Drakeholes Visitor Mooring to Retford and Worksop Boating Club
Cycling and cricket to keep up to date with, so a slow start with Mick sat in front of the TV with his breakfast. Tilly was given a couple of hours, then once she was back inside and just about everything caught up with we were ready to be on the move again.
It is so narrow!
There was a white covering on the water when we’d arrived yesterday, now a white powder was dusted over Oleanna, she may get a sluice down with canal water in the next day or two. Today, willows leant into the canal, I’m sure Mick will have had to limbo under them.
Good to see the canal is at it’s normal level
I’d considered cutting corners on my walk through villages along our way, but I decided to keep that for the way back downstream, but then I might actually decide to be on the boat coming back. I passed a couple of chaps sat on a bench, their pace was much slower than mine, but they’d catch up with me later.
C&RT work boats sat round a bend where new piling and back filling has been happening. The swans round here must have healthy appetites!
After nearly an hour I arrived under the bridge at Retford and Worksop Boat Club. Here I had a sit down to wait for Oleanna and a chance to catch up on some blog reading, Sue you hadn’t mentioned about your submersion in your email! Hope the bruises are fading.
Some chaps came along, one had to be Dave this week’s warden. I introduced myself and found out where our mooring would be for the next few days, he’d be along later to sort out power for us.
Under Clayworth Iron Bridge 67
The local swan family came to say hello, nine cygnets! We seem to be seeing far larger broods reaching adult size this year. As Mick brought Oleanna round under the bridge they escorted her round to the service mooring.
A top up of fresh water and disposal of the yellow required. We managed to get the water tank filling, but failed with the yellow water, the swans were adamant that we’d give them some bread and intimidated the undoing of the cap on the off side gunnel! I tried to distract them to the stern, but as soon as Micks hand appeared out through the bathroom porthole they’d turn back towards him. We’d try later, anyway the two walkers were now sat having their pack up and it would have been rude to share the yellow water aroma with them.
A good chat with the chaps, how far we could travel, they like walking the canals. Once they’d hired a boat on the broads, but apparently they got pulled over by the police for speeding!
Plenty of room for a few days
Dave had given us options on moorings. We’d opted for the end one, furthest away from the road for Tilly. Gaps along the way would have had us nose to tail with other boats, but at the end we had space to breath, a picnic table, ripe blackberries and a view over a golden field. The swans soon got bored with us, so we could complete our chores and then once we were plugged in we were short of nothing we’ve got.
0 locks, 3.4 miles, 1 boater up to date on cycling, 2 cricket matches, 59 brisk minutes, 2 swans, 9 cygnets, 1 mooring, 1 boat hooked up, 1 load washing, 4 hours shore leave, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval.
We’d guessed that they might be on their way today and sure enough photos appeared on the Strawberry Fools group this morning of sunrise at Vazon Railway Drawbridge, 5am the bridge had been at the right temperature for boats to go through and NB Purple Emperor with Ian and Alley were the next boat from the Fund Britain’s Waterways Cruise to be heading for home. Breakfast had just been served up when we heard the Princess Royal Footbridge opening up. Sure enough on the other side was the familiar bow.
You’ll soon be home Alley
Three boats in all came through, the second crewed by a chap we remembered from the get together on the bank at Keadby and again in Newark. Ian manned the gates as Alley led the boats through, we were spotted and there was time to say a few hellos. Alley was so looking forward to being back home by the end of the day after their three months cruise of around 1000 miles.
We put together a shopping list, perishable items and headed on up to Sainsburys. Some salad we’d got from Lidl had expired long before it should have, all slimey and horrible so that along with fruit needed sorting. On our way back we got a call from Sean from SPL covers, they had arrived and let themselves through the gate, we were only two minutes away. As we arrived back the new side was already on and Sean was hand sewing up where the zips on the pram cover had come adrift. The blue just about matches and the see through panel is just that, see through compared to the original one which is now more frosted.
When Oleanna gets a repaint, we’ll be looking at smart new covers for her, not a cheap thing, we asked Sean for a ball park figure. £1200 for a new cratch and around £2300 for a new pram cover, he suggested we have the sides zipped so we can roll them up rather than remove them completely and risk another one falling into the canal and drifting away. A good idea, but how do they fare when the whole pram hood is folded down? We always do this for cruising, many boats around here never seem to take their covers down preferring to just have the sides up and peek out of the sides. Research needs to be done on this.
BIt of a tight squeeze to get under there, that chimney needed to come off.
We were now free to leave. A top up with water, a shower too to maximise the tank fill as we’ve no idea how long we might be waiting in Keadby for the drawbridge to open. Lunch, then we came out from the moorings, leaving them empty, Mick reversed us back onto the diesel point at Thorne Boat Services. £1.05 a litre, a touch more expensive than in Goole but the last place before the Chesterfield Canal.
Goodbye Thorne
I walked up to the bridge whilst Mick winded Oleanna. As I turned the key in the panel the gates all clicked, a good noise. I made sure every barrier was locked in position and the bridge swung first time. I can now see where the confusion lies with boaters. A light comes on on the panel saying that the bridge is Closed when it isn’t quite and you have to keep pressing the close button until you hear the barriers click unlocked, a light illuminates saying the bridge is Locked. Job done without a hitch.
Out through the remainder of Thorne, time to work the bridges. Time also to decide how far we should go today. To where we’ve stopped before between Medge Hall and Godnow Bridge? Or all the way to Keadby in case the drawbridge might open overnight? We’d certainly be crossing the Yorkshire/Lincolnshire border.
Yorkshire behind us
The canal started to get greener and greener, both banks a stretch of pet fooling green away. Our landing net has not lasted eleven years and I doubt would take the weight of Tilly now should she casually walk onto the green and find she needed to be buoyant. Temperatures didn’t seem to be as high as they’d been forecast, maybe it would be worth going all the way to Keadby incase the temperature dropped to 15C and we’d be able to get through.
Just inside Lincolnshire
I chatted to the bridge keeper at Godnow, did he know anything about Vazon? Everyone is asking as they come through by boat, he was careful what he said more concerned with the wasps nest by the door to the little hut.
Ever encroaching green
At Crowle I hopped off Oleanna to walk the rest of the way, over 2.5 miles would see my brisk walking to where it needed to be today. Soon it started to spit, Mick tried out the new umbrella he bought after leaving the old one at the cricket the other week. As we got within a mile of our planned enforced stop for the day I got the hint of a blind spot in my vision, a migraine coming on. I hoped I was wrong, but it soon was evident that my suspicion was correct. I rang Mick, getting back on board soon would be a good thing, but also it looked like there was a stretch without too much weed which would be good for Tilly and shore leave.
Sadly the bottom was far too close to the top as Mick tried a few times to come into the side to moor up. Only one option, carry on to the bridge landing at Vazon. Three little yoghurt pots sat on the bridge landing, a big space in the middle for us. We were just starting to tie up when the drawbridge started to make it’s familiar noise of sirens, this is what you hear when the keeper is about to open it for boat traffic. I took a key of power for the manual bridge before hand and walked up to the signal box to check on things.
Up the steep staircase to chat to the keeper. ‘You got my hopes up there!’ I said. Sadly we’d not be allowed through. A phone call was made to York to check on the bridge temperature, 19C it needs to be 15C for them to open it for boats after it failed a few weeks ago. Maybe overnight the temperature would drop enough for us to sneek through, I gave them my number to call in the early hours should our luck be in.
Vazon Swing Bridge our mooring for the night …. or longer
My migraine now took over. Reading and speech problematical, time to lie down for a while with my eyes closed, Mick and Tilly being quiet.
The trains however weren’t quiet, neither are the bridges or sirens at the bridge and level crossing which seems to be in constant use, that person in the box is kept busy.
Later in the evening Mick bobbed up to the signal box and suggested we’d be happy for them to call us during day light hours, going through in the dark, having to open a manual swing bridge and then moor up would not be the safest thing to do, but as soon as the sun was up would be fine, if the temperatures dropped enough.
Pylon at dusk
A quiet evening in front of the TV. My was phone left on with the sound turned up, I was in bed a little after 10pm leaving Mick to watch the cycling and waiting for the news to come on after the football. We’ll see what tomorrow brings, we’re not that hopeful.
0 locks, 9.4 miles, 1 reverse, 1 little hot pork pie, 105 litres at £1.05, 6 bridges, 4 held up, 1 digger, 2 black labs swimming, 1 returning boat, 1 new pram side, 3 bags of fruit and veg, 1 border crossed, 1 wasps nest, 61 brisk minutes, 1 sock frogged, 2 warm, 1 sensor in York, 1 white painted bridge.
Doncaster Visitor Moorings to Huddles Ground Winding Hole, well a bit further on.
Today we’d be looking to find some shade. But first I wanted to see if I could find some clothes to fit me. Would Doncaster cater for my new size? I’m getting a little bit bored of hoiking up jeans and shorts and soon I’ll be getting my next bit of design fee for panto.
I might have…
M&S. Doncaster ladies must be shorter than those in Leeds, which was a good thing. I tried on several pairs of trousers without having the legs trailing on the floor. Depending on their style, I’d dropped one or two sizes. However either the cut wasn’t me (wide when you’ve lost weight isn’t an option), the fabric was odd or the colour choice was dark or a snotty green. Strangely enough I left without a new pair of trousers, but a new t-shirt did make it into my shopping.
…walked into the …
Primark. No jeans I’d consider buying, no shorts either as they seemed to be last years jeans with the legs cut off. I trawled through t-shirts a couple would mean I can get rid of one’s with holes. I also picked up a new belt which might actually do something to keep my existing clothes around my waist.
…deli!
Then, ohhhhh dear! I had to walk past the deli!! A serious treat purchase was required after yesterdays successful meeting. I limited myself to two cheeses and quickly left the shop.
Only two!
Just as we were about to empty the yellow water tank, three boats came past, two headed for Strawberry Island the other in desperate need of water. Yesterday the moorings had filled up, but as Mick was outside he offered for them to breast up to us, then they could have our space. We’ve come across NB Watershed a few times, but not met the owners before, Linda and Graham. We had chance for a little chat before the two hot dark blue boats were parted. It sounds like we are both hoping to head the same way, so our paths are likely to cross again whilst waiting for the planets to align.
Long Sandall Lock
Down stream, the sun shining brightly overhead, sun cream non-negotiable today. We’d timed our arrival at Long Sandall Lock with the workers on their lunchbreak again, they worked the lock for us from the tower.
Orange!
Next the EA workers were also heading for lunch. Today the big work pontoon had moved to the river side of the cut, presumably delivering more giant piling sheets.
There was space to pull in just before Barnby Dun Lift bridge so we took shelter inside with the curtains closed for lunch, trying to keep the temperature inside as low as possible.
Twenty one held up at the bridge, a pause to use the elsan, then onwards to Bramwith Junction where we turned right.
At the lock a small boat was heading up, it was the people we’d met at Viking Marina who had had engine trouble. Sadly things still aren’t fully right for them, so they were abandoning their six month trip, the River Trent not a safe place to be with a temperamental engine. They were disappointed to say the least.
Lillies in Stainforth
Next our turn. As Oleanna came into the lock I sent a message to our friend David who moors along this stretch, was he about? I lifted paddles and emptied the lock. In fact might that be David along the way? I closed up behind us and as I walked down the towpath I could see that Mick was hovering. It was David and his new, now 18 weeks old dog Flynn, a fox red labrador retriever. Sadly it was really hard to hear him across the way and the walk around the lock too far for either of us on a hot day when we’d all rather be in the shade. Mick asked how he was, ‘really well’ came the answer. If we end up coming back this way whilst waiting for things to align we’ll be in touch and hopefully have a proper catch up, not across the canal and get to meet his woofer.
It’s amazing the photos you get when you can’t see the screen!
Through the swing bridge we were now on the hunt for some shade. Our thought was maybe we’d strike lucky in Thorne, but possibly sooner. Shortly after the big winding hole Mick spotted a patch of shade. Maybe this might stay shady for much of the day, which would be good for tomorrows higher temperatures. We pulled in, enough depth and plenty of trees for Tilly. Two hours!
Touch and go on some colours so there may end up being 15 colours
I did a little bit of work, a long email had arrived from John which needs attention. The Lighting Designer had already made comments which made it obvious that not being in the room for our meeting meant he was suffering from the internet version of Chinese whispers. I opted to sort that tomorrow, I deserved a day off, well nearly. Instead I pulled out the yarn for my 101st pair of Dementia socks. Lots and lots of colours and possibly a new stitch to learn. It’ll be nice having something to do whilst watching tv again.
How long is this outside staying tied up for?
Tilly reappeared at bang on 18:11, bang on two hours of shore leave. Opening the rear doors for her was nice as it brought in a draft. She was allowed another twenty minutes before the doors were finally closed and dingding served. Our dingding this evening was mackerel salad, Tilly fancied giving it a try, but when she was told it would inhibit her tree climbing skills she opted out.It did smell nice though!
2 locks, 8.9 miles, 1 wind, 3 tshirts, 1 belt, 0 trousers, 2 types cheese, 1 right, 1 distant hello, 1 new woofer, 1 shady spot, 1 hour direct sunshine, 1 happy cat, 29C possibly higher, 1 long email of questions, 1 LD needing photos, 13 soon to be 14 colours,101st pair cast on.
A couple of sips of tea in bed then we were up. The wind had lulled, we were quick to get ourselves winded so that the port side could be by the bank ready for Sean to arrive to fit our new side to the pram cover. All went well and we were soon tied up back to the bank and having breakfast.
Can I go out now?
The Sainsburys delivery chap called checking he was heading in the right direction having pulled up at the end of the road. Mick had already spotted him with his trolley of five full trays of groceries. This all needed to be stowed away. What should be frozen and what shouldn’t? I’d ordered lots of things that could be barbequed, but will the weather be suitable now? Should I joint the chicken or save it for a roast at the weekend?
Mick had left a message for Sean yesterday, he left another this morning. This week he was taking as holiday, so we didn’t want to pressure him just because we were in a handy place. Sadly no answer came. What to do?
Now to find room for all this!
With the swing bridge being temperamental at the moment we’d be needing assistance from C&RT. It would be opened this morning, should we reverse through to the other side, but to wind we’d either have to wait for the bridge to be opened again or reverse all the way to West Haddlesey. We opted to stay put for the day and hope Sean would be with us sometime.
The finished box
I got my model back out and successfully worked my way through all the remaining painting notes except for the blue lining of the portals. Popped things in the model box, ahh one more note to give the barrow a slightly darker brown. The finished model is within a gnats hair of being finished. Hooray!!!
Can I go out now?!
Mick came back from a walk, Sean had called and apologised. He could be with us tomorrow afternoon. Not ideal we kind of need to start moving to get to a station for my next panto meeting. As much as it would be nice to have all sides on our pram cover again, we opted to catch up with Sean next week somewhere. We’ll be on our way again in the morning.
Floor sprayed, edging and black done
0 locks, 0.1 miles, 1 wind, 1 model almost finished, 1 darker brown, 2 boats through the bridge, 6 bags shopping, 2 joint or not 2 joint? 2 boxes gf couscous, 4 burger buns? 0 Sean, 0 side, 0 shore leave for Tilly.
Mick very kindly offered to head out to Hobby Craft at Monk’s Cross for me today in search of green paper. At the same retail park is a big Sainsburys, we’d been considering getting a delivery, but had missed out on the days our pass covers us for. So instead me made out a shopping list to last us quite a few days and off he went with his bus pass.
A touch of glazing
I got on with painting some panto glazing. Messages kept coming through from Hobbycraft several different shades of green A4 paper to choose from. In the end I opted for two, Emerald and Jewel Green. By the time I’d finished my glazing Mick had returned with all the shopping.
Trains!
After lunch Mick made himself scarce again, I’d suggested the Railway Museum, he headed off to hear a talk about how steam engines worked and walk round the familiar displays of trains and engines. A few halls were closed but there was still enough to keep him busy.
A good dramatic photo from Mick
This morning I’d heard a steam engine’s whistle, sticking my head out of the hatch to catch the long line of carriages headed for Scarborough. During the summer months a steam train heads from Carnforth to Scarborough four times, (it used to be twice a week!) and this was it. I’d mentioned it to Mick at lunchtime so he managed to be stood on Scarborough Bridge for it’s return westbound.
A chippy nearby
All day the wind had been blowing, we’d forgotten about the wind and what it does on the moorings in York. It picks up dried silty sand and fills your boat with it. Every surface covered with it, we’ll have to get the big hoover out!
Impressive keystones
For my walk today I decided to see if I could find more houses from my past. I walked down to the railway bridge and then followed it whist walking up Bootham Terrace. One doorway caught my eye straight away for it’s tiled surround. But as I stopped to take it’s photo I then noticed the heads carved in the key stones. Built between 1860 and 70 the row of terraced houses was built speculatively, each one that bit different from the next. Sadly, I can’t find any reference as to who had the heads added to No 10 or why.
On the other side of Bootham I headed to find where Han my boyfriend from the sixth form used to live with his mum Barbara, sadly neither of them are alive today. Far smaller terraced houses are tucked away from the posh houses on Bootham. I was glad to see the current occupiers were displaying a rainbow flag in their window.
I think this used to be the football ground
Round a few street corners, Bootham Terrace Football ground now a mass of houses. I stood outside an old family friend’s flat, I’ve not heard from Alex for a few years, he was in his 80’s, and it looked like his flat was in the process of being renovated.
Across the other side of Bootham I walked down a road one side filled with buildings part of St Peter’s school. If you want a good project and have a fair amount of spare cash this house could be ideal for you. Down onto the river bank and back along to Oleanna.
I need of some TLC but a great location
York was getting busier as the evening progressed. We’ve been aware of a few boats that loiter around the city, whilst we’ve been loitering ourselves, but I suspect they are continuous loiterers! There’s the big wooden cruiser that moves between Lendal Bridge and Millenium Bridge, a fire pit on its bow as it moves around in the dark and early hours. There’s the boat we’ve seen somewhere before, a strange craft that the local ‘Do you know who I am?’ film director dislikes as it’s an eye sore, (we still don’t know who he is!).
Then there is Orchid, a large cruiser with an even larger sound system on board!. Last weekend and this you could hear it coming from about a mile away, music BLASTING out. This evening their weekend was starting early as they passed with the elder chap stood at the bow recreating Titanic, he seemed to be loving the attention he was attracting. We just wished hey’d go away taking their loud music with them.
They did for a while, only to return and tie up on the water point/trip boat mooring, the captive audience at The Star in The City being bombarded with music. The decibels grew, we soon realised Orchid wasn’t the only noise we could hear. Eventually when the cruiser moved away one of the bars on Coney Street could be heard, the crowd singing along to the music. We think we’ll move tomorrow, not wanting to be in the centre of York on a Friday night and hopefully further away from Orchid.
In the Fund Britain’s Waterways flotilla news, Yesterday 14 narrowboats crossed The Wash from Boston to Wisbech. A little choppy at times, one broken down boat that needed towing for the second half of the crossing, but everyone made it. What a day for it.
Around 10am a black van came past, headed down towards the lock, came back and pulled into the passing place close to us. Sean from SPL Covers was on his way to Barnsley and had stopped off to measure up for a new side panel for our pram hood. A template was made and the canvas samples looked at, the closest chosen. Hopefully we’ll have a new side within a couple of weeks. Much easier than me making a template from brown paper and sticking it in the post to Gary. Sean also showed us how they do the front panel of pram covers so that you can open your rear hatch fully. When Oleanna is repainted we’re thinking of gettng smart new covers too, if budget allows and being able to open the hatch more would be a bonus, something to think about.
Selby Basin
As I added a colour to my panto portals Mick pulled us forward to the water point to top up the water tank, next yellow water was dealt with. It was nearing midday and a breasted up pair had arrived ready to head to York. The ladies onboard the pair had hired someone to accompany them up to York to give them some confidence on their first tidal water. He certainly was knowledgable of moving a pair.
We shared the first locking down with NB Poppy, another couple doing their first tidal water, they’d hired a pilot to assist them too. We felt slightly left out it just being the two of us, Hey what about me! I’m an invaluble help. From your nest on the bed!
That sand bar gave us a little bump
Freya passed our centre line round a bollard to see us down, ‘whilst I’m in training it all has to be just so’ she said. The lock dropped, the gates opened and we waited for the go ahead from Freya, a gap in any passing debrise found. We opted to lead the way and out we came, dipping to the side as the flow caught us, then we straightened up and were zooming along with the flow again as if we’d not had a night in the basin.
NB Poppy’s owners first tidal water
Behind us NB Poppy turned out onto the river, the lock gates closed ready to be reset for the breasted up pair.
Mending Selby Toll Swing Bridge
Under the bridges and round the bend, the exciting bit of the trip over quite quickly. When we came to a longish straight I headed below to put lunch together for us, hoping I’d be back up top by the time we reached the first tight bend in the river.
On previous journeys there have been numerous Kingfishers, today not one to be seen, but how many Egrets? Or was it just the one flying off ahead and reappearing round the next bend.
Sheep and cows on the banks moo’d and baaa’d back at me when I said hello.
More tidal water! This is getting boring now!
Soon the push of the tide wained, it really didn’t feel like there was much push anymore, had we outrun the tide? Possible as we’d been let out as soon as we could bump our way over the silt build up outside the lock. It was quite odd compared to yesterday rushing along with little effort on Oleanna’s part.
It’s a hard life!
The bridge keeper at Cawood waved from his sunny seat outside his hut. As NB Poppy came into view the keeper popped into the hut, possibly to let Naburn know we’d just passed.
So low, the speed boats would have a job being launched today
Just where had all the wood gone? When we returned from our last visit to York the next stretch of the river was filled with trees, today there was the odd one, but nowhere near as much as there’d been then. Was it all behind us coming in on the tide? Or had the last lot of Spring tides swept it all out to sea?
Moreby Hall
At the 3km marker Mick radioed ahead to Naburn. A very garbled message came back, hmm what had Kenny just said? Well at least he knew we were nearly there.
Naburn Weir and a narrowboat coming towards us
As we rounded the last bend a narrowboat came into view heading towards us, maybe Kenny’d been telling us they were on the way. At the lock we were asked to pull as far ahead as possible, NB Poppy would come in behind us. He asked the crew behind us how far behind the breasted up pair were, ‘they’ll be miles behind’. Kenny opted to penn us up,we’d expected to wait for the others. Once we’d risen a foot a horn could be heard down on the river. Kenny got on the radio and was surprised to get a reply from them, they’d have to wait now.
Rising up
I chatted with Kenny about our reason for returning to York so soon. I also asked him if he had any eggs for sale, Kenny keeps hens, the cockeril will wake you in the morning. Sadly he’d sold the last of his eggs this morning, but there may be more tomorrow.
Once up we pulled over to the visitor mooring bagging the shadiest patch, oh that was nice and cool. What3words noted, then the doors could be opened for Tilly whilst Mick hung up the washing we’d done whilst on the river. Time to catch up with news on Frank and be his PA for a while. Mick had a towpath haircut. A chicken was jointed, most of it popped in the freezer, one lot made into chicken taglitelli which normally has peas in it, but today it was brocolli, not quite the same, tasty all the same.
That’s better!
2 locks, 14.1 miles, 1 load washing, 3 narrowboats, 1 butty, 2 pilots, 1 cat, 1 full water tank, 1 empty wee tank, 9 egrets, 3 herons, 0 kingfishers, 2 hours shore leave, 4 messages, 1 crackly phone, 5 potential meals from 1 chicken, 1 plan formulated for our return.
Photos, lots of them of the model box. Time to do the white card version of the storyboard. Also photos of all the model pieces for the Production Manager to see alongside the working drawings, these still need updating.
During the day we started to plan our next cruise. Should we go that way or this way? Which lock? We’d need to chat to lock keepers. Mick got on with the job of booking our next tidal lock, checking times, asking for advice which at the lock we’ve chosen to go through, they don’t give as they are far more accustomed to bigger boats than us.
In the seat next to me today
With the new storyboard forwarded to John I could now have a shower and get myself ready for an evening out. This meant I missed saying hello to Paul from Waterway Routes. Today he’d cycled from Wakefield to Leeds checking data for his maps. Mick sent him to check on some mooring rings above Office Lock to see if they should be included.
A train journey over to Huddersfield meant we had chance to say hello to Paul at the station as he waited for his train to whisk him off back to Bristol after a long day. It was nice to have a brief chat before we all headed for our trains.
A photo that always has to be taken
There is a serious upgrade happening to the Transpennine route so trains go the long way round to Huddersfield or have been replaced by buses. A hobble down to the Lawerence Batley Theatre, taking a slight detour to see what if anything had been happening in the Piazza, this is where Dark Horse Theatre Company used to have an old shop where they rehearsed. The far end of the Piazza and the old undercover market has all gone, were they new concrete structures or the old ones behind the hoarding?
Things are a changing
We weren’t here to see this, we were here to see a development showing of Dark Horses lastest show, We’re In Love (Actually). This has been devised by the ensemble, two members of staff assisting with scene changes and lighting, quite a scratch performance with some wonderful moments.
The Cellar Theatre at the LBT
The actors were great as always. A quick rendition of Romeo and Juliet mixed with 90’s dreams of romance and lots of references to Romantic films. A video camera was used by the actors to follow the action projected onto a screen. Green screen was used to introduce the characters.
Rebekah and Jo
Highlights included multi faces projected and manipulated with large sheets of card. Some very tender moments between the lead actors. The fish tank scene in Romeo and Juliet with some florestry wrap. Claytons dance to amuse the ladies and the one that will be with me for some time must have been during a recreation of the Titanic, Toby appearing as the iceberg wrapped up in a sheet!
A very amusing evening, yes it was rough around the edges, but I haven’t laughed so much in ages. My face ached for hours afterwards.
Naughty Nandos
We followed it up with a cheeky Nandos before getting the train back to Leeds. It’s funny going out for the evening by train, you don’t do that in Scarborough, but here in West Yorkshire I suspect it’s a frequent occurrence. A very good night out, thank you all at Dark Horse for inviting us.
0 locks, 0 miles, 250 photos, edited down to 70, 3 boats up, 1 hotel boat winding two times, 1 visit from Paul, 2 trains going the long way round, 0 cats at the station, 2.11 miles walked, 4 minutes briskly, 9 actors, 4 aching cheeks, 1/4 chicken each, 2 glasses of wine, 1 bored cat.
This morning I had a telephone appointment with a GP in Scarborough, I’ve some wonky levels in my blood, which they are keeping an eye on. I checked phone coverage throughout the boat. Pretty poor, not unexpected. I tried out the stern, bad. Out the bow, that was much better, ahh no it dropped to only one bar! Would I have enough signal for the call?
The Queen on her throne
I worked through my panto model notes, then decided that I’d take a walk up to Woodlesford where the signal is far better, there was still an hour left of my appointment window, perfect to do both things together. I had to bully Tilly off of her throne so that I could go out, then I strode on up the cut towards the lock.
Out for a walk with the doctor
Past the road bridge signal improved greatly. Onwards past the lock and along the track heading for Fishpond Lock. I was surprised at the number of boats still moored on the towpath that had arrived when we were there. No phone call so I crossed over the lock gates and started to head back. More wooden birds seem to be on the roof of one boat, think it’s my favourite with it’s swan neck.
Then it started to rain. I took shelter under trees, my walk would soon have me leaving good signal if I kept up the pace anyway. Gosh the level was down. By the lock the bywash usually thunders away was just a mere trickle today, maybe C&RT were expecting a lot of rain so were compensating ready for it’s arrival. Looking at the river level over the bank, that had certainly gone up, less gravel visible.
I crossed back over the lock and sat on a bench for ten minutes, still no phone call. After a while I decided to give up and risk the doctor calling when I was back at the boat, I’d done all I could, but couldn’t afford any more time away from work.
Tilly earwigging
An hour later my phone rang, sticking my head out of the side hatch I managed to get sufficient signal for my call. Still wonky levels, I’m booked in for another blood test with extras in 3 months time, nothing to be alarmed about. You have to take them at their word really.
The roofer had been! He’d looked out of The Shed window from a ladder and said what we thought he’d say, the leading needed replacing, he’d be back tomorrow to do it. Great, if he turns up. Mick had just about got the house ready for lodgers by now, but decided he’d stay one more night to be around for the roofer.
Front cloth in
The white card model was worked through again, all done and dusted. Did I really need the second (or first) pair of sliders? We’ll see. I then had a go at making paper roses. We need a way of making them, that is simple but effective, for volunteers to make, we want quite a lot of them. I tried origami versions from the internet, some good, some so hard to follow I gave up quickly, others just ended up in a mess if you weren’t concentrating, so not ideal.
Would Marie Osmond approve?
I then tried one where you cut rings of petals then glue them together. Bingo! That’s the way to go. I made several sizes and one that will go on the proscenium so it had to be at 1:25 scale. It was quite fiddly, but I got there. Wonder if I’ll be as sucessful with paper that starts off as 2ft squares?!
Propelling pencil for scale
0 locks, 0 miles, 1 roofer Hooray!!! 1 white card model completed, 3.22 miles walked, 47 minutes briskly, 1hour 10 minutes late, 1 borderline, 1 rising, 3 months, 4 lovely roses, 1 diddy one for the model.
Thursday I spent working on the storyboard for Panto again. Editing out options, adding in the basic set to all the drawings and working on the one scene that’s still not quite right took most of the day.
The Christmas present felt catnip balls have been requested recently
I walked down one side of the river passing one bridge and crossing the next, opting to take the path inside RSPB St Aidens. The path occasionally gives you a view across the lakes that once were an open cast mine, the river lurks behind many trees on the other side.
Lakes everywhere
Soon I came across what looked very much like a disused lock. A gate recess first giving it away, then curved walls at what had been the entrance to the lock. A mooring bollard and a couple of now bent lock ladders peeked out from the earth that now fills the chamber. I checked Waterway Routes, locations of old locks are marked and we quite often try to imagine what places would have been like.
Lock stuff
In 1988 the river bank near the Lemonroyd Lock collapsed into St Aiden’s open cast mine which then of course flooded, lower seams of coal that had been mined collapsed in too, to a depth of 230 ft! An Act of Parliament was obtained in 1992 to create a new 1.9 mile waterway. Kipax and Lemonroyd Locks were replaced with one big lock, the new Lemonroyd Lock. It took ten years before mining could continue at St Aiden’s after the site had been pumped out. The coal reserves are now exhausted and the land is once again flooded and is an RSPB reserve covering 740 acres.
Stretching off into the grass
I tried to find where the top gates had been, but had no luck as the land levels out and covers any evidence.
Inventing for inventions sake
Friday. I forwarded the new storyboard to John at Chippy. There had been a staff read through of the latest draft during the week, footage posted on social media, my storyboard sat in the middle of the table. Time to crack on with the model, lots of propy set pieces this year, so my bead tray is coming in handy. I spent much of the day inventing things panto style.
Late afternoon a familiar voice saying Hello could be heard, Mick had returned from Scarborough having picked up a hire car. Well it was meant to have been a van, £20 a day rather than £60 for a car, but the only van they had was a transit which would be an inch taller than the car park Mick would be heading to in the morning, so he got an upgrade to a car. An evening off work for me and a vat of Yaxni made, which will last us for a couple of meals.
Saturday. A very early start for Mick, off the boat by 6am. He was heading to park in the centre of Liverpool and to then meet up with Marion and John for a trip on the Waverley out to Angelsey and back. A van, petrol and parking were far cheaper than a hotel for the night. If you are lucky he might come along and tell you about his voyage. If I’m lucky I might be able to upload a photo from the trip, but the internet here seems to be getting worse!
Only an empty plate to show
There was one egg left that needed eating so the start of my working day was delayed by some blueberry pancakes, well Mick was going off for a treat so I could have one too! Then Tilly and I got on with what is now just a normal day for us. She sites on the roof hatch whilst I work. Then she gets ushered indoors for me to go out for a walk, just around the block today including a trip to the bins. Just gone 11pm, I’d just tidied upmy work when Mick stepped onboard, he’d had a good day if a bit breezy and I’d managed to finish of the model for Act 1.
Metallic green critters
0 locks, 0 miles by narrowboat, 1 Paddle Steamer to Angelsey and back, 1 car not van, 3 days model making, 1 storyboard finished and sent, 1 gafforing read through, 1 Queen of Oleanna, I wonder if we could trust Tilly to lie on her bed as we cruise? Nope, she’d be off hunting as soon as the oportunity arrived!
Hang on what was that on the windows? Rain! We’d had rain!! However the towpath was dry. Brrrr! Chilly! I actually lit the stove this morning. I knew that by mid afternoon it would be warm inside, but that would have meant sitting in the cold working for hours. Today I wanted to be productive so being comfortable was more important than saving on coal useage.
Stove about to be put on tick over
A couple of emails went back and forth between Chippy and myself, then it was time to get the mood right.
A couple of years ago a friend said how inspirational listening to Kate Bush felt. I have to agree, I’ve listened to her in the past and found to work better. Today I sorted through the CD’s onboard, a limited number. For some reason we rarely listen to music, maybe because on NB Lillyanne we had no means to do so. Cricket, podcasts are the occasional norm, but today I needed the boost that Kate would hopefully bring with her. Maybe it’s because I know all the lyrics, so she doesn’t take up brain power, her quirky songs keeping you on your toes, the atmospheres conjured up. I don’t know, but it seems to work. Today was going to be long, so I added in some Kate Rusby, maybe she’d give a different inspiration.
Kates as back up today
In Scarborough, the roofers finished by late morning, an invoice landing in our inbox. We now need to get a decorator to call by to finish off the guttering he’d not been able to reach 18 months ago, then we’ll be ready for the next phase of works. Months ago I’d pulled out the paint, put it so I thought in the shed so it would be easy to find. However, No matter how much he looked Mick could not find it. 15 minutes of him going through the tins of paint in the understairs cupboard via Whatsapp, no I’d definitly put them somewhere else. I held off asking if he’d done a boy look in the shed, now I had to ask. Have you looked behind the door in the shed? The answer, NO! There they were!!!
Finished! Well they want to play golf tomorrow
Mick bought himself a new electric saw to make use of the old roof battens, chopping them up for kindling, one side of the coal bunker filling up quickly.
This outside hasn’t changed in years!!!
Sketches were quickly done, ideas drawn, some erased, others kept. I think Kate was helping lift my mood, far better than listening to depressing podcasts about crime and WW2. There was time to walk to the bins and around the block, not the full number of steps or brisk minutes, but enough to get some air.
A quick stop for some food and a chat with Mick, then back to it. Propelling pencil put down at 10:30pm. A good day, hopefully! I want to see if I come up with any more ideas tomorrow then send them off again and await the verdict.
0 locks, 0 miles, 1 round the block, 16 sketches, 2 lists, 10 hours, 0.5 new roof, 1 boy look! 1 very bored cat, 1 toilet roll who’s days are numbered!
