'Happy' Birthday to us

Moored comfortably at Thorne and took the time to seek out a mooring for a few weeks when I might be required to scoot off to Scunthorpe.

A visit to Blue Water Marina was the first thing on the list and they were as jolly and welcoming as ever.  With the weather being very iffy there were few people about but a mooring will be available when I need it in December - January.

Not far from the marina is the railway station.  Thorne South is the direct line to Grimsby and with a train every hour and a journey of twenty minutes the trip to Sunny Scunny should be a doddle.

It has been suggested that a mooring might be on the cards in the creek at Barton on Humber. I will be looking into it of course but will need some decent weather to get there.  Out from Keadby on a high tide then having reached Barton I would have to wait for the next high tide to get in.  I will be taking advice on the trip this time.

While we were at Keadby a gent came up and chatted about a boat that had an open day except that it was no longer in.  I knew the boat he meant for it was moored up at Keadby with its sails up the last time I was there.

The reason that the Swinton moved was to let a bigger boat come in and the water in the canal had been increased by three inches for that purpose.  

Well today I found out what the boat was.  The Humber Sloop Spider T. 

Spider T is an iron hull Humber sloop built in 1926 at Warrens Shipyard, New Holland, with a Gardner diesel engine, 200 hp. She was built for cargo carrying and worked as such until 1972. Later, she was sunk, refloated and used for the Rotherham Police Community Project. The present owner bought her in 1994 from the Sobriety Centre, Goole. SPIDER T has now been restored to her original condition on the outside with a period Edwardian interior. A traditional sail maker has re-created 1920s style sails of tan sailcloth; the last time she was fully rigged was in 1939. With an expert crew she can now sail in the waters she was built for.

The sloop looks in really good nick but I bet it costs an arm and a leg to keep it running.

The boat had someone going on ahead opening bridges for them.  A great saver of time.  I can imagine the length of time it would take to drop someone off and get through the bridge then pick them up again.

Bardney to Barton and Back

Having moored up at Bardney I spent a few days house sitting while Karyn and family took bit of a holiday.

While they were away I got to know the footpaths around the Waters Edge Nature Reserve in Barton on Humber very well after taking the dog out for a walk that would last three to four hours a day. I also found the Waterways channel on the TV which was very interesting.

On their return and after a very late, and I mean late, night that went on to the early or should that be late hours of the morning I decided that it would be best if I stayed another day. This would let Andy get back to normal before yet more travelling.

On arrival at Bardney I went to move the boat down to the lock to unload the car. As seems to be the norm these days - a problem. The batteries are absolutely dead and this with both the wind genny and solar panels up and running.

Still had a couple of litres of petrol in the can so filled the generator and hooked up the charger and away we went. For about ten minutes until the charger read-out started playing up. Another fifteen minutes and the charger stops working altogether.

A kind boater moored astern lend his spare battery - no go. We then link to his engine battery - still no go.

Luck Andy was there. Off into Lincoln for new charger and battery. The traffic is horrendous and it takes an age to get back and evening is coming on.

New battery fitted and the engine starts. Off to the lock with headlight on. All running well until I went to moor. Going ahead was fine but I had no astern gear. The eagle landed but it was bit of a belly flop and a bit harder then I would have liked. While changing the battery I had dislodged the gear cable from its restraint. Easily fixed with a garden tie to make sure it stays in place.

I decided to carry on to Fiskerton Fen in the dark to ensure that the battery was charged and that I didnt upset the neighbours running the engine.

After a day in Washingborough and two in Lincoln to carry out some business which ended up being put back to the 12th I am now making my way to Saxilby to get the new fuel pump.

A couple of days running to make sure that this time it is OK and its off to the Trent.

Who said ‘A Change is as good as a Rest’?

I have just spent a couple of very enjoyable days being looked after by the original Abigail Jenna. Now back on the boat and in a state of total exhaustion due to the powerhouse that I was with. If only the national grid could harness the energy generated by Abigail all our power problems would be a thing of the past.

Barton has the Waters Edge Centre and very good it is to. We visited the reserve on several occasions over the two days and had a great time. I was also introduced to three of the play areas that are within minutes of each other and each has a different set of play equipment that will keep people amused for hours.



On the first outing we checked out and feed the swans as one does and managed to keep back a slice or two for the ducks and swans. Abbey does like her bread and is always willing to leave some for the birds!!



Calley the dog had a run as we were on the bikes and I had trouble keeping up with her. By the time we stopped for a rest she was beginning to flag slightly but after the rest she was back on form again. I only ended up in the bushes once when she decided to check out a very interesting smell at the side of the path and stopped without letting me know first!!



One swan had the temerity to hiss at Abbey and was somewhat astonished to be hissed back at.



We took Calley with us each time and she was very well behaved in the midst of all the birds that she would have preferred to be chasing but was still happy to pose for a photo. Abbey had prepared us a picnic to have while we were out and the honey hotdog rolls went down a treat.



Abbey and Calley are the best of mates and Abbey is teaching Calley some tricks. One is to tell the dog to roll over and play dead. However the dog hasn't quite got the hang of it yet as she still insists on keeping her eye out for titbits as a well done.



The final visit to the Waters Edge was for the craft fair being held and the entry to the colouring competition. On the way out of the centre there were the first young that I have seen this year. Ten goslings with a Canada Goose. She’s going to be busy looking after all those.



This photo is for Abbey who liked the look of the duck with the blue/grey bill. My book says a Tufted Duck.