Why do I make plans!!!!!!

Woke this morning to everything frozen and it being bitterly cold. We fully intended to make a move but after Paul came back from walking the dogs and said that the canal was frozen we have decided to stay put for a bit longer, just means I have to walk into Uxbridge to get a few supplies. Paul has wandered to Denham Marina to see about ordering a solar panel. They gave us a booklet to read and after the comment from Howard nb moondaisy we have bitten the bullet and hopefully can get a panel ordered asap. Mind you the chandlery may not be open we will see.
So I dont think I will mention our plans any more because as soon as I write down what we are doing something happens and we dont do it at all.

Was very envious of Ernie nb Ten Bob Note on reading his blog and seeing the tree he had found, the only wood round here is in the wood and it is too far to bring back to the boat, we arent able to get the boat near enough to pick it up. Never mind I'm sure we can top up somewhere soon once we are able to get on the move.

On the move tomorrow

Well we are back to normal again. Spent a lovely day with the family on Christmas day, Boxing day we wandered into Uxbridge just to get off the boat for a bit and Paul was hoping the watch he had seen would be in the sales but the shop wasnt even open so that solved that problem, in fact there werent that many shops open. We were hoping our friends would be able to come and see us but they couldnt make it as they had family over from Germany still there is all of next year.

On Sunday we wandered up the pub at lunch time and ended up having lunch out saved me cooking and I enjoyed my meal. When we got back to the boat I insisted that we take the dogs out for a nice long walk so with boots on we headed off. Someone had told me of a nice walk by Denham Deep lock so off we went over the stile opposite the cafe, through the field with the horses in, over the bridge then we were in the woods following the footpath. It was lovely we didnt see another person we just followed the little arrows on the posts, round the lakes through the mud, the dogs were having a great time. We eventually came out by the footbridge above the lock.
Below the lock is nbtafelberg who is having her old engine rebuilt by Roger at Deham deep lock. Dogs and I took advantage of the rest while Paul talked engines by the time we got back to the boat it was 4.30 and a good time was had by all of us.

For the past few days we have been mulling over the price of diesel, with white diesel coming down so much it is cheaper to buy this than the red stuff. You cant keep declaring a high domestic usage as in the end some one will question it but if you can get white diesel from a supermarket on the canal then surely it isnt a problem. So today we became the proud owners of two 20 litre Jerry cans which will be filled up at the first possible moment. We also caught up with the coal boat Archemedes and the lad was saying he isnt selling as much diesel because lots of people are filling cans at petrol stations. So once again it would appear that we the boater are being ripped off, and it will be the work boats that suffer, why couldnt the government leave well alone?
Tomorrow we are turning round and heading back towards the arm hope to catch up with nb Roxanne, have worked out a plan of action (if we stick to it). Will head back up the Grand Union at the begining of Feb and it we take it a the right speed (slow) we should get through okay without the stoppages holding us up. If it doesnt go to plan it will be my fault!!! Hope to go to Kent towards the end of Jan as it is Tom's 4th birthday so need to be near a station will probably be at Kensal then Paul will be near shops or may be Cowley then he has the pub as well and I can get to West Drayton on the bus. Still that is a way off yet and we have the New year to contend with hopefully we will be moored up in an out of the way place toasting in 2009 with the Cava that Jamie gave us for Christmas.

Merry Christmas to one and all

Well we have just returned from Uxbridge with tonights dinner 2 T bone steaks at a cost of £17 still we havent had to pay for our Christmas lunch. No need to venture out to the shops again until maybe Saturday. Dogs are waiting for the promised long walk which they will get when I have finished this. We are looking forward to spending tomorrow with Jack Clare and Clares family who are coming down from Preston. It is a family time after all.

Just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year and we look forward to meeting up with friends old and new on the cut in 2009.

London again

We are getting to be dab hands at this travelling lark and we are finding our way around London well now.
Met Jess at Victoria yesterday then we walked to Leicester Square where we met Emily who was in London with her other nan on the way to see The Jersey Boys. We had a good day and even though it was the last weekend before Christmas it wasnt very busy, had lunch out then around 3 made our respective ways home, Jess to Victoria us to Paddington.

This morning we sat down with the stoppages list and have realised there is no way we can get back up to Braunston in one hit unless we leave Uxbridge on Boxing day, as we have friends coming up between Christmas and New Year it looks like we will be spending from now until March in this area with maybe a trip up the Lee and the Stort. Then we will have a clear run up without worrying that we are going to get stuck somewhere. Is there any rush I dont think so, must admit I would like to get through both tunnels before it gets to busy as I do not like going through them just have a phobia I suppose.

Help please

Is there anyone out there who can give us a bit of advice on Solar panels? We would like to get one or two but not sure which route to go up rigid or stick ons. So you intrepid boaters can you point us in the right direction as Paul likes to have all the gen before he buys anything.

Nice day out

This morning we caught the bus to West Drayton and then the train to Paddington where we met up with Jamie and Rose. Rose had just come up from Cornwall to spend Christmas with Jamie. Was nice to catch up with them both again, Jamie may be nearly 40 but he is still my little boy!!!!!!! Had lunch together in a nice pub. Tomorrow have to do it all again but this time go to Victoria to see Jess.
As soon as we got back to the boat Paul was on that darn Playstation again with the language getting progressively worse as the time went on (nothing changes).

Yesterday afternoon took the dogs out for a nice long walk did them and us the power of good dont know who the most tired the dogs or us. We popped to the Malt Shovel for a meal last night mine was lovely, Paul's, well I wont go there as I'm sure you can anticipate what I am going to say. He always chooses the wrong thing need I say more.
Sometime over the weekend must consult the stoppages list so we can plan our journey back to Braunston hopefully we can get back up there by March. Then we can book the boat in to be blacked.
This time next week the festivities will nearly be over. One thing about living on the boat I havent gone overboard (excuse the pun) on food shopping this year no need, no visitors. Ahhhhhhh.

Cowley

We left Uxbridge on Tuesday just after our little friend opposite decided to eat the nuts I had put out for the birds.

I dont know why we make plans because we never stick to them, while at Kensal we had decided to spend Christmas there, then Jack and Clare asked us to them. But we needed to be at Kensal as it is easier to get into London to meet Jamie and Jess, then again Uxbridge is best for Jack to pick us up, soooooo we left Uxbridge got to Bulls Bridge spent an arm and leg in Tesco and then we decided that we wouldnt return to Kensal as we could get into London from Uxbridge, had to hang about a bit though so we didnt get back to Uxbridge too soon (only 14days there and as we had already spent some time on the mooring we didnt want to overstay our welcome) so here we are at Cowley, again we had only planned to be here a night now we are going to stay until Monday as it is a nice spot good for the dogs and a nice pub close by.

This morning we walked up to the High Street there are a few shops but not many so we got on a bus (Paul used his bus pass for the first time) and went to Uxbridge to the bank found a greasy spoon and had breakfast out. I have investigated via the internet and we can get to Paddington quite easily from here, bus to West Drayton then train to Paddington so that is Friday sorted. Saturday when we have to get to Victoria will be a different route bus to Uxbridge then bus to Acton and underground to Victoria we are certainly getting about.

On the way down had a chat to the two lads on the coal boats Archimedes and Aura we had topped up with diesel from them while at Kensal. When you see these working boats it makes you appreciate how hard it must have been for the men and women back in the old days.

Tomorrow we may go into West Drayton on the bus just to do a reccy. But if the weather is okay Paul has some painting to do, the lockers in the cratch have been primed and undercoated for an age but it has either been to damp or to cold, we will see, is there any rush, we have a cratch cover so the lockers arent exposed to the elements.

Kids have been

Friday Rob returned our bag of coal and stopped for a chat, at the time Paul had his head in the bow section after fitting yet another fan to stop the condensation in the box/step onto the boat from the cratch (we keep our kindling in this box and wondered why it was damp). We have so many fans on this boat we could fly along.
Yesterday we went into Uxbridge to pick up the post, the Post office was really busy which is only to be expected given the time of year. I queued for 15 mins got to the counter and asked for the post that my daughter had sent special delivery on Friday the woman behind the counter was adamant that there was no post delivery on a Saturday but I informed her that last weekend I had post on a Saturday and any way it was special delivery guaranteed next day so after much huffing and puffing she decided to send someone to check (no way was I moving without my post) lo and behold the chap returned from the depths with armfuls of post so I wonder how many other people had been sent on their way, at least I had mine so now we have a nice display of Christmas cards and YIPEEEEE Paul has his bus pass.

Today Jack Clare and the family came to see us, its only a 20 min drive for them to Uxbridge, was so nice to see the grandkids and they were very good considering the restrictive space on the boat. Clare invited us to spend Christmas day with them and I must say we are very tempted, its so much nicer to spend the day with children as that is what it is all about.

We aim to move back down towards Kensal tomorrow, perhaps taking a couple of days. Need to do a shop at Tesco so perhaps we will overnight at Willowtree park. Jamie rang last night to say he has to be in Paddington on the 19th so we will meet him then and Jess on the 20th (this bus pass is going to be red hot). Must say I dont feel very Christmasy yet perhaps next weekend when the big day is nearly on us.

Uxbridge again

Yesterday we cruised through thin ice till we got back to Uxbridge. We stopped at Cowley Lock for water rubbish and toilet so we are okay for a while. As we came up through Uxbridge lock there was a boat waiting to come down so we took their place just past the tow work boats. At least the tele in this spot is fine. When we were here last time we were a few yards nearer the lock and the TV was absolute crap in fact Paul was so irate that he rang up the company who we got the digi box from and they told us how to reboot it as we thought it was the box on the blink, just goes to show what a few yards can do to the reception. Last evening a chap asked us if we could spare a bag of coal, he offered to pay but Paul said we would rather have a bag of coal, as yet no coal has turned up watch this space!!!

Jack Clare and the kids are coming up on Sunday will be nice to see them again. We have also met up with Terry and Maggie on nb Sense of Freedom again.

Today Paul installed stratification fans. You know what it is like the fire has been alight most of the day you settle down for the evening and every time you get up the heat by the bulk head takes your breath away Paul is 6ft 2in I am 5ft 2in so his head is in the heat more than mine. What he has done is buy 3 12v fans and in Pauls usual way has modified them. This meant taking them to bits adapting them so they did the job, now we will have air movement from the front of the boat to the back and the bedroom will be warmer.
Christmas cards are now posted, we even ventured into Woolworths to see if we could get a bargain but the shop was heaving so we gave that up as a bad job. Called in at the Marina for oil so thats another job that has to be done.

This little chapwas outside the window this morning

got our wood

At least today has been okay for travelling. No ice thank heaven. As is always the way just as we are ready to go someone on the tow path stops for a chat which lasts for an hour. It is nice to talk to people as they are so interested in our way of life but this morning it was cold so I just left Paul to it and stayed on the boat till he was ready to leave, rude I know but I like to be warm before I start off.

We cruised till we came to the spot where on the way down we had found a nice supply of wood. We moored up and went foraging, we had a nice pile of wood and were transporting it to the boat for Paul to cut up with the chain saw. I still had a few bits to collect when another boat pulled up, moored up and went into the spot where our little squirrel store was. I went into panic mode as I had visions of our pile of wood diminishing, off I went to reclaim what was ours. First comment from the lady was "this has certainly gone down since I was here last" and there was I thinking we were the only ones who knew the wood was there. How stupid am I (don't answer that), at the end of the day there is enough wood at this spot for a few boaters, we have a nice stock on the roof and the other boater had plenty too.
We decided to stay here for the night then head for Uxbridge tomorrow although the weather forecast is clear skies for tonight so no doubt the canal will be frozen in the morning. About 4pm the BW Patrol boat stopped to check our license and take our number. At the moment on this stretch as far as the eye can we are the only boat so he hasn't had too many boats to check.
We need to stop at Cowley lock tomorrow for water etc lets hope the tap isn't frozen.
Paul has had a call from an old friend (yes he does have some) to wish him happy birthday and some texts as well so all in all it has been a nice day all round.

Happy Birthday Paul, that's another one under your belt not long now till you get your pension.!!!!!!!

Not a good move

After spending quite a few days at Kensal we decided that we would go back up to Uxbridge as my son and his family are going to meet us there on Sunday. We had a nice day on Saturday, went to Portobello Market (two days out on the trot arent I the lucky one) needless to say the market was heaving but I managed to get a nice new winter bonnet ( a peruvian knitted one) and I bought a pair of Dr Marten's boots. I had a lovely pair (of boots) which I used to wear on the bike but in my infinate wisdom left them in Spain. Once on the boat I realised I needed some decent footwear so bought a pair of walking boots which are soooooo comfortable but all of a sudden have decided to leak (must be the encounter with the bow saw that did it) have superglued the cut up but hate having wet feet so when I saw the D.M's just had to have them. Now have to break them in. Paul surpassed himself and bought me a hot dog while we were out (and he didnt moan at the price) we then had a leisurely walk back to the boat turned out quicker then the bus.
On a quick trip into Sainsbury's to top up had a chat with some guys who were monitering the cyclists on the tow path not the best day a Sunday as there was more joggers and walkers than cyclists but they told us they would be back on Thursay at 8am. One of the chaps had travelled down from Suffolk leaving home at 3.30am. They even had speed cameras rigged up. Now I have no beef with cyclists as long as they ring their bells to let me know they are behind me doing 30 mph. its when all of a sudden they are on top of me and I have to struggle to get two large dogs out of their way one of which has an aversion to anyone on two wheels.

Yesterday bought coal and diesel off the work boat so we are topped up now. Left Kensal around 10 this morning canal was frozen but it wasnt that thick and a boat had just come down so we set off well wrapped up. The further we got from Kensal the thicker the ice became so after about 2 hours we said sod it and moored up, would appear that most of the blacking has now gone from the bow so it looks like the blacking will have to be done sooner rather than later (is due in March). Have learnt our lesson and wont move tomorrow unless the canal is clear.

Paul's been a god boy!!!!

As Paul has been a good boy just lately and not thrown his dummy out of the pram while playing on his Playstation, I said I would take him to the Science Museum. We caught the bus to Nottinghill then walked through Kennsington Gardens, was a lovely walk as the sun was shining. Came out by the Albert Memorial and continued to walk to the museum. Now Paul is not a museum type of person and I was sure he was only doing this to humour me but once we got inside he was like a kid in a sweet factory. I was shown how the oil system works on an 1800's Beam Engine (oh joy when will I ever need that information) still this was a day out for Paul and we looked at a Merlin engine (used in the Spitfire) as we have a piston on top of the boat from said engine. Then we moved onto the jet section where the delights and workings of a jet engine were explained

to me however when we got to the Harrier jump Jet I was getting REALLY BORED and I was wondering whether I had done the right thing giving him a boys day out. We looked at the marine section ( Paul was in the Merchant Navy quite a few years ago as a Refrigeration Engineer Officer) there was a model of a refrigeration shipin cut away section and he explained in great detail the workings of the refrigeration plant used in the ships he served on. (big yawn will I ever need to repair a refrigeration plant?) Still he had a really good day made all the better when we went into the cafe and the sandwiches were £4.20 so he had a good moan about that. His usual HOW MUCH echoed round the cafe. We ended up in Macdonalds in Kensington High St (he knows how to treat a girl) where even there the girl cocked up the order thick as two planks springs to mind, I'm sure it must be something about Paul that any time he is near a food outlet there is a problem.

Still all in all we had a good day out it was nice to get away from the boat for a few hours will be even better when the bus pass arrives for HIMSELF.

Jess is meeting us on the 20th so we will leave Kensal on Monday and take a slow cruise to Uxbridge stay there a bit where hopefully Jack can come to see us then it's turn round and come back here for Christmas. And next time he can go to the museum on his own!!!!!!!!!

Little Venice quick trip

Yesterday we had a walk to the vets that I had noticed and managed to get the dogs some worming tablets, took an age as the vet really wanted to see the dogs and weigh them to give them the right dosage. But we knew this would involve extra expense so luckily I had the receipt in the dogs innoculation books for the last lot of tablets and the vet relented and gave us the pills plus an extra lot for free ( buy 1 get 1 free!!!) saying that 4 tablets cost £28 so the second lot were far from being free.

Today we had to get to Little Venice to the sanitary point, when we got there there was a BW barge moored on the point which made life a bit difficult as it is so narrow there and the fact that the tap is very slow, hate to think what is like in the summer. While waiting for the tank to fill up had a long chat with the BW guys who came to retrieve the barge, they had had a call from the police and were on their way to get a BMW motor bike from the canal. Someones pride and joy obviously taken and dumped. Before we left Paul managed to rescue a nice piece of plywood from amongst the rubbish in the barge (he's one of those people who cant walk past a skip with out rumaging around) all I could think was "what is he like" all this for a piece of wood 2ft by 4ft but as Paul says he has been looking for a nice piece of ply for ages. It looks like I will be able to cross one of the jobs off the "to do" list now he has said bit of wood.

We then went into Little Venice to turn round and make our way back to Kensal. By this time it had got very grey and then the heavens opened, it was freezing and by the time we got back to the mooring the rain was really heavy. The journey had taken us two hours and Little Venice is only up the way. If Jess and I dont meet up this weekend we will go back to Uxbridge and spend another week there, we need to call in the marina get some more coal (missed the coal boat Sunday) and hopefully we can get some more wood on the way too. I also need to post the Christmas cards. Before you know it it will be 2009.