No More Hanging Around. 26th February

Sheffield

Yesterday we worried Jonathan at the boat yard. Once we'd winded we were returning to the basin for a couple more nights, he thought we were heading back to the yard as something was wrong. But no, all was fine. You have to book your passage down the Tinsley flight giving 24 hrs notice and we'd rather moor where we have electric than at the top of the locks for a couple more nights.

Today Mick had arranged his annual eye test and I wanted to head back to The Moor to buy some fish for this evening. We both headed off in different directions on another sunny day. 

Sun in the Winter Gardens

I could have been more adventurous in my choice of fish, but decided on some sea bass and picked up various veg to go with it whilst at the market. 

Mick still has two eyes which was good news. He could do with new glasses, he's come away with a new prescription to get elsewhere. The optician said it was a good job he hadn't replaced his glasses last year as an extra digit had been added to one of his eyes axis, they would have been sent straight back as he wouldn't have been able to see!

Cutlery giraffe, what else!

During the afternoon we've been and paid for our mooring, we'll be pushing off before the office opens tomorrow. A supermarket delivery  has been booked for when we pass through Mexborough and we've been to Tesco to top up on a few bits to keep us going until then.

Sheffield has been good again. Being here for the bicentenary wasn't planned but was an added bonus. Our snagging list on Oleanna has finally been crossed through. Bringing Oleanna here has meant that we got a few extras thrown in as they hadn't had to send people out to us, so we've only had to pay for the new window. The chaps at Finesse were as efficient as ever and it's always nice to see them and Jonathan. 

No more hanging around for us

Everything apart from water proofs and curtains have been washed. So in the morning it'll be time to unplug, push back and swing that bridge for the last time, leaving Sheffield and head to the top of the locks.

0 locks, 0 miles, 0 bridges, 2 eyes, 2 sea bass, 12 olives, 1 lemon, 1 pepper, 2 cards, 1 online shop needing editing, 1 weeks mooring paid up, 1 window paid, 1 empty washing drawer, 1 cat longing for some friends to murder!

Last On The List. 25th February

Sheffield

The last few days of wonderful spring like weather had given us a false idea of what to put on this morning, an early start and the boat covers were crisp with frost. I quickly headed back inside to find a pair of gloves, it is of course still February.

Spring springing

We made our way back to Finesse and Jonathan Wilson, a couple of things still needing to be done. The space was still vacant for us on the permanent moorings and even a lady who enquired if we were lost last week said hello. There on the bank side were my two pots of herbs, disguised by the vegetation at the bottom of a hook up point. The chap sorting the anchor storage must have popped them out of the way. Then the idiot doing the idiot check when we came to leave had missed them! Maybe I need new glasses!!

The main reason we were back was to get the gas locker lid hinges replaced. Jonathan wasn't about but we left the lid in the metal shop. Then headed back to the boat for breakfast.

Sneaky peek at the Brigantine, see it at Crick this year

Ricky had been looking into the voltage sensitive relay (VSR) for us. This is the split charge system between the lithium leisure bank of batteries and the lead acid bow thruster bank. The VSR operates only when the engine is running and the domestic alternator is charging the leisure batteries and also when they have reached a certain voltage thereby then charging the bow thruster bank at the same time. When the engine stops the voltage drops and the VSR disconnects the two battery banks. However, ever since the lithiums have been installed the VSR has not been disconnecting because the voltage of the lithium batteries never drops below 26 volts, the VSR is set to disconnect at about 25.5 volts. We have been turning off the bow thruster charging circuit at night using the isolator switch in the electric cupboard. There was talk of replacing the VSR with a high current relay that would operate when the engine ignition was turned on. But it was thought that this would use too much continuous power from the starter battery for the whole time the ignition was on. After much discussion we have decided to leave things as they are switching the isolator off manually. Ricky was of the opinion that there wouldn't be any damage done if either we forgot to turn it off after cruising or forgot to turn it on the next day.

Preparing to grind

New hinge on the lid

Mick popped out to Tesco to pick up a few bits, whilst I got on with a bit of follow up work from last week. I felt the boat dip, checked out the front and a large welder (Jonathan) was kneeling on the bow, cordless angle grinder in hand. Various sounds came from him as he stood back up, these reminded me of my Dad in his latter years, he'd forgotten something! If you've ever tried to balance yourself on the bow of a boat with a cratch board you will understand the annoyance of not having everything to hand having just struggled to get yourself in position, the thought of doing it all over again a pain in the b..side.

Chris soon appeared with a sheet of wood to cover the cratch  and asked if all the electrics could be turned off on board. My printing was put on hold, switches and breakers all turned off. I checked with Mick, the only thing left on was the solar which couldn't be switched off, it would need a touch more to disconnect it. Once back he fiddled in the electrics cupboard and we were ready for Jonathan to weld.

Sparks

Ready for welding

 Sparks flew as the old hinges were ground off, then the new ones were welded on. These ones have grease nipples so that we can keep them lubricated no matter what. With Jonathan's bits and bobs removed from the bow two chaps from the paint shed came up to see what was needed. First a good clean down then some quick drying primer.

Welding done

Paintwork touched up

The painter checked what RAL number the red was. I got my tin of touch up out from a locker (3004), he was sure it wasn't the right colour. Have to say when I touched up the grab rail last year I had been surprised at how much the red had faded despite red being prone to do such things. He came back with a tin of 3003 not 3004 and touched in the hinges. You couldn't tell the difference in colour from the original.

Us patiently waiting

Later on I checked in our black book that came with Oleanna. Here the red is noted as 3004 a more burgundy red, which of course is what I ordered for touch ups. I'll need to delve deeper into our files and emails to check which shade of red was actually specked nearly three years ago. Either the black book is wrong, or the wrong shade of red was used. However, I'm quite happy with the shade we have, just a shame I now have a tin of 3004 which is incorrect.

Me and my shadow

We were good to go, so said our farewells, pushed off and headed for the winding hole. Mick made a quick call to book our passage down the locks on Wednesday. Mission accomplished, just the bill to pay now.

Commemorative plaque

Back on our mooring we spotted the C&RT chaps in the office, so we popped over to see if we could get a commemorative plaque. We don't tend to collect plaques, but when it is a historical one, they are worth getting. This one will join the one we got in Hebden Bridge for the Tour de France, safely kept in a file in the office cupboard.

Ready for the top layer

Cooked and about to be devoured

The pasta dough I'd made was rolled out this evening, I didn't hold out too much hope for it as it crumbled to start with, but then as it got thinner it started to look like a sheet. Edges were cut straight and fitted into the dish, sauces made and everything layered up. Baked in the oven for 40 minutes and we had a very tasty gf lasagne, far better than the shop bought stuff. Just a shame it has to rest for so long.





0 locks, 1.1 miles, 2 swings of the bridge, 2 winds, 12 sheets printed, 2 hinges ground off, 2 hinges welded, 4 nipples, 0 VSR, 0 left on the snagging list, 1 booking, 1 plaque, 2 balls of yarn left, 100% homemade gluten free lasagne, 100% tasty, 1 boat cat rule broken!

That is someone elses boat!

Cathedral and Cutlers. 24th February

Sheffield

Tea in bed with the Saturday papers as the sun shone across the basin another lovely day ahead, so as soon as we were up the washing machine was put to use again.

A walk into town to get some new jeans and have a look around. More pouches of free dry cat food were obtained, then Mick purchased a pair of water repellent jeans from M&S. If they are good I might get myself a pair too.

The south facade of Sheffield Cathedral

Sheffield Cathedral is one place we've not visited before, or even taken much notice of. For such a large city I'd expected a larger building, as in height, but instead it seems to have expanded side ways rather than upwards through the years.

To the west end there has been added a 20th Century extension, before we went inside we wondered if this was due to bomb damage in WW2, but inside we learnt the history of the building.

Originally a Parish Church it was elevated to Cathedral status in 1914. With this in mind Charles Nicholson drafted plans to extend the church and re-orientate it on it's axis, but WW2  got in the way and the plans were greatly scaled down.

Old and new 

The star shaped lantern

Entering from the South through the 1966 addition, you are brought in to a great view of the modern lantern tower. With the sun out, the bright coloured stained glass cascaded light down into the building. A display regarding the history of the cathedral was very informative, extensions have been added throughout the centuries. Some of the audio displays weren't working and a chap came along to turn some lights on which got them working.

Melting at their knees

Melting full stop!

A detailed model sits in the centre of the display, showing the different ages of the cathedral. As the chap pointed out there seems to have been some nuclear incident inside the glazed box, scale people have been wilting, falling to the floor and some have even melted!

The Sheffield Nativity

Wonderful painted screen

The extensions to the church have resulted in numerous chapels all wonderfully lit, but making you wonder where the main alter is situated. The Chapel of St George commemorates the York and Lancaster Regiment with its screen of swords and bayonets. The Chapel of the Holy Spirit has a wonderful painted screen and is where the Sheffield Nativity lives made of course from steel.

All this and only a few pipes

A large organ console sits to the side of the nave, but we couldn't see many pipes, where were they all, only the smallest were visible. In 1998 the organ was decommissioned, this has been temporarily replaced with a digital organ which has large speakers hidden behind wooden shrouds.

To the west

To the east with flying angels

Cutlers Doors

As we left the cathedral a pair of doors caught my eye, the Cutlers Hall. They are of course made from stainless steel, polished with elephants on the door knobs. In 1638 the first Cutlers Hall was built on this site, demolished in 1725. A new location was sought for the hall, but ground rents were too high so the second hall was built in the same place. By 1827 the state of the second hall was causing concern, it wasn't suitable for the standing of the cutlers. So in 1832 the present Cutlers Hall was built. it is a Grade 2 listed building and considered to be one of the finest Livery Halls in the country. A shame that the front doors were closed, as looking at their website those doors hide quite a sight. Tours can be booked, but sadly you can't just turn up.

Brick art

The Co-op didn't have quite what we wanted so we walked over the River Don to Tescos and back over Spider Bridge which weaves it's way through the arches of the old railway viaduct.

Back at Oleanna we decided to stow the spare glass form the galley window. Using some spare towels we wrapped it up for protection and found space for it on top of the steel ballast under our bed. There is quite a bit of space in the false bottom, I might try to find other things to go in there. Now should we ever need a spare window we have one.

The next phase of pasta making was done, salt, psyllium husk, oil, egg and tapioca starch were added to the mix and kneaded until it formed a ball. This now is left for 24 hours in the fridge before I can roll it out.

The middle fell out

Yummy hash with garlic and paprika yogurt

I made us a chicken and sweet potato hash for our tea tonight, which was accompanied by a sundried tomato and Parmesan loaf. The very liquid dough had made me concerned for the loaf, but it rose in the oven and smelt wonderful. Just a shame it didn't want to come out of the tin! Gentle persuasion turned into slightly heavier handed persuasion which ended with the centre of the loaf falling out! Oh well, it still tasted nice, but most probably could have done with a few more minutes in the oven and next time I will line the tin with grease proof.

I like it when they use the tumble drier 

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 pair, jeans, 4 pouches free Tilly food, 1 cathedral, 2 shiny doors, 1 ball of gf pasta, 1 hash, 1 hash of a loaf, 1 failed baker, 3 balls of wool left, 1 warm bed of towels.

Backing Up To The Basin. 23rd February

Sheffield

A much quieter day. We took our time getting up this morning. Boats could be heard starting to move off, in fact all the visiting boats from yesterdays festivities had moved off before we'd finished our breakfast.

Just about everything had gone when we started to roll up the covers to move. The extra toilets had gone and the only elements of the igloo were generators and piles of sand bags. 

Sheffield Old Town Hall

Another warm day a little hazy, but no breeze. This meant Mick was happy just to back us back into the basin. I swung the bridge and he backed us through to the water point to top up before starting to do washing.

The tank took forever to fill and we got chatting with the nearest boat a small 30fter. Back on our mooring we hooked back up to the electric and put a load in the washing machine.

I'm on the hunt for a couple of meters of red fabric and I hoped that The Moor Market would come up trumps for me. So I left Mick and Tilly and headed into town.

Pomfret fish not cakes

The Moor is about a mile walk across town, plenty of empty shops about on my way there, but the market was heaving. Several fabric and haberdashery stalls, but nobody had what I was after, I should have ordered some on line when we first got here. I'll just have to hope that a charity shop can provide me with a red duvet cover in the next two weeks.

I had a good look round and on my return I picked up some sachets of free cat food for Tilly. She may well not be interested in it, but who knows it may be the next fantastic food.

Starling tree at The Moor

This afternoon I've started to make my first batch of gluten free pasta with the flours I bought in Doncaster. I say started as the flours need to have time to absorb moisture and let flavour develop, according to my recipe book. So some Buckwheat and Rice flour have been mixed with some yoghurt and will be left overnight in the fridge. Tomorrow I will add other ingredients, then leave it to rest again in the fridge for a further 24 hours. I'm really hoping that it comes out tastier than the shop bought lasagne as that is really quite boring.

0 locks, 0.1 miles in reverse, 1 wind, 1 full water tank, 2 loads washing, 2 sachets food, 1 bag spinach, 1 quiet day, 130 grams of pasta ... so far, 1 evening booked for some knitting in front of the TV, 2 pots of herbs missing. 

200!!!! 22nd February

Sheffield

Fly by

Dressed and out on deck for the fly past this morning for the 75th anniversary of a US bomber that came down in Endcliffe Park, killing all 10 crew. We could see the planes at a distance and plenty of people had come out to witness the sight too.

Push Back

Push back was at 10am this morning, time for us to vacate our mooring with hook up so that we'd be out of the way for the festivities. Plenty of people were milling about and there were many people wearing blue high-vis with Events Team on their backs. No body came to usher us away, we just quietly moved ourselves out of the basin and up to the visitor moorings behind NB Cuba, no other boats had turned up for the weekend. 

Either I am now accustomed to the workings of the swing bridge or someone had been to grease it as it moved far easier this morning.

Last night there had been a meeting about the festivities and the flotilla, we hadn't been aware of this, but the chap from the trip boat came and told us there would be a commemorative plaque  available for boats here on the anniversary. 

Around 11am boats started to head out of the basin towards the top of the Tinsley flight. Several boats looked like they very rarely move but had festooned bunting on their roofs and balloons bobbed about in the wind.

Hmmm.... I'm not so sure about here

We popped off to pick up post and get something in for dinner, returning as crowds were starting to build up around the basin. Story tellers were trying to drum up an audience in the igloo, kids were colouring in pirate hats, crepes were being cooked and goody bags being handed out (the contents weren't of interest to us). 

Crowds gathering

The benches alongside Oleanna were full and a couple of lads with Grandad were having a good nosy at our pram cover. Here we had become part of the Theme Park, added extras. We're quite happy to answer questions about life on the water and listen to the usual comments back. Rob and Sue were out too everyone enjoying the sunshine, no need for coats or even jumpers today.

Thousands packed the paths and bridge

After a spot of lunch the crowds had gathered and lined both sides of the canal, the swing bridge was full, a few thousand in the crowd. We dropped our pram cover to improve our view and waited for the first sight of the flotilla.

We considered keeping it for a tender

First boat to arrive.... a canoe. The chap got a round of applause from the crowd. He turned round and came to find somewhere to tie his boat up, we were handily positioned so he used us to wedge his canoe against the bank, tied up and headed off for a cuppa.

The head of the flotilla

An old C&RT boat NB Industry led the way of the flotilla, brass band in full blow as they came round the bend at Jonathan Wilson's. They slowly pootled towards us and the crowd, the bridge was cleared and swung out of the way, a length of bunting lowered to be raised just as the boat came through playing Happy Birthday.

The bunting lifted over the boat

The trip boats came next, followed by a hotel boat, a charity boat from Swinton, boats returning to the basin and a few that had come up from a couple of locks down the Tinsley flight. In all twenty boats made up the flotilla, we could have tagged on the end but we were happy just sitting and watching.

Don't look!

The trip boats managed to pull into their moorings without crushing any of the crowd, other boats headed back to their moorings and those few visiting boats winded and came back to find a space near us. Plenty of room for everyone, no need to breast up.

Paul on NB Northumbria with Alfie his dog on the roof

Festivities around the basin continued through the day, the crowds thinning out and congregating around the Dorothy Pax pub.

Best dressed boat we reckon

Early evening we were joined by Fran, Mick's niece who lives in Sheffield. We had a very nice roast chicken followed by some special chilled medication, then headed out to see what was happening.

Inferno Ash and friend were performing close to the pub. Trickling water sound effects slightly drowned out their singing and poetry. Fire dancing was what we'd come to see and we weren't disappointed. Flames swirled as Inferno Ash danced on the cobbles. Hoola Hoops of fire were ignited and spun round. When she got three hoops going at once it was quite a spectacle, just a shame the music wasn't audible, or did she need it anyway.

The silent disco hadn't started up so we headed back to Oleanna, saving our £5 for another day.

0 locks, 0.1 miles, 1 wind, 2 nosy parkers, 1 cat with a fan club, 6 colours of yarn, 4 new needles, 1 chicken, 20 boats, 2 ring side seats, 1 brass band, 1 charity boat in the way again, 3 hoola hoops, 14 flames at once, 0 plaque, 1 niece, 1 lovely evening, 200th Birthday.

1 week left to fill out the Great Big Boating Bog Survey. Go on you know you want to!

Kate says, 'Just a week left to complete The Great Big Boating Bog Survey. Whatever your brand of bog, or boat, you can contribute to the most comprehensive survey of all things boating bathroom ever! It will take you 10-15 min if you have a cassette or pump out, 25 if compost/waterless and about 5 if you're just thinking about having a boat in the future. The results are going to make gripping reading!'