South Bound, We Hope! 29th 30th September

King’s Marina to Hazelford Lock, River Trent

Tuesday

Our Sainsbury’s delivery arrived and Mick was up by the gates waiting to let the driver in. Shopping stowed. A new gas bottle was needed to bring our supplies up to winter levels, £54.58, ouch, that hurt! You can tell we’ve not been boating for a while. Yellow water emptied, fresh water tank topped up.

I then had a phone call from Social Services in North Yorkshire, Frank had given permission for them to talk to me about arrangements at the house. I talked her through our hoped for plan, the cleaner the main part, other small jobs and some added bonus jobs that hopefully the Frankness group in Scarborough would be able to achieve this week. With everything being co-ordinated through HQ here onboard Oleanna. She suggested a day for Frank to head home, I suggested a day earlier, this would mean he would be able to go to see the new Ayckbourn play before it closes on in Scarborough on Saturday night. The social worker agreed and went off to carry on making arrangements.

We were now ready. Oleanna reversed out from the pontoon, winded and turned right, upstream, and back out onto the river. Mick radioed ahead, would there be a Lockie on duty today, no answer came and soon an amber light came into view, self service time.

I hopped off and went ahead to work the lock, key of power (before you ask Brian, yes, my phone number is on the floats!) in the pedestal, panel open the lady began her warning ‘Please keep clear of the lock gate area’, over and over again. We were soon up and on our way.

Currently we have three different routes in mind with the aim of getting close enough for me to commute to work on panto. Only one of them is currently open and it’s quite a long way round. Fingers crossed that stoppages open up and a more direct route can be followed. Our cruising plans all involve the Trent and Mersey, but once we reach Fradley we’ll need to commit to a route. I added in another variable to the equation, a possible visit to Urban Moorings to make a deposit of our deposits. Do they still accept passing boaters deposits? If they do it will mean our deposit capacity can be reset onboard and avoid having to make a visit to Scarborough in the next couple of months.

There were messages flying around on the Frankness Whatsapp group. Jobs being ticked off the list, a recently recruited member Chris was charged with drilling and motor jobs. It’s a good job we all worked at the theatre and each of us has our own skills we can draw on. Long conversations with Ben, he’d been to see Frank in the hospital and had been given a few more tasks. So much for a week off from work!

Soon we arrived at Hazelford Lock, the moorings empty, we pulled in to our regular spot, tied up, noted w3w location and Tilly was allowed out. The Lockie came to say hello, he’d been strimming and would soon follow with a leaf blower, How very inconsiderate of him! Tomorrow there’d be no Lock Keepers on the river.

We had a late lunch, then I joined an HMRC Webinar to do with expenses whilst renting out property. I really know how to live! More jobs for Frank followed, questions were asked, the answers not firm enough, I’d need to be a detective again.

Wednesday, a very good day.

Hazelford Lock to Stoke Lock

Tilly was given an hours shore leave before we set off. However, the light at the lock had been on red all night and still was. We checked for CRT notices, nothing mentioned about a closure there. We got the boat ready to set off, then went up to have a look, would our key work on the panel even though the light was red?

There were a couple of CRT chaps there, the lock hut open. We chatted to one of them , it might be that the light had been left on by mistake, it might be that there was a problem that they hadn’t been able to see, they were here to do another job, but had called it in. If there was a problem they’d come and let us know, but we should keep an eye open should the light turn amber. We headed back some Frank detective work done to fill the time.

After a while I popped my head out the front, Amber, we were good to go. I helped Mick untie Oleanna before heading up to the lock to set things in motion. With only one downstream paddle in operation it took forever to empty the lock.

What a glorious day, blue skies and on our favourite stretch of the river. More plans were coming together back in Scarborough, logistics of a theatre trip being put into action. Nurses on the ward were made aware of how important this show was to Frank and they were on board should Frank not be discharged in time, so an escape plan was put together for him.

As we approached Gunthorpe Lock I headed to the bow to be able to hop off, it’s far easier this way as the lock landing has strong currents from the weir. But then up at the lock someone waved at us, there was a group of volunteers doing gardening, some of them trained as Lockies, they penned us up.

Time for lunch, so we pulled in on the empty pontoon. The river is SO quiet!

I opted to walk on to Stoke Lock, there is one bend of the river you can miss out by following a bridleway and if I left Mick to push off by himself I might just be able to keep in front of Oleanna.

The last time I was in the car park by the moorings I was climbing into an ambulance after loosing the tip of my little finger, today the sun made it feel better and I strode onwards through the trees, under the road bridge and headed upstream.

As the footpath rejoined the riverbank, I glanced over my shoulder, I could just make out Oleanna rounding the bend I’d missed out, what sort of pace was I achieving? What speed was Oleanna doing on the river? Gradually Oleanna gained on me, Mick cut back the revs, my 3.5 mph average was pretty good, but on the river Oleanna could do more.

I penned Oleanna up the lock, then Mick headed on to see if the low wall mooring was available. One narrowboat was moored in the lock cut, did they not know about the pontoon? Or were all the moorings full? Only one boat on the pontoon and the low wall was free. We pulled in, gave Tilly several hours shore leave. I showed her the trees at the top of the stairs which of course she was interested in, so I left her to it. However, I’d vanished out of sight, so she came back to the boat SHOUTING for me!

During the afternoon, Frank did his best to answer more questions, the Frankness group was busy, would anyone know one person who could save us six weeks of waiting? Possibly, a couple of emails were sent. CRT emails coming in were good. One saying that the South Stratford Canal would be reopening this week. This meant we’d be able to take a more direct route to panto. Fantastic! We just need to decide where to moor now.

The day had been good, well apart from an email I’d really hoped not to recieve about the print for panto. A proof came through for the portals, it wasn’t the correct size. The print wouldn’t match once the portals were put together? Did I have the original artwork? After painting them, my model pieces had become a little bit wonky. So I’d trimmed the height to be correct, but left the sides so there was space for someone with better knowledge to straighten things out. Add into the mix an extra 15cm all the way round to be able to fix the canvas onto existing flats (scenery), maybe this was what had gone wrong. Maybe not all the information had been passed on?

I learnt how to straighten up the legs, did a mockup, and was convinced I’d got the size of things correct. It would take more work tomorrow, but hopefully that would sort it all out. I sent the mock up to the print company, they passed it on. Fingers crossed.

18.4 miles, 4 locks, 2 moorings, 1 giant courgette, 4 boxes wine, 13kg gas, 1 ex carpenter/maintenance added to the team, 2 many messages, 1 panto email, 2 hours to find a new process, 2 and -2, 1 plan to be implemented, 1 back up plan just incase, 2 favourite moorings, 2 pairs of wonky legs straightened, 1 good day, 1 Mrs Tilly stamp of approval.

https://what3words.com/broad.quail.lower

Setting The Plan In Action. 27th, 28th September

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Kings Marina / York / Scarborough

Sunday we dug out Tilly’s magic food bowl and set it ready to open in 8 hours time, topped up her biscuit bowl, then packed bags and popped the cheesecake into a cool bag and set off to walk to Newark Northgate Station.

Our train was delayed, engineering works had overrun so our train was held in London, this made for a slower walk to the station. Stood on the platform we had speeding train after train whizzing through the station, all trying to catch up with themselves. I wonder if the delay repay on such occasions gets handed onto Network Rail?

In York, Mick caught a bus to Fishergate whilst I walked to the London Leckenby’s flat. I chose to walk past Clifford’s Tower and then alongside Castle Mills Lock to see if the works on replacing the gates were complete. At the beginning of June we’d seen new lock gates sitting alongside the lock and a work boat in it. Today the work boat was still there, so were the dams either side of the lock. There was a lot more fencing up around the place and acros spanning the lock. At least the bottom gates looked to have been installed, the top ones still sitting on the bank. At least something this year is taking as long as Oleanna’s repaint!

We were here for a lunch with an old family friend Ian. Ian was one of the younger friends of my parents, he used to work at Rowntree’s and soon after starting he joined the Rowntree Players, the factory’s amateur theatre group, and he got a part in Billy Liar. Ian was a favourite with me, as for a while he worked in the jelly department and at Christmas he’d arrive with a big box (possibly 12 packs) of Rowntree’s blackcurrant jelly, which I used to eat in chunks straight from the box.

It was very lovely to see him, Andrew and Jac have seen him quite recently at various fundraisers he’s been holding to raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity. He set up the Janis Connell fund three years ago with the goal of raising £100,000 in memory of his wife which he achieved recently. There was talk of more fundraising. Sponsored walks, sky diving, Jac may just have been signed up to that one!

Some lovely slow cooked lamb, with potatoes and a salad were followed by my cheesecake, quite a bit of wine but more importantly lots of conversation. I don’t think Mick, Josh or I had seen Ian since my Dad’s funeral in 2012, so it was wonderful to catch up with him.

Some of the conversation had been about my best friend Emma and her sister Jane. Jane’s second husband, an actor had played Inspector Goole in the National Theatres production of an Inspector Calls in the West End quite some years ago. This prompted us to nestle down on the sofas to watch the BBC version. It was interesting compared to the stage version with added scenes which put the time line off just a bit. It was still enjoyed by those who managed to keep awake after our lovely meal.

28th September

Everyone was up early. The flat was to be packed up, trains to be caught in differing directions. Josh headed back to Manchester to attend his first lecture of his third year at University. I was next to leave to catch a train to Scarborough, shortly followed by Mick heading to York hospital for a blood test (this saved him going back to Scarborough) but in the end it may have taken far less time as he sat waiting in the blood test queue for an hour and three quarters! This left Andrew and Jac to pack their car and head back to London.

In Scarbrough I had a day planned to help with things for Frank. Tucker an old work colleague picked me up from the station and we headed to Franks house to try to find some documents and to meet a cleaner. James was a very nice chap and knew exactly what was needed at the house. Sadly Tucker and my hunt proved fruitless.

I got a lift to our house to pick up the second toothbrush charger and Brompton bag that we’d forgotten. Anna our lodger had left out the copy of an old program from a Theatre In the Round production in 1957 which has Alan Ayckbourn playing a part and as the Stage Manager. A wonderful piece of theatre history.

I had a chat to various people keeping them up to date over the phone, then walked over to Scarborough Hospital to visit Frank and update him too. There were things he needed to read, more visitors arrived who patiently waited as I chatted to Frank about important things. A catch up with Steve before I left Frank, Geoff and Steve to have a far more interesting conversation. My tasks were done apart from posting a form for Frank which was dropped off at the Post Office on my way back to the station.

**This cat will talk to absolutely anyone!**

A catch up chat with Ben, who is back for a week from touring with The Calendar Girls. Ben is one of the original Frankness group and we had lots to chat about. This would be my last visit to Scarborough for some time so passing on some jobs that needed to be done.

Mick had arrived back at Oleanna earlier in the day, another £10 M&S pie deal had been purchased. This was enjoyed with a very large glass of much needed wine.

0 locks, 0 miles, 5 trains, 14 years too long, 1 lovely lunch, 1 odd time line, 1 sandwich for breakfast, 1 ex Technical Stage Manager, 1 Film and Live Streaming Co-Ordinator, 1 ex Senior Technician currently Sound No 1, 1 ex Master Carpenter, 1 ex Resident Designer, 1 form of ID, 1 cleaner, 1 plan coming together, 2 pies, 1 portion of mash left for another day.

B24. 26th September

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Kiln Pontoon to King’s Marina, Newark

There were several jobs we wanted to do whilst still being on the pontoon. The dishwasher had a clean cycle, the wet dry vac was used to go through the boat and then retreated back into it’s cupboard, it’s been out under the dinette table for far too long!

Mick headed to Waitrose early on for a newspaper and to see what they might have in their sad gits yellow stickers section, he came back with some chicken in sweet chilli sauce and a box of sweet potato fries all at half price.

By the time the chores were done it was lunchtime. After several days of just about nothing moving in Newark, all of a sudden there were boats. First the wide beam we’d shared Stoke Lock with, they were headed back to their mooring today, then the trip boat from Newark Marina. No need for us to push off to make room for someone, but once lunch was done we pushed off anyway. Winding, then heading down stream, taking the first left. Now where was B24?

Well we guessed, and guessed correctly. This is where we’d had a mooring a few years ago. Once secured to the short pontoon in Kings Marina we walked up to the office to check in. Part way there we were greeted by the husband of the lady who runs Kings, she was hot on his heels. Once we’d said we weren’t part of the Aquavista 100 club, just old fashioned visitors we were invited to pay for our three nights here. Paula and her team were very welcoming as ever. No need to show us around as we’ve been here quite a bit including our second winter on NB Lillyanne, but she did introduce us to their cow planters, each named after the flowers in them. King’s has won the Aquavista Marina in bloom four years now, two on the trot. Close to the office was an honesty table with fruit and veg, including pears and garlic, maybe I’d come back later for some to go with our chicken.

**Tilly managing to balance on the FEED ME shelf**

Tilly’s pooh box was refreshed. We need to make an adjustment to her box. Even though this box is higher than her previous box, and she got used to it back at the house, she keeps missing it. Why oh why did we get a cat who doesn’t sit down on the loo! We think a heavy bit of board might do the trick, or try to cut the lid sections in half.

I walked to Argos to see if the mats I’d ordered had arrived, I’ve not had anything from ebay about them even being dispatched, but it was worth a try. Sadly they weren’t there! They should have arrived yesterday. We’ll try again on Monday, but that is our cut off point.

I then went in search of paper bags to use alongside our separating toilet. Our toilet paper goes in a bin which is lined with a paper bag for ease of disposal. Mick had tried all the supermarkets to buy some. But he’d forgotten that Morrisons have paper bags for their fruit and veg. I picked some up along with some beans for this evening.

**Home grown produce at the marina with an honesty box**

Back at Oleanna, Mick had dealt with the yellow water and Tilly was doing her best to sort through our dirty washing into piles on the bedroom floor. I set about making a baked French Cheesecake to take to my brothers tomorrow. I’d made this for my birthday cake last Christmas and it was very nice, just a little risky in a different oven. It browned a little bit quickly, but came out looking good after being covered in foil.

**One expanded cheesecake before it sank**

I did an update of Frank things to one of his old friends. Dave has been very useful with extra information when needed and I wanted him to know that things were on course for Franks release from hospital. He made one comment in his reply which may change everything. I might be looking for an understanding plumber at very short notice to sort the problem which may stop our plan in it’s tracks. Not much I can do about things until Monday now. Here’s hoping Frank’s past actions or lack of them are not going to come back and bite him!

0 locks, 0.2 miles, 1 wind, 1 left, B24, 2 friendly welcomes, 1 empty wee tank, 1 clean pooh box, 8 paperbags, 1 hoovered boat, 2^nd Saturday with a newspaper, 1 spanner possibly in the works, 1 cheese cake chilling in the fridge.

Frankness. 24th 25th September

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Kiln Pontoon, Newark

This morning we were up and walking to Newark Northgate to catch a train northwards. Mick had a hospital appointment in Scarborough to attend and it would give us the opportunity to visit our friend Frank who is also at the hospital. The trains ran as timed and when we arrived in Scarborough Mick headed to the house to pick up items we’d omitted to bring with us, the most important one being Tilly’s dingding bell. Although I suspect we miss it more than she does! Whilst at the house he also cut the grass.

I on the other hand headed to Tescos to purchase a few things for Frank. Yes I could have bought things in Newark but Frank is particular about the size of his bananas etc, so it was just safer to go to the right shop. I still had quite a bit of time before visiting hours started so I headed to the Town Hall to eat my butties with a view of the sea. Here there was a juvenile seagull who sat and watched my every mouthful. I did wonder if I’d be mugged by adult gulls as so often happens around Scarborough, but I managed to consume everything myself.

It’s quite a walk to the hospital, Mick caught the bus and we met outside the main entrance. Time to find Frank, who had moved wards last night, luckily someone had left a message with our friend Ben as to where Frank was. Frank had been admitted about ten days ago in not such a good state. Whilst he’s been here they have fed and watered him and thankfully he now has a walking frame, I’ve been trying to get hold of walking aids for him for the last month, being passed from GP to Council and back again. Frank looked far better than the last time we’d seen him.

The ward staff had been waiting for our arrival and phone calls were made saying we’d arrived and a nice nurse Joni came down to meet with us. Frank is now stable enough to go home, but there are things that need to happen before he can. A care package and his house needs making suitable for him and his new walking frames, he’s got two! They’d like to be able to move Frank home as soon as possible. I put my PA’s hat on, Oh blimey there’s a lot to do!

**Boaty artworks in the hospital corridors**

Next, we headed to find Mick’s appointment, arriving early he was called straight in by a nurse, soon followed on by the consultant. Questions asked, answers given. A blood test requested and another test to follow. Now came the question from Mick regarding the blood test, could it be done anywhere in the country as we don’t plan on being in Scarborough again soon. As ever the answer came back as expected, it would be unlikely that the consultant would get to see the results. I put my PA’s hat on again, could he have them done in York? Yes! Brilliant, this was possible next week.

Back across the hospital back to see Frank. We made plans, chatted through things that should be set up and found and followed up on. We came away with a long list of jobs to try to put into action. All fairly easy when in Scarborough, but not so when in Newark! The train journey back was spent compiling a Call To Arms for the Frankness group of friends.

Back in Newark we headed to feed Tilly, then straight out to Pizza Express for some food. There was only one other table occupied and we’d been warned that they close at 9pm. We ordered a large glass of wine each, some dough balls and a pizza each. Well, we’ve had far better from Pizza Express in the past, in fact we were quite disappointed by it. I’d rather have made my own pizza, it would have been far tastier and we’d not have needed a saw to cut into them! Of well it was sustenance after a long day.

Friday. Today we should move off, maybe back to the bank opposite, maybe down to Cromwell Visitor mooring. But there was a lot to get done today and we’d not seen any boats moving. If it got busy, we’d move off.

**Walking the streets of Scarborough from Newark**

I set about finding cleaners for Franks house. Mick set about trying to sort out paperwork for Frank. At times we became detectives working out old addresses. Thank goodness Mick had turned the volume up on Franks phone yesterday. He couldn’t remember house numbers, but the houses names. I spent an age walking up and down streets via google street view looking for the house name, then Mick found a lead.

It was soon decided that spending a day in Scarborough would be wise to make sure things would happen at Franks house even if I can’t be there all the time to help. Various Frankness friends had limited availability, one comment was if only this had happened during the school holidays, have to admit that would have been easier for us too. But you can’t help when you get ill. During the day, numerous messages, phone calls were made and a plan came together. It would take maybe a bit more time than the nurse we’d talked to yesterday had hoped, but Frank’s house should be sorted for him to go home soon.

Time for some head space, I was sent a video of a cement mixer, that helped a touch, but a walk would be far better.

I set off to head to Kilham Hall. Across the railway line at Newark Castle I stopped to look at the objects outside a place we’d once attended an auction for a new mattress for NB Lillyanne. What an eclectic mix of things! Polar bears, lions, chandeliers, Hulk Hogan, Policemen, fancy chairs, trunks, signage, all sorts piled up high inside the big old railway buildings. I considered a chair for panto, but it was far too expensive to just chop up for what we want.

Right back to that walk. I turned off and found the footpath, however the path had to cross two very busy roads, even busier on a Friday afternoon. I’d hoped there would be an underpass, but no such luck. I wasn’t in the mood to dice with death, so I opted to return to town and do some shopping instead.

However, there was another antique place that needed to be looked at on the way back. This was far more classic antiques. Everything spaced out with more air round it and the price tags far more too. Lovely wooden this and that. I was caught by a chap with a thick Irish accent as I looked at a marble table with such an intricate inlaid pattern. ‘Isn’t it wonderful, so much work, solid marble, that blue is the most expensive marble you can get. It’s a stupid price too. A table like that is worth £10,000, but it’s for sale for £1,700!’ Well I didn’t want it for Oleanna, extra ballast of that type would have her capsize. I said I wasn’t buying, just looking, he soon left me alone.

Outside there were two chaps trying to sort how to fit a Grandfathers clock into their convertible Audi. I left them to it and climbed a staircase to a big heavy door, it said as much on it. Opening it I was suddenly greeted by music, lift music! Outside there had been no noise what-so-ever, but inside the vault on the first floor the music played out loud and clear. Most surreal! I looked round all the cases of silver, jewellery, pottery, etc. Maybe there’d be something for friends for their 60^th birthdays coming up. No, nobody actually needs any of this stuff, so I opted to leave empty handed, closed the door behind me, shutting the music inside.

Time to shop for things to make a cheese cake, Aldi did me proud for most things, but I really didn’t want six lemons or four oranges. So Morrisons came up trumps with those and some vanilla essence. Back on board I made some Strawberry coulis to go with my cheesecake and once cool it went in the freezer to help keep things cool on Sunday.

A bowl of pasta each, a glass of wine and a sit down. A pretty full on day, but hopefully the Frank plan will come together next week.

0 locks, 0 miles, 9p after three days, 4 trains, 2 buses, 1 annoying seagull, 1 seriously bored cat, 1^st plan hatched, 15 minutes before the appointment time, 2 disappointing pizzas, 2^nd plan hatched, 1 distracted walk, 2 Stage Management heavens, 2 detectives, 1 form filled in and ready, 2 crackers with cheese, 1 pot of bubbling strawberries.

Ten Pound Pies. 23rd September

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Opposite Kiln Pontoon, Newark to Kiln Pontoon, Newark

Whilst having our morning cuppa in bed we could hear a boat across the way on the pontoon heading off. A peek out of the front blinds, it was the smaller of the narrowboats, we might just fit, but then we might not. We opted to stay in bed a while longer and see what happened.

A while later the narrowboat that had been moored in front was making to head off, well I could see the chap had a life jacket on and was about to untie his bow, time for us to get dressed and spring into action.

We pushed over and into the now large space, tied up and got on with the rest of the day. There was a brief chat with Heather from NB Bleasdale who is currently on her other boat in Ireland, as ever she suggested somewhere to visit nearby, Kelham Hall, I may have a walk over there in the coming days.

I spent sometime finding some foam mats for our lockers, thank you Ken for the suggestion. A purchase on Ebay which I should be able to pick up in a few days time from Argos here in Newark.

**Fray Bentos originally came from Uruguay**

Then it was time to finalise the artwork for panto ready to be sent to the printers. Have to admit I’ve been putting this off for a while, nervous as to whether I’ve got the artwork as good as I can and if it’s in the right format etc. Doing this kind of thing once a year isn’t really enough for it to have become second nature to me and when the order is around £5000 worth, it needs to be correct! Checking and double checking, I uploaded it all to WeTransfer and off it went, only for an out of office email to come back from the chap I’ve been dealing with. Argh! The link would expire before he’s back! I resent it to his colleague, then after a brief chat the order was placed. I can now forget about that part of the show.

**The comprehensive scaffolding at the castle**

I made a list of other jobs still outstanding and gradually worked my way through them. All done by mid afternoon, time to go for a walk and find something to eat tonight. As the temperature today was far lower than yesterday I opted to make use of the current Pie and Mash deal at M&S, £10 for two pies and three side dishes, more than enough for us.

Up at the castle I got chance to have a look at what is happening. With the aid of funding from the National Heritage Lottery Fund and the Government’s Local Regeneration Fund, the castle’s Romanesque Gatehouse is being reinstated, well, rebuilt! Lost rooms will be brought back to life. What I suspect is a visitors centre will be below. The artists impression of the finished tower includes a roof top area which will give a good view over the river.

Whilst out I realised that I’d forgotten to order the paints for panto and I needed to check what undercoats I’d like the set builder to put on the set pieces before it gets to Chippy. This worked really well last year and cut down my hours, meaning I got to have a few evenings not working my socks off. All this was done and emailed off to the relevant people. I think that is now panto back in hand apart from answering questions from people, fingers crossed.

0 locks, 120ft reversed, 1 pontoon mooring, 1 whinging cat, 0 shore leave, 1 blog still not working, 47 emails about it in a day, 7 cleaned up scans sent to the printers, £500 worth of paint ordered, 2 pies, 1 creamed spinach, 1 carrot and swede, 1 lot of garlic potato wedges.

Out Of Our Hands

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21st September

Hazelford Lock

Today was a work day for me, a couple of panto meetings to fill the day. However the day started off with conversations with Chris who hosts the blog. His servers were having some problems, we’d been wondering if the blog had now got far too big and thoughts had turned to splitting the last ten years of posts onto a separate blog to reduce the blog’s size. Conversations were had, maybe he should try turning things off? So for the time being you may not be able to comment, or you may have to sign in to comment, we’ll see what the next few days brings.

Tilly asked to be let out early, just as we’d been getting ready for breakfast. We were going to be here all day, but I did want to see her so I limited her shore leave to a couple of hours. She returned within the time limit, jumping onto the stern, Mick opened the back door and in she came. Hang on! What’s that in your mouth Tilly? I£&(*s a M&”&***Se my F*&%£DY. I hadn’t really wanted to know as she had broken the first rule of ‘NO friends home’ She was picked up and escorted straight to the bow doors and out onto the well deck, the doors closed firmly behind her. Mick hadn’t spotted that she had company! She soon didn’t anymore!!

**Tractor thankfully not making smells**

My first meeting of the day was with Gemma the Production Manager for panto. The last few weeks she’s been busy, I’ve been moving to the boat and been occupied with other things, so we both felt quite a bit detached from the show. We chatted through where we’d got to, should we try to source 4m long cardboard tubes locally so they can stay in long lengths? After a pause to take a phone call we decided that we were still in quite a good place, just the order for the print to be placed, I need to do a little bit more to the artwork and then it will be ready.

After lunch we had a catch up chat with Helen and Min the props makers. Conversations about confectionizers, snowballs, skis, buckets all sorts were followed by lantern discussions. All good and on course.

Time for a walk, I crossed the river and headed down stream to Fiskerton, passing numerous fishermen, through several clapper gates and arriving at The Bromley pub which seemed to be popular for a Monday late afternoon. I carried on past the big houses hiding behind their flood walls and on to where a footpath heads away from the river along a flood bank, it was quite nettley!

The path then crossed over a steam, into a field which was close to where cattle live, their hoofpath surrounded by wooden fencing and a rather interesting gate. Then I was at Fiskerton Mill which sits on the River Greet. It began as a corn mill run by Osbert the ‘milner’ in 1248. In 1579 it was listed as two mills, by 1792 it was listed as a cotton mill. In 1829 there were five bobbinet machines in use and by 1832 it was a lace thread mill. 1837 it was converted back into a corn mill which burnt down in 1851, the mill was rebuilt in 1872 with several sets of stones, it continued to work into the 1920’s when it started to produce animal feed which stayed in production until 1980s.

Today it seems to be split into a few homes. At the front there was a box of eating apples left for people to help themselves. I still had a bag for such finds from last year in my bumbag so I helped myself, I think I picked an apple of each variety. Thank you.

Back through the village and to the pub. Here the old wharf building is for sale. A modern conversion of quite a large building the ground floor high above where flood waters come. It comes with the moorings on the river, all yours for £1.5 million. It’s a little odd that there are no interior photos in the brochure, but then a lady was just finishing varnishing the balcony doors, maybe more photos will follow.

**A Tilly friend safe on the opposite river bank**

Back at the boat I spent some time sending messages to friends before chopping up some of yesterdays roast pork and making us Paprika Peppery Pork. Very nice, it’s a favourite that I haven’t made in an age.

During the day we’ve constantly been getting emails from the blog saying that it was unresponsive, then a while later that it was back online. This evening on a few occasions when we’ve been informed it was back online we had a go at putting up a post about our technical difficulties. This took about 2 hours to actually achieve a post, that is seriously slow. Chris has spent a lot of time trying to sort things today, but unfortunately he’s not had any luck, it sounds like it’s something out of his hands.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 grounded cat, 1 friend, 1 upset stomach, 2 panto meetings, 1^st contact in 5 days, 1 little list of jobs, 4.58 miles walked, 1 impossible blog, 312 emails, 1 very sad message to send, 1^st Mrs Tilly stamp of approval of the year!

22^nd September

Hazelford Lock to Opposite Kiln Pontoon, Newark

This morning Chris called, where his server is located is apparently being hit by a Denial-of-Service Attack, commonly known as a DOS attack. So for the time being Chris can do very little. Apparently the part of the centre where his server is located people were now installing something that should help, but only time will tell. Have to say I’m a little bored of writing the blog in Word, so I hope it gets sorted soon.

Tilly wasn’t allowed out today, yesterday she’d had a bit of a dodgy tummy so she was on reduced rations. Hopefully a quiet day inside would help to sort her out. After breakfast we winded and headed on further downstream to Newark.

We’d started off in jumpers, but soon with not a cloud in the sky, these came off! We nearly brought out the sun cream. The last few days have been windy, but today not a jot of a breeze, just blue skies, what a wonderful day to cruise.

Mick radioed ahead to Town Lock, the Lockie was just letting someone down and then would refill the lock for us. No Heather Bleasdale on the mooring by the weir, no rubbish bins by the CRT yard, they have gone. Soon we were descending in the lock with the Lockie asking if Oleanna was a new boat, no just a new paint job.

Past the castle which seems to be having quite a bit of building work going on with scaffolding up at one end. Under Trent Bridge, ahh no space on the Kiln Pontoon. A couple of the boats we recognised from our trip a few years ago on the Great Ouse. Dutch Barge Karma was moored right on the end , followed by a cruiser so accessing the water point was going to be seriously hard. Our tank was down to about a quarter, so we needed a fill up especially as we’ve been on frugal rations for a few days and really wanted to have showers. Only one thing for it, head into King’s Marina and fill up there.

An angler had just cast their line across the entrance to the marina as we approached, I called out to them and they reeled it in. Our arrival on the service pontoon ended up being timed with lunchtime. Mick walked up to the office, then called the number left on the door, it went to a mobile and then to an answerphone. He left a message saying we hoped it was alright to fill up and if we needed to pay then that was fine as we’d be back to moor for a couple of days at the weekend. No one challenged us as we filled up the tank. We also took advantage of being at a good level to empty the yellow water, Mick decided not to use the elsan as that would be a touch too cheeky!

Back out of the marina we headed back upstream and pulled in a bit of a way behind The Newark Barge and tied Oleanna to the wall. From here we’d be able to see when a space appeared on the pontoon and being alongside the low wall we’d just about be able to get on and off the boat to head into town.

Gosh it was warm now, mid 20s. This is when Tilly prevents us from having front and back doors open to get a breeze through the boat. I do have a plan for the stern doors at some point so that we could have the rear hatch slid open, but my carpentry skills leave a bit to be desired.

A list of items to be bought was made then I headed into town to see what I could find locally. B&Q, M&S, B&M, do all shops have to operate under initials nowadays? I worked my way along the retail park on the east bank of the river. Very few yellow labels in M&S for a ‘Sad Git’s’ meal, I opted to see what Waitrose might have instead. Into town and to Boyes for some new egg poach pods as the old ones had gone very sticky over this winter.

No market today, I strode across the market place. Hang on! What!? WHAT??! On the front of Boyes there was an obvious gap no Boyes sign just their tag line partially visible. Initial panic subsided when I noticed a sign saying they’d moved, Phew! Round into a more modern building not far away. Well as with the Doncaster store the new shop is bigger and brighter than the old one. There are still all the reassuring items for sale.

Poach pods, something to be able to keep my CP ring around my neck when painting or working locks, a new retractable tape measure for knitting and a few more items. Next was Waitrose to see what sad gits items I’d find there. I’d timed my arrival too early really, the staff were just starting to pull items off the shelves, but I came away with a curry for this evening.

After sweeping the chimney the other day Mick had laid the fire ready to be lit, well tonight was not going to be the night as it was still very warm when we retired to bed.

1 lock, 9 miles, 1 very sunny day, 25C? 0 clouds, 1 full water tank, 1 empty yellow water tank, 2 paddling cows, 1 mooring against a wall, 0 view, 1 suede strip too short, 1 lobster clasp only just big enough, 2 hot for pies, 2 poach pods, 1 new store, 1 new innards for sheep, 1 bored Tilly still with a dodgy tummy!

Cruising Back To Blogging.

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Here’s hoping our blogging woes have all been sorted. One thing that will be a bit different for a while is that Mick will be updating our blog roll manually, as and when, rather than it being automatic. We also think we’ll be reducing the number of blogs we have links to with the hope of returning the roll to automatic at some point in the future.

So, whilst we’ve not been posting I’ve been writing blogs in word to try to keep on top of things and remember stuff. They now need photos adding and formatting etc which all takes time. So because we’re also on the move now I’ve decided to update you all by putting two days together until we’re just about caught up.

19th September

Stoke Lock, River Trent

Tilly was given 8.5 hours of shore leave this morning as we’d decided to stay put for the day. There were jobs to do. Tilly came and went, had a roll around on the bank where the silt was at its best, turning her sleek black and white to a dusty grey! But once this was done, she seemed to come and go purely for the Dreamies, I’d bought catnip flavour to help attract her back to the boat and it was working, working very well, every five minutes!

There were people to message, a receipt for rent to redo as I’d missed a couple of payments, oops!

Then I had a chat with Jamie regarding the set build of panto. We briefly went through each item Jamie will be building, any problems I’d designed into them that could be rectified, maybe widen a base a little for stability, was there room for maybe an extra inch for structure? I made a list of jobs I needed to do, questions I need to ask. Work done for the day.

After lunch I headed off for a walk, retracing a walk I did last year to Burton Joyce. Past the lock, along the long access road where numerous vans were parked up and what looked like a very serious fishing match was on going. If Gongoozler is the name for a person who watches boats going through locks, what is the name for people who watch fishermen? One group had brought their chairs and a picnic to watch one chap.

Along a stretch of road, through a wooded area and into another field where the fishing match continued. When the match ended how would they notify one end to the other, the wind today was really rather strong and was likely to blow away any call, maybe the stewards had horns that they could sound in relay down the river bank to stop fishing.

I turned into the village, crossed the railway line and then headed for the Co-op. It’s quite a long way to walk for a Saturday newspaper and a parsnip, but the Co-op is of a reasonable size. Mid afternoon they still had a paper of our chosen flavour but sadly no parsnip, maybe some sweet potato would do for the roast instead.

My return walk was via the road, over the level crossing at the station, this is possibly where Tilly and her brothers were rescued getting on for eleven years ago, abandoned by their original owner at around four months old.

**I like village signs, this one has 2.5D details!**

The under sink cupboard in the galley was cleared out, given a wipe down along with all the things inside it. Thankfully I managed to put everything back in a slightly more ordered manor, at least I now know what’s in there! There was only one empty bottle to remove.

Chicken Tagliatelle tonight and some knitting with Tilly sat on my knee.

This evening we discovered that maybe our new 5G router was interfering with the TV signal. Mick turned it off and the picture returned to normal. The router was put on to 4G and we could all now watch TV without it breaking up.

0 locks, 0 miles, 5.07miles walked, 3 for a fishing picnic, 1 newsapaper, 2 sweet potatoes, 150 or 200 treads, 350 or 450 bar, 1 clean cupboard, 5G bad!

20th September

Stoke Lock to Hazelford Lock, River Trent

The blog is starting to run reeeallllyy sloooowly. Taking an eternity to load photos when normally it takes a second or two, in fact it was soooo slow at doing anything! During the day I battled on when I had time, but soon it was apparent that there was something happening beyond our control so I gave up. The blog is normally a couple of days behind us anyway so I always have a bit of leeway.

A Mick breakfast followed by the Sunday morning Geraghty zoom, included subjects that I now can’t remember, but it was an interesting zoom.

We made ready to push off. I walked up to check whether there might be a lock keeper on duty today, the light at the lock was on red not amber, someone was about! Mick radioed to the lock, no answer came. He tried again, still no answer, but then a chap wearing blue appeared at the top of the steps, ‘Morning, are you okay?’ We were, just wanting to use the lock please.

With covers rolled we headed towards the lock, down the lock cut there was a widebeam getting ready to go down too. He asked if we could take the starboard side of the lock as his throttle is on the port side, of course we could oblige. I think last time we shared Stoke Lock with a widebeam the crew had no idea how to keep their boat under control in the lock, but todays crew were totally in control. Up above by the lock control tower there was a group of walkers who’d been invited up there to watch what happens, the Lockie was very informative. Once down we headed off first, the widebeam would be mooring at Gunthorpe, but they’d come and work the lock for us as we’d helped them.

The next reach is so pretty. Grassy fields down to the river, the blue sky and sunshine glistening on the water. I think it’s our favourite reach of the Trent. Geese a gogo, sheep, it’s just lovely.

We seemed to be quite a distance ahead of the widebeam so we pulled back on the throttle to let them catch up. Plenty of space on the Gunthorpe Visitors pontoon, but it is quite a distance from the lock, they’d be an age coming to help us. I saw them pull in, the lady jumping off the bow to moor up. We loitered in the lock cut, maybe we’d be quicker if I climbed a ladder to work the lock. Then whizzing along the road came the chap on an electric scooter, very happy to press the buttons at the lock for us.

Gunthorpe Lock, for those who have followed the blog since our Lillian days will know this is my least favourite lock and why. I checked to see if I could see a large fish or a clone of myself, but the water was too cloudy for that. Mick brought Oleanna in gently to THE blue riser on the port side. I passed the end of the rope round it. Was that an indentation to the blue plastic coating?!

Now on towards Hazelford Lock, our chosen mooring for the day. More walkers fewer fishermen on the bank. I looked at Nebo and spotted a Lancaster Bomber Memorial on the the map, maybe a good location to walk to this afternoon.

**Tugs and crane boats above Hazelford**

The Lockie responded to our radio call and penned us through, only one sluice operational on the bottom gates so it would take a while to empty the lock. Below we winded to face the current coming over the large weir and pulled in to moor on the lower wall, it’s still quite a way up from the bow, far bigger than a step.

Tilly was given an hour or so whilst we had lunch. She needed a bit of encouragement to get to the top of the big steps, but there lies a cats wonderland of who knows what! After a while she returned to use the onboard facilities at quite a rush. Hmmm, she had a dodgy tummy, time for her to have a snooze inside!

My walk took me over the bridge below the weir and back along the river bank we’d just passed. Moored boats, narrow tracks, then out into green lush fields, a big lake reaching off to the west, sheep, horse riders, and Trent clapper gates. The sun shone what a lovely walk.

At the far end of the boating lake stand two tall stones, a memorial to two Lancaster Bombers that crashed close by in 1945 two weeks apart. They had been on training flights from RAF Syerston, one’s portside engines had caught fire, the other had over ran the runway, all the crew of both planes had died, Canadians, New Zealanders and British airmen.

On my return a joint of pork went in the oven and then my attention turned back to panto. Updating the technical drawings for Jamie. Asking questions of the lighting designer, Checking a few depths, all good.

3 locks, 9.7 miles,2 lock keepers, 1 zooming scooter, 1 poorly cat, 2 Mark 3s, 5.21 miles walked, 1 joint of pork, 9 big red crosses, 1 sock up to it’s heel.

Site Problems

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Due to problems that our web site host is aware of the blog is running very slowly. It may take some time to fix so for the time being we wont be posting. We’ll save everything up for when things are sorted.

How Did They Do That?! 18th September

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Sainsburys Nottingham to Stoke Lock, River Trent

I was expecting a phone call from the panto set builder this morning. I got my drawings out from the cupboard and sketchbook to make notes, have to say over the last couple of weeks I’ve been ignoring panto, too many other things going on, but that will soon be changing. As I’d not had a call by 10am we decided to push off, todays goal a cat friendly mooring, after all Tilly’s been inside for too long now!

I walked down to Castle Lock, passing a burnt out, sunken boat. As we arrived a family were sitting down at one of the tables outside the pub alongside the lock, not sure if they were having breakfast or an early lunch. Dad complimented Oleanna on her looks. All four paddles worked at the top end of the lock today, just as well as the bottom gates were leaking lots. Then the bottom gate wanted to swing open and stay that way, it always does. Mick and Oleanna headed off into the distance as I walked round to close everything up, which did mean I got quite a nice photo of the British Waterways building with Oleanna looking insignificant below it. I caught them up at the sharp bend. Spotted a flood level stone by the railway bridges I’d not seen before.

Meadow Lane Lock was full, top gates closed, but they only needed a slight push to get them moving. As I lifted the paddles on the bottom gates I took a look onto the river to see if there was much traffic around. Firstly a few canoes, but they’d be long gone by the time the lock was empty. There was however a blue van half submerged on the opposite bank. Firecrews, Ambulance, Police all in attendance. A Rescue rib joined them from up stream and gradually the van was being winched out.

As Oleanna left the lock I told Mick there was nothing on the river apart from a blue van, he of course knew nothing about it and thought I was bonkers! The off-side gate wanted to swing open so he reached up with a boat hook as he left to encourage it to close behind him, only managing to leave the boat hook hooked onto the gate. These gates are so tall I do my best not to cross them, thankfully Mick managed to reverse back up to them to retrieve the hook.

Onwards downstream. About this time last year we’d seen the new Waterside Bridge being put together on the bank, this year it spans the river very elegantly. A yellow diamond, we presume, marks the highest point of the arch and green triangles point to it.

As we passed the sailing club we radioed ahead to Holme Lock where there was a Lockie on duty. Thankfully the lock was already in our favour, so there was no hanging about for it to fill. We were directed to the island side of the lock where the steel risers go higher up the lock wall.

Onwards under Radcliffe Viaduct Rail Bridge, round the big bend towards the weir and Stoke Lock. I zoomed in on my camera, two boats were moored. Hang on, they were both on the pontoon and the low wall mooring was free! Yes, Tilly you shall have shore leave!!!

**Tilly and Tilly Too so excited about shore leave**

We pulled in with the port side to the bank, Mick would now be able to sweep the chimney too. Once moored up the noise of excitement from Tilly inside the cabin was incredible! Tilly Too stayed quiet, she always does! Rules are rules though, the three words have to be written down first! Then shore leave rules recited.

Tilly you have four and a half hours, no friends home dead or alive or putting them on the roof for later, no jumping in, no bullying, no going on other peoples boats! Enjoy yourself!! Okay then, if I must!

A job needed doing straight away, attaching the new landing net to the old pole. The connector through the years had come apart and been taped up. Some maximum uhu glue and a lot of lx tape to keep everything in place was used connecting everything together. It was now laid on the roof to go off and hopefully will take the weight of a second mate should it need to.

Well I never!?! How did they do that!?! I had to look twice, thrice, four times! I checked through the one way hatch. Yes inside was still the same. But outside isn’t! They’ve not only moved the outside, but they’ve changed what goes around the inside too! It’s all milky creamy now, but the front and the back are still the same! Wow!

I’m kind of glad that we’re the only boat here on the low wall. Who knows, other than Tilly, if she is going to get confused now her boat is no longer dark blue? Or has she always and will always just go by scent too and fro from Oleanna. Well she smells differently too!

Tilly didn’t venture very far, possibly because the Dreamies on offer are the Catnip ones, their purchase done on purpose to attract her home more often, or maybe this outside isn’t as good as we thought?

After lunch Mick swept the chimney, maybe a job that should have been done before the repaint to cream, but then it was also good to get rid of any grit from the grit blasting too. We had a go at emptying the yellow water. This was interesting, the new pump worked, but only for about five seconds! When installing it Mick had added a fuse as the instructions had suggested, on the original fitout there hadn’t been one. There is already a suitable breaker on the circuit in the electric cupboard so he removed the fuse at the pump and now it works. Phew no need to keep our legs crossed!

I’d intended doing more kitchen cupboard tidying, but ran out of motivation. Anyway my afternoon was taken over by whatsapp messages from Scarborough and from panto people, things are starting to heat up on that front!

I had a walk down to the bins at the other end of the lock cut. Thankfully they are still there. We’ve heard so much over the last few months about bins being removed from the network on social media.

Mick installed our new 5G router. This should improve our internet, but it appears to have affected our TV signal, or it may just be that the signal is bad here as we’re in a dip. Although it did get a thumbs up last time we were here. Other moorings will assist in this.

3 locks, 6.9 miles, 0 Chippy chippy call, 1852, 14 years, 1 submerged blue van, 1 low wall, 1 befuddled cat, 0 friends, 1 net mended I hope, 1 fuse, 1 fire laid ready and waiting, 1 sock fairy, 1 empty yellow water tank, 1 clean pooh box, but does this mooring deserve a Mrs Tilly stamp of approval? 1 cat not too sure!

https://what3words.com/broad.quail.lower

Slowing To Stop. 17th September

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New Boots Footbridge to Sainsburys

Last night we’d given our cruising plans some thought. Our original aim had been to head to York for a get together with an old friend and family. We’d considered it possible in the time we had, had we left Redhill on Monday, maybe Tuesday at a push, but another days delay? We know the route pretty well and can plan day to day in our heads, but we still did a Canal Plan route, 45 hours cruise. We then checked the tides. The day we’d be looking to go from Cromwell to Torksey were possible. The remainder for the Tidal Trent to Keadby, not so good. One tide was very early in the morning, like not long after midnight so all of the trip would be in the dark. The other late afternoon, so by the time we’d get to Keadby we were unlikely to be in time for a lock keeper. Mick has a hernia, so he’s not keen on standing for long periods of time at the tiller.

Tides, cruising hours and hernia have put the kibosh on that plan. However, it would still be advantageous to head northwards for a while, but at a much slower pace before we turn and hope to get south for Panto. After all, the majority of our plans haven’t come off this year, so we might as well add another one to the list!

We made ready to push off, Mick at the helm and me on the towpath. It was quite a pleasant walk in towards Nottingham. Less pennywort on the canal than we remembered from last year. A group of boats were moored up by Thane Road Bridge, all moored to rings, I made a note of the mooring before carrying onwards. Maybe these are new rings, or maybe their proximity to the two bridges make for a not so attractive mooring.

I climbed back on board at Lenton Lane Bridge as we’d be turning into Castle Marina shortly and there are too many boats moored near the entrance to be able to climb aboard there.

Gosh what a difference a year makes. Last year many of the pontoons at Castle Marina had been condemned, they had been for a few years. But Aquavista have invested a lot of money here. the five pontoons has been reduced to four, meaning they can accommodate more narrowboats, but in return cutting down on the number of cruisers. They still have a couple of winter moorings available should anyone be interested.

We filled with diesel, 64 litres at £1.50 domestic, Ouch, thank you Donald!

Back out of the marina pulling in close to the entrance for Sainsbury’s. Lunch first then we’d go and do a big shop ready to fill the freezer.

We came back with four big carrier bags full. I set about filling the fridge with cold stuff. The new fridge is great because it actually gets cold, but the arrangement of the door shelves is very odd and the main shelves seem to be a couple of inches shorter than our old fridge. The most annoying thing about it is that the crisper is not wide enough to hold a wine box! It’s something we’ll have to get used to and we’ll have to buy smaller bottles of tomato ketchup in future as the current one is too tall.

Next thing was to find a suitable container for our wood litter, we use it in our separating toilet and Tilly uses it in her pooh box. We buy it in 30 litre bags and where the bag now needs to be stored it could easily fall over when Tilly’s pooh box is removed. I headed off to B&M which was full of new students buying essentials for their accommodation. Storage boxes were plentiful, but just about all of them were too wide for the gap I wanted it to go in. Then high up I spotted a container that would hold 20 litres of dog biscuits, it came with a scoop. It would fit the gap and leave enough space behind it for the remainder of the bag of litter. It looks quite smart and we won’t tell Tilly it’s meant for woofer food!

After the last week and now no need to keep going today we opted to slow right down and stop for the day. Yes, down at County Hall the mooring is nicer than opposite the student flats, but we were in need of a rest, plus there were still jobs to do and the students haven’t moved in yet.

Tilly thought that the bushes looked really interesting alongside us, but She said it would be really bad if I got to meet a sooper fast bicycle, especially on my first shore leave in ages! Instead Tilly watched me repack mince, sausages, turkey steaks and jointing a chicken to go in the freezer. Now we just have to hope that the freezer can cope with getting everything cold!

Mick tinkered with the wires in the new connection block for the TV and radio aerial. We now have TV signal again! Hooray!!

Red Pepper Salmon tonight and some knitting now we have light again.

0 locks, 2.7 miles, 2 rights, 1 wind, 64.11 litres, 0 gas, 1 more change of plan for the year, 1 trolley to the boat, 1 more day of feline boredom, 1 woofer litter box, 1 slow day that wasn’t actually that slow.

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna

South Bound, We Hope! 29th 30th September

Setting The Plan In Action. 27th, 28th September

B24. 26th September

Frankness. 24th 25th September

Ten Pound Pies. 23rd September

Out Of Our Hands

Cruising Back To Blogging.

Site Problems

How Did They Do That?! 18th September

Slowing To Stop. 17th September