Hot hot hot

We left Ansty on Monday got to Hawkesbury junction just about to turn right onto the Coventry when I remembered we had to use the elsan point so as you can imagine the air was blue as Paul had to reverse back into the basin to moor up to do the necesary. Of course it was my fault I didnt remind him sooner, the fact that the cassette was in front of him had nothing to do with it. On our journey we stopped at Starline boats in Nuneaton to get a price to have the boat stretched want a few feet put in the bow section to make the cratch area bigger, our plan is to go to Streathay to get a price from them aswell. We have seen their work but want to visit the yard in person so they can see the boat and Paul can talk them through what we want.

At the moment we are moored up at Alvecote and the past few days have been scorching just like being back in Spain. Nice to have a bit of Al fresco dining on the tow path. Tomorrow it is on to Tamworth for supplies then through Fazeley Junction towards Streathay we will moor up for the weekend to give the boat a good clean (that will make it rain) then to the boatyard for Monday.

having a laugh

We have been at Ansty now since Friday, and as usual as people go past us we can see them smiling at the name of the boat. When we decided to rename her from Iron Butterfly to Piston Broke it was because we have been motorcyclists and Piston Broke is a motor cycle thing but most people take the view that we are as the name implies. I can asure you we aren't the former(not too often) and not quite the latter (maybe if the price of diesel keeps going up).

Have set up an external hard drive to my PC and at the moment am struggling to decipher everything, I am okay with the basics but this technology is a bit beyond me looks like a call to Jack is in order. I moved an old photo folder on to the hard drive to see if I could move things but now I cant find this folder on the hard drive obviously I am doing something wrong probably a woman thing.

Looking forward to moving on tomorrow as this bit of canal is new territory for us probably wont go into to Coventry just turn right at Hawkesbury and head for Nuneaton.

19th July

We finally left Rugby yesterday, had planned to go Thursday but Dave the guy we bought the boat from came to see us and have a chat. Dave and his wife Pam are planning to have another boat built by the same builder but want the new boat to be 60ft not the 62ft Piston broke is he needed to measure up and see where he could loose the 2ft. Was nice to see him and I think he was pleased the boat looked the same all be it with a name change.

Journey from Rugby was quiet as we only tend to travel on tick over we moored up at Ansty about 2.30 secured the boat and popped into the pub Rose and Castle for a swift half and book a table for the evening, got chatting to a guy called Snowy who just happened to be the president of the local social club he invited us to pop into the club tonight as in his words" beer is a lot cheaper then the pub". The meal we had was beautiful price for a main course averages £10 which isnt too bad. Total for us both was £32 which included a drink each and an ice cream for me for dessert. Can recommend it but it is advisable to book at the weekend as there were people being turned away. We will stay here until Monday and then make our way onto the Coventry Canal up to Streathay Wharf where we want to see about having the bost stretched by a few feet in the bow section to give us a larger cratch area it gets a bit crowded at the moment with us and two large dogs. Lets hope Monday is fine and not windy.

16th July

Well I finally did it took myself off to see the kids and grandkids, was allowed to go for the weekend and it was lovely. I left Paul a list of jobs to do and like the good boy that he is they were all done by the time I got back. Only down side has been I picked up an ear infection and now I feel sea sick not good when you live on a boat.

I think tomorrow we are going to get away from Rugby as we are spending far too much need to be out in the countryside again away from tempation. Not too sure where we are heading for may go to Coventry will have to wait and see. Our friends rang us from Birmingham and they are well impressed and recomend Gas street basin.

10th July

Once again we are on our own and have made it to Rugby. We spent a couple of nights at Hilmorton mainly because it was lashing it down with rain and we werent going no where. I want to go to see the kids tomorrow as it has been a while and I am missing all the good bits of the grandkids growing up. So a train journey is on the cards.
As we were approaching Rugby by bridge 58 a boat was coming towards us a rate of knots with no regard to us, there he was tooting the horn and as we got abreast of him Paul said to him " I am not a wanker you are going to fast round a bend" needless to say I was looking the other way so couldnt even tell you the name of the boat. The chap then gave us a load of verbal abuse and ran into the bank justice I think. Paul gets so uptight with bad manners there is no need for it. We all want to get to our destination safely so whats the rush.
Paul has a few jobs to do wants to change the sink in the kitchen and rig up a rotary washing line. We are also having horrendouse problems with our TV reception and it is driving Paul mad especially as our friends just put up there ariel and have a good reception we put up our supposedly supa dupa ariel and get naff all. So while I am away he is going to go to Wickes and get a normal house ariel and ditch this boaty thing we have at the moment.

5th July

A few days ago we met up with our friends from our marina in March. We had all set off together but at Gayton Paul and I had gone way and nb Sorted and nb Halcyon Days had gone the other. They had gone down the Grand Union onto the THames then up the Oxford while we had gone down the Oxford got stuck on the Thames then turned round and come back up the Oxford. As we are going slowly they have caught up with us and it has been nice catching up with their exploits. We have been together for 3 days now stopped at Fenny Compton, somewher in the country and then yesterday we all got to Braunston as the weather was lovely we decided to have a BBQ took over the towpath and had a really good laugh with plenty of food and drink.
Today is Carols birthday so not too sure if we are going out to celebrate, the weather today so far has been wet warm though. The men have gone to the chandlers so when they get back us girls will go for a wander.
Its Grand Prix qualifying at lunch time so Paul will be sat in front of the tele for that so he wont miss me for a couple of hours.
He has managed to catch another large fish but I wont bore you with the photos. It has been a bit of a competition these past few days as all the blokes fish and so far Paul is the only one that has caught anything so as you can imagine he is dead chuffed.
Not looking forward to all the hire boaters wizzing past this afternoon as here at Braunston there are so many hire boat companies nearby and the Oxford seems to be the canal of choice for most of the holiday makers.
We are staying here for a few days Jess is sending our post up so we will have to wait for that to arrive then its on to Rugby.