Bad day, Good Night.

No, not goodnight when you go to bed but good night when you achieve something.

Start at the beginning Lynne. Yesterday morning we left Hopwas to continue on our journey plenty of traffic coming our way so lots of “hello’s” as we passed. Just as we were approaching Hademoor Farm Bridge we could see a small boat in front of us with three youngsters on it (I know any one less than 60 is young compared to us but these were about 18) they seemed to be having problems and pulled over to the side just before the bridge hole. As we went to pass them a boat came through the bridge so into reverse we went. I must say at this point that the bridge was on a bend in a wooded cutting so with the broken down boat obscuring our view it made things a bit difficult. There was a BW work boat behind us so he had to reverse as well. Of course we ran aground and it was a struggle to get afloat again, first boat went by then blow me if about 5 more came through and it seemed every time we sorted our selves out someone else appeared. Paul finally managed to get over to the bank and I went to see if there was a clear passage of course there wasn't, a work boat was coming, there I was frantically giving signals to Paul to stay put and when I turned round he was on the move I was a bit dumfounded and shut my eyes as both boats came nose to nose with a slight bump. The work boat got stuck, I was shouted at and told to hang onto the boat. Paul then went and gave the youngsters a bit of advice about their mooring position to which the young lady said “we cant move we have broken down” Paul suggested that they pull the boat backwards with the ROPE. The BW guy tied his workboat to a tree went under the bridge to stop anything else coming through then went back to help the youngsters once we were on our way. The next stretch of the journey was done in stoney silence as it was MY fault Paul had left the bank, he mistook my arm waving which to me was quite clearly “stay where you are” for “come on through”. Will know to take the walkie talkies next time as long as I get them charged up. Hence Bad day.

We moored up where the new marina is going in just before Streethay, settled ourselves then No Direction came by so nice to have a chat with them. As there was nothing on the tele that Paul wanted to watch he got out the fishing gear and started fishing around 7 o'clock. He spent all evening on the back of the boat. Every now and again he would shout “there is something big eating the bait” but did he catch it no of course not. He thought it was a big carp so using his sea fishing skills it was time to change tactics after 5 hits. The days of catching Skate at Reculver came to mind.  At about 9.30 the cry went up “get the camera” hurrah a fish at last.

A nice Chubb not a Carp.

10 pm came and went and still he was sat there mumbling, so I got the dogs off, shut everything off and went to bed leaving him up there on his todd. I was all nice and cosy reading my Kindle when “I've got a big one “ (please don't go there) came from the back of the boat. The tactics had paid off and it was another Chubb.

 

Getting bigger….

These fish put up a real fight and the bigger they are the more fight they have. Back to bed I go snuggle down then 20 minutes later the shout went up again and an even bigger Chubb was landed.

This measured 21 inches nose to tail an estimated 5 and a half pound.

The eagle eyed among you will notice that the landing net has broken during the bringing in of this fish. The time by now was 11.30 and if I hadn't had words I think he would have sat there all night hoping for an even bigger fish.  Hence good night.

Needless to say we are staying here another night. Paul is quite excited about what he may catch tonight. It will be the only excitement he gets I can assure you, I refuse to get out of bed again to look at smelly fish after all once you've seen one fish…………

While we were at Fazely we saw this little lot.

Think it was a few families all intermingled.

Nice evening with friends.

Friday saw us in the Tame Otter having a meal, wasn't too impressed but anything that saves me cooking is a bonus. Saturday we caught the bus to Lichfield and had a wander around this nice town. Yet again it was raining but I did manage to get myself a lightweight waterproof coat for when we were travelling it was in a sale so reduced, bargain………

Yesterday afternoon we heard a boat toot and coming alongside was our friends Pete and Carol who we normally see once a year when they venture out on to the canal system from their mooring at Fox’s on the middle level lo and behold behind them was Graham and Rita who also moor at Fox’s. We popped up to see them once they were moored up by the pub had a quick cuppa and arranged to see them all in the pub in the evening.

They had a meal in the Tame Otter and we all went across the road to The Red Lion for a quiet drink. Pete decided we were all going to play”killer” on the dart board. Now, 4 of us are certainly not dart players and after Pete had explained the rules of the game to say we were confused would be an understatement, in fact Paul only grasped the idea of the game when he had been knocked out. To cut a long story short it was ME who won, by sheer luck I hasten to add but I got the kitty which amounted to £3 not too sure what I will spend this princely sum on mind you. We all had  such a laugh at our abysmal dart playing, it was a good job there was a wall between us and the rest of the customers because I am sure a few of them would have suffered injuries from low flying darts. By 10pm we were shattered from the laughing and the exertion of the game. It is lovely to meet up with friends albeit once a year so here's to 2013 when we all get together again.

Plenty of boat traffic today taking advantage of a bit of a lull in the weather which is supposed to be improving but we will see…..

Slowly Northwards

Because we don't have to be anywhere specific and to be honest haven't really made any plans for the summer it is a case of point and go for us at the moment. We spent a couple of days at Fazley then moved up to Sutton Road bridge for shopping. We met up with Leon here and ended up spending 2 nights. There is a new B & Q and Maplins close to the canal so we nipped in as we still need to get tiles for the bathroom, believe it or not we couldn't find anything that jumped up and grabbed us. There is new stock due (or so the advertising says) hence the lack of choice. Paul managed to spend £30 though.

With high winds and rain forecast we hadn't planned on moving today but when we got up the sun was out and it was relatively calm so we have moved up to Hopwas, again a short journey but we got here just as the heavens opened so that was good timing and ever since we have had some really squally showers and very high winds. At least we have the luxury of a couple of pubs here so who knows I may get taken out one evening, there is also the bus which goes to Tamworth one way and Lichfield the other so  maybe the bus passes will get a bit of use. Don't know how long we will stay may be just  a few days, one more overnight somewhere rural and we will be at Fradley where we will turn left and head for Tixall after that who knows, could be the Shroppie again or maybe Stourport we haven't been there, so, I think that's favourite but then again I would love to go back up to Whaley Bridge the options are endless so just watch this space.

Wet yet again…….

We left our weekend mooring in the dry by the time we had travelled a mile it was wet very wet. At the the locks by Steve Hudson there was a queue of 3 with us tagged on the end, we needed water and no one else did so we squeezed onto the water point to top up the tank. With nothing coming up it took us nearly 2 hours to do 2 locks so by the time we left we were like drowned rats, getting used to this now, flaming June it certainly isn't.

On Saturday lunch time Paul was looking out of the window scanning the canal for any signs of fish and as usual every time he thinks about getting his rod out boats start to pass by, however on this occasion the boat passing by had the same name as a boat that was being painted and fitted out in the yard when we were having our work done. Paul said to me “that’s funny that is the same name but a different livery” however within 10 minutes Tobermoray had moored up and the steerer was walking towards us introducing himself  and then proceeded to tell Paul all his woes concerning the build of his boat. As one cannot go into print of the details suffice to say they have had major problems which has cost them a considerable amount of money. We didn't recognise the livery because a year down the line the boat has had to be repainted (at their cost) and it now looks a lot better than when we last saw it. Stuart had heard on the grapevine that we too had had problems and was keen to compare notes and he  is also on the same mission as Paul. To say that this has made Paul a very happy bunny would be an understatement……. He also caught two large bream that day so he went to bed with a smile on his face. (that's not something you see very often)

Thieving, thieving b*******s

This morning Paul walked the dogs and as he went past the boat he noticed that some light fingered little sh*t had cut and stolen our anchor rope not only that but the boat behind us nb Seyalla had their centre rope cut and stolen. Its strange because while we were moored above bridge 40 at Atherstone Nick on the boat behind us had his centre rope cut and stolen (it was only a week old) and we just thought it was a one off but obviously it wasn't. Paul has rung the police to report this and just to make them aware. SO….. if you moor up anywhere near to Atherstone put all your ropes canal side because these people just lean across the boat so you aren't even aware of what they are doing, it would appear that this happens during the night, they kindly leave you about 8 0r 9 inches behind. All three of us have dogs and none of them even barked. So ours have got the sack and aren't getting any tea tonight.

There it was gone……

Now Paul has got to get out and scrub the roof!!!!!!!!!!

So we have moved a few miles and are settled so Paul can can watch F1 this weekend. Tonight we are going to tie the dogs up outside in the cold, one at the front and one at the back in punishment for their lack of guarding skills, they have obviously become too complacent in their old age.

Fishing or is it phishing…..

If any of you have received a funny email from Paul I apologise. It would appear that our email account has been hacked into and every contact has had an email even Tesco, the doctors surgery you name it they got one.  Some of our friends seeing that the email had an attachment just deleted it but I think Pauls brother in Oz opened his we have yet to talk to him to find out. So once again we are sorry but it wasn't our fault.

At last!!!!!!!

Yesterday we got the news that we have been waiting for…….. the bow thruster was fixed. It packed up ages ago and as we knew we would be going through Atherstone rang Cox Autos to see if they could repair it which they could so that is where the thing has been for the past 2 weeks. Now the delay wasn't all due to Cox’s, the housing had to be welded as there was a crack in it and the company that undertook this job was a tad on the slow side. Any way it is all done now and cost half the price of a new motor with a years guarantee which cant be bad.

 

There it is in all its glory waiting for Paul to reinstall it.

Today we left the mooring at 8 am and we weren't the first to go down the locks. We did 4 then filled up with water. It has been 3 weeks since our last fill up to say we have been frugal over the last few days would be an understatement. By this time we were very wet and the wind had got up, at lock 6 in front of us was a single hander, or so I thought. As I went to raise the paddles I could see someone on the boat in their pyjamas, now I don't mind helping but when the crew are on board in the warm I get a bit put out. The person in question was at the cratch doors on the phone and when she saw me do the paddles ducked back out of the way. We then proceeded to go slowly so he could do the rest by himself. By this time though there were plenty of boats coming up. At lock 7 we met another single hander coming up, as he left the lock instead of steering away from us to compensate for the wind he just scraped along the side of our boat I was amazed as he had been telling me that he had lived on his boat for 10 years and was a CCer, beggars belief really. Any way we managed 2 more locks then gave it up as a bad job. If the wind has abated in the morning we may continue up to bridge 50 we will just have to wait and see. It is just nice to to be away from Atherstone. I was the first in the shower once we had sorted our selves out at least I smell a bit sweeter now and we got some washing done oh the luxury of a full water tank…….

Static

We haven't been able to move as we are still waiting on the phone call, so not a lot to write about. Paul has been keeping in with the neighbours here. One of them, who has a little plastic cruiser  asked if he knew anything about engines as his outboard had packed up. Needless to say it is now fixed and the guy is as pleased as punch and took it for a spin and said it is the best it has run for years.

Nick on the boat behind us has decided to take up fishing again Paul gave him one of his old rods and a reel and he has been out and  bought some line and weights etc., the pair of them have spent a few hours sat on the bank. Nick has caught a few fish, Paul has caught crayfish, talking of which, the chap opposite has just lifted his crayfish cage and it has about 6 large ones in it so all round his for a BBQ.

Between showers I took the dogs out and as I came back there was Paul scurrying under the bridge in front of us. When he came back he was spitting feathers. Apparently while he was changing his face from winter to summer mode (shaving his beard off) an old work boat and butty (Hercules and Neptune I think) came through the bridge and the narrowboat DAYDREAM coming in the opposite direction decided in his infinite wisdom to throttle up instead of down and barge his way through and of course smacked into us taking another few feet of paint off. Paul was mid shave (lucky he was using an electric razor!!!) of course he got into the cratch and gave the steerer a load of verbal with no apology forthcoming, he tells me the guys on the work boats couldn't believe their eyes and one said “ I wonder which marina he has come out of for the weekend”. Paul was off the boat and under the bridge to catch up with them like a rat up a drainpipe. He went into his usual rant about slowing down past moored boats and was told “leave it out mate I've got problems with my gear box” Paul said it is not a problem with your gear box its a problem with your andy on the end of your army using the throttle. You would think if he had gear box problems he would be taking it easy and not going at the extreme speed he was or better still he could have waited for the work boats to pass which would have aborted any sort of collision,  he was obviously made aware of his wrong doing with still no apology, just glad I wasn't there to witness all this.

What can I say about this weather, suppose the heat wave we had was our summer. Fire is alight as I write this and we have to wait until Wednesday now to see if our job has been done.