April 2018

9^th April 2018…



It’s been 3 weeks now since we started up the trusty old BMC engine, put the gearbox in reverse and pulled off our mooring to head on a much cruised route to Lime Farm marina. We know every bump in the canal by now and all of the sights. You may query the use of the word bumps, canals are flat water aren’t they, how come bumps?, well, when I miss going into a lock..there’s a bump. When I get it wrong when mooring there’s a bump. I totally missed lining Infinity up when we arrived at the Watford flight. A big bump on the wall.



Jenny gives me points for the style of entry..Max being 10 .. I was given a 4...Doh !!! . .A bit like my school report, could do better.
We were in no rush so pulled up by Welton Hythe marina before turning right onto the Grand Union main canal, set up the TV then settled in for the night. We saw Steve on a customers boat. He is one of the members of their staff and passed the usual greetings. When we first met him, Darren my step son told us his name was Dave, so for the first few weeks we were calling him Dave. Then he asked us one day, why we called him Dave . . ?? He told us his real name. I felt a bit like Trigger off Only Fools and Horses, he called me Trigger for a few weeks..he’s a nice guy.
Sunday was a day of rest so no need to move, the batteries being topped up by the solar panels. Moved off on Monday. Two days at Braunston, we took on coal and a few bits to repair the 12v electric plug before moving too Hillmorton top lock.
I felt a bit like Moses at this point...After we had secured the boat, Jenny happened to comment that there was a bush on fire. It was quite strange really..Why you may ask ?? Because it was raining !!!
We went to investigate, we found someone had emptied the ash and cinders, out of a multi fuel burner, without checking it was out. The heat had dried out the roots and it ignited, It was about to bust into flames. It took a few buckets of water to put it out. Dread to think what would have happened if the hedgerow had been dry.
Over winter I have caught up with a chap (via face book), I was at primary school with. Terry Watson. I have a clear picture of him and his twin brother (in my mind) in their tank tops and satchels at Stimpson Avenue primary about 1955 (ish)...we arranged to meet up at Newbold on Avon in my favourite pub, The Barley Mow.
On arrival I had a big cuddle from the landlady Kelly and a firm hand shake from Simon on arrival ..glad it wasn’t the other way round!!
On the Thursday evening we had a message on our voice mail, to ring Pete and Sue ..ASAP !!…..The reason ...they were coming over from Terrington St. John Fen End for the Easter weekend…..Peter . . Sue. . and their two Bernese Mountain dogs.. was going to be a tight fit on a 62 foot narrow boat.
Met up with Terry and his lovely wife Margaret and had a good catch up, they live on a narrow boat in the next marina to us, so hopefully will met up again as it is only the next village over (nearly )
Pete and Sue arrived and joined us.. what a great start to a week end..3 bottles of white wine..many pints of beer .. it took my whole weeks booze budget !! but a lovely time.
Its a good job we get on so well on the boat, Pete and Sue on camp beds in the saloon and the dogs drop anywhere..Sue bought a piggy pie with her and we all piled into what ever there was in the freezer over the weekend. Good job we carry enough food for 3 weeks at anyone time. It great to see them. Remember...if anyone is in the area where we are there is always a welcome on our boat. 

We overstayed our welcome at Newbold moorings should only have been there 48 hours but needs must, we stayed a bit longer as we couldn’t get it to John’s till the Wednesday after Easter.
We pulled into Lime Farm on time and at present are raised off the ground by 5 feet, Have had our bottom re blacked and a few other jobs have been done ready for the cruise season.
Will hand over to the ‘picture department’ for the finishing off of the blogg. Greetings to you all who are following these ‘old age travellers’ Have life will live it !!!...Yeah !!!
Ttfn