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.

Whitley Lock

Davy's on the road again.

Under the M62.

These things are sent to try us ...

I was planning on moving the boat today.

Instead I was summoned home to take dearly beloved to Derby Hospital.

We were there 6 hours.

Oh joy.

He has got gall stones, which means an op sometime soon.

So he is not a happy bunny - as you can imagine.




Have I mentioned I do not make a very good nurse?  ;-}

Panda rules again

So small boy has moved from his one bed first floor flat into a two bed little house with his dearly beloved.  He did most of the move on Friday with friends whilst I was working but there were some things left over for me to take on Saturday.

Namely one third of a sofa (the end with the electric flip out leg support so very heavy).  His supadooper office chair. and the electric piano.  So two trips.  With the back of the front seat fully forward and the split back seat he was able to sit in the back next to the office chair and keyboard.

Their new little house has a fabulous view over Sheffield and a little decked area to sit out on.  Luckily his girlfriend had been in a fully furnished shared house so they didn't have to find room for two households as all his stuff has now completely filled the house.  I can't believe that most of it used to live in his bedroom at our old house!

Today I have moved all of a mile as I had overstayed on the visitor mooring at Pollington.  I am now between two defunct swing bridges and there is a tethered horse down the towpath that I might go and chat to later on.  Ribs are showing a bit which is not good.

One of the big boys

This time it was his turn to get a puncture.  But we had learned one lesson and had a pump.

However I had forgotten our drinking water.  Well I had remembered but someone distracted me at the last minute so it got left on the desk in the boat!

And who needs the drinking water to mend a puncture when you have the South Yorkshire Navigation to dip into?

It would have been nice to drink it tho.