Well yesterday we finally came off the River Don navigation system. It’s hard to believe that we got onto it 12 days ago but have only travelled to Sheffield and back in that time! Such is the life of narrow boating.
We have experienced all sorts of teething problems but have overcome them together and moved on. Although Jo did nearly catch the train back to Derby yesterday!
We are now on the Aire and Calder navigation and in doing so we passed over the River Don as part of an aquaduct. Please see the below video showing us going over the Don and take note of the sluice gates either side of the aquaduct. These are closed when the Don is due to flood and to prevent water coming into the canal system. Hopefully you’ll get a perception of the height above the Don and how bad it would have to be for the gates to shut.
Once moored up we have been doing boat stuff and pictures below will show Jo with a drill in hand ready to go. I’ve shown her a few DIY bits and she has been happily drilling the sides and putting up hooks to hold her steps, fairy lights and the kettle etc. Space is a premium and anything that can be stored up or to the side has to be done. Jo also suffered a slight war wound when chopping up wood for the fire with an axe. A piece of wood sprung up and hit her just above the eye.
We have done a good proportion of our journey with Liam and the Flying Fox as he is going in the same direction up until our next stop and he has many years of experience on the cut. We keep in communication via our walkie talkies (channel 10) and Jo is now also well versed in radio talk. (Foxtrot Oscar). We are definately starting to feel at home on Daisy Duke and although the weather is still bitter, we do have our burner and central heating!
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