Tag Archives: Sunday

Boaters Boating! 8th June

It’s Just Some Old S**t. 1st, 2nd June

Aire and Calder Navigation

Paul Fernley Whats-his-face, Shetland plans, Sherry, Mars Bars and AI train Announcements were the topics of the Geraghty zoom on Sunday morning after we’d had a cooked breakfast without eggs.

Having a car meant we could head to Tescos to stock up on a few things that Lidl wouldn’t have, enough supplies for one onboard and a loaf of bread for Mick to take back to the house. After lunch I cracked back on with model making as Mick reset the toilet, our fourth solids bucket being put into action. Then the trolley came out along with bungees and three buckets of some old S**t headed off to go in the boot of the car then on to Scarborough to do its composting for a year or so mixed with garden waste. The fishermen must have wondered what sort of bait Mick had and so much of it!

Model bits for Act 2 were started.

Monday and Mick awaited the chaps who were coming to fit the new lean too at the house, we hadn’t heard anything from the company for a few weeks, admitedly we’d not called them last week to check they were still on track, but sure enough they were. The hope that the roofer would return today to look at some dodgy flashing that a cowboy had done a few years ago was obviously postponed due to their van breakdown…..again! Here’s hoping they turn up and sort things which will in turn sort a persistantly damp wall in the kitchen.

Time to harvest the first of the Alpine Strawberries from the roof of Oleanna. These little plants have regenerated several times over since I bought them from an honesty box on the Trent and Mersey years ago, they seem to have enjoyed being repotted this year and hopefully there may be some berries at the house too.

Wiggly things and more beads stuck to wire and card today, more inventing for intentions sake. Mid afternoon there was the Hello from Mick returning with empty buckets, a huge bag of wooden cat litter and several weeks worth supply of toilet roll, he’d ordered plenty from Naked Sprout so I suspect The Shed room in the house is now filled with bamboo toilet rolls with nowhere to sleep.

We delt with the yellow water, water supplies onboard were deemed to be enough to last out the next few days. Then it was time for Mick to head off to return the hire car to York and catch the CoastLiner bus back to Scarborugh to see how the lean to had progressed during the day. Not bad, all the frames were up, no glazing but that would follow tomorrow.

By the end of the evening I’d only got one more scene to make in the model box, the walkdown finale.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 return trip to Scarborough, 3 buckets of deposits, 1 broken down van, again! 6.71 miles, 95 brisk minutes, 0 new PA notes, 1 framework up, 1ft diameter giant wiggle, 47 beads, 2 more sausage days for Tilly, 1 hire car returned.

Residuals and Birthdays. 24th, 25th May

Turkey, Or Confused Cat. 18th May

1 Reply

Aire and Calder Navigation

No that’s not a cockerel. Was it what I thought it was? I pulled up a recording of the bird in question. Yep a turkey gobbling away across the cut somewhere. We’d heard sheep last week, but not this funny noise. It turns out there is a poultry farm just across the way.

It’s boring listening to them all on the tippy tappy screen, so I went out to explore. She says they talked about disapearing messages, pick ‘n’ mix moral boosters and presidential hats. I got on with far more important things, friend hunting.

Tom came out to find me, they wanted to move the outside to find a tap. I was about to olbige when a rude woofer ran at me and was SO loud! So so Rude!!! To get as far away as possible I made use of a tree. The woofer’s She kept on going totally NOT in control of her woofer! Even ruder, doesn’t she know that towpaths are for everyone, including cats!

Tom came and chatted. I shouted back to him, I think he’s a little hard of hearing. He disapeared. My polite She came to chat. We chatted as I got down from the tree, but I felt my buisness wasn’t quite finished for the morning, so I headed along the towpath, only to come across two cyclists. RUN AWAY!!!! That tree was handy again.

She talked to me, I disagreed with her, shouting my replies. She walked away, but where too? Hang on where was Oleanna?! Oleanna wasn’t there!!!

I shouted and shouted and SHOUTED!!!

If only you’d follow me Tilly you’d find Oleanna! I didn’t believe her, She was lying! All the smells pointed to an empty stretch of towpath, She’d stolen Oleanna. I shouted to Toms and Shes that passed. She said I was being embarrasing. NO I wasn’t! Someone had stolen my home!

She arrived with a chair and sat down looking straight at me. Now where had She got the chair from?! We chatted for a little while, then I needed to check the chair was ours, a good sniff was required. Down the tree, mostly forwards, a mistake.

As soon as she got near she was picked up and returned to Oleanna where she’d left it. Lots of head nudges and purring, Tilly had got confused following her own scent back to where we’d been yesterday and got herself into a right tizzy. NO I HADN’T!!!!

We winded and headed for the water point. I realised that the new Thyme plant wasn’t as self sufficient in hot weather as the other plants and was looking like it had dehydrated itself. It got a good soaking in a sink whilst at the tap, here’s hoping it works.

The tap was made the most of, a refresh of Tillys pooh box and a shower for me. All rubbish disposed of too. We winded again, headed to just beyond where we’d been earlier to wind with more space for comfort before pulling back in where we’d been last night, just facing the other way. How to totally confuse your boat cat. Tilly didn’t stray far, infact she was a sleep for most of the afternoon. What do you expect after all that stress you’d put me through! Thought you hadn’t got into a tizzy Tilly!

Time to start work again, those sketches wouldn’t do themselves. Scans, more sketches, I just needed some pritstick now. A walk to Londis didn’t come up trumps, neither did the Co-op, so I’ve had to make do with little dabs of pva.

Mick headed off to catch a train back to Scarborough to see if there would be any roofers tomorrow, and I cracked on with work, only pausing to have something to eat. I finally called it a day at just gone 10pm, still a few bits left to do in the morning.

0 locks, 0.3 miles, 3 winds, 1 a touch too tight, 1 confused cat, 2 many outsides, 5 minutes in a chair, 7.5 hours work, 3 trains, 0 pritstick, 1 turkey, maybe more.

Coal Mining At Kellingley. 4th May

Haddelsey Flood Lock, River Aire to Stubbs Bridge, Aire and Calder Navigation

Possible contestants for Race Across The Earth, Spiders Lairs, Richard’s President Elect and Pocket Cameras were the subjects of discussion this morning in the Geraghty zoom. As we chatted away to the family the first boat came past, NB Tetheys who’d been moored on the other side of the lock last night, we’d be seeing them later.

As we were rolling up the covers, layered up against the wintery weather that greeted us a second boat came past, NB Wrights on Water, we’d been moored next to them in York a few days ago, they weren’t keen on the weather today.

We followed on soon after them, knowing we’d have a locking partner. Round and round the bends of the River Aire to reach Beal Lock. Here there was activity, I hopped off the bow and went to see what was happening as Mick hovered in the river. A boat was currently in the lock, the lock almost empty, however the amount of water bubbling up from beneath the top gates was stopping the lock from equalising. The crew had tried refilling the lock, opening the top gate and prop washing the cill. A log had bobbed up, they thought that was the problem, but it wasn’t.

We tried four of us on the heavy gate, it wouldn’t budge. Mick brought Oleanna up to gently add extra umph to the situation. The gate moved and eventually with four bums and a boat we got the bottom gate to open enough for the levels to equalise. The lady from NB Tetheys was still there, she’d had a bit of difficulty, but nowhere hear as much as this.

Boats swapped positions and we were on our way up with NB Wrights on Water. They opted to moor up for the day above the lock, the wind too chilling to make cruising pleasant, we carried on, still in need of covering more miles today. It was chilly and a touch damp out on the river, I think if we’d not wanted to be somewhere in a few days we’d most probably have stopped too.

At Bank Dole Lock we arrived as NB Tethey’s were making their way up the lock. They were heading the same direction as us, but stopping off for some shopping first. The lady had checked out on line if Knottingley was a nice place to stop, what there was to do etc. Well her opinion wasn’t good, she pointed out the bonfires on the lock side and the small amount of broken glass. My thought was that they’d most probably never been through some parts of Birmingham and certainly hadn’t done the Rochdale 9!

We took our turn next, The top paddles sending out a plume of water, Oleanna was kept well back and the water helped keep her to the side without too much effort.

Now I’d considered walking some of the next stretch, turning left at the junction and heading to the east. However neither of us quite believed that there would be a towpath running alongside what used to be Kellingley Colliery, so I stayed on board. Soon it was obvious that we were wrong and our map was correct, there was a path, it’s just we’ve always been too busy looking beyond it to see it.

A couple of boats were moored up along this stretch, possible ease of getting a car close to your boat an attraction. As we passed the main colliery sight I could hear what I thought might be a generator. Two men stopped close to a car with it’s boot open part way across the site, just what were they doing?

A thought of having lunch on the go was put on hold as Mick decided to pull over and see if we could moor soon after Stubbs Bridge. We got into the side easily and found the bank peppered with mooring spike holes. Plenty of friendly cover to keep Tilly occupied for the afternoon.

After lunch I walked back to the junction along the well trodden path. Fence panels that were installed to keep nosy parkers out of the demolished colliery site have long since been moved and bent out of the way. I could still hear the generator so went in to see what the chaps were up to.

No generator, but two hand held pneumatic drills. They were drilling for coal. Shovels alongside them and a pile of already filled bags stood by a wall ready to load into the 4×4. When I returned they and the coal had gone, small piles of slag evident where they’d been.

The walk was an interesting one, industrial, over grown and covered in Hawthorn which now covers the landscape. Mostly the path was walkable, under one bridge someone had left some bricks as stepping stones and in another place it heads away from the canal alongside a drain by the solar farm. It was still interesting.

The lap top had been left on all night and all day, still processing whatever. Still quite annoying as none of my folders/photos would sink with OneDrive. It’s a good job I publish the blog a few days out of sink with ourselves.

2 locks, 7.9 miles, 1 left, 1 troublesome lock, 4 bums and a boat, 1 damp grey day, 1 stove lit, 2 miners, 7 sacks, 1 blossom filled world, 1 happy occupied cat.

https://what3words.com/backyards.president.giggles

I’ll Be Wearing Orange Trousers. 27th April

Museum Gardens, York

Subjects covered on the Geraghty zoom this morning included, 10 year old shopping, 10 pin bowling, the Popes Funeral and rowing. This has been relayed to me as I was out walking to meet a complete stranger somewhere on the river bank.

It was lovely and warm, but I had to keep my red fleece and pink (used to be red) cap on as I looked out for a woman wearing orange trousers. Our route had been confirmed along the east bank of the river and which streets would be walked. A message came through saying that she’d set off from her end, I set off at speed hoping to get back onto the river bank before we met.

Once on New Walk I kept my eyes peeled for a pair of orange trousers, had she meant bohemian orange trousers? Or hi-vis orange work wear? Past where we’d been moored last week I could see the occasional flash of bright hi-vis orange, yep that had to be Philli with Pickle her dog.

Philli owns Sabrina W on the York University Rowing Club moorings, we’d been trying to meet up to hand over a pair of socks, but she’s been working nights and could only call in before 8am, not a time that we are usually dressed. Big hugs and a treat for Pickle then lots and lots to talk about. I am the first Facebook ‘Boat Woman’ she’s met and the first time she’s met another Phillipa, well she’s a Philippa. Both born and beard in York with connections to Fulford. Then there were connections to the world of theatre and the learning disabled. Try to stop us talking in the sunshine, poor Pickle was getting a touch bored of all the gabbing. I did however find out about the temporary path on Fulford Ings.

A few years ago when the river had been in flood constantly for what felt like months and the moorers could only get to and from their boats by rowing boat, the amount of sewage that escaped from a pipe that crosses the Ings was appalling. Manhole covers were excrement volcanos! She had obviously made quite a fuss about this and last summer had a visit from Fergal Sharkey, who has been campaigning to stop the water companies from discharging sewage into the rivers. Well soon afterwards work started on replacing the old sewage pipe. Well done Philli.

Finally I handed over her socks, her favourite colours and a portrait of Sabrina W. Thank you Philli for the photos of them later on, it was great to meet you and yes we will visit when we’re next in York, I really want to have a look around Sabrina W.

Back to Oleanna for a late breakfast and potter before the London Leckenbys came by on their way to the station. A food parcel of pork and salad bits was deposited with us, hugs all round then they were away to Scarborough Bridge and the station, Andrew and Jac back to London and Josh returning to Manchester.

Sitting out in the sunshine we awaited our next visitor, Diana an old family friend. It was lovely to see her and show her Oleanna, she now can picture us onboard when I post photos on Facebook. There was lots of news from her family to catch up on and news from Fulford, sadly most of this was about people passing away. None the less we had a very jolly two hours in her company.

0 locks, 0 miles, 2 boat women met, 1 pair of socks handed over, 1 very late breakfast, 3 Leckenbys on their way, 3 meals worth of leftover pork, 1 Diana, 1 kg put on, 4.22 miles walked, 51 minutes briskly, 1 more day of indulgence to come.

*If you watch the film about Sabrina W you’ll see how Selby has changed. I can’t imagine pushing round Selby Swing bridge now and polling a dumb barge through it, hefty hefty work!

Easter Oranges. 20th April

Selby Swing Bridge

A lazy start with the Saturday newspaper in bed, listening to the Abbey bells. We were up in time to join the Geraghty zoom, breakfast had to wait for later though. Subjects covered, empathy, sheep with hankies, sponsored relay cruising and a walkie talkie lunch.

**We forgot to defrost some sausages, just as well really**

Yesterday we’d found some gf black pudding so that was added to our egg, tomatoes and mushrooms. Tasty.

A walk down to the lock to see if a Keeper might be about. The door to the little hut was open and Nigel was sat relaxing, he’d had an early start checking the levels up on the Ripon Canal this morning. We checked that we were still booked in for tomorrow and heard that there were five or six cruisers headed from Naburn this afternoon. That would be worth coming back to watch, we headed into town to see if we could find the Easter Bunny.

We’d missed all the fun by the market cross. The Abbey was setting up tables for something later today. Not many people about. We had a good wander around.

Houses for sale, this nice looking little terraced house down Rupert Street, wiped clean of any interior detail. Mr C’s Chippy, now when did we have 2 of each from here? Did we have a car at the time? It turns out it was when we were waiting for the River Ouse to come down on our escape from Goole in 2021, Tuesday night is GF night.

Down a side street towards St James the Apostle Church. A row of rather fine terraced houses, one of which is prime for some TLC, filled with original features. But would you keep the avocado sink and toilet?

We made our way back past the station and my favourite door in Selby. It used to roll to the sides and has had some remedial work at some time. But the tarmac on the pavement restricts any possible movement along with brackets at the top, possibly holding it now to the building.

Back at the lock the first of the cruisers was coming up off the river. Just as Nigel was dropping the water for the following boats they arrived. One winding to face the tide, the gates just opening in time. The other winded a little further down stream and then made their way back to the lock and entered before Nigel had given the go ahead. Nigel wasn’t too happy with this.

**The Lockies Key of Powerful Powerness!**

Several gongoozlers watched on, crew from the first boat came to help, but all were very much kept in check by Nigel, looking out for everyone’s safety. Ropes round bollards and risers these two boats were penned up. The boats had all timed their arrivals with penning up in mind, good gaps between them.

The next arrived winded and had to stem the tide for a bit as the lock emptied. The next and final boat came past the lock, winding further down stream. Would they both fit in the lock together? The lead boat was nudged right up to the top gates. Tail end Charlie waved in to join them, directed by the Lockie, instructions relayed by the crew to the skipper inside the cabin. A perfect entrance to the lock, the skippers first time turning into Selby and their first time on a river!

Close to Oleanna was a newly arrived boat. We stopped to say hello thinking they might be joining us tomorrow. But the crew despite having boated for well over fifteen years and been just about everywhere, they have never gone on tidal water. They’d come and watch tomorrow and give it some more thought.

I was short on my walking for the day, so carried on past Oleanna to see if I could find Staynor Hall which looked like it was surrounded by a new Persimmon development. I walked round into the houses. Looked for what I thought would be an old building but could see nothing but a green modern school building at the back of some playing fields. It may still be there somewhere, but disguised in a plain modern building.

I tried to find a path back towards an older housing estate, but found it fenced off, so had to return through the land of little boxes. The road arched round to Denison Road which brought me back to the Swing Bridge. Time to put that joint of Pork in the oven.

The flotilla appears to have now split into three. Two crews having headed back to their houses for Easter, another two in Hemel and I’m not sure where the lead boats are now. Happy Easter to them all. Just incase you haven’t signed it yet, here’s a link to the Fund Britain’s Waterways petition

0 locks, 0 miles, 8:45 start at the tip, 4 slices black pudding between us, 1 slow walk, 5 cruisers, 0 space in the basin, 5.36 miles walked, 48 brisk minutes, 1 joint of pork, 2 beers, 4 glasses wine, 1 quiet evening, 0 Easter eggs, 2 chocolate oranges left from Christmas.

High Noon. 13th April

Stanilands Marina to Bramwith Junction

Subjects on the Geraghty zoom this morning covered roofing, Neil Kinnock, foxes, bicycles ridden by Tony Ben and chocolate workshops for Easter.

A shopping trip was next on the cards. With the Brompton Mick could cycle slowly whilst I walked fastley. We worked our way through the shopping list, checked out and loaded up the bike. Now we were to split, Mick back to the boat to stow things and get ready to cruise whilst I had a date with another Mick, at high noon, at the Princess Royal Swing Bridge.

Was that Mick down there moored between several narrowboats? I couldn’t see from my camera screen, but when the cruiser pulled out from it’s mooring ‘Fund Britain’s Waterways’ Banner still showing I knew. Mick on Cruiser Amourouse had stayed with the flotilla to Soar Boating Club, but he knew he’d not be able to make it much further due to low bridges and that his boat was too wide for narrow locks which would be encountered at Foxton. He’s been gradually catching us up.

He’d teamed up with several narrowboats to do the bridges into Thorne yesterday and had hoped he’d make it back to Strawberry Island, but with delays for broken down bridges and that the other boats were wanting a few days in Thorne he decided to take us up on our offer to help him through the last few obstacles, at 84 I’d be taking all the assistance offered.

**What is it with floating chairs round here?**

How would the bridge behave today? A chap sat on the bench near the control panel with his wife in a wheel chair. I think they come every day to spectate, they used to own a wide beam, but when the wheelchair came into their lives they had to move to land.

I checked all the barriers were closed first, the one nearest the panel waggled about a bit, then clicked. I turned the key. An audible click from every barrier. I closed the barriers, having to waggle one until it also clicked. I pressed the open button and the siren started. HOOORAAY!!!

My Mick had messaged that there was a volunteer on at Thorne Lock, so I relayed that to the other Mick. I’d leave him in the Lockies hands and help to get Oleanna ready so we could push off as Amourouse came past.

Once VHF radios had been turned on we had ship to ship communication again. We were given permission to pass, so as to be first to Bramwith Swing Bridge. A swan by his nest took umberance to Amourouse and started to chase the boat. Those side fenders were going to get it! Once the cob was reunited with it’s partner things calmed down.

Liliane still boasts a campaign banner. A cruiser sat with it’s engines running in Thorne Boating Club, they soon appeared behind Amourouse and tagged along behind.

I hopped off pushed the button at the swing bridge and we let the other cruiser go on ahead towards Bramwith Lock. We checked with Mick to see if he wanted to share the lock with us, would we fit? He was quite happy to share, had done numerous times before.

Two volunteers were seeing Pearl down the electric charity boat that moors in Thorne. We waved the other cruiser on, they could go ahead of us. A chat with the volunteers regarding us sharing with Amourouse. They weren’t keen but in the end it was down to us, in fact it was down to the skipper of the cruiser, he was fine with it.

Oleanna was held both bow and stern and kept under control all the time in the lock. The volunteers reluctantly lifted paddles, extreamly slowly, understandably. Slowly the two boats rose, both safe and sound.

A quick chat between boats, we’d be happy to see Mick back through Long Sandal Lock, but he thought there’d be a volunteer on today. But if we could help at Barnby Dun Lift Bridge? We certainly could. Straight on at the junction. We pulled in at the services by the big bridge. Mick set to filling with water whilst I walked up to see the other Mick under the bridge.

Now where do I stand on the number of vehicles I held up? Do they get added to the spread sheet? It wasn’t Oleanna holding up the traffic?

A very cheery wave from Mick as he passed under the bridge, not much further till he’d get back to base. A message appeared on the whatsapp group that he’d arrived safe and sound at 3:15pm. It was a pleasure to help him on his last leg home.

**Goodbye Mick, hope to see you somewhere on the water again**

Watery chores were done. Wee tank emptied, Tilly’s pooh box got a refresh and bins emptied. No sign as yet of the new recycling labels on bins.

Mick winded Oleanna to head back to the junction whilst I walked the towpath, got to clock up 40 minutes minimum. Our mooring was still available, we tied up and let Tilly out. She wasn’t impressed It’s still far too windy for my bottom!

**Winding as another boat comes through the bridge**

A roast chicken was enjoyed. Yes we shouldn’t have as yesterdays burger had been a very naughty treat, but the remains of a chicken will last us at least three more meals which all helps when we are unlikely to see a big shop for over a week.

A pesky swan kept us company for most of the evening and a very light shower came over. Here’s hoping we only get light showers in the coming days, more importantly that the Yorkshire Dales don’t get a deluge.

1 lock, 6.5 miles, 1 bridge for us, 3 more for Mick plus 1 lock, 1 left, 1 wind, 23 years, 2 boxes wine, 1 chicken, 500grams mince, 1 mardy swan, 3 floating chairs, 84 year old skipper, 1 final wave goodbye to our flotilla chums ( who are all down on the GU now), 3.52 miles walked, 44 minutes briskly, 3 hours shore leave, 10 minutes taken, 1 pesky swan.

https://what3words.com/herb.golden.iterative

What A Joy. 6th April

Cromwell to Torksey bottom side pontoon

Originally we’d been booked to pen down back onto the tidal Trent at 11:45 this morning, but yesterday Mick had stopped off to chat to the Lock Keeper. They didn’t understand why we were booked so late and suggested we should join the widebeam and head off at 10:00, less chance of meeting the incoming tide that way. So we were up, breakfasted and covers rolled up ready for the off by 9:45.

The light at the lock turned green, the widebeam undid all their ropes and headed for the lock, we followed them slowly. The Lockie gave advice to stick to the channel as best we both could as there was only 18 inches of fresh today and we’d be helped by the out going tide. In the lock we did as usual, bow and stern line, well you never know just when the wind will hit a lock wall and push your boat over to the other side of the lock, as it did to our locking buddies who only had a stern line round a riser.

There was no way for us to be first out of the lock, so we waited and then followed slowly. Should we overtake or sit tight behind? Buddies on the Trent really should always be quite close should they be needed.

Our buddies kept mainly to the channel, a little too close to the bank at times, they managed to do their own bit of pruning, hope their pram cover is okay. We opted to stay behind them, at a steady pace, we’d use less diesel, but it did feel slow compared to our normal speed on the Trent.

After a few minutes we were able to join the Geraghty zoom, only long enough to show Mick’s siblings the river and say good morning before we decided we’d need to concentrate a touch more than normal.

Blue skies. A breeze to keep us from getting warm and at times the water got quite choppy. An Egret, a bird who was invisible except for its bright orange legs, swallows or sand martins dashed in and out of the sandy banks, far too quick for a photo.

A speedboat was moored on the waterski club pontoon, then another appeared up ahead through Fledborough Viaduct going at quick a lick. At least this meant we knew which span to head for, confirmed when we eventually saw the now rusted away graffiti.

The river level was low, possibly the lowest we’ve experienced so keeping to the red line was more important to do today. As we passed Dunham Pontoon I wondered how different the water level looked compared to last Tuesday (left photo) when the flotilla woofers had paused for a comfort break.

Under the bridges and on past the sunken island and round the bend by Cottam Power Station. Next landmark would be the EA building just before Torksey Junction. The widebeam pulled in and popped themselves near the end of the pontoon, their plan now was to head to the pub for Sunday lunch, hopefully there would be some left at 1:30pm. We pulled in and left a boats length between us and them and plenty of space before the only other boat moored up.

I planned my afternoon walk. Whilst on the river today we’d been hunting out KM markers to help update Waterway Routes, those in brackets had not been spotted when Paul has cruised this way. With only a small amount of greenery on the trees we were having more luck spotting them, one well and truly surrounded by sideways trees. We’d found all of them but one, 71. If I crossed Torksey Viaduct I’d be able to walk the banks of the river and see if it was visible from land, or as we suspected long gone! My walk would also have another advantage, I’d get to be closer to Cottam cooling towers, an opportunity not to be missed.

I set off, however my plan was to be thwarted! I crossed the river and climbed down the steps on the other side to find through the kissing gate a gang of very inquisitive ginger cows. Hmmm! They came for a good nosy at me. Then a chap appeared behind me. He wasn’t too keen in trying to push through them, I gave it a go, he’d call for back up if needed.

CUSHH! I waggled my arms, made myself as big as possible, isn’t that what you are meant to do? CUSHH! No they hardly moved and what movement they did was towards me. I retreated behind the kissing gate, one of them now demanding a snog before it would let me through. NO chance!

A change of route was called for, head northwards, but the paths didn’t seem to join up for me to come back southwards. A different route all together was needed. Back across the river to Brampton where there were a few lovely looking houses. Across Lincoln golf club where two chaps were having difficulty finding their balls in the trees. Back to the river via Torksey. A shame my Sunday selfie couldn’t be closer to the cooling towers, but that’s life.

During the afternoon one boat came down Torksey Lock and one went up, so we could have got over the cill after all. Oh well we’re booked to go up West Stockwith in the morning with a push off time of 6am! So we stayed put below the lock.

The Fund Britain’s Waterways cruise reached Barrow upon Soar today after enjoying a Sunday lunch with the Soar Boat Club. If you haven’t sign it yet, please sign the petition

1 lock, 16.7 miles, 2 winds, 1 right, 1 very slow tidal cruise, 1 tree trimmed, 1 Chance encounter, 15 ginger bullies, 4.25 miles walked, 70 minutes briskly, 1 big cauliflower cheese, 1 very bored cat.

https://what3words.com/folk.connected.expanded

Just Across The Border. 30th March

Wykewell Lift Bridge to just across the border

The wind sort of seemed to have calmed down this morning, well that was until we were wanting to push off. It at least had changed direction and was now wanting to push us across the canal. This would help as we left, but not help at the following bridges.

I considered walking all the way today, to save pulling in, but that would also have meant Oleanna going at a slower speed than maybe it would be necessary if the wind continued. Also the first few stretches were shown as purple dashed path, not the best to walk with briskness, so I stayed onboard.

The sun was out and despite the wind the world looked wonderful. Tilly readied herself to cross the border, leaving Yorkshire behind. A quick cat lick of my tail would impress any welcoming committee.

Not far to the first bridge, Moores Swing Bridge, it took a few attempts to get close enough to the bank to hop off to press the button. Further to Mauds Swing Bridge where you still have to manually close the barriers either side and then push the bridge to open it. A runner came along just as I was about to open the bridge to road traffic again, she didn’t want to have to wait too long otherwise her timings would be out. She was fine to carry on, just had to duck round the barriers.

Now a long straight of Orange towpath on Waterway Routes, I could easily walk this, so I did. The breeze made for interesting water, choppy catching the sunshine, blue sky overhead and wind turbines turning helping to generate around 80% of the renewable energy used by the country today. All good, just hope it calms down for Tuesdays cruise on the River Trent.

We’d had our eyes set on a mooring we used a few years ago between Medge Hall and Godnow Bridges where the railway curves away from the canal for a short distance. But as I walked along the bank looked perfect for Tilly. Sideways trees, a few trees, plenty of friendly cover and most importantly no road. I called Mick we discussed it, he could see how the bank was to pull in, I couldn’t, we carried on.

Now was it that line of trees or would it be the next where Yorkshire ends and Lincolnshire starts? I tried consulting the OS map on my phone, only to receive a message from Mick saying we’d just crossed the border.

Then a possible place to stop just by a very slight bend in the canal, ideal for Tilly, but would she think so too? We pulled in not too close to the bank, the bottom being close to the top, but close enough. Care was needed stepping on and off as long grass disguised holes behind the edging as Mick found out, thankfully with both feet at once, straight down! Only harm done was two soggy feet.

Well where is the welcoming committee? I’d got all spruced up too!! Some shore exploration was done, the bow access to the outside preferred to the stern due to the wind. I really don’t like it blowing up my bum! But Tom and She could have tied it up better!

Our shopping yesterday had failed in purchasing a pint of cows milk, used only for tea nowadays. Was there still a shop at Keadby to purchase one? Or would a walk into Crowle be a better bet. I looked at the map, a good 4.5 miles round trip for a pint of milk. Well it would mean I made up for yesterday and I’ve tried to get a longer walk in most weekends, so off I set.

Down the towpath to Medge Hall Swing Bridge, my favourite along here with it’s signal box and post box. I should have hung onto those socks to post here today, oh well! There was a clunk as I approached the level crossing, the signaller had released the lock so I could cross, he also stuck his head out to let me know it was safe to cross.

Along a dirt track, across vast fields with pylons high above. A slight fizz as I touched a metal gate to get round it, these fields were electric! In fact these fields look like they will become a solar farm as there are planning permission notices on every field.

On reaching the edge of Crowle I checked my map, which was the nearest shop. Tesco Express. A pint was purchased then popped in my fleece pocket to try to keep it out of the sun as I walked back the way I’d come. The signaller clunked the gates so I could cross the tracks again, then it was back along the towpath to Oleanna for a good sit down.

To celebrate crossing our first border of the year we enjoyed a roast chicken with a glass or two of wine as the sunset back in Yorkshire.

0 locks, 2.8 miles, 1 border crossed, 2 bridges, 0 held up, 5 hours shore leave granted, 1 squashed adder, 6.42 miles walked, 107 briskly, 1 pint of milk, 1 roast chicken, 1 sunset.

https://what3words.com/episodes.burst.burglars

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna