Yesterday we worried Jonathan at the boat yard. Once we’d winded we were returning to the basin for a couple more nights, he thought we were heading back to the yard as something was wrong. But no, all was fine. You have to book your passage down the Tinsley flight giving 24 hrs notice and we’d rather moor where we have electric than at the top of the locks for a couple more nights.

Today Mick had arranged his annual eye test and I wanted to head back to The Moor to buy some fish for this evening. We both headed off in different directions on another sunny day. 

I could have been more adventurous in my choice of fish, but decided on some sea bass and picked up various veg to go with it whilst at the market. 

Mick still has two eyes which was good news. He could do with new glasses, he’s come away with a new prescription to get elsewhere. The optician said it was a good job he hadn’t replaced his glasses last year as an extra digit had been added to one of his eyes axis, they would have been sent straight back as he wouldn’t have been able to see!

During the afternoon we’ve been and paid for our mooring, we’ll be pushing off before the office opens tomorrow. A supermarket delivery  has been booked for when we pass through Mexborough and we’ve been to Tesco to top up on a few bits to keep us going until then.

Sheffield has been good again. Being here for the bicentenary wasn’t planned but was an added bonus. Our snagging list on Oleanna has finally been crossed through. Bringing Oleanna here has meant that we got a few extras thrown in as they hadn’t had to send people out to us, so we’ve only had to pay for the new window. The chaps at Finesse were as efficient as ever and it’s always nice to see them and Jonathan. 

Everything apart from water proofs and curtains have been washed. So in the morning it’ll be time to unplug, push back and swing that bridge for the last time, leaving Sheffield and head to the top of the locks.

The last few days of wonderful spring like weather had given us a false idea of what to put on this morning, an early start and the boat covers were crisp with frost. I quickly headed back inside to find a pair of gloves, it is of course still February.

Spring springing

We made our way back to Finesse and Jonathan Wilson, a couple of things still needing to be done. The space was still vacant for us on the permanent moorings and even a lady who enquired if we were lost last week said hello. There on the bank side were my two pots of herbs, disguised by the vegetation at the bottom of a hook up point. The chap sorting the anchor storage must have popped them out of the way. Then the idiot doing the idiot check when we came to leave had missed them! Maybe I need new glasses!!

The main reason we were back was to get the gas locker lid hinges replaced. Jonathan wasn’t about but we left the lid in the metal shop. Then headed back to the boat for breakfast.

Sneaky peek at the Brigantine, see it at Crick this year

Ricky had been looking into the voltage sensitive relay (VSR) for us. This is the split charge system between the lithium leisure bank of batteries and the lead acid bow thruster bank. The VSR operates only when the engine is running and the domestic alternator is charging the leisure batteries and also when they have reached a certain voltage thereby then charging the bow thruster bank at the same time. When the engine stops the voltage drops and the VSR disconnects the two battery banks. However, ever since the lithiums have been installed the VSR has not been disconnecting because the voltage of the lithium batteries never drops below 26 volts, the VSR is set to disconnect at about 25.5 volts. We have been turning off the bow thruster charging circuit at night using the isolator switch in the electric cupboard. There was talk of replacing the VSR with a high current relay that would operate when the engine ignition was turned on. But it was thought that this would use too much continuous power from the starter battery for the whole time the ignition was on. After much discussion we have decided to leave things as they are switching the isolator off manually. Ricky was of the opinion that there wouldn’t be any damage done if either we forgot to turn it off after cruising or forgot to turn it on the next day.

Preparing to grind

New hinge on the lid

Mick popped out to Tesco to pick up a few bits, whilst I got on with a bit of follow up work from last week. I felt the boat dip, checked out the front and a large welder (Jonathan) was kneeling on the bow, cordless angle grinder in hand. Various sounds came from him as he stood back up, these reminded me of my Dad in his latter years, he’d forgotten something! If you’ve ever tried to balance yourself on the bow of a boat with a cratch board you will understand the annoyance of not having everything to hand having just struggled to get yourself in position, the thought of doing it all over again a pain in the b..side.

Chris soon appeared with a sheet of wood to cover the cratch  and asked if all the electrics could be turned off on board. My printing was put on hold, switches and breakers all turned off. I checked with Mick, the only thing left on was the solar which couldn’t be switched off, it would need a touch more to disconnect it. Once back he fiddled in the electrics cupboard and we were ready for Jonathan to weld.

Sparks

Ready for welding

 Sparks flew as the old hinges were ground off, then the new ones were welded on. These ones have grease nipples so that we can keep them lubricated no matter what. With Jonathan’s bits and bobs removed from the bow two chaps from the paint shed came up to see what was needed. First a good clean down then some quick drying primer.

Welding done

Paintwork touched up

The painter checked what RAL number the red was. I got my tin of touch up out from a locker (3004), he was sure it wasn’t the right colour. Have to say when I touched up the grab rail last year I had been surprised at how much the red had faded despite red being prone to do such things. He came back with a tin of 3003 not 3004 and touched in the hinges. You couldn’t tell the difference in colour from the original.

Us patiently waiting

Later on I checked in our black book that came with Oleanna. Here the red is noted as 3004 a more burgundy red, which of course is what I ordered for touch ups. I’ll need to delve deeper into our files and emails to check which shade of red was actually specked nearly three years ago. Either the black book is wrong, or the wrong shade of red was used. However, I’m quite happy with the shade we have, just a shame I now have a tin of 3004 which is incorrect.

Me and my shadow

We were good to go, so said our farewells, pushed off and headed for the winding hole. Mick made a quick call to book our passage down the locks on Wednesday. Mission accomplished, just the bill to pay now.

Commemorative plaque

Back on our mooring we spotted the C&RT chaps in the office, so we popped over to see if we could get a commemorative plaque. We don’t tend to collect plaques, but when it is a historical one, they are worth getting. This one will join the one we got in Hebden Bridge for the Tour de France, safely kept in a file in the office cupboard.

Ready for the top layer

Cooked and about to be devoured

The pasta dough I’d made was rolled out this evening, I didn’t hold out too much hope for it as it crumbled to start with, but then as it got thinner it started to look like a sheet. Edges were cut straight and fitted into the dish, sauces made and everything layered up. Baked in the oven for 40 minutes and we had a very tasty gf lasagne, far better than the shop bought stuff. Just a shame it has to rest for so long.

0 locks, 1.1 miles, 2 swings of the bridge, 2 winds, 12 sheets printed, 2 hinges ground off, 2 hinges welded, 4 nipples, 0 VSR, 0 left on the snagging list, 1 booking, 1 plaque, 2 balls of yarn left, 100% homemade gluten free lasagne, 100% tasty, 1 boat cat rule broken!

That is someone elses boat!

Tea in bed with the Saturday papers as the sun shone across the basin another lovely day ahead, so as soon as we were up the washing machine was put to use again.

A walk into town to get some new jeans and have a look around. More pouches of free dry cat food were obtained, then Mick purchased a pair of water repellent jeans from M&S. If they are good I might get myself a pair too.

Sheffield Cathedral is one place we’ve not visited before, or even taken much notice of. For such a large city I’d expected a larger building, as in height, but instead it seems to have expanded side ways rather than upwards through the years.

To the west end there has been added a 20th Century extension, before we went inside we wondered if this was due to bomb damage in WW2, but inside we learnt the history of the building.

Originally a Parish Church it was elevated to Cathedral status in 1914. With this in mind Charles Nicholson drafted plans to extend the church and re-orientate it on it’s axis, but WW2  got in the way and the plans were greatly scaled down.

The extensions to the church have resulted in numerous chapels all wonderfully lit, but making you wonder where the main alter is situated. The Chapel of St George commemorates the York and Lancaster Regiment with its screen of swords and bayonets. The Chapel of the Holy Spirit has a wonderful painted screen and is where the Sheffield Nativity lives made of course from steel.

A large organ console sits to the side of the nave, but we couldn’t see many pipes, where were they all, only the smallest were visible. In 1998 the organ was decommissioned, this has been temporarily replaced with a digital organ which has large speakers hidden behind wooden shrouds.

As we left the cathedral a pair of doors caught my eye, the Cutlers Hall. They are of course made from stainless steel, polished with elephants on the door knobs. In 1638 the first Cutlers Hall was built on this site, demolished in 1725. A new location was sought for the hall, but ground rents were too high so the second hall was built in the same place. By 1827 the state of the second hall was causing concern, it wasn’t suitable for the standing of the cutlers. So in 1832 the present Cutlers Hall was built. it is a Grade 2 listed building and considered to be one of the finest Livery Halls in the country. A shame that the front doors were closed, as looking at their website those doors hide quite a sight. Tours can be booked, but sadly you can’t just turn up.

The Co-op didn’t have quite what we wanted so we walked over the River Don to Tescos and back over Spider Bridge which weaves it’s way through the arches of the old railway viaduct.

Back at Oleanna we decided to stow the spare glass form the galley window. Using some spare towels we wrapped it up for protection and found space for it on top of the steel ballast under our bed. There is quite a bit of space in the false bottom, I might try to find other things to go in there. Now should we ever need a spare window we have one.

Sheffield

A much quieter day. We took our time getting up this morning. Boats could be heard starting to move off, in fact all the visiting boats from yesterdays festivities had moved off before we’d finished our breakfast.

Just about everything had gone when we started to roll up the covers to move. The extra toilets had gone and the only elements of the igloo were generators and piles of sand bags. 

Another warm day a little hazy, but no breeze. This meant Mick was happy just to back us back into the basin. I swung the bridge and he backed us through to the water point to top up before starting to do washing.

The tank took forever to fill and we got chatting with the nearest boat a small 30fter. Back on our mooring we hooked back up to the electric and put a load in the washing machine.

I’m on the hunt for a couple of meters of red fabric and I hoped that The Moor Market would come up trumps for me. So I left Mick and Tilly and headed into town.

The Moor is about a mile walk across town, plenty of empty shops about on my way there, but the market was heaving. Several fabric and haberdashery stalls, but nobody had what I was after, I should have ordered some on line when we first got here. I’ll just have to hope that a charity shop can provide me with a red duvet cover in the next two weeks.

I had a good look round and on my return I picked up some sachets of free cat food for Tilly. She may well not be interested in it, but who knows it may be the next fantastic food.

This afternoon I’ve started to make my first batch of gluten free pasta with the flours I bought in Doncaster. I say started as the flours need to have time to absorb moisture and let flavour develop, according to my recipe book. So some Buckwheat and Rice flour have been mixed with some yoghurt and will be left overnight in the fridge. Tomorrow I will add other ingredients, then leave it to rest again in the fridge for a further 24 hours. I’m really hoping that it comes out tastier than the shop bought lasagne as that is really quite boring.

Fly by

Dressed and out on deck for the fly past this morning for the 75th anniversary of a US bomber that came down in Endcliffe Park, killing all 10 crew. We could see the planes at a distance and plenty of people had come out to witness the sight too.

Push Back

Push back was at 10am this morning, time for us to vacate our mooring with hook up so that we’d be out of the way for the festivities. Plenty of people were milling about and there were many people wearing blue high-vis with Events Team on their backs. No body came to usher us away, we just quietly moved ourselves out of the basin and up to the visitor moorings behind NB Cuba, no other boats had turned up for the weekend. 

Either I am now accustomed to the workings of the swing bridge or someone had been to grease it as it moved far easier this morning.

Last night there had been a meeting about the festivities and the flotilla, we hadn’t been aware of this, but the chap from the trip boat came and told us there would be a commemorative plaque  available for boats here on the anniversary. 

Around 11am boats started to head out of the basin towards the top of the Tinsley flight. Several boats looked like they very rarely move but had festooned bunting on their roofs and balloons bobbed about in the wind.

Hmmm…. I’m not so sure about here

We popped off to pick up post and get something in for dinner, returning as crowds were starting to build up around the basin. Story tellers were trying to drum up an audience in the igloo, kids were colouring in pirate hats, crepes were being cooked and goody bags being handed out (the contents weren’t of interest to us). 

Crowds gathering

The benches alongside Oleanna were full and a couple of lads with Grandad were having a good nosy at our pram cover. Here we had become part of the Theme Park, added extras. We’re quite happy to answer questions about life on the water and listen to the usual comments back. Rob and Sue were out too everyone enjoying the sunshine, no need for coats or even jumpers today.

Thousands packed the paths and bridge

After a spot of lunch the crowds had gathered and lined both sides of the canal, the swing bridge was full, a few thousand in the crowd. We dropped our pram cover to improve our view and waited for the first sight of the flotilla.

We considered keeping it for a tender

First boat to arrive…. a canoe. The chap got a round of applause from the crowd. He turned round and came to find somewhere to tie his boat up, we were handily positioned so he used us to wedge his canoe against the bank, tied up and headed off for a cuppa.

The head of the flotilla

An old C&RT boat NB Industry led the way of the flotilla, brass band in full blow as they came round the bend at Jonathan Wilson’s. They slowly pootled towards us and the crowd, the bridge was cleared and swung out of the way, a length of bunting lowered to be raised just as the boat came through playing Happy Birthday.

The bunting lifted over the boat

The trip boats came next, followed by a hotel boat, a charity boat from Swinton, boats returning to the basin and a few that had come up from a couple of locks down the Tinsley flight. In all twenty boats made up the flotilla, we could have tagged on the end but we were happy just sitting and watching.

Don’t look!

The trip boats managed to pull into their moorings without crushing any of the crowd, other boats headed back to their moorings and those few visiting boats winded and came back to find a space near us. Plenty of room for everyone, no need to breast up.

Paul on NB Northumbria with Alfie his dog on the roof

Festivities around the basin continued through the day, the crowds thinning out and congregating around the Dorothy Pax pub.

Best dressed boat we reckon

Early evening we were joined by Fran, Mick’s niece who lives in Sheffield. We had a very nice roast chicken followed by some special chilled medication, then headed out to see what was happening.

Inferno Ash and friend were performing close to the pub. Trickling water sound effects slightly drowned out their singing and poetry. Fire dancing was what we’d come to see and we weren’t disappointed. Flames swirled as Inferno Ash danced on the cobbles. Hoola Hoops of fire were ignited and spun round. When she got three hoops going at once it was quite a spectacle, just a shame the music wasn’t audible, or did she need it anyway.

The silent disco hadn’t started up so we headed back to Oleanna, saving our £5 for another day.

Aspley Basin, Huddersfield

Yesterday after returning from the boat yard I headed off to catch a train to Huddersfield to go to work!

I’d been invited to attend a Separate Doors 3 masterclass at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, to do sketches throughout the day of a rehearsal process called the Silent Approach. Vanessa Brooks developed this approach to enable acting companies with learning disability actors to work alongside none learning disabled actors on a level. As it’s title suggests it is a silent method.

I have been involved with Dark Horse Theatre in the past, having designed a couple of shows for them. A couple of years ago I joined them on workshops they were doing for a play that Vanessa was writing so have experienced the Silent Approach before.

Yummy

Wednesday evening I met up with Vanessa and a hole host of  people who were involved with the masterclasses. A very nice curry was had by all at the Chilli Lounge, highly recommended should you be in Huddersfield.

Huddersfield Broad Canal

Quay Street Locomotive Lift Bridge

In the morning the sun was out so I walked in to the theatre along the Huddersfield Broad Canal, a nice walk before the day started.

Participants

Today was the last of three days of masterclasses, each one of them having been tailored to different participants. Tuesday had been for directors, Wednesday for Theatre makers and today was for Writers. Amanda Whittington, Nick Lane, Deborah McAndrew, Lisa Evans, Robert Shearman and Judith Johnson were the writers, several of them I know and have designed some of their shows. It was lovely to see them again and meet new people.

Silently directing

Seeing the Dark Horse Ensemble again was great. They are trained actors most of whom have Downs Syndrome, you always get a very warm welcome from them.

The day was an intense one for all. Concentrating, being drawn in to what was happening in the room,quite an emotional experience. I also don’t think I’ve ever spent so much time sketching, it’s also a long time since I’ve done any life drawing as you can get away with dodgy human forms in costume drawings.

Everyone on their feet following the not so Silent Approach

It was great to see everyone in the room (apart from me) joining in in the afternoon doing a line dance from Snakebite. I knew the moves but was too busy recording it to draw later. Excerpts from some of Vanessa’s plays were rehearsed and directed using the silent approach.

I’ve come away with a good dozen sketches that need a bit more work doing to them and plenty of photos to do more from.

A quick drink in The Head Of Steam at the station with everyone before I caught a train back to Sheffield.

Igloo, every canal basin needs one

Meanwhile whilst I was earning, Mick Tilly and Oleanna started to get surrounded by preparations for the Birthday Bash at Victoria Quays. Face painting on the benches next to Oleanna went on through the afternoon and a large igloo was erected not far away for the silent disco tomorrow. We’ll move out in the morning to make way for the the brass band that will lead the flotilla in to start off the celebrations for the bi-centenary.

Actors and Director

0 locks, 0 miles, 3 trains, 12 for curry, 1 canal walk, 1 Dante back on the sauce, 3rd Separate Doors, 8 Dark Horse actors, 3 actors, 1 director, 6 writers, 0 beef stew, 137 photos, 12 sketches started, 1 very privileged Pip to have been included, 1 igloo, 1 Tilly pleased to see me, Mick was too.

Last night we went to see Rutherford and Son at The Crucible, which we enjoyed. It was Micks first time at the theatre and I haven’t been to see anything since I was little designer on the premiere production of Brassed Off in 1998. I was employed as Roger Glossop’s (the big designer) wife was expecting their second daughter. So it was quite apt that we bumped into her and her brother Sam before the show. We helped Sam and Rebecca move their boat last October.

After the show we met up with two Stage Manager friends I know from my Scarborough and Hull Truck days. It was good to see Andy and Neil and catch up on their news. We maybe had a little bit too much to drink in a short space of time as in the morning my head and body weren’t too keen to get the swing bridge moving to head to Finesse.

A space had been made for us bank side, which we just fitted into, good job they knew how long we were! We’d arrived bang on time, Kris finished off what he was doing before ferrying his tools to the boat. 

First things first, take out both windows. The galley window we were having replaced with a sliding window and the window above our TV had a leak. The extractor fan had to be removed first to get to the galley window, then the wooden surrounds were removed, exposing insulation foam and fixings. Then the external frames could be removed with quite a bit of a tug. 

A mediocre cooked breakfast, at least they had gluten free bread, but not sausages. Mick wasn’t that impressed with the sausages anyway so I didn’t feel I’d missed out.

When we got back, holes had been drilled in the front of the well deck, this was for our anchor support. Two stainless steel rods were bolted in, some sticky backed foam added where the anchor would touch the paintwork, then a bar across the front to hold everything in place. The anchor now has a home. When on a river we can remove the bar to make it easier should we need to use the anchor.

Meanwhile the windows were both out, rust evident on the frame that had been leaking. The new galley window came with it’s own frame so the old one could be used to replace the leaking one.

The rust was treated and once they were back in position they were sealed in with super dooper black sticky stuff, expanding foam was added around the inside of the frame. Whilst this was allowed to go off the wooden internal frames were taken away to be cleaned up.

An extra support was added in under the dinette seating where it had started to give. Once the wooden frames were put back around the windows Kris started to fit a sheet of Stainless Steel to protect behind the cooker, this extends further than the old one did. The cooker was also given a little nudge outwards. Hopefully this will be easier to keep clean than the white metal that had been there before.

Kris then reattached a fairlead that had come off a few months ago, I’d already touched up the paintwork.

The split charge relay to the bow thruster is being looked into. Mick found some bits of kit that might work and Ricky is going to do a bit more investigation.

Jonathan came to look at the gas locker lid and asked one of the lads to drill out the old pin that had snapped. This would be replaced with a brass pin. A few years ago he’d come up with a different design of hinge for the shells that he builds. These were made by someone else and somewhere along the line there was a design fault in them, which means that several boats this last hot summer had the same thing happen, the pin sheering in two. He was very apologetic about it. After some drilling was done he’s now decided to replace the hinge. This will be done on Monday and the lid may get a repaint too with an anti slip patch added to it.

So we’ll be in Sheffield a bit longer than originally planned. All the internal work, other than the split charge relay is done. As ever we were impressed, Kris got on with the job and both windows were fitted, sealed, and trimmed in six hours.

We pootled up to try the nearer winding hole and successfully turned without having to go an extra mile up the cut. A very good day, our galley blind now hangs better, we can open and close the window easier and the other window should now be leak proof.

A more relaxed morning today. First thing was to check in with the lady in charge of the moorings. She’d had a day off yesterday and we wanted to check when we had to be off our mooring over the weekend. It looks like we shall have to move Friday morning and may not be able to return until Sunday. The first two days in Sheffield is free, then there is a charge. Because we will be coming and going, sometimes at our own will, other times because of the Birthday bash she is going to include electric in our mooring fees. We’re hoping that at the weekend we can just move onto the visitor moorings outside the basin.

Next we pootled up to Finesse, not far up the canal, managing to time our exit from the basin with Ethel coming in to wind, they held the bridge and closed it behind us.

Currently being fitted out with hydraulic wheelhouse

There was space outside Finesse just behind the stylish Brigantine that is currently in fit out on the water. We tied up to a ring and tyre and went to find Ricky, bumping into Ken who’d been a consultant on Oleanna. Just as we got into the office Rob from NB Cuba arrived to see if they might be able to help mend a broken zip on their cratch cover. 

Last night we’d written out a list of jobs. Ricky came on board to check over things. First a few snagging jobs. Then a few alterations and additions.

Nice new sailaway for someone

The window that had been leaking last winter still has a leak. They’d resealed it last year, then we had the dry summer and when eventually the rain came it was tested for the first time and sadly the problem was still there. During the summer the hot weather had caused our gas locker lid to gradually cease up, then one day the lid came off in Micks hands (I believe Alchemy had the same thing happen to them) so this needs mending. 

The power relay to our bow thruster batteries at the moment needs turning off when we finish cruising for the day as it is constantly charging the thruster batteries from the leisure batteries, we were hoping that this could somehow be altered so that it doesn’t depend on memory.

Jonathan’s next project

Over the last almost two years we’ve come to realise that having a sliding window above our cooker would be better than the full hopper we have at the moment. A new window was ordered for us in January and has arrived waiting to be fitted. This of course is the most complicated window to get to on the boat due to the extractor fan above it. 

The vents from the back of our cooker have gradually discoloured the white piece of metal they put in to deflect heat away from the cabin side. We’ve asked for this to be changed for stainless steel and extended up to the window.

This way, I think!

A means of being able to store our anchor was also talked about. So far we’ve not been able to find somewhere that we’ve been happy with. I talked an idea through with Ricky in the cratch. We’re hoping to achieve a place for it to live where it can be ready for deployment and not have to be padded to protect paint work or be in our way when it’s not needed. 

All of the jobs were agreed and Kris came on board to have a look too. Early tomorrow morning we are due back at the yard for him to make a start. We just need it to be a dry day.

C&RT half term activities

Sadly we are around 10ft too long to be able to wind at the yard and Mick didn’t fancy reversing back to our mooring. So we pootled down back down the canal, retracing our trial cruise we did nearly two years ago and winded just before Attercliffe Railway Bridge. Tomorrow Mick will try the winding hole a touch closer. Back through the swing bridge we pulled in to fill with water and get a new gas bottle, then we pushed back over to our mooring.

Some more white grafitti

This evening we are going to The Crucible to see ‘Rutherford and Son’. Afterwards we are meeting up with a couple of Stage Manager friends for a good catch up. It won’t be a boozy evening as we have to be up early tomorrow to get Oleanna back through the bridge to the yard.

The pub cat trying to hitch a ride

0 locks, 2.99 miles, 2 winds, 2 times through the bridge, 1 feline stow away, 1 full water tank, 1 gas bottle, 4 needles ordered, 300grms yarn ordered, 2 comps, 1 play, 2 Stage Managers (1 retired).

The alarm was set and we were straight up to have breakfast, no languishing in bed with a cuppa today. Just before 8am we were outside rolling up the covers and dropping the pram hood. Rob and Sue on NB Cuba were about with mugs in hand, all ready for the off.

Swan Winding Hole

We followed Cuba towards Rotherham, passing the huge winding hole that Exol Pride uses and where swans hang out waiting to fill up on white sliced.

Different paddle gear

The lock landings on this stretch are only really made for one boat and some of them are a little distance away from the lock. It is Rob and Sue’s first trip up to Sheffield and every canal has its own flavour of lock mechanisms. They went to set Rotherham Flood Lock. This is a touch different to most locks as a paddle is left up at both ends to keep a flow of water coming through. Once I joined them I could help and there was a touch of confusion over how to leave the paddles, which we sorted in the end.

We next took the lead, arriving at Ickles lock and remembering to hop off before the bridge. Then a locked gate leads you to the lock, I opened a gate and then went back to wait for Sue to be able to lock the gate. It’s the first time we’ve gone up these locks sharing and they are quite a bit wider than your normal broad lock, you could almost fit a third boat in them. No matter how we operated the paddles the boats moved around all over the shop! Next lock we passed a rope up.

Breasted up waiting

Mural to keep us occupied

Arriving at Holmes Lock just after 9:15 we had a short wait for a Lock Keeper to arrive by bike to unlock it for us. This gave us time to admire the mural on some hoardings. Up to now there had also been some rather good graffiti of birds and bees, the lock landing here filled with art work.

Our Lock Keeper stayed with us until we reached the main flight, cycling between locks, some of them a distance, to unlock them and help with the heavy gates. Most locks were set and waiting for us a paddle had been lifted by the Lockie on his ride down the locks, all we had to do was open the gates.

M1

Under the double decker M1 bridge, past the new Ikea. A change of Lock Keepers when we reached the main flight. This chap was more talkative, he’s worked this patch for 33 years and lived through all the changes with C&RT  and BW through the years.

7/8 Lock is deep

The cill very visible

 At Lock 7/8 he took charge, keeping a close eye on the boats as they rose gently, making sure that both tillers would miss the bottom gates walkway, which occasionally catches people out. Now in the flight he’d open the gates on the next lock, help with heavy high up gates and give us instructions on how to leave the locks. Some he wanted to reset as empty, others he wanted to close the gates himself, others he wanted the gates to be left open at the top. At one lock the mitred gates had to be just so to minimise leakage through them. This chap certainly knows his locks.

Sue from NB Cuba

Sue by now was getting a touch pooped and leaving gates open towards to top of the flight was welcomed. A patch of daffodils waved in the breeze. The wind had caused a few issues picking us up and a small smattering of rain made me put my coat back on, but didn’t turn into much.

Above Lock 1 of the flight Ethel was waiting to come down. She’s a charity boat we’ve met a few times and she winters up in Sheffield, they were coming down one lock to wind and then go back up. They helped us up the last lock, opened the gates and we were on our way. 

In our case we were a bit slow as Oleanna had picked up something on her prop. If Ethel hadn’t been on the lock landing Mick would have pulled over there, so we carried on to where the canal is wide with moorings that nobody uses to just hover whilst the plastic was removed. NB Cuba went on ahead.

Read my lisp

Non skid weekdays

 There’s new graffiti about the place, nothing unusual with that in an urban area. The white writing stood out from the many tags adorning the walls as we made our way towards the city. Then new paintings near the basin were being completed, some good quality art work.

New graffiti art near the basin

Rob had found Paul who used to work for CV Marine who run the moorings in the basin, Paul standing in for our arrival. Our booked mooring was through the swing bridge and NB Cuba’s was on the visitor moorings. We paused for lunch hoping the now howling gale would stop.

Our home for a few days

Old style windlass and key in hand I did my best to get the bridge moving. It’s the first turn that is so hard, then you just don’t want to stop as it may be just as hard to get it going again. Moored up in our space, we have electric, the water point is behind us, all very handy.

A call to Ricky at Finesse to see when they would like us to pull up. Times sorted for tomorrow to sus out the jobs to be done, then weather dependant we’ll be back on Wednesday for the work.

It smells round here!

Because of the celebrations on Friday we will have to move elsewhere for the day, maybe two days. Our mooring will be where a brass band will arrive on a boat at the head of the flotilla to mark the 200th anniversary of Sheffield being linked to the sea by the canal. We’re hoping we can get on the visitor moorings, if not Ricky says we can pull up at the boat yard.

15 locks, 7.41 miles, 1 swing bridge, 65 swans, 2 lock keepers, M1, 1 mission accomplished, 1 blowy day, 28 daffodils, 1 urban jelly fish, 1 load washing, 1 hour shore leave, 2 much wiffy woofer wee!

This morning we decided that Tilly could go out, when we were here on Lillian we hadn’t liked the look of the fence alongside the moorings, so shore leave was not granted. However nearly two years later we are a touch more relaxed, the fence would still be a problem if she got into trouble. Most days when she is out she most probably gets to places we’d never be able to access.

Last night we’d let the stove go out, being able to be on shore power means we can run the central heating on it, so we wouldn’t wake up to a cold boat. This meant Mick could do his best Dick Van Dyke impression and give the chimney a sweep. He changed the fire brick at the front of the stove but is saving the new glass for summer. We’ll look into trying to find a suitable vermiculite brick replacement for next time. 

The bank here is quite high, but I really wanted to get the rest of Oleanna clean, so started on the port side after cleaning the roof down from where Mick had tried to hide the mucky marks. 

Tilly had easily found her way under the fence where there were gaps. After a while she started to frantically try to get through where there was no gap. I told her to go back the way she’d come, not thinking much of it, until I heard cat howling!

There behind the fence Tilly had met a local cat, neither of them were pleased to see each other. Tilly was winning at the arched back and bushy tail stakes, neither of them were showing any sign of moving. I tried to suggest that Tilly came home and that she was only a visitor and would be gone tomorrow, so wasn’t worth the fuss. Eventually Tilly listened and  made her way towards a gap, only to be followed and then pounced on. Not really wanting any vets bills,I did my best to shoo the other cat away as a bit of ruff and tumble was starting. Luckily I was scary enough for the other cat to high tail and Tilly came back through the fence and was grounded for an hour.

During the morning the washing machine had been busy and the whirligig was put into use. But now I really wanted to get to the starboard side of Oleanna. We needed water again, so we decided to reverse into the lock to fill the tank and as it filled I would wash the starboard side all the time hoping nobody would appear from below wanting to come up. We were fortunate and I managed to finish just as the tank was full and we left the lock before anyone else needed it.

Yesterday afternoon we’d been joined by a Dutch Barge that had come from Rotherham. This morning they were having difficulty in getting the engine started, flatteries. We couldn’t help as our batteries are 24volt. All things were considered and in the end one of them headed off to get his boat and toe the dutch Barge back to it’s mooring. 

He returned with his boat an old cruiser. They tied the boats together and set off, the cruiser straining all the way. There was wind that wasn’t helping and at one time when we looked they had managed to jack knife themselves.

Late afternoon a narrowboat came to join us. Didn’t catch the boats name, but Rob and Sue came for a chat. They are also Continuous Cruisers and came off the Trent at Keadby several days after us after spending several months up on the Chesterfield Canal. They also had problems at Godnow Bridge, it appears that the level crossing needs over riding to let the bridge work.

Whilst chatting the Lock Keeper from the Tinsley Flight called us to check on arrangements for tomorrow. Rob and Sue are also heading up the locks in the morning, so we have lock buddies and will set off together. 

0 locks, 1100 ft, 550 in reverse, 550 forwards, 2 squeaky clean sides to Oleanna, 1 cat fight, 1 chimney swept, 1 empty wee tank, 1 full water tank, 1 surprised Pheasant, 1 pooped cat who has no idea what is to come in Sheffield! 1.75kg of pork roasting, this should last us a couple of weeks.

Enough for 8!