodgers, 16 fingers, 20 toes, 4 paws crossed that we get away smoothly, 1 van about to be booked, 1 boat floor still requiring mopping, 1 new engine mount required.

More Socks!

Mick picked up a hire car this morning, the original plan had been to use it for trips to the tip and charity shops as the room known as the Shed is being paid some attention. Boxes of old electrical things, my broken sewing machine headed to the recycling centre and boxes of redundant pans amongst other things, headed to St Catherine’s Hospice shop.

**The little boot once the recycling and charity things had been removed**

Having the car for a whole day and not to use it more would have been a waste, so I suggested a trip to see Oleanna, returning a car load of our possessions to help stagger our return to life afloat. Mostly my work things were packed deep in the back of a Fiat 500. These items won’t be needed until we’re back afloat so shouldn’t be missed.

**The best display of daffodils on the Wolds, in our opinion**

Once our jobs around Scarborough were done we set off across the Wolds, Bainton roundabout daffodils looking fantastic today despite the grey heavy clouds.

I’d taken along a sock to carry on knitting. I’d cast on the toe last night so hoped I’d not have to look down too much as I knitted, I can get a touch of motion sickness in a car. Thankfully my plan worked and I’d almost got to the heel gusset when we arrived in Goole.

Oleanna sat being buffeted about in the wind. Caution required stepping on and off the stern as she was being pushed away from her pontoon.

**Only boat moving was a gravel barge today**

We unloaded the car and I set too stowing the office cupboard again. The dinette cushions were removed and model making kit and paints were tucked away in the corner. Then the stern steps had to be lifted and turned out of the way to gain access to where I store my scenic brushes.

Mick checked things over with the inverter. Last time he’d visited he’d done a firmware upgrade and there have been a few things he’s not been able to check on remotely since, mostly historic data. The router was rebooted which settled things. The remote camera needed an upgrade and a reboot too before it’s images could be viewed again.

A pack up with a cuppa each was enjoyed with the view from the side hatch. Just a shame that the wind blowing Oleanna about was making such a horrendous din on the fenders. Mick spent sometime trying to improve things, hoping to stop the creaking for the sanity of our poor next door neighbour!

Then it was time for us to get back in the car and return to Scarborough, driving towards very big fat black clouds and through hail showers. Kind of glad we weren’t wanting to go anywhere by boat today!

Sockathon news is such that I’m managing to keep up with a sock a day despite my fingers starting to dry up and my dodgy right hand tending to be quite stiff in the mornings. So I’ve decided to release a few more pairs to knit for people. Last year I managed 9 pairs during March. April has 30 days, 1 sock a day means 15 pairs! However, I’m going to be cautious. We’ve another day trip coming up soon which will wipe out half a day or so of knitting, not sure I can manage knitting on a bus! So as it’s the 13th April, I’m going to aim for 13 pairs, which may increase to 14 or 15 during the month. So if you fancy a pair get in quickly, first come first knitted!

UPDATE. Within 24hrs all the extra pairs of socks have been claimed. I have 14 pairs to knit in April, plus a couple in reserve should I manage more! Donations now stand at 84% of my target.

Twenty one years ago today my wonderful Mum, Lil passed away. Last year I wrote a blog post all about her Link here. She’s the reason I’m raising funds for Dementia UK with my Sockathon.

If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target then please donate to the following link. I’m hoping to raise enough to help train a specialist nurse to offer support to families who care for someone with dementia.

Thank you to all those who have sponsored me already. Socks will be posted out at the beginning of next month, unless I can hand them over in person.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 happy milkman, 1 half diddy car full to the boat, 2 boxes 1 sewing machine for recycling, 1 big box for charity, 6.3 pairs socks knitted, 70% towards target, 3 more pairs up for grabs, so be quick, be very very quick!

Sharing. 30th March

Ten years ago today we stepped off our shareboat, NB Winding Down for the last time. Well Mick visited her again when showing prospective purchasers around. But the 30th March 2013 was the end of a three week cruise when we’d moved her from the then Carefree Cruising base at Elton Moss near Sandbach to a new base at Welton Haven on the Leicester Section.

We’d really enjoyed our near four years as shareboaters. Four weeks a year onboard the same boat (despite every owner bringing and leaving their own cling film!) had been made the most of.

A week iced in at Aqueduct Marina where we only got to move to top up with diesel and have a pump out.

A March trip when we had to buy ourselves sun hats and suncream and ventured down the Anderton Boat Lift onto the River Weaver. We hope to return this year to spend more time on the river.

The odd extra week came our way that other owners couldn’t use. Hmmm!

It was an affordable way to spend our holiday weeks from work afloat.

Ten years ago we didn’t know where to go for breakfast after packing the car to set off back home, we ended up on the bridge over the M1 at Leicester Forest East Services. Following three weeks of the tranquillity of the waterways the chair scraping noise from mid morning diners was SO loud it had us in stitches.

In the last ten years we sold our share, bought NB Lillyanne to keep us going until we had Oleanna built. The start of our original build wasn’t so good and we had to start all over again, but it was certainly worth it, as Oleanna is a far better boat than she would have been.

NB Winding Down we think is now based at Aston Marina outside Stone. Originally she was blue, then green and very recently she has returned to being blue again, just as we’d got used to spotting her in bright green. Maybe we’ll pass her this year and be able to say hello again.

Up in Scarborough it’s been a busy time. The back bedroom has been decorated. New curtains made for the living room and dining room on one side of the house. The sample of the front cloth for panto last year is now stretched on a frame and hung on a wall. The room may now have to be called the wave room as it also contains a set of photos of wave dodgers in the North Bay here in Scarborough.

Last week we had a day out to Bempton, hoping to see Puffins. Despite both of us having lived in Scarborough since the 1990’s neither of us had been. Sadly it was far too windy for the Puffins so we had to make do with thousands of Gannets instead.

The duvet that sprung holes last year now has a new cambric cover. My painting dungarees have had an upgrade, new elastic, a patch and new pockets for extra kneeling pads, which I’m hoping to make out of some giant mug yoga mat offcuts. They are now considerably more colourful and maybe a little bit in theme for this years Chippy Panto. Yes, I am returning for my fifth panto at Chippy. I can’t say any more about it at the moment as they haven’t announced anything yet. But it promises to be very colourful and toe tapping, it may have the audience dancing in the aisles!

The house is a very full house at the moment with two lodgers and tonight it will be opening night of Comedy of Errors at the SJT. We’re heading along to see the show and await to see what a lobster has to do with the Shakespearian comedy!

#unit21 played it’s last two shows at The Storyhouse in Chester last week. What a show! It was a shame to not be there for the final performance, but Chester is a long way from Scarborough. I’ll be meeting up with some of the Dark Horse actors in a few weeks time on a different project.

We keep in touch with the waterways. Our friend Chris on NB Elektra has a live bowcam so we can get a pootleing fix. He’s currently on the Shropie and it looks like it’s been raining this morning. We tend not to watch so many vlogs, but do pop by The Pirate Boat to catch up with Heidi every now and again. It’s nice to see a few bloggers are back out and about on the water too. NB Bonjour, NB Briar Rose , NB What A Lark, NB Hadar, NB Ali’s Dream to name a few. I’m getting quite home sick.

Our planned cruise now has slight alterations due to a family get together and work commitments for me. So we now have a firm date for when we’ll need to be back on board and heading towards the Pennines.

Saturday will see me taking up route on the sofa or my Mum’s nursing chair to knit. My Sockathon will start after breakfast on the 1st April. I need to average a pair of socks every three days, hopefully I’ll manage more, but we’ll see. Donations of yarn are starting to arrive. I’ve collected my sock yarn stash together along with needles and the patterns from last year. I just need to work out what gauge each yarn will knit up at, I’m hoping I can do this by comparing yarn using wraps per inch rather than knitting a swatch for each yarn. Fingers crossed, or should that be needles crossed! Any suggestions of things I can listen to or watch whilst knitting would be appreciated. We don’t have Netflix or anything you have to pay for.

I’ve promised myself a walk each day so that I keep moving, I can’t cease up, there are lots of locks to do soon. I will also be helping Tilly to make her Hot Paw Buns as Easter is getting close.

Fundraising so far? I’ve just about reached two thirds of my target! Thank you so much to those who’ve donated already. Still a way to go once I start knitting. If everyone who’s visited the blog this last week chipped in £1 I’d be sailing towards my target of being able to train up an Admiral Nurse with the skills and knowledge to support families affected by Dementia.

0 time to write lists, 2 skeins to make into cakes!

Zooming The Waterways. 13th March

Last week Mick got a call from Sean at SPL Covers saying he’d finished repairing Oleanna’s pram and cratch cover, he’d returned to the marina and popped them back on. The only thing was that when the main part of the pram hood was taken away Mick had popped the sides inside Oleanna for safe keeping. With snow and possible high winds forecast we wanted to get the sides back on as soon as possible to keep the weather off.

Mick considered heading to Goole the same day, but he’d only get about 50 minutes before he’d need to be on a train heading back to Scarborough. Taking the bike would make this more possible, but should a ship be entering or leaving the docks at the wrong moment, he’d end up missing the train and have to spend the night on Oleanna. So instead he headed to Goole the following morning, a light dusting of snow having appeared overnight. We hoped that the Wolds wouldn’t get a major dumping so that the route would stay open. Thankfully the east coast only got sleet.

Photos were the last thing on Mick’s mind as he put the sides back on the pram hood, it was far too cold! I’ll just have to wait to see the new window first hand. He was back safe and warming up in the house mid afternoon and Oleanna was now snow and wind proof once again.

A while ago I answered an online survey to do with C&RT. I can’t quite remember what it was about, but did remember ticking a box to say I’d be willing to take part in more market research. This led to a phone call inviting me to take part in a zoom focus group this evening. I had to answer some questions prior to the meeting all to do with my relationship to the waterways and how I felt about Canal and River Trust. Some of my answers were short, others far longer, especially the one about the Trust’s strengths and weaknesses.

The focus group this evening was made up of five liveaboard boaters. I was the only one sat in a house! We introduced ourselves, two boats were on the Grand Union, one on the Mon and Brec, the other I can’t remember where they said they were. Ages ranged from twenties to sixty five.

We were asked about many things to do with the waterways, what they meant to us, wellbeing, nature, the environment, history and our thoughts on C&RT. Tag lines were discussed. The drop in funding and reduction of maintenance. The big thing that came across from all was C&RT communication skills and at times how bad they are. Yes there were the comments regarding maintenance and facilities, but there was also very much a feeling of let us boaters help, involve the boating community, encourage us to respect what we have and to help keep it in good order. Looking after the waterways will then bring nature, wellbeing along with it.

The lady conducting the focus group said that there were other people being brought together from different user groups, presumably different types of boaters, paddleboarders, fishers, swimmers. All being asked to comment on the same tag lines. It would be interesting to hear how the different groups commented.

We then had a rushed evening meal before settling down infront of the laptop again. This time we were joining Kate Saffin for a talk about the Boaters Strike in 1923. On 13th August 1923 the canal in Braunston made the national headlines. The traffic on the canal was brought to a halt after Fellows Morton and Clayton had announced that the boaters were to have a pay cut of 6.5%.

Boats blocked the arm, an attempt to remove tons of tea and sugar cargo from the boats by FMC was thwarted on the first attempt. Police were drafted in for a second attempt, which was very noisy but three boats were finally unloaded.

The strike continued for 14 weeks. Children got to attend the village school (now the village hall), the longest they’d ever be in class. Socialising was possible with friends and family they’d only normally get to see passing on the cut.

Fifty to Sixty boats blocked all routes into Braunston. The population of the village swelled from just over 1000 to 1300, putting great pressure on the local facilities. Back then the boaters didn’t use elsans or pumpouts, they normally emptied their potties behind their boats as they set off, the prop churning it into the water. With no boats moving for weeks, it must have been horrendous.

Alarum Productions have been awarded funding from the Arts Council to produce a ‘full-on’ community project in Braunston to mark the 100th anniversary of the strike. Braunston 1920s : 2020s. Telling stories from the 1920’s which has a lot of parallels with the 2020’s. Writing and drama workshops, local history research will all come together in June to produce promenade performances around the village, telling stories where they happened coinciding with Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally.

Decorating and other jobs continue in the house. I’ll be glad when I don’t have to climb up and down a ladder to sand, paint or paper. Next it’ll be curtains.

0 locks, 0 miles, 6 months flea, 12 months worms, 1 extra month, 1 travel sickness pill, 5 boaters opinions, 1 Eat Me brunch, 300 strikers, 1 bedroom nearly papered, 1 onion, 4 knobs, 1 more shade of blue, 1 contract, 1 weather tight Oleanna.

0 Winds Due To Wind. 18th February

Mick headed to see Oleanna today. When we ‘d left last week there were a few things that we’d left on board due to only one of us carrying things due to my bad back, so these needed collecting. There also hadn’t been enough time to chat with Alastair about some jobs Mick was wanting him to do.

Then there was also the matter of the old alternator that had gone faulty on us in Shardlow. It had moved to Scarborough with us with the thought that a chandlers here might be able to get it refurbished for us. However Alastair said he could sort it, so that needed returning to Goole. With a bike used as a sherpa Mick set off, hoping that he’d fixed a stubborn puncture, Oh for both bikes to have solid tyres!

Mick and Alastair talked about the jobs we’d like him to do.

Stern nav light fitting, Mick will do the wiring on another visit.

Alternator refurbished.

Check the engine mounts and give the engine a general check over. Mick does Oleanna’s servicing but it’s always nice to have someone totally au fait to give her the once over. When we had RCR gold membership we got an engine check each year, but we’ve now cut back on our membership to save some pennies.

Fix a coolant leak. Mick thought this might be from a hose connected to the skin tank, but Alastair thought it was the connection rather than the hose. He’ll tighten it up and sort it which ever.

Tighten the stern glad.

They also chatted about the tappets in the engine. Mick ran the engine and they decided they sounded fine, so that will be left for another year.

**Mick’s Christmas present keeping a watchful eye when we’re not about**

Mick had also wanted to top up with diesel. Manoeuvring around the marina would have been tricksy today due to strong winds, so that can wait for next time. If we had jerry cans he could fill the tank that way. But as we tend to cruise and not sit about for too long in one place we have never really felt the need to own jerry cans, they take up space. Maybe the price of diesel will have dropped again when we next fill up, Domestic rate in Goole last week was £1.09.

The stove was cleared out, not enough time to sweep the chimney today.

A list of things to return with had been put together. The washing drawer was emptied, contents washed and hung up to dry. The interior of Oleanna still needs a good tidy, the floor certainly needs a good wash, maybe even a sand in places followed by a coat of oil before we are back on board full time.

Meanwhile back on land. Tilly has been meeting the new neighbours. The cats who used to live in the area have all moved away, now there are new felines to get to know…..or not!

She hadn’t done any packing for a few days, so I thought I’d give her a helping paw. Thank you Tilly, everything had to wait for Mick to put them away as stooping is still a thing I’m avoiding.

#unit21 rehearsals have been going well. I had a postponed visit to watch a run this week and managed to do a few jobs whilst I was there. Next week is production week and the first shows that kick off the tour. Some last minute knitting has kept me busy in front of the TV. Getting my fingers into training for this years sockathon, there will be more news about this once my show has opened.

Curtain lining has arrived and hopefully this coming week Dulux will deliver everything I need to give a bedroom a makeover in the next few weeks before a lodger moves in. It’s a room that has been decorated by tenants through the years and not very well. But having said that it wasn’t too good before they even started! Here’s hoping my back is fully mended.

Mick and Frank have been dishwasher installers and kitchen adjusters. The old dishwasher had given up the ghost. A damp problem in the last few years and the fact that I think the kitchen had been built around it made it a challenging job. Thank you Frank once again.

Sadly we’ve not had chance as yet to go for one of our walks around Scarborough, my back and work getting in the way so far. Hopefully we’ll put that right soon as we’ve not even been to the beach yet!

0 locks, 0 miles, 0 winds due to the wind, 1 jobs list, 3 new cats, 1 woofer, 1 dead sewing machine, 3 varieties pancakes, 1 hat, 30 badges, 1 alternator, 2 much money being spent, 1 quote, 0 funding, 1 McCarthy visit, 1 vanity project, 1 new PM, 1 salt and pepper reunited with us.

The Gates Of Goole. 8th February

Bramwith Junction to Viking Marina, Goole, Aire and Calder Navigation

Sunrise on this mooring is wonderful, the windows needed a touch of decondensationing before we could really appreciate it with a cuppa in bed. It was another chilly morning, a breeze had got going which would help with winding when we set off.

The VHF radio was turned on in case we could hear Exol Pride or one of the gravel barges radioing the bridges. It crackled a few times, but nothing was audible we decided that we were unlikely to meet a big barge mid channel today, anyway we’d likely see them miles off as most of the canal we’d cover today have very very long straight stretches.

**Left straight on not right straight on**

Sadly my back hadn’t improved overnight, so Mick was on duty for anything low down, but I’d see how I did operating the bridges along the New Junction. We winded and headed left. The Don doors open and waiting to let us across the aqueduct.

The step up from Oleanna to work the first bridge was a touch high, but I managed it without too much of a problem. Key of Power in and the bridge turned.

Next Top Lane Lift Bridge nobody held up here. The road surface had big chunks out of it waiting to be resurfaced. Then Kirkhouse Lift Bridge where I managed to hold up two cars, one a C&RT van.

Now the long long length with little to break it up. A zoom in with the camera wasn’t clear enough to make out what colour light there was at Sykehouse Lock. The house that had been for sale last year now has two big barges moored outside it, both in need of a bit of money spending on them, wonderful shapes though.

**Sykehouse Lock with Sykehouse Lift Bridge partially open in the background**

As we got closer to the lock we could see that the volunteer who must just about live in the control tower had spotted us, the light was green, but the swing bridge was still closed. We pootled on up closer.

On one of the banks was what looked like a Heron, but it was far too white. When it took off we agreed that it was the size of a heron, held it’s legs and neck like a heron. So it must be a heron. Now I’ve been able to look at the photo closer I believe it to be Great Egret. According to the RSPB website they believe there to be 8 to 12 breading pairs in the country and around 72 birds that winter in the UK.

The chap came out from the tower with his dogs, crossed the bridge to close the barriers and then pushed the bridge clear for us. Another C&RT chap walked past, a number checker, and asked if we’d seen a big barge moored by the house. We had, along with a second boat. He set off to walk the near 2 km to take down their numbers, then walk back again. That job must keep him fit around these parts.

Down the lock we went. We spied people at the next swing bridge who looked like they would operate it for us, which they did. The chap in high-vis was taking photos of the bridge, it was having an inspection.

Up ahead at Sykehouse Lift Bridge there were three C&RT vans and four chaps. The hut by the bridge suddenly sprang into life as we arrived a cloud of black smoke coming from an exhaust in the wall. There must be a generator in there for emergency power. They left us to work the bridge, taking notes of things as it raised and lowered. It’s apparently the time of year when all the bridges are inspected. They all headed over to check a barrier after I closed the bridge and didn’t seem too phased by the huge biff the bridge made when it finally made contact with the ground! It certainly made both Mick and myself jump.

Straight on to the junction with the Aire and Calder where we turned back towards the east. This stretch, well all of today’s waters are so very familiar, yet things have changed since last March. Drax was churning out power and the breach site still looks in good order.

The giant log cabin by the Alpacas has windows now and an almost completed roof. Then the building nearer to Rawcliffe has new windows and it’s roof is finished, it also has some new render and looks quite smart.

The last slight bend and we were on the three mile straight to Goole.

Back through the gates of Goole we were back where we’d spent so much of 2020 and 2021, stuck due to the breach and lockdowns. Hopefully the gates won’t close on us this time! The visitor moorings were full, but across on the 14 day moorings there was plenty of space. The big grey boat that has been moored outside the Auction place is now for sale, if you’ve got £350,000!

**Left by the black and white boat please**

Mick swung Oleanna to the left into Viking Marina and we made our way into the corner where we’d moored before. On our pontoon a big cruiser, but to the other side of it a new pontoon. We pulled in, meeting our new neighbour, tied up and headed to the office to check in.

It was good to see Laird again and Alastair who did some work for us last year. Mick has a short jobs list for Alasdair whilst we’re at Viking. Once we’d paid our mooring fees and got a fob it was time for lunch, do the chores and pack our bags. Due to my bad back we actually left with less than we’d arrived with, Mick carrying everything.

There was just under half an hour before the next train, so we power walked it along Albert Street, through the docks to the station. We had five minutes to spare, unfortunately not enough for us to get Advance tickets. The ticket machine wanted us to pay for the route to Scarborough via York! Thankfully the train guard would allow us to buy tickets from her instead at half the price.

It was a pleasant journey back to Scarborough, no need to change trains, just sides so that we’d get a view of the Humber Bridge followed by the sea at Bridlington.

As we walked up the steps to the house the new security light was triggered. This also triggered a reaction from Tilly. As soon as she realised it was us there was SO much shouting, the whole street could hear her! Many cuddles and chin rubs later things calmed down to a very loud purr.

Claire She had been nice, kept offering me Dreamies, but she hadn’t let me out so I wasn’t entitled to any! I felt I had to turn my nose up at them. That’s the longest She and Tom have deserted me for. They should have been back soon after the second flap on the magic food bowl opened! And when they did come back they smelt of Bramwith Junction outside. How dare they!

At least it meant I got lots of head nudges and cuddles.

With our mission accomplished and Oleanna now tucked up in Goole we have our own winter maintenance to do in the house. So blog posts will be as and when we visit Oleanna for the next few weeks. We have cruising plans, but not a definite date to set off yet. So the blog will be tucked up for a while too. See you soon.

1 lock, 11.8 miles, 5 bridges, 4 held up, 2 bridge inspections, 1 volunteer, 2 woofers, 1 mooring, 0 Joan’s Chinese! 1 boat plugged in, 1 train, 1 very VERY pleased cat, 1 hour of cuddles, 1 feline shadow.

https://goo.gl/maps/BHg2XZfd3C1vGBCm7

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna