Another Holiday

Cath, John and the kids joined us at Torksey to share the first week of their holiday.  The tides on the River Trent were low and high tide wasn't going to reach Torksey.  This meant the tide wouldn't effect our speed so we could set off at anytime.  We were surprised to see a boater taking advantage of the low tides by running his boat aground on a beach to paint it.  

Boat painting on the River Trent

 

Penrose in hot pursuit!

The next day we travelled to a popular destination, Newark, and were lucky to find moorings on the low wall which was also handy for shopping.  Newark's an interesting town and we enjoyed walking round.  At the bric-a-brac market Kev had a reminisce with another guy after spotting pre-electric drills and yankee screw-drivers on one of the stalls.  John and Kev called in at Just Beers to sample the real ales and we all enjoyed a meal in Pizza Express.  I recommend the "Chocolate Glory" dessert which lived up to our high expectations.  

The relief map of Newark which stands in the Castle grounds. 

From Newark the river took us into the countryside.  The first stop being Hazelford Island, home to blackberry bushes and rabbits.  The kids went blackberrying and then with Cath's help made a delicious blackberry and apple pie.   Late one evening the sound of jazz music drifted up the river.  Downstream we could see the lights of a large trip boat on a cruise.  A live jazz band played and couples danced as the boat glided through the night. 

Our last stop together was at Stoke Lock and again we were lucky with the moorings.  After a sudden torrential shower in the afternoon the rain held off and we were able to sit out for our last evening. 

The next day we sailed the short distance to Holme Lock and the adjacent water sports centre.  The England Relay Triathalon Championships were being held over the weekend so we went to watch.  I chatted to a lady whose husband was competing and she explained the finer detail of the race.  Our own exercise was limited to walking and once around the 3 mile circuit seemed far enough.  

Waterfowl is abundant at Holme Lock but a black swan is an unusual sighting.  It seems to have taken up residence and certainly isn't shy of boaters. 

Black Swan at Holme Lock

Our route from Torksey to Holme Lock

Sarah's Holiday

Sarah joined us at Thorne for a holiday on board.  As we sat chatting that evening a furry face suddenly appeared at the window on the canal side of the boat.  A cat had walked along the gunwhale but as it couldn't get passed the cratch cover it then had to reverse back to the stern.  Luckily Bess and Brinny didn't see it.  

We sailed over to Keadby and found the carpet of green weed we saw last year had encroached further up the canal.  For 5 miles our bow pushed through the weed forming thick mounds and we left a clear trail behind us. 

Leaving a trail through the green weed

We had an early start through Keadby Lock and a pleasant run up to Torksey where we moored overnight.  The next day we sailed on to Saxilby where Kev decided to replace the rubber seal on the skylight.  The window and it's frame were out in pieces when the heavens opened.  We erected a large umbrella through the skylight hole which kept us dry but probably looked bizarre from the outside.

There are moorings at Lincoln but for a day trip we took the train.  A steep walk from the station took us through Lincoln's interesting streets and up to the Cathedral where we admired the magnificent craftsmanship.  The intricate stain glass windows, illuminated by the sun, immediately caught our attention.  The fine stonework and old wood carvings were complimented by more recent additions, modern wood sculptures and intricate needlework on banners and altar cloths. We also spotted the famous Lincoln Imp perched high up above a pillar.

A banner depicting the Virgin Mary after whom the Cathedral is named.  The swan is associated with Saint Hugh who rebuilt the Cathedral after an earthquake in 1185 caused extensive damage.

The week passed quickly with plenty of time for sketching, walking and of course talking and soon it was time to return out onto the Trent.  High tide occurred late in the afternoon and as we went through Torksey Lock we asked the Lockie about the tea-pots we were surprised to see on the inner lock gate. These gates are not used and the Lockie put in the first tea-pot which prompted boaters to contribute to the collection.  On the opposite gate a display of kettles has started.  

Sarah's photo of the tea-pots on the lock gate.  When the lock is full the tea-pots are submerged so they are filled with gravel to keep them in place. 

Once through the lock we moored up on the pontoons where we were joined by Cath, John and the kids on the first day of their holiday.

Our journey from Thorne to Torksey and Saxilby

Too much water

As I wrote up the last blog I was unaware there had been flash floods at Todmorden and more flooding on the River Calder.  The next morning our journey included stretches on the river but the indicator boards were showing green, "safe to proceed".  Unfortunately the flood gates were shut and the landing stages aren't long enough to tie up Brent III.  At Thornhill flood gate Kev dropped me off to open the gates and moved back into the river.  The gates would not budge and Kev sat waiting in the middle of the river.  I was starting to wonder what to do next when I spotted a couple enjoying a walk on the towpath.  They obligingly helped push the gates and held them open until Kev had sailed through.    

The floods had brought debris down the river and also dislodged clumps of reeds.  As we left Dewsbury a large island of reeds, complete with resident ducks, blocked our path.  After gently running our bow into it and some manoeuvring with the barge pole the ducks left and their home floated off to the side.  

We stopped at Broadcut that night and were enjoying a quiet evening when a loud moo sounded very close.  A black bullock was walking up and down the towpath, distressed at being parted from the rest of the herd who were in a field further away.   As he walked back passed Brent III I went in the opposite direction to the local pub.  The landlady rang the farmers and before they arrived Kev herded the bullock into an empty field safely away from the canal.  

At Stanley Ferry we met up with Shaun, Laura, Nic, Gaz and all the grandkids.  We had a good get together which included a meal in the pub and then Bett-Lou stayed with us for a holiday.  During the next few days Bett-Lou had a busy time, helping with the locks, learning how to steer the boat, walking Bess and Brinny and bird spotting.  We saw a lot of herons, ducks and swans but were surprised to see a peacock landing in a garden.   There was also time for drawing, working on a collage and beating us at cards.  Bett-Lou's holiday ended at Viking Marina and we turned our attention to some maintenance.  

We'd noticed water was getting into the engine bay and prime suspect was the stern gland.  The propeller shaft runs from the engine through the stern tube and out into the canal.  The stern gland packing is thick cord wound round the shaft which is kept greased to stop canal water coming into the boat.  Kev replaced the cord and gave it a good greasing. 

The next morning the local news reported Lafarge at Whitwood will no longer be using the barges for transporting sand and gravel.  The redundant barges are moored up at Goole awaiting their fate.  As Lafarge was one of the last companies to use commercial barges in the north it could be the end of an era.  

Sand and gravel barges moored up at Goole

After leaving Goole we turned down the New Junction canal and on checking the engine bay were concerned to see we were still taking on water.  We pulled over and spotted the source, the bearing on top of the rudder was letting a flow of water through when the propeller was turning.  We carried on to Thorne with the little bilge pump working overtime. 

Bess and Brinny enjoying the view as we sail away from Goole.

  

On arrival at Thorne Kev dismantled the the casing around the top of the rudder and with a little help from a big hammer retrieved the bearing which was well and truly worn out.  He called City Seals and Bearings in Rotherham and spoke to Bill who was very helpful.  He checked the measurements to ensure it would fit in our boss before handing over the new bearing to Nic who had called in to collect it.  He also offered to come back to the shop after hours to change the bearing if it didn't fit and gave us his mobile number.  Nic passed the bearing to Shaun who then drove up to Thorne.  The new bearing fitted perfectly and resolved the leak so thanks to a combined effort we are back up and running.  

Our journey from Brighouse to Thorne.  From Goole to Thorne is marked in orange.