Category Archives: Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation

Bramwith Swing Bridge to Wykewell Lift Bridge

Sunshine and lack of wind, brilliant, we’d be back on the move again, along with others. As we untied a couple of boats came past both heading for Thorne, would there be enough space for us to moor? Would we be able to top up on diesel before heading out onto the tidal Trent on the 1st? We pushed off and headed eastwards.

The ends were woven in on pair 63 of my sockathon as we made our way through Stainforth. It had been quite chilly when we’d left so we’d dressed to cheat the wind, but as we came under the railway bridge towards Staniland Marina a chap from a boat suggested we’d not be needing the waterproofs today.

I peeked along the first line of boats to see if I could spot Della who has had about six pairs of my socks from me in the last couple of years, but I couldn’t spot her, maybe when we come back this way I’ll give her a heads up as it’s nice to meet the people who’s feet I’ve knitted for.

The service point was free, we pulled in. Yesterday we’d tried ringing to check how much their diesel was and what hours they’d be open today at Staniland, but no-one answered. Mick walked to the chandlers whilst I inhaled the fumes from someone blacking their boat in the shed next door. Still no sign of anyone around to sell us diesel, we decided to drop down the lock and call in at Thorne Marine instead.

I walked on to the lock where a volunteer was washing weed through the lock, ‘won’t be a minute’. I stood on the towpath ready to close the road barrier and then push the bridge out of Oleanna’s way, closing it quickly to let a car across. The volunteer pressed his buttons on his remote, with this he can work individual gates and sluices unlike on the pedestal. I chose to ride down the lock on Oleanna, nothing for me to do lockside.

There was a gap suitable for Oleanna to pull into at Thorne Marine, but would the pump reach our tank? It took a little bit of jigging about and moving a small cruiser for us to reach the hose comfortably, the tank was filled and a length of flexible conduit purchased to tidy up the cables on the tunnel light and horns.

Then to the dismay of a fishing match we reversed back and turned into the visitor moorings, soon followed by a big cruiser that came back and forth disturbing everyone’s fresh bait as another narrowboat tried to squeeze past!

Shopping. Our next shops will be in Newark so some fresh items were required, we headed to Sainsburys and Lidl. Lunch, socks packed up, receipts scanned, water tank filling. I headed off to pop the socks in the post and top up my minutes walking. Yesterdays migraine thankfully was much improved, but was leaving me with a slight unsteadiness whilst trying to find a post box. I tried by the Post Office, an obvious place, but none in view. I spotted one across a busy main road and decided that with no crossing I’d carry on with my hunt. Then 50 yards from where I’d first looked, round a bend from the modern Post Office was a double whammy box, this must have been where the original Post Office had been.

Back at Oleanna it was either stay put for the rest of the day, or make a move now before sitting down. The later was chosen just as a call from the fishermen came along the line at 4pm, the match was over, lines brought in. We’d not be disturbing anyone now.

**lights, buttons and instructions for the Princessess bridge**

With the key of power I walked up to Princess Royals Bridge, yes the temperamental bridge. I turned the key, no clunk. I waggled barriers one wasn’t held back, I waggled it more. A very chatty lad came over to chat and ask me all the questions he could think of whilst I tried to re-read the instructions in case there was a new handy hint to get the bloomin bridge moving. More wiggling. A lady watch with her dog saying that you need to keep your finger on the button to close it properly for far longer than you’d imagine, except I was trying to open it!

Mick pulled the boat in, time to get him involved waggling gates too. More questions about Oleanna now and ‘Do fish follow boats?’ he was fishing with his mates. I pressed the open button, still nothing. I pressed the closed button, the warning siren sounded, no movement noticed, but we did get a big clunk. With all barriers now moveable we closed them all, a crowd collecting now. The bridge moved. Mick brought Oleanna through and I started to close the bridge just as one of the young lads decided to walk along where the bridge was heading. ‘Get out of the way! You moron!!‘ Thankfully he did.

I made sure I kept the button pressed for far longer than you’d think and then some to get the big clunk before opening the gates. We could be on our way again as the young lads flung their lines back into the canal hoping to catch a fish or three.

**NB Christopher B tucked in and for sale**

The wind picked up as we passed NB Christopher B. Two years ago we’d shared bridge hopping with NB That’s It and NB Christopher B when Lesley had an awful accident at the next bridge trapping her leg between the side of the piling and their boat. Their boat is up for sale £58,000. I wonder how they are doing?

Past Blue Water Marina and on to Wykewell Lift Bridge. the wind was now very strong. I took extra care whilst stepping off, the sky darkening all the time. Was it nearly time to stop for the day? Maybe.

I lifted the bridge holding two cars up, Mick brought Oleanna through and pulled in at the bridge landing. Once back on board there was no getting Oleanna off the bank. We tried pushing the bow out, a reverse Andy, the bow thruster worked a bit. But we decided we’d had enough so managed to bow haul her off the bridge landing where she obediently sat by the bank as we tied her up for the night.

Sorry Tilly too late and it wasn’t a suitable mooring for cats anyway.

Blimey that wind was ferocious! Fat fenders deployed to keep us away from the big iron bar along the piling. Bungs needed in the portholes on the windy side to stop the drafts and whistling. Our extractor fan was making noises even though it wasn’t on!

**Boats at Strawberry Island all ready to head off**

Back in Doncaster at Strawberry Island Cruising Club the intrepid boaters headed for the Fund Britains Waterways Campaign Cruise all gathered with flags flying and bunting fluttering for the launch of their cruise southwards. Seven boats look like they will be heading to Keadby for Tuesdays early start.

Last night we’d heard of a possible breach on the Macclesfield Canal. Water was making it’s way out of the canal disrupting the towpath. By this morning boats were being moved from the affected area above Bosley Locks and stop planks were going in. The breach having increased in size over night. This now means another route from the north to south is blocked, leaving the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Trent the only means to get up and down the country. Thankfully for us we’d not planned on heading over to the north west this year, but plenty had and have been replanning routes that now will require some extra thought.

1 lock, 5.2 miles, 3 bridges, 2 cars held up, numerous pedestrians held up, 1 full diesel tank, 1 full water tank, 1 load washing, 1 chicken to roast, 1 launch party, 1 more big hole in a canal.

https://what3words.com/florists.twilight.wiggling

Toooo Windy to Wind. 28th March

Bramwith Junction to past Bramwith Swing Bridge

The original plan for today had been to wind, tie up again with the port side to the bank. Then I’d be able to wash down that side of Oleanna. Then we’d wind again and start making our way along the Stainforth and Keadby Canal to Thorne for a top up of diesel. However, it was way too windy to be winding so much. Was this just here where the canal is quite exposed? Or was it everywhere?

We decided to push onwards and hope for a space on the otherside of the lock and swing bridge where it might be more sheltered. I walked on ahead leaving Mick to push off against the wind, having the lock ready might be a good thing if he had to crab his way towards the lock without getting too familiar with the moored boats.

First manual lock of the year, windlass in hand, long extended beams. I was about to find out what my knee made of pushing gates. I lifted the paddles to fill the lock, unhooked one chain holding the gate in its closed position, waited until everything was equalised. Then pushed making sure my feet were straight ahead of me and pointing straight, this is one thing my physio had been insistent on for my stretches. The gate moved as requested and not a jot of pain in my knee! Hooray!!!

**Hello David, we’ll have more time to say hello soon**

I crossed over the bottom gates to open the other side of the lock giving Oleanna a bigger gap to aim for in the wind. It looked as if it was taking Mick quite a bit of doing getting off the bank, but he made it in the end. Oleanna dropped down the lock, I already had the key of power to work the swing bridge ahead so walked on after closing up the lock.

The sun was out, but boy that wind was strong. I crossed the bridge, no traffic in sight or audible, I pressed the button, a car appeared from nowhere! I paused the operation then started it again. Swing done not one vehicle held up. Time to find a mooring. Mick tried a couple of times to bring Oleanna in and then found a stretch where she came into the bank, well until the wind caught her determined to have her moor on the off side. We got her tied up in the end.

*You’ve missed a bit!* I haven’t started yet!!!

Our new aim was to get the port side washed then move on up to Thorne to be able to fill with diesel. The buckets were filled with water and soap, roof emptied of planks and poles, Tilly let loose on the towpath. I worked from bow to stern, first the roof then the cabin side, the bank too high to do a good job on the side of the gunnels.

Mick pumped up our tyre fenders, went fishing for the spare club hammer that had fallen off the pram cover as he pulled them up. All the time the ‘Moderate’ wind (according to the BBC) blasted across the canal. A few boats came past. A narrowboat towing a cruiser zigzagged its way towards us, almost into the bank then into the offside trees.

With the washing done we decided to stay put for the day, the wind too string for us to battle with it, the forecast much better for tomorrow. All day we’d been listening in to BBC radio, today was Adam from NB Briar Rose last day with the BBC. One comment on Instagram was the usual Good Luck with your new life. I nearly replied, Looking forward to seeing you in your new life! I wonder how long it will be before our bows cross somewhere on the network.

Time to top up on the walking. Unfortunately my Active10 app hadn’t been working so far today, so I wasn’t sure how many brisk minutes I’d done, I hoped it would still be keeping track. I plotted out a route to include some of the Bramwith circular walk along the flood banks of the River Don then back from the next road bridge along the towpath.

A sign at the first stile suggested my chosen route would not be possible, bank repairs were taking place. I decided to walk to see if there was a way round them to be able to loop back on myself. Lots of green and clouds skitting along the sky, wonderful.

Then sadly about a quarter of my way into my planned route I was aware of something a bit odd in my vision. Was this a migraine coming on? I looked this way and that, got my phone out of my pocket, the signs were pointing towards a migraine, only one thing for it but to turn round and head back. Thankfully the flood bank is straight but the location of the high stile wasn’t visible. I got home safely, found the box of pills in the cupboard and sat down for much of the remainder of the afternoon. An early night called for.

1 lock, 0.9 miles, 1 bridge, 0 held up, 2 waves to David, 0 eggs, 0.5 clean boat, 1 cat up a tree shouting about it, 3.18 miles walked, 40 minutes briskly, 1 headache, 2 blowy to do much.

https://what3words.com/slept.hoops.cadet

Goole Green. 27th March

Doncaster Visitor Moorings to Bramwith Junction

A few little gaps in our larder needed filling, we moved Oleanna up to the water point and I left Mick topping up with water as I walked into town. A few stalls were open in the fish market along with a couple of fruit and veg stalls outside. I toyed with trying to buy everything at the market, but I still would need a supermarket for a few bits and another visit to Boyes was required.

**Goodbye Doncaster we may see you again soonish**

Back at Oleanna the development next door was having some piles driven about 2ft away from the gate to the moorings and more importantly 2 ft away from the piling holding the bank back. Mick just wanted to make sure CRT knew about this, so gave them call.

Yesterday a small black narrowboat had arrived towing a small cruiser. The chaps had chatted to Mick asking if he had a guide to the area. They were planning on towing the cruiser and a second one down to Keadby and out onto the Trent and up stream to Nottingham, their main concern was would they be able to breast up one cruiser and still get through the locks. This morning they were manoeuvring themselves round to the other side of the pontoons to collect the second cruiser, neither of which have working engines.

We pushed off wishing them well and headed back down stream. Todays mooring should be one suitable for Tilly to have some shore leave and hopefully one where we’d be able to do some jobs. As we approached Long Sandall Lock we clocked the boat that had been at Bramwith Junction, maybe our mooring would be available?

The amber light at the lock turned red. Ah, the VHF radio had been coming to life on and off and news that Eastwood Lock up at Rotherham was now open suggested to us that maybe Exol Pride was on its way, maybe we were to meet it here? The top gates opened and the light turned green. A chat with a chap in blue, they were here to clear bywashes etc, then up to Doncaster to check things out there too along with the development site. No news of Exol on the move.

Below the lock there was more activity at the pontoon for the flood defences. Numerous chaps in orange were gesticulating to a crane operator. A short distance further on another band of orange people were on the river bank erecting fencing and measuring things out.

At Barnby Dun Lift Bridge I had another prat go through on the red wigwag lights necessitating me lifting my finger to stop everything. Once through I counted the cars, 21 including a funeral cortege, I hope I didn’t slow them down too much.

I now opted to walk to the junction whilst Mick took Oleanna on ahead. Our favourite space available, thankfully the wind that is always present here helped to hold Oleanna to the bank today. Tilly when shown the outside wasn’t too enamoured due to the breeze, so the front door outside was checked, it was slightly better!

After lunch it was time for jobs. I dug out the drill for Mick whilst he dug out buckets for me. Mick would be having a more concerted effort with the stern light today. Our passage through Keadby next week is at 7am, there may be fog on the river and with so many boats in convoy it would be handy to show a white stern light.

I got the boat washing things out. Goole for five months leaves it’s mark on boats, a greening and general layer of dust, time to give Oleanna a scrub up for the Fund Britain’s Waterways Campaign Cruise. I decided to split the job into four, starboard side today, both roof and cabin side. The covers will have to wait!

Tilly came out claimed the towpath as hers, ran around like a loon for a while then sat on the gunnels, chewed the tasty bits of grass alongside the boat then went on duck duty, Can’t have ducks making nests on Oleanna, the outside needs to keep changing! Just keep away from the wet side of the boat please!

Ten more minutes of walking were required so I decided to walk round the ‘block’ as it were. From the opposite bank I got a few nice shots of Oleanna and Mick looked like he was nearing completion of the stern light wiring. Along to the Don Doors, a boat just approaching from the last bridge of the New Junction. Across to Bramwith Lock, people from the permanent moorings were sitting out enjoying the early evening sunshine. By the lock there is a cupboard for fresh eggs. Not just chicken eggs, but if you are lucky you can get Turkey and Guinea Fowl eggs too. I’ll look again when we come through, see if we’re lucky enough to try a Turkey egg.

On returning to Oleanna some wiring was happening in the electrics cupboard. After a short while there was a cheer, the stern light was working! Brilliant.

A while after dark we paused what we were watching on the TV, lights and voices could be heard on the canal. It was the black narrowboat breasted up to one of the cruisers, thankfully they weren’t towing as well! Will they have got through Bramwith Lock breasted up? Hopefully where ever they got to they got there safely, we just wonder how much research they’ve done for the Tidal Trent?

1 lock, 5.7 miles, 1 lift bridge, 21 held up, 1 prat, 4.43 miles walked, 52 minutes briskly, 1/4 washed boat, 1 stern light working, 1 loony cat who’s forgotten about the trees over there! Where?!

https://what3words.com/speeded.loans.kingdom

Technical Difficulties. 26th March

Dullcaster and Rowsley, Matlock

A misty start to the day in Matlock. Hotel breakfast, where I managed to avoid the cooked end of the table and had a very pleasant chat with Kate Lovell, Creative Director from the Queens Theatre Hornchurch. A lift back to Level where today we were joined by Dark Horse actors Jo Sproulle and Rebekah Hill, both of whom I know very well.

The morning was spent rehearsing for the on-line symposium discussing how to market and engage general audiences for integrated theatre. There was to be an online panel made up from producers and an agent who have all worked with learning disabled and neurodivergent actors. In the room we were joined by Michele Taylor from Ramps on the Moon, who in 2020 produced Oliver Twist at the Leeds Playhouse.

Lunchtime I took myself off to walk down the path alongside the river, far more picturesque than my walk yesterday in Matlock. Here green hills and clumps of trees could be made out on the other side of the valley, what a beautiful day.

In the afternoon we all took up our positions, the online panel arrived on the white wall opposite those of us in the room. Our focus was to be on a camera. Checks done, then we started. Our hosts did a fab job of introducing the symposium, we all then had to introduce ourselves in turn. When it came to the on line participants there seemed to be a problem, a 20 second delay!

The technical chap in the corner looked from screen to screen, tried this and that whilst Nicky held everything together. The first question was asked of the on line panel, we waited for their response. Sadly the technical delay/glitch hadn’t been rectified and trying to hold a discussion with 20 second gaps everywhere simply wasn’t going to work. Vanessa decided to cut the online panel and the discussion would continue to be filmed in the room.

Such a shame we didn’t get to hear what everyone on the big wall had to say. But these things happen. Hopefully there will be another chance for all to gather, most probably all online to have the discussion in full at sometime in the future.

This meant the day ended early. Not much point in doing something else with the time, so people headed home. I was last to leave, getting a lift with Vanessa to Bakewell to catch the bus back to Sheffield. There is a new stream of funding from the Arts Council which will be applied to with the hope of producing the play that has been in development for a few years. Fingers crossed for a successful application this time.

Blimey Bakewell was very VERY busy and boy that Party Bakewell Tart looked extra tasty. I managed to hop on the next bus which was just arriving and got the front seat upstairs, in amongst the masses of school kids. From here I endured the noise but enjoyed the fantastic views whilst trying to work out when I might reach Sheffield and get a cheap train ticket booked.

The bus time table sadly wasn’t that good and I ended up with 30 seconds to run across the road into the station find the right platform etc. Oh well only £3.50 wasted. I bought another ticket at nearly twice the price and had only a couple of minutes to wait for the next train.

**Images of bands cover empty shop windows all around town.**

Back in Doncaster I topped up my walking minutes by heading home via the scenic route. Everywhere was closed apart from pubs, keeping up a quick pace seemed to be a good idea.

Onboard Mick and Tilly had kept themselves busy whilst pile driving had been happening at the new development. Tilly had been busy sleeping and Mick had been trying to wire up the new stern light, that had gone on the stern of Oleanna last year. He’d been out to buy wire for the job, but then couldn’t find a way through the steelwork for the new cable to run. In the end the conclusion was that there is a cavity between two sheets of steel and some way through would need to be found. The job was paused.

0 locks, 0 miles, 2 lifts, 1 bus, 1 giant bakewell, 1 train, 20 seconds not conducive to discussion, 1 hole not 2, 1 bored cat, 4.05 miles walked, 45 minutes briskly, 1 slightly painful hip! 2 more lodgers booked in, 1 house booked for the summer.

The Last Of Her Generation. 25th March

Dullcaster. North Ferriby. Rowley, Matlock.

Today we were all to do different things.

Tilly would do a lot of sleeping and wondering when her next meal would arrive, whilst Mick and I climbed onto to trains to head in different directions.

My train took me to Sheffield where I caught a bus to Chatsworth House, a very beautiful journey through serious countryside that I’ve done once before. I opted to stay on the bus to Bakewell where I had time to inhale Bakewell Puddings and Tarts that tourists were queuing up to purchase. Another bus got me to Rowley where I diced with death crossing the road to the Level Centre.

**An art installation at Level Centre that you could add to**

Here I was joining a group of people, actors, a composer, director, writer and several producers all associated with Separate Doors. A lovely welcome from the staff, a pack up lunch, then we all gathered to discuss how to promote integrated theatre for general audiences. We had tasks, we had discussions, we learnt a song with sign language.

We retired to the Premier Inn in Matlock. I took advantage of an hour’s break to go walking. Along a ridge behind the hotel, down into the valley and back along the River Derwent, managing to expand my 2 minutes brisk walking into 40. Back just in time to walk with everyone back into Matlock for food at Ostello Lounge which had the biggest gluten free menu. Lots of good company and conversation about our favourite crisp flavours.

Meanwhile Mick got a train heading northwards, joining two of his sisters, Kath and Christine. Alighting at North Ferriby they joined Anne and Alasdair, Marion and John. All siblings in one place to mark the passing of the last member of the generation above them, the wonderful Auntie Gill.

Mick here. My auntie, Gill Chignell, was married to my mother’s brother, Uncle Henry. All my four siblings have extremely fond memories of Auntie Gill. Many of our family summer holidays were spent with the Chignell family, their four children and us five made up a great party and many happy summers were spent with our cousins. They had a caravan and we would rent a holiday home somewhere, often on the South Coast. Good times. I am still in good contact with most of them.

My four sisters and I all made the trip to Ferriby in East Yorkshire and although it was a funeral it was great to see everyone and have a good chat. It wasn’t really a sad event: Gill has been suffering from dementia for a number of years and in a care home for 5 years. She was 94 when she died. In many ways it was a relief.

0 locks, 0 miles, 2 buses, 3 trains, 1 lazy cat, 1 symposium, 5.84 miles walked, 56 minutes briskly, 1st burger of the year, 5 siblings, 1 celebration, only 1 Aunty Gill.

Dullcaster. 24th March

Kirk Sandall to Doncaster Visitor Pontoon

This outside was still rubbish this morning, especially when two she’s and their woofers stopped to chat right outside our bedroom window, and we’d all managed to sleep after 6am today too!

We pushed off at just gone 11am, another day of not moving very far. Just before the railway bridge below Long Sandall Lock there is a pontoon being put together for works on the flood banks. Here a red dinghy sat tied to the pontoon which has legs to hold it in place, another green and red boat semi submerged to one side. Had this been submerged on purpose so it wouldn’t be stolen, or has it sunk? hence all the booms round it. Not much was happening, maybe it was tea break time.

Long Sandall Lock was full, the big locks round here automatically fill themselves after a time. Once I’d hopped off Mick reversed Oleanna away, it can get quite busy below the lock as it empties. Key of power in the panel I pressed the open sluice button then the gates once the water was level.

Up she rose, pulling in above to top up on water. A narrowboat pulled in at the visitor moorings opposite, did this mean there might be an Oleanna sized mooring available in Doncaster? We hoped so. Onwards saying hello to a chap on a cruisier moored in a decidedly odd place where lots of fly tipping seems to happen. Each to their own!

Passing Strawberry Island Cruising Club we looked out for a bright blue boat NB That’s It, we couldn’t spot it or guess who else would be joining the Fund Britain’s Waterways Cruise on the Trent. With our fingers crossed we approached the moorings, Doncaster Minster standing out from the rest of the city. Two boats on the pontoon, plenty of space for us, Phew!

Not here! Dullcaster. No point in getting excited here!!

Lunch then a walk around town. Mick headed to Sainsburys for a new kettle, the old one tends to pour a little too wide! I headed to find Boyes which has moved from its old store into FrenchGate. Have to say I was impressed a really good range of items. I was after a couple of long handled mini rollers for mooring purposes, so that I could reclaim my painty one. I had a choice of handle length, I chose the longest not bad for £1.60. A mattress protector was also found for our new mattress. I also had a good look round.

**Such a shame the ground floor is completely empty**

Today I’d not managed to walk any towpath as much of it that exists was closed so I’d have to make up for it around town. I walked up to see Danum House which I’ve walked past before, but never noticed it’s Art Deco shape above street level.

I paused at the bench outside Cast Theatre where during one production week I’d waited to hear about the written survey on NB Lillyanne and if we needed to adjust our offer on her. All had been good.

A new cinema and the libaray looked interesting with an extensive collection of railway lanterns on one wall and a sculpture of a pilgrim from the Mayflower, her dress decorated with macrame.

I walked round in what I thought was circles. Turned one corner to come face to face with the rather lovely looking tower that you can see from the navigation. Sam from NB Red Wharf once told us what this had been in the past. Now it has been converted into housing a rather bog standard extension to the rear. So I was a little bit disappointed at it close to.

**I like all the parking signs on top of the painting**

However across the road was a rather good mural, a little American in its content, but still rather good.

Twice around the closed market before walking past the deli. I managed to stay outside and only allowed myself a quick peek in through the windows. That cheese counter looked so inviting! But it’s contents need to stay put and not make it onto Oleanna.

Forty minutes achieved I headed back through the bus station to the moorings. The building next door to the CRT area is being redeveloped. Holes are being dug, large piles of aggregate sit alongside diggers. They were still quite busy at 6pm, being noisy. Hope they go home soon.

1 lock, 4.2 miles, 1 full water tank, 2 roller handles, 1 protector, 1 kettle, 4.06 miles walked, 42 minutes briskly, 1 bored cat.

https://what3words.com/poster.hats.strike

Lifting. 23rd March

Site of Smallhedge Swing Bridge to before St Oswalds, Kirk Sandall, Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigations

On the day we were loading the van in Scarborough we heard the first Woodpecker giving itself a headache. Back in the house this signalled the start of Spring to us. This morning from somewhere in the hedgerow we got to hear our first ChiffChaff of the year. Here on the boat this signals the start of Spring. Just a shame the sun didn’t make an appearance!

Tilly was given shore leave whilst we had mushrooms and poached egg on toast for breakfast. A full cooked breakfast will be a very rare treat for us this year. Sausages and bacon to be kept at arms length, although I have purchased some chicken cumberland sausages which are sitting in the freezer. Not tried these yet, so we’ll see.

The Geraghty zoom is still going strong five years a week or so since we started it at the beginning of the pandemic. All five siblings were present today, nieces and nephews are too busy doing other things, but we do get updates regarding grandchildren and trips abroad that they make. Todays topics included, Grandma put downs (social services not required!), Revenue Control officers, Richard II and distant relatives, and lifts this coming week.

Tilly came home part way through the zoom with a friend expecting to be let in through the side hatch, this of course was not granted. Herfjoke newieds a secihgond stabmlihymp of apprbjbjgchoval She said something but no-one knew what she was saying as her mouth was full!

**The new Rugid tablet, waterproof and able to show both Waterway Routes and Victron VRM which shows battery, solar etc statuses.**

Another day of not going too far, we pushed off, I caught a ride to the first lift bridge, otherwise it would have been a very long way round walking back to the lock to get on the official towpath side. I hopped off at the bridge landing and waited to cross the road, cars zoomed past and over the bridge, all far to quick for my liking.

Key of power in the control panel. I listened hard, let a few cars cross the bridge before I couldn’t hear anymore. Turned the key and pressed the lift button. The lights flashed and the barriers were just starting to come down when I heard a car zipping along out of view, no obvious slowing down, just more acceleration! I took my finger off the button and stopped the barriers just above where contact would be made, What a Prat! As he sped off I was able to continue pressing the button and lift the bridge.

Two more bridges along the New Junction, I walked between them. One a lift bridge the other a swing, vehicles obliged and stopped. I then got back on board for us to go under the Don Doors crossing the River Don.

Bramwith Junction, one of our favourite moorings around here was occupied, the narrowboat taking advantage of views to both sides of the canal and a clear sky to top up on solar. We weren’t going to stop here today, instead we carried straight on to Barnby Dun, pulling in at the services. The offcuts of cardboard box were put in the bin then we were ready to continue on our way.

Waiting for a gap in traffic at Barnby Dun takes some patience as it’s such a busy road. It took a while for no vehicles to be in view, I turned the key and pressed the button. The driver of the first car to pull up on my side of the bridge sat and stared straight at me, as if that would make me stop the process and let them through!

I now elected to walk to where we planned on mooring, just short of Kirk Sandall. All the chilled medication vans have gone from the house by the bridge, now there is a Morris 1000 and a selection of other cars. I caught Mick up as he was stepping off Oleanna hoping to tie up. Not quite into the side at the bow, we wondered if we’d bash whatever it was under the water. We needn’t have been concerned as today we didn’t see one boat moving.

Tilly was given the rules and some extra guidance, beware of the bicycles and woofers. I kept my eyes peeled and there they were bicycles, TWO of them. I ran away and gave up on this outside after two minutes! No point in even asking to go out until they’ve moved it again.

Lunch followed by a need to top up my walking for the day. Our mooring was right next to a footpath that runs into the woods and up to The Glass Park. Years ago we walked some of the paths round here, but I don’t think we got up to the playing field as I did today. Up ahead of us on the canal used to be Pilkington Glass, Pilks to the locals, the pipe bridge still exists. There is a rather good blog post here, hopefully I’ll get chance to read it fully and more about Doncaster in the next few days.

I walked through the park and down past the station, turning onto Pilkington Road to head back to the canal. A new housing estate that has grown up around St Oswald’s Church, Kirk Sandall is called Silica Court. The church is looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust and is rarely open, we however managed a visit years ago, so if you are interested here’s a link to the post from that day. The rather wonderful old barn has been converted into living accommodation, so the church no longer stands by itself.

With 60 minutes brisk walking under my belt I decided that not reaching 10,000 steps today didn’t matter. The last few items were stowed away on board. Coats, hats, gloves, drill sander put under the dinette seats. There was now room to breath. Time to sort out the mess I’d made on my latest pair of socks last night as I fell asleep in front of the TV mid row, my fingers continuing to knit without guidance!

0 locks, 4.7 miles, 4 bridges, 19 held up, 1 straight on, 2 outsides, 1 really really good, the other 1 pants, 3.86miles walked, 60 minutes briskly, 1 sock sorted, 1 van load of stuff fully stowed.

https://what3words.com/basket.relatives.refreshed

2023 A Sociable Year

A long post, it’s the annual round up.

January, we sat waiting. Waiting for a new alternator to arrive, for the River Trent to come out of flood and then for the canal to defrost sufficiently for us move. This meant Pip doing work on the boat instead of in the house, this made for smelly days and a very cold workshop under the pram cover.

After almost three weeks we were on the move again having to navigate through thick fog, navigational aids helping us not to bump into the banks! Ahead of us in Yorkshire was a troublesome swing bridge, closed to boat traffic. Our plans had to change, we arranged to moor up in Newark and head back to Scarborough by van. Chin rubs nearly made the longer journey better, but I really don’t like the outside moving SO fast!

Four days later we were back on board, the bridge ahead was now open. Tides were checked, locks booked, cupboards stocked for a few days cruising. Winter cruising can be so so pretty, yet so so chilly. A display by the Red Arrows as we left Torksey kept us amused and a defrost was very welcome when we arrived at Keadby. After four days cruising we were moored up in Goole and walking to catch the train back to Scarborough.

#unit21 in Huddersfield kept Pip occupied for much of February. Then it was time to give the house some TLC in between lodgers. A back bedroom got a makeover just in time. Mick had trips to see Oleanna, a jobs list left with Alastair and the covers headed off for some much needed mending. Tilly was kept busy checking out the neighbours, they stay inside so I get free reign of their outside!

April arrived along with two lodgers, it was not possible to do more work on the house, Pip chose to knit socks instead. Dementia UK her chosen charity this year. Donations of yarn came from dyers and Pip’s needles started to click away, keeping up with requests. 15 pairs knitted and her target met.

May, visits were made to Oleanna preparing her for cruising, these were interspersed with visits from family, delivering socks, getting the house ready and starting work on the design for panto. On the 9th of May we loaded a van and returned to life afloat. Tilly the happiest cat once she was back onboard! A day later we set off heading west. Leeds for a few days for Pip to head to Matlock for work and then a wonderful visit to see 93 year old Betty in Harrogate.

Working our way up the Leeds Liverpool Canal, locks and the new stupid swing bridge much lighter work with two boats. Our favourite canal with wonders of the waterways, friends on route, Mick’s birthday and a trip to Bowness to see the latest Ayckbourn play. We managed a night on our favourite mooring on the network sadly it was too windy to enjoy the view with a barbecue.

Up over the top, we teamed up with NB That’s It, thankfully descending the Wigan flight in a window between vandalism and blown cills that have hampered the flight this year. Then along the Bridgewater Canal, panto designing whilst on the flat. Through Preston Brook Tunnel and onto the Trent and Mersey turning right onto the Middlewich Branch.

Back on lockdown ‘Home’ waters we cruised the Nantwich pound, 5 hours 13 minutes including a lunch and shopping stop, back in 2020 we’d spent 80 days here. We cruised southwards on the Shropie joined for a day by Carol and George from WB Still Rockin’. Laura and Alison from NB Large Marge joined us for the ascent up the Wolverhampton 21.

Through Bumingham and on to Lapworth and then Hatton where we had an extra pair of hands from Jane, who hopefully now has her own narrowboat. A well deserved burger at the Cape of Good Hope with Emma and David, then a lovely evening with Lizzie (NB Panda) at The Folly, it was turning out to be quite a sociable June.

Oleanna wiggled her way across the summit of the South Oxford, very familiar water to us. Despite the sunny weather and us cruising most days our batteries were not happy, turning themselves off overnight! Diagnosis was required, we pulled into Cropredy Marina to plug in and run tests. One of our three batteries was dead, bad enough but thankfully nothing more. Once a panto meeting had been attended we could move on, except there was an emergency closure at Banbury Lock. C&RT worked hard to get the canal open as quickly as they could, thankfully our hold up wasn’t too long.

We met up with the crews of NB Azzura (Liz and Mark) and NB Perseus (Julie and Simon) both Finesse boats, had a visit to London for Andrew’s birthday. Then had a rendez vous with Paul and Christine and enjoyed a good catch up onboard NB Waterway Routes.

Down to the River Thames where we turned upstream onto waters we’ve only cruised once before. Such a lovely stretch of river, sadly with fewer moorings now. We sped up to Lechlade where we took up residence for a week so that we could attend a get together at Pip’s cousins which coincided with the Royal International Air Tatoo in Fairford. It was great to be with family on a jolly occasion.

Work took over for Pip as we made our way back down stream to Oxford, Cinderella had to go to the ball and the model needed to be finished. Then we sauntered our way back northwards. One day had us meet up with Frankie NB Discovery, NB Dusty the local coal boat and Graeme on NB Misty Blue, it was good to catch up with Graeme and hear of his adventures since we’d seen him last year.

A trip for us both back to Scarborough to do a turn around of lodgers, see a show and pick up post. Mick would have to return the following weekend to swap bedlinen over again, this time by train from Rugby. Stand still budgets and inflation required Pip to do more work on panto so her days were kept busy reducing Cinderella’s carriage from £2000 to £400.

Stoppages around the network meant we had only one real route we could take to head back north. We winded and climbed our way up to the Leicester Section. Here we met up with Ken and Sue NB Cleddau at Houdini’s Field sitting out till way after dark. Then a small detour to Welford to meet up with NB Panda and Lizzie for an evening before we continued our way north.

Another detour to Market Harborough before Leicester where North Lock had a badly leaking cill which required a crew of C&RT chaps to force the bottom gates open, booked passage was required, this meant we got a few days to enjoy the city whilst we awaited our turn.

Sadly by now the lack of water on the Chesterfield Canal meant the top end of the canal was closed, no point in rushing up the River Trent for a return visit. In Nottingham Pip’s little toe had a kerfuffle with a cupboard necessitating a visit to the drop in centre for her little pinkie to be realigned. This meant Pip had to hand the windlass and key of power over to Mick for the last locks of the year.

Downstream on the River Trent, stopping at all our favourite moorings. Pip’s knitting needles came out again to knit more socks for Dementia UK. We had a trip into Lincoln along the Fossdyke Canal, we actually managed to finally visit the Cathedral this time!

Tides were not helpful for the rest of our trip north so a couple of days at West Stockwith was needed, but that did mean we’d be sharing the tidal waters back to Yorkshire with NB That’s It whom we’d met earlier in the year.

There was time for a catch up with David as we passed through Bramwith, a jaunt up to Doncaster and then finally along the New Junction and onto Goole where a space had been found for us in the marina. A train ride to Scarborough to pick up a van and see the latest show before packing up the boat again for the second time this year.

Planned works at the house then went very smoothly. Scaffolding arriving the day after we arrived, new windows later in the day with four carpenters and two days later the decorator who was to give the house a much needed new coat of paint outside.

Mid October Pip moved to Chipping Norton for a month to work on panto, Mick and Tilly left to welcome a new lodger for the Christmas show in Scarborough. Panto was as much work as normal with the addition of Pip getting covid after the first week of rehearsals. The show opened to toe tapping audiences and many many bananas, getting great reviews. Mick had a days trip to London to support boaters who had gathered outside the Houses of Parliament for a Fund Britain’s Waterways rally.

Back in Scarborough Christmas came early with a visit from the London Leckenbys at the beginning of December, they hadn’t been to Scarborough for ten years. A few more house jobs have been done but a list has been compiled for the new year along with those on Oleanna. We’ve had a lovely Christmas, catching up with Scarborough friends, Tilly has slept lots, we’re lucky to see her before 2pm most days! I’m just resting for when the outsides start changing again.

Don’t worry Tilly the count down has started.

This year our plans changed all because of an invite from Pip’s cousins. We travelled our favourite canal, cruised many familiar waters , visited ‘Home’, climbed trees and pounced, caught up with many boating friends and made many new ones along the way. One very sociable year.

So our vital statistics for 2023 according to Canalplan are

Total distance of 805miles, 2.25furlongs and 436 locks.

There were 121 moveable bridges, of which 33 are usually left open; 151 small aqueducts or underbridges and 16 tunnels – a total of 6 miles, 5 furlongs under ground and 7 major aqueducts.

This is made up of 244 miles, 1.25 furlongs of narrow canals; 251 miles, 5.5 furlongs of broad canals; 69 miles, 1.5 furlongs of commercial waterways; 95 miles, 4.75 furlongs of small rivers; 57 miles, 3.75 furlongs of large rivers; 87 miles, 1.5 furlongs of tidal rivers; 185 narrow locks; 223 broad locks; 28 large locks.

Although according to Nebo we did

815.09 miles and 431 locks! Hmm maybe my maths isn’t so good. But then we only started using Nebolink in August, tracking our every move rather than just on our phones.

470 engine hours, 789.8 litres diesel! Ouch, having to run the engine to top the batteries up on an evening didn’t help with this, 150amp hours down to 100, 3 gas bottles, 120kg coal, 19.5 litres oil, 2 oil filters, 2 fuel filters, 1 shower mixer, 1 domestic alternator, 1 set new engine mounts, 1 overnight guest, 3 packs Dreamies, 1.5 packs Bonkers, 39 friends, 6 brought in, 34 Mrs Tilly stamps of approval, 34 pairs of socks, £1132 for Dementia UK, 2 shows, 9 lodgers, 10 supermarket deliveries, 33 boxes wine, 1 toe, 6 months cruising, 3 boat mover sightings, 209 posts, 184 likes, 9,503 visitors, 31,309 views!

Thank you for following our journey during 2023. We have a plan for 2024, but there are several invites and a rendez vous with some New Zealanders. Will we stick to our plan? Have to alter course to fit everything in? Wait and see, we’re already counting down the weeks to being afloat again.

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna