That's all folks!!!!!!!!!

Some of you may have heard that Piston Broke has been sold and tomorrow (Wednesday) is moving day. We have been busy packing and now the boat has a bit of a list. It will be a very sad day for us after 6 very happy years and as I am sure you can imagine Paul is dreading leaving his “baby”.

We would like to give  a big thank you to all our followers including those in Australia, Hungary, New Zealand and the USA. We will miss all of the good friends and acquaintances we have made over the years and we know we will never be part of such a community again.

Therefore this blog has now come to an end so its a big goodbye from me and a bigger goodbye from him……

 

THE END…………….

regards to you all Lynne and Paul

You dont see that very often.....

And that is me running!!!!! I had popped off the boat to walk the dogs saying a quick hello to nb Belmont who enquired as they went by why we were selling up. As I walked along I could hear this crackling noise and when I looked the hedgerow was on FIRE caused by a boater emptying their hot ashes this morning. Well you have never seen me move so fast okay it wasn't that fast but pretty swift for me. Two passing boats looked at me as if I was demented they obviously hadn't seen what I had seen. Back on the boat I'm shouting for Paul explaining what was going on so.... bucket in hand off we trot a few buckets of water later and every thing was out phew it was lucky I saw the flames. As we walked slowly back to the boat Paul in formed me "he was knackered" all he had done was a brisk walk I had RUN so I had more of an excuse to be knackered than he did. Was any sympathy fore coming what do you think..........

That's better!!!!!

At last the sun has come out the painting has now been completed over the past couple of days. So now Piston Broke is nice and smart until we hit the armco or scrape through a lock that is……

We saw the crew of nb Ellen on their way to Liverpool and we have also shouted a hello to Tom and Jan as they went past. Must admit I have been sitting on the tow path watching Paul while he painted, I did make the odd cup of tea or pour the occasional glass of beer for him needed to keep his strength up.

So we will be spending the rest of the weekend chilling, hope to be meeting up with Betty and Graham plus granddaughter Lucy  soon as a lunch time visit to Weatherspoons is on the cards. Then who knows!!!!!!

Sunshine has bought every one out and even in this economic climate the hire fleets seem to be doing good business.

What will Paul do with himself now that the painting is done? Well I can assure you there are still a few things on “the list” I just have to tell him.

Too cold to paint.

What can I say about this weather other than its been too cold, to wet, and too blowy to finish off the painting. The side has been rubbed down and a coat of red oxide applied then the weather turned and that is how it has stayed.  A few days ago after we had moved off from our mooring we met Del and Al they pulled up alongside and we had a chat for a good half an hour catching up with the event of Al’s birthday bash.

Today is blowing a hooley yet again but the forecast is better for tomorrow and the rest of the weekend which will be good for the Crick show. Plenty of boats have past us recently on their way so hopefully they are safely moored up now.

Normally at this time of the year the double glazing has been removed and the fire cleaned out who would have thought we would still be in “winter” mode in May? Lets hope June lives up to its reputation of being “flaming” need to get the shorts out and air these lily white legs of mine…….

Change of scenery

I have been away for a few days visiting family coming back yesterday, trundling from Braunston to bridge 100 in the wind and rain with a rucksack was exhausting. Would have liked to have put some photos on here but I left my camera at Jacks.

This morning as it was relatively calm leaving at 8am we went and turned round then made our way to Braunston to get water etc. We then set off cruising for another hour or so until the weather closed in and we decided to stop rather than get wet. Next on the list is to replenish the food stocks I haven't actually been food shopping for 2 whole weeks so the cupboard is very bare. So it means moving again  to get close to a bus stop.

Paul also needs to get the other side of the boat painted luckily we are facing the right way to get that done when the rain stops, that's if it stops, the weather doesn't look too clever for the rest of the month but its a job that has to be done. 

Phew!!!!!

To say that yesterday was a tad blowy would be an understatement. We had planned to go and turn round but that, of course never happened. Although there were quite a few boats that did move and they certainly didn't look as if they were enjoying the experience.

This is how the canal looked here.

More like water ski-ing weather than boating weather thank goodness it is a bit calmer today.

Will he, wont he, shall he, shant he?

Well in the end he did! Paint that is. After yesterday when it rained and the paint brush was left in situ today dawned cloudy and Paul was convinced that if he started to paint it would rain. Well that was the wrong assumption because by 2pm the sun was shining. The sides were taped up the paint pot opened and off he went. This is the finished article.

All nice and tidy with only the odd insect stuck to the wet paint.

Yesterday we were invited onto Yarwood for a cuppa. as we hadnt seen the boat we said yes please. As a lot of you know Yarwood is lovely and we were both really impressed with her. We had a lovely welcome from Joe Lesley and the “boys”, thank you all for your hospitality.

Paul likes to keep things ship shape…..

As we are in the country Paul has set to getting the sides of the hull sorted out as there is 2 years of damage to the paintwork. Paul decided he was going to make a proper job of this so the damaged paintwork and touchings was rubbed back to shiny steel and then given 3 coats of red oxide. Yesterday the toe rail was given 3 coats of red oxide as this is now the finished colour. In the past Paul has had the green paint colour matched and mixed but as this is now so expensive he has decided it will be finished in gloss black

 

The gunnels now are red oxide not green.

Ready for the top coat black.

It will have taken  3 days hard graft to get this far and Pauls back has been giving him gip. Now people have been asking us “why go to all this trouble when you are selling the boat?” Well Paul has always looked after the boat and kept in good condition just because it is up for sale is no reason to let things go.

Betty and Graham have just left us after being here for a few days. Graham also got the paint brush out it must be all this sunshine. I have not been idle the cooker has been cleaned you can only leave that job for so long.

Peaceful evening.

Stow away…..

The other day we were sat watching the tele when out of the corner of my eye I spotted  this great big spider crawling over Crystals leg, it was a good job she was asleep as it wouldn't have survived to see another day.

Big bugger wasn't it, I don't like stow always like this at least Paul rescued it and I am sure it is better off on the tow path rather than in the boat.

We are now all done and dusted at the docs so on Tuesday we had an early start and made our way through the Crick tunnel and down the Watford locks getting to Norton junction to be with Ann and Keith. We spent a very pleasant afternoon on the towpath in the sun chatting and drinking the odd alcoholic beverage. Both Ann and I ended up with very red arms from the sun our noses were a bit pink too but that may have been from the drink……..

This morning it was through the Braunston tunnel and down the double locks luckily for us Betty and Graham came up to give us a hand so Paul and Keith just sat in the locks chatting while the rest of us beavered away.

So now here we all are back at Braunston together until Saturday at least, its is good to be with ours friends again.

Quick well done to my son Jack who got a fantastic time of 3hours 6mins for the London marathon on Sunday.

Thank goodness……

For the sunshine, its funny how all it takes is the sun to come out and you feel in the mood for doing jobs.

So this morning the boat has been cleaned inside and out by little ol me while Paul has set too and  the button he made two years ago has had a coat of bitumen and the new bow rope has been installed.

 

That looks better especially with the newly blacked bottom.

Where we are the tow path is above the gunnel so not good for painting, but once we move and if the weather stays fine that job will be done very soon.

The dogs have spent the day on the tow path with us and are now exhausted from doing absolutely nothing.

So from laying in the sun all day to laying in front of the fire, true what they say about it being a “dogs life”.

Yesterday we went to Daventry on the County Connect bus as Paul had ordered 3x 5 litres of engine oil from Autoworld. This shop is very good  they also get our filters for us well worth a visit.

Its been a while….

Just realised that it has been a week since I wrote anything, that's the trouble when you don't have an itinery and you are just ambling, the days seem to merge into one another. We are back in Crick, the day we moved was one we thought was the least blowy well that was a mistake as I think it must have been one of the most blowy. It was just as well we didn't have far to go, as we passed Yelvertoft marina we appeared to be “crabbing” across the canal but once the wind was back on the nose everything went okay. We have finally met up with Betty and Graham who we last saw the back end of last year Keith and Ann joined us so once again the intrepid six are together although it wont be for long. We plan to move from here next week once our visits to the doctors are out of the way. I also want to go to Kent to catch up with Jess. Jack is running in the marathon this weekend so good luck son I hope you get the time you are aiming for.

Its lovely here…

It has been so peaceful here, the weather has been against Paul painting so there has been plenty of fishing done, not that anything has been caught mind you.

The peace was disturbed yesterday by a helicopter flying low above us we  thought it was the police but looking closer we could see it was inspecting the power lines near by.

After a wet morning the sun came out so I took advantage and went for a wander with the dogs.

Very quiet here.

Before I took this the tree was full of crows one look at me with the camera and they all flew off. I have that effect on people too…

Boat in the distance.

Bow rope hanging out to dry.

Looks like a trip to the village stores in the morning for bread lets hope it stays fine as its quite a trek from here.

It’s oh so quiet…..

We left our mooring at the junction quite early this morning, taking advantage of the calm weather. We had a lovely slow cruise with a  milky sun just breaking through the clouds. The plan was just to get half way between the junction and Crick and that is what we achieved. There were a few boats about and I think the nice weather made everyone more amiable as there was a lot of cheery “good mornings”.

We still have a few things to do and with good weather forecast for the weekend hopefully these will be done. One thing that has finally been finished is the treating of the new cheek fender, at the moment it is drying out in the trees after having a good dowsing in a bitumen/white spirit mix next thing to go in is the button Paul made.

There has certainly been some work done on this stretch as the hedges have been trimmed to within an inch of their lives, it looks nice and tidy but it looks as though all the cuttings have been thrown in the canal, still at least the dogs don't get thorns in their paws.

Paul is chilling after 3 hours on the tiller the fishing rod is out and I have just come back from an nice walk to the village.

Let there be light!!!!!!!!

Our journey up the Welford arm was uneventful of course we met a hire boat at a bridge hole but then you would expect that wouldn't you. There were plenty of lambs and their mums in the fields inquisitive as we went past.

We moored up at the end of the arm Wednesday evening ready for and early start in the morning getting into the shed.

Thursday saw Les moving a boat out ready for us to go in, we had to go in backwards and as the opening was a bit tight there was a lot of shunting back and forth. Once the water was pumped out of the dock it was a really weird feeling sitting on terra firma. Only downside of being in the shed was NO TV and no natural light. How Paul lasted 3 days without his beloved tele is a miracle but we did listen to radio 4…………… At lunch time the surveyor came as we thought we would get the hulled surveyed while out of the water everything was okay which was a relief. Dogs weren't impressed with walking the plank but at least the walks nearby were mud free.

Saturday evening we managed the whole 100 yards to the Wharf Inn for a very nice meal. Then this morning it was all systems go flooding the dock again to let us out.

As we came out Les’s next customer was waiting to come in and luckily for us a Canal Time boat had left so there was a convenient space for us right at the end of the arm and it is so lovely to have daylight again.

What lovely friends we have…….

This morning saw us saying goodbye to Ann and Keith as we had a call last evening from Les at Welford asking us to get there Thursday instead of Friday. I wandered up to Oakfield while Paul was sorting out the canopy and getting ready for the off. Ann very kindly gave me a bottle of mulled wine. We were breaking ice for a little way although it was quite thin so our speed was sedate to say the least. As we approached bridge 17 we could see a person on the bridge waving at us, as the sun was in our eyes we couldn't quite make out who it was, lo and behold it was Ann she had walked over the hill and she was bearing more gifts. She came on to the the towpath and  gave us a couple of sausage rolls for our breakfast. Now how kind is that, she walked all that way and back just to keep us fed thank you Ann it was much appreciated.

Once past Cracks Hill someone had left before us and broken a path through the ice which was handy. The journey was very peaceful  but we seemed to be getting slower and slower so Paul assumed we had something round the prop and of course by this time we had a boat right behind us. At a clear spot Paul waved them through getting as far over as he could. I was keeping a watch out for the trees on my side when all of a sudden Paul shouts “how much room do they want” and the boat then hit us  pushing us into some very shallow water so there was nothing for it but to throttle up and they just had to wait until we found some armco which we did just near bridge 33. Once moored up Paul went down the weed hatch finding plastic and vegetation round the prop. We couldn't be bothered to move on again so we are settled for the rest of the day.

It has been nice to be on the move again although we did have to wrap up warm. The tow path isn't muddy which is another bonus and the dogs are enjoying new smells. There have been a few boats on the move but it would appear the Easter rush is over.

Brains of Britain we aren't………..

When the 4 of us were up the pub on Friday night we noticed that there was a quiz arranged for Sunday evening. Ann and I were all for it the two “old grumps” became very quiet and ignored the suggestion completely. But they got their come uppance when we were all chatting to Irene and Andy  (who are moored in front of us) Saturday and Ann mentioned said quiz, we’re up for it said Irene and if she noticed the groan from Keith and Paul she was polite enough not to say anything. Arrangements were made re times etc.

All day Sunday Paul was wittering about going to the quiz how he didn't feel well and did we have to go. Now I knew Keith felt the same so no doubt Ann was experiencing the same thing I was. But, I was resolute and we were going and that was that. We got to the pub in plenty of time with Paul and Keith  still questioning why they were there. Irene and Andy joined us, by this time the tables were filling up and you could just tell the professional “quizzers” and I can tell you we certainly didn't fall in this category. Well to say that our quiz skills were dire wasn't quite true as we did get some questions right and thanks to Irene and Andy we weren't totally ignorant. At one point when Paul was heckling the compare he was threatened with being barred from the quiz altogether which I think was his intention. Any way to cut a long story short we CAME LAST won a bottle of red for our pains. I think we managed to get 50% of the answers right. To add insult to injury the team that won the quiz also walked off with most of the raffle prizes. As we left the pub there was a chorus from the two “Victors” of “don't you dare ask us to take part in another quiz again”. All that aside we did have a lovely evening and we laughed a lot thanks to our fellow team mates.

You can tell we are back on the cut as it hasn't taken long for us to be jumping up and down as boats come to within a whisker of the side of the boat. There has been a lot of traffic in the ice and freezing temperatures, thankfully although the wind is bitter yet again the ice has gone completely.  

We’re free!!!!!!!!!

Yes the day has come for us to leave the marina although for a while this morning we didn't think it would happen. The water was frozen and it was sleeting but we waited and at 2pm we slipped our mooring, filled up with diesel paid our dues and left. Not far as we are now on the tow path outside. We are off to Welford in the week for blacking and as we have never been up this neck of the woods before it is an adventure…..

Yesterday as it was Ann’s birthday we went up the pub for a birthday meal making sure we got there early to ensure a table. As usual the food and company were excellent.

Feels strange to see boats going past on  one side and people on the other, you get so isolated in a marina with the view from the window just some other boats at least now we can see trees.

Our plans for the coming months are up in the air, what with the boat being on the market we don't want to venture too far from ABNB in the hope that some one will want to view which fingers crossed wont be too long a wait. So once we leave Welford where ever we go it will be a slow cruise taking in the scenery. It nice being a “proper” boater again.

Oh dear!!!!!

Yes we are still here just been vegetating in this awful cold weather.

On Monday we met up  with Ann and Keith killing two birds with one stone as Paul had his appointment at the doctors for his lung test. After spending a pleasant couple of hours in the company of our friends in our usual watering hole we walked along to the surgery. Just as we got to the door Pauls phone rang and it was the receptionist cancelling Pauls appointment nothing like leaving it a bit late……..

We walked into the surgery for an explanation and was told the appointment had been booked with the wrong person and they were sorry that they hadn't rung earlier but they had been very busy. Now the woman telling all this was the same one who had booked the appointment  in the first place says it all really, this is total incompetence. After a few words explaining that we wouldn't be in the area much longer she told us to ring in the morning to make another appointment with the RIGHT person (why couldn't she do that?) Any way, while we were waiting for the bus the RIGHT person rang us and Paul was given a time of 5pm the following day.

So Tuesday Paul set off on his own back into Rugby for his Spirometry test. Upshot is Paul has the lungs of an 80 year old and was told that he has Emphysema, the very nice nurse went through the scan and the report with Paul saying that although he is a smoker the lung damage has  possibly been caused through the various toxic gasses he had worked with in the past and of course the damage is irreversible. he was given another course of antibiotics and told to keep using his inhalers. So now we know that the decision we have made is the right one.

Guess where we went today? That's right back to Wetherspoons to meet up with Ann and Keith braving the biting wind and snow flurry's. With the weather looking grim for the next few days I don't think we will be venturing out for a while.

Oh yes, Paul loves me so much he has given me his stinking cold….. What can I say.

What more snow!!!!!!

This morning while Paul was on Skype to his brother in Perth the rain changed to SNOW and it came down quite hard.

After about an hour it eased off and now every thing is very wet. Ho Hum its only March after all, soon be Easter…………

Passed!!!!

Yesterday Nigel came to do our BSS and I am glad to say that the boat passed with flying colours. Nigel was well impressed with the boat and couldn't believe the battery set up that Paul has done. His comment as he was leaving was “ I wish all boats were as easy as this one.”

Only two more weeks and we will be leaving the marina. Paul has the docs yet again on Monday for a lung test and we both have to have blood tests before the end of the month so in one way being here has been beneficial as I don't think I could have coped with doctors and hospital if we were out on the cut.

First GP of the season this weekend so Paul will be glued to the tele for that, me? I will be baking it has been a while since I made a cake so tomorrow is the day.

Nice day out.

Yesterday saw Paul and I in Northampton meeting up with my son Jamie and his partner. They were there for the Bedlam weekender. We spent a very pleasant time with them was nice to go somewhere different.

During the week Paul was clearing out the lockers in the engine room getting rid of a load of rubbish and he came across this pulley which was the drive for the travel pack generator on our old Beta 43. Paul wasn't keen on just throwing it away as it may do someone a good turn. Should it be any use to anyone get in touch and IT IS FREE.

Pulley diameter 10 1/2 inches 6PK belt.

 

Turned in one piece alloy blank.

That's a relief….

Yesterday morning I was on the phone at 8am the first couple of times of trying I was told by a pre-recorded message “that due to the high volume of calls pleas call back later” which I did twice at 5 minute intervals. On the third attempt I was told I was number 26 in the queue, so I waited, listening to endless messages and music until after 20 minutes of hanging on I got through and was able to make an appointment for 3.20 in the afternoon. As Paul had dentist at 11.20 it meant a bit of a wait between appointments.

The 10.40 bus  arrived at 11am so I had to rung the dentist and tell them we would be a bit late and luckily the bus pulled in at 11.20. After the dentist came the hanging round bit, we had a spot of lunch then sat on a seat for a while like a couple of reprobate's. As the wind had a bit of a bite to it we decided to go to the doctors early as you never know Paul may be seen. Well we were so early the self booking in screen said we didn't have an appointment so we had to ask the receptionist to do it for us then we sat in the waiting room until our allotted time of course that came and went by which time Paul was decidedly agitated and was threatening to walk out, at 3.45 he got called in and 10 minutes later came out with a big smile on his face and a handful of prescriptions. The prognosis is good, he has a small nodule on his lung which is nothing to worry about downside is his lungs have industrial damage from his job and he is going to have to live with shortness of breath and a tendency to catch bronchitis. As he has a rotten cough at the moment he is now on antibiotics and has been given a strong inhaler to use. To say that he was over the moon with the result would be an understatement.

So now we have to concentrate on getting the boat sold.

Its now official…..

Piston Broke is now on the market check out ABNB’s web site. Pauls results are back at the doctors but trying to get an appointment is like pulling hens teeth. Earliest one offered is three weeks time unless you ring on the day which I did at 8.30 this morning with no joy as all the appointments were taken. I will have to persevere only positive is that if there had been a problem I am sure the doctor would have rung.

Thank you Ann Keith Del and Al for a lovely birthday bash on Wednesday and all your support during this stressful time.

Done and dusted.

Well the broker has been, they were with us for 4 hours yes 4 hours. Loads of pictures were taken,  loads of questions were asked so now we have to wait for a phone call so we can approve the brochure which I am sure will be fine if the sample they showed us is anything to go on.

Thursday it was hospital for the scan which all went well, just have to wait for the results now.

You can tell Paul is feeling a lot more relaxed as he has been on his PlayStation all morning and hasn't sworn at the tele once long may it continue…..

Phew!!!!

The past few weeks have been spent…at the dentist….at the doctors….lunching with friends and CLEANING. This boat has been cleaned to within an inch of its life for tomorrow the broker is coming with his camera. Yesterday we had a phone call confirming said appointment and were told “ make sure there isn't any clutter”. CLUTTER my bits aren't clutter they are STUFF. Stuff that I treasure, presents from the kids and grandkids that to me are precious. Paul certainly doesn't have any clutter in the engine room he has TOOLS and BITS what man can do without his bits……..
So now the cupboards are full to bursting with things that this broker would class as “clutter”. Not everything has been destined for the cupboard mind you, after all this is our home and we feel it needs to shown as such, not an empty space but one that looks lived in and loved. So, if they want empty shelves they can move the items snap away then put them back. Ok I appreciate that the boat has to be shown in its best light to encourage people to come and view but I want it nice and homely not clinical, is that such a bad thing?
Paul is not looking forward to to Thursday as he has finally received his appointment for his CT scan and he doesn't know what they might find. Could it be…… his wallet or even the mobile phone he lost??????? Lets hope they find NOTHING.

Thank you.

Thank you everyone for all the kind messages. We will be staying on the boat until it is sold so, you are stuck with us for a bit longer.

Decisions, decisions, decisions???????

For the last few months we have been thinking about giving up the boat but since Paul has had a small health scare it has put things in a different perspective and has hastened our decision. So as from yesterday Piston Broke is up for sale.

This has not been an easy decision to make as the amount of work that Paul has put in to it has made an idyllic live aboard boat.

Friends to stay

Our friends from Kent came to visit us for the weekend and it was lovely to see them. They could only stay overnight Saturday as they both work, so it was up to the Red Lion Saturday evening for a nice meal and then once back on the boat Steve and Paul spent the rest of the evening on the Play Station while Angelique and I had a good old natter and a few glasses of wine. They went back early Sunday evening not before Steve and Paul had completed the final levels of Tomb Raider, boys and their toys eh!

Over the weekend Paul lost a filling so Monday after Pauls appointment at the doctors it was into the dentist to make an appointment there, as luck would have it he was able to see Paul straight away so that was handy and being the brave soldier that he is Paul didn't even have an injection to numb the tooth before the new filling was put in. We are now waiting on a letter from the hospital as Paul has to have a CT scan, only been 10 days but hopefully the doctor has chased them up and we wont have much longer to wait.

Weather has certainly taken a turn for the worse that wind has a vicious bite to it and we are promised more snow how lucky are we…… not!

This is unique…….

Paul has been busy again, changing things like he does. He has had it in mind since the new engine went in to change the rubber fuel lines to copper to enhance the appearance of the engine. After spending a good few hours getting these new lines right this is how it all looks now.

Twirly eh!

The difficult part was re-routeing the feed lines to be able to connect on to them as they were such a lash up originally. Still it gives him something else to polish which he has been a bit lapse about lately!!!! While he was at it all the filters were changed just the oil and the anti freeze to do but that is for another day.

Off to Braunston

Today we went to Braunston, I booked the County Connect bus for 10.30 with a return trip at 12 midday. Paul wanted some bits from Midland Chandlers so this was the easiest way to get there. Email came back with pick up at 10.40 return 12.10. Off we trotted to the PO to wait for the bus and right on time the bus turned up with the very affable driver Andy at the wheel. It transpired we were his only passengers there and back, due to his time schedule he was able to get his Daventry people there early. So we got to Braunston in about 15 minutes Andy waited in the lay by and we went to get the bits that Paul needed. 30 minutes and 50quid later we were back on the bus on our way home. This is such a great company and I found out that it goes through Norton as well so when we leave here we will be able to moor at Norton Junction and get the bus. We did find out that the pub there has been taken over by a Chinese family that own a chip shop in Daventry so that will be another reason to stop.

Good job it was Paul not me………

Life here in the marina has been pretty slow what will all this white stuff hanging around.

Yesterday saw us on that blooming bus yet again as Paul was due a chest x-ray at the hospital. I had been given a mission of my own. I made sure that Paul had his phone with him as he is apt to leave it on the boat and when I need to call him I cant. We went our separate ways, me to Homebase via another bus and Paul to the hospital on foot. Once in Homebase on my mission to get yet more carpets the only ones I could find weren't of the required colour so on the phone to Paul (and he answered) for his opinion on the colour that was available, purchases made it was back on the bus to town. Just as the bus was pulling in I get a phone call from Keith and Ann who we were meeting in Wetherspoons to say that Paul was already there. Now I didn't give it a thought that Keith had rung and not Paul but once in the pub I found out why, my very miserable looking husband had lost his phone…….. How, where and why he doesn't know but it must be lying in the snow somewhere. So after a pleasant breakfast being joined by Al as well we popped in to the phone shop for yet another phone (the one he lost is only 6 months old and I’m sure he never liked it anyway). The chap was very helpful telling us that we could ring customer services explain the situation and retain the old number which we duly did once back on the boat. Luckily it was a pay as you go and the balance outstanding along with the old number was transferred to the new phone, all this new technology is amazing.  So next time Paul goes out with his phone I am going to put it on a chain round his neck (pulled very tightly) so he doesn't loose this one….

Over the past few weeks our two dogs have been struggling to go down the steps into the engine room, think it is a culmination of old age and slippy steps so as already mentioned we bought a couple of mats and Paul fixed them to the steps to make life easier for the two old crocs or should that be 4.

No slipping and sliding now so much better for the 4 and 2 legged crew.

Talking to Ann and Al who both have cast iron casseroles that they use on the fire I went on the Amazon site and bought myself one, half price in a sale so a bit of a result.

Last week a lovely casserole was made and Paul had seconds so what he says about my cooking just isn't true………

We have been taking the dogs up to the village most days today being no exception, when we got back on the boat Paul says to me “ I must have a hole in my pocket” “why’s that “ I says “I've lost my phone” was the reply. Well, you can imagine my reaction to that I started to bend his ear and any thing else I could get hold of only for him to squeak (I had him in a head lock at the time) “I was only joking” ERGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Just a few inches……..

As promised the snow fell yesterday and it fell all day. I managed to get to the post office. The roads were relatively clear as the busses were running. We had about 5 inches of snow and  the dogs loved it, Crystal especially, it must be the Husky in her, many a time were have thought about hitching her up to a sled, lucky for her it was only a thought.

Here she is on the scent of a rabbit ears pricked ready to go.

Laid back Saffie she doesn't do chasing rabbits…..

Snowy marina

Snow drift!!!!!!

This morning I talked Paul in venturing out with the dogs for a nice walk which he managed without a groan or moan he is obviously feeling better. In the afternoon we had tea and cake with Angela and John considering we are so close together in the marina in this weather we are both hunkered down in front of the fire so only tend to meet up when walking the dogs. Was nice to catch up.

All done!!!!!!

Well that's it the last job since the stretch in 2010/11 has been completed. Hurrahhhhhhhhh.

This is the before:

This is the after.

Nice eh certainly makes a difference and a job well done, but would I expect anything else from Paul?

We have had a few trips to Rugby in between all this work, me to the dentist and Paul back to the docs for the results of his blood tests, which were all clear but he now has to go to the hospital for a chest x-ray. Not too sure when this will be as at the moment we have about 6inches of snow in the marina although the roads were passable first thing.

Food delivery came on Wednesday so the dogs have enough to last a couple of months and us a couple of weeks not to sure if the alcohol will last that long though!!!!!

At least we are cosy here and looking at the weather it would appear we are due snow every day until Monday that should be fun, the dogs will love it.

If it’s not one thing……….

After having a few days at Jacks doing a spot of babysitting I came back last Saturday needing a rest, with a 7  and  5 year old running me ragged I was exhausted.

On Sunday we finally got stuck into the shower, It didn't take Paul too long to get the old tiles off although as you can imagine there was quite a lot of mess.

 

This was the test to see how easy the tiles came off.

All gone

Just a small amount of rubble.

So after doing this on Monday next thing was the tiling, all was going well until we ran out of adhesive. It certainly didn't cover what it said on the container. So Tuesday morning saw us in Rugby to get some more, we had now got 2 sides completed and part of the third wall, this one had the taps so there was to be a bit of hole cutting, as we were due to have our New Year breakfast get together on Wednesday morning Paul had a bit of a rest as his back was giving him quite a bit of jip.

Wednesday morning Paul wasn't feeling to good so a quick call to the docs and we were on the bus to Rugby earlier then expected. We finally got to Wetherspoons and had a very pleasant few hours not too sure what the other patrons thought of us as we got a bit rowdy when Del got out the camera to take the requisite photos. There we all were covering our faces or turning our backs I am sure everyone thought we were mad well……… perhaps they were right. After it was off to get Pauls prescription and yet more adhesive once back on the boat a little more was done but Thursday we had to go the hospital as Paul had to have a blood test so this tiling was taking a lot longer than anticipated.

Today I had to go into town for a hair cut so I left Paul finishing off the grouting and refitting the shower door and when I got back it was done and very nice it looks too.

 

 

With the tiles being lighter it certainly makes the shower look bigger. So the job that was to take 3 days ended up taking 5 but it was unforeseen circumstances that forced the delay. Next job is to tile round the sink and the toilet hopefully we wont have any mishaps to make that a long job.

To top everything that has happened this week I broke a tooth while eating my lunch (it was only toast) so I now have to go into Rugby on Monday to get that sorted I know that bus route blind folded now.

Weather forecast doesn't look to clever for the next week, as long as I get my food delivery on Wednesday it can snow as much as it likes.