A David Hockney landscape
Friday, 3 February 2012
Posted by Martin at 23:14
Napton Junction or Wigrams Turn
Sunday, 22 January 2012
The new year has arrived and I managed a trip up to BB the other week to check her out. Everything was fine with a inside temperature of 5degrees, She is 8 years old this May and due for her second Boat Safety Scheme examination. I therefore took the opportunity to run through the check list for the BSS whilst on board. The only thing I could find that I think will cause a problem are the 3 powder fire extinguishers that are on the red or nearly on it. I will need to replace them. Anne didn't come with me as I had nearly recovered from the bug going round but she had only just started- so a good time to de-camp for a couple of days!
We have done 1781 locks and 2531 miles since May 2004-and since retirement in 2008 we have averaged 93 days per year on the boat.
A view of the bridge at Wigrams Turn-Napton Junction from our mooring.Who says winter has no colour.
The local resident swans putting heads above the pontoons to check out what I was doing.
Just to add a bit of summer cruising and of things to come one of my favourite pictures of BB going through a lock south of Kidderminster on the Staffs & Worcs Canal.I cannot remember whih one.
We both have our winter projects- Anne is doing a cross stitch called the Junction- which looks very much like Fradley on the Trent & Mersey Canal. The first picture is progress to date the second is what it will look like when finished. A fair way still to go.
Mine is to start doing the scenery on the railway using the latest thing-well new to me -static grass.You sprinkle electrical charged coloured nylon fibres on to PVA glue. They land standing up and stay that way when the glue drys. It looks very realistic.
Now starting to plan our travels for this year- hopefully going north -water levels allowing- via Birmingham Canal Navigation and Gas Street Basin.
Posted by Martin at 21:40
Dry docking now completed and back in marina
Sunday, 6 November 2011
| The swap buggt that is being used to clear the reeds around the edge of the marina. They have taken over since they were planted 6 years ago. |
| Our mooring on the 12 October was just past Br101 between Braunston and Napton. It is now very open since the farmer has cleared the left hand side. |
| A "Goodyear" air ship making hard going against the stiff breeze. |
| The lovely stained glass window on the cottage next to the Admiral Nelson pub part way down the Braunston flight. |
| The light at the end of Braunston tunnel- all you see as you make your way through it. |
| Working boat Jubilee on the side of the canal at Weedon |
Posted by Martin at 21:27
BB in Stowe Workshop Day34
Friday, 7 October 2011
| Nb Nuffield and Butty Raymond the last boat built at the Nursers Yard at Braunston. |
| A rear view of a working boat- the bow is sitting high as it has no load. |
| Our rural mooring just before Bridge 44 |
| A wide beam squeezing through bridge 44 |
Posted by Martin at 21:42
Just north of Gayton Junction Day 30
Thursday, 29 September 2011
| A S M Hudson boat builder's special coming out of the Stoke Bruerne bottom lock |
| Supper tractor and seed sowing rig as we approached Stoke Bruerne. |
| Another boat caravan- they are getting more common! |
| Another good play on words |
| Bridge on a rope-engineers preparing to replace bridge 78 Giffard Park Milton Keynes |
Posted by Martin at 20:57
Milton Keynes Day 27
Monday, 26 September 2011
| Our walk back through Campbell Park-the canal is down below the end of the path, in the valley as it follows the 236ft contour line. |
| The veiw from the cratch at Stoke Hammond. |
| Stoke Hammond lock with the old Pump House-now a house- on the left and the old Lock Keeper house on the right. |
| The lovely old Globe Inn at Leighton Buzzard- a classic boatmans inn which serves good food. |
| Interesting boat with a flexible approach to name and BW number. |
Posted by Martin at 21:07
Back at Leighton Buzzard Day 24
Friday, 23 September 2011
| As we came out of Rickmansworth last week this B17 flew over. There are not many of these in the country. |
| A great play on words for a boat name |
| Just to show that I do the locks sometimes which means Anne is steering the boat |
| BB above the Marsworth flight waiting for the water to be run down the locks. The Wendover arm goes off to the left and a dry dock is on the right. |
Posted by Martin at 21:44