Summer 2015: Crick 8

Monday 7^th September to Saturday 25^th September

 Tuesday 8^th September

 We made our way to Fradley Junction yesterday morning and, yet again were caught behind two slow moving boats, which meant a longer journey than normal. Of course this was our own fault again, because we walked to the shops for the Mail before setting off. Still, it was a very pleasant morning for cruising, so we weren’t complaining.

 There was an interesting ad in the Mail though, a full page spread about books on Tablets and iPads and, since I still know nothing about these things, I have emailed for more info.

 Today we’ll be off to Whittington where, if the weather is kind to us, we’ll stay for two days and get some more painting.

 I received an email from another person enquiring about my Cartoon Portraits yesterday morning. Unfortunately I didn’t see it until much later in the day. The request was for a cartoon for his wife on their wedding anniversary. I asked him to send me the usual details asap, but have not received a reply as yet. He wants the cartoon for this coming Saturday, which is pushing it a bit, but I said I would do my best for him, even though I would normally need seven days in order to create a good cartoon.

 With Cartoon Portraits it is necessary to concentrate on the person’s face, before adding it to a cartoon body and then filling in the rest of the cartoon with other objects, which all depend upon the person’s likes and hobbies etc. Still, perhaps he’ll get back to me today, although I’m not really expecting him to now when he had all day yesterday to do so.

 Friday 11^th September

 Yesterday dawned bright but misty and, when it came to leaving Whittington the sun was just about ready to emerge from the mist. Unfortunately, as seems to be our habit of late, we found ourselves behind two slow boats and spent an extra half hour in getting to Fazeley. Thank goodness we had no locks to contend with. Apart from a visit to the shops and Wifey doing a bit more painting, we had a pretty restful day.

We’ll stay here today and, if the weather holds good, get some more painting done.

 Saturday 12^th September

 Well, Wifey did rather well with the boat painting yesterday, going all over the outside of the bow and some of the inside. Now, you may be wondering what I’ve been doing whilst she’s been slaving over a mucky paintbrush. The problem here is that we can’t both be in the same place wielding a paintbrush and, since she does such a good job of it, I seem to be somewhat redundant. Have no fear though, because I have no doubt my turn will come.

 Today, with nasty, threatening skies, we made our way through five miles and two locks, to Polesworth, getting a pretty good dousing along the way. However, it looks like the rest of today is going to be a mixed bag; one minute rain and the next sunshine.

 We’ll stay here tomorrow, of course, because it’s Sunday and the pub is a short walk away.

 Wednesday 16^th September

 We spent Saturday and Sunday at Polesworth and came through to Atherstone on Monday morning. Unfortunately, with the weather being so bad, we’ve been unable to get any more boat painting done and, looking at the forecast for the rest of this week, it’s unlikely we’ll get anything done soon.

 Last year when we stopped her at Atherstone, we did notice a few problems with TV reception; we do have a railway line running close by. This year it has been a much bigger problem, because there seem to be many more trains; especially freight trains; passing through here at all times of the day and night. So, next time we come through Atherstone, we’ll stop for shopping and carry on through. This must be just about the worse place on any canal for interference of TV signal.

 Today we’ll go up a few locks and head on to Springwood Haven Marina, where we’ll top up with diesel and buy some more coal and a gas bottle.

 Friday 18^th September

 On Wednesday morning we set sail for Springwood Haven but stopped off at Hartshill instead. This is because we were fortunate to meet up with the diesel barge along the way, and we topped up with diesel and bought a gas bottle and three bags of coal. So, instead of going on to Springwood Haven; where we originally intended to do likewise, we stopped short at Hartshill and spent the night there.

 In the afternoon on Wednesday we took Alex out and made our way across the bridge, with the intention of walking up to the local pub. However, since this seemed to be quite a busy road and had no footpath, we decided against that idea. We simply wanted to see what the local pubs were like so we could possibly pay one of them a visit next time we come through.

 We left Hartshill at about 08.00 yesterday morning and made our way to the Ashby Canal, where we stopped at bridge 3, where Wifey managed to get a bit more painting done later in the day. We’ve had some rain overnight, so I’m not sure that she’ll be able to do any more today.

 Sunday 20^th September

 Yesterday morning dawned with a thick fog, so we had to delay our departure from bridge 3. Thankfully we didn’t have to delay it by much and were at Lime Kilns by about 10 am. Upon arrival we took a walk to the local BP garage for the paper and milk. Later in the day, once the boat had thoroughly dried off, Wifey got stuck into some more painting.

 This morning we’ll do the garage walk again and then we’ll pay a visit to the pub which, strange to say, bears the same name as the place we’re now moored at.

 Tuesday 22^nd September

 We took the bus to Nuneaton yesterday and shopped at Asda. We desperately needed bread and, since we prefer uncut, looked through the rack to find a large wholemeal. We came away from Asda’s minus bread because the latest ‘Use By’ date we could find was for the 22^nd. With the best will in the world, Wifey and I would never devour a whole loaf in two days. So, off to Gregg’s where we can at least expect the bread to be fresh on the day.

 Friday 25^th September

 Yesterday morning, after a short walk to the shop for the Mail and milk, we left Hinkley Wharf and headed for Market Bosworth, stopping off at Sutton Wharf for water and the disposal of rubbish.

 There is a new marina being constructed at MB, which is just past the road bridge, and the long term moorings before the bridge are now 48 hour, where they were long term moorings last time we came through. Unbeknown to us the first few spaces outside the marina have now been turned over to long term and, when we arrived at about 11 am, all the 48 hour moorings were already taken, so we had to moor up at the new long term moorings. We’re hoping we’re not asked to move along today, because we really do need to stay here until Saturday morning, when we will walk into town for anything we need, but especially the Mail.

 We’ve not really had enough good weather for painting of late and, now that autumn is officially here, I suppose we can now expect even more damp mornings. Still, we do still have a few weeks to go so we might be lucky.

 Alex takes a dive:

It was never advisable to let Rusty off her lead, because we couldn’t guarantee she would come back at our call. With Alex though, we have found that while we’re moored up along the canal, he will make a run for the boat when his lead is released.

 Yesterday afternoon Wifey took him for a longish walk and, when she came within sight of the boat, she let him off his lead. As usual, he took to the sprint and raced towards the stern deck, which he was approaching from the bow end. Sadly our wee pooch misjudged his leap onto the stern deck and went head first into the canal. By the time Wifey had hauled him out he was shaking like a leaf and she even had trouble coaxing him onto the boat.

 I suggested to Sheila this morning that, now that he’s discovered what it’s like in the canal, perhaps it will be safe enough to leave him off his lead whilst we’re cruising. After all, he’ll make the effort to stay away from the edge of the deck now that he’s suffered his first soaking.

 And, on that happy note I’ll see if I can post this blog.

 Have a great weekend folks.

 Dave, Sheila and Alex.

 

 

 

 

Summer 2015: Crick 7

Friday 21^st August to Monday 7^th September

 Saturday 22^nd August

 Yesterday morning we made our way to Fradley Junction, which takes us from the Coventry canal to the Trent and Mersey canal. Later in the day we took Alex for a walk around the Wildlife Park and then sat outside the shop and enjoyed an ice cream. After that it was simply a case of chilling out for the rest of the day.

 This morning, after disposing of rubbish and topping up with water, we’ll make our way to Handsacre, where we’ll stop for the weekend.

 Tuesday 25^th August

 Saturday and Sunday were spent at Handsacre and we managed to enjoy the sunshine with our drinks at the local pub.

 Monday morning saw us meandering our way to the Pig Farm, which is just a few miles from Great Haywood. After spending the night there, we topped up with diesel from the diesel barge, which lies alongside the farm, and we finally made it to Great Haywood by about 10.30 am.

 We’ll stay here today and tomorrow, and then we’ll move on to Weston. After that it’s just a few more miles to Stone, where we’ll stay until Monday morning. In between times we’ll be meeting up with Alan and Chris Oxley on and will probably enjoy a pub lunch with them.

 I had a pleasant surprise this morning, in the form of an email from a lady in Crick, asking me to do a Cartoon Portrait for her Father-in-Law’s upcoming 65^th birthday. At least my ad in the local Post Office seems to be attracting attention.

 Friday 28^th August

 On Wednesday we stayed at Great Haywood and did some shopping at the excellent Farm Shop. Their sausage rolls and scotch eggs are to die for, as are their pork pies.

 Yesterday saw us arriving at Weston by about 10.30, where we almost had a bow-to-bow crash with another boat coming towards us. At the time we were about to move over to our left and moor up. Unfortunately the other boater chose that moment to come round the bend, so we were crossing paths. All was well in the end, but it was pretty close.

 I have almost finished the Cartoon Portrait for Susie, but I’m waiting for her to reply to my email asking what she would like as a birthday message. Once that’s done I can add the message and email the final cartoon to her.

  Today we’ll be moving on to Stone, where we’ll stay until Monday.

 Monday 31^st August

 Saturday was a pretty good day, all things considered. The weather stayed fine for our trip to Stone and, after our usual cup of coffee, we sat and waited for a text from Alan. We only sat for a short while and then walked over to the town, did a bit of shopping, then sat at the bus stop to await the arrival of Alan and Chris.

 Alan reads mostly factual books, which range from autobiographies, through factual adventures and on to crooks and maths. I think you’ll agree that that’s a pretty eclectic mix. Sheila and I read mainly novels and the occasional biography. However, since we were running somewhat short of reading material, Alans shopping trolley full of books was most welcome, although some of them had to be stored in the bedroom cupboard until needed.

 Later in the day we all repaired to the Weatherspoon’s pub for lunch, then back to the boat coffee and a chat, after which we walked them to the bus stop and said cheerio, until next year.

 Yesterday was a relaxation day, but only after more shopping, this time at Morrison’s, because we hope to leave here today, except that it’s now coming down in bucket loads.

 Tuesday 1^st September

 It rained all day yesterday and it looks set to do so again today. Unfortunately we really do need to get back to Great Haywood and we also need to top up with water. So, whatever the weather, we have to get moving today.

  Wednesday 2^nd September

 We set off from Stone yesterday morning at about 8 am and, after reversing back to the water point, we topped up and made the six miles to Weston by 11 am. Along the way we met other boaters coming through the locks, one of which told Sheila that the little shop in Weston was now closed. So, no Daily Mail for that day.

As the boat was still pretty wet from all that rain yesterday and overnight, no painting could be done. In fact we haven’t managed any painting for a week.

 For the rest of the day, apart from taking Alex for his walks, we chilled out until it came time to run the engine again at 5 pm. Which is when I got something of a nasty surprise, it wouldn’t start. You know that noise you get when trying to start the car, the one that’s a click and nothing else? Well, that’s what I got. Obviously we now have a Starter Motor problem. Still, I persevered with it and the engine finally started. Phew! That was close.

 This morning we should be going on to Great Haywood but, if we have a problem starting the engine again, we’ll have to call out River and Canal Rescue (RCR), with whom we have an account. Whereas they won’t come out for domestic issues; such as problems with power or appliances; this is very much up their street. Hopefully it won’t be necessary, because we are running short of coal, and we still haven’t had our heating sorted out.

 Watch this space.

 Thursday 3^rd September

 Well, we were lucky, the engine started first time and we made it safely to Great Haywood. We had been hoping to be able to pull in to the water point when we arrived, but all the spaces were full up. However, as luck would have it, the coal and diesel barge was among them, so we pulled alongside and bought three bags of coal, after which we found a mooring spot just past the junction.

 The engine also started yesterday evening, so we’re hoping it was just a wee Gremlin at work.

 We’ll be staying here for today and will pay another visit to the farm shop. We’ll move along a few miles to the pig farm tomorrow morning.

 Friday 4^th September

 After walk to the local shop for the Mail, milk and crumpets, we set off for the pig farm at about 08.45. Being only three miles and two locks away, we should have made it by 10.15, or so. However, as is sometimes the case and because we had left later than normal, we came upon a backlog of boats waiting to go down the second of those two locks. To make matters worse, there was also a boat and butty waiting to come up. In the event we arrived at the pig farm 11.15.

Other than the delay going through that lock, we arrived in good fettle and settled in for our coffee and biscuits; in this case well deserved.

 Saturday 5^th September

 When we arrived at the pig farm yesterday morning, we were met with a whole line of boats, all members of the Boaters Christian Fellowship. These people have a meeting here every year; possibly more than once per year; and we happened along at the wrong time. However, we did manage to find a mooring spot, so we were pretty lucky.

 This morning started out with a fine drizzly rain, this is just about the worst possible weather for cruising, if you discount heavy rain and snow of course. But, it’s now almost 07.30 and the sky seems to be clearing, so we should be OK for our run to Rugeley for shopping and then on to Handsacre for the weekend.

 Monday 7^th September

 We were lucky with the weather again yesterday and were able to spend a pleasant hour in the pub garden. Other than that we simply chilled out for the day.

 This morning the weather is supposed to be warm and dry although, looking at the bright red sky earlier, I’m not too sure. Hopefully we’ll be able to make our way to Fradley Junction.

 And, on that note I’ll wish you a very good week.

 Dave, Sheila and Alex.