Chestnuts Roasting. 7th October

Fradley to Tescos Rugeley

**Guess who forgot to put a blob of something on the cratcch poppers!**

Rain. Not heavy, but rain this morning. The forecast last night had suggested it wouldn’t last long, the Met office app suggested it would stop around 10:15. Well they lied! We however wanted to keep up with our day in hand so couldn’t stay laid in bed. Now where did we put those waterproofs? At Christmas Josh, my nephew gave me some new waterproof trousers, these are far better than previous pairs I’ve owned, maybe I should put a new lightweight coat on my list this year.

**We should have given her a wipe down when she was wet**

We ended up setting off a little before 11am. No volunteers visible on the flight this morning, but that’s fine. Up Junction Lock, we were being followed by a workboat full of puddling clay. The crew member walked up to reset the lock behind us, I thought for a while they’d just nod from the other end of the lock, but at Middle Lock we had a conversation. They were headed to just above Shadehouse Lock to do some work there.

A single hander was coming down, it took a little while for him to bow haul his boat out of the lock, he really didn’t want to climb the ladder, I don’t blame him. Another boat approached from above so I could leave the gates for them and on we went, I opted to walk to Wood End Lock.

The HS2 works are still evident although checking my map I’m not sure the digger in a field was anything to do with the new line as it was really quite close to the 90 degree bend, maybe some new housing, maybe not.

At Wood End Lock the cottage still sits behind fencing, we were amazed that all of it’s windows were intact after so many years of being empty. Someone has added some artwork to the lock bridge.

Once up the lock we were on the long pound, slow going passing moored boats. I hitched a ride and had a catch up chat with Frank back in Scarborough. Today his Frankness visitor was Chris who rang me from the ground floor of Franks house whilst I was talking to Frank on the first floor!

The drizzle continued, not too heavy so it wasn’t unpleasant, but the temperature has most definitely dropped, and I looked forward to the stove being lit this evening, we’ll also be digging out our gloves before cruising tomorrow.

A pause for some lunch and a sit down at a handy length of armco. Tilly thought we should stay here, but we didn’t. Onwards. I hopped off to walk again just before Armtitage Tunnel, one boat heading towards us sounded it’s horn, then the tunnel was clear for Oleanna.

Now sunny, the walk was quite pleasant, a breeze making it still worth wearing a coat though. I spotted some Sweet Chestnuts on the ground, their spiky furry husks giving them away. I rolled the husks under my shoes to see if the nut inside would be worth collecting. Nowhere near as big as you get in shops, but I selected the bigger ones and filled a pocket up.

A few boats were on the move and after about 2 miles we approached Rugeley where we planned to moor for the night. The 2 day mooring was empty, we soon found out that one stretch of it was already occupied by a submarine, or maybe it was just a shopping trolley.

First port of call Morrisons pharmacy to see if the NHS app was correct that they do walk in flu jabs. They do, but only if someone hadn’t booked. On the family chat yesterday there had been mention that there was a nationwide shortage of the vaccine, well, it appears not here in Staffordshire. We booked an appointment for 20 minutes time, just long enough to pick up Micks’ prescription from Boots around the corner.

Both jabbed, £13 for a private one if you have a Morrisons card, we then did a top up shop. A few items were missing so I called into Tescos for those.

This evening the stove has been lit, Tilly has hogged the red blanket in front of it whilst Mick reheated some bolognaise sauce and I worked on panto emails and messages. I popped four chestnuts in the ash pan of the fire for quite a while. When I was young I used to be in charge of roasting chestnuts on our open fire at home. Today I took a look in my Food for Free book to see what they had to say about chestnuts.

Make sure you slit all but one of them. Put them all on the hot ash or by the coals, when the one that hasn’t been slit explodes, the others are ready. ‘The explosion is fairly ferocious, scattering hot shrapnel over the room, so sit well back from the fire and make sure all the other nuts have been slit.’

I didn’t need to have one that exploded, I timed them perfectly for roasting, but sadly they don’t have that much flavour to them. Maybe they were just a little bit too small or early in the season.

7.7 miles, 4 locks, 1 wet morning, 1 wet early afternoon, 1 underwater obstruction, 2 supermarkets, 1 boots, 2 jabs, 2 packets spaghetti, 1 Frank in the green, 1 final check from the printers, 18 chestnuts.

Threads Of Remembrance. 6th October

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Alrewas to Fradley

A very misty start this morning in Alrewas, thank you Adam for the photo, I suspect we were still in bed with our morning cuppa when this was taken.

Tilly still wasn’t enamoured with our mooring, so after breakfast she was left in charge whilst we headed out. Mick to the Co-op and me to the National Remembrance Gardens. Crossing the road to get there isn’t quite as scary as I’d remembered it to be. A new Elizabeth Line train halted my walk for a while as it slowly crossed the road.

As I arrived at the gardens, a coach had just pulled up and was offloading its passengers. I asked a guide where the new mosaic was, in the chapel across the square. Gosh that was easy to find, I’d imagined walking half way across the site to find it, not just 100 yards away.

Whilst helping on the community mosaic in Scarborough earlier this year, Gaby Naptali and a few others headed down to help install the Threads of Remembrance mosaic. Several of the group had put together a piece each which joined other contributions and was all swirled together with many more mosaic tiles. What a wonderful piece it is, with so many people’s remembrances. It kept me captivated for quite a while.

Outside I decided to have a walk round. We visited ten years ago, did the land train round the site. Today I wanted to walk, headed towards the river and walked along the bank looking at the memorials there. Then cut in through the trees to the Shot at Dawn memorial. This wasn’t quite how I remembered it. The wood that had originally been used to symbolise the 306 service men who were executed for military offences in WW1 who were pardoned by the UK Government 20 years ago, had started to rot. Now the wood has been replaced by lengths of plastic timber, not quite the same, but it still is a very powerful monument.

Ten years ago the Armed Forces memorial was still being constructed on the hill in the centre of the garden. Today the names of people who have died in service since the end of WW2 fill many of the slabs. A chink in the central wall lets a shaft of light through on the 11th hour of the 11th day or the 11th month. The thing that struck me most about this monument was how much more of it is sat waiting for names to be added. Sadly there will always be combat and there will always be people who die because of it.

Back to the boat for an early lunch. Tilly decided that our mooring was pretty good after all, whilst I had an online production meeting for panto. Chats about things still to source, what scene would be good to have finished for the photo call, lighting queries, props queries, costume catch up, some sound. I have to say I’ve felt a touch detached from it for a while, but gosh, it all kicks off really quite soon!

**Cranked beams always need a bit of thinking about which way to push or pull**

Our cruise plan had us still a little ahead of ourselves today, but we decided to move on and keep ahead even more. We pushed off passing a couple of boats. Bagnall Lock’s cranked beams seemed indubitably heavy today. I hung on them, bumped them and hung some more until eventually they relented before I did.

I opted to walk on, making up for the fish and chips last night. We passed one boat coming down, a light weight cruiser aiming for Barton Turns today. A fill of water took forever at the services, the taps round the corner are much quicker. We disposed of rubbish and yellow water and then just pushed Oleanna across to moor on the other side. Sorry Tilly, no shore leave today, the road is just far to close.

***This is catist! Why are there no photos of cats?!***

1.8 miles, 4 locks, 7 miles walked, 110 brisk minutes, 1 more message about the print, 3 Frankness phone calls, 0.5 pork pie from Coats, 60 plus mosaic artists, 270 elements in one, 9 in the team, 1 new bucket, 1 empty wee tank, 1 full water tank, 1 bored cat.

https://what3words.com/feel.leafing.juggles

Furthest West. 5th October

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Shobnall Fields to Bridge 47, Alrewas

So glad we were only moored here for one night. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice mooring but Tilly and I spent far too long here last year. When I say it’s a nice mooring, it is apart from when the local lads decide to fire fireworks at each other whilst running around in the park! I hope that was a phase last year that has worn off.

As we were making to push off so was the chap on the boat ahead, NB Borderline. We’ve seen the boat about the system, he’s covered it all and bagged the silver propeller locations too. I had a chat with him as I rolled up the covers, he’s from York so there was plenty to chat about.

A boat waved us on, we thought they were coming in to moor where we were, some obscure hand signals were given. We pushed off and headed to the entrance to Shobnall Marina, Oleanna was swung round and then reversed under the narrow bridge. Time for a top up of diesel, £1.33 domestic, 3 bags of coal and a new float switch for the engine bilge pump as the current one keeps sticking on! Whilst we were tucked inside, the boat we thought was going to moor came past us, soon followed by another.

Back out onto the canal we soon passed where we’d moored for a night last year. This had been the furthest west we’d achieved in 2025, today we were continuing onwards, no rumours of Alrewas Lock closing due to low water levels.

At Branston Lock the two boats ahead of us were disappearing into the distance and not that far behind us was NB Borderline, long gone are the days of not seeing another moving boat!

A question had come through from the print company about my portals for panto, the chap I was talking to couldn’t find the right words to describe the query, he forwarded it by email and it immediately made sense. A few minutes to do a visual in reply, now hopfully it was sorted.

At Tattenhill Lock we’d caught up the boat ahead, they were travelling with the boat infront, so three, now four crew to work them up. Were we all aiming for Alrewas? Yes. News had come through this morning that there was plenty of room, so hopefully there’d be enough for three!

**Is the shed a new thing? I don’t remember it**

I hitched a ride to Barton Turn Lock, again helping the two boats ahead. Alongside this lock is an honesty box. Years ago I bought some alpine strawberry plants here which have carried on going and now fill an urn at the house and two troughs. I hope they will survive the rest of the year, they are not guaranteed to be watered now we’re back on the boat. Today there were jams, possibly pickles £3 a jar. Alongside in a box were punnets of tomatoes for £1. A good variety of sizes, they were worth the £1, I boughht some.

We pulled in soon after the lock, giving the boats ahead chance to get away and time for lunch and a sit down for Mick. Next it was time to play the A38 game, both of us stood at the stern of Oleanna waving to lorries as they passed at speed. Sadly the hedge was too high for many of them to see us, not one beep from a horn but a few waved back.

At lunchtime we’d been overtaken by another boat who we met at Wychnor Lock, a single hander who took his time. He was a touch bemused as he’d not been able to find the bins that he thought were shown on his app. I have to say I don’t remember there being bins here and the door he’d been trying I think is someone’s garage.

A message was sent ahead, we’d just ascended the lock. I opted to walk to Alrewas, a stretch I’ve not walked before. Across the raised walkways with their white railings which come in handy when the River Trent is in flood. At the lock the single hander had an extra pair of hands, Adam from NB Kingley Vale. As we worked Oleanna up the lock I of course got a phone call from the set builder, he wanted to talk toilets! A suitable subject with boaters about, but I couldn’t answer his questions until I had my drawings to look at.

**Alrewas Lock, thank you Adam for the photo**

NB KV was moored close to the lock, but we didn’t find a space until we got round near the church. Possibly a better mooring for Tilly, although she didn’t stay out long. It was nice of someone to put out all the flowers, but all the grass is too short and there’s very little friendly cover to pounce in and She said I wasn’t allowed to go digging!

**I just missed both boats in one photo!**

With panto questions answered, a chat with Frank, a spruce up and an early dingding for Tilly, we headed back to find NB Kingley Vale. Here Adam, Adrian and Macc their border terrier greeted us. There was a guided tour round their boat, still under a year old, a glass of wine and food time for Macc, woofers don’t do dingding! A very lovely boat, plenty of head room, possibly an inch higher than Oleanna.

We all then headed to The Crown for some food, a corner table so Macc could have some space of his own. Burgers, fish and chips, beers and wine all followed by puddings and accompanied by plenty of conversation. We’ve met Adam a few times, but before today we’ve only managed to wave to Adrian as they passed on NB Briar Rose at the beginning of lockdown in 2020. This year both boats had been travelling in the same direction, but we were two days behind them. However, Adrian has been referred to the fracture clinic in Burton, their cruising plans had changed, so they’d set a course to head in our direction. It was really lovely to get chance to spend an evening with them, we just hope that Adrian’s appointment comes through quickly.

**See, I said my photos were a bit pants! Mick, Adam and almost Adrian**

7.2 miles, 5 locks, 50 L diesel, 75kg coal, 1 float switch, 2 infront, 2 horses, 1 unimpressed cat, 1 boater talking toilets, 1 pause for lunch, £1 tomatoes, 1 guided tour, 2 burgers, 2 fish and chips, 5 glasses wine, 5 pints, 4 puddings, 1 very pleasant evening.

https://what3words.com/camcorder.inclined.ferried

Three Stamps. 3rd 4th October

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Cranfleet Cut to Aston Lock to Weston Cliff Bridge 10 to Shobnall Fields

Saturday

Tilly had an hours shore leave whilst we had breakfast on board, she did a bit of self catering earning this mooring a stamp of approval! Ben was on the phone with an update from Scarborough early on, concerns, plans, can’t find this and that, to chat about. Poor Ben is certainly being kept busy, I know it would have been me had we still been in Scarborough.

**Paddling with Ratcliffe in the back ground**

Time to push off, a right at Trent Junction, but not right right. The river was busy with sailing boats, canoists and paddleboarders. At Sawley Locks we were directed to the right hand lock, a volunteer penning us up. He was relieved that someone was at the bow with a rope, this made for a far easier rise in the lock.

Back onto the River Trent, past the weir and on to where the Derwent meets the Trent and the start of the Trent and Mersey Canal heads off. Today it felt like we were entering the amazon, the amount of pennywort, only a small channel to cruise through and this apparently is after quite a bit of it has been cleared!

Up at the lock was a hire boat rising, I helped them close gates, they asked how far we’d be going, to Aston Lock today, the lady nodded. We shared Derwent Mouth Lock with a small cruiser. The chap with a windlass lifted his ground paddle quite quickly which meant Oleanna’s bow was pushed over towards the cruiser. Not ideal. But both boats rose up, they headed to moor to get themselves some lunch as we carried on.

I walked on ahead, easier to do now we’re back on the canals. I’d half expected the hire boat to be waiting for us to share Shardlow Lock to help save water, but when the lock came into view they were nearly up. Hang on, bottom gates don’t leak that much, there was quite a boil in the water. I tried squinting to see if there was a paddle up, my pace quickened. They were doing a very good job of running water down. Thankfully the pound above is quite long so no real harm done.

Approaching Aston Lock a boat was coming towards us, maybe the hire boat would be waiting for us now. They were, treading water below. I walked up to see if I could lend a hand, another boat rising in the lock. As the levels equalised another boat was pulling in above. A lady with silver hair, could this be a boat we expected to meet with today?

Yes it was NB Cobweb, owned by Vicky and David. Vicky used to work at the SJT in Scarborough front of house, a longtime ago and a few years ago she’d made a comment about the Princess Anne Bridge in Thorne on a facebook group, we reconnected. Recently we’d exchanged massages about repaints as NB Cobweb was requiring a bit of a spruce up. They’d been seeking quotes after one painter fell through, these ranged from £14,000 to £2,000. They’d opted to go with Robert Naghi who quite often uses the polytunnel at Redhill, so today they were heading there. There was time to chat as we worked Cobweb down, hopefully we’ll manage that drink in a Scarborough pub this winter to exchange boating tales.

The hire boat shared the lock with us, as another two boats arrived above. A chap walked down, he seemed to be familiar, but where from? Was he a boat mover? The penny dropped, he works at Redhill and is one of the team who move boats about the yard. He and another two chaps from the marina had been out for a week and were headed back today. It felt like I knew everyone now we were back on the cut, such a small world.

**Squeezing past a breasted up pair also on the move**

On our original plan had been to moor here for the day. We pulled in and let Tilly out, an hour that’s all she gave me! An hour!! As it was such a lovely day we wanted to move on, do a bit more after lunch, an aim of trying to get two days ahead of ourselves would be good to catch up with another boat. I was just about to stick my head out of the side hatch to call Tilly in when she came running along. She’s forgotten that I can tell the time! Bang on a hour, Thank you!!

As I walked on to Weston Lock, I had a long chat with Frank about some of the detective work I’d achieved for him. We just need to find the other paperwork this relates to it in the boxes at his house, not a five minute job! It was good to hear him enthused about things.

**Weston Lock with it’s b**tard heavy gates**

Up at the lock there were masses of young people with scooters, a few mums and dads, plenty to watch us go through the lock. One chap suggested they stay and watch to his son, I suggested they could help with the big gates. The lad came to help, but I suggested Dad’s help would also be needed. This made for the easiest rise at Weston we’ve ever had, thanks to our extra crew.

Just why was the towpath so busy?! Well there was a scarecrow festival going on, three scarecrows here on the canal. Scar Crow (by the little hut), Victoria Plunge (alongside a cake boat) and Bart Boatman (at the next boat, he spoke too!) all very amusing.

We carried on to a gap in the trees with a length of armco. Tilly was given shore leave, and we had a nice little walk along to a bench overlooking the river below. Tilly then amused herself as I got out the new paints. This morning I’d noticed a rub mark and a chip on the grabrail which had gone back to the steel. Keep on top of the paintwork Tom had said, so I got out the 2 pack blacking, mixed the smallest amount in an old jar, guessing the 4 parts paint to 1 of hardner and touched in the two areas. No idea how they had happened or when, but at least they now had some protection. I’ll get round to the red another day when the towpath is on the right side.

The huge courgette went into a bolognaise sauce, padding the mince out into three meals for us, I’ll have to shoehorn one lot into the freezer.

Sunday.

A cooked breakfast on board. Our new poach pods seem to be a bit thin, so the eggs cooked in an odd way, think we’ll have to find some more. I like poached eggs, but like a runny yolk not the white.

The weekly Geraghty zoom followed, subjects included mice (Tilly’s choice), Hamlet, Lisa Nandy, Aran and peanut butter lids. Only one sibling missing today due to them travelling to visit Anne for her birthday.

I walked on ahead. One lady on a passing boat exclaimed at how far I was going to be walking to the lock. Strangely enough, I knew exactly how far it was and I’d still be walking some more after the lock. I paused when I saw the cooling towers of Willington for the first time and stopped for a glance at Swarkstone Pavillion, the subject of a painting I did earlier this year.

**Far busier at locks than on the Trent**

At the lock there was a scout troop having a rest and snacks. I did suggest to one of their leaders that sitting under a lock beam maybe wasn’t the best place for them, especially as I needed to access both sides of the lock. Once Oleanna was in the lock I clocked that a paddle was still just up at the bottom end, the scouts had to move for me to sort that out!

We swapped with a downward boat and I hopped on board to catch a lift up to Stenson. There were two volunteers at Stenson, I went to lend a hand, but ended up chatting instead. They knew their lock and how it works, the opposite way to the vast majority of locks on the network. It was a very gentle ride up. We then pulled in for a break to have lunch.

On our way towards Mercia we had a young lad in a canoe follow in our wake, he was meeting people at the marina, hope they’d told him whereabouts as it is vast! The new buildings that had been going up last year look now to be completed, similar to those around the marina.

I got my knitting out to work on at the stern as we made our way along the long pound towards Burton. We were pushing on a bit further today with a rendezvous in mind tomorrow. I hopped off around bridge 29A and walked the rest of the towpath to Dallow Lock, the first narrow lock. The first narrow lock we’ve done this year in fact. We’d wondered if Stenson would be our last broad lock but then realised we’d have two broad locks to do on the River Avon before reaching our mooring for panto.

A couple walked past and helped with the bottom gate, then a chap and his son asked lots of questions as Oleanna rose up, they also helped with the top gate. There was quite a bit of room at Shobnall Fields, last year Tilly and I spent quite a bit of time moored opposite them whilst Mick was in Derby Hospital after his stroke. Today it was deemed too late for Tilly to have any shore leave, she however didn’t agree with our decision!

A chicken went in the oven to roast. We’re a little bit out of practice with our boat oven, we’ll need to adjust the amount of time we roast carrots and parsnips for, as they turned a little bit hard and bits resembled charcoal. Oh well isn’t carbon meant to be good for you?!

19.5 miles, 8 locks, 1 boat met, 1 boat to catch up, 1 change of plan, 1 rendezvous arranged, 3 boat yard chaps, 3 scarecrows, 2 many messages, 1 pooped Frank, 3 Mrs Tilly stamp of approvals in 1 day!

https://what3words.com/brotherly.received.hobbyists

https://what3words.com/aunts.starch.charm

https://what3words.com/same.harder.same

OAC. 1st, 2nd October

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Stoke Lock to Sainsburys to Cranfleet Cut

First things first, someone turned eleven today and in so doing made me the youngest crew member on board! Old Age Cat, 11, she’s reached 60 before me! She doesn’t act like an OAC! This time last year we were moored on exactly the same mooring for her birthday. Last year her present was a furry thing we now call the Rat, it’s getting rather bald from all the licking! This year she got a leek, not quite a vegetable as it contains catnip. She also got a serious treat of some salmon which will be saved for a really boring, no shore leave day.

Tilly was allowed some shore leave as I worked on panto for a while, a phone call from Jamie the set builder and a couple of other things required attention. The boat that had been in the lock cut last night came past, NB Falcon, we’d seen them somewhere last year. An electric boat, we waved. Just as we were about to push off my phone rang, it was the social worker in Scarborough calling to confirm Frank’s discharge from the hospital and when his first carer would arrive. In Scarborough the Frankness group were busy, the cleaner even busier! The plan was all coming good.

Time to sus out moorings in Stratford. We’d looked online for a CRT mooring and worked out the cost to be in Bancroft Basin for a month. CRT winter moorings only run for calendar months, so we’d need to book it for November and move there on my first weekend off, we’d also not really plan to use the last week. It worked out at about £300, the nearest water point and bins would be 4 locks back up the canal, not ideal. It’s also quite close to busy roads and I was concerned about Tilly being safe exploring or not having any shore leave for four weeks.

So we then looked at Shakespeare Marina, I’d heard they still had spaces for winter moorers. Mick had sent them an email but heard nothing back, so he called them. Was it possible to have a visitor mooring for a month. Yes. Would it be possible to have a mooring around the edge of the marina, so Tilly could come and go? Yes. Would we also need an Avon Navigation licence whilst we were there? Yes. We totted things up, yes it’s more expensive than a CRT winter mooring, it’s also further out of town. But there is a bus stop close by, Tilly may be able to go out without busy roads, there’s a gate to the towpath. We decided to go for it.

As we came round the last bend towards Holme Lock I spied someone at the downstream panel. I zoomed in on my camera, yes there was someone there, they walked towards the top gates. Ahh, we were too far away to sound our horn and the lock landing is quite a distance from the panels so they were already part way up when I arrived to chat to them.

NB Falcon. I mentioned that we’d come across them last year, possibly somewhere before, and the chap said ‘Ah yes, you are the Panto lady!’ He writes books about cars, well used to until AI came along and now steals his words. We had quite a chat and as their boat came up I went to chat to the lady at the helm, very nice to see them again.

Once the top gates were closed behind them and the paddles dropped I set the lock for us. Holme Lock is quite a monsterous size. It took 32 minutes from pressing the button to start emptying the lock, to the top gates being shut and all paddles closed behind Oleanna. Shame we’d not been able to share it and a good job we’re on a river!

Back upstream, we overtook NB Falcon at Lady Bay Bridge, they were heading for the steps at County Hall for the night, but we were headed for Sainsbury’s. As we pulled up onto the pontoon I could see the lock was being emptied, someone had lifted the paddles for us and stayed to help us up. Thank you!

**Near the big bend and urgent care centre**

I walked on to Castle Lock, worked us up and then I walked on a head to see where we’d be able to moor. On our way down there had been plenty of space by the path to Saisnbury’s, but today there was a distinct lack of room. I called Mick and told him to back up as even though there were gaps, they just weren’t big enough for us.

A few items were purchased to top up on fresh items whilst I worked on straightening out the legs for panto. As I’d found the right tool yesterday to do the job, this proved to be very easy. The files were sent off to the printer. Fingers crossed that this time they are fine.

This evening we sat down to watch the first episode of Celebrity Traitors. Well, was that a mistake or not?! Mick ended up snoozing, so he’ll have to watch it again tomorrow!

2nd October

Mick headed back in Sainsbury’s this morning to pick up some liver and bacon, we still had some M&S mashed potato left over from our pies on Monday, so that was our evening meal sorted.

I had a chat with Frank first thing, as today was the day he was moving back home. A few final preparations were needed, but all was on course for his return.

There was an email from the director of panto making a request. Ah, some of it wouldn’t be possible, but some might. The set builder happened to then call to check a couple of things, so I could ask questions about an alteration. Easy. As we pushed off from our mooring, I walked on ahead chatting to the Director. Caroline comes from Nottingham so knew exactly where we were. I checked over my shoulder at one point and said ‘I seem to have lost my boat!’ I loitered, and Oleanna soon came back into view.

At Beeston we pulled in on the water point to top up the tank and empty the yellow water, Tilly’s pooh box got a refresh too. We then pushed over to the other side, the lock landing to make disposing of our waste easier, the elsan has swapped sides since we were last here.

This is yet another time when we’ve missed out on the Heritage Centre at the lock. Next time hopefully we may have more time, that’s if they are open in the winter. Today we needed to keep moving, our cruising plan has us moving for about three hours a day everyday.

Out onto the river again. No other moving boats in sight. We wondered if there’d be any lock keepers on duty at Cranfleet. Sure enough as we got close I could spy blue t-shirts and life jackets, three Lockies who set the lock for us and then started to work the paddles.

The lock walls have some larger stones that overhang into the chamber. As we rose up, I could see there being a possibility of the gunnel catching under this, by about an inch. I tried pushing the bow out, but the pressure from the water coming in was too great. I called back to Mick to pull Oleanna backwards, the gunnel scraped out from under the lip, taking with it an area of paint! Good job it’s easy paint to touch up, even better that we hadn’t got caught.

We opted to pull in before the end of the cut, the mooring rings however were spaced for really long boats, so a spike had to be used at the stern. Tilly was given three hours shore leave. After an initial attempt to reach the sideways trees was thwarted by a woofer, she made a sprint for it and disappeared for a while. Maybe it wasn’t a good mooring?

News came through that Frank was at home enjoying a cuppa chatting to Chris. An email with some vital information had arrived too whilst we’d been on the move, an extra good thing to happen today. Two missions accomplished so far this week, a cruising plan coming good. Add to that liver and bacon tonight, another pretty good day.

15 miles, 5 locks, 1 Frank back home, 1 car nearly gone, 4 legs straightened, 11, 60 year old, 1 leek, 1 lock missed, 1 bench separate, 1 toilet impossible, 1 full water tank, 1 empty wee tank, 1 pot of mash, 1 carer being instructed how to cook pork chops.

https://what3words.com/rocks.bright.slimy

https://what3words.com/horn.mull.reef

South Bound, We Hope! 29th 30th September

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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.

Narrowboat Oleanna

Travels of Narrowboat Oleanna

Chestnuts Roasting. 7th October

Threads Of Remembrance. 6th October

Furthest West. 5th October

Three Stamps. 3rd 4th October

OAC. 1st, 2nd October

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