Normanton

Working boat named after a tarn in the English Lake District

Normanton sits just east of the city of  Wakefield which was once the administrative capital of the old West Riding of Yorkshire. I rode up there today aboard the 10.02 train from Sheffield to Leeds calling at Meadowhall Interchange, Chapeltown, Elsecar, Wombwell, Barnsley, Darton and Wakefield Kirkgate. My return ticket cost me just £9.

I had pre-planned my long circular walk from Normanton railway station and all went to plan in what was a gorgeous blue sky spring day. A big slice of the walk was by the side of the Aire and Calder Navigation Canal - another impressive legacy from innovative canal engineers of the past.

In England, "Up North" is Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, 

Northumberland , County Durham and North Lincolnshire. I spotted 

the sign in the circular window of a canal boat.

On and on I walked for four solid hours - not stopping to eat or drink and as Normanton came back into view I realised I might just make the 14.57 train. This I did with just three minutes to spare.

I got stuck back into a historical novel I am reading. It's called "The Gallows Pole" by Ben Myers and you know what - it has really hooked me. Talking about "being hooked", I saw an experienced angler bring in a three pound chub he had fished from the canal and he kindly allowed me to take a picture of it before he popped it back into the water.

Chub

Meanwhile on the train, the guard confronted a young fare dodger standing in my vicinity. He had, I think, been to college in Barnsley and was heading home the five miles to Wombwell. He said he hadn't got a ticket and that he had no money but he was getting off at the next stop anyway. 

There was no apology or apparent concern about his dishonesty. The ticket collector said it wasn't good enough but the lad got away with it. It made me wonder how many times he has done this.  I suspect that if he had been searched he would have had money on him. As an honest fare-paying traveller I found the incident annoying for several reasons. I guess that with some things I ain't cool man!

I enjoyed my day out west of Normanton and hope you like the pictures I have chosen to share with you.

"The Lelie". Her skipper greeted me with a cheery "Good morning!"

Ukrainian flag on a narrow boat moored on The Aire and Calder Canal

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Red Nose Day

 Blast from the past tonight.

Friday night, Comic Relief ,bottle of white ,massive  big tears, 

And A fish and Chip Supper 

( I haven’t had one for over three and a half years) 

After the high of yesterday…………

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Warm enough for a bare Arse

The weather has dictated the pace of the day and in the spring weather I’ve planted out delicate looking violas, cheerful Bellis, and primulas of firework yellow and cream.

The work is easy, and the sun has warmed the South facing front garden so the soil isn’t chilled.

“When the soil is warm enough to accommodate a bare arse, then it’s ok to plant out”

Meirion Ellis gave me that bit of advice when I ran the flower show 

I always add a hour or so on gardening in the front, as passers by tend to stop and chat.

Mr Poznań discussed the Ukraine and Della chatted about retirement, Nick from Well Street chatted about blood tests and Louenna ( Gentlemen Farmer Ralph’s widow) reminded me it was the anniversary of her husband’s death and remained ever graceful and poised. 

Old Trefor ambled past cheerfully, his ninety seven year old knees in better shape than mine

I replaced the hanging basket by the front door which is filled with healthy sea Pinks and watered in the bulbs and flowers that guard the path.

The postman has just been, he saw Mary bristling at the gate and refused to come any further. He dropped me off a new knife rack, I had treated myself to for my sushi work and a Korean monster movie dvd The Host.

Mandy from next door has just marched up the lane and Irene has bleated at her from the livery stable fields, demanding bread crusts. 

I can hear Pheasants panic from down the Felin and from somewhere across the fields a woodpecker is hammering.
 

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