Monday 13th May 2013
Another bad weather day! We set off this morning in sunshine knowing that we might encounter some showers. Boy did we encounter some showers!
The wind was very gusty, as it has been for a while now and seems to be set for a few more days looking at the forecast. Blown along by it, the first rainshower appeared after about 20 minutes. Not too bad that one, but the next was a corker and came just as Cath was opening Kirkhouse Green Lift Bridge. Luckily most of the moorings for the bridges were a bit sheltered from the wind and I wasn't trapped against the side by it as Cath had been yesterday. At Sykhouse Lift Bridge, the last one we will have to do on the way to Leeds, we made the decision to go on as far as Pollington Lock for the night.
Turning the corner at Southfield Junction we were then heading straight into the blustery wind. Soon another really bad shower came along, this one lasted quite a long time and I even slowed us down a bit hoping not to reach the mooring at Pollington while it was still hammering down. It did abate before having to tie up and once we were secure I gladly retired to the warmth of the saloon (living room for the non boaty) and a cup of hot chocolate.
Tomorrow we'll decide how far to go when we see what the conditions are. It should be either Ferrybridge or Castleford. Hoping to pick up our new water pump at Castleford.
The tales of our final voyages, no matter how long it takes
Monday, 13 May 2013
Sunday, 12 May 2013
Sunday 12th May 2013
Once more the forecast was for the weather to deteriorate later in the day. In bright sunshine we set off with no fixed plan of where to stop for the night. If the rain doesn't look too threatening we may well make it as far as Sykehouse Lift Bridge
We bowled along merrily as the clouds started to build up and the wind got up. That wind was darned cold, it's the middle of May and I'm done up like it's January! Reading other boating blogs I'm not the only one wondering if the last bank holiday was our summer.
Bramwith swing bridge soon appeared and after passing through we made a stop at the services before tackling Bramwith Lock.
After that it was decision time, making a start up the New Junction Canal will put us in a place where there are no moorings until we get to Sykehouse Bridge, which is nearly at the other end. Between there and where we are there are 5 miles, 7 lift or swing bridges and a lock. We wimped out, it's my birthday, so Cath talked me into mooring up and taking the rest of the day off (it didn't take a lot).
After doing some housekeeping in the engine bay the rain started so it was a good call. We've just watched a boat come passed us with the couple on the back looking rather damp, poor things.
Once more the forecast was for the weather to deteriorate later in the day. In bright sunshine we set off with no fixed plan of where to stop for the night. If the rain doesn't look too threatening we may well make it as far as Sykehouse Lift Bridge
We bowled along merrily as the clouds started to build up and the wind got up. That wind was darned cold, it's the middle of May and I'm done up like it's January! Reading other boating blogs I'm not the only one wondering if the last bank holiday was our summer.
Bramwith swing bridge soon appeared and after passing through we made a stop at the services before tackling Bramwith Lock.
After that it was decision time, making a start up the New Junction Canal will put us in a place where there are no moorings until we get to Sykehouse Bridge, which is nearly at the other end. Between there and where we are there are 5 miles, 7 lift or swing bridges and a lock. We wimped out, it's my birthday, so Cath talked me into mooring up and taking the rest of the day off (it didn't take a lot).
After doing some housekeeping in the engine bay the rain started so it was a good call. We've just watched a boat come passed us with the couple on the back looking rather damp, poor things.
Saturday, 11 May 2013
Saturday 11th May 2013
We thought we would be getting an early start today, and with that in mind I fell out of bed at 6.45 this morning. Popping my head out for a look at the weather I find we were the lazy ones. Last night there were 5 boats moored up here, this morning they're all gone before we got up.
After breakfast we toddled off expecting to have to wait for the sliding railway bridge, but when we got there it was already open. The closure of the line must mean they can now leave it open except for maintenance vehicles.
Following that there was the usual series of swing and lift bridges before we reached Thorne. One sad sight we did see on the way was a dead swan. The pen was sitting on her nest, presumably with eggs, and floating in the water right next to her was the body of another one who we presume was here mate.
As we expected today the wind was a real pain in the butt. At Wykewell Lift Bridge the wind pinned Lyra to the side and it took a huge effort to get off to go through the bridge. Not long after that a light rain started to fall, but it only lasted about 20 minutes
We had hoped to find mooring below Thorn Lock, but none was available so we had to cycle through. We're now moored up in the same place that we were when came out this way a couple of weeks ago. I then went into town to get some supplies, mainly some steak for my birthday dinner tomorrow. It rained while I was out, but once again not too much, and now the sun is shining but I fear it won't last long.
We thought we would be getting an early start today, and with that in mind I fell out of bed at 6.45 this morning. Popping my head out for a look at the weather I find we were the lazy ones. Last night there were 5 boats moored up here, this morning they're all gone before we got up.
After breakfast we toddled off expecting to have to wait for the sliding railway bridge, but when we got there it was already open. The closure of the line must mean they can now leave it open except for maintenance vehicles.
Following that there was the usual series of swing and lift bridges before we reached Thorne. One sad sight we did see on the way was a dead swan. The pen was sitting on her nest, presumably with eggs, and floating in the water right next to her was the body of another one who we presume was here mate.
As we expected today the wind was a real pain in the butt. At Wykewell Lift Bridge the wind pinned Lyra to the side and it took a huge effort to get off to go through the bridge. Not long after that a light rain started to fall, but it only lasted about 20 minutes
We had hoped to find mooring below Thorn Lock, but none was available so we had to cycle through. We're now moored up in the same place that we were when came out this way a couple of weeks ago. I then went into town to get some supplies, mainly some steak for my birthday dinner tomorrow. It rained while I was out, but once again not too much, and now the sun is shining but I fear it won't last long.
Friday, 10 May 2013
Friday 10th May 2013
With our lock booked for 10.00 this morning we didn't jump out of bed too early. I decided to get some fuel before leaving here, don't want to be running out on a river.
The first task was to turn Lyra in the basin. With the wind blowing fairly briskly this was always going to be fun. As it turned out she came round fairly easily helped by a lull in the wind. The fuel pump was right next to the lock and I had to stick the bow into the open lock to reach it.
At 10 the lock was opened to the river and we powered out.
From West Stockwith, heading down river to Keadby, the best time to start is slack high tide, so as we entered the river it was quite calm apart from the wind whipping up some small waves.
The trip was uneventful, and we made good time, entering Keadby Lock at 12.00 o'clock.
We pulled up to the services and used all the facilities before moving to the visitor moorings for the night.
Tomorrow we intend to get to Thorne.
With our lock booked for 10.00 this morning we didn't jump out of bed too early. I decided to get some fuel before leaving here, don't want to be running out on a river.
The first task was to turn Lyra in the basin. With the wind blowing fairly briskly this was always going to be fun. As it turned out she came round fairly easily helped by a lull in the wind. The fuel pump was right next to the lock and I had to stick the bow into the open lock to reach it.
At 10 the lock was opened to the river and we powered out.
From West Stockwith, heading down river to Keadby, the best time to start is slack high tide, so as we entered the river it was quite calm apart from the wind whipping up some small waves.
The trip was uneventful, and we made good time, entering Keadby Lock at 12.00 o'clock.
We pulled up to the services and used all the facilities before moving to the visitor moorings for the night.
Tomorrow we intend to get to Thorne.
Thursday, 9 May 2013
Thursday 9th May 2013
With the weather set to be a bit bit less clement today we set off before 9.00 heading to West Stockwith.
The first thing to do was a passage through Drakeholes Tunnel, this is followed by a cutting which is enclosed by trees. The wind was already getting up, and as it did so it was blowing loads of blossom from the trees, it looked like we were being snowed on.
We snaked our way along the canal, the wind causing us a little trouble because of the shallow sides, while crabbing along due to the wind it puts your stern closer to the sides, which then try to pull you in.
We only had 4 locks to do today, all of them double of course. Only one was against us so it wasn't to hard. That is until Miserton Top Lock. Here the wind pinned Cath against the mooring and she was having a bit of a problem getting off. To the rescue rode I, the stern needed a good push so I heaved away. Success, but as I stepped backwards to the bank my foot slipped on the gunnel and I sat down hard on the edge of the mooring, feet in the water. Nothing much hurt other than pride, but now my maximus gluteus is rather bruised. Reminds me of one of Frankie Howerd's quotes "I fell right on my Coccyx" with the emphasis on the first syllable and a pause before the second.
We're now moored up in the basin at West Stockwith, the river should be ready for us at about 10.00 tomorrow morning.
Thoughts on the Chesterfield. I would have loved to make it to the top, but circumstances were against us. The scenery is well worth the trip as far as we went. Both Worksop and and Retford seem like nice places and we weren't really bothered in either place by rowdyism. The Worksop and Retford Boat Club were very welcoming.
About the only downside we can think of is the shallow sides and the weeds, but bear in mind that Lyra is deeper than a lot of boats at 30", due to over ballasting.
With the weather set to be a bit bit less clement today we set off before 9.00 heading to West Stockwith.
The first thing to do was a passage through Drakeholes Tunnel, this is followed by a cutting which is enclosed by trees. The wind was already getting up, and as it did so it was blowing loads of blossom from the trees, it looked like we were being snowed on.
We snaked our way along the canal, the wind causing us a little trouble because of the shallow sides, while crabbing along due to the wind it puts your stern closer to the sides, which then try to pull you in.
We only had 4 locks to do today, all of them double of course. Only one was against us so it wasn't to hard. That is until Miserton Top Lock. Here the wind pinned Cath against the mooring and she was having a bit of a problem getting off. To the rescue rode I, the stern needed a good push so I heaved away. Success, but as I stepped backwards to the bank my foot slipped on the gunnel and I sat down hard on the edge of the mooring, feet in the water. Nothing much hurt other than pride, but now my maximus gluteus is rather bruised. Reminds me of one of Frankie Howerd's quotes "I fell right on my Coccyx" with the emphasis on the first syllable and a pause before the second.
Misterton Low Lock, with Misterton Top Lock in the distance
Thoughts on the Chesterfield. I would have loved to make it to the top, but circumstances were against us. The scenery is well worth the trip as far as we went. Both Worksop and and Retford seem like nice places and we weren't really bothered in either place by rowdyism. The Worksop and Retford Boat Club were very welcoming.
About the only downside we can think of is the shallow sides and the weeds, but bear in mind that Lyra is deeper than a lot of boats at 30", due to over ballasting.
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Wednesday 8th May 2013
Last night we checked the weather forecast and it said that a 20% chance of rain would start around 10.00, rising to 60% by around 1.00pm.
As usual it was the proverbial pack of lies. We were ready to go by about 8.30, and the rain started. We had planned to run up to Drakeholes Tunnel where there is a 24 hour C&RT mooring with a power hookup. The lock keeper at West Stockwith had sold us a card for this very purpose. Our hope was to do two wash loads using the hookup.
We ploughed through the rain, stopping at the Retford & Worksop Boat Club to dump rubbish and a can, and then continued through improving weather to the mooring. Pulling up to the power pole I had a look at it to see where to put the card. Nowhere! Just a keypad.
A call to the C&RT office was no use at all. The first person I spoke to said that the pole was for permanent moorers. This is a 24 hour visitor mooring! When pressed she tried to pass the call to someone else, but that person wasn't available. Finally I did get through to someone who said that it was for winter moorers and a trip boat! There is no trip boat that I know of, and the guide does state that power is available, so what's going on?
It turns out that C&RT are modifying their power poles to a keypad system, but cannot give out the pin numbers. It would be a good idea to at least tell their lock keepers that the system has changed to stop us from buying useless cards. They say we should get pin numbers in the fulness of time. But what about now?
Who is making a fortune out of modifying these power hookups? Why?
I'd like to know.
Last night we checked the weather forecast and it said that a 20% chance of rain would start around 10.00, rising to 60% by around 1.00pm.
As usual it was the proverbial pack of lies. We were ready to go by about 8.30, and the rain started. We had planned to run up to Drakeholes Tunnel where there is a 24 hour C&RT mooring with a power hookup. The lock keeper at West Stockwith had sold us a card for this very purpose. Our hope was to do two wash loads using the hookup.
We ploughed through the rain, stopping at the Retford & Worksop Boat Club to dump rubbish and a can, and then continued through improving weather to the mooring. Pulling up to the power pole I had a look at it to see where to put the card. Nowhere! Just a keypad.
A call to the C&RT office was no use at all. The first person I spoke to said that the pole was for permanent moorers. This is a 24 hour visitor mooring! When pressed she tried to pass the call to someone else, but that person wasn't available. Finally I did get through to someone who said that it was for winter moorers and a trip boat! There is no trip boat that I know of, and the guide does state that power is available, so what's going on?
It turns out that C&RT are modifying their power poles to a keypad system, but cannot give out the pin numbers. It would be a good idea to at least tell their lock keepers that the system has changed to stop us from buying useless cards. They say we should get pin numbers in the fulness of time. But what about now?
Who is making a fortune out of modifying these power hookups? Why?
I'd like to know.
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
Tuesday 7th May 2013
We spent a pleasant morning wandering around Retford, a lovely little town with a butcher called Bacon & Sons. Nice looking meat, and a bakery too.
I once again couldn't resist a mooch in Wilkinsons, and bought some wire to reroute the power feed to the Hurricane to see if I could stop it from dropping out when the fridge starts. It's only just as the thing starts up, the inductive load causes the DC at the distribution panel to drop to a level where the heater says low voltage and drops out for a moment, it restarts straight away, but I'd like to see if I could stop it from happening.
After the wander in town we decided to raid Asda for all those supplies that a supermarket is so convenient for.
Lunch over we moved off in search of a water point. The book says there is one by a pub not too far down the canal. Sure enough, there it was in the pub garden. The flow from the tap was the best we've seen for a long time and it only took about 30 minutes to fill our nearly empty 150 gal. tank. Pretty good.
When the tank was full we moved off again, through Whitsunday Pie Lock, the first of the double locks going this way, looking for a mooring spot marked at Clarborough.
Up to this point I've had to dive into the weed hatch twice to retrieve the usual plastic bags and weeds, but after the lock the canal seems very good, and as the picture shows, the weed boat has been busy around here.
The weed boat has left its mark here
At Clarborough we found the mooring spot and we're now tied up for the night. Cath is doing a nice chicken pilau for dinner tonight, and I've treated myself to bottle of Grouse as it was on offer in Asda, so I'll be having wee dram before the meal.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)