Wednesday 30 April 2008

The black hole of Doncaster + lock

 
Posted by Picasa

The F plan diet

….was only borrowed and catalogued in 1982 by Audrey Eyton; for today we discovered that it was know to the Norman and Plantagenet nobility. A short history lesson now follows: Conisbrough castle near Doncaster was built mainly between 1163 and 1202 by the Fifth Earl Warenne, one Hamelin Plantagenet who was the half brother of Henry the second and the bastard son of Geoffrey d’Anjou (of wine making fame). He built the castle with no less than 17 garderobes or toilets. He also (and probably owing to their existence in such numbers) coined one of the earliest travel slogans – ‘Dover for the Continent; Consibrough for the Incontinent’ – catchy isn’t it. Here endeth the lesson.
Again the bus passes were used, for the journey to, and return from Conisbrough.
The castle has a cylindrical keep, the only one in England, which has been very well restored by English Heritage who have put in three floors, a new roof and minor repairs to the original stone staircases. Access is possible to all floors and the roof, from where the views are impressive. Myra was last here some 50 years ago, and wanted to revisit, I was pleased that she did, it is an interesting castle. On our return to Martlet, we had lunch and then cast off, soon entering the black hole under the east coast main railway line bridges to enter the enormous automated Doncaster lock. Leaving the lock, on entering the river navigation we noted that the stream board was in the amber and there was a noticeable flow on passing the main weir, west of the prison. I was sad to see part of 'the plant' as Doncaster railway works was known locally, being demolished. In its heyday, thousands were employed there making some of the best known steam locomotives to designs by Partick Stirling, Sir Nigel Gresley and Arthur Peppercorn; possibly the most famous being A3 4-6-2 LNER no.4472 (BR 60103)'Flying Scotsman'.
Pressing on towards Sprotbrough, the dark clouds were approaching and passing under the high bridge carrying the A1(M) Doncaster bypass, it was getting very dark. Myra went to operate Sprotbrough lock just as the heavens opened. Locking up, and opening the upper gates, the river was covered from bank to bank with some diesel or oil. Passing under the road bridge, the oil was still all over the surface at the moorings and the smell was quite strong. A rapid executive decision was reached and we retraced our steps to the lock in order to return to Doncaster. Our reasoning: if the level was on orange, with more heavy rain forecast, we were better off on the canal than being stuck at Sprotbrough with the entire river covered in diesel. With the stream, we reached Doncaster lock in 25 minutes, it had taken 55 in the opposite direction!

The 2008 journey thus far: 76 Locks & 189 Miles & 10 Swing Bridges

Tuesday 29 April 2008

Doncaster sunset

 
Posted by Picasa

The Princess and the Pea

Tuesday 29th April.
Our alarm call came at 5.50am when it sounded as if a large diesel engined something was trying to get into our boat. Sitting up and looking out of the window I saw heading downriver Humber Princess, a large vessel that looked to be about 200 feet 2 inches long and about 20 feet 4 inches beam. (OK – details by courtesy of Jim Shead and his excellent site). The kettle was eventually pressed into service and a brew for consumption in bed ensued.
No boating today, the Ibuprofen that I had taken yesterday had almost done the trick for my back, a day of rest and more tablets should ensure success. The market proper was open today, and having seen the fish section, fish pie for dinner tonight after Myra saw some interesting looking scraps. We plan to move off tomorrow afternoon to Sprotborough.


The 2008 journey thus far: 72 Locks & 182 Miles & 10 Swing Bridges

Monday 28 April 2008

Careless talk...................

NB Gaz Arc passed in opposite direction at 6.50am as I was putting on the kettle. This was one of the only two boats that were moving all day. We moved off at 7.40am, under sunny skies with clouds building rapidly. At 8.20, the sun had gone as we approached Bramwith lock. Chatting instead of concentrating as Martlet was rising in the lock, I managed to snag the front fender under a broken rubbing board in the upper gate; both securing chains broke. When the level was made, I slewed and secured across the lock to repair the chains with cable ties - what would we do without them? Through Barnby Dun lift bridge and Long Sandall lock where there was a large hole in the upper gate with the water pouring through. About one mile further on, we entered a large area of diesel or similar on the surface which extended for 1 ½ miles, the smell was not pleasant. We moored on the visitor moorings at Doncaster, secure behind two locked gates and steel security fencing and went for a wander around Doncaster. We found the bus station and collected timetables to Conisbrough for a look at the castle. Another thunderstorm after dinner, but not so much rain this time. Probably we will go up river to Sprotborough tomorrow after another raid on the excellent market.

The 2008 journey thus far: 72 Locks & 182 Miles & 10 Swing Bridges

Sunday 27 April 2008

Read all about it

Martlet remained tied to the piling today. We had a lazy time reading yesterday’s papers and looking out at the various showers and the boaters braving them. Five boats passed us today, including nb. Victoria Plum, which has been fitted with a folding wheelhouse since we last saw it. After dinner there was a thunderstorm, lots of lightning and torrential rain. When the storm had finished, Martlet suddenly rocked and surged on its mooring ropes. Looking out, we could see a cruiser that had been making an attempt on the water speed record. Having slowed down to pass us, his wash rocked us for nearly four minutes after the boat had gone.
That was the only time that Martlet moved, all of the other boats left no wash in the deep, wide canal at this point – if only the narrow canals were as deep! We are planning to move on tomorrow, probably heading for Doncaster.

The 2008 journey thus far: 74 Locks & 173.5 Miles & 9 Swing Bridges

We are not alone

Six swing bridges, one lock and one lifting bridge were the order of the day; BW are due an award, just two had the same operating gear! We must have passed about 40 fishermen, of which 39 were friendly and passed the time of day, quite a change from the narrow canals. We entered Thorne to find a surprise awaiting us – a new swing bridge not mentioned in the Nicholson guide. The mooring for this bridge was unuseable as it was in a poor position, with a curved edge and about 20 feet long. The alternative on the opposite bank was at least long enough, but had no mooring rings or bollards. The was a problem with the auto locking access gates, but playing with the key and banging the gates to the closed position did the trick. We found the BW facilities block and moored up. In Thorne I managed to buy a car radio extension lead, I could then refit the car radio aerial and the television aerial; both had been removed in the preparation for the repaint. On through Thorne lock and the swing bridge immediately above, which has the release mechanism tied in to the lock top gates. Nearly done for the day, heading for a secluded mooring place that we had found last time, offside, past the motorway bridge. We saw five boats moving today, the most since leaving Nottingham. Weather today, fine, sunny and dry with moderate gusting wind.

2008 journey thus far: 74 Locks & 173.5 Miles & 9 Swing Bridges

Friday 25 April 2008

Swing that bridge

Today the decision was ‘Scunthorpe’ using the bus passes. An interesting trip over Keadby bridge this time, having passed underneath yesterday. It has a double lane road way with a double track railway next to it, separated by a steel fence, but no trains as we went over. Some good buildings in Scunthorpe town centre again spoiled by unsympathetic shop fronts – what does go on in the local planning departments? A covered market with a good food hall, the rucksack was soon filled. Myra also was very pleased to find a glass half pint measuring jug in an old fashioned department store. She had been searching for some three years. On the return journey, the driver dropped us off outside the Fish and Chip shop; which had been recommended last night by the crews of two narrowboats based at Strawberry Island, Doncaster. We have had better F&C; we have also had a lot worse, all in all not bad.
Having stocked up with sufficient calories, we moved off , passing through the unique sliding railway bridge operated by Network Rail from the adjacent Keadby Canal Junction signal box. The bridge slides into the abutment on the same side as the box. Then two swing bridges, one manual,one powered and moored for the night short of Godnow swing bridge just before the rain started again.

The 2008 journey thus far: 73 Locks & 166 Miles & 2 Swing Bridges

Thursday 24th; goodbye to the Trent

Awake at 6.50am, the wind rocking the boat and small waves on the water surface.
Dry at the moment, but plenty of time to change before our departure time of 12 noon;
and change it did. Squally showers and darkening clouds most of the morning, but as we moved off the mooring, the rain stopped and the sun appeared. We locked down with Alan and Chris (as in Christine) in their 33yr old Norman cruiser ‘Cobweb’, and off we went heading for Keadby. I was wearing plenty of warm clothing under the waterproof suit and almost immediately began to regret it. Looking behind us, there were dark clouds approaching and soon we were back to light drizzle and hazy sunshine for most of the journey. After some 95 minutes, we were approaching the bridge carrying the M180 motorway and called Keadby lock to inform them of our position. We were told that there was a coaster right up to the lock entrance: when I saw that the ship was on the upstream jetty by the lock entrance, the entry manoeuvre was made easier as I turned across the current and headed for the entrance, the ship made a large area of almost still water just outside the lock. We locked up going past the swing bridge and tied up on the visitor moorings, where we were joined by Alan and Chris for early afternoon tea and all afternoon chat. They returned after supper and an enjoyable evening was had by all, although I had a bit of a job convincing Alan explaining that when I spoke to Keadby lockie by VHF, I had referred to Cobweb as a ‘plastic cruiser’ to inform him of the construction and as an accurate, not a derogatory descriptive term. Eventually he had to admit that 33years ago, the correct term would have been GRP, or Glass Reinforced PLASTIC! I rested my case; next to my glass of wine.

The 2008 journey thus far: 73 Locks & 162 Miles

Thursday 24 April 2008

Moored at Stockwith basin

I see no ships

A misty start today, retracing yesterday’s quiet trip when no boats were seen moving. Coming out of a bridgehole, we could not believe our eyes; there were two young black rabbits standing on the field headland 40 yards away watching us. The last time that we had seen black rabbits was some 30 years ago on a family holiday near Tighnabruaich opposite the island of Bute, it was nice to see that they still exist. The thorn bushes that we were passing were covered in blossom, a lot more than they had the day before and we saw bluebells near Drakeholes tunnel. The mist was clearing slightly, the reason soon became apparent- it started to rain. It rained for the two locks at Gringley and Shaw, but had stopped by Misterton so we had the last two lock in the dry. We saw no boats moving today, in fact the only boat on the move since we arrived on the Chesterfield canal was after we had moored up on Monday evening. Moving on to the water point just outside the basin at Stockwith, we had decided to moor there and have lunch while refilling the tank, the chances of anyone wanting to fill up being remote. Speaking to the Dave the lockie, he said to moor anywhere we wanted in the basin so we chose an ‘end on’ to the piling to enjoy the view from the front of the boat.

The 2008 journey thus far: Locks - 71 Miles – 149

Tuesday 22 April 2008

Dredging

A kindly Coot provided our alarm call at 7.10am, so Myra put the kettle on then returned to switch on Radio 4. Mornings would not seem to have begun until at least one of us, often both have shouted at some politician or other, or at Ed Sturton for failing to ask the OBVIOUS question. Reversing yesterday’s mooring procedure, off we went, heading for Retford and the supermarket. The Chesterfield canal is really shallow, the only places with good depth for Martlet seem to be next to the gates at locks. A Kingfisher was alternately zooming ahead then landing for the last half mile before Drakeholes tunnel. Through and on past the very nicely constructed (and dredged!) moorings at the south end; the centre of the canal continued shallow and the edges even worse. We had averaged less than 3 lock miles per hour, and my arm was getting stiff as the rudder was on the bottom, steering becomes very heavy. As we approached Clayworth, 3 hours after setting off, calculations revealed that it would take over two hours more to reach Retford. I had decided that enough was enough and that we could get food at the Co-op at Misterton on our return. Mooring temporarily close to the winding hole we saw a bus crossing the bridge. Speaking to a member of the Worksop and Retford boat club on the adjacent club moorings, he said if we asked at the clubhouse, we could keep the boat at the club whilst we went shopping by bus.
We were allowed to stay overnight, so onto the next bus and ASDA here we come.
It was 42 years since we had been to Retford – the years had not dealt kindly with it in our absence. We remembered lovely buildings, most had gone, a few remained above poorly designed shop fronts. We looked around for a while after filling the rucksack and two carrier bags at Asda: I was glad that we did not struggle all the way by boat, I would have been really disappointed. The bus returned us to Martlet in 15 minutes from Retford, the driver even let us off just before the canal bridge.
The 2008 journey thus far: 67 Locks and 139.5 Miles

Farndale H near Torksey railway bridge

Monday's trip - Chesterfield canal here we come

Unable to connect to internet yesterday, so here is the belated uppdate.

The Torksey lockie came onto the pontoon just before our scheduled departure time of 10.30am. He had come for a chat, naturally; and to tell us to look out for Easedale, one of the gravel barges that was on its way inbound. Chatting over, we cast off into a reasonable breeze which the approaching clouds would have us believe could get a bit stronger. Looking across the bank to our right as we made the turn out of the Fossdyke, I could see Easedale heading rapidly towards us on the flood . Keeping well over to our side, the skipper gave us a wave as we began pushing the flood towards West Stockwith. Passing Torksey castle on our right, another barge, Farndale H was heading towards us just under the railway bridge, again a wave from the skipper. Most of the way to Gainsborough it was in hazy sunshine, but a few of the reaches where the breeze had picked up were quite rough, the gusts leaning Martlet over a bit. There was an interesting chapel at Littleborough and a small tower on the hill at Burton Chateau just before Knaith. These helped to break up the industrial feel of the power stations on the banks. Gainsborough Mill could be seen a few miles beforehand and as we went past the mill, there was a number of flats (sorry – waterside apartments) under construction before the road bridge, and conversion of warehouses as we were almost out of the town. Fossdale H passed us as we left Gainsborough, I later called up Stockwith lock on VHF to be told that the lock would be ready for us on arrival. Rounding up as we passed the lock entrance, the lockie stood at the upstream bullnose of the lock. He had told me to head straight for him, and when he gave the signal, tiller hard over and full revs to enter the lock. With his help, we went straight into the lock, and a large fist full of reverse brought us to a stop. Ropes secured, we rose slowly and after leaving the lock, stopped for lunch through the road bridge. We stopped for the night at Br78 winding hole, with the rear end almost mid channel. We were on the bottom nearly all the way, the Chesterfield is no canal for a boat drawing 2’6” static!

The 2008 journey thus far: Locks - 65 Miles – 132

Sunday 20 April 2008

Scotch mist

Hooray! the wind has died down, there are only small waves and it is raining. We should be able to go down to Torksey today. These were my waking thoughts, which proved to be correct. We left the low end of Cromwell lock at 10.15am in light rain and almost still air which set the weather pattern for the whole of the 16 mile trip to the pontoon moorings in the Fossdyke. According to the book, this is the oldest canal which remains in use in Britain, having been made by the Romans about AD150; used by the Normans to transport stone to Lincoln for the Cathedral and later by the Vikings on their early club 18-30 outings.
We used the shower facilities at Torksey lock, and of course had to pass the time of day with the lockie: we will remain moored to the pontoon until 10.30am tomorrow when we will leave for West Stockwith and the Chesterfield canal. The forecast is good, dry and sunny intervals, with slightly more wind than today.
The 2008 journey thus far: Locks - 62 Miles – 114.5

Saturday 19 April 2008

Good advice..........

Blow the wind southerly (Please!)

Static at Cromwell lock awaiting the dying down of the wind, or at very least a lessening. Chatting to the lockkeeper, hearing more tales of money wasted by BW on various ill researched projects and of the mad cap ideas of middle management, including one manager that thought high and low tides occurred at the same times each day! Walking around the lock area, we saw a transit ‘welfare unit’,which is apparently another health and safety over the top requirement for workers away from a building or permanent site. The sign on the outside of the driver’s door made me smile, the sign is reproduced above. The early evening was spent on board Martlet in company with Roger and Lynn from cruiser Serene moored on the other side of the pontoon. They are going to Torksey and locking through to their home moorings in the morning. They have a 150BHP Volvo Penta diesel and will be leaving about 9am. If we go tomorrow, with our 38BHP Barrus Shire, we will need to wait until 11ish.

Friday 18 April 2008

The view ahead at Cromwell pontoon

We have wind - lots of it! Hello Andy!

Sometimes on mooring up at the end of a boating day, we talk about the master plan for the next one; today, the weather made the decision for us. It was blowing quite hard in the relative shelter of the river in Newark, so we were going only as far as Cromwell lock moorings. Passing under the A1 Newark
by-pass, the wind was against the current and waves about 12inches high were splashing against the hull and throwing small droplets of spray at me on the back. I thought, yes, we will be stopping at Cromwell, boating is supposed to be fun, waves this high are on the limit of my definition for safe handling of a narrowboat on wide, exposed rivers.
After a journey time of one hour, we were approaching Cromwell moorings above the lock on a floating pontoon. The tidal Trent begins after you have passed through the lock. We spoke to the lockie and plan ‘A’ will be to leave Cromwell about 10am tomorrow heading for Torksey pontoon, stay overnight. On Sunday leave about the same time for the run down to West Stockwith to gain entry to the Chesterfield Canal. That is the current plan of action, although as I write this, the wind is very strong and rocking Martlet hard against the fenders, there are white caps on the waves as the wind is against the current and making the most of it. If the wind is at this strength tomorrow, then another rest day will be taken. We had seen no boats on the move until we went to speak to the lockie when we saw a widebeam boat ‘Tamesis’ locking up on their way to Muskham pontoon. Weather as already mentioned, not good for boating. The score so far this year: Locks 61, Miles 98.75

Thursday 17 April 2008

Nearer my God to thee

Lincoln was the destination for today, by omnibus as opposed to ‘Martlet’.
The bus wound its way via a disused airfield that had a mix of new build homes on two sites – ‘Blue Skies’ and something meadow. The ex RAF houses were at the opposite end of the airfield and required a extremely twisty roadway to be negotiated there and back. The mileage travelled and pollution caused by cars of all the residents of these old houses just to reach the main A46 road must be considerable. Not something that the government (MOD) must think important otherwise they would not have sold off the houses in the first place. After this airfield new town, the journey continued in older villages and arrived in Lincoln 80 minutes after leaving Newark.
We spent time having a look around; then arrived to examine the Catherdal just in time to have a conducted tour of the west tower and the nave roof void. We also went outside on the west face and the south side of the main roof and took lots of photographs. We then descended and continued on our own, exploring the beautiful building for ourselves. A final look around Lincoln, Brayford pool and the Fosdyke and then it was time to retrace our bus journey and return to ‘Martlet’.
Weather bright and sunny, clouding over after we were up high in the cathedral, the sun did not bother to re-appear.

Wednesday 16 April 2008

Mist again......

Visibility was about half a mile at 7.40am as we left the Hazleford mooring. There were five Cormorants watching as the engine was fired up, they gave us a filthy look and dived away leaving us alone in the mist. Fiskerton soon emerged on our left; the protective concrete topped high steel piling giving this village a bit of an industrial look, at variance with some really nicely proportioned houses along the waterfront, two with curved turreted corners. A short distance along the river was a striking angular house with a fully glazed side to the river. A slight difference of architectural opinion produced the comment ‘what a nice house’ to that of mine ‘It looks like an office building’, however the description ‘striking’ applied equally. A few miles further produced a neglected boatyard on the left bank at Farndon, with a good Dutch barge moored outside. On the opposite bank was the entrance to the very large Farndon Harbour Marina. An expensive looking fly bridge cruiser was being moved inside by the marina tug, the crews on both gave us a cheery smile and wave as we passed by. The boarded up buildings of Staythorpe power station came into view across the bends, a hive of activity all around them, piling rigs, excavators and earth moving equipment. It will be interesting to see what transpires eventually. The large Averham weir is immediately after on the same side, the pull today was noticeable, but less than on our previous visit as we entered Newark Dyke. Amazing that BW has not renamed it with all their politically correct ideals. It will have been apparent from the descriptions of everything on the river banks that we did not see one boat on the move today, unless we include the wide beam BW boat being placed in the covered workshop at Newark town lock. Yesterday we saw six boats moving.
The lockie at Newark town today told us the same as all of the others; it has been really quiet with a few out at weekends. Down in the lock and under Trent Bridge to the BW pontoon moorings outside their Newark offices and opposite a scrap yard.
We explored Newark as it was market day, tomorrow we dust off the bus passes and head for Lincoln……………

Tuesday 15 April 2008

Fine and dry, rain later...........

I awoke this morning to the dancing reflections on the cabin ceiling from the water surface; far too good to lie in bed watching these 'get up and make the most of the day' signs. I therefore turned around so that I not could see them and dozed off again. We were out and about eventually by 8am to the 'Yaffle' sound of a green woodpecker. We had decided to have a look around the Stoke Lock Island and weir. Some interesting projects moored above the weir, a proper Dutch barge and a modern looking steel yacht with nice lines which had definitely seen better days. Mooching back to the lock found the keeper preparing for his working day. We did our best to slow his preparations and ended up having a nice chat with him and the boater in charge of an ex shrimping boat from Holland, also moored overnight above the lock. Our conversations covered everything from our views on BW management at various levels - to which of course the lockie could not possibly comment - to the birds occupying the surrounding area. We eventually penned through just after 10am and enjoyed a glorious trip down to Gunthorpe. The sky was blue with a few white flecks of cloud and the river was deep blue, mostly without any ripples. Absolutely perfect boating weather watching Grebes submerging without as much as a ripple to mark the start of their dive. Cormorants in abundance some braving our approach with a last glance in our direction before diving; others waiting until the last moment before starting their long take off run and flying well away. On arrival at Gunthorpe, we took advantage of having a shower with plenty of elbow room, in the very clean BW facilities block. The sky was darkening as we returned to Martlet and a few spots of rain arrived as we were inside having lunch.
I had decided to put on my wet weather gear for the trip down to Hazleford island moorings, and about a mile after leaving Gunthorpe lock, it proved to be the right decision. The heavens opened and threw some sleet in with the rain. The temperature dropped noticeably and I tried to remind myself that this was the same journey as that before lunch. Funny how your perceptions change when the rain drips off the end of your nose! The rain eased slightly as we entered the lock at Hazleford and began again after the lock as I turned the boat around to moor against the piling. Myra had the fire going well by this time and having moored up, as I entered the rear cabin, the warmth hit me in a most agreeable fashion. Another day's journey had been completed.

Monday 14 April 2008

Moving again!

Boating at last. We left Kegworth at the crack of 9am under cloudy skies, which told of rain to come. Locking down at Radcliffe, the wind seems always to be blowing hard here, doing its best to change your direction of travel, but a short burst of power had the bows heading in the intended direction. On past the moored boats at Redhill, one was sporting the name 'J S Barque', although I could not hear any music as we crept slowly onward. Through the flood lock and the wonderful small cabins on the right below the red cliffs. Each time we travel this way, some more of the old full of character sheds have been replaced by hi-tech buildings; if the occupants derive as much enjoyment from them as the other sheds, then who are we to moan.
Onward to the river Trent, the sailing club quiet, although a good steady breeze was blowing as we made the turn into Cranfleet cut. Through the lock and onto the Trent proper. The clouds had mainly gone and the sun shone brightly. We swept on, aided by the current and taking in the beautiful scenery,commenting on the large number of people walking on the riverbank paths, good to see them and of course waving to children in pushchairs. Through Beeston lock and on to Sainsburys moorings for essentials. Myra had been gone about 5 minutes when the skies darkened, I closed the cratch cover and the rear cover just in time. Heavy rain, hail and squally winds, really not nice. 5 minutes later, out came the sun. Maybe this is a good omen for this summer's boating! Very few boats on the move, one narrowboat and one small cruiser between Cranfleet and Beeston, four narrowboats on the way to Sainsburys and one on the Trent after Nottingham. Spent a few minutes chatting to the relief lockie at Holme lock, as a result, we decided not to moor above Holme lock, but to lock down and moor on the pontoon above Stoke lock. He gave us good advice as the pontoon mooring was much more rural. I did a bit more replacing fittings and re-wired the navigation light, tunnel light and horn. Only the radio aerial, television aerial to do now, then I can relax. Weather as stated, mainly good and fine, slightly chilly out of the sun.

Saturday 12 April 2008

On board at last!

We returned to Martlet this morning. We carried all the bits and bobs inside, Myra went to put the kettle on. The gas was turned on, no problem there with the flame singing to us. The battery isolators were turned on, but the was no noise from behind the step box. Yes, the water pump had packed up. Quick check revealed power was available as far as the pump motor, so a trip to Sawley chandlery was required. A small detour (succesful) and then south to deliver the car the local garage at Crick. Malc will service the car and on completion, deliver it to the Marina for us. Great service and you know the work will be done properly. Colin the pilot from NB Molly gave me a lift back to Kegworth and when he had left, suitably refreshed, I changed the water pump. The reassuring sound returned and domestic harmony was restored, certainly for a while. As well as all our bits, we had an additional box with the touch up paints and undercoats to hide somewhere. I have put them under the saloon seat for now, they will be moved later. I have heard that before....., in fact I have said it before. We moved off through Kegworth shallow lock and tied up between the lock and the road bridge. I had forgotten how careful you need to be with a newly painted boat. No mooring chains and bank anchors swinging happily against the inside of the upstands, at least until the first ding and paint damage has happened. I wandered off and looked at the water from the road bridge, and took a few photos from the opposite side to our mooring. Then back inside and try out the T-Moble USB modem. Installation was easy, quite a relief as the Medion laptop came with Vista. I have only reloaded Vista once, and touch wood, the video driver problem has not returned. As my previous connection alfoat was via a Nokia phone at 9600; the T-Mobile really is the same speed as my Tiscali at home, a very real improvement.No lock today really as the shallow lock is chained open at the moment. Today's weather, heavy showers with thunder and long bright intervals, wind light to moderate from the west.

Thursday 10 April 2008

The score so far..........

Total Locks 4939 Miles 8861.5
2008 Locks 51 Miles 58.5
This is Martlet at Kilby Lock on 22nd March taken to remind us how she looked in original colours.

Creating this Blog

The idea of this blog came from a meeting with Dot and Derek of Gypsy Rover on the Thames in 2007. I am hoping to be able to post details of our travels in a more presentable fashion when I understand more of Blog design. The 'Our' naturally includes Myra, my wife since our marriage in 1965. (Pause for deep thought). I started 'messing about in boats' in 1953 at Shoreham on the south coast, and owing to my powers of persuasion ( you could not believe how I can cry and stamp my feet if I don't get my own way) we took our first family canal holiday in October 1982. The Warwick Ring trip was made from Hillmorton, on 'Pleione' a 55' cruiser stern from Hoseasons out of Rugby Boatbuilders. The cost for one week was £258.55! Details, details - once a trainspotter...................
Early retirement of both Myra and myself made possible the order for Martlet to be placed in 1998; with John Lillie of Riverview Narrowboats, then at Barrow on Soar. The steelwork was by Alexander Boatbuilders. We took delivery in September 1999 and have been travelling the canals in Martlet for at least six months of the year. We have kept a handwritten log which has been copied onto computer since the purchase of a laptop.
The 2008 journey had started from home mooring at Crick Marina on Thursday 21st March, en route for Kegworth and the complete repaint by Andy Cain, who had made an excellent job of the original in 1999. Overnight stops were made at Smeaton Aqueduct on the Thursday,
Kilby Bridge on Friday, Cossington lock on Saturday, Zouch lock on Sunday and Kegworth on the Monday.
We went to Kegworth yesterday 9thApril to see the transformation. We are very pleased, the green main panels slightly lighter than the original Blakes paint as Andy now uses Masons.
We took some of our gear with us to put on Martlet, we will have less to take next time for the weekend when we will be casting off and heading 'Up North'.