Mick and Pauline

Hi Pav, You have our best wishes in this troubled time & know the feelings you are going through. We had those same feelings after the Heron collapse, which is now nearly two years ago. Has Gary mentioned in his reply, feel free to contact me if you need to know how we dealt with the same situation you are in now. I have sent a PM with my contact details if you want to talk it through. Take care, Mick & Pauline.

Hi Speedwell, Came down this section of the L&L this Easter and we overnight-ed at Calverley Bridge, between Apperley Bridge and Rodley. We had a good meal and evening at the Railway pub next the moorings. Every other Thursday evening is a Bluegrass music night, it was on when we were there, it was fantastic entertainment. This is a good starting point for the morning drop down through Leeds. M&P.

May 2007 continued. Tuesday 8th May. The final parts of this long saga were now coming together with Pauline and I meeting our local carpet fitter at the boat. He had many years ago worked on boats being built in Nottingham, so he was keen to see our pride and joy, and help us complete it. He brought loads of sample books of carpet fabrics for us to choose from for the saloon / bedroom and cushion flooring for the galley / bathroom. With the final decision made over which pattern to go for, he said he could fit the new carpet and flooring a week later. Friday 11th May. Next was a run up to Ledgard Bridge Boats, to pick up the brass curtain rods and curtain rod ends. It was nice to see the guys and Marie, because it was now over a year since they took our boat in after the Heron collapse. We in fact have now known the Ledgard crew for far longer than the original builder of our boat. Tuesday 15th May. Just has promised, we met our carpet fitter at the boat and helped him offload the carpet and cushion flooring. Now the next question I had, how was he going to fit these rolls into our very narrow boat, "with difficulty", I was told. He was right, it was a work of art to see him work with these difficult rolls in such a confined space. Getting in the roll of cushion flooring took the two of us a lot of pulling and tugging, coming in through the stern doors, through the bedroom, into the bathroom. The front end of the roll was in the galley and the back still in the bedroom, it was like manhandling a giant snake. With the help of a couple of cups of coffee and some hard work, it was finally done and looked really great. It was now looking nice and cosy, it looked fantastic. Saturday 19th > Tuesday 22nd May. The final job to complete the boat was planned for a couple of days stay at the boat, this was delayed because of the bad weather we had been experiencing because I wanted to do some outside work on the boat. The first job was of course, the curtains, they had to go up to complete the boat and 21 months after we signed with Heron's, "Ebinka" was finally FINISHED. The dream was now ours, we and our family could now start to enjoy what had been so hard to achieve. I came back to earth with a bump because all those little bumps we had while getting used to our boat were showing signs of rust. The inside of the boat looked good but the outside was showing a few battle scars and I remember someone saying to me, that when you own your own boat, "there is always something needs doing". So with a couple fine days weather, I have now with the help of a paint brush, got "Ebinka" looking spic and span again. We are ready to take her on our first cruise.

April 2007 continued. Wednesday 18th April. Went back to Thorne to talk through the gearbox repair plus some other teething problems ie the engine not heating the domestic water, first 50 hour engine service and the pump out. When we finished we brought the dinette seating foam back with us to be covered with upholstery by a local firm. Friday 20th April. Emailed PRM Newage to tell them about the gearbox leak and our boat had been left at Thorne Boat Services. Thursday 26th April. Rang the Thorne boatyard for a repair update, they said they had started working on our boat but not finished. I was asked to ring back on Monday 30th April, so the waiting goes on. Monday 30th April. Rang the Thorne boatyard for a repair update, they said they were test running the engine and no leaks were evident but they wanted more time to thoroughly test it. Another bit of good news was the upholster rang to say our dinette seating was finished and ready to be picked up. Then more good news, PRM Newage emailed to ask for details of the gearbox failure, so I explained what had happened and where the boat was. May 2007. Tuesday 1st May. Well the good news continued with the curtain makers ring to say they were ready for picking up. Wednesday 2nd May. Things were certainly looking better now, picked up the dinette seating from the upholster and the curtains. Then I rang the boatyard, they had finished the test runs, no oil leaks and were now sorting out the calorifier supply from the engine, then the engine service. Our boat would definitely be ready for the weekend but they would give me a ring on Thursday, 3rd May. Thursday 3rd May. The Thorne boatyard rang and it was the news I had been waiting for, our boat was ready to be collected. So the final episode of the very long journey home for "EBINKA" was about to begin. Friday 4th May. The big day dawned, cold and very overcast but this would not dampen our spirits. We drove the short distance down the motorway to Thorne and checked out the boat repairs, everything looked good. After settling up and putting on board the dinette seating, which looked really good, we set off for home. We were on the move again and made good progress, so we pulled over for a tea break and bite to eat at Crowle. Once on the move again it wasn't long before Keadby Power Station came into view and we both knew we were now very close to home. One final canal crossing to pass, the railway sliding bridge, this is a great piece of engineering, to watch the whole Scunthorpe to Doncaster main line slide out of our way was fantastic, it was so easy and quick. With the last obstacle out the way, it was with some emotion that we slowly cruised down to our moorings and did a 360 to finally pull along side. WE WERE HOME.!!!!!!!!!!.

April 2007 Saturday 14th April. It was just before eleven o'clock when we left Clarence Dock at the Leeds Armouries and dropped down Leeds Lock onto the River Aire. This was the first of the mechanised Aire & Calder locks (BW key & push button operation) so Pauline said she would do the locks and I took the tiller. Now this was our fifth day of handling the boat and Pauline was doing a really good job at steering the boat in and out of locks because this was her first time at steering. We did not get very far, in fact to Knostrop Falls lock, when the engine overheating alarm sound while going down in the lock. When the gates opened, I very slowly moved to the lock landing moorings and shutdown the engine. Well at a time like this, there was only one thing to do, put the kettle on and have a cup of tea until the engine cooled enough to check it out. What I found was an empty header tank, so I very slowly added warm water until the level returned. Now the only thing we had changed since our Bingley trip was we had found the clarifier water connection closed and had opened them up, so to be safe we closed them again and continued on our way. Arriving at Castleford for five o'clock, we took on water but did not have a card for the BW pump out, which we would later regret. We decided to stay the night and had a good meal at the newly refurbished "The Old Mill" pub at the end of the moorings. Sunday 15th April. Away for just after ten o'clock and had a very nice surprise at the first lock, Bulholme Lock, when we met Dawn of NB Black Pearl (Forum member) coming the other way, she is a very nice lady and it was like meeting an old friend, a pity we could not stop to chat. Progress was good, coming off the river at Ferrybridge Flood Lock but nearly made a navigation mistake at Knottingley when we nearly missed the turn to Goole. We were going to go straight on when we noticed just in time someone had painted on the canal wall that we were heading for Selby. Up to this point BW had done a good job of showing the direction to be taken but I did not see a sign at this junction, so thanks to the boater who did the freehand paint job. Whitley Bridge Lock was passed OK but still looks like the contractors have just left site. At Pollington we pulled over to moor for the night above the lock, we had said to the electrician who had put "Ebinka" wiring in, that we would stop on the way home for him to see the boat now nearly finished. After Mark had gone we settled down to our second meal on board and watched a splendid sunset. Monday 16th April. Now the plan for this day was an early start and try to make Thorne or if possible our home moorings at Keadby. While we were just finishing breakfast, two BIG barge passed heading west, one being a Rix tanker, I was glad they passed before we set off. We dropped down into Pollington Lock but on the way out the boat lost all drive even with extra throttle but by a quick manoeuvre we got alongside the lock moorings and I checked the prop for fouling, nothing, because I had cleaned the prop at Leeds. I next checked the gearbox for oil and you guessed it, none in sight. Now what do you do in the middle of rural Yorkshire, miles from anywhere, I asked a BW worker at the lock, "Was there a garage nearby". The answer "No mate, nearest is Snaith", so got on my mobile and phoned Swiftcraft, explaining what had happened. They dually arrived with oil for the gearbox, checking around we could not see any evidence of a big leak but there was oil in the bilge. So with oil back in the gearbox, a quick check on the oil level and we had drive back, so armed with some spare oil we were on our way again, feeling a bit nervous about the condition of the gearbox. We did not get very far because while turning into the New Junction Canal, we lost drive again and pulled into the moorings just north of Went Aqueduct. With no roads in sight, I knew we had to get to a place with road access, so I put my spare oil into the gearbox and moved down to Sykehouse Lane Lift Bridge. From there I phoned our son, Richard, who came out and we went to find some oil for the gearbox, which was a lot harder than I thought in a rural area, no garages. Once we had the large container of oil, back to the boat, Richard went home and we moved to Sykehouse Lock to moor for the night, having a meal on board. The end of a very tense and nervous day. Tuesday 17th April. Next morning we decided to go very steady, at about 1,000 rpm on the engine, hoping this would not put the gearbox problem under stress. We got to Bramwith Lock and took on water but we were going from bad to worse because now the black water (toilet) tank was full. Then on leaving Bramwith lock we lost drive again, so using the last of the large container of oil, we set off again, pushing on for Thorne. It was a relief but still most frustrating to pull in at Bramwith Swing Bridge Sanitary Station and not have a card (again) to pump out the tank, DOH. On we pressed, Pauline becoming most concerned that we would not make Thorne but not long later we passed under the M18 motorway, we were not far now. It was a great relief that Staniland Marina (Thorne) came into view and just in time because we lost drive coming alongside. Going ashore, I found the marina owner, I asked if they could repair the gearbox leak and do a pump out ??. The answer came back "No mate, we don't do repairs and the pump out is broken", I could not believe it having only just made it there. The marina owner did say there was a boatyard just down the canal, so putting in the gearbox my last one litre of oil we set off through Thorne Lock down to Thorne Boat Services and moored up, "That was it, no further". A quick word at the boatyard confirmed they would check out the gearbox problem and also do a pump out. Now how to get home from Thorne was solved with call to our son, Jarrad who came out and rescued us. So we were home but "Ebinka" wasn't, so near so far but looking back over the last ten days it had been great and all what we thought it would be. We enjoyed every minute and the last two days have not put us off, it is just another set back but being an Heron boat we are used to fighting for everything. Forum boats seen enroute :- Lyra, Black Pearl, Minimoman and Lord Bensham.

April 2007 Good Friday 6th April. The big day arrived, aptly being Good Friday, son Richard drove Pauline & I down to Swiftcraft with all our belongings. It was just like moving into a new house with pots, pans, bedding, clothes and hoping we had not forgotten anything. This was because once Richard had gone back home, we would be committed to travelling back home on OUR boat, Ebinka. The adventure had begun. Saturday 7th April. Richard stayed the night and after one final check we had everything we needed for the next seven days he left for home. Now it was our turn to try the boat, so we decided to go to the local marina for diesel (Engine & Stove tanks) plus a pump out to ensure an empty tank before setting off. This maiden voyage required a turn, first we tried a three point turn in the marina entrance, not very good. Then one of the marina staff told us to use a wide section of the canal just beyond the marina, where we could do a 360 turn. Now that was a lot better and back at the marina we were given our first bit of good advice, "Slow down and take your time, DO NOT RUSH". Sunday/Monday 8th/9th April. These were settling in days, checking out the boat plus its equipment to ensure we knew where things were and they worked. Son Jarrad and family came to visit, it was nice to have them on board, they had not seen the boat for awhile. Tuesday 10th April. Now ready or not it was time for the two of us to go for a two day test cruise up the L&L towards Bingley. This was the first time just the two of us had used a boat before we always had family or friends to help, so remembering the advice given, off we went. First thing encountered was one of the many L&L swing bridges, this was mechanised, so Pauline worked the bridge and I steered, we got through OK without causing too much traffic chaos. Following straight after the bridge was Dobson 2 staircase locks, this time Pauline steered, I worked the locks, we got through OK which settled our nerves. We set off again but not for long because the next thing was a hand operated swing bridge, Pauline gave it a try but it was too heavy, so I opened the bridge and Pauline steered. We now had a plan, I steered between and operated the locks / bridges, Pauline would steer through the locks / bridges. The cruising plan worked well, we arrived at Dowley Gap at tea time, moored up at the Fisherman's pub and had a very good meal there to celebrate our first day afloat, the magic was there. Wednesday 11th April. The first thing we had to do was turn, so remembering the marina turn we went up to Bingley and did a 360, then set off back to Swiftcraft. One thing was now becoming apparent from the previous day cruise, we were taking too long between locks / bridges so another point learned. We cruised back to Apperley Bridge with no problems in two hours less than going up, it was coming together. Thursday 12th April. Boat hand over date started with a few correction to make to the galley, RCD papers handed over and the boat CIN stamped on the stern. We were ready for off by tea time so a short cruise to Calverley Bridge, moor for the night and a good meal in the Railway pub. Friday the 13th April. The day dawned with thick fog so the early start to get through West Leeds was put on hold. By eleven o'clock the fog was lifting and despite it being school holiday time, we went for it, arriving in the Leeds Basin by mid afternoon. Now the Leeds Basin just now is like a building site, with big hoardings screening off the work but restricting canal side access, though you can still just about moor there. For this reason we decided to drop down to the Armouries at Clarence Dock and stayed the night there, having our first meal on board.