Back in Rugby

Last night 2 working boats moored breasted up behind us. Ibex and Ilford were loaded with stone and making their way to the Ashby canal and Shackleton. This was a trial run to see if the two boats could make the journey and if it was a viable option. They caused a few problems as they were right on the bend. It certainly was amusing this morning when a hire boat heading for the locks with a Japanese family aboard seemed to be heading straight for the outside boat but give the steerer his due he corrected his line and missed both boats don’t know who was most surprised us or them.

We had a really slow run back to Rugby and are now moored back in familiar territory. nb 4 evermore passed us and again we were told they follow our blog, thank you every one who follows us.

And there it was gone!!!!!

My bathroom sink is no more!!!!! It is now for sale anyone want it?

Yesterdays wiring marked up. This bit was all planned when the re-wiring was done.

Not much left to rip out now just the bulk head in the bathroom, cant do that yet as calorifier is in the way.

Paul got the tape out yet again just to make sure everything will fit there is felt tip pen and bits of tape to mark where everything will go. So far so good. This time next week we will be on the other boat.

Getting bored now!!!!!

What can I say, we have been here a week now and I am getting a bit fed up with living in such a restricted space. The dinette is proving to be more comfortable than initially thought, only problem is Crystal insists on sleeping along side the bed. With being such a large dog with long legs she keeps waking us up as she chases rabbits in her dreams and her claws make running noises along the floor. As Paul sleeps on the outside it is down to him to give her the odd poke in the night to calm her down.

Went to the pub Friday night it is called The Stag and Pheasant wasn't too far out with the name. The place was heaving so we sat in the bar to have our meal. Next Sunday we are going to have lunch there at £3.95 this must be a bargain.

This morning we marked up the wiring ready for Paul to get his snippers out and cut them when we go in to the yard. Have made a plan as to when we do the move over, must admit it is beginning to do my head in trying to remember what has to be taken and what is staying. I know Paul has spent a few sleepless nights going over stuff in his mind. Once we are off this boat I am sure things will go smoothly we will be in Dave's hands.

Yesterday we took a ride to B&Q in Coventry looking for some shower board, the young staff were as much help as a chocolate t pot it was the oldies who helped us the most. We now know they don't stock the stuff we were looking for so its back to plan B. We did find some flooring we liked so we now need to do a measure up to see how much that will cost us. At least today is sunny and we have been able to sit on the tow path. Richard and Sharon nb Eclipse stopped and had a chat to us a couple of days ago  said they followed the blog, good to know someone is still reading it even though I haven't written much lately. In a week or so’s time you will be sharing the stretch inch by inch.

There’s a surprise.

For the past few days there have been 3 BW work boats tied up below the bottom lock. This morning they have started putting in Armco. This will go from the weir below the lock moorings right round the corner, may be as far as Kent road bridge. Pilings will be back filled  where necessary with dredging from the canal. When we returned from Rugby they had managed to put in about 4 feet so hate to think how long it is going to take them. But at least it will improve things here.

Paul was talking to a fisherman last evening and he reckons if the water level falls much more here they will shut the canal. The pumping station at Brinklow has been out of action for at least 3 years to move water into the canal from Brinklow reservoir. Can’t see it happening myself but then who am I to know tiddly squat.

Quiet Sunday.

The past couple of days have passed by in a bit of a blur. Friday evening we went up the pub with Tone and Julie nb muchgiglin. What a lovely evening we had, the food in the pub(Dog and Pheasant or was it Dog and Partridge) was so cheap we didn't hold out much hope as to what the quality would be like. Now when I say cheap I mean cheap. Paul had Steak and Kidney pie £3.50 Tone had ham eggs and chips £3.50 Julie fish and chips £3.50 and me scampi and chips £3.50 the most expensive thing was Rib eye steak £7.50. There was also rabbit pie, game pie and a few other things. Paul and I had ice cream at a £1. The whole evening came in at £59 so you can appreciate how much ale was drunk. The food was freshly cooked and the portions ample we will certainly be going back while we are here.  Paul suffered a bit as he isn't used to drinking the quantity he did. I was very good and missed a few rounds as I knew I would be going to London Saturday morning and I didn't want a headache.

I had a good day with Jess and we certainly walked a few miles.  We  saw Chris Eubank who when Jess smiled at him gave her a crafty wink. Of course we had to break our trip round London with a couple of cocktails in a bar in Covent Garden. I think Japan must be empty at the moment with the amount of Japanese tourist in town. Any way Jess and I have decided that when we meet up again we will do a show and I will return to Kent with her to spend the weekend.

Paul has a few more jobs to do but these really cant be done until we have moved our stuff onto our temporary home. The bathroom  sink unit has to be dismantled the wall cupboard taken down and my 2 can cupboard in the hall has to come down. Then once we are in the yard we have to move all the woodwork and mattresses into the lounge leaving the bedroom empty as this is where the cut will be.

F1 is on at the moment so Paul is engrossed in that. His poorly finger is healing slowly no doubt there will be a few more injuries before all the work is done.

Hillmorton

Yesterday we arrived here at Hillmorton. After calling into Clifton Cruisers for much needed diesel. We walked up to Dave's yard and there in the dry dock was Muchgigglin with Tony and Julie on board. We were invited in for a cuppa and have arranged to go for a meal  one evening while they are in the dock being blacked.

This morning we bought Paul a second hand bike from Paddoxs cycles cost him all of £30 and will be used for the journey to and fro Rugby and Hillmorton. They can have the bike back when the job is done don't want it stuck on the roof  after the new paint job .

Have been surprised at how few boats there have been moored up around this area. We even commented on the lack of boats going past for the time of year. Mind you I expect there will be a few hire boats coming past tomorrow.

I am off to London tomorrow for the day meeting up with Jess and having a bit of  retail therapy with the odd cocktail thrown in my Jess loves her cocktails and know all the best places to go. Paul has the F1 qualifying to watch so he wont miss me too much!

Not our day!

Yesterday didn't start off too well. I put a load in the washing machine early while Paul was shifting his mattress and bits off his bed into the lounge.  

I think Crystals face says it all!

Back in the bedroom with the washing in full cycle Paul noticed that the calorifier was leaking. So there was a bit of panic mode then. Washing turned off pump turned off, language certainly wasn't turned off. Paul found out where the leak was coming from after tightening up various joints and sending me to Wickes for some jointing compound. It was the blow off valve, bit of fiddling and everything was back to normal. This put the wash cycle a bit behind and I wanted it to finish before I went into town to have a hair cut.

Just missed the bus so had to wait 15 minutes for the next one which meant I got to the hairdressers with a few minutes to spare for my appointment. After waiting ages the girl came out and said she had been double booked so was it all right if she cut my hair and a junior blow dried it. To be perfectly honest I nearly said just cut it all off and be done with it, but I nodded said I didn't mind and an hour later was back on the bus with a better than expected hair do.

When I got back on the boat my poor little soldier had his left forefinger all bound up in kitchen roll and insulation tape. “oh dear what have you done” I said (with a smile on my face) “I hit it with a 3pound club hammer and split the end” was the reply. I must confess the smile turned into a laugh I just couldn't help myself. Luckily I have quite a comprehensive first aid kit courtesy of my daughter who is a nurse. Jess had the foresight to include some Steri Strips so I was able to administer first aid and get himself back to normal. In the middle of all this up heaval Ray the new owner of Gypsy Rover came round for a cup of coffee. With the bedroom in bits and blood on the floor it wasn't really how I wanted him to see the boat but at least he has seen it at its worst.

In the evening we went over to the Harvester for a meal and were joined by John and Paula off of tug Taurean.

  This is the result of yesterdays hard work.

So now here is the before picture

And this is the after.

Not much difference is there!!!!!!!

After one night on the dinette we are not sure how we are going to last another 19 nights. Things were made worse when Crystal decided she was going to get on the bed as well now she has never done that before and hopefully wont do it again. Cant even threaten her with sleeping in the cratch as that is full as well.