nb Black Bess

Napton Junction or Wigrams Turn

2012-01-22T21:40:00.001Z

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.

BB moored at Wigrams Turn Marina which is at Napton Junction. The old working boatmen used to call the junction Wigrams Turn.

Following her week with the boys at Stowe Hill Workshop she still looks as good as new.

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.

Dry docking now completed and back in marina

2011-11-06T21:27:00.000Z

A bit of a late post but BB has been back in the marina for the last few weeks all nice and tidy.The boys at Stowe also managed to replace the hose between the toilet and the holding tank. It had started to smell and after speaking to Lee Sanitation who said that even the special pipe can absorb the "smell" after about 6/7 years-BB is 8 next May. It was very noticeable when you opened the wardrobe-the pipe passed through at the back of it.

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

BB in Stowe Workshop Day34

2011-10-07T21:42:00.000+01:00

We spent a lovely few days last week just past bridge 45 in rural surroundings,providing you forgot about the west coast main line that was just across the field. It was in a cutting so the sound was not too bad and it has been following us along most of the Grand Union. It was very warm so the time was spent reading and watching the many boats go by especially the old working boats on their way to Stoke Bruerne for the Weekend at War. We are now back home for a week whilst BB gets some much needed TLC by the boys at Stowe Workshops.

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

Just north of Gayton Junction Day 30

2011-09-29T20:57:00.000+01:00

We enjoyed our stay in Milton Keynes and we were pleasantly surprised at how clean it was- a real pleasure to cruise through it. The last few days have been great autumn cruising days through Wolverton, Cosgrove and Stoke Bruerne which was very busy as its the Village at War Weekend starting this Saturday.We had one moment of excitement as we came into our mooring below Cosgrove lock. There was a loud bang from the bow area. On investigation I discovered that one cell of the bow thruster battery had exploded. It was contained by the bow locker cover and I can only assume it had failed as it was nearly 8 years old. We are now on the last part of our trip as BB is going into dry dock at Stowe Workshop on Monday for about 10 days.

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

Milton Keynes Day 27

2011-09-26T21:07:00.000+01:00

We left Leighton Buzzard Saturday morning and cruised to a nice mooring just before Stoke Hammond lock and stayed till this morning. We had the best toilet pump out at Wyvern Shipping Co in LB,it took 30 minutes which included a thorough flush out with clean water. As an added bonus we were able to collect some apples from their trees- apple crumble has been the order of the last two days. Wyvern started trading as a commercial carrier in 1954 and as trading finished moved into hire boats.

We are now moored by bridge 81b which is next to Campbell Park and this afternoon we walked the 1 mile,20 minutes, to Central Milton Keynes for a bit of shopping. The cloud and rain has moved on and the sun was really warm as I polished the boat this afternoon-long may it last.

We have now done 122 miles and 143 locks!

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.

Back at Leighton Buzzard Day 24

2011-09-23T21:44:00.000+01:00

We have now gone back to canal time as we have taken 6 days to travel 16 miles and 26 locks (which is 6 lockmiles per day) from Berkhamsted to Leighton Buzzard. After all our expectations we didn't go down the Aylesbury Arm. On Monday evening I walked down the Marsworth flight and found a hire boat aground below lock 41,in fact there were 3 pounds between locks that were empty. I phoned BW who finally managed to get them filled the following morning. I asked them about the arm and they said that it was low towards the end and that they could not guarantee they could get us back out, their priority is the main line.We arrived in Leighton Buzzard and decided to stay on Friday and go for lunch in The Globe Inn which dates back to the 1840's when it opened as a Beer Shop to serve the boatmen, the meal was excellent. The Tesco store by the canal is built on an old factory site that built Vickers Vimy bombers for WW1. Where ever you go along the GU you find examples of its fascinating industrial past. We passed one of the blog's I follow the other day nbBriarrose as they were making their way down to the Thames to do the Thames Ring via Limehouse and Oxford.

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.

We made our destination of Rickmansworth- Day20

2011-09-19T21:45:00.001+01:00

Over the last few days since leaving Berkhamsted on Tuesday 13 Sept we have really worked hard for us and made Rickmansworth, turned and are now back at the top of the Marsworth flight.We have done 30 miles and (mostly Anne has done) 66 broad locks. Although I have done a few. It now changes at Marsworth as we are now going downhill till we get to Cosgrove so Anne can steer the boat and I can do the locks.We hope to do The Aylesbury Arm starting on Wednesday-water levels allowing us - which is 8 miles and 32 narrow locks.There is a hire boat stuck below lock 41 tonight as the pound has just run out of water, hopefully BW will be able to sort it by the morning but Startops End reservoir is nearly empty.This may change our plans.

We stopped again in Berkhamsted so that my nephew and family could see the boat and travel with us up the Berkhamsted locks to Cowroast.

We have now done 100 miles and 119 broad locks which are flipping hard work.

A new trend perhaps in fenders

This sign was on a boat that we had doubts about.

The boat in question

Batchworth road bridge has this excellent horse drawn butty mural. I wonder how many drivers know its there.

Batchworth lock with the side lock on the left, This leads to the River Chess and several loading wharfs one of which was Sabey's now no longer used and filled in.

Orang-utan in the dark

2011-09-19T20:55:00.003+01:00

There is a lovely warehouse on Castle Wharf in Berkhamsted that comes alive when it gets dark. Something you would not expect.

A very nice conservatory

With the unexpected at night

Kings Langley Day 14

2011-09-13T20:54:00.002+01:00

We left Berkhamsted today Tuesday as we stayed on Monday to let the winds go through. We moved down to Castle Wharf where the timber wharf used to be and moored opposite the site of the old Bridgewater Boats that is now being redeveloped with 2 new warehouse style houses. But the owner of the land who has already converted a warehouse sold the land on the basis that some form of boat related business must continue

The famous totem pole on Alsford (Kays) Wharf giving to the town by the local Indian tribe in Vancouver. In fact we bought a piece of similar art from a local craft shop when we were there in June.

Francis Egerton the Third Duke of Bridgewater who also built the Bridgewater Canal

All that is left of Nash Mills is this old loading area although there is an old grade 1 listed building to the right that is being converted to luxury flats. Its not in the photo as I only found out about it when talking to a local whilst waiting at Nash Mill Lock

Something is lurking over the hedge at Home Park Lake

Caravans on the canal

2011-09-13T20:26:00.000+01:00

There seems to be a trend about to add additional space at either end of a narrow boat.The latest was shown at the Crick show when an extra boat was added at the bow or extra space towed behind. See my posts for day 3 (shed) and day 8 ( bow unit. I have seen a couple more recently. Could it be that we will soon be following boats like caravans on our roads- there's a thought.

Seen in Berkhamsted Its a galleon style narrow boat towing an old aluminium lifeboat which has been converted to a mobile stained glass workshop

This must be the canal version of a caravan

Berkhamsted Day 12

2011-09-11T21:58:00.000+01:00

Sunday has continued to be windy with sunshine and showers. We left the lovely Wendover Arm, picked Ray up and cruised to Berkhamsted to try and find a place to drop off Ray. It was either shallow or no moorings available. We eventually found one space on the 14 day mooring just after the Two Gas Works locks.

68 Miles and 52 locks to Sunday 11 September.Our non trip down the Aylesbury Arm saved us ( perhaps just for the time being) 12 miles and 32 locks!

I could not resist it a picture of the lovely Victorian buildings which make up the Bulbourne Workshops at the top of the Marsworth flight. BW used to make lock gates here but unfortunately no more.

You do see some odd things on boats- its an ET type figure head

Ray our neighbour trying to master the skills of boat steering through Tring cutting.

Marsworth and the Wendover Arm Day11

2011-09-11T21:32:00.000+01:00

The weather over the last few days has been very windy with showers. We spent Friday travelling to Marsworth Junction and checking out the Aylesbury Arm. Whilst it is open it has low pounds and takes water from the main line. As the BW man said its like a big plug hole taking water from the main line and sending it to the River Thame and into the River Thames at Abingdon. We have therefore decided not to go down and review it again on the way back.

We met Ray our next door neighbour over the weekend (also 7 members of his family who joined us going up the Marsworth locks and the Wendover Arm)

The Old Toll House at the top of the Marsworth flight. The paddles are to the old side ponds which are not used any more. Although there is talk that perhaps they should be reinstated.

Marsworth church entrance and porch.

The very low Startops End Reservoir at Marsworth

The first two locks which are a staircase of the Aylesbury Arm

Our mooring Saturday evening was at the end of the Wendover Arm just past Bridge 3 and the winding hole. The watered section ends just behind the boat. Its a lovely location and hopefully the Wendover Arm Trust will be able to continue the works.

Ivinghoe Beacon Day 9

2011-09-08T21:32:00.000+01:00

Had a really good 3g signal tonight so managed to get up to date with the blog at last - to date we have done 55 miles and 33 locks. We are now moored near Bridge 123 ready to go down to Marsworth Junction tomorrow. The water levels have not been too bad with only a few of the short pound between locks being a little low. I checked with BW and the Aylesbury Arm is open but they warn that there will be very low sections. Not sure therefore if we will go down it. When we get to the junction tomorrow we will take a walk to check it out.

A Zulu type hat could it be Michael Caine!

Some of the wide locks had narrow locks next to themto speed up traffic when only one boat being used. They are now all filled in but the bridge holes are still around

The view from our cratch tonight looking towards Ivinghoe Beacon in glorious evening sunshine.

Leighton Buzzard Day 8

2011-09-08T21:15:00.000+01:00

Yesterday- Wednesday we cruised down to Leighton Buzzard- a lot of moored boats around with only limited visitor moorings but we managed to get in just before Leighton lock. On walking into town we saw some 2 hour mooring by Br 114 for Tesco.

A little run around-speaks for itself

Some very fine old buildings in town together with some long established businesses.

This old swing bridge which said Out of Order also had a BW warning sign not to use. I did wonder how many people actually tried.

A new idea that was on show at this years Crick Boat Show in late May. Instead of adding an extra section put an additional small boat on the front. It makes a change to towing a boat/shed.

A view of Soulbury Three locks as I enter the bottom lock.

Bletchley Park Museum

2011-09-08T20:50:00.000+01:00

On Monday 6th we were moored at Fenny Stratford lock and as the weather was terrible it was an ideal day to visit Bletchley Park. It was only a 30 minute walk to the museum near Bletchley Station. It has received significant funding from the lottery and computer industry recently which has made a real difference.All the staff of which a lot are volunteers were very knowledgeable. A most interesting 4 hours was spent understanding what the 8000 staff achieved during the war years. At the time of the DDay landings they were decoding a staggering 18000 messages a day.

An Enigma machine that was used by the Germans to encode all the messages and which the staff at Bletchley had to crack.

A statue of Alan Turing made from slate who has now been recognised as a founder of computing.

A replica of the Colussos machine first built and operational at Bletchley in 1944. All the staff were very sad as the guiding light for building this machine had just passed away.

Cosgrove to Fenny Stratford Day7

2011-09-06T22:08:00.001+01:00

We went through Milton Keynes on Monday which was a very pleasant experience indeed with many different types and styles of houses. Very good tow paths and very clean. Today has been HORRIBLE rain and wind. It was a good day to go to Bletchley Park Museum. I will post some photographs of that later as I am having a little problem at present.

A few pictures from yesterday.

You don't see this very often a back to front pair of boats in a lock- the one facing forward was actualy reversing back to his mooring.

We moored at Wolverton to go to Tesco. Its around the old LNWRailway wagon and carriage works which have been converted to commercial use. The above diesel shunter was crossing a bridge and was giving way at a roundabout! When we walked to Tesco we crossed the line which had a road hidden by the fencing.

The Fenny Stratford Lock and cottages, we are moored just before the lock.

Day 5 Cosgrove

2011-09-04T21:07:00.000+01:00

Day 5 Sunday grey and wet which is not a bad thing as far as the canal is concerned but it probably did not make any diffrence at all-it needs to rain for weeks- hopefully not before we are home in October.

We have moved from Bugbrooke through Gayton Junction and Blisworth tunnel. Total so far its 31 miles and 20 locks but no cappuccinos- its a wilderness out their. Once we are through Milton Keynes the locks start to come thick and fast.

Blisworth Mill once used by the GUCCC-Grand Union Canal Carrying Co now nice flats

I do like junctions this is Gayton- the left is the River Nene,straight on is the south

A very different aluminium boat-its not a Sea Otter -the owners are from SA with safari colours on the sides.

Inside the 3000yard Blisworth Tunnel opened in 1805. It was closed in the early 1980's for 3 years during which time they relined the centre section with concrete segmenst which you can just see in the boats light behind us. It takes 40 minutes to go through.

Amusing sign at Yardley Gobion Wharf

Another sign at the Wharf

Cosgrove moorings we are just on the bend

Day 3 Bugbrooke

2011-09-02T22:35:00.000+01:00

Its Friday and we are now at Bugbrook making our way down the Grand Union, water levels keeping up- I sound like a TV programme that updates you after every break- sorry!! I have been having trouble with blogger- well I mean its me trying to keep up to date as they have changed the screen layouts which in fact do look much more user friendly and I have lost the picture heading which I am working on.

A few more pictures of things we have seen which always amuses me and sometimes Anne although our sense of humour can be at odds at times. There is never a dull time on the canal- thats what makes it so enjoyable.

Sheep come in all types and sizes- this one was opposite our mooring on Wednesday night in Braunston. It just had a lot of attitude and appeared to be looking down on all who passed.

The butty Dee with teddy bear bow button- should I report them to the RSPB

All boys must have sheds- this one is for a joinery business

Bows again the one on the inside is butty Gilbert the motor had no name

Coming into Weedon are acouple of moored working boats and on the shed are two examples of the old wooden rudders from buttys- its really shows how large they needed to be for the 70ft boats

We moored on Thursday night just outside Weedon and I heard a lot of squealing around 7pm and couldn't work out what it was. It started again at 8am-it was these pigs on a small holding getting very excited as food was on its way!

Day 2 of our Autumn cruise

2011-09-01T20:33:00.010+01:00

We have decided on an autumn cruise down the Grand Union main line hopefully as far as Rickmansworth providing the water levels keep up. The GU main line is not as bad as some of the narrow canals like the Oxford but as we came through the Braunston and Buckby flights BW had staff on hand to try and get all boats to double up- mostly successfully although some boaters didn't want to wait for another boater to come along. We have not been on the GU past Cosgrove as our friends Ray and Jenny brought BB up from London to Wigrams back in 2005.

We stopped last night in Braunston. At 09.00 this morning a lovely tug nb Albion Mills (fresh out of the paint shop) came along and we decided to share. Mike was taking her back to his mooring in Cowroast on his own so we decided to breast up the two boats through both of the flights. This enabled Anne and Mike to do the locks together whilst I did the two boats. All went well except for a few very shallow ponds in which BB struggled to move both boats along. A boater was very surprised to see two boats joined together until we explained the reason and then she saw the light. As we came out of the last of the Buckby locks at Whilton- 2 monks and a sister entered as they had just bought a boat and were now on a steep learning curve-the sister asked us to pray for them!!!!

BB and nb Albion Mills breasted up in the Braunston flight- a lovely pair of bows

Jobs in the sun and a short cruise

2011-08-14T21:53:00.005+01:00

We went up to the boat at the beginning of August primarily to attend the BBQ at the marina on the 6 August. It also gave us the opportunity to do some more jobs on BB. I completed replacing the rope seal around the stove door and primed all the rust spots on the roof ready for it to be painted in October. BB is going into dry dock for a week at Stowe Hill for blacking etc.

The weather for the week was excellent but just before the BBQ was due to start the heavens opened for half an hour. It then stopped although it was chilly- a typical English summer evening- but the food and company was very good which made up for the weather- didn't leave until 11pm.

A few pictures of the week.

We were moored at one of our favourite spots near bridge 103 when we were nearly run over by a combined harvester!

A cool budha in the field near Braunston Turn

Working boats- Motor Seaford and Butty Alperton

The Welland Canal

2011-07-04T23:21:00.007+01:00

I had to get a boaty post for the blog the above picture is of a boat entering a lock on the Welland Canal. The picture was taken from a coach as we crossed the canal- my excuse for the slight out of focus.

The Welland Canal started in 1829 connects Lake Ontario with Lake Erie which is 327ft higher. It was built to avoid Niagara Falls and to allow large ships to open up the interior of Canada. Its 26 miles long and 27ft deep with 7 locks averaging 47ft deep.

Not the canal but the Maid of the Mist approaching the Horseshoe Falls which are the ones on the Canadian side. With the spray from the waterfall its just like a very wet/windy day on BB except that there are 150 other people on board with you -it was brilliant.

An empty canal lock.

A view of Horseshoe Falls with the mist rising above them- you can see why they needed to build the Welland Canal.

A dumb barge that had lost its moorings a few years back that is left to rust away above the falls.

Nothing to do with canals- but something I saw in Jasper. The ideal gift for somebody who has everything. A John Dere moving hose sprinkler

Our spring/summer cruise to Canada

2011-07-04T22:14:00.007+01:00

The above picture of a hump back whale diving in the waters off Juneau Alaska- its just magical to watch these huge creatures in their environment and sums up how exciting Canada is to visit.

No we have not taken BB to Canada this year our trip has been a bit further afield.We left the UK in mid May for Las Vegas (an adult Disney World) and the Grand Canyon.Then onto Vancouver for a cruise up the Inside Passage to Alaska with stops in Juneau, Skagway and Ketchichan. The cruise returned us to Vancouver for a few days and then we boarded the Rocky Mountaineer-Gold leaf for a two day trip to Jasper.A few days to enjoy Jasper before we collected a car for a drive down the Icefields Parkway-described as the most beautiful road passing through exceptional awesome scenery to Banff and Calgary. We passed through/by Columbia Icefields,Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, Bow Lake and the mountains. The final part was a flight to Toronto so that we could see Niagara Falls and the Maid of the Mist trip.

The trip was fantastic,the scenery awesomeeeee and the highlights are many but include whale watching, listening to glaciers calving in Glacier Bay, flying over Misty Fjords in a sea plane, Vegas just to have seen it and the Grand Canyon,driving down the Icefields Parkway and The Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island. The Rocky Mountaineer - the whole experience especially the group of people in our section of the observation car. Special mention must be made of the two Aussie couples Graeme (who wants to do a narrow boat trip) and Tricia and Peter and Claudia all from Sydney.

A few pictures now to show what we have experienced.

Another picture of hump back whales in the vastness of Alaska.

A frozen Bow Lake we passed on the way to Lake Louise.

A view of Castle Mountain between Lake Louise and Banff.

Looking down the lake formed by a glacier to the Fairmount Chateau Lake Louise. A hotel built by The Canadian Pacific Railway to encourage tourists to visit the West of Canada in the early 1900s.

A view along the Icefields Parkway

A mountain reflection from the train on the way into Jasper.

A view of a train making its way back to Skagway on the White Pass Railway

10 day trip in sunshine

2011-05-08T21:44:00.011+01:00

We have various commitments coming up over the next few months so decided that we needed a BB session so decided that a trip out on the boat over Easter was required especially with the forecast of wall to wall sunshine. We knew that this would be a busy time but we had a plan to avoid the traffic! We set off from the marina on Wednesday 20 April as we had an appointment with an engineer to refit our Eberspacher boiler in Braunston first thing on Thursday. We had decided on a trip up the Leicester Arm so left Braunston at 09.30 and went up the flight with an efficient Canal Time Boat. Through the tunnel and only meet 5 boats coming the other way. We arrived at Watford flight at 11.30 with 2 boats in front. Only a short wait and up we went, why don't the crews of waiting boats help those coming through- it seems to be the thing to wait until its your turn to go up or down before coming to help!!. Part of boating is meeting fellow boaters when going through locks.

We stopped for the day a mile after the M1 bridge by Bridge 9- to the sound of lambs,green woodpeckers, slight railway sounds and the distant rumble of the M1- bliss.

Many boats about but we watched the world go by for the rest of the day. On Good Friday morning I walked to Watford flight to get rid of the rubbish and at 08.15 there were 16 boats waiting to go down. When we came back the following Wednesday the volunteer lock keeper said that 57 boats had used the locks on Good Friday- an average wait of 6 hours.

A few pictures of the trip.

Two buttys(unpowered boats) moored by Braunston Turn.

Just as I took this photo one cow stood up- you don't often see a complete herd sitting down- its supposed to be a sign of rain isn't it.

The lock keepers cottage at the bottom of the Watford Locks is being refurbished- looks very nice- but it is very close to the M1 which the picture doesn't show.

The trip between Braunston and Napton has Fields upon fields of rape which smell very strongly- alright for a quick stop but not for overnight.

We wondered why there were no boats when we came back through Braunston tunnel- the reason being that this stealth wide beam had just gone through in front of us. It really does look out of proportion- flat and wide.

Couldn't resist a picture of this old working boat panel in the boat yard by Braunston Bottom Lock

An old iron plate that protected the bridge brickwork from the tow ropes from butty's over the years.

Why do animals always want to eat that extra bit that always requires that little bit of extra stretch.

A motorised butty going through bridge 9. It has an engine in the hold with hydraulic drive to a prop mounted on the rudder. It didn't have a name but the boat is 100 years old.

Another picture late afternoon of bridge 9 in the round.

Looking back to our mooring at bridge 9 a mile from the M1.

A great looking BCN tug

The weather was excellent the canal was busy but we had a lovely trip up the GU Leicester Arm to Welford- and watched a lot of boats go by from the tow path on which we had our earliest BBQs with meat from the butchers in Braunston- cooking doesn't get better than this!!!!!

LCL - The Liverpool Canal Link

2011-04-13T20:53:00.005+01:00

Not a BB boating trip but a visit to Liverpool Docks which is now on the list of must do trips for next year. We had to go to a 60th wedding anniversary at Wrexham in March and decided to have a few days in Liverpool. A city we have always wanted to visit and our time in the city was excellent with glorious sunshine and warm to boot- a real bonus in March. A few pictures of the dock area associated with the Liverpool Link Canal (LCL) Looking at the converted warehouses around Salthouse Docks with the new pontoons put in for a boat show in May which has now been cancelled. Part of the new Liverpool Link Canal which runs under the new Museum of Liverpool and through Mann Island Lock into Canning Dock.

A view of Salthouse Dock with the BW moorings which have water and electricity with the Liverpool Wheel in the background.

A view of Salthouse Dock from the wheel.

My new camera has a panoramic facility which shows a view of the buildings around Salthouse Docks.

A view of the Liverpool waterfront from the ferry on the Mersey.

The 3 Graces from the Mersey - they are The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building. The building that looks like an open mouth is the new terminal for the Mersey Ferry.

BW have an excellent Skipper's Guide on their website and you have to book a passage to the docks starting at Aintree through the Wigan office on 01942 405700.

Managed to get out

2011-02-25T20:40:00.005Z

BB survived the coldest winter with only a split water pump filter and no sound out of the hifi. Both have now been fixed, the hifi was a dry joint presumably caused by the large range of temperature within the boat.We managed a trip to the boat last week and although the weather was grey and a bit chilly we cast off and left the marina for an overnight trip to Braunston and back. We last went that way in March last year and there have been a few changes.

A few pictures of the trip and my winter project.

Canal junctions are always special, one of my favourites is Braunston Turn- port for the north-starboard for the south. The majesty of the iron bridges against the stark winter trees just make it stand out even more.

As you come into Braunston from the Napton direction you go across Puddlebank which is lined with stone slabs

They have been building a new house near bridge 99 for the last 2 years. It has a timber timber frame of oak and since we last passed has been thatched-a house of real character.

Bridge 100 has over the years been slowly falling down with the brickwork in a very poor state. The problem has now been solved by a quick fix- its all about cost I assume now as its lost its appeal as a brick built bridge.

BW contractors have been working hard with lots of tree clearing so improving the M25 effect on this bit of the Oxford/Grand Union canal, but the satellite TV reception is now much improved. Our mooring near Br100 is now very open and wide.

My winter project has been the building of a Dorset Kit model of the Welshpool & Lanfair 0-6-0 loco in 7mm narrow gauge.One thing I have now found with my right eye is that I have lost the 3D effect which makes it very hard to line things up-especially when very small. I eventually managed to finish it with some help in building the chassis. It just needs painting now.

Boats are like children

2010-12-29T21:20:00.006Z

Hope you have had an excellent Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year.

Children are fantastic to have around and can be very exciting and brilliant etc but they do give you concerns especially when they are away and you don't see them for awhile - just like narrowboats especially in bad weather.

What with my eye operation and the weather over the last 5 weeks we have been unable to visit the boat and hopefully the engineer in Wigrams was able to give her the once over which may save us some concerns-time will tell.

We did have a great trip to London over the weekend of the 11 December with our son and girlfriend. They treated us to tickets for Faithless at the O2 they were great. We stayed in a B&B in Greenwich, the weather was very cold and bright. On the Sunday we managed a boat trip from Greenwich to Charing Cross pier past Limehouse- so we have been along part of the Thames that we must do in BB- it doesn't seem as bad as I thought- time will tell.

Walking back to London Bridge station there was a lovely sunset behind Cannon Street Station.

A view of the lock entrance to Limehouse Basin.

A view locking from Greenwich Park towards Greenwich College and Canary Wharf.

A bit of culture, during the summer there was an Antony Gormley exhibition at The De la Warr Pavilion in Bexhill called Critical Mass. It involved 60 lifesize body casts all based on the artist himself. It was very disturbing it felt as if they had fallen from space and just been frozen in time.

I decided not to put any pictures of snow on the blog as I have had enough at the moment and I expect so have you- so one of a nice sunny day.

Things work against cruising

2010-11-13T20:44:00.005Z

Since the return from our trip in June we have had a very difficult time. Anne's father had been in an assisted living home and during our trip Anne had returned back to Fleet a few times as he was not very well at all. On our return he deteriorated further and we had to move him into a nursing home. He became very weak and passed away peacefully at the beginning of September. We have been dealing with his estate which hopefully is now nearly completed.

We have only managed one quick trip to the boat in October to check her out and do a few jobs to get her ready for winter. Although when we were their we had one nice day so we did a quick cruise to The Bridge Inn and back.

I started to suffer from another trigger finger whilst we were out which has gradually got worse and resulted in a small operation in October which has taken 6 weeks to heal. A small cut but very painful in the middle of your palm.

When I had the detached retina last year there was a high probability of a cataract. Well one has developed and I am due to have an operation this Friday. Hopefully that will be the end of it for a while. Mind you everything that goes wrong now seems to be put down to old age!!!!!- something that really p...s me off.

I include a few pictures covering the last few months which included a trip to North Somerset.

Our lunch stop mooring near The Bridge Inn on a lovely October afternoon.

We passed this Kestrel on a post as we left the marina.

When we were in North Somerset I went to look at Watchet Station on the West Somerset Railway.On coming out I saw this lovely restored 1950's Jaguar S class.

A Green Woodpecker making big/deep holes in the lawn.

We went to Topsham on the River Exe which has a sunken boat just like they do on canals!!!

Day75 back in Marina and now home

2010-07-03T21:30:00.005+01:00

We rushed back up the Oxford canal and on our last day we did 14 miles and 14 locks in 9 hours cruising in glorious hot sunshine. The only delay was following a boat down the Napton flight that was towing a hulk that will require major rebuilding. All because we had been invited to a lunch party and to watch the England match therefore we needed to be home Saturday evening. The lunch was the best football wake we have ever been to.

Our final totals for the trip which ended on Friday 25 June are;-
380 miles, 289 locks, 54 swing/lift bridges, 16 cappuccinos and 6 events. A great trip made even better by the weather and the fact that we only cruised in the rain twice!

Coming round Napton on the Hill we saw this lovely foal with mum.

As I ascended Cropredy lock the Song Thrush serenaded me from the wall next to the lock.

Whilst I watched the boat being lifted out Anne was making sure BB didn't get away.

Again whilst waiting for the boat lift- a picture of the Old Toll House next to Cropredy Wharf.

My picture of BW removing an untaxed boat at Cropredy.

I have passed this boat on several occasions and at last managed to get a photo. There cannot be many boats on the system with their own lawn.

Day 73 back in Banbury

2010-06-23T21:33:00.009+01:00

Our mooring Tuesday evening above Kings Sutton lock- what it does not show is the hum from the M40 about quarter mile away. sorry about the underlining-its doing it again

Totals to date are now 360 miles , 268 locks, 16 cappuccinos and 7 events. Only a few days left of the trip now- ahaaaaaa.

The 7 events in no order are;-

1.Going up and down the Caen Hill flight- I have just seen that they are currently closed until further notice as a boat has hit a gate and they need to assess the damage- if a gate collapsed when it was holding back a head of water it would be a problem.
2.Going through the Reading Oracle shopping centre when the K&A was still in flood ie we were going against a still strong current.
3.Going along the side of the Avon Valley as we entered Bath in spring time.
4. Steam days seeing Crofton Pumping Station in steam and seeing Tornado go through Great Bedwyn both on the same day.
5. I always wave at passenger trains that pass us and we have been close to the railway during this trip. In April I waved at a train as we came out of Aynho Weir lock. We moored near a boat at Pewsey the owner of which said I saw you wave to the train as I was on that train.
6. Mooring alongside Mike and Dini's GRP boat outside Tesco's at Reading on the Thames. A GRP boater moored near us at Goring had seen it and was amazed.
7. It continues to be the people we have met and talked to all the way along our journey- it really makes the trip so enjoyable and interesting-long may it last as it confirms that the UK is still a great place to live.

The ultimate driving seat!!!! not sure if it was fixed down so could be interesting if you got the boat on the plane.

As we came towards Aynho Weir lock we saw a Black Prince hire boat come out. As they got near they all shouted at us. It was the Atterill tribe from Battle out cruising for a week. They had only mentioned us yesterday when hey presto we appeared. A quick stop and a lovely chat in mid channel. A very pleasant surprise to a great days cruising in glorious sunshine.

The South Oxford canal is famous for its lift bridges. This is No 193 Chisnell Lift Bridge - they all have names but don't know why its called this. Its in a lovely location and just connects two fields.

Somerton Deep lock is at 12ft one of the deepest. The lock cottage like all the others is a private dwelling. This one though has no road access and the property comes with its own boat as the nearest road is about a quarter mile away.

We had to stop again at one of our favourite places- Somerton Meadows where we were greeted by the locals again.

Our first night's stop on the canal was at Thrupp which has a very good community spirit and a great bunch of people. There was a gathering of boat bloggers who met in the Boat Inn on the Saturday evening. They were Sue & Vic nb No Problem, Maffie on nb Millie M, Bones on

nb Bones and Sheila and Bruce on nb Sanity Again . It was great to meet you all and thanks for a very enjoyable evening.

We had decided to go back on the Oxford canal through Oxford and this is the first lock -Isis lock which is the other name for the Thames.

Just a lovely building as we approached Folly bridge on the Thames at Oxford.

As we left our mooring at Sandford lock on the River Thames we passed this 3 storey tuppaware boat it was really tall. I do need to add that narrow boats are also refered to as ditch crawlers which is just as bad as tuppaware boats.

Day68 Sandford on Thames

2010-06-18T20:41:00.007+01:00

Day68 Friday- I found the dot in the sky so thst Anne can watch the England game whilst I update the blog.

To date we have now done 329 miles, 248 locks, 48 swing/lift bridges , I have found 16 cappuccino places and 6 events.

The trip back up the Thames has taken 5 nights and the weather has been good to us again although there has been that chilly wind at times. The wildlife has again been excellent with buzzards, red kites, various unidentified raptors and kingfishers. We stopped in mid river to watch one fishing for about 5 minutes - it was brilliant.

Tomorrow we go the final 4 miles to Oxford and then go onto the Oxford canal to do the part through Oxford that we haven't done before. We have always bypassed it via Dukes Cut and the Thames. We really need to do it to tick it off the list. It will be slow with many moored boats and more lift bridges.

We are moored above Sandford lock which is the deepest above Teddington and 3MIAB
went past.

Radley College Rowing Club.

BB moored amongst the "tuppaware" at Abingdon in brilliant warm sunshine. A very friendly boat town.

Salters still operate ferry services along the river in their elegant boats. One of them approaching Abingdon bridge going downriver to Wallingford.

Coming into Abingdon .

We had been recommended to stop above Days lock by Mike and Dini. This is our mooring from which it was a 25 minute walk into Dorchester on Thames- which was well worth the effort it was lovely.

Dorchester Abbey built in 1140 which has a great tea room run by volunteers who serve the most lovely home made cakes- they made £16000 last year which went to local charities.

Rotton Row Dorchester.

A view towards Castle Hill from our mooring above Days Lock.

We moored below Goring lock which has a huge weir arrangement.

Whilst we were moored at Beale Park we took the opportunity to go round the bird sanctuary which was set up by Gilbert Beale who died in 1967 age 99. It is really worth a visit as there are some real surprises, I really like owls and their collection did not disappoint.

A spectacled owl- good name.

I cannot remember the breed but the face and look is just wonderfull.

There is also a great model ship collection of which this is but a small sample.

Day64 Beale Park River Thames

2010-06-14T21:19:00.003+01:00

Our mooring tonight looking out of the side hatch - today we did 10 locks and 15 miles.

We left Theale at 09.00 and cruised down to Reading and then stopped at the Tesco right next to the River Thames-its a mere 100yds into the store. The best part of it and to the amazement of the other grp cruisers on the Tesco moorings is that we moored against the side of Mike and Dini's ( friends from Bexhill Sailing Club)lovely grp cruiser Lisendell- I think thats the correct name but apologies if I am wrong. Something thats not done at all!!!! A very pleasant few hours was spent going over each others boats and the telling of various boaty stories.

We left them about 3pm and cruised up river and saw some lovely wildlife- a kingfisher, little grebes, heron, moorhens with chicks and loads of canada geese with all their goslings in creches!

There are also some big cats on this part of the river.

This bowls club is on Fry's Island and can only be reached by the blue ferry- great place.

Anne abandoned ship to enjoy Mike and Dini's grp cruiser- next stop the Med would be nice.

Coming down the last section of the K&A after Blakes Lock we saw this moorhen's nest built on old rubbish - thats recycling in the extreme.

I had time this trip to take a picture going through the Oracle in Reading which shows how narrow it is. Its one way traffic only controlled by traffic lights.

As we left Aldermarston the other day we went through Padworth lock on the K&A which used to have very large barges coming up from Reading - note the size of the bollards.

Day62 Still at Frouds Bridge Marina

2010-06-12T20:40:00.005+01:00

We have spent 5 days in Frouds Bridge Marina which is a really nice and friendly place. We had the engine serviced by Richard Poole Marine Services who did an excellent job. We have also both been back to Fleet for a meeting in connection with Anne's father. The level of care has had to be increased which hopefully will help them through this difficult time with him.

We will leave the marina tomorrow and head for the Thames at Reading. The plan is still to go the short way back to Wigram's via Oxford and the Oxford canal. We will save the lower Grand Union for another day.

We continue to meet boaters that make it part way along the K&A and then decide its not for them and turn round. It is not the easiest of canals - the locks can be difficult, the paddles are hard or are difficult to use unless you lean over the canal- which is not good for the back, the beams are at different heights which makes getting on and off them very awkward and the mooring can be difficult and problematic. There are only about two places that have any armco at all, which is a favourite for narrow boaters from the main system. But and its a big BUT its worth persevering as it does get better from Hungerford onwards. The scenery near Honeystreet,Crofton,Claverton and the Avon Valley going into Bath is just wonderfull.

There are also a lot of wide beams of various types but this is one that actualy looks nice with it.

Just before we came into the Marina we moored near Woolhampton lock and I walked into the village.This is a water fountain erected in 1897 for Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee. Its a listed monument that is due to be restored soon.

Day58 Frouds Bridge Marina

2010-06-08T22:07:00.006+01:00

We are now in Frouds Bridge Marina which is watched over by this wise old owl carved on an old tree trunk.

Cumulative totals to date are now 283 miles, 225 locks, 42 swing/lift bridges, 15 cappuccinos and 4 events.
(its doing that underlining thing again- but now stopped)

Today we had a really busy day as we did 1 swing bridge, 1 lock, 1mile in 1 hour - time to rest for the rest of the day.
We are in the marina for a few days primarily to get an engine service tomorrow but to also charge the various batteries fully and have a shower where I can stand under it for 10 minutes without worrying about the water.

This was our mooring the other night at Froxfield which is only 500 yards away from the A4.

The scenery on this canal is lovely- this is Dunmill Lock near Hungerford.

This moorhen spent 10 minutes in front of the side hatch cleaning itself and then drying his wings.

Day 56 Sunday at Thatcham

2010-06-06T17:37:00.004+01:00

The last lock we went through today was Monkey Marsh which is one of only two turf sided locks left on the river section of the K&A. It was cheap to build and the fact that it used a lot of water didn't matter.

It did make me wonder how this sign got like this- who hit it!

To date totals 279 miles, 221 locks, 39 swing/lift bridges, 15 cappuccinos and 4 events.

We are now only a few days away from the Thames although the forecast for the next few days is rain which may delay us a bit. We are going the short way back to the marina. The Grand Union route means another 90 wide locks and an extra 90 miles. Although the backs are feeling a lot better we can save it for another day and take the strain away!

Photos as we go towards Thatcham

2010-06-06T17:10:00.005+01:00

Some images of the journey from Devizes back towards the Thames. They reflect the great mixture of things on this canal which is well worth the struggle to get on it and to come to terms with it.

This female mallard befriended me at Kintbury and sat in the shade of my chair for about half an hour.

We went for a walk across Hungerford Marsh and then along the River Kennet.

Another boat name not sure about the licence though!

The lovely Somerset Hospital and almshouses near the canal at Froxfield.

BB moored next to Crofton Pumping Station which was in steam over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Anne and Janet on the old Roman road above Crofton.

The local fisherman know how to live when fishing.

Our mooring at All Cannings with the Vale of Pewsey in the back ground it was very hot.

A nice Dutch barge that came past when we were moored at Bishops Cannings.

Our mooring at Bishops Cannings which was very rural.

Nb Beverley a good name- those who know RAF aircraft will appreciate it.

Day 54 now back in Newbury in sunshine

2010-06-04T17:49:00.005+01:00

To date 276 miles,215 locks, 36 swing/lift bridges ,14 cappuccinos and now 4 events (latest was seeing Tornado)

The 3g signal through the Vale of Pewsey has been terrible- we are now back in business in Newbury. The weather has been great and the cruising lovely with some very lazy days. We have had many visitors over the last 2 weeks ie Simon, Janet, Sue, Graham and friends.

This is Tornado she is a new A1 pacific- yours for a modest £3m- it sounds and looks brilliant.

Saw this in Crofton village is it the smallest post box?

This is a view of Crofton Pumping Station set in the Vale of Pewsey

Janet and I walked up Woodborough Hill which over looked the canal, Anne rested in the boat but she is now feeling much better and is back on the locks but taking it very steady.

This is our mooring near Woodborough Hill looking towards Picked or Pickled Hill depending on which book you read.

When we were moored at Bishops Cannings this whole reel of tape used to cover cable buried in the ground was floating in the canal. Luckily it didn't get round any ones propellor.

Day 39 now back at the top of The Caen Hill flight

2010-05-20T21:08:00.010+01:00

Totals to day 39 Thursday are now 188 miles, 181 locks, 33 lift/swing bridges, 11 cappuccinos and 3 events. ( I have a problem on cappuccinos as we are now going back over the same ground - I am not counting the places I have already found - only new locations- that seems fair to me).

We are now back at Devizes wharf after coming up the the 28 locks associated with the Caen Hill area.

This was greatly helped by our friends John and Eve who came especially from Tiverton. They wanted to see us and the boat- we said how about a nice day at Caen Hill - I am not sure if they really appreciated how much they helped us. Anne's back side is getting better slowly, but is definitely not helped by doing the locks. She has been doing a lot more steering- and very well indeed-the confidence is growing all the time. I am lock wheeling ie using my Brompton fold up bike to travel between the locks and also work the one in front at the same time.This speeds us up through the locks when they are close together.Unfortunately as we move along the canal the locks move to one every mile or so I will not be able to lock wheel so much.

The local cool swan who was swanning around the boat this evening with one leg up out of the water and the other just gliding him around- he would look good with a pair of Rayburns!

John having mastered the locking gets us to the top of the flight.

Anne teaching Eve the mysteries of locking and which way to push the gates open and shut!!!!

Another example of the weird and wonderful craft that people use on this part of the canal-it looks like an old lifeboat.

When they restored the canal between Bradford on Avon and Bath they relined it with concrete to ensure that it did not leak like the original canal. They have the ramps every so often- my only guess is that they are to let ducks/moorhens etc get out- Anne's not so sure but has not come up with an alternative.

A heron that refused to fly away as we approached. We think he had his eye on some ducklings. In fact when we were in Bath I saw a heron being mobbed by a gull I think he had taken a chick or an egg.

The team- Anne at the helm and me near my trusty Brompton stead.

Our mooring the other evening at Claverton which is within the Avon valley and is just such a lovely spot.

The old mill at Limpley Stoke on the Avon, it has been converted to small business units.

Rennie's magnificent Dundas Aqueduct.

Our last night mo0ring at Sydney Gardens in Bath.

Day33 Still in Bath

2010-05-14T12:58:00.005+01:00

Well we are still here. Anne has come back from seeing her dad who is much much better and has been let out from the hospital and is now back in the care home. None of the jobs on my list have been done as I had more pressing things to deal with as the domestic alternator had packed up. A call to RCR (River Canal Rescue) soon had an engineer with me. He confirmed that a new one was required. A quick call to Beta and a replacement was on its way. They now do a 100amp alternative but it is about 2cm taller. The engine area is very tight and this small increase would have required a major rebuild, so I stuck with the 70amp, which I thought would be quicker. It with the engineer arrived promptly by 10.15 on Thursday morning. All was going well until he discovered that the brush assembly was not wired for the battery management system anymore.After a call to Beta he used the old one which was still OK as they had stopped this arrangement some time ago. All seems to be working ok now,time will tell as the warranty is no longer valid.

When Anne was away I did the Bizarre Bath Comedy Walk on Tuesday evening. If you are ever in Bath for a night this is a must. Its very different and very funny. The man in action-

You don't see many Thames Launches away from the river. This lovely example came passed towards Bath top lock.

We a going to stay Friday night and then set sail for the return down the K&A. Depending how Anne's bum/leg/muscle gets on will influence us when we get to Reading. Will it be the easier trip back up river to Oxford and the narrow canal or the longer trip via Brentford and the wide locks of the Grand Union!!!!!

Day 30 Bath- home alone

2010-05-11T17:32:00.006+01:00

To day 30 162 miles,144 locks, 26 swing/lift bridges and 8 cappuccinos- latest being Bath.

We are now in Bath and the last 6 miles where we were above the River Avon valley were magnificent in its full spring colour. The final few miles as we reached Bath and saw its houses on the other side of the valley in their ruch creamey brown colour made all the trip worthwhile.

The only thing now is that Anne has strained a musle in her buttock which is making walking very dificult(although I get to rub in the ointment). Her dad has also gone into hospital although I have just heard that he should be out tomorrow. We hired her a car and she has gone back to see him for a few days.Leaving me a list of jobs to do including fixing the sink waste which doesn't flow out!!!. I have added it to my list of external painting jobs - it will be interesting to see how much gets done,or will the attractions of Bath be irrisistable!!.

Due to Anne's muscle problem we have decided not to go to Bristol which involves another 13 locks including some larger ones on the river. Hopefully this will enable it to get better ready for the trip back down the K&A. It may also mean that she will need to do the steering into the locks and I will do the gates.Something she is not looking forward to- although it becomes easier with practise. I have done this entry with now check by my checker so apologis for hany mistacks.

My mooring tonight by bridge 188 Bathwick Hill which is a 10 minute walk into the centre of Bath.

Looking down the river from Pulteney Bridge to the weir which we will not be going down to moor near.

Latest thing for fast moving boats in Bath

Looking back to the iron bridges as you enter Bath. The local land owners wanted something more than just bridges on their land.

This figure head was on a wooden boat as we entered Bath.

Lovely spring colours across the valley

This time of year is great.

Our mooring the other night at Claverton Pumping Station

The Tower House in the village of Claverton.

The Claverton Pumping station that is the largest water wheel that used to pump water from the River Avon to the K&A.

Dundas Aqueduct.

Avoncliffe Aqueduct

Day 26 Bradford on Avon

2010-05-07T22:11:00.007+01:00

With Rosie and Jim's help, who we waved goodbye to at noon today, we are now at Bradford on Avon which is a lovely town with many buildings in mellow yellow Bath stone.

One surprise was this Roe deer we saw by the canal on our way back to the boat after looking at the Tithe Barn.

We have now done 156 miles, 143 locks, 24 swing/lift bridges and I have found 7 locations for cappuccinos.

The Roe deer that did not mind the people on the tow path very quietly watching.

The magnificent Tithe Barn built around 1350. The town in fact dates back to 1001.

Part of the oak timber roof.

I just could not resist this somewhat modified mini that was parked next to the canal at Bradford on Avon.

Another fine old building down by the river. It houses the Best Tea Room 2009.

An old mill converted to flats. At one time there were over 30 mills in town- a very rich town

Another fine building.

Bradford on Avon is well worth a visit but the canal is getting very crowded with long term moorers and it is becoming very difficult to find suitable moorings as it is very shallow in places. About 12 hire boats have gone through this evening heading towards Bath so I think we shall try and find somewhere to moor for the weekend and make our way into Bath from Monday onwards next week. Plan B may be to see if we can get a place in Bath marina for a few days. Its on the River Avon about 2 miles downstream. Its on our way to Bristol but also next to a park and ride so easy to get into Bath.

Bradford on Avon Wharf where we are moored.The bulding in the middle is the gauging area where they used to work out the loads that the boats could carry and therefore the toll charge.

Day24 and 25 Caen Hill flight

2010-05-07T21:37:00.005+01:00

It has taken us two days to go down the flight. No we didn't overnight in it.Worse than that -we did the 6 locks on the Tuesday afternoon with Rosie and Jim when we had to stop before the main course at 13.30. The flight had been closed for the day as some brick work in lock 30 had collapsed. Frost over the winter had weakened it and it had finally given up the ghost. It would be back in action at 08.00 on Wednesday.

The empty pound above lock 30 Tuesday evening-it clearly shows the size of the locks on the flight.

On our way down on Wednesday. We had to pass each side of this widebeam hotel boat in a very short pound- much dancing around was performed. It reminds me of a big fat grouper fish.

Finally at the bottom of the main 16 locks of the flight. It was some day -3 hrs work to do a mile and about 200ft. We shared the flight with an English family who live in Delft, Holland and who have taken several canal holidays. One of their two daughters had brought a friend with her who has only been to the UK once- it was to Battle!

Day23 Devizes

2010-05-03T20:55:00.004+01:00

We have only travelled 1 mile in the last two days- that should adjust our average per day-and make up for the long days during our sprint down the Thames the other week.

We are still in Devizes but we have gone into the local marina for a few days to chill out and charge up all the electrical bits on mains power and do a few jobs between showers. We all take electricity for granted and its only a luxury when you have to keep an eye on the battery bank monitor which tells you how much energy you have left available and how long it will last at your current usage. We are waiting for our real life Rosie and Jim who arrive tomorrow, Tuesday, for our trip down the Caen Hill flight. Hopefully the weather will be a little better. We have had heavy showers with sunny periods over the last two days with a cold wind.

A view down the main section of 16 locks to whet the appetite for tomorrow.

Devizes is a lovely town with all the essentials. Today they held a May Day fair in the Market Square organised by the local Lions Club.

Something different- a coffee bus- we didn't try it as we had already coffeed in Costa's.

Day 21 Devizes Wharf

2010-05-01T21:37:00.014+01:00

To day 21 Saturday (its doing it again) 142 miles, 107 locks, 18 swing/lift bridges and 5 cappuccino's latest in Devizes (which has several)

The above picture is of our mooring tonight at the Wharf- we are third on the right- and its stopped again- why me!!!

This canal continues to provide suprises like a lock with a swing bridge over the top.The original landowner refused permission to move a footpath a few yards so the builders had to let it cross the lock. Yesterdays journey around Picked Hill and the first of the White Horses carved into the chalk hill were breath taking.

Brewery building in Devizes.

The Market Hall

The K&A restored barge Unity built by Robbins, Lane and Pinniger at Honey Street Wharf.

A chocolate box cottage at All Cannings which has a community store from which I collected todays Daily Telegraph after ordering it yesterday- a great little shop and very friendly.

Our first White Horse after passing Picked Hill in the Vale of Pewsey.

The Trent & Mersey canal has "wides" caused by salt mining subsidence. The K&A has wides made specially for the landed gentry- Lady Susannah Wroughton who did not want a canal through her land. She would rather like to see a lake- so she got the wide instead and a rather nice stone bridge as well.

On the way out of Hungerford you pass the house that belonged to Eric Moorecombe-its his son's now. In the grounds is a large statue of them both, from a film studio- not sure of the colour though.

The lock with a swing bridge through the middle.

Pictures from Hungerford

2010-04-29T21:50:00.007+01:00

We are now at Devizes Wharf and I have an Orange 3g signal so can post a few pictures of our travels this week. We have gone from Great Bedwyn to Devizes through some lovely Wiltshire countryside and villages mostly in spring sunshine.

This oak tree was the view from our galley just past Crofton Pumping station and before Bruce tunnel. There is something about English oak standing guard over the landscape.

Clare supervising Bill during the repair of her bike following its attack by hawthorn twigs- much glue and patches were consumed during the process.

The magnificent Crofton Steam Pumping station which has two beam engines the oldest being 1812. It was used in anger last year when the BW diesel engines which now provide the power to pump water into the top pound broke down and the steam engines had to be used to cover for them. The train engine is the private operator Hanson which runs one of the many stone trains that move upwards of 3000tons of stone per trip into London every day.

Couldn't resit this sign on the way into Crofton.

The old School at Great Bedwyn which is now the local Doctors surgery.

As we were proceeding in a westerly direction we came across several people in kilts.They were doing a sponsored walk- not something you see everyday.

Day19 now at Pewsey in the rain

2010-04-29T20:34:00.002+01:00

To Day 19 Thursday 130 miles, 107 locks , 16 swing bridges and now only 4 cappuccinos- latest being Crofton pumping station and The Totti Pole by Hungerford bridge which is a boatman's heavon as you can also purchase BW pump out cards.

No 3g signal since leaving Kintbury so only a few pictures and words. We are at Pewsey Wharf and our first rain since starting our cruise- cannot be bad. The canal continues to get better and better although mooring can be a problem but you can usually get the bow in close enough to get on and off without too much difficulty.

We fed three visitors Monday night at Great Bedwyn- Dee and Mike (Debs family) and Simon.
Bill and Clare have been with us for the last few days which has been very good to have some extra people to help through the locks. They also provided a taxi service to the Co-Op in Pewsey which would have been a very hard walk back to the boat. Our own Rosie and Jim arrive next Tuesday to help us down the Caen Hill flight of 29 locks. We saw the locks in the early 1970's derelict so it will be good to go down one of the wonders of the UK canal system.

Had to have this picture of the shop near Hungerford bridge- need I say more.

Spyed this lovely little wooden craft as we neared Pewsey Wharf- called the Urchin.

Day 13 Spring is here its official

2010-04-23T20:54:00.003+01:00

To Day 13 Friday 112 miles,81 locks, 15 swing/lift bridges and 2 cappuccinos ( although I did have a few in Newbury I have only counted one - other wise I think I am cheating myself)

We finally left Newbury after 2 nights, it is just a great boat place to visit. We cruised with nb Silvermoon to Kintbury. The weather was glorious and the scenery through the River Kennet water meadows great- it was just a perfect days boating. Spring has definitely arrived because we have heard a cuckoo and seen our first bunch of ducklings. Anne also saw the first kingfisher of the trip- I missed it-aaah.

We are now moored at the 48hour moorings above Kintbury lock and although next to the railway is now not too noisy. The only troule with the K&A is that you cannot just moor up as the banks are very shallow, it may improve as we move along it-I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Another old mill this time at Kintbury converted to flats.

The old Rectory Kintbury

Our mooring at Kintbury

Looking back at Hamstead Lock which is on the edge of Hamstead Estate in an area that used to grow watercress using the River Kennet.

A group of youngsters who were shooting the mill weir at Newbury.

First group of ducklings at Newbury- she had in total 12- I wonder how many will survive.

Day 11 Newbury

2010-04-21T21:29:00.006+01:00

To Day 11 - 107 miles,75 locks, 14 swing/lift bridges and now 2 cappuccinos

We cruised from Thatcham to above Newbury lock today in superb spring sunshine. Newbury is a lovely town very boat friendly and we are moored at West Mills Wharf which is a 1 minute walk from the centre of town. The main excitement today was going against the current under Town Bridge and entering Newbury lock. We also found the launderette to beat all lauderettes in Boundary Lane - domestic bliss.

Our mooring tonight looking forward towards the cottages fronting the West Mills site

Our mooring back towards Newbury lock with an old mill building now converted to flats on the right.

Two ducks (not sure of the breed) asleep on the towpath- I was 3ft away.

NewburyWharf crane- this whole area was a hive of industry 200 years ago.

This lovely building which is now the museum used to be the Old Granary its in Wharf Road.

Looking back at Town Bridge with the River Kennet entering from the left and a mill stream on the right!

Approaching Town Bridge which narrows and increases the flow of the river- another good challenge- which keeps you on your toes. Who says narrow boating is boring- it ain't on the K&A.

As we approached Newbury we saw this lovely Dutch Barge with graceful sweeping curves to its cabin,I cannot remember its proper name.

One last picture of last night's sunset which also included cloud reflections in the river. Its evenings like this that make boating magical.

LTC Rolt

2010-04-21T21:19:00.004+01:00

LTC Rolt one of the founders of The Inland Waterways Association was born on the 11 February 1910 and to celebrate this they are sponsoring his classic cruise on his narrow boat Cressy which starts from Banbury. Andrew on nb Granny Buttons is covering this in great detail on his blog. LTC Rolt was also instrumental in the saving of The Talyllyn railway in North Wales. What a visionary- we must all be gratefull for his vision to save these two pieces of our industrial history.

Day 10 Tuesday above Thatcham lock

2010-04-20T18:13:00.004+01:00

To date 70 locks, 103 miles, 13 swing bridges and still only 1 cappaccino- this could change as its Newbury tomorrow.

Our mooring tonight

View down river from Woolhampton lock which shows the river entering from the right and the lift bridge just round the corner. The instructions on the lock side are to open the lift bridge before leaving the lock ( ie you then run the rapids)

The line of the K&A was used as a defence line in the Second World War and there are many pill boxes still to be seen.

A boatmans view of the river rapids below Woolhampton lock.

K&A locks are large but according to Anne easy peasey.

There are now only 2 turf sided locks left on the K&A. This is Monkey Marsh lock at Thatcham
which has to be left empty I assume so that the earth sides do not absorb too much water and then subside. They are very unique and part of the pleasure of this canal.

Day 9 Aldermaston

2010-04-20T17:29:00.004+01:00

We had a lovely afternoon cruise in spring sunshine from Theale to above Aldermaton lock with Annie and Clem on nb Adromeda who were heading for Frouds Bridge Marina. We moored above the lock near bridge 29.

The pictures below are in no order but reflect on the busy area around Aldrmaston which was a very busy inland area in the early 1800's with a large brewery and then in later years a rail/canal intercharge built by the Great Westrern Railway, which we are in constant contact with all the way along. This canal is getting better and better, it has so many idiosyncrasies in every mile. Most of the people we spoke to on the way down the Oxford told us about the heavy lock gates. In fact they are not bad at all, the ones on the Buckby flight on the GU are much heavy. Whats much more demanding/exciting on this first part is the river current that can easily catch you out. I went for a cycle last night and came across a hire boat that had been spun completly around. I managed to get them turned around again and moored up. I don't think the hire company had given them any info on the river and what to expect.

The old Wharf Managers house

Waiting for the lift bridge across the busy road to go up. In fact its switched off in the morning and evening rush hours.

Aldermaston lock which was originally a turf sided luck but was rebuilt before the canal closed with scolloped brick edging.

Nb Black Bess and Andromeda awaiting the lock to fill with the lift bridge behind.

The old brewery Malthouse now houses.

Upton swing bridge with an old lock of 1ft 9inches deep built in 1830 to maintain the deep of the pound

More pictures of the Thames

2010-04-18T20:53:00.006+01:00

Its gone into blue underline and I don't know how to switch it off- help the worlds against me ah well I will carry on.

A nice little launch run around

Its gone I didn't do nothing.

A house with your own light house as you approach Caversham on the outskirts of Reading

Big brother- the hotel barge The African Queen not quite like the film.

The lovely remote ferryman's cottage below Goring lock.

The ultimate summer house again down river of Goring lock but not for the feint hearted.

A nice new house at Goring

We had this unusual reflection in our bedroom on the Saturday morning a double reflection through one port hole. It was early morning with the mist being burnt off by the sun. Is the sun being refracted by the water and the mist giving this double reflection,as it only lasted for about 10 minutes.

Day 8 nearly a day of rest

2010-04-18T20:19:00.003+01:00

To Day 8 Sunday 18 April - 60 locks, 95 miles and only 1 cappuccino-(although I missed an opportunity for one in Wallingford but due to my tight schedule, more later, I couldn't wait for the multitude of coffee shops to open. )

Well we have had a couple of very busy days of 9 hours boating each day which has taken us from Thrupp on the Oxford canal via the River Thames to Theale on the Kennet & Avon canal. The weather has been excellent although the wind on the Thames was very cold - I was in 6 layers and gloves, but it was clear skys all the way. I had been focused on getting to the K&A and therefore only had a one day Thames licence which allows for 1 night but two full days on the river. I should have got a few more days to really enjoy the spring weather, I am in the dog house again- DOH!!! The stream warnings had all been taken off from the Thames but there was still a pronouced flow especially where it went through a narrow section, but no real mishaps. It was very interesting though going through the Oracle shopping centre in Reading. It was Saturday lunch time on a glorious spring day the crowds were out in force and much to Anne's dismay I continued to wave to the crowds like the Queen- great fun. It was also very slow as we must have been going against a 4mph current- the warning board at the first lock as you enter the K&A was indicating a reducing stream. We made it to above Theale swing bridge at 17.00 on Saturday and have not moved today Sunday. A day spent polishing and tlc for BB she deserves it.

Our mooring near Wallingford 07.15 with a lovely mist which the sun burnt off by 07.45, we also had a hard frost.
The same mooring the night before which was a glorious spring evening as the cold wind had dropped- it was only a 5 minute walk into the centre of Wallingford.

A barge used by the colleges to watch the rowing on the Thames

The old Abbey next to Godstow lock on the Thames.

The unimposing entrance to Dukes cut which leads to the Thames above Oxford.

Day 5 Thrupp

2010-04-15T18:02:00.004+01:00

Day 5 34 locks, 40 miles and still only 1 cappuccino

The weather for us continues to be grey and cloudy with a very chilly wind, but more to the point for us no rain and therefore all the boards have been taken off the Thames. We are now at Thrupp ready for our dash down the river tomorrow and Saturday to Reading.

I spoke to Orange yesterday re my connection problems and they said to diasable the wifi function. I have done this and it seems to be working but I have everything of mine and Anne's crossed.

Our mooring last night at Sommerton Meadow- one our our favourites- it was also a washing day.

Aynho Weir lock which is only 1ft deep but is wide enough to get 3 boats in so that enough water is passed to the next pound to ensure that the Sommerton Deep lock at 12ft has plenty of water.

When we moored in the centre of Banbury we were behind nb Columbia which has an interesting history. It was built as an unpowered butty in 1907, converted to a motor boat and then shortened to 54ft. It was then rebuilt to its original 70ft but was then burnt out in early 2000, completely rebuilt and converted to a live a board and finally finished in her present state in April 2009. Unfortunately its gear box had failed- it will cost about £3000 to repair and has been at Banbury for 10 days awaiting its completion.

Will hopefully be able to get a connection on the K&A so keep checking.

Banbury

2010-04-13T17:27:00.002+01:00

A great day for cruising sunshine with a little bit of chill in the air. Still havibg a problem with the PC in that internet explorer will not display the page- but hopefully will get to the bottom soon.

Today Day 3 was 4 locks and 3.5miles and 1 cappuccino in Banbury. I might have to fire up the Bailetti soon as we are heading to the wilderness.

Day 2 we are off

2010-04-12T20:19:00.005+01:00

Day 2 cumulative 17 miles , 17 locks and NO cappuccino's

We came up to the boat on Saturday afternoon and by Sunday morning I could find no more jobs left to do so we disconnected the electric and cast off.

Sunday was a fresh day with a bit of wind but good for boating. We moored overnight at the radio most near Fenny Compton and met John and Barbara who have just had their Stowe boat extended by 10ft she looks fantastics and is a credit to her owners and the people that worked on her.

Monday night we are at Cropredy a lovely village with a good 3g connection but the computer keeps locking me out - I don't know way- baaahumbug.

Something I heard yesterday what does Boat mean- Bring Out Another £Thousand!.

I keep watching the Thames conditions which continue to reduce so hopefully we can start the trip down to Reading on Sunday.

The sign post as we left the marina- to the right Oxford and from the left London from which direction we will hopefully return.

I saw the canada goose on its own I thought until I saw the head of his/her mate either in a big hole or sitting on eggs.

Couldn't resist a spring lamb picture of triplets.

Crochet and cappuccino

2010-04-03T22:52:00.005+01:00

We went up to the boat last week to get her ready for the start of our trip to the K&A in about 10 days. I have been watching the conditions on the River Thames which have been up and down around the red warning boards (no go state) mark for the last few weeks. We will therefore make our way down the Oxford canal and continue to watch the conditions. We need two days to get down to Reading and reasonable conditions for the start of the K&A as its river for the first part to Hungerford.

One of the things I am going to continue is my quest for good cappuccino coffee as per our last trip- and much to Anne's dismay- but you have to do these things. I am also taking my secret weapon in case of coffee famine. Its a Bialetti Mukka Express vetro coffee machine which makes one good cup of cappuccino once you master it. Picture below shows the great piece of Italian engineering.

We had porthole bungs made to act as curtains for the boat and used commercial lace on the side which face outwards. It was better than the blue of the bungs which showed against the black of the hull. Anne has never really liked them and has therefore started on making her own crochet replacements.

An example of Anne's new porthole crochet work, without the bung, which already gives privacy so we only need to put the bung in at night.

The old commercial lace cover on the porthole bung. Anne has done a fantastic job on the new one with only another 7 to go. With any luck they should be all done by the time we get back from our trip!!! I'll keep you posted as to progress.

Spring must be round the next corner- surely

2010-03-12T22:09:00.003Z

We have snowdrops and crocuses out at home but no daffodils yet so a trip to the boat was required to get her ready for our spring cruise.

Unfortunately on arrival we found that the canal is still very much in winter mode - frozen over with a cold wind.

Anne and I went up last Sunday as we needed to replace the domestic battery bank.The builder fiitted 4 -Elecsol 125ah batteries 6 years ago. They have performed very well but started to give trouble when we were on the Thames last July in that they required to be charged for 6/7 hours to reach on 97%. The space where they are is above the swim at the stern as is very tight. I therefore decided to keep to the same and hunted around the internet. The cheapest price was direct from Elecsol at £125 each delivered.

The job was done on Monday by Dickie in the marina and the ice cleared from the canal on Tuesday. A window for a shake down cruise - at trip into Braunston with an over night stop at bridge 103 to test out the batteries. Everything was working OK with the new bank only reducing 20% during our 15 hour stop. The canal remained clear of ice until the Thursday morning but we had returned Wednesday afternoon- it had dropped to minus 5 overnight.

We had turned outside Braunston for a lunch stop and warm around the fire and spotted this very interesting narrow boat. Its nb Sickle with a fascinating history. It was built in a batch of 8 pairs ( motor and butty) by W J Yarwood of Northwich in 1935/36 with a V bottom for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Co (GUCCC). During the war the Ministry of War shortened 4 of them for use as ice breakers. Sickle has now been restored to her 1950's condition. Full history can be found on her website.

The entrance to Braunston marina with the ex FMC nb Vulcan's bow and the wharf seen through the iron foot bridge.

Teardrop trailer update

2010-02-09T23:13:00.002Z

There was an article in last Saturday's Telegraph about classic caravans in a new book coming out on the 15 February entitled "My cool caravan" by Jane Field-Lewis. It mentions that original Teardrop caravans ,in good condition,are rarer than hens teeth. They were made in 1940's America. Therefore the one I saw in Braunston must have been a replica but very interesting indeed. I should have had my camera with me- that will teach me.

Boat OK

2010-01-23T20:28:00.003Z

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

2010-01-12T21:33:00.005Z

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

Wet and wild autumn weather

2009-11-29T22:25:00.004Z

We have been rather pre occupied at home so have not been able to go up to the boat as much as we would like. The previous time being early October when the weather was glorious and we managed a short cruise into Braunston with a lovely overnight stay near bridge 103.

The butty Atalanta went past under tow.

What a difference a month makes we went up last week to sort out a clip on the cratch cover and to arrange for an engine service. The weather was terrible. Heavy rain and strong winds. The satelite dish on the roof decided to take flight during the evening but luckily I had tied it down and therefore it didn't go AWOL.

Cows and Coldplay

2009-09-21T22:01:00.002+01:00

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

2009-09-17T00:05:00.004+01:00

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

2009-09-16T23:34:00.005+01:00

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

2009-09-16T23:07:00.005+01:00

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

2009-09-16T22:57:00.003+01:00

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.

Water stains on the woodwork are no more

2009-08-16T22:15:00.005+01:00

We decided to leave the sunshine of the south east and go up to BB last week as we had arranged to meet Pete Hill who was going to help us remove the bad water stains which we had following the very cold weather last winter.

The weather at Napton has not been good over the last few weeks with a fair amount of rain and last week was no exception with only one really nice day Thursday when we managed a pleasant cruise to Braunston and back with an overnight stop near bridge 103 and a BBQ.

The main work to be done was the water stains on the light oak veneered panels and the stains on the oak shelves. They had been caused by condensation either running down behind the panels and finding a way out onto the shelves or dripping down from a ceiling panel. The condensation was caused when we had the stove on during the winter when the outside temperature was minus 10c, the coldest it has been since we had the boat. Pete had identified the areas where there is probably a gap in the polystyrene insulation and therefore where he needed to inject some spray foam to cure the problem.

We had major thin stains running down on each of three panels that Pete attacked by first rubbing down with very fine sand paper, then putting on some undiluted bleach which was left for about 30 minutes before being washed off. After this some clear satin varnish was applied and when dry Briwax clear was put on using 0000 grade wire wool- they now look good as new.

I set to work (with some guidance from Pete) on the shelves which are solid oak as follows:-

As the shelves have been waxed it was necessary to scrape this off and then a layer of the oak shelf using a Skarsten finishing scraper (large red wooden handle in the picture) and a Bahco 625 scraper on which much more pressure could be applied.

Picture of the two scrapers used to deal with the water stains on the solid oak wooden parts.

Once the stains had been removed it was then sanded with the fine paper and wiped clean with white spirit. When dry satin varnish was applied and then when that was dry Briwax clear was put on with 0000 grade wire wool.

In all it took all day but was well worth the effort.

Next trip is to Welford in early September for bottom blacking etc.

Stowe Hill Marine no more

2009-07-27T12:15:00.002+01:00

It would appear that Stowe Hill Marine are no more. There is a news item in CanalsandRiver dated 8 July that states Stowe Hill Marine ceased trading a the end of June 09. Pete & Julie Hill sold the business to Simon Kennedy at the end of May04- BB being the last Pete Hill Stowe boat (number 165), about another 25 boats have been built by Simon.

The article states that Rugby Boat Sales are taking over the shop area and will take over the diesel and pump out facilities. Robert Gudgeon and Graham Shepherd will take over the dry dock and workshop. No mention has been made about unfinished boats although when we went past in June we couldn't see any new hulls.

The end of an era no more Stowe Hill low line tug style narrow boats- RIP.

Now back at Wigrams

2009-07-19T21:55:00.002+01:00

We are now back in the marina having covered only 94 locks and 138 miles in 3 weeks. As we made our way back up the Oxford canal it was very busy with queues at most of the locks. When we were in Banbury on Monday afternoon in a period of 15mins 8 boats went past and then they all had to wait to go done the lock in the centre of Banbury -a good reason to go back to the south coast and come out again in September. We need to go to welford so that BBs bottom can be blacked together with a few other jobs.

When we went through Thrupp we had a chance to meet two bloggers Maffi and Bones it was great to put faces to names.

A few final pictures of the trip

We were followed up the Claydon flight by a very friendly couple who had a 15 year old beardy/airedale cross with a lovely face.

A you come in/out of Banbury you pass a house with a picture of the owners on the wall- perhaps this could catch on now that ID cards have been scrapped.

As we waited for the water tank to fill at Cropredy I noticed the road name- Is it a statement or is it because the road goes round the bottom of the village.

Pictures from the Thames and Oxford canal

2009-07-19T21:39:00.002+01:00

We first came past Twyford Wharf on the Oxford 6 years ago in fact the year we ordered BB and when the work on the wharf had first started- it now looks excellent with the hard work really paying off.

The bridge holes on narrow canals can be very tight as this view of BB entering Nell Bridge Lock where you go under the new A41 road bridge whic is in front of the old one.

A un modernised fishing lodge on the Thames near The Ferryman Inn

A great Thames boat house with launch

A splendid Thames sunset above Pinkhill lock

Boats!

2009-07-13T17:56:00.003+01:00

Its not only the scenery that we go through on the journey its the diversity of things that you see. I therefore include a selection of the different boats seen on the trip.

A great name but you have to do the accent

We saw this boat near Enslow Wharf -if you enlarge the picture it has a huge mast, solar panels and satellite dish.

A floating steel shed under construction

An amphibious plastic carboat

Is this the narrow boat equivalent of a smart car

Now back at Banbury

2009-07-13T17:27:00.005+01:00

We came off the Thames last Friday and have made our way back up the South Oxford canal to Banbury and sunshine, light showers anp heavy showers. Anne's sister and husband joined us for the day on Saturday after yomping down the canal from Lower Heyford - a very pleasant day especially with help through a few of the locks. We also managed to BBQ some prawns before the heavens opened in the evening. Ones from Morrisons athough the one lock keeper on the Thames had caught about 30 huge american crayfish in the weir stream in one night, they make excellent eating.

We stopped Sunday night at Sarah and Deans smallholding just above Nell Bridge Lock where thet have put in mooring on the off side for £5.75(inc VAT) plus £2 for electricity- you can also buy free range pork and sausages- a really good idea which I hope is succesfull for them.

I will try and upload some pictures but I am having difficulties at the moment.

So far only 2 cappuccino's - both in Banbury- the Thames above Oxford is a no go area for good coffee.

On to the Thames towards Lechlade

2009-07-08T18:08:00.006+01:00

The weather changed last Friday as we reached the Thames with heavy rain showers and strong south westerly winds which resulted in us running aground and me having a close encounter with a local tree as the wind blew the boat across the river as we set off one morning. A good lesson though as we should have gone through how we would leave the bank taking into account the wind and the current- something we now do each time on the river.

We are moored tonight above Rushey lock far from the madding crowd except VC10s and AWACS 707 (picture below) flying round from Brize Norton

Looking from our mooring to Swinford Toll Bridge

Face watching over you at Radcot Lock

Old Father Thames with paddle at St Johns Lock Lechlade the last one on the Thames

A Lincoln tug which has a lovely bow shape

Leaving Lechlade meadow with the church in the background

My brother Peter visited us at Lechlade with his Gordon Setter Jackie who found a great place to watch the ducks and swans. They are used to find the game birds and set them flying , so she was stalking any bird she could find on the ground when we went for walks across the meadow.

The last bit of the Oxford canal to the Thames

2009-07-08T17:58:00.002+01:00

The trip down the Oxford continued in very hot sunshine. A few images seen on the way.

A mini narrow boat near Kidlington

Parking outside the Boat Inn at Thrupp

A lovely oak house next to Pigeon's Lock

A very clever farmer above Nells Bridge Lock has created moorings on the offside with power and water for I think £5 per night

Heading towards Banbury

2009-06-30T17:07:00.005+01:00

Wigrams Turn marina had a moorers BBQ Saturday night which was excellent and we then left early Sunday for our trip to Lechlade on the Thames. The weather has been great - we are now in Banbury centre with a reasonable Orange 3g signal.

A group of young people on a canoe camping trip making their way through the centre of Banbury. We also saw several groups doing their Duke of Edinburghs award walking up the Napton flight in very hot sunshine.

A Moorhen have a good wash and brush up outside the boat a Cropredy

A view of BB moored above Croperdy lock

We didn't have the televison on Sunday evening near Fenny Compton but we had something much better a serenade from this Bull Finch in the tree opposite the boat

The lock house by Napton bottom lock has now been bought and the new owners has spent a lot of time and money restoring it to better than its past
I do like the oak porch that has been added.

More Braunston pictures

2009-06-30T17:00:00.002+01:00

It was a special FMC weekend with plenty of their boats present in the old wharf in the Marina

A collection of Stewarts & Lloyds tugs

The steam narrow boat President which is 100 years old this year and the butty Kildare together with 3 others including Vulcan and Monarch

Braunston classic boat festival

2009-06-30T16:34:00.006+01:00

Images of the Braunston festival in all over 80 boats attended

Tunnel tug which used to operate in the Tardebigge tunnel

Horse drawn NB Elland with Bilbo Baggins the horse

Wall to wall boats outside the marina

We came up to the boat last Thursday and although Friday was wet its has been fantastic weather since with only the odd short thunder storm. First thing was to go to Braunston on Saturday to see the classic boats - a great day out.

Cleared by the hospital and can now go cruising

2009-06-24T11:11:00.003+01:00

No more visits required to the hospital and it should take another 2/3 weeks before the gas bubble has completely gone. My sight has come back although it will not be perfect its far better than I thought it would be and I can now drive which is a great relief to Anne as I have not been a very good side seat passenger!

We have decided to take the boat further down the Oxford canal and join the Thames for a trip up to Lechlade. The Thames above Oxford is very rural and not a busy as the lower part (which we did 3 years ago) due to the height restriction at Osney Bridge which prevents the larger motor cruisers going any further.

Hopefully I will be able to get an Orange 3g signal and update the blog.

Sun comes out so trip to Gayton Junction

2009-06-16T22:19:00.006+01:00

Janet went home on Sunday afternoon and as the forecast looked much better than the weekend we decided to take a trip down the Grand Union to Gayton Junction for the week as I have a check up on the eye next week.

The classic shot of Braunston Church and old windmill from the Puddle Bank.

We were delayed on the way down the Buckby flight - BW had a one day closure on the second lock down the flight- to replace the lock beam. It had apparently been snapped off when a hire boater decided to bash the gate open - BW are supposed to be sending him a bill. Although they had a closure all day the gang really did well and we were on our way by 13.30.

The steam tug Adamant on its way to the Stoke Bruerne gala weekend

The working boats Nuneaton and Brighton on their way to Stoke Bruerne

The Gongoozelers Rest outside Braunston marina with perhaps "Horses d'oeurves" on the menu

Nb George ( the last remaining Royalty class boat) with attitude!!!

The weather for our first trip out this year was great with only a few heavy showers at the start of the week but then plenty of sunshine with three BBQs and a serious amount of paint jobs ticked from the list.

Trip at last but in the rain

2009-06-16T21:33:00.003+01:00

We came up to the boat Thursday 4 June with a view to go down the Oxford canal towards Banbury for a few days with Anne's sister Janet as extra crew.
We set off mid Friday morning in nice sunshine and I could now see things with my right eye and didn't hit anything on the way up Napton flight.

As we went round Napton Hill there are always a few "Thelwell" style ponies in the field.

The trip towards Fenny Compton is twisty but through some lovely countryside

Janet in action cutting along the edges that the contractors have missed

The above photographs do not show how bad the weather was- most of Saturday and Sunday morning it absolutely threw it down- at least my new waterproof jacket was fully tested it was excellent and dried in less than an hour.

Wet and Windy

2009-05-20T22:03:00.005+01:00

We have just come back from 8 days on the boat during which we managed to do all the jobs that needed to be done. The only thing we didn't do was take the boat out for a trip. The weather can only be described as bl......y awful with strong winds and heavy rain showers every day - except the day we came home!!!! anyway it was still very nice to be back on the boat.

Whilst we were in NZ I had a continuing problem with my right eye which was still playing up on my return. To cut a very long story short I had an operation for a detached retina 2 weeks ago. The NHS have been fantastic with the operation carried out at the Brighton Eye Hospital a week after I first saw them. I have a gas bubble in my eye which will be replaced over the next 2/3 months by vitreous fluid which should give me back the majority of my sight. The only down side is that I cannot drive and Anne is acting as my very good chauffeur. Therefore no long gtrips this year as I need to go back to the hospital so that they can check progress.

We went to visit Pip & Richard (who spent a few days last year with us on the Llangollen canal ) on their new boat Fino on the River Nene at Oundle Cruising Club

The lovely new boat

Whilst there we walked over to Upper Barnwell Lock with its refurbished Mill restaurant.

No spring trip yet

2009-04-29T21:02:00.002+01:00

We have not been up to the boat since February as we have been in New Zealand for 7 weeks and also seen Tokyo and San Fransisco -we both had a fantastic time. You can see our trip details at our travels blog site.

Hopefully we will go up to BB soon to get her ready for a 2 month trip in June/July- so please keep an eye on this site.

Wintery pictures

2009-02-15T15:40:00.003Z

The frozen canal from the bridge by the Folly Inn Napton Jan09

Napton Junction bridge from the entrance to our marina with the canal frozen over about 4inches thick Jan 09

Simon and Debs had three of my pictures - two from last year trip and one from our trip down the Thames in 2005 - framed for our Christmas present probably to go in the hall or the dining room at home.

Looking down the Grand Union from Bucky Top Lock which shows how deep these ponds are so that they have sufficient water for the flight of wide locks. I went looking for my lost mooring hook but couldn't find it- somebody got there before me.

We did see a few moorhens around and I wondered how they coped when the canal is suddenly emptied, as the drop from the sides is a good 4/5feet in places. Do they suddenly wake up from their overnight nest spot and fall to the bottom wondering whats going on - where's the water ,nobody told me I must contact BW!!!!!!

Winter trips to the boat

2009-02-15T15:26:00.003Z

Due to illness - man flu for me and a cold for Anne we didn't manage to get to the boat between Christmas and New Year. We eventually came up on Sunday 4th January - it was very cold minus5 inside the boat and the marina frozen solid with it going down to minus8 during the night. Didn't take the boat out but did manage a few jobs although we need to do some serious restaining/waxing where condensation has marked the light oak wood.

We went up again last week 12 February when it was not as cold inside the boat only 0 but the marina was still frozen and lots of snow still on the ground.

I will post a few photographs of the frozen surroundings and some of the dewatered Buckby flight which is closed until the beginning of March09.

Mobile cappuccino could be solved

2008-12-26T18:47:00.003Z

During our three month trip I reported on the number or lack of good cappuccinos that could be found within walking distance of the canal. It showed the very bad state of good coffee around the country. Well our son was given a Bialetti Mukka Expresso (from Amazon) cappuccino maker by his girlfriend that could be the answer to our prayers. It makes 2 cups of superb cappuccino just by placing it on the hob with no messing about with milk steamers at all and only for £47.50., a great bit of Italian engineering to solve a serious problem. This could solve Andrew Denny's issues as well on Granny Buttons. This is going to be a must buy before our next trip for the occasions when I cannot find a land based one!

Mice strike back in unusual place

2008-12-17T22:12:00.002Z

How about this for a weird event.

I went to top up the screen wash today, in the car that we used to go up to the boat the other week. There is a cup like indent above the shock absorber struts on each side and in one of them were about 30 red berries. They could not have been blown or washed in by wind or rain as there is a bulk head in the way. They are not berries from home, they are like the ones near the car park at the marina. They must have been put there by somebody or something- its about 2ft above ground level and you couldn't reach it with your hand. It must be a winter stock of food for MICE- aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

Plans did not go to plan

2008-12-07T21:22:00.004Z

We went up to the boat last Sunday to hopefully go out for a few days during the week - but boating never always goes to plan.
On arrival the temperature inside the boat was -3c, we had mice visiting and our main water pump which supplies the taps and toilet was playing up.

Soon got the fire going and the temperature soon increased and stayed alight for the rest of the week.

We had moored the boat with the stern towards the reeds last time we were up and I noticed that there is a gap at the bottom of the rear doors which is probably how the little perishers got in. Mouse traps were purchased in Southam and set. As I was doing this I disturbed a field mouse that had decided to nest in the bucket hanging up in the electrical cupboard- unfortunately I was not quick enough to catch it. The traps were set and over the next four days we evicted 6 !!!, and turned the boat around so that the bow is now into the reeds -but no further sightings or signs of them during Thursday or Friday night. Hopefully we have seen the last of them but just in case have left the traps in place.

On investigating the pump it was wet around the pump and the floor in the cupboard. My plumbing skills are zero but after talking to the marina manager I decided to have a go and disconnect it. The pipe joints were all ok it was a seal within the pump itself. A common fault it would appear on Shurflow pumps, luckily I had a replacement ( as I had identified it on my critical parts list) so swopped them over. I will try and repair it to use as a spare in future.

With all this excitement we had stayed in the marina and with Wednesday weather not looking so good we decided to do some shopping and therefore over several days visited Banbury, Northampton and Stratford upon Avon. The redevelopment around Stratford basin is really coming on and they have just completed the topping out of the RSC building with landscaping due for completion next summer and the theatre due to open in 2010.

So no trip out but a very pleasant time as always spent on the boat doing boaty things and back home Saturday afternoon.

Autumn weather for jobs

2008-10-19T21:45:00.003+01:00

We managed to have a few days on the boat last week to tidy up the scratches on the gunwale during which time the weather was very good with only a few showers on the Thursday. We spent the time in the marina but Friday afternoon's weather was so nice that we had to go out for a short trip to the winding hole near the Napton flight.

On the way back we saw a Kestrel hovering by the canal and I managed to get a reasonable photo of it.

Two rainbows over the marina during one of the showers on Thursday afternoon

The harbour master at the marina is a registered keeper of barn owls and has had this female for the last 18 months. The colouring of the feathers are something else.

Yorkshire Moors and Napton

2008-10-10T22:25:00.004+01:00

No long trips recently as Anne's father is in hospital and we have been to a Christening in Lancashire. We did get to the boat on the 24 September for a few days in the week of glorious "summer" weather at last and cruised to Fenny Compton and back to the marina on the Oxford Canal.

One of the things that I get cross about on the cut is the boater that asks you to slow down when you are already on tick over when they have moored their boats with very very slack lines. Why don't they put out a spring line which stops any movement? Photo below shows a spring line at the bow which I use all the time.

A misty morning near Marston Dole with perhaps BW sheep clearing the tow path!!

A large floating "weedberg" presumably cast adrift by cattle drinking from the canal.

An overnight mooring near Br 130 on a glorious summer evening- although the stove was required once the sun went down
The classic photo looking down Napton flight with the windmill in the distance.

The weather in Lancashire for the christening was fantastic and we had the opportunity to go to the Yorkshire Moors. Ribble Head viaduct on The Seatle & Carlisle line on our way to lunch at Hawes. Not directly related to the boat but worth posting as its such glorious scenery.

Weather sends us home

2008-09-07T21:15:00.006+01:00

The weather following my last post has been going downhill all the time with heavy rain and wind, all part of the rich tapestry of boating. We had to go back to Welford Wharf so that Les could replace the four engine mounts last Wednesday and therefore we had some time to waste.

Walks around Welford and North Kilworth which produced the following photos.

Although August has been very wet the reservoir that feeds the Leicester Section of the Grand Union at Welford is very low.

We moored for th night on the aquaduct over the River Avon just outside Welford and I walked into North Kilworth about 2 miles away which has some great road names!

And a cottage disappearing under ivy

BB at Market Harborough's Union Wharf, the building behind her is an old warehouse now the Waterfront restaurant- excellent meal was had.

Going back up the Foxton flight one side pond was empty due to few boats coming down the flight. There are a few flights of locks which still use side ponds put in to conserve water in that the water from one lock is taken through the side pond into the next lock so using only one lock of water for each boat passing through the flight- simple but very efficient. The other major flight which uses this principle is the Caen Hill flight near Devizes which hopefully we will visit next year.

You don't see many motorway maintenance vehicles on the canals.

The forecast for this weekend and beyond was awful so we decided that we didn't need to stay on the boat as we can come back anytime. A problem with the Leicester arm is that I could not get an Orange 3G signal so was unable to update the blog whilst out so I am going to look at possible alternatives that appear to be based around "dongles".

The problem continues to be finding good cappuccinos with only Market Harborough providing any respite. How about a mobile coffee shop in a Narrowboat - could be a good business opportunity.

Trip to Market Harborough

2008-08-30T11:23:00.003+01:00

We are back on the boat as we needed to take her to Welford to sort out the noise around the engine area. We have replaced the python drive and are due to replace the engine mounts next Tuesday so hopefully this should cure the problem.

The weather continues to be dull and miserable although yesterday when we came down Foxton flight it was really humid with some sunshine but no rain as yet.

We are now moored in the old Wharf at Market Harborough which is really nice. MH is a haven for cappuccinos!!!!!! and is now on my list.

A few pictures from our travels.

A good use of an old tree stump seen on the walk from Welford Wharf into Welford village.

You usually see a line of geese , swans have now got in on the act.

Anne bringing the boat down through the last 5 of the 10 locks at Foxton.

Heard a strange sound as we arrived at the bottom of the locks when a piper appeared out of the trees!

Good name for a boat -

After Welford next Tuesday we then plan to go down to Gayton junction before returning to Base, maybe able to post from my phone, signal permitting, as this is being done from library in MH.

Caraboat

2008-08-05T23:10:00.004+01:00

In my post on the 14 June I had a picture of a narrow boat towing a caravan. GrannyButtons a leading narrow boat web site saw my entry and identified it as a caraboat which are now very collectable if in good condition.

Visit to repair the damage of the trip

2008-08-05T22:19:00.003+01:00

We went upto the boat last week to do some repair jobs that we didn't get a chance to do when out on our trip because of not enough good weather 0r the fact that we were enjoying ourselves too much.

The jobs completed included resealing around the shower, resealing around the front cratch table board and repainting the hull following the scratches caused by the narrow locks.

The weather was windy with some heavy showers so we only managed one night out on the cut before we had to head home for our duty at the sailing club Regatta that was cancelled due to bad weather - first time ever according to those in the know.

The picture below is of two working boats which are probably on their way back from the working boat rally at Braunston and moored near the entrance to Wigrams. They are motor boat Atlas and its butty(unpowered) Leo, both of which I think are small Woolwich class boats.

Our next trip will be at the end of August when we have to take the boat to Welford for some TLC. During the trip she started to make some funny noises when going into forward or reverse. It could be that the drive plate is wearing (the boat equivalent of the clutch). Therefore need to disconnect the gearbox and check it out.

Day 76 now back in Wigrams

2008-06-19T23:07:00.002+01:00

We had a very nice last few days- warm sunshine but chilly evenings and therefore no BBQ - going up the remaining 25 wide locks to our marina and sailed onto our berth at 15.15 on Monday 16 June after 76 days, 29 lift bridges, 297 narrow locks, 46 wide locks, 5 river locks and 468 miles.

Memorable events increased to 15 the last two being:-

1. The people we have met on our travels have been from all sorts of backgrounds, interest, countries and they all have great stories to tell and show what a friendly group of people use the canals- we only met a few grumpy ones!
2. The small shops that we have visited on the trip have provided some wonderfull meat, pies, vegetables, cakes and chutneys .

Cappuccinos - I only managed to have 20 which reflects that we still have a long way to go to get excellent coffee around the country. There are some very large areas in which there is no good coffee available!

Its now time to spend the summer ( hopefully) at home with our next trip planned for a visit to Berkhampstead in September 08. So come back to check out whats happening. I will keep my quest for cappuccinos and will come up with something else!

I hope you enjoyed following our trip as much as I did doing the blog posts.

On way back to Wigrams

2008-06-19T22:45:00.003+01:00

The locks that take the Grand Union out of the River Avon valley and back towards Napton and our marina are very modern in canal terms being built in the mid 1930's when the Grand Union Canal Company widened the single locks on the route from London to Birmingham and installed hydraulic paddles (the large black and white things) that are now very hard work. The plan was to eventually make them automatic but the money ran out.

Anne multi tasking on our way up the locks.

Another view of the impressive Bascote staircase locks with a group of 8th year school children from Northumberland coming down.

Our final nights mooring Sunday near Long Itchington on the Grand Union

A narrowboat with a large collection of old tyres to ensure that the many hire boats that pass this way do not get near to it

Day 74 in and around Warwick

2008-06-14T21:43:00.004+01:00

Totals to day 74 which includes our day in Warwick and our trip down the Hatton flight yesterday- Friday;-

Memorable events now 13 latest being "breasted up" down the Hatton flight - see below
Cappuccino's now 20 following our visit to Warwick a mecca compared to the last week - latest being Caffe Nero, Kozi Bar, Caffe Vergnano 1882 and Il Piccolino
Lift bridges 29 ,locks 323 and 452 miles

After Thursday rain Friday was sunny/cloudy for our trip down Hatton flight. NB Gwch (Welsh for boat or in South Wales a cuddle) came along after a 30 minute wait (without cappuccino as the cafe has changed hands). We started down the flight with the four of us making good progress but we decided to "breast up". This invloved roping the two boats together which then requires only one helmsman/woman. This worked very well but I have now great respect for the old working boatmen who would do this with fully loaded 70ft boats.They are like steering large slabs of concrete, they must have been real pigs when it was windy. We did the 21 locks in 3 hours.

We have now spent two days in Warwick which is a lovely city courtsey of the Saltisford Canal Centre. Its run by a voluntary organisation and provides excellent facilities in a tranquil environment less than 10 minutes from the centre.

We are leaving tomorrow morning for our last few days on the way back to base at Wigrams Turn Marina.

An eagle at the Warwick Caste falconary display

A building of the old gasworks that is now being restored. The towers at each end hide the gas holding tanks.

The excellent coffee at Caffe Vergnano

Coming down the Hatton flight or "the gate way to heaven" as the old boatmen used to call it

Quirky pictures

2008-06-14T21:28:00.003+01:00

Another daft duck picture - at least this one doesn't run up and down the roof at 5am with hob nail boots on. How about this for a department of silly names, is it another name for stop smoking- saw it in Warwick

Spied this narrow boat towing a caravan on the way to the Hatton flight on the Grand Union canalSpotted at the bottom of the Hatton flight -A house for sale with an added something- a possible selling feature in the hard market!

Day 72 a wet journey down Lapworth flight

2008-06-12T20:41:00.006+01:00

We went down Lapworth flight in drizzle and heavy rain showers today in 4 hours - todays total is 19 locks and 3 miles. Although our rule is not to go if its raining , the forecast for today was sunny with a few showers!!!!! ah well as they say "a bad day boating is still better than a good day working.

Looking through the log our two other busy days have been Day 70 -Tardebigge 30 locks and 6 miles and Day 50 with Richard and Pip on the Llangollen 10 locks and 16 miles.

Totals now to Day 72 Thursday are
Memorable events 12, cappuccino's 16 ( oh would I like one soon - I wonder if the cafe at the top of Hatton flight is still open as 3 years ago they did a good capp)
Lift bridges 29, locks 302 and 446 miles

We are now 3 miles from the Hatton flight on the Grand Union canal and are back on ground we have covered before. Our final 3/4 days before we are back to our Marina and the end of our first big cruise.

Our mooring tonight near The Tom O'the Wood pub at Shrewley. The name comes from one of three old windmills that used to stand nearby. Although it looks nice it doesn't reflect the noise pollution from the M40 which is about half a mile away, although when we are inside you cannot hear it.

Anne steering part way down the Lapworth flight - it wasn't raining at the time

Another duck moment-Anne was sure she was going to eat the violas

Day 71 now at the top of the Lapworth flight

2008-06-11T20:29:00.006+01:00

No 3g signal on our way up the Worcs & B'ham canal but some real sunshine which caused the engine to overheat as we entered Stoke Bottom Lock - after a bit of TLC and a good talking to it now seems to be behaving itself.

Totals to day 71 (Wednesday 11 June) are
Memorable events 12 and Cappucinno's 16 no recent changes to either
Lift bridges 28, wide river locks 5, narrow locks 278 and 443 miles

We left Worcester last Saturday and started our way up the W&B and towards its lock flights and tunnels. Our latest visitors were Ray and Lesley who are kindly looking after the house and came to join us as we went up the 5 Astwood locks in glorious sunshine on Monday.

Tuesday was the big one, we left Stoke Pound at 09.00 to go up the Tardebigge 30 arriving at the very top at 13.00 - the weather was sunny but not as warm as the previous day. Anne did marvellously developing her muscles as she did all the lock gates and paddles- while I just did the easy bit of getting the boat into the very very narrow lock chambers!

Today we left at 07.00 to complete the W&B last little gem the Wast Hill Tunnel (2726yards) around the outskirts of Kings Norton and then onto the Stratford Canal.

We just have the Lapworth 19 , the Hatton 21 ,the Stockton 8 plus a few others and we are back to our marina at Wigrams and home probably by the end of next week.

The defunct guillotine stop lock that separated the waters of the W&B from the Stratford's.

The top of the Tardebigge flight has a very special relationship with our current waterways. Its where in 1945 Mr Aickman met the author of "Narrowboat" Tom Rolt and founded the Inland Waterways Association. Without their foresight we would not have the system we have today- thank you both very much. ( if you enlarge the picture it states 1946 which Mr Aickman thought it was- it was in fact 1945 which was only corrected in August 2005 its 60th anniversary)

I was sitting in the cratch writing up the ships log when Daffy Duck appeared

The Tardebigge flight raises the canal over 250ft - this is the view part way up looking back over Worcestershire. You never really aprreciate the number of locks you are going up as you never see more than 5/6 at any one time.

Day 66 trip to Bridgenorth by train

2008-06-06T21:56:00.003+01:00

Day 65 -Thursday was our trip down the River Severn where we entered the Worcester & B'ham canal and made our way up through 4 locks to the Viking Afloat marina where we have stayed for 2 nights. This enabled me to take Anne for a trip on the Severn Valley Railway from Kidderminster to Bridgenorth today.

Totals to Day 66(Friday) are:-

Memorable events now up to 12 latest being see below
Cappuccinos now 16 with Worcester being a mecca, I included Costa Coffee and The Quay Restaurant in which we had an excellent meal on Thursday watching the dragon boats training on the River.
Lift bridges 27, narrow locks 224, wide river locks 5 and 408 miles.

We have had 2 days ashore and therefore plan to start making our way up the Worcs & B'ham canal and the Tardebigge 36 on Saturday.

Earlstoke Manor no 7812 which took us on our journey which was fantastic as the trip to Bridgenorth involved the loco working very hard indeed.

We made our way from the station to Bridgenorth town via the cliff railway. The coaches were replaced by the very art deco style in 1954.

Bridgenorth town hall
The view along the Severn valley from the walk around town

Now this is a sight you don't often see from a steam train - an elephant in Kidderminster Safari Park which is my memorable event no12!!!