Thorne down to Keadby less the bit for wind

 During the last few days at Thorne BW work boat went past. Spotted it later bit further down towards Keadby and it arrived today at Vasons Bridge.

 Before we undertook the arduous journey down to Keadby, (well it was hard to get ones backside into gear so to speak) I topped up with a gas bottle, some derv a length of rope and a new battery.  The new batteries work a treat and even without the engine running have managed an hour or so telly in the evening. Just a bit of wind so as there is more coming it might be best to get the trip over and done with.

 

 While doing the business a snake was spotted in the water.  Having not put a pic of one on the blog I thought this an opportunity not to be missed. You can just see its tail while it is hiding in the tyre/fender at the mooring.

A quick poke with a pointed stick (not really I just moved the tyre slightly) and it decided to move on. Its between three and four foot long.

 My first canal serpent :-)

Two of us are heading off to Keadby and the wind is increasing.

 Can't remember what this one is called but its an exBW workboat thats being converted on the canal side at Bluewater Marina.

 The conversion is giving it a nice shaped bow.

Mumble mumble discontent DRM.  I hate going sideways down the canal due to the wind.  The other boat turned around at the first bridge.  It is a bit on the flat side round here with nothing to slow the wind down. Can't say I entirely blame him.  Several goes needed to get off the moorings as I go down towards Keadby.

Fed up at one spot so stopped to make a cup of tea and get some apples for a tart.

 Every bridge seems to have a bit of open ground off to one side and the mooring is always on the leeward side to boot.

There are still a number of cygnets (13) on the run up to Keadby.

 Thank goodness for the view.

 Vasons Bridge and I am stuck.  The wind is so strong that I can't get the bows to stay out long enough to start the boat moving. Ah well at least its a quiet place to moor up.

It doesn't seem to be so bad really.

 

 Still can't get it to behave and after 3/4 hour work manage to get the boat to the other side with the hope of jumping at the bridge hole when its open but in the end can't be bothered.

 

  Following morning its even worse.

 Waves getting higher.

 Some of these are well over 2ft high and the crest of some are on the gunnel.

 Couple of boats have come up from Keadby.  Its quite calm there but the moment you come through the bridge hole the wind takes over.

Still bad and tonight its started raining.  If it rains hard enough it should flat out the waves and I won't get seasick. :-)

Abigail Jenna visits Narrowboat Abigail Jenna

It has been my delight to not only have Abz visiting for a week but to baby-sit Izzy for Friday afternoon.  She is very easy to look after with a smile and scream of delight never far away.  I had to change my first nappy for many years but it seemed to stay on :-)

During Abz stay on board we made a present for Izzy -

and I bought a large bag of books from the charity shop for Abz to read. She managed to get through three in a week.

Then there was the shopping for t-shirts of various colours -

and some baking for when Mum and Dad came to pick her up.  The muffins went down a treat.

and finally Abz made me a holder for a joss-stick that we had bought to make the boat smell nice.

Who are they? Todays 'Spot the baby' question :-)

The main visit was to the Lincolnshire Life Museum. A place worthy of a second and third visit.  Up at the entrance to the castle Abz found that cannon make a wonderful climbing frame.

and across the street she took the time to chat up a couple of knights in shining armour.

Inside the museum there are opportunities to dress up in period costume.  There was a history trail that we followed and although Abz was dubious at first she was soon racing around looking for clues.

I, of course, had to try on a Victorian gents hat and cravat. 

The World War I tableau was just a bit too realistic for Abz.

and she didnt go big bundles on the Water Tank for Mesopotamia either. 

However out in the central courtyard we found Violet the road roller which was much less threatening.

The various shops turned up some more clues and the answer to this one was Bah Humbug :-) The trail was following Tom and Lucy on a trip to the seaside and the things they would need to take with them.

There is a lovely cafe with picnic tables outside and we did really well with a salad but that was augmented with a large slice of chocolate cake.

next to the cafe is a large room in which there are masses of colouring pencils and sheets to colour in. This was much enjoyed.

More costume here to try on and Abz had a pic taken (in suitable sombre mood) in front of Tom and Lucy.

Getting near the end of the trail and the Headmistress takes no back chat in the Schoolroom  -

as I found to my cost.

But I did get my own back.

Finally the walk back to the boat and a visit to the Conservatory at the Lawn and a view of all the fish

We splashed out the 20p for some fish food and the size of some of the fish was remarkable.

During Abz visit the seaside came to Lincoln with beach, funfair and Punch and Judy shows. 

and we must not forget visiting the Arboretum where another cafe was very good value and popular with lunch-time locals. Bacon and cheese baguettes went down well.

All too soon the week disappeared.