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Crossing The Border. 6th February

Keadby to Above Thorne Lock

Dredging by the lock

No alarm clock set this morning. No need as the dredger started to dip its bucket into the canal hoiking out masses of dark grey mud at 7.30am, in the process rocking Oleanna. Not a gentle rocking more a sea sick inducing rock!

Vazon Sliding Bridge

Keadby isn’t the quietest of moorings. The drug dealers and their customers meeting in their cars then zooming back out of the car park (we suspect it’s noisier at weekends), traffic on the swing bridge at the lock and then trains crossing Vazon Sliding Bridge, long goods trains from Immingham that run all night. We’d still managed to get some sleep and had been hoping for a lie in.

A different Marge this time

Mick popped out to see if we’d be able to get to the water point behind us at some point. Once the next lorry turned up the hopper would be moved and there would be space for us. About an hour later there was a loud knocking on our roof. We pulled back topped up with water and emptied the yellow water tank. The dredger started again scooping out the mud and dropping it into an empty hopper called Marge. The last time we were here heading towards Yorkshire we’d just come off the Tidal Trent with NB Large Marge, space was limited at the moorings so we’d breasted up Tilly and Jaffa got to know one another through the windows.

Once topped up we moved out of the way and made ready to push off, another sunny morning.

Approaching Vazon Sliding Bridge we held back as a goods train crossed in front of us. Mick checked his train app to see when the next train was due, would there be enough time for us to get through the bridge or would we be treading water a while longer. Luckily the bridge operator had spotted us, opened his window and we could hear the warning siren start up to warm any pedestrian who might be crossing the rails that were about to slide for us.

Going through

They slid back on the diagonal opening up the way for us. Mick put Oleanna in gear and we were off getting through as quickly as we could, we knew when the next train was!

Straight on to Yorkshire

Now we were on the South Yorkshire Navigation properly. Long straight stretches, views for miles over the low flat land and the low swing bridges, none of them operate the same.

Godnow Swing Bridge

I’d made sure of extra fuel at breakfast to have enough umph to get some of these bridges moving. The first one, Godnow Swing Bridge should have been one of the easiest but proved problematical.

No traffic coming from that direction

Here the bridge controls are linked to a level crossing on the railway directly next to the bridge. There is a bridge keeper in his little hut, who you have to check with before you can open the bridge for boat traffic. Key of power in the control panel, turn clockwise a quarter turn. This panel talks to you, two letters illuminate to say what to do next. GA, close the gate at the far side to stop traffic. Done. WA, Wait for confirmation from the crossing keeper. Done, his gates were closed. WA, still. WA, still. We tried pressing buttons but still it said WA. Maybe something wasn’t as closed as it should be time to try again. By now there were a couple of vehicles I’d stopped so we let them through. I removed my key, all the time the Crossing man reading out v e r y s l o w l y the instructions, not sure if this was for my benefit or just the speed he read at!

Key of Power … not working very well

Key back in panel, we both (under i n s t r u c t i o n from the keeper, I so wouldn’t have known what to do on my own!) closed our gates and returned to the panel. WA. Mick had joined in by now, still WA.

Apparently we were the first boat to go through since the bridge had work done to it. We’d tried everything but still no joy. Time to call C&RT. As I was waiting to get the right option for problems the crossing man spent time in his hut, then all of a sudden OP appeared. I could press the button to open the bridge. It turned out that he had an emergency key or something which he turned and everything started to work again. Maybe an emergency button had been pressed in the cabin during the works, or he’d turned something by accident. Who knows, but we got Oleanna back on the way again, closed the bridge and gates, the man handing me back my keys as if I was about to leave them there!

Going though

Medge Hall worked as it should, key turn, lift, push, push, kerchung, key back.

Crossing the border

Then after the next slight bend we could see it, The Border. A dyke to the south marks where Yorkshire starts, the grass very much greener on the other side. As we crossed the border we had a big cheer, back home again. We’ve not been here by boat since picking Oleanna up from Sheffield in 2017.

Wykewell Lift Bridge

At Moores Swing Bridge I forgot to push the button on the panel to unlock the road gates so increased my steps for the day. At last I managed to hold three cars up whilst Oleanna came through the bridge. Then Wykewell Lift Bridge rising high to let us through, 1 car, 1 man, 1 dog. Luckily there are bridge landings on both sides of the cut at these bridges. I say luckily because an old cruiser was moored up, chained to the bollards.

Not waiting for the bridge

Just chained to the bollards

Next Princess Royal Swing Bridge. I hopped off to operate it, keep calm, read the instructions and all will be fine. The barriers on this bridge are renowned to cause problems. The lid to the panel was more securely attached than I remember it being and as I turned the key lights actually lit up! I closed the barriers and made sure they felt like they had located. Pressed the button and the bridge opened. With Oleanna through I then followed the instructions to close the bridge. Press and hold the close button until the Bridge Closed light illuminates. The light came on but the barriers were locked fast, ‘here we go!’ I thought. A lady waiting to cross said I should hold the close button until there was a big ‘clunk’ noise, so following local knowledge I did so. CLUNK. The barriers could be opened.

We pulled in just past the services for lunch and to check if we’d be alright pulling up alongside boats outside Thorne Boat Services to fill with diesel. This was fine and at 80p a litre a good price so the tank was full again.

YES

The forecast for the next few days is very windy and wet, not suitable cruising weather. We wanted a sheltered spot to sit it out so decided to move up above the lock where some low trees might give us some shelter. As we approached the lock the gates opened, a man in C&RT blue stood in the door of the little lock cabin with a control panel, two other chaps came to take ropes and take photos. They were here to check out the lock. The pound above has dropped by some six seven inches and they were trying to find the reason. According to the chap in charge, C&RT policy is to leave locks full, safer to fall into than when empty. Thorne lock opens a paddle to help keep it full when not in use, however the bottom gates are leaking so the lock rarely gets above 80% full. It looks like they will be planning on doing something with the mitred gates to reduce water loss.

We pulled in and moored across the way from Staniland Marina. A touch noisy with boats being worked on in the dry docks, but hopefully sheltered.

I like Yorkshire!

Wowwee!!! They say we’ll be in this outside for a few days, Brilliant!!! Paul you have missed an m from your map, but then maybe it’s best other people don’t know about it. Trees, trees and even more trees. Plenty to climb over the next few days. Birdies, a bit of friendly cover and a big patch of grass to graze, once I’ve finished with the trees that is.

1 lock, 10.23 miles, 1 sliding bridge, 7 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge, 4 cars held up, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 dog, 1 selfish boat, 3 C&RT chaps, 1 Marge, 3 thin patches of ice, 1 cat very happy, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval.

Cosy Cheeked Cruising. 5th February

Torksey Pontoon to Keadby Visitor Moorings

Ice hanging from the banks

The alarm woke us to fog. Not thick, but it was definitely there. Overnight the cut had frozen over and then the tide had gone out leaving perilous jagged ice hanging from the banks.

About to push off

No time for a cuppa in bed this morning. The Lock Keeper had said we should leave at 8:45 and not hang about, we still needed to wind, with ice this might be difficult. A bowl of cereal eaten and layers donned we made Oleanna ready. Two swans had made themselves a water hole in the ice, which all the time was slowly getting larger as they had their morning wash. We kept an eye out for the Aegir bringing in the flood, but this morning it wasn’t as evident as last night. Gradually the level rose, not enough force to break more ice just steadily rising until the jagged edges now lay horizontally where they had frozen.

A frost covered Oleanna and her ropes had turned white, I’d put an extra twist in the bow line which meant it would be hard to untie. I carefully stepped onto the bow then made sure Mick wasn’t going to get on the back as the gas locker lid was very very slippy, one false move and I almost certainly would be in the freezing water. I didn’t want to see if my new life jacket worked, so I clung on for dear life. I managed to persuade the rope to give just a little, enough to get us untied and then gingerly climbed back into the well deck where my footing could be relied on.

Cracking the ice with the bow thruster

Mick reversed Oleanna a touch as we’d stopped near to where the cut is slightly wider, and then brought her forward, the ice crackling as he used the bow thruster to help push the bow round. If it had been any thicker we’d have reversed out of the cut and winded in the main channel of the river.

Turning right down stream

Wow! It was cold, frosty and the fog was lifting giving a wonderful effect blending colours and shapes together. Cottam Power Station looked beautiful as we turned right, northwards out onto the river.

Torksey Castle silhouetted

Torksey Castle atmospheric as we passed pushing our way against the incoming tide. Plenty of revs but only 4mph, this was just about the only way to tell that the tide was still coming in, the river almost a mill pond with no wind to whisk up waves.

Cosy now

It was cold out there, time to put on our balaclavas. Immediately I felt the difference, my cheeks and chin started to feel cosy. For an item I never thought I’d ever make, I was glad I’d taken the time.

The Chateau up on the hill

Around four miles further on the elegant Chateau huddled itself against a wood for warmth. The small chateau, more like cottage was built by a Gainsborough lawyer as a weekend retreat and is now owned by The Landmark Trust and is a wonderful Georgian house that you can stay in. The views must be great from there.

West Burton

West Burton Power Station now takes over the view, the old cooling towers dormant, the modern gas power station working hard filling the sky with steam.

Gainsborough Road Bridge

The tide now had certainly turned, our speed doubled as we started on the big bends towards Gainsborough. First Kerrys flour mill, the drop in water evident on the pilling at it’s wharf. Mick knocked back the revs as we came round the bend towards Gainsborough Road Bridge giving him a bit more time to line Oleanna up for the central arch. Once through Gainsborough it was time to put the kettle on, the electric one is allowed on such days.

West Stockwith Lock

We both had cuppas in our hands as we came round the bend to West Stockwith Lock, we were just over half way to Keadby now. Next through Owston Ferry, where we still wonder which pub Mick’s grandfather stayed in whilst on a long bike ride from Hessle on the 10th September 1940. From here on the flood defences hide what lies behind them, a touch dull now, we were very glad it wasn’t a grey wet windy day.

I’d like that job

Friendly cover and big sideways trees had been cut down on both banks and a chap sat high up in his chipper feeding it with a claw at the front whilst it spat the chips out behind.

Nearly there now

The M180 Road Bridge was where we rang Keadby Lock to announce our arrival in about twenty minutes, this means he can get the lock ready for us, so no stemming the tide waiting for gates to open.

Higher flood defences going in

On the east bank pile drivers were hard at work raising the height of the flood defences, a noisy business but I’m sure the houses don’t mind that much if it means they will remain dry the next high flood.

Not far now

Keadby Bascule Bridge was our last on the Trent and meant we should now cross over, wind so as to face the out going tide and then position ourselves to enter the lock, first diagonally then bring the stern round and into the lock.

The white building is the Lock Keepers look out

I went down front to get ready with a rope, by now we had winded and the Lockie could talk to us, he’d take a centre line, no need for the bow.

Starting to wind as we passed the open lock

So as I made my way back through the boat I missed most of Micks text book manoeuvre into the lock. Mark the Lockie commended Mick as we passed the rope up, what a relief to now be off the river. I don’t mind river cruising, it’s the turning off them that is a touch nerve wracking, but today there was absolutely nothing to worry about. We’d made it in good time and would easily have gotten over the sand bank outside the lock, however our two day delay due to ice had meant that the dredger had already cleared it.

Mark up in his hut above the lock

Mark brought us up nice and slowly to the canal level. Time to ask him where we might find some coal and him to tell us where the shops were.

Hoppers and a crane waiting to fill a lorry after lunch

Our timing was such that when the road bridge was swung out of our way the dredging team were on their lunch break. We pulled in past them where thin ice still remained. It took a little while to moor up and clear ice from between us and the bank. Mick headed back to see Mark about some coal whilst I let Tilly out.

Last time I was here I had a tasty view!

At Bloomin last!!! Nobody, just nobody was going to stop me, well apart from the occasional woofer. Even the cars coming and going didn’t bother me, none of them stayed long they just touched hands with each other and sped off again. After the first time they didn’t bother me as there were friends to find and trees to climb.

Apparently this will burn better than excell!

Mick and Mark returned with five bags of coal, we just need to top up with diesel tomorrow in Thorne and we’ll be happy.

Over the last week we have been very appreciative of the help the Lock Keepers on the Tidal Trent have given us. We’ve felt that they’ve been looking out for us, even before we left Cromwell. We must have had three or four calls from Keadby to inform us of ice, wind etc and suggesting other days and times for our cruise. Even though the river is a lonely place to be the only boat, we knew they were there. Another lovely day on the Tidal Trent.

1 lock, 27.98 miles, 2 winds, 2 rights, 1 cut frozen over, 2ft rise in 20 minutes, 2 balaclavas, 4 cosy cheeks, 2 cosy chins, 5 bags coal, 1 dredger, 2 hoppers, 8 sausage rolls, 4 cheese straws on arrival, 1 happy cat again.

https://goo.gl/maps/yFvF3NzNJBk

On Our Way. 4th February

Cromwell Lock to Torksey Lock Visitor Moorings

Waking during the night to rain and wind was not encouraging for our day ahead. But as we drank our tea in bed the rain abated and we hoped the wind would follow suit. Mick called Keadby Lock to check that all was still good for us to set off today and it was. All systems were go.

After breakfast we got ourselves ready, layers on, everything was tied down on the roof, our tyre fenders came inside and into the bathroom sink. Whilst Mick checked the weed hatch I cleared the well deck of anything that might get in my way should the anchor need deploying, this filled the shower up quite nicely but put Tilly’s nose out of joint because that is where her water bowl lives!

Green!

All ready for us

The lights at the lock turned green at about 10:20 and we pushed back about ten minutes later, winded and headed for the open lock.

In the lock

Mick decided to only hold on using the centre line, well we were going down which meant I could close up the cratch covers, these would help keep waves from coming into the well deck if it got windy

Gates opening

Through the other end

As the gates opened to let us out onto the Tidal Trent we waved a shouted thanks up to Sean in his cabin. We were now out onto the river on our own.

Onto the river

What wind we had was from behind us, until the river turned our course and put us head on into it. But these moments were few and far between, the sun came out and there was no sign of any rain.

I quickly realised that I’d not thought about navigating glasses before I came outside, I had my distance ones on not my bi-focals. With these changed I could see both where we were going and our chart properly and adjust our course as required.

Pylons leading to the power station

The tide helped us along this now fairly familiar section. The occasional lining up (which maybe isn’t really needed on a narrowboat) with pylons and windmills came back to us as we approached them. Sunken Islands avoided and no need to be wary of water skiers as the river was empty other than us.

Cottam Power Station

The shape of the cooling towers at Cottam Power Station soon appear in the distance gradually getting closer.

WAB etc!

At Fledborough Viaduct we lined ourselves up to go through the correct opening, the graffiti now almost all washed away until you are up close.

Dunham Bridges

Once under Dunham Bridges and clinging to the east bank for a while to avoid the shoal we then had a short distance to travel before the power station heralded our arrival at Torksey. We turned into the cut, empty but for a few fishermen and chose where we wanted to moor for the night. A very pleasant few hours cruising with the sun out and no need for balaclavas.

View from the lock

After lunch a butternut squash and chickpea goulash went onto the stove to slowly cook, sadly I should have done this much earlier in the day as the squash was still quite hard by the time I wanted to add some yoghurt dumplings to the top, so an hour in the oven was needed, but my it was tasty. A good job really as we’ve got enough for another meal.

Goulash with dumplings

Cruising sausage rolls were prepared for tomorrow, ready just to have egg wash added and baked. At around 7:20pm I felt Oleanna rise in the water, the mini Aegir had just come along the lock cut. It felt like only minutes for us to rise with the incoming tide. If tomorrow is like today we’ll have a lovely cruise to Keadby, just a shame that fog is forecast for the morning, here’s hoping it clears quickly otherwise we’ll have to postpone the next leg on the Trent.

I love a power station

1 lock, 16.49 miles, 1 right, 8 cooling towers, 0.75 glove made, 400gms squash, 250gms lacking of mushrooms, 12 yoghurt dumplings, 1/3rd the way to Keadby.

https://goo.gl/maps/8ZybiS3ywUt

The Frozen North. 3rd February

Cromwell Pontoon

Tilly enjoying being part of the morning sunrise

The Lock Keepers on the Trent are very good. Before Mick had even turned his phone on this morning they had already tried to call, so before rolling his sleeves up to cook us a Sunday morning breakfast he called them back.

Obligatory breakfast photo, sausages a little disappointing sadly.

The North/Yorkshire is still frozen, however with temperatures set to rise in the next few days we may have a window of opportunity. The Lockie suggested we make our way to Torksey tomorrow then on Tuesday morning push off at 8:45am, push against the incoming tide for an hour before it turns and helps us to get to Keadby. The tide times are more sociable than they would have been today and hopefully we’ll not need to wear our balaclavas, Tilly is pleased about this. We are to call him as we come through Gainsborough, this will give the dredger and hoppers time to move out of our way and he’d make sure there would be somewhere for us to moor for the night. So we are booked to penn up at Keadby on Tuesday.

We’ll wait to top up the tank!

Despite the sun being well and truly out this morning there had been quite a hard frost, we’d have to wait to fill with water today, still some bedding to wash.

We didn’t venture far today, just to the bins really and to see Sean. His little cabin overlooking the lock had it’s door open, but nobody was home. It was around lunch time so we sat on a bench by the lock and waited for 1pm before we tried to call him, hoping not to disturb his lunch. He came out of the lock cottage and headed to his cabin to make note of our booking passing us on his way. 10.30 / 11am he’ll let us loose onto the tidal Trent tomorrow. High tide here is at 10am tomorrow so we should get a little bit of extra push from it as it goes out.

Wonderful clouds today

With balaclavas now out of the way I made a good start on a pair of gloves. Well I’d already done the rib on them a week or so ago, but knew that I didn’t have quite enough yarn to knit a pair. Even though they are just a single colour I stopped after the rib to await more yarn. Different batches of yarn can end up being slightly different, so stopping here and changing meant any difference would not be noticed as there is a change of stitch.

First moving boat in days

Much of the rest of the day was spent trying to work out where to move the blog to as we are fed up of Google moving the goal posts. At the moment it’s looking like we’ll head to wordpress where NB Lillyanne’s blog is. If we do move we’ll give you plenty of notice. We’re not sure what will happen to those who subscribe to the blog and get emails, you may have to re-subscribe. We hope to still be able to use oleanna.co.uk, but will it still show on peoples blog rolls? A lot to look into and set up if we do move. As I say we’ll let you know.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 bag rubbish, 2 locks booked, 1 moving boat, 30 seconds of cat freedom, 1 harness almost pulled off, 1 lovely day to cruise, 1 frozen tap, 1 empty washing drawer, 1 glove complete, 4 slightly disappointing low fat gluten free Lincolnshire sausages (they need the fat to taste good), 1 joint of roast pork.

3 MPH On The A1, Toilet Survey Update. 2nd February

Cromwell Pontoon

The view from our bed this morning.

As discussed with Craig (Lock Keeper at Cromwell) yesterday we called Keadby this morning before getting ready to set off. We had already made a good guess as to conditions on the canal there as we’d woken to a frost some 30 miles further south accompanied by a wonderful sunrise.

The north was frozen, about half an inch thick today with more minus temperatures forecast for tonight. The other news we weren’t aware of was that C&RT had moored all their dredging hoppers on the visitor moorings above the lock, so even if we could get up in the lock and through the road bridge there would be nowhere for us to moor. So we decided to postpone our Tidal cruise, called Sean at the lock here in Cromwell and cancelled our booking for today. Here at Cromwell we can stay hooked up to power, the sun rises and warms the water points in the morning, so a better place to wait than at Torksey in the shaded cutting.

We should have been going out of view to the left but instead sit behind the lock to the right

Instead of getting chilled at the back of the boat in the sunshine with winds of up to 20 mph we walked to the nearest shop for a newspaper instead, a three mile round trip to Cromwell Service Station on the A1. On route we stopped off to say hello to Sean, today’s Lock Keeper and discuss the tides over the coming week. Mick had been studying tide times and come to the conclusion that passage would be possible (tides wise) up to next Saturday when they would be too late in the day to get in at Keadby. Sean confirmed this. If conditions didn’t improve then we’d have another full week to wait before the times were favourable again.

The lane to the A1

Our walk was a sunny one, no dragonflies as when we last walked the lane. Gradually the noise from the A1 takes over and as we turned the bend to climb up the incline to the bridge to cross it we tried to say good morning to a lady walking her dog, we think she replied but no one could hear anything other than the traffic.

A1 and the newspaper shop just in sight

Hiding!

Snowdrops

The other side of the bridge brings you past a farm where cows stood in a muddy barn and a wooded section was filled with snowdrops, a lovely sight.

Fast people filling up

The chilled medication would last us a while

Cromwell Services were busy, only two of our Saturday newspaper left, but that was okay by us. Inside we had a look around in case we end up being at Cromwell for a while. No milk unless you want it in tea or coffee, no bread unless it comes with a filling wrapped in plastic. If we get stranded then we’ll be eating a lot of crisps and chocolate. Our friends from NB Large Marge were once stuck at Cromwell for a while and they ran out of ideas for meals due to what was available. We should be able to last a couple of weeks, but no milk or fresh veg and fruit would get to us. If it got to that then we’d head back up stream to Newark for fresh supplies.

The Old A1

Signs of the old A1

On our way back we walked along a section of what used to be the A1 before it bypassed Cromwell village. Here there is a speed detector, we were only managing 3 mph!

During the afternoon more washing was done, three episodes of The Victorian House Arts and Crafts whilst I carried on with my balaclava, by the end of the evening it was complete. Now our cruising welfare has been looked after I can get back to my commissions.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 tidal river put on hold, 3.02 miles walked, 1 newspaper, 1 hidden cow, 1 load of washing, 1 empty wee tank, 1 full water tank, 2nd helpings of chilli.

Last week I posted about a Boaters Toilet survey that Kate Saffin has put together. So far 1000 people have filled it out which is brilliant. However as there are 35,000 boats on the network she is hoping to try to get 10% of all boaters to fill it out. If she can get 4000 responses then C&RT will have to listen to her findings.

So if you own a boat or a share in a boat, are planning to buy a boat, or have a new one built, take holidays on boat and dream of owning one, one day… then this survey is for you!

Please could I ask other bloggers to share this link on their blog to help get as many responses as possible. The findings will hopefully help to improve services around the network for all of us, no matter what toilet you have/will have on board.

The Great Big Boating Bog Survey

If you are interested in the findings from the survey then follow its progress on facebook here

Facebook Great Big Boating Bog Survey

3rd And Final, Ready And Waiting. 1st February

This post was originally loaded onto the blogger site on 2nd February using the third work around of Tom’s, but the photos didn’t show (Tom had difficulty too). Then I did a new post, third work around, so identical, but loaded to the site today. Worth a try, but didn’t work. This version is now back to basics and done just on blogger. Sorry for all the posts, we are fed up with this and today we shall start looking at moving our blog.

Kiln Pontoon to Cromwell Pontoon

Before heading off towards Cromwell today we thought we’d try the water tap here. Last night hadn’t been as cold as the night before so it was worth a try, but the pipes were all frozen, no joy. We hoped that we’d have more luck at Cromwell otherwise major washing would be put on hold and we’d start to smell! Mick tried calling the marina but there was no answer so he walked round to see if there was ice or water. Not enough ice to stop us from going in, but turning would be a touch hard, so we’ll manage without a top up of diesel.

Love the old Nicholsons facades

We pushed off and headed up stream a touch before winding. The dam that’s been put in close to the scrap yard narrows the channel somewhat so we wanted to be well clear of it before turning. Then as we came back we could see where they had stored their boat for the night. It was being swung over and into the river by the crane on site, we got past before it was lowered into the water.

New panel and instructions

Approaching Nether Lock

Nether Lock was on boater operation. As I crossed the gates I noticed that the top gate sluices were open, well I wasn’t going to be caught out by that again! But hang on, the panel had changed, only two buttons to press, one to open, one to close. The instructions took a bit of reading as the operation isn’t just simply open and close. When the green light is constant (open) you press and hold it, when it flashes you release it. This gradually opens the sluices at the end you are operating, so you can decide to only open them a bit and take your time to rise. But today the level was in our favour and the gates just opened on the first push of the button. Opening the bottom gates took a little longer, the panel thought everything was level and tried to open the gates, but then had to wait another couple of minutes before trying again. The new buttons (which might be several years old) are all fine, but when it comes to closing up the lock it takes forever! The gates have to close before the sluices even think about closing, all the time Oleanna trying to tread water by the low moorings to pick me up.

Balaclava test

The next reach we know quite well. Under the East Coast Main Line and then under the A1, a distinct lack of fishermen around today. The wind picked up and boy was it chilly. Mick decided to test wear his balaclava, verdict cosy chin and cheeks. I just need to get on with mine and hope it’s ready by the time we do Torksey to Keadby.

Maid Marian our neighbour

Mooring up with water and electric

Maid Marian a C&RT tug/workboat was moored up on the outside of the pontoon, looking all smart with a fresh coat of paint. Luckily there was enough space to get a view from the inside of the pontoon whilst facing upstream. Mooring this way round will make emptying the yellow water easier. Once tied up we tried the water taps. Both were frozen to some extent, the nearest only a very small trickle, but the other one showed more promise and might improve with usage. Next the hook up cable came out and we had power. The washing machine was soon earning it’s keep whilst munching its way through an electric card.

Cromwell Lock

After lunch we took our rubbish for a walk to the lock. Two chaps were walking along the bank, they were discussing where to put some bee hives, wonder if you’ll be able to buy Cromwell Honey from the lock keeper in future? Our rubbish was divided up into recycling and not, it’s so nice to be able to do this properly, we made use of the ladies toilet and then headed for a chat with the Lock Keeper.

Cromwell is always manned by a full time Lock Keeper, no volunteers here as the lock leads out onto the tidal river. Craig (he used to look after Hazelford Lock and we’ve met him a couple of times) was on duty today. We were invited into his hut above the lock to keep warm as we chatted.

Nearly Yorkshire is still frozen over, so he advised that we should call Keadby tomorrow before setting off to Torksey (an overnight stop en route). His large page a day diary sat open, one boat booked in for tomorrow NB Pollyanna, that’ll be us then! The last boat through the lock had been a couple of days ago and since NB Seyella headed upstream there have only been four more boats going that way. Not the busiest time of year, but the locks are still manned when the tides are favourable in normal working hours.

Chilli for the five thousand

The remainder of the day was spent smelling a chilli slowly bubbling away on the stove top whilst watching lots of things from the PVR, finding places to dry washing and knitting. My balaclava is now nearly half knitted, not enough to keep my face warm tomorrow but hopefully finished for Sunday, a longer day out on the river.

1 lock, 4.93 miles, 2 winds, 1 inside mooring, 1 big neighbour, 3 loads washing, 1 lot dried, 3 days worth of chilli on the multi-fuel stove, 2 Lego Masters, 1 Nadia Hussain, 0.5 balaclava knitted, 1 cat plotting mutiny.

https://goo.gl/maps/hNWN7gKHkD22

Ready And Waiting. 1st February

Kiln Pontoon to Cromwell Pontoon

https://goo.gl/maps/YVB5YyNGJjG2

3rd workaround

Outside Stolen. 31st January

Kiln Pontoon

Outside has been STOLEN!

Yesterday there was lots to look at, this morning just a load of whiteness. Were Tom and Her moving it whilst still being in bed? It’s cleaver if they were. What I could see was going sideways. First it went that way, then that way! She said it was fog that was going that way and it was all getting stuck at Nether Lock so backing it’s way up towards us, then when it was full down there it came back and got stuck at Town Lock instead.

The few things that remained of outside were all spiky and white. They said it would be cold in this outside and I wouldn’t like it, well sure I wouldn’t because it wasn’t there!

Then the mystery was solved. Two orange men were pulling the outside back and forth from their boat. They were building a dam around some steps, later on they made sure everyone would notice their hard work by marking it with a very orange ball. Sadly it’s a bit too far away to play paw ball with.

Tom and Her wet shopping, again! They bought a box of something to go on the windows, some blue stuff to wipe on the outside (of Oleanna), two sorts of sausages (if they taste good then the freezer will be emptied before we reach Newark next time), a pork pie (Tom will turn into one soon!), then lots of foody stuff that wasn’t for me.

The outside gradually came back during the day. They don’t think it’s safe for me here with the wobbly floor outside. I can see plenty of friendly cover and it’s only a jump away, but still they won’t let me out.

This afternoon Toms phone rang and it was a man who’s almost in Yorkshire, that is the outside where I’ll be allowed shore leave again. Apparently Yorkshire is frozen, iced up. They can still move to Yorkshire but once out of the lock the outside is solid, so we might be stuck in nearly Yorkshire unless there is a thaw. Different days and times were discussed. There will be a boat with a big claw there on Monday having a dig about, so we might have to wait for them to move before we can use the lock. They have thought about it and are still aiming to move the outside as originally planned. Tom says thank you Paul for the sandbar information.

Today they had thought about filling with diesel, but when they went shopping the marina was frozen. Tom said it was a good job we’d not moored there. So we have stayed put and hope it won’t be frozen in the morning, we have enough smelly stuff to get us to Yorkshire outside, Tom just would rather the tank was full in the cold.

So life is boring on Oleanna. She sat and knitted whilst I kept her lap warm in front of the stove. We played I spy, but apparently I’m no good at it, all my answers started with M which wasn’t right. Tom went out and bought some bits of trees, they aren’t any good for climbing and keep threatening to fall over next to my scratch post. I don’t see the point of them. Later on Tom got to try on his face cover that she’s been knitting, it looks very strange. She says she’s not sure there’s enough time to make one for herself, but mine won’t take long. I don’t want one, Tom’s ears disappeared in his and I can’t do without my ears!

0 locks, 0 miles, 0 outside, 2 looney run arounds, 1 kitchen roll tube murder, 2 red dots, 1 cat ‘too old to play with wool’ (as if!), 2 orange men, 1 frozen Yorkshire, 2nd phone call from Keadby, 10 sausages, 1 joint pork, 1 balaclava finished, 7 pancakes for practice, T is for Meow. 1 life jacket SOLD

Still method three.

Wednesday Market And Too Many Life Jackets. 30th January

Low wall to Kiln Pontoon, Newark

Over breakfast we decided to do a big shop from Morrisons and Aldi before seeing if we could get a night in the marina, the low wall mooring meant that we wouldn’t have to carry our shopping over one of the two bridges. However very soon afterwards, as we were still drinking tea the wide beam from the end of Kiln Pontoon slowly cruised past us. What to do? Do the shopping then move over to the free (in more than one way) pontoon, but risk the space being taken. Do the shopping then see if we could pay for a night in the marina and get several loads of washing done. Or move over to the pontoon and carry our shopping that bit further. There was another factor that came into it too, it was Wednesday, a good market day in Newark.

Once our mugs were empty we untied, pushed off and drifted backwards to then bring Oleanna into the end space on the pontoon. If we end up with a couple of nights at Cromwell hopefully the electric posts there still work and we’ll do the washing there with the view rather than other boats and a scrapyard.

Time to get into town for the market. When we wintered here Wednesday was a very good market day, plenty of stalls the best one being DIY hardware.

We followed our route into town and down through the snicket to the market square. Three years ago the snicket would bring you out at the DIY stall, but today there were on stands there! Had it gone? The market didn’t look as full as normal, plenty of empty stands, only one fruit and veg, one fabric, the flower stall I bought our Christmas tree from, slippers a gogo. We had a good wander round and there in the middle was the large array of boxes of all sorts of stuff, DIY heaven still existed!

Fully absorbed for quite sometime we both took note of everything, trying to think of reasons why we had to buy things. Two old chaps with beaming smiles rootled their way through boxes of stuff. I couldn’t list everything as there is so much.

We walked away with a few purchases, happy to have been here on the right day. A pair of grippy gloves for Mick, a telescopic handled magnet (for when something gets dropped in the engine bay), a tool that I can use to help scrape sticky stuff off narrow places, 2 large magnetic hooks which I’m hoping will help to keep the pram cover down on the cabin roof whilst cruising on windy days.

Next port of call was Boyes. A good look round, sadly we won’t be here on Friday when their sale starts, the queues in Scarborough on sale day used to start well before dawn. They had engine oil at a good price, but as the next service isn’t for sometime Mick refrained from carrying two bottles back. I got some reasonable roller sleeves with the hope that one day soon I might just be able to touch up the gunnel I prepped in Cropredy back in October.

A wool order was sat waiting at an Off Licence up the next street. I’ve a couple of commissions to do so now I’m all stocked up with Alpaca and Bamboo yarn and a long cable for something big.

Further along Barnby Gate is a very good art shop. Next month I’m doing a days sketching and have a budget for materials, so I had a good look round and furnished myself with new pencils, paper, rubber, sharpener and some reduced colour pencils, a full sketching kit. I just now need to do some practicing as I haven’t sketched for quite some time!

Our bags were getting full, so we decided to call into Morrisons for a few bits for tonight and leave the big shop for tomorrow.

In the afternoon Mick gave Newark Marina a call to see if our life jackets had arrived. They had so we walked along the river to collect them. The park opposite the castle has various sculptures around it, but what I’d not seen before were the words on some of the lamp posts. Maybe the lack of leaves brought them to my attention. The ponys in the field on the way didn’t bother coming to say hello as we weren’t the postman who brings them apples on his round.

Our three life jackets were sat waiting for us, each with a certificate to say they were good to go for another year. Now we have five life jackets. We’ve decided that we’ll keep our original two as spares and for visitors, but we will sell the fifth one.

So if anyone is interested in a Waveline auto-inflate life jacket made in 2015 which has just been serviced and good for a full year, let us know. It is not in pristine condition as it’s three years old(Average on the certificate), but will do the job. A new one would cost £50/60. Yours for the price of the service (£20) and postage (£3). If we have no takers in the next couple of weeks I’ll pop it on ebay.

0 locks, 0.07 miles, 1 free space, 3 magnets (2 large 1 small), 2 gloves, 1 mini scraper, 10 rollers, 12 balls bamboo, 2 skeins alpaca, 4 pencils, 40 sheets paper, 1 rubber, 2 sharpeners, 12 coloured pencils, 1 carrot, 1 leek, 1 punnet mushrooms, 3 choices of GF sausages at the butchers, 1 chicken leek and mushroom pie with Pip pastry, 3 life jackets, 1 wide beam getting a clean bottom, 12,000 plus steps, 1 bored cat, 4/5 balaclava knitted.

https://goo.gl/maps/WzYwGw4DuUG2

This post still brought to you by Toms third work around. But does it still work?

Please Keep Clear Of The Lock Gate Area. 29th January

Hazelford Lock to the Low Wall, Newark

Sadly Tilly was mistaken thinking she’d be allowed back out for further exploration today, I suspect she won’t get any shore leave until next Sunday afternoon and that depends on how we get on with the Tidal Trent.

Not far to go today to our chosen mooring, but we wanted to get going as soon as we could as rain or snow were forecast for the afternoon and we all know that the world stops for a dusting of snow.

Yesterday Mick had walked back up to the lock to check on levels. These Trent locks don’t have the red, amber and green boards but they do have heights marked. When we moored here on Lillian I remember having to sit on the bottom step to clamber down onto Lillian’s bow, yesterday Oleanna’s gunnel was just about level with the step. This morning the level had dropped 12cm. We’ve been keeping an eye on Gaugemap and the reach we are in suddenly went up the other day by about a foot, possible low lying flooding, but as the Lockie hadn’t said anything yesterday we decided that we should be fine.

Down stream we passed Fiskerton, we were moored here when we last saw NB Quaintrelle a little while before they headed off to France. Nobody to wave to today and plenty of mooring outside the pub. Next was Farndon Marina, the 72 hr mooring was empty but we carried on. There are very large cruisers in the marina, one looked like it had a driverless car on the roof at the stern.

Staythorpe Power Station came into view, gas powered with pathetic cooling towers, that’s if they can be classed as such. We need to get further north near Torksey to see proper power stations. Staythorpe is soon followed by the large Averham Weir, today only one cormorant perched on the crest. Then the steeple of Newark Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene peeked up from behind some trees. As Braunston means Bangers , Newark means caramelised red onion sausages. It is these Newark sausages that mean that my nephew Josh has never eaten any other flavour since they visited us back in 2015. Here’s hoping the butchers does gluten free versions.

Please let me translate this for those who don’t speak Meowese. ‘Attention Cats. Free Dreamies here!’

At Town Lock the level was with us so I went to open the gates. Because the lock gates are part of a public footpath they have flashing red lights and a ladies voice at each gate telling you to ‘Please keep clear of the lock gate area’. I thought there was no point in opening them fully so took my finger off the button once the gap was wide enough. The lady carried on with her instructions. On pressing the close button the near side gate did as requested, but the far side stayed put. I released the button and tried again, no joy. The lady on my side had now got bored and shut up. Would both gates open? Yes, so I kept the button pressed to go all the way, then closed them successfully, the lady having woken up again to continue repeating her phrase.

I started to empty the lock, the ladies now at these gates having chance to stretch their vocal chords. Paddles up and Oleanna was on her way down, only Mick called over to me, there was water coming in from the top paddles. Admittedly I hadn’t checked that they were down before closing the panel at that end. So I closed the ones at the bottom, closed the panel and returned to the top gates. One yellow disc was down, these indicate the state of a paddle, but despite being yellow they can be hard to see. The near side disc was at the top, I pressed the required button as the ladies started again. The disc stayed put, was the paddle stuck in the open position? It was hard to tell for a while. I kept pressing the button, still the disc stayed put. Until it dropped! By now it was obvious that the paddle had closed below the water and I could start to empty it again, swapping the top gate ladies to the bottom gate ladies. I made sure I opened the gates fully as Mick brought Oleanna out and made sure I’d closed the paddles too.

The flow was too strong for Mick to be able to pull in and pick me up so I walked to the pontoon where we hoped to be able to moor. Unfortunately there was no space, the gap NB Seyella had found a week or so ago was filled by a wide beam. Mick managed to manoeuvre Oleanna to pick me up from a fishing peg just beyond the pontoon. We decided to see if there might be space in Kings Marina for a couple of nights, it would cost but we’d be able to do some washing. Pulling into the marina there were very few familiar boats from when we moored there for three months 2015/16. We pulled in at the service pontoon and walked up to the office to find it closed. A nice lady who is wintering there suggested we pull into a free gap, stay the night and check in tomorrow. But access is only with a fob for the gate, we could borrow hers. This was very nice of her, but we decided to head back out and moor on the low section of wall near The Castle Barge, a big step up onto the path but it would be fine for a night.

As we finished our lunch the heavens opened and stayed that way pretty much for the remainder of the afternoon. My parcel of wool could wait till tomorrow, I still have quite a bit to do on a balaclava for Mick. Early evening we headed the great distance to Pizza Express to make use of a 2 for 1 voucher. We both had a new flavour pizza each, I had a Ragu and Mick a Carbonara. They were both very tasty and mine may have been the best gluten free pizza I’ve had in one of their restaurants.

1 (temperamental) lock, 8.66 miles, 0 shore leave till Yorkshire, 364 repeats, 0 space, 1 closed marina, 1 wet afternoon, 0 snow, 1 low wall still a touch high, 5 gf dough balls, 1 cheesy garlic bread, 2 pizza, 2 lemonades! 2-4-1 minus a little bit, 0.5 balaclava knitted.

https://goo.gl/maps/ajLd6d9mXSm

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna