Boat OK

We made a quick trip to BB last week to make sure that she was OK and survived the cold weather. All was well and we spent a few days on board- it was just on freezing when we arrived but with the stove alight it soon went up to 15c - very comfortable. We had to go into Braunston to buy a new double skin chimney as ours had finally given up the ghost as most of the inner skin decided to fall away when I attempted to lift it up. Whilst walking through Braunston Marina I did see a really cute small caravan- which I have now found out is a Turtle 1200 from theteardroptrailerssouthwest they are very different and can be towed by virtually any vehicle.

No snow at the marina but I did take this one recently at home of our resident Robin which posed on a tree all fluffed up for me.

Winter wonderland

Happy new year and what a start.

We travelled 264 miles and did 166 locks during 2009- a bit low but we did go to NZ and I was out of action for 3 months due to my eye. Our plan for this year is hopefully the Kennet & Avon down to Bristol - so watch this space should hopefully set out sometime in April.

We had planned to go up to the boat for new year but the weather put paid to that idea. The next idea was to go on the 5 January but the forecast was to say the least not good for most of the country(as we didn't have to go on that day we decided to stay put) snow due everywhere-we received over 8 inches overnight! This was topped up with another 7 inches last weekend. We have been stuck for a week as our road being on a hill is impossible to get out onto the main road with only a daily walk into Battle. A combined effort of neighbours finally managed to get a track through the snow and we made a break for freedom today.

The snow provided an opportunity to get some lovely photographs - The entrance to Battle Abbey and the Abbey Green on which they used to hold the annual 5th November bonfire and fireworks until about 15 years ago - when health and safety deemed it to risky. Which in fact was true as they used to get crowds of over 5000 people crammed into the narrow high street. They now still hold the annual bonfire parade with a token bonfire on the green with the big bonfire and fireworks now on the battle field site behind the Abbey - a fantastic night.


A lone tree in the Great Wood at the end of one of the tracks.

One other hobby - which I have been able to do in the cold weather is 7mm narrow gauge modelling in which I have to build everything.

Its based on the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway and the photo below shows a Hunslet 2-6-2 crossing over the canal scene with the engine shed behind its still work in progress.

Another view looking over the lock, based on an actual one on the Southern Stratford Canal-WIP