The Move. 27th April

Crick Marina

Life has become somewhat chaotic.

Emptying one small space into a slightly smaller space.

Realising that the corner cupboard held a lot more than you thought.

Being strong and throwing things out that haven’t been used for three years, that you once thought were vital to life.

Feeling good that part of your old boat is empty, then realising that you can’t sit down anywhere in your new one.

Taking things out of cupboards that were destined for the bin, but somehow had been put away.

Constantly putting Tilly behind the one door she can’t get under just so you can open another. Prison, it’s not a boat it’s a prison!

Leaving the one thing that has a definite place to go till last, knowing it will fit, not knowing if it’s possible to get it in there.

Liberating the second Brompton from the bottom of the wardrobe for the first time since August 2014, less than three years so we can keep it.

Seeing the bottom of rear lockers for the first time.

Guided tours of ‘The new boat’ in the marina.

Hoovering everything in sight and out of it.

Wishing the forecast had been correct so that the stern deck can get a coat of paint.

Getting four text messages at once when you walk through that inch of mobile phone coverage that Crick has.

Listening out for a tap on the boat next door that the cat has heard before you.

Yellow thin grab rail.

Blue thick grab rail.

Hoping to not have to play Jenga with our possessions.

Replacing pink nappies with dry.

Hoping that the covers you’ve just washed will go back on the dinette.

Finding five toy mice, two pens and six silver balls behind the sofa. They were safe back there!

Dodging hail storms and sideways snow.

Yellow right foot first.

Blue left foot first.

Keeping two stoves going.

One/two houses full of soft furnishings ruined by cats!

No ITV 4 for the Tour de Yorkshire and views of home home.

Whilst not moving the outside once and leaving me with this boring view!

When Old Meets New. 25th April

Cracks Hill to Crick Marina

Before moving off this morning we knew we’d have to give Oleanna a quick tidy and sweep through as she’d be on show as soon as we reached Crick. The sun was shining but boy was it chilly, a beautiful winters day for April. We wound our way round towards the marina on our shortest cruise yet, just over half a mile.

Our friend Lizzie was on NB Panda waiting for us to arrive with Him and Her (two of the marina residents) so we had a welcoming committee as we came round the last bend. We did however think that she could have made more of an effort, still in her dressing gown at nearly midday! She is recovering from an operation so she has special dispensation.

We knew were we were heading with Oleanna as they have allowed us to pull alongside Lillian for the next week. She is blocking in a couple of boats further up the pontoon but they are unlikely to be moving whilst we are here, but if they do we’ll gladly move. Mick brought her in very gently into the tight gap and I tied the front rope for the first time after passing it around Lillian’s T stud. Our old and new boats were at last together. A very strange feeling, one yellow very much loved home for the last three years and the new already feeling like home sat next to her. Over the last couple of weeks we’ve found ourselves starting to refer to Lillian as Lillyanne, something we haven’t done since 2014.

Andy and Irene from NB Kamili next door were about so we had a catch up with them and gave them a guided tour. Lovely to see them again, I suspect later in the week we’ll be meeting at the pub for a drink or two.

The next few days we’ll be moving the rest of our possessions over and giving Lillian a good clean. Today we’ve emptied the bedroom and the bathroom, apart from the obstinate bike in the wardrobe! All the outside lockers are empty too. I so hope we’ve got enough space for everything, well if not we’ll just have to downsize. Mick’s wardrobe will certainly have to reduce as I’ve filled all my cupboard space and he’s got less on his side of the bed.

A phone call to ABNB has put the ball in motion for Lillian to go on the market. Some sprucing up needs to be done and make her look homely for a photo call in a weeks time.

Lizzie has been round in between snow and hail storms for an internal inspection. Oleanna, we are glad to say has passed with flying colours, especially the cooker.

We are going to be busy over the next few days with our shoe horns and polishing cloths, so there may not be time for blog posts and the internet round here hasn’t improved! Today is the last of the dual posts between blogs. NB Lillyanne will get updated as and when things happen with her sale, but there will be no more cruising posts on her blog.

0 locks, 0.53 miles, 1 quick tidy, 1st night with the stove going, 1 imprisoned Tilly again! 1 welcoming committee, 8ft for Oleanna, 1 new, 1 old, 2 lovely next door neighbours, 150 watts solar, 4 Ikea bags full of clothes, 1 big bathroom cupboard into 1 little one, 2 many clothes, 2 many shoes, 6 new cupboards explored, 6 snow showers, 3 piece suite up for grabs, 2 mattresses also, 1 Yellow boat preparing for new owners.

Time to Slow Down. 24th April

Houdini’s Field to Cracks Hill

Even Tilly was tired this morning so we allowed ourselves a cuppa in bed after a bit of a lie in. No point in rushing anywhere as we were now only about 5 miles away from Crick Marina. So after breakfast we pushed off and wound our way along the pound.

The wood that had been so full of Blackthorn blossom a month ago is now lush green everywhere, it’s hard to see the trunks of trees. The rapeseed fields that were just starting to show their colour are now vibrant Lillian yellow. Compared to yesterday it was a grey day and chilly too.

Yelvertoft Slipway was a hive of activity. A lady was stood holding onto a green centre line of a boat that was out of the water. It took my slow brain a little while to understand why she was holding onto a boat on dry land, it was about to go back in the water after being blacked. They must be doing a roaring trade, with about eight boats out on hard standing, wonder how much they charge to go in and out?

On the last couple of bends it started to rain and by the time we’d pulled in it was seriously raining. So once moored up for the day there were two things that needed to happen. 1 light the stove, 2 let Tilly out to enjoy the rain, which she did.

After a couple of hours I called her in and she came running back to Oleanna and had a good walk along the gunnels (the clean side!) followed by an explore onto the roof (the dirty side). Another couple of jaunts on shore and she returned by herself. Sadly over the next few days she will have to be kept in again as tomorrow we’ll be mooring alongside Lillian and we don’t want Tilly to get confused as to which boat home is.

This afternoon we’ve complied a new snagging list for Finesse and emailed it through to them. I tried printing out forms to apply for proxy votes for the General Election, but ran out of paper, we only brought a few sheets and more progress has been made on my illustrations. I need to scan it before I ink it in and then colour it, this can wait till tomorrow when I scan our proxy forms too.

0 locks, 4.29 miles, 2 stealth number checkers,  0 blackthorn, 2 familiar faces, 1 full water tank, 1derful rain, 3 excursions, 4 muddy paws, 1 snagging list, 3 mooring suspension signs, 3 attempts to print out, 2 better sketches, 3 pink soiled nappies.

 

This is a dual post with NB Lillyanne’s blog

 

Don’t Mind Us! 23rd April

Bridge 63 to Houdini’s Field

Another early start today to try to beat the crowds of gongoozlers at Foxton. Shortly before we pulled out a boat passed us heading towards the locks, this would mean a short wait before we’d be able to follow them up the staircase. We pulled through Rainbow Bridge and tied up on the confused mooring to wait our turn. Mick walked up the flight to find the Lock Keeper to check in and see when we’d be on our way. He didn’t have far to go as the Lockie was on his way down with a boat.

After half an hour two boats had come down the staircase and the boat ahead was on their way up. Today I decided to have a go at working the locks. They are narrow and all but two gates are double so they are easy to open and close, the paddles are easy too. We started at the bottom of the flight at 9.30 and gradually worked our way up. Red before White and you’ll be alright.

Other boaters were arriving and checking in. The boat ahead of us had passed the middle pound where boats heading up and down the flight can pass one boat going in the opposite direction, other than that there is no passing possible. One boat behind us was allowed to start her ascent but would then wait in the middle pound for the boats that would be coming down to pass.

Now gongoozlers started to arrive, but luckily not too many. I can understand their interest, but when you constantly have to ask them to step aside so that you can see your boat, to get out of the way otherwise you’ll push them in with a lock beam, along with all the questions you get asked it gets a bit much. But I only had two daft questions today.

The noise of a thousand wasps started to get close, looking up there was a drone heading up the flight filming as it went. There turned out to be two of them. Not only was it noisy in an annoying way, neither of us wanted to be filmed by someone. One chap said to Mick ‘Smile!’. But Mick replied with that he didn’t think they were allowed to fly drones over people, so the chap moved it over to one of the side ponds. The boat ahead asked the Lockies what the situation was as they weren’t happy either, as it hadn’t happened before at Foxton they didn’t know but did make a few phone calls. It being a Sunday I suspect they didn’t manage to get an answer.

At the top two ladies waiting to come down helped open the last gate. The smell of bacon butties was very enticing, but not for us today. It had taken us just under 45 minutes to do both staircases in the sunshine and despite the drones it had been great to be back working the locks.

On we pootled in the sun shine. We very quickly noticed that we were back in the land of many boaters. As we approached moored boats another one would be heading towards us. Mick slowed down as we really don’t want to have scratch marks from trees on our newly painted cabin sides and let the others go past first. At Husbands Bosworth Tunnel we were lucky as no-one came towards us and we had it all to ourselves.

At North Kilworth the new marina has progressed somewhat since we last passed. Masses of metal structures were in position for the pontoons and the skeletons of buildings  had gone up at one end of the site. It seems vast, mental note, once it’s opened don’t bother with Foxton or Watford on sunny weekends!

There was a space with our name on it at Welford Junction so we pulled over for lunch. They lied, they said I’d be allowed out today, so they stop and tell me ‘Later’. Later means not enough time!! With the sun still out we continued on our way with the aim of reaching Houdini’s Field in time for a certain second mate to have plenty of time to climb trees and pounce on creatures smaller than herself for the first time in over two weeks.

As we rounded a bend there was a flurry of activity on a Canal Time hire boat ahead. They were obviously planning on pulling out, seen us and decided that they’d go for it rather than wait. If it was us or most boaters, we would have waited for the approaching boat to pass before pulling out. No, instead the stern was untied and started to drift out whilst a chap at the bow was frantically trying to untie it. In the end with what looked like a crush injury they managed to both be on the boat and a blast of full throttle pushed them away from the bank. As they moved off there was no wave back to us, just an occasional panicked look over their shoulders. They really should have waited!

When we arrived at Houdini’s Field there was one other boat moored with three lively dogs. Because I am a meanie I insist that the trip computer is turned off with our grid reference written down before Tilly is allowed shore leave. This is done with the hope that she won’t constantly ask to come out when we are cruising, this so far hasn’t worked! As I opened the back door, after the windows closing down music had been played the other boat pushed off. We had Houdini’s Field all to ourselves. This being the first time Tilly has had shore leave since moving onto Oleanna I stayed outside with her for a couple of hours. I busied myself with washing the starboard side whilst Mick tried to work out where the water is going from the central heating. I busied myself climbing trees, checking the hedge bottoms and best of all pouncing on Houdini Field Mice in the long grass. This was quite a sight, Tilly launching herself high into the air above the growing crop time after time after time. Here’s hoping we have a quiet night tonight.

10 locks made up of 2 staircases of 5, 13.14 miles, 2 rights, 1 tunnel, 0 bacon butties (doctors orders), 0 chilled medication for breakfast (Mick’s orders), 2 annoying drones, 2 boats to leapfrog, 1 premature inflation, 1 panicked hire boat, 3 dogs, 1 desperate cat, 1 outside not changed for a month! 1/2 clean Oleanna, 1 fabulous field, 1 leaking radiator, 5 trees, 7 field mice, 1 coot, 1 slightly sore foot, 1 pooped Tilly.

This is a dual post with NB Lillyanne’s blog

I’m ‘Avin This One! 22nd April

Kilby Bridge to Bridge 63, Foxton

We moved off as early as we could this morning after realising that we’d inadvertently moored in a winding hole last night. Across to the services where we disposed of rubbish, yellow water, and  topped up the water tank. A boat across the way asked if they should wait for us to do the locks, but we hadn’t had our breakfast yet so they headed off ahead of us.

At 10 am we moved off towards the locks, the last twelve broad locks before Foxton. When we arrived at Bumblebee Lock it looked like someone was emptying it. We were nearly right, it turned out to be a C&RT chap running water down to make up for there being a very low pound a mile down the cut. He suggested putting the kettle on, we’d only just finished a cuppa. After half an hour of sitting in the sunshine we were allowed up.

Some of the locks today were spaced closer together, close enough to walk between, others I had to stop and pick up the crew. We passed only one boat heading down today. They knew of low water levels ahead of them and warned us of the same behind them.

The beams on a lot of the locks were as someone once said to me “finely balanced” or just bloomin’ annoying! Boat comes in, gate closed behind, other gate swings open. Stop whilst walking round to crack open a paddle to hold gates closed with a small stream of water, meanwhile the first gate opens itself. If you haven’t got the flow right the second gate will also reopen itself as you reach gate one. Argghhhh!!!

One of my favourite locks on a sunny day is Top Half Mile Lock. The tree next to it just makes you want to take photos. I have several going down hill and today I took plenty going up, it’s just as photogenic either way.

In broad locks we pass a rope up to be passed around a bollard and then back down to the helm. At the moment we are using Lillian’s two centre lines, one longer than the other. Where our plank and pole rest are located, which was our choice, the port side rope constantly gets hooked round the forward rest. Hopefully this will sort itself when we have two short centre ropes one on each side which we will keep in the fairleads, so away from the rest, fingers crossed.

As we finished in Newton Top Lock the Lockie appeared and popped a mini road cone on top of the ground paddle. Any boat arriving would have to wait for them to finish running water down before they could proceed. Rounding the bend after High Bridge we saw that there was space for us over looking the pastures towards Wistow. This is a lovely mooring and if we weren’t on a mission I suspect we’d have stayed for the night, instead we paused for lunch drinking in the view.

After Cranes Lock we were met with a very low pound, the next lock was a bit of a way so Mick hopped on board hoping that we’d be able to get into the side to drop him off. This was ditch crawling, we have known worse when we came across a drained pound in Wigan in 2014, seriously slow progress. Mick hopped off where the canal narrowed and I continued to crawl to the lock which was full. Holding back whilst it was emptied, except the shallowness made Oleanna pull forward as she would in a lock. No matter what I did with the throttle and tiller she wasn’t going to be allowed to do what I wanted, so I had to enlist the girlie button to assist. Of course at the next lock the water level was such that it was flowing over the top gates!

At Kibworth Top Lock we left the broad locks behind and headed for Oleanna’s first tunnel. Saddington Tunnel is good and straight and 880yards long, you can easily see the other end. it is two way traffic, but no-one was coming. With tunnel mode engaged our passage was easy, our tunnel light was big and bright and pointed away from any possible on coming traffic.

The canal does a few wiggles around bright green fields and then bends its way around Debdale Marina. A walker told us that a boat was coming out of the marina and so it was, all 70 or so feet. They were trying to turn towards Leicester and it was taking some doing, so we were allowed to pass once they’d reversed back into the entrance. Just a short distance on and the moorings before Rainbow Bridge came into sight so we pulled up behind a familiar, yet not correct sight. We know of NB Captain Hastings as it’s owner often makes comments on a facebook group we are in. Just a shame we didn’t have our yellow Lillian to moor behind him.

Today Oleanna has had a couple of comments. First the Lockie was admiring her colouring, we did suggest he might like to buy Lillian off us, but his offer of £10 maybe £20 wasn’t really upto it. Then this evening a couple of girls have been walking up and down the towpath looking at boats. The taller of the two decided that Oceanna was the one she liked the best. “I’m ‘avin’ this one!” at the top of her voice right outside our galley window. Well she can’t because firstly she can’t read and secondly she is ours!

12 locks, 9.68 miles, 1 tunnel, 0 mysterons, 0 newspaper! 2 low pounds, 1 even lower, 2 Lockies, 1 wonderful lunch mooring, 1 yellow boat, 1 bewildered cat, 3 paws will have to do! 1 cat feeling sorry for herself.

This is a dual post with NB Lillyanne’s blog

Space Dust. 21st April

Birstall Lock to Kilby Bridge

With quite a bit to do today the alarm was set and we refrained from our customary cuppa in bed before getting up. It still took us a while before we were ready to push off at 8.20am. First lock of many was Birstall, this lock was closed for maintenance this winter, apart from quite a bit of orange spray paint about the place it was hard to tell what had been done that took so long. Looking back over our stoppage notices they had found a void under the lock that needed grouting, no wonder we couldn’t see what they’d done, it was all under water.

The locks would keep us busy today as there are few pounds over a mile long.The river sections are bendy and we were glad that we’d started early as the number of kids playing at the Outdoor Pursuits Centre meant that there would be plenty of canoes out later on. Here we got a very warm welcome from the kids waving and shouting “Hello!”, wishing us a nice day, they’d catch us up. But the most unusual comment was “I hope you have a nice dinner!” Hopefully we will.

Belgrave Lock is where Canalplan had us mooring last night on our original plan. It is a shallow lock with a wide weir and a view towards the National Space Centre which looks like a giant inflatable. On first viewing it seems like a pleasant place to be. However a recent fire by one of the top beams and the amount of graffiti on the edging to the new towpath suggested that we’d made a good choice of staying one lock further back.

The river now flows through an old industrialised area. The old Wolsey Factory has been demolished apart from one of it’s chimneys and the water tower. A scheme to build houses and apartments incorporating the landmarks was given conditional planning permission last year. If you want to see what the sight was like before demolition here is a link. Other old factories have been refurbished and are most probably offices and apartments. This stretch must get a lot of silt dumped in it from the river as it is usually quite black and bubbly. As Mick jumped off to set Limekiln Lock the noise was almost deafening, it sounded like I’d just put a whole packet of Space Dust (popping candy) into my mouth. I was reminded of kids in the 80’s saying that if you ate too much Space Dust it would give you brain damage, certainly the smell coming off the river could do you some damage.

The river to the north of Leicester has an abundance of graffiti. Much is your bog standard tags, you really would think some of them would have perfected it by now and not have to keep practicing it on every facet of walls, or they would simply have got bored with it, but no. Then around Frog Island there are large walls where the graffiti are works of art. Leicester has given permission for several walls around the city to be legally painted on. Short Street is a whole (short) street were anyone can come and leave their mark, the general idea is that you have to better what you are painting over. Certainly the ones by Lock 42 would be hard to beat. Apparently graffiti artists from around the country come to Leicester to make and leave their mark legally.

Here Mick was offered help by a young lad who had ridden shot gun on his Grans mobility scooter. He was thrilled to be helping and Mick allowed him to open and close the top gate all by himself, it took a bit of doing for such a little chap, but he managed it then jumped back onto the back of the scooter and they sped away.

There was plenty of room at the moorings in the centre of the city. One boat on the new pontoons and two on the old. The new pontoons look so much more inviting. It was still morning so we carried on and worked our way past the huge weir by Leicester City ground and on up three more locks to Kings Lock. Here we stopped for a bowl of soup each as the day wasn’t that warm. Somehow we didn’t walk back to the tea room to collect some chilled medication though!

It being still early we decided to carry on to Kilby Bridge the next good mooring. Now that we were off the river and on canals all the way to Crick our life jackets were hung up and the locks took on the familiar look of the Grand Union with a set of steps either side. We’ve broken this journey up before by stopping in Leicester, today the last few locks were just (dare I say it) boring! Mick nearly got another helper at one lock, a bit bigger than his assistant earlier in the day. Good job he wasn’t wearing red. It got chillier and chillier so the stove was lit as soon as we pulled up for the day.

16 locks, 11.87 miles, 62 waving kids, 1 unflatable, 1 bonfire, 6 packets of Space Dust, 33 tags, 1 super strong lad, 3 swan near misses, 1 sleeping man, 0 grass cuttings, 0 chilled medication!!! 2 bowls soup, 2 weeks, 1 strawberry nose, 2 strawberry cheeks, 1 fat dog, 2 weeks is up, 3 hanging, 1 bull behind you!, 2 weeks Hello! I’m still here!! 18 inches down, 0  freedom for 2 WEEKS, Did you hear me 2 weeks is up now!!!!

Joa will you please adopt me!

This is a dual post with NB Lillyanne’s blog