So glad we were only moored here for one night. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice mooring but Tilly and I spent far too long here last year. When I say it’s a nice mooring, it is apart from when the local lads decide to fire fireworks at each other whilst running around in the park! I hope that was a phase last year that has worn off.
£1.33 a litre yes please
As we were making to push off so was the chap on the boat ahead, NB Borderline. We’ve seen the boat about the system, he’s covered it all and bagged the silver propeller locations too. I had a chat with him as I rolled up the covers, he’s from York so there was plenty to chat about.
A boat waved us on, we thought they were coming in to moor where we were, some obscure hand signals were given. We pushed off and headed to the entrance to Shobnall Marina, Oleanna was swung round and then reversed under the narrow bridge. Time for a top up of diesel, £1.33 domestic, 3 bags of coal and a new float switch for the engine bilge pump as the current one keeps sticking on! Whilst we were tucked inside, the boat we thought was going to moor came past us, soon followed by another.
I don’t recognise this bit!
Back out onto the canal we soon passed where we’d moored for a night last year. This had been the furthest west we’d achieved in 2025, today we were continuing onwards, no rumours of Alrewas Lock closing due to low water levels.
At Branston Lock the two boats ahead of us were disappearing into the distance and not that far behind us was NB Borderline, long gone are the days of not seeing another moving boat!
A question had come through from the print company about my portals for panto, the chap I was talking to couldn’t find the right words to describe the query, he forwarded it by email and it immediately made sense. A few minutes to do a visual in reply, now hopfully it was sorted.
Chocolate Box Tattenhill Lock
At Tattenhill Lock we’d caught up the boat ahead, they were travelling with the boat infront, so three, now four crew to work them up. Were we all aiming for Alrewas? Yes. News had come through this morning that there was plenty of room, so hopefully there’d be enough for three!
Is the shed a new thing? I don’t remember it
I hitched a ride to Barton Turn Lock, again helping the two boats ahead. Alongside this lock is an honesty box. Years ago I bought some alpine strawberry plants here which have carried on going and now fill an urn at the house and two troughs. I hope they will survive the rest of the year, they are not guaranteed to be watered now we’re back on the boat. Today there were jams, possibly pickles £3 a jar. Alongside in a box were punnets of tomatoes for £1. A good variety of sizes, they were worth the £1, I boughht some.
Tomatoes
We pulled in soon after the lock, giving the boats ahead chance to get away and time for lunch and a sit down for Mick. Next it was time to play the A38 game, both of us stood at the stern of Oleanna waving to lorries as they passed at speed. Sadly the hedge was too high for many of them to see us, not one beep from a horn but a few waved back.
Towpath carving
At lunchtime we’d been overtaken by another boat who we met at Wychnor Lock, a single hander who took his time. He was a touch bemused as he’d not been able to find the bins that he thought were shown on his app. I have to say I don’t remember there being bins here and the door he’d been trying I think is someone’s garage.
Wonky bridge
A message was sent ahead, we’d just ascended the lock. I opted to walk to Alrewas, a stretch I’ve not walked before. Across the raised walkways with their white railings which come in handy when the River Trent is in flood. At the lock the single hander had an extra pair of hands, Adam from NB Kingley Vale. As we worked Oleanna up the lock I of course got a phone call from the set builder, he wanted to talk toilets! A suitable subject with boaters about, but I couldn’t answer his questions until I had my drawings to look at.
Alrewas Lock, thank you Adam for the photo
NB KV was moored close to the lock, but we didn’t find a space until we got round near the church. Possibly a better mooring for Tilly, although she didn’t stay out long. It was nice of someone to put out all the flowers, but all the grass is too short and there’s very little friendly cover to pounce in and She said I wasn’t allowed to go digging!
I just missed both boats in one photo!
With panto questions answered, a chat with Frank, a spruce up and an early dingding for Tilly, we headed back to find NB Kingley Vale. Here Adam, Adrian and Macc their border terrier greeted us. There was a guided tour round their boat, still under a year old, a glass of wine and food time for Macc, woofers don’t do dingding! A very lovely boat, plenty of head room, possibly an inch higher than Oleanna.
Macc waiting patiently for his food
We all then headed to The Crown for some food, a corner table so Macc could have some space of his own. Burgers, fish and chips, beers and wine all followed by puddings and accompanied by plenty of conversation. We’ve met Adam a few times, but before today we’ve only managed to wave to Adrian as they passed on NB Briar Rose at the beginning of lockdown in 2020. This year both boats had been travelling in the same direction, but we were two days behind them. However, Adrian has been referred to the fracture clinic in Burton, their cruising plans had changed, so they’d set a course to head in our direction. It was really lovely to get chance to spend an evening with them, we just hope that Adrian’s appointment comes through quickly.
See, I said my photos were a bit pants! Mick, Adam and almost Adrian
7.2 miles, 5 locks, 50 L diesel, 75kg coal, 1 float switch, 2 infront, 2 horses, 1 unimpressed cat, 1 boater talking toilets, 1 pause for lunch, £1 tomatoes, 1 guided tour, 2 burgers, 2 fish and chips, 5 glasses wine, 5 pints, 4 puddings, 1 very pleasant evening.
Cranfleet Cut to Aston Lock to Weston Cliff Bridge 10 to Shobnall Fields
Saturday
Morning view
Tilly had an hours shore leave whilst we had breakfast on board, she did a bit of self catering earning this mooring a stamp of approval! Ben was on the phone with an update from Scarborough early on, concerns, plans, can’t find this and that, to chat about. Poor Ben is certainly being kept busy, I know it would have been me had we still been in Scarborough.
Paddling with Ratcliffe in the back ground
Time to push off, a right at Trent Junction, but not right right. The river was busy with sailing boats, canoists and paddleboarders. At Sawley Locks we were directed to the right hand lock, a volunteer penning us up. He was relieved that someone was at the bow with a rope, this made for a far easier rise in the lock.
Sawley in the sunshine
Back onto the River Trent, past the weir and on to where the Derwent meets the Trent and the start of the Trent and Mersey Canal heads off. Today it felt like we were entering the amazon, the amount of pennywort, only a small channel to cruise through and this apparently is after quite a bit of it has been cleared!
Amazonian T&M
Up at the lock was a hire boat rising, I helped them close gates, they asked how far we’d be going, to Aston Lock today, the lady nodded. We shared Derwent Mouth Lock with a small cruiser. The chap with a windlass lifted his ground paddle quite quickly which meant Oleanna’s bow was pushed over towards the cruiser. Not ideal. But both boats rose up, they headed to moor to get themselves some lunch as we carried on.
I walked on ahead, easier to do now we’re back on the canals. I’d half expected the hire boat to be waiting for us to share Shardlow Lock to help save water, but when the lock came into view they were nearly up. Hang on, bottom gates don’t leak that much, there was quite a boil in the water. I tried squinting to see if there was a paddle up, my pace quickened. They were doing a very good job of running water down. Thankfully the pound above is quite long so no real harm done.
Approaching Aston Lock a boat was coming towards us, maybe the hire boat would be waiting for us now. They were, treading water below. I walked up to see if I could lend a hand, another boat rising in the lock. As the levels equalised another boat was pulling in above. A lady with silver hair, could this be a boat we expected to meet with today?
Cobweb heading for a lick of paint
Yes it was NB Cobweb, owned by Vicky and David. Vicky used to work at the SJT in Scarborough front of house, a longtime ago and a few years ago she’d made a comment about the Princess Anne Bridge in Thorne on a facebook group, we reconnected. Recently we’d exchanged massages about repaints as NB Cobweb was requiring a bit of a spruce up. They’d been seeking quotes after one painter fell through, these ranged from £14,000 to £2,000. They’d opted to go with Robert Naghi who quite often uses the polytunnel at Redhill, so today they were heading there. There was time to chat as we worked Cobweb down, hopefully we’ll manage that drink in a Scarborough pub this winter to exchange boating tales.
The hire boat shared the lock with us, as another two boats arrived above. A chap walked down, he seemed to be familiar, but where from? Was he a boat mover? The penny dropped, he works at Redhill and is one of the team who move boats about the yard. He and another two chaps from the marina had been out for a week and were headed back today. It felt like I knew everyone now we were back on the cut, such a small world.
Squeezing past a breasted up pair also on the move
On our original plan had been to moor here for the day. We pulled in and let Tilly out, an hour that’s all she gave me! An hour!! As it was such a lovely day we wanted to move on, do a bit more after lunch, an aim of trying to get two days ahead of ourselves would be good to catch up with another boat. I was just about to stick my head out of the side hatch to call Tilly in when she came running along. She’s forgotten that I can tell the time! Bang on a hour, Thank you!!
As I walked on to Weston Lock, I had a long chat with Frank about some of the detective work I’d achieved for him. We just need to find the other paperwork this relates to it in the boxes at his house, not a five minute job! It was good to hear him enthused about things.
Weston Lock with it’s b**tard heavy gates
Up at the lock there were masses of young people with scooters, a few mums and dads, plenty to watch us go through the lock. One chap suggested they stay and watch to his son, I suggested they could help with the big gates. The lad came to help, but I suggested Dad’s help would also be needed. This made for the easiest rise at Weston we’ve ever had, thanks to our extra crew.
Just why was the towpath so busy?! Well there was a scarecrow festival going on, three scarecrows here on the canal. Scar Crow (by the little hut), Victoria Plunge (alongside a cake boat) and Bart Boatman (at the next boat, he spoke too!) all very amusing.
We carried on to a gap in the trees with a length of armco. Tilly was given shore leave, and we had a nice little walk along to a bench overlooking the river below. Tilly then amused herself as I got out the new paints. This morning I’d noticed a rub mark and a chip on the grabrail which had gone back to the steel. Keep on top of the paintwork Tom had said, so I got out the 2 pack blacking, mixed the smallest amount in an old jar, guessing the 4 parts paint to 1 of hardner and touched in the two areas. No idea how they had happened or when, but at least they now had some protection. I’ll get round to the red another day when the towpath is on the right side.
Back in her natural habitat
The huge courgette went into a bolognaise sauce, padding the mince out into three meals for us, I’ll have to shoehorn one lot into the freezer.
Sunday.
A cooked breakfast on board. Our new poach pods seem to be a bit thin, so the eggs cooked in an odd way, think we’ll have to find some more. I like poached eggs, but like a runny yolk not the white.
Yummy!
The weekly Geraghty zoom followed, subjects included mice (Tilly’s choice), Hamlet, Lisa Nandy, Aran and peanut butter lids. Only one sibling missing today due to them travelling to visit Anne for her birthday.
Swarkstone Pavillion
I walked on ahead. One lady on a passing boat exclaimed at how far I was going to be walking to the lock. Strangely enough, I knew exactly how far it was and I’d still be walking some more after the lock. I paused when I saw the cooling towers of Willington for the first time and stopped for a glance at Swarkstone Pavillion, the subject of a painting I did earlier this year.
Far busier at locks than on the Trent
At the lock there was a scout troop having a rest and snacks. I did suggest to one of their leaders that sitting under a lock beam maybe wasn’t the best place for them, especially as I needed to access both sides of the lock. Once Oleanna was in the lock I clocked that a paddle was still just up at the bottom end, the scouts had to move for me to sort that out!
Leaving Stenson
We swapped with a downward boat and I hopped on board to catch a lift up to Stenson. There were two volunteers at Stenson, I went to lend a hand, but ended up chatting instead. They knew their lock and how it works, the opposite way to the vast majority of locks on the network. It was a very gentle ride up. We then pulled in for a break to have lunch.
He’s the captain
On our way towards Mercia we had a young lad in a canoe follow in our wake, he was meeting people at the marina, hope they’d told him whereabouts as it is vast! The new buildings that had been going up last year look now to be completed, similar to those around the marina.
Pair 135 I think
I got my knitting out to work on at the stern as we made our way along the long pound towards Burton. We were pushing on a bit further today with a rendezvous in mind tomorrow. I hopped off around bridge 29A and walked the rest of the towpath to Dallow Lock, the first narrow lock. The first narrow lock we’ve done this year in fact. We’d wondered if Stenson would be our last broad lock but then realised we’d have two broad locks to do on the River Avon before reaching our mooring for panto.
Dallow
A couple walked past and helped with the bottom gate, then a chap and his son asked lots of questions as Oleanna rose up, they also helped with the top gate. There was quite a bit of room at Shobnall Fields, last year Tilly and I spent quite a bit of time moored opposite them whilst Mick was in Derby Hospital after his stroke. Today it was deemed too late for Tilly to have any shore leave, she however didn’t agree with our decision!
Lock
A chicken went in the oven to roast. We’re a little bit out of practice with our boat oven, we’ll need to adjust the amount of time we roast carrots and parsnips for, as they turned a little bit hard and bits resembled charcoal. Oh well isn’t carbon meant to be good for you?!
19.5 miles, 8 locks, 1 boat met, 1 boat to catch up, 1 change of plan, 1 rendezvous arranged, 3 boat yard chaps, 3 scarecrows, 2 many messages, 1 pooped Frank, 3 Mrs Tilly stamp of approvals in 1 day!
First things first, someone turned eleven today and in so doing made me the youngest crew member on board! Old Age Cat, 11, she’s reached 60 before me! She doesn’t act like an OAC! This time last year we were moored on exactly the same mooring for her birthday. Last year her present was a furry thing we now call the Rat, it’s getting rather bald from all the licking! This year she got a leek, not quite a vegetable as it contains catnip. She also got a serious treat of some salmon which will be saved for a really boring, no shore leave day.
Me an OAC !?!
Tilly was allowed some shore leave as I worked on panto for a while, a phone call from Jamie the set builder and a couple of other things required attention. The boat that had been in the lock cut last night came past, NB Falcon, we’d seen them somewhere last year. An electric boat, we waved. Just as we were about to push off my phone rang, it was the social worker in Scarborough calling to confirm Frank’s discharge from the hospital and when his first carer would arrive. In Scarborough the Frankness group were busy, the cleaner even busier! The plan was all coming good.
Moon
Time to sus out moorings in Stratford. We’d looked online for a CRT mooring and worked out the cost to be in Bancroft Basin for a month. CRT winter moorings only run for calendar months, so we’d need to book it for November and move there on my first weekend off, we’d also not really plan to use the last week. It worked out at about £300, the nearest water point and bins would be 4 locks back up the canal, not ideal. It’s also quite close to busy roads and I was concerned about Tilly being safe exploring or not having any shore leave for four weeks.
So we then looked at Shakespeare Marina, I’d heard they still had spaces for winter moorers. Mick had sent them an email but heard nothing back, so he called them. Was it possible to have a visitor mooring for a month. Yes. Would it be possible to have a mooring around the edge of the marina, so Tilly could come and go? Yes. Would we also need an Avon Navigation licence whilst we were there? Yes. We totted things up, yes it’s more expensive than a CRT winter mooring, it’s also further out of town. But there is a bus stop close by, Tilly may be able to go out without busy roads, there’s a gate to the towpath. We decided to go for it.
New boat shoes, pinching a little
As we came round the last bend towards Holme Lock I spied someone at the downstream panel. I zoomed in on my camera, yes there was someone there, they walked towards the top gates. Ahh, we were too far away to sound our horn and the lock landing is quite a distance from the panels so they were already part way up when I arrived to chat to them.
Did he write about Corvettes?
NB Falcon. I mentioned that we’d come across them last year, possibly somewhere before, and the chap said ‘Ah yes, you are the Panto lady!’ He writes books about cars, well used to until AI came along and now steals his words. We had quite a chat and as their boat came up I went to chat to the lady at the helm, very nice to see them again.
The new bridge again
Once the top gates were closed behind them and the paddles dropped I set the lock for us. Holme Lock is quite a monsterous size. It took 32 minutes from pressing the button to start emptying the lock, to the top gates being shut and all paddles closed behind Oleanna. Shame we’d not been able to share it and a good job we’re on a river!
See you somewhere next year maybe
Back upstream, we overtook NB Falcon at Lady Bay Bridge, they were heading for the steps at County Hall for the night, but we were headed for Sainsbury’s. As we pulled up onto the pontoon I could see the lock was being emptied, someone had lifted the paddles for us and stayed to help us up. Thank you!
Near the big bend and urgent care centre
I walked on to Castle Lock, worked us up and then I walked on a head to see where we’d be able to moor. On our way down there had been plenty of space by the path to Saisnbury’s, but today there was a distinct lack of room. I called Mick and told him to back up as even though there were gaps, they just weren’t big enough for us.
Castle Lock
A few items were purchased to top up on fresh items whilst I worked on straightening out the legs for panto. As I’d found the right tool yesterday to do the job, this proved to be very easy. The files were sent off to the printer. Fingers crossed that this time they are fine.
This evening we sat down to watch the first episode of Celebrity Traitors. Well, was that a mistake or not?! Mick ended up snoozing, so he’ll have to watch it again tomorrow!
2nd October
Mick headed back in Sainsbury’s this morning to pick up some liver and bacon, we still had some M&S mashed potato left over from our pies on Monday, so that was our evening meal sorted.
Pushing off
I had a chat with Frank first thing, as today was the day he was moving back home. A few final preparations were needed, but all was on course for his return.
This chap managed to over take me
There was an email from the director of panto making a request. Ah, some of it wouldn’t be possible, but some might. The set builder happened to then call to check a couple of things, so I could ask questions about an alteration. Easy. As we pushed off from our mooring, I walked on ahead chatting to the Director. Caroline comes from Nottingham so knew exactly where we were. I checked over my shoulder at one point and said ‘I seem to have lost my boat!’ I loitered, and Oleanna soon came back into view.
At Beeston we pulled in on the water point to top up the tank and empty the yellow water, Tilly’s pooh box got a refresh too. We then pushed over to the other side, the lock landing to make disposing of our waste easier, the elsan has swapped sides since we were last here.
One day we’ll actually go inside!
This is yet another time when we’ve missed out on the Heritage Centre at the lock. Next time hopefully we may have more time, that’s if they are open in the winter. Today we needed to keep moving, our cruising plan has us moving for about three hours a day everyday.
Out onto the river again. No other moving boats in sight. We wondered if there’d be any lock keepers on duty at Cranfleet. Sure enough as we got close I could spy blue t-shirts and life jackets, three Lockies who set the lock for us and then started to work the paddles.
Cranfleet Lock
The lock walls have some larger stones that overhang into the chamber. As we rose up, I could see there being a possibility of the gunnel catching under this, by about an inch. I tried pushing the bow out, but the pressure from the water coming in was too great. I called back to Mick to pull Oleanna backwards, the gunnel scraped out from under the lip, taking with it an area of paint! Good job it’s easy paint to touch up, even better that we hadn’t got caught.
Three Lockies
We opted to pull in before the end of the cut, the mooring rings however were spaced for really long boats, so a spike had to be used at the stern. Tilly was given three hours shore leave. After an initial attempt to reach the sideways trees was thwarted by a woofer, she made a sprint for it and disappeared for a while. Maybe it wasn’t a good mooring?
News came through that Frank was at home enjoying a cuppa chatting to Chris. An email with some vital information had arrived too whilst we’d been on the move, an extra good thing to happen today. Two missions accomplished so far this week, a cruising plan coming good. Add to that liver and bacon tonight, another pretty good day.
15 miles, 5 locks, 1 Frank back home, 1 car nearly gone, 4 legs straightened, 11, 60 year old, 1 leek, 1 lock missed, 1 bench separate, 1 toilet impossible, 1 full water tank, 1 empty wee tank, 1 pot of mash, 1 carer being instructed how to cook pork chops.
Our Sainsbury’s delivery arrived and Mick was up by the gates waiting to let the driver in. Shopping stowed. A new gas bottle was needed to bring our supplies up to winter levels, £54.58, ouch, that hurt! You can tell we’ve not been boating for a while. Yellow water emptied, fresh water tank topped up.
Look at size of that courgette
I then had a phone call from Social Services in North Yorkshire, Frank had given permission for them to talk to me about arrangements at the house. I talked her through our hoped for plan, the cleaner the main part, other small jobs and some added bonus jobs that hopefully the Frankness group in Scarborough would be able to achieve this week. With everything being co-ordinated through HQ here onboard Oleanna. She suggested a day for Frank to head home, I suggested a day earlier, this would mean he would be able to go to see the new Ayckbourn play before it closes on in Scarborough on Saturday night. The social worker agreed and went off to carry on making arrangements.
We were now ready. Oleanna reversed out from the pontoon, winded and turned right, upstream, and back out onto the river. Mick radioed ahead, would there be a Lockie on duty today, no answer came and soon an amber light came into view, self service time.
Newark Castle
I hopped off and went ahead to work the lock, key of power (before you ask Brian, yes, my phone number is on the floats!) in the pedestal, panel open the lady began her warning ‘Please keep clear of the lock gate area’, over and over again. We were soon up and on our way.
Key of Power in action
Currently we have three different routes in mind with the aim of getting close enough for me to commute to work on panto. Only one of them is currently open and it’s quite a long way round. Fingers crossed that stoppages open up and a more direct route can be followed. Our cruising plans all involve the Trent and Mersey, but once we reach Fradley we’ll need to commit to a route. I added in another variable to the equation, a possible visit to Urban Moorings to make a deposit of our deposits. Do they still accept passing boaters deposits? If they do it will mean our deposit capacity can be reset onboard and avoid having to make a visit to Scarborough in the next couple of months.
Town Lock
There were messages flying around on the Frankness Whatsapp group. Jobs being ticked off the list, a recently recruited member Chris was charged with drilling and motor jobs. It’s a good job we all worked at the theatre and each of us has our own skills we can draw on. Long conversations with Ben, he’d been to see Frank in the hospital and had been given a few more tasks. So much for a week off from work!
Grey skies
Soon we arrived at Hazelford Lock, the moorings empty, we pulled in to our regular spot, tied up, noted w3w location and Tilly was allowed out. The Lockie came to say hello, he’d been strimming and would soon follow with a leaf blower,How very inconsiderate of him! Tomorrow there’d be no Lock Keepers on the river.
Thank you Jack
We had a late lunch, then I joined an HMRC Webinar to do with expenses whilst renting out property. I really know how to live! More jobs for Frank followed, questions were asked, the answers not firm enough, I’d need to be a detective again.
Wednesday, a very good day.
Hazelford Lock to Stoke Lock
Tilly was given an hours shore leave before we set off. However, the light at the lock had been on red all night and still was. We checked for CRT notices, nothing mentioned about a closure there. We got the boat ready to set off, then went up to have a look, would our key work on the panel even though the light was red?
Pressing buttons
There were a couple of CRT chaps there, the lock hut open. We chatted to one of them , it might be that the light had been left on by mistake, it might be that there was a problem that they hadn’t been able to see, they were here to do another job, but had called it in. If there was a problem they’d come and let us know, but we should keep an eye open should the light turn amber. We headed back some Frank detective work done to fill the time.
Hazelford Lock
After a while I popped my head out the front, Amber, we were good to go. I helped Mick untie Oleanna before heading up to the lock to set things in motion. With only one downstream paddle in operation it took forever to empty the lock.
This is what it’s all about!
What a glorious day, blue skies and on our favourite stretch of the river. More plans were coming together back in Scarborough, logistics of a theatre trip being put into action. Nurses on the ward were made aware of how important this show was to Frank and they were on board should Frank not be discharged in time, so an escape plan was put together for him.
Gunthorpe
As we approached Gunthorpe Lock I headed to the bow to be able to hop off, it’s far easier this way as the lock landing has strong currents from the weir. But then up at the lock someone waved at us, there was a group of volunteers doing gardening, some of them trained as Lockies, they penned us up.
Time for lunch, so we pulled in on the empty pontoon. The river is SO quiet!
I opted to walk on to Stoke Lock, there is one bend of the river you can miss out by following a bridleway and if I left Mick to push off by himself I might just be able to keep in front of Oleanna.
A much better day
The last time I was in the car park by the moorings I was climbing into an ambulance after loosing the tip of my little finger, today the sun made it feel better and I strode onwards through the trees, under the road bridge and headed upstream.
Is that Oleanna?
As the footpath rejoined the riverbank, I glanced over my shoulder, I could just make out Oleanna rounding the bend I’d missed out, what sort of pace was I achieving? What speed was Oleanna doing on the river? Gradually Oleanna gained on me, Mick cut back the revs, my 3.5 mph average was pretty good, but on the river Oleanna could do more.
A zoom in to confirm
I penned Oleanna up the lock, then Mick headed on to see if the low wall mooring was available. One narrowboat was moored in the lock cut, did they not know about the pontoon? Or were all the moorings full? Only one boat on the pontoon and the low wall was free. We pulled in, gave Tilly several hours shore leave. I showed her the trees at the top of the stairs which of course she was interested in, so I left her to it. However, I’d vanished out of sight, so she came back to the boat SHOUTING for me!
Into the woods
During the afternoon, Frank did his best to answer more questions, the Frankness group was busy, would anyone know one person who could save us six weeks of waiting? Possibly, a couple of emails were sent. CRT emails coming in were good. One saying that the South Stratford Canal would be reopening this week. This meant we’d be able to take a more direct route to panto. Fantastic! We just need to decide where to moor now.
The day had been good, well apart from an email I’d really hoped not to recieve about the print for panto. A proof came through for the portals, it wasn’t the correct size. The print wouldn’t match once the portals were put together? Did I have the original artwork? After painting them, my model pieces had become a little bit wonky. So I’d trimmed the height to be correct, but left the sides so there was space for someone with better knowledge to straighten things out. Add into the mix an extra 15cm all the way round to be able to fix the canvas onto existing flats (scenery), maybe this was what had gone wrong. Maybe not all the information had been passed on?
I learnt how to straighten up the legs, did a mockup, and was convinced I’d got the size of things correct. It would take more work tomorrow, but hopefully that would sort it all out. I sent the mock up to the print company, they passed it on. Fingers crossed.
18.4 miles, 4 locks, 2 moorings, 1 giant courgette, 4 boxes wine, 13kg gas, 1 ex carpenter/maintenance added to the team, 2 many messages, 1 panto email, 2 hours to find a new process, 2 and -2, 1 plan to be implemented, 1 back up plan just incase, 2 favourite moorings, 2 pairs of wonky legs straightened, 1 good day, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval.
Sunday we dug out Tilly’s magic food bowl and set it ready to open in 8 hours time, topped up her biscuit bowl, then packed bags and popped the cheesecake into a cool bag and set off to walk to Newark Northgate Station.
Moo planters
Our train was delayed, engineering works had overrun so our train was held in London, this made for a slower walk to the station. Stood on the platform we had speeding train after train whizzing through the station, all trying to catch up with themselves. I wonder if the delay repay on such occasions gets handed onto Network Rail?
Museum Gardens moorings in York
In York, Mick caught a bus to Fishergate whilst I walked to the London Leckenby’s flat. I chose to walk past Clifford’s Tower and then alongside Castle Mills Lock to see if the works on replacing the gates were complete. At the beginning of June we’d seen new lock gates sitting alongside the lock and a work boat in it. Today the work boat was still there, so were the dams either side of the lock. There was a lot more fencing up around the place and acros spanning the lock. At least the bottom gates looked to have been installed, the top ones still sitting on the bank. At least something this year is taking as long as Oleanna’s repaint!
We were here for a lunch with an old family friend Ian. Ian was one of the younger friends of my parents, he used to work at Rowntree’s and soon after starting he joined the Rowntree Players, the factory’s amateur theatre group, and he got a part in Billy Liar. Ian was a favourite with me, as for a while he worked in the jelly department and at Christmas he’d arrive with a big box (possibly 12 packs) of Rowntree’s blackcurrant jelly, which I used to eat in chunks straight from the box.
It was very lovely to see him, Andrew and Jac have seen him quite recently at various fundraisers he’s been holding to raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity. He set up the Janis Connell fund three years ago with the goal of raising £100,000 in memory of his wife which he achieved recently. There was talk of more fundraising. Sponsored walks, sky diving, Jac may just have been signed up to that one!
Some lovely slow cooked lamb, with potatoes and a salad were followed by my cheesecake, quite a bit of wine but more importantly lots of conversation. I don’t think Mick, Josh or I had seen Ian since my Dad’s funeral in 2012, so it was wonderful to catch up with him.
Some of the conversation had been about my best friend Emma and her sister Jane. Jane’s second husband, an actor had played Inspector Goole in the National Theatres production of an Inspector Calls in the West End quite some years ago. This prompted us to nestle down on the sofas to watch the BBC version. It was interesting compared to the stage version with added scenes which put the time line off just a bit. It was still enjoyed by those who managed to keep awake after our lovely meal.
28th September
Skeldregate Bridge
Everyone was up early. The flat was to be packed up, trains to be caught in differing directions. Josh headed back to Manchester to attend his first lecture of his third year at University. I was next to leave to catch a train to Scarborough, shortly followed by Mick heading to York hospital for a blood test (this saved him going back to Scarborough) but in the end it may have taken far less time as he sat waiting in the blood test queue for an hour and three quarters! This left Andrew and Jac to pack their car and head back to London.
Breakfast with added sanitiser
In Scarbrough I had a day planned to help with things for Frank. Tucker an old work colleague picked me up from the station and we headed to Franks house to try to find some documents and to meet a cleaner. James was a very nice chap and knew exactly what was needed at the house. Sadly Tucker and my hunt proved fruitless.
I got a lift to our house to pick up the second toothbrush charger and Brompton bag that we’d forgotten. Anna our lodger had left out the copy of an old program from a Theatre In the Round production in 1957 which has Alan Ayckbourn playing a part and as the Stage Manager. A wonderful piece of theatre history.
I had a chat to various people keeping them up to date over the phone, then walked over to Scarborough Hospital to visit Frank and update him too. There were things he needed to read, more visitors arrived who patiently waited as I chatted to Frank about important things. A catch up with Steve before I left Frank, Geoff and Steve to have a far more interesting conversation. My tasks were done apart from posting a form for Frank which was dropped off at the Post Office on my way back to the station.
This cat will talk to absolutely anyone!
A catch up chat with Ben, who is back for a week from touring with The Calendar Girls. Ben is one of the original Frankness group and we had lots to chat about. This would be my last visit to Scarborough for some time so passing on some jobs that needed to be done.
Mick had arrived back at Oleanna earlier in the day, another £10 M&S pie deal had been purchased. This was enjoyed with a very large glass of much needed wine.
0 locks, 0 miles, 5 trains, 14 years too long, 1 lovely lunch, 1 odd time line, 1 sandwich for breakfast, 1 ex Technical Stage Manager, 1 Film and Live Streaming Co-Ordinator, 1 ex Senior Technician currently Sound No 1, 1 ex Master Carpenter, 1 ex Resident Designer, 1 form of ID, 1 cleaner, 1 plan coming together, 2 pies, 1 portion of mash left for another day.
This morning we were up and walking to Newark Northgate to catch a train northwards. Mick had a hospital appointment in Scarborough to attend and it would give us the opportunity to visit our friend Frank who is also at the hospital. The trains ran as timed and when we arrived in Scarborough Mick headed to the house to pick up items we’d omitted to bring with us, the most important one being Tilly’s dingding bell. Although I suspect we miss it more than she does! Whilst at the house he also cut the grass.
Pesky seagull
I on the other hand headed to Tescos to purchase a few things for Frank. Yes I could have bought things in Newark but Frank is particular about the size of his bananas etc, so it was just safer to go to the right shop. I still had quite a bit of time before visiting hours started so I headed to the Town Hall to eat my butties with a view of the sea. Here there was a juvenile seagull who sat and watched my every mouthful. I did wonder if I’d be mugged by adult gulls as so often happens around Scarborough, but I managed to consume everything myself.
Latest pair of socks
It’s quite a walk to the hospital, Mick caught the bus and we met outside the main entrance. Time to find Frank, who had moved wards last night, luckily someone had left a message with our friend Ben as to where Frank was. Frank had been admitted about ten days ago in not such a good state. Whilst he’s been here they have fed and watered him and thankfully he now has a walking frame, I’ve been trying to get hold of walking aids for him for the last month, being passed from GP to Council and back again. Frank looked far better than the last time we’d seen him.
The ward staff had been waiting for our arrival and phone calls were made saying we’d arrived and a nice nurse Joni came down to meet with us. Frank is now stable enough to go home, but there are things that need to happen before he can. A care package and his house needs making suitable for him and his new walking frames, he’s got two! They’d like to be able to move Frank home as soon as possible. I put my PA’s hat on, Oh blimey there’s a lot to do!
Boaty artworks in the hospital corridors
Next, we headed to find Mick’s appointment, arriving early he was called straight in by a nurse, soon followed on by the consultant. Questions asked, answers given. A blood test requested and another test to follow. Now came the question from Mick regarding the blood test, could it be done anywhere in the country as we don’t plan on being in Scarborough again soon. As ever the answer came back as expected, it would be unlikely that the consultant would get to see the results. I put my PA’s hat on again, could he have them done in York? Yes! Brilliant, this was possible next week.
Sun setting on the way back
Back across the hospital back to see Frank. We made plans, chatted through things that should be set up and found and followed up on. We came away with a long list of jobs to try to put into action. All fairly easy when in Scarborough, but not so when in Newark! The train journey back was spent compiling a Call To Arms for the Frankness group of friends.
Not the best pizza!
Back in Newark we headed to feed Tilly, then straight out to Pizza Express for some food. There was only one other table occupied and we’d been warned that they close at 9pm. We ordered a large glass of wine each, some dough balls and a pizza each. Well, we’ve had far better from Pizza Express in the past, in fact we were quite disappointed by it. I’d rather have made my own pizza, it would have been far tastier and we’d not have needed a saw to cut into them! Of well it was sustenance after a long day.
Friday. Today we should move off, maybe back to the bank opposite, maybe down to Cromwell Visitor mooring. But there was a lot to get done today and we’d not seen any boats moving. If it got busy, we’d move off.
Walking the streets of Scarborough from Newark
I set about finding cleaners for Franks house. Mick set about trying to sort out paperwork for Frank. At times we became detectives working out old addresses. Thank goodness Mick had turned the volume up on Franks phone yesterday. He couldn’t remember house numbers, but the houses names. I spent an age walking up and down streets via google street view looking for the house name, then Mick found a lead.
It was soon decided that spending a day in Scarborough would be wise to make sure things would happen at Franks house even if I can’t be there all the time to help. Various Frankness friends had limited availability, one comment was if only this had happened during the school holidays, have to admit that would have been easier for us too. But you can’t help when you get ill. During the day, numerous messages, phone calls were made and a plan came together. It would take maybe a bit more time than the nurse we’d talked to yesterday had hoped, but Frank’s house should be sorted for him to go home soon.
Time for some head space, I was sent a video of a cement mixer, that helped a touch, but a walk would be far better.
I set off to head to Kilham Hall. Across the railway line at Newark Castle I stopped to look at the objects outside a place we’d once attended an auction for a new mattress for NB Lillyanne. What an eclectic mix of things! Polar bears, lions, chandeliers, Hulk Hogan, Policemen, fancy chairs, trunks, signage, all sorts piled up high inside the big old railway buildings. I considered a chair for panto, but it was far too expensive to just chop up for what we want.
Right back to that walk. I turned off and found the footpath, however the path had to cross two very busy roads, even busier on a Friday afternoon. I’d hoped there would be an underpass, but no such luck. I wasn’t in the mood to dice with death, so I opted to return to town and do some shopping instead.
However, there was another antique place that needed to be looked at on the way back. This was far more classic antiques. Everything spaced out with more air round it and the price tags far more too. Lovely wooden this and that. I was caught by a chap with a thick Irish accent as I looked at a marble table with such an intricate inlaid pattern. ‘Isn’t it wonderful, so much work, solid marble, that blue is the most expensive marble you can get. It’s a stupid price too. A table like that is worth £10,000, but it’s for sale for £1,700!’ Well I didn’t want it for Oleanna, extra ballast of that type would have her capsize. I said I wasn’t buying, just looking, he soon left me alone.
Outside there were two chaps trying to sort how to fit a Grandfathers clock into their convertible Audi. I left them to it and climbed a staircase to a big heavy door, it said as much on it. Opening it I was suddenly greeted by music, lift music! Outside there had been no noise what-so-ever, but inside the vault on the first floor the music played out loud and clear. Most surreal! I looked round all the cases of silver, jewellery, pottery, etc. Maybe there’d be something for friends for their 60th birthdays coming up. No, nobody actually needs any of this stuff, so I opted to leave empty handed, closed the door behind me, shutting the music inside.
Strawberries!
Time to shop for things to make a cheese cake, Aldi did me proud for most things, but I really didn’t want six lemons or four oranges. So Morrisons came up trumps with those and some vanilla essence. Back on board I made some Strawberry coulis to go with my cheesecake and once cool it went in the freezer to help keep things cool on Sunday.
A bowl of pasta each, a glass of wine and a sit down. A pretty full on day, but hopefully the Frank plan will come together next week.
0 locks, 0 miles, 9p after three days, 4 trains, 2 buses, 1 annoying seagull, 1 seriously bored cat, 1st plan hatched, 15 minutes before the appointment time, 2 disappointing pizzas, 2nd plan hatched, 1 distracted walk, 2 Stage Management heavens, 2 detectives, 1 form filled in and ready, 2 crackers with cheese, 1 pot of bubbling strawberries.
Mick was up early and heading off with the van back to Scarborough. He had a couple of chores to do in town, then drop things off at the house, things that we only use to move back and forth to the boat, did a quick hoover up and then the van was returned. He then walked to Seamer Station to catch a train back to East Midlands Parkway. Unfortunately there were issues with cancelled trains, the route via Hull was problematic too, so he didn’t return to us until gone 7pm.
At last!
Here on the boat Tilly and I got busy. The radiator by the dinette has been needing a good dusting for ages. Ideally I wanted to take it to bits, but I didn’t want to risk that not being a plumber. I’d bought a radiator brush duster thing this winter, so set about methodically prodding it through the top and hoovering up dust, cat fur and grit. It could only have been more satisfying if I’d been able to get into all the corners as well. I had a good look in the kindling bag and found the curtain pole end, so that went up. Curtains now complete.
Turning the boat using the flow on the river
Outside boats were on the move. One boat that had been out on the hard was lowered back in and moored up in front of us. Three chaps turned up and spent an age trying to work out how their bow fender attached. The reason they were having so much difficulty was that it wasn’t just a button, but U bow fender with a Turks Head, the fixings weren’t in the right place.
Next a cruiser was moved from the poly tunnel behind us. The chaps asked if they could walk along the gunnel to get it past. I said yes, but soon realised just how muddy their boots were! Tom had touched in the last bits on the base plate of a widebeam this morning and early afternoon it was put back in the water and then reversed into the poly tunnel. A busy old time.
It was time to empty the kitchen corner cupboard, for this I’d need the dinette table and all the worktops, so it was a good time to do it when no one else was on board. The crockery cupboard was emptied, everything in there had already been through the dishwasher, but the shelves wanted a wipe down. That was the easy side of the cupboard done.
Now I pulled out the pan drawer to reveal all it contained and the shelves that reach deep into the corner. All the pots pans, cake and quiche tins, pie dishes, mixing bowls got a good wash. For years I’ve thought we only had a few items of tupperware but today I got to see just how much there was pushed right back into the recesses of the cupboard.
How much?!
It all got washed and then sorted to find matching lids and bottoms. Thin cracked items went for recycling, anything without it’s matching part did too. There was still quite a lot. This winter I’d treated us to some more sturdy containers and these hadn’t even entered the mix yet! Do we really need them all? Most probably not.
With everything organised in the cupboard I found places for the tupperware, it looked very neat and tidy when I’d finished. It won’t last!
Tilly was now wanting a better view of her surroundings. She went to climb up into one of the windows, she uses the curtains as a kind of hammock. She managed the somersault to turn round, but then sat very close to the edge of the curtain. Something was different! The window was right up against my face! I thought She said the new hammocks were looser than before so should be more comfortable than the old ones. It’s actually all to do with the new double glazing. Firstly the frames are thicker, so the window sill is narrower. Secondly, the double glazing is getting on for an inch, thicker than the old 4mm glass. It’s a good job I had made the curtains looser to accommodate the glazing, now we just needed to accommodate the second mate!
It’s not quite as comfortable as it used to be!
Thankfully we paid extra for the window rests and they have two settings. Normal open, three or four inches, and then with just the top open by about a centimeter. From this day forward this setting will be known as Cat Mode. Thank you that’s much better, thank you!
Starting to catch up on the blog took sometime, Jim a local mechanic tapped on the boat to arrange a time to do an engine service tomorrow, then I decided to head out for a walk. This coincided with news from Scarborough, a long catch up phone call with Steve whilst I stood on the river bank under a hazel tree. Things were improving.
TOwers!
I headed south along the river bank, the sun getting low casting it’s sunny glow on Ratcliffe cooling towers. A while longer to enjoy them before they are gone forever. There are plenty of boats moored along here, mostly big barge boats.There was activity at Ratcliffe Lock, a narrowboat going up in the lock, I stopped for a chat as the chap held onto his centre rope and his mate wound paddles up. Headed to Kegworth, Zouch Lock is still out of action, he’s headed to Leicester for a winter moorin
I carried on up to where the A453 crosses the river. This is the bridge where Chris, The Pink Hat Man reversed to in the floods a couple of years ago, no such excitement there today.
I took a footpath along the side of the busy road and then joined a cycle/footpath cutting back across towards Redhill.
Ratcliffe Lock
A chicken and leek macaroni cheese was put together to enjoy when Mick had returned.
Before Oleanna had gone back in the water last Thursday, we’d resubscribed to Nebo to be able to track our cruises. However, our apps still said the last journey had been on the 15th October 2025 even though the Nebo link had been turned on for Oleanna’s journey back across the boatyard. We’d been in touch with the support team, Mick had checked the wiring, we went through what the team suggested, still no joy. Then right at the bottom of the page was a RESET button. BINGO!!!! There was our her journey across the yard. We’re considering trying out a similar thing, which connects to our Victron GX system, that has been developed by another Finesse boat owner. The cost of it is far less than Nebo Gold, but it doesn’t send you a report after each cruise. It will take a little bit to set up, so it may be a few days before we give it a try.
0 locks, 0 miles, 1 van returned, 1 dingding bell forgotten, 1 bbq tongues forgotten, 3 trains, 29 turpperware lids, 27 containers, 18 pairs, 5 new ones, 1 clean cupboard, 1 infection, 1 walker, 3.16miles walked, 1 nebo journey on land, 0 engine service, 0 fridge delivery, 4 cat mode windows
Saturday morning, clothes packing. Finding a bag big enough to pack our dirty washing was one job.
I’d made a list of things not to forget, the Christmas hamper, Tilly Too, my scene painting straight edge and some big rollers for panto. I walked up to Sainsbury’s to get provisions for food this evening.
Yes that’s a suitable way for Tilly Too to travel.
Anna our lodger had baked us some of her lace biscuits to bring with us and we gave her instructions about the central heating as she may be needing it in the next few weeks.
Lunch, the last few items into the van. Were we ready? Was Tilly ready? Last call for the pooh box Tilly! No takers. It was washed and packed in the van.
All morning Tilly had been following me round the house, she’d had a final snooze on the back of her favourite armchair, had sniffed at the cat caravan which was sat ready in the shed. She knew exactly what was happening. She positioned herself behind a table in the living room where I could see her, but it would be tricksy to pick her up, was that a purr I could hear?
Do I really need to be in here!?!
She and Tom sat down! What’s that all about? You are meant to pick me up and bundle me into the caravan. I’ve heard you closing all the doors in the hallway! They just sat there, I thought ‘Come on! Get on with it!!’ She lunged, but I slipped through. Ah nearly had you there!
On the third approach from Tilly, who was very quietly purring, I succeeded in picking her up and popped her into the caravan. Shouts of dismay came from within as she was carried out to the awaiting van. Time to say goodbye to Scarboreugh Tilly.
Only one cat comfort break on our way south was required today. It was very obvious that she prefers straight roads at a constant speed. On these she fell quiet and laid down. But approaching junctions, slowing turning corners these had her shouting at us. Next time we’ll consider using the A64 to Scarborough as it has far fewer twists and turns and roundabouts.
As soon as the van door opened Tilly knew she was back to boat life, not sure she recognised Oleanna from the outside, but inside things required checking out. First things first. Try to gain access to the secret passage, fail! Check high shelf, tick. Where’s my food bowls? Houdini shelf, tick. These curtains look different, might save them for later. What’s happened to my water bowl? I need a drink after all that fastness!!!
New access to the pooh box
Tilly has a bigger pooh box now, so some thought was needed as it lives under the bathroom sink, and I’m nearly 11 you know! So access needed to be thought about as she gets in it from above. We’ll see how having one corner sticking out works for us all.
More unpacking and attempting to stow things, when will it ever stop! Last of the frozen food items from Scarborough were consumed and then we spent sometime going through our click and collect order deleting all the things I’d added to go in the freezer. Minimum fridge items too.
Then time to sit on the sofa and relax. Normally we have one light on above the sofa, its sufficient light for everything, even knitting. But it seems that this one light has given up on us. We decided to turn on the other lights which feel like the Blackpool Illuminations and require eclipse glasses so as not to go blind! Another job to add to the list.
New mugs and a lace biscuit
Sunday morning. The very last day of the Redhill Marina Cafe, she was open from 8:30 until she ran out of sausages, breakfasts only today. We felt we needed to go and support her on her last day, unlike Friday morning it was raining, so we had no view.
It would have been rude not to
The Geraghty zoom followed. Subjects included Social Services for cats, O level German umlauts, bus shelters or the lack of them, carpet gardens and silver sofa surfers.
The click and collect was collected. Chicken wrapped in two insulated bags until later when it would be roasted. Items in the freezer/fridge were edited to accommodate items that have to be in a fridge.
Pictureskew
In the afternoon the sun came out which meant we could film the reveal of Oleanna’s livery from the other river bank. It took a few goes at finding somewhere with enough sunlight to light my model and be able to see Oleanna sideways on.
Conversations were had with our friend Steve in Scarborough who had gone to visit a friend whose health has been failing. After a discussion, they decided he’d be better off in hospital. By late evening I had a call saying he was in A&E, he already sounded so much better. I’ve spent the last three weeks trying to get him assessed for walking aids. Hopefully now someone at the hospital will sort him out, rather than me being passed back and forth, time after time, between social services and the GP.
Mick checked out the light above the sofa. The bulb is fine, we’re hoping it’s the fitting and not the wiring. Plus there seems to now be a loose connection on the temporary fridge!
Looking towards Redhill Flood Lock
Having not been for a meaningful walk for a few days I decided to see what Trent Lock looked like from the other side than we’re used to. I crossed over the bridge by the flood lock, across the next bridge to get off the island then along the towpath where I could then start to head north towards Trent Lock.
Trent Lock
A lovely early Sunday evening, the sun shining across the fields and I could hear a squeeze box, fiddle and guitar drifting from Trent Lock, a very jolly jig. The corner of Cranfleet cut was chocka block with boats, but there was space for two on the pontoon. Sods law as we don’t want to move until the engine has been serviced and we’ve taken delivery of the new fridge! A nice walk away from stowing items on the boat.
Fields and sky
Sunday roast chicken was enjoyed. Now that all three of us were aboard, we’d planned to crack open the bottle of champagne we’d been given by Mark one of our witnesses for our Tuesday Civil Partnership. However, not having a fridge or space in the temporary one means that we will now hang onto it to celebrate us all being back on board with brand new refrigeration!
0 locks, 0 miles, 1 cat safely moved, 2nd mate settling in, 1 box of biscuits, 1 chicken not 2, 2 much STUFF!!!! 3 9’s, 1 right decision, 1 failed light 2 add to the list, 1 box of warm white wine, 2nd cooked breakfast in a week, 0 knitting, 2 boaters 1 cat back on the waterways, lets hope there’s enough water to get us places!
Monday. Last week we’d forgotten to come away from Oleanna with the correct dimensions of the diesel cap so that we could get the correctly sized version. A message was sent to Tom which also enquired as to when he thought Oleanna would be being launched. Correct dimensions were received, and news that all was going according to plan, the last of the painting was nearing completion, and Bertie was busy polishing. Tom would give us a call on Tuesday to chat about the plan for the rest of the week.
Ah! We really needed to know which day, as we didn’t want to miss out on hire vans this week, and we’d be needing to hire it from the day before the launch so that we’d be able to arrive before her bottom got wet. The answer came back, ‘Let’s go for a Thursday launch either way’. We did a quick plan in our heads regarding trips to Redhill, 1 for launch, back to Scarborough, 1 to move Tilly, return hire van. A Thursday launch would mean a longer hire, but more leeway should we need it.
I know what’s going on!
The van was booked straight away, a Sainsburys click and collect booked in Loughborough, then I did a happy dance!
Mick checked the diesel cap lock. The place we’d bought one from only does one size. We looked round for alternatives and think we’ve found something neater and of the correct size. However, the time of us having a handy address for it to be delivered to was running out. We’ll put that on the back burner and revisit soon. Anyone fancy the lockable cap we can’t use?
It needs to fit round here
Tuesday lunchtime we got a request from Tom for some D shackles so that the stern fender could be attached. Did we happen to have some with a gap of 17mm minimum? Maybe on the boat, but that would mean hunting through The Shed! No-one should be given that task apart from one of us!
Scarborough used to have two chandlers, both no longer sadly. We looked online, nowhere did 17mm, next size up was 20mm. No local shops had them, maybe if we had to order them then we should go for stainless steel. The hunt continued.
The bow fender went on. Plank and pole rest were located towards the bow. It used to be towards the stern, but we’d soon realised our mistake when centre lines got caught round boat hooks. Some more antislip was added to the roof and the stern doors were sanded and given a coat of yacht varnish for protection.
We were all very excited when Alex, Angie and Polly arrived to stay overnight for the press night of the new Ayckbourn. The barrier between the two houses was put back up for the night to keep woofer and Tilly apart, then we all put on our glad rags to head to see the show.
By Alan
The Trial of Romeo Oscar is Alan’s first ever courtroom drama, set in 2194 when humanity has been scattered across the universe. Androids are plentiful and seeking to be treated as equals. Romeo Oscar, a military android, is to be put on trial for murder, the first non-human to be tried in a court of law. There are a few laughs, lots to listen to, absorb and think about long after the show. We really enjoyed it along with catching up with people over a drink afterwards. If you happen to be near Bowness or Stoke the show will be touring in October.
Wednesday. A spark of inspiration, would Berriman and Chapman in Scarborough have some D shackles? It was worth a try. I walked down into town for a few bits and had a lengthy chat with the lady behind the hardware shop counter. I bought four of their largest shackles, but suspected they’d not be big enough. Back on line to check the location of S3i, a short detour on our route south and yes we could collect our order in the morning, job done.
Is that all we’re taking?!
The rest of the day was spent packing up the kitchen, work items and just about everything else other than clothes. Once the van arrived it was loaded for a swift getaway in the morning. Anna, our current lodger was surprised at how quickly things were now moving, well we’ve been ready for this move for well over a month now, we just had to repack items we’d unpacked.
Thursday morning. With several plastic bottles filled with water and sandwich supplies we climbed into the van and headed southwards. A turn-off near Doncaster had us arrive at S3i which is just across the way from Howarth Heating where we got our multifuel Bubble stove from when Oleanna was built. Did we need anything for the stove? It was too late to be thinking about a new riddling rod! Once our shiny shackles were picked up, we carried on heading south arriving at the paint shed at just gone 11am.
Shackles handed over, the stern fender could now be fixed on. Unfortunately the new one we’d bought was a few inches shorter than the old one and would not quite protect the rudder. Tom hunted round for an old stubby button, this was cleaned off and added to our new one, much better, thank you guys.
Our items that had been in storage in the shed were brought out and popped on the bed inside Oleanna. It was going to be interesting to see what we’d actually packed weeks ago! At least my walking boots were there! Two fat fenders were pulled out from the shower and hung on the starboard side, the chaps from the boatyard were coming to move her!
A trailer was brought, then a forklift with a long strop which was attached to Oleanna’s bow T stud. She’d been put on wheels all ready for the move. We were asked to stand behind the jolly barrier, the engines that Bertie has been painting. Then the forklift took the strain and Oleanna gradually inched her way out of the shed. Once her bow was well clear of the shutter doors the trailer was backed up to meet her. The frame was lowered to go underneath her, then backed up. She was raised a bit, making sure she’d still clear the shutter doors and pulled further out into the day light. The solar panels started to work. She was lowered onto blocks again and then the trailer reversed more, then she was lifted up off the wheels from the paint shed.
She was pulled out of the shed, then manoeuvred around in front of the cooling towers, how many photos did I take? Just a few!!!
This was the best one!
As she came past the Hill another boat was being grit blasted, it would be backed into Oleanna’s space later in the day, just before it started to rain.
Then she was swung round and headed down to the slipway, where she was backed down the ramp. Tom and Bertie holding bow and stern ropes followed her down keeping hold of her. It took a couple of goes at getting her to be free from the trailer, but then she was floating, back in the water after 47 weeks and a day! She was pulled backwards and tied up on the mooring in front of the bar and marina office.
First job, those plastic bottles of water would be coming in handy as the water tank on Oleanna was empty and we wanted to sterilize it first. The hose was set filling the tank. Tom fitted the pramcover which gave us somewhere to eat our very late lunch.
Taps were tried, a trickle from the kitchen sink. Nothing from the bathroom sink! Maybe an airlock, Mick left the taps on for a while and the pressure improved. Tom wanted to check the gas was okay. The hob took a bit of persuading to ignite, two of the burners needed a bit of nozzle cleaning for them to work properly a bit of wire did the trick to clear it.
The fridge was turned on, the light worked , it made a noise, but it didn’t get cold. Bugger! Tom didn’t know anyone who could help, maybe someone in the pub later on would know something to assist us. The suggestion came back that turning it upside down for an hour might help, other suggestions from Canal World Forum were in favour of re-gasing it. Or would we simply have to buy a new one? We looked online, asked advice about chandlers. Since Midland Chandlers has gone online only, it’s much harder just to pick up a new fridge. Thankfully we’d not brought too much from the house that needed to stay chilled. Our pullout freezer can be used as a fridge, the temperature can be adjusted, so that would do for today.
A very late lunch
The bathroom tap now seemed to be working, but there was also a lovely stream of water flowing across the bathroom floor. After ten years of good service the tap must have had some water in it which froze despite the boat being fully winterised! New tap or ceramic cartridge required, but for now a tea towel wrapped round it will do. With the water tank now full and sterilizing it was left for an hour, then the water pump worked it’s socks off emptying the tank. Those plastic water bottles keeping us away from using the water in the tank for a while longer.
Next important job was to get the new curtains hung. I started in the bedroom, glad I’d labelled all the curtain rods, they went back up pretty easily. The curtains I’d made at least five years ago went up without a hitch. Next the main cabin curtains, made earlier this year with more tolerance in them than the old ones, this might be a good thing as our new windows are far thicker. Mick was called in to help with a troublesome endcap and screw, the endcap dropped and totally vanished. It was nowhere to be found! At least we’d be able to draw the curtains when it got dark, they might fall off the end of the pole on one side, but hey! It would do for the time being.
Bedding was found. Around the bed hoovered, items put into storage beneath the base, bed made up. Time to try and clear somewhere to sit down!
Sun setting on a long day
Items we’d cleared from all the lockers needed to be moved back to where they belonged, cupboards under the dinette hoovered out, floor hoovered again, dust jumping out from everywhere. Thank goodness we’d brought an evening meal with us, beef and beetroot curry which was consumed quite late on when we’d had more than enough of trying to stow things and clean up. A couple of glasses of wine whilst looking at potential fridges, then we collapsed into bed pretty exhausted.
There you go Ade, a breakfast for you!
Friday. We’d come without any breakfast. It had been planned that way, as there is the cafe just across the way, it would have been rude not to! So we both opted for a cooked breakfast sat in the morning sunshine overlooking the river and a rather nice shiny boat.
Some space starting to show itself at last!
Tom called round this morning to check if things were working as they should. Our sliding galley windows were extremely stiff. These are original windows and even though I’d cleaned them quite well before she came out of the water last year, she’d had a whole winter and spring for green growth to accumulate, add into that grit from the blasting. Tom set to work clearing them out and greasing them so they would move better.
We’d also had difficulty closing the stern doors last night, the rear hatch wasn’t clearing the doors as it should. This turned out to be the two PTFE blocks that normally glide on the runners were missing, thankfully they were sat on the Nicholsons shelf. Tom glued these back in place for us and we locked the hatch so the glue to set undisturbed.
Mick rang round chandlers, no-one had a fridge in stock. If they sell fridges then they have to be able to recycle old ones, so few chandlers stock them. One company was found in Oldbury, but they didn’t answer the phone and then when he tried to place an order it said that it would take 7 days for the fridge to be converted to 12/24 volt. No, we weren’t interested in buying a 240 volt one. Very kindly Tom offered to order one for us from Midland Chandlers using his account, it should arrive Monday or Tuesday, bingo, job done. We just needed to plug the gap left to keep Tilly from exploring behind cupboards, cooker and the floor, those clothes bags can be unpacked later!
Time to lock up and head back to Scarborough
More unpacking, stowing, moving things about, I did wonder if it would ever end! Items to be returned to the house were collected together and put in the van. Tom came and helped take the old fridge out then he single-handedly popped it in the back of the van for disposal in Scarborough.
The journey back to Scarborough was a touch slow, Friday late afternoon evening traffic. We opted for a supermarket curry and bottle of wine then headed home to see Tilly and give her the news that her floating home was as ready as it could be for her to move back on board.
0 locks, 0.1 miles on a trailer, 4.79 miles walked around the boat on Thursday, 3 on Friday, 1 van load, 2 many things to stow, 0 new items, just where has it all come from? 1 hire van, 8 shiny shackles for the price of 6, 1 forklift, 1 trailer, 1 new cat landing net needing glue, 1 dead fridge, 1 leaking tap, 1 stubborn cooker, 1 water tank filled, 1 bottle milton, 1 hour, 1 tank empty, 1 tank refilled, 1 wasp sting, 1 hour of PA duties, 1 support network set up, 1 shiny boat in front of 8 cooling towers, 2 cooked breakfasts, 1 with extra bacon instead of gf toast, 2 happy boaters, 2 long days.
Bank Holiday Monday, I had an early walk. Then having a car, Mick collected Frank and brought him round, getting him out of his house and so that we could help him fill in a form. A lot of concentration and a couple of mugs of tea were needed. More socks for the Felicity Edition of my sockathon were finished off and packed up ready to be posted.
Tuesday morning. We’d already decided that heading to Redhill today would be pretty pointless as not much would have changed since we’d been there last Thursday. Before we’d finished our cuppa in bed we got a message from Tom. He’s still be on holiday until the end of the week. Bertie was getting on with jobs, could we go down to meet with him on Friday? Yes. We extended the car hire by a couple of days.
A mirrored selfie
What to do with ourselves with a hire car at our disposal? Mick did a little look round on the National Trust website. Robin Hoods Bay, before they close the visitor centre? No, been there seen how they altered my Dad’s award-winning building for Marine Biology. Nunnington Hall? Might have been before, but it was a very long time ago if I had. We got ourselves sorted, found our NT cards and set off for a day out.
Nunnington Hall
Nunnington Hall sits north of York across the Howardian Hills. More a manor house than a big hall it still is quite grand. Originally a nunnery, hence the name, the oldest parts of the house date back to Tudor times. Successive owners have left their mark, a combination of re-purpose and renovation.
In the 1920’s Margaret Fife inherited the hall which was in quite a state. Walter Brierley was engaged to renovate the hall. As we walked round, reading the information panels, Walters name kept being mentioned. I wanted to ask a guide about this chap. Could he be the Brierley who had been senior partner of my fathers architectural practice in York during my Grandfathers days?
Small door knobs and fancy hinges
Numerous four poster beds, green painted walls, views into the gardens. Up to the top floor, here there were plans of the house when it was being renovated, dated 1921 and signed Brierley and Rutherford, 13 Lendal, York. No need to ask a guide anymore other than for any further information as this is where my Grandfather and Father worked. The drawing may have been drawn by my Grandfather, who knows. Cecil, my grandfather, took over as senior partner in 1926 a year after my Dad was born. In Dad’s time the practice was called Brierley, Leckenby, Keighley and Groom and was the oldest architectural practice in the country having been founded by John Carr. It still is, continuing under the name of Brierley and Groom.
A guide was asked about him, but she was far more interested in chatting about the Carlisle Collection, a collection of miniatures. Mostly 1:8 models of period rooms, everything made from the materials the 1:1 objects would have been made from. Some exquisite handiwork on show and interesting to me. But I would have like to know more about Brierley.
Now there’s an idea!
Up on the top floor is a gallery space. The exhibition was about Gina and how she fixed fairy tales. Her main solutions seemed to involve cake, a very good way of thinking. By now we were starting to feel hungry so headed to the cafe on the ground floor for lunch, a toasted sandwich and jacket potato. This was followed by a walk round the garden, orchards, iris gardens all very nicely kept by what seemed like a small army of volunteers. A good day out.
Packing paints to go in deep storage
Wednesday involved some PA duties for Frank, the start of a painting I’ve been planning for a while and some packing of work things hoping that we’d be able to take them to the boat.
Thursday, a message was sent to Tom hopefully now back from his holiday. We’d really like to be able to leave the dinette cushions on our next visit as they take up quite a lot of space in a car. He said that once he’d caught up with Bertie he would make it his first job to clean through the boat.
Coming down the Col de Wetwang, or is it Sledmere?
Friday morning we followed the course of that days Tour of Britain around Sledmere into Wetwang and further south where they would veer off towards Beverley. It was a slow drive and we arrived near to 1pm. The chaps were hard at work on Oleanna, a new neighbour sat alongside, a new shell with one spray of blacking (it most probably arrived like this from the shell builder).
A new neighbour, not even spray foamed
There were discussions as to the diesel cap lock. Unfortunately, Mick had bought one that had been in stock, but the pipe into our tank is a different diameter and we have four fixings not three. We’ll need to be in touch with the chap who makes them, we also noted that the original filler cap had been got by the grit blasting, we’ll want to replace that.
Tom had had a very good go inside Oleanna, all the spray foam off cuts removed, a good tidy and he’d obviously spent quite a bit of time hoovering and dusting things down. I wanted to make sure places I wanted to stow things were dust free so carried on where Tom had stopped, but delving deep into the recesses of Oleanna.
Once behind the freezer was clean, possibly the cleanest it’s been since brand new, I could stow my work boxes. A few items could return to the house like the angle poise which has a dodgy connection. I now have a ring light with a weighted base and magnifying lens which will serve two purposes and packs away smaller.
I worked from the galley towards the bow. Gosh how long had that bottle of water been sat in the fridge for?! Ten maybe eleven months! With no water in the tank all I could do was hoover and dust, washing things down will have to wait a little while. Under the back steps we now have a round inspection hatch, just the job.
Anti-slipped bow, locker lids and everything!
Access was from the stern today as the bow was being made ready for anti-slip paint. More than we had originally. I spotted that between the new T studs and cratch board there wasn’t an area for anti-slip, this was mentioned to Bertie and amended.
Roof rejigging
As I hoovered as many recesses I could get into, Mick and Tom were busy at the stern. They hooked up Oleanna so there was light inside. The engine was turned over but not for very long as we are inside. A service is arranged hopefully next week sometime. Then they got on with pulling new cables through from the electrics cupboard to outside for a new 5G antenna. We will be installing a new 5G router when back on board. Now Mick could see what state the batteries were in. The solar controller was looked at too, very little voltage was showing from the new panels but that is hardly surprising inside the shed. But at least there was some voltage showing, indicating that the panels are actually connected.
Nothing in the Secret Passageway!
The sofa was pulled out, the door that used to be in front of the washing machine removed to be taken to the house along with a big block of foam, no need to keep them here. Ah, but what will Tilly make of the secret passageway now? Will we need to put something in there to be the new secret?? Or should we leave it empty so she has no interest in squeezing herself through the tiny gap?
No longer Tyler Wilson on the stern anti slip
Some of the grills under the mushroom vents had been put back on. The amount of dust on them needed to be hoovered. They are better but will need taking down for a thorough clean once we’re back on board. The dinette cushions could now be brought back on board, she was starting to look habitable again.
Cushions back onboard
We had a walk round outside with Tom. Marks from the painting will be polished out, hinges touched up, edges missed by the spray gun will be hand painted in. I asked for the wooden liners of the side hatch and back doors to be sanded back and varnished, the cratch and locker lids already done. I tried to peek inside the gas locker with it’s fresh coat of paint and band of filler over the hole into the bow thruster locker, but I wasn’t tall enough to peek inside and managed to anti-slip my hand in the process! Oh well, I’ve left my mark on her.
Cratch board varnished.
A realistic time scale for her going back in the water was discussed. The base plate still needs painting, Tom hoped to get a coat on parts of it today before leaving so that the blocks Oleanna sits on can be moved meaning the whole of the base plate will get painted. The plank and pole rest still needs attaching, other bits and bobs and the final snagging is to be done. Hopefully if the weather plays ball we should be back afloat sometime next week. We’ll confirm with Tom on Monday when we know what the weather is doing.
Sad git’s (yellow sticker) lunch
We came away feeling far better than last week, we’ve inched closer to her being ours again. First thing was to head to Trowell services on the M1 north for a comfort break and for a very late lunch, we’d not wanted to stop the momentum at the paint shed when we’d arrived today. Sad gits sandwiches from M&S and then we plotted a route across country to avoid delays on the M1.
Clearing my head
There is more packing to do in Scarborough, mostly things we’d packed a month ago that have now been unpacked! Maybe I’ll want to re-access the items of clothing packed to be put under the bed for winter. There is a press night we can attend for the new Ayckbourn at the SJT and we need to make sure everything is sorted for Frank. Some head space looking out to sea was required yesterday, that distant horizon is always worth a stop to look at. Then a gluten free challah loaf was made, it’s only the second time I’ve made one and I’ve been short of one ingredient for a while. It is so tasty.
A very tasty loaf!
Fingers and paws crossed that this next week will be the week!
0 locks, 0 miles, 1 hire car extended, 3 days of PA duties, 2.5 ml, 2 drawings that Grandad Lecko may have drawn, 1 scarecrow, 1 boat inching towards the finish line, 2 sets of doors to go, 1 baseplate, 1 lock 2 skinny, 1 empty secret, 0 bananas anti-slipped, 2 many things to go outside still in cupboards, 1 hire car returned, 1 van planned but not booked, 1 skip required, 4 miles of the Cleveland Way walked.
