More cupboard space.

On Friday Paul did as he promised and removed the Magic Corner gubbins, replacing it with the temporary shelving. Found that we were one piece of wood short but I managed to get every thing on the shelving with space to spare. One blip during this exercise was Paul's very short temper when the batteries ran out on the torch and he couldn't see what he was doing plus of course it was my fault that when the torch was working and he told me to shine it onto the item he was marking/screwing and the beam fell short, this was mainly because he had the whole of his body in the cupboard and it wouldn't have mattered where I shone the torch the beam would not have gone on the correct spot. Any way we have now stopped this problem re-occurring by buying a head torch. When everything is finally done and dusted I will have so much space I may have to buy some more bits to fill it up.
Yesterday the 4 of us went to Daventry, we had to pick up the lap top and get a bit of shopping in readiness for our friends coming tomorrow. Betty and Graham needed supplies to. We were very decadent had chips while out, eating them sitting on a bench in the high street. My mum would have been mortified, all we needed was a hat on the ground and I'm sure we could have made a few bob. After "lunch" we all piled into Costa's for coffee we had such a laugh I thought at one point we were going to be ejected for being too rowdy.
Once back on the boat Betty and Graham came aboard for coffee and boat cake, Graham came up trumps with a piece of MDF just the right size for my missing shelf. This morning resplendent in his torch on his head the shelf was fitted with no help from me and no moaning from Paul.
He has been very cheeky and taken over the bottom shelf for his circular saw and new nail gun might have guessed he didn't do all this work for my benefit.
Hope to see Caxton go back into the water tomorrow the lift should coincide with the arrival of out friends.

Recipe!!!!

I keep getting requests from Woozie nb Oakfield to put the recipe for "boat cake" on this blog. I had thought of saying that it is an old family recipe but this isn't true. So for those of you who would like to give this easy cake a try here it is.
1lb fruit 1/2lb marg 1 cup sugar 1 cup water 3/4 tspn bicarb 1 tspn mixed spice. Put these ingredients into a saucepan and simmer for 15 mins stirring often then cool for 25 mins. To this cooled mixture add 2 eggs and 2 cups of SR flour. Bake at Gas 2-3 for 1-2 hours. This time isn't set in stone so check the cake after an hour especially if you use two loaf tins.
Now I reduce the quantity of fruit and add some nuts so try what ever combination you like. I put the mixture into 2, 1lb loaf tins but again you can use any tin you like, also on the odd occasion I mix some alcohol (rum or whisky) with the water. This is lovely warm straight from the oven and Paul likes it with custard as a pudding. It keeps for ages in an airtight tin ENJOY.

Had a nice day out away from the men yesterday. Had never been to Northampton before so it was nice to see yet another town. Neither of us spent any money which must be a first but I did get a Jamie Oliver recipe book from Waterstones thanks for the book token kids. Now this doesn't mean I am going to be serving up a different dish every day but I will endeavor to try something new at least once a week. (that's what I say now).

The boys had a successful day, the new worktops were installed in Tranquility with Paul's new tools coming into their own, as usual cutting stuff on the towpath isn't the best idea but when needs must you have to do it. Paul now has a piece of wood that he is going to use as temporary shelving to replace the mechanism of my "Magic Corner". We have found that this magic corner doesn't really use all the available space so today it is my turn to have upheaval in my kitchen. The proper shelving will be installed when the boat in being stretched. There should be some wood that Paul can utilise. well I hope so, as I don't fancy having a manky bit of wood for a shelf for ever.

Teeth nearly done!!!!!

At the moment my new netbook is at the shop being sorted as it kept "blue screening" needless to say this is going to take longer than expected as the guy is really busy!!!!!! So I am struggling with a naff signal and the old laptop.

Spent a pleasant few hours with Lesley and Joe (narrowboat Caxton) on Monday which ended up with us all in the pub well where else would we end up and the dogs needed a walk so it seemed the best place to go.

Yesterday and today has seen us both at the dentist me to have a clean up and Paul to have fillings and impressions, so now there is one more appointment and that is it.

Nb Tranquilty is with us again and tomorrow the "boys are going to tackle the galley while the "girls " go to Northampton to get out of the way.

In the local paper here the headlines are "Public vote on canal" there is a meeting for local residents to vote on the proposed plans to bring the canal to Daventry town centre incorporating a marina. One resident is opposed to the canal coming to the town as he believes that it will be danger to youngsters and drunks coming out of the pub who may fall in and drown. Will be interested to see what the outcome will be. Wonder if any boaters will be approached for their opinion?

Have heard from our friends and they are coming to visit next week and they do enjoy being on the boat.

Shall we, shan't we? Yes we will!

After a quick trip to Rugby yesterday where Paul actually spent some money on himself, 3 new shirts AND a pair of slippers. We woke today to a light dusting of snow and the canal frozen yet again. We hoped that like yesterday it would turn bright and sunny but even by 11am it was still cold and grey. Paul was "Skyping" to his brother the weekly chat that turned into a 2 hour marathon and they say women can talk. Anyway as luck would have a hire boat went past returning to Braunston so we decided to bite the bullet and GO. The ice wasn't as thick as we thought and with the hire boat having broken through the journey went okay and the sun even came out for the tail end of the journey. As we left Hillmorton we passed the old wooden boat Lichfield and were saddened to see that it was sinking we have seen this boat around Hillmorton on numerous occasions and were under the impression that she was being renovated obviously the job was bigger than we thought.
We were surprised to see that the popular moorings by the prison were completely empty perhaps the fear of being iced in has deterred people. We also saw our first lambs of the season. We finally reached Braunston around 3 mooring up at the same place where we spent our Christmas lock in.
Have taken some photos to accompany this blog but as the signal is a bit on the weak side they are refusing to upload so will try again tomorrow.

Snowy again!!

This was Hillmorton a few days ago. What a lovely sunset.

The pictures below were taken at 2.30 this afternoon, felt really sorry for the hire boaters that were on their return journeys.

Lets hope it doesn't freeze!!!!!!!!!

Been visiting today.

Today we went visiting. Caught the buses to Braunston and spent some time with our friends Betty and Graham on nb Tranquility, Betty had even made cheese scones in honour of our visit what a friend. Caught up with the news of their visit to family "down South" and filled them in on my very eventful journey back from Kent. Paul dazzled them with the new gnashers they even got their sun glasses out they were so blinded by "the smile". After we left them we walked back to the marina where we called on Lesley and Joe nb Caxton to discuss with them the ins and outs of their stretch. Caxton is now in Dave Thomas's shed waiting for work to commence. The screams of an angle grinder come to mind.
We had a very warm welcome from Fletcher and Floyd, and of course from Lesley and Joe. was nice to be able to sit and have a chat, the last time we met was in the summer at Great Haywood. Hopefully we will be able to follow the progress of the Caxton Cut as we will be in Braunston at the weekend. Thank you Joe for running us back to Hillmorton was much appreciated.
Tomorrow we are expecting visitors so had better get the recipe out and get baking. Friday its a trip to the vet Paul's nose has been a bit dry of late and I need to get him checked out, no seriously the dogs are due their booster jabs so we have warned the vet that we will be arriving with Crystal duly muzzled so as not to upset any other patients.
Think that Paul may and I say may get the windows finished at the weekend but I am not holding my breath.

Rugby.

Travelled the short distance to Rugby from Hillmorton today got here around 11am and we are moored up by the water point, there are a few boats here that we know so have managed to catch up with everyone. Needless to say we have been back and forward to the shops spending loads a money. Paul decided that he should buy me a belated valentines present and yes you have guessed it it is nothing that I want but things that HE needs for when he gets stuck into the alterations. We are now the proud owners of, a circular saw, a jigsaw and a router. All these things we had before we came on board the boat but were given away as Paul decided he wouldn't have a use for them, as usual he was WRONG. All we have to do now is find a home for the blooming things and as most of Paul's Junk sorry tools seem to end up under my bed no doubt this is where they will go.
Got a big shop at Tesco so the store cupboard is full to bursting, looks like a cake is on the cards in the next couple of days. I also got drawn into Next where I bought myself a nice new pair of slippers (note I bought myself) my old ones had worn right through. Paul went through the roof when I showed my new slippers to him"what are wrong with the old ones " he asked "I can repair them, sure I can get a couple of vinyl tiles from Homebase to stick on the soles". Well...... I just couldn't help myself and said just what I thought " you tight b******d" after all you have spent on tools you begrudge me £10 on a pair of slippers. Someone will be sleeping in the cratch tonight and it wont be me or the dogs!!!!!!!!!!

Easy weekend.

Today we took the dogs for a nice walk to the golf course near Clifton Cruisers. I would have gone further but Paul was flagging and by the time we got back to the boat the dogs were flagging too. You can tell it is half term as quite a few hire boats have passed us since Saturday. We have decided that tomorrow we will move to Rugby to do the bits that need doing, will only stay a couple of days then come back here for a bit then maybe go out into the country and then onto Braunston where it will be easier to catch the bus to Daventry for the remaining dentist appointments.
Don't have a lot to report as we haven't done anything, Paul saw Dave went over the few bits that needed clarifying and it looks as if it is all system go for August. Just watch this space as no doubt something will crop up between now and then.

Nice day yesterday and today.

Yesterday we decided to go to Braunston. Why, you may ask, well it seemed like a good idea and got us away from the boat for a bit. Caught the two buses and got to Braunston around midday, we gave Lesley a knock on nb Caxton but no one was aboard. Paul wanted to gain information regarding their stretch . No doubt we will go to Braunston again while Caxton is out of the water just to be nosey. As we spied nb Old Bovine we gave them a knock too , Rae invited us in for a cuppa as Leon was on his way back from Rugby . It was nice to go on this lovely boat as we have only seen her from the outside, when Leon returned he gave Paul a guided tour of the engine room as Paul had said after the stretch his engine room would be 7ft and Leon's is only 5ft 7in however ours has to be 7ft as it has to accommodate a washing machine and the calorifier(and probably a load of other things too) so we can't really loose any space.
After our socialising we went onto the Gongoozlers for breakfast, well more like lunch, then it was back on the buses to Hillmorton never got back till turned 4pm so it was a long day for the dogs to be on their own but they survived.
Now that Paul is feeling better after "the extractions" he has gone into "stretch mode" as he wants to get everything sorted out with Dave before we leave here. He has been into every cupboard, drawer and even under the beds to see how easily it will be to dismantle all the fixed furniture. He guesstimates 3 days, heaven only knows where all the clothes etc from these cupboards and drawers are going to go but I am sure I will find somewhere. Also before any of the work begins we have (no Paul has) to demolish the oven housing and rebuild it in its new position. We had read on Caxton's blog a comment saying that someone had had their boat stretched and their insurance company required a new hull survey and bsc to be done. So a quick call to our insurers to clarify the situation re our stretch, Paul was told that as long as the steel work was carried out by a professional (hardly a job for a D.I.Y'er on the tow path!!!) and the boat was re-valued that is all that was needed. So at least we have checked that out.
As the store cupboard is getting a bit low we need to go to Rugby next week for a big shop at Tesco, also need to visit Wickes for more extrusion to finish the windows. Must say that these windows have performed so well all through this cold weather it has been money well spent.
Today is my birthday and I had a nice lot of cards from family and friends didn't get one from Paul though but that wasn't a surprise what was, though was the 35 horses he bought me in the guise of a JD3 beta engine, now did I ask for one of these of course I didn't I was rather hoping for something that had 3 carats in it not 35 horses. Of course this JD3 thing wont be here for ages and he hasn't paid for it so it is hardly a present is it. On previous birthdays I have had, a wheelbarrow . a new drill, 5 sacks of coal, 10 ton of shingle (when we lived in Spain) and various tools that I had no idea how to use and didn't even realise I wanted. So.............. I think a day's shopping is in order with Paul's card. Need to get the smelling salts he has just passed out!!!!!!!
Dont tell him I splashed out and bought some Haggen Dazz ice cream and I am going to eat it all myself he can just lick the spoon.

Home at last.

What a journey I had yesterday and I don't want another one like it. Paul had rung me at various times during the morning to say that there were some Virgin trains running on the line near the boat, so I was in a bit of a dilemma, did I go to Euston in the hope that there was a service or go with my instinct and catch the coach. I decided on the coach, left Kent at 11.30 was at Victoria Coach Station by 1.15. Now this was all a new experience for me as I haven't been on a coach for years, I found which bay my coach was going from and sat and waited amazed at the range of destinations at home and abroad and the amount of people catching the coaches. During my wait Paul rang yet again to say trains had stopped running again so I obviously made the right choice. My coach left London at 3.30 with an estimated arrival time in Coventry of 6.20 journey was uneventful except for a nasty accident on the London bound carriageway of the M1 which slowed us down due to rubberneckers. Once at Coventry I had an 80 minute wait for the Rugby coach and I can assure you Coventry bus station is not the best place to spend 80 minutes seems all the local kids spend their evenings there. When the coach turned up I was the only passenger, talking to the driver it would appear that the coach had come up from Brixham in Devon and once he had dropped me off in Rugby he was going back to the depot in Leicester. Luckily once off the coach I only had a 5 minute wait for the bus to Hillmorton and Paul waiting for me at the bus stop, ahhhhhh bless him he had been so worried about me travelling this different route. Needless to say as we walked under the railway line 2 Virgin trains thundered past so problem was obviously sorted. Today all trains seem to be back to normal.
The hygienist at the dentist was not impressed with Paul yesterday and has given him a long list of instructions to follow, especially as he has had extractions and one of these is still giving him a bit of bother.
I also found on my return that the boat has been booked in to have its stretch done subject to my approval (as if that would make any difference). There I was all geared up to a November slot and we are now going in in AUGUST seems it is better to get the steel work done while the weather is good which I can understand. Dave has given Paul an itemised breakdown of all the work and the price quoted is just below our budget so it looks like it will be August. Puts paid to us having a long cruise this summer but we will be out of the water during the busiest hire seasons so that in its self is a plus. There are a couple of things that Paul wants to clarify and that will be us committed. Still my daughter has asked me if I would like to go away for a long weekend on Eurostar to Brussels at sometime, September seems a good idea as I will be up to my ears in boat stretch by then and will probably need a break.
Had quite a blizzard here this morning for about half an hour but since then the sun has been shining, the wind cuts you in half though.
Have done absolutely nothing today except one load of washing to try out my new ECOBALLS they seem to be okay so no more buying soap powder for me.

really cheesed off!!!!!!

Left Jess's yesterday after taking Tom to school today got to Euston only to find that there were no trains running out of Euston station due to overline failure. What a bummer now I had to make a desicion do I hang around the station and wait or do I return to Kent, well I opted for the return to Kent idea. So after leaving Jess's at 10.30 I was back on her doorstep at 3.45 really annoyed. I had kept Paul informed of what I was doing and he was not best pleased as it meant another night of quick food still at least he didn't have to suffer the soaps.
Today my phone has been red hot with Paul letting me know that there were still no trains running past the boat in either direction. Back onto the internet and it still says disrupted service, so onto National Express site and I am now booked on a coach from Victoria this afternoon which goes via Coventry and gets me to Rugby at 8.30 pm. In the meanwhile Paul had seen Virgin trains going northbound so back onto the internet and even called National rail all I got was "trains are disrupted and will be till midday some trains are cancelled and there is a travel delay" so bugger it I am catching the coach. Do you think that Virgin will re-imburse me the extra fares I have spent out on? I very much doubt it. I have to wait and hour and a half at Coventry for a connecting coach to Rugby so Paul has come up with the bright idea that I catch a number 86 to Rugby knowing my luck I will miss that one too. Think of me today oh yes to top it all Paul has a dentist appointment too what a very fortunate couple we are.

Life in Kent

As you know I am in Kent at the moment with the family. Thursday evening Jess and I went out for a lovely meal accompanied by a bottle of wine finished off with a liqueur coffee and last but not least a sloe gin poured over ice, needless to say we had another sloe gin at home and I woke Friday morning with a very muzzy head yes I know it is my own fault. Friday I was with my best friend on a retail therapy day also managed to meet up with number one son for a quick chat, he is coming to Jess's today. Tomorrow it is to number two sons for lunch so I think that is everyone covered.
Paul is still suffering with his front tooth that was really giving him gip hopefully not for much longer.
Is nice to be with the family has been a few months, but it is back to the boat Monday and back to a slower pace of life none of this rushing here and there in the car with all the noisy traffic we just don't know how lucky we are or do we?

Brave little soldier.

Two extractions out of the way and the false teeth back in, my brave little soldier emerged from the dentist's surgery looking very different at least he can smile now. The worse is now over so its just the fiddly bits, impressions, fillings and new crowns. Paul is suffering now as the injections have worn off, must rummage in the depths of the bathroom cupboard and find the paracetamols. He had to have soup for his tea with a very runny ice cream to follow (it had thawed out due to the length of time we were out), he couldn't face chewing anything.
It was certainly a long day, we left the boat at 10.15 and didn't get back till 5 poor dogs looked at us when we got back as if to say "where the hell have you been all day". Tomorrow will be spent on the boat with Paul nursing a sore face.

First appointment out of the way!!!!

Today was that dreaded DENTIST day. We were up with the lark having to get to Daventry via Rugby for 10 45. Caught the 8.30 bus from Hillmorton flashed the bus pass to be told "cant use that before 9am" oh bugger didn't realise that so first journey cost us £3.60. Got to Rugby with ages to wait for the Rugby bus so wandered into the precinct to get out of the cold. Luckily we were able to use our passes on the next bus. Again we had 40 mins to wait once we got to Daventry so had a nice cup of coffee then made our way to the dentist. Paul wasn't in there long but came out minus his false gnashers (just a small plate with a few teeth on) result, as now he cant whistle.Think I may have to buy a liquidizer to sort his food out for him. I suggested that I make a rice pudding for tea so he could suck it through the gaps in his teeth.
Tomorrow is EXTRACTION day!!! then we or should I say he has 5 more visits. This time we have booked all the appointments in advance the last one being 10th March, of course they wanted a hefty whack of dosh up front so Paul got out his new card put it in the machine entered pin and surprise surprise it failed. The receptionist said it was probably their machine but I think it was the shock on the card of the huge amount of money that was requested, now my card is used to largish sums but Paul's very rarely sees the light of day so it went into shock. We did pop into the bank to check and the card was deemed okay and it did work in Tesco's so I think I was right, anything over 50 quid and Paul's card will go into freefall.
My new Mobile phone has been a right pain in the proverbial, I was assured that I would be able to carry on using my old phone until the new one had gone through the system, but no, I ended up with no phone at all and when I rang customer services I was told the transaction had failed but would be sorted within 24 hours. "Don't hold your breath" I told myself and was prepared to go back to the shop this morning to cancel the contract but lo and behold last evening two messages appeared on the NEW phone and I am pleased to say I am up and running again.
Certainly has been cold with the canal being frozen for the past two days, not that it has stopped people moving at least it isn't as bad as before.
Graham and Betty are on their way back from Rugby and are hoping to meet up with us tonight not sure its our company they want think they smelt the boat cake cooking.
Just had a thought, when Pauls teeth are all done and dusted will he have the Jess Conrad sparkle, with a mouth full of gold crowns I would think so,must make sure when he smiles the sun is behind him or else I will be blinded.