On the bus yet again!!!!!!

You know how it is you see something in a shop get back home then think "I should have bought that". Well yesterday we were in Aldi rummaging like you do and they had some salopettes on a rack for sale at £16.99 we looked thought about then left the store. Today we caught the bus along with Betty into Daventry to get them. Paul and I got a pair and Betty bought a pair for Graham as it would appear he spends more time on the back of the boat than she does and she didn't want him catching a chill (how kind). Then it was quick top up with groceries cup of coffee and back on the bus.
Salopettes fit a treat can even wear jeans under them if needs be so think that £34 was well spent hopefully they will do the job and keep us nice and warm and dry.
Before I go just want to wish everyone a peaceful 2010 hope the blog keeps you amused for the next year. I will do my best to keep it lighthearted with the odd interjection from Paul on the technical front.

Quick trip to Daventry

This morning we decided to have a run into Daventry just to get off the boat for a bit. While at the bus stop a very nice lady stopped and offered us a lift which we gratefully accepted as we had a 15 minute wait for the bus. Has renewed my faith in people. So we arrived in Daventry nice and early, popped to the dentist to make an appointment for Paul for the first of his many visits. It was then into Nobles for a a hole punch and we came out with a load more stuff that Paul "just had to have". Appeared to be a lot of tut to me but who am I to know what is rubbish and what is useful?
The wind was bitter and it was raining so we didn't hang about too long but of course when we got to the bus stop we had a 20 minute wait. I was very strong willed and didn't even venture into Tesco's. Jess has sent our post up so I have to go into the village in the morning so I can get a few basics then. Will move off from here Saturday.

Lost soul or was it sole????????

Yesterday was a crisp day, as Paul was getting a bit twitchy he popped to see Bottle and Wozie to see if they would like to go to the pub for a quick pint at lunch time. Needless to say when they arrived at the arranged time Paul was in the middle of washing up, didn't want to stop him as this is a very rare occurrence. Off we trotted along the muddy tow path wrapped up against the cold, Paul in his nice new scarf and gloves (gift from the kids, I don't buy him anything!!) and his ancient motor cycle boots to keep his tootsies warm.
We spent a nice few hours in the pub putting the world to rights and watching the boats go on their way through the chunks of ice on the canal. Must say the pub was very busy with people eating. It got to about 2.45 so we decided to make a move and set off back to our boats. Just before leaving the pub Paul made a strange comment that the new carpet hadn't been laid very well. I just assumed his 2 pints of Pedigree had addled his brain a bit. It wasn't until we were out on the road that I noticed that he appeared to be limping, on further investigation I realised that he had lost the complete sole off of his right boot and he was literally on his uppers. When I told him he nearly burst into tears, now he has had these Frank Thomas motorcycle boots since 1970 (too tight to buy new ones) and they have seen him through umpteen motorcycle miles and various countries. All the way home he moaned like Victor Meldrew if he said "I don't believe" once he said it a hundred times. To add insult to injury by the time he took the offending boot off his socks (clean on I hasten to add along with his underpants) were very wet and muddy. But don't worry he is not going to put them in the bin oh no! he is going to use the leather to replace the cups on the end of the bow rope and I am sure the buckles will come in handy as well. He is sure that today's boots wouldn't have lasted as long as his trusty Frank Thomas ones.
We all laughed so much on that walk back it really made our day needless to say Paul didn't find it that amusing. He deliberated going back to the pub to look for his "SOLE" but thought twice about it. Wonder what the cleaner thought when they found a size 10 sole somewhere in the pub. The playstation took a battering but he didn't throw the controller which is a plus.
Thanks Bottle and Wozie was a nice afternoon hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

Lovely day today

Hope you all had a good day yesterday we certainly did. Spent a pleasant evening with Bottle and Wozie on nb Oakfield who had struggled to get here through the ice from Hillmorton, but being the intrepid boaters they are made it, although the journey took a lot longer than normal.

Today we have woken to brilliant sunshine and milder air temperatures. The canal appears to be melting but the weather forecast over the next few days is a bit grim. But of course it has been wrong in the past.

Just look at this sky!!!!!!!

Lots of walkers taking advantage of the weather so the tow path is getting extremely muddy which will be a bit of a pain with the dogs but never mind.

So that's it all over for another year, better start saving now for next Christmas (and the teeth). Must sit down at some point to think of a route for the spring and summer. I know Market Harborough is on the agenda and maybe Stourport but who knows, we will just point and go. That's what its all about after all.

OUCH!!!!!!!!

Yesterday we caught the bus into Daventry in plenty of time to get the shopping done before we had to get to the dentist. Just as we left the boat a hire boat came through from Hillmorton way, the ice was so thick that he ground to a halt the other side of bridge 89 so he reversed back gave it a load of wellie and came past us at a rate of knots. Of course Paul shouted at him to slow down a bit, the response was "why" because the ice can cause damage to the boats was Paul's reply " you are insured aren't you" was the comment. and with that they opened the throttle saying "have nice day" good job we were going out or I am sure Paul would have spent ages arguing with the lads.
Tesco was a nightmare with everyone shopping for a siege, shopping was done and we were out of the store with an hour to spare so off for a coffee to while away the time.
Once in the dentist Paul was hoping that I would get called in first but no it was him. Poor little soldier he had worked himself up into a bit of a tiz waz.His face when he came out was a picture the estimate for all the work to be done was.... wait for it ......... £1500. That will teach him to go to the dentist once every 20 years. I went in for my check up and don't need any work done except for a clean, did I gloat of course not. So now we will have to spend even longer in the area so Paul can get all this dental work done, that is once he has got a mortgage to pay for it. He cant sell his body as that has gone to seed like his teeth.
Glad to say that today there seems to be a bit of a thaw although the tow path is like a sheet of ice, where a couple of boats have gone through the ice is only thin but no doubt it will freeze over tonight.
We went to the Boathouse for lunch to save me cooking tonight, 2 meals for the price of 1 so it didn't work out that expensive (Paul has to be frugal to pay for "the teeth"). So tonight it will be an easy meal of ham and pickles with a crust of bread.

Before I sign off I just want to wish every one a Very Happy Christmas and a peaceful 2010. We look forward to catching up with old friends and making new ones once we are on the move again.

Dentist!!!!

Yesterday I had to be very brave and go to the dentist. Have had a niggly tooth for a while and over the weekend it really gave me gip. So on to the PC to get a phone number of a dentist in Daventry and luckily they could see me at 11.30 which fell in nicely with the times of the buses. Betty and Graham were going into town so we all walked to the bus stop together. Once in Daventry it was a quick trip to the wool shop as Paul had asked Betty to knit him a jumper (bit out of my league I'm afraid) so pattern and wool chosen it was off to the dentist. Now I hate the dentist must stem back to the school dentist of many moons ago when you had gas for your extractions. I am a bit braver now and try not to look too terrified when I get in the chair. As luck would have it there was no major problems just old age rendering my teeth more sensitive. Was given a couple of free samples of a brilliant toothpaste (dentists words not mine) so lets hope that works. While there I made appointments for both Paul and I to go back for a proper check up might as well take advantage while we are moored up for a while, Paul wasn't best pleased when I came back and told him he had to go to the dentist on Wednesday I think the last time he had his teeth checked was about 20 years ago, do you get the impression he is a scaredy cat!!!.
Gosty pulled alongside yesterday evening so we have diesel and coal now until they come back again. They have been putting in really long hours to make sure they don't let their customers down. Ian was telling us that Sunday night they got to bed around 1am then were up again at 5am plus they have had the ice to contend with, all I can say is rather them than me but we really appreciate their dedication.
At least today it looks as if the canal is thawing a bit but there has been a smattering of snow overnight and its foggy so glad we are staying cosy for the day.
On Sunday when I was walking the dogs there was a couple coming down the footpath through the field from the church, we were on the towpath opposite and their little Border Terrier saw Crystal and Saffie, he came hairing down the field couldn't stop and went straight into the canal. Ice broke but of course he couldn't get out so, with a lot of coaxing from his owners and me he finally swam across the canal where I was able to grab his collar and pull him out. He then proceed to bark at us now there's gratitude for you.

Bit parky here.

Started this yesterday (Sat) and then Paul wanted to go visiting so here we go again.


Well what can I say about the weather except that it is bloody freezing. At least we don't have the snow they have in Kent so I suppose we should be grateful for that. Managed to get to Daventryon Friday before the snow came down so I have some food.

Our friends Betty and Graham arrived here late yesterday (Fri) and Graham was frozen made them a hot drink to thaw them out.

Windows are performing well, but we do have a bit of a problem in as much as when Paul fitted the first one it was a really tight fit so the subsequent ones he shaved a sixteenth off, now we have found that the acrylic has shrunk due to the change in temperature and so now the windows aren't a snug fit allowing a bit of condensation to form. But will this beat Paul of course not, he already has a plan so until this can be put into action he has put tape along the top of the errant windows to keep them in place and this has cured the problem for the time being.



The frozen up window is in the kitchen.

Double glazed

Saturday morning we popped to the Gongoozlers for breakfast and on the way saw a couple of shared ownership boats trying to make their way through the ice causing havoc as at one point the leading boat lost steerage and smacked into a moored boat. They got as far as the road bridge where the ice was very thick and eventually gave up trying to make way and then proceed to reverse back to the marina where they moored back at the same place they had left.

At about 4 pm we heard the ice cracking and blow me if there weren't 3 boats coming down from Hillmorton, the lead boat was a hireboat and at one point they were making no headway at all so they gave up and pulled up in front of us. Seeing their dilema the other 2 boats did the same thing so now this stretch of the canal is full.

Last night we met up with Roy and Barabara nb Wells Fargo for a bit of a bash, there were 18 of us in all at the Boathouse pub formerly the Millhouse. We were pleasantly surprised the food was very nice although it could have been a bit hotter and their normal menu looks okay too, a vast improvement on the food when it was the Millhouse. We staggered back to the boat around 11.15 having spent a very pleasant evening. Thank you Elizabeth and Peter nb Bella for your company on our table.
Today is sunny and very crisp, the canal is still frozen but of course since the boats came past yesterday it is now at least 6 inches thick in places. Gosty Hill is due tomorrow they were seen at Calcutt yesterday so hopefully they will be able to get to us before Christmas and then onto their home mooring for a well earned day off .

Paul has made his weekly connection to his brother in Oz via Skype and it is 30 degrees in Perth thanks for that Eric. Have found that since we put the dongle on a broom handle we have a half decent signal here in Braunston which we never did before.















These pictures are for you Eric just in case you didn't believe your brother about the state of the canal.

Winter drawers on or so they say.

Not only was it my winter draws but my vest and thermal socks as well. Boy was it cold on the back of the boat this morning. I had offered to run the hoover round while we were on the move but Paul cottoned on to my ploy to stay in the warm and got me to do it before we set off. (what a meanie he is). Just before leaving the mooring we had a call from Derek nb Gypsy Rover who was checking to see where we were as he wanted to see how efficient the double glazing was. Told him we would be in Braunston in about an hour and a half. As we moored up by bridge 89 with Braunston Church across the field we spied Gypsy Rover just coming under the road bridge they moored up and came aboard. I put the kettle on (got to get your priorities right) and a very pleasant hour or so was spent catching up, the men on boaty things and us girls on Christmasy things. It is so nice to see people who you have spent time with during the summer (we met Dot and Derek at Whaley bridge) hopefully we will be able to see them again soon and this time have a proper drink!
I needed to go to the village for milk and bread also popped into the butchers for a couple of nice meat pies just hope we aren't snowed in tomorrow as I need to get to Tesco for food. Afraid to say that try as he may Paul has succumbed to the dreaded weed again ( mega temper tantrums) but has reduced the amount he smokes considerably, having said that as he rolls his own he doesn't smoke that much any way. He has also taking to only smoking in the cratch, he says it puts him off having to sit in the cold so the ciggy consumption is down.
After I came back from the village I set to and made another boat cake no rum this time as it is Paul's tipple and supplies are getting a bit low and as this is his Christmas bottle he has to make it last.
Weather forecast is on the tele and we can expect -4 here tonight brrrrrrrrrrrrrr we did have a flurry of snow this afternoon while Paul was busy on the playstation and I was baking luckily it was just a few flakes don't think my family in Kent and Surrey are going to get off so lightly.

Young Offenders

Today in the freezing cold and the rain we left Hillmorton, stopped for water and just as the tank filled up I could see a boat in the lock coming down. Lo and behold it was nb Oakfield so quick hello and we arranged to meet up for a Christmas drink. They went onto the water point and Paul came into the vacated lock. Boy what a dismal day once through the locks and I was back on board kettle was put on washing machine was emptied of its load then it was up the back with cups of coffee. Dogs weren't too happy as they had to be shut down below, didn't want them getting wet as there is nothing worse than the smell of damp dog. Especially on our new rugs.
As there wasn't too much traffic about I was very brave and took the helm for a bit. Now I prefer to hold the helm in my left hand even though I am right handed but Paul said " as you are right handed stand on the left of the helm and use you right hand" well this is okay for him as he is 6ft 2 and can see over all the junk that is on the roof. I am 5ft 2 and the clearest view for me is with the helm in my left hand and I don't have to struggle to look over the TV ariel. Anyway I didn't do too bad negotiated a couple of bridges but when we got to Barby straight there were boats coming towards us and what with all the moored boats here as well I thought it best to hand the helm back to the expert, not only that Paul was getting a bit twitchy, he never could hack being in a car when I drove (only time he sat in the passenger seat was when he had had too much to drink when we lived in Spain and then I had to drive needless to say he fell asleep.) so he virtually snatched the helm from me so he could be in control.
Now I don't know where all the boats came from today but there were loads of them we past 4 along the Barby stretch alone. Had planned to get nearly to Braunston but by the time we got to the Young Offenders I was cold, and there was plenty of room so we pulled in front of The Old Bovine. After walking the dogs, getting the canopy up it was time for a nice hot shower.
Gypsy Rover has gone past on her way to Braunston to get the central heating sorted so hopefully we will be able to have a proper chat with them there as we plan to get to Braunston Wednesday.

Exhausted!!!!

Was up this morning at 6.45 haven't seen that time of the day for I don't know how long and it was DARK. I tried to be quiet and not disturb Paul but it seems to me the more you try and be quiet the more noise you make. Once the tea was made himself surfaced. I left the boat around 8am to give myself plenty of time to get to Rugby for the 9.23 train to Euston. I was sitting on the station at 8.45 but you can bet your bottom dollar if I had left even 5 minutes later something would have happened and I would have missed the train. Of course the train was packed there was me with 2 big bags and a rucksack, managed to sit on a little foldy up seat opposite the toilet at least I had a seat not the best veiw in the world but I was sitting down.
Met Jess and Clare at Victoria, Clare bought Millie so not only did we have my bags to cause chaos we had the pushchair as well but at least one of the bags fitted on the pushchair so one less for me to carry. Anyway a good day was had by all, we walked to Sloane Square and then onto the Kings Road where Jess bought a pair of ankle boots for £150 "how much" that is nearly a months shopping money for us suppose she works so she's entitled to spend her money how she likes. Those were the days eh.
Had lunch out with a welcome glass of wine!! then back to the station where we all went our separate ways, was a lovely day but I am exhausted.
Paul didn't miss me much seems he spent the morning fishing with no luck of course. Yesterday 3 of the windows were done just 3 to go, we are leaving the Kitchen window for now but we are going to make up something for the hudini hatch will post pictures once its all done.

Back to B&Q

Yesterday was Paul's birthday another year nearer his state pension. We did nothing all day, we did get a call from B&Q to say the extrusion was in so this morning off we trotted to pick it up. Paul excelled himself and treated me to breakfast in Morrisons (opposite B&Q) we then had a quick wander round the store and didn't buy a thing. I am being very good. Back to Rugby into Wilkinsons to get more draught excluder for the windows. Paul is going to tackle one or two tomorrow. Now I'm not too sure how things will go, as after all the comments from his brother he is trying to give up smoking. I know from bitter experience that is not going to be an easy path for Paul. I have never smoked so can't relate to him trying to give up, all I know is he gets extremely bad tempered and Victor Meldrew has nothing on Paul when he is in a bad mood. Just as well I am off for the day on Saturday as by them he will be UNBEARABLE. Just need to make sure there is plenty of chocolate in the fridge.
Gosty pulled alongside Tuesday evening so we have plenty of coal now and we will see them on the 21st for more diesel by then we will be in Braunston. Will stay here at Hillmorton until Monday or Tuesday.

Shopping finished

We have had a quiet weekend I am glad to say. I got my last present on Saturday so that is it all done and dusted, only problem now is getting them to the kids. I have arranged to meet Jess in London on Saturday, where we will have a spot of lunch then make our way back to our respective homes. I think I may cause a bit of chaos on the train as I have 3 biggish bags of stuff but who cares.
Gypsy Rover went past Saturday so a quick hello was all we had time for. Yesterday we spent the morning cutting the acrylic to size, still waiting for the call from B&Q but its only been 10 days and they did say 14 so we are being a bit on the impatient side (well Paul is). Today its been very dreary we have now topped up with dog food and we also bought Saffie a new waterproof coat she out grew her other one, well lets tell it like it is she got too FAT and had to breath in when we did the old one up, bit like me and my jeans I suppose.
Paul is up the back making up a window as we had 4 bits of extrusion left from our last trip to B&Q also there isn't a film on so he needs to be doing something.
Not too sure whether we are returning to Hillmorton tomorrow or Wednesday, Gosty Hill is due tomorrow so we will have a few more bags of coal off of them, makes no odds we will either catch up with them here or at Hillmorton.
Paul spent a good hour on Skype Saturday talking to his brother in Australia as the signal is so good here they were even able to have the video link on and see one another, don't know whether that is a good thing or not as Eric kept on at Paul about the amount of cigarettes he was smoking and Paul, well, he is always rude to his brother.
Our friends Betty and Graham on nb Tranquility went off this morning heading for Coventry basin where they will be spending a few days, no doubt we will catch up with them again soon.
Yesterday I made another boat cake but this time I added a bit of Chistmas cheer and put a tot of rum in it mmmmmmmm nice and warming.

Coventry at last.

This morning we were up bright and early to make the trip to Coventry. Just as we left the boat Leon and Ray on the Old Bovine pulled in at the water point. As we hadn't seen them since we were at Whaley Bridge we just had to spend a bit of time catching up. After about half an hour we were off again to the bus stop. 2 bus rides later and we were in Coventry, we had our day planned and I'm pleased to say we managed it all.
A trip to the old bombed Cathedral was a must and it is a very moving place.

Of course we had to go to the Motor Museum, the exhibits we saw were good but the upper floors were closed so Paul was disappointed as this meant that the main motor cycle exhibits were out of bounds. Still it was a very nostalgic couple of hours for Paul as he remembers working on a lot of the old cars. Yes he is that old.

Is there REALLY a Triumph in this box?


Here is one for you Eric. You must remember this Armstrong Siddley. It was in pristine condition.

Is this how you started your apprenticeship Eric?

I was bored to tears when I was given a in depth talk about this bike a Sunbeam S7 as Paul had rebuilt one for his friend Steve in 1966.

Once all the viewing was done it was off to the shops for the final hit of Christmas shopping with Paul dragging behind. Mind you he did surpass himself by buying 2 pairs of jeans from M&S I had to feel his forehead as he went quite pale when the bill came to £25. He certainly isn't a big spender. He then took me into a Wetherspoons for lunch then told me it was my turn to pay, this fell on deaf ears so he had to get out his wallet again. I could see tears in his eyes.

Then it was time to get back to the boat as we had been out most of the day and the dogs were crossing their legs.

Tomorrow Paul is going to set to, cutting the acrylic for the windows, he feels guilty for having a day off stupid man.

Glad to say that Crystal has got over her bad leg and is walking okay now and is back to her usual self. I have to tackle the wrapping of the presents as I have arranged with Jess to meet her in London next weekend for a girls day out.

Rugby

Firstly let me apologise for putting the wrong address for the petition, I have now amended it and you can access the correct site.
Today it was back up to the PO in Hillmorton as I actually managed to get my cards written yesterday. We had popped to Rugby as we had to go to the bank so I was able to buy my cards.
Just before we left our mooring nbTwinkle pulled up in front of us we have seen them on various occasions between Rugby and Braunston. The chap asked me if I had been to the council offices to get some bus time tables when I said no he promptly gave me a bundle of timetables for every bus that leaves Rugby how nice was that!
Luckily the rain stopped before we left so the 2 mile journey wasn't too bad, bit breezy and cold but dry. Had to stop at Clifton cruisers for a gas bottle then onto Rugby where we are now moored just past the water point.
Carpetrite called to say the rugs were ready which was handy so as soon as we had our lunch we popped to pick them up making sure that we checked them before leaving the store. Then it was onto Wickes to get the acrylic for the windows, bit of a struggle getting 3 sheets of acrylic and the rugs back to the boat but we managed.
Met Betty and Graham from nb Tranquility while we were in Tesco and they invited us back to their boat for a cuppa which was most welcome. Noticed that Gypsy Rover is moored on the park side may even meet up with them too.

Chilly or what!

Well we knew that it was going to be cold last night but this cold! All the windows that weren't double glazed had ice on the inside brrrrrrrrrrr. The double glazed ones were ice and condensation free ahhhhhhhh.

This morning I walked yet again to the PO, the post that Jess had sent was there but cards sent by our friends weren't. So around 11.30 we decided to up pins and move to below the locks intending to may be carry on to Rugby. Do you know, that from bridge 72 negotiating the 3 locks, visiting the sanitary point, filling up with water and idle chatting took us till 1.30 so we are now moored up on the 14 day moorings at least the outlook is different but we must have travelled all of half a mile. Hopefully the cards will arrive tomorrow I will be super fit with all this walking. Paul is now ensconced on the back of the boat with his fishing rod he even opened a tin of Spam to lure the fish onto his hook. I give it all of an hour before he is back inside moaning about the cold. Now it is December must make a concerted effort to get the Christmas shopping done and the cards bought and written, I am so behind this year.