No news

Over the last couple of months we have given the boatbuilders a few phone calls. Kevin is back at work now, he took longer to recover from his op than he'd expected but is getting back up to speed now.
But basically they haven't done any more to Oleanna than when we saw her in August. The six boats ahead of us hopefully are being worked on. Wherever we go someone always asks us "How's it going?" A bit depressing really thinking that if all had gone to plan we'd be around London somewhere now, having spent Christmas moored five minutes walk across Victoria Park from my brothers house.

We were thinking that maybe Easter she'd be ready, but now more likely to be June. But who really knows. It's getting hard now with my work as I don't want to not be earning if we are still at home, but work tends to get offered three to six months in advance in my world. I also don't want to hold up setting off due to a show opening a fortnight later, when all we'll want to do is pootle to our hearts content.

We wait and we wait.

6th October

The water levels had risen again over night, it must just be something that happens there. The sun was out and we had breakfast and waited for Andy to turn up.
First thing was to wind the boat, Andy was quite disappointed that it wasn't windy for me to practice turning with the forces against me. But such is and I managed it pivoting the boat.
The first lock had filled overnight or someone silently had gone up early, so Mick set about emptying it and then we were off. I was helmsman for the first few locks, going up was new for me at the tiller and andy just told me to hold onto the rope around a bollard and he set off to help Mick with the paddles. Well that is what he thought! We discovered that we only had one windlass the day before we had two. We hunted round but it was nowhere to be seen, we even checked around the problem lock to see if we'd left it by accident, but no. So with one windlass it was going to be slower going. Mick and I swapped, only occasionally getting a few hints from Andy.

The towpath filled with cyclists and walkers enjoying the sunshine. Sun hats were doned and I wished I'd packed the sun cream. At one of the staircase locks we swapped over with a boat coming down in a chamber. They were a couple who moor near where bearBoating are based and Andy gave them a few pointers as they went down, like stowing their hookup cable instead of it being on the rear deck all bunched up and waiting to either go round their prop or a foot! They seemed to think that the locks would be operated for them by lock keepers, so they were going to get a shock when one of them would have to get off and do a bit of work.

At the second staircase lock, the lock keeper asked us if we'd lost a windlass yesterday. Hooray he'd picked it up when he came to clear the lock we'd been stuck at. This was good news for Andy as the other boat in their fleet had lost one the day before too and he was too embarrassed to ask his wife to get a second new windlass.

We managed to run aground a little on a bend, so the barge pole was put to good use and just in time as my friends Graham and Tracy were out on their bikes on the towpath. I stopped the boat and we had a chat before continuing. It turns out that we also passed another old work friend at a lock, but she didn't think it could be us.

At one of the pipe bridges we had to slow so that Andy could take a photo of myself at the helm. Look closely at the photo and you'll see why. He must have been waiting for years for that to happen. Or he's out most Saturday nights up to no good!

Through the swing bridges dropping Andy off at his car, where we had moored on the first evening. We were on our own to pootle back to base for 40 minutes. We moored up back at base and were told that we had both passed. The only thing we both needed to improve on was checking our lack of speed by looking to the side when maneuvering. Hooray, qualified as Helmsmen, hopefully that will bring down insurance premiums on Oleanna a bit. It only took a few minutes to pack up our possessions and load everything into Andys car to head to his house where our car had been parked. We thanked Andy for a very useful weekend which we had thoroughly enjoyed. He also thanked us for a nice weekend.

Next job was head to Bradford to order a sofa bed for Oleanna. We had seen a company that we liked at Crick boat show this year and they had recommended that we pop by to check on a higher speck mattress. They were very happy to come out on a Sunday evening and open up their workshop. We chose our fabric and reserved the last of the higher quality mattresses that they had in stock, paid a deposit and explained that we weren't sure quite when we'd be needing it delivered. They were fine with that and we just need to give them a couple of weeks notice for when we want it. Brilliant.

Then it was back to the fast roads and dreaming of the slower paced life that one day we will have. We stopped off on the way home at the Hickory Road House on the A64 and filled up majorly on meat and chips, then the last part of the A64 to be greeted by Houdini, who really wants to come with us next time!

5th October

Things really did get  in the way there! Right where was I?

We woke with an alarm clock, very unusual for us on a boat other than on a last day. Andy was due to join us and we wanted to have had breakfast before he arrived and be ready for the off. Mick set too with the bacon butties as I watched 20 geese coming into land, trying to negotiate their way past a swing bridge. We were all ready and waiting for Andy for a while, he'd been held up with the logistics of their other boat having a remote handover in Barnoldswick and things not quite running to plan.

Andy and I headed off to swing the bridge in front of us. The Leeds Liverpool has plenty of them, which we had experienced on a trip a few years ago. At the third bridge of the morning Andy suggested that I take the boat through, but Mick should treat it as though he was doing it single handed. Mick went to the bow and would have tied the boat to the bridge with the bow line. He then climbed off the bow and crossed the bridge to operate it. He then would have climbed back on board untying the bow, motored through. Then he would have had a choice, either to tie the boat up on the towpath side and then pull the bridge shut with the chain that goes across the cut (always wondered what they were for), or tie the stern line to the bridge and climb off to operate the bridge in the usual manor. Of course I just motored the boat through and picked them up on the other side, far less awkward and much more elegant.

Mick took over as helmsman and we approached our first lock which was a staircase of three locks. I jumped off to work the lock along with the lock keeper. Then a swap at the helm and I was to do my first lock and it was another staircase of three. Andy just gave me the advice to keep the boat straight in the lock and near to one side, not forgetting to keep an eye out for the cil. After chaperoning me through the first two chambers he then left me to it. I was a bit nervous but he must have thought I could cope, so continued down in the same fashion as I'd started.

 The last lock of the day came into view and we proceeded into it as it was full. Our mooring for the night was just the other side of the lock and a pint was beckoning along with a de-brief of the day. Andy and Mick set about closing the top gates behind me, but one of them just wouldn't shut, leaving a gap of about 2ft. Not good. Boat hook and barge pole were used to try to free what was trapped by the cil. Definitely something there, but it just wasn't budging. So an ideal chance for me to practice reversing out of the lock and moor at the landing whilst Andy rang CaRT. We abandoned the boat and headed to the pub for a pint and chat whilst waiting for the obstruction to be cleared.

We chatted through the day and were told that he thought that were likely to pass the course. Phew! Tomorrow he would more or less just leave us to it and only help out if really needed. We headed back to Mollymoo and Andy headed home. The lock gates were shut when we got there, so down the lock and moored non towpath side as there was more room and we were away from a party boat that had just moored up. We finished off the scones that had been left on board read up a bit more from our RYA handbooks and had showers. Then off to sample the delights of Leeds on a Saturday night.

Town was already busy and finding somewhere to eat was a bit hard. Eventually we stopped at a large Chinese restaurant and got a table. The menu was extensive so we chose a set meal which was very nice, but left us very full and in need of a walk round to aid with breathing. We walked up to Millennium Square where there was a projection of a clock on a building. There was a contraption that you could move which affected the projection. We stood and watched for sometime before heading back. 

The water level in the pound had dropped quite a lot since we had gone to eat, maybe by a foot. We were concerned that maybe a paddle had been left open on the lock into the river and went to investigate. But no all was how it should be, so we adjusted the ropes had another glass of wine and headed for bed.

Sold and RYA course 1

So we've fallen a little bit behind with updating this blog, other things far less exciting have got in the way over the last few weeks. Things like work and clearing my fathers house for sale.

The paperwork seemed to come through from Carefree quite quickly and on 16th September or there abouts we got the contracts to sign. So back in the post as swiftly as we could and then wait for the money to come through. Christina at Carefree said she would endeavour to get Artie to release the money before he had an operation on his knee, but sadly the paperwork was still sat on his desk. But after a gentle prod the funds were released and popped into our account. Hope that Ken and Eileen enjoy their time out on Winding Down.

So we are now boatless for the first time in about four years, we have a hull, but that's all, certainly not enough to go out for a pootle for even an hour. So life on land it is for the next few months until Oleanna is built.

Well I say that but we had booked ourselves a RYA boat handling course with bearBoating which started on the 4th October. So we packed on the friday morning and set off to the Leeds Liverpool canal to Apperley Bridge. The forecast for the weekend was looking hopeful but we drove through quite heavy downpours. We parked up and headed to the cut as the heavens opened up. Andy from bearBoating was waiting under shelter for us and helped us unpack the car. It was strange that the car wasn't chocka block full of everything that we might want, just a couple of sets of clothing, waterproof gear and food for breakfasts and lunches. Mick then headed off to park the car elsewhere with Andy and left me to explore Mollymoo.

When they returned we had a cuppa and were handed our RYA books for homework. Then it was learn how to put life jackets on, done, and then stowed under the seats. They get in the way on canals and we both can swim! Because I'd put on my waterproofs the rain stopped, so on with the course. 

We learnt how to throw ropes around bollards and how to set off if the wind was pushing us into the side. The aim of the weekend for us was for me to learn to drive and to see if we'd been doing it all properly upto now, and pick up things that we had never known about. I was at the tiller and off we set. We stopped every now and then to practice coming into the side and mooring up with the minimum amount of effort. When we reached a winding hole Mick proceeded to turn us round under Andys instruction. Easy. Then it was my turn, Andy said to turn the boat and head for the mud, but I knew we'd be heading for the shuttering, which wasn't a problem. I winded the boat with minimal effort, who needs bow thrusters!

Then on to moor just before the first of the swing bridges before entering Rodley. Andy bade us Goodbye for the day and left us to read our books before heading to the pub for tea. Andy walked back down the towpath, we had only travelled for the equivalent of 45 minutes in the afternoon, so a half hour walk would get him back to base.

We unpacked, made up the cross bed and had a complimentary scone with bearBerry jam, accompanied by a slice of chocolate banana cake (our staple when boating). Then with tummies still rumbling we headed to The Railway for a very large, very nice burger and a pint. Graham who I work with lives in Rodley and he came and joined us for a few pints and a damn good gossip!

Then back to mollyMoo and to bed. Even though the boat has fenders there was quite a lot of creaking and knocking going on. Quick check of ropes and then to bed.

Now I thought it wouldn't take long to update this blog in one post, but I now seem to have gone into cruise blog mode! I really ought to be doing other things! So will come back later to finish.

Will we get into the centre of Leeds?

Will we meet any other boats?

Will we finish the pot of bearBerry Jam?

Have we enough chocolate banana loaf?

Will I be able to handle a boat in a lock, never mind a staircase lock?

Will we HAVE to go to the pub?

All pressing questions, but the answers are going to have to wait.

7th September 2013

The Selling of Winding Down

We've had our share of the shared boat Winding Down for sale now for over a year. So it was good to get a phone call from someone called Ken a month or so ago wanting info on WD. I sent him info by email and got a response back from him with further questions that I answered as best I could and suggesting that they could view WD at the home marina (Welton Haven) on 7th September (and a couple of other dates). We heard no more. Then, last Saturday, whilst watching Durham beat Yorkshire at Scarborough I got a phone call from a Wendy whose father Alec was also interested in buying the share. I rang them back when I got home from the cricket and had a chat and he offered us £250 below asking price there and then. I ummed and ahhed a bit then decided to accept. 

SO later that weekend I send off an email to the management company Carefree Cruising to inform them of this. But the sale all goes a bit wrong when Carefree ask Alec if he has much experience of steering a narrowboat. It turns out that he has previously hired a boat for only  a week and a weekend.and apparently the insurance company require more experience than that and that. Alec will have to go on a helmsman course. At this point contact with Alec is lost as he goes on holiday for 10 days. I speak to Alec's daughter and she is a bit miffed with Carefree for making no mention of this training requirement before. Anyway she says that her father is not contactable for over a week and that if anyone else is in the running to buy our share then they would understand.

Meanwhile I have emailed Ken again to ask if they are intending to come and view WD on Saturday? "Yes" came the reply we'll be there at 1PM and we are having a look round another boat with a share for sale there too.

The guy from Carefree who is based at the marina is called Guy. He is always busy on a Saturday doing turnarounds, I think there are seven Carefree boats based at that marina. So he doesn't have much time for showing prospective buyers around. So I decide to make the 160 mile journey (each way) to meet Ken and Eileen and show them around WD and hopefully dissuade them from thinking that the other boat (Jenny Wren) would be a good buy.

Pip has to go to Manchester that day for work so I drive down to Northamptonshire on my own. Ken and Eileen turn up and have a good  look round. They were very impressed with how clean WD was (thanks Mike and Wendy who were on last week). We have a chat about the syndicate and how things work and they seem keen. 

They then go off and have a look at Jenny Wren and meanwhile the next people who are out on WD today, John and Jayne, have turned up. So I am chatting to them when Ken and Eileen step off Jenny Wren. They say it's just the same inside as WD. We carry on chatting for a bit then Ken offers me the full asking price for WD. So we shake hands and agree to both talk to Carefree on Monday to start off the legal transfer process.

So, sorry Alec but you've been pipped at the post.

Ken and Eileen head off and I go for a little walk round the marina and up the cut for half a mile whilst chatting to Pip on the phone. When I get back John and Jayne are casting off for their trip on WD to the Ashby canal and back. So I take some photos and wave bye bye to WD. We've had good times on her and will miss her. But we'll have better and much longer times on Oleanna.

Hopefully the sale will go through without a hitch.

Ready for the off

On their way

Left turn

Bye Bye WD

6th September 2013

So you pay your money for Stage payment 2a and ask Richard to let you know when it has reached their account. Easy. Well you'd think!

Mick paid our first installment by moving money from one account to another which took a few days to do before sending it to the builders, but this time we wanted to show our support and send it as quickly as possible. So I set up a payment from my current account (one of those that gives you good interest if you keep it topped up) and sent the money off. Mick then would pay me back when his money had moved from his savings. He is paying for the build and I am paying for all the extras, both with money left to us.

So I clicked the send button and off it went from my account. Richard didn't receive it on Saturday and when I looked at my on-line statement on Sunday there seemed to have been a time warp. So the following day (not yet happened!) the money got paid back into my account due to a Rejected Bill payment. But then it also left again. All this happening in the future. I've had payments come back into my account twice before and go out again, but that was for nowhere near the amount I was sending this time.

Monday whilst waiting for a train to Manchester I popped into my bank to check that the money had actually left that day and asked why it had happened and where my money was on the day that it was being rejected in the time space continuum. After phone calls and lots of checking that I was who I said I was the answer came back that they were checking the transaction for fraud. Okay so I'm all for them checking such things, don't want my Daddy Fatsos money going AWOL, but this keeps happening to me. The nice lady said that head office must just think I'm dodgy or something. The money should arrive in the account today.

We didn't hear anything that day from Richard and on Tuesday I was starting to get a bit twitchy. I checked that it had gone to the right account a couple of times. In the evening Richard emailed to say that yes it had arrived. Phew! So it ended up being no quicker than if Mick had payed it. But we tried.

So now it is back to concentrate on work for the next week, waking up longing to be in the rain on the back of Oleanna instead of buying hair grips and hair spray for actresses.

31st August 2013

Well this week has had mixed feelings. The excitement of seeing our boat and concerns about the build.

We came home last Saturday and had ideas, oh dear changes, well only slightly! With the EU wanting to change the duty on red diesel to full road rate, even on the proportion you use for heating and generating electricity, we'd been considering having a diesel tank solely for the heating. But it's looking likely that you won't be able to even buy red diesel if they get their way. So Mick spent time last weekend looking at alternatives, maybe a gas boiler. A few years ago we had a fortnight on a hire boat that had gas heating and we got through gas quite quickly as it was chilly.

But when we were out on Winding Down in March we had the stove going all the time and just occasionally used the heating . Boy it was cold outside, but toasty inside. So our thought is to go for an Alde boiler 3010 which can also be run off electric if we are hooked up. Just need to find somewhere for it. So on Thursday evening we sent Richard info about the boiler and our thoughts on the windows ready for when the cabin sides are done. Our email passed his in the ether as he was sending us an invoice for the next stage payment.


Mick last Saturday had asked if there was anything unique about the hull that we were shown that meant that it was definitely Oleanna. But at that stage there wasn't, the Brompton locker was their normal size. So after receiving the invoice Mick asked if they could show us that the locker had been enlarged or any other sign that meant it was Oleanna before we sent them the next wadge of money.

After a pleasant evening out with a friend in York last night we got on the train to come home and Mick checked his emails. There were two from Richard with photos. The first photos were of the Brompton locker which is now bigger and the others were of the weed hatch where they have welded my name onto it. Well Richard said Leckenby was easier to weld than Geraghty, but they have got my initials the wrong way round!
It actually says M & P Leckenby, so Mick is now Mr Leckenby. We were ecstatic and the other people on the train thought we were a bit strange as we guffawed and grinned at the photos.Yep that is our boat, we have been reassured that all is as it should be and Micks concerns have gone away.

So this morning payment 2A has been made. They have split the payments down, each into three, so that we are handing over smaller amounts at a time also helping with their cash flow.

We are happy even though our chimney stack on the house is having to be repaired by a builder who requires fewer cups of tea than Ron does as he brought his own mug, but they are three times the size!