No rush to go anywhere today, infact with temperatures set to be similar to yesterday we opted to stay put for the day as our mooring has proved to be rather shady.
Shady
Another 9 hour sausage day for Tilly. As with yesterday she vanished off into the friendly cover and trees in the morning not to be seen for hours, we’re certainly saving on the ‘Thank you for coming home‘ Dreamies! Then an afternoon kip when we can have the stern doors wide open followed by some more shore leave in the later part of the day before ding ding at 6pm.
Mick caught up with some cycling this morning, then sat out on the towpath listening to the cricket whilst I got on with amending bits of panto model. An extra section added to some gates for extra stability. Drawings amended to match, they just need scanning now.
Overnight something had disagreed with me so it was a bit of a wobbly day. Mick was fine so I don’t know what it was. No lunch for me, but by the afternoon and once I’d finished work I headed off for a walk.
Buzzz
I followed the towpath behind us to the winding hole, a narrowboat sat in full sun, their dogs keeping guard. Here there is a parallel footpath on the other side of the very dry ditch where we see people and the occasional motorbike, I chose to walk back towards Thorne in the dappled shade of the trees, I could see why Tilly likes it so much here. I’m surprised she hasn’t given it a stamp already, maybe it’s because she’s been too busy!
WATCH HEAD
Plenty of rotting trees, one oak stood on just a small section Left of its trunk, plenty of branches and leaves above, it creeked so I made sure I walked away quickly, only to find another tree that had fallen across the path some time ago, the warning painted in red now just about illegible.
Blue blue blue
Through a field by the M18 back to the towpath. I opted to carry on to see what the moorings were like opposite Staniland Marina. A few spaces, the best one just recently taken by a Humber Keel Comrade. If we time our arrival well tomorrow we’ll hopefully catch a space when someone moves off and not end up being opposite the bar, which was packed!
My stomach still a little bit iffy, so Mick made me some nice scrambled eggs on toast, just the ticket.
0 locks, 0 miles, 3.39 miles walked, 62 minutes briskly, 9 hours, 3 hour kip, 201st sock up to the heel, 3 Mrs Tilly stamps of approval! No you are only allowed to award one at a time Tilly.
No intention to move today, the sun already shining through the trees behind us this morning when we woke up, hopefully it wouldn’t catch the cabin sides until late afternoon.
Widebeam Tilly passing
Today was what we call a sausage day on Oleanna, no moving the outside and Tilly could come and go as she liked all day. I have no idea why it became known as a sausage day, I just said it one morning and it’s stuck. Today had the potential to be a sizzling sausage day with temperatures set to rise above 30C. We hoped our shady mooring would mean we stayed well below that.
Photos photos photos
After pottering much of the morning away updating the blog and spread sheet I decided to do some work. There was that long email from John to respond to, a storyboard to put together, scanned plans to check and annotate, maybe even a bit of model making.
Well it took quite sometime to work through the email. Then I had over 200 photos to sift through to make up the storyboard, this always takes so much time, but it’s worth it.
Cat nap time even on a sausage day
Tilly wasn’t seen much in the morning, she came in for an afternoon snooze, which allowed us to have the stern doors open for a while. Mick sat out under our oak tree listening to the cricket and occasionally having to move out of the way of the rays of sun coming through the canopy.
Our oak tree
I didn’t manage to get my model bits done, but I’d had enough for the day. Time to get ourselves ready for a barbecue. Blimey I now realised that I’d been sat down all day, too hot to go brisk walking. Veg and halloumi kebabs with some sizzling chilli turkey sausages, quite apt for today.
Ground soaked before lighting and a bucket of water at the ready
There had been more boats go past than we’d expected today and all of a sudden we’d become where boats were meeting each other. Only just enough room for a big cruiser and an even larger Dutch Barge to get past us, neither wanting to slow down to let the other one pass.
3 abreast, 2 on the move
Considering it had been such a hot day, we all had managed to stay pretty cool.
Sizzling
0 locks, 0 miles, 10 out of 10 for a perfect mooring, 460 miles this year, 2 many roses, 4 scans not good enough, 2 more colours added to socks, 6 more stitches required, 1 slow day, 1 busy busy day for some! 1 big cat nap midday, 4 sausages, 4 kebabs, 4 glasses of wine between us.
Doncaster Visitor Moorings to Huddles Ground Winding Hole, well a bit further on.
Today we’d be looking to find some shade. But first I wanted to see if I could find some clothes to fit me. Would Doncaster cater for my new size? I’m getting a little bit bored of hoiking up jeans and shorts and soon I’ll be getting my next bit of design fee for panto.
I might have…
M&S. Doncaster ladies must be shorter than those in Leeds, which was a good thing. I tried on several pairs of trousers without having the legs trailing on the floor. Depending on their style, I’d dropped one or two sizes. However either the cut wasn’t me (wide when you’ve lost weight isn’t an option), the fabric was odd or the colour choice was dark or a snotty green. Strangely enough I left without a new pair of trousers, but a new t-shirt did make it into my shopping.
…walked into the …
Primark. No jeans I’d consider buying, no shorts either as they seemed to be last years jeans with the legs cut off. I trawled through t-shirts a couple would mean I can get rid of one’s with holes. I also picked up a new belt which might actually do something to keep my existing clothes around my waist.
…deli!
Then, ohhhhh dear! I had to walk past the deli!! A serious treat purchase was required after yesterdays successful meeting. I limited myself to two cheeses and quickly left the shop.
Only two!
Just as we were about to empty the yellow water tank, three boats came past, two headed for Strawberry Island the other in desperate need of water. Yesterday the moorings had filled up, but as Mick was outside he offered for them to breast up to us, then they could have our space. We’ve come across NB Watershed a few times, but not met the owners before, Linda and Graham. We had chance for a little chat before the two hot dark blue boats were parted. It sounds like we are both hoping to head the same way, so our paths are likely to cross again whilst waiting for the planets to align.
Long Sandall Lock
Down stream, the sun shining brightly overhead, sun cream non-negotiable today. We’d timed our arrival at Long Sandall Lock with the workers on their lunchbreak again, they worked the lock for us from the tower.
Orange!
Next the EA workers were also heading for lunch. Today the big work pontoon had moved to the river side of the cut, presumably delivering more giant piling sheets.
There was space to pull in just before Barnby Dun Lift bridge so we took shelter inside with the curtains closed for lunch, trying to keep the temperature inside as low as possible.
Twenty one held up at the bridge, a pause to use the elsan, then onwards to Bramwith Junction where we turned right.
At the lock a small boat was heading up, it was the people we’d met at Viking Marina who had had engine trouble. Sadly things still aren’t fully right for them, so they were abandoning their six month trip, the River Trent not a safe place to be with a temperamental engine. They were disappointed to say the least.
Lillies in Stainforth
Next our turn. As Oleanna came into the lock I sent a message to our friend David who moors along this stretch, was he about? I lifted paddles and emptied the lock. In fact might that be David along the way? I closed up behind us and as I walked down the towpath I could see that Mick was hovering. It was David and his new, now 18 weeks old dog Flynn, a fox red labrador retriever. Sadly it was really hard to hear him across the way and the walk around the lock too far for either of us on a hot day when we’d all rather be in the shade. Mick asked how he was, ‘really well’ came the answer. If we end up coming back this way whilst waiting for things to align we’ll be in touch and hopefully have a proper catch up, not across the canal and get to meet his woofer.
It’s amazing the photos you get when you can’t see the screen!
Through the swing bridge we were now on the hunt for some shade. Our thought was maybe we’d strike lucky in Thorne, but possibly sooner. Shortly after the big winding hole Mick spotted a patch of shade. Maybe this might stay shady for much of the day, which would be good for tomorrows higher temperatures. We pulled in, enough depth and plenty of trees for Tilly. Two hours!
Touch and go on some colours so there may end up being 15 colours
I did a little bit of work, a long email had arrived from John which needs attention. The Lighting Designer had already made comments which made it obvious that not being in the room for our meeting meant he was suffering from the internet version of Chinese whispers. I opted to sort that tomorrow, I deserved a day off, well nearly. Instead I pulled out the yarn for my 101st pair of Dementia socks. Lots and lots of colours and possibly a new stitch to learn. It’ll be nice having something to do whilst watching tv again.
How long is this outside staying tied up for?
Tilly reappeared at bang on 18:11, bang on two hours of shore leave. Opening the rear doors for her was nice as it brought in a draft. She was allowed another twenty minutes before the doors were finally closed and dingding served. Our dingding this evening was mackerel salad, Tilly fancied giving it a try, but when she was told it would inhibit her tree climbing skills she opted out.It did smell nice though!
2 locks, 8.9 miles, 1 wind, 3 tshirts, 1 belt, 0 trousers, 2 types cheese, 1 right, 1 distant hello, 1 new woofer, 1 shady spot, 1 hour direct sunshine, 1 happy cat, 29C possibly higher, 1 long email of questions, 1 LD needing photos, 13 soon to be 14 colours,101st pair cast on.
A Friday and Saturday night would most likely be as noisy as last night, maybe even noisier! We decided to make a move away from the city centre after purchasing a fresh pint of milk.
Looking towards Stonegate rather than the Minster
We winded and headed down stream, a bin required, our food waste caddy now just overflowing. There are bins at Linton Lock, but not much mooring so it was back to Naburn for us. Mick was at the helm whilst I busied myself painting more bits of model and inventing things.
Inventing the inventions
Nothing seemed different on the river, but in the early hours of this morning there had been a rescue operation launched as two people had entered the water. By 8:30 the body of a man had been found and a 19 year old woman has been arrested on suspicion of assault.
Spikey and stingy things
Down in Naburn we had the whole stretch of moorings in the lock cut to choose from. We pulled into the space we’d been in last where we knew shade would appear later in the day. As the day progressed several cruisers joined us and sat themselves up on the bank. Tilly headed out, and once she’d remembered where she was, she headed over to the field to see who was about.
I went out for a bit of a walk, but my shorts meant I turned round on the path up to Naburn, too many nettles!
Himalayan Balsam
Saturday morning, I wanted to post my 100th pair of Sockathon socks. So with long trousers on I took to the riverside footpath. Last time I walked this route was maybe six weeks ago and the going was easy. Today however the Himalayan Balsam has totally taken over, very few flowers as yet but the plants were approaching shoulder height and making the path very narrow. I was glad of my trousers to protect from nettles and thistles.
No one out sailing today
I passed a couple walking the same way as me, they were taking it far slower, I’d see them on my way back. Round the fields and onto the main road, into Naburn to find the post box. Boats sat on the sailing club slipway, the pub was quiet.
Cottage
The village has all the cottages you could imagine, Fishermans, Rosehips, River, Blacksmiths. The Village shop seemed to be closed, a shame as I’d have liked a look round. The socks went in the post box, headed to Sally, this is her third pair of socks and this time she also donated her own yarn that she’d wanted to have a go at knittng socks, but had chickened out. Thank you Sally for your continued support.
Pair 100!
Mick had headed off to buy a newspaper, a bus ride away. I got on with my model painting then checked in with my brother who’s birthday it was today.
Moo!
More boats arrived, were they just out for the weekend. A cruiser pulled in behind us, they’d come from Boroughbridge today and it looked like they were packing up to head home. The chap was very chatty and had tales of pies at the pub in the village that were a touch on the soupy side.
Too bold?
Another quiet evening. The noisiest neighbours being the geese and Kenny’s cockeril, thankfully no sign of Orchid.
0 locks, 4.9 miles, 1 far quieter mooring, 100th pair of dementia socks posted, 101 to be thought about, 2 more days model making, 1 happier cat, 1 bus for a newspaper, 6.13 miles walked, 80 briskly, over 2 days, 1 pair of trousers essential.
No shore leave was granted this morning, we needed to reach Goole before Viking Marina shut up shop for the day. We’re used to their winter opening hours when they close at midday. Mick reversed us back to the junction, a touch of bow thruster had us turn beautifully to face the east and Goole.
I decided to opt out of the long stretches of canal this morning and headed back below to take over the dinette table and do some work. A look at what I’d done yesterday, a bit more of this, a look back at my Mucha reference. Most pantos have black lining, the scenery outlined in black paint. I’ve only done this once when actually I went into over-drive black lining with lots of hatching. Mucha uses a colour similar to that in the overall painting, different weights of line and not everything outlined either. Things are grouped together and selectively lined.
By the end of the hour and a quarter to Goole I’d made lots of decisions and started to paint up a sample of the cyc, backcloth which is very painterly this year. A few adjustments in tones and that should all work nicely.
Up top Mick spotted a Goole Escape boat WB Lullabelle. Martin and Wendy, moored at Rawcliffe. Back in 2021 Oleanna, Lullabelle and Sea Maiden all made a bid for freedom from Goole and headed up stream to Selby after the Aire and Calder breach. Tomorrow we’ll be doing the same cruise, but most probably on our own. Wendy waved, a shame not to be able to ask if they’d made it over to Liverpool a few years ago.
Blimey! Goole is empty!
The shed moored close to Goole Caisson let me know we were close now, I bobbed out to the bow as we came in past the ever increasing number of big barges. Straight down to the service mooring at Viking for diesel. Two boats were breasted up there, we slowly pulled in and asked the lady on board the outside boat if we could breast up. It was fine, although I had nowhere to tie the bow line to as they were a very short boat and it was too far to throw a rope over to the next boats T stud. Centre line onto their grab rail and stern line.
Three abreast in front of Phyllis
As Mick walked down the gunnel to secure us his phone rang, Selby Lock confirming we’d be able to pen up with them tomorrow and he made a booking for the following day to head on up to York. Time for chats with next doors crew and Hannah whilst being three abreast and a boat was being brought round from the slipway to go onto a lorry. If we’d been a little bit later I’d have got a photo of three abreast and a double decker. Diesel 85p.
One boat about to head for waters new
On our way into Goole we’d noted the lack of boats. No-one on the visitor moorings and only one boat moored opposite the gravel place. We’d be fine for a mooring tonight….. except! A boat came from that way, a cruiser from over there, plonking themselves on the visitor moorings a gap between each of them. We had enough room to pull in for water, but that was it.
As our tank filled Mick walked up to the auction centre to see if we could moor there for an hour whilst we visited the Coffee Dock for lunch, this was fine. I phoned Frank for a catch up and to wish him well for this week. Then we nudged up and headed for lunch.
A nice big pot of tea
Jacket potato and a panini were enjoyed in the outside/undercover area. All the time we kept a watchful eye on the boats out front. One was moved away by the marina staff, but we weren’t quick enough to grab that space. Then the cruiser started to untie, we lunged at the opportunity to move, thankfully we’d just finished our lunch.
A quick wind and we squeezed ourselves into the new space which was only just long enough for us, nestled in next to the tug Little Kirkby. How to tie up when the bollards aren’t that tall and the other boat you need to share with has wrapped their rope round the bollard three or four times so there’s little room for your rope. They’d also tied off at the bollard. I passed the bow rope under theirs and did my best to tuck it in. If you follow Oleanna on Facebook you’ll have seen the discussions about ‘dipping the eye’ this week after I’d posted a photo of a bollard with four ropes round it. Here’s an explaination on how to do it and if everyone knew about it mooring up and leaving would be a whole lot easier.
More work required today, I set about scanning the drawn out pieces of model with the aim of then using carbon paper to trace them onto thick watercolour paper so I could paint them, then cut them out. I scanned them and then printed them out, try as I could I couldn’t get the image printed the same size as the original. I enlisted the IT department, eventually we managed to find a program that worked. So much for having everything drawn out by the end of the day!
Try outs completed, now to do it for real!
Off Roader arrived around 7pm, far higher in the water by about 6ft! They only paused for a short while before we heard our VHF jump into life, they were headed for Hull, due to arrive at 3am. A while later Little Kirkby chugged into life behind us. Mick had chance to chat to Karl who was headed out to help one of the big ships who’s bow thruster wasn’t working. He was back an hour and a half later. Little Kirkby is pretty noisy so we’re glad he didn’t be come back at 2am!
Mick did a shopping trip. He looked round Boyes to see if they might have an airbrush I could buy. No chance, neither did Argos! It’s looking as though I might have to buy one via Amazon and get it sent somewhere. Needs must unfortunately. He also gave Sean at SPL covers a call to see if he might be able to help with our pram cover side, we now have a rendez vous with him at Selby, being local we should be able to get a new side quite quickly.
200th sock!
This evening I cast off my 200th sock for Dementia UK, that’s 100 pairs in the last three years. Pair 101 is going to need some thinking about which I don’t really have time for at the moment with work, so they may get bumped down the line a touch.
0 locks, 6.6 miles, 3 winds, 100 litres diesel, 1 full water tank, 0 brisk walking, 1 calf getting a good rest with hopeful improvement by the weekend, 0 shore leave, 1 chat with Little Kirby, 1 jacket, 1 panini, 1 big pot of decaf tea, 2.5 hours to print the right size, 100 pairs, 1st episode of Traitors season 2 NZ!
Should we move or should we stay? Was the question over our cuppa in bed this morning. At 9am Office Lock would be unlocked to enable passage up the locks out of Leeds. Above the lock is a water point, a top up would be welcome but not necessary. But if we stayed above the lock this evening we might have a quieter night than being by the bars and restaurants in the basin. We thought about it, we’d risk staying put.
Jobs list all ticked off
At 9am a hire boat returning to base and another boat headed into Office Lock, later in the morning another boat would head up too, only one came down that had been moored above for the last few days.
First boats up this weekend
Mick had heard from the roofer, he’d be at the house this afternoon to sort the random tile/flashing on the rear roof. Mick also wanted him to remove quite a lot of rubble that had ended up in the gutters at the front of the house so he decided to head over to make sure things happened this time. A risk we were aware, as the roofer still might not turn up on a sunny Friday when he could be playing golf!
With the drawing board back out I worked my way through the working drawings for panto. Amending where needed and redrawing the occasional pieces of scenery. It didn’t take that long.
Time to start thinking about colours. The best way to do this was by putting colours together, so I headed off to visit Fred Aldous the art shop. In the basement there were papers to choose from, paints, inks, canvases, all sorts an Aladdin’s cave, I like it here.
I’d originally thought of painting panto in chrome greens and golds, very Art Nouveau, but that would be far too tasteful. Pulling sheets of coloured card out from the racks and putting them together helped, I made quite a bold choice. I’d like to darken off around the edges, how much for a can of turquoise spray paint? £10 eek! It would be good stuff, but expensive for a very big can I’d only need a few wafts from. I’ll see if I can find a suitable colour elsewhere.
I wonder if Tilly would like a hat?
On my way back to the boat I called in at M&S to exchange my purchase from earlier in the week, I’ve now measured myself so hopefully this time the bras will fit. Another look at jeans, still none in the appropriate size!
Near Kirkgate Market
Back at Oleanna Mick had returned. He’d arrived at the house 10 minutes after the roofer had left! We both checked the webcam, they’d done something at the back of the house for three minutes. Was that long enough? A new piece of lead had been added. Will this do the job? Mick adjusted the webcam so we can see what happens the next time it rains. The gutters had been cleared out, well most of them, one that affects next door they couldn’t reach, here’s hoping the window cleaner will be more successful when he next visits.
The wonderful roof of Kirkgate Market
Should we move off now? I still had plans to scan a job that wouldn’t take long, but needed doing. We opted to remain in Leeds for the night. Gradually the ambience around us got louder, but thankfully the bar we were closest to wasn’t too noisy. It being a Friday night we expected things to carry on past 11pm, but all music stopped before 11 and soon the masses of people drifted off leaving the basin to the swans, boats and the trains coming and going at the station.
0 locks, 0 miles, 1 boat staying put, 1 last trip to Scarborough? 3 minutes roof time, 2 hours by the coast, 1 new batch of guests on the hotel boat, 3 boats up, 1 down, 1 new one in the basin, 11 sheets of drawings updated, 7 scans, 2.35 miles, 26 brisk minutes, 1 bright turquoise, similar to that at the house, 4mm pink beads, A4 gold, 1 designer wondering if she has a manual airbrush in her kit?200th toe cast on.
Back to model making today and listening to Tilly who would like to go out, her throne not an option on our current mooring due to cat health and safety legislation imposed on Oleanna. Meanies!!!!
Old and new versions
Today Mick had to relinquish the far end of the dinette table. I can confine myself to a small area, but that just means it takes a lot longer to do what I’m needing to do. Arches were remade, slight alterations to dimensions and a translucent layer added to them. For this I needed the model box out of the box and on view to see what worked best. The one scene took me most of the day, but it should now be ready for painting and explain more to those looking at the model how I would like the scenery to be built.
Now in the model box
Mick made himself scarce during the afternoon. A walk into town to look at the cathedral, Leeds Museum and the Art Gallery. The museum didn’t take long, an old fashioned informative place. The Cathedral even less time if any! Then the art gallery which held him for a while.
It could be a lily?
By the end of the day I’d finished off my model notes for panto. Time for a stretch of my legs. I decided to walk downstream along the river, then back through town. However not that far into my walk my calf hit back at me, a slower hobble required to get anywhere. This is now tedious as I want to be striding out as I was doing, but that is simply far too painful. I cut my walk short still managing to see some sights.
A giant multicoloured flower. A donkey. Some very good street art and some lovely old back streets.
Open wide!
Back to Oleanna for some chicken pasta, using things up and to finish off sock 199!
0 locks, 0 miles, 1 gallery, 1 museum, 0 catholic cathedral, 3 new arches, 1 rose table,1 bench extension, 2 chandeliers, 1.45 miles walked, 21 minutes briskly, 1 calf needing a rest, 2000+ likes for a cat sat on a throne photo, 1 cat needing some shore leave! I’m sure my 2000+ fans on facebook would agree you should let me out!
A silly timed alarm clock for us onboard today. I was up breakfasted, butty made and on my way into the station at 7am, Mick stayed in bed, Tilly stayed curled up. Today I would be heading to Chipping Norton for the white card model meetng for Panto. Mick would be heading to Scarborough to do things he’d forgotten to do with a pint of milk and a key. Tilly would be snoozing a lot, but looking after the boat, a very important job.
Perfect, a seat for the model
First train took me to Doncaster, I had two seats to myself, so one for me the other for the model box which had only just squeezed into an Ikea bag yesterday for ease of carrying. Next train was from an adjacent platform, this would take me to Birmingham New Street, I had several tickets to cover me for this part of the journey which meant changing reserved seats. Instead I opted to pop the model box on the top of the luggage rack and sit opposite it on an available seat so that I could keep a close eye on it.
A very close eye required now
Next was a change at New Street and a wait, glad not to be rushing to change trains. The train would get me to Banbury, but my split ticketing (to save at least £100) had me moving seats several times. Blimey the train was chocka! Could I be bothered in fighting to reach my first reserved seat and then hope I wouldn’t have to move for someone else? The answer was no, instead an hour of standing protecting the model box as bets I could, moving out of the way for doors opening. I’m so glad I don’t have to do this as often as I used to when I lived in London, and the models then tended to be far bigger.
Hello Chippy! It’s nice to be back
Hello Banbury, no aroma today! The familiarly coloured roof of John’s car/truck came into view, I had a lift rather than catching the bus out to Chippy. Time to catch up on lots of stuff during the drive, who had left the theatre since I was last there and who was new.
All set up in order and ready to show the model
We set ourselves up on the stage, all black tabs (curtains) and lots of speakers about the place. A table, angle poise, note books, laptop, everything to hand apart from a cuppa. The two of us were straight into working our way through the show with the model. A useful time. Should that move there, or here? The next scene change would be harder if we did that. How to transition between this and that, a few bits of writing required, it’s handy the director also being the writer.
All quiet out front now!
A sheet of notes for me to address once home, one scene just nudged about a touch and a bit of model adjusting required for it, but generally all was good. We had eight minutes left before others would join us, time to finally make a cuppa and grab a few bites of chicken sandwich before we started.
Not so neat and tidy after going through it twice
Paul joined us (Technical and Facilities Manager) and a new lady who I think works in develepment and fundraising. Gemma (Production Manager) joined via zoom, sadly she’d not been able to join us in person. We worked through the model in a more practical way as John and I’d already done the arty bits. An hour and a bit later we’d got through the show, no indictation on how we were in regards to the budget though. Some chat about trying to get ahead more this year. Last year this had had to happen as their designer wasn’t hands on like me. So we need to find a balance between the two, enough to keep me occupied and far enough ahead to reduce hours during rehearsals.
Time to head back to Leeds. I had several possible trains I could get with my tickets and luckily Paul and his wife Helen gave me a lift back to Banbury so I managed to avoid the bus again.
Oh!
Unfortunatly there had been a tree fall on the line which had held my train up by half an hour. On the southbound platform it was worse as there was a trespasser on the line further south, so all trains were being held at stations until the line was clear.
Knee location
Time to go into guarding mode again, the train packed with people trying to get somewhere, anywhere. I stood in the vestibule, but thankfully after a couple of stops I spotted a spare seat. Time to sit with the model on my knee. Another change in Birmingham, another busy train, my journey now an hour later than planned, another seat with the model on my knee. Thankfully at Sheffield the train thinned out and I got the seat next to me for the model box, no need to watch everyone going past anymore. Finally I could get my knitting out and do a few rows, toe 199 coming along nicely.
Toe 199!
Arriving back in Leeds just gone 9pm I was glad all I had to do was walk down to the South Entrance and back to the boat, only 2 minutes of brisk walking done today. Mick had been warned of my lateness, so he’d bought in pies and baked some potatoes, all accompanied by a much needed glass of wine.
Mick had traveled to Scarborough by the Coastliner from Leeds, so his bus pass came in handy, swapping buses in York meant he got a comfort break too. He did the few things at the house that were needed and tip toed around avoiding getting anything dirty. Then had caught a train back to Leeds using up a spare ticket he still had.
Hitching a ride
Tilly, what had she done? Well she’d watched the local swans swimming about showing off their cygnets and had a good old snooze for much of the day. It’s a hard life!
0 locks, 0 miles, 6 trains, 2 buses, 2 lifts, 5:50 alarm, 1 full on solid day, 3 bite lunch break, 1 warm welcome back to Chippy, A4 sheet of notes, 0 major, -1 pint milk, 1 shed door locked, 2.23 miles walked, 2 minutes briskly! 3 cygnets.
Woodlesford Lock to Granary Wharf, Leeds Liverpool Canal.
Tilly was given a couple of hours whilst we had breakfast and joined the Geraghty zoom. Subjects today included barns versus gardens, snobby boaters, trapese theatre and Dr Who deceipt.
It was finally time to give Oleanna and ourselves a cruise, something that has been missing for the last few weeks. As we got ready to push off we got chatting with a couple who were looking for a better mooring. Solar important to most boaters nowadays, they were looking for a gap in the trees. We pushed off, giving them a choice of places closer to the lock.
Swapping over at the lock
I walked on ahead with the key of power, reaching Fishpond Lock as a boat was coming down. The gates need to be closed to retrieve your key, Oleanna still a distance away the gates were closed so the lady could get back on her boat, I then reopened them.
Stourton Wharf
We’ve done this stretch a few times over the years. Today we spotted where Off Roader must come to. New ladders and steps over a wall, along with new mooring bollards. The canal isn’t wide enough for the big boat to wind by the mooring, so it must continue up to Knostrop Lock where there is plenty of room.
Thwaite Mill
Sadly Thwaite Mills is now closed. It was a great museum that we visited back in 2019. Reading up about it’s closure, Leeds City Council felt they couldn’t justify the £250,000 rent each year so had pulled out. It looks like the owners CRT have put it up for sale, but no one seems to know for how much or when. There used to be a mooring here that you could pay for a night, but now big signs say NO STOPPING!
4ft Mallard
Rowers were getting themselves sorted at Knostrop, glad we’d not set off any later as there were quite a few boats going out.
Knostrop Weir
Up the lock, time to look at the giant Mallard and the bridge over the weir before climbing back on board and heading up the wide expanse that once used to have a long island down the middle. No need to stop for the services so on to Leeds Lock, quite a shock to be in a short lock again!
Leeds Lock
Now the yellow river taxis appeared, they run between the Royal Armouries and Granary Wharf. I didn’t pop my head over the high wall to check for moorings in the basin, as we hoped to moor closer to the station, we’d return if we had to.
Heading into Leeds
Along the River Aire up to River Lock, Lock 1 of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Sadly we won’t be ascending further than the first lock this year, the locks only available up to Skipton Friday to Monday due to low water.
River Lock
Windlass in hand and a handcuff key required now, the key of power put away. I tried to get the ground paddles to work, one wouldn’t unlock, the other only turned a couple of times so I’d have to use the gate paddles, carefully. The old rack system is easy to use, it pulls a wooden cover away from an opening to let the water through, there are more of these at Bingley. It took a while, I went back to try the ground paddle to see if the change in water pressure had made a difference, but it hadn’t.
Gate paddle gear
As ever it was windy in the wharf, we found a space, the rings not ideally positioned for us, but the boat ahead would be moving off in a couple of hours once they’d stocked up, food or weed I’m not sure which. Just as we got the covers up it hammered it down with rain, a perfect time to show Tilly how pants the mooring was.
A late lunch, followed by a run through with my model, then it was packed up ready for the morning.
Part of Wharf Mill
A chicken went in the oven, enough time to add some more minutes walking before it would be ready. I walked round the station then tried to find the river bank to follow upstream for a while. I seemed to be following an odd looking chap who was quite interested in people’s bags as he walked along. I took a detour and eventually made it back to the river only to find my route cut off by building work. Instead I had a wander around Tower Wharf, which we’ve seen develop over the years.
Looking towards Granary Wharf from the River Aire
I managed to pull out some yarn and do some knitting for the first time in two weeks, I’ve something to keep me occupied on the train southwards now.
Dali watching over Aire Street
4 locks, 5.4 miles, 1 grey day, 2 boaters boating again, 2 hours shore leave, 1 turned up nose to Leeds, 1 roast chicken, 100th pair cast on, 1 big box permenantly in an IKEA bag!
Another look through my sketches this morning before I sent a link. Time to forget about panto for day or two. Time to think about how we’d be getting back into the marina tomorrow after a night away. Still no-one had returned Micks phone messages, still no-one had replied to an email he’d sent yesterday, still tumbleweed!
Puddles!!! Remember them!
I sent a message to Sarah from NB Honky Tonk, well actually right now they live on Dutch Barge Pheonix. Might they be about tomorrow at around 4pm to be able to let us into the marina? She offered us a spare key and came to meet us at the gate. A quick exchange of greetings and thanks before we were off along the towpath to Woodlesford Station.
A bag of socks to finish off
From here we headed to Leeds, one stop, the dark red widebeam still moored just above Office Lock on the Leeds Liverpool Canal. Out through the barriers to pick up something for lunch, M&S didn’t do too well, but I found a nice chicken salad. Then onto a train bound for London, time to catch up on a bit of knitting as the countryside whizzed by.
St Pancras
London was busy! It usually is, flashing lights and being funneled out of the station, was something happening, or was this just to accommodate football fans heading to Wembley? A long wait for the No 30 then we could sit back and enjoy the ride towards Hackney. That was until the bus decided to change its destination! Oh well we’ll get the Overground one stop. Nope that was closed for the weekend! Back on the bus, finally reaching our destination.
Today, Saturday, is Jac’s birthday. Big hugs all round and Josh had made a surprise visit for the weekend. Cuppas and chats, followed by exchanging presents. Jac got a mattress topper and some olives from us, Mick got an oil filter wrench and a head band to wear in bed which has flat speakers, so he can keep up with the test matches abroad without having ear buds in.
Jane, Jac and Kevin
Glad rags on, and face mask off for Jac, the next guests arrived bang on time. Jane and Kevin, who were over from Australia on a celebratory trip for a significant birthday of Janes earlier in the year. We last saw them in 2022, since then they have married, so there was even more to celebrate. Andrew and I grew up with Jane and her sister Emma, so there was lots to catch up on. Their celebratory trip funded by Inspector Morse, Jane was in an episode and her residual payments from one episode tend to be enough for a trip back to the UK and Europe every few years. A friend of Josh’s, Mia, bobbed in on a break from work to wish Jac a happy birthday. The pub where she works was very quiet this evening, so she managed to get the rest of the night off and came back to join us.
Pip, Mick, Josh, Mia, Jac, Jane, Andrew and Kevin
A very lovely evening, with very good company, a huge salmon, apple cake and homemade ice cream and maybe just a little bit too much wine!
Sunday morning there was only really enough time for a cuppa in bed with Ziggy and Finn and a brief chat with Andrew and Jac before we headed to catch our train, it was far too early for us to see Josh! Bus and tube, enough time to buy something to eat for brunch on the train then we were hurtling our way back northwards.
Opens in the autumn!
Tilly had looked after the boat well, but was understandably seriously bored!
Time to return the key to Sarah and Phil on Pheonix. We were invited inside for a cuppa, it’s always a bit of a shock going inside a wider boat, soooo much room! They bought Pheonix just over a year ago, Phil is tall and NB Honky Tonk was just a little bit too low when they decided to live onboard full time. NB Honky Tonk is moored on the Trent and Mersey currently and used to cruise further south when there is time.
A rather good clock on the underground
We’ve followed each other on Instagram for a few years and recently Sarah was added to the Ladies of Finesse group, so it was really nice to finally meet her and Phil. NB Honky Tonk was launched about a year after Oleanna, so we had quite a few things to chat about in common. Their evening meal was just about ready so we did our best not to disturb it too much and headed back to Oleanna to finalise a supermarket delivery and get something to eat ourselves.
