tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10011138476369489532024-02-19T10:38:09.438+00:00nb Ferndale - GoodbyeWe have had a wonderful time exploring the waterways, but now we shall be returning to Australiarayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.comBlogger571125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-39485545037692815122017-09-26T17:59:00.000+01:002018-06-12T01:05:56.999+01:00The final words<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Tuesday 26<sup>th</sup>
September 2017</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This will be our final blog entry.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The reason why we started the blog was to be able to let our
family and friends in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region>
see what we were doing and to confirm their thoughts that we were completely
mad – I think that the blog really did substantuate what they already knew – but it was
set up for that purpose.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In our mind it was about our adventures on the waterways and
the time between when we started and when we were to finish (which is now).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tomorrow I will be boarding the flight to go home to
Melbourne (this time it will be with Royal Brunei Airlines) and be land based again, our life on the boat will be such lovely
memories and behind us; not so the people we have met; the experiences we have
shared together and with others; the places and events that we have seen; the
fun and the sadness.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are a number of people whom we have met on the canals
who are no longer with us and we are very saddened because of that, but we can
recall their faces and the good times that we have shared with them; we can
hear their voices and the experiences that they have shared; the knowledge that
they have passed along to us – we miss them all; our lives have been enriched
because of them and their friendship.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the nature of life is that we must keep changing; keep
evolving; moving on; we have more goals on the horizon that we will pursue, but
as I have said previously, our immediate concern is the on-going welfare of
Diane’s mother.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What will we do in the longer term?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have seen a fair amount of Australia already – from
Cairns in the north, all the way around the coast as far as Adelaide; we have
taken the train across from Sydney to Perth and been south of there through
Fremantle and Bunbury and to Margaret River; we have see Rottnest Island and
the quokkas; visited Tasmania few times, but we have not seen the middle
through Alice Springs and to Darwin; not yet been to the north-west; so there
are a couple of places left for us to visit.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also want to see a lot more of the <st1:country-region w:st="on">USA</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region>
and spend more time with Mitch and Sara in LA and of course with Sam in <st1:city w:st="on">Melbourne</st1:city> and Rebecca in <st1:city w:st="on">Auckland</st1:city>.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We want to again enjoy the sights and sounds and tastes of <st1:city w:st="on">Melbourne</st1:city> which we think are worthy of a visit from
everyone – <st1:city w:st="on">Melbourne</st1:city>
has a soul and a heartbeat and a life and a personality which runs deep and not
simply sitting on the surface.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
I am pretty sure we won’t be lost for things to do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What will we miss about life on a boat?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The people – it is always the people that are the soul of
the canal system – some we have just fleetingly said hello to and others we
have been in almost constant contact with – in between there have been random
discussions, a chat whilst we walked the dog, over a beer in the pub – there
are people with real character about them; others who can get quite
opinionated; and still others who simply just want to be on their boat.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And please no mention of batteries and toilets!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The canals themselves – there are some real brutes out there
and others that just seem to glide by under the boat. Is there a favourite? – a
bit like asking a parent about a favourite child – the canals are like children
in a way, in that they all have their own character, their own persona – and on
each we all have our favourite mooring spots for whatever reason that may be.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just simply life on the water in general – there is so much
freedom to do as you want and still keep to the rules which are in place for
the benefit of everyone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The best places we have visited? We have loved being moored
in the docks in Liverpool and being so close to the city, but also Castlefields
in <st1:city w:st="on">Manchester</st1:city> and <st1:placename w:st="on">Paddington</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Basin</st1:placetype> in <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city>
or <st1:placename w:st="on">Gas</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Street</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Basin</st1:placetype> in <st1:city w:st="on">Birmingham</st1:city> – being able to visit these
wonderful cities and moor in the centre has certainly been something to
remember.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Equally though, we love the rural areas as well – some of
the views across the Pennines on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal; or the
undulating hills of Northhamptonshire; the upper reaches of the Thames (away
from the large cities and towns); the River Trent which is all rural below
Newark; the Shroppie is a real treat as well; or simply the authority of the
Grand Union.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Things that we will not miss.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The increasing trend of some boaters – and I cannot classify
that into new/old, young/old, hirers/owners/shared boats – to ignore the
traditions of the canals (or at least the ones that we learnt about) – helping
others at locks; close gates and paddles; slowing down past moored boats;
following the etiquette of canal users.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People who want to disregard the rules in place for everyone
to benefit, simply because the rules do not suit them and they want to try and
always get around them. If you are a continuous cruiser (as we are) then obey
the requirements – if not then go into a marina; if you have a boat then pay
your licence, if not then get off the water; don’t stop somewhere and think you
have a right to stay there for years simply because you work in the area, or
have kids going to school, or any other reason; abide by the requirements to be
allowed on the waterways.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We will not miss those cyclists along the towpath who think
that they own it and speed along with complete disregard for others and churn
up the path – for heavens sake slow down and use your bell.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t have too many problems with anglers – sure there are
some who don’t want to make eye contact and think that a boat going by is
disrupting their fishing time, but on the whole they are usually quite friendly
and enjoy a bit of a chat like anyone else.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will especially not miss the classification of everyone
that seems to happen in this country – talk to many people of British heritage
and they will invariably fall into the habit of saying something about any
group of people who may be from any country you wish to name and tar everyone
from there with the same brush or people from a certain town or city. Not all
people come to this country to get benefits, or abuse the NHS system, or cause
mayhem – in fact the vast majority, of those we have met, are looking for a better way of life and enter
the UK in a perfectly legal way and live their lives according to the laws of
the land.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have met so many people from so may different countries
who, like us, simply want to work hard and support their families and enjoy
their lives in peace; on the other hand we have seen a number of people who described
themselves as British (or usually as English) and want to blame everyone else
for their own problems and in a less than peaceful manner.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are all here together to be part of a larger picture –
there are no reasons why we cannot all live together in peace.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We will still be reading the blogs of boaters (can’t say
other boaters any more) to see what they are doing and where they are going; we
will remember with happiness the places that they visit and where we have also
been; we will try to catch up with who we can we we come back to this country
in the future; and we will stay in contact with as many as we can.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The contact line on the blog will stay, so if you want to
let me know of your email address then send me the information as a comment to
the blog and we will be back in touch to you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If there is one thing that sums up our life aboard <st1:place w:st="on">Ferndale</st1:place> for the past
seven years it is that we have learnt to slow right down and become more
relaxed about the things that go on around us and to become much more tolerant
of other people.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Au revoir !</div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-81771378010780446092017-09-25T23:11:00.003+01:002018-06-12T01:02:48.453+01:00A time to take it easy<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Thursday 21<sup>st</sup>
September to Monday 25<sup>th</sup> September 2017 <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few weeks ago when everything had not been finalised, I
was talking to Diane, as I do everyday, even though we are a just few miles
apart, and I felt that I just needed some time to myself before I flew back –
not time that I would not see anyone, but simply time when I could be by myself
– essentially not having to stay with others whilst counting down to my
departure date.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She is an understanding woman and during this time I have
been staying in hotels in different places and having a nice time of just being
in my own.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course I have been seeing people durng that time, but
able to come back to somewhere which is my own space.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The last thing that I wanted was to impose on others; to not
have the freedom to do as I needed to do when I needed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As eager as I was/am to get back to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region>, this
short time has helped and I have enjoyed it all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A last night in Market Harborough after all was completed
with the sale of Ferndale; couple of days in Birmingham and helping Dot and
Gordon (nb Ewn Ha Cul) up the Farmers Bridge flight; catching up with Debbie
and James; a day/night with Maggie and Paddy (without whom we would have faced
huge problems with our mail – they have been truly great); and a couple of
nights in Chiswick, where we could see the Thames and had a lovely week with
Mitch and Sara earlier this year. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There will be one last night before I fly back – a night at
Heathrow.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have also managed to sort out 40kgs of luggage into the
37kgs allowance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The peace and solitude was what I needed; to be able to
write the final parts to this blog; to contact the people that I haven’t been
able to see in person; to be able to reflect upon the time that we have spent
in the <st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place>;
to think about the future.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What we have done during the past 7 years cannot be
duplicated; it will never happen again; people have asked would we come back
later and buy another boat – no it will never be the same – we will come back
again to see people but by then we will have moved on and so will everyone else.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has been a unique experience.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have seen more of the UK than most Brits do; we have
learnt to understand what a Geordie or a Scouser it actually saying (it wasn’t
easy to begin with); we have started to understand more of the fabric of the
British way of life; we know where town and cities actually are – so if you say
that you are from Yeovil or Scunthorpe or South End or Carlisle or Cromer, we
know where they mean.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Living in Britain is not easy even for Brits; it is easier
for us than some others because at least we know the language, but it can be
awkward at times; we have experienced times when we felt a bit alienated and
made to feel like intruders (not many but a few) – and we are from Australia
(part of the Commonwealth), so we have an empathy for people who have less
familiarity than we do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have seen the increase in nationalist pride in this
country – but it is not pride for the UK (except when you are talking about the
EU), but pride in being Scottish or Welsh or Irish and English – quite often,
people describe themselves in those terms rather than saying that they are
British – nothing wrong with a bit of parochialism so long as it is controlled.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have often been amused with the depiction of Andy Murray
in the press – when he wins he is British, but when he loses he is Scottish –
any wonder he <u>joked</u> that he supported any team playing against England.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We think that people here take themselves too seriously and
hold intransigent opinions about all things or in many cases just a few things.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As small as our travels in the US are, we see a number of
Americans that have revealed a clear knowledge that they think the world is
confined to the area occupied by the USA and beyond that is some vast unknown –
a very introspective way of life; in many ways and many times, we have also
seen that in Britain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It leads to a lack of understanding of other opinions,
beliefs, thoughts and attitudes – we see it in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region> as well (at times) – it
is the extent that it permeates through a society that is the concern.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I seemed to have drifted, but time alone allows you to think
on the past, the present and the future.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In looking at the future, we will be focussed on just a few
things, primary amongst these is Diane’s mother – as I have said before; but
equally important will be the manner and way in which Diane and I share the
rest of our lives together.</div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-31853390570150491392017-09-22T02:37:00.002+01:002018-06-12T00:57:43.264+01:00Surveyed and all OK – she’s gone<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Monday 18<sup>th</sup>
September to Wednesday 20<sup>th</sup> September 2017</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From Foxton I had just about a couple of miles to move –
would these be the last miles on <st1:city w:st="on">Ferndale</st1:city>?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Survey had been booked in for Tuesday 19<sup>th</sup> September
and I was there bright and early – before 8 am – as Diane will tell you I am
always arriving early for things, but better to be safe than sorry.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had done as much as I could think of in readiness for the
survey to be done – it is a lot like an MOT – you are sure it will be OK but
you just never know what might be found.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About 9am Greg Owens turned up – he had placed the offer and
was the buyer – we sat down to chat about a lot of things really – both of us
were a bit nervous – me for obvious reasons and he for, well, obvious reasons –
both of us hoping that it would all be OK.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The surveyor, Craig, was there just before 10 o’clock with
his off-sider, Johnno. Questions asked and answered – what type of engine;
heating system; electrics; toilet; this and that and everything in between –
where is this, where is that?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And this was only the in-water stuff.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They worked their way methodically through their list.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is surprising that the things that you were worried about
present no problems and those that you were confident about had so many
questions to answer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As it was proceeding, they seemed pretty happy with both the
answers and what they were finding – engine ran very well and all OK – no oil
leaks, no smoking, a little bit of play in the shaft but no problems; electrics
were all fine – alternators charging OK; central heating working correctly; the
diesel heater (Reflecs) – didn’t need to check it (not part of the survey but a
solid fuel stove would be part of it); gas system OK – bit of a fluctuation but
within limits – more importantly it didn’t leak at that part of the test.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now the big one – time to take her out of the water – so <st1:city w:st="on">Ferndale</st1:city> was manoeuvred
into position – the cradle straps raised her up and onto the supports.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each panel was checked – both sides and also the base plate
– the end result – a little bit of metal loss but given her age it was smaller
than usual – as Craig said - it shows that it has been cruising a lot and not
just sitting in a marina.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The landline charging system was the last to be tested –
worked perfectly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
End result: <st1:city w:st="on">Ferndale</st1:city>
passed with flying colours and she would now change owners. It was a good
result for the new owners as the survey included a new BSC for them as well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was the end of our time on the canals and the following
day, the balance of the agreed price was deposited into our account, so now
when you see <st1:city w:st="on">Ferndale</st1:city>
cruising past it will be a wave and hello to Greg and Frankie (Francis) Owens.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We wish them all the very best in their cruising and know that
<st1:city w:st="on">Ferndale</st1:city> will
treat them as well as she has done for us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All that was left to do was to clear out the final things
that had not already been taken care of; remove the bags that I would be taking
with me; and, I had agreed early on to refill the stern greaser ( a quick 5
minute job anyway).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A pat on the back to a great boat and a long list of
memories – bye Ferny, you have done us proud!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2 Miles, 1 Swing Bridge<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YTD: 792 miles (1275
km), 382 Locks, 20 Tunnels, 13 Lift Bridges, 34 Swing Bridges<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Total: 5424 Miles (8729 km),
3533 Locks, 145 Tunnels, 79 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>, 206 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place></b><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-4725630809595134732017-09-20T14:19:00.004+01:002018-06-12T00:55:37.112+01:00A goodbye to many….<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Friday 8<sup>th</sup>
September to Sunday 17<sup>th</sup> September 2017</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For both weekends encompassed within this period I have
spent quite a few hours on the road and quite a few miles disappeared under the
cars that I hired, but it was very important to go and see as many of the
special people that we have met and shared our lives with during these past 7
years – and, I must say, with whom we will be wanting to stay in contact with as
much as possible in the future.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First weekend, it was back to Stone to see both Lynn and
Phil and also Roly and Bev – we all caught up at The Exchange along with Emma
(Lynn and Phil’s daughter, who we know very well also) and special thanks to
Lynn and Phil for putting me up that night and feeding me in the morning;<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShH1HzD_Bbm38zJ_dh9MyeXpzUVnCZ9rYN3vJQKI2D8XiRD7pZaVOkqsgfNqLYkxULi7jGc_4V-nRw2K2Whf0XbBfuSpYF3Lg-xBYZWbJzlMf5sjiLW8FUA4-dQDZjE9LWyO_2RJbgw/s1600/IMG_3690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="448" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShH1HzD_Bbm38zJ_dh9MyeXpzUVnCZ9rYN3vJQKI2D8XiRD7pZaVOkqsgfNqLYkxULi7jGc_4V-nRw2K2Whf0XbBfuSpYF3Lg-xBYZWbJzlMf5sjiLW8FUA4-dQDZjE9LWyO_2RJbgw/s400/IMG_3690.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freddie, Lynn and Bev - I think Phil and Roly <br />
are certainly punching above their weight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zBl7BPKHRpSLHrCsgaRQfFQirGww8Q2XsqXOZ47NJCPEf8tPhCs4eAsqw5G6M58NCYQHY1uE8q3spTc_Yw2HOVswxE1NRISlvkjJW-ytB2_oE0g7InwX_LyIBgEfBTaPmTpJlsE2TQ/s1600/IMG_3691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="448" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zBl7BPKHRpSLHrCsgaRQfFQirGww8Q2XsqXOZ47NJCPEf8tPhCs4eAsqw5G6M58NCYQHY1uE8q3spTc_Yw2HOVswxE1NRISlvkjJW-ytB2_oE0g7InwX_LyIBgEfBTaPmTpJlsE2TQ/s400/IMG_3691.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">speaking of whom - here they are in their natural habitat - Phil and Roly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
after
that it was a decent trek up to Garstang to say a Hello/Goodbye to Janet and
Howard – it would never do to not see this lovely couple with whom we have
shared some very funny moments – Howard moored along side us in Aston Marina
and we had barely been there when he knocked on the boat to borrow some milk,
and Janet is just lovely – long-suffering better half.<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyar-isWtbakhICylUbc7m6ngoKIHyafiwONfPglZWn63nKuwr08-ENnV1eg_5mEjnQgbVxULmaYRQhl1ovGx-xnVOz4w6w3xzAskpHEK0ASkM-FMCLJGSqVs7fVf_r3M4zLPR_RbJew/s1600/IMG_3693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyar-isWtbakhICylUbc7m6ngoKIHyafiwONfPglZWn63nKuwr08-ENnV1eg_5mEjnQgbVxULmaYRQhl1ovGx-xnVOz4w6w3xzAskpHEK0ASkM-FMCLJGSqVs7fVf_r3M4zLPR_RbJew/s400/IMG_3693.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hey you two - the camera is over here - Janet and Howard in deep conversation<br />
- probably about a new app</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a long trip back that night after sharing a lovely
dinner at the Tithe Barn in Garstang (listening to a jazz band) but it was
necessary as on Sunday I was off to Stoke Bruerne to see Dot and Gordon – it
also coincided with the “Village at War” weekend which we had to get through
just to get to the pub – we avoided the £7.50 per person charge – I did get to
enjoy one of Dot’s world-famous pasties – ostensibly this was to pass on some
items that we could not leave on the boat and was an additional visit to the
one originally planned for the next Sunday.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJJQP2zWromMcYREvcQkky2uvIP1EuG9SNu_uQ2samdxxEXG8gp4WFw32OayMxZ_X7uA4lbPiaX7MN36dW3l_fTIpU54Sf8L_IvfaHhpFoaXFv1P_iaW1ItReew1XN8ErpUyl3cs19w/s1600/IMG_3696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJJQP2zWromMcYREvcQkky2uvIP1EuG9SNu_uQ2samdxxEXG8gp4WFw32OayMxZ_X7uA4lbPiaX7MN36dW3l_fTIpU54Sf8L_IvfaHhpFoaXFv1P_iaW1ItReew1XN8ErpUyl3cs19w/s400/IMG_3696.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmJ5gtECkWNld3iUC9AOzyCjexGmuPpoTzQXGygYEvqI8vtzsxn8S-nMHnljFZ19x5wA-OTCtgTEVXpY_k6grRhEtZYvuIhHlBBlI-IxFsg2kcJ0TukJjnZnwaJ2Jwr774g4xx7s_Pw/s1600/IMG_3697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmJ5gtECkWNld3iUC9AOzyCjexGmuPpoTzQXGygYEvqI8vtzsxn8S-nMHnljFZ19x5wA-OTCtgTEVXpY_k6grRhEtZYvuIhHlBBlI-IxFsg2kcJ0TukJjnZnwaJ2Jwr774g4xx7s_Pw/s400/IMG_3697.JPG" width="396" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85zuZJIR7Da4ufcUR5bzB2XsABxmge66N2BNzoJ-D8GzOwpYNbgXS7GVeETZWZQ-YqwZ5fTjSRRu6WvpUUTJVycfha6jJKTE_e0w4ogCXzMwZ479NfcL_UR4H0WqSAtjkoJbnAXaL8g/s1600/IMG_3698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85zuZJIR7Da4ufcUR5bzB2XsABxmge66N2BNzoJ-D8GzOwpYNbgXS7GVeETZWZQ-YqwZ5fTjSRRu6WvpUUTJVycfha6jJKTE_e0w4ogCXzMwZ479NfcL_UR4H0WqSAtjkoJbnAXaL8g/s400/IMG_3698.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEjR1i6aA4DUFkMWEjLbU11Rh0oG3YnFvcd-sjm1dh-iFwTtJJymPHbWyRHIWYC8Jp_YM120pFBTBz6IdjqR_yhm-w0JDbqDWOqsoxs7O0c7ebTbYIOL-GvFBa-CN_Z2w6zFaftWYPw/s1600/IMG_3701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEjR1i6aA4DUFkMWEjLbU11Rh0oG3YnFvcd-sjm1dh-iFwTtJJymPHbWyRHIWYC8Jp_YM120pFBTBz6IdjqR_yhm-w0JDbqDWOqsoxs7O0c7ebTbYIOL-GvFBa-CN_Z2w6zFaftWYPw/s400/IMG_3701.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a busy weekend but there was another equally busy one
coming up again in just 4 days time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday was a much quieter day, but simply lovely – a lunch
date with a very charming lady – Vanessa (ex nb Balmaha) – a quiet meal at The
Waterfront and just a wonderful time with a special person – we met Vanessa and
Mo so many years ago before we had even bought our boat and after that a few
more times over the years – until the next time that we can catch up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The few days until the next round was taken up with the
tasks of sorting out the remainder of the items left on board and would return
with me and what would ultimately be left behind – the limits of the luggage
had set the upper limit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday came and I was off again – another rental from
Enterprise and an upgrade from “B” to “D” – must be my good looks and smile
that did it all – all the girls are seriously affected by that – afterall they
are only human.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So off down to Watford for a day with Maggie and Paddy and
to drop off a full suitcase that I will pick up next week; see how all of the
renovations are progressing – I have to say that within the last 6 weeks they
have gone a long long way and looking very good –about another 8-9 weeks and
it will all be done and things will
settle down to something resembling normalcy again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After an overnight pitstop, I was away for a ‘relaxing’
drive down <st1:place w:st="on">Brighton</st1:place> way to Shoreham-by-Sea –
well it would have been except for the M25 parking station – travelling at
between 0 and 10 mph is not what is expected of a motorway.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually I made it to see Tone and Julie – again very dear
friends from our very early days of boat hire (4<sup>th</sup> day in fact). It
was simply like old times again and we both love them very dearly – of the
people we have met through boating, we have known them the longest.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I suspected that we would be partaking in a little bit of
drinking but we were a bit more subdued than normal and I simply had a great
time with them – we value their friendship very much.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tone, as member of the local RNLI, pulled a few strings and
I was allowed into the RNLI station there and even aboard the vessel used for
outer harbour work – you know them – the big 31 tonne boats that cruise along
at 26 knots – it was an experience that I very much appreciated and would not
have had the chance otherwise to get.<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtuas-5xjGMF6qKixfR0Z84EH5dzEoS2z_6q0qbdLXgVgosbbgVIm_dm_qa0KcO5JeQIzb2HItodDKkMQYO11esjQDeTzepceHniYuqeD7bWT-Ubr7Ozhpv2rbjvkOgQatryTSndfvg/s1600/IMG_3743+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="335" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtuas-5xjGMF6qKixfR0Z84EH5dzEoS2z_6q0qbdLXgVgosbbgVIm_dm_qa0KcO5JeQIzb2HItodDKkMQYO11esjQDeTzepceHniYuqeD7bWT-Ubr7Ozhpv2rbjvkOgQatryTSndfvg/s400/IMG_3743+%25281%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just glad that the holding pin was firmly in place -<br />
or else 31 tonne down on both of us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPA8A5iAzJ-Tt8yMQDf9IT0nwnACfHKMSdmLcH0M06fN2W2ADOv0wnoNr6PU6B45ynsL9IDrnmY4Uqh-lEg1mnUWHYyqcf_0hOcNSjV2ALHhxkHz4CRHk0gmJeCKpuj1-mYBSD8yjnw/s1600/IMG_3704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPA8A5iAzJ-Tt8yMQDf9IT0nwnACfHKMSdmLcH0M06fN2W2ADOv0wnoNr6PU6B45ynsL9IDrnmY4Uqh-lEg1mnUWHYyqcf_0hOcNSjV2ALHhxkHz4CRHk0gmJeCKpuj1-mYBSD8yjnw/s400/IMG_3704.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-BESynEQDZ-ih1CT59Ofrm6pcdQqZmHjTE7R1LwOrQ7iTUDlUho37tm8fMVruQNwTpb6mOfHiJkqzo1bAYFn6Gxgs7qlE0N9GclCZ5S7Xkr6N51gYrpVPNA6KZ-IZSAUmDDcS1mxAg/s1600/IMG_3707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-BESynEQDZ-ih1CT59Ofrm6pcdQqZmHjTE7R1LwOrQ7iTUDlUho37tm8fMVruQNwTpb6mOfHiJkqzo1bAYFn6Gxgs7qlE0N9GclCZ5S7Xkr6N51gYrpVPNA6KZ-IZSAUmDDcS1mxAg/s400/IMG_3707.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the power house - imagine one of these in the back of a narrowboat - bit fast<br />
and burning 376 litres per hour it may mean bigger fuel tanks would be needed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTV0UxjWaWTNZ4luFL5Ko3GdCWHeVWIaDEoCTpKdYH5tXaHkKEfMv4KNpdGOA3M4gFX-ou9mpcRKLQ1za10F_-XkEOZyvnrN71Tv9yxFif1MtBegzVMXuRDhhy8GtI0rQ-3vS30UbpQ/s1600/IMG_3708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTV0UxjWaWTNZ4luFL5Ko3GdCWHeVWIaDEoCTpKdYH5tXaHkKEfMv4KNpdGOA3M4gFX-ou9mpcRKLQ1za10F_-XkEOZyvnrN71Tv9yxFif1MtBegzVMXuRDhhy8GtI0rQ-3vS30UbpQ/s320/IMG_3708.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfQafozX4TWfeVkQuK1mq5BdUEYjCVB1kBiSW2mbgEy4SjOqbaJxkKr-ZUtkCR4Rao2ZbFcjE6eB7tCleuk0yn-gkFCFG__dMytsjMwRJTB00JfmPabL4WTJRuG6hbkZIrNmR-pgKwg/s1600/IMG_3709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfQafozX4TWfeVkQuK1mq5BdUEYjCVB1kBiSW2mbgEy4SjOqbaJxkKr-ZUtkCR4Rao2ZbFcjE6eB7tCleuk0yn-gkFCFG__dMytsjMwRJTB00JfmPabL4WTJRuG6hbkZIrNmR-pgKwg/s400/IMG_3709.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The seat on the left in the picture is for the coxswain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_GoWDSc63Wff-VElON3Pki4sUMXFVP0lhP7p_F4mKU2hwyJMcoGouJ7tICheJJs7RWjbW0ze7VKdn7FYJbzFSXGxn3iIAUCIcTBo7BmsFWbS9qqynSacfBcGad-V82o0O3fOj0aezg/s1600/IMG_3716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_GoWDSc63Wff-VElON3Pki4sUMXFVP0lhP7p_F4mKU2hwyJMcoGouJ7tICheJJs7RWjbW0ze7VKdn7FYJbzFSXGxn3iIAUCIcTBo7BmsFWbS9qqynSacfBcGad-V82o0O3fOj0aezg/s400/IMG_3716.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where else would we be on a Friday night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After dinner and just a couple of drinks, it was a good
nights sleep and I was off again to Abingdon, but via the dreaded M25 again –
surely the SatNav knows other ways than via this motorway – once again it was
0-10 mph for a long long way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually I got there and very pleased to see Sue and Andy
– we have both enjoyed the cruising time we have had along the <st1:place w:st="on">Thames</st1:place> with this intrepid couple and the pub time and owl
spotting and did I say the pub time.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZOM7Kh47ApA2TnuMApqW5pAB9Yd34ltsREqUHX7AUtIMDtyJPhUV_NarBYzZz6zE0rcSVghyphenhyphenlMb-WFzOlsr6FEWrqEshSHGIEGJ6ClwEP_T8DcmGqLv1U6ywZ6V1GeyoG0hmBzzGqg/s1600/IMG_3719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZOM7Kh47ApA2TnuMApqW5pAB9Yd34ltsREqUHX7AUtIMDtyJPhUV_NarBYzZz6zE0rcSVghyphenhyphenlMb-WFzOlsr6FEWrqEshSHGIEGJ6ClwEP_T8DcmGqLv1U6ywZ6V1GeyoG0hmBzzGqg/s400/IMG_3719.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yet another pub picture - I am blaming Andy and Sue for leading me astray</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lunch was nice but no where as nice as the time to talk with
Sue and Andy – it will be a while before we can do all of this again – at least
not until the end of next year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was all too soon before I had to say farewell and head
back to the boat – the rain had started to set in so the trip back was a little
longer than earlier expected and there was a need to be just that bit more
careful – it still didn’t stop cars whizzing past as though the roads were
safer than they really were – just do not understand the thinking of these
drivers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Being moored at Foxton I could use the car park overnight
with no problems at all and after a chance to have a good nights sleep back in
my own bed (at least for now) I cleared up a few more chores that needed doing
and then it was time to be off again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This time I had another visit to Dot and Gordon – the long
standing arrangement to meet up for a Sunday roast at The Greyhound at
Hawkesbury Junction.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The chance of a passing thunderstorm was always likely and
suddenly appeared before we had had a chance to enjoy our first drink fully,
but fortunately we made it inside in time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lunch, as usual, was great and Dot stuck to her revised
eating plan, except for the chocolate pot with the coffee – the look on the
face of the waitress who came along to enquire if everything was OK – I said it
was all fine except that Dot had spat in my chocolate pot – she made the face
and then realised I was only joking (or was I?).</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBS_LSxOlAqrhrBnTxV7FRb2Vk_57Z6FNpZj-dFmSlJHqUk0uW5FAA3JPDX-XVAb4e8qfLO_PxPoADdp3rnKB_17bBmE4anzH7G2KXNrcx2HhdH3FcpezBXaRfVuQJkzC0R7ic2xOSQ/s1600/IMG_3722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBS_LSxOlAqrhrBnTxV7FRb2Vk_57Z6FNpZj-dFmSlJHqUk0uW5FAA3JPDX-XVAb4e8qfLO_PxPoADdp3rnKB_17bBmE4anzH7G2KXNrcx2HhdH3FcpezBXaRfVuQJkzC0R7ic2xOSQ/s400/IMG_3722.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gordon in a typical Gordon pose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkExYrS0SNx1s-TDbctX6BGEOQosNQ7rcjB06_1O2eLYqx3Wn_HMkBmZrgEViJLG0GHDASvxupLcQh7lpZXcWO6zVwXd5XGdCdJvBg3UfIxkPcoAsaTKJjsQvzjxk5Ij-3nMqPwSKTBw/s1600/IMG_3725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkExYrS0SNx1s-TDbctX6BGEOQosNQ7rcjB06_1O2eLYqx3Wn_HMkBmZrgEViJLG0GHDASvxupLcQh7lpZXcWO6zVwXd5XGdCdJvBg3UfIxkPcoAsaTKJjsQvzjxk5Ij-3nMqPwSKTBw/s400/IMG_3725.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dot decided to sit next to me to pinch my dessert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZzhcpAMNhcCQj4SpSgCmVcq23L8y_BhQ025NPw4xslDAIMy5VTdExcqTGOI0ySpreo983MtD6gTyYvOiEAeAssupgMLYrR_NEfG44ovBFXRxDnh8ux7S_qWneT_2r6eCn048SFEAPw/s1600/IMG_3726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZzhcpAMNhcCQj4SpSgCmVcq23L8y_BhQ025NPw4xslDAIMy5VTdExcqTGOI0ySpreo983MtD6gTyYvOiEAeAssupgMLYrR_NEfG44ovBFXRxDnh8ux7S_qWneT_2r6eCn048SFEAPw/s400/IMG_3726.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the one that she "spat" on</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another weekend finished, car returned to Corby (closest <st1:city w:st="on">Enterprise</st1:city> to Foxton) and
I was preparing for a eventful few days ahead of me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>5 Miles, 1 Swing Bridge<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YTD: 780 miles (1271
km), 382 Locks, 20 Tunnels, 13 Lift Bridges, 33 Swing Bridges<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Total: 5422 Miles (8726 km),
3533 Locks, 145 Tunnels, 79 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>, 205 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place></b><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-75131442582825008622017-09-07T19:39:00.000+01:002018-06-12T00:49:36.645+01:00Going, Going, Going ……..<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Friday 1<sup>st</sup>
September to Thursday 7<sup>th</sup> September 2017</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I guess the news this week is that we have acceped an offer
on the boat and subject to a survey, which will be on 19<sup>th</sup>/20<sup>th</sup>
September, <st1:place w:st="on">Ferndale</st1:place>
will pass onto a lovely couple – more to come.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All of that took place whilst I was moored in Leicester –
see what I said in the last blog – <st1:place w:st="on">Leicester</st1:place>
is a lovely place.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has been a thoroughly exhausting week – I left <st1:place w:st="on">Leicester</st1:place> on Saturday morning earlyish for some but not
by my standards – but early enough to catch the rowers on the river.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the first lock I was joined by another boat, whose name I
forget, but by the time I was approaching the third lock I had to say goodbye
to – the reason was quite simple.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something was wrapped around the prop so badly or large
enough to almost stall the engine – in fact it easily would have if I had
pushed it at all; so a bit short of the lock mooring and no power, but I did
have a pole to get me close enough that I could jump off to the bank.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That would have been fine if not for the tumble on landing
into the nettles – my arms and hands itched and tingled for the rest of the
day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, I managed to get the boat to the lock mooring and
set about freeing the prop – as soon as I lifted the weedhatch I could see what
it was and armed myself suitably for the task.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After about 45 minutes the said item was freed – traffic
cones are useless in canals and this didn’t wash down with the last downpour.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44kh4-JVEw6issH7ySKEPfqz8vk5cKNAflABuFosahd6CmxODfeAGOaalMUQ2Ng2v8LY3mlOFIJD_5oOsYFEYdcNfGmCOeQNy_hJTSGqrAvK36AS6mMcvu263MBLvxmxdxExQRWhc5w/s1600/IMG_3675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="448" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44kh4-JVEw6issH7ySKEPfqz8vk5cKNAflABuFosahd6CmxODfeAGOaalMUQ2Ng2v8LY3mlOFIJD_5oOsYFEYdcNfGmCOeQNy_hJTSGqrAvK36AS6mMcvu263MBLvxmxdxExQRWhc5w/s400/IMG_3675.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No need to traffic control on the canal </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Free now to move on, it would be single handing through the
heavy double locks and by the time I have made it through Lock 32 I had had
enough and moored just past the lock moorings for the night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was at least a very quiet mooring and the TV signal was
good – good enough to see the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Spain</st1:country-region>
v <st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region>
game on ITV.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did sleep reasonably well – I can tell you that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday and it was only just the additional two locks down up
into <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Kilby</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place> where the services would be
handy; it would also allow me to start the much needed repainting of the inside
bottom of the gas locker – a good coat of Fertan was applied and the rust
conversion would be completed by the following morning.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After all my exertions I thought that a Sunday lunch was in
order and so it was over to The Navigation, where the food was quite good, the Guinness
was excellent and the rugby was on the screen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another lovely quiet place to moor – definitely a favourite
with us on the times we have been through here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The following morning, I simply pushed across to the
services block – only water to do – I had emptied the cassette the previous day
– trollied it around – and after that I was off.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first lock was a portent of things to come – I arrived
and another boat that had left some time before was still in the lock – when I
went up to see them the reason was self evident – the pound above the lock was
practically empty – John the male half of the crew had gone ahead to let water
down; I rang CaRT; Mark the CaRT guy turned up not too long after and I held firm
where I was (in the lock by this time – enough water had come down to allow
boat out and then boat in) – no problem for me- it became breakfast time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After 30 minutes later the level had risen and other pounds
were OK.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mark suspected that someone had let water down to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Kilby</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place>
pound because that had dropped a bit, but it was not CaRT sanctioned and this is
what happens when people don’t think about it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, Tanya and John aboard Tardius Tarde (Slow Slow) aka
Stumpy along with dog Elijah shared the locks until we reached Lock 23 and I had
reached my destination for the day. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There has been a great delight in meeting lovely people
along the way; sharing locks with them; and for a small portion of your life
you are with people whom you have an affinity with – today was one such event
in my boating life and it was simply very nice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxFLux5QN39XB4xQZ0MezJ4T8PxW-33fIu0fZ9RnFgQWkts4Pixnp4K3HYpSxYnPGj1X-iqbuNOcRc99EnI_5tz97znsq5Lg_Y_SBOTcPAN0UBHc87EJTj3tgMsYSdRtWZxiHYSqxhw/s1600/IMG_3676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="324" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxFLux5QN39XB4xQZ0MezJ4T8PxW-33fIu0fZ9RnFgQWkts4Pixnp4K3HYpSxYnPGj1X-iqbuNOcRc99EnI_5tz97znsq5Lg_Y_SBOTcPAN0UBHc87EJTj3tgMsYSdRtWZxiHYSqxhw/s400/IMG_3676.JPG" width="371" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HQKGXJqWWCKk2haJ7XU1EzFILRHpcMxXeKhNq9nS_wlyR-NsjqbikSBTSCJfzsDHbVofQW6NLAcT_Ek3ZPHhI8NQFQZ3WhKRiKjOVfzD_6qz_Jc7TlmvTA_HCqPPRQWY1FZqMM7sKA/s1600/IMG_3679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HQKGXJqWWCKk2haJ7XU1EzFILRHpcMxXeKhNq9nS_wlyR-NsjqbikSBTSCJfzsDHbVofQW6NLAcT_Ek3ZPHhI8NQFQZ3WhKRiKjOVfzD_6qz_Jc7TlmvTA_HCqPPRQWY1FZqMM7sKA/s400/IMG_3679.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynb5Fng3ISfhTPfkvHvzw860JRN5hYUB04UUOaizhYhEKsaG-hIDY-zPTh8h5jlqNvNWDO2Bm7JTzI3OsnrWMTzxafwh0_f9ESvugt_2QM1tIHutSx3S7a6wk2HCgbE2162I-y_mG6Q/s1600/IMG_3677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynb5Fng3ISfhTPfkvHvzw860JRN5hYUB04UUOaizhYhEKsaG-hIDY-zPTh8h5jlqNvNWDO2Bm7JTzI3OsnrWMTzxafwh0_f9ESvugt_2QM1tIHutSx3S7a6wk2HCgbE2162I-y_mG6Q/s400/IMG_3677.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mooring was at Newton Harcourt; TV reception was good;
internet was good; train proximity – very; but it didn’t seem to matter that I
was moored right along side the trainline, I slept soundly until my normal
time, which these days appears to be closer to 4am than the desired 6am.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today would be possibly the last day when I would be locking
the boat through – these 5 locks would most likely be the last – was I
sentimental about it – NO – doing these locks on your own knackers you, so not
to have to see another lock was a bit of a relief.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It does raise the question which people have asked – Will
I/we miss the boating life?<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Without doubt, we will miss being on the boat – but in some
ways it’s the same as other choices that you make through your life – there are
always T-intersections that we come to and have to choose a path to follow – we
have decided that looking after Diane’s mother is more important to us than
staying on the boat – we had also decided that it was important to spend more
time with our daughter and see more of Australia (although we have already seen
more than most Australians anyway).<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We will however miss the friends that we have made and they
have been very important to us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_OtowBrxltXC_HHLpkKw5iSJyDGH4uoCAhFIvtQq7mNK01WGYrgiB_B0wPoy0gv_cgl9v6yhuUQrxDcCCj8rpYdpBtH_-WqVrBZNW6-jZFtputx0JB2w9SUClpm8PJjRfv1mt0e5pQ/s1600/IMG_3681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="385" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_OtowBrxltXC_HHLpkKw5iSJyDGH4uoCAhFIvtQq7mNK01WGYrgiB_B0wPoy0gv_cgl9v6yhuUQrxDcCCj8rpYdpBtH_-WqVrBZNW6-jZFtputx0JB2w9SUClpm8PJjRfv1mt0e5pQ/s400/IMG_3681.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last lock......</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPb69T3pmi7aKLVqVc1cyue1-KEgXl69n-GKgHzanAJtSfCeeoqjlu9ffFRUIFZpf3Tz9_Y9av0ku8vKG6KNifT8M3eQiiYTmXb2vTOLVqOYppNjW3nw03KTPs5_4XjTNkjyr4Tp4eMQ/s1600/IMG_3682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="448" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPb69T3pmi7aKLVqVc1cyue1-KEgXl69n-GKgHzanAJtSfCeeoqjlu9ffFRUIFZpf3Tz9_Y9av0ku8vKG6KNifT8M3eQiiYTmXb2vTOLVqOYppNjW3nw03KTPs5_4XjTNkjyr4Tp4eMQ/s400/IMG_3682.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....and she behaved as well</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Enough of that sentimentality – Paul will kick me out of the
Aussie blokes club with talk like that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I finally moored above Smeeton Westerby for the night –
again very quiet and lovely – it is such that the tranquillity of the
countryside, free from the noise of urban life has a dramatic effect on you
disposition.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The following morning, I had a target and a couple of
obstacles to overcome along the way, but first a stop at Debdale Wharf to top
up with diesel – I could not believe that everything was finished and done in
just 15 minutes – the young lad who was blacking the boat out of the water made
the simple enquiry did I want diesel (as I had moored up) – he set off and got
the key as I tied up completely; was back; set the pump; filled the tank; and
had a chat as well; up to the office and paid the bill – just went smoothly and
I was away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My two obstacles for the day were two swing bridges on the
way into Market Harborough – being a single hander I have been concerned about
a day like today and how would I cope.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well the first was dead easy – I followed another boat
through; for the second I managed to tie up on the off side and open the bridge
and would have been through except three (yes, three) other boats turned up and
we got them through first, though one of them obviously forgot about slowly
past moored boat and practically pulled Ferndale across to the other side of
the canal; in the end I got through and it will be easy on the way back knowing
that it can be done.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moored up in Market Harborough for a few days, it was time
for a bit of shopping, emptying the cassette and a bit of work and a rest, all
of which have been achieved.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As exciting as life on the canals can be, it isn’t half as
exciting as what has been happening to Diane back home. The mother-in-law has a
cat which roams during the day (no bell, which annoys me) and the other day he
decided to bring home a friend as you can see in the picture below.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CHSwpv6UjZOZDDOuQs8s2Ukig5i74RI9BOquO8gHasEA7OtM4v5sv7l-kA_yXnCHZb7y6wdUjuETeIJ-r9saNOhO1YX2dXYcAvOeXYSei0uouO-4QwrqVnk9CeHmx6iFW4LCVJdNww/s1600/IMG_3684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CHSwpv6UjZOZDDOuQs8s2Ukig5i74RI9BOquO8gHasEA7OtM4v5sv7l-kA_yXnCHZb7y6wdUjuETeIJ-r9saNOhO1YX2dXYcAvOeXYSei0uouO-4QwrqVnk9CeHmx6iFW4LCVJdNww/s400/IMG_3684.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not your usual invitee to the backyard for a BBQ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A six-foot brown snake – which is amongst the three most
venomous snakes in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region>
– fortunately it was only a baby but it could still kill you with its bite.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Diane stayed relatively calm underneath the panic, and called a neighbour and between the two of them dealt with the visitor – there were
no friendly gestures on their part and the snake was gone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>24 Miles, 24 Locks, 1 Tunnel
and 2 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YTD: 785 miles (1263
km), 382 Locks, 20 Tunnels, 13 Lift Bridges, 32 Swing Bridges<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Total: 5417 Miles (8718 km), 3533 Locks, 145
Tunnels, 79 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>, 204 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place></span></b>rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-35402286849843016552017-09-05T19:14:00.000+01:002018-06-12T00:43:05.478+01:00Just wanna see a game mate!<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Monday 14<sup>th</sup>
August to Thursday 31<sup>st</sup> August 2017 <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What have I been doing all this time?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For some of it I have actually been on holiday from work –
it is such a lovely experience I may do it full time, but not just yet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was lovely to not have to get up to walk that incredibly
long journey to the dinette and see what emails I have from customers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I have not been idle – all of the packed boxes have been
despatched and soon will be on their way back home; our daughter Sam has sorted
out my return flight – I will be air testing Royal Brunei Airlines this time - she assures me that she is not getting any payback from RBA but when have you heard of a daughter not using their dad as a guinea pig.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Apparently it is much easy for receiving the boxes if I
am actually the one to pick them up or at least sign for them, so that is all
sorted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There have been a vast number of things – some of them
small, others not so small – that have needed attention.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most of the boat is cleared and ready for a full de-camping,
with simply enough to carry on here until I go.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One thing I do know is that I have thoroughly enjoyed
mooring here on the river – it is simply glorious.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have spent a fair amount of time with Gary and Carolyn (nb
Inca) and have enjoyed their company but careful to be able to have space as
well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After telling them about the T20 match last Friday there was
a deal of enthusiasm on their part to go to the next match which just so
happened to be on Friday just gone (last night). There were no problems in
being able to get tickets – plenty available and it was sit where you like
(except for in the members area).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a suggestion about going to see the Championship
match on Staurday between <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Nottingham</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Forest</st1:placetype></st1:place> and
Middlesborough, but when we rocked up at the ticket office it was like we were
asking for some unbelievably difficult task to be performed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you have a customer number?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, we simply would like to see a match”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Have you purchased tickets from us before?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, we simply would like to see a match”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you know someone who has purchased tickets from us
before?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, we simply would like to see a match”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We can’t sell you tickets, you may be away supporters
trying to (<s>infiltrate</s>) get amongst the <st1:place w:st="on">Forest</st1:place>
supporters”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We understand your position, but we are all on narrowboats
moored down on the river and we happen to be in <st1:place w:st="on">Nottingham</st1:place>
and thought that it might be nice to see a game”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I will go and see my supervisor”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
…a minute or so later…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, we can sell you some tickets”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whatever went on in the back room, we have no idea, but we got the 3 tickets that we wanted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, Friday night at Trent Bridge – Nottingham Outlaws v
Leicestershire Foxes in the T20 contest – I have said before that T20 is not my
preferred version of the game, but it was an exciting finish and with few overs
left we thought that it was all over and an easy foxes win would occur – but
some solid hitting by the outlaws meant that just 9 runs were needed off the
last over – the result? A two-run victory to the foxes and 10,000 outlaws fans
trudged out of the ground; I was pleased with the tight result.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQa6-TnerVIi-oipX21bLTALcKEmlkgXL7a1BxPQO8utTZVy1-_7deJq6D_q_NiT3cMco2EvKNDCfrCbPUgXFh69yUFHb38vPDQyYewFyB16ZbK_Jzo-CtPc7hS3SmcRDh1LKE845YA/s1600/IMG_3647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQa6-TnerVIi-oipX21bLTALcKEmlkgXL7a1BxPQO8utTZVy1-_7deJq6D_q_NiT3cMco2EvKNDCfrCbPUgXFh69yUFHb38vPDQyYewFyB16ZbK_Jzo-CtPc7hS3SmcRDh1LKE845YA/s400/IMG_3647.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A perfect night for a game </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By golly we had a bit of a coolish Friday night and Saturday
morning was quite cold.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had been told earlier in the week that there was a pretty
popular market on Saturday morning, to which Carolyn was keen to go; I had a
double look when I saw that <st1:city w:st="on">Gary</st1:city>
was also ready to go.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We headed off using the directions that I had been given and
as we walked it began to look like I might have been wrong/hoodwinked/tricked,
but we found the place.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a typical trash’n’treasure market with lots of the
former and little of the latter – we wandered around it all and left with our
money intact heading towards ‘spoons for Gary and Carolyn to have breakfast and
I simply had a latte.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back to the boat to catch up on things that needed to be
done (at least for me) – just to make sure that I would not have any problems
with my suitcases heading back, I did a practice pack and with nearly everything
packed the weight was just 18kg (out of a total of 30kg in the hold and 7kg
carry-on) – so no problems there – always good to know before hand.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before long it was time to head off to <st1:place w:st="on">Forest</st1:place>
where the seats were to be in The Brian Clough Stand.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like all clubs, the Forest supporters were incredibly
passionate about their team, but like all supporters they also, as a group,
could not get along with the other teams lot – such a great pity and a blight
on this game that supporters find it impossible to sit together and enjoy the
game – every other sport that I know has the fans all mixed in together without
any problems.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5MTTRuVxxiwyzkcuqhUA2Vv4TzK00la3iiNYsBIXwS5LsaNCevcADSoOxUJnCUbFwlC2Q0tpXtJu5u7HjsTnoq1XQn3bA5qgkkZwzOSr03yKhRaKj4mYcXOvrZO4a-dfFzn2QBGO0g/s1600/IMG_3648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="448" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5MTTRuVxxiwyzkcuqhUA2Vv4TzK00la3iiNYsBIXwS5LsaNCevcADSoOxUJnCUbFwlC2Q0tpXtJu5u7HjsTnoq1XQn3bA5qgkkZwzOSr03yKhRaKj4mYcXOvrZO4a-dfFzn2QBGO0g/s400/IMG_3648.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By golly, they let just about anyone in these days - who's that scruff on the right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fh5hogbg8rEILAfF8ipTg6LfUhIagKImgmXRhHYK6FL2xbM7JT0k1y7Vfk2anNrbUOiChVM-5qq3NQGBpFN6XFdHjzUih9838Bd5K9tqH7oH7_9LtkiYTf9H6GhGRgbG6VrDqM_kuA/s1600/IMG_3652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fh5hogbg8rEILAfF8ipTg6LfUhIagKImgmXRhHYK6FL2xbM7JT0k1y7Vfk2anNrbUOiChVM-5qq3NQGBpFN6XFdHjzUih9838Bd5K9tqH7oH7_9LtkiYTf9H6GhGRgbG6VrDqM_kuA/s400/IMG_3652.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was also a game of football going on which was entertaining<br />
- and sunshine as well</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Still it was an enjoyable game – Forest did end up winning
2-0 over Middlesborough.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday morning arrived and it was time for me to head off –
early as a I am used to – it was very nice to have the help of Carolyn and Gary
for the first lock, which was shared with a hire boat – they were experienced
boaters, just without their own boat.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After hugs and goodbyes, I was back on my own again – I will
miss the company of two lovely people – hope that they enjoy the tidal <st1:city w:st="on">Trent</st1:city> as I have done.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had a couple of locks to do by myself; I passed by nb
Pendle Warter, knocked on the side but alas Richard was not in, and then moored
up above Cranfleet Lock for a pleasant evening which was both very quiet and
extremely peaceful.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did however make contact with Richard and we agreed to
meet up the following day – he was coming this way anyway.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So lunch and a drink it was to be at the pub by the lock.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have known Richard from our early days in Aston Marina
and I know that it is true of most people we have met who have boats, but he is
such a lovely man and it is a pleasure to know him and to enjoy his company –
not sure when we will meet again, just hope it is not too long.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next 4 to 5 days I spent some of the time at Sawley,
moored and enjoying the sunshine, the free power and the wide space that is
afforded above the lock and then I made a beeline back to the TrentLock
junction where it is just as lovely in a more rural sense, even if there is the
occasional train.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5zPUEaojfg_h3DoDgTr30cK4Q1wZowLPLWiVGL4rjIu6nH9goTNk1Muaqo0QTN3E6WBgihBoOaxqcvWv0_wGy6kpkZLjNhcMOONSfXABcnSLn_Z4Z7FUnsuFFLKUMDZnti4NYPpBzg/s1600/IMG_3662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="448" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5zPUEaojfg_h3DoDgTr30cK4Q1wZowLPLWiVGL4rjIu6nH9goTNk1Muaqo0QTN3E6WBgihBoOaxqcvWv0_wGy6kpkZLjNhcMOONSfXABcnSLn_Z4Z7FUnsuFFLKUMDZnti4NYPpBzg/s400/IMG_3662.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just at TrentLock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After discussion with Diane – usual phone call so that she
can check that I am still alive and she doesn’t have to call the insurance
company just yet to collect - I decided
that we (Ferndale and I) would head up the Soar and make our way south through
Loughborough and down towards Crick.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLo96_aGxgGMhsahRbPlIlVvgNdiULKHB_vwQI2sAFAsBC7YVKD0f9h7UW1W-1Uom6Eo3gOXIm2glTDiZH4z_9m3k84aEHO794J431V0qXm-lpChfCpyT7GyGo2lhM1xIx4VXZz0a1dQ/s1600/IMG_3665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLo96_aGxgGMhsahRbPlIlVvgNdiULKHB_vwQI2sAFAsBC7YVKD0f9h7UW1W-1Uom6Eo3gOXIm2glTDiZH4z_9m3k84aEHO794J431V0qXm-lpChfCpyT7GyGo2lhM1xIx4VXZz0a1dQ/s400/IMG_3665.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting off up the Soar - early morning and the power station in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SmIrvruN8xdNlrCK7yMoXglyNG7aOFP1uuTVoVQa5YoM-DkjyvoFOWPbzBfBAgBNGpl4G8JNCUYiwiIAGflny35G-FZjn_we9R7AJ74wGSea1OUdMBlj52qEb-OcQ_21efRTnTY2DA/s1600/IMG_3667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="448" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SmIrvruN8xdNlrCK7yMoXglyNG7aOFP1uuTVoVQa5YoM-DkjyvoFOWPbzBfBAgBNGpl4G8JNCUYiwiIAGflny35G-FZjn_we9R7AJ74wGSea1OUdMBlj52qEb-OcQ_21efRTnTY2DA/s400/IMG_3667.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just for Diane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_gfF7ysBVCsKS-twgmvu6GLChIY5keDgHAc2zg_vEBw9jtP_pr-SMNM9ynm58REExlcWNnmZ7uY_JUfdx3Y4FxrzeAgLTfUBQ-DQIuoEzEjA3rbN41fhVTOtKEr73STwfmoBEb-Gdg/s1600/IMG_3670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_gfF7ysBVCsKS-twgmvu6GLChIY5keDgHAc2zg_vEBw9jtP_pr-SMNM9ynm58REExlcWNnmZ7uY_JUfdx3Y4FxrzeAgLTfUBQ-DQIuoEzEjA3rbN41fhVTOtKEr73STwfmoBEb-Gdg/s400/IMG_3670.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imagine my shock at this - I thought ours was unique<br />
but this boat also had a kangaroo tiller pin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
From our past experiences, we simply enjoy Loughborough –
some would say to avoid it – but there has been no problems for us in the times
we have moored there – so it was a couple of nights there and then further
south to Syston, where I encountered about 6 or 7 Fire Brigade chaps – two in
the water – so slowed right down in case they were looking for something, but
it was just a training exercise, which meant that I could moor up there, which
again is quiet and peaceful – a lake being just on the other side of the
towpath – allowing people the chance to just walk around it or fish or put a
boat on there for a fun day out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The following day was the trip into <st1:place w:st="on">Leicester</st1:place>
and despite the forecast of bad weather I headed in there anyway.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6IKqfh5Xx_BYZFZG6FhRV8Ue9c2jNOEzu47ICdp22iO7ZnJEWPM_XLaaUjMknn_NNp3rM3dWWCWAj-eS2OKEmqPQoMFK5qNjyLlRoXOVvix813kN50aTJC7IUM5uEFLXmHTvhXBD3g/s1600/IMG_3671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6IKqfh5Xx_BYZFZG6FhRV8Ue9c2jNOEzu47ICdp22iO7ZnJEWPM_XLaaUjMknn_NNp3rM3dWWCWAj-eS2OKEmqPQoMFK5qNjyLlRoXOVvix813kN50aTJC7IUM5uEFLXmHTvhXBD3g/s400/IMG_3671.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise on a lovely morning as I head into Leicester</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So many people will tell you not to moor in <st1:place w:st="on">Leicester</st1:place>; or make sure you go early and get through
there as quickly as possible; don’t look at anyone there or they will sink your
boat – silly stories indeed and generally told to you by someone who has never
been there themselves.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is the third time that we have moored there – twice on
the castle moorings and now on the Friars Mill moorings, which are very new –
not once has there been a problem mooring here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Getting there without getting rubbish around the prop is
another thing – every time we pick up some rubbish – but it is getting better,
this time I was only stopped the once and even then it looked like very old
rubbish that was caught.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The only problem that I have is the poor TV reception but I
can live with that, but anyone wanting/needing to watch their Corrie or
Eastenders might be in for a problem or two.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVnfuQHXa_YEwIC2REqM2malmWGYBdFtsVZhG3pY3ZWRONPydECZy_aqD0_BRSJRnIiUDc8GCoYLjQuzBQRk5XU2NQSTod-pS4y5VUHkPaVm4fanEyD31SN40JUiB4wNihU4paLRWOQ/s1600/IMG_3672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVnfuQHXa_YEwIC2REqM2malmWGYBdFtsVZhG3pY3ZWRONPydECZy_aqD0_BRSJRnIiUDc8GCoYLjQuzBQRk5XU2NQSTod-pS4y5VUHkPaVm4fanEyD31SN40JUiB4wNihU4paLRWOQ/s400/IMG_3672.JPG" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was quite taken with this board<br />
- my superpower? Selective hearing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguq5G9zq6qr6cK51XuNV6jCHFHugpwdkAT5taJPlHEflUKwzMYyGs-Zxvtp64i8MsT6Md8s73Y_E0P1IBwDgWCts_HakVlDcMngr93vyOfS9qIZfPZ5yo4mQZbPv_u-v-ckTIUEVqHYA/s1600/IMG_3673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguq5G9zq6qr6cK51XuNV6jCHFHugpwdkAT5taJPlHEflUKwzMYyGs-Zxvtp64i8MsT6Md8s73Y_E0P1IBwDgWCts_HakVlDcMngr93vyOfS9qIZfPZ5yo4mQZbPv_u-v-ckTIUEVqHYA/s400/IMG_3673.JPG" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and this one too - beware parents the owners are out to get you</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We simply love <st1:place w:st="on">Leicester</st1:place>
with it’s huge pedestrianised area in the city centre, the quirky back streets
and one-way traffic system to get the traffic through easily and quickly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do yourself a big favour and visit <st1:place w:st="on">Leicester</st1:place>
– just remember that you are not likely to run into Jamie Vardy along the way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>39 Miles, 23 Locks<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YTD: 761 miles (1225
km), 358 Locks, 19 Tunnels, 13 Lift Bridges, 30 Swing Bridges<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Total: 5393 Miles (8679 km),
3509 Locks, 143 Tunnels, 79 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>, 202 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place></b><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-34278841457908073272017-08-19T11:40:00.002+01:002018-06-12T00:28:29.241+01:00Happy Anniversary<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Sunday 13<sup>th</sup>
August 2017 <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No travel today – I will be staying in <st1:place w:st="on">Nottingham</st1:place>
for a few more days.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a special day, but sadly for the third time in the
last 8 years Diane and I would be spending our wedding anniversary on opposite
sides of the globe.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is a necessary outcome of the decision that we have made
and put into action.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could not imagine a life without her and for 34 years I
have been so very happy – I am sure that will continue.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We shall be back together soon enough and I look forward to
that with delight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have to realise we are just so lucky to have each other and how very much you appreciate and love the person that
you have committed your life to be with and to love.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did console myself with finishing off the packing of the
boxes – another item to cross off the list – every one that I cross off means a
step closer to going home and being with Diane.</div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-37130913730073766232017-08-17T15:55:00.002+01:002018-06-12T00:26:54.101+01:00Visitors and crew arrive<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Monday 7<sup>th</sup>
August to Saturday 12<sup>th</sup> August 2017<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just enough time in the morning to get the boat in some
semblance of order before it was time to hike it down to the train station and
meet Paul and the boys as they alighted from the <st1:place w:st="on">Sheffield</st1:place>
non-express.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The old train spotter that he his, he was keen to tell me
about the stations and the track and the trains themselves – at least that was
the case until I managed to let out a stifled yawn !!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was great to have Paul visit and to be able to catch up
with him even for the few days that we would have together – it was far
different to the original plans that we had envisaged earlier in the year when
he would take control for a couple of weeks on the Lancaster Canal – solo –
whilst Diane and I were due to tour around Scotland in the Jaguar – sadly it
was just not to be.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paul would have to content himself with a few days on the
tidal <st1:city w:st="on">Trent</st1:city> and
put up with yours truly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first shock that he had was that the lockout onto the
river would be at 6am the following morning; the second was that it was due to
rain all day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like a trooper – a very asleep one at that – Paul was up not long after 5am – a time for which he was more akin to arriving back
rather than getting up – and we were ready to go by 6am.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As it normally ends up, the weather was a bit windy but dry;
the clouds approaching were bringing the promise of meeting the forecast and
sure enough about 30 minutes into it the first drops appeared and the tempo
increased until it was more than a drizzle and not quite a downpour – either
way we were pretty much wet within the hour – no real point in doing anything
about it, we would remain that way until we moored up at Torksey.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For Paul though, remembering that he had not been on this
river before, it was definitely different to what he had experienced here – the
flow was pushing us along and in 4½
hours we arrived at Torksey and moored up at the pontoons – it was also
a chance to get inside for a hot shower which was heaven sent.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rain continued and even the possibility of a visit to
the White Swan after 4pm (when it opens on Mondays) could not tempt either of
us to venture outside – the boat was warm (and dry) – the mykuni had done its
job – so a drink and then dinner and a relatively early night at 10pm.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The day before, I had been to see the lock keeper about
passage to Cromwell Lock – indication was about 9:15, so we prepared ourselves
for that – this was a day to sleep in – obviously compared to the previous day,
but more importantly it was a dry day – no rain, no drizzle, no anything.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbr5_CF7PaK9teqOO1ZAP8bsyaR2qjz7smZy44dbokRHMVGTDdOaeclDwJc3wn-cfeYungOc18QQ35oGj1gHD20gAjNVaVuW8n_EKbp2qlwtIcyD_7P0PW7n4t_lAJiXBGpHsXMY8vQQ/s1600/IMG_3626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbr5_CF7PaK9teqOO1ZAP8bsyaR2qjz7smZy44dbokRHMVGTDdOaeclDwJc3wn-cfeYungOc18QQ35oGj1gHD20gAjNVaVuW8n_EKbp2qlwtIcyD_7P0PW7n4t_lAJiXBGpHsXMY8vQQ/s400/IMG_3626.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the appointed time we set off and we had a better chance
to enjoy the trip; taking it in turns for tea/coffee duties and steering, the
time to Cromwell went fairly quickly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was obvious that the effects of the tide were
substantially less this far upstream and after the flow reached a slack point,
there was virtually no further movement at all – passing through Cromwell Lock with
4 other boats (all cruisers) was not so bad, but each of the remaining locks for
the day, until we reached and moored in Newark, were all slow filling and we
spent a long time simply passing through the locks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2wNXT0GWAiFGoFuUmUXy-5Us5glMBgpK8STciU2t4zkyUPfmNiidGa5ijfhon1jxkMxjstRgq7dRe4YfHo4y_qU5JZKZKoC8J1B1-P4P1pQ676WnDG6T4sqyeod-HCOYBSAqDZRgDw/s1600/IMG_3615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="441" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2wNXT0GWAiFGoFuUmUXy-5Us5glMBgpK8STciU2t4zkyUPfmNiidGa5ijfhon1jxkMxjstRgq7dRe4YfHo4y_qU5JZKZKoC8J1B1-P4P1pQ676WnDG6T4sqyeod-HCOYBSAqDZRgDw/s400/IMG_3615.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The water point at Newark Nether Lock was only available in the lock -<br />
so under the Lock Keepers instructions we moored in the lock and filled<br />
the water tank</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3J5Ca0MOrnBAJ0Wx1rZutiGhcORxBIarRAkHcHtKqKfBROD6IVEr9F-BF-fKmjEMUn_I3LrQQ-A5cojMOZNJaTbxI_gemRvoePbr2EHIQA7MVal7wUfN6cX6RB4fo4Tq099ViR6qwA/s1600/IMG_3619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="448" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3J5Ca0MOrnBAJ0Wx1rZutiGhcORxBIarRAkHcHtKqKfBROD6IVEr9F-BF-fKmjEMUn_I3LrQQ-A5cojMOZNJaTbxI_gemRvoePbr2EHIQA7MVal7wUfN6cX6RB4fo4Tq099ViR6qwA/s400/IMG_3619.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a panoramic view of the lock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rXnmZNm5J8XFDCUy1g5bI2WIkTks-f38JvYZJS-2RoHV7wHDNQmYW0HHthyphenhyphenMYr6s1AE1SsDF4_DtMWN__Onvpl9ZI1NUmcrIzeg6x0I5UWz7YMPFjXAH4jHv12f0IW8g1a9WBPz6pQ/s1600/IMG_3621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rXnmZNm5J8XFDCUy1g5bI2WIkTks-f38JvYZJS-2RoHV7wHDNQmYW0HHthyphenhyphenMYr6s1AE1SsDF4_DtMWN__Onvpl9ZI1NUmcrIzeg6x0I5UWz7YMPFjXAH4jHv12f0IW8g1a9WBPz6pQ/s400/IMG_3621.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were perhaps a half dozen of these small hut just after the lock - maybe<br />
for the fisherman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once moored in <st1:place w:st="on">Newark</st1:place>,
Paul needed to take the dogs for a walk to do their thing and also to check out
the drinking and dining options for later on – we had decided that it would be
nice to have a drink and eat off the boat.<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wcjC7vJBUpDaRVNPvIGcmHkDrx9GiNNBcMFHzFTIkMx4o_tvetsDgdkbwp6BK37j7I5oG1ky_OSkzC-UlCphAvS6qvA5d4N5t7nb6PNQYKJOT00gc_XY2Asuk5zvTflHy2sK5DdIxQ/s1600/IMG_3613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wcjC7vJBUpDaRVNPvIGcmHkDrx9GiNNBcMFHzFTIkMx4o_tvetsDgdkbwp6BK37j7I5oG1ky_OSkzC-UlCphAvS6qvA5d4N5t7nb6PNQYKJOT00gc_XY2Asuk5zvTflHy2sK5DdIxQ/s400/IMG_3613.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One important job that we had was to be ready for a delivery
of packing boxes – after all I still have a job to get all of the things packed
that would head back to Australia – the people at Pack and Send delivered the
boxes to just about where the boat was moored; I managed to be able to store them under the mattress (which raised the bed up quite substantially - almost touching the roof) - after that we headed out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First up was the bar for the micro brewery Just Beer – which
was rather nice and then after that we avoided what Paul was saying was the gay
bar (but really wasn’t), and headed around the corner to a lovely pub (whose
name I cannot remember).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ladies on the next table recommended the pizza, which
was what we had fancied anyway (the pizzas) and a couple of pints and it was a
lovely night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now that we were on the canalised part of the river, the
situation was very different and heading off times were self-imposed and not
tide-dependent.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After walking the dogs for a bit and enjoying a lovely
morning coffee we finally moved off, through Newark Lock and beyond.<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5NfcjAiyMt-bHaVwpU5v8lrNpGONqC2BX3OQF7azeRfqzLV2_aFfc7XugjIjfOoJhD7UHIHqv4hsRs1wh2AL__256maj0bk-epXVnT8jDD9TNuUXaIJYWf5dcEjYOq0Oo21IpSbxkA/s1600/IMG_3622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5NfcjAiyMt-bHaVwpU5v8lrNpGONqC2BX3OQF7azeRfqzLV2_aFfc7XugjIjfOoJhD7UHIHqv4hsRs1wh2AL__256maj0bk-epXVnT8jDD9TNuUXaIJYWf5dcEjYOq0Oo21IpSbxkA/s400/IMG_3622.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul using the zoom in facility - that is, walk up closer </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YhRtm3MwSVakHwB8o-MN6xWCbkDba-Sqn_xo3g3k76ZH8VIt5fnS39Gjzdxf5Cinh_OTPnF52_t6GS_l2Vfgshz_9VS9LyDaHtKdZlbgcKsF-nQ5iBrGH8DaMeB2VNmxi14Lqeq2hw/s1600/IMG_3623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YhRtm3MwSVakHwB8o-MN6xWCbkDba-Sqn_xo3g3k76ZH8VIt5fnS39Gjzdxf5Cinh_OTPnF52_t6GS_l2Vfgshz_9VS9LyDaHtKdZlbgcKsF-nQ5iBrGH8DaMeB2VNmxi14Lqeq2hw/s400/IMG_3623.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Market Square Newark</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Plfg84rHEEMG_ylgYVMlpyxKP-soekDkcEQh4NKpGY0mmNQDuhfV3UGSyZe7iO2Sq6xXU_J1omizXwF_tEFebeKkNRf8ff3GxyDsmrt0TICdOCA_QHpFnnnFUZUAat7xFjukhsvKvg/s1600/IMG_3624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Plfg84rHEEMG_ylgYVMlpyxKP-soekDkcEQh4NKpGY0mmNQDuhfV3UGSyZe7iO2Sq6xXU_J1omizXwF_tEFebeKkNRf8ff3GxyDsmrt0TICdOCA_QHpFnnnFUZUAat7xFjukhsvKvg/s400/IMG_3624.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading off - approaching Newark Town Lock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again today the locks were all slow filling and this coupled
with a desire to hope for <st1:place w:st="on">Nottingham</st1:place> we pushed
ourselves a bit longer than perhaps we should.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It is a lovely trip through this part of the country, but after
9 hours on the go (and it had been a rather warm day as well), we finally
moored up at County Steps very much exhausted and not at all interested in
cooking – in fact not much interested in eating – but we could handle a drink
or two – course of action – head over to The Brewhouse and Kitchen – just on
Trent Bridge.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another micro brewery – we sampled a couple which were to
our taste – then, as often happens – a lovely plate of nachos will never go
astray.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back to the boat, both knackered, both reasonably quick to
bed and we slept through.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had decided the previous night, that rather than try to
move on and for Paul to then retrieve his car, which had been left with Kevin
Too, he would simply leave from Nottingham and come back for the dogs and all his
gear before making the trip up to Macclesfield, where he would be for the
weekend to catch up with Elaine’s family and others that he needed to see –
that all went well and I was a bit sad to see Paul depart – it had been a great
few days and I really enjoyed the company and just being able to chat away, but
Paul needed to be where he needed to be – and I had things to do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not long after, just as I was about to start paintng, nb
Inca turned up – Carolyn and Gary aboard with grand-daughter Abbey (Curley to
some) – they had been just a bit further along on the canal and decided to come
down. With the wind blowing quite hard, <st1:city w:st="on">Gary</st1:city>
did a very good job of getting the boat in without any fuss; tied up; and ready
to relax.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYf0ZGaftgd2NsuyAHlQ1er2al9u81yIXBNIOCMKiAwDVW9MuST74fU-wS0R91MjGGLQKStrjhdV1hMNJLhK46vCDUVd_iV9t2XCvkvBKfWkktxd5k-6frgbvKNu50Rdx1CcpIZJMTSQ/s1600/_MG_4579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYf0ZGaftgd2NsuyAHlQ1er2al9u81yIXBNIOCMKiAwDVW9MuST74fU-wS0R91MjGGLQKStrjhdV1hMNJLhK46vCDUVd_iV9t2XCvkvBKfWkktxd5k-6frgbvKNu50Rdx1CcpIZJMTSQ/s400/_MG_4579.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching and then a perfectly executed mooring up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We talked a bit – well for quite a while – and with their
thought of being here for at least a couple of nights, we would talk some more
– and I could get to the painting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Way back at Newark Lock, some days earlier, the lockie
advised that it we were in Nottingham on Friday night there would be a T20
cricket match, if we fancied a bit of ball against willow – with Paul gone
northwards in the Jag, I decided that it might be a nice way to spend a Friday
night and so I went.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
T20 is not usually my cup of tea, but as I had so far not
been able to get to a county ground to see any cricket during these 7 years, it
was a chance to scrub that off the list of things to do.<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWaTFr8JsObpn6qtxlX4og5UIz9o7Xk6WYfd1HezK7_H_AXU18aEhxt5WxDqXl-1m0zBZxO9JOYRhjeXuGg2ahUqVKhYZPy4nCi1ilUDJJHMXB-CW4pR7mbkjPGO4hAlm32XaissXdA/s1600/IMG_3629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWaTFr8JsObpn6qtxlX4og5UIz9o7Xk6WYfd1HezK7_H_AXU18aEhxt5WxDqXl-1m0zBZxO9JOYRhjeXuGg2ahUqVKhYZPy4nCi1ilUDJJHMXB-CW4pR7mbkjPGO4hAlm32XaissXdA/s400/IMG_3629.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnp58EUHpPhXeVZqJ-HSpLTa063bV8HpYPLXVrNaZoOz0Kefp3OwHxhQ7iZc8Ba8gYQurKqeyjpSL-6sQN_giIoUU35E2BQlUtXIrPTsQYxmsq7bUvaLDx7kRJJgYAtcr8mV3iD2ziA/s1600/IMG_3630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="448" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnp58EUHpPhXeVZqJ-HSpLTa063bV8HpYPLXVrNaZoOz0Kefp3OwHxhQ7iZc8Ba8gYQurKqeyjpSL-6sQN_giIoUU35E2BQlUtXIrPTsQYxmsq7bUvaLDx7kRJJgYAtcr8mV3iD2ziA/s400/IMG_3630.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxamwveYzppsKUI98LdwrhbjHfwqVTEpAsVQapiYUKR689cZRyWVTN9zJzJZJH-j0EIIsuh8LoV1niiGk7O0trTx5XDjg2cahTWEP5fv3B3qrXIdX6ZtyNfncuIYgECtVjdGHc38r9A/s1600/IMG_3631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxamwveYzppsKUI98LdwrhbjHfwqVTEpAsVQapiYUKR689cZRyWVTN9zJzJZJH-j0EIIsuh8LoV1niiGk7O0trTx5XDjg2cahTWEP5fv3B3qrXIdX6ZtyNfncuIYgECtVjdGHc38r9A/s400/IMG_3631.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Up against the Birmingham Bears, the outlaws were quite good
and it was a good competitive game, but the home side triumphed a bit
convincingly for this form of the game – it was a bit on the coolish side but
also with a bit of humidity in the air – all in all I was felling a bit tired by
the time I was back on the boat – a combination of the tiring day the previous
day and the cold air, it was not long before I was sound asleep.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Waking on Saturday to some glorious weather (again), it was
a day with plenty to do – there were boxes to pack, and more boxes to pack, and
did I mention about the boxes; and still some more painting to carry on with –
not sure that I was doing myself any favours with all of this, but when the job
is done it does bring some relief that it is finished – unfortunately that was
not the case on Saturday night, but the end was in sight, and so I simply
settled down with something that appeared on my plate – cannot remember cooking
anything – and watched a bit of the IAAF championships and then Match of the
Day; went outside about 11:45pm to see if I could see any of the promised
meteor shower, which I couldn’t and then it was time for bed before I turned
into a pumpkin.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1mzizBiE8u0im3sUOWpRjZL3A0fRu4pjPgWjEHDT7dAxcN0GJ1c5YbjnLhv-9ahZVIstabDNByFwca0EPttNN7dNmtiMnzT1Uv3L4JgiCFuc5vJd54aNLlml6_pEPZUfa0GUs38uBg/s1600/IMG_3633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1mzizBiE8u0im3sUOWpRjZL3A0fRu4pjPgWjEHDT7dAxcN0GJ1c5YbjnLhv-9ahZVIstabDNByFwca0EPttNN7dNmtiMnzT1Uv3L4JgiCFuc5vJd54aNLlml6_pEPZUfa0GUs38uBg/s400/IMG_3633.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking along the river on Saturday morning - absolutely glorious</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LF61a4ow1FoT6Xlbmff2dsMmLPEDPJeUG_oML3BwoP83GSBCIEYp68HrsvUtQlHilqqp8biYvU6_8Uvf5jOfyLkQdwsP8rYKyHOK7t9NRoYgbzkoEM5YLXRcwypKVyxv8MQcqJaslg/s1600/IMG_3637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LF61a4ow1FoT6Xlbmff2dsMmLPEDPJeUG_oML3BwoP83GSBCIEYp68HrsvUtQlHilqqp8biYvU6_8Uvf5jOfyLkQdwsP8rYKyHOK7t9NRoYgbzkoEM5YLXRcwypKVyxv8MQcqJaslg/s400/IMG_3637.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somewhere up there on the right we are moored up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvJz9wKDR9CcwkaeUfUUEqYs-PncZYX-D8Qsh_nS68QJlcBvp99vGGgYY9e8RpnC8hKnzSs6xfWIdcH3r0I1-Wjd0gUAhpqOE8jeQUIJrn2RvGht-Zws_S0GJJrVHpopyXFHcQIBSsw/s1600/IMG_3635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvJz9wKDR9CcwkaeUfUUEqYs-PncZYX-D8Qsh_nS68QJlcBvp99vGGgYY9e8RpnC8hKnzSs6xfWIdcH3r0I1-Wjd0gUAhpqOE8jeQUIJrn2RvGht-Zws_S0GJJrVHpopyXFHcQIBSsw/s400/IMG_3635.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obviously the French have feelings about Brexit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>69 Miles, 8 Locks<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YTD: 722 miles (1162
km), 335 Locks, 19 Tunnels, 13 Lift Bridges, 30 Swing Bridges<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Total: 5354 Miles (8616 km),
3486 Locks, 143 Tunnels, 79 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>, 202 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place></b></div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-11825561017589372672017-08-06T17:13:00.001+01:002018-06-12T00:19:07.195+01:00Solo again<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Thursday 19<sup>th</sup>
July to Sunday 6<sup>th</sup> August 2017 <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I have been slowly making my
way eastwards from Lemonroyd Marina; there has been a bit of time spent in
Castleford and since then it has been a steady pace to Keadby where we (the
boat and I) sit and contemplate more than our navels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The flight back from
Australia was not particularly enjoyable – I have made a few of these flight on
my own but this was pretty miserable – not only leaving Diane behind which has
always been hard when we have had to be separated but also the prospect of
seeing friends and saying au revoir to them; the thought of having to sort out
everything on and in the boat – there is/was a massive amount of stuff that we
have collected and stored during our time afloat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">They say that with not a lot
of space we do become inventive of how we manage to find places to poke things
away and believe me we certainly have become inventive; but not everything will
make the journey home and a great many bags of things (mainly clothes and
books) were dropped off to charity shops in the Castleford town centre – hence
the longer time spent there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwl66z0ruQU_x7ddpFJE1gA18Y0e4j5qGcL633M578d5ziHNt3TLpBwfJ-0smpUj1peK4Nerizp3SV1qmlDW0nniBl_PW5JAzClbQbtkd9vi_X6LJMOijh12xlHxLE_TwRixPjpr6w4A/s1600/_MG_4561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="443" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwl66z0ruQU_x7ddpFJE1gA18Y0e4j5qGcL633M578d5ziHNt3TLpBwfJ-0smpUj1peK4Nerizp3SV1qmlDW0nniBl_PW5JAzClbQbtkd9vi_X6LJMOijh12xlHxLE_TwRixPjpr6w4A/s400/_MG_4561.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I never tire of seeing herons around and this fellow has been around the front<br />
of the boat for over a week</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I did manage a train trip
over to Manchester to have a day out catching up with Diane’s cousin Marnie and
her husband Leigh – they are over here from Australia for a year – a gap year –
Marnie is of Welsh origin and Leigh is originally from around the greater
Manchester area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyOcTDMa2SD4p-Ds1IDugU4wSCoqPNzxvcRGvn_Pe0BHeN-v6TdA984V9YO5OJPTTUT-Z7sZJ6_qHvaXtXXoPBqS0MCSU1nH88G5aXvkYcf2VFI3AGonsISNfU1bdGTjZWVTWniiSKA/s1600/IMG_3586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="413" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyOcTDMa2SD4p-Ds1IDugU4wSCoqPNzxvcRGvn_Pe0BHeN-v6TdA984V9YO5OJPTTUT-Z7sZJ6_qHvaXtXXoPBqS0MCSU1nH88G5aXvkYcf2VFI3AGonsISNfU1bdGTjZWVTWniiSKA/s400/IMG_3586.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leigh and Marnie - A bloody good day catching up and looking forward<br />
to getting together back in Australia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We basically found a pub and
had a great day talking about all sorts of things – things that they wanted to
do; advice that I could pass on to them – but after about almost 7 hours of
this I realised that I needed to get the train back to Leeds and then
Castleford – a 2 hour trip – so said my goodbyes and made the train with a few
minutes to spare; got to Leeds quite late and found out that the train to
Wakefield was the last one for the night – so made that with just 3 minutes to
spare – a bit of luck there or I would have been stuck in Leeds on a Saturday
night – probably never going to be my idea of fun.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But just when you think that
you are on top of it all, there are all of the craft things that Diane was
involved with; all of the little bits and pieces that you kept (just in case);
I am amazed at what I have found that we still had, and slightly amazed at
where we stored things that we couldn’t find.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">My intent is to travel back
up the tidal <st1:city w:st="on">Trent</st1:city>, through Nottingham and make
it back onto the non-tidal <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Trent</st1:place></st1:city>
as a first step (that could also be a last step). To accomplish this our good
friend Paul Macy has agreed to be crew for me as we battle the wild and untamed
Trent – battling monsters, evil pirates and the storms – well that might be a
bit much – at least we will mainly have the incoming tide pushing us along.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He will join me tomorrow
along with the two boys – Bombo and Sammie – and the four of us will expand on
Jerome K. Jeromes famous travelogue and we will be Four Men in a Boat (two men
and two dogs in a boat might be more accurate).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The pantry is reasonably well
stocked – that is another thing that has to be sorted out and apart from some
staples, the meals will be aimed at reducing the stock in the cupboards and
fridge/freezer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">There is also the matter of
some quantity of <s>illegal</s> contraband in the form of bottles and cans of
ales, lagers, Guinness and red wine that will also need careful reduction – I
am blaming Diane for allowing this to become the problem that it now is – truly
glad that Paul was on hand to sacrifice his time for the greater good; such a
true friend – actually he said ‘YES’ first before other volunteers could do so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Interestingly the journey
from Castleford to Keadby has been largely uneventful – not even the lift
bridges and swing bridges presenting a problem for a single hander – all have
mooring bollards on the side of the navigation where the controls for the bridge
operation are found.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The locks have been just as
good – most were the large locks no longer used by the big commercial traffic
that has disappeared, but I do like an electronic control box which does
everything for you – that is, when they work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33wKSZAJZsuwhLo04TFCmrIfnj_yntq1SW4kVMZOv69v1FFWoEtgdQTLgsD5YqclThc7oCI245psY3BQG21XQhEL8-R6SJJcQOb0Xyxqo0JcY-u0G_Doy7m-DPyIET3-98XsOnMAV8Q/s1600/IMG_3595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="448" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33wKSZAJZsuwhLo04TFCmrIfnj_yntq1SW4kVMZOv69v1FFWoEtgdQTLgsD5YqclThc7oCI245psY3BQG21XQhEL8-R6SJJcQOb0Xyxqo0JcY-u0G_Doy7m-DPyIET3-98XsOnMAV8Q/s400/IMG_3595.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the junction at Knottingley - the visitor moorings are full but this time<br />
there is no rubbish around</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdW-qozQJn9Z22fJPfqzEg-dKu4NcN4bvk1oTH4UG2uPRWfbBPMuGaCzXTx4knSEjhgtRetoqKcnUg8PNFqiyOaQCbqKmtu-VQlK9fIOrftIFTsCChoNjzNSEkUvgsxukQIU4_S_ZBA/s1600/IMG_3597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdW-qozQJn9Z22fJPfqzEg-dKu4NcN4bvk1oTH4UG2uPRWfbBPMuGaCzXTx4knSEjhgtRetoqKcnUg8PNFqiyOaQCbqKmtu-VQlK9fIOrftIFTsCChoNjzNSEkUvgsxukQIU4_S_ZBA/s400/IMG_3597.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just peaceful cruising</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCpIXHoawKC5CmHh7nlkaundrIUOVyuxuPoRdkHkrTo4Ifqv6bqZhjSnb65Hea9WUG-w4YZnpCO4qxbcIqV_RhbJBBn3vp-AnsW-7H_zry18uRNHYZBcVhsqkyVtN7x15fZn3TCdy5Q/s1600/IMG_3599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="439" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCpIXHoawKC5CmHh7nlkaundrIUOVyuxuPoRdkHkrTo4Ifqv6bqZhjSnb65Hea9WUG-w4YZnpCO4qxbcIqV_RhbJBBn3vp-AnsW-7H_zry18uRNHYZBcVhsqkyVtN7x15fZn3TCdy5Q/s400/IMG_3599.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Exol Pride on its way to Goole from Rotherham - perhaps not a bad<br />
place to meet - at least it was going slow as it passed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Coming into Thorne (on
Friday) and the boater in front had phoned CaRT to advise that the lock was not
working – sure enough, after an hour wait, the CaRT man was able to say that one
of the sensors was not working at all, but he locked us through with the
standby over-ride system. This had been the only problem encountered with the
locks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">At the last swing bridge for
Friday, I decided that just for fun, I might crash my leg into one of the foot
pegs below the seats at the back of the boat – it took a bit of skin off the
leg and a lump the size of half a tennis ball came up – at least when I told
Diane about it later she knew that I had been taking my aspirin – the thinner
blood meant that this would happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZiH71mD5Siw3mwXWD9wwmdmWwcJsnyl-IoBN2nO5_W1h3UTWeQGnadOeQUAYMLxR7NPDJ8A06y9W123Qn7dexToe3nLNkTB3q7XRfL3WrUeavsNyWNojBpQ6B2Xpu2TRyaM2tmDfGQ/s1600/IMG_3602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="448" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZiH71mD5Siw3mwXWD9wwmdmWwcJsnyl-IoBN2nO5_W1h3UTWeQGnadOeQUAYMLxR7NPDJ8A06y9W123Qn7dexToe3nLNkTB3q7XRfL3WrUeavsNyWNojBpQ6B2Xpu2TRyaM2tmDfGQ/s400/IMG_3602.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That is NOT my knee - the lump that appear after a bit of an innocuous<br />
bump</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The first aid kit in the
freezer (aka the bag of frozen peas) helped to ease it a bit, but putting my
leg down to walk was a bit painful as the blood rushed downwards – it was
decidedly better the next day, but still painful to press on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GnrFQIBF-6kqr4oFx8WssyCXr4W4soxZXFJpiEfpGXEvUw2MxqycNBd2-jUVleKW2t-Ny1FZPl7FWioFsWGcCVeHvlsn7uxfFLJSsu2F0ZhXYZMoGaFUBYdnL7MMJ1fTov-e2u_Gzw/s1600/_MG_4575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="448" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GnrFQIBF-6kqr4oFx8WssyCXr4W4soxZXFJpiEfpGXEvUw2MxqycNBd2-jUVleKW2t-Ny1FZPl7FWioFsWGcCVeHvlsn7uxfFLJSsu2F0ZhXYZMoGaFUBYdnL7MMJ1fTov-e2u_Gzw/s400/_MG_4575.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise on Saturday morning - and it was a nice day to go along with it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As anyone who has come into
or left via Keadby Lock can attest, there is a sliding rail bridge just west of
Keadby Lock – you approach from either direction and wait for the signalman (or
is it signalperson) to wave you to come through, at which point the rail bridge
slides out of the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Saturday: after getting
through Vazons swing bridge, I moored to wait for the call – a train came
through about 2 minutes after I had moored; then waited; and waited; and
waited; and waited; another local train after 18 minutes –mmm I thought “there
had been plenty of time ther for me to get through; but I waited some more;
then two freight trains came at the same time (different directions and
tracks); then I waited – after 45 minutes I had had enough and walked over the
swing bridge, down the dirt road to the signal box.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I had to call out to make the
person inside that I was there – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This young fellow pokes his
head out of the window, looking all of about 17 and asks “are you waiting to
come through?” – classic, I thought – he looked like he might have been the
work experience kid<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“No, I am here for my good
looks – 45 minutes I have been waiting, what are you doing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’ve been having my
breakfast, I’ll go and check the computer to see when I can get you through”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">No reply after that, just the
siren to not use the crossing and suddenly the bridge starts to move back – I
guess that means that I can go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I wasn’t about to be rushing
back to the boat, so at my normal pace (which today was slow due to the gammy
leg) I set off – about 200 metres in all, but finally got through – bloody
kid!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">So now I am moored up at
Keadby; there are still plenty of things to do as there are with any boat and I
have found more hiding places – at least the bins here are only half full.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wnmYb5KZcN4wzscUs1mlCpbMecA3x31JjWGY1VddhB_jl_zAdV3qbv5qAD2jhzNcaUptEX-kE6xnghvMneIjZPnbowHHeQfI0ua81fnOibDhgraBrLNXR9LFMFkPMFOE8aX7vDtRYw/s1600/IMG_3604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wnmYb5KZcN4wzscUs1mlCpbMecA3x31JjWGY1VddhB_jl_zAdV3qbv5qAD2jhzNcaUptEX-kE6xnghvMneIjZPnbowHHeQfI0ua81fnOibDhgraBrLNXR9LFMFkPMFOE8aX7vDtRYw/s400/IMG_3604.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise on Sunday morning - I may be developing a theme here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllaaaUfD20Fp8kFbqa4lQj4nm0tntSgXFTgx9OfUk-4CTuR3cR8ZHYohzDZTJDJDRMn2HoRB7AzWCcDsx0odd1joVxGPfbTHKcEsR9to7Ug-vWedDc_Z-eJJ4ZP5qRpHP3YP8VGuD9w/s1600/IMG_3610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="448" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllaaaUfD20Fp8kFbqa4lQj4nm0tntSgXFTgx9OfUk-4CTuR3cR8ZHYohzDZTJDJDRMn2HoRB7AzWCcDsx0odd1joVxGPfbTHKcEsR9to7Ug-vWedDc_Z-eJJ4ZP5qRpHP3YP8VGuD9w/s640/IMG_3610.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a panorama of the Trent - the white building on the right is the control tower for the lockkeeper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The weather has largely been
not too bad; of course for anyone expecting an English summer to have sun and
warmth and no rain then forget it; it has been a lot better here than further
south from the reports that I hear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>40 Miles, 7 Locks, 4 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>,
11 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YTD: 653 miles (1051
km), 327 Locks, 19 Tunnels, 13 Lift Bridges, 30 Swing Bridges<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Total: 5285 Miles (8505 km),
3478 Locks, 143 Tunnels, 79 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>, 202 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place></b></div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-16910128277705839692017-07-19T02:34:00.001+01:002018-06-12T00:13:25.349+01:00Ferndale is for Sale<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Friday 30<sup>th</sup>
June to Wednesday 19<sup>th</sup> July 2017 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This
has been an exhausting 3 weeks for all of us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We
arrived in Brisbane at a half decent hour – around 7am and we were through
customer and immigration without any problems within the hour – we then had
another hour’s wait whilst Mitchell and Sara did exactly the same following
their flight from Los Angeles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The
transportation from the airport is brilliant – the train station is right
outside the airport and we were on our way – to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Sunshine</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Coast</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Not
having to worry about driving was a bonus – the station at the other end was
more or less just a short walk to where we had to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">As
can be imagined we have been through quite a lot during this time; the funeral
took place on the Monday following and very pleased to see a strong contingent
from <st1:place w:st="on">Western Sydney</st1:place> – good to see cousins and
Diane’s aunt – just sad that it was under such circumstances.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">There
has been a lot of crying going on – my job was to make sure that clean
handkerchiefs and tissues were available for all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We
have had a lot of things to think about which we had hoped would be the best
for everyone concerned – with Diane’s sister, Vivienne, and her brother and
sister-in-law, Rob and Sonia, bearing the load with looking after both mum and
dad for the past couple of years, we have decided that the best idea all around
to allow for Mum to be able to stay in the house was to plan for 24 hour / 7
day full time care.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">To
this end, the only feasible solution is for Diane to take on that role for at
least the nest 10 - 12 months until Vivienne retires from work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This
is an outcome which relieves the pressure on those who have been working hard
to look after mum and dad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So
effective immediately Diane will remain here in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region>,
specifically on the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Sunshine</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Coast</st1:placetype></st1:place> with her mother and
take care of her needs with respect to getting her to appointments and ensuring
that dietary and medical needs are looked after.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Where
does this leave our adventures on the boat? They are about to end quite
suddenly – I am leaving on the 19<sup>th</sup> from Brisbane to come back and
will be taking care of a number of things – including transporting the vast
quantity of things that we have accumulated over the past 7 years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We
have had such a lot of support and understanding from all of the people that we
have met during that time and also from the close friends that we have made –
we are constantly amazed and so thoroughly pleased with how close boaters are
and how immeasurable ready they are to help – I cannot thank everyone enough
–but as others would say “ I luvs you all”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The
best reaction for all of this has been from Diane’s mum, who just cried and
cried when we told her of what we would be doing with her approval – we took a
bit of time to explain that this is what we wanted to do.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So finally what I need to say is that nb Ferndale is now up for sale - please see </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18px;"><a href="http://gypsyrover-australia.blogspot.com.au/p/nb-ferndale_24.html">http://gypsyrover-australia.blogspot.com.au/p/nb-ferndale_24.html</a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18px;">for further information regarding the stats for the boat; I have with each blog advised of how much travelling we have done; we are not setting a price or even a price range, as we do not want to encourage or discourage people to look at the boat on its merits and make a sensible offer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18px;">The basis of the sale will be an all inclusive offer - all items (apart from personal items) will remain on the boat, so there should be virtually nothing else to spend on the boat when you purchase it.</span></div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-19447892620789698962017-07-14T23:36:00.003+01:002018-06-12T00:10:59.784+01:00A trio of uplifting moments<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Sunday 25<sup>th</sup>
June to Thursday 29<sup>th</sup> June 2017 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As I have recorded in a separate blog, we awoke on Sunday morning to the
news that Diane’s father had passed away; we spoke with her brother and
sister-in-law back in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>
about all of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">With that news, it was time to make decisions about our plans for this
week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">First and foremost was where to leave the boat – a no-brainer really – we
had been in Lemonroyd Marina about 3 weeks earlier and it was lovely, so a
phone call to Marie at an appropriate time was needed – in the meantime we
needed to cruise from Wakefield at least Castleford – during this time a lovely lady
called Karen rang back from Lemonroyd – we explained our problem and she was
able to help, so that problem was solved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Diane was busy looking at plane flights and we managed to find them –
leaving Wednesday and we would be in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Brisbane</st1:city></st1:place>
on Friday – we allowed a couple of days to sort things out with the boat and
just make sure that we had everything that we needed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> On Monday we were advised that the
funeral would be the following Monday, which worked out well; Mitch and Sara
would be able to fly in from Los Angeles on Friday – landing within an hour of
us; we also were able to get a unit at the resort with Rob and Sonia (where
they manage) –all set.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We cruised up to Lemonroyd on the Monday late afternoon – it was quite
still and peaceful and a bit of warmth from the sun even at this time – would love
to do a bit more of all of this type of cruising.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We moored outside the marina for the night and after seeing Marie in the
morning we went in and found our berth – luckily there was no wind and we could
easily reverse into the allocated spot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Everything sorted and by 10:30 we were physically and emotionally drained
– this was just one of the steps in getting back, but a fairly crucial one; so
from here we were ready for the next one and the one after that and so on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In the afternoon, we decided that a bit of a walk would help, so we
wandered into the village; had a coffee and bought a few things at Lidl that we
would need and then back again – the round trip was no more than a mile and a
half.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We also managed to book train tickets, on-line, for the trip from Leeds
to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Manchester</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Airport</st1:placetype></st1:place> for the following day – by doing
so we saved £22.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The following morning, Marie generously provided transport to Lemonroyd
station – she is a lovely person.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In next to no time we were in <st1:place w:st="on">Leeds</st1:place> and
after a coffee we were heading towards the airport.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Once there a series of very wonderful events seemed to start from nowhere
– we arrived there and went to the Emirates Customer desk – our initial booking
had us in seats not next to each other for the long leg between <st1:city w:st="on">Dubai</st1:city> and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Brisbane</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">What nice people they were – after explaining the circumstances they moved
a few people around and we were then in seats next to one another – we were very pleased with that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">At the baggage counter, Diane cheekily asked were there any exit row
seats; the young girl behind the desk found a couple and we were set.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">At the check-in point (where they make sure that your passport and
boarding pass is still OK), the same young girl from baggage check-in was there
and when it was our turn, she took our boarding passes away (surprised looks on
our faces – “what’s happening”), when she came back we had Business Class seats
– totally unexpected – Diane was a bit teary-eyed about it all and I was
non-plussed – such a lovely surprise and it lifted our spirits immeasureably –
only for the first leg but it was so nice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Despite our reasons for having to travel, Diane had a smile on her face
for the first time in 4 days and she enjoyed the upgrade and despite having
just the economy class tickets for the second leg, she was much happier.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDB17eDCOdeWGP6P3fYhQelScyj3e5IFJstjZafi2xdo013_oEfI2Oy_qCBvIL16PnNwBC509ia-HnUjKHIH-mlt5zeVFDS8zvNtC5-sO7ic5VObG4ycV_cX7TpsyC1GJmD2ZjpcVqQ/s1600/IMG_4713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDB17eDCOdeWGP6P3fYhQelScyj3e5IFJstjZafi2xdo013_oEfI2Oy_qCBvIL16PnNwBC509ia-HnUjKHIH-mlt5zeVFDS8zvNtC5-sO7ic5VObG4ycV_cX7TpsyC1GJmD2ZjpcVqQ/s320/IMG_4713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUChdLpcdtin0LPe-kU9L2cKFBilg6os01hZLs-rQJYDGHfAMGiem965nOpWCkhQg_geGQr0mi9k12LMLaqknGNOe595COclv6MZMWhqHIAAzrsop0DYWFpTy2cuxIXx3UneIt9gmfA/s1600/IMG_4714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUChdLpcdtin0LPe-kU9L2cKFBilg6os01hZLs-rQJYDGHfAMGiem965nOpWCkhQg_geGQr0mi9k12LMLaqknGNOe595COclv6MZMWhqHIAAzrsop0DYWFpTy2cuxIXx3UneIt9gmfA/s320/IMG_4714.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRIzZ39NpnEkZvDB2cbT6hgWd-7TwQvGFjqKSGzSXJKC0HG4vNAqM0DVk50XKmx67Lnp8cJWGgrFjj2pxIqD-zht0pdw3k9ckIf7evEnomgORx6p-icomhQWmEC05uqtzmdVdcYNFYA/s1600/IMG_4718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRIzZ39NpnEkZvDB2cbT6hgWd-7TwQvGFjqKSGzSXJKC0HG4vNAqM0DVk50XKmx67Lnp8cJWGgrFjj2pxIqD-zht0pdw3k9ckIf7evEnomgORx6p-icomhQWmEC05uqtzmdVdcYNFYA/s320/IMG_4718.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Problem now is that she did enjoy it so much that she wants it next time
we travel – we will see – life is just a bit too short as we know, and why we were
flying, we may just do it for future flights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>12 Miles, 5 Locks<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YTD: 613 miles (987
km), 320 Locks, 19 Tunnels, 9 Lift Bridges, 19 Swing Bridges<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Total: 5245 Miles (8441 km),
3471 Locks, 143 Tunnels, 75 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>, 191 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place></b><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-91535462053502710462017-07-07T19:18:00.000+01:002018-06-11T06:15:30.984+01:00Goodbye Dad<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Sunday 25<sup>th</sup>
June 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Terence John
Brennan (30/10/1934 – 25/6/2017)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBgcjjbSKe8fpeR93JTGiKvDBmbjaT4DwaXExFvqk1nbrDCqVDv-ZIitS3whzsi4cpJuAzrrhWO-gJn8OZMoUfmOPfLBpMF-Xi3DZzkM7gwHSORlKkNNMmky2pUqWSH_3oeIEN5VcLg/s1600/Scan08+-+Oct+1984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="389" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBgcjjbSKe8fpeR93JTGiKvDBmbjaT4DwaXExFvqk1nbrDCqVDv-ZIitS3whzsi4cpJuAzrrhWO-gJn8OZMoUfmOPfLBpMF-Xi3DZzkM7gwHSORlKkNNMmky2pUqWSH_3oeIEN5VcLg/s320/Scan08+-+Oct+1984.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Early this morning we received a phone call from Diane’s brother and sister-in-law
in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Queensland</st1:state></st1:place>
with some very bad news; Diane’s father Terry had had a fall in the bathroom
and had died.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He had been not at all well for a few years now with severe breathing
difficulties and we had been preparing ourselves that if he had a bad winter
then it would dramatically affect his ability breathe at all, but we were just
not prepared for the phone call that came through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Naturally Diane was a bit distraught, I was pretty upset as well (someone
has to hold things together) and the crying down the line from <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Queensland</st1:place></st1:state> compounded it
all – no-one was really holding back how they felt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Terry was a great man in our family – the patriarch – someone who we have
at stages in our lives looked to for guidance and a gentle word here and there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Great men do not have be great to anyone else other than their families.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqOx15_kW8QGYBNMvUo1oM3wsGamZubG2wUbTdX4MqTkI2K5mxaSzjvbJYvLKWfE1VPSMB4DefHaUpmXcogtxG4CGrN8gxhvjmEuYI9DWR5EYnCHFP_u_TzMMw5nEDrm2S2EQ6YkRkA/s1600/Scan02+-+Aug+1983-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="284" data-original-width="448" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqOx15_kW8QGYBNMvUo1oM3wsGamZubG2wUbTdX4MqTkI2K5mxaSzjvbJYvLKWfE1VPSMB4DefHaUpmXcogtxG4CGrN8gxhvjmEuYI9DWR5EYnCHFP_u_TzMMw5nEDrm2S2EQ6YkRkA/s320/Scan02+-+Aug+1983-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Originally from Watford, he and Dorothy, along with their 3 children made
the voyage to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>
for a better life and they achieved their goal; in the latter 1990’s they both
took out Australian citizenship to make it complete.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As my father-in-law he was just Dad – both he and my own father were men
who spoke softly and did not need the big stick – they were men you listened to
and they were mates to everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7lc14FZnlxLBay6WPMET4_1MRQG_aMElGZ_RQOi94kyX5w2Po0iH5xkTr3GXccVIJSLwiiImC1qwu1eTF-FeGvXYGwupTIjLb70Z3JWtqWkuPx_O9Gt6fV5oBrUFnOz3fnjPFQQBzA/s1600/DSC_0993-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="423" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7lc14FZnlxLBay6WPMET4_1MRQG_aMElGZ_RQOi94kyX5w2Po0iH5xkTr3GXccVIJSLwiiImC1qwu1eTF-FeGvXYGwupTIjLb70Z3JWtqWkuPx_O9Gt6fV5oBrUFnOz3fnjPFQQBzA/s320/DSC_0993-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Terry, of late, has been frustrated with not being able to do what he
would have done in younger days and that will happen to us all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Late last year in December, he and Dorothy renewed their marriage vows
and whilst, like many men, he might have had a bit of a grumble about it all,
he truly loved Dorothy and there was no-one else for him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0N8hfVQdE75RnVDUfkYsu-T1lQIvkj68PITcZMWg-eChf1fZji5k9IeK0vjwYsNc6g_7_1Owm0zpQc-09sZ7v5SdR3uDoAv0LJ3vXZ0AdFtWr9qEM5HGbSNpDKWtWDut8MeuH_DkjQ/s1600/DSC_1002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="438" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0N8hfVQdE75RnVDUfkYsu-T1lQIvkj68PITcZMWg-eChf1fZji5k9IeK0vjwYsNc6g_7_1Owm0zpQc-09sZ7v5SdR3uDoAv0LJ3vXZ0AdFtWr9qEM5HGbSNpDKWtWDut8MeuH_DkjQ/s320/DSC_1002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It has been a sad sad day for everyone in the family – from Mooloolah to <st1:city w:st="on">Melbourne</st1:city>, from <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city> to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Los Angeles</st1:place></st1:city> – we begin
the grieving, but we will never miss missing him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">So goodbye Dad – we love you and we miss you !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-26929311855742678462017-07-06T08:48:00.001+01:002018-06-12T00:08:30.643+01:00Just heading back towards Leeds<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Monday 19<sup>th</sup>
June to Saturday 24<sup>th</sup> June 2017 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After a peaceful and very quiet night at Mytholmroyd we move off
relatively early for a week-day; our only concern for the day being that we
needed to get through Lock 3/4 today or
else it would involve a call to CaRT to make a booking for tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">There is a lock-keeper on duty there from Friday to Monday (inclusive)
every week (8:30-16:00) – other times need to be booked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We knew that there would not be any problems (or at least we hoped not) –
and there wasn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We hit <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Sowerby</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place> around mid-morning
and we were all tied up before 11am, which left us time to get things done – I still
had work to get through and Diane had her prescriptions to pick up from Lloyds
Pharmacy (we had left them there before we headed off).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But first there is always time for a coffee first (the Weatherspoons
variety was not too bad).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHM2w1WebDgYLtJtefLkv4lLTCzyFiIoTx7HHk8swO6pm8Yj1vjCJnfnyWxt8PF4DxVFyhLiRp4-Tegw4bV6e_Did_AYTQj2hl2glwGDaXVaMhLCwQYuJP8fJbZpKTBPYQjC8hPKuC0Q/s1600/IMG_4635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHM2w1WebDgYLtJtefLkv4lLTCzyFiIoTx7HHk8swO6pm8Yj1vjCJnfnyWxt8PF4DxVFyhLiRp4-Tegw4bV6e_Did_AYTQj2hl2glwGDaXVaMhLCwQYuJP8fJbZpKTBPYQjC8hPKuC0Q/s400/IMG_4635.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The side of this disused building was made into a rock-climbing<br />
business - large-scale recycling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After that it was time for tennis – Queens was starting and her indoors
will almost always be found enjoying the court game).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">One more day here would be necessary, some of the pills were not yet
available and whilst we had no pressing concerns we thought a relaxing day
would be worthwhile and it most certainly was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Sometimes it is easy to forget just how much the fresh air environment
can make you a bit tired, and those heavy lock gates don’t help either, so this
a most welcome break.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Next day, Wednesday, we were again on the move earlyish, but had made up
our minds that Elland would be the stopping point for the day – it was only 3
locks and 5 miles – and we easily found a space to moor up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Not having been here before we wanted to have a bit of a wander around
the area to see what was there – we were in need of a few things and google-maps
told us that a Morrisons was just nearby, so we headed that way.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIhfh2I6bWZFI0oqab3e-BJ-8V0tZOj8MlvlJLlNMX0pV0a8rn597pXCj2Hp88F83-u4FhUu9FMS-sa6zo3w23es83KAd5a_z38-373Dj3qeHq8HUd_1mB8Uf41p6zWYsJ5jQga9gUQ/s1600/IMG_4618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIhfh2I6bWZFI0oqab3e-BJ-8V0tZOj8MlvlJLlNMX0pV0a8rn597pXCj2Hp88F83-u4FhUu9FMS-sa6zo3w23es83KAd5a_z38-373Dj3qeHq8HUd_1mB8Uf41p6zWYsJ5jQga9gUQ/s400/IMG_4618.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oooh, look at that hair (hat hair)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfosphusUFUo63tYRGfcgdbugEvK3KPnz7lTPaPxTGzOFpC_NBu1M43Vh8jqxi6cXZakyMAkUhSfeJ1DS8qGwY633E5V8UtquBUQ2NEv-gZSjbXIk6q6IEL3oZZG5ZoEDvNDXUl6Gjgw/s1600/IMG_4621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfosphusUFUo63tYRGfcgdbugEvK3KPnz7lTPaPxTGzOFpC_NBu1M43Vh8jqxi6cXZakyMAkUhSfeJ1DS8qGwY633E5V8UtquBUQ2NEv-gZSjbXIk6q6IEL3oZZG5ZoEDvNDXUl6Gjgw/s400/IMG_4621.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and I do love a good sign where the creative juices have<br />
been active</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAoSDAwL9iHyO6cuCENgrNs51IQSpXbFyeRDsfHWlTmxB6kN2O1MXdekbj1SXNE_7Y4oFz3F8r9pAIqINAKog2PrrBRS94cPsqQkFIrz1HGV45AyrvUZSPxfY5DAlEYBbQW50tM07PA/s1600/IMG_4624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAoSDAwL9iHyO6cuCENgrNs51IQSpXbFyeRDsfHWlTmxB6kN2O1MXdekbj1SXNE_7Y4oFz3F8r9pAIqINAKog2PrrBRS94cPsqQkFIrz1HGV45AyrvUZSPxfY5DAlEYBbQW50tM07PA/s320/IMG_4624.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We were in for a bit of a shock as we walked further and further. We
found the Morrisons alright, but when Diane suggested that we carry on just a
bit further – just to see what was there, we kept on finding more and more
shops and stores and buildings (in use) and plenty of people around – bus stops
and plenty of buses to stop there and lines of cars – it was a real eye-opener
– a bustling hub in the making.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Strange how many times we have found places such as this where there was
an expectation of much less.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Back on board it was essentially for the usual – tennis (she) and work (me).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Travelling now was a bit like going through the motions of going along
knowing that we just simply had to be in a certain place at a certain time,
that essentially would be to be in Leeds around the first few days on July – we
would start the journey across the Pennines via the Leeds and Liverpool canal,
with a booking for the boat to be blacked in Skipton in mid-July.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GM9rjNfbi0d8XTyq21yReXhSS7D9f3XqGuOwUCUraolmQcVdzjv0wj52iqj5a50JCgse-4kEu9zZRl-DybxXHtkDS8FsLxcxzxtCLJZaXcw9UbNgKxkPoXT5jAFPzfrSnZEBhyphenhyphenD0Pg/s1600/IMG_1840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GM9rjNfbi0d8XTyq21yReXhSS7D9f3XqGuOwUCUraolmQcVdzjv0wj52iqj5a50JCgse-4kEu9zZRl-DybxXHtkDS8FsLxcxzxtCLJZaXcw9UbNgKxkPoXT5jAFPzfrSnZEBhyphenhyphenD0Pg/s400/IMG_1840.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Struggling with the stick but...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JkaqRnSd781TtdaZj3dqEHH52dAQk4U8LE2wpXANkiJgauyytwx3wFOoYgErhl0Vh-9QGkQLbt54zt89HN8Kwuwo3hfCRXf11dehIdeu4sZLGyHejRMY0dTZs0NEqpadPd_GmYYQ2A/s1600/IMG_4683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JkaqRnSd781TtdaZj3dqEHH52dAQk4U8LE2wpXANkiJgauyytwx3wFOoYgErhl0Vh-9QGkQLbt54zt89HN8Kwuwo3hfCRXf11dehIdeu4sZLGyHejRMY0dTZs0NEqpadPd_GmYYQ2A/s400/IMG_4683.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...by the end of it, she had made it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoy6edCEChgqFrhlLh7OISi_q8Iw3NQRevXU1xCk-6JH3sfrXX03M7FKfJJDxjpHofdJgEMk-ZzstbfUu_k5hv0LXa-VbeWGRY-SRl-MRz6czlWNzjPdtekVML0OoccJfUGJFJXUNcyw/s1600/IMG_4660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoy6edCEChgqFrhlLh7OISi_q8Iw3NQRevXU1xCk-6JH3sfrXX03M7FKfJJDxjpHofdJgEMk-ZzstbfUu_k5hv0LXa-VbeWGRY-SRl-MRz6czlWNzjPdtekVML0OoccJfUGJFJXUNcyw/s400/IMG_4660.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not quite Betty Grable, but that's her..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">All of this is not to say that we do not enjoy simply cruising – we
certainly do – and we really enjoy the chance to cruise on any river sections
that come by – but mooring on these is not possible, so you become limited to
the same places you have been before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">One pleasant surprise we came across was in Mirfield – the Railway Pub
was a most pleasant place to have a couple of drinks – it has been renovated,
but we are not traditionalists – we like the old pubs but also like to sit down
in a bit of comfort and enjoy the feel of the place.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVolEuMymR_IwV-bQ06uDPMVSmo1faHVwZA5DWUJEUK2dRq4Dn6egKyzJb4mrZF0Vi8WO5SpxxhpmL59_Bbt5lWgtpQ49Uax049Gp93z72B1qA7nxVdzipglJkUxsRDD8zmAdLPQs-Q/s1600/IMG_4667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVolEuMymR_IwV-bQ06uDPMVSmo1faHVwZA5DWUJEUK2dRq4Dn6egKyzJb4mrZF0Vi8WO5SpxxhpmL59_Bbt5lWgtpQ49Uax049Gp93z72B1qA7nxVdzipglJkUxsRDD8zmAdLPQs-Q/s400/IMG_4667.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We caught up with Jan and Colin and then we left them again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Further along came <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Wakefield</st1:city></st1:place>
where we did a bit of walking around the city centre and found the museum and
also the free bus service, so that saved a bit of a walk back to the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">By this stage we were a bit tired and needed a chance to relax – I am not
saying that there was anyone nodding off in the lounge, but it got a bit quiet
in there (as I was working away) – and there was only one other person on the
boat with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But still, the dozing must have been needed; there are times when it
becomes very hard to find much needed sleep.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHz2vGx3kOwnIFKzSkKBAqoaxX8edl5qft1d8kMSDXhaaGqMGemncD55C0PAYqIthlXSqwTaUT74GkBNyeCIIJHTmbhrLReK8_vtXPwUR0PGcIvyVEi_pGa4xboppZtC8v5RCWbnNqUA/s1600/IMG_4673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHz2vGx3kOwnIFKzSkKBAqoaxX8edl5qft1d8kMSDXhaaGqMGemncD55C0PAYqIthlXSqwTaUT74GkBNyeCIIJHTmbhrLReK8_vtXPwUR0PGcIvyVEi_pGa4xboppZtC8v5RCWbnNqUA/s320/IMG_4673.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>25 Miles, 31 Locks, 1 Tunnel<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YTD: 601 miles (967
km), 315 Locks, 19 Tunnels, 9 Lift Bridges, 19 Swing Bridges<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Total: 5233 Miles (8422 km),
3466 Locks, 143 Tunnels, 75 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>, 191 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place></b><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-43623953677926954002017-07-05T02:33:00.003+01:002018-06-12T01:07:08.032+01:00Brass Band Weather (not Brass Monkey)<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Friday 16<sup>th</sup>
June to Sunday 18<sup>th</sup> June 2017 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The mooring at Salterhebble was again very quiet and we woke with the
sounds of the birds – quite early though – which was good for me as there was a
mountain of work in my in-tray, so I was able to get an early start on it all,
but being Friday, it is easy to spread it over the weekend and in reality have a
three-day weekend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Never-the less, we were able to get a reasonably early start to cruising
– untying the ropes just after 7:30, cruising to the waterpoint and from there
is was a gentle 3 miles to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Sowerby</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It was a bit disconcerting when we pulled up at the Visitor Moorings –
one boat was already moored there and then there was us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The rings had been removed using an angle grinder and there was no manner
of being able to put a pin or a chain in anywhere to allow secure mooring – or
really mooring of any kind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Diane went for a walk further up and reported that there were moorings up
there, below the lock making it difficult to go back for a diesel fill at the
boat yard; a mooring almost opposite the boat yard but would involve reversing
out of the arm and that was it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She also remarked that back through the previous bridge there were
moorings on rings – about 200 metres behind us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">So we reversed back to those rings which provided a much more open area
and much more secure being on rings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">By then it was time for a bit of a walk together and to check out the
situation of getting into fill with diesel and then get out again – we spoke
with the lovely people at the hire company and as luck would have it we were
right in time for them to be able to do us – almost all of the returning boats
were in and none to go out just yet; the price was OK; and we needed a new gas
bottle – so back for the boat; filled up with everything; reversed out of the
arm – we had a kindly offer from Colin and Jan on nb Pelako to moor up in front
of them but I felt it was a bit cramped, so we got back to the junction – just
as that last hire boat appeared – and then we followed the waterway around to
moor just below the lock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kKcfoMRWodfjOzEqx0WcN-xqY_ta93w8Q6-ImcqV6mNZzDNlmkq1jCPuRzR4Q6MNK3JYMvkJin49vCcfNUsF0uTDxgWeUMwAhN9FY0EQy0Fyut_cYMozJdlB2IDovcMXvySai3X6pQ/s1600/IMG_1591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kKcfoMRWodfjOzEqx0WcN-xqY_ta93w8Q6-ImcqV6mNZzDNlmkq1jCPuRzR4Q6MNK3JYMvkJin49vCcfNUsF0uTDxgWeUMwAhN9FY0EQy0Fyut_cYMozJdlB2IDovcMXvySai3X6pQ/s400/IMG_1591.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hebden Bridge - a fine church but we didn't have time to go inside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHUH-LGfuS9nZxGJrwx3JV4JOcS90WqhufAT3tNtD7OJKrAyYWV2yS6wPiOqASmGxkKfcKNfJkk9PW40j3wpzxaeWAXuwGcO9nyML0BYKcI8WnZG9SoCEK7jCqIp8sDgskboV8APmLA/s1600/IMG_1594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHUH-LGfuS9nZxGJrwx3JV4JOcS90WqhufAT3tNtD7OJKrAyYWV2yS6wPiOqASmGxkKfcKNfJkk9PW40j3wpzxaeWAXuwGcO9nyML0BYKcI8WnZG9SoCEK7jCqIp8sDgskboV8APmLA/s400/IMG_1594.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as if she doesn't struggle enough with some gates</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We caught up with Jan and Colin later on at the pub overlooking the basin
for a couple of drinks – after all it was a Friday night.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcsstuUCLLjOVbZxB8nAXxlpvi-cHv35FftvOzaoGV6TIZj_IUfSWS6CaSGncyeJ1IsnaL7hq-S1djnI0TW8lUg0X00WLl9xsGsp0Q9d4h3Yb9drWeWEz6gelyWNtkKnmriSrwwtNQA/s1600/IMG_1608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcsstuUCLLjOVbZxB8nAXxlpvi-cHv35FftvOzaoGV6TIZj_IUfSWS6CaSGncyeJ1IsnaL7hq-S1djnI0TW8lUg0X00WLl9xsGsp0Q9d4h3Yb9drWeWEz6gelyWNtkKnmriSrwwtNQA/s400/IMG_1608.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday night, the pub, new friends - what's not to like</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">What a lovely couple – very solid <st1:place w:st="on">Yorkshire</st1:place>
people who enjoy a laugh – hope that we can see more of them in the future –
life with friendly boaters seems to be the best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The following day we set off again, this time with the intention of
making it to Hebden Bridge – a few locks to do, but the third lock was Tuel
Lock 3/4 – two made into one very very deep lock – at just over 19’ deep it is
the deepest on the system – and it seemed that way too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Summer had decided to hit us this weekend and it was really quite lovely
cruising along with the sun on our backs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We met up with a day-boat coming down at Lock 5; and then we met up with
a tunnel wall at Fall Ing Road Bridge – not marked in Nicholsons as a tunnel
but the CaRT signs say it was – anyway, just as we entered the tunnel light
stopped working and in the pitch dark we didn’t see the 60<sup>o</sup> bend and
the bow hit first just before the back end and seat took a bit of a knock.
Carrying on we made it through and onto <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Hebden</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place>
where we winded and found a lovely mooring spot right on the park.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">By this time the sun was high in the sky and it certainly felt like it –
I don’t need to tell you that we do not like this heat, but I can tell you there
were so many others here that were exactly the same as us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Shade was at a premium and if you had some you probably could have sold
the space; ice-cream outlets were doing great business as well as the pubs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We wandered around the market area and got a feel for the town; visited
a couple of antique shops (that is shops that sold them, not shops that were),
until we finally had had enough of the sun and retired back to the boat, where
fortuitously there was some shade on the towpath and it was wide enough to sit
out there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We were on the other side of the canal to the main part of the town, but
the park was a mecca for many people of all ages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As we found out later, it was a bit of a double-edged sword – nice to
have space but the evening noise was a bit of a nusance, but sleep did not
entirely elude us, even with the heat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Next day was Sunday and we had decided before we even ventured here with
the boat that rather than cruise the 21 locks and 6 miles to Todmorden (and to
the available winding hole) and then return the same distance, we would simply
take the train there – it was just a 12 minute ride.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mk5Ptdaf-qOsxsJEo8m4_YwJsbZL-0B2JINwoPRXlDEVWT9YJyNhclMOgIiKrAOSSYoa3v6qJxITB3KoKrpTeOc-YTLpfjpFryaGqVWd7JyFJ9ozatCMDgANHfo1MUmgZyzDgd-zuw/s1600/IMG_4544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mk5Ptdaf-qOsxsJEo8m4_YwJsbZL-0B2JINwoPRXlDEVWT9YJyNhclMOgIiKrAOSSYoa3v6qJxITB3KoKrpTeOc-YTLpfjpFryaGqVWd7JyFJ9ozatCMDgANHfo1MUmgZyzDgd-zuw/s400/IMG_4544.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Todmorden - looking down towards the market area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We rather enjoyed the area of Todmorden that we saw – the markets were
nice and Diane managed to find a few things that she could buy, so that made
her happy, I was glad because it wasn’t too much, and we both found enjoyment
in a walk along the canal to discover the Great Wall of Todmorden – ranking
amongst the wonders of the known world (Pennines Division).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqhq9epOezZ_1gZ3WH5BFst5G85Y8D40dxPfCtmd1WLdgsl_v1T-EHHX9xY5f30sG2PaO9X77_lDuT9ZSzOMjnlp07h4huH-a7gjn8Miupu0iKCOXF-2jfFDRpbA0G0PAvuxBBWzv-A/s1600/IMG_4523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="409" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqhq9epOezZ_1gZ3WH5BFst5G85Y8D40dxPfCtmd1WLdgsl_v1T-EHHX9xY5f30sG2PaO9X77_lDuT9ZSzOMjnlp07h4huH-a7gjn8Miupu0iKCOXF-2jfFDRpbA0G0PAvuxBBWzv-A/s400/IMG_4523.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Great Wall of Todmorden - this one cannot be seen from space</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">About lunch time (which is 12 noon – in the north it is usually referred
to as dinner time) we boarded the return train back to Hebden Bridge – we
couldn’t dare miss the Marching Brass Band Festival which was kicking off just
before 1 o’clock.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAwgrf7NxgM5bSLQ0ufB7XHNUuKXrXolrU354pguyeI3UXR_qWArjZ0YxQKL4ynwq_mwE8Z-fsdAL8j5Lj_b21kRgAb3INQVVKQJlg2rUNOWFSeHPhHVTG5xz44lKZlfSMjx5HLquMg/s1600/IMG_4542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAwgrf7NxgM5bSLQ0ufB7XHNUuKXrXolrU354pguyeI3UXR_qWArjZ0YxQKL4ynwq_mwE8Z-fsdAL8j5Lj_b21kRgAb3INQVVKQJlg2rUNOWFSeHPhHVTG5xz44lKZlfSMjx5HLquMg/s400/IMG_4542.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please pick me to stay.... please, please</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Being great Brass Band afficianados that we are (wouldn’t know one end of
a tuba from a cornet – although that does sound a bit like an ice-cream), we
found a huge spread out crowd of people who were, in fact, very much interested
in the competition and had there local favourites.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpMUGB8FeCV0dI4xmNH73sAayGJQTk5NXnpjMaf08lqzhgN41s_pD8_Wwnm4aey6_qIIeno5Vjps5v9ADYzST8VHq13D8HOa_vTcdgvTRuuf8MEGEw7G_w_60lU6fTTDURRyEzwa-yQ/s1600/IMG_4548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpMUGB8FeCV0dI4xmNH73sAayGJQTk5NXnpjMaf08lqzhgN41s_pD8_Wwnm4aey6_qIIeno5Vjps5v9ADYzST8VHq13D8HOa_vTcdgvTRuuf8MEGEw7G_w_60lU6fTTDURRyEzwa-yQ/s320/IMG_4548.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjSHfiOdi9h_ERfC1M6IEYJsgEq44Qo57UWJhdnqT-EWaM1DC7syCqHcvHvaiD3ZGfyjcUMD9rDJ00WD-DDqmoU4GzunUt4_hLYhKhoyOhkASBACBx264NnyudcsoP6-d_0i7leY_PA/s1600/IMG_4552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjSHfiOdi9h_ERfC1M6IEYJsgEq44Qo57UWJhdnqT-EWaM1DC7syCqHcvHvaiD3ZGfyjcUMD9rDJ00WD-DDqmoU4GzunUt4_hLYhKhoyOhkASBACBx264NnyudcsoP6-d_0i7leY_PA/s320/IMG_4552.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0C-50zPZlRGgEHcchO1pnFOBtZVNyBjgtFv-MwbR8TOnc3BVuf34G6toyuaYeTELCymf_VkGgVNVsOxkUls-I8EB_q2SUjSVcwuJZddaAMerNCN-XIE-5bsHIKCdYGo15efI8DyP4g/s1600/IMG_4559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0C-50zPZlRGgEHcchO1pnFOBtZVNyBjgtFv-MwbR8TOnc3BVuf34G6toyuaYeTELCymf_VkGgVNVsOxkUls-I8EB_q2SUjSVcwuJZddaAMerNCN-XIE-5bsHIKCdYGo15efI8DyP4g/s320/IMG_4559.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We really enjoyed the atmosphere and probably one of the few times where
there were such numbers in a confined space but it was easy to walk around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But finding a shady spot with a place to park our bums, we watched 3 or 4
bands go through their paces, stepping it out and blowing and drumming for the
chance of greater glory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We do not know who the eventual winner was, there was a chippy with
Diane’s name on the door and I had my name on a couple of cold ones back on the
boat – we could still here the brilliant music from where we were sitting (in
the shade, in the park).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It was best to remain out of the sun, but as mid afternoon approached the
intensity was dying down a fraction; Diane was not really ready to have a noise
interrupted sleep again (I was fine – I generally don’t hear a thing), so we
decided that having seen quite a lot and not much else would be likely to throw
us any more of real interest (but we could always be wrong), we fancied a
cruise back out of Hebden Bridge to a more docile and peaceful location.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">So off we went, untied ropes, and were cruising back towards <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Sowerby</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place> but not planning to reach there
today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We dealt with the bendy tunnel again, no problems experienced – it could
well be Diane’s expert steering that was the main reason – down a few locks and
found a nice little mooring at Mytholmroyd, where we stopped and had chairs
quick smart along with cold cider.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">When it finally cooled down but was still quite light, we wandered around
the small village (too small for a town) and when back on board we were ready
to settle down for the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>9 Miles, 9 Locks, 3 Tunnels<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YTD: 576 miles (927
km), 284 Locks, 18 Tunnels, 9 Lift Bridges, 19 Swing Bridges<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Total: 5208 Miles (8381 km),
3435 Locks, 142 Tunnels, 75 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>, 191 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place></b><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-33691906066924241282017-06-17T21:56:00.000+01:002018-06-12T01:07:22.961+01:00A Night at the Premier Inn (with bath)<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Sunday 11<sup>th</sup>
June to Thursday 15<sup>th</sup> June 2017</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We untied the ropes at a not too early time for us (9am) – some would say
a way-too-early time for a Sunday, but day looked to be quite nice – not all of
the wind from previous days had left us yet, but we had a purpose to move.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">On through Wakefield where we had spent a couple of days back in August
2012 with friends Mike and Stella, but this time it was a straight through
cruise – flood locks were open so no need to have to pull over at all – a lovely
gent from the moorings just before Wakefield helped us though Fall Ings Lock
(seems to sound like Falling Lock).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhaVHIAs_0jgPdqXcmihQ1ha3a8ffzT8pZL9hDHVMT8jgkWScFHqYSXFn4S71vDBMUfHuFEKngNIF7xa-zNiOR-HX-B1Xildo2x7nRlbLmne7zmMnG-gCBbDSaVgGQdHr_1qSdVGp3g/s1600/IMG_1275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="448" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhaVHIAs_0jgPdqXcmihQ1ha3a8ffzT8pZL9hDHVMT8jgkWScFHqYSXFn4S71vDBMUfHuFEKngNIF7xa-zNiOR-HX-B1Xildo2x7nRlbLmne7zmMnG-gCBbDSaVgGQdHr_1qSdVGp3g/s400/IMG_1275.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back at Wakefield after clearing the Wakefield Flood Lock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After that there was a regular procession of locks until we finally
called it a day at Crigglestone – the nice weather that we set out with had
become more cloudy and windier – giving rise to thoughts about rain. There was
a mooring near to the pub there, so we took it and ventured down to see what it
was like – neither of us felt like a drink so we opted for the coffee and cake
option instead; the menu items seemed a bit higher in price than we would have
thought and what seemed to be on the plate, so it was lunch back on the boat
afterwards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Diane was ready for the men’s final in <st1:city w:st="on">Paris</st1:city>
and I was happy to let her whilst I got on with some work that would come in
handy for Tuesday (public holiday in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region> on Monday).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The following day we were off earlyish and we were quite lucky to find
some lock-mates in the form of nb Inheritance and travellers Boo (aka Elizabeth)
and Peter (residents of that popular city by the name of Hull – everyone seems
to come from there these days).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vI5mfrhmJIQMm5H0l4bkQzHug7WNs1t8q885Vr8tksaZpifdXJsID11Z-HHpisLhhV8sgrtZ9eoFvjWBNSbgVG208yvvrDiOfUWz3edP2q8k5ZxNvqSeCXFazcej4uYmsnQxWCrKfw/s1600/IMG_1399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vI5mfrhmJIQMm5H0l4bkQzHug7WNs1t8q885Vr8tksaZpifdXJsID11Z-HHpisLhhV8sgrtZ9eoFvjWBNSbgVG208yvvrDiOfUWz3edP2q8k5ZxNvqSeCXFazcej4uYmsnQxWCrKfw/s400/IMG_1399.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter and Boo - a lovely couple </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We were very pleased to be able to share the coming locks with them –
they being about 59’ meant that we occasionally had to jiggle boats around to
get both in at one time – sometimes it didn’t work but we worked our way
through them – deciding not to veer off at the Dewsbury arm we headed for
Mirfield and moored up there – to take advantage of the Lidl store on the
canal.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Right by where we had moored, there was a new Lidl being built – what we
didn’t realise immediately was that they would be working from 5pm to midnight –
the compromise to closing the canal-side road during the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I slept quite soundly, but apparently whatever noise there was affected
Diane’s ability to get to sleep – in the morning I was quite well slept and
Diane was just a little underdone, but she was a little excited as we would be
heading into new waters once we passed Cooper Bridge Junction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We have been and continued to be on and off the river as it darted in and out of the canal, sometimes a flood lock would be open and then we would have a lock to rise through, but consistently along the way there were these relatively bright orange barrels chained along the water - I think that they were trying to tell us something -</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAWUy2Jahf_4x7jbiIE9hL07IHZNQNoTnDN7XoEXPStR-HAeMgdbFGUdETvn3hgG5cNzdJrKqln0E6YcOFpEaQHfHEvoJktqsEgWgGcLLOLwkE7GP0XOqqk5pE5mHxwqvbNDTTtgCyQ/s1600/IMG_1347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="448" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAWUy2Jahf_4x7jbiIE9hL07IHZNQNoTnDN7XoEXPStR-HAeMgdbFGUdETvn3hgG5cNzdJrKqln0E6YcOFpEaQHfHEvoJktqsEgWgGcLLOLwkE7GP0XOqqk5pE5mHxwqvbNDTTtgCyQ/s400/IMG_1347.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not to the left; to the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXS1bbXXrgzmtRWmvXZWLbcLYSTKcgT8j2jKG30u7dNZAB6YcPzcXcJb-oYyCKHTFbNS-V5iCgW5H1pko_WjhmfypT9hIcCU5T7wH2VfJOZFIPw24IH4QeAYSZurNy20uZpiItpMUUw/s1600/IMG_1351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="448" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXS1bbXXrgzmtRWmvXZWLbcLYSTKcgT8j2jKG30u7dNZAB6YcPzcXcJb-oYyCKHTFbNS-V5iCgW5H1pko_WjhmfypT9hIcCU5T7wH2VfJOZFIPw24IH4QeAYSZurNy20uZpiItpMUUw/s400/IMG_1351.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are you sure we can't go that way?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58pJdXwPcB_lgT_6z0BnBaiH4id8-rVK_AaAPjoMz-Z0cQK9jbkwaXUEgJwps16HWS-aZ4d69ZjZJ7Bztv_TDpbZcQJNfat7LOom6uIw4kystD0xZfLUvWs9NzGxOpbHj4xx7SGiIjA/s1600/IMG_1360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58pJdXwPcB_lgT_6z0BnBaiH4id8-rVK_AaAPjoMz-Z0cQK9jbkwaXUEgJwps16HWS-aZ4d69ZjZJ7Bztv_TDpbZcQJNfat7LOom6uIw4kystD0xZfLUvWs9NzGxOpbHj4xx7SGiIjA/s400/IMG_1360.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They do look nice to moor up to...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxaKsSZy-8qSer0T7wfGMq1V5-1VHcvyhvb-7CfL9Gk2EnIVVZGyPw-XnuzOKH576KaHxpKA5690SABVMFAVUt6OIUjK6MSkct-LWtdNEuDqmyLWQ1QhyphenhyphenfWzNoTIeEijzm0KEpk7lpw/s1600/IMG_1367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxaKsSZy-8qSer0T7wfGMq1V5-1VHcvyhvb-7CfL9Gk2EnIVVZGyPw-XnuzOKH576KaHxpKA5690SABVMFAVUt6OIUjK6MSkct-LWtdNEuDqmyLWQ1QhyphenhyphenfWzNoTIeEijzm0KEpk7lpw/s400/IMG_1367.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...OK, not so nice here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpCNF5CYP2n2reLwzhTOHhQV5qmXbmaIduJaksSkEG4I3saWo1GOtO4XWZmPAe47SoXQxOBdwP9mpNlHIYexHrLyFzhqHcWN2qlMxpRytaD9XWJGoKgVZU3MqBos8Mx2QufgFvGcCXQ/s1600/IMG_1375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpCNF5CYP2n2reLwzhTOHhQV5qmXbmaIduJaksSkEG4I3saWo1GOtO4XWZmPAe47SoXQxOBdwP9mpNlHIYexHrLyFzhqHcWN2qlMxpRytaD9XWJGoKgVZU3MqBos8Mx2QufgFvGcCXQ/s400/IMG_1375.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">New water was a strange expression when we got through Kirklees Low Lock
– for some reason, unknown to all of us, the pound above the lock was well down
– I would guess by about 1.5 metres, but still deep enough in the centre to
allow passage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We were able to let a little water down to give more leeway for the two
boats and after getting through the top lock it was smooth cruising with a full
pound.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZwPtTfnHsZ7Z8u7RBuZmxjC6QXb9azubPGKsWIea5EexwkWBkaZ8RvS6BLJoTvAL0nJ-Xu_iHPZ-1V9vELI_o6C7Jj6Q0dPfmewBTnD_dbc_SDOfpFLtjvQCYyeHZrChsywAUlwQPQ/s1600/IMG_1388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZwPtTfnHsZ7Z8u7RBuZmxjC6QXb9azubPGKsWIea5EexwkWBkaZ8RvS6BLJoTvAL0nJ-Xu_iHPZ-1V9vELI_o6C7Jj6Q0dPfmewBTnD_dbc_SDOfpFLtjvQCYyeHZrChsywAUlwQPQ/s320/IMG_1388.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">No more problems until we hit Brighouse; mooring below the lock on the
floating pontoon, we soon found out that there was a severe problem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">All the way along the Calder and Hebble, Diane has been a dismal failure at using the spike to operate the top gate paddles - she was that way 5 years ago and nothing much has changed in the interim period - except that she can now drive the boat like an expert - so naturally the job fell to the crew (oh that would be me!).</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7KDZvZeGRzIWLtAKOrot3Rc9oC9uH18_08l0-W4hEgJcSFg4a7D4_pHEDvgd0W9b-rTdruwsZODh_3y_uldQ6eJ1YaJg3pF_PcwaONH12NEqTB2z6B7WVniXlRUjzPLWkP1HF-Bomw/s1600/IMG_1342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="396" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7KDZvZeGRzIWLtAKOrot3Rc9oC9uH18_08l0-W4hEgJcSFg4a7D4_pHEDvgd0W9b-rTdruwsZODh_3y_uldQ6eJ1YaJg3pF_PcwaONH12NEqTB2z6B7WVniXlRUjzPLWkP1HF-Bomw/s400/IMG_1342.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Struggling to move the blasted spike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4cKazk99u-3a0VDq9SPKXY04BxWgnCeqRmBRPXPqlDFmt7fnlEpqw028DsGeolw35Vxt_CFRG0vURXRDDK-U4uP44ABnwHQ-ngSjA7DYtnj6o1pOOx6AtCBXshlSPkqshwnqRwROmg/s1600/IMG_1343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="381" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4cKazk99u-3a0VDq9SPKXY04BxWgnCeqRmBRPXPqlDFmt7fnlEpqw028DsGeolw35Vxt_CFRG0vURXRDDK-U4uP44ABnwHQ-ngSjA7DYtnj6o1pOOx6AtCBXshlSPkqshwnqRwROmg/s400/IMG_1343.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally moved it - do I really have to do this ?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_yddLbKj7Ta69rU1saNK9g7JGi3lfwsN02CEMTy8W36YOpuixxdrzKKEElhviSxNkTRB83hMVraE_8RybyACnc2BB5UOWK8FBR8qn81drGL2fC1ZiEN_hVftZY2BsOIZqS0Wbj4ihQ/s1600/IMG_1379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="353" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_yddLbKj7Ta69rU1saNK9g7JGi3lfwsN02CEMTy8W36YOpuixxdrzKKEElhviSxNkTRB83hMVraE_8RybyACnc2BB5UOWK8FBR8qn81drGL2fC1ZiEN_hVftZY2BsOIZqS0Wbj4ihQ/s400/IMG_1379.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just too much of a struggle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfCbd12af6ac3iG1ZpKf23Y6-EhXEeHiVVIqzkt0U19hq_cyO9yVPZfeGpHgdRY6YO2M8dVr2ORiR1YtoQ_ukVtOqTOew19VG7BttoBnY2H8ldqoDpAnwToKzaz6ZsxMMx9ruU0jA2Q/s1600/IMG_1277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfCbd12af6ac3iG1ZpKf23Y6-EhXEeHiVVIqzkt0U19hq_cyO9yVPZfeGpHgdRY6YO2M8dVr2ORiR1YtoQ_ukVtOqTOew19VG7BttoBnY2H8ldqoDpAnwToKzaz6ZsxMMx9ruU0jA2Q/s400/IMG_1277.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain has deemed that the crew has to take over</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9uw5GhNO3T0JBmAPIJxKJFt7Ddcv1Wa1siTt1rtBztR-NkJo8C13kW9A2ScrusqsPifo8PlXUduqYoi1Mb39lWCpt3JG-a7X7gkkPGOEFbwv3uV8TRKuAGRsu6plcoxTbElsrxF2mQ/s1600/IMG_1431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9uw5GhNO3T0JBmAPIJxKJFt7Ddcv1Wa1siTt1rtBztR-NkJo8C13kW9A2ScrusqsPifo8PlXUduqYoi1Mb39lWCpt3JG-a7X7gkkPGOEFbwv3uV8TRKuAGRsu6plcoxTbElsrxF2mQ/s400/IMG_1431.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is not too hard at all...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The hydraulic gate paddle were not working and the ratchet (the spike
model) on the other gate paddle was damaged and the paddle could not be raised.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">CaRT were notified but apparently they were all in a meeting until 1:30pm
(it being just after 11am when we arrived) – nothing to do but wait.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After some time we all noted that the water level in the lock was rising
– slowly but going up – so we thought that we may get it full to allow the two
waiting boats to go down and then we could enter and come up – very slowly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Well after an hour and a half, we brutalised the lock gate into
submission and got it open – the two boats went in, we lowered them and locked
them out – we brought our two boats into the lock, ready for the time-frame,
when suddenly the CaRT guy turned up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Quickly getting a large G-clamp from his van (something which Peter had
identified as what we needed), clamped the broken wooden gate paddle support
and promptly raised the gate paddle and in next to no time we were through the
lock – then one more lock (only 30 metres away) and we had a water tap to fill
the tank, we emptied the cassette and we could then moor up right at the back
of Sainsbury.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A longer day than it should have been but at times like these you get to
know the people around you and can have a bit of a laugh about everything –
there’s nothing else that you can do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KyybO1Xg9rEoN2OrQGzhH4r5A5Vedzlg1igfZccbyp3TsSqi398PQS00PgPeECtZqMAY6C2ZYCRg_zQsSieyfubuH30zxDNaD8X66C4x1QjFmS2VKjy7CExJtOU5ac5VICsnSFvBhA/s1600/IMG_1401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KyybO1Xg9rEoN2OrQGzhH4r5A5Vedzlg1igfZccbyp3TsSqi398PQS00PgPeECtZqMAY6C2ZYCRg_zQsSieyfubuH30zxDNaD8X66C4x1QjFmS2VKjy7CExJtOU5ac5VICsnSFvBhA/s400/IMG_1401.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boo demonstrating chairs that were being made on a boat stranded at Brighouse Lock<br />
Check out Toby's website www.tobychairs.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We had a chance to have a walk around Brighouse – having never been here
before – it is quite a nice town, but not a lot that would drag us to moor up again
– it would not be first or last on the list of places for a re-visit. We found
a chippy for Diane and the markets would be on the following day, so we would
have a look at these – many of the usual shops and establishments were all
there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We both felt a bit tired from our exertions throughout the day and
decided that a relaxing end to the day was worthwhile – I managed to nod off to
sleep – my nanna nap time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Next day, we had brilliant sunshine, again, and after a trip to Tesco and
a walk through the market (where we bought a couple of things) it was time to
head off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Peter and Boo, had headed off earlier – we had not made any plans about
on-going travelling together, but after a couple of locks we had caught them up
and continued with them for the day – hitting the three locks at Salterhebble
at lunch time – they pulled over for a lunch break (they were heading further
along the way), but our destination was right here, and so we completed the
last two locks solo and headed into the arm to find a mooring spot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5bq6n0UlvQ0IThqxxMWGyOsv7SqQxxUA_KeTHaFD9b0kOcRDDGIJuXY_Fe7J4JY4qjydhk128nhC4xouRZMPCauQ4gelMUmv9caYJvATU6NHiefnK9nSmbaibLkkeot4AAuWni7E4A/s1600/IMG_1441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5bq6n0UlvQ0IThqxxMWGyOsv7SqQxxUA_KeTHaFD9b0kOcRDDGIJuXY_Fe7J4JY4qjydhk128nhC4xouRZMPCauQ4gelMUmv9caYJvATU6NHiefnK9nSmbaibLkkeot4AAuWni7E4A/s400/IMG_1441.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Guillotine Lock at Salterhebble</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm288tUIr8w1UUpA2qS6PGuopMltlGebK5LBVAZCQfP2w4ZZbl6jktMIqHg-Z-fRkig_Hf9fefSyy3AHYXmzHpJEvYcBBUwQ-WUYgS_jtjD6Xsb93VDifER1kLo0wPAfDkO6aY0gBOIA/s1600/IMG_1469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm288tUIr8w1UUpA2qS6PGuopMltlGebK5LBVAZCQfP2w4ZZbl6jktMIqHg-Z-fRkig_Hf9fefSyy3AHYXmzHpJEvYcBBUwQ-WUYgS_jtjD6Xsb93VDifER1kLo0wPAfDkO6aY0gBOIA/s400/IMG_1469.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least it was electrically operated</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFEPqEWoDuEAscSyFLXQMTlOU-aeBiOVfHG-Yk7JgCuYRht4j9mxfQzDtOBgLz56mjyS634EfyZOwkWMHw0DGrCFGYY5_08OHG5sV8y-NAAFxZuK6iJ3xTtlC7fEllGZ9kLU8DjPKKQ/s1600/IMG_1412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFEPqEWoDuEAscSyFLXQMTlOU-aeBiOVfHG-Yk7JgCuYRht4j9mxfQzDtOBgLz56mjyS634EfyZOwkWMHw0DGrCFGYY5_08OHG5sV8y-NAAFxZuK6iJ3xTtlC7fEllGZ9kLU8DjPKKQ/s400/IMG_1412.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those crazy kids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">What we found was a relatively empty arm – I had been walking from the
top lock whilst Diane brought the boat in – she took it up to the winding hole
and after turning it around we moored up on the off-side, right outside the
Premier Inn – the sign said “Mooring allowed with permission” – nothing
ventured, nothing gained – so Diane went in and it was all OK – with the £10
donation to the Great Ormond Street Hospital – a few minutes of giving some
information and the money and we were set.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">So we could say that we spent the night at the Premier Inn, and after a
short wander around, Diane decided to have a bath (on board) – Premier Inn
(with bath).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It was a quiet night here; Diane still less than pleased with my ability
to get to sleep quickly and soundly – the bruising has not yet shown up but it
will appear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Deciding to spend a rest day here, we caught the bus up the hill (11%
rise) into Halifax – the major town here – first point of call, as usual, was
the Visitor Information Centre; Diane then decided to embark on my least
favourite pastime – shopping for clothes – fortunately it was a short exercise
and I survived (just!).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Initial impressions as we came through the town on the bus was of a town
that had been quite successful in the past and was now re-inventing itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Our first area to stroll through was the Minster, dating back about 900
years and reputedly to have the bones of John the Baptist buried beneath – a
story that shows in the Coat or Arms for <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Halifax</st1:place></st1:city>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We then carried on to visit the undercover markets – quite large in size
– plenty of stalls could have tempted us, except that we were on our fasting
day (for the 5:2 diet).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Next it was the Town Hall – why is it that people (politicians) always
find loads of money to build and adorn great monuments to their activities (or
in some cases, lack of activity) – however, it was a very attractive building,
both inside and out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We also met one of the councillors and had a quite interesting chat with
him – judging by his remarks, he is of a like mind with us regarding the focus
of some of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Are we getting old or not, but we were getting quite tired again – we
caught the bus up the hill and would be going back that way and we had not
really walked that far at all.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Maybe it was just an off day with our fitness, but the boat looked good
when we got back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We did decide that we would push to other side of the arm and thereby
save another night at the Premier Inn – not enough water for her indoors to
have another bath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtoxPGB76CehUj0_lp2dt8yTNppnllfx22ESaZe6XGTCVa_cGSmUd4tzSoBQscdIhu0RVI35c46k1N-YHg_qgvyyYLpIatGpsAq52WWUA3U1lbcm_xrVpX6EJl3nSq6aSNhg-RXeyxA/s1600/IMG_1289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtoxPGB76CehUj0_lp2dt8yTNppnllfx22ESaZe6XGTCVa_cGSmUd4tzSoBQscdIhu0RVI35c46k1N-YHg_qgvyyYLpIatGpsAq52WWUA3U1lbcm_xrVpX6EJl3nSq6aSNhg-RXeyxA/s400/IMG_1289.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Despite any problems we may have had with a low pound; problems with the spike;<br />
a problem with one lock, the scenery is simply lovely</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbu2OVfTWClUFi-jhffvCfNbP66W4qa_EG_eImusgG24EL0BibNnRtv4TLQBUkFlxI7cY8S1eEUxHg_YrU9kkkGu3PUKzCJBweTw-0TS1KX1P89HopM1S8kkjK9RWs3juGDryhxombw/s1600/IMG_1461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbu2OVfTWClUFi-jhffvCfNbP66W4qa_EG_eImusgG24EL0BibNnRtv4TLQBUkFlxI7cY8S1eEUxHg_YrU9kkkGu3PUKzCJBweTw-0TS1KX1P89HopM1S8kkjK9RWs3juGDryhxombw/s320/IMG_1461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>21 Miles, 28 Locks<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YTD: 567 miles (912
km), 275 Locks, 15 Tunnels, 9 Lift Bridges, 19 Swing Bridges<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Total: 5199 Miles (8367 km),
3426 Locks, 139 Tunnels, 75 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>, 191 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place><o:p></o:p></b></div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-397502798139809502017-06-14T21:54:00.001+01:002018-06-12T01:07:34.407+01:00Back to the Usual - Cruising and Work<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Thursday 8<sup>th</sup>
June to Saturday 10<sup>th</sup> June 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After a restful night back in our own bed, it was back to usual – the
week away with Sara and Mitch was wonderful, but we were back to the reality –
back on the boat; back to cruising; back to travelling – such a tough life –
back to coffee in bed for Diane and I was back to work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After getting some of the necessary stuff done, the sun shining outside
was beckoning and we had a bit of a window of clear weather to cruise back down
to Castleford.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I went over to see Marie to advise that we would be leaving soon, also to
pay the bill and return the key – the moorings and power with it was very
reasonable and if we are here again we would not hesitate to stay here;
similarly we will be recommending it to everyone else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But it was time to head off – Diane walked over to the lock, I took the
boat out through the marina entrance and straight into the lock – all paddles
were now working and pretty soon we were down, out and heading south.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It is just a few miles to Castleford, but when we arrived, the flood lock
was closed (not locked) and needed operation to get through which we did, then
moored up on the visitor moorings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Diane had shopping to do; I had more work to do, but we met up at the pub
when Diane was done for a quick drink – and it was actually a coffee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The French Open was still going so that would be the afternoon done for
Diane, which suited me as I still needed time to continue the catch up with
work – everything was back to normal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Friday was a bit blustery with patches of sun and cloud and an occasional
sprinkling of the wet stuff; there were a few locks thrown in there and by the
time we reached Stanley Ferry we thought that this was a fair day’s effort, so
we have moored here – visited the pub and done some walking.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_gT-pL2l5e_owCtiJDTwxv4WxNNiDoLoWmK7q9g4E5WZidW-uAaDfeCyDDnUoQSDsz3IQBafq_XbJxx1j_x-bE3D_lS4MBhEQxOCMtFEUJAWj_IxroyqJSTiPwHJ3uihWVtTC_ijcA/s1600/IMG_4016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_gT-pL2l5e_owCtiJDTwxv4WxNNiDoLoWmK7q9g4E5WZidW-uAaDfeCyDDnUoQSDsz3IQBafq_XbJxx1j_x-bE3D_lS4MBhEQxOCMtFEUJAWj_IxroyqJSTiPwHJ3uihWVtTC_ijcA/s400/IMG_4016.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Stanley Ferry and the almost iconic bridge in the distance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAUyLa-LKmrQeFY-a1ryTFz7DicE-ISLeSWseq7cHvuJlXEVAI8PTknTGpC175y9ZyXS1iIKbmLfm_5CtcQ76cy5Lxlmnx089dcY2sZDQBh1CGqA5Yi5RvR6Vx7S9TaeShiR_DmYExg/s1600/IMG_4023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAUyLa-LKmrQeFY-a1ryTFz7DicE-ISLeSWseq7cHvuJlXEVAI8PTknTGpC175y9ZyXS1iIKbmLfm_5CtcQ76cy5Lxlmnx089dcY2sZDQBh1CGqA5Yi5RvR6Vx7S9TaeShiR_DmYExg/s400/IMG_4023.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New lock gates being "seasoned" at the CaRT workshops.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFQL-A5YB2x3NwVbLCDulAsuLMxKZdtMCsNtRVdnDJ7g57_k3e_thXqGnd8CYoysO2rkdY3gElZFLKYTP66lXcY1F9aTBm83EgGPe4jbjghXad3sstpHKdTPpdcY8ciQtyfKvHTRaSg/s1600/IMG_4030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFQL-A5YB2x3NwVbLCDulAsuLMxKZdtMCsNtRVdnDJ7g57_k3e_thXqGnd8CYoysO2rkdY3gElZFLKYTP66lXcY1F9aTBm83EgGPe4jbjghXad3sstpHKdTPpdcY8ciQtyfKvHTRaSg/s400/IMG_4030.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bridge from the side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">More tennis and more work and we were done for the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeY5FRCrdr3lz7jOLsDiphHRVdFGgiKN5Lp1iYe5z0skJOP7IgCVfd5v2od_v5wfrh9ybHlyW-ualNIxShetIEVJhjQeK7Zte58GIfuhKnvOhmDWQ51lM26D16wBNMtswMCqKOwblsQ/s1600/IMG_4050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeY5FRCrdr3lz7jOLsDiphHRVdFGgiKN5Lp1iYe5z0skJOP7IgCVfd5v2od_v5wfrh9ybHlyW-ualNIxShetIEVJhjQeK7Zte58GIfuhKnvOhmDWQ51lM26D16wBNMtswMCqKOwblsQ/s400/IMG_4050.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise and whilst it looks lovely it does not necessarily bode well for th day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Sj-bXzrd8QOym_oc_nGbPf0fl7QJc9qzLtg-b2diksjMM_IMLZHRv-_fWyIo6gm_XNVKT-co8nItzVOkkD6OBbjuvR6yuAIxyWGARUGEUQsp-qbsx-gFYr8w1n-tiwaX2798xrhSiQ/s1600/IMG_4411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Sj-bXzrd8QOym_oc_nGbPf0fl7QJc9qzLtg-b2diksjMM_IMLZHRv-_fWyIo6gm_XNVKT-co8nItzVOkkD6OBbjuvR6yuAIxyWGARUGEUQsp-qbsx-gFYr8w1n-tiwaX2798xrhSiQ/s400/IMG_4411.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking north from the walkway bridge...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35e-rJ3Ak_ihmzrSMQEwnvKcXt3Hp8Orr3yRgeyrOvJmT1drDFpH58TOQqM2LfDzMDDhy3SzB_XuGbakBDOKsVFjGvoZGUECKJwMaT1uq8r6Vfh0V3DrhtgwvZTK_pEUsXj2khvpgrA/s1600/IMG_4412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35e-rJ3Ak_ihmzrSMQEwnvKcXt3Hp8Orr3yRgeyrOvJmT1drDFpH58TOQqM2LfDzMDDhy3SzB_XuGbakBDOKsVFjGvoZGUECKJwMaT1uq8r6Vfh0V3DrhtgwvZTK_pEUsXj2khvpgrA/s400/IMG_4412.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and then looking south</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MOC9BcTlqqe1L-alcH-3dmI7NsiSZBs8u8FkVwFv28iRLlZN9SUFcXWGCHS3wcmpYH8n8kCzc2wYZoR9gjpp_T72772vnVuJmcrTDx2nen-MSXhGHkQDXqpyfobrFlL-V8aEm63NYw/s1600/IMG_4416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MOC9BcTlqqe1L-alcH-3dmI7NsiSZBs8u8FkVwFv28iRLlZN9SUFcXWGCHS3wcmpYH8n8kCzc2wYZoR9gjpp_T72772vnVuJmcrTDx2nen-MSXhGHkQDXqpyfobrFlL-V8aEm63NYw/s400/IMG_4416.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">early evening...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0d9pJOR-1nqZXgXgcqmcHBwo9mYGH2nbnW8L6k8OAG_uhzVSBrNKtRyzIxNCnxyitt7fETuOBnJiCYkpN54qaP_x81hzXbBkQ0SCpwmeUE3eVpG26dDbqElM2AOjuBso_n4ocfRCaw/s1600/IMG_4418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0d9pJOR-1nqZXgXgcqmcHBwo9mYGH2nbnW8L6k8OAG_uhzVSBrNKtRyzIxNCnxyitt7fETuOBnJiCYkpN54qaP_x81hzXbBkQ0SCpwmeUE3eVpG26dDbqElM2AOjuBso_n4ocfRCaw/s400/IMG_4418.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...later that same evening </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Saturday started with rain and it was not in any way fine until after
lunch by which time we had given up any thoughts of cruising for the day –
after all it was Ladies Final Day in Paris and the football was on directly
after – no chance to cruise in the afternoon, but tomorrow we must be away –
onwards towards the Rochdale Canal (and more colouring in on the map)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkjKu5p4cV-7VppfF4lheqkoEhc0iZofBRbqBlFl45CZ4RtbNJvpzHBXo2WrSD0vnEWxw4EyoUGTjO-vBCrpTfUAPB4OUEjPYPwTQhDTBAcSxPVnxV4lHWxYwdaBB3dNgwtQ54yRlHA/s1600/IMG_4061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="410" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkjKu5p4cV-7VppfF4lheqkoEhc0iZofBRbqBlFl45CZ4RtbNJvpzHBXo2WrSD0vnEWxw4EyoUGTjO-vBCrpTfUAPB4OUEjPYPwTQhDTBAcSxPVnxV4lHWxYwdaBB3dNgwtQ54yRlHA/s320/IMG_4061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>10 Miles, 6Lock<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YTD: 546 miles (879
km), 247 Locks, 15 Tunnels, 9 Lift Bridges, 19 Swing Bridges<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Total: 5178 Miles (8333 km),
3398 Locks, 139 Tunnels, 75 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>, 191 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place><o:p></o:p></b></div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-60387018202768166832017-06-10T19:28:00.001+01:002018-06-12T01:07:46.076+01:00Off to London for the week and one day from a tragedy<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Wednesday 31<sup>st</sup>
May to Wednesday 7<sup>th</sup> June 2017</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Safely moored up in Lemonroyd Marina, we could finish the packing and
finalise the boat to be left for a week; we were even driven to the railway
station by the lovely Marie who runs the marina – such service was very much
appreciated – it did allow everything to run a bit more smoothly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We managed to catch the 9:10 from Woodlesford to Leeds and we were still
early for the connecting train to King’s Cross – a 2 hour trip on Virgin East
Coast – after that we negotiated the Underground (which really is quite easy as
we found out last year and before) – we had bookings for a couple of rooms for
a week at Chiswick Premier Inn – we got a good deal on it all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">So we dropped off our bags, booked in for both us and also for Mitch and
Sara, who would be arriving around 16:40 from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Paris</st1:city></st1:place> on the Eurostar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Plenty of time to get back to St.Pancras and meet them as planned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">They had come through all of the way from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Champagne</st1:state></st1:place> and with it all being by train,
they were not tired at all – not like plane travel (and international at that),
there was no need to arrive a few hours early.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3f6iMwrcuhL_EcPjl_933WWwntPc_NLaHfh7B1P_9hhrgbFC6u3ic6YLeEQOURZEN4eCtf4I-A7kXhNxfwW5oBiUeDPniyTs2VrFWHgx0AlsUilltWoELazZDAp2vcUuo2LU4uzru8g/s1600/IMG_4271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="448" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3f6iMwrcuhL_EcPjl_933WWwntPc_NLaHfh7B1P_9hhrgbFC6u3ic6YLeEQOURZEN4eCtf4I-A7kXhNxfwW5oBiUeDPniyTs2VrFWHgx0AlsUilltWoELazZDAp2vcUuo2LU4uzru8g/s400/IMG_4271.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara and Diane were certainly happy to see each other; Mitch was just ignoring it all</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiCJlGOKll31s1ir_uGKKdeHZJ1A4s8TzNWe_Prd7qYHB69UlwwjKE77OucBOHDiYxZt9FlVbdDPOqqr4rdmB9Qmmv4ZADFubmaQ4AdeHx0iIfScUOLYdJZ4RM0kObHfVdyrcVO7iBA/s1600/IMG_4274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="446" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiCJlGOKll31s1ir_uGKKdeHZJ1A4s8TzNWe_Prd7qYHB69UlwwjKE77OucBOHDiYxZt9FlVbdDPOqqr4rdmB9Qmmv4ZADFubmaQ4AdeHx0iIfScUOLYdJZ4RM0kObHfVdyrcVO7iBA/s400/IMG_4274.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The closest that they were getting to this attraction</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As it was now the start of the peak hour(s) we opted to have an early
dinner – at the same, Pizza Union (Pentonville Road) that we had used in April,
before battling the Underground out to Chiswick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Sara was keen to try an English Pub – her first trip to the <st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region> – so across the road we went to The George
and <st1:place w:st="on">Devonshire</st1:place> – a not atypical pub – pretty
much what you see these days, but it was lovely enough for Sara to get an idea
about it all – and really it was a lovely pub anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We had a rough plan of things that they wanted to experience and where it
was necessary we had suggested some timetabling – so it was on Thursday that we
headed off to Watford to see all of the relatives and for them to meet Sara and
catch up with Mitch again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOZV5B7H5z0nLHaMw5hL9vDrYlcvW5WgvNk5Vp032RJczqQHK3BZbDtv-GpdGFGNVwLRhXrRJS2mGWfE_SimGDOkyhKL-6jKVdHhYU8FLTbcDbW6oFWJBI1Y6-Gggy9XxiNNj3tnz7g/s1600/IMG_0829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOZV5B7H5z0nLHaMw5hL9vDrYlcvW5WgvNk5Vp032RJczqQHK3BZbDtv-GpdGFGNVwLRhXrRJS2mGWfE_SimGDOkyhKL-6jKVdHhYU8FLTbcDbW6oFWJBI1Y6-Gggy9XxiNNj3tnz7g/s400/IMG_0829.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A chance to relax and meet the relatives</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMszWK19GEnluG8Ym-OE-F4MT6uLRzmvccU4haNNzlZXveSYfnO7ng6tG4JvEB_u9YYw4vk7dhXLFf9PTtEdlU57IvvA17A6u5Tzpv3Bj1tjpUeaMdA0sesMJ64RrN7QN_jn39ynoqEw/s1600/IMG_0839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMszWK19GEnluG8Ym-OE-F4MT6uLRzmvccU4haNNzlZXveSYfnO7ng6tG4JvEB_u9YYw4vk7dhXLFf9PTtEdlU57IvvA17A6u5Tzpv3Bj1tjpUeaMdA0sesMJ64RrN7QN_jn39ynoqEw/s400/IMG_0839.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nikki...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOf0NBui5avYkOkOTfXLSw1KDUAORx7MVbOBTspuTz53NB7oKswm7DYRRmkg8lZ6ERck-11yZ0yx95oJVQJqdNk636jRpQdPEsw2NxW0vfZSQ6oCdhP8ZFvJwqooY0fe1V8hpBXksHw/s1600/IMG_0845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOf0NBui5avYkOkOTfXLSw1KDUAORx7MVbOBTspuTz53NB7oKswm7DYRRmkg8lZ6ERck-11yZ0yx95oJVQJqdNk636jRpQdPEsw2NxW0vfZSQ6oCdhP8ZFvJwqooY0fe1V8hpBXksHw/s400/IMG_0845.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and David...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiePDAGXUOr0fZZClqyV2nFrtzXws2hEk4wQdKJLTQ8fETdOchJEcppxlNO2SgBsjohtVZ7fitsa4JhUvCSXga_Qg4TXF6Dl899z2pxj1V2vt93Zu3GFTfMuIc7NZJCDrlqB0Q7g_zA/s1600/IMG_0825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiePDAGXUOr0fZZClqyV2nFrtzXws2hEk4wQdKJLTQ8fETdOchJEcppxlNO2SgBsjohtVZ7fitsa4JhUvCSXga_Qg4TXF6Dl899z2pxj1V2vt93Zu3GFTfMuIc7NZJCDrlqB0Q7g_zA/s400/IMG_0825.JPG" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and cheeky Phil...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWarR-4CoWMC8YMr7vSZGw8kCKkdk-1DoMKrTF3sN9WORG2z4SPav7xxiaIdwMS0Y8L_NYO0f6qFC8B9YmpO8du7CbOuR6MlQuvUmMQSy6ywZ6GBFFAFCNxkJI9fEgsmbRMtsn8g9hsA/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWarR-4CoWMC8YMr7vSZGw8kCKkdk-1DoMKrTF3sN9WORG2z4SPav7xxiaIdwMS0Y8L_NYO0f6qFC8B9YmpO8du7CbOuR6MlQuvUmMQSy6ywZ6GBFFAFCNxkJI9fEgsmbRMtsn8g9hsA/s400/IMG_0835.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and Lisa and Pam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It was such an atypical English day – yes, the sun was out in force – the
new home was on show and we also got a chance to see how the renovations were
coming along; plenty of food, plenty of drink and plenty of talk – a lovely day
for everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But we needed to get back for all our sakes – even we were feeling a bit
on the tired side – but TfL had a last thing in store for us – there were some
signalling problems along the path we wanted to take and so we made our way
back via central London, but it had been a great day out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Friday was a day predicted to be a bit unpredictable – there would be
sun, but equally there was a strong possibility of heavy downpours and a
thunderstorm. It was important to keep the early momentum up in their trip and
cross some things off their list of “must-sees”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">First call was at Buck House (the palace), then the Mall, <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Trafalgar Square</st1:address></st1:street>,
Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrRnmsNth7W3sqMivoROb5J_GmBCY7Ea8_1wgueZPt2F12LEU5WGhOe4rgGmderusC-ZcXSXBMhu_N7M2SrtZRGZ6YR5byu6bga6X5n0MBwPqzqc_sSQlV7aZHylaqEHh08coGscQow/s1600/_MG_4299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrRnmsNth7W3sqMivoROb5J_GmBCY7Ea8_1wgueZPt2F12LEU5WGhOe4rgGmderusC-ZcXSXBMhu_N7M2SrtZRGZ6YR5byu6bga6X5n0MBwPqzqc_sSQlV7aZHylaqEHh08coGscQow/s400/_MG_4299.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crowds were out as usual; the guards as well</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOo85Jppz4WyVjqnjHSF-jNJq_Qbl7cmg9c1VFZZeNp2XHfgHBbr3V2S2KDxZIcubJUtOWgNevbkMIClLLBECqqLXo1D-McdM0xIX2060wCe2CSkraH8Qj7dvpDgNozFfkuLSKNt4hQ/s1600/IMG_0891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOo85Jppz4WyVjqnjHSF-jNJq_Qbl7cmg9c1VFZZeNp2XHfgHBbr3V2S2KDxZIcubJUtOWgNevbkMIClLLBECqqLXo1D-McdM0xIX2060wCe2CSkraH8Qj7dvpDgNozFfkuLSKNt4hQ/s400/IMG_0891.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">close to the gates</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7y8u8acYyyfiXjZ63bl2bNEAV9CNcdzmdBljArJeuk-Jm0vaNv5XsczwNX9Xe1Eia0dCDc6ubu0nnjar3G-tfElLaq7qvZRpj2BXUXLZU_xpM3aBJfyM89WDgU1AowBHDxmlM2gMI3w/s1600/IMG_0892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7y8u8acYyyfiXjZ63bl2bNEAV9CNcdzmdBljArJeuk-Jm0vaNv5XsczwNX9Xe1Eia0dCDc6ubu0nnjar3G-tfElLaq7qvZRpj2BXUXLZU_xpM3aBJfyM89WDgU1AowBHDxmlM2gMI3w/s400/IMG_0892.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a sneak peek through</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhEDMEDaYJcBEkiRmCTSJp0M5N5njA_obpHq2_B9mSGGVlndKjdsY_7Eziu2S6GxJqKL_kF-66_4sBgoPKHEEI_QNauBV8Rvr3Imm5UERGe2AjGq_VDoVWf9582s34aX6uLKMUnJLlQ/s1600/IMG_4286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="299" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhEDMEDaYJcBEkiRmCTSJp0M5N5njA_obpHq2_B9mSGGVlndKjdsY_7Eziu2S6GxJqKL_kF-66_4sBgoPKHEEI_QNauBV8Rvr3Imm5UERGe2AjGq_VDoVWf9582s34aX6uLKMUnJLlQ/s400/IMG_4286.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of the Australia column</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEide0WAf4U7qJNH8jl9bbNX5J2Wk1r-XnR9xp0LXVuzSSKVTSg9fjsmKlrqWpvByTsoa55wGRuSZCjn0Oz0aKA23DZt3N7wZBVP9ry8XAPWQiQtvWjb0lDYDDYkAc9_WkDvC4a3_qlnXA/s1600/_MG_4309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEide0WAf4U7qJNH8jl9bbNX5J2Wk1r-XnR9xp0LXVuzSSKVTSg9fjsmKlrqWpvByTsoa55wGRuSZCjn0Oz0aKA23DZt3N7wZBVP9ry8XAPWQiQtvWjb0lDYDDYkAc9_WkDvC4a3_qlnXA/s400/_MG_4309.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Horse Guards on the Mall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOzBD_IUK4o_8L7xrvtDVuJq0X0n73PEa5jWz5dgvOXM9HQtvjPi4RHgIc_0pHi7HpUEywetdMQ0bhTDtRJo3hVO3kZLivaEI4oP0RUDvLlBUd9EAbON4BNXtMVEmFJ4PzHdwW88MIw/s1600/_MG_4307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOzBD_IUK4o_8L7xrvtDVuJq0X0n73PEa5jWz5dgvOXM9HQtvjPi4RHgIc_0pHi7HpUEywetdMQ0bhTDtRJo3hVO3kZLivaEI4oP0RUDvLlBUd9EAbON4BNXtMVEmFJ4PzHdwW88MIw/s400/_MG_4307.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out over St.James Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWRyhBAKNfCQ2S7GSabpJLkcmfwD5npnw2dTVpNIbk-Hvuwg0f7O7APeyKctu4w-3_RBDl0XN5mqAtws0y847JKWfhbWSPtlZKDe4QMdymAKBVNX3fsvscFinfsUUJm3mCLYgBoEDbg/s1600/_MG_4323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="444" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWRyhBAKNfCQ2S7GSabpJLkcmfwD5npnw2dTVpNIbk-Hvuwg0f7O7APeyKctu4w-3_RBDl0XN5mqAtws0y847JKWfhbWSPtlZKDe4QMdymAKBVNX3fsvscFinfsUUJm3mCLYgBoEDbg/s400/_MG_4323.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and in Trafalgar Square - last time Mitch was here was 2000 <br />
and the pigeons were all still there</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs25EPxPed2zPhPHgxwAOuYLhyphenhyphen1fPLcspAxOYnl8cRxv0T1eNXqOo_JpLZ7no-HeyBSJaFHUbzhwVxRQ6m7OIckzlMgRyfBslaSqXfvKr0maCkULSwlT0AFy6jAx9sVmJ6_dzLUHHV2Q/s1600/_MG_4328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs25EPxPed2zPhPHgxwAOuYLhyphenhyphen1fPLcspAxOYnl8cRxv0T1eNXqOo_JpLZ7no-HeyBSJaFHUbzhwVxRQ6m7OIckzlMgRyfBslaSqXfvKr0maCkULSwlT0AFy6jAx9sVmJ6_dzLUHHV2Q/s400/_MG_4328.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hadn't seen this memorial before - and for the women in all wars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaMpJMmSKtiwWCFdJVPahRXmJl8MMIN0tKIBdFZpDNaLiaBZC4r9FKUAPhQkO10BaK5LIdob5q40_bRkXilTiDVsok65eQXFMbvDRb-WKZhGAyjlfgmsNu8bzC1crFLXZZ_CLLz58iQ/s1600/_MG_4330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="299" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaMpJMmSKtiwWCFdJVPahRXmJl8MMIN0tKIBdFZpDNaLiaBZC4r9FKUAPhQkO10BaK5LIdob5q40_bRkXilTiDVsok65eQXFMbvDRb-WKZhGAyjlfgmsNu8bzC1crFLXZZ_CLLz58iQ/s400/_MG_4330.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the icons of London - we were not surprised<br />
with the look on Sara's face when she turned the<br />
corner and first saw it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Across the river and a stroll down along the <st1:place w:st="on">Thames</st1:place>
on the southern side, taking in lunch at The Mulberry Bush – a great place for
something to eat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Then it was on to The Globe and the Golden Hind II and around the corner
was Borough Market, where we had never been – Mitch recognised it from an
earlier trip – it was here that everything HIT! – the promised thunderstorm
rolled in and luckily we were under cover, because it really pelted down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmeFUlcCSX1FCAnUL5153UtfkugGGlLlCDjlXYTw1_D5ejSGIXDEvoY0TKesJJFR_NPygYr0Ei00-Sf3DERUZ5U_v85P1_S-ZQIHlFRGWjV3mOjyJ-I7ec8OhKVYe8u12Ytl2cOZDpQ/s1600/IMG_0903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmeFUlcCSX1FCAnUL5153UtfkugGGlLlCDjlXYTw1_D5ejSGIXDEvoY0TKesJJFR_NPygYr0Ei00-Sf3DERUZ5U_v85P1_S-ZQIHlFRGWjV3mOjyJ-I7ec8OhKVYe8u12Ytl2cOZDpQ/s400/IMG_0903.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Golden Hynd II</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8InRR-ddSHw_pv8kCXXt7QcR5h0PeYszrEMo_1_NlP36qTLmVYpHb67Pl0jVj8L2Y36fp6mv2Szve1A-PetEro-FrfY5CRjUB3SYv2n4hoKLZq1DG-2YnZYlbwLSIsvgTIAzJq11FmA/s1600/IMG_0964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8InRR-ddSHw_pv8kCXXt7QcR5h0PeYszrEMo_1_NlP36qTLmVYpHb67Pl0jVj8L2Y36fp6mv2Szve1A-PetEro-FrfY5CRjUB3SYv2n4hoKLZq1DG-2YnZYlbwLSIsvgTIAzJq11FmA/s400/IMG_0964.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Globe Theatre - something they both wanted to see</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwKywBPLGJPyKiOQo6RjFHlI_gnXMURfItBxD3UaNeZOFhf1U7eblr4yo_F-GImE8UdRmiRKJEcd3TNC2BWMK5o6pM07MIXE9QEirKeFN_QKHa7eIDHlAyo7RUeR4_tYgHEx94if0xw/s1600/IMG_0915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwKywBPLGJPyKiOQo6RjFHlI_gnXMURfItBxD3UaNeZOFhf1U7eblr4yo_F-GImE8UdRmiRKJEcd3TNC2BWMK5o6pM07MIXE9QEirKeFN_QKHa7eIDHlAyo7RUeR4_tYgHEx94if0xw/s400/IMG_0915.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Borough Market - why this shot - Sara's middle name with the one "l"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygpyIdIzDUx9A19Sd68KyFQmuRdoIbw8Ey1seCS6rU2uAwjTg9yJeMMlePQxJb-pGuz0PxX8IXpTsEtqDFdP7rEoqBbYtqQkT6R0bHEY6IqkQ1Oodyc_VaBugiN2WMiSRE3H0M69HIQ/s1600/IMG_0962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygpyIdIzDUx9A19Sd68KyFQmuRdoIbw8Ey1seCS6rU2uAwjTg9yJeMMlePQxJb-pGuz0PxX8IXpTsEtqDFdP7rEoqBbYtqQkT6R0bHEY6IqkQ1Oodyc_VaBugiN2WMiSRE3H0M69HIQ/s400/IMG_0962.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tragic to think how this would have looked just a bit over 24 hours later</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLF9bF_O9THWx-mrzQcV3LFwmoHKQ-GNB0omDQh7TKXd_zhHaz86ie6AjdObYKRRK_f1KSHiXecO2cqZ454KBYNtbt6QUCZapys36yBT-wxTljEOMQYaqfUFomRXGETh0gBz4D-Nm3tw/s1600/IMG_0922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="448" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLF9bF_O9THWx-mrzQcV3LFwmoHKQ-GNB0omDQh7TKXd_zhHaz86ie6AjdObYKRRK_f1KSHiXecO2cqZ454KBYNtbt6QUCZapys36yBT-wxTljEOMQYaqfUFomRXGETh0gBz4D-Nm3tw/s400/IMG_0922.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95xa71opW2RgynNYq6lMFUsDZUlrDtwgnBK6SURLiWeLdhl7ITEZVjPT8tc3If1YcuVehLj5izYv_6QkhQ3X3_DGIl4mQ2RlKC1d4zU5Zh1uMJTMwRET3mat1fSmOwdsYEUoTdUXvBQ/s1600/IMG_0971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95xa71opW2RgynNYq6lMFUsDZUlrDtwgnBK6SURLiWeLdhl7ITEZVjPT8tc3If1YcuVehLj5izYv_6QkhQ3X3_DGIl4mQ2RlKC1d4zU5Zh1uMJTMwRET3mat1fSmOwdsYEUoTdUXvBQ/s400/IMG_0971.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We stayed at one of the pubs for a little while whilst it continued to
rain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After we finished our drinks and the rain had retreated, we decided it
was time to move on and off we strolled across <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">London</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoJuFdW31X4GCvTx9DRdVWPfRqUH62u3UEDbadFG27gs7Axp0jhcj-4UnL94D-uZ9wkJksRADGuA5bgSnDN_bbhSYkAh_TGdninGNGbECjgORi-1v_qARDygk2OR6z0SFUCwnd9kLQw/s1600/IMG_0933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoJuFdW31X4GCvTx9DRdVWPfRqUH62u3UEDbadFG27gs7Axp0jhcj-4UnL94D-uZ9wkJksRADGuA5bgSnDN_bbhSYkAh_TGdninGNGbECjgORi-1v_qARDygk2OR6z0SFUCwnd9kLQw/s400/IMG_0933.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf90E9rwwXTDsltlGLmCctscb6FsnZGpfChd3OsNKKAsYKt2gHmVpRqaMhH-5pxq1fgZcbPNHrOz7fjXX1SihnT2_Svs6IDhS1vDplxV3tBpZ-4Pw4NRWgXCBEK-4tyKduzvOPigRGSw/s1600/IMG_0939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf90E9rwwXTDsltlGLmCctscb6FsnZGpfChd3OsNKKAsYKt2gHmVpRqaMhH-5pxq1fgZcbPNHrOz7fjXX1SihnT2_Svs6IDhS1vDplxV3tBpZ-4Pw4NRWgXCBEK-4tyKduzvOPigRGSw/s400/IMG_0939.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The storm had passed but those dark clouds in the distance, came back.<br />
metaphorically speaking, the following day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Our idyll on this Friday was tragically not the case when senseless
violence engulfed the area on Saturday night (just a day later), when 3
terrorists inflicted their idea of vengeance on innocent people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">No amount of understanding can comprehend the reasons why these people
find it necessary to do what they have done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Extremists of any cause or any religion cannot be allowed to threaten our
way of life simply because they do not like it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It is important to understand that these people are EXTREMISTS and in no
way represent the good people who follow a faith built upon peace and understanding
– if you are in any doubt about it, compare these people today, to those who
ran around covered in white sheets for almost a hundred years in the United
States – they are exactly the same – terror in the name of any religion is simply
TERROR.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Before those events in the evening on Saturday, we had a day out at <st1:placename w:st="on">Kew</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Gardens</st1:placetype>
whilst Sara and Mitch were catching up with friends on Saturday afternoon and
evening in <st1:place w:st="on">Soho</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi914XoAC2uOQyGlDhBZTDO0WuRJuZV6QVyA8eT8u9e_wykm_T32h5TfiP6De12J9eFgIEQptcSAeVg-J3e_BwEg0gwNvvhU-BoGpR0N-pPWvGy-yLmmej_murYVSBXJUjnorBACJECYg/s1600/_MG_4344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="323" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi914XoAC2uOQyGlDhBZTDO0WuRJuZV6QVyA8eT8u9e_wykm_T32h5TfiP6De12J9eFgIEQptcSAeVg-J3e_BwEg0gwNvvhU-BoGpR0N-pPWvGy-yLmmej_murYVSBXJUjnorBACJECYg/s400/_MG_4344.JPG" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lift for the tree-top walk at Kew Gardens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhAsDPK8YteJ7lLjpNoRAJ78vUod0oD9ImAfjtxFPuWztIdIyBx8908fSBmEIT62efr5yJLNySq22tCEN3LNi1GwR9wvHse3UHoQXE5x_8cj3wuJq0Rr3QA7w7XEbJVw-OlIDYoGk8w/s1600/_MG_4355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhAsDPK8YteJ7lLjpNoRAJ78vUod0oD9ImAfjtxFPuWztIdIyBx8908fSBmEIT62efr5yJLNySq22tCEN3LNi1GwR9wvHse3UHoQXE5x_8cj3wuJq0Rr3QA7w7XEbJVw-OlIDYoGk8w/s400/_MG_4355.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kew Palace - where George III spent many months recuperating from his illness</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Wg7BuT021YGlGaS6Qj3usjBFvhCb1zJe0JOjubQMPoFRE8pRNkJECMdkQUOLl18sVgGXPWtYA90ukJGfWLIDlCKNx68YO-at21itUjFcW1Ug_yTjCt3ATMtexxKGX23xDz_xKPDL4A/s1600/_MG_4351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Wg7BuT021YGlGaS6Qj3usjBFvhCb1zJe0JOjubQMPoFRE8pRNkJECMdkQUOLl18sVgGXPWtYA90ukJGfWLIDlCKNx68YO-at21itUjFcW1Ug_yTjCt3ATMtexxKGX23xDz_xKPDL4A/s400/_MG_4351.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The un-renovated kitchen...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhMroAW09C-3VIpdyklrTSLBFuz3YRZyVhaTUUI1k03vkLsKorRYF8CzuccgPJq6q_U6DjGV3mv896F20IXLOXgfS0FHR4xCYyBEE6Er41JlMpG9gooQ0fIevcEIphMzSft5URVn0zA/s1600/_MG_4371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhMroAW09C-3VIpdyklrTSLBFuz3YRZyVhaTUUI1k03vkLsKorRYF8CzuccgPJq6q_U6DjGV3mv896F20IXLOXgfS0FHR4xCYyBEE6Er41JlMpG9gooQ0fIevcEIphMzSft5URVn0zA/s400/_MG_4371.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">..and the top floor, which they will leave as is - in it's almost original state</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvP8yy0t8kesio-5CqGi8zBm0qfkaTx3z7jl1VMoPHyEN28ccmHZHVVbH-xce5qRA5IdlBpk_Z-6vI2q_i7uFWABRRmlFLcx0ATId7jSIb2jpMx5rGw5Czklpcza1IcGkUhMpJhf4lw/s1600/_MG_4372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="299" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvP8yy0t8kesio-5CqGi8zBm0qfkaTx3z7jl1VMoPHyEN28ccmHZHVVbH-xce5qRA5IdlBpk_Z-6vI2q_i7uFWABRRmlFLcx0ATId7jSIb2jpMx5rGw5Czklpcza1IcGkUhMpJhf4lw/s400/_MG_4372.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The important room of the house - the reading room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As we watched in BBC news, all of the events unfold, we were very
concerned about both Sara and Mitch – fortunately they were nowhere near it
all and about to head back – the disruption to tube services caused them a
little inconvenience but this was not an issue for them – especially compared
to what was happening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">They arrived back just after midnight, to our relief – to make sure that
they were there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Messages had been sent to people that we knew and they knew advising that
we were all OK – the facebook people initiated the “I am Safe” messaging to
contacts and we took advantage of that – we still had people from Australia
emailing and messaging to make sure and they had family from the US doing the
same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Sunday, was not a good day, in light of the previous evenings tragic
events and like all others we have to commend the bravery shown by so many to
help others – in most cases complete strangers – and to the families and
friends of those who lost their lives we send our deepest sympathies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We did however try to make some degree of normality try to return to our
lives – we visited Camden Markets – another item on the list – so many people
around and getting back to normal; we wandered around, had some lunch, watched
the boats through the locks – we were tourists as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After that it was back on the Tube and we found a place for an evening
Sunday roast – The Old Ship, right on the <st1:place w:st="on">Thames</st1:place>
at Hammersmith – another thing for Sara to experience and enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Life is about new experiences and learning about other countries and
cultures and we have had Sara leaving her American ideas at the door and seeing
how it all happens here and she we enjoying it immensely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">On Monday, we were off to The Tower of London – such an iconic building –
a symbol of strength and power from by-gone days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It was not that long ago that Diane and I had been here, but we didn’t
mind the chance for another visit and using our 2-for-1 tickets, it was much
cheaper than the normal prices.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We found areas that we had, naturally, seen on our previous visits and
other areas that we had not seen before – it really is such a remarkable
complex with a fascinating history that you could not tire of seeing it again
and again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Diane had been hoping to be able to take Sara to a performance of
“Phantom” in the West End and so we headed for Leicester Square – alas the only
tickets available were all single tickets – separated seats – so no performance
that night – but time for dinner and we had one last surprise for Sara – a
quick visit to Harrods – just so she could say she had seen it on the inside
and of course they all found something to buy and get a unique green Harrods
bag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Home again – we are really exhausted from all of this touristy stuff –
must be getting old or something like that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The head barely hits the pillow, for me, and I am asleep – and apparently
I snore loud enough to keep “she who must be obeyed” awake for some time – I
have to believe her only because she must be obeyed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Tuesday came; we all had breakfast at one of the cafes on the High Street
in Chiswick – called the Cowshed – have to say the breakfast was beautiful, but
the price would help with their bottom line.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After that we would be heading separate ways for the day – it was
important that they had time for themselves to see things again and also to
catch up with some more friends and we had a couple of things that we needed to
take care of whilst we were down here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">So it was a relative easy day for all of us – I have to say, I am quite
enjoying this holiday thing and feel that making it a permanent arrangement
would not be such a strange thing to finally do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Wednesday was our last day here, and again we had breakfast together,
this time it was another easy and long time together, talking about a lot of
things that had happened in the last week and things that would be happening in
the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">When it was finally time to say goodbye to them, it was a bit sad, but
also happy as we knew that they would be heading back to carry on with the
things that would help to start to change their lives for now and for the
future; we would be heading back north again and return to Ferndale and
continue our travels for the remainder of the year.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">By the time that we were back on the boat, they had been in the air for less
than an hour, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">with
a much longer trip back to LA.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOX-DuJHlMZEmOwFVfTRBra9ndJ-6x3R_bcOpoaNY4wmXypIxjVYMblRsjuUUWY62TWU2OAekMruMpO8RAZIyB0eZe8CK72llx8fLOvwNFFr_Y9hZaL6WUNeG2mfmSEDnUuredvlomQ/s1600/IMG_0908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="448" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOX-DuJHlMZEmOwFVfTRBra9ndJ-6x3R_bcOpoaNY4wmXypIxjVYMblRsjuUUWY62TWU2OAekMruMpO8RAZIyB0eZe8CK72llx8fLOvwNFFr_Y9hZaL6WUNeG2mfmSEDnUuredvlomQ/s640/IMG_0908.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We came across this whilst we were in London and really thought nothing of it except that it might have been a play<br />
on the name of a tantrum-throwing actor, but apparently</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
if you look at the following it was all official-like<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHLOEjxWy68" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHLOEjxWy68</a> </div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-55249857779449721252017-06-09T18:59:00.000+01:002018-06-12T01:07:57.266+01:00A fool and his ways or Locking like a Twat<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Tuesday 30<sup>th</sup>
May 2017</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It was time to move along, we had spent 4 days here and got through a few
things that we had wanted to get done on the boat – the roof and other side had
been washed; Diane had polished that same side after it had been cleaned; the
ladder had finally been made – albeit a day after it could have been properly
tried out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The itinerary now demanded that we get going, but it would not be very
far at all, and it was not such an early start for us – after 9 am in fact, but
it would only be a few miles that we would eventually travel before we were
moored up again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Our next few days would be down in <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city>
– Mitch and Sara were coming to the capital after attending a friend’s wedding
in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>
and we had arranged to spend the time with them – it would be our only chance
to see them this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Originally we had wanted to catch up with them in Paris, but there
happens to be some sort of tennis tournament going on there, which helped to
make any sort of accommodation both short in supply and consequently high in
cost – not that anyone could ever describe London prices as anything but
disproportionately above the odds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">So we untied the ropes and pushed off from our temporary residence and
managed a half mile before pulling in for the services – 2 cassettes to empty –
10 minutes – and we were off again – 1 lock, 4 miles – and then a mooring, with
power. All previously booked and once we were settled in and able to enjoy a
bit of power we sort of just relaxed – for a boater this is the idea of luxury
– being on power and able to do some of the things that you do not normally get
to do, not that we would ever suggest that what we normally do is anything
other than great.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But here we were; Diane had her feet up, TV on, tennis being absorbed, I
was finishing off my work before a few days off – and the sun was shining
brightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqq7fRmvIBpegwUDmSqYFRHiJSbkij-Pd-ypiok8b_C26ncRNVx3m4A-5VrJlo0PeSouTGpSmuM9snQQ66umq9-RKO1KYBq1NGzg-6SS_C88bluG_Pg5dcdi5IYu1ngUU5pIYid3fDg/s1600/IMG_0775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="448" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqq7fRmvIBpegwUDmSqYFRHiJSbkij-Pd-ypiok8b_C26ncRNVx3m4A-5VrJlo0PeSouTGpSmuM9snQQ66umq9-RKO1KYBq1NGzg-6SS_C88bluG_Pg5dcdi5IYu1ngUU5pIYid3fDg/s400/IMG_0775.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3942UKPZHisB1QPrX_oSRQjBjCI8TvAtc8ZtyZxSmjOn6wVIRL6aTewwDyaNXno4DNLmM-2mCbO0FCP0k8Lg9KAkNxTX5ueAiZ6WAa0RunkbvcpQYKHVVfsG65gB-3F47Y18fX3vDA/s1600/IMG_0776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="448" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3942UKPZHisB1QPrX_oSRQjBjCI8TvAtc8ZtyZxSmjOn6wVIRL6aTewwDyaNXno4DNLmM-2mCbO0FCP0k8Lg9KAkNxTX5ueAiZ6WAa0RunkbvcpQYKHVVfsG65gB-3F47Y18fX3vDA/s400/IMG_0776.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The only strange thing that we had encountered today, was getting through
the one and only lock that we needed to complete.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Earlier as we were about to set off we were passed by a narrowboat in a
bit of a hurry – so much that he neglected to take any notice that we were
holding the mooring ropes in our hands – obviously we were intending to move –
he didn’t slow down, so he got no acknowledgement from me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Anyway, as we approached the lock, which had been 4 miles from our
setting off point, here he was in the lock mouth, gates closed, and from our
point of view, the lock was still full – the water leaking from high on up was
a dead give away – to us, it was a foolish place to sit - these are huge locks
and therefore have to release a huge quantity of water.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlIJyKunL-BimiD_YUk71bZIsX1P-HATk2TaqQUwaOtdXvJJhTDuDeAAWtUrsFzExwl_TGmzbQ3uVbwAXm0S3H85LPI7DQ1cATl2OD9YR_FwKEAf1n34f88VWrkr4R8myssn0i2yYVg/s1600/IMG_0778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="448" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlIJyKunL-BimiD_YUk71bZIsX1P-HATk2TaqQUwaOtdXvJJhTDuDeAAWtUrsFzExwl_TGmzbQ3uVbwAXm0S3H85LPI7DQ1cATl2OD9YR_FwKEAf1n34f88VWrkr4R8myssn0i2yYVg/s400/IMG_0778.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we approached the lock, we could see the boat in the lock mouth and<br />
assumed that maybe the lock was almost ready.<br />
Note the river coming through on the right hand side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Blgi6lz_xQrjyIib_7GHnoFcVJwNn8vTi6PCqORAZxTeoJNC8IWqH02vqtYvHaBV2QzWRIbh4NaRbhDeJZQAxss-e6f4gkJCCrNry4trk_fA1Yby6ZOMPE9YPARTU8TzQzwOupYuNQ/s1600/IMG_0780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="249" data-original-width="448" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Blgi6lz_xQrjyIib_7GHnoFcVJwNn8vTi6PCqORAZxTeoJNC8IWqH02vqtYvHaBV2QzWRIbh4NaRbhDeJZQAxss-e6f4gkJCCrNry4trk_fA1Yby6ZOMPE9YPARTU8TzQzwOupYuNQ/s400/IMG_0780.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...but we could see the water coming out through the leaking gate that the<br />
lock was far from empty - despite being asked to join him in the lock mouth,<br />
we made our way to the bollards on the left</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He was beckoning for us to pull along side of him – no chance of that
happening – we moored up on the lock bollards and Diane went to find out what
was happening – we could not see any sign of the water about to be released;
there were CaRT people there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As Diane got near to the lock, he suggested again that we join them in
the lock mouth, but she simply advise him that it was actually safer to be back
on the lock moorings where we were and we would wait for the lock gates to
open.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As it happened, there was a problem with one of the bottom paddles and
CaRT were on the job looking at that; as there were now two boats waiting to go
up, they would operate the lock for us and see what the process would reveal on
the other paddle mechanism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Whilst we sat peacefully on a firmly moored boat on the moorings for the
lock, we watched with some amusement at the other boat, still in the lock
mouth, being buffeted quite a bit by the release of the lock water, through
just the one gate paddle (dread to think how “violent” the action might have
been with both paddles operating) – the skipper was having to use thrust and
reverse to keep the boat in position; we were still sitting undisturbed watching
it all.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoH5znFeqEuttIwcaCH3b3SR88woT_1woKpJF-BiIgIo-sr5QLr-z_VGFNW2mfWLYa15O3vwP85_TYOkE7bqIh_scvR9ZJuIbl-LIj45C0bOVAud2WeURW5R1p0o4jC-m0npEn7IXTg/s1600/IMG_0782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoH5znFeqEuttIwcaCH3b3SR88woT_1woKpJF-BiIgIo-sr5QLr-z_VGFNW2mfWLYa15O3vwP85_TYOkE7bqIh_scvR9ZJuIbl-LIj45C0bOVAud2WeURW5R1p0o4jC-m0npEn7IXTg/s400/IMG_0782.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As the paddles were opened, he was fiddling around with<br />
the forward and backward propulsion, and...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWClLYf3C5mkNprIFlrPQ2s1jNMkAcLFlWyXGF24OM91sWLVCtnjIPC0hh4r9fCRYB01W-CPdMEDm5ZJq9dGzdoD0_jgBCl6NDmY9aj9L_Swx2E9-Bb0oUEpSQPgPhqSU9GqkaVmorA/s1600/IMG_0786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWClLYf3C5mkNprIFlrPQ2s1jNMkAcLFlWyXGF24OM91sWLVCtnjIPC0hh4r9fCRYB01W-CPdMEDm5ZJq9dGzdoD0_jgBCl6NDmY9aj9L_Swx2E9-Bb0oUEpSQPgPhqSU9GqkaVmorA/s400/IMG_0786.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...at times struggling to keep it there - meanwhile we were<br />
quite relaxed, being carefully tied up waiting for the<br />
lock to be ready</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Ultimately the gates opened and they went into the lock on the left hand
side – settling for a middle section of the left hand side of the lock –
perhaps not quite enough room to allow us to effectively come in behind them –
certainly not to attach front and back lines to the sliders, so we opted for
the right hand side and did just that – Diane at the front attached her line, I
moved Ferndale back to a convenient slider for the back rope and acknowledged
to the lockie-on-duty that we were ready.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Our “friend” on the other boat thought that he would only attach a rear
line but to the lock ladder; the lady on the boat sat dutifully alongside him,
neither of them thinking that a front line might be wise. Diane did say to them
about a front line – there was a polite indication that they would stay with
just the one line.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The top gate paddles were opened and water started to fill the chamber –
slowly at first and then a bit more quickly – we held the ropes firmly but with
relative ease – the chap on the other boat needed to re-position his back rope on
higher rungs as the boat rose; re also needed to use the engine controls to
properly steady the boat against the turbulence of the water; his companion
still sitting on the rear deck – neither of them with the ability to think
about a front rope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We looked at each other knowing what was about to happen to the other
boat and sure enough it did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Slowly but surely, the bow edged its way out from the wall of the lock
and across to the other side – fortunately our position was far enough back
from theirs so as to avoid any impact of the their boat onto Ferndale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Both people on the other boat looked straight ahead as if nothing had
happened; no eye contact; no suggestion of asking was there any contact or
damage to our boat; it was only when the lock was practically full and Diane
asked would they like a push off for their boat, that there was any response
with a “thanks, yes please”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Foolish, foolish people; and when we read about people getting into
difficulty we often wonder how it could happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We wondered why the lockie didn’t advise them but afterwards we surmised
that the guy operating the lock was the technician to sort out the lock
mechanism; we perhaps should have more strongly suggested about the potential
problems, but having suggested what was better and practising what we were
saying, he might have got the hint – he was just an obstinate man who thought
he knew best – we would say just a foolish man who hopefully might contemplate
and quietly change his way for the next lock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>4 Miles, 1 Lock<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YTD: 536 miles (863
km), 241 Locks, 15 Tunnels, 9 Lift Bridges, 19 Swing Bridges<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Total: 5168 Miles (8317 km),
3392 Locks, 139 Tunnels, 75 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>, 191 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place></b><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-8504752175424794412017-06-07T20:12:00.001+01:002018-06-12T01:08:09.203+01:00An Unexpected Dip<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Friday 26<sup>th</sup>
May 2017 to Monday 29<sup>th</sup> May 2017 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We had spoken with Jackie and Cyril the previous evening about a start
time for the morning and we all thought around about 8am would be good – I
think we are as bad as each other – eager to head off and we were through the
first lock by the time that 8am clicked over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The strange thing is that the locks are double – meaning two boats can
get through but the pontoons on the river side are nearly all only long enough
for one boat at a time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Yet another lovely day – sunshine everywhere and a light cool breeze –
just about the best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We found the going a bit easier this time on the River Aire – there
seemed to be a bit more water under us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The two boats worked their way through the three locks without any
problems – well, bar one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">At Beal Lock, there was some difficulty closing the bottom gates – a
little bit of propeller work from both boats cleared whatever obstruction was
down there – we think that it must have just been a bit of silt preventing the
full closure.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cpK-0oQFJNv-ZBsEGrDJYfTBBi0vqRg4uFX0z5Nsuit6Le6bYF4jniinR-qtNXcj1nsYHIfq57TnG8UuBYAIRAiavvT71QCFmLf50qM1myLxYRcksKygKq6PYhqLAWzX8-uimq0YDg/s1600/_MG_4197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="448" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cpK-0oQFJNv-ZBsEGrDJYfTBBi0vqRg4uFX0z5Nsuit6Le6bYF4jniinR-qtNXcj1nsYHIfq57TnG8UuBYAIRAiavvT71QCFmLf50qM1myLxYRcksKygKq6PYhqLAWzX8-uimq0YDg/s400/_MG_4197.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AUaiLSCxl9mcR9cAhyphenhyphenIyYAp2wAY2xWjnZ-7v55w1DceRVtsmcsmuHwxwKc2_VgFbzGfGrNH8OQdw41KJJSSDy_lvE9LcB9Is_fRWo5AGyuWX1-UxEdDi2HwOpGYgI-3zUShiCMCpCA/s1600/_MG_4200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AUaiLSCxl9mcR9cAhyphenhyphenIyYAp2wAY2xWjnZ-7v55w1DceRVtsmcsmuHwxwKc2_VgFbzGfGrNH8OQdw41KJJSSDy_lvE9LcB9Is_fRWo5AGyuWX1-UxEdDi2HwOpGYgI-3zUShiCMCpCA/s400/_MG_4200.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhig1lZ7yBw_Gy-WcaRZ2Eyp8ycP3eNEsZFYMNCzJPphSH22OU-oU9aaWVMjeCI9wT8FMa_09dh-c3RYYTmRaTtaENCteyGvhHHSqfqsk7pGdvolcgQ2xhGPnEd5WegWrmspiY2mdIjOw/s1600/_MG_4205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhig1lZ7yBw_Gy-WcaRZ2Eyp8ycP3eNEsZFYMNCzJPphSH22OU-oU9aaWVMjeCI9wT8FMa_09dh-c3RYYTmRaTtaENCteyGvhHHSqfqsk7pGdvolcgQ2xhGPnEd5WegWrmspiY2mdIjOw/s400/_MG_4205.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was certainly some power under the engine boards.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NMPWv7D7kWWO-pTeYOvimjcu_O9al0GLwVLKbrOIEVIT51k-K8F7qiuHGP9183ZJwO4teCMVKz7GLEOzemZNgYhi-A3V5hO12NnQLD5a6OXFcHeB10pxZ71QD7sDQ3DIgD82CRbUSw/s1600/_MG_4207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NMPWv7D7kWWO-pTeYOvimjcu_O9al0GLwVLKbrOIEVIT51k-K8F7qiuHGP9183ZJwO4teCMVKz7GLEOzemZNgYhi-A3V5hO12NnQLD5a6OXFcHeB10pxZ71QD7sDQ3DIgD82CRbUSw/s400/_MG_4207.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0lTRooUVUFRkOLJ0jJzl7a9rZDIaClc1qeeTLSV_3I5Gms8Kk2d7MQNfazYz7rX3aBWP9HAWqv91J2wTKo4_C99O-5ZxSiM68k3CWiRWlM4LOFb3ezBU1VuZVJV4Legw_I6K1tZjbA/s1600/_MG_4215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="249" data-original-width="448" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0lTRooUVUFRkOLJ0jJzl7a9rZDIaClc1qeeTLSV_3I5Gms8Kk2d7MQNfazYz7rX3aBWP9HAWqv91J2wTKo4_C99O-5ZxSiM68k3CWiRWlM4LOFb3ezBU1VuZVJV4Legw_I6K1tZjbA/s400/_MG_4215.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Above the last lock – Bank Dole Lock – we were heading due west and
Predator was heading back to the east. We had enjoyed the travel with Jackie
and Cyril and look forward to one day meeting up with them again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But for us it was onwards again – more new territory to be covered – a chance for Diane to colour in more of her map. We have a complete map of the waterways and over the years Diane has coloured/highlighted on it, the waterways that we have traversed – there is an awful lot of yellow highlighter on the map for this year.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgK9omXuOsIcXLPbCDVrq3fcHqa4moncAE0x9_HgOX01STou7ExSZAlc3k7Gq04jmrUW_I6UWro5dpKbvaOIRLbz_E8BBtbhh-30JmfpU6IyrfuAsKKbN3NVXjZE3HKY6NUeTEXxsxA/s1600/_MG_4217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgK9omXuOsIcXLPbCDVrq3fcHqa4moncAE0x9_HgOX01STou7ExSZAlc3k7Gq04jmrUW_I6UWro5dpKbvaOIRLbz_E8BBtbhh-30JmfpU6IyrfuAsKKbN3NVXjZE3HKY6NUeTEXxsxA/s400/_MG_4217.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lock Chicks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJ2KindqolzTA63o9YXoLzeneE-QQsh-LWECeQToHgYs3jrzCww61t0fJtw_5pSmmBLeZpbf5EdeVY2rREIByIiotiIQUhYNHlHaDLG0zrzxiEemT5K18IlHMa1SSYttPXFU9Ctuhug/s1600/_MG_4222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="448" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJ2KindqolzTA63o9YXoLzeneE-QQsh-LWECeQToHgYs3jrzCww61t0fJtw_5pSmmBLeZpbf5EdeVY2rREIByIiotiIQUhYNHlHaDLG0zrzxiEemT5K18IlHMa1SSYttPXFU9Ctuhug/s400/_MG_4222.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We headed off first and Predator would be making that turn just to the<br />
right in this shot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Knottingley has an initial industrial area which is typical of what you
find with canals, but after passing under the first bridge it evolves into a
most delightful outlook – you could be in any town or city.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBQmPFsIS0cVQF5AccfTtu694wPz84ECVpo0zvwyMROzvEZEQFQTs4qunNYCmzc40o0yfODx2PAz9RwpjVJluaSfjwRcjlly-0qM0-iz4rQcUSWXHXhMPZHjUhTgTm2RmPJ-sEF9bYQ/s1600/_MG_4224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBQmPFsIS0cVQF5AccfTtu694wPz84ECVpo0zvwyMROzvEZEQFQTs4qunNYCmzc40o0yfODx2PAz9RwpjVJluaSfjwRcjlly-0qM0-iz4rQcUSWXHXhMPZHjUhTgTm2RmPJ-sEF9bYQ/s400/_MG_4224.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun was certainly out and the navigation was just like glass - the bank sides<br />
complemented it all</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6sqWyd0U5TU-zVWd4VFfDlaFr990410Ev6zgIKXiADr1a1vAqOe3Fpj70Ax6ua2wu6kYqwnKWJWeDM7e8ZKMJ8-g9sGi272GNX7bhDziQJ379bnWWi1Byoem4z-ULlL7YGkGNbaVrg/s1600/_MG_4229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6sqWyd0U5TU-zVWd4VFfDlaFr990410Ev6zgIKXiADr1a1vAqOe3Fpj70Ax6ua2wu6kYqwnKWJWeDM7e8ZKMJ8-g9sGi272GNX7bhDziQJ379bnWWi1Byoem4z-ULlL7YGkGNbaVrg/s400/_MG_4229.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was simply lovely to be on the water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMzOLL9G4RKidqVbUgjJuu3jExKQVngZtaBfzX0fhbHkJqhbHsqibR35KOxMd39jsZc7ebDbgEkPmw3jnYSAXz5j6CBWAHPrjVScfEX9_I9NTeloQgTkv89ptGnLLAHJ6xbq03P6ZGg/s1600/_MG_4240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMzOLL9G4RKidqVbUgjJuu3jExKQVngZtaBfzX0fhbHkJqhbHsqibR35KOxMd39jsZc7ebDbgEkPmw3jnYSAXz5j6CBWAHPrjVScfEX9_I9NTeloQgTkv89ptGnLLAHJ6xbq03P6ZGg/s400/_MG_4240.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the older and more industrial areas were delightful</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmn_ADcIUmDQQFV_WHzrTPnngo8TF4qVd5_9eMz4zwm8UeRoJloaL65v8DQcCW7VriKU9bCLV1-ZY1saW19CYsHvHumspcVZonp8IYMLp2lOX6o1-Kzu4Su-RzdI2aYj8Kd0CpjqM7wA/s1600/_MG_4241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmn_ADcIUmDQQFV_WHzrTPnngo8TF4qVd5_9eMz4zwm8UeRoJloaL65v8DQcCW7VriKU9bCLV1-ZY1saW19CYsHvHumspcVZonp8IYMLp2lOX6o1-Kzu4Su-RzdI2aYj8Kd0CpjqM7wA/s400/_MG_4241.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Through the Flood Lock at Ferrybridge - that's the river heading off to the left</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Past some more parks and the still operating flour mill and we were
though the Ferrybridge Flood Lock and onto the River Aire – deep and wide – yet
again.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrd5xN316XO8HuVDTSeeZrOf1hzgJbp_kj7T1nlHRixj7IEyOqO9lhJCuRfI3WfzRGfROe6Ih8AQ4R2kmzv2DON6wAAddrEJ1KpMcHVlegAOkD6jzmA0ffRRx2uuuKQA3zvC5eEiOfSg/s1600/_MG_4242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrd5xN316XO8HuVDTSeeZrOf1hzgJbp_kj7T1nlHRixj7IEyOqO9lhJCuRfI3WfzRGfROe6Ih8AQ4R2kmzv2DON6wAAddrEJ1KpMcHVlegAOkD6jzmA0ffRRx2uuuKQA3zvC5eEiOfSg/s400/_MG_4242.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1yyd3ahlyduIwwW-weAwM5lfPn8YFcZiFVw-uQgSn6gqc__yDd8AtoVvxfi-xTqpKZX2rMIZEfG0az3e5IcSOrS_y7olQxl7drJ-E-F8-sEKOQcPcMArdRIbnk6SM0eGvR0e4-y2Tw/s1600/_MG_4248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1yyd3ahlyduIwwW-weAwM5lfPn8YFcZiFVw-uQgSn6gqc__yDd8AtoVvxfi-xTqpKZX2rMIZEfG0az3e5IcSOrS_y7olQxl7drJ-E-F8-sEKOQcPcMArdRIbnk6SM0eGvR0e4-y2Tw/s400/_MG_4248.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cruise between Ferrybridge and Castleford was pure bliss</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZmt2Tk78tcbq-bmvQQgsQcmX7ZhqRojl0LzPa8Aqca8IYNmdRsqlUSyPlnSylZQACA0yzFE0nb_rZ0sjm_J9WVtBXRQl0Xtxer_100YMOhUgwDOzcfmHBpq_yM9ADup6wUpSpFWHkg/s1600/_MG_4250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZmt2Tk78tcbq-bmvQQgsQcmX7ZhqRojl0LzPa8Aqca8IYNmdRsqlUSyPlnSylZQACA0yzFE0nb_rZ0sjm_J9WVtBXRQl0Xtxer_100YMOhUgwDOzcfmHBpq_yM9ADup6wUpSpFWHkg/s400/_MG_4250.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTcrbskzchg-k4c9_LiIYxIXSJbCTGISZRRoQ4tNpSbPkSSZSn6AKxnRqzPc4yhHtFGCHjH131g2L91SGCWefBV8k7h_l6hG6DpynHhGAAu-GcHNfepzqRcDVA08L5jRyww_VERA4-Q/s1600/_MG_4255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTcrbskzchg-k4c9_LiIYxIXSJbCTGISZRRoQ4tNpSbPkSSZSn6AKxnRqzPc4yhHtFGCHjH131g2L91SGCWefBV8k7h_l6hG6DpynHhGAAu-GcHNfepzqRcDVA08L5jRyww_VERA4-Q/s400/_MG_4255.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bulhome Lock ahead...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGleDR0BkhqH7D4CchyQU1v6EC_dCIl6lTuRrENkwfRVpypHnKd1IUdejF7TtHBMtbmSABATHaiJmz-pFp47SwBMSkdnODMT2-aZXXTzeA6aWG9gmmAPFDvTSG4wN9U5mE1e8Hb_kIVw/s1600/_MG_4256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGleDR0BkhqH7D4CchyQU1v6EC_dCIl6lTuRrENkwfRVpypHnKd1IUdejF7TtHBMtbmSABATHaiJmz-pFp47SwBMSkdnODMT2-aZXXTzeA6aWG9gmmAPFDvTSG4wN9U5mE1e8Hb_kIVw/s400/_MG_4256.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...but mooring up was a bit precarious</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Just over 4 miles and into Bulholme Lock – a cruiser which had been
trailing us since the Ferrybridge lock came in with us and foolishly tied up
beside us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">One of us was almost crushed as the lock started filling – putting <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ferndale</st1:place></st1:city> into hard
reverse to take up the slack of the rope attached to the bollard prevented
sideways movement into the cruiser – they got the idea and moved forward pretty
quick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We needed to fill the water tank immediately out of the lock and finally
moored up on the left hand side before the boatyard and the next bridge – the
mooring side was about gunwhale height and we have been here for the duration
of the long weekend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">There were a number of jobs on the mental work list - I had wanted to
give the roof a good wash for a while and Diane had the dirty side of the boat
to wash – both jobs got done and we had a chance to sit back for a while,
whilst we watched the dark clouds come rolling in as had been promised in the
weather forecast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A few spots of rain appeared, everything had been packed away, and then
it came teeming down – we moved in rapid time with chairs and made it inside
the back area without getting wet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It really was bucketing down and we were glad to be out of it – or so we
thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgdFSFsVqRPRY4477kYZIezA_QoSofttBm4UQLKYDVS7RTLjlihVcgTE1_ZALuwFerPjRumKkYo4G41iBH3-5Dx6iDPsDXXrcyZqf_AsXf_ROx-uG9PnDco4dnOjURL5913JZXgg7bg/s1600/IMG_0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgdFSFsVqRPRY4477kYZIezA_QoSofttBm4UQLKYDVS7RTLjlihVcgTE1_ZALuwFerPjRumKkYo4G41iBH3-5Dx6iDPsDXXrcyZqf_AsXf_ROx-uG9PnDco4dnOjURL5913JZXgg7bg/s400/IMG_0734.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talk about a weather change...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As it was starting to ease off, Diane looked out of the window to see one
of our tyre fenders drifting out in the middle of the water – about 15 metres
away from the boat – too far to reach with the boat pole – just one solution
for this – someone would be getting themselves into the water to fetch it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Stripped right down to just my undies, it was rather refreshing in the
water after all of the humidity and heat that we had experienced that morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5q7_z8Ye3didmBtZEkKscVkVSqtRgTqkTNU3sN3o8yzCexXwiaH6-uGc7j9r7sVJKwRqa42-RgGdWWke4KqetZNY4-D-IIdtLoQOgPMCdpqJhp0J6FgjEzE0kujn0mQYUcTelfS6VaA/s1600/_MG_4262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5q7_z8Ye3didmBtZEkKscVkVSqtRgTqkTNU3sN3o8yzCexXwiaH6-uGc7j9r7sVJKwRqa42-RgGdWWke4KqetZNY4-D-IIdtLoQOgPMCdpqJhp0J6FgjEzE0kujn0mQYUcTelfS6VaA/s400/_MG_4262.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...but with a fender out there to collect, there is only one way to do it...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDP6jGmTZTFsmzvXg2aMLyuH_GSmvOLKpen5Q2Uy3we0D0yAVp113pSKKtLCjO1_cFFquSrzsXnQ4BADlMQ3MI1NnS19kpwDD6wLC29UdJCiXz0qJHJvlVEm5DjjBDauc2K0Zxo5KSg/s1600/_MG_4266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDP6jGmTZTFsmzvXg2aMLyuH_GSmvOLKpen5Q2Uy3we0D0yAVp113pSKKtLCjO1_cFFquSrzsXnQ4BADlMQ3MI1NnS19kpwDD6wLC29UdJCiXz0qJHJvlVEm5DjjBDauc2K0Zxo5KSg/s400/_MG_4266.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....edging back - it was not the Olympics...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqNOiWql0s-SR15b1aNSGfhTqUnGpfGMI2buXCVYuCfWiOiQcMUQnbNYT1C-JdiAmBUKGl8KqV23CzdN0dqUooZy-QmLZinrxWn-rrEAVAM1eX0F58u47ZH24MygSyQlNc3yES_-usg/s1600/IMG_0739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqNOiWql0s-SR15b1aNSGfhTqUnGpfGMI2buXCVYuCfWiOiQcMUQnbNYT1C-JdiAmBUKGl8KqV23CzdN0dqUooZy-QmLZinrxWn-rrEAVAM1eX0F58u47ZH24MygSyQlNc3yES_-usg/s400/IMG_0739.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...here's your b____y fender, dear!...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfA6VEw2KV48K20qVVVPwj53qcPVHR4BtZwb3lqFPdUG-m-yjPHiH_RNIjP-ku8NWjiryALCbi8YinSCHuWmONnW-JDKrRZC4ONit2wT5F44Ir8XUVMRnIGRN0inyHrC18yXK3w3iurw/s1600/IMG_0741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfA6VEw2KV48K20qVVVPwj53qcPVHR4BtZwb3lqFPdUG-m-yjPHiH_RNIjP-ku8NWjiryALCbi8YinSCHuWmONnW-JDKrRZC4ONit2wT5F44Ir8XUVMRnIGRN0inyHrC18yXK3w3iurw/s400/IMG_0741.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....now to get out....mmmm, no ladder - what the ???</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Tyre</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> retrieved and
handed back to Diane on the boat – she had to put the camera down to take hold
of the tyre.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Problem now was getting out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It is probably appropriate to say here that we had purchased the wood and
had the rope to construct a ladder for just such a situation. Nearly all of the
holes had been drilled and with what would probably have taken (and did take)
another 20 minutes we would have had the said ladder….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">….but we didn’t. Diane managed to tie a length of rope onto the back
seats base; I made a loop in the rope and using that and the horizontal plate
on the rudder, managed to get out in a very inelegant manner with help from
Diane and the fellow off the boat behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Back on my feet on land the tyre was placed back in a more secure way; I
was still as I had gone in – anyone looking out at the sight would definitely
have felt very sorry for Diane – meanwhile she was just smiling and laughing
just enough to suggest that she also felt a bit sorry for herself or maybe I
just looked like the drowned water rat that I was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A nice warm shower and change of clothes helped a lot and we just spent
the rest of the day inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">During the days that we have been here we have been into the town a few
times for coffee and for shopping as needed – an Aldi, Morrisons and a lovely
indoor market have done us well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4frZ2PF5ebfD_jOktbDNnb3Fh5rXo8ViKGCdEV4ADzGHElPUxIanhjimlYj2S_SCFdCa6Py1_0HyIq7MemL_PCG2AjGo3mszTqcVt66uTu01YMSL5gsp91amwhbv8_OpNkm73KG4jWg/s1600/IMG_0748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4frZ2PF5ebfD_jOktbDNnb3Fh5rXo8ViKGCdEV4ADzGHElPUxIanhjimlYj2S_SCFdCa6Py1_0HyIq7MemL_PCG2AjGo3mszTqcVt66uTu01YMSL5gsp91amwhbv8_OpNkm73KG4jWg/s400/IMG_0748.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFQh0hWeNo5fLe0RShMJqEBCprAAJLM1y02g0RE1vwfTK8WSD9CthDH3Vq67UUCAXrXolhdHh0TA-mx5mFi1DAcfqLYWd9tw77aKD_dD5Zq4WgwR7zo88uhvfhmTrg5K-VeEts2te3A/s1600/IMG_0714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="448" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFQh0hWeNo5fLe0RShMJqEBCprAAJLM1y02g0RE1vwfTK8WSD9CthDH3Vq67UUCAXrXolhdHh0TA-mx5mFi1DAcfqLYWd9tw77aKD_dD5Zq4WgwR7zo88uhvfhmTrg5K-VeEts2te3A/s400/IMG_0714.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7ed0P5vZlrRTYLxY1stZuk6lBKra-Ppp6xpJU0T2dCNaTeQowQhTaBpWCiwd1aEkoJmwZ5m23IrMyQRwjoPczS8OB9xZAW2nMhrDEoIqJ3phOH585VgWRrwwB-nOGkhGfkzy_h828Q/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7ed0P5vZlrRTYLxY1stZuk6lBKra-Ppp6xpJU0T2dCNaTeQowQhTaBpWCiwd1aEkoJmwZ5m23IrMyQRwjoPczS8OB9xZAW2nMhrDEoIqJ3phOH585VgWRrwwB-nOGkhGfkzy_h828Q/s400/IMG_0719.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhriRxXjzwuYm2EgkOTuY6GY-xaKO70N7dg_5CHvD0ycz3NY3NsYNSnV4louihxWUbdEYX3ysI8NaV41z-9-5YKMTK8y6kAC5qHxGNWXRyZbV-Vki4ZhHINrqkooHwN71JU7OwYjVmw/s1600/IMG_0726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="344" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhriRxXjzwuYm2EgkOTuY6GY-xaKO70N7dg_5CHvD0ycz3NY3NsYNSnV4louihxWUbdEYX3ysI8NaV41z-9-5YKMTK8y6kAC5qHxGNWXRyZbV-Vki4ZhHINrqkooHwN71JU7OwYjVmw/s400/IMG_0726.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">On Sunday, we ventured a bit further afield, although it was not exactly
planned that way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We had been told that a just past the lock was a nature area and a bird
hide that looked out – would make a nice short walk to have a look and then
come back to the boat – we left at 5:45pm<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsBV1eU97Oxw6IuhEVGF_W71T5D4m-rFlL-kZCfI6u23iJstG0M8SnUls9yHR8kMRG3xTM1JUPi2BNkyKwVh4FvsGFsiTMFfwNFSC-ditnx9pWcY2ivCMjzowJEgJIC8tDTt_wGkS9A/s1600/IMG_0751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsBV1eU97Oxw6IuhEVGF_W71T5D4m-rFlL-kZCfI6u23iJstG0M8SnUls9yHR8kMRG3xTM1JUPi2BNkyKwVh4FvsGFsiTMFfwNFSC-ditnx9pWcY2ivCMjzowJEgJIC8tDTt_wGkS9A/s400/IMG_0751.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It always looks shorter on the map</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tN42NkArzdq0yKlhFV5M51NfEc8AxzdwUdyGDA3SVN733HvBW3cBoNd7hDS3IZvpLVsoMIkcwSj-i8HJe2RfIKasUaj4naMUlnQR5fTSX_9J2zGL85Ns9F74SE4VZcx6A_Jbtvnmmw/s1600/IMG_0752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tN42NkArzdq0yKlhFV5M51NfEc8AxzdwUdyGDA3SVN733HvBW3cBoNd7hDS3IZvpLVsoMIkcwSj-i8HJe2RfIKasUaj4naMUlnQR5fTSX_9J2zGL85Ns9F74SE4VZcx6A_Jbtvnmmw/s400/IMG_0752.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But still very pretty out there</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetsUhcBbpoWxDBAP6W0Qr72nZKW2RzAm5WSwYTQBdhEpdnIY0FrSJPvq40y-nFo3DOTFb4HyisHGHggD7FIi9uTfhqWpSo42NV1Vpmz5MTaINyRn2QsS57cmFGaM9NY8XReDFGDJXSg/s1600/IMG_0753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetsUhcBbpoWxDBAP6W0Qr72nZKW2RzAm5WSwYTQBdhEpdnIY0FrSJPvq40y-nFo3DOTFb4HyisHGHggD7FIi9uTfhqWpSo42NV1Vpmz5MTaINyRn2QsS57cmFGaM9NY8XReDFGDJXSg/s400/IMG_0753.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_Yp4hGDHHAbfmHk0LqMkMj7XrF-dhbL9K1w5M4Pq0oPyqd-B6LohUppb033vnyYyZZscXaYAY2V91h9j6ZsqDZQG9clVdPzvJVhyfBujkIeO_iWdFR8J5hLGKZ7sNI0K2omdVNtLfw/s1600/IMG_0757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_Yp4hGDHHAbfmHk0LqMkMj7XrF-dhbL9K1w5M4Pq0oPyqd-B6LohUppb033vnyYyZZscXaYAY2V91h9j6ZsqDZQG9clVdPzvJVhyfBujkIeO_iWdFR8J5hLGKZ7sNI0K2omdVNtLfw/s400/IMG_0757.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are old excavations and now filled with water they provide safe havens<br />
for the bird life</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDEDHRXtcHUJ0kg4nJc2sZkxkTv8uJb2kUvOlEC4xSN0AfmFGRGV2_b9BwzxvUKnOaME6ZK_PgqglxqYUljFXOkY6OrC030nJUD7PY0yLS5SrU670_yN2U7RuQ3wp4nNHc5AdgKD9YQ/s1600/IMG_0763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDEDHRXtcHUJ0kg4nJc2sZkxkTv8uJb2kUvOlEC4xSN0AfmFGRGV2_b9BwzxvUKnOaME6ZK_PgqglxqYUljFXOkY6OrC030nJUD7PY0yLS5SrU670_yN2U7RuQ3wp4nNHc5AdgKD9YQ/s400/IMG_0763.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diane's favourites - mmm, not really</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBynCi68T_McvQcptlRYQiHHx3pdDYmvSCk24ag_liLvXDWLgKJroYz_e6v9b26G67qOUdnFjRQyVcpMtDq0IYY7sTQaVGWBXaJLmaAlUj4IjbBiSI4_0qhvHN0G89RyIIxnHQrVBx_w/s1600/IMG_0765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBynCi68T_McvQcptlRYQiHHx3pdDYmvSCk24ag_liLvXDWLgKJroYz_e6v9b26G67qOUdnFjRQyVcpMtDq0IYY7sTQaVGWBXaJLmaAlUj4IjbBiSI4_0qhvHN0G89RyIIxnHQrVBx_w/s400/IMG_0765.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had walked so far that we made it to the next county</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioW6d5PCBArvcWYfgxoRe8Jv8WnjHBj3wEqYVGfmfiizsLgA-cuWO1CkZSd-Wd_93gy74vOV82yzhohmp0SMdnL0VwTp7aNArbnoOpKLx3BwRznEHdDmvLnEQ9psqt9tcwP4qKjjyRmA/s1600/IMG_0767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioW6d5PCBArvcWYfgxoRe8Jv8WnjHBj3wEqYVGfmfiizsLgA-cuWO1CkZSd-Wd_93gy74vOV82yzhohmp0SMdnL0VwTp7aNArbnoOpKLx3BwRznEHdDmvLnEQ9psqt9tcwP4qKjjyRmA/s400/IMG_0767.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJt6_frINzT3lEaLJMk5hJs5i8LtQvokgK7dtI15FAZ8yRMD15rdRL8l8uiQBx1L9OiGbU9TeATqMpcK0k1qs6eL_spABZ_d3FeNoeQK_wy3Z-z1zg9pjSuyKkO5LGtPHfuy3w26XR5A/s1600/IMG_0769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJt6_frINzT3lEaLJMk5hJs5i8LtQvokgK7dtI15FAZ8yRMD15rdRL8l8uiQBx1L9OiGbU9TeATqMpcK0k1qs6eL_spABZ_d3FeNoeQK_wy3Z-z1zg9pjSuyKkO5LGtPHfuy3w26XR5A/s400/IMG_0769.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnNEi_b-hyrn6AJaALUkVmjh4SQXqZBC3iI8iMepYw0k3vMsr2niqYkCrWMw29YosG91t-A0Wug-dMXPkC03eyFsFOy5FOHncUrBVoT31v_GmUPnza9uE_kVZYBuE6FXp4QFRJmUawA/s1600/IMG_0770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnNEi_b-hyrn6AJaALUkVmjh4SQXqZBC3iI8iMepYw0k3vMsr2niqYkCrWMw29YosG91t-A0Wug-dMXPkC03eyFsFOy5FOHncUrBVoT31v_GmUPnza9uE_kVZYBuE6FXp4QFRJmUawA/s400/IMG_0770.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcdEw0HFLA1VLOWRVwF6EYOowRt0PSCJvzwM1FUYHnyu2FHE0KsO7_n-8dqUPtA6T94Zwg3ni3ma_io04StKaISxkYP3zn02Z4MoWD9hAo3Uiq8TcY62e8oqXjj8G13WyrQztKwqWzg/s1600/IMG_0771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcdEw0HFLA1VLOWRVwF6EYOowRt0PSCJvzwM1FUYHnyu2FHE0KsO7_n-8dqUPtA6T94Zwg3ni3ma_io04StKaISxkYP3zn02Z4MoWD9hAo3Uiq8TcY62e8oqXjj8G13WyrQztKwqWzg/s400/IMG_0771.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...but it was a lovely day to have a walk - just not a 6 mile one</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Two hours later we were a bit exhausted after a 6 mile walk – sure we had
made it to the bird hide and spent about 10 minutes looking out onto the lake
with the wildlife out but after leaving, Diane suggested that we turn right
(not left as planned) – this took us to the road, a lengthy walk up the road to
the Visitor Centre (it closes at 5pm and was in another county) and then we
took the route back – along the river – looking for familiar landmarks as we
went; hoping that we hadn’t crossed any other borders, maybe into another
country (not just another county).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">There was a time when I thought that I saw <st1:placename w:st="on">Blackpool</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Tower</st1:placetype>, or it may have been Old
Trafford or even the BT Tower in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Birmingham</st1:city></st1:place>,
but spotting the old disused railway bridge near the lock was so joyous and
then to find the Lock – we were saved !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Back on board we both collapsed into the chairs in the lounge and took a
while to recover before moving again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Monday was a bit more recovery – except that I needed to work (not a
public holiday in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region></st1:place>),
Diane by now was happy that the French open is on ITV4.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It seems that this weekend has again left its reputation intact as the
one most likely to produce always produce a lot of rain – it continued on
Monday – all the better to stay inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As I write this it continues to drizzle and the heat that started the day
on Friday has completely gone, with some boats even lighting their fires – we
are a few days closer to winter again folks!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>12 Miles, 4 Locks<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YTD: 532 miles (856
km), 240 Locks, 15 Tunnels, 9 Lift Bridges, 19 Swing Bridges<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Total: 5164 Miles (8311 km),
3391 Locks, 139 Tunnels, 75 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>, 191 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place></b><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-38849901945123634012017-06-03T22:43:00.000+01:002018-06-12T01:08:22.037+01:00It will be OK on the day dear!<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Thursday 25<sup>th</sup>
May 2017 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It is not unusual that when you are about to embark on something that you
have not done before and/or has a little bit of apprehension associated with it
that you tend to wake up early – and so it was for Diane, who was concerned
about our return trip to Selby.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblwXqJB5KYAQNEmKK9UsGDa7R9wjC7kmHLSc3_YY-xtaqaPP9c_Svnb9kJ5M7Hn5J3rKxm-EvM4PXB789e-RwdfgT_8FuJobTLGXUb5kTySQAK18LdqpOcSE6_rWwtMHIt2QTgzPSoQ/s1600/_MG_4154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblwXqJB5KYAQNEmKK9UsGDa7R9wjC7kmHLSc3_YY-xtaqaPP9c_Svnb9kJ5M7Hn5J3rKxm-EvM4PXB789e-RwdfgT_8FuJobTLGXUb5kTySQAK18LdqpOcSE6_rWwtMHIt2QTgzPSoQ/s400/_MG_4154.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't let that smile fool you - there was a lot of apprehension in there</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBW5CvdV2XprsEvHQ9F7OUQkK151itI86XhqUe9RtzmMLftBIvqpwo2OlTgPy9gFpqjUnJu4AhlqvZZFs4anuvVIC785xXzS91Wd0w6EEs2yVMzJUArCSwQkQQwCBfUUAOME-w_vyENQ/s1600/_MG_4155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBW5CvdV2XprsEvHQ9F7OUQkK151itI86XhqUe9RtzmMLftBIvqpwo2OlTgPy9gFpqjUnJu4AhlqvZZFs4anuvVIC785xXzS91Wd0w6EEs2yVMzJUArCSwQkQQwCBfUUAOME-w_vyENQ/s400/_MG_4155.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Predator coming in to join us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We had done the Trent and Mersey going downstream to both <st1:place w:st="on">West Stopwith</st1:place> and Keadby Locks – the first of these we
mucked up a bit but got in, the second was far better and we had learnt a lot
from both of these.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This would be a bit different because we had about 40 mins to an hour of
going hard against the still incoming tide, but as everyone will know with
airplane trips – it’s the take-off and landings that cause 95% of the angst –
the in-between bit is a breeze.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I would like to say that was the same for this trip, but….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Getting out from the lock was not much of a problem at all, but still
with the tide coming in, it meant that the deeper water was not as deep as it
would otherwise have been, but it was plenty deep enough for both ourselves and
for Cyril and Jackie on nb Predator 3 in front of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">What we hadn’t expected was the vast amount of flotsam that was coming in
with the tide – there was far more than we had encountered when we came up the
previous week and this time it was coming towards us (in the tide) and not
going the same way, which meant that there was a lot more of the dodgem cars
scenario as we swerved to avoid large clumps of tree trunks, limbs and
branches; we both took turns in steering downstream.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsUVnPYaIdZSQBEF9Tqh2TsrDIN9_qc0m18aVTMGSjXQNcWOpWcjQzcRzj-qxGZIPzt3_ua1e9sCo2HoACVwD9_Vpsngc4lU4oJ2tOCvgCBk9pHx_T96RMtk3TL5qYUlWUnaeO51ulg/s1600/_MG_4157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="423" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsUVnPYaIdZSQBEF9Tqh2TsrDIN9_qc0m18aVTMGSjXQNcWOpWcjQzcRzj-qxGZIPzt3_ua1e9sCo2HoACVwD9_Vpsngc4lU4oJ2tOCvgCBk9pHx_T96RMtk3TL5qYUlWUnaeO51ulg/s400/_MG_4157.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot more flotsam around than we had seen before...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwsJ00BJH49DXxUghBVkY32XHIWZ3yZoe1pem_d48goGkxQeCm3oTmSJQamkJIEu3JN0CkTFutKD_wetg-owImS_B5rbR6MKXgaPtfoz_w4pnyGXSNueVB-SysB6NMc-151VCuWYG5Q/s1600/_MG_4158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwsJ00BJH49DXxUghBVkY32XHIWZ3yZoe1pem_d48goGkxQeCm3oTmSJQamkJIEu3JN0CkTFutKD_wetg-owImS_B5rbR6MKXgaPtfoz_w4pnyGXSNueVB-SysB6NMc-151VCuWYG5Q/s400/_MG_4158.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....and when I say a lot....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XCH1Bz53gI8R6DiowBexioH4QqUFbGWgBH_i_-d-0t64cFQbs96ZFGuTtP-rIKuQuLNxtXauli-nUvthSN6dloegN1pWhiJJ3s1CQ0CvTVI6o4YmvJkP4faL8hojYz51KFzeJunzjQ/s1600/_MG_4159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XCH1Bz53gI8R6DiowBexioH4QqUFbGWgBH_i_-d-0t64cFQbs96ZFGuTtP-rIKuQuLNxtXauli-nUvthSN6dloegN1pWhiJJ3s1CQ0CvTVI6o4YmvJkP4faL8hojYz51KFzeJunzjQ/s400/_MG_4159.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbknzwFnmM8_-315IVNR6UXwjYsA97h3PXuQwXxeAdabN4AZDiURMX2ChO1SCJb2iOaAnEAVQo-ukKR-khcj6fnAelddS9WdTynoy3S0ABSUd7GgxZWzm5Svr0ydg2O9qWdSKlqgPB0w/s1600/_MG_4162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbknzwFnmM8_-315IVNR6UXwjYsA97h3PXuQwXxeAdabN4AZDiURMX2ChO1SCJb2iOaAnEAVQo-ukKR-khcj6fnAelddS9WdTynoy3S0ABSUd7GgxZWzm5Svr0ydg2O9qWdSKlqgPB0w/s400/_MG_4162.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...i mean a lot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjCB_hqN1-JTYDKyomaxYH0daNerC-ld5Agxvsavj5dSmQVisKRLWI6khnk1O-IPGuvw72l-_S7wNbdUnZL49KGdelGFWCK6C9drWwjiBvbcimaMlpQGw20xqnf8IiLDwBC_Lj-tm8Q/s1600/_MG_4163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjCB_hqN1-JTYDKyomaxYH0daNerC-ld5Agxvsavj5dSmQVisKRLWI6khnk1O-IPGuvw72l-_S7wNbdUnZL49KGdelGFWCK6C9drWwjiBvbcimaMlpQGw20xqnf8IiLDwBC_Lj-tm8Q/s400/_MG_4163.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weaving in and out of the way became much more of a challenge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">At first we were making only about 6kmh – the effect of punching against
the tide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The river was a lovely chocolate colour, almost as if we were cruising
through a large lake of the molten
stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We had been told that we would see the waves of the incoming tide about a
half hour into the trip and sure enough we did; it was not long after that
point when the river became dead calm – completely flat and then as the tide
turned and started its outward journey, we started to really fly along – 8,
10,12 then 14 kmh. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dktcHZrB-i7dCUwDodtr-UpXJsXfTMAfvI-dueGP2xEp01IlNzPyLsOlfoW1b2LeMnwdiWX4iebZrU2oVljXyjCoa-MFVk-UNclvJLaiJFMFM7kgQKMyzEaX5cNC9aZtIT18uyJ2Tw/s1600/_MG_4160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dktcHZrB-i7dCUwDodtr-UpXJsXfTMAfvI-dueGP2xEp01IlNzPyLsOlfoW1b2LeMnwdiWX4iebZrU2oVljXyjCoa-MFVk-UNclvJLaiJFMFM7kgQKMyzEaX5cNC9aZtIT18uyJ2Tw/s400/_MG_4160.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In waves of the incoming tide...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmq3uZeqHUceXvNQAP2E8ANasFjZ9OvDtcpR4zJPyfR02dAnEo2-FxWw9PGbbm6RYaIcnpFhD6IcXgV4Y_sCyBWhZGmgwyse0Sqn9PDat0vE5b_6HgJeI-g_ZR6f7cEj-MREY6EvoWiw/s1600/_MG_4165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmq3uZeqHUceXvNQAP2E8ANasFjZ9OvDtcpR4zJPyfR02dAnEo2-FxWw9PGbbm6RYaIcnpFhD6IcXgV4Y_sCyBWhZGmgwyse0Sqn9PDat0vE5b_6HgJeI-g_ZR6f7cEj-MREY6EvoWiw/s400/_MG_4165.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and then the dead calm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Where we were thinking that the trip might take 3+ hours we
knew it would be between 2 and 3 hours as we just simply zoomed along.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">There were no more worries about the flotsam as it was sailing along with
us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We contacted the lockie at Selby to confirm our position on a few times
so that he would have a time of our arrival – Predator had arrived in the lock
about 15 minutes before us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As we passed the mills on the last reach and about to turn into the home
straight we readied ourselves for the manner in which we needed to approach the
lock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Firstly under the two bridges (left hand side);<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUQGCNzE2iIyUKVlHYfvtwYrAzilP1tjnS08QM2V1QuJadU-Nypv7hfBQ8P0OOfuQf8rZ-L_vfl-CXE3XR_m0qJCEH_-yMcfzjEqab3gal1CPOAAOFF_1GvPT76lVdFqbGNzJnd10aA/s1600/_MG_4171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="205" data-original-width="448" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUQGCNzE2iIyUKVlHYfvtwYrAzilP1tjnS08QM2V1QuJadU-Nypv7hfBQ8P0OOfuQf8rZ-L_vfl-CXE3XR_m0qJCEH_-yMcfzjEqab3gal1CPOAAOFF_1GvPT76lVdFqbGNzJnd10aA/s400/_MG_4171.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge number 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3EPCyhp8uxs1hr2wkUS-Wr-TQ2LSjPjCXhKs4UQZp5GzP4cbIs3cuI_IttcArpFqSRxDUcfTPKHrXWlMMvyThIpe5G58kGU4q3MrPcwuBeBsVafgQgBdeFcc3q991-hisVxn0Yecqw/s1600/_MG_4175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3EPCyhp8uxs1hr2wkUS-Wr-TQ2LSjPjCXhKs4UQZp5GzP4cbIs3cuI_IttcArpFqSRxDUcfTPKHrXWlMMvyThIpe5G58kGU4q3MrPcwuBeBsVafgQgBdeFcc3q991-hisVxn0Yecqw/s400/_MG_4175.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge number 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Then the block of flats on our right which would signal the time to start
our turn;<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqJJ1cNcpQ8aZK6bIhWpDDcewoFmUFo3BxXwdR9S3bjGLQtN5f0JwUmkj5E0AofdMs8XpeonVx21IOEwdyLU3H5oODUE7IfvUZGsQW5vM8EAa2IGKgy8cQpkoCaTG6y9p4b_DcXBhaQ/s1600/_MG_4178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqJJ1cNcpQ8aZK6bIhWpDDcewoFmUFo3BxXwdR9S3bjGLQtN5f0JwUmkj5E0AofdMs8XpeonVx21IOEwdyLU3H5oODUE7IfvUZGsQW5vM8EAa2IGKgy8cQpkoCaTG6y9p4b_DcXBhaQ/s400/_MG_4178.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we reach the far side of those flats on the right, it was time to start the turn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It was not a turn directly into the lock but a 180<sup>o </sup>and then
back against a stronger tide than we had experienced before.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0uxUKLo0ttPKFp4QjX8E6lF86CLj5yCYw0gCO0QyDNGpxEgz-5S-7Lxt-Vugng1yIvFUahjItab-FU1fLxclnUumhCkWT3Z8MGqYQ8GIKpV-9h_oHpC-gFI5FnLjjxpd-yb8KXv6gw/s1600/_MG_4179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0uxUKLo0ttPKFp4QjX8E6lF86CLj5yCYw0gCO0QyDNGpxEgz-5S-7Lxt-Vugng1yIvFUahjItab-FU1fLxclnUumhCkWT3Z8MGqYQ8GIKpV-9h_oHpC-gFI5FnLjjxpd-yb8KXv6gw/s400/_MG_4179.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Not right now dear, I am just a bit busy"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVbrkCPbx2qK7ePsaTEx1Va7FSm6tqzZzlQN1DTB9N0ZGZZyJm-y62zGXeV4KZwZ8fzvFd817I7fUxxTpCJZL25LxUwnsiBRmQGrbtrCyI-HKJhyRAowhj-HmHx4HgnVzouZgvR63fA/s1600/_MG_4184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVbrkCPbx2qK7ePsaTEx1Va7FSm6tqzZzlQN1DTB9N0ZGZZyJm-y62zGXeV4KZwZ8fzvFd817I7fUxxTpCJZL25LxUwnsiBRmQGrbtrCyI-HKJhyRAowhj-HmHx4HgnVzouZgvR63fA/s400/_MG_4184.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About to start the turn - to be side on to the outgoing tide</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPx1QHKtH0LDw2WmWJvA8JyHmaczlfM27udwxqC52XaPxhZuehdOB3d0RH5us23k1kwIkzslnhehFWYhYzuDf7rmRAvDex0ajAJNN3HnwEa-LtFYCdx15YS2Owfo-L2hLr7uVGl-C_rg/s1600/_MG_4185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPx1QHKtH0LDw2WmWJvA8JyHmaczlfM27udwxqC52XaPxhZuehdOB3d0RH5us23k1kwIkzslnhehFWYhYzuDf7rmRAvDex0ajAJNN3HnwEa-LtFYCdx15YS2Owfo-L2hLr7uVGl-C_rg/s400/_MG_4185.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Around a bit more...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHjLJ_eXEkvV5tfHGt03R_HEleg9AcxUwlmvutVleo46CxjRctqNdh-ssPQu5Lpguq90oej18w3e3ZdDrO0FbDBMUDKt-sDfU12UwL-TQzTLkDk31fvbQDZEMhX8N2fV-OvF61GYH4Q/s1600/_MG_4186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHjLJ_eXEkvV5tfHGt03R_HEleg9AcxUwlmvutVleo46CxjRctqNdh-ssPQu5Lpguq90oej18w3e3ZdDrO0FbDBMUDKt-sDfU12UwL-TQzTLkDk31fvbQDZEMhX8N2fV-OvF61GYH4Q/s400/_MG_4186.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...now completely square on. Cannot go into the lock just yet...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNWPvPBCjI3H8hSdCEic405_S-7YR22oiJ-3S-DEfP1dUfLBC_3wT9oVN4SExH2X8RGeQXoFxBgpkN9l0GsoQViy9CkGnNr3rtZfyIzw_9_t4mbr28MEtpTjbCq34H6VkBraPlv42_A/s1600/_MG_4187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNWPvPBCjI3H8hSdCEic405_S-7YR22oiJ-3S-DEfP1dUfLBC_3wT9oVN4SExH2X8RGeQXoFxBgpkN9l0GsoQViy9CkGnNr3rtZfyIzw_9_t4mbr28MEtpTjbCq34H6VkBraPlv42_A/s400/_MG_4187.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....come around a bit more...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc1mUsB9HOp7jwzl4hsYj5-9vuLDGmFd51hV9QxP-Bc_w6QC5STANlzvjo0DzwTbGYfQVHpigj5o-NaICIAb2maSSgHmHnh6FgoeZBpXc8mKyzDuxauEa3ws5dShZsVZoHuBtyDUsjg/s1600/_MG_4188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="448" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc1mUsB9HOp7jwzl4hsYj5-9vuLDGmFd51hV9QxP-Bc_w6QC5STANlzvjo0DzwTbGYfQVHpigj5o-NaICIAb2maSSgHmHnh6FgoeZBpXc8mKyzDuxauEa3ws5dShZsVZoHuBtyDUsjg/s400/_MG_4188.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....finally completing the 180 turn, we can start back up the river ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Then approach the lock, turn towards the apex of the wall and as the
slack water around the lock entrance held the boat, we would gently ease into
the lock – this time beside a boat already there.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56Afl2HB_LeFEFsiSSjSC47_MroIAD4FNmEuUdinNkyOz2RInD3q1WjMk1r8MT8w_SN3_sczov-3wClTnYkm4Kpch14tFnqDf33rJ1IimbNNi60JoRa2JQIMAGBKIIy8juwd1ZyAvAw/s1600/_MG_4189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56Afl2HB_LeFEFsiSSjSC47_MroIAD4FNmEuUdinNkyOz2RInD3q1WjMk1r8MT8w_SN3_sczov-3wClTnYkm4Kpch14tFnqDf33rJ1IimbNNi60JoRa2JQIMAGBKIIy8juwd1ZyAvAw/s400/_MG_4189.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and make for the lock wall - the wall not the lock - yet...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gxK20aQ55BVfepZMXuQO0J-adsN1nzJCZA_uuCp87cbomo0yu8urVFTmDtYx4AEtCP0gLalE9X4cDF2KAYhkcMvdPMa8yNun2kWjeqS0oVAyg00n1HKRrh1NcfUb7F99j0vzCFxZSA/s1600/_MG_4190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gxK20aQ55BVfepZMXuQO0J-adsN1nzJCZA_uuCp87cbomo0yu8urVFTmDtYx4AEtCP0gLalE9X4cDF2KAYhkcMvdPMa8yNun2kWjeqS0oVAyg00n1HKRrh1NcfUb7F99j0vzCFxZSA/s400/_MG_4190.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....just about to hit the slack water of the lock mouth...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgRrpwovuZZHmYVnmqXQa4xJyidWIln2A-vg5f5iLmHmEoD_IAyFqTmWTBiLd9YnobkL8M-V2TS14ZLE23jvkLPT00lxe3dwZEszoNDQYnNFUMGFEub_yJ4_qkGKUKxOmgVaKpvFRww/s1600/_MG_4191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgRrpwovuZZHmYVnmqXQa4xJyidWIln2A-vg5f5iLmHmEoD_IAyFqTmWTBiLd9YnobkL8M-V2TS14ZLE23jvkLPT00lxe3dwZEszoNDQYnNFUMGFEub_yJ4_qkGKUKxOmgVaKpvFRww/s400/_MG_4191.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and into the lock - it was important to check the speed and slow down as<br />
you change from the tidal part to the slack water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Like landing a plane, it was about 10 minutes of intense concentration
and luckily we made it in without a scratch on ourselves, the wall and most
importantly on Predator.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Sheer relief was apparently etched onto my face – just glad to be in
there; but have to say that the more you do this, the more confident you become
that you know what you are doing.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwQ0uMDy66By6hqU9grLT4kn4B-BYsVuDtnsVned-P9lkWT_8SF3aC6Z-JWBsNRJSHw1-dbS6NZkiMjcO_Ys7TPd28XPptjJ1X2i51irw-oPv_b4Bzc6VoCCvh6Q6gfPRUVIKm2k6hw/s1600/_MG_4193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwQ0uMDy66By6hqU9grLT4kn4B-BYsVuDtnsVned-P9lkWT_8SF3aC6Z-JWBsNRJSHw1-dbS6NZkiMjcO_Ys7TPd28XPptjJ1X2i51irw-oPv_b4Bzc6VoCCvh6Q6gfPRUVIKm2k6hw/s400/_MG_4193.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A huge relief under that exterior</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Our journey was not over; we had decided to head down to the West
Haddesley Lock for the overnight stay.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">One swing bridge to negotiate – both Jackie and Diane went up to get it
done – as they started the automated process, an idiot in a small white van
decided to beat the red light and drop down gates which upset the sensors on
the bridge and then none of the other actions would take place – the lockie
came up to do the reset in the box.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Some people are just plain stupid; if this had happened when the lockie
wasn’t there it would have meant a call-out for CaRT and all for something that
would have been avoided.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Anyway we got through; Predator pulled over so that they could do some
shopping and we carried on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Diane did the honours all of the 5 miles to our mooring spot whilst I was
inside <s>snoozing</s> finishing off my work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeocuTuBBWrQU34HzhGP420yCrwHzVIHqxyr0Iy5PKPihQN-takstjMS7DXuop7FrmBeRMlvU4xCoE3OW7QqAASSw0TkCWAdsssnSuy-1yxbBDfYhD29qKg160I0wOOT1KHG5263_xQ/s1600/_MG_4194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeocuTuBBWrQU34HzhGP420yCrwHzVIHqxyr0Iy5PKPihQN-takstjMS7DXuop7FrmBeRMlvU4xCoE3OW7QqAASSw0TkCWAdsssnSuy-1yxbBDfYhD29qKg160I0wOOT1KHG5263_xQ/s400/_MG_4194.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selby Lock now behind us..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYNYHwuCvf4kC0T4aUhiX7nTQjdMP9Fuhv1Bade60L987QtVtd-WG9Id09fjF_vSlAfnk4Sz2oS1kF6b2FerE7praNGtkDMb0C-aSMdX3dw5PWb8JQO86eH_O-_wSFBV1yH9MENnM-g/s1600/_MG_4195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYNYHwuCvf4kC0T4aUhiX7nTQjdMP9Fuhv1Bade60L987QtVtd-WG9Id09fjF_vSlAfnk4Sz2oS1kF6b2FerE7praNGtkDMb0C-aSMdX3dw5PWb8JQO86eH_O-_wSFBV1yH9MENnM-g/s400/_MG_4195.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and ready to enjoy the canal again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBs7xjgkuliQQwSWA81JwdJN7IcZ1zDM6uqRnUntc28Q_4-nWbLOQLjldzdF2VuncFiHA-LM7iYA2a77R3Bu6MDz84jd58KwpYh9MHe2maK6HQTrR2RxMLRvl2BP_zuFbAKUY8kUjTzQ/s1600/_MG_4196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBs7xjgkuliQQwSWA81JwdJN7IcZ1zDM6uqRnUntc28Q_4-nWbLOQLjldzdF2VuncFiHA-LM7iYA2a77R3Bu6MDz84jd58KwpYh9MHe2maK6HQTrR2RxMLRvl2BP_zuFbAKUY8kUjTzQ/s400/_MG_4196.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The sunshine that we had enjoyed on the river was now quite hot sunshine
and mooring up was a chance to get some relief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">About an hour later we were joined by Cyril and Jackie who had finished
stocking up for the impending arrival of family in a few days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A few boats made there way through the lock and then it all settled down;
the sun sunk a little lower; the temperature fell a couple of degrees; the
breeze picked up a bit – all felt a little bit more acceptable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It had been a fairly long day and we both felt a bit exhausted after it
all and glad of a good night’s sleep – Diane was a much relieved woman by that
stage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>19 Miles, 2 Locks, 1 Swing
Bridge<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YTD: 520 miles (837
km), 236 Locks, 15 Tunnels, 9 Lift Bridges, 19 Swing Bridges<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Total: 5152 Miles (8291 km),
3387 Locks, 139 Tunnels, 75 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>, 191 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place></b><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-75406477028496750542017-05-30T05:14:00.000+01:002018-06-12T01:08:33.113+01:00Return journey<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Monday 22<sup>nd</sup>
to Wednesday 24<sup>th</sup> May 2017 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The return journey from a canal which terminates can be seeing the same
things again but in reverse and to some extent that is true of our trip back to
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">York</st1:place></st1:city> with a
stopover night in Boroughbridge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But a friend of ours some years ago pointed out that going along a canal
in one direction is vastly different to going the other way and once again he
was correct.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The day itself played an important role in how we see things on the way
back and in anything, a little bit of sunshine can be truly delightful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Ripon to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">York</st1:place></st1:city>
for us is 2 days and we gently cruised along on both days seeing things that we
had missed first time around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hnsdNtC9kspXOtV4mAFYPNktkmctzf1v4RL65hFS82xKWN9ggR2VmwIiUGExlpV4UAsD4V3v3oTti8LoL5-bAmQjIPZy2VB6gkqgcDY9Eje2GLDcMIANf8PM6UlNhCRSm1RLM9Cm3w/s1600/_MG_4083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hnsdNtC9kspXOtV4mAFYPNktkmctzf1v4RL65hFS82xKWN9ggR2VmwIiUGExlpV4UAsD4V3v3oTti8LoL5-bAmQjIPZy2VB6gkqgcDY9Eje2GLDcMIANf8PM6UlNhCRSm1RLM9Cm3w/s400/_MG_4083.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLllFCaQuZsZRvDXuoQ8xkaYpyXkZ2f0bh4SqeMOqMZHE6V3kbl3vzAxfmmK0-87NQanJ8xKDUQLuNX7PQoDMO-A14PAkPcCdXb6wKhyphenhyphenPUzyN379yN_q4HV5EoTO7YWzVJqjiFerUoQ/s1600/_MG_4090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLllFCaQuZsZRvDXuoQ8xkaYpyXkZ2f0bh4SqeMOqMZHE6V3kbl3vzAxfmmK0-87NQanJ8xKDUQLuNX7PQoDMO-A14PAkPcCdXb6wKhyphenhyphenPUzyN379yN_q4HV5EoTO7YWzVJqjiFerUoQ/s400/_MG_4090.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6UG7rTlgpVNXWBOLH_xE4oR_OlTat0kiGw5YS8-iDp4L-W5YqbNkx7oTKHrxMViKg2mjBe0Ovg5Ejt9I3dlLuz9eMIOyoSY_0CHujXk4YOFLNiZLosKNBXwdcY_Yd_Dc9otixwIQzg/s1600/_MG_4127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6UG7rTlgpVNXWBOLH_xE4oR_OlTat0kiGw5YS8-iDp4L-W5YqbNkx7oTKHrxMViKg2mjBe0Ovg5Ejt9I3dlLuz9eMIOyoSY_0CHujXk4YOFLNiZLosKNBXwdcY_Yd_Dc9otixwIQzg/s400/_MG_4127.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Certainly we missed the "dalmation" cows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">On our trip up from York to Boroughbridge, it rained for the first 10
miles and in that situation you do not look around so much; fine houses that we
had not seen were suddenly easily visible; places that one or the other had not
seen because a boiling kettle beckoned were now to be admired; also just
knowing what would be coming up and having a second chance to look at it again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedQkeuGi2FC766YM2etz5KSr7WKQIDH-OHbOkTcM65cXtZcYj6SG6kVTqlbBPTgQj8YcA_WqDXFOoY6OgtsLWJKIg-TzKcKP7M8vn29J-toOFV2bhlI7rD9RlLf3fIfxly3UjPz2qmA/s1600/_MG_4128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="1600" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedQkeuGi2FC766YM2etz5KSr7WKQIDH-OHbOkTcM65cXtZcYj6SG6kVTqlbBPTgQj8YcA_WqDXFOoY6OgtsLWJKIg-TzKcKP7M8vn29J-toOFV2bhlI7rD9RlLf3fIfxly3UjPz2qmA/s400/_MG_4128.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We knew it was coming up, but I have to say that the sign was almost a bit too late.<br />
Approaching Linton Lock, the sign is right on the cutting and is less than<br />
fully erect</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKywDrAnCbGnjk3rt2TWORjcUtblzrj2pgZb-wBfWmEPMNhJfGh8fnUjxkj9SpghHtyKyV229e3rChFBrAgG2Zs4cLiOWtrdVs1wVMYhc7t62_5ieY94936Kny71U9RtbJCApwGsH5A/s1600/_MG_4128a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="797" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKywDrAnCbGnjk3rt2TWORjcUtblzrj2pgZb-wBfWmEPMNhJfGh8fnUjxkj9SpghHtyKyV229e3rChFBrAgG2Zs4cLiOWtrdVs1wVMYhc7t62_5ieY94936Kny71U9RtbJCApwGsH5A/s400/_MG_4128a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You should never just go through the motions of the trip – a life on the
canals and rivers is interesting almost all of the time….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">….and can be quite eventful without even looking for it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPBUkQ9D7Rt1D1gl3o5CM8-el2rkzQVKH0jZIAktJ-iSBWwGeYMaF_dHY8orIW9o6kiaz0PfiYV1oAAGdKHnF1BHubUZGOLRsyNniQXbi8LDFPdt720kHcXyWr7ilqsIAv45P05B0pA/s1600/_MG_4098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPBUkQ9D7Rt1D1gl3o5CM8-el2rkzQVKH0jZIAktJ-iSBWwGeYMaF_dHY8orIW9o6kiaz0PfiYV1oAAGdKHnF1BHubUZGOLRsyNniQXbi8LDFPdt720kHcXyWr7ilqsIAv45P05B0pA/s400/_MG_4098.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had been fore-warned about the locks leaking a lot and in more than<br />
one of them, the back deck was deluged</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNpi3VxYH_DEkDCpmeNOqpMYDmEbct09OwmCH5lum0U-N9h_RrHr3iCtqX52HPbJdGZcha9aSYsHuwy8PU81RACdkOwV77Ad52IYGy3R_hFzV5zBemchVyE_Q-2LwxH_2jzPb64GYhw/s1600/_MG_4133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="299" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNpi3VxYH_DEkDCpmeNOqpMYDmEbct09OwmCH5lum0U-N9h_RrHr3iCtqX52HPbJdGZcha9aSYsHuwy8PU81RACdkOwV77Ad52IYGy3R_hFzV5zBemchVyE_Q-2LwxH_2jzPb64GYhw/s400/_MG_4133.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The unusual lock winding mechanism that we encountered<br />
on the way up to Ripon, but this shows it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1E_4uK4zEvlQhbiej81Wvl9RG73ypA4f9DQiCaB-fhEa6BpWCmI746Ut2-8p-p0tAsfU-X3HxSoOSEqUz522j9y3Z5tN8y8w7aNpoDClUte9QG889kDArSM3j6hPCrp_VdggspcUvrw/s1600/_MG_4143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="448" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1E_4uK4zEvlQhbiej81Wvl9RG73ypA4f9DQiCaB-fhEa6BpWCmI746Ut2-8p-p0tAsfU-X3HxSoOSEqUz522j9y3Z5tN8y8w7aNpoDClUte9QG889kDArSM3j6hPCrp_VdggspcUvrw/s400/_MG_4143.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy scampered away as we approached</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZvr14LCeYUdUtMskI1H4uimENYfsvB5NT1IrPn7b0ROwU_zPX3wkaKQ-Lm5tCkGv3NhLaBstFFQq62YzOFgahzdvwJDTbW3_lQn9M6OXpFpKXmurwst7UxveftuxUhpNNNiRo18Wig/s1600/_MG_4141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZvr14LCeYUdUtMskI1H4uimENYfsvB5NT1IrPn7b0ROwU_zPX3wkaKQ-Lm5tCkGv3NhLaBstFFQq62YzOFgahzdvwJDTbW3_lQn9M6OXpFpKXmurwst7UxveftuxUhpNNNiRo18Wig/s400/_MG_4141.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More sand martin nesting holes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We were about a mile or so from mooring up in York when we were coming under
Clifton Bridge; one of the tourist boats (quite a large one) was a good 200
metres in front and coming towards us when it decided to suddenly (in our mind
it was sudden) turn to port and commence to wind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I say suddenly because there were no horn signals to indicate that the
captain was going to do what happened; there was no way that we could not be
seen; and there was no acknowledgement of any kind of apology.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXHKN0O5gFD4sjw92yHHzn6eGWJ35KJPtjyW6x5JSWWriBn15FA26IPq6KYDFBhyphenhyphenFfxcSyPWSafMf7NQWywdCE6m9c__Y3KNnQLMpzp_WJaIU3ZzsVVR9A4d7ZfCmEoofauCA0yNAxA/s1600/_MG_4147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="448" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXHKN0O5gFD4sjw92yHHzn6eGWJ35KJPtjyW6x5JSWWriBn15FA26IPq6KYDFBhyphenhyphenFfxcSyPWSafMf7NQWywdCE6m9c__Y3KNnQLMpzp_WJaIU3ZzsVVR9A4d7ZfCmEoofauCA0yNAxA/s400/_MG_4147.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can see you, surely you can see us...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd338TX2JF3F2BNmoW7I7os7Nt4qecQgFgjAnCuf2HpRUfrViq_qLO_lNmsN-62RyH6kSyLeRg1vrIdeJe_T0iyZR2ow7-o8L_1WCifjM2d9mYx_cCbHplEUE6-x7HCE04ij3NHKqB4w/s1600/_MG_4148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="448" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd338TX2JF3F2BNmoW7I7os7Nt4qecQgFgjAnCuf2HpRUfrViq_qLO_lNmsN-62RyH6kSyLeRg1vrIdeJe_T0iyZR2ow7-o8L_1WCifjM2d9mYx_cCbHplEUE6-x7HCE04ij3NHKqB4w/s400/_MG_4148.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....mmm, maybe not or maybe couldn't care less, because "I am bigger than you"<br />
attitude...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYXkZZ9wai0CcCdU5NPsbmHP-ci3wVaA2xyXbuJwLVvWcDL6W7tIlGjoJmR8ectf69zIRO4uIqGnUktERgiCL1AAN6iTSgRM_1Ww0-ryfcZVEwci8B2l5Qf7IGLWyvVK9wb680hgWww/s1600/_MG_4149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="448" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYXkZZ9wai0CcCdU5NPsbmHP-ci3wVaA2xyXbuJwLVvWcDL6W7tIlGjoJmR8ectf69zIRO4uIqGnUktERgiCL1AAN6iTSgRM_1Ww0-ryfcZVEwci8B2l5Qf7IGLWyvVK9wb680hgWww/s400/_MG_4149.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....so I will just do as I want to anyway...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIEELnkZOFQqsMjUg6PCnayWWcmylUXwzwxrv5Gg4ERggOlR1xBr6ZhPpHHrpgOtPOSlqAhhJuC4AqpjrobNAaXwlBMxVt1GUNuaW3bEJE8QIegnisRd96jLEqAZhhLSv1GJkWXHsLw/s1600/_MG_4151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIEELnkZOFQqsMjUg6PCnayWWcmylUXwzwxrv5Gg4ERggOlR1xBr6ZhPpHHrpgOtPOSlqAhhJuC4AqpjrobNAaXwlBMxVt1GUNuaW3bEJE8QIegnisRd96jLEqAZhhLSv1GJkWXHsLw/s400/_MG_4151.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...so you can "#@%&; off"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We needed to slow down completely – almost to a full stop – to avoid being way too close to the vessel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The boat quickly picked up some speed; we kept pace with them at our normal cruising speed and then moored up pretty much in the same place that we had vacated a few days previously.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">So I guess for anyone coming to York, I would say just be careful of the
tourist boats – a one-off episode like this can be written off as just a bit of
bad luck, but as I will explain later, this was not isolated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We settled down to have a bit of a rest – after all we had been cruising
for 20 miles and the concentration on keeping an eye on everything and on the
landmarks we were passing means that when you finish you suddenly feel a bit
exhausted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We had nothing planned for the rest of the day, but being a lovely sunny
day, there were plenty of people about, just enjoying themselves and having a
great time – being near to the water has a calming and positive effect on most
people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Having a couple of drinks as well usually enhances that feeling, but for
some it can have the reverse effect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I have to commend the local constabulary for their excellent work in
patrolling the area, particularly along the riverfront – the one that we saw
was very quick to have a chat to a group of young lads (and a couple of young
lasses) that they might wish to move along and leave behind what they had been
consuming – all done very quickly, easily and without any fuss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A good feeling from the police officer involved – Thanks a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi99WrJYXFIBy0Raxbqe_RxzhEupS1FbARhVr4M_wLfa3MGODKFn5msb6M7tCs9y57Tda9CPEyt2UK9srTY7HC-WLa6_mUr7v0pO1YFkh_Hsua6jqNXSKsNQSZTTF2j_KQJsL4CBD-EA/s1600/IMG_3219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi99WrJYXFIBy0Raxbqe_RxzhEupS1FbARhVr4M_wLfa3MGODKFn5msb6M7tCs9y57Tda9CPEyt2UK9srTY7HC-WLa6_mUr7v0pO1YFkh_Hsua6jqNXSKsNQSZTTF2j_KQJsL4CBD-EA/s400/IMG_3219.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No matter where you are, The Minster is a point of reference</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The next morning after I had finished most of my work for the day, we
were off to the <st1:placename w:st="on">Yorkshire</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Museum</st1:placetype> for a newly opened exhibition that had been
advertised prior to our previous departure from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">York</st1:place></st1:city> – a Viking exhibition, which looked to
be of great interest – so we were off to see that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">There really wasn’t much else that we would want to see in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">York</st1:place></st1:city>, and so I made the
call to the Naburn lock-keeper to arrange our outward passage from the lock for
the following morning (it would be at 8:30am)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But for now it was off to the museum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">For the relatively small sum of just £15 we had entry into the whole
museum, of which the display we had sought was just one part.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">From pre-historic times, through the Roman times and then the Vikings,
Anglo-Saxons and the Englich Civil War we were transported to the past of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">York</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It was excellently presented and chronologically presented as well –
there was none of the back and forth between different periods that can easily
happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We have gained such a good knowledge of quite a lot of British history
and times that it is comforting to see that it all fits in perfectly with each
other and not get lost in some parochially mis-direction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After enjoying all of that, and realising that we had been inside on a
lovely day, and that we had an early lock appointment for the following
morning, it seemed right that we set “sail” and had down to Naburn Lock – just
an hour and a half away (and no locks).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As exciting as it had been coming into <st1:city w:st="on">York</st1:city>
over a week previous, the entry and exit to and from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">York</st1:city></st1:place> was anything but – the words hair and
raising come to mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I have already related the experience that we had the previous day with
the tourist boat, well again today we had another one with another one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We were following a tourist boat down the Ouse (not by design, just by
timing) about 200 metres astern and preparing to pass under <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Skeldergate</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place>
behind her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Luckily I had been paying attention and saw yet another of these blasted
tourist boats coming upstream – I could see them and in particular, I could see
the wheelhouse, so for some reason I cannot fathom, I do not understand how the
skipper at the tiller was not concentrating on what was going on and decided
that he should just boldly cruise through the centre archway when the rules
state that boats heading downstream have right of way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We needed to take action to avert a potential problem and come to as
close to a complete standstill as we
could – I didn’t much care for his wave of thanks as he passed by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">All boats – yesterday and today were from the same company – so maybe
their training program is not as scrupulous as one would want it to be – just
me supposing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">So, in a way we were feeling quite happy to be getting away from any
further possible mishaps and heading down to the lock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Sun, cruising, clear water – the earlier episode was forgotten for the
present time and we moored up on the lock moorings and strolled down to chat
with the lock-keeper about the passage tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nigel, the lockie, was very helpful, about the times, the journey and the
best approach for Selby Lock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">From our initial lockage through Selby, to York, to Boroughbridge and
Ripon and the return journey we had been leap-frogging nb Predator 3 along the way –
we have chatted to both Jackie and Cyril
- they are simply lovely people and so very much down-to-earth and have
a wealth of stories about their adventures on the system, so it was nice to be again
sharing the trip back to Selby with them tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>32 Miles, 6 Locks<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YTD: 501 miles (806
km), 234 Locks, 15 Tunnels, 9 Lift Bridges, 18 Swing Bridges<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Total: 5133 Miles (8261 km), 3385 Locks, 139 Tunnels, 75 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>,
190 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place></span></b>rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-2908370020597730992017-05-29T09:22:00.000+01:002018-06-11T04:51:49.012+01:00Ripping Ripon<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Saturday 20<sup>th</sup> May to Sunday 21<sup>st</sup> May 2017</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">First up for the day was to push the boat over to the other side of the
river to the service block – cassette to empty and a water tank to fill (don’t
get them the wrong way around).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After that we only had to pull the boat forward one boat length and we
were in position to fill the diesel tanks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Popped up to the garage and let them know and it was a couple of minutes
and someone was down to get us going – easy as – then paid them and we were on
our way yet again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Today would be fewer miles than yesterday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We would pass from the River Ouse to the River Ure and then onto the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Ripon</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Canal</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The locks do not seem to get any easier – they are still double locks and
short – 57 feet is about the limit but going diagonally you could squeeze
another couple of feet, but even us at 55’ are getting to the front and back
almost at the same time – easier to go up, will be tighter coming back down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbZdIZHapJhCzQhpIr1R1iQfQUazDzrJz6mI6Qnz6bmBikRnp4-A821uZaIZWViTCD6e8QiK_grVRSjpvUcFSScV0XUqEqZ29WVBigAVXND8UgmbZlLhXoyp-iSwYihUTpmZ-hdmRHw/s1600/_MG_3950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="247" data-original-width="448" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbZdIZHapJhCzQhpIr1R1iQfQUazDzrJz6mI6Qnz6bmBikRnp4-A821uZaIZWViTCD6e8QiK_grVRSjpvUcFSScV0XUqEqZ29WVBigAVXND8UgmbZlLhXoyp-iSwYihUTpmZ-hdmRHw/s400/_MG_3950.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun being out created such a perfect day for cruising</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPZsuydLHOjpv18TWmK2Q9LG1rhymKiQhHILUtUW-d-PR50JQH1hLNjV7Vj0bXwiLH_VouvhOEDjstyzm_4XQfsgeRe2A1EdEJSKOGutNj4HlHymTXiwKOtHamyHmFI4RhNjhmBkmvw/s1600/_MG_3951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPZsuydLHOjpv18TWmK2Q9LG1rhymKiQhHILUtUW-d-PR50JQH1hLNjV7Vj0bXwiLH_VouvhOEDjstyzm_4XQfsgeRe2A1EdEJSKOGutNj4HlHymTXiwKOtHamyHmFI4RhNjhmBkmvw/s400/_MG_3951.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgoTNGUcadXCMCaIOrSlkL-Sbr0kEsJqEYM6fPwF8AmPFVha5AbqniAh3Er8HG-VJEetx9M9jpP454Z3eAbz6SFah4bnZiK1kbKvEXEZvsdltS5YwhbjYorNeK2JCrVl0mt4vu2mLew/s1600/IMG_3988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="448" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgoTNGUcadXCMCaIOrSlkL-Sbr0kEsJqEYM6fPwF8AmPFVha5AbqniAh3Er8HG-VJEetx9M9jpP454Z3eAbz6SFah4bnZiK1kbKvEXEZvsdltS5YwhbjYorNeK2JCrVl0mt4vu2mLew/s400/IMG_3988.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted this pheasant by the river...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwJBVd579leMJKO0q6HtY4qYiBnEEAMFAvYNIy-gMFEEOfU9uenPBZG8gbeyz1pfMYbwxLXZqADr3_M0AmV7bTRLxQn5dPpvPpBelwU0mCbn-4uETm6BFqiv4nMVhABs4UiigqnHGCg/s1600/IMG_3965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="315" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwJBVd579leMJKO0q6HtY4qYiBnEEAMFAvYNIy-gMFEEOfU9uenPBZG8gbeyz1pfMYbwxLXZqADr3_M0AmV7bTRLxQn5dPpvPpBelwU0mCbn-4uETm6BFqiv4nMVhABs4UiigqnHGCg/s400/IMG_3965.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...but this little chap was the prize of the day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajHdFwVUaJ4MAyl_J8Popn0AdFPV8ZP6VR-K0U5dyH8uLXOAM7TCJVxN4GddQ0PIwFiur8ZpxLJ1OSLywKteaB7iseem8r2gDsc7Ota6HY7qXI9ETIIRxTtDhdgbbXu31Vprb_piUBw/s1600/_MG_3961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="384" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajHdFwVUaJ4MAyl_J8Popn0AdFPV8ZP6VR-K0U5dyH8uLXOAM7TCJVxN4GddQ0PIwFiur8ZpxLJ1OSLywKteaB7iseem8r2gDsc7Ota6HY7qXI9ETIIRxTtDhdgbbXu31Vprb_piUBw/s400/_MG_3961.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknddVCfBoqMlqasK0KJZn4vwy38Ez1IwveWBml_vDMxC3oPxPMyN4qgMbfGLByJxBawvsJuCeJsZRORH0eSFQ0ZZzeWmLF6Idg3UizissiYBYadAFwfbST8bprjxKGARIGnvEwm-e2w/s1600/IMG_3998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="448" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknddVCfBoqMlqasK0KJZn4vwy38Ez1IwveWBml_vDMxC3oPxPMyN4qgMbfGLByJxBawvsJuCeJsZRORH0eSFQ0ZZzeWmLF6Idg3UizissiYBYadAFwfbST8bprjxKGARIGnvEwm-e2w/s400/IMG_3998.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktOqy_T4aUvQFohBYxF7IYqRsjmLpN6286miQf0apKnWQLTqDfNehg4znDekBo6sUydqAX2hfnCdHQInmN_6uh7adhs2-eFU9-BJiphn8XuGxaDV24rZFfR0RZjqSbZZSPfunEp790w/s1600/IMG_3246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktOqy_T4aUvQFohBYxF7IYqRsjmLpN6286miQf0apKnWQLTqDfNehg4znDekBo6sUydqAX2hfnCdHQInmN_6uh7adhs2-eFU9-BJiphn8XuGxaDV24rZFfR0RZjqSbZZSPfunEp790w/s400/IMG_3246.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't get much better than this</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It has been such a great day cruising, and coming into Ripon it was simply
a matter of winding at the end – missing a couple of small tourist boats moored
right there and back to the moorings – long enough for three narrowboats.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Our thoughts initially (before getting here) were that we would stay two
nights before we return back down the canal/river, but first it was necessary
to do our work to explore the city.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTngRNwtuGYnuXVOrbuMYqqA_Hu4F87cSApqu8NsxqirgISzRYnGH4RLyWiNWvKclBUrPo3nHCtpFq44U6tigOZC8Z64jRA37coXRPzuJykJOXeDLubzGPfitIvT-awOoTf4rigPrRoA/s1600/_MG_4041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="401" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTngRNwtuGYnuXVOrbuMYqqA_Hu4F87cSApqu8NsxqirgISzRYnGH4RLyWiNWvKclBUrPo3nHCtpFq44U6tigOZC8Z64jRA37coXRPzuJykJOXeDLubzGPfitIvT-awOoTf4rigPrRoA/s400/_MG_4041.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ripon has such a lot of these plaques around, that it is easy enough to do a<br />
tour of the history without a map</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvZ7jzvP6-8drYl-xXlOKMQbtBLOM0KWQVPRIjAHRajECp_fqhYFg2Fs85ijQ-ENToY-wb7qqVcmT2qbzNQye-tlTNZ_eJIxw-a_E5k5KR272Acyop7o9PZBKcx-Gp6q4bVQD741KIA/s1600/_MG_4040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvZ7jzvP6-8drYl-xXlOKMQbtBLOM0KWQVPRIjAHRajECp_fqhYFg2Fs85ijQ-ENToY-wb7qqVcmT2qbzNQye-tlTNZ_eJIxw-a_E5k5KR272Acyop7o9PZBKcx-Gp6q4bVQD741KIA/s400/_MG_4040.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As in most cities, the cathedral dominated the lives of everybody</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">There are three museums in the centre – a Police and Prison museum; a
Courthouse museum; and a Workhouse museum. In addition there is the huge
cathedral dominating the skyline (as they all seem to do).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We sussed out where things were and what we would need to do; found out
some more interesting things about the city and started to make our plans about
what we would be doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But first we needed some shelter from the rain that had started and as it
happened we were right outside the cathedral, so it was a visit to church (yet
again) – I think we can be placed in the category of regular church goers.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhzS7cUpaOZms3cU_jGsT1A1IXGylJQqDoy90aebnenF3JVKOnqxA27OZLJauuGBh9tEPy3d69fqyE527HEwG8nUaoxA6_llFyxPYPrKFmvU30y4CFG0DIYDq50k6UFNov6HjkBl2Vg/s1600/_MG_4039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhzS7cUpaOZms3cU_jGsT1A1IXGylJQqDoy90aebnenF3JVKOnqxA27OZLJauuGBh9tEPy3d69fqyE527HEwG8nUaoxA6_llFyxPYPrKFmvU30y4CFG0DIYDq50k6UFNov6HjkBl2Vg/s400/_MG_4039.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cathedral from the front</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLx7itqs6tp7PxJkUDCu08gGphyphenhyphen0eNaixY5flDIFJEHM4AlsZm9BMqq77QjdZejJkeym01FSf4COwfLTUzauSTj2LlD1jcunBsJC42D7vVenYohINnhIgI09WjRCqtv7Gs1rOQAkNaQ/s1600/_MG_4013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLx7itqs6tp7PxJkUDCu08gGphyphenhyphen0eNaixY5flDIFJEHM4AlsZm9BMqq77QjdZejJkeym01FSf4COwfLTUzauSTj2LlD1jcunBsJC42D7vVenYohINnhIgI09WjRCqtv7Gs1rOQAkNaQ/s400/_MG_4013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmMVVjwsIhZbyzjJdPYUlXlb-8Ur_dC1Hwf4y48foSHBs5tiSsrEJUn2yVc06CdhUJ3hf5H8QjiD9PR0zRDLiAHTJ6T9dAPHXh193yWkk69GtkF8yXjZxUpLCD8Wta5IaXGUYcP7ukg/s1600/_MG_4012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="299" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmMVVjwsIhZbyzjJdPYUlXlb-8Ur_dC1Hwf4y48foSHBs5tiSsrEJUn2yVc06CdhUJ3hf5H8QjiD9PR0zRDLiAHTJ6T9dAPHXh193yWkk69GtkF8yXjZxUpLCD8Wta5IaXGUYcP7ukg/s400/_MG_4012.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmcNVuxD0RIcMvHr3O6q2fX3_mSpG2GBPzC5ABCEuMptX_hguSqD0TFCLoG6umEKQs6LeTZKt1b7JMSTUztofXNsdScceLRYFilFPjYODd4hMzf8MKjXGJkiE9xHb-JRRONMbqsDFxA/s1600/IMG_4021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="299" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmcNVuxD0RIcMvHr3O6q2fX3_mSpG2GBPzC5ABCEuMptX_hguSqD0TFCLoG6umEKQs6LeTZKt1b7JMSTUztofXNsdScceLRYFilFPjYODd4hMzf8MKjXGJkiE9xHb-JRRONMbqsDFxA/s400/IMG_4021.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPD8L2x0G_NXB4U4X2zpdJWJvzlXztqUiaaMPpIqWqzw3YueFlZfOkexASPs0sUx27YXeWXusyikp16PJVxFzIAilqrOqmgtsQeYtIw0G0FGOo44fr9wef6KiD_kdXEiy1Ne1t5cMOg/s1600/IMG_4005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="299" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPD8L2x0G_NXB4U4X2zpdJWJvzlXztqUiaaMPpIqWqzw3YueFlZfOkexASPs0sUx27YXeWXusyikp16PJVxFzIAilqrOqmgtsQeYtIw0G0FGOo44fr9wef6KiD_kdXEiy1Ne1t5cMOg/s400/IMG_4005.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As it happened, there is an orchestra in the nave going through a
rehearsal for the performance later in the evening, so we are able to wander
around the place and seeing all of the interesting bits whilst listening to some extremely lovely music; even after we had finished we simply sat and listened for a
good half hour – even Diane was enjoying it all – and she is not the classic
music lover.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwM3wneQ7G6YXp1EunhqZA_vLH224ymlzKpduvhlINoiazvIVYSQCuuAo5Y9gYMn505mumXq7E7rcEww1eoy-2srTcR1nrgiSoFEDX-kWVebubhyphenhyphenKlPDXlTa25uTiThpIknKtd3bbnQ/s1600/IMG_3270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwM3wneQ7G6YXp1EunhqZA_vLH224ymlzKpduvhlINoiazvIVYSQCuuAo5Y9gYMn505mumXq7E7rcEww1eoy-2srTcR1nrgiSoFEDX-kWVebubhyphenhyphenKlPDXlTa25uTiThpIknKtd3bbnQ/s400/IMG_3270.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It was also a good excuse not to go outside into any remaining
precipitation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We listened and looked at the information that we had and talked about
our plan of attack for tomorrow, before finally and a bit reluctantly heading
back to the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Diane had a couple of things on her mind – one was Dr Who and the other
was Eurovision – so for me it would be a not-first choice evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Sunday morning definitely had a better start than Saturday had finished,
so not long after breakfast we were off up the hill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">First calling point was the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Workhouse</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place> – we had seen
examples of the other two but had not really touched upon this aspect of 19<sup>th</sup>
century reality in any detail.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vTfaAsEnCVtCK_zIDfHoRnLKBRYu9c7vLRdnmJXbWEBizfnEVqoO63l-j7Go9fmtUpyrmOz49mt6Q3_HtFvo9BpK7sc_Q0c9YsL-AoMiQkGABl1nZn1ybLt3F435zcmOLXZ_oyVz4Q/s1600/_MG_4070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vTfaAsEnCVtCK_zIDfHoRnLKBRYu9c7vLRdnmJXbWEBizfnEVqoO63l-j7Go9fmtUpyrmOz49mt6Q3_HtFvo9BpK7sc_Q0c9YsL-AoMiQkGABl1nZn1ybLt3F435zcmOLXZ_oyVz4Q/s400/_MG_4070.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Entrance - just as much a harsh place now as it must have been<br />
all those years ago</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBtsx4UQ-UzgICANZ5IiMUQ4U1YczNunCMvC5Xv-RY_NNMkM21HaUEwqqR-rloc3N3NMUNHBwn13a2LHK2NFNfgc38CshOSpzYTz4iwyvdUYEdWa6Oc8DYy73VN5nbqibBDmhTXONEA/s1600/_MG_4065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="448" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBtsx4UQ-UzgICANZ5IiMUQ4U1YczNunCMvC5Xv-RY_NNMkM21HaUEwqqR-rloc3N3NMUNHBwn13a2LHK2NFNfgc38CshOSpzYTz4iwyvdUYEdWa6Oc8DYy73VN5nbqibBDmhTXONEA/s400/_MG_4065.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It gives the stories of people who found themselves in a position that
they were in the workhouse – the problems that they had faced; the conditions
in the workhouse; the misery faced by all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFCCdLSBrk63aM5rfZaxgn_fvBvlNuT-WyguOndbFESUlbz_18l0BU6O87iKDOYTkmkGAJETMpozIJiwpltI3Pf6uplgInYqVxrkAWJnOE-kPV58BmG5bO81SFQzlGCeFl7QGw120OQ/s1600/_MG_4057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFCCdLSBrk63aM5rfZaxgn_fvBvlNuT-WyguOndbFESUlbz_18l0BU6O87iKDOYTkmkGAJETMpozIJiwpltI3Pf6uplgInYqVxrkAWJnOE-kPV58BmG5bO81SFQzlGCeFl7QGw120OQ/s400/_MG_4057.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the left was the female accommodation and males on the right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojO2u320PJlpTDIQFj02MJ2a44GkNN9LGpE4M64XDiP0tDVmDMeO-jLwB1JVX1NkvEp_YWJm6Nt5UkGRIt_bE8APSQ_zKMZz76xG-U2aiNhnn0bPF36MY_8FnmWteoU9fn-mlXJpDxQ/s1600/_MG_4046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojO2u320PJlpTDIQFj02MJ2a44GkNN9LGpE4M64XDiP0tDVmDMeO-jLwB1JVX1NkvEp_YWJm6Nt5UkGRIt_bE8APSQ_zKMZz76xG-U2aiNhnn0bPF36MY_8FnmWteoU9fn-mlXJpDxQ/s400/_MG_4046.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The reception centre where names and details were taken down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzc8p73zlawPxyz_dbnh2yXiWQlGPtKLPbijTiVXi2RgGIuve0gBs2DcpXng91m2k08wKGL0tXJSs4UxmetRs2FGtfrA8RcJX4__Jys1r0-A2MtLFdcRBnPIpnivo7gsNTtEM5TdM1ng/s1600/_MG_4048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="448" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzc8p73zlawPxyz_dbnh2yXiWQlGPtKLPbijTiVXi2RgGIuve0gBs2DcpXng91m2k08wKGL0tXJSs4UxmetRs2FGtfrA8RcJX4__Jys1r0-A2MtLFdcRBnPIpnivo7gsNTtEM5TdM1ng/s400/_MG_4048.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I only include this because a couple of years back we bought a set of these<br />
scales in a charity shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWFWxchQJTYVi0FO3XYifB406CO1deg5tZDQY42r-n0-lDBgAihdwLP3-cucSOB3ItNUW-_sIXJMRpi1rsiqZndrU3OM1aGuwQDr-Q6LaacDklIgDB0s19bKUxbm3kkx1aeZDuAnp7g/s1600/_MG_4044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWFWxchQJTYVi0FO3XYifB406CO1deg5tZDQY42r-n0-lDBgAihdwLP3-cucSOB3ItNUW-_sIXJMRpi1rsiqZndrU3OM1aGuwQDr-Q6LaacDklIgDB0s19bKUxbm3kkx1aeZDuAnp7g/s400/_MG_4044.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a typical bed for a mother (and her child)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAmCrS2rCDR1EwGdnN4rdRwK_wK_O59KVO4hdZpWU9J47qGZ1Z0OfDAl1cSBsZCjThz03finkmtJpaHXmAOwVjP0O3upH7KkN6ipXMo7bIy13Lpbh1E5VkD-U1X9_nJuhmYxXW7-5gg/s1600/_MG_4045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="290" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAmCrS2rCDR1EwGdnN4rdRwK_wK_O59KVO4hdZpWU9J47qGZ1Z0OfDAl1cSBsZCjThz03finkmtJpaHXmAOwVjP0O3upH7KkN6ipXMo7bIy13Lpbh1E5VkD-U1X9_nJuhmYxXW7-5gg/s400/_MG_4045.JPG" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The menu </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVL_gTJwRLmdcSAPAUi9yKv4X1DCKTYA5KZrZSqBpmQhB8XmycjLJNr4MG1pdPNsJPU98sYmYtC62Q-DW5U6gUP_tkAlzcx5NRh5a5V9605Sko9k7uTEJFgcLTBMAu3XWyqWdA8NgYlQ/s1600/_MG_4051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVL_gTJwRLmdcSAPAUi9yKv4X1DCKTYA5KZrZSqBpmQhB8XmycjLJNr4MG1pdPNsJPU98sYmYtC62Q-DW5U6gUP_tkAlzcx5NRh5a5V9605Sko9k7uTEJFgcLTBMAu3XWyqWdA8NgYlQ/s400/_MG_4051.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outside work area for the men</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNX2f-Rf8J4Edgob4abAM0EK7m0T7-tD3GfpUO__Dm8eMEzBmCl7eks_5bFP3lpd84-zDVWFotFW6nknS1-cYwD-KqrNXGHfWp8qqNV5fm4I3SOLsbYpW8sY_OD-E_GeQjb6g4OOOp9A/s1600/_MG_4055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="299" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNX2f-Rf8J4Edgob4abAM0EK7m0T7-tD3GfpUO__Dm8eMEzBmCl7eks_5bFP3lpd84-zDVWFotFW6nknS1-cYwD-KqrNXGHfWp8qqNV5fm4I3SOLsbYpW8sY_OD-E_GeQjb6g4OOOp9A/s400/_MG_4055.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D is for Diane, but it may mean something else<br />
if she doesn't stop playing with her phone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjri-sBiGzI_xXKQsARyKkGM0rMwE2IdnyaN8lp1-RXpcYFu2VcZC_SRhMHlpS9qZTcVx4zuUwoOAVxASiDXVl6QHmogjDPnKPyoXR2H7nLHc-2lr8UA4b5-q-1qV5lUdLM0bjSQmg_OA/s1600/_MG_4060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjri-sBiGzI_xXKQsARyKkGM0rMwE2IdnyaN8lp1-RXpcYFu2VcZC_SRhMHlpS9qZTcVx4zuUwoOAVxASiDXVl6QHmogjDPnKPyoXR2H7nLHc-2lr8UA4b5-q-1qV5lUdLM0bjSQmg_OA/s400/_MG_4060.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Laundry area../</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltQkC3sAdjwZa7YVzUkIISKh0huQn2WN9SFm6fUD23AEd52yKKqwks3iFd5vmdR0BGnMyaq9aEjhv_uoqVXBwU7SU1ZtqiVoq7Qkqe-hcY5TQ3mcqdzWCyzwn_wlqtxQeXz0abUWYIQ/s1600/_MG_4062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltQkC3sAdjwZa7YVzUkIISKh0huQn2WN9SFm6fUD23AEd52yKKqwks3iFd5vmdR0BGnMyaq9aEjhv_uoqVXBwU7SU1ZtqiVoq7Qkqe-hcY5TQ3mcqdzWCyzwn_wlqtxQeXz0abUWYIQ/s400/_MG_4062.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...a lot of the vegetables and fruit were grown on site - obviously<br />
to keep the costs down - nowadays they have replanted according to<br />
how it would have been - the produce is used and sold to local businesses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsAeUhgve9_Wiug83wq014x9N9ybSFjLZl1fFCmf5LoTs2ccVHExeihsqhqsXeiAFfTS9gh8yPL8orIRvznwBA3tfxBZzd-XWwR_CdTta5V0NC08pCOh4gqZRK5gBaQJxsiqY1eRViQ/s1600/_MG_4063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsAeUhgve9_Wiug83wq014x9N9ybSFjLZl1fFCmf5LoTs2ccVHExeihsqhqsXeiAFfTS9gh8yPL8orIRvznwBA3tfxBZzd-XWwR_CdTta5V0NC08pCOh4gqZRK5gBaQJxsiqY1eRViQ/s400/_MG_4063.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXQVYdMtoHa1QzGhFGgfZJOjNVnBcw5di4mTHUljC9z7nt5kGGvF-Hd7WK67A3wM9Q4MHC9ehC4KRog8DPXaAKjAtV5Ut6fnWIUmE5jyToLedlomd-7jq4r8rutzfkT0H0_Sh51jsgg/s1600/_MG_4066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="299" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXQVYdMtoHa1QzGhFGgfZJOjNVnBcw5di4mTHUljC9z7nt5kGGvF-Hd7WK67A3wM9Q4MHC9ehC4KRog8DPXaAKjAtV5Ut6fnWIUmE5jyToLedlomd-7jq4r8rutzfkT0H0_Sh51jsgg/s400/_MG_4066.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the buildings was set aside as a hospital wing<br />
and was used for elderly people until quite recently</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We were glad to be able to add this part of history to our experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It makes you feels glad that we live in the times that we do and we,
personally, are in the position that we are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A time for reflection, but time for lunch as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We had spotted a place the day before so it was a simple matter to go
there – The Royal Oak Hotel.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMGi7F4uhrum-Xh9JlrurzagoQ0yY7jsXB_Pl97iVhoze8T7SznFWHPwVef5wo_g_BnEbIEN2R9QJgo1tiOY5n-w-FHTKS59IihVkkaImn6TshWaR_KlPG4VJU-wkuyG6iRVFJ7Nwhw/s1600/_MG_4067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMGi7F4uhrum-Xh9JlrurzagoQ0yY7jsXB_Pl97iVhoze8T7SznFWHPwVef5wo_g_BnEbIEN2R9QJgo1tiOY5n-w-FHTKS59IihVkkaImn6TshWaR_KlPG4VJU-wkuyG6iRVFJ7Nwhw/s400/_MG_4067.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In we went, and a table was found for us – roast for each of us, a half
of Guinness each and we sat back to relax and enjoy the surroundings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The meals duly arrived; well presented; it all smelled as delicious as it
looked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPyiNOUSXeYeUD0DoA82oWnnL_v3-PoG8kdTeJhVXLk2wMge6yW2dqAGWQwA79L29QLTKDMqIYqWfPCcNRYs2h9e5BLnYBpvmgMwtvrQfEY093JqtLln4M9y4jSM9GG72WWknJeC5dA/s1600/IMG_3302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPyiNOUSXeYeUD0DoA82oWnnL_v3-PoG8kdTeJhVXLk2wMge6yW2dqAGWQwA79L29QLTKDMqIYqWfPCcNRYs2h9e5BLnYBpvmgMwtvrQfEY093JqtLln4M9y4jSM9GG72WWknJeC5dA/s400/IMG_3302.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We both tasted and immediately knew that this would be special – it all
was exceptionally good – not a bit was left on the plates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The dessert menu arrived and we both were feeling a bit comfortable and
nothing to worry about doing in any hurry – Why not?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The desserts were simply to die for – Diane had the sticky toffee pudding
whilst I had the chocolate/orange truffle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwb-ZkhcySDGigMw50hUJHKu0MOwI5TZv02o9CX0fJrEz3IxCwLB5_2FUzjS_P3SxMQP8nCq-qg-RF6YAfMYWMN9stooDXXNQgeGxU4E8uentZkR826qa6wva41DdfZgwbKD14SJq1IQ/s1600/IMG_3304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwb-ZkhcySDGigMw50hUJHKu0MOwI5TZv02o9CX0fJrEz3IxCwLB5_2FUzjS_P3SxMQP8nCq-qg-RF6YAfMYWMN9stooDXXNQgeGxU4E8uentZkR826qa6wva41DdfZgwbKD14SJq1IQ/s400/IMG_3304.JPG" width="316" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We eventually paid the bill (which was reasonable) and waddled our way
back to the boat to recover – we had one more event to attend this evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">If you go to Ripon – either by boat or by car – do yourself a favour and
eat at the Royal Oak Hotel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In amongst all of the literature concerning Ripon we had found an
interesting item concerning the nightly performance of the Hornblower in the <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Market Square</st1:address></st1:street>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This ceremony has been going on every night since 886AD - a Ripon Wakeman (Hornblower) enters Market Square blows a note on his at each corner of the market cross at 9pm, which is known as Setting the Watch.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After the ceremony, the Wakeman for that night (there are two at the present time) gave a talk about the history.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Bz1MoRiLkmZIfoZntBdlmXKPjhdK7bZDE9bHKwu_MeoStdnGiWT6UbMn7YLAtHnRiBgQNHU0VxzLSFn8LamYnezlzviO8d9CBdPdo87WDIQ3YYMCWldnmYK5WOPmncstrbS3HFJlGw/s1600/_MG_4071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="299" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Bz1MoRiLkmZIfoZntBdlmXKPjhdK7bZDE9bHKwu_MeoStdnGiWT6UbMn7YLAtHnRiBgQNHU0VxzLSFn8LamYnezlzviO8d9CBdPdo87WDIQ3YYMCWldnmYK5WOPmncstrbS3HFJlGw/s400/_MG_4071.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Market Cross</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSzk-BxBEPyZMAEwrOZnflAEcJMpMIUzNFaguHDVVHU4H0cXcRlPW2rUKcp3lysY97lg3BWvn77MRitTdHWqupVJxx1EUnjAZF0j7NZaImEQ9oDGyY3jYWY1qW163Gcb_GntTCiOpAQ/s1600/_MG_4076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSzk-BxBEPyZMAEwrOZnflAEcJMpMIUzNFaguHDVVHU4H0cXcRlPW2rUKcp3lysY97lg3BWvn77MRitTdHWqupVJxx1EUnjAZF0j7NZaImEQ9oDGyY3jYWY1qW163Gcb_GntTCiOpAQ/s400/_MG_4076.JPG" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wakeman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSt6zXZL4jIbJgBFN3JmyYBDmHaFseJaFDDP9atn7D0ta4S23vl1NecJoAtTVMzALT0NlTqB2jntz4NB-FvCh5eaOnvehlPAfOqH67kE7yEfGZc-QrvfIvpaeWybh1sB4lBnRMaK5PA/s1600/IMG_3312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSt6zXZL4jIbJgBFN3JmyYBDmHaFseJaFDDP9atn7D0ta4S23vl1NecJoAtTVMzALT0NlTqB2jntz4NB-FvCh5eaOnvehlPAfOqH67kE7yEfGZc-QrvfIvpaeWybh1sB4lBnRMaK5PA/s400/IMG_3312.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Worth staying up past my bedtime for that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>7 Miles, 4 Locks<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YTD: 469 miles (755
km), 228 Locks, 15 Tunnels, 9 Lift Bridges, 18 Swing Bridges<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Total: 5101 Miles (8209 km),
3379 Locks, 139 Tunnels, 75 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>, 190 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place></b><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-33634152025939255452017-05-27T20:37:00.000+01:002018-06-12T01:08:45.013+01:00We’re just cruising in the rain, just cruising in the rain…<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Friday 19<sup>th</sup>
May 2017</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I have said it before and will now say it again, cruising along on a boat
as carefree as we all are, it does involve so much planning to be so carefree –
there is a focus on what the overall plan is for the year and the bookings that
we have in place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">With our plans in mind, we had a need to head further on towards Ripon –
the end of this waterway – only problem is that there was a little bit of rain
already coming down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Diane then had a “brilliant” idea – why don’t we go past Linton Lock and
head towards Boroughbridge for the day – just a lazy 20 miles (and 2 locks) and
the rain, let’s not forget the rain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Luckily is was not heavy rain and also luckily there was no wind – those
could have made it much less than desirable to cruise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The basis of Diane’s thinking is that 2 days to Ripon is better than 3
days – which would allow us to pick up 2 days for later on in our travels –
which you will see why the reasoning is so correct.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOs0pG6s16JnSKWbyb-jk3BoS9EdWRaDikS9nn2hQIkR2d1_ZG5SC5cC6j7Yo-Nx5X-7_CzkevFaxlCIE5ORnY4uKMvGZVSL0Yo1UC9qHjx1H1pgSDzbPczGlcIlHFc2qcTZcwXYNsQ/s1600/_MG_3940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOs0pG6s16JnSKWbyb-jk3BoS9EdWRaDikS9nn2hQIkR2d1_ZG5SC5cC6j7Yo-Nx5X-7_CzkevFaxlCIE5ORnY4uKMvGZVSL0Yo1UC9qHjx1H1pgSDzbPczGlcIlHFc2qcTZcwXYNsQ/s400/_MG_3940.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit bleak and overcast but the idea was correct for what we needed to do overall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3S6rZPzYt8YIfqeFHeQvxjLBfrpnAYSMXk3fPFdv2wZEaadOQRWEW-X1-WHZTLzs9aSOm1_GOjnRD4mE-e7srE2CmDxwknGD-rIQe0QArsRT5wXyJ5Xza3Iw8Qbe1Fw_5f9VKjl4lg/s1600/_MG_3942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3S6rZPzYt8YIfqeFHeQvxjLBfrpnAYSMXk3fPFdv2wZEaadOQRWEW-X1-WHZTLzs9aSOm1_GOjnRD4mE-e7srE2CmDxwknGD-rIQe0QArsRT5wXyJ5Xza3Iw8Qbe1Fw_5f9VKjl4lg/s400/_MG_3942.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we were not alone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysy60L-tPGHKnIrLgwAcGHbsILu4oM0i74vJgXe1K2zBRgAnFvEZ0_yigi21p6hyphenhyphenSDN58ZMgjWJeRs5ROmnO23ijEv3X42y_MboJWjlICc1ph7bRww_KIQj5glgNT7Ou6GntL1J_N6A/s1600/IMG_3332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysy60L-tPGHKnIrLgwAcGHbsILu4oM0i74vJgXe1K2zBRgAnFvEZ0_yigi21p6hyphenhyphenSDN58ZMgjWJeRs5ROmnO23ijEv3X42y_MboJWjlICc1ph7bRww_KIQj5glgNT7Ou6GntL1J_N6A/s400/IMG_3332.JPG" width="385" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there is always a church somewhere along the way</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Despite the drizzle, the cruising was simply lovely – the easy style of
deep water cruising and for such a distance means that you can just sit back
and relax – and wipe the rain off the glasses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4lAwuffFMIIaQXvlw5ijaM35jyRIRgils1kHm0Yfg8FTWJPJVSXTfLeRErpOjXPC25ZYyg6ZMozFHSh-XU41YXqXbgeyrYWiZnTojHnpE-aEIl0XLPvcl3_k3em6WgDprsL4LBo37w/s1600/_MG_3934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4lAwuffFMIIaQXvlw5ijaM35jyRIRgils1kHm0Yfg8FTWJPJVSXTfLeRErpOjXPC25ZYyg6ZMozFHSh-XU41YXqXbgeyrYWiZnTojHnpE-aEIl0XLPvcl3_k3em6WgDprsL4LBo37w/s400/_MG_3934.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The weir at Linton Lock - on the left, installation of a hydro-electric screw<br />
to generate power - this should be down at all wiers on all rivers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYgxdcCXw4sn7Tp8czheJjuJO1EyB5-RIujWukM5bu2KDERJIg8aykHP8zlrVhkH5d_fLIGMfWypgCds_xrtc5iFrpx8dIoUIeZNY-kJuUWBkq1kLXoCSZMK9oQykbPRRVWJee9h3aw/s1600/_MG_3933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="448" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYgxdcCXw4sn7Tp8czheJjuJO1EyB5-RIujWukM5bu2KDERJIg8aykHP8zlrVhkH5d_fLIGMfWypgCds_xrtc5iFrpx8dIoUIeZNY-kJuUWBkq1kLXoCSZMK9oQykbPRRVWJee9h3aw/s400/_MG_3933.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWE3DIZ24mh1KeJ0_g3s2IpA9tmMTFIr6Ds-3eZsWUIcz97J3OFcSIfNhtzkDe3ghxrGxO33Tcu9iynvR1WEGqU446iub_WGg_B_4SrZ-0vAcDg_22nWhIGIq_PPxj_gaDnIK_UepzQ/s1600/_MG_3936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="299" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWE3DIZ24mh1KeJ0_g3s2IpA9tmMTFIr6Ds-3eZsWUIcz97J3OFcSIfNhtzkDe3ghxrGxO33Tcu9iynvR1WEGqU446iub_WGg_B_4SrZ-0vAcDg_22nWhIGIq_PPxj_gaDnIK_UepzQ/s400/_MG_3936.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linton Lock with an unusual winding mechanism <br />
for lift the gate paddles - Note Diane still in her<br />
wet weather gear...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOfD3PUxye1PhCXCV2mhHCm3NKBFlbe4RRiGgc5XcneuYBzZwmEKw4DpS2ZGvzxhWrSDJ95Z-A0cqO4iR4-lHpHRqU7ORj9tCQmIC8mTx-bVKZdBe8cGgKefdazs8BMo7tQKuMtJtcg/s1600/_MG_3938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOfD3PUxye1PhCXCV2mhHCm3NKBFlbe4RRiGgc5XcneuYBzZwmEKw4DpS2ZGvzxhWrSDJ95Z-A0cqO4iR4-lHpHRqU7ORj9tCQmIC8mTx-bVKZdBe8cGgKefdazs8BMo7tQKuMtJtcg/s400/_MG_3938.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the walls of the lock are sloping </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5drMbQDv-0qSYAmfvjB6yFpp0GZ3IAMYHNQEYdWsSFA0XqQA0zl7V2zGOsC_xZ_FB37zVJiFArdj5CtMu65hKSjpr6_Nq2HNcgJn7bdjDqXdVkwRpbJwEk-S9K5_RhW5kPUByT-u8Q/s1600/_MG_3943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5drMbQDv-0qSYAmfvjB6yFpp0GZ3IAMYHNQEYdWsSFA0XqQA0zl7V2zGOsC_xZ_FB37zVJiFArdj5CtMu65hKSjpr6_Nq2HNcgJn7bdjDqXdVkwRpbJwEk-S9K5_RhW5kPUByT-u8Q/s400/_MG_3943.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milby Lock - they are all pretty well tall lock gates</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSP74fFrLsiaqUP32UDr8cc41aTNFGjvFcvCt40OxgzpQ0-91bPtJhIlPf98ej7orZ_sy29grX3W-bL4Rdn6zIcIAPH80xmoPPBu74hBTpyLhAiCRQWe9nuxhceAS5UA_6Atq5AatL1w/s1600/_MG_3946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSP74fFrLsiaqUP32UDr8cc41aTNFGjvFcvCt40OxgzpQ0-91bPtJhIlPf98ej7orZ_sy29grX3W-bL4Rdn6zIcIAPH80xmoPPBu74hBTpyLhAiCRQWe9nuxhceAS5UA_6Atq5AatL1w/s400/_MG_3946.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and sloping walls again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf-RZUmye-21eSWdNgPsyRuLvtbuQxJ5Tp2rplL0Kx9_RbvLpVcNjTXdu4uetyXL9poenKkGKavE-tNEuAyU3mL5CWQFY_6jcr6R_hWNnWomvMa24b1pFJ2Wp8kUIoTB5U4Pk85pgqA/s1600/_MG_3947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf-RZUmye-21eSWdNgPsyRuLvtbuQxJ5Tp2rplL0Kx9_RbvLpVcNjTXdu4uetyXL9poenKkGKavE-tNEuAyU3mL5CWQFY_6jcr6R_hWNnWomvMa24b1pFJ2Wp8kUIoTB5U4Pk85pgqA/s400/_MG_3947.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The approach to Boroughbridge - that area through the trees at the end<br />
is the moorings </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It was not that long before the rain disappeared and with only the 2
locks we found ourselves at the end after just 5 hours – but it seemed a bit
less than that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Qvbju8rdxFX6zDVv33M_5CaaXs2Hnm0De3_j49LueM70rHu4bGZY_AVtkRbVBKnCCWMIrpojG-ho0gtokGdrGto_-nscu9f3FT7k1iHeyUqzTwIudY5RfQnyp4iC6yLT91vX5oOubw/s1600/IMG_3341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Qvbju8rdxFX6zDVv33M_5CaaXs2Hnm0De3_j49LueM70rHu4bGZY_AVtkRbVBKnCCWMIrpojG-ho0gtokGdrGto_-nscu9f3FT7k1iHeyUqzTwIudY5RfQnyp4iC6yLT91vX5oOubw/s400/IMG_3341.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did get some good weather and sunshine along the way</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGhT533tQhTEz9_IGcKwWnCw8W6qUOJv08m0fl1QIEEr8wlzPmD0n4kuAIKuq9Q8AKIWS9QBeil7MGHWYoxRtF2Yl5oRtmJYrWYmey-4R_A-KV7IFe1O17XW8dyFnsjj5P89x91e2Ow/s1600/IMG_3338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGhT533tQhTEz9_IGcKwWnCw8W6qUOJv08m0fl1QIEEr8wlzPmD0n4kuAIKuq9Q8AKIWS9QBeil7MGHWYoxRtF2Yl5oRtmJYrWYmey-4R_A-KV7IFe1O17XW8dyFnsjj5P89x91e2Ow/s400/IMG_3338.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All those little holes in the banks of the river are homes to birds - I think<br />
that they are Sand Martins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVYyL-JESkP91pVQ0fun7REEXI73xTkVYmkwPNkV9Q3HVzeglSMlNkE0MB68AQ1bSAze3ozfj4GJ4O3bMYihVRsacgVp9twmRhiHTt5Cav6wKgEpKUwa1Thd0YMI7FZozhvqwNryjAQ/s1600/IMG_3335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVYyL-JESkP91pVQ0fun7REEXI73xTkVYmkwPNkV9Q3HVzeglSMlNkE0MB68AQ1bSAze3ozfj4GJ4O3bMYihVRsacgVp9twmRhiHTt5Cav6wKgEpKUwa1Thd0YMI7FZozhvqwNryjAQ/s400/IMG_3335.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just so the in-laws know what we look like</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I dropped Diane at the services to empty the cassette; she left me to moor
up and was perfect in her timing (as usual) – I had finished it all by the time
that she made it back.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Her story was that she was talking to the garage people (the garage is
right next to the canal) about the sale of red diesel, which they had, and also
a boom with hose for the boats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And the price was just 65.9 ppl – fill up time when we move off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But for now it was discovery time again – new place to see new things –
oh we really enjoy all of that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After tying up we headed off into the town centre – I say town centre,
but it has a definite village feel – we found a chippy and Diane, being on her
tour of English chip shops, had to sample them, but also being just on their
afternoon closing time there was a sausage and fish cake in there too – free – otherwise
they would be thrown out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We thanked them and carried on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUun3hpu6yZaNlv4fs3yIUVzMSOCaaY2trma27J3ozZxU37HpkeBGpl11bUAyU8piDCz7P3GFQX6EJHEoMT4gv71kQrHjBGRGDKsKVKVJqGtc-QRhSiXLYLET4FuQBoXVOXOV1udfwg/s1600/IMG_3329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUun3hpu6yZaNlv4fs3yIUVzMSOCaaY2trma27J3ozZxU37HpkeBGpl11bUAyU8piDCz7P3GFQX6EJHEoMT4gv71kQrHjBGRGDKsKVKVJqGtc-QRhSiXLYLET4FuQBoXVOXOV1udfwg/s400/IMG_3329.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We went off doing a bit more exploring and some geocaching which we do
from time to time and found our way to the Devils Arrows, which are three huge
Bronze Age standing stones and of course there is no reason as to why they are
there, but very impressive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3CVVMmVMd8iElK0l6LEK97sq7NDBt1k233nclVtcLwRJTBNIAZEObwpiC7TjNeHHkVgn_kHOORZCukntUyLhmShrFtv3kkfH2vJ14iI_WLZm5x_uG3rvM10SRxM6a-v8rHQziOxI9g/s1600/IMG_3234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3CVVMmVMd8iElK0l6LEK97sq7NDBt1k233nclVtcLwRJTBNIAZEObwpiC7TjNeHHkVgn_kHOORZCukntUyLhmShrFtv3kkfH2vJ14iI_WLZm5x_uG3rvM10SRxM6a-v8rHQziOxI9g/s400/IMG_3234.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Devils Arrows - number 1 above...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAirtwdt8K35eqDEC45vrjzHPh_Zlcoh7h2CcB5FLC55I_WwFpkdNqg0sWy14SfAD5Vh4_0qTwEORajMyOJU7g8nUSR5i7O-QB_huwAfbmw8Pc_MXIhSgRiKxsIzXS3TCXSZ8C2-gdQ/s1600/IMG_3237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="448" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAirtwdt8K35eqDEC45vrjzHPh_Zlcoh7h2CcB5FLC55I_WwFpkdNqg0sWy14SfAD5Vh4_0qTwEORajMyOJU7g8nUSR5i7O-QB_huwAfbmw8Pc_MXIhSgRiKxsIzXS3TCXSZ8C2-gdQ/s400/IMG_3237.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and two more across the road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We continued back down to the shopping area for a look around and then
back to the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After 20 miles of cruising we were a bit tired although there were no
problems – it’s all that fresh air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>20 Miles, 2 Locks<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YTD: 462 miles (744
km), 224 Locks, 15 Tunnels, 9 Lift Bridges, 18 Swing Bridges<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Total: 5094 Miles (8198 km),
3375 Locks, 139 Tunnels, 75 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>, 190 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place></b><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-45187049527785622332017-05-24T22:11:00.003+01:002018-06-12T01:09:02.508+01:00Jorvik – here we come<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Wednesday 17<sup>th</sup>
May to Thursday 18<sup>th</sup> May 2017</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The prospect of rain is always an incentive for us to get going just that
bit earlier, and given that we only had 5 miles and no locks to get through
then it would be fairly easy – it’s at this point you always think “famous last
words” but we actually did not have any problems cruising up to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">York</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHLxhnTRx1Fm2Fe6gF0-klZiNTi83wEo5Vyrykr4vPMQrl-UAonB6cQwBIeqdtuIZV4G-x3Fp9IePZWre6JPmNLaDPqdcQo0qCdub1uCUKBB4eiNa2qwCtEyQ60C0bi_hc8AeuAHqxQ/s1600/IMG_3440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHLxhnTRx1Fm2Fe6gF0-klZiNTi83wEo5Vyrykr4vPMQrl-UAonB6cQwBIeqdtuIZV4G-x3Fp9IePZWre6JPmNLaDPqdcQo0qCdub1uCUKBB4eiNa2qwCtEyQ60C0bi_hc8AeuAHqxQ/s400/IMG_3440.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naburn Lock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2K327vtSEpCl0bgNH9pljm-gW67cfFxL0WnJjNDmRYGh5hStzX9klkOEGirxKCAJWiSEc87zTGLtyNk3_haoA8lh7iSdHiCSKsV1EtQ8ytHnKm-o1bY4RqSEKtNqusgHe_1BgjF7VA/s1600/IMG_3441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="122" data-original-width="448" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2K327vtSEpCl0bgNH9pljm-gW67cfFxL0WnJjNDmRYGh5hStzX9klkOEGirxKCAJWiSEc87zTGLtyNk3_haoA8lh7iSdHiCSKsV1EtQ8ytHnKm-o1bY4RqSEKtNqusgHe_1BgjF7VA/s400/IMG_3441.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a panoramic shot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The cruise went well; it was not cold; the water was lovely and still;
the river was wide; and the approach to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">York</st1:place></st1:city>
was just a bit special.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvJU0JicCX4NwU6hMhKRgivmQzpzvAxIsIIfBRr6es5t9IrnXVdngBp2G1CSIza8AOCQhfmnTncQ0IjFHcA9xhNTcdBrJDZGuvHHc0RR-TBLj2TNufjNfKY-qFOzuBBndvY8zIEH4Ew/s1600/_MG_3888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvJU0JicCX4NwU6hMhKRgivmQzpzvAxIsIIfBRr6es5t9IrnXVdngBp2G1CSIza8AOCQhfmnTncQ0IjFHcA9xhNTcdBrJDZGuvHHc0RR-TBLj2TNufjNfKY-qFOzuBBndvY8zIEH4Ew/s400/_MG_3888.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiafKeEi55Ldx45yofL5TgdYSd25oQsKXPD2nmBwBh6zKidbPg-XoXZ8CgWZ0Ro34i-Qkj4f99U0kr2_xCG3rE7VbL5hIrBCiqmLeDqxQIQFpbI0o7zxHk1U01a_6buCZcNKd7TfT0SA/s1600/_MG_3892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiafKeEi55Ldx45yofL5TgdYSd25oQsKXPD2nmBwBh6zKidbPg-XoXZ8CgWZ0Ro34i-Qkj4f99U0kr2_xCG3rE7VbL5hIrBCiqmLeDqxQIQFpbI0o7zxHk1U01a_6buCZcNKd7TfT0SA/s400/_MG_3892.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the ice-cream boat - which we managed to visit later on in the day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bMIPlXLa__tITP2dYi0cuYBICOURBevC5G_r0dXIB7aIekzNFO6fxISButkN8vXt67kXSQFu2vINggpOu8NcrfCJfgWB9XjCxoebGt01D4Z6dFDrMF5-Z59zRLQdPe1ClUFp8mqoXg/s1600/_MG_3901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bMIPlXLa__tITP2dYi0cuYBICOURBevC5G_r0dXIB7aIekzNFO6fxISButkN8vXt67kXSQFu2vINggpOu8NcrfCJfgWB9XjCxoebGt01D4Z6dFDrMF5-Z59zRLQdPe1ClUFp8mqoXg/s400/_MG_3901.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Coming into any new city is always a bit on the special side, but we had
wanted to come to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">York</st1:place></st1:city>
by boat for quite a while now and this was one to mark off the list.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We were in need of topping up the water tank – everything was OK for the
time being – so we looked and looked for the water point, found it, and found
some signs in front of it saying that it was a private mooring point for the
trip boat company – what sort of rubbish is that – you cannot get to the only
water point.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It was only early anyway – about 9.00 – so we stopped there – tied up
with just the centre-line – hooked up the hose – engine still going.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We were nearly finished when some little bloke, still with acne and a
shirt with obligatory gold insignia from the trip-boat company asking were we aware
that we couldn’t moor up there –to which I replied “Yes, can’t you see the hose
connected up and the engine is still going” – he wanted to keep going on with
the same line in a bit of a overbearing and condescending manner and I would
not give ground as a result – I cannot tolerate people who want to be a smart
a__e; so he got no leeway from me. (We saw later on - he was simply the guy who sells the tickets).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He left and we were finished soon after and moved off – all he needed to
do was just to make sure that we knew and after we acknowledged it, he only had
to say “Thanks” and all would have been fine – there my mini-rant over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Moorings were readily available and we pulled in, tied up, everything
sorted out and we were ready to head off to see <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">York</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">First stop? Anyone want to guess – no not Costa, but it was next door to
the Tourist Information Centre to get the necessary info – and then it was time
for coffee and read through the stuff that we had just received.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A free guided walking tour run by the council and volunteer guides would
be leaving at 2:15pm – so something for the afternoon; we had been to York
before and did not need to see the Minster, but a walk along the wall would be
nice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">So we wandered around for an hour or so to re-familiarise ourselves with <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">York</st1:place></st1:city> and then we thought
that we may as well go back to the boat – the main reason being that the
earlier fore-cast of rain had now appeared and we didn’t need to continue
walking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Early afternoon and we ventured out – still raining, but the guided tour
was enough of a lure to get us out – assembled at the nominated place and we
were greeted by the volunteer guide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Off we set – 8 people plus guide – around some of the historical areas of
a historical city like <st1:city w:st="on">York</st1:city> – it seemed to be a
church-based, but then tell me place in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region> that would not be based on churches
and religion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It was a further insight into the history of <st1:city w:st="on">York</st1:city>
that we had not previously known about and whilst we lost 4 of the tourists
along the way (2 from <st1:state w:st="on">California</st1:state> and 2 from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state></st1:place>), we enjoyed it
and thanked our host for his time and knowledge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Our walk back to the boat was via the train station where we had some
tickets to pick up – by this stage the rain had long finished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We did not do much for the rest of the day as by the time we got indoors,
the rain had then started again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">When we moored in the basin at <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Stratford</st1:place></st1:city>
a few years back, we really loved the early evenings – around 6-7pm when the
tourists had disappeared and the streets were practically deserted and we could
see a bit more without rain and too many other people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Next morning came along with some bright sunshine, a huge difference to
the previous day; we decided that it would be perfect for a chance to do the
walk around city walls – from what we could determine there is a great length
still intact. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In places the walkway is narrow and some places where there is no
railing to prevent a decent sort of drop – where is the health and safety when
you think it would be there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGx6xcybsdfwvzJ5ugfRr1akd-xnxWVY2Q6-oaSrwqOVcBJNAYni4wEyxoGILtqYptGXWo4oEvOifrGILayHjWBHwn_7pBwuaCvGbg3LpZzreXm-j3VZg_kGh9Pf-YnZjh63CaLfdHgQ/s1600/_MG_3911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGx6xcybsdfwvzJ5ugfRr1akd-xnxWVY2Q6-oaSrwqOVcBJNAYni4wEyxoGILtqYptGXWo4oEvOifrGILayHjWBHwn_7pBwuaCvGbg3LpZzreXm-j3VZg_kGh9Pf-YnZjh63CaLfdHgQ/s400/_MG_3911.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clifford Tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We stopped off in places to look at other sites of interest and being
such a lovely morning it was just so nice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TauYQb27P0tF7YUm3CgapEsxYA-oQGY8R6S_-x12VyM-xM9d_C-W72ytqoH90kjmIxRB3IBu9X44XjdasJ7EzLFJ7UZJUNz6ffNP6ksL9Xx7zp50wnVOyhMzuKbOr_tyEIMW_rUcSQ/s1600/_MG_3921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="299" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TauYQb27P0tF7YUm3CgapEsxYA-oQGY8R6S_-x12VyM-xM9d_C-W72ytqoH90kjmIxRB3IBu9X44XjdasJ7EzLFJ7UZJUNz6ffNP6ksL9Xx7zp50wnVOyhMzuKbOr_tyEIMW_rUcSQ/s400/_MG_3921.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Oq-uqlwAd_loYl3bs9AyL0oXx3rYTBYqE-IO0L2Qe16gblBC5W2U4nioChYIJ-mK11SlxIrUmeDy_k_tjmymcMMG8KCtKjNH004dyqr-reYjMjCQ9L72jgoab8TLxceW4WK6z6YBrA/s1600/_MG_3919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Oq-uqlwAd_loYl3bs9AyL0oXx3rYTBYqE-IO0L2Qe16gblBC5W2U4nioChYIJ-mK11SlxIrUmeDy_k_tjmymcMMG8KCtKjNH004dyqr-reYjMjCQ9L72jgoab8TLxceW4WK6z6YBrA/s400/_MG_3919.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No comment</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We had a couple of other places that we wanted to drop into on the return
to the boat and take some well earned rest – this tourist business is wearing
us out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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The Jorvik experience was somewhere that we wanted to visit and with a quieter day to the previous - schoolchildren-wise we decided we would strike. It has not long re-opened after an extensive update - there has been a mis-conception all along that the vikings were essentially thugs and raided the towns of east England mercilessly, but they actually settled in many areas and became part of the communities.</div>
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Just like invaders before and after</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>5 Miles<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YTD: 442 miles (711
km), 222 Locks, 15 Tunnels, 9 Lift Bridges, 18 Swing Bridges<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Total: 5074 Miles (8166 km),
3373 Locks, 139 Tunnels, 75 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>, 190 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place></b><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001113847636948953.post-26161510429886098782017-05-23T15:07:00.000+01:002018-06-12T01:09:16.414+01:00Flying the Ouse<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Tuesday 16<sup>th</sup>
May 2017</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We had heard so many stories about the River Ouse journey up to Naburn on
the way to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">York</st1:place></st1:city>,
that we did have some concerns – it is always the same before trying any new
river and this year we have been seeing more new rivers than ever before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But…there is always that little voice behind you saying to you “just be
careful and in control and you will be OK” – at least the kids will OK be if
anything happens to us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Last minute preparations; another look at the river and early on it was
flowing out; a couple of hours later it had turned and we were being called up
into the lock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Three boats in total would be going out – two narrowboats and a cruiser –
so two lock movements would be needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Ourselves along with nb Predator would be out first – as they had done
the trip before, we would follow them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Down, down in the lock the boats descended and then all of a sudden the
lock gates open; the words of the lockie are in your mind about what to do; you
ease out after letting the other boat go first; the mouth of the lock is protected
by the silt build-up and so at first there is no effect on the bow, but a bit
further on and you see the bow move dramatically around as the current captures
it – there is nothing that you can do except put some power on and make sure
that all of the boat is out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The bow continues to swing; the starboard side dips as the current
seemingly pulls it down slightly, but as you move the tiller to straighten the boat it is all OK and you are out – moving at speed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKoYYvmrszyGOISjRwzMlQUEWfWlzTDQKCzj84vGGgyDikknMJFoJVRGF-g86teVpAjsptyTDFgtg4omHhL8uR5asA3ntF0ggDNq135lO13UBX1HC5MIML7p834z8CffJnnEcJglM2w/s1600/IMG_3142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKoYYvmrszyGOISjRwzMlQUEWfWlzTDQKCzj84vGGgyDikknMJFoJVRGF-g86teVpAjsptyTDFgtg4omHhL8uR5asA3ntF0ggDNq135lO13UBX1HC5MIML7p834z8CffJnnEcJglM2w/s400/IMG_3142.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lock gates open and there's a river flowing out there - do we really have to go?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbAvsbE5yvvU37XfR-4D_63dg2zQfN6YrzzyagjYptJwcqqM2Z3edTygJ74H1dhyo-buBeucKyyswfNH6XL_JDD9iCqjFn5HfLelElrp0Ef8wc5c87wyddkqVi-OTXV6zwZrT2BcW2A/s1600/IMG_3152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbAvsbE5yvvU37XfR-4D_63dg2zQfN6YrzzyagjYptJwcqqM2Z3edTygJ74H1dhyo-buBeucKyyswfNH6XL_JDD9iCqjFn5HfLelElrp0Ef8wc5c87wyddkqVi-OTXV6zwZrT2BcW2A/s400/IMG_3152.JPG" width="381" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone was enjoying it - she didn't have to negotiate getting out of the lock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You need to keep the revs up at bit, even though you are doing 14 kmh,
because without it the steering is dramatically reduced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1Iod0HXsY_5Uy_Br69bFd8yVOoOiVGVNM_fs49u-CiVp6R0ZrNpK2j0xAd1Bjm7LjcVAOvbfLQEmgcEntRycvbSknQRjkyvcsiensFOpzgma6ljaJTXtV5IfVvEI1_1Dar3QFw1pPg/s1600/IMG_3155a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1Iod0HXsY_5Uy_Br69bFd8yVOoOiVGVNM_fs49u-CiVp6R0ZrNpK2j0xAd1Bjm7LjcVAOvbfLQEmgcEntRycvbSknQRjkyvcsiensFOpzgma6ljaJTXtV5IfVvEI1_1Dar3QFw1pPg/s400/IMG_3155a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge number 1 - we had to use the right hand arch - I think it had something<br />
to do with the object on the left (circled)</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39ACDVEnRd7r2tbxF4OcOOg53T5uWa-C175UTMSUVTSOU4JRoymEg4ZUFAuakG1RTyWCNkgwDxAc2KuF6kp9rM0x1RYkvkFYHyZ3GJJIcOw4ONs5nYdgWv7-bqJ_zKCGVP5Zk3TAfkA/s1600/IMG_3161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39ACDVEnRd7r2tbxF4OcOOg53T5uWa-C175UTMSUVTSOU4JRoymEg4ZUFAuakG1RTyWCNkgwDxAc2KuF6kp9rM0x1RYkvkFYHyZ3GJJIcOw4ONs5nYdgWv7-bqJ_zKCGVP5Zk3TAfkA/s400/IMG_3161.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wouldn't want to meet that </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yfRc4ljPGwhWWnpXJjVJkDCAhZK3M0yPtFHcufB1rPeomi8GFW4Nw4zvaDm4CgfNFuWbpwRhQTYkKF1-MuX9SWLRAumwutGpvrzifx-xtXsTA7Npl_ghSI11_6_7a_2R4fVlN8LGLQ/s1600/IMG_3156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yfRc4ljPGwhWWnpXJjVJkDCAhZK3M0yPtFHcufB1rPeomi8GFW4Nw4zvaDm4CgfNFuWbpwRhQTYkKF1-MuX9SWLRAumwutGpvrzifx-xtXsTA7Npl_ghSI11_6_7a_2R4fVlN8LGLQ/s400/IMG_3156.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Safely through Bridge 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Under the right arch of each of the first two bridges – as the lockie had
instructed – then the first bend and steering is again a bit harder, but as we
move further along we have acclimatised to it all and we can settle down and
relax (a bit).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IkBRiI87iLJbaWwAQAb9RK-T3ioqBd0rcRd0f7cf_Z2gv5K9rBZQfHfMNC3LFucN1f7QNBNAYGXLQgQD6JCGgwV4lVKJsUcvOtCeCx3gNtTHKy04G_8rQCx0VOyk9i2KIbr7-VoX6A/s1600/IMG_3165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IkBRiI87iLJbaWwAQAb9RK-T3ioqBd0rcRd0f7cf_Z2gv5K9rBZQfHfMNC3LFucN1f7QNBNAYGXLQgQD6JCGgwV4lVKJsUcvOtCeCx3gNtTHKy04G_8rQCx0VOyk9i2KIbr7-VoX6A/s400/IMG_3165.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Around the first bend and already it had started to get a little easier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEmaBgLNjZh1sU0zk3zCzPijmZW8Tw0J8dhgrIq2F7TtVOsI7NlhnabvtA6HEH-MpA_kUVliyQZ8z6d7hhj_p6APfG6CBZyFwndnDTQs9NmSHgaTfVvARW5mzdW7JJ3gv2by4JiwgVg/s1600/IMG_3825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEmaBgLNjZh1sU0zk3zCzPijmZW8Tw0J8dhgrIq2F7TtVOsI7NlhnabvtA6HEH-MpA_kUVliyQZ8z6d7hhj_p6APfG6CBZyFwndnDTQs9NmSHgaTfVvARW5mzdW7JJ3gv2by4JiwgVg/s400/IMG_3825.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Further on it was even calm - in a river sort of way...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">What we have seen is that there is an awful lot of flotsam about –
especially trees, large branches and the like – no other rubbish – and it takes
some care and I have to say a bit of skill to evade/avoid hitting any of this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNWuMtOP1Xw_tReKtyAQqVHUQ_kDmnEc9h3qK9VI4-WE3hU3bHXGewHKt126LKJ1ywtD3Q7zN5VU-NtWg2xbkj80s54ze6XYgByTpj43JgBtq3dvuMFgUEzgHCbOPrT8eEw8NUgBh-Q/s1600/IMG_3827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNWuMtOP1Xw_tReKtyAQqVHUQ_kDmnEc9h3qK9VI4-WE3hU3bHXGewHKt126LKJ1ywtD3Q7zN5VU-NtWg2xbkj80s54ze6XYgByTpj43JgBtq3dvuMFgUEzgHCbOPrT8eEw8NUgBh-Q/s400/IMG_3827.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...until these started to appear</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvX5eXAWjA9h32hKHZOPOFCAddusmNLMcj3PnPlA5kwXSzvFaFZaAKxyJbmLDSVlJAN9sRItu4K-2mfRPEmwH6wTtn2VPiO2ODwxr7mfUkGEiNFIwR3wvGk_YA3ivVos61rR5dz0tMA/s1600/IMG_3830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvX5eXAWjA9h32hKHZOPOFCAddusmNLMcj3PnPlA5kwXSzvFaFZaAKxyJbmLDSVlJAN9sRItu4K-2mfRPEmwH6wTtn2VPiO2ODwxr7mfUkGEiNFIwR3wvGk_YA3ivVos61rR5dz0tMA/s400/IMG_3830.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeWSZFUhxMbze3OSXI6N0S9g57YAVh5YKlUNx-x_iDx9GSXo_H6nThy_B3oIcj8eN61xS6opOfgOYyILMjgBeGezoID0js-bM9bIY5oQwZ7OMznTShyzgbjggZgMcWDxel01kJ_5TXA/s1600/IMG_3834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeWSZFUhxMbze3OSXI6N0S9g57YAVh5YKlUNx-x_iDx9GSXo_H6nThy_B3oIcj8eN61xS6opOfgOYyILMjgBeGezoID0js-bM9bIY5oQwZ7OMznTShyzgbjggZgMcWDxel01kJ_5TXA/s400/IMG_3834.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2IjVBv2qDczHEsKGa_pXgMGGpXcc50hDmqZjPZXEPBrRqj2x0U_5tDjOhqIuhn2KEPmwSRXBi_FHipEzyPvWKpgaInk44-BCCSDDupRRwZWwCl6okYCJBDMM9Uqso6I-ZMUIQXuEIuA/s1600/IMG_3835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2IjVBv2qDczHEsKGa_pXgMGGpXcc50hDmqZjPZXEPBrRqj2x0U_5tDjOhqIuhn2KEPmwSRXBi_FHipEzyPvWKpgaInk44-BCCSDDupRRwZWwCl6okYCJBDMM9Uqso6I-ZMUIQXuEIuA/s400/IMG_3835.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAWIqKp7b5I7wolVXPLYjX6IwXYF7AbmaMNfaDljelOWkLdix12JXucJNmEIsFbischGMMIzUX9IMYAJHeOVP2dzu4zmZFk0-xwToU4N9KWNmbqIKwYVYOdirGK23QwbzSeuu8Q9MSQ/s1600/IMG_3844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAWIqKp7b5I7wolVXPLYjX6IwXYF7AbmaMNfaDljelOWkLdix12JXucJNmEIsFbischGMMIzUX9IMYAJHeOVP2dzu4zmZFk0-xwToU4N9KWNmbqIKwYVYOdirGK23QwbzSeuu8Q9MSQ/s400/IMG_3844.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OgPrsHe00nIfGkWd0_1gBpngswp5kn5GCV3zx9ppc1JKt63n8UR3RkYiV0NCMA6QRBeNjS6qFGUW-AthFpntneqlRlp18wD7h8WcSKrZ5H3u84Mp7b1vXz7nr1j4PM0imUPVYDzEow/s1600/IMG_3846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OgPrsHe00nIfGkWd0_1gBpngswp5kn5GCV3zx9ppc1JKt63n8UR3RkYiV0NCMA6QRBeNjS6qFGUW-AthFpntneqlRlp18wD7h8WcSKrZ5H3u84Mp7b1vXz7nr1j4PM0imUPVYDzEow/s400/IMG_3846.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Our travelling companions have opened a bit of gap and by now are about
500 metres ahead, but we have to be concerned with our own passage.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_nbCSmr5kfa92R4A_0cmZ1_nfjvI6au7Hwvx12rZrg6r8Wt3cCCQxEbfzjAOLUT74WrO-z96JnMsBaLO3XqwQfk9TeBZHLqDer5EEhRrIbdm1_E-ltD-oy5dKnpDj5miwGH3Oo3xbw/s1600/IMG_3166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_nbCSmr5kfa92R4A_0cmZ1_nfjvI6au7Hwvx12rZrg6r8Wt3cCCQxEbfzjAOLUT74WrO-z96JnMsBaLO3XqwQfk9TeBZHLqDer5EEhRrIbdm1_E-ltD-oy5dKnpDj5miwGH3Oo3xbw/s400/IMG_3166.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a bit of a gap between us and the first boat, but we were occupied with<br />
what we needed to do</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The rain starts but it is not heavy; luckily we have the wet weather gear
already on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We traded places on the tiller to have a break which helps – even in 20
minutes, the concentration has been intense and it is a good time to have a
change.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifj70MM4cMGsqDdJgf4g74RExO9UERhDRNFMGw4uiJsi8sa8fpUYKWalJVcf9AzUBmvxN2WrEYuMmbKLBVoCkyCAHLsWuQlw6ssmyVq9NN50udNZwlJk3a-ch2f4rZFl2zn1dkTNJAdg/s1600/IMG_3850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifj70MM4cMGsqDdJgf4g74RExO9UERhDRNFMGw4uiJsi8sa8fpUYKWalJVcf9AzUBmvxN2WrEYuMmbKLBVoCkyCAHLsWuQlw6ssmyVq9NN50udNZwlJk3a-ch2f4rZFl2zn1dkTNJAdg/s400/IMG_3850.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were stretches where we could simply enjoy it all</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNBDN9TyNMusPqsz43KmYNHHkkH8hj0KFzH0mH54UOSkAK2xIe5zYwx_fpp578ZA8TRFk1ye5NXy_zAw6hbS0bCy0jyfvYNl9fn6YH1hhfoqj6q7D6_CsK3CPPoCvYczJfgz3aXUXdQ/s1600/IMG_3851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNBDN9TyNMusPqsz43KmYNHHkkH8hj0KFzH0mH54UOSkAK2xIe5zYwx_fpp578ZA8TRFk1ye5NXy_zAw6hbS0bCy0jyfvYNl9fn6YH1hhfoqj6q7D6_CsK3CPPoCvYczJfgz3aXUXdQ/s400/IMG_3851.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The speed relative to the bank was still around 14 kmh – estimated
passage time was about 2 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After 7 miles we encountered the third bridge and this was the middle
arch – the lockies words for the bridges were “right, right, middle” – there
was just a bit of a delay for the final bridge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8enOoetSruX1axhKm1E1OmLbEHIT0pPJ5kBzy48K1h0KYNdYO9R9PlEykUGZW7kSzqQe4xTWkEtKBWSCFFhsq5ieF0_HMDTSNevhqE9wRUfQEnoyY6upLRMj_WN9ePRS0KhqPB5McQ/s1600/IMG_3837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8enOoetSruX1axhKm1E1OmLbEHIT0pPJ5kBzy48K1h0KYNdYO9R9PlEykUGZW7kSzqQe4xTWkEtKBWSCFFhsq5ieF0_HMDTSNevhqE9wRUfQEnoyY6upLRMj_WN9ePRS0KhqPB5McQ/s400/IMG_3837.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge number 3 - the last one</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This is just beyond the halfway mark and the river had by now settled
right down; our speed was now down to about 12 kmh; we had long lost sight of
nb Predator and expected that we would not see them until the lock at Naburn;
no sign of the cruiser that came out after us; unexpectedly we found a boat
heading towards us – as it turned it was a rib-boat operated by three police
officers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3GAIOyiue646XDXco-MEtcZxHWg_RcR-tUUKwoOdXf2YfBByRu8OuxJJvcSOiKfwK_rqi6xrMgkFeM2fIhdsgPD68Tl7rCP9KEe4vAfUd7unVNHbriLWKnyjqJlDot13Id4zMPVeVQ/s1600/IMG_3849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3GAIOyiue646XDXco-MEtcZxHWg_RcR-tUUKwoOdXf2YfBByRu8OuxJJvcSOiKfwK_rqi6xrMgkFeM2fIhdsgPD68Tl7rCP9KEe4vAfUd7unVNHbriLWKnyjqJlDot13Id4zMPVeVQ/s400/IMG_3849.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hill Top Farm (I think)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6TIJj_DE9R1QuNjR-94_F0C20C_oAxqBQHaXqbKn0qgTY_CQ0HlVp2PrIwvN2vF4tPbYBiIn0Z07sMieFfMUkI5vUCJiUuRFt6wV0E9ilsWlMtm2Hbzizswo2H6-dy7CVyYsMM7rrg/s1600/IMG_3855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6TIJj_DE9R1QuNjR-94_F0C20C_oAxqBQHaXqbKn0qgTY_CQ0HlVp2PrIwvN2vF4tPbYBiIn0Z07sMieFfMUkI5vUCJiUuRFt6wV0E9ilsWlMtm2Hbzizswo2H6-dy7CVyYsMM7rrg/s400/IMG_3855.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moreby Hall behind those trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We could definitely enjoy the journey a bit more and before long we had
reached Moreby Hall, the nominated point at which we contacted Naburn Lock –
which we did – unfortunately there was no response, but we were not overly
concerned and when the lock came into view we contacted again – no response – a
little annoyed that we had done the correct thing and the response was not
forthcoming as you would expect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHi9QwDFsUI0Y2zhzIiRFlpxpG2AZ4Sjg6ysYLbYYBiQu04NPk-cn9UR9obJYcpQm9-hddCJkX8d54ICVYk0Ix0ewDJfhfMr3vIlTWul9FX9eTC7nMRZ0BxZarBd9zs54XU-ta5Q8PpQ/s1600/IMG_3857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHi9QwDFsUI0Y2zhzIiRFlpxpG2AZ4Sjg6ysYLbYYBiQu04NPk-cn9UR9obJYcpQm9-hddCJkX8d54ICVYk0Ix0ewDJfhfMr3vIlTWul9FX9eTC7nMRZ0BxZarBd9zs54XU-ta5Q8PpQ/s400/IMG_3857.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's the weir and just on the right of the weir is the lock wall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNB5M1e9EukTtR5vSj0RJe5hsJiVY_1HbhNSMrGzsaCOGDIe2Xc7z01eVWL-k3menScrxvZkiD4uVQICgsHM0PRpcl19CBjaeQGmkEuCi8uERWl26losU6TAZ1KPaEpryDynuaUcR87Q/s1600/IMG_3862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNB5M1e9EukTtR5vSj0RJe5hsJiVY_1HbhNSMrGzsaCOGDIe2Xc7z01eVWL-k3menScrxvZkiD4uVQICgsHM0PRpcl19CBjaeQGmkEuCi8uERWl26losU6TAZ1KPaEpryDynuaUcR87Q/s400/IMG_3862.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting closer...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Anyway as we edged closer to the lock, the lockie did give us the signals
of where he wanted us, which we were able to comply with after a little while
as we didn’t see the signals until late and were not quite in the right
position.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQfNauATidHCVCeZL-1PHSwvsHS1lgwl_tTk90dz36srhYocAORSDGbk_fnvSPi_wdGWkd25wfWeuvuk3SUjzTTfhs5j-taEgWpP1IXOxOXmbxT3UQ3Psf-Awo7N1516LeLoteslw2Q/s1600/IMG_3865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQfNauATidHCVCeZL-1PHSwvsHS1lgwl_tTk90dz36srhYocAORSDGbk_fnvSPi_wdGWkd25wfWeuvuk3SUjzTTfhs5j-taEgWpP1IXOxOXmbxT3UQ3Psf-Awo7N1516LeLoteslw2Q/s400/IMG_3865.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and in we go</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAt66NNuY2fT8UHMahGcL3_y_0acof6MoCJmmfuNxqNuU8ygFt9Wb5QbZV_XbmFOmcI7S3_t0C233yJGDAsd0Tu1CKd5BzimVvhurimwwmd9xOT-1ZALltuKu12NWt99fYdgHRBogYQ/s1600/IMG_3867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAt66NNuY2fT8UHMahGcL3_y_0acof6MoCJmmfuNxqNuU8ygFt9Wb5QbZV_XbmFOmcI7S3_t0C233yJGDAsd0Tu1CKd5BzimVvhurimwwmd9xOT-1ZALltuKu12NWt99fYdgHRBogYQ/s400/IMG_3867.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diane was at the tiller into the lock - a river queen I would say</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Roped up on the ladders, we waited and within a few minutes we were
joined by the cruiser and then just as the lock gates were about to close, the
police rib boat was in there as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHm_9b5kUSTR7aixMkwUaIaW7LU4PyfUOqYbbgNBm8BHr-1QUFEBswtTzu1CimKNMmOvX6lWujLvj125KgYirgwlZDLmj10_r1NQanAFQN96l-LWRZG2Fxb-wgmsxm9NFtdCaHUnQ93A/s1600/IMG_3870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHm_9b5kUSTR7aixMkwUaIaW7LU4PyfUOqYbbgNBm8BHr-1QUFEBswtTzu1CimKNMmOvX6lWujLvj125KgYirgwlZDLmj10_r1NQanAFQN96l-LWRZG2Fxb-wgmsxm9NFtdCaHUnQ93A/s400/IMG_3870.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diane up front and chatting away - as she does</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35M0fB736JjgSP5WM-QA1H41rHAp_E-DqgpgyZyXpSaD8_fKi1gvz-i5atI-7WNJRbe4HU9asIyxw_j6tNWijIoZCVCNFpZWlVdV-zG4pjzjsDMfb1-ZmISVj7NAeYF2NQZUMcPaJqQ/s1600/IMG_3872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35M0fB736JjgSP5WM-QA1H41rHAp_E-DqgpgyZyXpSaD8_fKi1gvz-i5atI-7WNJRbe4HU9asIyxw_j6tNWijIoZCVCNFpZWlVdV-zG4pjzjsDMfb1-ZmISVj7NAeYF2NQZUMcPaJqQ/s400/IMG_3872.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cops are here - but they seemed concerned with finding the keys for the car</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It seemed like a slow filling lock, which gave Diane plenty of time to
chat with the guy on Predator and it transpired that they were in Stanley Dock
(Liverpool) a few years ago when the Yellow Duck started to sink and were first
on the scene to rescue the people from the amphibious vehicle before it sank,
thus saving a number of people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We were in the company of so many heroes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We were second boat out and had decided to moor up on the Naburn mooring
– Predator and the cruiser were heading into York that day, but for us we had
had enough and we were pleased to find plenty of space.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The TV signals were good; the internet could have been better but was
fine for what we wanted; the moorings were pleasant and quiet; and the cows
beyond the small hillock were out of reach of Diane – for which she was very
grateful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The trip up was a little bit more difficult than we had previously
encountered – only because the current was a bit stronger – but we did not
experience any problems that could not be handled.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV85JT8EsQUpGkh_4slOcNbPMj1uk5YJaeN1-BaSdn-5SM1BCZo20XOMtg5MI4aqjr56CsOnVo5uJZeie-rvLv-QmjNrcWlnSLqb_Z4D37j6qklWZfM7EqQxdpuW1FdO13iQhp2za3pw/s1600/IMG_3878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV85JT8EsQUpGkh_4slOcNbPMj1uk5YJaeN1-BaSdn-5SM1BCZo20XOMtg5MI4aqjr56CsOnVo5uJZeie-rvLv-QmjNrcWlnSLqb_Z4D37j6qklWZfM7EqQxdpuW1FdO13iQhp2za3pw/s400/IMG_3878.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moorings were reasonably empty but lovely</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>14 Miles, 2 Locks<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YTD: 437 miles (703
km), 222 Locks, 15 Tunnels, 9 Lift Bridges, 18 Swing Bridges<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Total: 5069 Miles (8158 km),
3373 Locks, 139 Tunnels, 75 <st1:placename w:st="on">Lift</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype>, 190 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Swing</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridges</st1:placetype></st1:place></b><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658259024004090329noreply@blogger.com2