Intelligent Alien Carrot. 16th September

Lincoln Visitor Mooring to Burton Waters Visitor Mooring

**Wonder how much longer I’ll be strapping my toes together for?**

Needing to run the engine in the morning to top the batteries up means there is hot water, so a morning shower is possible. At the moment this means taking off the strapping from my toes, being very careful not to knock my little toe in the shower, then once dry the strapping can be reapplied to help keep everything where it should be. It’s quite frustrating as I feel as though I should be able to do all sorts of things as it’s only a little toe, but when walking it is painful on and off, so I sit down again. But it’s only a little toe!

Yesterday we’d discussed if we could get up to the cathedral with the minimum of walking. If we moored just through the Glory Hole we’d be able to catch the bus up to the top of Steep Hill. This however wouldn’t be fare on Tilly as she’d not like our location, we’d also possibly not like it with it being freshers week. If we headed out of the town could we get a bus back in. All these options were considered, what was the point if all I’d do when I got there was sit in a pew and not feel able to have a good walk round. The sights we’d planned on visiting in Lincoln will have to wait for ‘Next Time’!

We did however need to move today our two days up. We pootled on into Brayford Pool where there would be plenty of room to wind. Several crews wearing high vis were out in ribs, presumably training for the emergency services, there have been crews each day on the canal since we’ve been close to Lincoln.

Round we went and then back to the services where we topped up with water, emptied the yellow water and pushed off again. The Brayford Belle came past, we’ve been getting things wrong for years, C&RT is actually the Canal and Riverboat Trust, who knew?

Our original plan was to head to the mooring at the Pywipe Inn, wind and moor up. We tried to wind opposite the pub, but the width of the canal encroached by sideways trees was not enough. Then we tried under the A46 road bridge, a hard edge on both sides. Not enough width again. Those Romans didn’t take into consideration 58ft 6″ narrowboats when they built the canal!

**Paddleboarding popular in these parts**

On we pootled, sitting outside the pub wouldn’t have been an ideal mooring for the weekend anyway. Instead we continued on to Burton Waters where we’d wind in the entrance of the marina, then reverse back to the moorings.

Just as we arrived so did a couple of boats coming towards us. Mick tucked us into the marina entrance and held us there for the boats to pass. Two beeps on the horn of the first boat, oh blimey he was wanting to turn to port, into the marina! Ah no, he always sounds his horn as he passes the marina just incase. We were fine and not in the way at all. Once they’d both passed Mick completed our turn and then started to reverse us back to the moorings.

In the last two days the banks have been mown. A shopping trolley we’d spotted in the long grass the other day was still there, the grass mown underneath it. At the moorings we could see where boats had been moored when the grass cutting had occurred, at least no-one would have grass stuck to their gunnels.

Four hours Tilly. Hmmm! Friendly cover up to my shoulders, I can stalk through that.

This afternoons film was a period piece, The Thing from another world (1951), I wonder why they felt they had to add ‘from another world’? Possibly the alien, made up from plant matter, a bit like an intelligent carrot was felt to be too much like a human by the producers, so it needed some clarification. Other than the THING being compared to a carrot I particularly liked that everyone was told to ‘Close the door’ when they came into a building, gusts of snow following them inside. Surely in the Arctic there would be some vestibule or curtain to help keep drafts out! The 1950’s Parker was obviously a very well insulated garment. The ending of the film was quite electrifying!

0 locks, 3 miles, 2 winds, 2 failed winds, 1 canal 57 ft wide, 1 prescription collected, 0 cathedral this time, 1 stealth cat up the banks, 2 bipps means turn to port, 2 git gap cruisers, 1 boat pulled back, 1 sci-fi comedy, 1 roast chicken, 4th pair finished, 5th started, 1 helicopter crash at Great Heck! 0 hurt.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/6XqBCwtkZQzwBwZD7

Will We Ever Get Up There? 15th September

Lincoln Visitor Moorings

The alarm was set early and Mick headed off for a dental appointment in Scarborough. The only appointment he’d been able to get was too early to catch a train hence the hire car. The journey was pretty foggy until he reached the Humber Bridge where the sun had burnt it’s way through, then it was an easy drive over the Wolds.

After his appointment he had a little drive out to Langdale End where great friends used to live and where he stayed when he first moved north. More changes to the Manor House. Back in Scarborough he went to pick up a repeat prescription only to find it had been sent to Superdrug in Banbury! A new one was done and will be ready for collection in Lincoln.

**Calcium and vit C with lots of maple syrup too!**

Meanwhile back on board Tilly and I enjoyed Blueberry Pancakes for breakfast, maybe a few two many, but at least there were two of us to share them! Our nearest neighbours moved off and the Brayford Belle started it’s trips up and down the canal, commentary blasting out about the Romans and linking Lincoln to Torksey, Nottingham and York. I got to hear the same bits three times today.

More knitting the start of the eighth sock was done in front of Olivia Coleman in Them That Follow (2019) where a religious sect incorporate snake handling into their services. Love, pregnancy, snake bites made for a cringing mornings viewing.

Some apple crumble flapjack was made, the apples purchased to accompany some blackberries for a crumble a few weeks ago. But we’ve not managed to forage enough blackberries, so some flapjack will keep us going.

**Will we ever make it to the Cathedral?**

In the afternoon I decided to have a little walk to see how I fared. The start of freshers week in Lincoln meant the area around Brayford Pool was busy with young people walking round with their parents in tow. I made it as far as a bench with a view across the pool up to the Cathedral. Is this the closest I’ll get to it this visit?

We’ve been to Lincoln at least twice before, but never managed to get up to the Cathedral or Castle. We’ve headed here for several reasons, one was to be tourists and finally tick the Steep Hill and the buildings that lie at the top of the ascent off the next time list. As I walked back to Oleanna my toe hurt. Maybe the next time list will remain until next time!

**My little thug watching the students arrive**

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 trip to Scarborough, 1 monastery extension, 1 more film, 0.8 of a sock, 1 bored cat, 1864 hobbled paces, 2 tidal locks booked, 1 aching toe.

Lincoln. 14th September

Burton Waters to Lincoln Visitor Moorings

Another soggy start to a day, makes me feel better for not being able to get on with the boat jobs I have in my head, unfortunately they really need doing before winter takes hold!

First thing today was to turn into Burton Waters Marina to top up with diesel, we’d rather be full on tidal waters. The service point is just inside the flood gates and to the left, we pulled in. Big signs warn of the area being a combustion site. No smoking, turn your engine off, do not use your phone. They sell not only diesel but petrol too as many cruisers use the later. A few years ago they had a serious fire, so no wonder there are many signs.

The price was a surprise, we’d expected it to be pretty high, but at 96p a litre! The lowest we’ve paid for a while.

I stayed as look out at the bow. There is what looks like a mirror opposite the marina entrance to help you look for oncoming boats. However all it seems to be is a grey thing pointing at the water, not reflecting anything. Good job I was there, as we popped our bow out a cruiser was coming past a quick stop for both of us.

Oleanna turned towards Lincoln, more new water for her. We were now following a narrowboat and the cruiser, would there be any room on the visitor moorings? Soon the long line of permanent moorings was being passed. Some lovely big boats, some wooden boats and quite a few boats that don’t look like they go anywhere anymore.

The services mooring was free, we disposed of yellow water and rubbish, topped up with clean water. Then it was time to see if our luck was in on the visitor moorings. Bingo! Room for two!! Marvellous.

**Another day another film with my foot up**

An afternoon in front of The Lincoln Lawyer (2011), apt for today only in name. Mick Haller a defence lawyer is called in to defend the son of a wealthy LA business woman who is accused of assaulting a prostitute. He claims he is innocent, however parallels are found with a murder case. Another sock was finished today.

Late afternoon Mick headed off to pick up a hire car. Being able to park next to the boat was very handy especially when doing a supermarket shop.

0 locks, 2.7miles, 2 lefts, 1 wind, 82 litres, 2 day mooring, 1 pair of socks arrived, 2 packed to post, 1 of a pair knitted, 2nd fee, 1 bored cat again, sorry Tilly.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/35E14QZAEGnrctPH8

Bunny Heights. 13th September

Saxilby to Burton Waters 2 Day Visitor Mooring

Thankfully the rain had stopped this morning, time to find a more cat friendly mooring for the day. Other boats had already moved off heading towards Lincoln by the time we’d got ourselves sorted, we knew we’d not be going far today.

**Site of the missing footbridge in Saxilby**

Roads sit close to the canal before heading off at 90 degrees. The railway also follows close by, long goods trains rattling along the line. We’d not be loosing them for a while.

After a kink of the canal we could see just over a kilometer ahead, one boat moored up, there’d be space for us at the Bunny mooring. The boat already moored there was actually just off the 2 day mooring, we pulled in at the near end tied up and then did a quick health and safety check. It’s been some years since we’ve been here, in fact since leaving Torksey this is new water for Oleanna, but not for her crew.

**A little close to the railway, but nice**

The area was deemed to be feline safe. Six and a half hours Tilly! An extra rule added today, ‘No Bunnies!’ On our last visit here she returned to Lillian with a mouthful of bunny from the other side of the bank we were moored against. Link

I listened didn’t I! However you didn’t say anything specifically about mice! Tilly was ushered through the boat and all doors closed again!

A few emails regarding panto were exchanged, a request for an extra bucket easy to do. Still no news from the printers. I emailed my agent who happens to be married to the main man, she’d get onto it.

Then time to sit back and watch a film whilst knitting. The Lincoln Lawyer an aptly named film for our location, but it didn’t want to load. Film 4 only wanted to show adverts then would fail with the main feature. A hunt through the PVR, Rocketman (2019). That would do nicely, the story of Elton John. Although it wasn’t the jolliest of films, but then he didn’t seem to have the jolliest of lives until he met David Furnish.

This evening we took advantage of the mooring having space to our stern and got the barbeque out. A bucket of water now essential as hot coals keep falling out of the side! Sweetcorn, followed by some rather nice lamb burgers from waitrose and veg kebabs. We sat and watched paddleboarders and a rib come past. The rib slowing when they saw us sat outside, but they sped up to pass out neighbour, their wake washing up high over the gunnels!

0 locks, 2.7 miles, 0 bunnies, 1 mouse, 1 new fat fender, 1 missing bridge, 2 many loud trains, 3 pairs, 4th started, 1 quick rise to fame, how many costumes?!? 2 cobs, 2 burgers, 2 rolls, 4 kebabs, 1 chink to Peter, 2 fire ribs, 1 wonky canoe, 1 superfast rib, 4 zooming canoes, 1 brick!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/utKupX1RNzTVf86U8

Sightings. 12th September

Torksey 3 day moorings to Saxilby

A post on facebook brought my attention to a new section on the C&RT website. If you log on and then log on to your licence section you can now see what sightings C&RT have for you. I put in this year.

In the past you used to have to write to them for your sightings, a few weeks later they would send you the list. It appears they have now been able to link everything up.

Number checkers at marinas do exist as you can see. Then we didn’t get spotted until we’d crossed over the Pennines. Next in Birmingham. The number checkers will always get you in Thrupp as the moorings are martialed by the cruising club. Obviously no sightings whilst we were on the Thames as it is EA water. Twice in one day in Oxford. Then not until we reached Nottingham. We obviously don’t stay still long enough to get clocked in the same place twice.

Later in the day the Sightings tab was removed from the website by C&RT.

‘Sightings Information

To support customers accessing their data, we have recently made sightings of boat movements available via your Web Licensing account. Unfortunately, the format of that data has caused some customers concern about the location their boat has been sighted and left them with questions. The Trust is currently compiling supporting guidance and information, as a priority, to help boaters best understand this data and help answer any questions they may have.

Whilst we prepare this guidance, we are pausing access to the sightings data.‘

Autumn arrived today with rain! No quandary as to what to wear, long trousers without a doubt for us. Tilly was given the morning to spend outside, she chose not to take us up on the offer despite the back door being open for hours! They only do this when it’s a WET outside! Yesterday’s version was so much better!

Mick worked his morning magic in the kitchen and we settled down to wait for the rain to stop. If only I’d not broken my toe the roof around the mushroom vent over the bathroom would have been sorted in the warm drier weather. But that has not been possible, so we’ll have to live with a puddle in the bathroom whenever it rains for a while longer.

**All gone! I’ve never been partial to tomato skins**

Emails about dressing tables came through from Chippy, a producer has already started to hunt for one, I added more information to assist her hunt and confirmed the need for an overhead projector to help with the drawing out of scenery. Last year it took me what felt like days to get the Piccadilly sliders drawn out, with an OHP I’d most probably have done it all in two hours.

With phone and internet signal patchy or none existent we really wanted to move on. So when it looked like the rain was easing we decided to move, just as Tilly did too! Once the second mate had returned the doors were closed, it was time to roll back the covers.

Wet decks and flip flops do not go together. Chilly air and crocks required some socks adding to them. An intermediate thermal sock was achieved over my broken toe. Then a squeeze into my crocks, not as comfortable as yesterday.

How far should we go? Saxilby, not ideal for a cat. Burton Waters, better but further. We pushed off with light drizzle in the air. The Fossdyke was built by the Romans and stretches into the distance in long straights, the occasional bend giving a change of direction. The high banks hide much of the surrounding landscape, so it can’t be classed as a picturesque canal. Deer ramps extend out into the cut, arrows mark their locations, frequently.

At Drinsey Nook a proud building stands by the road. Was it once a coaching house? A large farm house? A hunt round on the internet later in the day told me nothing about the building. It told me that back in 2014 a family of 11 who lived in Drinsey Nook were all convicted of modern day slavery crimes. One chap had been under their control for 26 years!

Approaching Saxilby it started to rain properly, decision made we’d have to cope with complaints from Tilly for the rest of the day. Past the permanent moorings, past the handy stop off for the chippy, under the rail bridge and to the moorings. We pulled in, moored up and then tried explaining to Tilly that behind the trees lay a noisy dangerous railway and how she wouldn’t know about it until it was too late! I got the ‘But Why?!’ treatment!

Steve and Deena were moored a little ahead of us, they came to warn us of the willows. Mick!?! Yesterday they’d moored at this end and a branch had come crashing down close to them. Mick!?! They had moved up ahead and thought ~~Mick~~ TOM! might want to consider moving us along too. He’s called Tom! Who is Mick!?! Tilly kept a very close eye on them and their woofer through the window. TOM, it’s TOM!!!

After we’d eaten, Mick had a look at the closest tree. If it was to loose a limb it would miss us. We stayed put for the night as the rain returned.

0 locks, 4.8 miles, 10 degrees cooler, 1 pair thermal socks, 1 toe slightly cramped, 1 wet day, 1 indignant cat, 0 Micks, 1 Tom!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/iHcj1FNox4BsPNT78

Lining Up The Bucket. 11th September

Cromwell to Torksey

**Beautiful, even if it’s mostly from planes**

Would today be the day when I could upgrade from flip flops to something more substantial on my feet? Some slip resistant crocs made the grade, a cautious put on but after that there is plenty of room around my little toe. In the next few days we’ll see what they are like with socks.

Water filling, breakfast early, clear the cratch to make more room and exchange phone numbers with Steve and Deena on NB Preaux for just in case. An Anglo Welsh boat had pulled up last night, they’d been to walk their dog this morning and their boat name was on the list for passage through Cromwell this morning. Steve looked towards the lock the green light was on it was 7:35, Neil was ready for us. We still had a couple of jobs to do but would be along shortly.

As we pulled in and passed our ropes round the risers Neil asked if there was movement from anyone else, only the dog walker. He wanted to see the crew on the hire boat before hand, so they wouldn’t be joining us. The top gates closed behind the two boats, thumbs up that we were ready, the sluices were lifted and down into the dark of the lock we went.

We’d agreed to go first as we’ve done this stretch maybe four times before. 7:50, off we went, up to our cruising speed, hopeful to reach Torksey in time for there to be sufficient water to get over the cill today. We’d be punching what meager tide there was before it would start to help us and give us a push.

Not sure we’ve seen the weir looking so high before, the tide not up to meet it. A sand bank had birds preening themselves in the morning sunshine, maybe we should have worn shorts and not long trousers!

We followed the red line on our charts, this normally feels a touch overkill, but this morning with the level low it felt important to keep in the channel, sandbanks lurk below. Behind NB Preaux followed, their speed not the same as ours.

Round a couple of bends, we caught another fisherman! Mick put Oleanna into reverse hoping that we’d not been caught too well, the fisherman pulled and wound his line, thankfully it came free.

I maybe should have brought out a pencil to jot notes on our new chart, but the red line was what we needed and we followed it as closely as we could. A glance behind every now and again, NB Preaux coming into view then out again at the next bend.

What a glorious morning, not too hot, not much breeze, blue skies. One look along the river gave us 2 Herons, an Egret, Egyptian Geese and a Kingfisher darting along the edge of the banks.

Cows walked to find tasty morsels silhouetted. Sheep scrambled over rocks preferring the nettles there, hopefully none of them would loose their footing and end up in the river!

A cruiser came past heading to Cromwell, he had a loud hailer and wished us good morning, his wind turbine whizzing round on the bow. He was soon followed by a narrowboat. As always you meet boats on a stretch where you are trying to line up with landmarks. The pylon behind with the white domed windmill ahead. Line the pooh bucket up with it.

Gulls sat on top of marker posts, some having seen better days, now rusting away, few bright white anymore.

At Marnham Boat Club two chaps were tentatively backing a speed boat into the river, would it float before water came over the stern? And just how much effort went into the positioning of that life boy? Under Fledborough Viaduct, navigational notes should be amended here to left or the centre pier, rather than under the graffitti, now almost impossible to see until you are right underneath.

Approaching Dunham Dubbs (is it one B or two?) I got out the new chart showing the recently added markers. A new line to follow up to the bend, then to follow the line of the western overhead wires.

The two new boards needed lining up, but where was the white post ahead of us? Two tractors cut grass, maybe they needed to do a little bit of pruning of a tree, then the post came into view. We lined the posts behind and the pooh bucket on the roof with the post ahead, we knew were we in the channel.

One day we’ll stop at the 48 hour mooring before Dunham Toll Bridge, but not today, the tide was busy going out and we were eager to get to Torksey.

Past Butlers sunken island and great views of Cottam Power Station, the coal fired station now decommissioned (2019). Demolition works have already started on sight this year, the cooling towers and chimney stack will be the last parts to be demolished in 2025. Then according to Wikipedia the sight will become a ‘garden community’ with 1500 houses.

Not far now, a couple of big sweeps of the river before we got to see Jack’s Ferry, time to radio the lock and check if we were in time. He’d just had a call from NB Preaux, they were a little way behind us. We were told there was 3ft and a bit over the cill at the moment, the lock gates would be open ready for us, lights on green. We were to approach with caution and slow our speed right down. If at any time he thought we should abandon then the lights would go to red.

We turned into the cut, one cruiser on the pontoon, plenty of space should we need it. The lights were red, the gates just opening, light went to green. A call on the radio, depth over the cill 3ft, we should be fine as we’re 2ft 6″. Mick slowed us right down, the shallowest point being the cill between the small lock and longer lock chamber. We’d made it, 10:41. Ropes were passed up to the top and now there was a short wait for NB Preaux.

The Lockie gave them a call, but he had the wrong number. They’d told us their draught was 2ft, so they should be fine, but the Lockie had not been able to confirm that with them. As they approached they slowed right down and were told to pass a line round a riser in the longer chamber under the road bridge. Once we were all settled the gates were closed and the lock started to fill. Thumbs up from Steve and Deena, what a wonderful cruise it had been.

A pause to dispose of rubbish for us and then we sauntered on to the 3 day moorings, NB Preaux carrying on to explore further. Once we’d tied up, the rules were recited to Tilly who was FAR too excited to listen. 6 what?!! Wow!! See ya!

**Torksey Lock and Cottam Power Station behind us**

An early lunch, well we’d had breakfast far too early. Then a quiet afternoon. Phone signal not the best unless you stand on the bank or resort to Whatsap. I had a catch up call with Gemma from Panto, still waiting to hear back about the cloths and printing, I’d sent an email first thing, but now with poor signal it was hard to follow it up.

Another Denzil Washington film this afternoon Inside Man (2006). A bank heist with a difference, Denzil a NYPD hostage negotiator and items locked away in safety deposit boxes. Only problem was that our internet signal was patchy too, so it took a long time to watch it. As the afternoon progressed rain set in, we closed up the covers and settled down.

2 locks, 16.9 miles, 1 right, 2 boats not 4, 1 fisherman nearly caught, 1 bright sunny day, 2 new markers, 2 upstream boats, 3 ft, 2ft 10, 2 boats onto the Fossdyke, 6 hours, 5th sock finished, 6th started, 1 happy cat, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval.

https://goo.gl/maps/6vZAUh4qTHoo8tf89

Hanging On For Green. 10th September

Kiln Pontoon to Cromwell Lock Pontoon

The Geraghty zoom included topics such as Department stores, Post Holes and just what they might be, Soprano frocks and the E3 bus route. During the zoom we got a wiff of whatever from outside that we’ve smelt the last two evenings. Mick decided that he should check our lead acid batteries just incase one had started gasing. We have a starter battery, which was fine, and two bow thruster batteries, which were also fine. The pong had to be coming from elsewhere.

Next was a trip to stock up on more essential food stuff to cover us for the next few days. Waitrose was visited and we managed to come away with two bags for under £30, a far more considered shop than yesterday!

With everything stowed it was time to move on downstream. A phone call had been made to Kings Marina to see if we could top up the diesel tank, but a message suggested that the lady who runs the marina was away, we’d not be calling in. Instead we carried on past the entrance. Mick radioed ahead to Nether Lock, there was a boat going down and one to come up, we were to come in on the green.

However the green was quite a wait. Whilst holding onto the centre line we had time to watch the people working on the railway tracks that cross just above the lock. I spent quite a bit of time admiring the size of each spider that inhabited each recess of the big piling we were clinging to. The biggest spider was around the size of a 50p piece.

Eventually a boat appeared and the lock lights turned green. Nether Lock the last couple of times we’ve been through on self serve has taken forever! Hopefully with a Lock Keeper present it wouldn’t take as long. The bottom paddles were whipped up in one go, rather than incrementally on self serve, we were down in a jiffy.

Fishermen lined the banks, just how do they get their cars by the fishing pegs? The pub at North Muskham was popular with people sat at the tables, only one cruiser moored up.

I glanced to the side of Oleanna, hanging in the air as if it was a Hummingbird was a Kingfisher. I grabbed my camera, not the best photo, but it looked straight at me before glancing back at the river. Then it darted ahead and dived catching a fish, then zoomed back to a perch to enjoy it’s fishy snack.

Soon the pontoon mooring at Cromwell came into sight. Two boats on the outside, definitely one on the inside, would the other inside be free. Thankfully it was, meaning we’d be by a tap and possibly have electric for the night. We winded and then made our way onto the inside, across the pontoon from us NB Preaux, we’d be heading onto the Tidal Trent with them in the morning.

**The pontoon, easier to moor on than the wall**

Mick called the Lockie Neil to check there were copies of the new Trent charts available, there were but he’d have to be quick as he was only on duty for another hour. The new version (18) was checked over. A few noticeable changes, one in our opinion not as good as our old version 13. The first page from Cromwell looks to have been copied and shrunk slightly from a previous version. I checked the red line, the line to keep to, it didn’t look to have changed, I added the old page into the new book.

Other details missing were at Dunham Dubbs. Here is where boats have had problems as they turn the bend. Just keeping to underneath the pylon wires at certain times of the tide isn’t enough so extra markers have been added on the banks. These haven’t made it to the latest version of the charts. We printed the chart off from facebook and added that in too.

A delve into the cat proof cupboard came up trumps with three CRT electric cards, Mick tried one in the post by Oleanna. 19 credits left, bingo we had power! A couple of loads of washing and the use of the electric kettle, all paid for years ago.

We’d just said hello to our Trent buddies when the skies opened, thunder rolling around above us. We’d hopefully have chance to chat more in the morning. Originally when Mick had booked our passage he’d been told that high tide would be around 9:24, we were booked for 8:00 but may not get away before 8:30. This might mean the tide would be too low by the time we reached Torksey to get over the cill. However Neil the Lockie today said he’d be around from 7:30 the green light would likely to go on around 7:45, the sooner we got going the better chance of getting in at Torksey.

Early night for us then.

1 lock, 5 miles, 3 batteries fine, 1 suspect boat, 1 hobble shopping trip, 2nd very hot day, 1 long wait, 1 space on the inside, 1 bored cat, 1 alarm set.

https://goo.gl/maps/9btNZ7r1zWvApVtU9

Firstly I’m NOT Your Babe! 9th September

Kiln Pontoon

Last night a couple of odd things happened.

The pontoon was quite busy with comings and goings. A bike or maybe a shopping trolley came past a couple of times, the noise of wheels on the ramp very recognisable. Then soon afterwards there was a very strong stink of sewage. Blimey it stank! Where was it coming from? Mick stuck his head out of the hatch and could see a cassette being passed onto a boat. Could this have been the source of the stink? No proof, possibly just a coincidence. Thankfully the aroma passed after half an hour or so.

Then whilst reading in bed I kept hearing what sounded like small quiet wheels on the ramp, maybe someone was being considerate as they passed us. I twitched the curtains. There was a chap stood quite close to Oleanna. I opened the curtains some more, he looked up and down the pontoon and said, ‘Oh sorry I’ve got the wrong boat’. I closed the curtains.

A while later around midnight, I heard the noise again. I really wanted to be able to see without opening the curtains. Tilly assisted, a cat can get away with being very nosy. Once she’d got bored of being a voyeur she, as always, left the curtains ajar. The chap was stood just three feet away from our window. If he was peeking in I could certainly peek out! I opened the curtains wide.

‘Ah Babe … does it cost to be here?’

‘Firstly I’m NOT your Babe! What are you doing?’ He said something about looking for somewhere in the morning, well only quarter of an hour ago he’d got the wrong boat! ‘Well it’s full as you can see and I’d like you to move away from our boat!’. He turned, I said ‘Goodnight!’, he replied ‘Goodnight’ as he started to walk up the ramp. By the time Mick had opened up the hatch there was no sign of the chap anywhere, hopefully he’d gone.

Tilly and I stayed awake for sometime, trying to make a mental note of what the chap looked like, listening out for anymore noises on the ramp. Thankfully we eventually both went to sleep.

The small cruiser in front of us had been showing interest in heading to Lincoln, they hadn’t realised that you need to book Cromwell and Torksey Locks in advance. Current manning of such locks is based on bookings and if there is no-one in the book for a certain day there may be no-one on duty to penn you through. We also suggested that they should have an up to date chart, parts of the river are very shallow and just sticking to the middle doesn’t always work. They had a very old Nicholsons. This morning they’d rung Cromwell and been told they could go anytime, the tide was so weak at the moment it wouldn’t make a difference. Off they set. Mick pulled us forward so that we no longer overhung the pontoon.

A newspaper and a touch of shopping was required, also some shore leave for me to access how my toe was holding up. It was already rather hot outside, inside Waitrose was wonderfully cool. We picked up a paper and scanned round the sad git items for a cold collection this evening. It ended up being quite a financial outlay, but we’ll have yummy things for the next few evenings and not have to turn the cooker on.

After lunch Mick set off to Newark Castle Station to catch a train back towards Nottingham. Time to look round the signal box at Lowdham Station. The chap from Lowdham Railway Heritage started with a bit of a history of signalling on the railway. In early early days the signaller would time how long it was since the previous train had passed. The next train could be let past at slow speed after 5 minutes had elapsed or at full speed after 10. This was fine as long as the train in front never broke down but if it stopped for any reason a following train would plough into it. Not good. So signals were invented making use of electrical connections down telegraph wires alongside the track to the next and previous signal boxes. This enabled the signalers to communicate via a series of bell codes to see if the line was clear or not and set their signals and points accordingly.

There followed a demonstration with one chap working the signal box another two pretending to be at other boxes along the line. A delayed coal train had to be shunted out of the way to let an express passenger train through. There was also a goods train to be shunted into sidings, a train stopping at Lowdham station to be dealt with and level crossing gates to be opened and closed as necessary. All very busy. The signaler got a little bit lost at one point but the other two knew what should be happening so kept him on track.

An enjoyable but hot afternoon.

Back on Oleanna the day got hotter. The fan from last year had been plugged in meaning Tilly had to take diversions along the back of the sofa to get past it, fans are scary things! Curtains were kept drawn on the sunny side of the boat and when the sun had moved over to catch the port side I damped one of Tilly’s towels and hung it over the mesh in the side hatch hoping to cool any breeze that came in.

This afternoons viewing was a Denzil Washington film, Flight (2012), where Denzil is a pilot who turns up for work still drunk from the night before and high on coke. He somehow manages to crash land the plane after mechanical failure saving nearly everyone on board. The investigation that follows shows him in a different light to the hero he is hailed as.

This evening at around 9pm the aroma from last night returned, not quite as pungent but it lingered for much longer. No signs of anyone doing anything with cassettes today.

0 locks, 0 miles, 2 trains, 1 walk to Waitrose, 2nd pair socks finished, 52 sts not 48, 1 wonky heel to be pulled out, 1 very hot day inside, 1 prowler, 1 stinky stink.

Caught Or Catch? 8th September

Hazelford Lock to Kiln Pontoon, Newark

No shore leave for the thug this morning, we’d be moving on. Frothy bergs from the weir passed us as we made ready to move off into the misty morning. It was a touch gloomy out there, but at least it was cool.

The Bromley is used as a landmark on the river to radio ahead to Hazelford Lock, today the moorings were empty, the pub sadly closed. We carried on downstream, the banks peppered with fishermen.

The mooring at Farndon was empty, but it would sit in full sunlight once the mist had burnt through, we also wanted to be closer to Newark.

Rounding a bend Mick suddenly put Oleanna into reverse. ‘Fisherman!’ The chap on the bank quickly scurried about lifting his line. He’d caught us. Mick put us into reverse, the thick red line spanned down the cabin side. The chap dropped his rod, he must have cut the line, he busied himself on the bank.

We now had a long length of tough fishing line trailing. We drifted as Mick pulled in the line, thankfully the current wasn’t too strong as we were quite near the weir by the power station. Meters and meters of line were pulled up, no longer a potential problem getting wrapped round the prop or shaft.

The lure however seemed to now want to be on the move, so the line needed tethering somehow. It got wrapped around the pram hood frame a few times with several knots to stop it from slipping. We’d investigate later to see what we’d caught.

Now we could see the Parish Church ahead. Should we stop at Newark Marina for diesel and an up to date chart of the Tidal Trent. I’d asked on the Trentlink Facebook group about the latest edition of the charts, version 18. There have recently been a few amendments and new markers added by volunteers to assist boats around shallow areas that have been catching boats out. We bought our current charts 8 years ago, so they are well used and are now due for retirement. Sadly the diesel point at the marina was not free, we carried on carving our way through the millions of Geese.

Heathers mooring was free, in full sun but may get shade later in the afternoon. However I’d have difficulty getting off due to the high bank. We kept it in reserve.

Town Lock was being set for us as we arrived, we dropped down with the castle just ahead of us. What we really could do with would be a mooring on the east bank, maybe just below the castle, but none are to be had on that side of the river where tall buildings create shade. The wall opposite had several boats already moored up, space but the wall too high for me again. We carried on fingers crossed for a space on Kiln Pontoon.

There was maybe just enough room for us on the very end, if we overhung by a bit. Or should we carry on and see if Kings Marina might have a space for us. Level access appealing. We reversed up to see if the pontoon would be possible, it was, phew!

Once we were settled it was time to see what events this weekend we might be able to make the most of. This and into next weekend there are Heritage Open Days. We’d made a list of possibles last week, most of the ones I’d fancied involved walking tours, so they were out. One Mick fancied was a tour of Lowdham Signal Box which was built in 1896 and for 120 years controlled trains on the Nottingham to Lincoln line. It was taken out of service following the resignalling in 2016, and has been moved and preserved, and is now fitted out with period Midland Railway signalling equipment. I logged on to see if I could get two tickets, but only one was available, I seemed to have booked it. At least Mick can have a railway afternoon tomorrow.

Mick bobbed up to Waitrose to pick up his new phone. Tilly and I stayed in the shade, the boat exterior not shaded until late afternoon. I knitted, Tilly snoozed, when Mick returned he started to make sure his new phone had everything on it it should.

I watched The Escapist, 2008. Set in a prison, it takes a while to get the hang of the two narratives running side by side. One the preparation of the escape the other of the escape itself. It also took a while to get the volume turned up so I could hear it. Brian Cox is a lifer who hears that his daughter has become a drug addict and is near to death following an overdose. He starts to plan his escape to see her with the assistance of other inmates. The cast has lots of familiar faces, some playing parts you’d not normally expect of them. Some graphic moments, hints in the setting as to the ending, a well crafted film.

A phone call to Cromwell Lock to book our passage next week was followed by one to Torksey Lock. Tide times not necessarily good for getting to Torksey and getting up the lock in one go, so we may have to wait overnight on the pontoon before heading up onto the Fossdyke.

A sad gits curry from Waitrose maybe hadn’t been the wisest purchase as it required the oven to be on for half an hour, but it was super tasty.

1 lock, 8.4 miles, 30 meters fishing line, 1 gordy fish, 6 barbs, 1 hot day, 1 ticket, 1 grounded cat, 1 sad gits curry, 1 new phone, 0.75 of a sock, 2 hot for 2 much knitting.

https://goo.gl/maps/byt9JhxRHdetsUv79

Greasy Head. 7th September

Hazelford Lock

The things you discover about yourself when you have an injury. I now know that every now and again I have a good stretch whilst I’m asleep. My legs stretch out and so do my toes, including my little ones, Ow! No wonder I wake up with it hurting.

We decided to let Tilly out this morning, where we were going what we’d be doing today would depend on when she came back. It was nice having a breeze through the boat, but it did mean that when she returned they had to be closed very quickly, RULE 1 Tilly!!!!

After a while we decided to stay put for the day. We’d considered mooring at Farndon for a night, then heading in to Newark for the weekend. But here we had one side of Oleanna against a high wall and during the morning the majority of the boat was in the shade. With temperatures set to rise again we decided to stay put and keep cool.

One pair of socks was finished last night, time to wind some more skeins into cakes ready to be used, I got my twirly windy whatsit out and wound five more skeins.

Todays viewing started off with a 1956 WW2 film, but it didn’t grab me, too slow. So I decided to see what had been happening on Celebrity Masterchef. I used to watch Masterchef religiously, but nowadays I tend to only tune in for the finals if I get round to it. This year not only have I heard of one of the contestants but I’ve actually worked with Amy.

Way back in 2009 Shakers was the adult Christmas show at Hull Truck. Four waitresses wrestling with a night in Shakers a glitzy bar cum club amidst the leerin’, lovin’, lush couples and groups seeking festive fun! It’s kind of a female Bouncers. This played on top of the set for Pinocchio the kids show. The show had toured and it was decided to have an understudy, Amy Walsh fresh from Drama college was that understudy, learning all four parts, then she was written in as a temp waitress for the Christmas run at Truck.

Tomorrow we’ll see how she does in the final episode of finals week, yes she’s down to the last three!

Several boats came past today, none as noisy as the speed boats from yesterday. You get some big boats in these parts, hopefully they head further than just the pontoon at Gunthorpe Lock.

Mick spent a bit of time in the engine bay tightening the stern gland. When he reappeared he’d got grease over the top of his head. It took a bit of wiping off. Then when he went to find Tilly later he’d got more grease on his head! How? What? Where? It appears this second lot came from his cap which for some reason had been in the engine bay with him earlier on. Showers all round this evening and a cap destined for the washing machine!

**This was the second time, a third of the original amount!**

After a day and night sat in the sun on a bed of rice, Mick’s phone was put on charge. It did nothing. Oh well we knew it was a long shot, there’s a new on on order and ready to collect in Newark.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 greasy head, 1 hunkered down boat, 1 friend! 1 hot pooped cat, 3rd sock in 4 days.

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna