Cows and Coldplay

Anne's aunt who works at a vet's in rural South Wales has pointed out that my group of cows in my posting on the 16 September are infact Charolais Bulls. She says they are big cowards and by sitting like that, they can see who is creeping up on them. Don't challenge them though as they can be nasty buggers!

We had to come back home last week and it would appear we have missed the lovely autum weather, but it was worthwhile. We went to see Coldplay at Wembley Stadium last Friday evening with our friends Bill and Clare. They were fantastic and gave it 110% throughout their performance. It was their 163rd concert, a really great night which will not be forgotten.

Way back from Welford

Back to the boat last Friday and the weather was glorious for the autumn. We collected the boat from Les and started the journey back to Wigrams hopefully with no scrapes on th nice paint work. We were also due to meet our son Simon and girlfriend Debbie at Crick for a meal in Edwards on Saturday - my 62nd birthday and 2 years since I stopped working -time does go quick when you are enjoying yourself. I was given a fridge magnet when I left work which said " stop living at work and start working at living" how very true.

There were lots of birds on the towpath which I think are partridge which then collected on bridge 33 as the sun set - very strange.

The same bridge 33 in the early mist and sunshine the following morning

Bridge 32 on the Leicester arm which is in need of some desperate TLC from BW soon.

We meet Si and Debs for our meal at Edwards which was excellent and they then helped us down the Watford locks and back to Wigrams. A very pleasant cruise although the sunshine had gone and it was now cloudy and a bit chilly. Only a few marks on the new paint which were quickly covered over.

Cromford Canal

On our way back from Lancashire we stopped with some old friends Jeff and Sylvia in Uttoxeter by which time the weather had really improved for the better so last Wednesday we went on a trip to see the Cromford canal.

The warehouses at the end of the Cromford canal at Cromford.


Whilst we were walking along the canal to the Cromford and High Peak Railway we saw this water vole going about its business oblivious to the 6 people standing very still on the tow path watching. They are such timid creatures but this one stayed still for a good 5 minutes before it calmly made its way home.

Slow boat to Welford

Its that time again when we need to take BB to Les at Welford for her 2 yearly black bottoming session and a general hull tidy up. It will take about 5 days so we also planned to visit friends Bury and Uttoxeter.

The weather was cloudy but otherwise good for boating with chilly evenings so the fire was lit just for the evenings

After it must be nearly 2 years BW have started work on the Braunston tunnel slip which presumably means they have to stabilise the ground first and put in drainage before they can move the obstruction.


View back to the land slide as you enter- which seems to be moving further across the entrance.


The south end of the tunnel in the early morning sun.

An unusual group of back to back cows

Its a big hole and site as they work on the new marina at Yelvertoft (near bridge18)

Something different

A winter project- I now have part ownership in a 1972 MGBGT which needs some TLC to its interior, bodywork in places ( as the main parts are all OK) and some work in the engine bay. Its lovelly to drive and takes you back to a time when motoring was a joy a bit like narrow boating.