Plain Sailing

Skelton Railway Bridge

Museum Gardens Moorings looking towards Lendal Bridge

After a few nice relaxing days in York we headed a few miles upstream to Skelton, then turned and headed back downstream towards Naburn Lock where we were due to pen out on Tuesday 7th April. By this time it was necessary for us to fill up with water again, taking extra care to fill up the correct tank!

 

 

We penned out of Naburn Lock with two other craft at 11.00am.  We had a very pleasant run on a strong spring ebb lower down river.  We were delayed at Selby Rail Bridge due to technical problems with the bridge, and had to wait for the tide to drop further before we could safely pass through with enough air draft. 

We arrived at Barmby Lock at 13.48, but due to the locks tight entrance for a vessel Moonshine's size we entered at a slow but safe speed.  There are sliders and ladders within the lock, and both lock keepers are very friendly and helpful.

  

The moorings on a floating pontoon are sufficient enough to accommodate three similar sized craft to Moonshine with the added option of breasting up if necessary, with a water point but no shore power on the pontoon.  The moorings are very peaceful, with the village pub just a short distance away.  Barmby offers excellent dog walking opportunities, there is also a nature reserve if your preference differs from ours.  Just a word of warning if you don't like cows then stick to the main Trans Pennine Trial, as they are plentiful along the river bank.

 

The Environment Agency are running the barrage for a further 10 years.  The barrage was originally built for the benefit of yorkshire water in the 1970's so they could abstract water from the lower river to keep the silt laden water out of the Derwent.  You usually require a licence to navigate these waters which will cost £12 a year or £6 a year if you don't venture beyond the pontoon.

 

We departed Barmby as soon as the flood arrived.  We exited the lock very carefully due to the tight entrance and being unfamiliar territory for us. The lock keeper had advised us that when the flood arrives on a big spring tide it can do so with a vengeance.  Immediately outside the lock entrance we ran aground on the soft mud, but floated off moments later.
Once underway and heading downstream towards Goole we had to be very careful in avoiding all the debris in river. We enjoyed a light SE breeze and managed to commence some fast planning once past Ocean Lock, Goole.



Lazy Dayz from Burton waters

 

Humber Charter taking soundings

 

Humber Princess



Minerva, Hull

Once safely moored on the visitor pontoon all engine checks were made along with another check of the primary filters to check for water contamination.  We are pretty confident we have removed all the water and we have most certainly had a very lucky escape, however this will be continually monitored and will be treated with some Fuel Set just to be safe.

Princes Quay

 

Visitor pontoon, Hull Marina

New wind indicator flag

Last Christmas we purchased a new wind indicator flag to replace the old one.  The old flag was originally bought for our Ocean 30, Oceans Eleven and removed and placed on our Hardy Seawings 305, Luro, and removed again to be fitted to Moonshine.  The old wind flag frame has had several new material parts made throughout it's life from old umbrella material, however we felt it was now about time Moonshine was treated to a brand new one.  We have been delaying fitting the new flag whilst waiting for more clement weather, and the fabulous weather bestowed upon us this week gave us the perfect opportunity.

 

New 9mm gold pin stripe

A few weeks ago we ordered new 9mm gold pin stripe from eBay in a 50m roll to renew the existing which was tired.  The starboard side was replaced whilst moored at Barmby and the port side was replaced at Hull Marina.  Moonshine is once again another step closer to achieving her 'just out of the factory' look.

  

Morning mist on the River Humber

UKD Seahorse moving 32B Lt. float

We departed Hull Marina at 09.39, and enjoyed yet another lovely calm fast run back up river to Goole on Friday morning with a light SW f2-3 breeze, despite the lingering hazy mist.  The channel was a bit confusing off Brough due to the floats being moved, and we did slow down to displacement speed whilst passing UKD Seahorse whilst she was towing 32B Lt. float to it's new position. It now looks like the channel is a lot closer to Brough again.

Looking towards Aldam Terminal, busy scene at Goole

We arrived at Ocean Lock, Goole at 10.42 with only a short wait whilst the lock was being prepared.  Once through the lock it was nice to be greeted with the sight of a busy port.

Security Hounds

A good ship should always be rodent free, which is a job our two Jack Russells take very seriously and excel at.  Whilst at Hull Marina they did a security sweep around the Railway Dock.  Mice, rats and cats are no job at all for these two!