TNC On Tour 2003 - 3 (XP)
Neil Arlidge
Keadby Locky would not answer his fone to let him know we were at the M180
Bridge. Neil foned Sue at Stockwith to check number, but she assured me this
was the right one. Keadby locky eventually answered fone, but by this time
we were approaching Keadby rail/roadbridge. Sue advised us to use the centre
(never lifting arch) - we found out why - contractors were painting the now
none lifting span.
We throttled back early to give the Keadby locky time to prepare lock. As we
passed the Ladgoda - 4 (I dunno if this was the same Russian coaster moored
here last year, perhaps someone could check on my website?) we saw that one
gate was open, but there was a small rubber boat moored in it!
We winded below, then crept back against the high springs ebb and into the
lee, sheltered by the coaster. The locky told us to hold, while it exited,
at rather high speed, then followed a none touchy entrance, which earned a
"That's the way it should be done!" comment from locky.
Steve Parish had been in communication and managed a few shots of us
entering. It was a now common, none stopping arrival for Steve, as he jumped
on in the lock (13:15)
. The road swing bridge was soon swung and off we went for the expected hour
wait at Vazon slide railbridge. Amazingly it began to open on our
arrival....then closed a bit..............then opened again! It did seen
rather whizzy and faster than last remembered.
Normal, rather fast passage along the Stainforth and Keadby. We stopped at
Bluewater Marina for gas regulator and diesel, but gas regulator wrong type.
Also stopped at Joshua Boat Builders and Thorne Marine, but all useless. We
then pressed on through Thorne Lock, seeing as poor old Thorne did not seem
any more welcoming than last time we were there.
We eventually stopped for the night (17:55) at the New Inn, at Stainforth, a
poorly little village that was mostly being pulled down! The New Inn pub
garden bank was rather a dog poo mine field, mainly supplied by the
landlords dog, amongst the plethora of "no dog fouling" signs. No food on
Tuesday night at this real ale devoid pub due to "Darts Night". We therefore
went to the rather sad, but very cheap, but none poisonous fish and chip
shop. After the fish and chip back on the boat, we departed for one pint of
foamy John Smiths......not too bad, if you like that kind of stuff. Then the
"Darts Night" started..............other than it was Karaoke
night.........with the patio doors wide open.We soon retired back to the
boat, to drown out the row with the boat stereo. All in all not a wonderful
evening - but rememberable.
Martin Clark has just chipped in to remind me about "Baz" who had been
requested to perform "Honey", during which we found it hard not to have
hysterics.
Wednesday 18th June 2003
Rather overcast morning that soon turned to rain. Late breaky. Bloody gas
bottle ran out (Yes - probably had all run out of the gas locker drains!),
even though we were only turning it on for cooking, even the diesel electric
kettle was brought into action. Eventually dragged our selves away from
Stainforth at 10:55, still in the rain.
Green/cream Stevie Hudson boat chugged out of the centre gated section of
the crank your self Bramwith Lock - just as well Neil remembered this and we
did NOT enter the lower part of the chamber! Bramwith Junction at 11:45 and
we turned right as for Goole, via the New Junction Canal and Aire and Calder
Navigation. A rather blind bloke in a fortunately fast wooden cruiser pulled
right out in front of us at Bramwith, to whizz along the New Junction as far
as the Don Aqueduct, then moor up on the approaches.
It continued raining along the New Junction. A bit of dual person staying
off the boat sped up the umpteen swing and lift bridges. Met rather slow
trip boat coming up in Syke House Lock. We turned into the Aire and Calder
at 13:25. Graveller met coming up soon after, then caught up with rather
slow BW crane barge, which was swaying along,with the floatation side
pontoons still connected. This departed, and winded just before Goole.
Arrived at Goole Visitor Moorings, by Goole Boat House at 14:45. All
moorings taken, so had a long water fill up, while Neil bought bottle
mounted gas regulator and new hose jubilee clips (some rubber gas pipe had
been found in ships stores) Gas supply soon restored and old auto changeover
demolished to reveal probable cause of leak - a couple of duff "O" Ring
seals. Eventually moved up onto community barge space, seeing as we found
out it was not due back until the next day.
That night venue was to be the previously visited Weatherspoon's "City and
County", situated in an old bank. Excellent pints of Timmy Taylors Landlord
and Old Hooky. Meals were on 2 for one offer..............we chickened out
of having TWO each!
Capt Beeky was put in touch with wayward Steeeeeve Haywood, for his mini "JP
Owners Club" mini GiG.
On the way back we went to look at the Ouse waterfront, for the first time
from dry land and were greeted by magnificent sight of "Rix Falcon" and "Rix
Eagle" winding mid stream, then ploughing on back against the flood to enter
Ocean Lock. "Rix Falcon" was particularly loaded and looked as though it had
no freeboard at all. Neil's camera soon ran out of image space, but he
manage to delete a couple of images to catch on camera, the two barges going
under the swing bridge out of the docks.
All in all a good end to the day.
--
Neil Arlidge - NB Earnest
Follow the travels of the TNC at http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk
--
Neil Arlidge - NB Earnest
Follow the travels of the TNC at http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk