Fenny Compton and beyond!

Yesterday we left a packed Cropredy to continue our journey, the wind had got up a bit and it was markedly cooler so it was winter coats back on. Luckily for us there was a lot of traffic heading in the opposite direction so Claydon locks worked in our favour with queues of boat coming down and just us going up.

We had a nice long chat to Ian and Alison (Gosty Hill) when we came to their home mooring wont be seeing them again until they are back on the cut in August, hate to think what the price of diesel will be then!!!

As we approached Fenny Compton we saw the swans had made their nest on the tow path again by the marina so there is a detour through the marina to avoid them. We moored up around 1.30 it was a joint decision to hit the pub for our evening meal, didn't quite make it while at Cropredy. We didn't leave it too late before wandering up to the Wharf Inn had two meals for a tenner and couldn't even manage a pud we were stuffed.

 

This is where we will be mooring tonight a way to go yet.

Getting closer.

Here we are.

Only a couple of miles to bridge 130 where we plan to stay until Tuesday. Navigating through the really tight bridge 131 quick blast on the horn and as we came through a hire boat had pulled in to let us pass.

It is easier going North than South.

I shall watch some of “the wedding” tomorrow just to see what the frocks are like. Paul no doubt will busy himself doing something else. He struggled enough getting to our wedding so there is no way he will be watching a royal one.

Cropredy

Well, what has happened to the weather? definitely a nip in the air today in fact I was blooming freezing on the back of the boat this morning. We left Phil and Sylvia around 8.30 so we could get to Morrisons early. I did a shop then Paul nipped over to get beers and tobacco. While Paul was gone Phil and Sylvia went past heading for the sanitary station which was a bit of a bummer as we needed to be there as well. Paul came back and once at the sanitary point we breasted up with our new found friends and did the necessary. By this time there was a queue for the lock going our way. It didn't take too long for us to get up the lock and through the lift bridge. We needed to stop at Sovereign Wharf for diesel and gas but just as we approached it the boat in front pulled in for fuel so we had to tie up tow path side and wait. We finally got our fuel and gas and managed to go on our way. We  got to Cropredy at 2.30 passing the new garden centre going up.

Wont look to bad when its finished.

Seems the workers are living in tents.

First job on mooring up was to light the fire, we are now settled for the night and may go to the pub for a bite to eat as a treat.

Yesterday as we still had the sun shine Paul set to dismantling the cargo net we made in 2008 which went round the back of the boat to keep the dogs in. Now they are old canal dogs we don't need the net so Paul is going to use the rope to cover a tyre which is on the nose of the boat, only problem is the net has 37 splices on each side and 4 knots across 37 times (148 knots)  and all this lot has to be un done.

 

The whipping was cut with the faithful Bowie knife and then we managed to unknot 4 rows, that is all we could manage before the fingers got a bit worn. Rope is now in the front locker ready for the next time when a few more rows will be attempted.

Saffie was given a bath much to her disgust she didn't take to kindly to having buckets of water thrown over her on the tow path. At least she smells a bit sweeter and her coat is shiny again.

1st BBQ of the year.

As we have been getting on so well with our neighbours here and the weather has been so lovely we all decided to have a BBQ yesterday. So Paul and I had to pop into Banbury to get some bits and bobs, it was market day salad was acquired from here. Then after getting Pauls prescription it was back to Morrison's to get the important beers wine and meat for the barby.

5.30 saw the ritual lighting of the BBQ’s think Phil's was as unused as ours but Paul with his handy blow torch soon had the coals alight.

Phil giving thanks for the nice weather and the fact that his BBQ was alight.

Is it cooked or is it buggered!!!!!!!

Good job the wind was blowing the smoke away from us.

We all enjoyed a lovely meal and as usual us girls had done way to much salad and stuff but the best bit for me was……..

 

Sylvia’s lemon drizzle cake sandwiched together with double cream.

Sod the salad bring on the cake!!!!!!!!!!!

It was really nice spending time with people you have just met finding out their history etc. John really enjoyed the cake, being a chap on his own he doesn't often have the luxury of home made cake. About 7.30 it clouded over and got a bit chilly, we thought we were in for a downpour so we retired on to Phil and Sylvia's boat for a cup of coffee a pleasant end to a very convivial evening.

This morning after the usual chat with his brother Paul emptied the gas locker and scrapped it down the it was hoovered and now has a fresh coat of bitumen shouldn't take too long to dry in this warm weather. Plenty of boat traffic with everyone making the most of the bank holiday and the sunshine.

Settled for the weekend.

Yesterday we had another lovely day for cruising luckily meeting boats coming down at each lock which made it easier for us. As we came under Twyford Bridge this was the sight that greeted us.

Such a great sight all this rape seed good job we don't suffer with hay fever.

Paul in Grants lock.

I like this cottage it has so much potential and the year plate in the top apex is 1914. There must be someone who either lives there or visits regularly as the bird feeders are full.

We were a bit concerned that the mooring we like would be full but we were lucky and are now moored between lift bridges 170 and 171. We have nice neighbours Phil and Sylvia and believe it our not Phil used to be in a band of the same name as our boat not sure it would have been spelt quite the same (if you get my drift) but ironical all the same, also with us is John on Mr Jinks who joined us at Kidlington and has been hopscotching us. Hopefully we will all have a convivial weekend on the tow path as long as the weather stay fine.

Slap on that sun screen!!!!!!

As it was such a lovely day we were on our way by 9am this morning. Unfortunately by 10 the world and his dog were out too, lucky for us the majority were heading in the opposite direction. Still I mustn't be an old Victor every one is entitled to an enjoyable time on the canals. We finally got to the selected mooring for the day by bridge 193 just after Somerton Deep. No one here so we pulled in had some lunch then Paul got the paint brush out. He also took the dodger off the back so that every thing could be washed and polished dodger and boat had this treatment.

We were aware of the lack of paint on the stern corner sometime ago and have tried on various occasions to take photos without success, however the sun was in the right position and Paul had a go at taking some pictures which would highlight the under spray the following is the result. Paul says it isn't going to be easy to cover the showing undercoat by brush as it will stick out like a sore thumb as it is right on the corner encroaching both panels. We also have some under spray in the cratch area out of line of sight where Paul is going to experiment maybe with an electric spray gun or similar to see how good a colour match can be made after it is polished out.

One of the many places where the paint has run and not been flatted out.

It is such a shame as we have had many positive comments how nice the boat looks but when you look closely you see all of the imperfections.We appreciate that with any narrowboat re-paint we would not expect the ultimate perfect finish, this is not like a car sprayed in perfect conditions in a booth. However one should not expect to find these type of imperfections in the paint work like those above which would have been so easy to rectify.

We just couldn't believe this weather so warm how lucky are we this early in the year.

We encountered quite a few queues at the locks as we came up so it was nice to catch up with people and find out where every one is heading. Most it would appear are going on the Thames.

Will be another slow cruise tomorrow around 7 miles a couple of locks then sitting tight by bridge 170 just below Morrisons, near enough to walk into town but far enough to be nice and quiet. It looks like this weather is with us over the weekend so maybe the BBQ can be dusted off.

List is getting shorter.

Now what can I say, not only have I a new floor, new flag pole and a new dongle pole Paul has excelled himself by doing a lot of those just jobs. The bell has been re-sited and is now on the inside of the cratch not the outside, we have acquired a “dog box” and that has been painted green ready for the new windows to go in. The piston has also been moved is now nearer the back which meant re locating the BBQ and bucket with the solar lights in. Not big jobs but the kind you keep putting off. Sunday was relaxing day watching the GP and sitting on the tow path chatting.

Today it was the “cellars” turn to be blitzed. Paul and Graham had discussed the best way to do things over a pint last night. The entire contents of the old engine bay was emptied on to the tow path this included all the batteries bar 2 which Paul temporarily connected and were also charged by the solar panel to keep the fridge freezer running. The so called battery box was removed it was soon discovered what a lash up it was, it wouldn't have even passed the BSC as we were aware  the wood was not screwed together just sitting were it was left. The sole plate of the boat was scrapped and rubbed down before being given 2 coats of red oxide, while the first coat was drying the wood for the box was cut to make it fit properly ventilation slots were cut and all screwed together then given 2 coats of paint. By the time this had been done the first coat of red oxide had dried and the second applied. This isn't the easiest area to paint and Paul ended up with paint up his arms and in his hair. After a couple of hours which allowed the paint to dry the battery box was re-fitted and the batteries re connected. As mentioned on a previous post Paul had already purchased some sheet ply for the battery box lid this was cut to size to fit the new configuration.  Then everything was put back in an orderly fashion.Although there is some more painting to be done in the “cellar” at least the heavy stuff wont have to be moved again.

Where was I when all this was going on? In Oxford of course buying Pauls jeans………… 

New flag pole.

With all the excitement of my new floor I forgot to mention that Paul had made himself a new flag pole. He broke the old one by dropping the pram hood onto it.

No bad eh for a broom handle and a door knob!

I also got a new dongle pole.

Kiddlington has certainly done a good trade in broom handles.

Neat fixings, what else would you expect!

The boys also went on their shopping trip and came back with absolutely nothing but were very proud of the fact that they had walked about 5 miles called into a “greasy spoon” for breakfast (they left the boats at 10am) and on the way back had to sample the delights of 2 pubs. But at least they had had a break away from the boats I also had a peaceful day.

Today being yet another lovely day Paul decided to tackle the wood on the back of the boat it was in desperate need of a revarnish so canopy was taken down the wood was sanded then varnished within an inch of its life.

Picture doesn't really do it justice as in the flesh the colour difference isn't as pronounced as this.

Then it was time to be neighbourly,

Paul helped Graham with a spot of wiring.

And Graham helped Paul re-align the canopy.

Its good to have nice neighbours.

By 3pm the three of us were sat on the tow path with a beer chatting to all and sundry that walked by except for Mr Angry who came along with his dog and totally ignored us.

Tomorrow is an easy day, Grand Prix then Paul will chat to his brother and then if its nice we may even sit on the tow path again, our new chairs are getting plenty of use.

Oh yes I gave the side of the boat a clean down yesterday looked all sparkly, now it is covered in dust, THANKS PAUL!!!!!!

Floor done!

I had a lovely morning  in Oxford all on my own just wandering and buying. What every girl likes to do. When I got back the floor was all finished and Paul was sat on the tow path recuperating.

The Kitchen

The bathroom.

Certainly looks better than what was there before. Tomorrow Paul is having a day off and going shopping with Graham how this will work I do not know. Graham is a wanderer going here there and everywhere, Paul certainly is not, in fact he doesn't even like shopping should be a fun day out then. I am staying behind clearing up the dust!!!!!!!!

Sad day.

When we first got here we passed the gardens and there were the swans, with the pen sitting on her nest and the cob looking after her. This pair have been nesting in the garden for 5 years and this year have 7 eggs. Yesterday afternoon a hire boat came past saying there was a dead swan in the canal. Paul went out to have a look and the cob appeared dead in the water. He pulled it out in case there was a chance it might survive but no, it was dead with no visible signs of damage. We then spent the next hour trying to get some one to dispose of the body and give some advice on the pen. RSPCA didn't want to know as the swan was dead so next call was to the council where Paul was passed from pillar to post finally speaking to some one in the parks department, why, you may ask yourself which was exactly what we said. The guy on the end of the phone was a much use as a chocolate tea pot so the call was terminated by Paul. You can imagine his mutterings at this point.

The chap in whose garden the nest is said, that he would get on the case as did another neighbour who was walking the tow path. I am pleased to say that someone did come along last night and the body is now gone. It would appear that the pen is going to be fed by the family where the nest is. We have since heard that there have been quite a lot of swan deaths this year not too sure why but it was mentioned that with the canal freezing for so long there have been toxins released from the mud on the bottom of the canal, of course this may be a load of old toffee but then again it may not be.

Yesterday morning we went into Oxford and bought our tow path chairs and today with it being such a glorious day we were able to put them to good use including the cup holders which hold a pint glass very nicely. Needles to say Paul couldn't be bothered to look for new jeans or new slippers these will have to wait for another time.

I am off to Oxford on my own tomorrow I need some retail therapy and Paul is going to lay the tiles in the bathroom, all the preparation has been done today so I need to be out of the way. With the kitchen ones already done it will look the bee’s knees when it is finished.