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Tilly checking the top of Micks head had been cut |
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Mick, Nick and Me |
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Christmas Office Party |
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Pinocchio |
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Tilly, you’re out of focus! |
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Tilly checking the top of Micks head had been cut |
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Mick, Nick and Me |
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Christmas Office Party |
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Pinocchio |
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Tilly, you’re out of focus! |
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You can’t beat a bit of Pink Stuff |
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Now which one? Two? |
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Too many in the box |
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Fish!!! |
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Rescued from the towpath |
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Trees! |
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Soft Alpaca gloves |
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Very detailed |
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Going right to the top! |
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Calculations |
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What is he doing up there? |
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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Going though |
Medge Hall worked as it should, key turn, lift, push, push, kerchung, key back.
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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.
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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.
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Just chained to the bollards |
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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.
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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.
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Ice hanging from the banks |
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About to push off |
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Cracking the ice with the bow thruster |
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Turning right down stream |
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Torksey Castle silhouetted |
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Cosy now |
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The Chateau up on the hill |
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West Burton |
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Gainsborough Road Bridge |
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West Stockwith Lock |
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I’d like that job |
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Nearly there now |
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Higher flood defences going in |
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Not far now |
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The white building is the Lock Keepers look out |
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Starting to wind as we passed the open lock |
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Mark up in his hut above the lock |
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Hoppers and a crane waiting to fill a lorry after lunch |
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Last time I was here I had a tasty view! |
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Apparently this will burn better than excell! |
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Green! |
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All ready for us |
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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
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Gates opening |
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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.
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Onto the river |
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Pylons leading to the power station |
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Cottam Power Station |
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WAB etc! |
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Dunham Bridges |
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View from the lock |
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Goulash with dumplings |
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I love a power station |
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Tilly enjoying being part of the morning sunrise |
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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.
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We’ll wait to top up the tank! |
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Wonderful clouds today |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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A1 and the newspaper shop just in sight |
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Hiding! |
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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.
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The Old A1 |
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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!
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
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Love the old Nicholsons facades |
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New panel and instructions |
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Approaching Nether Lock |
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Balaclava test |
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Maid Marian our neighbour |
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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.
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Cromwell Lock |
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Chilli for the five thousand |
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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/YVB5YyNGJjG2
3rd workaround