I know we need the rain but…………

I am getting a bit fed up with it now. On Friday we bit the bullet and moved in the pouring rain. At least it wasn't windy but boy was it cold. Betty and Graham had moved the day before in the sunshine but it was blowing a bit so we, in our infinite wisdom decided to stay put. Friday morning with the water tank getting low and the food situation getting a bit boring (just how many cheese sandwiches can you have?) we thought lets go for it. So we did. Needless to say we only saw a few really hardy souls heading toward Marston junction. When we got to the water point at bridge 15 luckily for us a boat was just leaving so we moored up and filled up. At this water point there is only room for one boat with moored boats encroaching on the space. We had only been there a few minutes when a Valley Cruiser boat breasted up with a moored boat, apparently they had been waiting Hinckley side of B15 for the boat on the tap to finish of course we couldn't see them so had stolen their spot, they took it all in good part and waited until we were full telling us all about their holiday which they had enjoyed immensely although it had rained every day.

The last time we came up here we didn't have an exhaust on the roof and as we started to go under the bridge it was quite tight with the tall exhaust half way through and the space reduced so Paul had to nip along the gunnel and remove the exhaust, I have now marked that in the book so we know in future. When we got to Hinckley we moored up behind Betty and Graham, removed all our wet stuff and had a welcome cup of coffee. I had to jump in the shower as I looked like the wild woman of Borneo, my hair was heading in all angles from my head and there was no way a brush would sort that out.

Yesterday saw us in the town getting a few bits, all the supermarkets are in a different place from where they state in my First Mate guide, luckily Google came into its own and tomorrow I will wander to Tesco which is about a 20 minute walk away. I just hope the weather is going to be a bit better than today as it is really blowing and the rain hasn't let up at all. The Ashby day boat came past with the steerer resplendent in pirate gear looking like a drowned rat every one else was tucked up inside looking out of the windows. Just like us  as we couldn’t believe anyone would be so mad to come out in this weather.

Happy bunny…..

Yesterday on the advice of Alf who posted a comment on our blog back in March, Paul was able to watch the Grand Prix live on the computer. No waiting in silence for the highlights on BBC1. So thank you Alf for that, you made Paul a very happy bunny.

Today we finally moved (so that made me a happy bunny). As we left the mooring a couple of dead bodies floated off, a duck and a duckling goodness know how long they have been trapped between the boat and the armco.  It was a lovely day for cruising and there was very little traffic which enabled me to get snappy with my camera.

Very quiet as we left.

Looks like The Navigation is being re-furbished.

Nothing changes at Charity Dock.

Nice clutch of eggs here.

Approaching Marston Junction.

Haven't been up here for a few years.

Once on the Ashby you appear to be right out in the country it is such a lovely canal. So we are now moored up in the peace and quiet.

Had planned on staying her a couple of nights but who knows, there's no rush after all.

We are waiting on Betty and Graham nb Tranquility who should be with us soon. Time to put the kettle on I think, they will want a cuppa when they get here.

Decorating done.

Well its finished I am glad to say and very nice it looks too.

Certainly makes things look brighter.

Much better.

Where the tools are hung up and behind the sink Paul has put clear Perspex to stop water and grease spoiling the paint.

The list is decidedly shorter now only a couple of jobs left. Then its the big one…. retiling the shower  round the sink and toilet. This job Paul is leaving until last.

Panels are certainly working well today.

Went to the Greyhound for a lunch time pint the place was heaving. Needless to say Paul was up early to watch F1 that's if you call 7.30 early to me it was still the middle of the night…….

Welcome rain!!!!!!

Yesterday evening I walked up to the bus stop to check the times of the buses to the big Tesco. Now on previous visits here the bus that went to Tesco was the 778 but now it is the 60. The times are a bit funny though. There is a bus at 10.25 (from the stop opposite the alley from the “swan bridge”) which takes 10 mins to get there, but, the buses coming back are 11.15 and 12.47 so you either have to rush round like a banshee or saunter and don't forget anything. We chose the later option this morning and I certainly sauntered up an down each aisle and we still finished by 11.35. (but I still forgot something) So off to have a coffee and while away an hour. We were sitting in the bus shelter when the sky went decidedly black and it started to hail then rain. Once on the bus, and we were the only two on it, the rain did ease off a bit but by the time we had struggled down the steps and over the bridge we were soaked and the rain was freezing. It did stop though once we were on board. Then about an hour ago the sky here looked like this,

 

very ominous.

Then this happened,

which was about the time that Crystal decided she needed to go for a walk, so once again I got a bit damp. Now as I sit here the sun is shining so typical April showers, not that I am moaning we need the rain.

Paul seems to have pulled a muscle in his back so the final bit of wallpapering is yet to be finished hopefully he will feel a bit better soon so we can get it done. He is relaxing at the moment on the back of the boat with his fishing rod and a tin of spam……………

Onwards …….

We left All Oaks Wood this morning in bright sunshine only to be told that it was going to rain at 2, don't you just love these pessimistic people. (Oh I forgot I live with one).

We have had a bit of a problem which hasn't been mentioned before because of the security issue,  one of the welds on the engine room side hatch door hinges had given way in fact it was buggered. So on our way we stopped at Roses to get it re-welded. Of course this has cocked up the paint work, (still what's one more cock up to go with the many others). Paul has managed to rub it down and give the offending area a coat of red oxide no doubt he will be able to match the paint but of course he will always know its there.  

We had a pleasant cruise with the sky getting blacker by the minute still there was a couple of hours to go until 2!!!!! There was loads of wood in the canal and I mean BIG bits like about 2ft round obviously someone thought it would be a good idea to see if it would float, well it did just about, so it was like doing a slalom course to miss it all.

Through the stop lock and on to the water point to replenish the tank. We also had rubbish to get rid of and cassettes to empty.Luckily for us Bernie was walking past with his wheelbarrow so we hijacked that which made it a bit easier only doing one trip instead of a couple. While the tank was filling up I took a wander to see if there were any spaces and saw two right at the end by the water overflow. By the time the tank was full it was pouring with rain and what was the time……. 2pm!!!!!!!! That woman must have been physic as it isn't often that the weatherman gets things so accurate.

Off we went setting off after a boat that had just passed us, I was on the tow path (no point in keep getting on and off) and would you believe it but the boat in front of us pulled into one mooring space and a boat coming the other way pulled into the other the woman on the shared ownership boat certainly gave me a funny look when I told her she had taken our spot, I was only joking but she must have thought I was being serious. So we are now moored just past the overflow on our own.

Yesterday Paul was doing a bit of re-jigging of speakers please don't ask , when there was a massive crash as some one hit us. No boats were coming south so WHY had they hit us bow first I hasten to add removing all the paint work from the gunnel line. Paul was up and out the cratch with a load of expletives, only to be told “sorry mate but he’s only learning” to which the reply was “what, learning to hit other boats?” By this time there was a few boats stacked up behind him all of which were well over the other side of the canal so there was really no reason for the collision and if the instructor bloke (if you can call him that) was paying attention you would have thought he would have seen what was going to happen. Any way once back inside Paul said “right that’s it we are selling this boat I have had enough of this boating lark no one has any respect any more for peoples boats.” It doesnt seem to matter how much time you spend trying to keep your boat looking nice some ignorant nob head seems hell bent of undoing all your work. So watch this space, and the speakers, the  re-jigging didn't work so it was back to how they were. Which just about made Pauls day as I am sure you can imagine.

Happy Easter everyone.

Yes we are still about and although I haven't written anything for a few days we haven't been resting on our laurels.

On Wednesday we went to Coventry on the bus in the snow and what a freezing cold day it was. Thursday Chris took Paul to B & Q to get a new chain for the chainsaw and he had a row with the manager now are you surprised at that !!!!!!!!! Coming away empty handed.

Friday saw us tackling the final bit of the wallpapering well we got some done, two panels to be precise.

First couple of drops in place,

So that is those two panels papered and today they were painted.

Chris managed to get Paul the new chain so today also saw the wood cut up in to manageable bits.

Loads of boats have gone through and only a couple have hit us. It would appear that the hire boats are coming this way as opposed to going down the South Oxford. Last night a group of lads decided to pitch their tent by the car park and were warned about the abundance of rats but it didn't deter them. When I went to the village this morning they were just packing up and they all looked frozen.

As is to be expected it is busy here on the moorings and there aren't many spaces of an evening, a few of the boats we have seen about so is nice to be able to have a chat.

I surpassed myself and made a madeira cake but had to resort to giving some slices to Chris and H to get rid of it as the thing is huge, if I make it again I will half the recipe Nigella has a lot to answer to. Tonight I am going to tackle a home made pizza including the base should prove interesting.

Haven't found any Easter eggs hidden away so looks like I will be disappointed  yet again.

On our own……

NB Ellen caught up with us on Saturday and we have spent two nice days with John and Ang. Paul even managed to join is for a 4 mile walk with the dogs on Sunday, the weather was so lovely it was way to nice to be inside. After the walk we sat on the tow path with a beer or two.

This morning Ellen left us heading off to Hawkesbury. Have since heard that it was heaving with boats there so we hope they got in okay.

 

Bye Maisie.

Bye John…

Needless to say Ang and Maggie were inside so no pictures of them.

While Paul was walking the dogs this morning he noticed some contractors in the car park, they had come to pollard an oak tree at the entrance. He did warn them about the rats, at first they didn't believe him then a bit fat ratty ran across the car park. They also disturbed a wasps nest and when they got to the crown of the tree found two squirrels nest with young in so left the tree taller than anticipated. Paul took the barrow and did two trips getting this little lot.

Chainsaw was aired and some of this was cut up but we now need a new chain so the wood is on the roof. Before any other boaters could get any wood a blue transit turned up and loaded the rest up and then drove off.

The remaining two fenders were finished today ( he has been a busy bee!!!!)

That should do the job.

Tomorrows job is an oil change. Weather doesn't look to clever for the next few days looks like winter is returning.