10 out of 10 AND a Gold Star.

Yesterday saw Paul tackling the last two windows. The one above the dinette was removed with a few mutterings then the final one was taken out and would you believe it this is the only one that had been fitted correctly………. Screws in every hole WOW and they were screwed up tight no broken screws in sight even the sealing strip was in all in the correct position, now, why couldn't the other 8 windows have been like that one. Paul was quite taken aback and had to sit down for a bit to recover, so 10 out of 10 for that one window and as I am feeling generous a gold star as well.

Today there is a bit of a nip in the air but we had been warned, Paul being in work mode took the tyre off of the front of the boat (where it had been for about a year unadorned) and set about binding it with rope that had been unravelled the other weekend. You know Paul he wont waste anything.

Equipment at the ready.

Getting there.

Looking good!

Coated with a bitumen/white spirit mix.

In situ.

That's better.

Not content with doing this tyre he then set about making a couple of fenders for the side of the boat at the stern. Having picked up a couple of small tyres a long time ago they have been in the attic until required.

Work still in progress but they will look good when they are finished. So that has taken up most of Pauls day, and me, I haven't done too much.

Last night around 10pm we could hear loud thumping music and assumed it was coming from a car in the car park but no, along came a boat, bearing in mind it was very dark there was no headlight he was going slowly though which really made it worse because the music was awful. Chris off the boat in front of us got off his boat and ran down the tow path asking them to turn the music down and was greeted with a load of abuse from the girl on the back who along with the guy was very drunk. After reading nb Ellen’s blog it was obviously her neighbour from Rugby that had passed us don't know where they ended up but they kept going, thank goodness.

Just what we wanted.

This morning we moved yet again stopping to fill up with water on the way. It was such a lovely morning made better by the fact that everyone was going in the opposite direction to us. As we had heard that All Oaks Wood has been extremely busy of late we were hoping that some of this South bound traffic had come from there leaving a space for us. I love the approach to this mooring,

Looks so different with no leaves.

 

Nothing behind us!

The approach to the moorings.

As we passed the car park there was one space left on the end of the armco, so that's us sorted for a few days. As is the norm after we have moored up I take the dogs for a quick wander and it was while I was doing this I spied something in the hedge. “that looks interesting” I though to myself then got himself to see if he was of the same opinion. Yeh, for once in my life I seem to have got something right. What did I find? Well it was this little beauty.

What looks like Astro Turf but it will protect the back of the boat from muddy paw prints and the endless dog hairs, we can dunk this in the canal to give it a clean and this is what we did before laying it. So, one mans junk is another mans treasure, probably not the right quotation but you get my drift. The off cuts will go in the next bin so we have done our bit of clearing up as well.

Paul had yet another attempt at fishing.

Still no luck though.

As you can see we were really lucky to get tied up here.

Sun set.

Plan is to do the remaining windows tomorrow and then at the weekend get the wallpaper and paint out to finish off the lounge.

Rugby

We left the golf course yesterday stopping off on the way to Rugby to get some gas.

So still….

So quiet.

It was a lovely day for our very short hop. Needless to say once we were here it was off to Wickes to get some wood and other bits so that Paul could tackle the windows. Tesco has been hit as well so we are stocked up for all eventualities.

Paul has managed to do one job that he has been putting off for the past 9 months or so, and that is undoing the cargo net that we had round the back of the boat before we had the canopy and dodger made. He has planned to use the rope to cover a tyre which we have on the front button.

Certainly was a painstaking job.

Today two of the windows have come out and the frames rubbed down and varnished.

And then I saw this……

Caught you!!!!!!!!!

There I was busy unpacking the shopping and there he was chilling.

Later in the afternoon Gosty arrived and we had a final chat with Ian and Alison as this was to be their last trip before they pack up. I am sure we will see them out on the cut on their home boat. I must say it is very quiet here although there have been people stopping to get shopping they have moved off after a couple of hours leaving these moorings virtually empty. Is this the big exodus up North I wonder?

Its a pain.

What's a pain? Well the fact that some of F1 isn't live on the BBC anymore. So today we haven't had the radio or TV on all day as Paul didn't want to know the result. Of course when he spoke to Eric we had to threaten him with disconnection if he breathed a word about the outcome (being in Oz he had it live). At 2.45 Paul sat down, the programme started and what does he do? Press the red button to get the update on the motorcycling and there is the result of the GP. He will know not to do that again.

We said goodbye to Del and Al as they set off  late this afternoon. There have been lots of boats taking advantage of the sunshine a few near misses between hire boats and the training boat and lots of shouts of “fore” from the golf course over the hedge.

Although the sunshine is lovely it isn't helping the water situation you can bet your bottom dollar that when Easter arrives so will the rain.

Phew!!!

Well what can I say about this lovely weather we’ve been having over the past few days. Yesterday saw Paul get the polish out and I was quite exhausted watching him work. I did help out a bit by buffing up the bits where the polish had already been applied. We stopped half way through for a spot of lunch and to let the “old fella” have a bit of a breather. Once the polishing had been done Paul then got out the tin of blacking to touch up the scratches we have gained over the winter, so, that's two jobs done may be we could tackle a window or two while the weather is good.

This morning saw us nipping to Screw DIY a unit just down from the canal where Paul had ordered a couple of buffing wheels and some soap so he could have a good go at the brass grills. These safely in the rucksack we caught the bus into town where I got a few bits of shopping to tide us over until I do a BIG shop in Tesco.

Chance came by so we had a chat to Doug and James before they continued onto Brinklow. Then the grills were removed from the cratch doors and polished within an inch of their life its certainly easier with the buffing wheels on the drill than using Brasso and elbow grease.

Del and Al have just arrived so I roused Paul from his slumbers and he has now gone to see if they need any help. Think its time to get the chairs on the tow path and soak up a few rays before I take the dogs for their afternoon constitutional.

Wind out of our sails!!!!!

What a lovely few days we have had Paul has even sat on the tow path dangling his rod and we have been amazed at the horns on the cattle opposite.

Today we could hear the contractors coming along with their strimmers, there were two of them about 100 yards apart.

Then this one came along.

Of course there were clippings everywhere

 

There we were moaning that the dogs would get thorns in their paws and the local cyclists would get punctures when blow me down if these two didn't come along.

The guy with his back to us is operating a blower and the guy on the mower was chopping up all the stuff on the tow path. The blower man then came along behind the mower man and blew all the bits into the hedge.

So, we apologise Mr contractors we certainly did you an injustice, its nice to see that you cleared up after yourselves, but why it needed 5 of you I really don't know.

Pauls intention today was to get the tow path side of the boat polished but he sat down to watch the budget and that's when that idea went out of the window, perhaps tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!

Mothers Day

Today I was treated to lunch at  Buddies American Diner in Northampton by number 1 son. Why Northampton? Well Jamie and his mates were at a Physco/Rock a Billie concert there so I was invited up to meet his mates. Its only 2 stops on the train after all. 

Jamie's mate Mark had had 2 teeth knocked out last night and no he wasn't fighting he was “wrecking” which I understand its what these not so youngsters do at these gigs.

As you can see it was very American but the food was lovely.

What do they look like eh! Mark has the red hair Jamie the blonde and I think they were both suffering from the excesses of the night before.

Any way I had a good day. I left Paul on his own as he didn't want to miss the GP highlights (no Sky TV for us).

Last night Del Al Paul and I went to The Butlers Leap pub here and spent a very pleasant evening eating and drinking thank you both for a great time.

At last!

After all these weeks of speculation about the water situation on the canals yesterday we received loads of emails letting us know what was going on. So now it is clear what locks will be under restriction what will be shut. A rethink on summer plans is in order until things become a bit clearer. Unless we get rain I suppose it will get worse not better.

We moved today as the water tank was showing empty and has been for the past few days so it was up to the bottom lock to wind then sit on the tap for an hour and a bit while the tank filled.

I thought that it looked a bit tight but when I mentioned it to the “skipper” I was told “there was loads of room”

During our time at the tap this is what we noticed in the hedgerow between the two taps.

There was loads of these now why? the bin is about a 200 yards away which would make me surmise that it must be boaters but there again it is just as likely to be lazy locals.

Last evening this is what we saw in the field opposite

Three hares together, after we took this the hare on the right was chased off by the other two.

There was a bit of drama at the bottom lock this morning as a boat coming down was sat there for about 30 minutes with both bottom paddles up and you could see the woman trying to open the gates . A guy then spoke to her and she sauntered along the lock and SHUT the TOP paddle. When the guy walked past us he said she had more or less emptied the pound and didn't take kindly to being told she had left the paddle up.

We are now moored up behind Derwent 6 and The Old Bovine it has been nice to catch up with Leon.

That’s half an arm full!!!!!!!!!!!

Today saw us on the early bus to the doc’s it was Pauls turn today I went last week. We both needed to have blood taken so off we trotted to the hospital and when we saw the queue we nearly trotted off again. The next number to be called was 20 and Paul was number 50 and I was 51 so we took our seats and waited and waited. Eventually we got called I had two lots taken and I Paul had about 4. We like to get our monies worth out of the NHS, only problem is that now I have to make another appointment at the doctors for the results Paul only needs to make a phone call for his results.

We walked back into town where we got a bit of shopping, I did suggest that we went in Wetherspoons for breakfast and I was turned down (Paul must be feeling poorly…)

When we got back to the boat we were all alone Oakfield has gone and left us, we did know they would be on the move today so we had said our goodbyes before we caught the bus. As I write this Paul is on the boat next door helping the guy with his wiring on his solar panels. Poor bloke has already had his battery wiring condemned so I am sure if he sees us again he will make a point of not mooring near by.

Gosty is due tomorrow so Paul has to wait in for him. Thought today was going to be as lovely as yesterday but no, it is dull and overcast, even worse it doesn't look as if there is any rain on its way. Who’d have thought we would be wanting rain. 

Work in progress..

Having received an email from Waterscape telling us that the top pound at Hillmorton was to be drained to allow work on lock 7 we trundled up there this morning camera in hand. When we got to the middle lock we were informed that if we wanted to walk up to the top lock along the tow path we had to be accompanied in case we fell into the dewatered pound, mmm there's no problem when there is water but  a big problem when there is none. Now if you look at the pictures you can see why, all that silt would be extremely difficult to get out of. When we asked the question “ will you be dredging the pound” a big smile came across the face of Mr BW “what do you think” was the reply.

Wonder just how deep the canal would be?

We could see quite a few windlasses in the silt but had left our magnets behind.

This lock had been worked on for the past 6 weeks.

The brick work is quite amazing.

Ann and I left the boys talking and we wandered up to the co-op. On Wednesday we had a visit from John and Angela nb Ellen was lovely to see them and we appreciated them coming to find us. Crystal wasn't to enamoured with Maggie and Maisie setting foot on her boat so the little ones had to be left up the back. Paul and I have hospital appointments next week, once these are out of the way and the results received we can get on our way again.

I’m Shattered…….

I am back on board after a very hectic weekend in Egham. Now I know why Jack and Clare are so slim they are constantly on the go. Jack is in training for the Paris marathon and as Clare had a spa weekend with her friends booked I was called on to help out. So… on Saturday while Jack was at ballet and gymnastics with Millie I was entertaining Alfie quick spot of lunch then we took the kids to their swimming lesson. Once back at home Jack got changed and went off for a 17 mile training run round Windsor Great Park leaving me with Alfie and Millie. We played games made stuff and read books (no peace for the wicked).  As Clare was away we had a takeaway so much easier than cooking. By 9.30 every one bar me was in bed so I had the novelty of the remote to myself.

Sunday Alfie was supposed to be playing football but the match was called off so Jack got his 10 mile run in earlier that expected, not the best weather for it as it was raining really hard and this turned to sleet while he was out. Clare got back nicely relaxed from her trip and blow me the hotel she went to was just outside Daventry. We had a table booked at the local fish restaurant for 4.30 which, when we got there they had no knowledge of. We got a table though and the food was lovely although the service was decidedly slow. In fact it was so slow we had to forgo our pud as Alfie had to be Karate at 6 and we were waiting for the bill at 10 to 6.

Millie and Clare

Alfie and Jack

Busy painting.

Thank goodness for his DS

Sunday evening once the kids were in bed we decided we deserved a glass of wine as we were all shattered.

While I was away Paul had a bit of a result on the fishing front he caught a lovely pike on Saturday

Picture courtesy of Ann as I had the camera with me.

He also caught a couple of perch was that made him a bit happier.

My journey back went smoothly and I am looking forward to a lay in tomorrow.

Today it is really windy coming across the canal, two private boats, one being a shared ownership that have passed us going North have scrapped our sides and Oakfield behind us. This is all down to lack of experience of how to control a boat in a side wind. For some reason these people don’t have the intelligence or the know how  to stay on the windward side of the canal ( so long as it is clear) so as to avoid being blown into moored boats. The second boat ended up being blown into the bank and then proceed to drive the boat forward using the bank as a guide. When he had made about 500 yards both helmsman and crew decided to get off of the boat and push it off, then back on the boat giving it full throttle, hence they weren’t quick enough and the boat ended up back on the bank.

They then proceeded to carry on steaming scraping their own boat along the tow path edge, once round the corner who knows what!!!!!!!! The shared ownership boat helmsman was asked by Paul “what is wrong with using the rest of the canal where you should have been in the first place” the answer was “it’s the wind” he then took the paint off of Oakfield, Pauls reply was “if you don't know what you are doing you should have stayed put”. Pauls next suggestion is that these people take a RYA yacht handling course to learn about boat handling using the wind.

Oh how I have missed this banter (NOT)

What a lovely day for a walk!!

After a very foggy start today has turned out really lovely. Paul has equalized the batteries (your guess is as good as mine) checked the diesel and checked the batteries. He had a nice surprise when Oakfield moored up behind us at lunch time. They are going to “Paul” sit while I go to Egham this weekend.  In honour of the visit to Jack’s I went to the hairdressers this afternoon.

Now I have a pedometer to monitor my steps. I was a bit gob smacked when I found out you have to do at least 10,000 steps yes 10,000 to loose weight, so every day I donned the thing when I took the dogs out or went into town and I think the only time I have exceeded 10,000 steps was when we walked into Rugby and back from the moorings by the park. Any way today I thought as it is such a lovely day I would walk back from the hairdressers. After my haircut I plugged myself into my Walkman and set off down Lower Hillmorton Road walking into time to the music I did stop myself from singing along as I was getting some funny looks. When I got to Kent Road I walked down there and onto the canal at Kent Road Bridge.

On arrival at the boat I checked my pedometer and I had done 7864 steps in 40 minutes and a distance of 1.9 miles Keith told me as I hadn't done the required amount of steps I should go back again. Thanks for that Keith!!!!!!!!

Have heard that there is a big BW meeting today to discuss the water levels on the system, is a total shut down on the cards I wonder?