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.