And onto Northampton.

Up to 24^th April 2018.

Bottom blacked .. Batteries checked.. The Boat safety 2018 certificate issued, no problems.

General check over from our brilliant mechanic John Brady, we were ready to head off, back the way we came.

We have about 5 weeks to kill before we need to be back at Yelvertoft Marina for the wedding of our next door neighbours Gregg and Jane on the 24^th of May.

We planned to go past the turn at Norton junction and drop down to the Northampton arm and visit our old haunts in our home town, but we had just passed through the first lock at Long Buckby, because of the very heavy side wind decided to moor up for the night, actually it was no choice, the wind had pinned us to the bank. It was then we heard the news the Northampton arm was blocked....DOH !!!

There are 17 locks which drop you down to the River Nene in Northampton, all single width, the first 13 very close together. Jenny could walk between them, there are small cantilever bridges which allow farmers to get to the fields on the other banks. These are left in the open position to allow boats easy passage. However, according to the jungle drums, vandals had cut the chains on one of the bridges, causing it to fall into the canal and completely blocked it.

It seem we were again not going to get to the Northampton Arm..I wanted a plaque to fix onto our boat. We are collecting plaques of the places we are visiting so when we sell the boat and go into ‘the home for the bewildered’ we can place them on a board and remember where we travelled, hopefully.

Next morning, when we had eaten breakfast I did my usual check around on Face-book..checked our cousins in Australia and other places and then Narrowboat Users group. Brilliant site, where people on the cut can keep in touch, if there is a problem anywhere they are often quicker to get notification out to boaters than the authorities.

When CRT had done a survey on the damage, it transpired it wasn’t vandalism, it was rotten wood.. A crane was ordered and the canal opened again within 2 days.

We were on our way again.

The Whilton / Buckby flight are double width so two boats can breast up and travel down /up together. We waited at the top for the next boat to come through, both to conserve water and also energy. Two people to do the work on the lock paddles.

When the next boat arrived it was one of two...Oops. . they were sharing locks...oh dear.

When we took over the other place, the last boat was left behind...well the look he gave me !! I should have curled up and died.

Its horrible when it happens, but its all part of the canal life. Its happened to us more than once. The other boat was a family of four Mum, Dad and 2 kids they were lovely and it was a pleasure sharing part of our life with them albeit only an hour or so.

We dropped down to Nether Heyford past the old camp-site we used to caravan on before we bought the boat. A few years ago there was a program on the TV staring the motor bike racer Guy Martin. They ‘acquired’ a scrap narrow boat on its way to a scrap yard. Over the weeks of the program they repaired the vessel and cruised it to various places making things to add to her. The boat was called ‘Reckless’. The series was very good. After the program finished she was sold off for silly money (as it was famous! ??) It is now is moored at Roger’s place at Furnace Wharf.

Reckless

Stopping off at the services we turned onto the Northampton Arm. Full of water. Empty of rubbish and the toilets cassettes empty we were after an overnight outside Gayton Marina ready for a long next day of 17 locks….

Lock 1

It was a cloudy but warm day so it wasn’t too bad but...there was a gentle side wind. The cut here is notorious for a lack of water, when the water level is low it’s sometimes hard to steer. The sides have mud banks and when Jenny had to fill a lock, I had to hold the boat in the wind but it was blowing me into the bank. As the water levels went down in the pound it left me on a mud bar !! I had to reverse out more than once.

When we arrived at lock 6 we had a real surprise..The canal had disappeared completely !! (see photo’s).

It’s the first time we had come across this phenomenon, …..HELP !! we hadn’t a clue what to do. So ..on the mobile to Canal and River Trust they sent a man out.

Before he arrived another boat arrived behind us with a very abrupt lady on board (bordering on extremely rude!!) She knew what to do..looking back it was obvious what we needed do, walking back up the flight one paddle was lifted on all the other locks (front and rear) allowing water to pass down. With 15 minutes the pound was refilled ...whoop’s just as the man from CRT arrived. We apologised but he was very good about it. Next time we will know what to do. Canal learning curve !!

Somebody stole the canal

By the time we arrive in the mooring area in Northampton we had just about had enough!!

We had planned to moor in the marina in the centre of Northampton by Beckets park, as we had been told the area was a bit ‘iffie’ when we checked on availability and cost we thought the cost of £10.00 per night and £9.30 per day river licence we would risk staying where we were on the canal. The Northampton Canal ends at lock 17 and then goes on to be the River Nene which is run by another authority and requires a different licence.

We spent some of the money saved at the nearest pub...The Pomfret Arms..

Looks a scruffy run down place from the outside but inside was great.

A couple of well deserved pints went down lovely. Oldie world bar . . but big garden full of students in various states of dress (it was very hot) and different states of inebriation. Covered in studs and pink. . green. . . purple hair..but they were well behaved.

A great atmosphere.

Saturday morning we jumped on the bus and travelled to the town centre and walked back, down memory lane. How my home town had changed. Sadly not for the better.

Walking back we went to the mooring where my love of narrow boats started. The first lock by the side of Beckett’s Park on to the river was were it all started for me. ..as a child I would wait by the lock until a boat came though and offer too...’Hold your rope mister’ as they passed through.. . . The coal barges were off to the old power station, we would be given a couple of pennies or if it was a cabin cruiser..(the rich ones) we could get a tanner..6d great fun.

Where it all started nearly 60 years ago.

There used to be a boat house there in the 1960’s hiring out rowing boats on the river. . .

I would ‘help out’ there just to get rides on the little pleasure boat. It was a 12 to 16 seater and the lad who drove it. Tony... often would let me steer. Happy memories were brought back.

Carlsberg Brewery

A great Sunday morning when our granddaughter and her mum invited themselves for our famous ‘full English breakfast’ Quality time with the family ..before we made the return flight on Monday.

We had been warned of a local character who helps you through locks at the top of the flight. The only thing is if it is very hot ,,,He’s buck naked !! A friend who lives on a boat neer the turn onto the Northampton Arm described him ‘as mad as a box of frogs’ !!

He’s a down and out but harmless, he turned up halfway up the flight ..fully dressed ….it was a bit chilly.

Chatting with Jenny he asked to borrow a windlass (the handle we open/close locks with) he would do the double gate at the bottom of the lock Jenny would do the single lock and he’d get us to the top lock in 40 minutes. Told us his name was Leon. Possible mid forties bottle of White Lightning 2lts (half empty) in his hand…..off he went. Preparing the lock so I could just sail in. Instead of opening one gate and walking round to open the other, he leaned over then let go of the railing and leapt over... grabbing the opposing side rail as he went. Timed to perfection. As promised we went up like a rocket...saved us time and Jenny a lot of energy. At the top we told him to keep the windlass as we had a few and I slipped him a fiver.

He looked really grateful. He’ s lived rough for years a local farmer allowed him to live on his land until his daughter took over the farm and evicted him. Now lives in a squat in a local town with junkies and alcoholics. So sad he came over as a lovely guy..

As we were leaving he said to us he would buy food today..

Our helper

Now handing over to picture and editor for completion…. bye bye for now ..

And finally just a short video of the journey......

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 

Life and Winter at Yelvertoft

Winter 2017-2018


Greetings…...Its been a long time !!...First blog of 2018…..What a winter its been…

It’s been quite good being back in Yelvertoft Marina, the other people who moor here are a lovely bunch and also the people in the village, we are starting to feel part of the community.

There was the usual Halloween party in the canvas tent on the grass outside the office, the marina band didn’t play this year but they had a disco and karaoke. The guy running it was very good, not too loud so we could enjoy a drink and a good natter. There was a piece of romance during the evening involving the neighbours who live on the boat next door, Greg and Jane, dressed as Dracula and his lady, . . He knelt on one knee and proposed, Jane said yes, so there will be a wedding in May. He did manage to fall over while kneeling down which was very funny ...we were recording it on our mobile phones so can wind him up using the evidence. They are a lovely couple, who we will miss when they sell their boat and move into a new home in Wales after the big day. 

I have always said, a good village must have two things, a good church with genuine people and a good pub. We are lucky we have both. Church life goes on, we have good teaching with a man who knows his Bible and can explain it in down to earth language. Thanks Jim for what you do.

Also the life in the local pub - The Knightly Arms - Yelvertoft village is very lucky having a good dog population as well. Friday night, between 5pm and 6.30pm has become ‘doggie night’ in the pub. There have been up to 10 dogs of all types wandering around (all off the lead) and playing together brilliantly. 

There are two little dogs ‘Sprockers’ one is about 18 weeks old and she is as mad as a hatter.

So funny as she (Bo) jumps on peoples laps and says hello. She has had a few glasses of wine knocked over. Her owner always replaces them, so no-one is out of pocket(except him). Other dogs range from a huge German Sheppard, Black Lab, Border Collie, 3 Jack Russell’s and the occasional visit of a Bull Mastiff.. our friends Piggy Pete and Sue came over the other week with their two Bernese Mountain dogs !! They couldn’t get over the fun. Its a lovely atmosphere and a great start to the week end. Good beer ..good company...who could ask for more. Life is good. 

It’s been good to catch up with family and the grand children. Sophie had a family birthday party at her home in Redhill, we went down to the party but stayed over in a lovely dog friendly hotel first built in 1388..it has a great atmosphere. On Sunday morning, after a huge full English breakfast we had a few quality hours with them, playing snakes and ladders at Clive and Chloe’s with Sophie but baby Hannah was asleep in bed.

The following week we had another birthday party, or rather a ‘neon disco’, organised by my daughter, it was Amy’s 13^th all the family was there. My late sisters children and ex in-laws great to catch up. 

We have of course had our pick up from school duties of Rebecca our other granddaughter, she has a very full social life, it puts us to shame. What with horse riding ..Brownies..Stage school... and Gymnastics to name just a few. 

As for Narrowboat . . .Infinity. . .. what about her ??. . . . Jenny has been very busy over the winter time with basic cleaning and rejuvenating of the interior. It looks great now its finished.

We have been very warm over the snowy weather. The central heating has come into its own, it’s been lovely, the wood burner ticking over and just press a button (if needed) to boost the temp up.

Saved a lot on electric but that was offset by using more diesel. However !!! We have been warm, at our age, we need that. 

What have I been up too ? . . An honest answer not a lot. As a few people know I suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) this year it’s been pretty bad. I’ve been unable to concentrate and get on with things which need doing. I really need to be in a hot sunny climate ... 

My problems with my diabetes are causing a few problems, my diabetic nurse has changed my insulin but we are struggling to get the levels right. Now injecting twice a day. The side effects extreme tiredness. But !! the sun is on its way, hopefully..We are planning this years cruising and if all comes to fruition we should be eventually heading for the peak district and further if time allows. 

We plan to pull out of the Marina here next Friday...back to our chosen boatyard for the boat bottom to be blacked...and a few days at Newbold on Avon.

Back then to the Northampton Arm just to say ‘we have done it’ ..returning to Yelvertoft Marina for Jane and Gregs wedding in May...then of to the peak district. Hopefully spending more time in Birmingham en route. Loved Gas street basin but would like to explore more of the canals around Brum. May till October the time is ours. As fast or as slow as we want...Loving retirement. 

For day to day information on where we are, . . . follow us on FACEBOOK

That’s it for now, just a short one this month, as and when we get going I will hopefully have more to say ...Lunch is served….TTFN

XXX

Back at home marina for winter

It feels like we have had 2 weeks holiday. The Ashby canal is 22 miles long a dead end then 22 miles back. The best part there are ….No locks ...so Jenny has had a very easy time for a change.

We kept seeing the same people days in and day out , all going to the end at Snarestone. We couldn’t get too the very end sadly because the winding hole, (turning place) was only 58ft wide

Approach to Snarestone tunnel

as we are 62ft. We would get stuck. Also is hard work trying to reverse a narrow boat for a long distance.

End of line for us on the Ashby canal

We have really enjoyed the experience, through Hinckley and a few new estates. The architecture is very good. We are moored outside some new houses they have a look of the old warehouses which years ago would have been here. Its great to see the new properties, not cheap, but has bought the canals back to life. However some people moan about the boats being here. Having to run engines, to top up batteries, also burn fires to keep warm. Mind you nowt so queer as folks, we had a family who lived near me in Northamptonshire, moved from London and complained about the smell of the pig farm in the centre of the village. .. I won’t put here what the farmer said when they complained...but he did tell them, the pigs were there first.

New canalside development

Its been lovely cruising over the season, seeing the countryside change, the crops growing, the corn ripening, the tractors and combine harvesters gathering all the produce in. Seeing the baby ducks growing from little fluffy chicks into big ducks. I keep looking and saying to them…’how do you fancy being my dinner tonight?’..you can’t beat a bit of crispy duck.

Lovely countryside

The baby swans all grey and downy with what looks like dirty feathers, starting to turn into beautiful white birds. Two sights which still makes me wonder is the fantastic sight of a full grown Swan….taking off. The frantic paddling from its little legs below the waterline, the flapping of those great wings trying to get airborne, and failing at first. Running across the surface of the water until….at last ...lift off !!! The flop flop of webbed feet is a sound to be heard...the sight is only beaten by the sight of the birds landing ..so graceful. I can see Concord in the way they land. Wings out, feet down, and gently does it.

Mum and babies....

Our lovely friend Janice Smith commented the other weeks about our ‘idyllic lifestyle. Well yes in lots of ways it is idyllic but ...it does have its problems. Not like when we were working but still things that need to be done every day. Just living life will always throw up difficult things in some ways. We had a lot to learn in the early days. There are the ‘daily chores’ which are important.

Basic maintenance, check oil and water on the engine also check alternator belt. We have a cruiser stern on our boat which means when it rains the rain goes down into the engine room. Not a problem but Jenny likes to keep it dry so, every morning she puts the mop around and its a 5 minute job. If it gets too deep it can be pumped out with the bilge pump but, it never gets that bad.

If, when we were living on the land we needed to get shopping, ...jump in car, straight to Aldi or Sains/Bugs and that was it,10 min’s later we had supplies.

On the ‘cut’ (canal) we don’t have transport, no car ...no local shop.. and canal side supermarkets are few and far between. On the Ashby no shops at all. When we were still in the marina, we tried out Tesco home delivery, had an order delivered and thought we had cracked it..no more worries about supplies.

We always carry about two weeks provisions on the boat. Two to three weeks meat in the freezer. Frozen veg in same. Fresh veg is purchased on a weekly basis. On our first major shop requirement, we found a pub right by the canal side, Tesco van would be able to reverse virtually up to the tow path. So, we set too doing our shopping list, quite a big one, took about 2 hours. Everything was going well until we came to pay..it wouldn’t accept our address xyz...It was a public house and the post code. So we rang head office to be told ..They don’t deliver to business addresses ...err excuse me … we are not a business, we are moored next door to the buisiness...Its the nearest post code..The clown at head office still said ...Or rather like ‘little Britain’ used to say...The computer says no…..Grrr….

We had a major panic while moored at Snarestone...We ran out of wine !!!! so.. we rang or rather ordered on line. Ocado the on line supermarket a small order to be delivered to The Globe car park..(permission obtained from pub). Well impressed with the service..order confirmed with in 10 mins ..delivery next day...txt on the Saturday morning to say who the driver was and estimated delivery time. This was confirmed by a phone call 10 mins early saying ‘I’m here’...when he realised we were not a young couple he offered to deliver right to the boat. About 500 / 600 yards up the tow path. We declined but the service was great. Just done our next order for tomorrow. A problem solved.

The main need on a daily or two day basis is water. If on land you just turn on a tap...jobs a gud un as they say ...Well on a boat its the same..we turn on a tap and get water. The only difference is ..after 800 ltrs ...it runs out !! We have a saying ‘never pass a tap’. On the canals every few miles they have ‘service points’ where we can top up and empty as required.

When the boat had a major refit last year we had a stainless steel water tank fitted so we can get a supply of clean drinkable water straight from the tap. We used to have a 25ltr plastic water carrier to carry drinking water. The old tank was steel and was covered in rust when it was removed. So glad we didn’t use it for drinking.

I won’t dwell on the subject of toilets but, it does or can cause problems and it is the most talked about subject on the Narrow boat users group..( A facebook site were we can ‘chat’ about any problems we have) There a 3 types of toilet systems in operation. Each have there advantages and disadvantages.

1/….A holding tank under the ‘throne’ which is pumped out as and when you are near a marina or pump out station. Very much like a home unit, ceramic and it flushes. Average cost £15.00 to £18.00 to pump out and refill with chemical.

2/ . . .Composting toilets are coming along these days..The water and solid matter is separated as you use the appliance, the wee is poured under the nearest bush and the solids are disposed off in the refuse .?? We are not sure about this type ...enough said. Had one on a hire boat..not really impressed.

3/ . . . We had a Thetford cassette system fitted on the boat when we bought it. Having been caravanner’s for years it was just like being on a camp site again..so...It has stayed.

Along side the water taps are Elsan disposal points. Every couple of days as part of the usual ‘maintenance’ its water and bog days..we have 3 cassettes which last for about 2 weeks. One extra in case some clown has blocked the disposal unit. Believe it or not, some people think its OK too put disposable nappies down the chute. ..oh dear...they walk amongst us..

On the way back we planned to stay over for a week at one of our favourite areas, Newbold-on- Avon just outside of Rugby. The local pub ‘The Barley Mow’ is a watering hole we found on the first cruise we had. We got on well with the landlord and landlady and I play and sing there on the times we pass by. Sometimes we feel more at home there than our own local. When we are there the regulars make us really welcome. When we stayed over on the way out to North Wales we were invited to Simon and Kelly’s wedding..They wanted me to play in the bar in the afternoon but it was changed at the last moment, I ended up on Sunday afternoon instead which I believe was better.

Good easy going music and NOT the heavy dance music which the reception turned into.

The mooring on the canal, just outside the pub is only allowed for 48hours...We stayed for 8 days before turning around and heading to Lime farm marina for the end of year service and the prop-shaft to be re-packed, it was leaking water into the bilge. As usual John did a great job.

The run back to our home marina was fairly uneventful and I managed to get her..Infinity. . through the gate off the canal first time..the last couple of times, I’ve managed to mess it up.

The gap is only a couple of feet wider than the boat, so you need to get the nose just past ‘the pivot’ point. Turn in ...then give it full throttle...the boat should turn and glide in gently…

The last couple of times going in, I managed to cut the corner, ended up on a sand/sludge bar just too the right of the entrance. Mind you there was a good wind blowing ..(my excuse) Hee Hee.

A very slow run down the marina, working out the berth we were aiming for. . . which...is only about 6 inches wider than the boat each side. . Saw the gap… judged the distance . . turned in ...the nose dead in-line with the end of the jetty..slight reduction on power as we glided towards our friend Mike Hussey who had come to welcome us home and help mooring.. then !!! the blasted wind blew !!! moved us side ways and bashed the back side of the boat next door. Th announcing thing is ..he normally wasn’t there on board ..today ..he was ...Doh !!..

‘I was just putting my baked beans on my toast and an all mighty bang and the boat rocked’...Quote from Phil next door.. Never mind can’t get it right every time..

The wind here at Yelvertoft it quite strong and getting in and on moorings is a heck of a job sometime. Well that’s it for this year. We’ve had a great time, hope you have enjoyed reading about the antics of a couple of ‘ole pharts’. Back into a bit of village life for a few months..Plan for next year what we would like to do ..where we want to go .. growing old disgracefully (if possible)

God bless….. TTFN ...over now to the editor to do what she does ...add the pictures and if she’s done it a little video of the 12 week cruise 

September 17 Part 1 on the Ashby Canal

September Blog Pt 1

Someone once said...’Be careful what you wish for because . . . You might get it!!’

I can’t find out who was the first who quoted it but how true it is.

I always wanted to live at the seaside...permanently on holiday, (I thought.)

In the early 90’s we were offered a business opportunity in Great Yarmouth, within 2 weeks we had moved.. lock, stock, and barrel. After a few months, when the petrol station was up and running we had more time, I realised all the problems with ‘being on holiday all the time. It was NOT idyllic.

Holiday makers…. always in the way, parking outside of our apartment, taking my favourite seat in our local, Yarmouth always seems to have rough people there...broken noses, cauliflower ears, tattoos, beer bellies !!. . . ‘an the men are worse!!! However that is another story.

We had a holiday in 1988 on a narrow boat...The Shrewley Tunnel …..from Blisworth tunnel boats.

The love affair with the canals had begun. It took us 25 years plus too obtain our dream.

Had we made a mistake ?, Moving on to a narrow boat, I was the same age my parents were when they moved into the old folks home !! Complete change of life style, my health not perfect as we would like but life is for living .. not sitting ‘waiting for God’ !!

Too say the first year was a big learning curve is an understatement !! We lost a lot of money by lack of knowledge, and people taking advantage of our ignorance.

A lovely friend this week commented about our wonderful peaceful way of living. However as with all of life there is always stuff to do to make life happen. More about that later.

At the end of last months blog we were at Fazeley Junction waiting for Tim Davis from ‘Onboard Solar’ to fit the solar panels. Eight thirty the phone rang, it was Tim struggling to find a place to park his large motor home , but Jenny soon showed him where, and all his kit was soon on the tow path ready to start work by 9.00am. True to form and being a true English work man, a cup of tea was needed before starting (we also threw in an egg and bacon roll) we know how to treat our work men !! But, by 1.30 it was all done...panels fitted.. meters, control panels,etc. all mounted, all the fitting debris cleared away, but the best thing, the batteries were being charged without the engine running !! Starting to save money already.

2 solar panels 330w total.

Fazeley junction is where three canals meet, We have travelled down the Shropshire Union turning left onto the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal one goes to Birmingham the other to Stoke heading north. We are heading back along the Coventry Canal again, then turning right onto the Ashby canal. We have passed it a few times but we intend to spend a few weeks here and see the countryside in all its beauty.

Near Nuneaton, rain then rainbow.

The Ashby canal ……...It was originally built around 1790,s to join the Coventry canal and the River Trent, carrying coal from the coal mines in Leicester to wherever it was needed. Sadly it was never completed and doesn’t run though to the river, ending nowadays at Shackerstone. It used to continue a bit further but, it was closed down due to subsidence, ironically, caused by the coal mining tunnels..

Turn onto Ashby Canal

The canal is very rural, lovely open fields and the luxury of ...no locks. It is a very shallow canal and the books advise that mooring at night can be difficult due to shallow waters at the edge.

I can’t get over the amount of fields which look as if they are not being used..laying fallow is part of the farm cycle but there are no animals or crops on a lot ..why ??

Mind you, if you can claim subsidises from the government / EU do some farmers need to work ??

I wonder. 

Ashby canal pictures.....

For people who wouldn’t know canals are only about 4ft deep in the middle, and are U shaped. Tapering out to less than 2ft. on the bank side. With ‘sludge’ building up it often won’t allow you to moor. Using the visitor mooring is advised.

A lovely story on the cut is told of a holiday maker who for some reason fell off the hire boat they were on .

Splashing about in the water he was heard to be shouting out … Help!!... Help!!...I can’t swim !!

an onlooker on another boat shouted too him...’Just stand up’ !!! …..Over coming his panic, he managed to do as advised..Standing on the bottom, the water came just up to his rib cage...The look of relief, I believe, was classic.

We have had a nasty incident on the visitor moorings on the first evening. We had just moored up and a hire boat came past at full throttle...and then immediately threw it into reverse. The wash caused, moved our boat quite violently. When this happens it bangs against the armco which we are tied too. This is the only thing our dogs can’t cope with. They get frightened by the bang ...which is very loud. I went out to have a word with the driver of the boat only to see he was stuck across the canal. His nose was stuck nearly on the bow of the boat moored behind us. His stern was on the bank the other side, or rather stuck on the ‘sludge’ on the other side. He was revving the engine at virtually full throttle. I enquired if it was the first time they had driven a narrow boat ??

to which I had the retort ...what do it look like !! YES..

I commented it was canal courtesy to ‘slow down passing moored craft, because they had moved stuff about on our shelves….However ...would they like a hand to moor.??

NO THANK YOU ….glare.

So we went back into Infinity and just watched them…..Struggle. Didn’t smile, . . .Honestly !!

well not looking out of the window.

The driving of a narrow boat is totally not logical...To go right...you steer the tiller . . Left.

To go left you steer ..Right…..To move off the bank ...you drive into it (start with) before straightening up. There are other things which aren’t logical but, after a while like driving anything it comes with practise.

One member of the crew was on the bank pulling the boat (about 17 + tonnes) while the member on the back driving was reving the boll…., sorry heart out of the engine, max rev’s..with the tiller in the wrong direction ..actually pushing the boat on to the bank !!

If they had just listened, it would have been so much easier, they would have been down the pub a lot quicker. In a situation like that its logical to use the power ..wrong !! less revs is the best way, I did go out again and explained

They came over as not very nice people, very noisy on returning to their boat.. but

When Jenny took the ‘furry kids’ out for a leg lift and squat before bed, it was a good job she noticed some one had untied the bow rope. It was totally impossible for it to have come loose on its own account because I use a double clove hitch over the front mooring pillar held in place. If it had come off we would have drifted across the cut and blocked it off. I managed to re-tie before any damage was done.

There were only 2 sets of people around, one of them being us. They came back passed the next day and gave us ‘that look’ ...you know the one ?? and started laughing.

Luckily people like this a very few and far between on the cut.

We have survived hurricane ‘Aileen’ but its very windy today. The solar panels are working brilliantly. Rough working out we should recoup the investment within a year, with the saving on diesel and engine servicing costs. Well lunch time now. A cuppa soup and a cheese sandwich will keep us going till tonight. Cottage pie ..beans and a glass of red with onion gravy..loverrrly !!

Jenny has had a busy morning repainting the engine room, one of the jobs she has chosen to do while out of port. I’m doing this then I’m going to replace the wood behind the lock on the front door (which is at the back) ..or rather re-stick it as it’s fell apart, been held together with duct tape for 6 months

Part of Bilge or engine room before

and after, still got another weeks work in it....

Handing over to Jenny to put the photos on and edit before posting

TTFN

Another bit of waffle later in Sept..towards the end. We should be back in the Rugby area as I’m entertaining at a wedding at . . The Barley Mow . . Newbold -on – Avon ..

Simon and Kelly the landlord and landlady are getting married. All welcome at the pub in afternoon.

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.