Category Archives: walks

Between Bitterns And Beavers. 26th July

Retford and Worksop Boat Club

A drizzly start to the day, so I awarded myself an extra long cuppa in bed, I’d not be catching the 10:20 bus today. As I sat having my breakfast a procession of boats came past all from the boat club moorings, the last one being Dave, what was the mass exodus for? He didn’t say, but waved a very cheery wave and headed onwards towards Retford.

At a little after 11 I made use of the post box at the bus stop, for a pair of socks, and waited for the next 97 bus, it was a few minutes late, would this affect me catching my next bus out the other side of Retford? I disembarked with everyone else and turned to check which gate the 99 would be leaving from. Ah, the 97 had just changed into the 99. I wonder if I could have stayed on board and only paid one bus fare?

A few stops in the direction of Doncaster I alighted and walked along the busy road then took the side road to the Idle Valley Nature Reserve, the largest nature reserve in Nottinghamshire. I’d enjoyed walking round the lakes near Lemonroyd earlier this year and hoped here would be just as good, if not better.

A quick comfort break at the visitor centre to set me up for my walk back to Oleanna. There wasn’t much information to be found inside, just cakes and coffee really and a pretty good view over the first of the lakes. I took a photo of the reserve’s map for ease of reference, I’d already plotted out my route along the River Idle then between two lakes where Bitterns and Beavers are meant to hang out. I knew there would be slim chance of me seeing either of them, but you never know.

Well the River Idle here is narrow and has quite high banks, the footpath wiggles its way round following every meander. There were several groups of people walking the path, but I soon left them behind. Not much really to see, just a good path through the undergrowth, lots of plants and plenty of giant blackberries, the biggest and fattest being picked as I walked onwards.

Near Tiln there was a view over a fishing lake on the other side of the river, which was the first real view I had. I hoped for better things to come as there were more lakes ahead. I opted to keep following the river alongside Chainbridge Pit, but I really wouldn’t have known it was there.

Motorbikes zoomed along Chainbridge Lane a wide track thankfully not muddy. I spotted a viewing area on my map so headed there for my lunch. There was a view as suggested, the lake some distance away and the use of binoculars essential, the zoom on my camera not really up to much as everything was so far away. I made use of the bench to eat my sandwich and have a glug of water before setting off again.

No views from the tracks, maybe I should have stayed on the smaller path on the other side of a hedge. Another viewing point, another distant view. At least here I got to see what I think was a Great White Egret as it was far bigger than the Mallards sat close by.

I turned onto the track between the Bittern Pool and where Beavers had been released a few years ago. A crowd huddled at the next viewing area. ‘No that was a Chiff Chaff. Maybe we should try at the next pool see if there are any waders’ My verdict after a brief look across to the distant lake was that yes they’d see a lot more at the next pool.

By now I was feeling that the Nature Reserve was just that, reserved for nature and not human eyes.

Maybe it’s a bit different in the winter months with far less to cover the views. I managed to make out that there was water in the Bittern Pool, but there was not one jot of a view to where the Beavers have taken up residence. I did however get to see a lot of swans, coots and some Long Horn Cattle before I turned away from the reserve and crossed over the River Idle to head back to the boat.

A bridleway headed in the required direction. Ducking under trees, tip toeing past nettles, avoiding being spiked by sloe bushes which were heaving with berries. Then across a harvested field, trying to keep to an invisible path. Sweetcorn still quite a way to go before it would be ripe enough to eat, although from past experience it’s often the type of maize used for cattle feed.

Back at the canal I crossed over into a field where a path crosses just by Clayworth Grange which has been split into three or four rather nice looking dwellings. Stick to the path, or else! I veered off slightly as there was a large patch of nettles, I don’t think anyone saw me! Back into Clayworth and I was facing the bus stop where I started the days adventure. I’d considered just walking to the nature reserve and back, but concluded that that would end up being rather a long walk. However my route with the hope of seeing evidence of Beavers had me walk over 8 miles and 20,000 paces, much at a brisk pace. I think today I set a new record of 134 brisk minutes.

**Back at the bus stop where I started**

A touch pooped I opted to stay in, not willing to walk back to the club house for a drink this evening. As I sat at the computer the boats that had passed this morning came back. It must have looked like I’d been sat here all day!

0 locks, 0 miles by boat, 2 buses, well 1 really, 1 wee break, 1 CRT key taken for another wee on the way back to the boat, 4 VERY distant views, 453234 coots, 4433 swans, 1 great egret, 1 Gatekeeper, 0 beavers, 0 bitterns, 17 cows, 8.27 miles walked, 134 minutes briskly, 3 hours shore leave, 1 bully of a cat!

I’ll Race You! 22nd July

Basin Bridge to Rural Log 2 day Mooring, CHesterfield Canal.

A dry morning even if it was quite grey. Tilly had some shore leave, by the time she came we’d had our breakfast and started to get ready for the off. Our supplies required a stock up so we pootled up along the canal to find the bollards we both remembered where no overnight mooring is allowed, but the mooring is handily positioned for the shops.

The first bollards were not the one’s we were thinking of, they were a lock landing. Yes we could pull back a touch, but maybe where we were thinking of was above the two locks. The key of power and a windlass was requested and I went ahead to set the bottom lock.

Signs on the lock gates ask to not let swans into the lock. Above were a Mum and Dad with three cygnets, were these the ones being referred to? They had to be. Not much room for them between the two locks, but they seemed content enough.

As Oleanna got to a point where Mick could get off I signalled that I was going to walk ahead to set the next lock. A nod from Mick to agree, I walked ahead. The next chamber was just about empty just a small amount of water needed adjusting to level it with the pound below. I then opened the gate and waited for Mick to bring Oleanna out of the lock below and close up behind.

Mum and the kids were heading my way, slowly but surely. I closed the gate and would only open it when Oleanna got close, we know how sneaky swans can be getting into locks and then being obstinate about getting out again. The plan worked well and we rose with no swans. Above another swan family came along to meet us. This is why the signs were on the lock gates, two families living close together, best to keep them apart for all concerned.

An M on our map, we pulled in, still not the location of bollards we’d remembered. We headed for the shops. Now to visit the butchers or not? If we did we’d have to buy some lamb steaks for Misterton Lamb, but that requires the oven to be on for an hour, not really the right thing to do on a warm summers evening. We’ll hope for a cooler day on the way back.

Our cruising plans a little bit up in the air, a possible rendez vous and a meeting with panto set builders on the cards. How far should we carry on up the Chesterfield? Do we need to do a sprint to better rail connections. As we shopped an email arrived assisting with decisions. The rendez vous sadly won’t be happening due to water levels and family commitments, maybe if water levels improve in a month or two we’ll be able to meet up. The set building meeting, the builders not able to do the first available date, so we’ve another two weeks to get to better transport links. Maybe we should see how far we can get up the Chesterfield, take Oleanna onto new waters?

After lunch we planned our mooring for the day. We untied and then ‘I’ll race you!’. Me on foot and Mick and Tilly bringing Oleanna. I gave them a couple of feet head start, but knew who’d win. Apart from our little trip up the Chesterfield in April we’ve been on rivers or big wide deep canals. Oleanna able to swim along far faster then I could walk. Here the canal is narrow, despite it’s wide locks (at the moment), the depth is shallow. Trying to use extra revs just slows you down, so a steady speed is required, my steady brisk speed is much quicker.

We soon came across the bollards we’d been thinking of. Only two, closely spaced, serious innies to moor there.

Back in April I walked ahead looking for a mooring for us before the next winding hole. Back then I could see over the reeds, today there was no sign of any of the places we’d tried to moor, the undergrowth now over my head in most places.

At the winding hole I carried on walking, after the next bridge I started to recall places along the canal, a bit hazy now as it was nine years ago on NB Lillyanne.

On the offside an industrial area, piles of stuff, a couple of old chimneys, wagons, decaying portacabins. Under a tree sat two figures, they’ve been there a long time, their clothing decaying around their bones.

Huge sheets of piling stood up from the earth, part painted rusty white, a marina under construction, it’s been like that for quite a while!

Fields golden, if a bit soggy were soon followed by straw rolos. The plants at the waterside interesting. Somehow, now away from the waterways with the big skies there are more minute things to look at, slowing my progress slightly.

Up ahead I could see where we wanted to moor, two boats already in residence. I paced out the gap, plenty of room for us. A glance at the Nebo app and I could see where Oleanna was. I stood for a good ten minutes waiting her arrival. Something kept us from getting into the side, but we coped and tied off, the back doors flung open for Tilly.

This was a good mooring when we stopped here before. Tilly ended up staying out late! That was in the days before stamps of approval were awarded at moorings, today one was certain to be pawed out.

Time was spent being a theatrical landlady, sorting out the next arrivals and departures in Scarborough. A mooring for Oleanna was sought and achieved. Theatrical digs needed extra confirmation for myself for panto, landladies and admin staff getting their wires crossed. No time left for much else in the day.

2 locks, 3.3 miles, 59 minutes brisk walking, 1 box wine, 1 red pepper, 6 bananas, 3 lodgers sorted, 1 mooring obtained, 1 small double room just fine, 2 extra weeks to cruise, 1 rendez vous postponed, 2 salmon fillets, 1 big fat Mrs Tilly stamp of approval.

https://what3words.com/rooting.bookmark.kebab

Waiting Day (3). 20th July

Vazon Sliding Bridge

Awake early again, just in case. Mick went to see the Signal Keeper, the lady from NB Early Rise was there having a chat. The temperature wasn’t low enough. The keeper would be on again tonight, he had our numbers and would call should the temperature of the bridge reach 15C. Back in bed we snoozed some more.

I’d bought some bacon the other day to go in the quiche so the rest of that needed eating up, it was accompanied by the usual items and very nice it was too. Topics on the Geraghty zoom this morning included Rain, ‘Enry’s goats, singing bathrooms, Hamilton and Mole Hill Woman Lucky Dips.

**The cat doesn’t seem to work so we’ve resorted to fly paper, but that doesn’t seem to work either!**

With more rain forecast for the afternoon I headed out on my walk. Across the manual swing bridge, Reece in the signal box pressed the button to lift the barriers at the level crossing and on I walked between power stations. The first Keadby Power Station was built in the late 1940’s originally coal fired, the coal being transported by road and rail, but not by canal. The power station was so far out of town that accommodation needed to be provided, half the work force moved to Keadby.

At the main road I turned northwards to see how far the village continued, not very far, but there was an interesting information board. After WW2, still during rationing, everyone was allowed to keep a pig but they had to declare it and hand over their rations in return for bacon. Most people kept a pig, but didn’t hand over their rations. The locals were alarmed to hear that someone from the Ministry of Food was coming to check who owned what livestock in the village. The local bridge man was put on look out duty. When the official arrived the pub was called and everyone went home to let their pigs out, they were roaming all over the village.

The official could see the pigs and styes in gardens but didn’t know who owned which pig. When asked the locals just shrugged their shoulders, so the official was none the wiser and caught the train back to London. Another phone call was made and the villagers busied themselves reclaiming their pigs.

By the services were two new boats. NB Delhi and NB Python the Chesterfield Canal boat, they had come from West Stockwith yesterday and are on a working party trip up to Sheffield. They spent the day with a big team of people tidying up around Keadby Lock and also inside it. This included dropping down in the lock and weeding the outer walls onto the river. Tomorrow their aim is to tidy up around Thorne Services, if they can get there. What a brilliant thing to be doing even if it meant they got really quite wet in the process!

I selected yarn for the next pair of ‘Jazzy’ socks and then sat down to weave the ends in on the previous pair. This is better done during daylight hours despite it being very grey outside with patches of torrential rain. As we watched a program about Sycamore Gap we heard some noises. We looked up a cruiser was arriving followed by a second one. Someone hopped off and opened the manual swing bridge. Mick opened the hatch to check they knew the railway bridge wasn’t working. It felt like they did and were going to moor in between the bridges until it opened, but once they realised we and the boat behind were also waiting they pulled back and moored on the other side. There were now four cruisers all out on a fortnights trip from Great Heck.

The BBC, our weather app on phones, Windy were all checked. If there was to be a night where the temperature dropped enough then tonight must surely be it. In fact it might be that we’d not have to wait until the early hours, maybe midnight, maybe 1am. We’d considered getting all the boaters together, everyone wrapping up in as many layers as possible and standing outside the signal box doing our best to persuade Network Rail that the temperature was really cold.

We had a beer, our evening meal with a glass or two of wine. My phone fully charged we headed to bed. Would we get a call?

0 locks, 0 miles, 43 brisk minutes, 2 more boats, 4 more boats, 11 waiting boats, 1 work party, 1 very smart lock, 2 many annoying flies, 1 cat lacking in her duties, pair 101 finished, pair 102 cast on, 1 soggy WET day.

Waiting Day (1). 18th July

Vazon Swing Bridge

We both woke early, would the temperature have dipped sufficiently for Vazon Drawbridge/Sliding/Railway Bridge to move out of our way? Mick put some clothes on and walked over to the signal box, a different signaller from yesterday. Here he met up with a chap from NB Early Rise, who is waiting on the other side of the bridge. A phone call had already been made to York, the temperature not low enough even at the coolest part of the day. Chats were had, then Mick returned and joined me back in bed for some more shut eye, after all it was only 5am.

Over breakfast we considered our options. Should we wait here by the swing bridge, close to the trains kerchunk kerchunking over the sliding bridge through day and night? Or should we try to find a different mooring? One where Tilly could go out further away from the bridge. We decided to have a pootle to see if we could find anywhere. But first Mick walked up to the signal box and made sure they had our phone number for when the temperature dips enough and the bridge opens.

There had been hi-vis people at the bridge this morning along with Northern Power Grid. The domestic electrics were off in the signal box and had been mended. The hi-vis people were from Network Rail and they had been busy painting parts of the bridge white, this will help reflect some of the heat away from the structure. Now as we untied I spotted several blue t-shirts, CRT t-shirts. Hands were shook between orange and blue, might they be about to do a test opening? No chance, the temperature way above the 15C.

We winded and headed back towards Thorne, maybe, just maybe there might be enough depth for Oleanna back close to Pilfrey Bridge, not too far away, but just far enough. There was a lack of blanket weed making the canal obvious to those with four legs and feet, no rocks in view. But sadly no matter how much we tried the bow or stern didn’t get to within jumping off closeness of the bank. We opted to return from where we’d come. When the back doors opened up again, Tilly was most peeved that all we’d done was shake the outside up a bit!

Mick headed for a walk and a possible earwig at what was being said at the bridge between orange and blue people. Other than stopping to tie a shoe lace he didn’t find an excuse to loiter within ear shot for long and ended up going to say hello to NB Early Rise instead.

Once the meeting had finished the blue bods walked back towards Keadby Lock and stopped for a chat. There was quite a high up person in amongst them. CRT are putting a lot of pressure on Network Rail to get the bridge working for boaters more reliably. They are hoping that the safe working temperature might be raised, even by just one or two degrees. Sections of the bridge had now been painted white and a big light installed so should passage be needed when it’s dark there is now light.

Network Rail are working towards publishing a weekly weather report for the bridge, noting windows where the temperature will be at a suitable level for it to operate. Apparently the chap who oversees Vazon for the railway, is in charge of around 9000 bridges, and Vazon takes up half his time!

So we just have to sit and wait, ready to snatch the first opportunity to go through.

My migraine improved enough to go for a steady walk. I’d spotted a couple of paths when we were here last, checked them out on Google maps and set off to cross the railway, then the first ditch and to walk round and back through a wood.

To cross Vazon, as a pedestrian, requires you to press a plunger and wait for a red light and siren to stop, meaning that the gate is now unlocked. If the siren and light stay on, there is a train coming, which there was on my way out. Once it’s clear you zigzag your way across the tracks which go diagonally across the sliding bridge. It’s well worth looking at by foot even if you have to cross at speed rather than loiter on your way across.

The first track I aimed for had a very protective Cob and his swan family, so I looped back round and walked through the wood to a track and up to the main road. The tide was on it’s way out but still pretty high, would any boats be making their way down stream right now?

**Pouring water on the road bridge to cool it down**

At Keadby Swing Bridge, the road bridge just by the lock, two Council employees climbed out of the van and walked to the bridge. Here they started up a generator and started to pump water onto the bridge, most probably where it pivots. There was evidence of them having done this earlier in the day. It turns out that at least one boat had been headed for Keadby today, they’d been told to moor up in Gainsborough overnight as there was a problem with this bridge too! Here’s hoping it’s sorted by the morning for them.

After all the excitement at the bridges, even if we didn’t manage to get going, it was time for an easier afternoon. Blimey it was hot and sticky inside, more so outside.

Mick pottered on with a few jobs, adding new hooks to fenders, wrapping wire round the yellow water connector whilst Tilly and I watched Denmark (2019) and knitted. Denmark is a bittersweet comedy about a down-on-his-luck Welshman who travels to Europe with a crazy goal, to get himself arrested and sent to a Danish prison where the beds are warm and the water is hot. It’s a gentle British film, with cool outdoor scenes which were welcome today.

Our only neighbour here had been absent during the day. He’d left his woofer shut up inside his make shift boat. We’d been getting quite concerned as the howls were becoming progressively more pathetic. Mick had wondered over to see what he might be able to see, which wasn’t much from a safe distance, we’ve been aware of this chap for a while. Then thankfully the owner returned, beer in hand and quite merry. The door to his boat was flung open and his large dog surged for the bank, all four legs crossed. After dancing a jig or two he packed up all he wanted, bundled his dog back onboard and frantically untied and set off into the sunset. So apart from the trains we should have a quiet evening now.

0 locks, 1.3 miles, 2 winds, 4 blue, 3 hi-vis, 1 sticky day, 0.5 sock, 1 film, 1 mended dishwasher, 2 fenders, 2 broken bridges, 2 more hi-vis, 1 jig, 1 woofer on our radar, 1 boat setting off into the sunset, 1 good place to smoke!

As One Wait Is Over. 17th July

Thorne Visitor Moorings to Vazon Swing Bridge

We’d guessed that they might be on their way today and sure enough photos appeared on the Strawberry Fools group this morning of sunrise at Vazon Railway Drawbridge, 5am the bridge had been at the right temperature for boats to go through and NB Purple Emperor with Ian and Alley were the next boat from the Fund Britain’s Waterways Cruise to be heading for home. Breakfast had just been served up when we heard the Princess Royal Footbridge opening up. Sure enough on the other side was the familiar bow.

Three boats in all came through, the second crewed by a chap we remembered from the get together on the bank at Keadby and again in Newark. Ian manned the gates as Alley led the boats through, we were spotted and there was time to say a few hellos. Alley was so looking forward to being back home by the end of the day after their three months cruise of around 1000 miles.

We put together a shopping list, perishable items and headed on up to Sainsburys. Some salad we’d got from Lidl had expired long before it should have, all slimey and horrible so that along with fruit needed sorting. On our way back we got a call from Sean from SPL covers, they had arrived and let themselves through the gate, we were only two minutes away. As we arrived back the new side was already on and Sean was hand sewing up where the zips on the pram cover had come adrift. The blue just about matches and the see through panel is just that, see through compared to the original one which is now more frosted.

When Oleanna gets a repaint, we’ll be looking at smart new covers for her, not a cheap thing, we asked Sean for a ball park figure. £1200 for a new cratch and around £2300 for a new pram cover, he suggested we have the sides zipped so we can roll them up rather than remove them completely and risk another one falling into the canal and drifting away. A good idea, but how do they fare when the whole pram hood is folded down? We always do this for cruising, many boats around here never seem to take their covers down preferring to just have the sides up and peek out of the sides. Research needs to be done on this.

BIt of a tight squeeze to get under there, that chimney needed to come off.

We were now free to leave. A top up with water, a shower too to maximise the tank fill as we’ve no idea how long we might be waiting in Keadby for the drawbridge to open. Lunch, then we came out from the moorings, leaving them empty, Mick reversed us back onto the diesel point at Thorne Boat Services. £1.05 a litre, a touch more expensive than in Goole but the last place before the Chesterfield Canal.

I walked up to the bridge whilst Mick winded Oleanna. As I turned the key in the panel the gates all clicked, a good noise. I made sure every barrier was locked in position and the bridge swung first time. I can now see where the confusion lies with boaters. A light comes on on the panel saying that the bridge is Closed when it isn’t quite and you have to keep pressing the close button until you hear the barriers click unlocked, a light illuminates saying the bridge is Locked. Job done without a hitch.

Out through the remainder of Thorne, time to work the bridges. Time also to decide how far we should go today. To where we’ve stopped before between Medge Hall and Godnow Bridge? Or all the way to Keadby in case the drawbridge might open overnight? We’d certainly be crossing the Yorkshire/Lincolnshire border.

The canal started to get greener and greener, both banks a stretch of pet fooling green away. Our landing net has not lasted eleven years and I doubt would take the weight of Tilly now should she casually walk onto the green and find she needed to be buoyant. Temperatures didn’t seem to be as high as they’d been forecast, maybe it would be worth going all the way to Keadby incase the temperature dropped to 15C and we’d be able to get through.

I chatted to the bridge keeper at Godnow, did he know anything about Vazon? Everyone is asking as they come through by boat, he was careful what he said more concerned with the wasps nest by the door to the little hut.

At Crowle I hopped off Oleanna to walk the rest of the way, over 2.5 miles would see my brisk walking to where it needed to be today. Soon it started to spit, Mick tried out the new umbrella he bought after leaving the old one at the cricket the other week. As we got within a mile of our planned enforced stop for the day I got the hint of a blind spot in my vision, a migraine coming on. I hoped I was wrong, but it soon was evident that my suspicion was correct. I rang Mick, getting back on board soon would be a good thing, but also it looked like there was a stretch without too much weed which would be good for Tilly and shore leave.

Sadly the bottom was far too close to the top as Mick tried a few times to come into the side to moor up. Only one option, carry on to the bridge landing at Vazon. Three little yoghurt pots sat on the bridge landing, a big space in the middle for us. We were just starting to tie up when the drawbridge started to make it’s familiar noise of sirens, this is what you hear when the keeper is about to open it for boat traffic. I took a key of power for the manual bridge before hand and walked up to the signal box to check on things.

Up the steep staircase to chat to the keeper. ‘You got my hopes up there!’ I said. Sadly we’d not be allowed through. A phone call was made to York to check on the bridge temperature, 19C it needs to be 15C for them to open it for boats after it failed a few weeks ago. Maybe overnight the temperature would drop enough for us to sneek through, I gave them my number to call in the early hours should our luck be in.

**Vazon Swing Bridge our mooring for the night …. or longer**

My migraine now took over. Reading and speech problematical, time to lie down for a while with my eyes closed, Mick and Tilly being quiet.

The trains however weren’t quiet, neither are the bridges or sirens at the bridge and level crossing which seems to be in constant use, that person in the box is kept busy.

Later in the evening Mick bobbed up to the signal box and suggested we’d be happy for them to call us during day light hours, going through in the dark, having to open a manual swing bridge and then moor up would not be the safest thing to do, but as soon as the sun was up would be fine, if the temperatures dropped enough.

A quiet evening in front of the TV. My was phone left on with the sound turned up, I was in bed a little after 10pm leaving Mick to watch the cycling and waiting for the news to come on after the football. We’ll see what tomorrow brings, we’re not that hopeful.

0 locks, 9.4 miles, 1 reverse, 1 little hot pork pie, 105 litres at £1.05, 6 bridges, 4 held up, 1 digger, 2 black labs swimming, 1 returning boat, 1 new pram side, 3 bags of fruit and veg, 1 border crossed, 1 wasps nest, 61 brisk minutes, 1 sock frogged, 2 warm, 1 sensor in York, 1 white painted bridge.

https://what3words.com/predict.acrobats.daunting

A Different Side To Thorne. 16th July

Thorne Visitor Moorings

Should we visit the Trolley Bus Museum? Should we visit the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum? Both would be a couple of bus rides to get there. Instead we pottered the day away, it’s odd not working every day.

Mick headed out to do some shopping. He’s discovered that our new connector for the yellow water tank isn’t magnetic, neither is the jubilee clip on it. So armed with a magnet he walked up to Bargain Land to see what he could purchase that was magnetic that could be wrapped round the connector. We’ve only once dropped the old one in the canal, but without it we’d need to hand pump our tank empty and then get a new one made, so it’s best we can retrieve it should the need arise.

Jubilee clips and wire were bought along with some big hooks (useful for hanging things on) and adaptors for the bicycle pump so that the inflated fenders can be pumped up.

I packed up the amended bits of model to send off to Gemma the Production Manager, but then realised that I was more than likely to be with her when she delivers them to the set builders, so it doesn’t seem worth the risk of the postal service. I knitted and then headed out for a walk.

A different side of Thorne today. Up beyond the shops towards Peel Hill. St Nicholas church drew me in, but the gates were very firmly locked by the front door. But as I leaned through them to take a photo of the door a chap behind me said, ‘There’s someone else wanting to go in’. This turned out to be a parishioner and the vicar who I later found out was called Tim, he was about to open up and yes I could have a look inside.

The church sits on a sandy ridge which in Saxon times was an island surrounded by water and marshland. The original church was only a chapel of ease, funerals had to take place in Hatfield. In the 1320’s a funeral was crossing the mere to Hatfield when a storm blew up, the boats were wrecked and dozens of mourners were drowned. This led to some rebuilding of the church and it was made into a Parish church.

The oldest part of the church is the chancel dating back to the 6th Century. The rood screen is striking with its figures on the top, made of cast iron by a local miner.

My eye was immediately caught by one of the windows, it had to be by a Pre-Raphaelite artist, but which one? As I stood and studied it, Tim handed me a couple of pamphlets about the church, sadly I didn’t spot there was another regarding the stained glass windows at the time. But researching when back on the boat I discovered it was designed by Sir Henry Holiday a Victorian Painter who was greatly influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. In 1861 he accepted the position of stained glass window designer for Powell’s Glass Works taking over from Burne- Jones, during his time there he fulfilled over 300 commissions most of which are in the USA. After 30 years he left to set up his own business in Hampstead.

I now walked across the road to look at Peel Hill. Only the Motte still stands with the usual worn tracks from the top where people have run up and down it. At first I couldn’t find a way in, entrances at the far ends of the area. In the 12th Century the castle was used as a hunting lodge and the tower was still standing in the 16th Century. By the 1820’s the foundations of the motte top were partly destroyed by its then owner. More information can be found here LINK

Next a windmill pulled me off my planned route. No sails and some boarded up windows, quite an unloved sight really, but quite atmospheric. I now wound my way through a housing estate, all the houses semi-detached, the fronts boasting red brick but 18 inches to the back cheaper bricks have been used. The houses stretched on for ages.

Across towards the railway line. Quite a few houses were surrounded by railings, some totally filled in, keeping the view or viewers out. I’d spotted a path parallel to the railway that I wanted to take, but it seemed to be below the track I was on and to keep going with purpose felt like a sensible move.

I crossed the railway line, straight and clear in both directions, then joined a fast moving road alongside the M18. I had gone from the ancient part of Thorne, through possibly the dodgy part of town, managing not to score from the blacked out windowed car, to the motorway and now distribution centre for BMW and Mini!

Back at Oleanna I finished putting together a quinoa crust quiche with turkey steak, green beans, a naughty bit of bacon and feta cheese. Very yummy and smaller portions today means we’ll be enjoying it for another couple of meals.

Sadly todays rendezvous with Della was called off late afternoon, so it looks like we won’t get to meet this time, hopefully next time we pass through Thorne things will align better.

0 locks, 0 miles, 0hh please move the outside! 1 sock finished, just need to redo the first one to match, 1 friendly vicar, 1 inaccessible motte, 1 unloved windmill, 0 skunk, 1 walk with purpose, 1 very tasty quiche.

Will St Swithin’s Come Good? 15th July

Staniland Marina to Thorne Visitor Moorings

Rain forecast for this afternoon we opted to move sooner rather than later and hope there would be space on the visitor moorings as we were in need of a refill of water and there is the preferred place for Sean to come and fit our new pram cover side.

At Thorne Lock two narrowboats were just coming up, the bridge still needed to be swung, so I helped with the barriers and pushed the bridge out of the way with the chatty volunteer. He isn’t really chatty, in fact he hardly says anything just an acknowledgement that you’ve said something. I hopped back on board and headed to the bow, hoping there’d be space for us on the moorings.

The bank moorings were full, but there was only one widebeam on the pontoons, yipee! We turned in bow first, bagging the pontoon that would serve us best. It took a while to get moored up as the pontoons are so short and the wind wasn’t helping, pushing us away. Then out with the hose pipe, we then remembered about the trickle of pressure here. Oh well we weren’t planning on going far today anyway, just turning round infact.

The rain started early as the water tank filled, we headed indoors to do chores, have a shower and then have lunch. As soon as the tank was full we winded and reversed back onto the pontoon, the side needed by Sean against the pontoon now. We just need to know when he’s coming. Mick called him.

Thursday! Oh blimey, do we overstay by a day? Or go away and come back risking that we won’t be the right way round or even find a space again? We’ve opted to move on if the moorings get busy, but if they don’t we’ll be on our way as soon as Sean has finished work.

It rained, quite hard at times. it’s what we need more of. Will St Swithin’s come good and it keep on doing so for the next 40 days and nights? What we actually need to know according to Wikipedia is if it rained on St Swithun’s Bridge in Winchester today or not?

I got news through that my digs for panto have been booked. I’m staying at the haunted bakery where I had one night when working on Cinderella two years ago. A very nice husband and wife for hosts and a fascinating building 10 minutes walk from the theatre. Susanne who I stayed with before has moved out of Chippy and it’s just that bit too far to walk along dark roads.

I’d arranged to see Della today, but the rain was off putting. However I changed my mind as the sun came out a little after 5pm, I sent her a message and set off to go for a walk anyway, it turned out she’d opted to visit her sister instead.

I had nice walk around the fishing ponds that you can see from the train and managed to get my 40 minutes of brisk walking done before the heavens opened again. There’s lots of ripe fruit hanging from the trees.

Then I sat down to check over the sock I finished last night. Hmm! It fitted me okay, but could do with just a little bit more space for the next size up. I don’t normally try the socks on that I knit, but having done a section of alternating yarns every stitch I wanted to make sure I’d compensated enough for the extra thickness. I reworked out my pattern and cast on a new sock, keeping the original as reference.

I’d suggested watching a film, but there were three days worth of cycling on the box to watch, so Mick spent much of the afternoon watching scenery in France. By the end of the day Mick was up to date with everything and the heavens had opened up again. Rumours are that Vazon Sliding Bridge was opened during the day today. A boat approached getting ready to moor up and wait for it to open at 4am, but they got straight through. Sadly by the time we reach it the temperatures will have risen above 15C again and we may end up having to wait a few days.

1 lock, 1 swing bridge, 0.5 miles, 1 wind, 1 very windy day, 1 soggy day much needed, 1 load washing, 1 clean pooh box, 1 full water tank, 0.5 of a sock, 3 days worth of cycling, 1 drugs run, 2.61 miles, 42 brisk minutes, 2 naughty pieces of chocolate orange (left over from Christmas), 1 haunted digs, 0 shore leave until we’ve a new side.

https://what3words.com/dividing.against.pigtails

Rather Shady. 12th July

Huddlesground Winding Hole

No rush to go anywhere today, infact with temperatures set to be similar to yesterday we opted to stay put for the day as our mooring has proved to be rather shady.

Another 9 hour sausage day for Tilly. As with yesterday she vanished off into the friendly cover and trees in the morning not to be seen for hours, we’re certainly saving on the ‘Thank you for coming home‘ Dreamies! Then an afternoon kip when we can have the stern doors wide open followed by some more shore leave in the later part of the day before ding ding at 6pm.

Mick caught up with some cycling this morning, then sat out on the towpath listening to the cricket whilst I got on with amending bits of panto model. An extra section added to some gates for extra stability. Drawings amended to match, they just need scanning now.

Overnight something had disagreed with me so it was a bit of a wobbly day. Mick was fine so I don’t know what it was. No lunch for me, but by the afternoon and once I’d finished work I headed off for a walk.

I followed the towpath behind us to the winding hole, a narrowboat sat in full sun, their dogs keeping guard. Here there is a parallel footpath on the other side of the very dry ditch where we see people and the occasional motorbike, I chose to walk back towards Thorne in the dappled shade of the trees, I could see why Tilly likes it so much here. I’m surprised she hasn’t given it a stamp already, maybe it’s because she’s been too busy!

Plenty of rotting trees, one oak stood on just a small section Left of its trunk, plenty of branches and leaves above, it creeked so I made sure I walked away quickly, only to find another tree that had fallen across the path some time ago, the warning painted in red now just about illegible.

Through a field by the M18 back to the towpath. I opted to carry on to see what the moorings were like opposite Staniland Marina. A few spaces, the best one just recently taken by a Humber Keel Comrade. If we time our arrival well tomorrow we’ll hopefully catch a space when someone moves off and not end up being opposite the bar, which was packed!

My stomach still a little bit iffy, so Mick made me some nice scrambled eggs on toast, just the ticket.

0 locks, 0 miles, 3.39 miles walked, 62 minutes briskly, 9 hours, 3 hour kip, 201st sock up to the heel, 3 Mrs Tilly stamps of approval! No you are only allowed to award one at a time Tilly.

Getting Away For The Weekend. 27th 28th June

New Walk to Naburn, River Ouse

A Friday and Saturday night would most likely be as noisy as last night, maybe even noisier! We decided to make a move away from the city centre after purchasing a fresh pint of milk.

**Looking towards Stonegate rather than the Minster**

We winded and headed down stream, a bin required, our food waste caddy now just overflowing. There are bins at Linton Lock, but not much mooring so it was back to Naburn for us. Mick was at the helm whilst I busied myself painting more bits of model and inventing things.

Nothing seemed different on the river, but in the early hours of this morning there had been a rescue operation launched as two people had entered the water. By 8:30 the body of a man had been found and a 19 year old woman has been arrested on suspicion of assault.

Down in Naburn we had the whole stretch of moorings in the lock cut to choose from. We pulled into the space we’d been in last where we knew shade would appear later in the day. As the day progressed several cruisers joined us and sat themselves up on the bank. Tilly headed out, and once she’d remembered where she was, she headed over to the field to see who was about.

I went out for a bit of a walk, but my shorts meant I turned round on the path up to Naburn, too many nettles!

Saturday morning, I wanted to post my 100th pair of Sockathon socks. So with long trousers on I took to the riverside footpath. Last time I walked this route was maybe six weeks ago and the going was easy. Today however the Himalayan Balsam has totally taken over, very few flowers as yet but the plants were approaching shoulder height and making the path very narrow. I was glad of my trousers to protect from nettles and thistles.

I passed a couple walking the same way as me, they were taking it far slower, I’d see them on my way back. Round the fields and onto the main road, into Naburn to find the post box. Boats sat on the sailing club slipway, the pub was quiet.

The village has all the cottages you could imagine, Fishermans, Rosehips, River, Blacksmiths. The Village shop seemed to be closed, a shame as I’d have liked a look round. The socks went in the post box, headed to Sally, this is her third pair of socks and this time she also donated her own yarn that she’d wanted to have a go at knittng socks, but had chickened out. Thank you Sally for your continued support.

Mick had headed off to buy a newspaper, a bus ride away. I got on with my model painting then checked in with my brother who’s birthday it was today.

More boats arrived, were they just out for the weekend. A cruiser pulled in behind us, they’d come from Boroughbridge today and it looked like they were packing up to head home. The chap was very chatty and had tales of pies at the pub in the village that were a touch on the soupy side.

Another quiet evening. The noisiest neighbours being the geese and Kenny’s cockeril, thankfully no sign of Orchid.

0 locks, 4.9 miles, 1 far quieter mooring, 100th pair of dementia socks posted, 101 to be thought about, 2 more days model making, 1 happier cat, 1 bus for a newspaper, 6.13 miles walked, 80 briskly, over 2 days, 1 pair of trousers essential.

https://what3words.com/export.inversion.solid

Sand, Steam And Orchid. 26th June

Museum Gardens, or Judy Dench Walk

Mick very kindly offered to head out to Hobby Craft at Monk’s Cross for me today in search of green paper. At the same retail park is a big Sainsburys, we’d been considering getting a delivery, but had missed out on the days our pass covers us for. So instead me made out a shopping list to last us quite a few days and off he went with his bus pass.

I got on with painting some panto glazing. Messages kept coming through from Hobbycraft several different shades of green A4 paper to choose from. In the end I opted for two, Emerald and Jewel Green. By the time I’d finished my glazing Mick had returned with all the shopping.

After lunch Mick made himself scarce again, I’d suggested the Railway Museum, he headed off to hear a talk about how steam engines worked and walk round the familiar displays of trains and engines. A few halls were closed but there was still enough to keep him busy.

This morning I’d heard a steam engine’s whistle, sticking my head out of the hatch to catch the long line of carriages headed for Scarborough. During the summer months a steam train heads from Carnforth to Scarborough four times, (it used to be twice a week!) and this was it. I’d mentioned it to Mick at lunchtime so he managed to be stood on Scarborough Bridge for it’s return westbound.

All day the wind had been blowing, we’d forgotten about the wind and what it does on the moorings in York. It picks up dried silty sand and fills your boat with it. Every surface covered with it, we’ll have to get the big hoover out!

For my walk today I decided to see if I could find more houses from my past. I walked down to the railway bridge and then followed it whist walking up Bootham Terrace. One doorway caught my eye straight away for it’s tiled surround. But as I stopped to take it’s photo I then noticed the heads carved in the key stones. Built between 1860 and 70 the row of terraced houses was built speculatively, each one that bit different from the next. Sadly, I can’t find any reference as to who had the heads added to No 10 or why.

On the other side of Bootham I headed to find where Han my boyfriend from the sixth form used to live with his mum Barbara, sadly neither of them are alive today. Far smaller terraced houses are tucked away from the posh houses on Bootham. I was glad to see the current occupiers were displaying a rainbow flag in their window.

**I think this used to be the football ground**

Round a few street corners, Bootham Terrace Football ground now a mass of houses. I stood outside an old family friend’s flat, I’ve not heard from Alex for a few years, he was in his 80’s, and it looked like his flat was in the process of being renovated.

Across the other side of Bootham I walked down a road one side filled with buildings part of St Peter’s school. If you want a good project and have a fair amount of spare cash this house could be ideal for you. Down onto the river bank and back along to Oleanna.

**I need of some TLC but a great location**

York was getting busier as the evening progressed. We’ve been aware of a few boats that loiter around the city, whilst we’ve been loitering ourselves, but I suspect they are continuous loiterers! There’s the big wooden cruiser that moves between Lendal Bridge and Millenium Bridge, a fire pit on its bow as it moves around in the dark and early hours. There’s the boat we’ve seen somewhere before, a strange craft that the local ‘Do you know who I am?’ film director dislikes as it’s an eye sore, (we still don’t know who he is!).

Then there is Orchid, a large cruiser with an even larger sound system on board!. Last weekend and this you could hear it coming from about a mile away, music BLASTING out. This evening their weekend was starting early as they passed with the elder chap stood at the bow recreating Titanic, he seemed to be loving the attention he was attracting. We just wished hey’d go away taking their loud music with them.

They did for a while, only to return and tie up on the water point/trip boat mooring, the captive audience at The Star in The City being bombarded with music. The decibels grew, we soon realised Orchid wasn’t the only noise we could hear. Eventually when the cruiser moved away one of the bars on Coney Street could be heard, the crowd singing along to the music. We think we’ll move tomorrow, not wanting to be in the centre of York on a Friday night and hopefully further away from Orchid.

0 locks, 0 miles, 2 sheets of green, 1 Tornado, 1 very gritty boat, 2.8 miles, 48 minutes briskly, 1 deafening evening.

**The flotilla beached on the Wash crossing**

In the Fund Britain’s Waterways flotilla news, Yesterday 14 narrowboats crossed The Wash from Boston to Wisbech. A little choppy at times, one broken down boat that needed towing for the second half of the crossing, but everyone made it. What a day for it.

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna