Category Archives: River Trent

Holding Up His Majesty’s Mail. 19th August

Between bridges 8 and 9 to between Locks 21 and 22

Princess Sparkle and Bilbo Bagins let go of the timeshared outside before Tom and She did. The outside moved slowly away, but it moved slower for them. She said we’d just about caught them up when the bridge drifted up to reached us.

On arrival the bridge had only just closed, the crew from NB Drifter just about to climb back on board after letting themselves through, some road traffic and then a couple more boats. I walked over, turned the key unlocking the barriers which are manual here. I closed one side and was walking across to do the other one when a Post Office van arrived. The Postie offered to help push the bridge, a welcome offer as it is really quite heavy. He was also happy to wait for a following boat to come through too, he said he was used to it, normally helping the day boats through. We were all soon on our way again.

At the bottom of Foxton boats were here there and everywhere. A day boat wanting to wind from it’s mooring, NB Drifter had opened the bridge and were now backing up the otherside of it towards the bottom of the inclined plane to wait for water. The boat in front of us was trying to find a suitable place to pull in before checking in for the locks, we just waited until there was a suitable pause and headed through the middle turning right under Rainbow Bridge towards Leicester.

Back in the world of widebeams we passed one which you could say was moored in a winding hole, but it’s a big winding hole, they’d taken time to find places for their ropes just below the waters surface. Past Debdale we were now where we should have been last night and entering the SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSI area.

When we first did this stretch we noted the amount of reeds, how narrow the channel was and how few moorings there were. Now it’s pretty much like most canals, certainly there was little difference on our way to Market Harborough. The wind blew the reeds about, a wave of green alongside Oleanna, but thankfully the gusts didn’t seem to be catching us out.

Tunnel mode engaged for Saddlington Tunnel. A chap at Foxton the other day had been saying how long it was and that he’d be cycling over it later. I told him of Standedge Tunnel and how it was six times as long, certainly no way of seeing from one end to the other. With our powerful torch at the back we could see all the bat boxes, you are meant to be able to see the bats swooping out of the tunnel at dusk.

A pause at a mooring for lunch then onwards to the locks.

The Top Lock Cottage is for sale, a renovation opportunity apparently, even though it has quite a new kitchen. A big amount of land comes with it too for a guide price of £650,000. They’ve been very careful with their drone photo to include the lock and not too much of the sewage works the nearest neighbour!

A C&RT chap was busy running water down, paddles open at both ends of the lock. He was surprised to hear that North Lock in Leicester was fully booked for Tuesday, he didn’t understand why they didn’t just get on and mend it. I suspect that will happen once the school holidays are over with and the height of the season has passed.

At Bridge House Barn it was the lull between ceremony and evening do at a wedding. New guests were arriving at the big teepee, Mick waved at the kids who soon would be busy on the dance floor or hiding under the buffet tables.

We dropped down the first four locks, one pound most definitely low, nowhere near the bywash. I walked ahead to set the fifth lock hoping to moor overlooking Wistow. But then a space with a view showed itself, half an hour short of where we’d planned to be, we pulled in. A good wide towpath, trees friendly cover for Tilly, the willow tree needed a touch of a prune before the pram cover could be lifted, but all good. We just needed the wind to die down now for a barbecue.

Sadly the wind kept coming and going, it would have fanned barbecue coals too well, so we abandoned that idea and had kedgeree instead.

Late evening, photos appeared on a facebook group of water flowing out of the side of the Stainforth and Keadby Canal near to the M18. The poster had reported it to C&RT at midday, no notice had been issued. Speculation of a breach started to spread through social media. We’re not due there for several weeks, but if there is a problem we’ll be needing to take a different route. First decision will be at Trent Lock, if we carry on up the Trent the next decision will be at Keadby whether to go round Trent Falls. For now we’ll watch and see how things progress and hope that our friend David and the other moorers on that pound are okay and don’t end up sitting on the bottom.

4 locks, 8.3 miles, 2 bridges, 1 held up, 1 right, 1 tunnel, 0 mysterons, 1 windswept bride, 1 low pound, 1 boat heading our way, 1 mooring with a view, 2 windy to sit out, 1 happy cat, 1 band playing 80’s 90’s hits into the night.

https://goo.gl/maps/cfZRtmawdAzKj61E9

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

A Day Adrift. 6th February

Torksey Pontoon to Keadby Visitor Mooring

Another morning with the alarm clock going off, at least this morning there wasn’t much of a view to miss out on. One side of the cutting looked to be above freezing, our side was all frosted over. Brrrr, an extra layer required today. As I got up and started to move around my back felt remarkably improved from yesterday, thank goodness. I still refrained from leaning down or lifting anything heavy so as not to aggravate the improving situation.

Four years ago yesterday we did exactly the same journey. Then it had also been an early start and a very cold one too. We’d had to wait for the Stainforth and Keadby Canal to thaw and for the entrance to the lock to be dredged. I was ready to pull the balaclavas out today but thankfully even though the day had started off with a good layer of frost on Oleanna we didn’t need to keep our cheeks cosy.

We needed to push off a while after the tide had started to come in. Yes we were heading down stream, so we’d need to punch the tide for some time, but this was needed for us to reach Keadby when there would still be enough water to get into the lock. At 9am Mick reversed us out onto the main river, an EA rib had just come past us from Torksey Lock but it headed upstream.

We winded to face down stream and the tide. Engine revs increased and we were on our way.

Another wonderful day to be out on the river. Blue blue skies. Trails high above us in the sky, plenty of people jetting of on their holidays. Looking behind us the sun low glinted on the water and our wake. Gorgeous.

I checked the charts, our course kept in the channel. This next stretch had been reported as being shallow last year.

A glimpse over Mick’s shoulder, a loop of vapour trail. The Red Arrows must have been out training. The V formation of planes scooped round and out of view. They were at such a distance to us to be silent, you had to scour the sky to hunt them out. One wave of vapour, then another loop the loop. Around this area and along the Fossdyke and Witham you quite often see them practicing. Your own private airshow. Time to concentrate on the charts again.

A man sat in a bright red rib coming towards us. His boat looked to be filled with equipment, maybe he was charting the river bed?

The Chateau at Gate Burton came into view. You can stay here with the Landmark Trust. It makes for a pretty view, I bet the view back towards the river today was a much warmer one. We waved in case anyone was watching as we passed.

West Burton Power Station came in and out of view. The large cooling towers dormant but the gas fired end churning steam out by the bucketful.

The tide had turned by the time we reached Gainsborough. The same revs were now giving us 2 to 3 more miles an hour heading down stream. The sharp bends speed the flow up through Gainsborough, not the fastest we’ve been under the bridge there though.

Earlier this year when we’d planned on doing this journey, we had to cancel our lock bookings due to being stuck in Shardlow as the river was in flood. When Mick called Keadby Lock to cancel our booking, the lock keeper said that we weren’t in the book! Yesterday afternoon Mick had tried calling the lock to check they knew we would be arriving today, he’d got no answer. He then tried calling a couple of times this morning. Thankfully he got through and Tracey was expecting us. Mick checked that the river level would be enough for us to get into the lock. It would be and she was expecting us from around 12:30.

The charts now dispense with the red line for stretches. My back wanted a sit down in the warm so I retired inside for a while, making sure I was watching as we passed West Stockwith Lock. Mick slowed us down and waved to a chap then picked up our pace again.

With a map suggesting we still had 2 hours to go before reaching Keadby we decided to up the revs a touch, it was now getting on towards midday and Tracey was expecting us pretty soon. We really didn’t want to run out of water. As we were now off C&RT waters there are few markers. Instead you rely on landmarks. Will the new build with big windows (still to be fitted) appear on new charts. Owston Ferry with it’s two pubs. Mooring Dolphins where owls are positioned to deter pigeons! Another mill.

The river now wide, sprawling out in front and to our sides. The M180 bridge. Time to call Tracey with our location, she’d expect us in twenty minutes, we were still good to get into the lock.

**The span on the right used to open up**

Keadby Bridge, under the bascule span. Up ahead Keadby Lock tower with it’s look out. The light was red. Would it be ready for us?

Mick brought us over to the west side of the river as our red line suggested. Then as we were just about level with the lock he started to turn. Not into the lock, that would be foolish with the tide still heading out towards the Humber. He turned Oleanna round to face upstream, this enables you to have more control to enter the lock.

On the downstream side of the lock we could see the start of the silt build up above the water. Mick faced Oleanna’s bow towards the upstream side of the lock forcing her against the tide. As we got closer, we both wondered if we’d have enough power to turn the stern away from the silt and enter the lock. An extra bit of umph at the right moment and into the lock Oleanna slid. Phew!! She’d made it. Always a relief.

I walked up to the bow to pass a rope around a chain as Tracey closed the lock gates behind us, then the outer lock gates got closed too. The amount of water coming over the top gates started to slowly rise us. Then a touch of a paddle was added, gently does it. Then a bit more which caught the bow a touch before I managed to pull her back in.

Once at canal level the top gates opened and we waited for Tracey to open the swing bridge. We pulled in just past a couple of boats on the visitor moorings at the far end. Ahead of us is Vazon Sliding Bridge. This is operated by Network Rail and following the high temperatures last summer it is now only opened to boat traffic twice a day, we’d already missed the second opening. Time for lunch and a well deserved warm up.

1 lock, 27.8 miles, 2 winds, 1 reverse, 2 why nots, 1 cheeky pigeon, 2 ribs, 1 beautiful day on the river, 1 air show, 1 day adrift from 4 years ago, does this mean we’ll have another February heatwave?

https://goo.gl/maps/gFUcoDkNi8wqaaLk7

Twinge. 5th February

Cromwell Lock to Torksey Lock

No time for tea in bed this morning, there was the tide to catch. The sun rose opposite our mooring, what a beautiful sight, shame there wasn’t time to enjoy it.

I realised we’d not moved the hose and other bits and bobs out from the cratch, this makes access to the anchor easier should we need to lower it in an emergency. I picked up the hose and brought it into the boat. Then mooring spikes were popped away into a bow locker, as I did this my back gave a slight twinge. Lifting the bucket of other stuff gave me another twinge. The cratch was now a lot clearer but my back was a lot sorer! Stooping under the cratch cover was not a thing I wanted to do, so Mick rolled the covers up as I managed to walk up the ramp from the mooring to see if that would help.

Mick radioed the lock keeper, the lights at the lock turned green, he was ready for us. We untied, winded and headed for the lock. Our plans were checked with the lock keeper, time of departure tomorrow from Torksey. He’d call ahead to let the other locks know we were out on the river.

At 9am the paddles lifted to empty the massive lock, gradually Oleanna descended to the current level of the tidal River Trent. We were off, the fast route north, heading downstream with the tide.

We’ve done this route several times now. The Boating Association charts are always with us at the stern. The red line well worth following. If you stray from the marked channel you can end up grounding on sand banks. This could mean you having to wait for the next flood to float you again. If the tides are heading towards neap tides you may have to wait several days before you can move again, so it’s well worth following that red line, it’s easy.

New red signs stand high on the east bank. The camera zoomed in to take a photo so we could see what they said. Ahhh! Yes! There were rather a lot of fishermen out on the banks!

We joined the Geraghty zoom for a short while. Our reception not quite good enough on a phone to join in properly today. There was an update on sofa covers, sadly we couldn’t see the results as everyone was too small.

What a beautiful day. Blue skies, high clouds of many varieties. But blimey it was chilly!

**A runner making the most of a beautiful day**

Navigational markers on the sides of the river help you to know where you are. Km markers noting the distance from Nottingham. Red and green markers, although quite a few now have lost their tops.

The charts show you what landmarks to line up to, old mills, pylons and white posts. Submerged islands to avoid. Notes on which span of bridges to pass under noted by the graffiti on them. Someone however does need to refresh the graffiti as on Fledborough Viaduct it is now just about rusted out of view.

At around the 64km marker we were following the channel round a steep bend when the one and only other boat we’d see today came towards us. There was just enough time for the chap to warn us of a tree in the channel, somewhere! We’re not sure we got to see the tree, maybe that is something to look out for tomorrow.

The cold was starting to penetrate the thermals. Hand warmers required. My back gradually making it harder and harder to move about.

**Cottam Power Station, not at work today**

Ahead Cottam Power Station could be seen, we were nearly there. A warm up inside might do me good, but we’d be in Torksey soon.

A flight of Cormorants sat in trees. The river side of the trees white, was this from a liberal spraying of cormorant guano?

Round the next bend the familiar building just before Torksey Junction, then the large sign announced our arrival at todays destination. We turned into the cut, a boost of power to make the move was needed as the pull from the out going tide was still evident.

Mick pulled us up at the end of the pontoon. We’d not be heading up the lock onto the canal this time as we need to head off early in the morning a little before the tide turns. At least today we wouldn’t be shouted at by Tilly wanting to be out.

My back was now causing problems, I had to wait for Mick to moor up and then come to open the back doors, the steps at the stern a touch of a challenge. I really hope this improves as I’ve the #unit21 floor to finish painting at the end of next week!

An early lunch and then nothing much for the remainder of the day. Time spent sat down has been followed by time standing, trying to find comfortable positions to ease my lower back. Fingers crossed this is short lived.

1 lock, 16.3 miles, 1 right, 1 boat, 1 twinge that lasted all day, 5 layers to be increased tomorrow, 1 cosy boat, 1 quiet boat, 1 thumbs up thankfully, 2 boaters ready for 9pm.

https://goo.gl/maps/EdAUXwKN63XNZYYeA

Don’t Let The Cat Out! 4th February

King’s Marina to Cromwell Lock

Since arriving back in Scarborough it’s taken Tilly a while to settle down. She knows where she is, but the house makes odd noises, different from those on Oleanna. Add into the mix our lodger Claire making noises in the morning and singing in the evening, it all makes for a nervous cat. Over the last couple of days Tilly has ventured outside into the static world the house is surrounded by. She obviously remembers the local cats and is constantly looking out for Alan, Betty and Shoes. I have tried to explain to her that none of them live here anymore! But still she looks. The annoying thing for us humans though is that we thought the runny cat pooh would have ceased since Shoes moved away, however it is still lurking in the grass!

I managed to borrow a sewing machine from my friends Dawn and Lee at Animated Objects, so all the costume alterations have been finished. A few small house jobs have been done and I’ve been baking.

I made some fresh curd cheese and a batch of Yorkshire Curd Tarts to use up the pastry left over from mince pies. The slightly orange pastry was rather nice with the curds. Then yesterday I made a loaf of cheese and spring onion gluten free soda bread using up half the buttermilk I’d been left with from the curd cheese. We had to try a bit with our dinner last night as it smelt so good. Very very tasty. A definite recipe I’ll be doing again, there is still enough buttermilk left (now in the freezer) for another loaf.

Now that Maud’s Swing Bridge on the Stainforth and Keadby Canal is left open to boat traffic we needed to identify a window of opportunity to move Oleanna up to Goole. I have work commitments over the next few weeks and we wanted to give Tilly a chance to settle down in the house before we’d be leaving her for several days. We estimated the journey would take us a minimum of four days.

Mick checked the tide times, then the weather. Our first window looked good. A couple of days ago he called Cromwell to check on tide times for Sunday. Then a call to Keadby to check times there too. Both locks were booked.

Time to work out how to get back to Newark. The railway line out of Scarborough has been closed for much of this week due to engineering works, strikes and the poor service on Transpennine Express made us look at the buses to York, The Coastliner. These run every hour and currently a single fare being £2, it would be a bargain.

So this morning we were up early, breakfasted, a few items packed, soda bread and my work things in case we are held up on route. We caught the 9:10 which was pretty busy already and by the time it arrived in Malton it was chocka, I think we even passed hopeful passengers at a bus stop on our way into York. We hopped off at the station and had a half hour wait for the next train to Newark Northgate arriving a little after midday.

We headed straight to the marina as the office would soon be closing. When we’d arrived, we’d imagined Oleanna would be stuck for several weeks, maybe even months, in the end it was only nine nights. Two bags of coal were bought and popped on the roof.

I then headed to buy supplies whilst Mick topped up the water tank and made ready for our departure. I hunted round Waitrose for yellow labels. We’d brought a few days worth of food with us, but needed another couple of days supplies along with milk and cereal. Two heavy bags later, including two boxes of wine, I could drop the gate fob back at the office.

Lunch was had, soda bread, still pretty good even when cold. Then it was time to put our life jackets on and push off, reverse out from the pontoon and say goodbye to King’s Marina. Paula the marina manager came out to wave us goodbye and wish us a good journey. Thank you for accommodating us in your friendly marina.

Left. We headed towards Nether Lock where I climbed up a ladder to head to work the lock. The paddles were half raised, it was refilling itself. I turned the key of power and encouraged it to fill quicker, which worked, except the panel still had to work it’s way through all the button presses! It took quite a while before eventually the button moved the gates. Getting my phone out to take a photo of Oleanna coming into the lock, I lost grip and it bounced across the concrete, each time getting closer to the lock edge! Thankfully it stopped a foot short of me having to replace it, a shame the screen is now cracked.

Back in April last year the levels had taken forEVER to equalise when emptying the lock to come in, I did it twice in one day, so today I was prepared for a long wait again. The lock did not disappoint! I had to press the button several times when it did nothing at all for it to get itself ready to open the gates. But we got there in the end. A helpful couple walking their dogs offered to finish working the lock for me, so that I could get back on. I turned them down, no way would I be climbing down the 12ft or so of lock ladder when below at the lock landing it would only be three foot of ladder.

We passed North Muskham, Muskham Ferry where a group from King’s Marina were enjoying a few pints having come down in ribs. They all waved us on our way.

Fishermen lined the banks. One young lad had caught a fish worthy of a photo, his mate catching one a quarter the size was still eager to have the photographic proof. Then a group of men in waders stood round weighing up the days catch, there must have been a match on by Cromwell Lock.

Mick winded Oleanna to face upstream and bought us into the pontoon. Time to head to the bow to tie up. We don’t often cruise without Tilly on board. When opening a door it is automatic to check to see if she is waiting on the step inside. Don’t let the cat out! She’s never allowed out until we are moored up, yet she is so excited to be somewhere new, she charges to the other door before you can get there. Gentle persuasion is required to keep her away from an opening door, sometimes a ‘Grrrrr!’ is required to keep her eagerness in check, it works quite well. Doors are rarely left open, they always get closed behind you. At times trying to keep Tilly in is a pain, but today there was certainly one big hole without her on board. Hope her magic food bowl has opened up and that she’s cosy on our bed.

1 lock, 4.9 miles, £2 coastliner, 1 train, 1 Lincoln Cathedral in view, 0.5 loaf of soda bread gone, 2 boxes wine, 3 yellow stickers, 2 boaters back afloat, 1 feline boater stuck on dry land, 2 pork chops and 2 jacket potatoes.

https://goo.gl/maps/re622ZJ5TsvVKdTq8

Checking It Twice. 31st January

King’s Marina

More packing, more trying to keep Tilly calm.

It’s amazing how much stuff you think you might need! I said the other day that we wouldn’t be taking as much back to the house as normal, well I think what we’ve left would equate to a small holdall! If it wasn’t for my work things the van would have been half empty.

Pictures of boats waiting to go through Maud’s Bridge during the hour window this morning appeared on the Trentlink facebook group. Eight boats in all, one that had been waiting at Keadby for almost two months! Later in the day there were more pictures from those who’d escaped and made it out onto the Tidal Trent.

Then late morning a C&RT notice came through.

Update on 31/01/2023:

The bridge has successfully been opened as planned this morning.

An emergency road closure has been secured, therefore the bridge will remain in a open position for navigation traffic whilst repairs are undertaken.

Oh blimey, if we’d known that we’d have carried on downstream, saving an extra long road journey for Tilly. Well at least it’s open and we can start to plan.

By lunchtime just about everything was packed into the van. The dishwasher was set going for the last time, fridge and freezer were emptied. We’d made a list and checked it more than twice.

Gas off

Water pump off

Shower head laid in shower tray

Stop cock from water tank off (to stop the water tank syphoning into the shower tray)

Fridge and freezer left open

Duvet in vacuum bag

Yellow water tank emptied

Mini solar panel connected to starter battery

Central heating set to 2C

Tilly.

***You’ve forgotten to pack these, I’ll get them out for you!***

Ideally Tilly would have visited her litter tray shortly before she was to be ~~packed~~ put in her caravan for the journey. She’d been showing signs of needing to use the facilities, but had turned her nose up at the litter box. Well it was stinky! So I cleaned it out and put a light layer of clean litter in it for her. One sniff and still no visit!

Everything was done, just Tilly now. Still no visit. We gave her until 3pm, still no visit! We both walked up to use the shore based facilities, still no visit. Time was up, time for the tussle into the caravan. I so wish it wasn’t a tussle. So do I!

Tilly was positioned between Mick and myself in the cab. How long would it be before we needed to stop? Five minutes and into the first layby on the A1. Another three stops were required. Tilly was saying lots, mumbling something about compensation from C&RT for her extended hell of a journey. Poor thing, if our original plan had happened then the journey would have been an hour shorter!

Thankfully there was a space on the street close to the house big enough for a van. Tilly was first out and closed into the utility room for a check over before she got free run of the house. Stop fussing! I need to check everything over!

It took a good half hour to ferry everything into the house, it’ll take longer to move things to where they should be.

On our journey I’d placed an order for fish and chips from Capplemans, very nice they were too. Tomorrow an online shop will arrive, then I’ll need to sus out how to get a veg box again as Tree Top Press are not delivering for the next couple of months and Mick doesn’t fancy the bike ride out to Suffield to collect one, they are on the top of a very big hill!

Christmas post was opened. I think I’ll allow myself to keep the cards on the mantle piece for a while, it’s after twelfth night after all!

Claire arrived back from a days work at the SJT. The Comedy of Errors (more or less) has been re-written by Elizabeth Godber and Nick Lane. It’s now an 80’s musical farce and I believe if Claire isn’t lying there may just be a giant lobster in it, well if you know anything of Nick Lane’s work, that really isn’t a surprise! It sounds like the actors have got their work cut out and that we’ll be hearing lots of 80’s songs over the next few weeks from Claires side of the house.

Attention turned to tide times on the River Trent. Now knowing that Maud’s Bridge will be open to boat traffic we can start to plan moving Oleanna further up the country. This may be sooner than we’d originally thought. We just need tide times, lock opening times and weather to coincide with windows of opportunity between my work.

Tilly will not be joining us for the few days, as that would be very unfair on her. But we do wonder if she’d prefer travelling by train?!

0 locks, 0 miles, 2 full van, 1 escape pod flattened, 1 seriously miffed cat, 4 comfort breaks, 5 puppy pads, 1 cat refusing to lie down, 1 bumpy road across the wolds, 2 of each, 2 glasses wine, 1 more ball of yarn, 1 lodger, 1 bridge now OPEN! 1 cat needing to settle down, 1 blog having a short break, which might be shorter than we imagined.

PS. The email situation seems to have resolved itself. On Wednesday we were informed that the blog was being unresponsive and possibly not loading for some people. Mick was just starting to look into it when we received a second message saying Oleanna was back on line. We suspect that this may have corrected whatever had gone wrong with the emails. Thank you for your comments and glad everyone seems to be back.

Left Over Everything. 30th January

King’s Marina

A day of more packing. Clothes had a serious edit. Enough pants and socks, pyjamas, a change of clothes should do for a weeks boating. Winter waterproofs left too.

Tilly did her best to assist me. This shelf is empty now, I claim it as mine.

***This printer is always in the way!***

You need to take this, it’s too big and stops me from getting in here!

This box and this one too. That will make me a nice little den. There must be something in the secret passageway too! You need to open that up. And the other way into it too! Brilliant!!!

Unfortunately with all the packing I’d omitted to put enough coal on the fire to keep it going. Kindling on the old coals didn’t work, so I had to start from scratch again. The chimney must be due a sweep.

Bags filled the bed, sofa and much of the floor. It’s amazing now much stuff goes back and forth from the ‘Just in case’ category. I may get a design job, so all my work kit needs to go. Decorating means brushes will be needed. The blankets I had on sale in my Redlocksmakes shop will go to the house and stay there this time for the use of lodgers, better there than under the sofa on the boat. Yarn, some that can stay on dry land, other that might just come in handy knitting socks.

Thankfully Mick arrived with the van mid afternoon. A trolley then spent the next hour or so moving bags and boxes from Oleanna to the van, no wonder it normally takes three car loads. Crates had come from the house, now all the food drawers could be packed. Minimal bits and bobs and tins left on board.

More packing to do in the morning, we could at least sit down and go to bed again.

Bits and bobs needed finishing from the fridge. Time to make a Macaroni cheese to use as much up as possible. 2 rashers of bacon, 3 mushrooms, some beans and broccoli, half a haloumi cheese and some cabbage. These all got heated up and put in the middle of the cheesy pasta. Have to say the beans and haloumi were a very nice added extra.

0 locks, 0 miles, 8 loads to the van, 1 assistant, 2 crates of food, 4 plants and a cat to pack, 1 weeks worth of clothes left, 1 salt and pepper pot, 2 big tins of baked beans, 3rd and 4th balls wound and knitted, 1 Alison!

PS The missing blog emails thing is a mystery. Some people are no longer getting the blog via email, but still appear on the list. Bridget for some reason your email address has vanished off the list, you may need to re follow the blog. Mick’s email was still on the list, but no email, he had to delete himself and then refollow the blog before it would work again. Sorry.

Keeping My Little Thug Calm. 29th January

King’s Marina

Geraghty zoom topics this morning ranged from travel pillows to loaves of bread, Dr Who effects and there now being a world deficit of Smoke Grey dye. Unfortunately someone, who shall remain nameless, asked if Tilly was aware of our move back to the house. A second later Tilly’s little disturbed face popped up from behind the laptop screen I do now!

Breakfast was blueberry pancakes. I didn’t need lunch today! As I won’t be able to join in on normal Shrove Tuesday pancake making, I’ll be at work, so I need to make up for it over the next few weeks.

Tilly hates car journeys, the stress of them makes her ill for the whole journey. Each time we travel with her we try something new to see if it helps. A vet in Scarborough gave us some happy pills a few years ago, we were to sprinkle the contents onto her food each day for a week before any car journey. We’ve used it a few times now, a natural product which this time seems to have been putting Tilly more and more on edge. Yesterday morning as Mick folded some jeans she turned to him and hissed, ears flat back. This was not our Tilly! And most certainly is not a happy relaxed Tilly! Sprinkles will no longer be added to her food. The bottle of Pet Remedy came out and a spray on a tissue seemed to calm the situation down. Tilly spending much of the remainder of the day asleep on the sofa.

Mick has headed up to Scarborough to welcome a new lodger into the house. Thankfully someone I’ve known for years and she was happy to share with us. We’d hoped to be already settled back in before Claire arrived. Any major winter maintenance, redecorating, will wait for a gap between lodgers. Mick will be returning in a van. We’re hoping we can move in one trip to save on petrol. Hopefully the stress of packing won’t affect Tilly too much. We’ll try to keep things as calm as possible. More sprays of Pet Remedy and playing the fishing rod game to keep her occupied. Whistling Tom please can I book my scratch pole in for a service? It’s got very wobbly!

There is only so much stuff you can pack to move and still be able to live on a narrowboat. Because our intention is to return to move Oleanna further north when we can, we won’t be taking as much back to the house as we have done in the past. What we need for a weeks cruise needs to be left so that all we have to do is arrive by train, stock up the fridge and go.

I’ve started to pack kitchen things and work related items. Paint brushes, model making kit, herbs and spices. Tilly’s food has filled a big bag, she actually has quite a stock of pink food of the meaty and poultry variety, just a shame she seems to now be preferring fish!

As I sorted the galley out I decided to give it all a good clean, a ‘winter clean’ if you like. The hob got a serious going over as did the kettle I bought twelve years ago in New York. That kettle sat on a kitchen shelf in the house for years unused until it moved onto NB Lillyanne nearly nine years ago.

A beef and beetroot curry had been defrosted to eat, leaving only some bread, a few herbs and some sweet pasty in the freezer. I’m thinking I may make some small Yorkshire Curd Tarts to use the pastry up when we’re back in the house. We’ll see, it may just end up in the bin!

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 hod of coal, 0.5 ashpan of ash in 24hrs! 1 little thug getting wound up, 0 sprinkles, 2 new smoke alarms, 2 shoe boxes packed, 1 stern deck full, 2nd ball of yarn wound and knitted.

Newark Memories. 28th January

King’s Marina

After breakfast it was Mick’s turn to catch trains and head for Yorkshire, leaving Tilly and myself onboard. Since we heard the news a week or so ago that Maud’s Bridge could be closed for a couple of months we’d made plans. Take a mooring here at King’s Marina, move back to the house for it’s winter maintenance when we’re less likely to have lodgers. The move having to happen around my work.

I walked up towards the station with Mick then headed to Boyes to pick up a knitting needle gauge. My collection of needles is normally well ordered, but having so many circular needles which have very very small writing on them and some being left out of their packs I didn’t know which was which.

**The Corn Exchange, when will it have a new life?**

I then had a walk around town. We wintered here on Lillyanne seven years ago and grew quite fond of the place. An enforced marina stay for medical reasons had us moored in King’s for a few months, we spent Bonfore night, Christmas and New Year here. Both of us having operations.

Since then we have passed through Newark using the fast route from north to south on the River Trent. Being here in the summer hasn’t felt right, coats hats and scarves should be worn in Newark. Then on our last visit we were preoccupied helping our friend David get the help he needed to get well. So on todays walk I had the intention of returning Newark to a place in my memory of Maltings, Brewers, Nicholsons, John Carr, the market, auction houses, Emily Blagg, Polish War graves, the castle, the civil war, all the things we discovered and enjoyed about the town.

I think I succeeded.

Returning to the boat I stopped off at Waitrose (closer to the marina by a few paces than Aldi) to see what might have been yellow stickered. I came away with a gluten free Calzone and some green veg which I stir fried with lemon juice and garlic. A very nice meal.

With my knitting needle gauge I worked out which needles I would need to use my birthday present of Riverknits yarn. A showtime cowl, all the yarn with names associated with pantomimes. I settled down in front of the tv and then realised I still had more to do before I could start. Yarn always looks so lovely wound round in skeins, just a shame before you start to use it it needs winding into a ball! With a calm cat on my knee that I really didn’t want to disturb I managed to make a ball of the first yarn I would require. The rest will be wound in turn as needed.

It’s nice having knitting on the go again. Maybe I should do another sockathon this year. Still plenty of sock yarn to use up, maybe I could get some donated too. I’ve been putting some thought into which charity I would raise money for, there are a couple that are possible. Some more thought needed and which month to do it in?

0 locks, 0 miles, 2 trains for Mick, 0 sprinkles for Tilly, 3 yellow stickers, 1 calzone, 6 yarns, 1 ball wound, 144 stitches cast on, 4 rounds.

Shrunk or Grown. 26th 27th January.

King’s Marina

I was off to catch a train, well three that would get me to Huddersfield mid morning. The current track record of Transpennine Express is really quite poor, trains being cancelled here there and everywhere, so my last leg of the journey couldn’t be guaranteed. Thankfully all went to plan without too long standing on platforms in the cold. I even got to see Lincoln Cathedral from my first train way way off in the distance.

Mick was left to check in with Paula the marina manager at King’s. She was wanting to give us the best deal on mooring, cheaper to pay for three months than on a daily rate. However, as soon as we know that the way ahead is open, the tides are right and I’m not at work we will be moving downstream. So Mick opted to pay weekly.

Borrowing the directors sewing machine meant I could finish sewing one costume. Now all nine actors have overalls they can wear to rehearse in over the next few weeks. We got everyone into their costumes to check them over. Had anything changed? One chaps overall seemed a touch too tight, easy to undo a couple of darts in the back. Sadly someone else was in a situation where the zip wouldn’t do up, a case of shrinking and expanding going on in unison. Notes were taken for expansion, all those off cuts from arms and legs come in handy for waist lines.

Time to position the numbers I’d made. With everyone stood in a row they looked like mug shots of convicts.

Rehearsals continued elsewhere for the remainder of the day giving me use of the studio floor. Connor came to help roll out the new show flooring, cutting the big roll into three and then marking out the design. Base coats of white were applied, all ready for the green to go next time.

I’ve been quite astounded at the price the Premier Inn were wanting to charge me for production week, so on this trip I’d booked an AirBnB to try out for a night. With a bag of alterations to tack I headed to find my room and see if the access codes worked. The front door was easy, the one for my room a little bit more tricksy, but I got there in the end.

I checked around to see what I had, a small kitchen area with cooker fridge and microwave. No sharp knife and slightly heat affected cupboards the laminate edging having come away sometime ago. The cooker and fridge are a bonus, no storing breakfast on a window sill and a heater that actually works without a big fan going constantly.

**Chips were only for reference purposes**

With some supplies bought along with a portion of chips from the nearby takeaway I set to with alterations sat on my sofa with a huge TV mounted on the wall. TV signal here would certainly get a thumbs down as I couldn’t seem to get any terrestrial channels. I also didn’t want to interact with Alexa as so far I’ve managed to avoid having her in my life. Eventually I did manage to get something to have on in the back ground, early episodes of Silent Witness, the lab used to be next to Kings’ College in Cambridge.

Digs verdict. Well it would be nice if the gap under the door didn’t let light in constantly. The microwave clock is easily covered up with a sketch book or tea towel. The shower door was easily rehung. The romantic view from behind the blind of buildings three foot away did mean no noise from the ring road next door (quieter than the Premier Inn). The big strip light was useful for sewing, but gave an atmosphere similar to that found in a dentists chair. If I stay again I’ll try to fix the shower so that more water comes out of the head than dribbles down the pipe. Having a fridge and cooker though may outweigh other things and it is two minutes walk from the theatre and £200 cheaper than Premier Inn, A bit more cutlery wouldn’t go amiss though.

Back at Dark Horse I finished the alterations on costumes, helped with a mark up of the stage for full rehearsals next week. Then when I was left on my own it was time to don my mask and finish off the giant mug. Getting things lined up and stuck on straight took time. The outside was covered, then the handle. Thankfully my plan for this worked out and two tins of stinky glue later the mug was finished.

Still with time before my booked train, I worked my way through a few props that needed painting. Packed everything away and then removed my mask. Hopefully the aroma on spray paint and any stinky glue will dissipate over the weekend.

My return journey was slightly hampered by late running trains, but this actually meant I still arrived back in Newark on time.

During the day, posts on the Trentlink group had been going about regarding Maud’s Bridge on the Stainforth and Keadby Canal. Then an official C&RT notice was put out.

Update on 27/01/2023:

We have now assessed the works required to the bridge following the damage caused by the road traffic accident and are now preparing for the comprehensive repair to be completed by our contractor.

In advance of this, following advice from our engineers, we will take a team to open the bridge to canal traffic on Tuesday 31^st January at 10:30 and then close it at 11:30, allowing all boats currently in the area to pass the bridge.

Following this we will consider further openings as required until a full repair is complete. We will also update this notice with details of the full repair when we have them.

Brilliant! Except we won’t be able to make the hour time slot.

Mick sent an email, to which he got the standard reply that he would get an answer within five working days. So he made a phone call.

The chap seemed fairly hopeful that another bridge swing would be possible for us on another day. He would know more in Monday and call us back. Lets hope we can find a window where everything fits together before too long, so we can move Oleanna up to Yorkshire.

0 locks, 0 miles, 6 trains, 1 rip, 4 inches, 2 tucks untucked, 2 x 9m, 12 white lines, 9 numbers, 36 pieces velcro, 2 tins stinky stink sticky stuff, 1 large mug, 2 caddies, 2 wands, 2 books, 1 giant spoon, 1 shower door, 0 view, 0 noise, 1 hour opening, 2 many commitments 2 make it, 4 meals with sprinkles, 2 pies, 2 jackets.

PS Do you normally receive blog posts by email? Have they stopped coming into your Inbox? Please let us know. Thank you

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna

Category Archives: River Trent

Holding Up His Majesty’s Mail. 19th August

The Gates Of Goole. 8th February

A Day Adrift. 6th February

Twinge. 5th February

Don’t Let The Cat Out! 4th February

Checking It Twice. 31st January

Update on 31/01/2023:

Left Over Everything. 30th January

Keeping My Little Thug Calm. 29th January

Newark Memories. 28th January

Shrunk or Grown. 26th 27th January.

Update on 27/01/2023: