Category Archives: Scarborough

Shh! Don’t Tell Tilly. 29th October

Viking Marina

Our return to Scarborough was perfectly timed so that after all the unpacking we could enjoy an evening walk in Peasholm Park. We weren’t the only ones to enjoy Moonlight on the Lake, there were at least another 10,000 people who, over two days, walked round the lake appreciating the lanterns and illuminations created by our friends from Animated Objects. In the last few weeks I’d been a little concerned as Dawn had been very quiet on social media, this was the reason why. So many lanterns to make, from Dolphins, houses in the old town, the wonderful swans, music from a local harpist and Elvis impersonator. Plus we got chance to catch up with various friends who were all there ready to start dismantling the display. We’d have lent a hand too if it wasn’t for my knees.

Then it was time to remind ourselves that we are theatrical digs landlords and make sure everything was ship shape ready for our latest lodger to arrive. We seem to attract the baddies from the Christmas shows at the SJT, this is our second year of hosting the evil ones, although David does get to play several other characters as well in Aladdin.

The list of jobs to do at the house is long, emails and phone calls have been made and we’re hoping to hear back from people rather than just being ignored as seems to be the way of things nowadays. I’m giving a few people the excuse that it’s half term and hope to hear from them next week. The hunt for a gardener continues.

I’m wanting to do some decorating, but I don’t as yet know how my knees will cope climbing ladders. Paint has been selected for the room influenced by the pantomime cloth that is on the wall. There will be a gap of three weeks between lodgers at the beginning of next year when I’ll see how I get on, if I do okay then I’ve my eyes set on another room.

The jobs list for Oleanna is also quite long. When we left last week we were under pressure to move Tilly as stress free as possible. This meant we didn’t do various jobs that need doing when leaving the boat for a period of time. Cleaning the fridge, freezer and cooker to start with. A trip back was needed. The last few years Mick has done this on his own as I’ve been busy on panto.

Double handed and in a car, not reliant on the train, we’d be able to do more, a car was hired, a list made of things we’d forgotten or it would be nice to have, we also managed to remember to take it with us!

Today the journey was vastly different to that made on Friday. Firstly it was quiet, no MEOWING! Secondly the sun was out, no fog today. We chose to drive through Sledmere to see how golden the trees were. Most of the leaves have fallen now, but it was still rather lovely.

**Time to have a tidy and tick some jobs off the list**

Oleanna sat on her mooring, looking a little sad without her smile. Unseasonably warm we were able to have all the doors open, Tilly not being around also helped. Mick headed off to find Alastair with a list of jobs for him this winter, thankfully he was about rather than having been called out to a brake down. Engine mounts, fuel filters, stern gland and most importantly if he could make us a new connector to our yellow water tank. The one we have is loosing it’s thread and therefore not sealing properly.

I made a start on the weeding. Cleaning out the window channels. Last year I’d managed to do all windows apart from those in the galley. They’ve not been touched since and grass and moss was starting to set in, we’d have a lawn soon if I did nothing about it.

Each window was lifted out, the channels cleaned out, the soft bit that the glass sits on is where the dirt collects and was really quite muddy! Then the drain holes were cleared, important over the winter. The glass given a good clean inside and out before being put back in.

The galley windows are a touch more difficult as they both slide and are not removable. The window above the cooker was accessible from both sides, but leaning over the cooker I must have pressed and turned one of the knobs by accident. I didn’t notice the smell immediately but once I did Mick had also smelt it. Thankfully with the boat being very well ventilated we shouldn’t have a problem. Gas is heavier than air so can sink, lingering in your bilges.

The offside gally window was much harder. Mick positioned himself on the gunnel of Oleanna and our neighbours boat. He ended up kneeling down to reach the mossy bits and flick out the worst. This did require me to pull our neighbours boat in so he didn’t end up doing the splits. Both boats are quite loosely tied due to the level in the marina fluctuating with ships coming and going in the docks. The inside glass was cleaned, but the outside will have to remain dirty for a while longer. It’ll all be filthy before we’re back anyway with the dust that Goole creates.

The portholes got new cushioning on their supports, a new bit of weed hatch tape. This means they all now close properly, in fact they are now quite a tight fit and need pushing down to be able to close them. Much better than them falling open all the time.

The galley blinds have always been awkward to clean, most probably because we don’t do it often enough! If we could take them back to the house then that might make it easier. I spotted that they had brackets which with the assistance of a knife swivelled to release them. They’ll get a good soapy clean back at the house.

**Tilly Too is also headed back for a wash**

Mick cleaned out the multifuel stove and when I was finished with galley windows he moved on to clean the hob, fridge and freezer. The stove looks like it can last another year before being spruced up, I’ve not been cooking on it so much this year as it’s been so mild.

**It really isn’t that exciting back there!**

The sofa was pulled out, Shhhhhh, don’t tell Tilly! revealing the secret passageway to it’s fullest. What lurks in there? A cupboard door that used to be in front of the washing machine, which just got in the way. The left over foam from when I made an infill cushion for the dinette and a roll of sleeping mat which we bought to try to insulate the porthole frame above the bed. The mat will return to the house, the foam turned out to be a good thing to kneel on, so will stay onboard. Hoovering up behind the sofa meant a computer mouse and a knitting stitch marker resurfaced, along with plenty of pens and pencils that get filed there by Tilly for safe keeping.

Outside things were happening. The pot holes alongside the parking area and Oleanna were cleared of water. Then a JCB arrived with some tarmac/ stuff. A chap filled the holes, brushed it flat. He was then followed by a roller to flatten it all out. Blimey it vibrated so much our flue reverberated. Hopefully this will mean we don’t return to Oleanna covered in mud this winter.

Mick took some time to program the invertor into winter mode. The yellow water tank was emptied, contents taken to the elsan. The solids bucket was only in use for a few days so can sit and do it’s thing. The other buckets have been taken to the house already and added to our compost bin that is currently cooking. The other is at least 18 months old and has been deemed compost suitable for the flower beds, when they’ve been tidied up.

Then it was time for us to close everything up. Switch lots of things off including the water pump, turn the tap between the pump and taps off and open all the taps, leaving the shower head laying in the shower tray. Water system winterised. I flicked switches off in The Shed. Last rubbish to the bins and use of shore based facilities. Also time to admire the orange sky before setting off back to Scarborough.

Paint for the horn and tunnel light bracket were packed to bring back with us. Now we’ll need to hunt round the chandlers for suitable replacements.

We’d just closed the marina gate behind us when I went through the list of things we’d needed to do. ‘Damn!’ We hadn’t turned the gas off in the gas locker. Mick popped back and did the honours, we were now safe to head for home. All sorted.

Well except on reaching home we realised I’d turned off too many things in The Shed, turning the camera off that the spiders like to take rides on. Plus the heating hasn’t had the thermostat set to come on when it gets really cold. So another visit will be needed soon.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 hire car, 10,000 plus viewers, 1 bored cat already! 1 new lodger, 1 picnic by the hatch, 4 big windows, 3 portholes, 2 sliders, 1 stove, 1 hob, 1 fridge, 1 freezer, 11 potholes, 1 secret shhhh! 1 thumping roller, 1 empty wee tank, 0 camera, 0 heating, 2 tins paint, 4 quotes sought, 5 more to go, 1 still bored cat.

Tillys Turn. 25th October

Viking Marina to Scarboreugh!

Sorry if you are having your morning Ding Ding, but I am a boat cat and I’m allowed to talk poo boxes.

Now, I far prefer to use shore based facilities than my poo box, but this can take some time as apparently I get a touch distracted. In fact I don’t get distracted I just need to work myself up to it. This morning She refused to let me out, She has done this quite a lot recently and it just isn’t on! She said I wouldn’t like it outside as it was all murky and damp plus there were lots of cars and fences. I however have sat in the window and studied the branches on the trees out there and know I could climb over the fence.

She and Tom kept putting things in bags and boxes and handing them out through the side. One thing had to come back as it had bags in it that She wanted. They really were taking their time with everything and an hour of shore leave wouldn’t have done any harm at all! But, Sorry Tilly!

There were corners of the boat that I haven’t seen for ages. They needed sitting in and claiming, no-one else was going to have them. Then I got pushed into the bedroom. Oh well, time for a nice comfy cat nap. But hang on they were Tomhandling the mattress through the bathroom door, first the flippy bit followed by the big bit. What was I meant to do in there with nothing to sleep on? You can stick your head down the holes Tilly. That was a good idea. I can squeeze down the holes and then come back up through another one.

***That buckets not going to be that comfortable!***

But She soon came back and had decided that I might end up going down a hole and not come back up again and that wouldn’t be such a good idea in some of the holes as She wouldn’t be able to get me back out again. So instead she put a bucket on top of some of the holes and pushed me out through the door, She’s so indecisive!

Right Tilly, why don’t us girls go to the loo now? No thanks, I’d rather go outside, thanks! Well she went, but I didn’t.

She opened up my toy box, ohh the sweet aroma! Which would you like to take to the house Tilly? You can choose as many as you like so long as they fit in your escape pod. I’d only just got started, selecting the best mice and balls for the job, I find you need more balls in a house than on a boat as they don’t roll around by themselves as much. She then cheated, by making the escape pod much much smaller! I could have fitted all my toys in it before!

How’s about going to the loo? It would be really good if you went to the loo now Tilly. I know you want to go, you’ve glanced at your poo box a few times now! Well I didn’t want to go, not now anyway. Okay then I’ll clean it out. Blimey that’s twice in three days, was She feeling okay?

It was all very nice of her, putting lovely fresh litter in there, but really it was a waste of time. Tom looked at She, She looked at Tom, they both looked at me. My poo box was loaded with my biscuit barrel and ding ding bell and handed out of the side. Then Tom came in with the caravan!!! Within a minute I was bundled into the caravan and the door closed. That was not in my plan of anything!

Excuse me! I’d quite like to use my poo box now. I had to say it a bit louder, She still took no notice of me.

Now Tom really shouldn’t be allowed at the helm of vans, he moves the outside far far too fast. But maybe he was aware that I now needed the loo so was going fast on purpose. With the caravan sat on her knee, I could look out of the window, except it was all a bit too fast and blurry. I tried time and time again to tell her I needed my poo box, but would She listen, She would not! Instead She kept saying In for a count of three, out for a count of three, She thought it would calm me down, but I was just silent because the whole situation was just barmy!

I remembered the last trip in the caravan, She’d suggested I sat down, then She suggested I lay down. This did make it a lot better, but today I really, no REALLY needed to use my POO BOX! Shouting in her face didn’t even work!

Oh Sledmere is going to be all wonderful and golden. Well I made sure they didn’t get chance to admire it. One last warning! This is going to smell!!

Told you so!!!

I was congratulated for my timing, Tom stopped the outside from whizzing past finding a bin at the same time so no-one had to cope with the smell for long.

Nearly there Tilly. I tried to go to sleep, but my meows kept me awake. Then Tom span the outside round to the outside that never changes. I was first into the house followed by my poo box. I didn’t need that now did I!! Yes I know it’ll be going in the Wardle thank you!

Whilst She and Tom emptied all the boat into the house I did a detailed shout check of the house. Most things just where I’d left them, except for the linen basket in our bedroom, no-one knows where that’s gone.

An inventory photo was taken of my toys and my escape pod was put back together. I then found the ball I’ve been looking for for ages under the sofa. Obviously last years inventory wasn’t checked!

***Hiding behind their net curtain, I can still see you!***

I checked out the front window. Yes the boys are still next door, can’t wait to strut my stuff in the front garden, they aren’t allowed out! She said before I did that I needed my cat tags changing, so now I’m a house cat again, a very static house.

Fish for ding ding all round this evening ( I had cod, they had haddock) and a glass or two of wine for these two. Think they’d already had some before this photo was taken.

She says that it’s Toodle Pip from the Oleanna crew for now and thank you for following our travels this year. She’ll pop back when ever there is something boaty happening though, so you’ll hear from her soon.

I just hope Scarboreugh isn’t as boring as it was last time!!

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 full van, 1 mattress for the tip, 1 shouting Tilly, 1 clean pooh box, 2 cat tags swapped, 4 hats, 3 fish, 1 feathery thing, 1 snowman, 5 balls, 1 wobbly wobbly, 7 mice, 1 cat caravan, 1 pooh stop, 2 of each, 2 boaters and 1 cat back in the house.

The Last Ding Ding. 24th October

Viking Marina

It may have been the person who heads off in a vehicle at 6 something in the morning that woke me up, but it gave me a chance to check emails and see if we’d had any substitutions on a Sainsburys order going to the house this morning. A few bits but nothing drastic. I then closed my eyes for a while longer.

In Scarborough Mick took the shopping in, had time to pop things in the fridge and freezer, hopefully we’d thought of just about everything that we’d run down on the boat. Then he caught a bus to pick up a hire van. Beerhouse matched the price from Enterprise for a two day hire. He stopped off at Pets at Home for a big bag of cat litter, so that Tilly’s toilet would be stocked up. Time to drop this off at the house and pick up boxes and crates we use to move along with the cat caravan. A visit to the dentists and then he was on his way back to Goole.

**There wasn’t much point in putting two crusts back in the freezer was there!**

Finishing things off on the boat meant I should use up the one egg and the last few slices of bread in the freezer. A plate of eggy bread was very nice and would see me through till the evening.

The latest sockathon socks had their photos taken and added to the queue for editing. These will go in the post just as soon as there is time. Then the packing continued.

Mick arrived with the van, sorted out getting us plugged in with Laird. We made sure we made note of the meter reading as when we came to leave at the beginning of this year we ended up having to tell Laird how much power the Victron inverter thought we’d used as the meter reading didn’t make sense to any of us.

The sun was out, the port side of Oleanna to the bank. Time to get some masking tape out, sand paper and the touch up paint. I’ve been planning for years to repaint the grabrails, but there simply wasn’t enough time to do a proper job, I’d need several more days of just drying time to do that. So today I taped off lengths of grabrail, sanded back the old paint and around the undercoat, then applied a coat of topcoat. Hopefully this will stop any rust forming over winter and I know I can do a much better job given more time and not being in Goole. I say not being in Goole, because even after just one day we’ve already got a layer of dust on the roof! So the paint I put on today is more than likely to be anti slip by morning!

The angle of the sun brought to my attention the rust around the mushroom vent above our bed. I’d suspected this would be the next mushroom that would need attention and if we’d had another big pan I’d have been tempted to work on it at the same time as the one above the sofa. But blocking off two mushroom vents wouldn’t be so good for ventilation, plus we’ve only one big pan that I could spare. A bucket will be positioned underneath it for winter just in case.

Items were loaded into the van. My sewing machine, bags and work boxes were pulled out from under the dinette and back steps. When I took the back steps out I took the opportunity to give the floor a good sweep finding the connector we thought we’d lost for the pram hood back on the Caldon.

Mick put the pram hood back to how it should be and he also took some time to remove the tunnel light and horn bracket at the bow. I don’t believe the bracket was ever undercoated as it started to bubble with rust within a year, the tunnel light also needs replacing as that has been rust coloured for a similar amount of time, plus the horns need a bit of sorting too!

Things needed pulling out from under the sofa, This meant Tilly got to explore the secret passageway via the lower route as well as from the top. This always scares me as I’m afraid to close the sofa up in case she was just in the wrong place and I end up chopping her in half. She never listens to my concerns, she’s just too eager to squeeze through any gap!

The kitchen was all packed up, I weighed out enough rice to go with the last of the chilli tonight so nothing needed to hang around apart from breakfast stuff. Even Tilly was in finishing things off mode, the last pouch of pink food served up for ding ding this evening.

Quite a busy day all round.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 boat hooked up, 1 van, 30 litres cat litter, 1 delivery, 1 van 3/4s packed, 1 grab rail touched up, 1 smile removed, 1 pram hood back as it should be, 0 pink food left, 2 glasses of wine enjoyed.

The Forgotten Bridge. 8th October

Above Lock 42E

I’d just finished doing my exercises this morning when I could hear voices at the blue boat ahead of us. I peeked out of the bow blinds there was a CRT chap chatting to the crew, he had a life jacket on and I thought I spied another person down at the lock, possibly unlocking it. I flung on some clothes and shoes, disguising my pyjamas so I could go out and see what was happening.

Navigational advice was being passed on to the crew, low pipe bridge, put the paddle down before filling etc. I then asked about the tail bridge at 37E, Kevin (the chap from CRT) ‘Ahh, yes I’d forgotten about that. Hang on.’ He made a phone call, apparently it was being mended this morning. He set off down the locks to check how things were progressing. Time to chat to the neighbours, a boat from Strawberry Island in Doncaster, this has been their first proper summer out and about.

Of course I asked how they’d faired on the Diggle flight. They’d been warned about one pound possibly being low, but it was all fine, no problems! There had been at least one if not two boats go down the flight since we’d come up and we’d most probably sorted the levels out for all of them.

Kevin came back, the bridge would be sorted in an hour so the blue boat could head on, so could we if we wanted to. Well I really didn’t want to tackle a flight single handing, especially the Marsden flight. I checked it would be fine for tomorrow. It was.

Currently you have to book the Marsden flight and Lock 1E in Huddersfield. This is to help preserve water levels. Leaving tomorrow morning we simply wouldn’t manage to reach 1E for Thursday morning when we were booked to go through, 41 locks and about 7 miles away. The next possible day to go through was already fully booked, I asked if there was any way to get round this, Kevin said he’d sort it and give me a call later on to confirm.

Back on board for breakfast, now more like an early lunch! There was half an egg left from making Nan bread so I made myself some eggy bread for the first time in decades. I discovered that gluten free bread isn’t so good for it, it has an inability to hold itself together when dry, never mind when it’s got an eggy coating! All the same it was nice with a sprinkling of sugar.

I had a quick tidy up, sweep through and spent some time dissuading Tilly from wanting to go out. Mick in Scarborough was suffereing a little from having had both flu and covid jabs yesterday along with a cold. He’d contemplated staying in Scarborough another night, but with news that the locks were open he’d head back as originally planned. If only the roofer people had come on Monday or cancelled earlier we’d have been able to do the Marsden flight today! Oh well.

Kevin called back. The top lock had been left open for us to use in the morning and he’d bypassed the system booking us in at Lock 1E. The system allows two boats in each direction through the lock, twice a week. With no-one booked to go up he’d been allowed to add us onto the list, not that the people who lift the stop planks know who’s booked anyway, they just let the boats waiting through. Lifting the stop planks is easy, it’s putting them back in again and ashing it up which takes the time, so the more boats through the better. That’s as long as there’s sufficient water!

Sadly no volunteers would be available to help us down from Marsden. But we’d had an offer from Paul Balmer of Waterway Routes to come and assist, so contact was made and plans put together.

Mick got in touch saying he’d be on an earlier train, Brian from NB Alton the coal boat was willing to deliver coal and diesel to us as he was delivering to parts of Manchester today, it would be late on.

Some baking for our volunteer tomorrow was needed. It also meant I could check the temperature in the top oven. Recently things in the main oven seem to be cooking a little bit too quickly, but the top oven has been behaving. Todays cake baking has confirmed the top oven is fine. Next time I use the main oven it will also get checked now I’ve dug out the oven thermometer.

When Mick returned we nudged up closer to the top lock so Brian didn’t have so far to bring us coal and 40 litres of diesel. Eta was 7pm, and bang on the dot he arrived. Refuelling was done in the dark. Big thank you’s to Brian for venturing over the top and into Yorkshire to get to us, then we moved back to where we’d come from on a more level mooring!

0 locks, 120ft forwards, 120ft back, 1 sparking chimney, 1 carrot cake, Gas mark 5, 350 F, 0 shore leave for Tilly, 2 boaters now on lemsip!

Show And Meet. 2nd October

Uppermill Visitor Moorings

An alarm. Breakfasted and some none boaty clothes on we set off to walk to Greenfield Station which was a bit behind us. Today we were going to the seaside. With split ticketing Mick had managed to get our fares at a reduced price, but it did mean that we had three tickets in each direction. One train to York where we had time to pop into Sainsburys to pick up something for lunch, that pack up I’d planned on hadn’t happened.

We’d left the Pennines in drizzly merk and whizzed through the Howardian Hills in sunshine. Opposite us sat a couple who referred to OS paper maps as we travelled. They obviously had quite a bit of knowledge of the journey, but were miles off where we actually were. Mick and I managed to stay quiet. The amount of water in the low lying fields was quite impressive. Small lakes had formed, the land had been marsh land way back when and after recent feral weather has returned to its former self.

Where to have lunch? It was a touch breezy but we opted to walk down to the Town Hall and enjoy the view across the South Bay. The tide was coming in, a spring tide that had most probably cleared the entrance to the harbour at it’s lowest.

Show and Tell is the latest Alan Ayckbourn play, his 90th. We’ve had two of the company staying in the house for the last eight weeks and now we were on a convenient train line we’d decided to make the effort. A story of a man who plans a birthday present for his wife of a play performed in his own house. Alan describes the play as an homage the theatre. I suspect there are a few observations I made that others would not, were they intended by the playwrite? Or was my own experience being played on?

A very good afternoons entertainment. Out of the company of five actors I knew four and it was time to meet the fifth, Olivia, who’s been sleeping in our bed at the house. A cuppa with Bill and Olivia in the bar after the show and chance to say hello to Paul Kemp for the first time in decades. All the performances were great, Bill unnervingly looking like my Dad and Olivia having the role that initially reminded me of Evelyn in Absent Friends here’s hoping her career flourishes as Tamsin Outhwaite’s did.

A direct train called us back to the station and let the actors get on with their break between todays two shows. I managed to knit a heal and get part way up the leg of a sock as the world darkened around our train.

Tilly was a touch hungry. The stove relit and then an Indian takeaway ordered, very nice it was too. Far too much for one meal, the spare rice and spinach saved for tomorrow.

0 locks, 0 miles, 3 trains, 90th AA , 1 sea view picnic, 4 out of 5, 1 boat moved, 3 not 2, 2 mains 1 side, 2 glasses of wine, 1 very good day.

Dribbles. 17th September

Bramble Cuttings to Rookery Railway Bridge

Turning my phone on this morning I came across two messages, both about rendez vous. I was expecting one, but not the other. Location and planned route were passed on to one, and current location to the other. No time for a full cuppa in bed this morning, we were about to meet up with NB Cobweb. Last night they were moored only a mile away and Vicki was checking to see if we were still on the Weaver as they were heading that way.

Tilly was allowed some shore leave whilst I washed the Fertan off the grabrail and roof. Fertan does the job, but it can also leave a horrible streaky mess! The dew this morning had done it’s worst! Maybe some Bar Keepers Friend will help.

**At last the boats and owners get to meet up**

One of our neighbours moved off a short while before NB Cobweb arrived, perfect. Vicki and David have had NB Cobweb for a couple of years now, we passed the boat last year on the Leeds Liverpool, but no-one was on board. Vicki used to work front of house at the SJT in Scarborough, her daughter was also part of the youth group Rounders, she is now a very talented musician. Early last year there had been a comment made about the annoying Princess Ann’s swing bridge in Thorne on Facebook, I noticed a reply from Vicki who was moored in Thorne at the time, they were preparing to move aboard. Well we’ve been trying to meet up since and Vicki had sponsored a pair of socks, which I’ve been hanging onto in case our bows crossed.

After about an hour of chatting it was time for both of us to move on. They hoped to be on the boat lift this afternoon and we hoped to be through Middlewich. Good to see you Vicki, enjoy the Weaver and yes we’ll meet up for a drink when we’re all back in Scarborough this winter.

It was nearly midday when we pushed off. Back towards Middlewich, two boats just entering Big Lock. I went up for a chat with Sabrina as the lock finished, at last we’ve met and not just given each other a wave as one of us has passed. Once we’d risen ourselves we pulled in as close to the little Tescos as we could, a few items required and it was time for lunch.

As ever through Middlewich we timed our departure ten minutes late, the bottom lock of the three was over topping as a boat was coming down the lock above and we were in a queue with Baked Onboard the Pizza boat in front of us. At least we’d not been another five minutes later as there were now another two boats behind us.

No volunteers in sight, but the lady from the boat behind came up and helped. I worked the locks, wimping out of turning the corner. We helped the pizza boat up, then she helped us up the first lock. We swapped with another boat coming down at the corner, and then once we were up the three we lifted a paddle for the boat behind.

The junction wasn’t as busy as ten days ago and King’s Lock only needed a touch of emptying before we could go in. Our chosen route back to Yorkshire would be back up the Cheshire Locks.

We soon found we were following a hire boat who were following a single hander, the going was a touch slow. At Lock 67 I went up to set it for us and chatted to the hire boat. They didn’t want to start up the Cheshire Locks today so were looking for a suitable mooring, I suggested where we’d be pulling in and a couple more places before Wheelock.

A young girl was busy asking Mick questions, she came to see how the lock worked, it was scary! But it was still way more interesting than watching her family fishing just above the lock. She also helped with the gates which was great.

One day, when I’ve retired from boating, I would like the job of repainting the numbers on lock beams. It feels as if each canal used to have a style of numbers, but as you can see on the lock at Middlewich that style has now become a dribbly mess. In comparison the faded number at lock 67 is just wonderful.

We pootled on back to the moorings after Rookery Railway Bridges, the hire boat had already pulled in there. Tilly was miffed as it was already after cat curfew time!

9 locks, 6.8 miles, 1 straight on, pair 33 handed over, 1 hour apart, 20 years ago, 0 volunteers, 0 free pizza for helping, 1 long day, 1 miffed cat.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fd2fRgqj6aL9EbTo9

Barry, Karen and Sexy Eyes. 4th August

1 lock down from the top of Buckby Flight to past Bridge 88, North Oxford Canal

The Geraghty zoom didn’t go as well as normal. Despite good upload speeds and the internet otherwise seemingly fine, all of Mick’s siblings kept freezing, we reciprocated at their end. The IT department had a go at sorting it out, but failed. We still caught bits of the conversation though, insulation and Bumble Bees, Cherry Pickers Finger and the Chinese falling off things. We ended up leaving early as there was little point in us remaining.

Up the last lock of the Buckby flight, everyone else had moved off long ago, at least we’d missed the rush.

As Oleanna rose the last few feet Barry Manilow was singing his heart out along the cut. Once he’d stopped for a breather Karen Carpenter started up, followed by Dr Hook. None of the boats on the moorings looked like they had their doors or windows open, so it must have been SO loud inside. As we filled with water and delt with the yellow water it kept my toes tapping.

Up to Norton Junction. A quiet horn could be heard, we were far enough back for a boat to turn, then nothing. A dog walker had been taking her time along the towpath, I think she’d prompted the boat coming from the Leicester Section to sound their horn again, by now we were just out of their view but at the junction, we sounded our horn in reply and carried on knowing we’d clear the junction and be out of their way quickly.

The scenic view moorings were quite busy, but there would have been space for one this morning? Approaching the tunnel we passed at least three boats having just come through from Braunston, the question was, how many would we meet in there?

A view straight through to the other end, this meant we’d get past the wiggly bit before we met anyone. If fact we’d reached the far end just as a boat approached turning it’s light on. Behind we were being followed, a locking partner, however it was time for our lunch. Tilly approved of our mooring through the window, that was as close as she was going to get!

Mick looked up from his lunch. ‘Did you lock The Shed and upstairs upstairs at the house? I didn’t!’ Neither had I. New lodgers due today, one of whom we’ve known for decades and would trust, the other a very brand new actress. I’m sure she’d be fine, but you never know. A lodger earlier in the year had asked why the doors were locked and we’d rather be asked that question. A quick think, who could we ask to pop round within the hour and give the house a quick check as Darren was meant to have left this morning. A message sent to Sue who’s Aunt used to own our house and she lives pretty close, instructions given on how to get in.

We moved up to the lock, a boat appeared behind us. Sue had gained access, I’d warned her that a bed might not have been made up, I’d also had the feeling that Darren might have just left things not as he’d found them. This feeling turned out to be correct. Sue made up the bed, hoovered round, emptied bins, what a star. Then a message came through. ‘There’s a lot of used towels in the bathroom’. I usually do a last minute check round the house before we leave, but due to my knee I’d not wanted to go back up the stairs and had assumed Mick would have dealt with them, a bit like the keys! Oh heck what rubbish landlords leaving their own towels about the place! Sue was still about when our first lodger arrived, jobs just about done, we owe someone a big drink when we next see her. If we hadn’t had the chap in last week as a favour to the theatre, we’d have at least left the bed made, bins emptied, but the towels might still have been there. Mental note made for next turn around, Must do better!

**Bread and chilled medication shop at the bottom Braunston lock**

Our locking partners were a couple from Tasmania over to see family and spend a week relaxing on a hire boat, they do it every couple of years. I felt a touch bad constantly checking my phone and talking towels for much of the flight. Plenty of boats coming up and at least one behind us, quite hot on our heels where the locks only have ground paddles.

We’d considered stopping for a loaf of bread, word from the up hill boats that there was no room in Braunston. Mick bobbed into the shop at the bottom lock, a treat loaf of bread bought we’d no longer need to stop. Midland Chandlers is closed on a Sunday so no filters could be bought.

We counted at least five spaces as we came through Braunston. Hardly full, apart from in front of the pub. The bridge into the marina was having work done to it, big areas of white paint missing and hessian covering the top stones. Onwards past Braunston Turn, straight onto the North Oxford, still more spaces.

Once through bridge 88 we spied a length of armco and pulled in. Tilly was allowed an hour and a half by which time we were surrounded by more boats. Our nearest neighbours a Dutch family saying that Braunston was full. Here was now, maybe we’d just timed our cruising well today.

6 locks, 5.6 miles, 3 golden oldies, 1 full water tank, 1 empty wee tank, £3+ for a loaf of bread, 4 towels left out, 2 keys, 2 new lodgers, 1 disappointing lodger, 1 super star of a Stage Manager, 1 tunnel, 0 boats passed, 2 mysterons, 90 minutes.

Fast Tracking Slowly. 2nd August

Weedon Bec

A very brief hello, nice to meet you with Darren this weeks lodger. It’s been a busy week for him and will continue to be as they open tonight, then have two shows tomorrow. Just hope he makes time to change his bed linen before meeting up with family on Sunday.

A few final things to do about the house, some weeding on the paths to the front doors. Bags packed, empty pooh buckets back in the car. Time to get on with other things. Around the corner we dropped a pair of sockathon socks off, the youngest toes to have some of my socks so far.

Then to Mick’s doctors for the appointment he should have had last week. A change in his prescription which will require a follow up blood test in two weeks. Hopefully that can be done as a day trip by train and he can do that at the hospital to save having a fixed appointment. Picking up his prescription meant a wait of a few minutes, time to buy a sandwich each.

By now it was obvious we’d not be back at Weedon Bec in time to return the car today, a phone call and £50 lighter we had the car for another day.

Leaving Scarborough was slow, we have to remind ourselves of summer traffic to and from the coast. Next stop, the tip to dispose of engine oil. Then Mick managed to keep going straight past the bottom of Staxton Hill, our more usual route back to Oleanna, and headed to York. Our satnav suggested serious congestion on the A64 so we opted for one of Mick’s old scenic routes from his telephone engineer times in York.

**I refrained from buying holiday clothing at the hospital**

The X-ray department was found at York Hospital, an hour waiting time suggested. Mick headed off to fill the car with petrol avoiding having to pay for parking. I was moved to a different waiting area where it seemed I was surrounded by people from Scarborough. Bronwyn called me over, three x-rays done of my left knee. She would cancel my appointment for five weeks time in Scarborough and I should hear about the results within two weeks. My waiting time and x-rays had taken 80 minutes, it had definitely been worth fast tracking myself. Maybe Mick could have his blood test done in York? A question to be asked of his GP.

Out of York through Fulford where I grew up. We paused at the Designer Outlet to stock up on my smelly tea from Whittards. Then back to the M1 and heading southwards, slow going at times. We bobbed into the small Tescos at Weedon for something to eat tonight and were back on the boat before 8pm.

A very productive trip.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 rushing lodger, 1 pint of milk left this time! 2 more sandwiches, 1 new prescription, 3 x-rays, 80 minutes instead of five weeks, £50 for an extra day, 4 packets of tea, 1/3rd off, 1 blood test, 1 warm bored cat.

The 47 Steps. 1st August

Weeden Bec

Another early start, but today it wouldn’t be accompanied by a sunrise, today we’d be joining the M1 to head northwards again to Scarborough. Tilly’s magic food bowl was primed with two meals, we hoped we’d be back before the second compartment opened but there was a chance we’d be late. A promise was made that it would only be one BIG sleep and not two before we’d be back inside.

With bags packed, Mick lifted the bow tyre fender and pulled Oleanna closer to the bank for me to get off, Blimey it’s s big step. Then it was time to slowly make my way down the 47 steps to the graveyard, sideways. There’s a handy village car park under one of the arches of the viaduct. Weeden Bec is handily close to the M1 so it wasn’t too long before we joined the northbound traffic.

Our plans for the rest of the summer were discussed and those leading into winter. It all depends a touch on my knee and what the outcome will be. We could make our way back to Yorkshire sooner rather than later. We have lodgers in the house for quite some time and may have more for the Christmas show, but being closer to Scarborough for appointments would make things cheaper. But that would have us hanging around, waiting! At the moment we don’t know what we’d be waiting for or how long. After discussions we decided to continue with our planned route, but to have a back up plan on hand should we need one.

The north west will be our destination. When the time comes to head back to Scarborough we decided that the only sensible route would be to return via the Trent. Currently two out of the three Pennine crossings are closed leaving only the Leeds Liverpool open, at the moment! The Trent is a quick route north even if we’d have to do a big loop to the south to get to it.

A comfort break at Doncaster services, then over the top of the Wolds. Ten years ago we cruised into York on NB Lillyanne, today we crossed the border into North Yorkshire in a car, both journeys apt on Yorkshire Day.

Our lodgers last week had left the house very clean and tidy, our current lodger was already at work, very busy teching ‘Brassed Off’ that has come from Keswick. The washing machine went straight on, the ironing board set up.

Finally today we were going to be getting smart meters for gas and electric. In the past we’ve been told that this wouldn’t be possible as we have two gas meters on the same account. The engineer arrived and set about his work. Electric first with a double hub, one for each side of the house, the chap hadn’t fitted one of these before. As soon as the power was back on another load of washing went in the machine, tumble dryer drying bed linen ready for ironing.

**All ready for Sundays arrivals, well nearly**

Mick sorted out our deposits into the compost bins and then had a hack away at the overgrown back garden, some of which was added to the compost bins to help keep the mixture right. Grass was cut, a small attempt to make the gardens look better, we really must get someone to keep them in check!

A letter had arrived with a date for my knee x-ray at Scarborough Hospital, in 5 weeks time. I’d noticed on my NHS app that there was a possibility of being able to walk into York Hospital without an appointment. A call to the GP, Scarborough Hospital then the GP again, I had the referral emailed to me. Next job was to get it printed out, a mission for the IT department with our antiquated hardware in the house.

During the afternoon a C&RT stoppage notice came in.

Network Rail has advised that the Vazon swing bridge at Keadby is not currently operational due to a malfunction. A new part is required and this has to be manufactured. It is anticipated that this will take at least seven days and that the structure will remain in the closed (to boat traffic) position during this time.

Blimey! Even the Trent route can have problems.

This week we’d arrived by the seaside in good time, an order was placed for two Haddock and a large chips, one side of mushy peas. Whilst Mick headed off to pick it up I made use of the living room floor to do my exercises. Having loads more room meant they took a good five minutes less than on the boat. It also meant I noticed one of the tiebacks on the curtains was upside down.

Next time we have fish and chips we must remember we only need a regular portion of chips between us!

Bed linen ironing was finished, a bed made up, some light dusting and a long shower for each of us. A good turn around day.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 blue hire car, M1, M18, M62, A614, A64, 2 lawns cut, 3 sets bed linen washed and ironed, 1 bed made, 1 attempt to fast track the NHS, 3 smart meters, 2 of each, 1 cat left in charge, 1 Happy Yorkshire Day.

When Do Swans Balls Drop? 26th July

Wyvern Shipping to the bend near Burnt Oak Bridge 109

Mick headed off to collect a click and collect from Tescos. Maybe it would have been easier to have reversed back to Tescos to collect it but we hadn’t thought of that when placing the order. Once he’d off loaded the shopping it was time to return the van to the other side of Leighton Buzzard. I spent the time stowing the shopping and repackaging mince, sausages, salmon for the freezer. Tilly hopped on the feed me shelf to help point out that I’d forgotten to order some onions! Too late for Mick to pick any up, hey ho!

***Oh No! There’s only one onion left! And That’s red!!!!!***

Finally it was time for breakfast, a top up of water then we were ready to move on.

Alongside Leighton Lock a group watched as Oleanna lowered in the lock. Along side the towpath was filled with Himalayan Balsam, the smell familiar from my childhood suggested the seed pods would just about be ready for a good shake, flinging them far and wide. I stopped doing this when I became aware of how invasive it is.

Quite a lot of room by The Globe, we carried on round a few bends hoping for a space where the railway is that bit further away from the canal. We were in luck and quickly grabbed the length of armco. Another short move but one that would give Tilly some quality shore leave.

**You are far too big to be making that baby noise!**

As we tied up a family of swans came over with their entitled ways. Mum, Dad and two cygnets. Little fluffy powder grey cygnets fit the high pitched noise they make, but when they get to just about the same size as their parents it really is odd! Just when do swans voices break? When do they take up smoking 20 woodbines a day to get that husky voice?

Yesterday we’d had a request from the SJT in Scarborough, a last minute room for an understudy this coming week. This was possible except we’d not be able to do a turn around between lodgers. Thankfully wonderful Fleur the Company Stage Manager was willing to go and check things over for us and make up a bed. We had quite a chat whilst I imparted knowledge of bedding and towels, bins and keys at the house. No cheese left this time requiring Frank to empty the fridge.

This evening a C&RT stoppage notice came through. A large fire has occurred at Leighton Pump Station immediately adjacent to Lock 27. Police and the fire brigade are on site and navigation is closed until the site can be made safe. This was the only lock we went through today, it was fine when we left it, honest!

Where to do my knee exercises? In front of the bed wasn’t wide enough for my yoga mat. Between the sofa and the TV was wider. I wrapped the foam around the cardboard tube and secured it with some gaffa tape. Time to have a go. The instructions were good mostly, some moves I could feel my muscles working. One made my knee scream at me, hopefully that will get better the more I do them. They took quite a bit longer than I’d thought, here’s hoping they help.

Knitting in front of the opening ceremony of the Olympics. Well the whole concept of using the Seine was one I thought was great and I was keen to see how it was going to be executed. We tuned in shortly before the Can Can dancers kicked their legs out of time with each other. Gosh that would have looked so fantastic if they’d got their choreography in time, but instead it was just a bit of a damp skirt swirling mess.

**You should come out here, it’s great!**

The majority of the audience would be watching on TV, but it all felt a touch disjointed, Eurovision like where you get taken to the next competing countrys video before hearing their song. I loved the slow motion horse, for the first couple of minutes, but soon got bored. Some great shots of Paris, tiny figures singing from up on high only visible to drones, I’m glad I wasn’t watching it from the banks of the river. Was the venue just too big for the event? It certainly was Gene Kelly wet for the cat walk section. Then the flag being raised upside down! Stage Managers across the world must have been wondering had the flag been folded the wrong way? Had it been put on the props table the wrong way up? Had someone been handed it upside down? Or had the four flag unfurling people turned it by accident? We soon were more interested in the holes on the flag pole that ensure there’s a breeze to keep the flag fluttering.

The hot air balloon caldron for the Olympic flame made me think of the Wizard of Oz and Jules Verne, it is a rather nice different look. What was important was all the smiling faces of the athletes, soggy but smiling and waving on their boats. Good luck everyone!

1 lock, 2.1 miles, 4 boxes wine, 2 boxes 7+ cat food, 1 van returned, 4 hours shore leave, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval, 1 blue god, 1 slow slow horse, 1 giant balloon, 1 heel increase gone wrong, 1 upside down flag.

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna