Pollington - Foxholes (Thurs 29th Aug)

Left at 08:15 arrived at 12:45

Not a bad night at all, its very quiet on the canal in Yorkshire, yesterday a couple of boats went down the lock, its mostly dog walkers, which the dog soon let us know about.  Derek up as usual, me washed and ready for 8, Ive started to sort things round for home, Ill do it on the way between locks.  The canal is very flat, a silvery path, disturbed only by the weary travellers on the good NB Esmerelda, even the dogs still seem friskier now we are in the Yorkshire air, its sunny and a lovely temperature, the tops of the trees are starting to wave around in the building breeze.  I took a photo of Derek and noticed the clouds behind him are tinged with grey, maybe rain later, its all of 8:32.  Passing Whitley BWaterways, lots of tools, work boats, cars and vans, cant see anyone working yet, it must be coffee break to them all moving.  9:19, we had done the first lock, Whitley Bridge, its getting very windy.  Passing the big factory unit at Whitley Bridge and under the pipe bridge beyond it, there was a lovely family of swans, Mum, Dad and 6 babies, nearly as good as the Newark Pair.  They were swimming across the canal, Derek nearly ran them over, he was severely reprimanded, and they couldn’t hear him because of the wind.  The Whitley Bridge Visitors moorings had 5 NBs there, sometimes the stop over is used to access the giant flea market /car boot that is held there on a Sunday.  The Rowan Trees there are absolutely covered in gorgeous orange berries, some would say a sign of a bad winter, I’m not sure, I just think they look beautiful.  9 40 Coffee time, Derek is cold on the back, it is a few shades cooler here, I must admit, he still has his sandals on, not giving them up yet till his holiday is officialy over!  It took me weeks to get him out of his socks and trainers, hes making a small protest I think?  Just before Stubbs Bridge there was a Mr Heron, he flew off, landing just in front of us each time, what was disturbing was the fact that he seemed to have a broken leg, it was dangling down, he seemed to be landing ok though so I hope he will manage.  I shouted down the back to Derek he hadn’t even noticed. 10 we are just passing Kellingley Colliery, the Hawthorn hedges are bursting with berries as well, not as well developed as the Rowan but  there looks to be plenty.  Coming into Knottingley, theres a  lovely wild border on the right hand side, interspersed with cottage garden flowers, Japanese Anemones,Hydrangeas, Hebes and Daisies which are now going over.  When we first started boating and coming down this canal I remember that a lady used to cultivate a beautiful boarder, shes dead now I’m afraid but obviously some of the flowers spread naturally, so nature has carried on with her gardening, making the banking bring a smile to at least this weary travellers face.  Coming towards Ferrybridge,the Power Station is looming in the background, a couple of boats, 1  NB and 1 Dutch Barge moored next to DB Marine, they make them, and a few boats on the visitors moorings, it should look daunting but it says, nearly home to me.  One boat on the moorings has its washing on a line fastened between the trees and the man of the boat is cleaning it on the water side.  The floodgates are open so no problems there,  then we come up to my wonderful old bridge which is beyond the modern road bridge, another Heron is flying in front of us, he has two good legs  I’m pleased to say.  A couple of cruisers come towards us one red and white the other blue and white; they looked lovely in the greyish shunshine.  Bullholme lock, there were two lockies in the cabin I asked if they were doing it or me, one lockie said would I do it please whilst he ate his giant sarnie, I did.  The lock seemed to take an age to empty but filled up quite quickly.  One more, lets hope its not broken again (Woodnook Lock) I call it our Lock!! I had just had a text from Charlotte, Isabella is walking, 20 steps the record so far, go Issy, clever girl, we knew it wouldn’t be long, I cant wait to see them all.  Arriving at our lock, someone was coming out it was NB Rivendell, the couple we met back in June when and who we went on to the River with and on to Newark.  Derek shouted to them but he wasn’t sure they remembered us!! The gates then miraceously opened for us, a guy at the lock offered to penn us through, as he is waiting for his mates to come up from Castlefore, I cant remember ever seeing Woodnook from the  inside before, Thank You young man, and easy ride to our Moorings, landed at 12:45.  We had lunch, then started to sort things for home, Matt has to collect Derek, the D has to take him home and come back for me. We packed the boat bits from the top of the boat, chained the boat up, Derek swapped his ropes, we have mooring ropes and cruising ropes, would you believe??  Oh and I noticed that our sign “Esmerelda 57 6” is missing, the chains are still on the side but no sign, further investigation is required.  We will take what we  can home tonight, mostly dirty washing and personal stuff, then come back tomorrow and take the rest and clean Esmerelda round for a rest, she may not need one actually, but  I certainly do, well a change at any rate.  Matt came for 4:45, we went back to his, him driving, dropped him off, went for a Mc Donalds, eaten in the car park, called to see the Taylor tribe and  got home for 8.  We then had to start cleaning the fridge, it was disgusting, it took us at least and hour or more but it now sparkles.  Well we will end the 2013 Journey there, me with lots of washing, ironing and pruning to do, Derek to trim hedges and mend the downstairs loo. Oh and a promise from the Taylor Tribe to have a belated Birthday Party for me, I’m certainly looking forward to that.  Over and Out from Margie, Derek Jess and Orlando Bell, after completing another meandering journey of over 650 miles or more. Phew !!!!

Keadby - Pollington (Wed 28th Aug)

 

 

 

Left at 08:45 arrived at 16:30

Not too bad a night, Jess and Orlando were a bit fidgettier than normal, they had Derek up a few times, and they had been in the boat for a long time yesterday.  When Derek had his first breakfast at about 5:45 and then tried for a little further nod, they had a mad chasing game,Jess running back and forth down the boat corridor, Oli joining in with little yaps, dodging her big feet.?  I think she knows shes nearly home to all that space in her own house and garden.  Derek gave in and got up properly, I was up and showered, dressed in work clothes, for  8 , the weather is fineand getting sunny already, we are filling up with water and having a our proper breakfast.  No one is moving on the moorings yet, some are going to Torksey others? We will wait and see. We set off at 8:45, travelling along a waater full of giant duck weed, it feels like we are on the playing field, even the ducks were anchored by it this morning, surrounded as they slept, I fed them before we left. We are approaching the wonderful Railway Bridge Varzon, its quite fascinating just sliding open and letting us through to the first swing bridge behind it.  Well we failed at the first fence, cant see the Railway Bridge Keeper? Although Derek said he had seen someone coming to work at 6.  We pulled into the side to wait and see whats happening, Derek walked to the gate, gave a whistle, then went through the gate, the Keeper waved (it was a lady) and then a train came!! Luckily Derek got back behind the gate, he ignored me telling him not to go through the gate, they go very fast.  We went through the rail bridge when it had slid back into its open position, I got off  to do the road bridge (it swings after you have opened it with a waterways key, and removed the brake). There were men on the railway line so the gates to the road swing bridge were shut, on the left hand side there were large tubes sbeing installed, they are the bases for wind turbines.  There are already quite a few round here, from the boat we cansee four bases so far, they are massive, the ones that are fully erected, are of course still!, its not windy enough yet.  They always remind me of The Day of the Triffids, they look like giant aliens walking across the landscape.  There is still duckweed but it wasn’t so thick, I spoke too soon, it’s now thicker and as far as the eye can see, African Queen time again, ploughing through the swamplands.  A NB Willy Nilly is coming towards us, it looks even funnier from this way, and Derek says they have rolled out the green carpet for us! What a wag, well green is my favourite colour.  Crowle Bridge, there is a little enclave of new houses, they always feel like they are in the back of beyond, but I think theres a village behind them, they are really neat and tidy.  Godnow Road Bridge, the railway man has to shut the gate to the railway line when I start the system off.  Derek got off and closed the road barrier when I turned the key, all done, very smoothly, its now 10ish.  The weed has parted a little but its a strange still morning, quite muggy also.  Approaching Medge Hall, Derek and I couldn’t remember if the wind turbines had been there when we left, we counted 14 very close to the railway line but we think it could have been because we were coming in the other direction.  I’m not sure, there are tons of them and  I couldn’t have missed them all, I think they have been busy whilst we have been away, most of them are very still, just the odd one moving very slowly. Mauds Bridge, the Pig Lady Bridge?  The house is still lovely, the garden is great too, some of the pigs are lying in the mud snoozing.  We met a lady and man cycling, they had come from Thorne, they said they though the walking bridge was working, we will have to wait and see, its a problem every time we come through!!  A cruisers is approaching and there is a broadbeam moored beyond that, its  been a very quiet morning up to now with not many moving boats.  At the next bridge, the gongoozlers were out, Grandma and a boy and girl picking blackberries, they watched me do the bridge, its operated from a large silver box with a cover on it.  The problem is the instructions are inside in very small print, Derek couldn’t shut the barrier until I had pressed the open button, it went well in the end.  Wykewell is a lift bridge, the young boy caught up with us and was very interested, he had wanted to see this one working, It is quite impressive when it goes up into the sky to let Derek sail through.  We then passed Blue Water Marina, its still eerily quiet for a Wednesday morning.  There are white water lilies here as well as the yellow buttercup types, I hadn’t noticed them when we came through, but they probably weren’t in flower then.  Thorne, approaching the dreaded footbridge, it was open, YIPPEE, I hate it its always cantankerous, I shouted to a cruisers that I thought had opened it for me, no it’s just broken again.  We were going to stop for a paper and bread but Mr Indecisive, left it too late,  I thought  there was a space near the facilities, he didn’t, and then there were lots of boats near the fence, we decided not to bother. Thorne Lock (not sure thats its name) was set for us and another boat was approaching from the other side.  Its a funny one, lots of buttons and a road bridge in front of it.  Derek entered, I shut him in then the man and lady from the other fNB came to do the road bridge.  You can only open it when the lock is ready to let the boat come out of the lock.  Derek came up, they did the bridge and I let him out to the other side, let them in and closed the gate as it wouldn’t let me have my key back till all the system had been done correctly??  Another man on a bike said his boat was on the way up, so would they leave the gates open for it, the NB in the lock said would he use his key then so they could get straight off, so all were happy with it all.  I made lunch, and a large Dutch Barge came by, I was just sitting in the cratch after delivering Derek’s lunch and who should come towards us but “Ill see thee”, Dave and Pat from our moorings, we gave them a bit welcome wave and I shouted how good the boat looked, its now got its name on and Dave has been painting it whilst we have been away.  It was lovely to see them out and about enjoying the water in their very shiny boat.  Its 12:30 and getting very warm, I’ve changed my T Shirt for a cooler one, there are lots of butterflies about and some very large Dragonflies flitting about.  I’ve also spotted some of the pink flowers we saw  down south (they look like members of the onion or garlic family) so maybe I may be able to find some in the local garden centres to put in the water trough at home? Passing by Thorne Cruising Club Marina there was  a very large boat called Vulcan, its painted in glorious shades of green and really sparkles in the sunshine. We did another road bridge, it was fully automatic, beyond it was the Charity Boat Ethel, filling up with water, and they set off just before Derek sailed through so they would be at Bramwith Lock before us.  Ethel was pulled over to the side to let its crew off to prepare the lock for it, as it entered the lock I got off to see if I could give them a hand.  There were lots of helpers chatting at the lock, it’s a proper one, you have to use your windlass.  There were quite a few old ladies and a few gentlemen on the boat, one was explaining what was happening.  We had to let the paddles up three turns at a time so as not to jolt the boat, its a slow filler anyway and the paddles are very heavy, they got through ok. There were two young boys on bikes watching the proceedings, one of them lives on a Barge, I prepared the lock for us and the boys came to give me a hand with the very heavy gates. As we were going through New Dawn caught up with us, as we left the man from it came up to get the lock ready for them, they are going to Doncaster where they moor.  I waved bye to the boys and said we may see them along the way. We met Ethel, they had been through the guillotine and over the aquaduct, and they all gave us a cheery wave as they passed us.  At the next road bridge, it was ok but at they seem to take a while to put the barrier down and start the warning noise, a white pick up came a careering round the corner of the lane, I thought it was going to crash into the barrier  but he pulled up with a screech of brakes.  There are lift bridges in front of us as far as you can see, it always feels a bit daunting, luckily at the next one, a BW Man did it for us, we pulled over to the moorings and waited as a very very large oil barge came through.  The Humber Princess, there were two men on the decks painting as they went along, it was looking splendid, its certainly scrubbing up a treat.  The man doing the lock was in his van, driving ahead and getting the bridges ready for them, we got a freebie after they passed through.  At the next one we met the boys from Bramwith, they are cycling home, they did ask me the way but I was no help, they have their map and a mobile and were unperturbed by my answer, they were sure they would get home safely.  Mr Heron just flew off in the front of us, that’s two today, I forgot about one this morning, hes doing his strutting on the towpath, as we approached he flew off.  Next came Sykehouse Lock, its another funny one.  A long lock with a path/roadbridge in the middle, the controls for the gates are at either end the key is in the middle to control the bridge.  There were 2 NBs in and the gentleman on NB Heron, who is heading home to Torksey, very kindly did it for us, thank you Mr. Heron that was a relief.  The next road bridge is next to a lovely house, it went well and was very quickly done.  The next bridge could be seen and it was being raised, there were lots of men in high vis jackets around the controls and bridge, hope there isn’t a problem, we’ll see shortly?  The men were milling about, messing (or should I say apparently checking) various things.  They did the bridge for us, so another freebie, it must be my day.  Just before the last bridge we saw a Cormorant diving and coming up with a foot long eel in his mouth, he was trying to gulp it down, went under again, and after what seemed to be an age, came up near the boat with only bits hanging from his mouth.  Derek had spotted it so you can tell how quiet it is on the water.  We got to New Junction and turned left to go to Pollington, I feel were properly in Yorkshire now, theonly thing spoiling it is the very loud gun shots, I think there is a shooting gallery (clay pigeons) near us, Jess will be scared in the back.  Along this waterway the weather has turned windy, its been so still till now, there are a few boats moored before the bridge and a NB and a large wide cruisers (not sure what type it is ) they obviously live aboard as they have the washing spinner on the roof.  There was a large Goose all by itself just before them as well.  We arrived at Pollington at the lot of the lock at 4:20.  We had a suprise visit from Ingrid, she bought me some magazines, stopped for a cuppa and a chat and left us to our teas at 6. We had a conncotion from tins, with the now famed Wok chips, then spent the rest of the evening watching tele and snoozing, Derek more snooze and snore than tele.

Torksey - Keadby (Tues 27th Aug)

 

 

 

Left at 12:45 arrived at 17:45

Derek up as always, hes fidgettier than usual as we have to wait till 1ish to go out on the tide to  Keadby, it will be life jackets for this bit, its usually quite fast running.  It’s very misty but we think it will burn off and be sunny again, it was really hot yesterday, we are in a dip so its a realy hot spot.  I was lazy, as usual; if we are mooching about all morning I didn’t see the point of dashing. I had a shower, Derek was chatting to people on the pontoons, seeing who was going down to Keady or up to Newark or even through the lock. He thought if the Dutch Barge behind us was going to Keady we would have to stagger our arrivals, he’s not he’s going to Newark!! Derek was pleased.  I keep sorting bits and pieces round for when we get home, we should be home for Thursday now, YIPPEE.  I was beginning to think we would never get home, it’s been a long time?? I went up the slipway to make a few phone calls, the reception is rubbish in the dip, and then I decided to give the top of the boat a soapy rinse? Its very dusty.  Derek and all the other men from the boats, were all watching the water? Its worse than watching paint dry!!!  I put the blog in the computer, then 2 boats came in, a Dutch Barge and another NB, the barge is coming down to Keady so Derek has made his mind up that we and the other NBs would get off in front of it as we don’t know if we will all fit, he should be slower than the us.  11:47 and we were going to have lunch and the sun is starting to beat down on us, Derek even put his cream on without prompting from me. Well, as is usual, havinga timetable for men is next to useless? I don’t know if offends their manhood being told when they should leave but!!  12:35 and they have started to move off? Derek hung on but as it turned 12:50, we followed behind the others.  There were only supposed to be 2 NBs going to Keady, us and one other and the Dutch Barge, well one other Charlie! Set off.  The water is flat calm but you can see its running, the lockie at Keady said we would be pushing the tide for an hour or so, we have no problem with that because we have a big engine, the other is front of us ??? wait and see, maybe with all the foot tapping and walking up and down the pontoon, they got engine envy?  We do like to plough our own furrow, but Derek can also be a good team player, not so the others, me thinks. The lady in New Dawn (Dutch Barge) said they will wait half an hour or so to set off, that should give the three NBs time to get there and be up and out of the lock, leaving it free for them.  1ish, we have caught up with NB Wand ring, and the other is in our sights, I think Derek’s dander is up, watch out NBs, Esmereldas engine doesn’t take prisoners.  Spoke to Derek, he says hes just letting the engine do its thing and he’s not at all purterbered, the lockie had been on the radio and it appears we are now about 6 for Keady some had come out of the lock at Torksey, so the sooner we get there the better, the lock takes 3 NBs at a time.  I can just envisage NBs twirling in the running water already (in my minds eye of course) I hope not.  A purple broadbeam came towards us on a bend, behind it was a lovely black windmill(no sails), he seemed to be going very fast, Derek said about 7 miles an hour and thats what we are doing at the moment?  We were up to the 1^st NB and at 1 26 we have overtaken him, 1 40 is we overtook NB Priann??   I took Derek a cuppa, we are only going at about 3 m.p.h. but the tide is the same so it seems faster, I asked him about overtaking, he is as I thought, thinking that with so many boats heading for the lock, we ought to crack on and be first in the queue if possible.  Its quite  treacherous at the mouth of the lock and you really have to be prepared to get it right first time.  The water has been fairly flat, but running quite a bit, we have passed a large Power station and are just passing a big white factory unit.  There is a town or village in front of us, it has large pilings all along the shoreline, which looks like big cargo barges must use it.  There was a large building set back from the water, all of its windows were shuttered up with metal, it had a lovely wooden tower on top so looked nautical.  Further along there were riverside properties and a few slipways and metal stairways for smaller boats to use.  There are more factory/warehouse units and new build waterside properties, with balconies overlooking he waterway, I only have a cursory map, no companion for this water, I think it must be Gainsborough.  I don’t think we’ve ever been on the Trent before when it’s been so warm, the sky is a lovely shade of blue, although some of the clouds are tinged with grey.  Its 3:20ish, I took Derek a cuppa and a jam sandwich, I was right it was Gainsborough, our next landmark is Stockwith Lock, which leads to the Chesterfield Canal, we haven’t been there before, bet Derek’s adding it to the list!!!  We should arrive roundabout 5ish, so if we’re first wwe may have to wait in the lock for a while, we’ll just have to wait and see.  3:36 passing Stockwith turning.  4:55ish we have jsut passed under the motorway, Derek has spoken to the lockie, the lock is ready and waiting for us, 5 15 we were in the lock??  I thought Derek had changed his mind, as we approached the lock, he did a slight sidewards manouver, straightend up and we went in.!! The water was cascading through the top gates and there was a lot of very large duck weed in there.  The lockie passed a ring down on a rope for me to pass him our bow line, he did the same to Derek, the gates closed and we had a very foamy ride up, all by ourselves, I had to close the side hatch as the water was spraying up as far as the window, we got the front deck washed.  When we were at the top, the gates opened, we sailed towards the very large road bridge, Derek said to tell him when he was at the bridge? The lockie, well the one in the road control house said, you’ve passed the barrier? Derek had been getting instructions from the lockie in the main tower!!  I shouted back to Derek. The tower lockie wanted Derek to get beyond the lock gates so he could shut them, The Dutch Barge and 1 NB were coming up, he needed to empy the lock ready for them.  I told the front lockie there were two many bosses, he laughed, we pulled back behind the closed lock gates and he opened the very large road bridge, sirens and lights flashing.  It was quite full on the moorings but we pulled up just a bit in front of the facility block and stopped for the night.  Derek went to find fish and chips, someone had said there was a chip shop nearby, it was shut, so we had a fry up instead for tea.