Was that a nude man I saw??????

We got to Braunston this morning watered up and got rid of the mounds of rubbish we had acquired (all ours I’m afraid Maffi) and emptied the 3 cassettes we had managed to fill well 2 and a half really over the course of 18 days (that was definitely all ours..). Paul decided to wind just after bridge 98 and then get back onto the puddlebanks. There was no way we could get anywhere else as Braunston is full, lots of boats I have never seen before. Any way as we passed “Pink Floyd” bridge there are two boats moored off line one with some lovely carvings for sale on the roof, well there he was bending down getting something out of his fridge a nude  man, now I cant be absolutely sure he was totally nude, the upper torso was and there was a hint of builders bum but Paul wouldn't reverse up a few feet so I could check this out. I am sure if it had been a nude woman we would have been reversing at a rate of knots. Such a meanie my husband.

Of course the good mooring has been taken by a boat that we recognised . So we have got as close as we can, put the plank out and are now settled for a few days. On my way to the laundry in the marina to leave the books I have read I met up with Maffi again so stopped for a chat. Paul was on his way to Midland Chandlers to price up fittings. I got back to the boat with a few replacement books then waited for an hour and a half as Paul had the key and when he did return he hadn’t even bought anything this must be a first.

What a difference a day makes….

Yesterday was a miserable day, dull, overcast and at times torrential rain. Today we woke to fog but everything was very still and now, we have brilliant sunshine not at all like the end of October.

Looking back towards the bridge first thing.

Sun coming up.

Yesterday in all the bad weather we really felt for the hire boaters heading back. Except for one hire boat that is. I was peeling spuds at the sink Paul was on the tow path at the front of the boat, when out of the corner of my eye I could see a Calcutt boat all askew across the canal and heading for us at a rate of knots. So there I was yelling at Paul through the double glazing “behind you” he was spinning round like a Tasmanian Devil saying “what” not even looking towards the back of the boat, then there was the massive crash and he knew then what I was on about. I ran to the back of the boat glancing through the bedroom window as I sped by, and the women on the back were laughing I kid you not, laughing. I could hear Paul saying “what are you playing at?” and a voice said “ I know I shouldn't have let her steer”. At this point a boat came by from the direction of Braunston asking if we had been hit then saying “its no wonder look at the age of the steerer , make sure you ring the hire company” We now looked at the person on the helm and it was a young girl of about 11. One of the adults had taken over and was reversing off of our button and the armco with Paul shouting directions among other things. After he had checked for damage of which I am glad to say there wasn't any Paul noticed that the mooring chain had been snapped off at the ring and this is how we found it on the tow path.

Not only snapped at the weld but completely bent.

We did ring the hire company and I must admit it is only the second time we have done this. The chap on the end of the phone after we had told the tale did ask if we wanted to take things any further and Paul just said “take their deposit off of them”. Anyway the hire company were going to ring them to give them a ticking off. I think they should stipulate that no one under the age of 18 should be in charge of the helm. Paul very calmly then said to me “ I am not having a go (oh no why are we having this conversation then?) but if there is a problem in future please say at the back of the boat and not behind you”. okay I am duly chastised.

Another job has been crossed off the list and while Paul was doing it I surpassed myself and made some soup which we had for lunch with enough left over to feed us for about another 3 days………

On the move.

But not very far, we are now moored up by bridge 87.

Monday saw us waving goodbye to John and Ang I am sure we will see them again soon and we have planned to meet up for a meal before Christmas. Yesterday we were on the bus yet again back to Tesco as Paul had to go to Clifton Cruisers to pick up a package. So while he was walking the tow path I was getting milk and bread in preparation for us moving today.

In the afternoon the heavens opened and it wasn't just a quick shower it was torrential. There were a few boaters that got caught out and they looked decidedly miserable.

We just need a bit more of the wet stuff to top up the reservoirs and the canals. Luckily for us today is sunny again and the perfect day for our short cruise.

This is our mooring for the next couple of days.

This is the view from the kitchen window.

Cant get better than that……

Still Here.

Friday saw Angela John and I walking the four dogs for a nice walk up hill and over dale. Well we did go over the motorway and then under it so the scenery was quite varied. Of course at some point the footpath signs disappeared so we ended up walking the road for longer than anticipated. Of course Paul didn't come he was too busy talking to Toni off nb Timewarp. When we got back Maffi was on board and Paul was making him a cup of tea, wonders will never cease. Was nice to see Maffi again and away from Thrupp.

Saturday we decided to catch the bus to the retail park by the canal at Rugby. The no 12 bus goes to Tesco there so it should have been an easy journey. We got to the bus stop in plenty of time and found Jaci there waiting for the same bus. Well the time for the buses arrival came and went and as this is an hourly service it was a bit of a pain. Then the visitors came out of the prison and a very nice young lady joined us telling us that her friend was serving an 8 year stretch and he had been moved three times since starting his sentence 18 months ago. I think she assumed we had all been visiting too but after a while we told her we lived on boats. Poor girl had caught the 5.30 am train from London to get to the prison in time for visiting.

The 11 o'clock bus never did turn up but the 12 o'clock one did good job really as we were already to go back to the boat. Once at the retail park we went in to Comet as Paul in his infinite wisdom had decided we needed a new tele. All to do with power consumption blah de blah. Angela and John told us they have 12v tele they got from Comet so we had to check this out. Of course we had to be served by a lad that looked about 12, give him his due he did his best to help us out , but of course the tele we decided on was out of stock, they could get us one but it would take a week and once Paul has an idea in his mind we have to get the item NOW. bit like me and a new pair of shoes. The lad said they would sell us the display model so Paul said “as it it secondhand and has been running for I don't know how long  if you knock £20 off of it we will have it”. You know where I am going don't you, the answer was NO, “cant do that, sorry sir”. Paul asked him to discuss it with his manager but the answer was still NO. So we walked out, Paul was seething, how can these companies let a sale go for the sake of £20. Off we went to Curry’s and they got our money.

We said goodbye to Jac and Les yesterday as they are on a bit of a time scale to get down the Grand Union.

It had been busy here over the weekend with about half a dozen hire boats full of youngsters going by at a rate of knots. We have been hit twice this morning by Viking boats, lack of training yet again. One of them is now across the canal nose on the tow path side arse on the opposite bank nothing like causing chaos. Ah well that's another coat off paint off the side. ( The steerer is now on his third attempt and has ended up in the same place, not much paint left now…..) Okay it is windy but words just fail me.

Boozy Afternoon

Not had much to write about as we haven't really done any thing. We did spend a nice afternoon on Tuesday with Les and Jacqueline nb Valerie. Was nice to meet you Jac no doubt we will see you both again. Yesterday nb Ellen arrived and yet again it was lovely to meet up with old friends. We spent time with them on the Shroppie in the summer. Of course it wasn't long before the beers came out and then there followed a very heated discussion on batteries, alternators, length of running time to keep the batteries topped up and all things boring to Ang and I. So we took the dogs for a walk and then opened a bottle of wine. At least we were able to sit on the tow path as it was such a lovely day and we even saw two hares playing in the field opposite, lucky for us the dogs didn't spot them.

So our plan to move yesterday had already been changed before Ang and John arrived and it looks like we will stay here till Monday now. We have topped up with fuel from Gosty and were amazed at how much the coal has gone up in two weeks 55p a bag. Not Ian’s fault of course just a sign of the times.

Have been to Daventry twice now and may go again who knows. Double glazing has been re-installed with a new modification carried out to the seal on the woodwork. He has been mulling over what he could use instead of draught excluder (only taken him all summer) he came up with the idea of using polythene air hose that you use on fish tanks. This is more pliable than the rubberised draught excluder, as it finds its own shape it seals the panel a lot better. Its nice not to have any condensation in the mornings. Even the Kitchen panel has been done, as this is an opening one I am still able to have the window open while I am cooking. ( need the fresh air to remove the smell of burning food!!!!!).

At least there is no motor racing on this weekend so we may get a bit of a lay in.

Ah…….

The one thing I like about this mooring is….. the peace and quiet. There is no train noise no traffic noise and not a great deal of tow path traffic. As long as you have enough water etc you can stay for a week or so. We still haven't ventured out on the bus but we have plenty of time. You can tell we are getting near to winter as we are meeting up with people we see normally at this time of year. At the moment on this mooring we have Relaine and Aqualady boaters we see during the winter, at least we have plenty to talk about.

Yesterday when we got up there was a dead cygnet in the canal. We had seen three with the parents only a few days ago. After about an hour the other two cygnets approached the dead one calling to it but not venturing too close as if they knew it was a goner. On talking to a lady off of the boat in front of us it transpired that the adult swans had taken the cygnets for a quick flying lesson and this cygnet misjudged the power lines got caught up and broke its neck. As boaters were hitting it Paul managed to get it ashore hiding the body in the undergrowth away from view.

Paul has managed to get the rest of the engine room painted and I washed and polished the boat, taking advantage of the lovely weather. (just the tow path side I hasten to add).

Oh yes Saturday morning he got up at 4.30am to watch F1 qualifying and MOTOGP. I was not amused as it took me an age to get back to sleep, thank goodness this morning the alarm went off at  7 in time for him to see the start of F1 and he is now watching the repeat of the  motorcycling. I think he has realised that he is just tooooooooo old to be getting  up at silly o’clock when he can catch up later in the day, but he insists that it just isn't the same when you know what the result is. I just think he is very sad.

Fire’s lit.

Yesterday morning Paul says to me “let’s go into Rugby this morning” strange I thought since when has Paul wanted to go shopping. Then it dawned me, it was tobacco Paul wanted not a trip round the shops. About 3 months ago he gave up the fags no more roll ups for him but he couldn't quit completely so the trusty pipe came out and he has been smoking that ever since. He looks like Popeye on the back of the boat with his sailors hat and his pipe, no spinach though and I am definitely no Olive Oyle. Any way I digress. Thursday evening he had run out of tobacco and made the decision that this was the time to give up completely, Friday morning and the mood was decidedly bad snapping at me and kicking the dogs (only joking he didn't kick the dogs) so on the bus we went.

Now I thought as we were going to be in Asda for the dreaded weed we would look for some clothes for Paul (he will have to go into surgery soon to get him out of his favourite cardi). We queued up for the tobacco and we queued, after 10 minutes and loud mumblings he said lets go to another shop “just a mo” says I, “we will look for some t shirts and jumpers”. Well when we got to the men's bit there was I pulling stuff off of the rails and him very disinterested, so I am afraid I said “sod it” and left the store with Paul trailing behind, shoulders hunched like a naughty kid. We then walked all round Rugby trying to find a shop that sold pipe tobacco and where did we end up bloody Asda. We then had to sit for 15 minutes while he had puff on his pipe and thank goodness his mood improved no end.

Quick nip into Wilkinson's to get screws then on the bus. Thursday when we came back from town we got accosted by an elderly man who just kept talking and talking to us, everyone was giving us sympathetic looks so he is obviously well known. He was quite harmless but very loud. When we got to the bus stop we were dreading that he would be there but big sigh he wasn't, no, he got on at the next bus stop and sat next to us again. Paul couldn't face the whole trip being interrogated so we got off the bus at the Paddox which is quite a way from where we normally get off. By this time I was desperate for the loo and did mention the fact but where did we end up but Aldi looking for a bargain coming away with a rubber mat for the cratch. My bladder by now was fit to burst so what was the next bright idea he came up with, “lets walk the long way back along the tow path to see who is there” oh for goodness sake any other time for Paul to walk more than a 100 yards is an achievement.

We get on the tow path and I says “if you see anyone we know and you stop for a chat just give me the key  and I am off”. First boat we saw was Moonshadow then Relaine people we normally meet up with in this area lucky for me there was no one around to talk to. Back on the boat at last and a hasty run to the bathroom. 

Was this the end to our eventful day was it heck:

1. As we were eating lunch there was a massive crash a a boat hit us, they were heading towards Rugby. Now why when they have the whole width of the canal do people have to be 2inches away from us. “Sorry the wind got us” was the comment. Paul was off the boat like a shot good job he had been smoking the pipe he was relatively calm but still had a few words to say, not only did the bloke hit us but the boat behind us as well. Get the paint pot out Paul.

2. Paul wanted to watch the F1 qualifying, so I set his alarm for 6am this morning but somewhere in the middle of the night my phone went off, being in the land of nod everything  was a bit hazy and I fell back asleep, then the thing went off again so there I was stumbling around in the dark and by the time I got to it it had stopped. When I checked I didn't even know the number but of course you start thinking the worst, could it be a family member who is ill so I rang the number back and they didn't have the grace to answer. Just fell asleep and Pauls alarm went off.

I just hope the rest off the day is going to be quiet because it will be me that is the grumpy one, no puffing on a pipe to calm me down. The fire has been lit since 6.30am weather forecast isn’t too promising for the rest of the month and it looks like the snow will be coming early, OH JOY…….

And they said it wouldn't last!!!!!!

 

Yes, today is our anniversary 10 whole years married but 20 together. Sad thing is the nice bunch of flowers I was given as a gift all those weeks ago didn't quite make it, they gave up the ghost last weekend. I did try to keep them going but it just wasn't to be. No, there wasn't another bunch to replace them, were you really expecting one…….Monday afternoon there was a knock on the boat and it was Leon from The Old Bovine we didn't recognise him with his smart hairdo, was nice to catch up as it has been over a year, was sad to hear about Rae but Leon looks well. Tuesday afternoon Gosty came by with Ian and Alison so we topped up the diesel and the coal store and spent another hour chatting to them. 

This morning we were woken about 7 with the rain hammering down and the wind blowing like a banshee, then after about 10 minutes it was calm again quite weird.

So today after a slow start Paul is now varnishing the doors into the engine room. Just as he got going Tone and Julie came by on Muchgigglin, again we haven't seen them for a year so it was a quick chat as the wind was blowing  but we have arranged to see them Saturday which we will look forward to. It is so nice to catch up with people again after a length of time, I am sure it wouldn't be the same if you lived on land.

Summers over.

Well, we haven't been idle over the past few days, the back decking has been re-painted and the steps have been re-painted and varnished. There has been a lot of sitting on the tow path making the most of the sunshine. Sunday Paul got up at 4.30am to watch the motor cycling (I know it is so sad) so he had a couple of hours kip in the afternoon.

Yesterday we caught the bus into Rugby just to get away from the boat for a few hours, I had to make an appointment at the docs and believe it or not got one for later in the afternoon. New window frames have been ordered just waiting for price so we can pay.

When I got back from the doctors Paul was no where to be found, boat was still open so I knew he couldn't be far away, a lady walking along the tow path said “have you lost your husband” I was so tempted to say something smart but didn't just said “why have you got him?”. He was chatting about engines because the boat had a JD3 and they were comparing notes, now why was I surprised. Any way Bob and Rachel moved up in front of us on their boat nb Nomad Dream and it transpired they had lived in Kent a few miles from us and their daughter lives near mine, such a small world. Hope we meet up with them again.

It has been very breezy here over the past couple of days and today it is considerably cooler although the sun is out. Final window is out so the woodwork can be varnished of course on removing the window Paul found that the new wooden frame doesn't fit flush with the metalwork of the boat so it has to be packed out, yet another case of “what the eye doesn't see”. This job is going to take longer than the others good job its dry.

Paul had one of those light bulb moments and is in the process of making a slight modification to the double glazing, to make it easier to remove. I think now all the priority jobs have been done that is until another one rears its ugly head, so we can just go through the rest of the list over the next few weeks at our own pace.