Lizzie-Jean's 2010 Log

4th & 5th September	Lizzie-Jean has now moved from her North Yorkshire moorings to new "pastures" in Saltaire, ready for her Saltaire Festival cruises starting on Thursday 9th.  Two good days' boating, except for the low water level on the stretch of canal from Silsden through to Bingley.  Going down the 5-rise locks was as exciting as ever (thanks due to BW's Richard).  Thanks also to Martin and Julian for crewing - and doing much of the steering too over the two days.
31st August	Martin and Julie came for a late afternoon cruise from Niffany to Holme Bridge and back before a meal at The Slaters' Arms, Bradley.  A beautiful afternoon and evening - let's hope this continues into September.
29th August	After a very rainy start to the day, Karen brought her Mum, Jacqui, together with three friends for a surprise 70th birthday cruise to Holme Bridge and back.  It was very windy but sunny all day.  Lunch and "bubbly" were enjoyed en route so a good walk could be fitted in before we turned around and headed back to Skipton.  Then painting on Lizzie-Jean's roof continued.
28th August	Jess and Chris from Ipswich rounded off their holiday "in t'north" with a cruise to Snaygill and back with their baby Ella Jasmine.  She loved the boat, looked great in the smallest life jacket, and kept on saying: "Wow-eee"!  It even stopped raining while they were aboard.
19th August	Ali and Lewis (from Wilsden) came by themselves for a surprise birthday cruise - what a romantic idea!  All went well including the home-made flapjack biscuits.
18th August	After the start of paint rennovations by David and Dale, Lizzie-Jean took Kathryn and friend Jane (from Keighley) for an early evening cruise to Snaygill and return.  A pub lunch followed at Bradley for the "crew" while the skipper tidied up and then visited a nearby boat to see friend Mac and family who had come up to Skipton from Apperley Bridge on their boat's maiden voyage.
16th August	Nichola from Luddenden brought sons Seth and Jed, plus friend Jacob, for picnic cruise on a beautiful summer day.  We had lunch beside the canal outside Gargrave and then walked into the village to play in the river by the stepping stones (David caught a fish by hand!) and eat ice creams (but we forgot that the Dalesman Cafe is closed on Mondays).
15th August	David and Marlene brought four friends for a cruising day to Gargrave and back in aid of the Bradford Cancer Support Centre. The weather improved and a very enjoyable time was had by all especially at lunch time (with lots of bubbly wine!).
14th August	Jenny came cruising with her two sons Paul and Daniel for their first day on a boat together, which meant she could really relax.  The canal water level was signiificanlty lower than normal.
8th August	Alistaiire, Shamim and family came from near Huddersfield for their first canal cruise.  The chidren especially enjoyed steering Lizzie-Jean and opening all the bridges.
7th August	Jennifer and Steven, with James and Laura, plus friend Jake, came to try out an English canal following their earlier experiences of Scottish waterways.  Fingers crossed for GCSE results James.
5th August	Our first Italian visitors.  Alessandra had discovered Airedale Cruising on the Internet while planning the family holiday in Whitby.  An Italian speaking crew and an English speaking skipper managed very well  - "Arividerci !"
1st August	Gillian, Kevin, Rachel and Siobhan had a trip to Gargrave for lunch at the Miners' Arms and ices from the Dalesman Cafe.  We went  both up and down through Holme Bridge Lock possibly for the last time in a long while as the stretch of canal between Holme Bridge and Wigan has now been closed to boats due to the dry weather so far this year.
31st July	Linda, Eric, Gillian and Oliver, together with numerous picnic baskets, came for a "Tuition Cruise" to Gargrave and back with a specially early start.  Well done for everyone who steered successfuly, and good luck for the future hire boat holiday - hopefully in warmer weather.
30th July	Matt and Alice came with their friends Chris, Dom and Michelle (+ bump) for a rainy evening cruise to enjoy a fine meal at the Slater's Arms in Bradley.  It was getting dark as we made our way back to Skipton and we saw a large deer in a field just beside the canal near Snaygill.  The skipper slept on board in Skipton.
29th July	Mary R. brought her work team colleagues for a "Thank You" cruise - also to celebrate Liz's new job.  Despite the gloomy weather we enjoyed the day including a walk into Gargrave and lunch on the way back to Skipton.
25th July	Surprise cruise to celebrate Hazel's graduation from Huddersfield Uni. (on arrival she said boating was better than decorating a pot or bungee jumping!)  A good day out for the family from Ormskirk (+ Minnie the dog) - except that Dad went home with a wet foot.
24th July	John brought his family from Halifax for a birthday celebration for Maureen.  We made an early start in order to get through Holme Bridge Lock before the lunchtime closure.  After a walk into Gargrave a most delicious picnic was enjoyed by the aqueduct before the return voyage to Skipton.
18th July	A charity cruise in aid of The Yorkshire Air Ambulance following an auction arranged by the Cock Pit Farm Tea Rooms, Weston near Otley. Three farming couples from Weston, Huby and Dacre came for a trip to Gargrave and back.  Another day of showers, warmish wind and some sunshine.  Watched sheepdog trials near Holme Bridge before having lunch on the return journey to Skipton. Afterwards Lizzie-Jean's retrieved bargepole was given a coat of green paint.
17th July	An early start for the first really rainy day's cruising this year - but the sun came out just as we returned to Skipton! We were just in time to make it up Holme Bridge lock (thanks to Mick the Lock-keeper) and then had a great buffet lunch on board.  A walk into Gargrave for sweets and then back to Lizzie-Jean so that Joe (8) and Becky (6) could have a go at steering on the way home.
15th July	Michelle and colleagues from Bradford NHS came for a late-afternoon cruise which started just as the rain ended!  We then had a lovely voyage almost to Gargrave and back during which much was consumed.  Thankfully Kathryn was on hand to manage the galley and open all the bridges today!
10th July	Arthur Smith from Trawden recently celebrated his 80th birthday and came for a cruise on Lizzie-Jean to complete the celebrations with his son Barry and family.  We made an early start from Skipton and just made it to Holme Bridge lock in time (before BW closed the lock for the new lunchtime closure period).  A splendid picnic lunch was enjoyed beside the canal  before a walk into Gargrave for sweets etc.  A very enjoyable day for all - including six new competant steerers by the time we got back into Skipton.
7th & 8th July	Two days of painting Lizzie-Jean on her moorings at Niffany Farm.  David and Dale gave her 2 bright "Mercedes Red" stripes and well deck bulkhead, touched up the green and black and painted the rear deck stool and barge pole. Just the roof to do now!!!
4th July	A 50th Birthday cruise for Steve from Wibsey (a return boater) together with two daughters and friends.  This time we cruised southwards to Kildwick where a good lunch was enjoyed at The White Lion.  On the way back to Skipton we found the missing barge-pole and thought we saw a cow giving birth in a field next to the canal near Snaygill.  Lizzie-Jean ended the day waiting to go into dry dock for a propellor repair (completed by Pennine Cruisers staff on 6th July).
3rd July	Birthday Cruise for Ben from Harrogate with family and friends.  The innovation of the day was plentiful bubble blowing from Lizzie-Jean's well deck as we cruised to Holme Bridge in the sunshine, but BW restrictions meant we could not use the lock as we arrived during the lunchtime closure.  So a leisurely canal-side picnic was followed by a walk into Gargrave for ice-creams.  Everyone had a go at steering and thoroughly enjoyed the day.  The only down side being the theft of Lizzie-Jean's barge-pole the previous night.
1st July	Celebration Cruise almost to Gargrave for Jean and Neville's Golden Wedding Anniversary.  They were joined by 5 friends from their school days.  Lots of good chat, food and plenty of swing bridge pushing before a little drizzle in the afternoon on our way back into Skipton. Best wishes to Stan for a quick recovery and sorry he missed the great day out.
30th June	Peter's 80th Birthday Cruise (and James' 31st too) from Skipton to Kildwick.  A full boat with passengers from 6 months to 80 - we all had a great time in the sunshine, enjoying croissants, flapjacks, cygnets, ducklings and several herons - rather a lot of swing bridges though.  On the way back we did not enjoy another fouled prop shaft, but all was sorted by the end of the day with Lizzie-Jean moored safely in Skipton ready for her next cruise.
22nd June	Champagne & belated Christmas Cake Cruise to Gargrave and back to welcome Matthew and Alice home from 11 months' travelling in India and New Zealand.  Lovely hot day, leisurely picnic lunch beside the canal and ice-creams by the stepping stones across the River Aire.  Then off for a lovely evening meal in Threshfield.
20th June	Fathers Day on Lizzie-Jean began with a visit to the Skipper by his two sons (Matthew just back from New Zealand and India) - all the flapjack biscuits consumed!  Then Julia from Halifax brought her family aboard to celebrate Dad Derek's 80th birthday with a lovely sunny cruise to Holme Bridge Lock and back.  We couldn't go up and down the lock as planned due to "severe water shortage" advice from BW lock-keeper.  Ellie became an excellent steerer.  The downside of the day was when the theft of two lovely blooming plant tubs from the roof was noticed.
16th June	Pat and Anne came for a belated cruise to celebrate Pat's 70th Birthday.  They relived memories of their earlier family boating days in a 62ft narrowboat which only just sqeezed into the Leeds & Liverpool Canal locks. Pat did nearly all the steering and opened all the bridges too!
14th June	Kathryn brought three friends for a lovely day cruise to Gargrave and back with lunch at The Anchor Inn.  Everyone had a go at steering, opening bridges and Holme Bridge lock too. Wildlife spotted included a heron, a noisy pair of curlews, three cygnets and several tiny ducklings.
13th June	75th Birthday celebration outing for Jan who came with family and friends, cruised to Gargrave and back - and even made it to the sweet shop!  Thanks for the butterscotch! Well done to Alex and sister Jo for picking up the steering skills quickly. Picture is canal view watercolour painted by Alex during the cruise to Gargrave. The original is now on show in Lizie-Jean's Log Book.
10th June	One day in September 2009 Lizzie-Jean was en-route for Hebden Bridge with a skipper but no crew.  Going through locks on the Rochdale Canal was tricky so Susanne and Neil (who were quietly walking the towpath that morning) were "press ganged" into service!  Today they came back for more and brought June and John (Susanne's Mum and Dad) along too.  A cool day but no rain. so the trip to Gargrave and back was enjoyed by all. First swans with family of cygnets seen in Skipton.
3rd June	Second RagRug commission completed and posted.  New owner commented (by e-mail): "... the blue wavy rug (see photo on Rag Rugs page) is absolutely lovely. Thank you so much. The backing gives a very professional finish too. Thanks again!  We shall treasure these rugs."
31st May	An early start to get Lizzie-Jean into Skipton and ready for a Bank Holiday Birthday Cruise for Rick, Kavita and family from Keighley.  A dry and warmer day thankfully.  The most excitement came from nearly seeing a Silsden hireboat sink at Holme Bridge Lock when someone from another boat didn't know what to do, opened the top gate paddles first and filled their well-deck with water.  Fortunately the front doors into the boat were closed and Lizzie-Jean's skipper was watching as we waited to go down the locks!
30th May	Lizzie-Jean provided a welcome bed and breakfast space for D, K and Dale following a fund-raising Quiz Night at Niffany Farm to help Zoe get off to teach in S. Africa this summer.  Our quiz attempt didn't win but we might have come third if the skipper's words of wisdom had been included!
22nd May	Lovely hot day for a tuition Cruise for Dale P. to Gargrave and back, including lunch at The Mason's Arms.  Three locks both up and down, plus swing bridges, made for a v. weary crew member!
16th May	Mary (from Shipley) and Kathryn (from London) came aboard in Skipton for a decorated lunchtime cruise to Snaygill after filling the tank with diesel at Pennine Cruisers.  After lunch we returned through Skipton and on to Lizzie-Jean's home moorings at Niffany Farm.  It actually felt warmer today (at last!).
15th May	Retirement celebration cruise for Ian and Geri from Tunbridge Wells, organised by friends from Leeds (their second cruise on Lizzie-Jean).    8 guests had a good day cruising to Gargrave and back complete with pub lunch at The Mason's Arms.    Lots of ducklings to feed en-route, and we saw swans nesting beside the canal too.
6th May	Cruise to Gargrave and back with Keith and Helen from Australia, and Lynne from Marple.  Rather a cold and wet start to the day but a great way to escape from the General Election!
2nd May	Skipton Waterway Festival's Illuminated Boat Cruise brought Lizzie-Jean to Snaygill decorated and ready to go before a lovely Greek Taverna style meal at the Aeolos Restaurant.  Nine of us (plus Mollie the dog) enjoyed the trip back into Skipton in the dark.  David spent a cold night on board in order to move Lizzie-Jean back to Niffany first thing on Monday morning, give her a good clean and prepare her for her next cruise.
27th April	Family cruise to Gargrave and back with cousin Pierre (from Switzerland), Kathryn, James, Nichola, Poppy (2) and Holly (at 4 months, our youngest "sailor" so far this year). Many flapjacks consumed but no-one was "seasick"!
18th April	Belated 60th birthday cruise for Jonny and family from Saltaire - to Gargrave and return.
15th April	Offending tyre removed from prop. thanks to helpful tip from Ian of Pennine Cruisers - a wonderful rope trick!  Lizzie-Jean then returned to her home moorings at Niffany Farm.
13th April	International Competance Certificate practical assessment (in preparation for cruising European canals one day?). All went well until an old tyre found its way onto the propellor near Thorlby Swing Bridge. Voyage abandoned.
10th April	Christmas present Tuition Cruise for Tony from Rochdale - an avid canal TV film viewer.  The family enjoyed a lovely warm sunny day going to Gargrave and back with Tony and Mike doing nearly all the steering - which was just as well as the skipper was still recovering from 'flu!
28th March	Jason and Tracy from Bermuda came for a day cruise with cousin Nichola (from Preston).  Lots of sunshine, but a very windy journey both to and from Gargrave.  We made a good boating team and everyone enjoyed the day.
27th March	A surprise 60th birthday cruise, this time for Brian from Horsforth along with 7 members of his family.  We made it all the way into Gargrave for a walk to the famous old fashioned sweet shop (The Dalesman Tea Room) and were safely back into Skipton for 5pm.
26th March	Pre-lunch surprise birthday cruise to Snaygill and back into Skipton for Dave and Allison from Bradford. A short trip as a "taster" prior to a proposed full-day booking in the summer.
20th March	Cruise to Farnhill Wood and back to Skipton as a late surprise Christmas present for Steve and June (from Ripon) from their children.  A rather wet day but thoroughly enjoyed by everyone anyway.  Lunch was taken at the Bay House PH in Snaygill, which provided an opportunity for meeting up with intended family members following Laura and Andrew's wedding in 2011.  A bridesmaid invitation came as another surprise - this time for Kate!
13th March	50th Birthday Cruise for Mark and party from Sheffield, who were staying at Herriot's Hotel. At 10.20 Lizzie-Jean was ready and waiting just behind the hotel.  We enjoyed a cold but sunny voyage to Gargrave incudling going up Holme Bridge Lock, a walk into the village, lunch on board (with bubbly and cake!) and a warmer cruise back to Skipton in the afternoon, during which Mark and Charlie did most of the steering as well as opening all the swing bridges.
10th March	First Rag Rug commission completed and posted off to Princes Risborough, Bucks.  A very pleased customer commented: "Thank you so much; it is lovely. I immediately lit the stove and put down the rug.  I am thinking about asking you for another rug, I will be in touch.  I am just thrilled to have something handmade like this. You can be sure everyone coming here will be told about you" (see photo on Rag Rugs page)