Summer 2015: Crick 6

Monday 10th August to Friday 21^st August

 Monday 10^th August

 Yesterday, I’m very pleased to say, was a little cooler, but still too hot for working on the paintwork. So, after paying the local shop a visit, for the mail and milk, we spent the day idling away the time and spent an hour sitting outside The Greyhound Inn.

 Today we’ll be moving on to Springwood Haven and, if the weather stays cool, we’ll get some more rubbing down done.

 Tuesday 11^th August

 After a walk round to the shop yesterday morning, we finally left Hawkesbury Junction at 08.30 and arrived at Springwood Haven at 11.00, just about the right time for coffee and biscuits.

 Along the way we passed the Trip Boat out of Boot Wharf in Nuneaton and who should be driving it was none other than a boater we haven’t seen for some time, whose name is Dave. He and his wife Jackie were moored at Pillings Lock Marina at the same time as us, which was way back in 2009/10; the same period as when I had my knees replaced.

 That Trip Boat had only just left the Wharf and, as we came round the bend we came face to face with a right jumble of boats. One of them was about to reverse back to the wharf, whilst another was attempting to give him room to do so, and then along came Shiralee to stir things up a bit. Eventually the other boaters decided it would be better to make room for Shiralee before sorting themselves out.

 By early afternoon the clouds had drifted over and we were able to get a small amount of rubbing down done, after which Wifey applied the rust killer.

 Today we’ll be off to Atherstone where we’ll do some shopping and more rubbing down, we hope.

 Wednesday 12^th August

 It took 2½ hours to cover the four miles and five locks to Atherstone yesterday morning, all in fine, dry weather. Our first priority, as you all know, was our coffee and chocolate biscuits, after which a visit to the local Co-op.

 Now, we have three puzzle books that we buy every month; Puzzler’s Sudoku and Suguru, along with Killer Sudoku, which is Wifey’s speciality. Unfortunately Suguru is fairly new, and so the Co-op hasn’t quite caught up with that one and we even find that Smith’s don’t always have it on their shelves either. So, first thing this morning we’ll be taking a walk down the High Street, to see if we can find it in another Newsagent. However, since it is now a week since the latest issue came out, I have my doubts about finding it.

 Around about midday yesterday Wifey took Alex for a long walk; something she likes to do most days. I sat reading for a while and, when I judged she should be back soon, I put the kettle on for a cuppa. We don’t use the electric kettle when cruising, because it draws too much power from the batteries, so it’s the old fashioned gas stove model for us, which take some time to boil.

 So, aforementioned kettle is about to come to the boil and I stuck my head out of the hatch and I could just see her coming along by the sixth lock. When she finally arrived a few minutes later, along came our old friends from Kecksy’s farm in Sawbridgeworth, Bill and Babs.

 Of course we had a quick chat as they passed by but, as I fully expected from Bill, he walked back to us for a more lengthy chat and to catch up on the latest from Sawbridgeworth. Amongst other topics were the loss of their dog, Mollie and the loss of a friendship at the farm. We discovered also that he’s not too fond of the form of art that Picasso turned out, and that he’s under his doctor with various complaints, very much like I am. Well, he’s 76 now, although you wouldn’t think he suffered from anything more than the odd cold here and there.

 We’ll be staying at Atherstone today and, if the weather is in our favour, will go through the rest of this string of locks and moor up again. We plan to be in Polesworth for the weekend.

 Almost forgot, our Alex has become pretty close to Wifey and is none too happy when she’s out of sight. He’s OK when we both go off shopping; in itself pretty odd; but he frets when she’s off the boat and operating the locks. Yesterday he kicked up quite a stink as she walked between locks and started howling, almost like a wolf and quite loud. We’ve not known him to do so before, not even when going through locks, so it seemed quite comical this time around.

 Thursday 13^th August

 It is now 07.10 and, although overcast, it’s still dry out there. I mention this because we really would like to go down the remaining four locks and moor up away from the noise of local traffic and trains. Unfortunately, according to Shefali Oza, the weather girl at BBC West Midlands, we’re due for some pretty heavy rain this morning. So, will we get away, or won’t we? Watch this space.

 Friday 14^th August

 The forecast storms and such didn’t turn up yesterday morning so we ventured forth, down four locks and were moored up within an hour of leaving Atherstone.

 Later in the day we started getting the odd wasp in the boat, which Wifey swiftly caught and released out of the hatch, only to find another one somewhere else in the boat. Eventually we found them coming in in twos and threes, so we closed all the windows, which made it pretty warm in here, especially when Wifey started cooking dinner.

 Even though all the windows were closed, still the little blighters were finding their way in. Wifey suggested they were crawling in through the condensation drainage holes in the bottom of the windows. But those holes aren’t big enough, or so we thought. However, when she actually saw a wasp coming out of one of those holes in a bedroom window, we were proved wrong. The only other place they were likely to be finding a way in, would have been through the sides of the stern hatch. The problem was somewhat minimised when Wifey stuffed the holes in the bedroom with kitchen towel.

 The rain eventually turned up during the night and, even if it starts again this morning we’ll want to be away from this wasp-infested area. Our next stop will be Polesworth, assuming there’s enough space for us, otherwise we’ll continue on to Fazeley.

 Sunday 16^th August

 Here at Polesworth we are moored up with trees on both sides of the canal. Because of this the inside of the boat is rather chilly come morning. Yesterday morning I tried to put the heater on, but without any luck and, with our distribution panel showing 12.2 volts, I thought it ought to have worked. However, since I hadn’t run the engine until the batteries reached their float charge, I assumed low power to be the problem. Well, this morning proved me wrong, no heater again. We ran the engine for a total of 5 ½ hours yesterday and brought the batteries to float on both occasions and, what’s more, we didn’t have the inverter/charger on at all, except when Wifey did the ironing, but the engine was running at that point, so shouldn’t have made a difference.

 I think Wifey had her suspicions yesterday evening, because she asked me if I wanted the fire lit, but I decided against it. This morning I am sitting here with a cardigan on, because it’s like sitting in an icebox right now. So, fire alight later today and I also have to repair our Eco-Fan in order to spread the heat about.

 Thursday 20^th August

 On Monday morning, in order to top up with water, we moved the boat about 100yds to the water point and then a short distance further on to a mooring point. Then, later in the day we continued to rub down the starboard side below the gunwale.

 On Tuesday morning we completed the six miles to Whittington and, after a bit of shopping at the local Co-op and a coffee, we completed the rubbing down and rust proofing of the area we rubbed down on Monday.

 Yesterday was a day that begged us to start painting the back half of the roof, which we set about doing as soon as we had visited the Co-op once again. We first removed the centre rope and other objects that usually clutter up that half of the roof, such as the pole, plank and boat hook. Sheila elected to paint from the port side, whilst I worked from the towpath side.

 We finished that half of the roof and took a break for lunch, after which we hemmed and hawed as to whether to remove the top-box and flower boxes and painting the front half. Shame on us but we decided against it and, as you would expect, we were treated to loads of rain later and overnight, so the chances of doing so today are pretty remote. So far it has stayed dry today, but probably not enough for the roof to dry out for more painting. Still, we continue to moor up on this side until Saturday, when we’ll be at Handsacre for the weekend and, if the weather stays dry we should be able to finish the roof.

 Friday 21^st August

 Hallelujah!! We finally finished the roof yesterday afternoon. Thankfully, although it threatened rain for most of the day, we had a fairly decent breeze that dried the overnight dew off. So, we left it until early afternoon and got stuck in, and now we only have the sides below the gunwale to finish off.

 Of course, there’s more to do over the rest of the boat, such as the outside of the bow and stern, along with the whole interior of the bow and especially the floor, which need a good rub down and several coats of paint, but we can do that by stopping for a few days somewhere away from the madding crowd.

 Now, it’s Friday morning and we’ll be off to Fradley Junction but, before we do I’ll wish you all a very pleasant weekend and post this blog.

 All abreast from Dave, Sheila and Alex.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer 2015: Crick 5

Friday 17^th July to Sunday 9^th August

 Saturday 18^th July

 The weather stayed fine for us yesterday morning, so we made our way to Market Harborough, arriving there at 10.15.

 After a much needed cup of coffee we then walked into town for some shopping and took Alex with us. This meant that I could find myself somewhere to sit; which turned out to be the steps of the local church; whilst Wifey strolled around the local Co-op. We then strolled back to the boat, having nothing more to do in town. Wifey will be going in again this morning for some additional retail therapy, while I stay here with Alex. Suits me, one walk into Market Harborough is enough for me in any one year.

 Monday 20^th July

 Yesterday lunchtime we walked along to the locks and had our usual drink and snacks at the smaller of the two pubs, the name of which escapes me.

 Anyway, while Sheila waited outside with Alex, I asked for a Guinness for me, a J2O for Wifey and snacks for us to share. When I asked for the Guinness the bartender said, “We don’t have draught Guinness, but we do have this ‘swishy’ thing”, and went on to explain what he meant. They have what looks like a Guinness pump but, instead of it pouring a drink, it has a small stand on which to sit the glass, after it has been poured from a can. This stand is given a small splash of water, the glass is stood upon it and, after pressing a button the Guinness fizzes and a head appears on it. Magic!!

 Now, when I went back for a refill, I asked a different barman about this and he said, “A Guinness keg now costs £150 and is far too expensive for us as a small pub, so we had this installed instead, otherwise we would have to charge £3.80 per pint in order to see a profit”, and I left it at that.

 If memory serves me correctly a keg of Guinness holds 11 gallons, well it did in our day working in pubs. By my calculations 11 gallons is equal to 88 pints and by dividing £150 by 88 we get £1.70p per pint as the cost to the pub. They therefore have £2.10 gross profit on a pint. Somewhat less if you take in transportation costs. I see no problems with that, do you?

Today we’ll be going up Foxton locks and mooring a couple of miles further on.

 Thursday 23^rd July

 This morning has dawned bright and sunny, which is just as well ‘cos we’re on the last five miles back to Crick. We have lots to do when we get there, not least of which is shopping and topping the car up with petrol. Let’s hope it stays fine for that five miles.

 Saturday 25^th July

 We enjoyed a calm and leisurely, five mile cruise back to the marina on Thursday morning, and it stayed calm even up to slotting the boat into our mooring bay; in a strong wind this can be something of a chore.

 In the afternoon we took a drive over to Daventry to fill the car up with petrol, because I’m driving down to Harlow this morning, where I’ll be visiting Les and then Chris and Marilyn, then on to Alan for the rest of the day. This will be my last visit until November, so I’d better make the most of it.

 On Monday afternoon I have an appointment with the Podiatrist, but we’ll probably do some shopping in the morning. After that it will be a case of deciding which day to leave here; probably Wednesday or Thursday, depending upon the weather.

 Thursday 30^th July

 After a recent visit to the Podiatrist in Daventry, I have been advised to increase the dosage of one of my painkillers, so I am awaiting a phone call from my GP and hoping that, once she has written out the new prescription, we’ll be able to collect it and be on our way tomorrow morning.

 Friday 31^st July     

 Well, it looks like we’ll be able to set out on this year’s cruise today, albeit somewhat than usual. The weather is fine and there’s barely a breeze so, all we need to do before we go, is get today’s paper and dispose of rubbish. Whoopee!

 Saturday 1^st August

 We finally left Crick at 9.30 yesterday morning and our first task was to run through Crick tunnel. This is not a problem normally, not even that late in the morning, but it wasn’t long before we ran into trouble, in the form of another boat coming the other way.

 Now, as most people are aware; even you landlubbers; traffic flow on canals and rivers is the Continental way of driving on the right hand side. Well, we were only about 100 yards short of the exit, when this moron entered the tunnel. The problem was that he entered on our side; obviously thinking he was driving his car, rather than his boat. Naturally I called to him to move over, but I ended up ‘helping’ him by very gently sliding our bow alongside his boat, thereby nudging him over to his own side. “Sorry about that he said, I was just getting myself organised”.

 Anyway we finally made it through and arrived at the top of Watford locks, which are a mixture of single and staircase, so require the attendance of a lock-keeper. Naturally, since we were pretty late in arriving, boats were already in the process of coming up, so we had to hang around and wait for them, but we eventually moved through them and arrived at Wilton Hythe marina by 12.30.

 In the afternoon we had a go at removing nasty bits of rust from the port side of the roof and applied rust remover. Later today, after we get to the top of Braunston Locks, we’ll apply some primer to those patches.

 We’ll probably drop down the locks on Sunday morning.

 

Sunday 2^nd August

 We arrived at the top of Braunston locks at about 09.30 and, since there was another boat just about to go down, we decided to go with them; these locks are double size. So, by about 10.30 or so, we had moored up outside the marina.

 Interestingly, the man on the other boat lives in Germany, not only that, he also lives in Hamburg, which is where my RAF pal Alan lives. Small world!

 Anyway, he comes to the UK about six times per year and has his boat moored on the Cambridgeshire Levels, at a marina called Fox Boats. Not only that, but no boat licence is needed for the levels. Although it is still necessary to obtain a licence if you want to cruise the River Nene; this needs a bit more investigation.

 We took a walk up to the chandlery later in the day and bought a new and thicker rope for our centre line. We also bought more green paint and some ‘rope’ for the fire door which, although we cleaned the chimney, still exuded smoke from around the door.

 Today is a day of rest and will see us in The Admiral Nelson at lunchtime. Meanwhile, I’m off to start breakfast.

 Monday 3^rd August

 After a walk up to the village shop for the paper and some odds and sods, we left our Braunston moorings at 08.30 and made our way to the top of Hilmorton locks, where we arrived at 11.00.

 We then got the tin of black non-slip paint out and filled in the primer patches on the port side of the roof. Sheila then inched her way along the starboard gunwale and checked if anything of a similar nature needed doing there and found nothing untoward. So, tomorrow morning; assuming the weather is dry; we’ll remove some of the tat from the roof; ie, Top-box and flower boxes; and we’ll have a go at repainting at least some of the roof.

 Wednesday 5^th August

 My dear Wife carried out some more rubbing down and applied rust killer to that stretch of the boat below the gunwale, which is very low and, since I am unable to bend down onto my knees, is yet another chore I have to leave to her. But, don’t worry my turn will come when we get to painting the roof and other, higher parts of the boat.

 Now, does anybody out there read the Daily Mail? If you do then you will be aware of the regular cartoons by Mac. Ordinarily I wouldn’t comment on these; they are usually pretty cute and comical, so nothing needs to be said.

 However, in yesterday’s cartoon he showed long queues at the gates to heaven with the caption reading, “Sorry about the long queue Cilla, there are thousands of illegals trying to get in!” Well, I can see the point of this cartoon but, with Cilla having just passed away and literally hundreds of migrants dying trying to reach Europe, I thought this was rather tasteless. Perhaps it’s just me…………….!!

 This morning we’ll be moving on to Newbold, where we can catch the bus into Rugby for a bit of retail therapy.

Saturday 8^th August

 Whilst at Newbold yesterday, we took the opportunity to bus into Rugby for shopping. Unlike Crick, the bus service is much more frequent and two buses run at about 20 minute intervals, so we were there and back in record time.

 This morning we cruised the five miles to bridge 26 and, after our usual coffee and read of the paper, Wifey then did some more painting on the port side gunwale. This had to be done today because the moorings at Hawkesbury are on the starboard side. Shiralee is now looking somewhat less patchy and, just as soon as we get to the Ashby canal we should be able to finish both sides below the gunwale.

 Sunday 9^th August

 We set off for Hawkesbury at 08.00, which is usually early enough to get us to the shallow lock, which lies a few yards short of the Greyhound pub at Hawkesbury. Along the way though, just as we came into Ansty at about 09.00, another two boats pulled out ahead of us. Then, a short while later a small cruiser also pulled out ahead of us, making another three boats going through the lock before we got there.

 Now, for those of you unfamiliar with Hawkesbury Junction, the approach to that single lock is between a line of boats moored on both sides, so, with four boats lined up to go through that lock, it’s absolute chaos. After pulling in to allow a couple of those boats to go through, we decided to top up with water first, by which time another two boats had gone through.

 All this faffing about gave us cause for concern as to whether we would find a space to moor up, but we were fortunate in that some of those boats didn’t stop.

 We had intended to get some more rubbing down done, this time on the starboard side but, alas, it was far too hot for us to do so and it will probably wait until we get to the Ashby.

 This morning is much cooler and, with heavy clouds no too far away, I suspect we’ll get some rain later, which means there’s not much chance of getting any painting done.

 On that happy note I think I’ll post this blog.

Take care folks and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

 Dave, Sheila and Alex.