Rain, Rain and more rain.

It would seem that every day we must have our quoter of rain. This morning was no exception.While in the throws of this mornings heavy downpour when the sky was very dark the solar panel regulator showed that we were using more than they were producing. We ran the engine for an hour to compensate and heat the water.
After the downpour Richard and Gill arrived with baby Duncan,Richard took me to the local garage for some diesel. On this part of the system there seems to be a lack of boat yards that sell diesel. I can't imagine what those based here do.Perhaps someone will let me know.
This afternoon Marlene and I took a walk round some of the local footpaths around the Washlands. The sun had come out and it was warm, a nice change.
Last night Graeme finally phoned at half past seven and we walked up and met them in the local pub(I think it's called the Ferry Boat but I'm not sure). It was a very good night and very nice beer,Speckled Hen.

A few days visiting family.

Since my last posting on Friday we have been off the boat visiting family. We first went to our son Richards on Saturday, then we borrowed the car(our old Renault Scenic)and went down to our Daughter Pamela's as Monday was our Grandson Archie's first birthday. We had a birthday tea on Sunday when Archie's Auntie, Uncle and cousin came as well as his godfather and his wife. On Monday we went to Sacrewell Farm Park near Peterborough,Archie loved seeing all the animals. Then on Tuesday we set of back,with some trepidation as the old car was playing up. There was alot of strange noises coming from the gearbox in every gear but fourth. It is not easy trying to drive over a hundred mile in fourth but we did it except when we had to stop. Then it was a quick sprint up the gears and back into fourth,with lots of funny looks from the people around us.On the way back we called to see Marlene's two sisters in Featherstone (W/Yorks).
Today we are back on Doublefracture at Stanley Ferry waiting for a phone call from our nephew Graeme to say whether he is coming down here for a drink this evening.
Today's pictures are the Mill pond & inside the mill at the Farm Park.

Returning Luke.

It was quite breezy on Wednesday morning,but was helpful when I came to turn the boat round to retrace our route back to Castleford, where we had to return Luke to his mother on Thursday. At Whitley Lock we filled our water tank then went through the lock.Our aim was to moor at Ferrybridge Wednesday night, then do the last stage up the river to Castleford on Thursday morning. As we approached the mooring and lock the lock gates opened to allow us through, however we moored just before the lock and the gates closed again. I went and spoke to the lock keeper and bought two pump out cards so we could pump out when we got to Castleford. I was told that a sand barge would be going up river at about 9=30 Thursday morning, so we decided to leave at 10-o clock. On Wednesday evening My sister Jennifer brought her grandson Charlie to see us again,and arranged to travel with us next morning,without Charlie who was still at school.
Next morning Jennifer arrived just after the sand barge had gone up river. At 10-o clock we passed through the lock as planned. About 15 minutes into our journey we passed a sand barge that was coming down river empty. Mooring in the 24hr moorings at Castleford lock we pumped out and waited for Gill to collect Luke, which she did around 3-o clock. Just after that Jennifer left to catch her train back home, While Marlene and I walked up to visit My mother once again.
This morning we got talking to the couple in the mooring next to us to discover their boat had been built at Fox narrow boats where we had started out from in May.After a quick walk into town we then set off for Stanley Ferry where we were planning to stay the night.As I write this it is a lovely sunny evening and dinner is cooking, what more can any one ask for.

A long game of pool.

Moved from Ferrybridge to Whitley bridge on Monday morning. It was strange going through Knottingley and seeing it from a different angle,seems a long time since we lived there. When we got through Knottingley Luke took the helm, he's quite good when he is being sensible. In the evening Jennifer, Malcolm, Mali, Heath and Charlie came with there friend Dave to see the boat. Thanks for the eggs Mali.
This morning we carried on through Heck and Pollington, then turned right down New Junction Canal to the lift bridge at Sykehouse where we moored and had lunch. At pollington lock Marlene operated the lock while I did the boat, a first. In the afternoon we walked into the village and had a drink at The Old George, Luke and Marlene played pool. I must say it was a rather long game(Marlene won).Tonight we will stay here then turn round in the morning and head back the way we came.

In the shadow of the Cooling Towers.

Morning arrived with more rain,although it didn't last too long. While we were eating breakfast boats started heading toward Bulholme Lock. After we had eaten, Luke and I walked down to see how low the river was. It was in amber on the scale so we decided to go to the tap and fill our water tank. Going up there Doublefracture seemed to lack power, so while the tank was filling I opened the weed hatch and put my arm into the water to find enough plastic,rope and wire to fill a bucket(see picture).
With full power restored and our water tank full we headed for the lock. At the lock we were one of three boats going down,as we were last to enter the lock we all stayed on board and the other people operated the lock. Leaving first we led the procession down the river to Ferrybridge lock. Of course arriving first it was my turn to operate the lock. It had started to rain again so we moored for the night in the shadow of the cooling towers.

Fast stream warning.

We stayed at Lemonroyd Lock on Thursday,taking a walk down the river and across the first bridge then returning up the opposite bank. Back in 1988 the open cast mine at ST Aidens breached the river bank, flooding the outcrop and causing the river to run backwards for a time. After the breach they did away with the old Kippax Lock, rerouted the river and built a new lock at Lemonroyd. Now it is hard to see where the old Kippax lock was. On Friday morning we left Lemonroyd and headed back to Castleford.As we were nearly there one of the large tankers came towards us, the bow wave caused us to bounce about a bit. As we approached the flood lock at Castleford the traffic light was at red, as I pulled to the side to see what was happening a sand barge came across my bow, passing from the river Calder into the canal section. When it had passed through the lock the light went green and I followed it through.
This morning as we walked into town we noticed that the river was high and flowing rather fast,so when we got back to the boat I walked down to Bulholme Lock to see if it was passable, Unfortunately it was too high for safe passage down the river section to Ferrybridge(see photo's). This was a problem as one of the grandchildren was coming for a few days. Looking at the river tonight with young Luke, it looks to be dropping quite quickly. Hopefully we should be able to move tomorrow or Monday.

Persistent Rain (while traveling).

Today we had to move from Castleford because our 48hrs were up. I find it strange that there are no longer term moorings. On the Peak Forest canal there were 7 day moorings,and this was in a holiday area. It's a strange policy. Our move took us up the river Aire toward Leeds We then moored at the top of Lemonroyd lock(see pictures).Rain was a problem all morning,ending in me getting soaked while operating the lock. After lunch we walked into Woodlesford along Fleet Lane and returned along the canal towpath, carrying our umbrella's. Naturally the sun shone all afternoon.It is now a lovely sunny evening.