Run into Doncaster

Well after a peaceful night at Long Sandall we decided to have a run to Doncaster and moor if there was space or just have a look and turn back. As it turned out there were a couple of spaces left so we moored up and had a walk into town before making our way back to Thorne. 

Family of ducks including what looks like an albino.

Think I'll carry a bit more extra petrol next time as the petrol gauge seems to be a bit erratic so I'm not entirely certain how much is on board. I don't think I'll attempt to tamper with the gauge yet as I think it may get better with use. I think the float might be sticking at times through lack of use over the last 18 months. We'll see!

Back home today then we'll come back to the boat on Friday with the grandchildren for their first run out. I think we'll head towards Crowle as there are plenty of bridges etc to operate which I'm sure they will enjoy. Having said that I'm sure there will be plenty of bickering regards who's job is who's and when!

Long Sandall Lock

Well we didn't get very far.

We navigated the lift bridge at Barnby Dun and the lock at Long Sandall and found it such a beautiful spot decided to stay there. We had a walk to a nearby Marsden's pub and had dinner whilst sitting out in the sunshine. William had a headlight bulb blow on his car and didn’t want to pay Halfords prices to have it changed so drove through to Doncaster for me to fit it instead. At least we got a free taxi back to the boat!

First good run out

We got to the boat mid-afternoon and we were planning on staying in the marina for the night before heading out. However after sorting some jobs, the wind had dropped and the weather was lovely so we decided to set off and see how far we got.

We made it as far as Barnby Dun lift bridge and settled down for the night just in time for a beautiful sunset. No plans set in stone for today we'll just head towards Doncaster and see where we fancy stopping before heading back to the Marina tomorrow as we are going on a quick trip to Belgium on the Ferry from Hull on Tuesday.

Indecision over

With only little use in the last few years I had decided to sell my MGB roadster. It was listed on Car and Classic and ebay and I have had a great deal of interest. Unfortunately most people wanting a bargain. I received a bid of within £200 of the figure I had in mind to let it go yesterday when we met a couple at an MG meet at Castle Howard. We had such a nice day out I have decided to just keep the car and just make sure I use it a lot more and organise the garage a lot better as garage space was one motive for selling it.

The good note on the boat front is that the new curtains I have made fit perfectly as we took them over last night and stayed the night. Just got the front one to fit as the new rail has just arrived this morning.

Ironically when we got to the boat yard there was an MGB parked there which I have never seen there before. I think fate was letting me know I'd made the right decision.

New curtains

Busy night last night making curtains for the boat. We made the old ones in 2015 as a quick stop gap whilst travelling back and forth to Coningsby in preparation for our journey back to Yorkshire. We had used the previous ones as templates and hadn’t appreciated how badly the original ones must have fitted when in operation so we’re never happy with the ones we made or the method of hanging.

Fingers crossed they turn out to be a good fit!

Rude awakening!

Again I was supposed to be working all weekend again but as it was Fiona's birthday managed to swap a shift so got the Saturday night off. Finished work Saturday morning and thought I'd get a few hours sleep at home. However family kept turning up to wish Fee a Happy Birthday so by 11am I just gave in. We went to Thorne for a few beers in the afternoon but not having been to the 1940's weekend didn't know what to expect. It was a really nice affair but we didn't appreciate that the classic lorries and bag pipe players would be warming up first thing this morning right outside our boat! We had nice day in Thorne and I disappeared for my  night shift and boy what a struggle that shift was.

Hot hot hot

Typically the boat is running nicely and it's bank holiday weekend and a hot one at that.

Sadly I'm working 4 x 12hr day shifts right across the weekend.

We decided to stay on the boat on Saturday night anyway as there was a band on again.

After all it is only around 10 minutes more to drive to the boat from work than home.

It was a bit tiring but made good a disappointing weekend.

Run out with Will

Will's only day off this week so I had promised to take him for a short run since getting the engine running nicely. It was bit windy at times but had another run out to Stainforth and back.

A Heron taking flight as we approached it close to the site of the former Dunstan Hill Swingbridge.

They are building a new estate right by the canal at Stainforth and as such have improved the look of the bank opposite by removing the steel shuttering and creating a more natural looking bank.