Today we took the dogs for a nice walk to the golf course near Clifton Cruisers. I would have gone further but Paul was flagging and by the time we got back to the boat the dogs were flagging too. You can tell it is half term as quite a few hire boats have passed us since Saturday. We have decided that tomorrow we will move to Rugby to do the bits that need doing, will only stay a couple of days then come back here for a bit then maybe go out into the country and then onto Braunston where it will be easier to catch the bus to Daventry for the remaining dentist appointments.
Don't have a lot to report as we haven't done anything, Paul saw Dave went over the few bits that needed clarifying and it looks as if it is all system go for August. Just watch this space as no doubt something will crop up between now and then.
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Friday, 12 February 2010
Nice day yesterday and today.
Yesterday we decided to go to Braunston. Why, you may ask, well it seemed like a good idea and got us away from the boat for a bit. Caught the two buses and got to Braunston around midday, we gave Lesley a knock on nb Caxton but no one was aboard. Paul wanted to gain information regarding their stretch . No doubt we will go to Braunston again while Caxton is out of the water just to be nosey. As we spied nb Old Bovine we gave them a knock too , Rae invited us in for a cuppa as Leon was on his way back from Rugby . It was nice to go on this lovely boat as we have only seen her from the outside, when Leon returned he gave Paul a guided tour of the engine room as Paul had said after the stretch his engine room would be 7ft and Leon's is only 5ft 7in however ours has to be 7ft as it has to accommodate a washing machine and the calorifier(and probably a load of other things too) so we can't really loose any space.
After our socialising we went onto the Gongoozlers for breakfast, well more like lunch, then it was back on the buses to Hillmorton never got back till turned 4pm so it was a long day for the dogs to be on their own but they survived.
Now that Paul is feeling better after "the extractions" he has gone into "stretch mode" as he wants to get everything sorted out with Dave before we leave here. He has been into every cupboard, drawer and even under the beds to see how easily it will be to dismantle all the fixed furniture. He guesstimates 3 days, heaven only knows where all the clothes etc from these cupboards and drawers are going to go but I am sure I will find somewhere. Also before any of the work begins we have (no Paul has) to demolish the oven housing and rebuild it in its new position. We had read on Caxton's blog a comment saying that someone had had their boat stretched and their insurance company required a new hull survey and bsc to be done. So a quick call to our insurers to clarify the situation re our stretch, Paul was told that as long as the steel work was carried out by a professional (hardly a job for a D.I.Y'er on the tow path!!!) and the boat was re-valued that is all that was needed. So at least we have checked that out.
As the store cupboard is getting a bit low we need to go to Rugby next week for a big shop at Tesco, also need to visit Wickes for more extrusion to finish the windows. Must say that these windows have performed so well all through this cold weather it has been money well spent.
Today is my birthday and I had a nice lot of cards from family and friends didn't get one from Paul though but that wasn't a surprise what was, though was the 35 horses he bought me in the guise of a JD3 beta engine, now did I ask for one of these of course I didn't I was rather hoping for something that had 3 carats in it not 35 horses. Of course this JD3 thing wont be here for ages and he hasn't paid for it so it is hardly a present is it. On previous birthdays I have had, a wheelbarrow . a new drill, 5 sacks of coal, 10 ton of shingle (when we lived in Spain) and various tools that I had no idea how to use and didn't even realise I wanted. So.............. I think a day's shopping is in order with Paul's card. Need to get the smelling salts he has just passed out!!!!!!!
Dont tell him I splashed out and bought some Haggen Dazz ice cream and I am going to eat it all myself he can just lick the spoon.
After our socialising we went onto the Gongoozlers for breakfast, well more like lunch, then it was back on the buses to Hillmorton never got back till turned 4pm so it was a long day for the dogs to be on their own but they survived.
Now that Paul is feeling better after "the extractions" he has gone into "stretch mode" as he wants to get everything sorted out with Dave before we leave here. He has been into every cupboard, drawer and even under the beds to see how easily it will be to dismantle all the fixed furniture. He guesstimates 3 days, heaven only knows where all the clothes etc from these cupboards and drawers are going to go but I am sure I will find somewhere. Also before any of the work begins we have (no Paul has) to demolish the oven housing and rebuild it in its new position. We had read on Caxton's blog a comment saying that someone had had their boat stretched and their insurance company required a new hull survey and bsc to be done. So a quick call to our insurers to clarify the situation re our stretch, Paul was told that as long as the steel work was carried out by a professional (hardly a job for a D.I.Y'er on the tow path!!!) and the boat was re-valued that is all that was needed. So at least we have checked that out.
As the store cupboard is getting a bit low we need to go to Rugby next week for a big shop at Tesco, also need to visit Wickes for more extrusion to finish the windows. Must say that these windows have performed so well all through this cold weather it has been money well spent.
Today is my birthday and I had a nice lot of cards from family and friends didn't get one from Paul though but that wasn't a surprise what was, though was the 35 horses he bought me in the guise of a JD3 beta engine, now did I ask for one of these of course I didn't I was rather hoping for something that had 3 carats in it not 35 horses. Of course this JD3 thing wont be here for ages and he hasn't paid for it so it is hardly a present is it. On previous birthdays I have had, a wheelbarrow . a new drill, 5 sacks of coal, 10 ton of shingle (when we lived in Spain) and various tools that I had no idea how to use and didn't even realise I wanted. So.............. I think a day's shopping is in order with Paul's card. Need to get the smelling salts he has just passed out!!!!!!!
Dont tell him I splashed out and bought some Haggen Dazz ice cream and I am going to eat it all myself he can just lick the spoon.
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Home at last.
What a journey I had yesterday and I don't want another one like it. Paul had rung me at various times during the morning to say that there were some Virgin trains running on the line near the boat, so I was in a bit of a dilemma, did I go to Euston in the hope that there was a service or go with my instinct and catch the coach. I decided on the coach, left Kent at 11.30 was at Victoria Coach Station by 1.15. Now this was all a new experience for me as I haven't been on a coach for years, I found which bay my coach was going from and sat and waited amazed at the range of destinations at home and abroad and the amount of people catching the coaches. During my wait Paul rang yet again to say trains had stopped running again so I obviously made the right choice. My coach left London at 3.30 with an estimated arrival time in Coventry of 6.20 journey was uneventful except for a nasty accident on the London bound carriageway of the M1 which slowed us down due to rubberneckers. Once at Coventry I had an 80 minute wait for the Rugby coach and I can assure you Coventry bus station is not the best place to spend 80 minutes seems all the local kids spend their evenings there. When the coach turned up I was the only passenger, talking to the driver it would appear that the coach had come up from Brixham in Devon and once he had dropped me off in Rugby he was going back to the depot in Leicester. Luckily once off the coach I only had a 5 minute wait for the bus to Hillmorton and Paul waiting for me at the bus stop, ahhhhhh bless him he had been so worried about me travelling this different route. Needless to say as we walked under the railway line 2 Virgin trains thundered past so problem was obviously sorted. Today all trains seem to be back to normal.
The hygienist at the dentist was not impressed with Paul yesterday and has given him a long list of instructions to follow, especially as he has had extractions and one of these is still giving him a bit of bother.
I also found on my return that the boat has been booked in to have its stretch done subject to my approval (as if that would make any difference). There I was all geared up to a November slot and we are now going in in AUGUST seems it is better to get the steel work done while the weather is good which I can understand. Dave has given Paul an itemised breakdown of all the work and the price quoted is just below our budget so it looks like it will be August. Puts paid to us having a long cruise this summer but we will be out of the water during the busiest hire seasons so that in its self is a plus. There are a couple of things that Paul wants to clarify and that will be us committed. Still my daughter has asked me if I would like to go away for a long weekend on Eurostar to Brussels at sometime, September seems a good idea as I will be up to my ears in boat stretch by then and will probably need a break.
Had quite a blizzard here this morning for about half an hour but since then the sun has been shining, the wind cuts you in half though.
Have done absolutely nothing today except one load of washing to try out my new ECOBALLS they seem to be okay so no more buying soap powder for me.
The hygienist at the dentist was not impressed with Paul yesterday and has given him a long list of instructions to follow, especially as he has had extractions and one of these is still giving him a bit of bother.
I also found on my return that the boat has been booked in to have its stretch done subject to my approval (as if that would make any difference). There I was all geared up to a November slot and we are now going in in AUGUST seems it is better to get the steel work done while the weather is good which I can understand. Dave has given Paul an itemised breakdown of all the work and the price quoted is just below our budget so it looks like it will be August. Puts paid to us having a long cruise this summer but we will be out of the water during the busiest hire seasons so that in its self is a plus. There are a couple of things that Paul wants to clarify and that will be us committed. Still my daughter has asked me if I would like to go away for a long weekend on Eurostar to Brussels at sometime, September seems a good idea as I will be up to my ears in boat stretch by then and will probably need a break.
Had quite a blizzard here this morning for about half an hour but since then the sun has been shining, the wind cuts you in half though.
Have done absolutely nothing today except one load of washing to try out my new ECOBALLS they seem to be okay so no more buying soap powder for me.
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
really cheesed off!!!!!!
Left Jess's yesterday after taking Tom to school today got to Euston only to find that there were no trains running out of Euston station due to overline failure. What a bummer now I had to make a desicion do I hang around the station and wait or do I return to Kent, well I opted for the return to Kent idea. So after leaving Jess's at 10.30 I was back on her doorstep at 3.45 really annoyed. I had kept Paul informed of what I was doing and he was not best pleased as it meant another night of quick food still at least he didn't have to suffer the soaps.
Today my phone has been red hot with Paul letting me know that there were still no trains running past the boat in either direction. Back onto the internet and it still says disrupted service, so onto National Express site and I am now booked on a coach from Victoria this afternoon which goes via Coventry and gets me to Rugby at 8.30 pm. In the meanwhile Paul had seen Virgin trains going northbound so back onto the internet and even called National rail all I got was "trains are disrupted and will be till midday some trains are cancelled and there is a travel delay" so bugger it I am catching the coach. Do you think that Virgin will re-imburse me the extra fares I have spent out on? I very much doubt it. I have to wait and hour and a half at Coventry for a connecting coach to Rugby so Paul has come up with the bright idea that I catch a number 86 to Rugby knowing my luck I will miss that one too. Think of me today oh yes to top it all Paul has a dentist appointment too what a very fortunate couple we are.
Today my phone has been red hot with Paul letting me know that there were still no trains running past the boat in either direction. Back onto the internet and it still says disrupted service, so onto National Express site and I am now booked on a coach from Victoria this afternoon which goes via Coventry and gets me to Rugby at 8.30 pm. In the meanwhile Paul had seen Virgin trains going northbound so back onto the internet and even called National rail all I got was "trains are disrupted and will be till midday some trains are cancelled and there is a travel delay" so bugger it I am catching the coach. Do you think that Virgin will re-imburse me the extra fares I have spent out on? I very much doubt it. I have to wait and hour and a half at Coventry for a connecting coach to Rugby so Paul has come up with the bright idea that I catch a number 86 to Rugby knowing my luck I will miss that one too. Think of me today oh yes to top it all Paul has a dentist appointment too what a very fortunate couple we are.
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Life in Kent
As you know I am in Kent at the moment with the family. Thursday evening Jess and I went out for a lovely meal accompanied by a bottle of wine finished off with a liqueur coffee and last but not least a sloe gin poured over ice, needless to say we had another sloe gin at home and I woke Friday morning with a very muzzy head yes I know it is my own fault. Friday I was with my best friend on a retail therapy day also managed to meet up with number one son for a quick chat, he is coming to Jess's today. Tomorrow it is to number two sons for lunch so I think that is everyone covered.
Paul is still suffering with his front tooth that was really giving him gip hopefully not for much longer.
Is nice to be with the family has been a few months, but it is back to the boat Monday and back to a slower pace of life none of this rushing here and there in the car with all the noisy traffic we just don't know how lucky we are or do we?
Paul is still suffering with his front tooth that was really giving him gip hopefully not for much longer.
Is nice to be with the family has been a few months, but it is back to the boat Monday and back to a slower pace of life none of this rushing here and there in the car with all the noisy traffic we just don't know how lucky we are or do we?
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Brave little soldier.
Two extractions out of the way and the false teeth back in, my brave little soldier emerged from the dentist's surgery looking very different at least he can smile now. The worse is now over so its just the fiddly bits, impressions, fillings and new crowns. Paul is suffering now as the injections have worn off, must rummage in the depths of the bathroom cupboard and find the paracetamols. He had to have soup for his tea with a very runny ice cream to follow (it had thawed out due to the length of time we were out), he couldn't face chewing anything.
It was certainly a long day, we left the boat at 10.15 and didn't get back till 5 poor dogs looked at us when we got back as if to say "where the hell have you been all day". Tomorrow will be spent on the boat with Paul nursing a sore face.
It was certainly a long day, we left the boat at 10.15 and didn't get back till 5 poor dogs looked at us when we got back as if to say "where the hell have you been all day". Tomorrow will be spent on the boat with Paul nursing a sore face.
Monday, 1 February 2010
First appointment out of the way!!!!
Today was that dreaded DENTIST day. We were up with the lark having to get to Daventry via Rugby for 10 45. Caught the 8.30 bus from Hillmorton flashed the bus pass to be told "cant use that before 9am" oh bugger didn't realise that so first journey cost us £3.60. Got to Rugby with ages to wait for the Rugby bus so wandered into the precinct to get out of the cold. Luckily we were able to use our passes on the next bus. Again we had 40 mins to wait once we got to Daventry so had a nice cup of coffee then made our way to the dentist. Paul wasn't in there long but came out minus his false gnashers (just a small plate with a few teeth on) result, as now he cant whistle.Think I may have to buy a liquidizer to sort his food out for him. I suggested that I make a rice pudding for tea so he could suck it through the gaps in his teeth.
Tomorrow is EXTRACTION day!!! then we or should I say he has 5 more visits. This time we have booked all the appointments in advance the last one being 10th March, of course they wanted a hefty whack of dosh up front so Paul got out his new card put it in the machine entered pin and surprise surprise it failed. The receptionist said it was probably their machine but I think it was the shock on the card of the huge amount of money that was requested, now my card is used to largish sums but Paul's very rarely sees the light of day so it went into shock. We did pop into the bank to check and the card was deemed okay and it did work in Tesco's so I think I was right, anything over 50 quid and Paul's card will go into freefall.
My new Mobile phone has been a right pain in the proverbial, I was assured that I would be able to carry on using my old phone until the new one had gone through the system, but no, I ended up with no phone at all and when I rang customer services I was told the transaction had failed but would be sorted within 24 hours. "Don't hold your breath" I told myself and was prepared to go back to the shop this morning to cancel the contract but lo and behold last evening two messages appeared on the NEW phone and I am pleased to say I am up and running again.
Certainly has been cold with the canal being frozen for the past two days, not that it has stopped people moving at least it isn't as bad as before.
Graham and Betty are on their way back from Rugby and are hoping to meet up with us tonight not sure its our company they want think they smelt the boat cake cooking.
Just had a thought, when Pauls teeth are all done and dusted will he have the Jess Conrad sparkle, with a mouth full of gold crowns I would think so,must make sure when he smiles the sun is behind him or else I will be blinded.
Tomorrow is EXTRACTION day!!! then we or should I say he has 5 more visits. This time we have booked all the appointments in advance the last one being 10th March, of course they wanted a hefty whack of dosh up front so Paul got out his new card put it in the machine entered pin and surprise surprise it failed. The receptionist said it was probably their machine but I think it was the shock on the card of the huge amount of money that was requested, now my card is used to largish sums but Paul's very rarely sees the light of day so it went into shock. We did pop into the bank to check and the card was deemed okay and it did work in Tesco's so I think I was right, anything over 50 quid and Paul's card will go into freefall.
My new Mobile phone has been a right pain in the proverbial, I was assured that I would be able to carry on using my old phone until the new one had gone through the system, but no, I ended up with no phone at all and when I rang customer services I was told the transaction had failed but would be sorted within 24 hours. "Don't hold your breath" I told myself and was prepared to go back to the shop this morning to cancel the contract but lo and behold last evening two messages appeared on the NEW phone and I am pleased to say I am up and running again.
Certainly has been cold with the canal being frozen for the past two days, not that it has stopped people moving at least it isn't as bad as before.
Graham and Betty are on their way back from Rugby and are hoping to meet up with us tonight not sure its our company they want think they smelt the boat cake cooking.
Just had a thought, when Pauls teeth are all done and dusted will he have the Jess Conrad sparkle, with a mouth full of gold crowns I would think so,must make sure when he smiles the sun is behind him or else I will be blinded.
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