August   second blog.

One of my first remembrances was as a child, about 5 years old, asking my dad if I could have a comic. It was a periodical called Jack and Jill that was ordered. However I soon grew out of looking at the pictures and needed something more intellectual and subsequently turned to a more educational comic ….The Beano.

One of my favourite characters was . . Jimmy and his magic patch.

It was a story about a lad who was out playing one day, he rescued a gypsy ladies cat from a dog during which it ripped the bottom out of his trousers. The lady offered to repair them, with a patch using a piece from a carpet...the patch was from a magic carpet.

Jimmy soon found he could just think about a period of history and the patch would take him back to different eras and he would have some wonderful adventures with the people of the time.

At 67 I quite often say to Jenny ...I wish I believed in magic, I would love a patch like Jimmy’s, and go back in time. Wanna be a time traveller.

While sailing the canals we often come across old warehouses in the middle of nowhere now, but years ago they would have been a hub of activity. One such building we passed was once a distribution depot for Cadbury’s and was still being used until the late 60’s.

I imagine the old barges being loaded and unloaded. So many of these locks must have so many stories to tell. It would be great to go back in time to experience the atmosphere. Sadly ...no magic...just imagination. I’m sure a very hard time for the people but I’m fascinated by it.

We are returning back down the Shroppie and the next stop is Norbury Junction where we refuelled at a very reasonable price. There is a pub there called ..the Junction Inn the first evening we had a pint in the evening, and a good (to use a good old Norfolk word) mardel...with the local characters.

All of a sudden a guy came around the corner with a barn owl on his shoulder. It was so tame, just sat there and watched the world go by. It was then put on the hand rail, people were patting and stroking its head. It was wonderful. Such a beautiful creature, so wise looking. A wonderful experience. ...

As related in another earlier blog, we had a new fire flue fitted a few weeks ago, we didn’t change the chimney at the time, however while we were moored at the junction we were passed by a canal trading boat ..The little chimney boat who makes stainless steel chimneys on the boat.

Next day we caught up and he made us a new one ..made to measure. Roughly half the price of an inferior standard steel one you would get in a chandlers. Well chuffed with the result. Many thanks to Kim and Tracy of The little chimney Co. 

On the late bank holiday weekend we decided to lay up for the week end, thus avoiding the week end sailors. It so happened the local canal side pub were having a Monday funday..we thought a good ‘early doors’ pint on the Friday evening would be an idea, just to test the local ale..we arrived about 5.30 ish. All was going well, until a guy came in and sat on the next table...a fellow boater...narrowboat ..’Wind and Waves’, as the pub filled up he came to our table and joined us..He was in for a quick one...was going to text his wife to put the Fray Bentos pie in the oven as he was leaving...sadly all our weeks beer money was blown on the Friday night ...Thanks Eddie...great company, hope the misses didn’t give you to much stick , as you wobbled home at 9.30pm …

On the Monday we had a look at the Funday, the usual raffles, tables selling local produce, and the main morning event ….a fun dog show...as they were calling out the category..(shouldn’t that be a dogegory?.) we asked if there was a chance of a late entry ? They accepted and Jake and Carly went into show mode..they came 2^nd and won a rosette and a load of doggies treats and some food.

We seem to be playing leap frog with other boats, we moor up and they come past...only for us to pass again a few hours/ days later. One lovely lady is on a boat called Suzie Q..she is a ‘single hander, appears she has two companions..2 chickens, which, when she is moored up they are in a pen on the bank. After a while you get to know the people around you, sometimes just a friendly. wave or a chat when the evening comes.

Its been a bit of a sad week, it is often you come across animals who have perished in the waters The most upsetting was a deer we found in a lock outside London last year, must have fell in during the night and couldn’t get out. It drowned.

Sheep often float past. We’ve had 3 rabbits, two dogs, and a first for me a hamster in a lock.

Dogs should not be allowed to run by canals, if they fall in it’s very difficult to get out.

We are on our way to Fazeley Junction by Wednesday the 6^th of Sept to have the solar panels fitted. The last major job on our home, Which will (hopefully) save us a bit of money and help keep us topped up with electric power. We have just had a facebook message from a couple of friends from Yelvertoft marina who appear to be just behind us and will be joining us here hopefully soon. It will be good to have a natter with Chris and Gail and there dog ...Mabel..(who I wind up.. calling her Gladys) there is a dog friendly local here..a real pub !!….beer only !! No food.

Well that’s the news so far for the second chomp of the August blog. When the panels are fitted we will be heading off to the Ashby Canal...A dead end canal which we have passed a few times but this time we will have a look. Should take a couple of days up and a couple back but there is no rush. We are aiming to be back at Newbold on Avon by the 7^th October for the wedding of Simon and Kelly the landlord and lady of the Barley Mow pub. I’ve been asked to play as The Busking Bargee in the afternoon before the evening disco.

TTFN…..If you have any questions about our life or lifestyle and our travels, please ask in comments section ... we will be more than happy to answer if we can.

Another short video, they cant be to long as takes a lot of data to upload.