Category Archives: Sockathon

Visible Scars. 9th August

Barley Mow Moorings to Ansty Moorings

No need for an alarm this morning, but we were still awake early. Time to enjoy a cuppa in bed before getting up, exercising and having breakfast, Tilly was allowed an hour of shore leave then the doors were firmly shut, time to move onwards.

Through Newbold Tunnel, hardly worth turning the tunnel light on for, but we did. Then we managed to pull up outside Armada Boats, in between boats passing by. The last time Mick had stopped here it was snowing! A few days ago one of our gas bottles ran out so it’s always best to replace as soon as you can so that you don’t get caught out! It would be hard for us to get caught out as we carry three bottles, but best to replace that empty bottle.

£42 for 13kg of gas, a top up of diesel at £1.08 and two filters for the next service at £9 each. Thank you Dave Scouts for reminding us to stop here.

Three miles or so. Normally I’d have got my knitting out the back, but the current pair of socks are a touch too complicated right now, so need to be concentrated on so that I don’t get lost!

There were spaces where we’ve stopped before, but not far enough for todays cruising schedule. A hire boat had managed to get into the side under some very good shade, we’re hoping for a mooring like that in the next couple of days.

At Easenhall Lane Bridge 34 a yellow sign can just be seen instructing you to slow down, evidence of a small landslip right by the brick work. A fence with a gate in it means business, cutting off the towpath. The extra piece of fence that’s meant to stop people from getting round the edge has been pushed out of the way as they always are, the undergrowth worn away through use. The towpath is officially closed, but other people know better!

Back in early February there was a major landslip in the cutting. Tons and tons of earth (estimated at 40,000 tonnes) slid down and into the cut fully blocking the navigation until May when it was opened at certain times so that C&RT could continue working at the site. Today the canal is open, there had been two landslips, large areas of raw earth are very visible scars at the moment. I wonder how long before nature reclaims the cuttings and what else C&RT intend to do here. Some gabions line the edge of the bank, but the towpath is very muddy. We kept our speed to the minimum, the bottom of the canal hitting the base plate at one point, respect for this cutting has always been needed, but now more so. Maybe I’d not been looking for the slow down signs, or been busy doing something else, but I hadn’t noticed them.

Boats moored just before a bridge opposite a skip boat caused a bit of a log jam as a boat came the other way. Then it was our turn through the narrows, nowhere to step off the stern of Oleanna to work the bridge due to all the hire boats being at base. A chap gave the bridge a big push, it swung perfectly out of the way for us. I hopped off the bow so as to close it behind us. Beeping of a truck reversing could be heard and a crowd had gathered. On the back a short skip boat complete with greenery was being backed down to the narrows, it must have been going in here.

We’d done our cruising for the day, so looked for a mooring away from the railway. Through Grimes Bridge 26 is a length of armco, which was full, including a C&RT work boat. Volunteers packing up for the day removing equipment and going home for the weekend. There wasn’t enough armco for us, the boat in front was doing it’s best to moor up, but the sloping stone bank of the North Oxford canal means you’d be a long way out. We carried onwards, tried a bit further on, but soon gave up hoping the next moorings would have space for us.

Under the M6 the railway running right alongside. Eventually we reached Ansty, the straightened route of the canal a good few miles shorter than the original. Here there was space for us. We pulled in as far away from the road bridge as possible. A deja vu moment. A footpath goes through the hedge and two large water containers sit with the tops removed waiting to swallow up a curious cat. Oleanna was moved onwards to rings further along midway between road and water butts.

Tilly came and went and was ecstatic when the lid of the Dreamies pot came off showering the table and floor with it’s contents. We were too busy picking up from the floor to notice her sterling work on the table!

A sketch book came out. Reference collected yesterday was used for some basic ideas , photos taken and emailed off. A little project for a friend, I’ll be able to share the result with you later in the year. I got approval, so onto the next stage in the coming days.

Quesadillas this evening. I tried using a tin of beans in a spicy tomato sauce, it was a touch too runny so I added some cooked rice which helped. Just a shame the spicy tomato sauce wasn’t as spicy as I’d imagined, they lacked a bit of a kick.

0 locks, 7.9 miles, 1 gas bottle, 21.3 litres, 2 filters, quite a few straight ons, 3.5 hours shore leave, 2 big brown ski slopes, 1 slow poot, 1 swing bridge, 3rd mooring, 2 sketches, 1 thumbs up.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/AnfRXZ5mxLDrye5Y8

Dreamie Deficit! 5th August

Near Bridge 88 to near Moores Bridge 72

Boats boats boats! So many moving boats this morning, maybe this is where everyone is. It’s always busy in these parts as there are so many marinas and not many locks. Clifton Cruisers also seem to be doing a good trade compared to most hire bases, we’ll see how many boats they have in when we pass their base.

With supplies surprisingly low for breakfast Mick cooked us up some eggs and mushrooms on toast instead of the normal porridge oats. We need to do quite a stock up of basic things when we reach Rugby. Tilly took up residency within the airing rack which at times gets positioned on the sofa for ease of getting past, well it’s not much of a climbing frame when it’s on the sofa, but I may as well make use of it, plus there’s nothing better than freshly laundered socks and pants to sit on!

Time to move off ourselves. We managed to pull out without having to wait for too many boats to come past, but soon found the boat in front was slow. A boat soon showed itself behind us, we all kept to a reasonable distance and headed northwards.

Some stretches of the North Oxford were straightened to cut journey times and the bridges were kept wide, Widebeams are allowed to cruise up to Dunchurch Pools Marina if they have booked passage, an email to warn narrower boats is sent out so you can stay put as the canal wasn’t really built for widebeams. Past Dunchurch Pools the bridges are that bit narrower.

I scanned in on the pump at the marina, it could have said £1.01 a litre, but I couldn’t be certain. We’ve heard that it’s a good price, maybe it’s better than Rugby Boats now.

We followed on behind the slow boat. All the way down Barby straight, a good idea to keep your speed down, especially when passing a breasted up pair, they didn’t need to alter their speed as they’d be going at tick over all the way.

A chicken has joined the witch and skeleton on the wishing well and the tree house has been totally taken over by the tree. A lovely vintage car now sits on manicured grass, it’s been a while since the vintage ambulance was last seen surrounded by long grass. The new house at the end is still being built. Electric cables hang from the ceilings and areas of exterior wall still need cladding, will they be wood or render?

Coming round the bend by Wharf Farm the boat ahead met a rather faster moving boat, they made contact and then spent time sorting themselves out. The mound of rubbish by the boat yard, is it getting bigger, it’s certainly an eye sore.

We’d considered carrying on to find a mooring near Tescos in Rugby, but the going had been so slow we abandoned it. Pulling in where The Wasp (NB Lilliyanne and NB Blackbird) had moored ten years ago below the railway embankment. It’s not as noisy as you’d imagine and proved to be a good place for Tilly as fairly soon after we arrived her catch was confiscated!

Time to look up some reference for the next pair of socks, a touch of colourwork required for these. I worked out a pattern then selected the yarn, pair 32 ready for casting on, just the rib at the top of pair 31 to finish. There’s still 7 pairs of socks up for grabs, ideal Christmas presents in aid of a great charity, just saying! And talking of Christmas, today we’ve had our first enquiry for digs from someone in the Christmas show. If we end up with two people wanting digs then we shall stay on the boat till the new year, better have a look at the winter stoppages!

Tilly came and went, Well I was looking for something! She came and went so much that the Dreamie pot became empty. Just what am I going to come home for now! Don’t worry a new pack of Beef Dreamies was opened and someone stuck their face in the pot straight away. Fresh Dreamies, that extra crunch!

***How can the Dreamie pot be empty!?!***

0 locks, 5.6 miles, 1 very slow boat, 2 near misses, 1 direct hit, 4 hours shore leave, 4 shades, 1 background, 1 prescription alteration requested, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval, 1 vanishing bird.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/RNNmoTpwp7yWo4DD6

Signals Clinging On 30th July

Above Soloman’s Bridge to Stoke Bruerne Visitor Moorings

**Sometimes it’s really worth getting up early**

An early alarm. We wanted to be up Stoke Bruerne locks before the sun was heating everything. A cuppa was made then Mick pushed us off, no time for exercises this morning! Well I suppose I could have done them as we cruised along on the flat, but that would have meant missing out on the sun rising and I wasn’t going to do that.

Already above the horizon as we pushed off it was beautiful. Just the right amount of clouds to add to the picture.

A wave to NB Briar Rose as we passed Thrupp Wharf. Adam’s mooring was a touch further and it was available, this had been our scheduled stop for yesterday. Currently in the shade, but the sun would soon be streaming over the hedge and stay heating it up until sunset, we’d chosen last nights mooring well.

Slowly past any moored boats. Windows, doors open to let the cool air inside, they didn’t want waking by us. Scum appeared on the canal surface. It got thicker the further we went. By Kingfisher Marina it was really bad, then within a hundred yards it vanished and the canal was back to it’s sludgy brown self.

Sheep clambered to reach the tastiest morsels, a fence now holding it’s inhabitants safe away from the waters edge, one year we had to mount a rescue for a lamb who’d discovered that it couldn’t swim very well.

Four boats sat below the flight. Was anyone stirring? Might we have a locking partner? We crept past, no sign of any life.

Mick went to set the bottom lock, only a foot of water to empty. As I passed the bottom gates I could see a crayfish clinging to the side of the gate. Almost certainly a Signal Crayfish an invasive species. It looked like it had lost one of it’s big claws, after a minute or so it fell back into the lock beneath the water.

We worked our way up the bottom five locks, most with just a small amount of water requiring emptying before the lock was set. Dog walkers were starting to appear, a chap opened his car doors, a pot of flowers on the bonnet. No need for jumpers now, the world was starting to warm up.

**Sold £379,000 click photo for details**

Mick hopped back on board so that I could have a sit down before the top two locks. The next lock was full but was soon emptied and as Oleanna rose I glanced ahead, a volunteer popping his head round the bridge above. We’d been spotted, then the top lock started to empty. Was there a boat coming down? Or was it being dropped for us?

A hire boat appeared, Dad at the helm, Mum and a little girl in a Captain’s hat accompanied a volunteer walking down. The top lock would have been their first lock of their trip, for us it would be our 543rd of the year.

A volunteer stayed to help us, Mick and the chap chatted away. Another boat arrived above ready to take our place in the lock. Now we needed to find some shade, ahead a tree lined cutting, we hoped to find some good cover for the rest of the day.

Two hire boats looked like they’d got a good stretch, up ahead another patch looked good. We pulled in in front of another boat tied up and sat down for our breakfast at 10am, the days cruising complete.

Tilly was given 8 hours shore leave with the request to return for water at regular intervals. She was kept busy in the friendly cover for quite some time.

The sun moved over, starting to catch us. The boat behind pushed off, a more comprehensive patch of shade just behind where it had been moored. Luckily Tilly came home just as we were wanting to pull back into the new patch of shade. This lasted us for the remainder of the day. Our days mission complete. Locks climbed before it got too hot and to keep the boat as cool as possible.

We’ve cruised through Stoke Bruerne several times now, but never visited the museum, it’s either been closed or we’ve had visitors. So with walking pole we took our time walking back to the museum. It being an old wharf building there was no step free access, but so long as time was taken and I could sit down periodically it would be fine.

The museum is laid out over two floors. Various objects sit in cases. One corner suggests a blacksmiths forge. A boatman’s cabin can be leered inside of. Details about Blisworth Tunnel. Smells of the tunnel and horses! All quite child friendly.

Two things we didn’t know before we visited. 1 That the boat women made Spider Belts for the men, worn for Sunday best. 2 That the tunnel was cleaned periodically to clear the soot from the walls, a very dirty job. There was also a cross section of the Grand Union, interesting as it showed Foxton Summit pound to be higher than Tring, the Welford Arm even higher.

**Cross section of the Grand Union Canal**

There are also three examples of roses, as in Roses and Castles done by three different people. William Hodgson (left), worked as an artist for Anderton Boat Company in Stoke. He was shown how to paint at the Northwich School of Art and also painted theatre backdrops. He included racehorses, swans and sunsets in his paintings and his roses were considered to look the most realistic. Have to say his style was my favourite. Frank Nurser (middle) worked at Braunston at the Nurser Brothers boatyard. His roses started with a large petal to which smaller ones were added around it. He also painted fairytale castles. His style is possible the most common you’ll see today. Then Fred Winnet (right), he worked as a painter for the Clayton Company at Oldbury. His style very painterly and the least like flowers of the three.

Some chilled medication was enjoyed in the shade of some trees outside before we slowly returned to Oleanna to let Tilly back out.

**Blueberry Cookie, not as good as it could have been, also not in focus**

The rest of the afternoon was taken up with yarn auditions for sock pair 31 and taking a digs list booking for our house next year! Is it too early to be starting to plan what we’ll be doing in the Spring yet?

7 locks, 6.1 miles, 05:15 alarm, 2 jumpers, 1 amazing sky, 1km of scummy scum, 8 HOURS! 1 cool boat, 1st visit, 1 Mr Ben, 2 many stupid comments, 0 chairs on the top floor, 2 magnum medications, 3 pairs socks wrapped and ready to go, 8 weeks!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/YVP4Jb4fVvhFmD147

Late To The Shade. 29th July

Linford Manor to north of Solomon’s Bridge 65

***No point in watching you, you can’t even get your leg over your head!***

As I started my exercises Tilly came to supervise. I’m not doing it correctly apparently, she doesn’t understand how I’m not as flexible as she is. She soon lost interest and preferred looking out of the window. As I carried on lifting my bad leg into the air a chap walked past the window, soon followed by a lady who stopped right in front of me. She bent down and said ‘Has Daddy left you behind?’ She stood up with a small dog in her arms, the dog the only one aware of me looking out at them.

After breakfast we went for a little bit of a walk. Last time we moored here I think the park was still being worked on so I wanted to see how the interconnected ponds looked now, reinstated to how they had been designed many moons ago.

A circular pond tumbles down into a second one towards the canal, making a pretty picture with the Alms Houses behind.

We had a look at the information boards. Linforde is mentioned in the Doomsday Book and it’s thought there was first a settlement here in the C10th. In the C16th Richard Napier lived here, he was a renowned physician who based his treatments and their timings on astrological readings. I wanted to know what ‘pigeon slippers’ were, well they were just that slippers made from pigeons, one of Napiers treatments! More here on Richard Napiers treatments. In 1800 the canal cut right through the pastoral landscape of the manor which dated from the previous century. When the railway arrived the peace was shattered but both forms of transport aided the village to grow.

Sadly any further walking wasn’t possible for me so we headed back to the boat where locals were suggesting to the boat behind us that fishing and barbeques were not allowed on the manor land. No signs saying so, at least our barbeque last night had been on the concrete edging, so no scorch marks on the grass.

**This has been a building site for at least ten years**

We pushed off, the boat behind us moving into our space so they could stay longer and be out of the way of the community boat tomorrow morning. Pootling along we passed the house that is constantly being built, piling and some excavation alongside the canal and I think some stone work on the main building is new.

The Wolverton mural always requires a photo or two. Hot air balloons like the Olympic torch. There was a space on the moorings round the corner, we pulled in a few extra items of shopping required to keep us going. Mick head off with a shopping list and thankfully remembered to add a bag of onions to items that would make food preparation over the next few hot days more bearable.

Onwards, we need to keep up our pace northwards. Over the Iron Trunk Aqueduct and towards Cosgrove Lock, here a boat waited for our arrival so that we could share. They’d had a worrying phone call this morning which meant they needed to move today, on a bit of mission we let them lead the way out of the lock as we were wanting to top up with water which would take some time.

**Cows flicking their ears at the flies**

With fresh water filled and yellow water disposed of we moved on. Todays mooring should have been Adam’s mooring with the view through the hedge, but that wouldn’t give us any shade. I remembered tall hedging just after Solomon’s Bridge but that was already filled with boats that were wonderfully cool. We pootled on trying a few places, but the bottom was too close to the top. We only had as far as the next bridge before the towpath changed sides and we’d have to moor on the sunny side of the canal. Another attempt got us quite close, this would have to do. I’d not be trying to get to shore so as long as Mick could manage, Tilly was guaranteed to be able to jump the gap, which she did without any calculations required.

***Surely you could have tied it up better!***

Two salmon steaks had been defrosted, no room for a barbeque today so I pan fried them with some red pepper and garlic, one of my favourites. Ends were woven in on the latest two pairs of socks before an early night as tomorrow we want to beat the heat up the Stoke Bruerne flight.

1 lock, 5.6 miles, 1 bag potatoes, 2 red peppers, 1 bunch spring onions, 1 full water tank, 1 hot hot day, 2 hours of Tilly time, 2 hot for a stamp, 30 pairs of socks finished.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/m4dwyqdj5XmwQeEWA

A Flat Day. 28th July

Fenny Stratford to Linford Manor 48hr Mooring

Time for knee exercises. This morning I decided to have a go on the bed before it was put away for the day as the majority of stretches are done lying down. Most worked, although I wonder whether a firmer surface would be better as they seemed a lot easier this morning than when I’d done them in front of the sofa. One however required using the bed diagonally as other wise my foot was trapped under the gunnel. They take time, the time I usually spend writing the blog! I’m currently chasing the blogs tail and am a few days behind. Just need to sort a new routine.

As I stretched away half an hour Mick got to work in the galley with breakfast. We’d not quite finished when the Geraghty zoom started. Subjects, 2024 Olympics, The Last Supper, Strawberry eating Squirrels for the third time, swarf, and Romanians falling off things.

**Tim on Sola Gratia heading off as Mick crosses the lock gates**

As we were about to get ourselves sorted to move off NB Sola Gratia’s engine was started up, their pram hood lowered and they pushed off. Perfectly timed as a boat was just coming out of the lock. Next it was our turn, we pushed off and got ourselves ready to wave.

Back in 2014 the end house opposite the moorings had a very well kept garden and sat behind the French windows two people waved at us as we came past. Such an enthusiastic wave we obviously reciprocated. Ever since whenever we pass we wave with the hope of getting one back in return. The garden isn’t quite so immaculate as it was and who knows if the same people live there, I hope they do, a medical looking table/trolley sits by the French window obscuring our view. From a few feet into the darkness we could just see an enthusiastic wave back and maybe even a thumbs up! I so hope other people wave to them to help brighten up everyone’s day.

**Heel turned now onto the home straight**

I got my knitting out to carry on whilst we cruised along on the flat. The trip to Scarborough and visitors for a day meant despite starting this pair of socks early, I would need to do a sprint to get them finished before the end of today.

Past familiar sights, the bridge that kept us south during winter 2015, lots of familiar boats, a friendly heron taking advantage of a good perch. Before one bridge there was a breasted up pair that had come past earlier, they were breasted up to another narrowboat. Turns out they were there to mend someone’s cratch cover, plenty of space to get past them. Red Lion Cruising club where we’d watched a Mikron show a few years ago. There was space at Campbell Park if we’d wanted it, but we were hoping of a much better mooring.

Under a couple of bridges, there on the offside was a space we’d been hoping for, Linford Manor. The first space has notices saying that it is reserved for Electra the community boat, but that is only on Tuesdays. The second space is still a 48 hour mooring we pulled in there, shame not to have the view across the park, but instead we had some shade. Tilly was given a few hours shore leave and we settled in.

***Glad they’ve left a bit of it untidy***

With our shopping I got a chicken, too hot to roast it so it was jointed, the majority heading for the freezer. I diced up one breast ready for some kebabs, marinaded it for a couple of hours before threading it onto skewers. Veg and haloumi kebabs were also prepared. The kebab rest would be used to it’s full capacity today.

Another boat arrived and moored behind us. Tilly and one of their dogs had a slight altercation through the side hatch. But we all soon settled down to cook our food outside. What a lovely evening.

0 locks, 6.6 miles, 9 exercises, 1 diagonal, 1 smelly stretchy band, 1 stool, 1 Tilly getting in the way, Well she doesn’t know how to do cat yoga! 14 rows left, 48hour garden mooring, 2 chicken kebabs, 4 veg and haloumi kebabs, 2 sniffy woofers, 2 bowls of chilled medication, 2 hot for a stamp.

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.

Sweet Talking The Gates. 22nd July

Milepost 52 to above Slapton Lock 30

Reluctant at first Tilly was allowed an hours shore leave whilst we had breakfast. I wonder if when we speed up our cruising again whether we’ll get complaints at not being allowed out in the mornings.

As the covers were rolled up it started to spit, we went back inside to sit it out, no point in getting damp if you don’t need to. A delay of half an hour and the world was dry again.

Seabrook Bottom Lock has the first of a series of Lock Cottages that are always pleasing to the eye. Their white walls and dates proudly stamped above their front doors, they always have to have their photos taken.

Ivinghoe Top Lock the cottage faces away from the lock a touch shy hiding behind trees. Here we met a single hander moving the old trip boat from the Aylesbury Arm down to be a new trip boat in London. It was fairly recently sold and has been somewhere for work. The onboard facilities looked really quite basic, Mick wondered if the chap moving it was staying onboard, no comfortable cushions on the seats to sleep on.

I slowly pootled Oleanna down to the second Ivinghoe Lock so that Mick could finish closing up behind me and walk down. As I rounded the bend I could see that the top gates of the lock were sat open enough to get Oleanna into the lock, I now remembered that this pair of gates would rather settle slightly open. As Mick arrived he closed up the towpath gate then started to walk round. I nearly suggested he gave a paddle a couple of clicks round to help hold the gates closed, it would have been a good idea as they both wanted to swing back open. I talked nicely to them as Mick wound a paddle up slightly to help encourage them into closing.

The gates also need a few kind words on leaving, saving Mick having to walk round. In normal times, Mick catches the bottom gates with a boat hook and encourages them to stay closed as Oleanna leaves a lock, but these are not normal times and I’m not going to adopt Mick’s methods.

A pootle to Horton Lock. Here there are pens and huts for young cows to grow in confinement, not right. A young chap was being given instructions with a strimmer to trim all the nettles alongside the farm moorings, he had his work cut out!

Another cottage. The owners have done work to the garden, a sunken seating area overlooking a tennis court! Rather nice.

All the way we tried to spy the Whipsnade Lion on the distant hills. Definitely in need of some tlc, it’s quite mangy now.

**I’m not used to this view of Oleanna**

Some armco attracted us into the side. Mooring away from ants nests takes some time, then avoiding crab apples falling on the roof is the next concern, but we managed to find a suitable length to tie up on for lunch. It was soon decided that lunch would actually turn into the rest of the day and Tilly was allowed another four hours.

After lunch I wanted to see how I fared on a short walk. Since leaving Aylesbury I’ve only walked the length of Oleanna. The pain killers are doing a great job with my knee, no need for the walking pole inside. I was starting to feel a touch of a fraud, was this just down to my inactivity?

Tilly accompanied me for good measure and I took the pole too. First we walked back the way we’d come. On turning round the noise of an engine was getting closer, a cruiser coming along at quite a lick. No slowing down to pass Oleanna and the wake of about a foot ricochet back and forth for a good five minutes, they may as well have been an Uber boat on the Thames!

A similar distance the other way until Tilly found the pole to be of more interest than the walking. We have a new game it seems. My knee did pretty well, but it’s now starting to ache for much of the day. Time to sit down and knit, this pair will be finished way ahead of time!

4 locks, 1.9 miles, 3 cottages, 100 yards of nettles, 2 outsides, 8 lengths of the boat, 1 pole game.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/9UQePKRfoystvyyj9

Hoola Hoop Dreamies. 21st July

Milepost 54 to milepost 52

Shore leave was granted, I didn’t want to smell their cooked breakfast anyway, I’d far rather find my own thanks. I did however make it back in time, 1 hour 15 to be exact, to show myself on the screen. Everyone was there, they talked about slimy slugs, squerls eating strawberries again, the big steps in Nottingpants where Toms play with hard balls not bedoingee balls and cheesy flavoured hoola hoops, they sounded like round Dreamies, interesting.

Yellow water was dealt with, Tilly’s pooh box refreshed, and rubbish taken to the bins. As I rolled up the covers the boat in front of us NB Tamarisk, Over the yarnarm, was also making ready to move off. We had a locking partner.

A group of fishermen had set themselves a match, no-one was having any luck though, no fish biting. The thatched cottage still looks very snug and hunkered down by the bridge, very appealing.

The Marsworth bottom locks were empty, Mick hopped off to set the top one as Helen and Carlene joined to work the locks, we were mob handed. NB Tamarisk used to be moored on the Bridgewater, Mike and Helen having owned her now for 18 months moved her down onto the Kennet and Avon where they spend much of the year. They are on a summer exploration cruise, possibly up to Birmingham if they have enough time before they want to return to their home waters.

Round past all the boats on the boat club moorings. We waved to the Margees house, even though Alison and Laura haven’t lived there since we’ve known them, but we still wave. Under the big railway embankment and on to Seabrook Swing Bridge. It’s very odd being on the boat at such times as it’s usually me who operates it or I’m ready with a windlass to set the next lock, but Carlene did the honours.

It turns out that Carlene used to live at Cooks Wharf on NB Mozart. Mike her brother remembers the Margees house being built. If you are reading this Alison and Laura, Carlene said to say Hello! The large grassy area alongside Seabrook Lock 35 was where Carlene and her friends used to come and socialise at weekends, her trip bringing back memories, I think Mike is doing his best to persuade her to move back onto a boat.

At our last lock I felt a touch useless. I’d normally be the one opening and closing gates, lifting paddles, setting ahead. Helen had set the lock and opened both gates, I managed to step off and hold Oleanna’s centre line whilst Mike brought their boat into the lock. But there was no-one to close our gate, paddles were about to be lifted and I had to stop everyone. I most probably could have closed the gate, but my instinct at the moment is to do no pushing and pulling of heavy things.

Time for us to find a mooring, we said our farewells and pulled in a little past some boats. This morning our side hatch had looked out at milepost 54, this afternoon it was 52. Tilly was given another four hours, coming and going. Mick sat outside to listen to the end of the test match and I watched The Courier (2020) whilst knitting away at my scrappy sock.

Benedict Cumberbatch plays Greville Wynne a British Businessman who was recruited to carry information from Russian Oleg Penkovsky in the 1960s. Both men are arrested, after months of interrogation Wynne is allowed a visit from his wife who reveals that the information they had passed to the British and Americans helped to de-escalate the Cuban Missile Crisis. A good film but a few too many subtitles for ease of knitting.

We finally got round to swapping over our duvet today. Summer one unpacked and the winter one stuffed back into a vaccum bag with some thick jumpers and popped back under the bed. It may be back out in a few weeks time, who knows!

4 locks, 2 miles exactly, 1 sharing boat, 1 summer weight duvet, 2 fat jumpers, 0.5 of a sock, 1 film, 2nd test match won, 1 day we’ll be moored at County Hall in Nottingham for a test match, 2 Walsall Turkey Schnitzels, 46th President not to stand again, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval for this morning’s mooring.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/tnyZhXpVLnZS9kD78

The Guano Effect. 20th July

Broughton Lock 14 to Halls Agricultural Bridge 129, Grand Union

Last night as the hatch was waterside we’d left it open with the mesh infill in it, to keep Tilly in but let some cooling air in hopefully. I’d also lifted the lid on one of the bow lockers with the hope that this would encourage cool air through the pipe which is part of the low level ventilation on Oleanna, this would come round the water tank and then in through the mesh on the treads. In the early hours I could feel a slight draft, but I’m not sure if this was coming from the port hole above our heads, the side hatch or from the treads. It was very pleasant no mater where it came from.

After breakfast Mick made a phone call, another mooring found for our medical trip to Scarborough, this was guaranteed and 2/3rds the price we’d been quoted yesterday. Tilly doesn’t need many facilities when she’s left in charge so long as she doesn’t surf the internet all day and night she won’t even need to be hooked up. With two of us heading to Scarborough a hire car would be cheaper than train fares, Mick set about sorting that out too, a van being £60 cheaper than a car, we’ll see what we end up with.

Time to move onwards and upwards. It was a couple of miles to reach the next lock, slow going even though the prop had been checked before moving off. Mick worked the locks and I took Oleanna through them. My pain killers seem to be doing a good job as I’m only getting the occasional twinge, I was however glad of a sit down between locks.

The number of dragonflies today was less than there had been in the sunshine yesterday. They still made their presence known with their clicking darting flight, many seemed to be laying eggs, maybe. Butterflies flitted about too, one taking a break on a lock gate, glad it moved off before the lock filled as the water tends to flow over the top.

There’s an ex-hire boat that we’d seen on our way down. The rail round the stern a good vantage point for a cormorant. It sat there as we passed right along side before it decided to move. We wondered how long this boat had been sat there. The stern deck splashed white with guano, eergh!

At the boat yard Carp is for sale £6k +vat and I spotted that the wooden boat high up on the bank had unusual windows. I wonder of they originally opened?

Above Puttenham Bottom Lock there is a large white tarpaulin draped over the bank, obviously helping to keep the water in the canal. What ever was holding it in place on the bottom is no longer doing the job so great care was taken to avoid catching it with the prop, Oleanna glided past.

As we approached Wilstone Lock 9 a Lock Keeper appeared round the bridge then went up to the lock to open it for us. He was there clearing reeds and bits and bobs from the lock with a keb and chatted away to Mick as Oleanna rose. We pulled in for lunch where we’d moored a few nights ago, Tilly allowed an hours exploration, well we hoped it would only be an hour.

Thankfully Tilly’s time keeping is good 30 minutes later she returned and we could carry on up the locks. The lock keeper must have started at Bridge 2 and been working his way down as all the locks had a bottom paddle raised on them. The road bridge was now open and all the scaffolding is removed.

**Mick closing Black Jacks Lock behind us**

A boat had some interesting planters hanging from their grabrail and we passed through Black Jacks Lock without incident again. Now for the staircase, upperty up back to the Grand Union.

The Lock Keeper and a lady who walked by had both made sure we knew we’d not be able to go anywhere if we turned right, the way we’d come the other day, as the Marsworth Flight was closed due to a lock gate coming apart. We turned left and found ourselves an Oleanna sized gap to pull into. Another hours shore leave for Tilly, another two outsides days.

A little bit ahead on my socks and not really wanting to weave ends in I decided to select yarn for pair 30, just so I’d have something to do in front of the TV tonight. The next pair I’d been given instructions of Any Colour, well I decided to change this a touch to Every Colour! The next pair will be what is known as a scrappy pair, helping to use up odds and ends of all sorts of yarn. I’ve selected around thirty small balls of yarn and it will be a lucky dip as I knit them up.

13 locks, 4.8 miles, 2 outsides, 2 hours, 1 hour taken, 1 hour on account, 1 left, 0 right, 1 guitar playing neighbour, 1 Paul Weller, pair 30 cast on, 6 colours, 54 miles to Braunston.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/3zfxTXpgjw1QjA7m8

Ronnie, Tinkerbell And The Queen. 19th July

Aylesbury Basin to above Broughton Lock 14

A big pill after breakfast, hopefully the effect of it would kick in by the time I’d written the blog as there was someone I wanted to say hello to.

Sat in front of Aylesbury Waterfront Theatre is Fletcher, Norman Stanley Fletcher, well Ronnie Baker in his costume from Porridge. He sits hands in his armpits looking up towards the theatre, as if he’s about to say something to Mr Barrowcliffe.

Ronnie first performed professionally in 1948 at the old County Theatre in Market Square Aylesbury, good on the person who gave him his first job.

Around the entrance to the theatre has been painted for Christmas. Peter Pan a good guess for their panto, but it’s actually The Further Adventures of Peter Pan. It’s a shame Tinkerbell looks a little bit chubby cheeked.

With walking pole at hand and the pain killer starting to kick in Mick and I had a wander around Waitrose looking for yellow labels and enough provisions to keep us going for a few days. This I simply wouldn’t have been able to do a couple of days ago.

Mick had topped us up with water whilst we had breakfast linking our hoses together from a tap by the gate to the pontoons. Some bins had been mentioned by another boater so Mick went off to find them, check they were official C&RT bins (they were), noted their location and disposed of our rubbish.

As the temperature was set to rise to around 30C today we really didn’t want to be sitting in bright sunshine, Tilly for one would be complaining about it, ALL the time! We’d spotted somewhere on our way down that, if there was space for us, would be a nice shady mooring. It would have been nice to venture further afield in Aylesbury than we’d been before but that wasn’t to be this time.

We pushed off and slowly made our way back up the canal. Depth and weed slowing our progress. The first lock had both it’s bottom gates open waiting for us, plus a paddle up. I stayed at the helm and Mick did the honours with windlass and gates.

Blimey it was getting hot, blue skies, we were thankful for the shady trees for some of the way. We passed a downhill boat that we remembered from a couple of days ago, hopefully they’d come from where we wanted to be. Another two locks uphill and we reached the line of moored boats. A fisherman sat in shade, then a couple of boats in dappled sunshine. A space, would the shade last the rest of the day? We pulled in, it certainly looked like we’d not be baking all afternoon.

Tilly was given 4 hours shore leave, we sat down for lunch, she came and went for a while, then went for quite some time. Here had self catering potential.

Mick listened to the cricket and I filled out a request for a doctors appointment with my surgery in Scarborough. The things the practitioner had said to me yesterday were all put on the form, I needed to make a good case. I clicked the button to submit it. On recent form from the surgery I didn’t expect to hear back for a few days, however within 5 minutes my phone rang! The doctor wanted me to see a Physio (expected first line of action), could I make an appointment this afternoon? Blimey!!! I was being offered an appointment within 45 minutes of submitting my request! Obviously this was impossible. I was offered the next available appointment which I snapped up when it coincided with appointments that Mick has back in Scarborough.

Now we just need to sort logistics. A phone call to one marina to see if we could leave Tilly in charge there. He was so ambiguous, could we call back next week, not sure if there was space, we decided we’d try elsewhere instead.

The shady towpath called us both outside for the rest of the afternoon. Tilly came and joined us. Sitting on the top of the pram cover a good spot when in shade. Climbing the big tree next to us also good, apart from when coming down and trying to use some dead ivy which gave way under her paws. A nice quiet afternoon of cricket and finishing off sock pair 29.