MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Title says it all really.

What a lovely bottom

Masking tape still on and the propeller is not as shiny as it was when it was first fitted! 

But still a lovely bottom.

Definitely feeling that she is looking down her nose at me!

and there are interesting bits of wood poking out between the rubber and steel!  Oops moments when entering locks me thinks.

Quite apart from the large dent from the West Stockwith fluffed entrance off the Tidal Trent.  Ahem no more to be said about that.

Now we have MAG-GUARD new anodes on the front

But MGDUFF ones on the stern.

I can find a price for the MGDUFF ones on t'internet but not the MAG-GUARD ones.

Any one know the difference?

Blacking

Bobcat was due into the workshop on Monday.  Unfortunately the chain on this broke

Apparently just as Bobcat was coming to rest on it.  Ooer - still could have been worse it could have broken whilst being halfway up the ramp which would have complicated things mightly.

As it was they first had to go out to the trolley in waders to attach ropes (which they did on Monday afternoon) to haul it out laboriously by hand.

I arrived Tuesday morning thinking it was a quick job and that they would have fixed it.  Yeah right that was as far as they had managed to get it by about 11am!

By lunchtime they had got the trolley out of the water they then had to ascertain where (and it turns out in how many places) it had broken.  Tuesday afternoon they went off to buy new 'chain'

They then had to get the day boat out and go 'fishing' for the end in the Marina that should have been attached.

Fit said new chain

Then run the trolley into the workshop and take out the excess links at the dry end so that the 'chain' lies tight to the groove.  Imagine if there had been a boat on it!  He would have had to be lying down in order to hold the chain tight.  :)

Still patiently waiting possibly until Wed morning.

But no 

last link removed and Bobcat was at last fetched in - in the gloaming

and into the shed for the night.

Difficult to tell but the blacking was in very good condition and on this side only about 5 snails lurking under the swim - if that.

Anodes good for another year but as it will be 5 years before she next comes out I might as well put new ones on now.  They have been on since November 2009 so assuming the next set last as well that should see me safely to 2018.

Absolutely perfick

We both woke up to sunshine so decided to move the boat on Wednesday together.  So 8 locks, 3 with the help of a lovely volunteer lockkeeper at Fradley Junction, 4 or 5 miles and the Alrewas river section on Amber, we boated in glorious technicolour.

We also managed to get into the Marina 2 days early so that is officially it for this year.

What a lovely finish to my 2013 journey around the Northern system.

See you all in 2014.

Wanted

A friend of mine would like to buy a narrowboat of between 50 to 60 feet, spacious and airy in feeling (I know reality doesn't allow it to be actually spacious and airy!) not Rosie and Jimified.  Price around £30,000 anyone know of one?  Must have solid fuel stove.

Views and effects

We had fun with effects.

Breakfast with a view.

Compost loo with a view.

The Harley with view and effects!

Mount Robson through an old Ford

Making Pasta for supper.  

Ok neither a view nor an effect but it links to the next photo.

Eolian with Impressive Art effect.

Nice!

Family

On Thursday my Uncle and Aunt from South Africa were over and desperate to have a go on my 'yacht'.

The weather held off until the last hour then it siled it down.  I think they still enjoyed themselves.

I have today redone most of the route we took - this time in the sunshine.  I am a lucky girl!

Yeeeee Ha !

Achieved a life long ambition to ride in the Rockies.  This was my (official) photo taken on the 3rd ride in the Canadian Desert on a First Nations Reserve.

It was amazing - the whole trip.  This ride we saw herds of wild horses - I felt so like the Sundance Kid.

It started in Niagara Falls.

We then flew to Calgary and picked up our RV.

We rode horses in the foothills of the Rockies at Moose Mountain (we heard but didn't see a moose)

We cycled at Lake Louise

We saw a black bear at Lake Maligne

We saw an elk in the campsite at Jasper

I rode a horse at Jasper (proper rockies)

He rode a mountain bike at Jasper

We hired an Harley Davison at Jasper and rode it to some Hot Springs and bathed our tired limbs overlooking scenery to die for.

We saw deer and mountain sheep.

We did canoeing on Lake Pyramid

We did a river float to check on wildlife on the Mighty Fraser River and saw too many bald headed and other eagles to mention.  Spawning Salmon etc.

I saw a coyote (thought it was a wolf)

We rode horses in Oliver.

We left the RV in Vancouver and crossed to Vancouver Island to spend the night with his relatives then we ...

crossed into the USA via the back door.  

Ferry to Anacortes.

and were met by the very fine people who have been stalking my blog for ever.  

We spent the night at their log cabin on Camano Island and were right royally entertained.  Including the freshest pasta ever which I was allowed to 'help' with.

The next morning we were transferred to their boat Eolian for lunch then they very kindly took us to the airport in Seattle.

http://windborneinpugetsound.blogspot.co.uk/

Bob puts it all so much better than I do.

Not quite sure how we can match their level of hosting when it is our turn but we will do our best.

A couple of days in Iceland to recover including bathing in the same hot springs as Bjork.  

She wasn't there.

and back home again home again jiggity jig

First day in the RV

We went riding in them there mountains.

Yeeee Ha !

Oh dear

I left the boat tied once at the front and sprung at the back using an old piece of spare rope attached to a 'nappy pin' and the back rope to a chain.

I returned to the boat to move it into Aston Marina for a month and found ...

the chain in two pieces on the back deck of the boat with the spare piece of rope in two parts.  The boat tied up securely once more via the back rope attached to a fairly bent 'nappy pin'.

(So the weakest link were the old rope - saving the nappy pin and a link on the chain - saving the back rope)

The boat moored in front of us had found my boat attached only by the front rope when they moored up so they very kindly found all the bits and were able to retie the boat for me.  As far as I can tell the rudder is okay but so far not given it a thorough check over and there are no obvious new dents down the side of the boat.  The only scenario we can come up with is someone drove their boat at some speed into the ropes themselves between the boat and the bank.

No note of apology from the perpetrators who must have skeddadled sharpish from the scene of their hit and run!

I love Harecastle Tunnel

Probably having a boat or two to follow, and an extra light at the back might have made a difference.  But hey I had fun, I didn't touch the sides and I didn't knock myself out on the very low roof.

Then after cycling back to the car I was just about to drive the car further down the canal then cycle back 7 miles  (I wasn't looking forward to this) when I got a phone call from dearly beloved to say he had called to the boat for a cup of tea and I wasn't there.

So I had a cunning plan.  Dearly beloved was on his motorbike, I had my helmet, gloves and jacket on the boat.  Done deal we moved the car to the final destination and came back on the motorbike.  There was a slight flaw in this plan - he had no foot pegs for a passenger so we had to share his.  Both of us had bandy legs by the time we got back to the boat!  Much better than cycling back 7 miles!  In fact no more cycling this trip!

Tunnels

I have decided I am not a huge fan of tunnels.

Even interesting ones that don't just have a kink in them but actually bend every which way and then some!

I find them a chore.

Unless of course I have a friend on board and we do 'singing'.  Which I didn't today.

So I would rather not do tunnels.

And it is Harecastle next - whoop de do.

Once again going against the fan so no pinprick of light in the distance to guide you either.

Hope I have crew for that one.

I am not a huge fan of tunnels - have I mentioned that already?

Photos of Leeds Liverpool etc

Above - new crew.  We showed them how to do ground paddles first then gate paddles then sent them up to the next lock by themselves.

They couldn't find the ground paddles so tried to sink my boat by using gate paddles too early.

The reason they couldn't find the ground paddles?  Well they had changed mid flight to the above scenario.

and some of them were tough to do, you felt too much pressure would snap them and you might end up in the drink!

Above is the stretch between Burnley and Blackburn overlooking the Ribble Valley.

Fran went skinny dipping here as it was so clear and inviting at 5.30am and yes that boat was there.

Luckily she didn't get leeches on her whatsit although we found a few on the fenders!

There is a nasty shelf all along this stretch but we found a bit where it was above the bottom of our boat so no chance of us floating over it then tipping over if the levels fell.

Above is the famous Barton swinging aquaduct.

You have to swing that road and the canal to get the big boys below to where they need to be.

The Manchester Ship Canal

A very large hinge!

View from mooring just outside Lymm

Barrowford Locks

So glad we passed through here last week.

We have made good time since leaving Gargrave and we have whistled down the Wigan Flight as well.

We had another boat to share the locks with us - which was pretty much the best set of locks to have a partner for.  The crew were very grateful for the extra help but were still exhausted by the evening.  And we were stopped before the rain came.   RESULT.

Told you it was getting shallow

I have had an email stating that the locks are going to be locked to restrict water consumption.  However the  opening hours are 10am to 8pm.  Really can't see that having much affect.

Bank Newton

I have done all the work I have with me so I can now enjoy this lovely bit of the Leeds & Liverpool guilt free.  Bliss

The levels are dropping rather alarmingly and I am currently 2 feet out at the back and about 4 feet at the front.  The benefit of this I am finding is that even when a wide hireboat goes past I do not move an iota.  (The same could not be said when the same boat passed by on its way out from the hirebase last week)

The downsides are

1. that ducks/swans can nibble both sides of the boat!
2. if it continues to drop I may never leave the Leeds & Liverpool!  (not a problem I have plenty of friends up here but ...

Second batch of crew

were super fit and did things like running up to the locks etc.  Mad fools!!!!

Thanks you two.  You are welcome to join me again!  :)

Good Crew

Insist on taking mop out of your hands and offer to clean your boat for you.

This is to be encouraged at all times!

Bradford and Bingley

Really must get some thermals for winter time.

Not needed currently though.

The bottom of the Bingley 3 Rise waiting for crew to arrive (she was teaching t'ai chi 5 minutes walk away)

As a reward for all the hard work last time I let her steer into locks 2 and 3.

Not sure she appreciated it as she is afraid of heights so I pushing her beyond her comfort zone but hey you need a challenge every so often!

I bravely tackled the 5 Rise from the comfort of the boat while she chatted up the lockkeeper - turns out they go to the same open mic sessions.  No it wasn't Barry on lock duty !  :)

Lovely lovely crew

Wednesday I had crew that I had collected Tuesday evening.  She first insisted that she cook for me before we left her house (never one to refuse someone else's cooking I accepted with alacrity!) we then repaired to the boat and I experimented with setting the sofabed up for one person.  It seems to work so just need to get some foam to fill the 'gap' and I can maybe squeeze three guests that know each other well on board!  We went for a walk in the gloaming which was full dark by the time we returned.  Spooky.

Wednesday we set off from Rodley at 10.30 and arrived in Shipley around 4pm.  As it was slightly windy we decided that she would operate all the locks and swing bridges and I would be in charge of not letting the boat get stuck!

Slight kerfuffle at the first double lock we came to as I let her go up without instruction thinking that a) she would read the instructions b) that the crews working down would tell her what to do.  Not a bit of it so halfway through filling the bottom lock she and man from house nearby said they were going to have to fill top lock as it didn't have enough water in it!!!! Oh dear how embarrassing.  Eventually we got through and she helped the lockkeeper at the next triple so she is now aware of what should have happened!  No chance of any practice though as the Bingley 3 and 5 have lockkeepers on them.  Still she is a sucker for punishment and has offered her services for the next section too.

We cycled back to the car using both elec and normal bike which took just 50 mins and we got to the car just as the heavens opened which was good.  The rain had passed on by the time we returned to the boat to drop off the bikes and pick up her stuff before I took her home again.

Thursday I drove home in order to see my son play one of the Antipholus's in the Comedy of Errors in Sheffield.  This was very funny especially as the visiting set of separated twins from Syracuse were played by women.  The female Antipholus had to copy my son's mannerisms and she did it brilliantly.  Very talented.  The courtesan was played by a 6'4'' skinny bloke with huge shoulders and very high heels.  We repaired to the pub with the cast for a quick drink before driving home again.

All in all a good week.

Long tough day

Leeds upstream of the Armouries

Some of the old stuff in amongst the new buildings

sculpture

Moorings on the river section

Bottom of the 'here be dragons flights'.  A staircase of three.

I thought I had until 6pm to clear the bandit country so was a bit concerned when I spotted a notice on the last diy lock that said I had to be at the next lock by 3pm or I wouldn't get through.  aargh.  Double AARGH when I couldn't get the top gates to open.  After struggling for 20 mins I phoned CaRT and they put the lockkeepers on alert so they would wait for me.

Even after putting boat in gear and pushing myself on the lock beams I couldn't shift them.  Then a couple of walkers joined in and we managed to welease woderick.

I sped off arriving at the next lock at 3.20.  I then had a lovely relaxed time being locked up the single lock and the two triples.

My luck held for the two swing bridges as at the first one a broken down boat/boater operated it for me and the second one I started but then a walker took over.

For the unitiated swing bridges were designed for the horse boats and so they operate from the wrong side so as not to tangle the tow rope.  This means that as a single hander you have put your boats nose on the bridge, climb elegantly off the bows gripping bow rope.  Swing the bridge.  Climb equally elegantly back onto the boat, scrabble down the side again take boat through the bridge hole then reverse up to the bridge, climb off, clinging grimly onto the back rope and close the bridge, lock it and climb back and off you go.  Easy ........

a young girl sat on the open bridge parapet.  I advised her not to do that as the last girl to do so lost both her legs when her fellow 'mates' closed the bridge and then couldn't stop it once it had started.  So not nice.

Oh the ignominy ...

of running aground in Leeds

With many watchers all around from high rise flats.

Admittedly not that building but the ones next to it!

I later redeemed myself by a faultless reverse into Clarence Dock which the wind finished off beautifully by gently pushing me sideways into a space just my size!!!

Previous mooring at Woodlesford.  A lovely spot indeed.

Success

What a fabulous day

Then we were overtaken by this!!

They operated Bulhome Lock for me, we nearly got them a lift for the next section with a narrowboat that joined us in the lock but that didn't work out.  I then had to reverse both boats back to some visitor moorings (as there was no room on the ones right by the flood lock) just as that gravel barge came back through the flood lock empty - much much bigger then!  They managed to avoid hitting us which was kind of them.

New engine required £4k - ouch

My engine after being serviced by little old me coped well with the extra effort.  Which was a relief.

They do loom rather

This is the mooring at Ferrybridge Flood Lock. 

You can't see them from the side window so actually this is not a bad place to moor.  There is a locked gate and room for about 4 boats.

Yesterday I managed to cycle my way out of Ferrybridge/Knottingly with the help of a travel direct printout, a lady, a man, and two groups of young boys.  

Once out of the built up area the cycle ride was a joy back to Eggborough to fetch the car.  

Back at the boat I then did the gearbox oil change.  (1000 hours one at 954) Having dismantled the engine bay to do this I decided it made sense to do the full service today before putting it all back together again.  This is the first full service I have done where no one has come and interfered. helped.  This is a bit of a worry as I have just offered to tow two old gents and their boat to Castleford tomorrow!!!

Here's hoping it all goes well.

Ex loading bay of some sort.