Just how much more!!!

I am beginning to get really p'd off now, more snow today only saving grace is we are able to get out on the bus. Yesterday the 3 intrepid ladies caught the bus to Banbury didn't quite make it to see "the cross" but managed a bit of retail therapy. Today Anne and I went to Daventry to top up we were very good only one rucksack and one bag apiece. Got ingredients for a cake of some sort either ginger or boat cake so will be busy baking soon.
Met up with Jackie and Tony from nb Timewarp they are moored at the prison with a couple of others. When we got back to the boats the men had been very busy. As we all need water they had taken two hosepipes to the water point at Midland Chandlers fitted them together thrown them across the canal to the tow path and have spent the last 2 -3 hours ferrying containers of water to their respective boats. Luckily we weren't too bad off, Betty and Graham had got dangerously low and Keith and Anne were just topping up like us. Hopefully I may be allowed to do one load of washing soon. We have also arranged for a delivery of coal for next week 40 bags to be split between 5 boats here. Not sure when next week as the coal merchant is rushed off his feet at least we know some is on the way.
We certainly have a bit of the Dunkirk spirit here mucking in and helping each other out makes it all worthwhile when you have good friends around you. Think its off to the pub tonight cant wait.

How much longer?

What can you write about when you are stuck in the ice and have been for nearly 3 weeks, not a lot really. We are so lucky that we have friends moored next to us it alieveates the boredom no end. We have been taking it in turns to provide "afternoon tea" although the cakes have been hit on the head as I have run out of ingredients. Saturday night we all went up the pub for a couple of drinks, the place was busier than it had been New Years eve. I think we are going to return there Wednesday evening as it is curry night 2 curries and 2 drinks for a tenner not bad eh. Mind you the curries may leave a lot to be desired but we will see.
This morning Paul did an oil and filter change while in the depths of the engine well he found a split hose so he has just returned from Midland Chandlers and is now in the process of replacing that. The temperature seems to be rising and there appears to be a slow thaw of the canal but as the ice is 3 inches deep in places it may take a while. We have been struggling to find a water container to buy obviously everyone else has the same idea. Couldnt even get one in Daventry and no hope of getting one here in Braunston. May have to look farther afield.
Well nearly time for me to get the kettle on as its my turn today. Stay warm everyone.

Is this worth it?

When I returned to the boat yesterday afternoon after spending a very pleasurable few hours in Rugby with Betty, Paul told me that the contractors had been past mowing "the snow" I didn't believe him but he had taken this picture.

Well I ask you what is the point of doing this in the snow? It seems a senseless exercise and a total waste of man hours and money. The day before the men had been along cutting the hedges back not a bad thing except for the fact that all the cuttings were left on the tow path and most of these consisted of branches with long thorns just perfect for the dogs to stand on and ideal for puncturing bicycle tyres.

Apparently the couple on the boat behind us had tried to get off of the mooring and this is the resulting mess.

Paul said they tried for about and hour giving their poor engine full revs and in the end they got nowhere. They need to get to Norton junction but as the tunnel closes on Monday I don't think they are going to make it.

At least this morning wasn't quite as cold as yesterday when our kitchen window was completely covered in ice. Paul wandered to the sanitary point while I went to the village on the way back I took these pictures.

There are loads more but the computer is very slow today so perhaps I will have better luck another day. Hope everyone else is fairing okay in these icy conditions.

Snowy morning.

Didn't know what to expect when we opened the curtains this morning. Of course it had snowed, the canal was frozen so no surprises there.
Yesterday afternoon it was Betty and Grahams turn to be mine host and we all ate our cake drunk our wine/beer like good children do. Paul was his usual argumentative self and was given the challenge to make an eco fan as he couldn't understand why they are so expensive. He looked through Grahams Maplins catalogue and the components apart from the power source came to £12.50 (this is sooooo typical of Paul he is becoming a real pain in the bum)
We had to go into Daventry to pick up the oil filters from the motor shop. I had seen a bus go by on the road so we wrapped up and trundled to the bus stop. Go chatting to the gentleman off of Old Speckled Hen who was also on a shopping trip. No 72 bus arrived on time but no Geoff Amos buses were running obviously had a few problems getting out of the garage. While I did a quick shop in Tesco Paul got the filters which were considerably cheaper than from the chandlery we now have three filters which should last a while. Back at the bus stop for the return trip again no Geoff Amos bus and the 72 was 20 minutes late but at least it turned up didn't relish the 3-4 mile walk to Braunston from Daventry.
Back at the canal and the ice appeared to be melting, a boat had broken through and during the afternoon 2 others went past, one being The Old Bovine hasty wave to Leon on the tiller and a comment that he must be mad we settled back inside. Paul rang Gosty yesterday as they were due in Braunston today not that we expected them to turn up Alison said they were stuck at Suttons Stop and would try to get through as soon as they could. We aren't desperate just want them to be safe. Nice blue sky now but the temperature is due to plummet again tonight.

Crispy morning again.

The boats of the 3 amigos from r-l Oakfield, Tranquility and Piston Broke

Last evening Betty, Graham, Bottle and Wozie came aboard for a cuppa and Boat Cake. Wozie came bearing gifts a lovely ginger cake she had made that afternoon. No way was I sharing that one!!. We spent a very pleasant few hours chatting, comparing journeys and generally having a good time. Paul finally asked the men if they would like a beer, well I had to raise my eyebrows as it isn't often Paul gets into his drinks cellar. This gave me the opportunity to get out the rose wine not that I needed any prompting. Dogs were a bit put out as I had shut them in the bedroom but I had visions of cups and glasses being knocked off the table by Crystals tail, not only that but everyone gets covered in dog hairs. Paul was winding Graham up Graham was winding Paul up and poor Keith was caught in the middle but he soon got into the swing of the wind up game. Us girls, well we bemoaned the fact that we had all planned to go on diets and there we were eating boat cake and drinking wine not at the same time I hasten to add. Still there's always another day. And I have a ginger cake to eat!!!!

This morning yet again we awoke to ice and the field opposite white with frost which has stayed all day it is that cold. Coal boat Towester came through heading north just as we got off the boat and she was really struggling against the ice we found out that 20 mins later she reversed back as she couldn't get through We had decided to take the dogs for a nice walk and as we needed to go to the Wharf house chandlery made that our first stop. Paul was after an oil filter but the chandlery didn't have any and they were expensive, so it was a quick call to Graham who was in Daventry to see if he could get one from either Halfords or the motor shop in town. 10 mins later he called from the motor shop, they have ordered 3 for Paul, will be in Wednesday at half the price. When we got up to the village met Keith and Anne heading for the canal quick chat and we went our separate ways.

Paul and I came back on the road at the rear of the church and this is the view from that angle. Pretty eh!

Just sitting down to lunch when another boat chugged past half hour later they reversed back saying it was too dangerous to continue why people even attempt to move in these icy conditions is beyond me. Looks like we are going to be here for a bit longer yet as the ice is at least an inch or so thick. Canal has now refrozen and where the plates of ice have doubled up it is now getting on for 3 inches thick and it's only 4pm.

Widow Twanky's apprentice or what!!!!!

Yesterday we awoke to the canal being frozen yet again, which was a real pain in the bum because we had planned to go and get water turn round and head off. About 10 a boat went past breaking the ice so Paul took a wander down to check out the situation at the water point and the junction by Midland Chandlers.

When he got back he informed me that we were going to get water with Graham and Betty reversing behind us, Paul making sure there was a clear passage for them.

Betty and Graham with Bottle and Wozie on the tow path.

On the way we discovered what the "blowy thing" had been new years eve, it was Graham with what sounded like a goose caller just shows how tight he is when he doesn't have an electric horn on his boat. I'm sure he makes Betty stand up the front to signal their approach (we love you really Graham).

It took an age to fill up mainly because only one tap was working I was using the washing machine and we didn't realise just how empty we were.

As our friends were full before us they went back to the mooring to put the kettle on, once we had finished we had to turn round, so it was nose up the South Oxford then reverse back out, ice hadn't been broken here steerage was all over the place so the boat wouldn't go where you pointed it. As we completed the manoeuvre Bottle and Wozie arrived to fill up. By now I was on my second load of washing having taken advantage of using the water as we filled up.

Back on the same mooring we had left it was onto Tranquility for a welcome cuppa, it was blooming freezing on the back of the boat I'm just glad we didn't travel any distance. But hang on we have our new Salopettes now why didn't I put mine on for a trial run?

Looking at the weather forecast it seems we are in for more icy mornings and may be some snow on the way. In fact this morning around 7.30 a boat when past breaking the ice and when Paul took the dogs out at 8.30 the canal had re-frozen.

As I sit here writing this the church bells are ringing, the sun is shining and Paul is waiting to contact Eric for his Sunday chat.

This was the boat last night full of washing and look like a chinese laundry.

Welcome, 2010

A very pleasant evening was spent in the company of Anne and Keith, nb Oakfield and Betty and Graham nb Tranquility. We had booked a table at the Boathouse they must have known Paul was coming as we were on a table out of the way not complaining about this as I was next to the radiator. Poor Sarah our waitress must have wished it was her day off. Paul was in a wind up mood and the poor girl was teased endlessly. Food was okay clear plates all round and then we really pushed the boat out (excuse the pun) and all had a sweet. We crunched our way back to the boats around 10.30, finally getting into bed about 11.30 as we had to give ourselves a bit of time for the meal to "go down". Not long after getting into bed the bells of Braunston church started to ring out and they continued until midnight when the fireworks started. Someone on the towpath had a blowy thing obviously on their way back from the pub.
This morning with the canal frozen again with a thin layer of ice a lot of boats have started to move on their way. Betty and I walked to the village as I needed to post a letter and get some milk. Also needed a bit of exercise, it certainly has been a lovely day a we meet a lot of like minded people out for a new year's day stroll along the tow path.
Just where did 2009 go it certainly is true what they say "the older you get the faster the years fly by"