Winter Crick 2015 16 10

Friday 15^th April to Friday 29^th April

 Friday 15^th April

 This will be the final blog from Crick. I’ll start a new, Summer 2016 after this one, probably starting from 1^st of May.

 Saturday 16^th April

 I contacted Bosworth Marina on Thursday, using their online enquiry form, and received their automated response the same day. But, since they hadn’t actually contacted me personally by yesterday, I decided to phone them, and it’s just as well I did, because they appear to be having problems with their automated response system. Anyway, I spoke to Chris and we’ve been assured of a welcome, should we decide to pay them a visit this weekend.

 We might just do that today but, alternatively we could go tomorrow. At present we have drizzly rain, so I’m hoping it will clear by 9 am, which will make for a much more pleasant drive. I’ve been told that it’s only about half an hour from here, up the A5, so we won’t have to suffer the rain for long.

 On Monday will be popping over to Daventry, to collect my new specs from Boot’s Opticians. I should have collected them on Wednesday, but they hadn’t arrived. However, they texted me yesterday and I can now go there on Monday.

 Also, if this pesky loose tooth doesn’t fall out by then, I’ll be calling in to the dentist there as well. Oh, the joys of being diabetic!!

 Later…….

 Although the weather didn’t look too promising, we decided to take a run up to Market Bosworth and pay a visit to the new marina. It still has much to be done before it’s completed, but we like the look of the place. Chris, the owner, gave us the guided tour of the offices – plush is the only word to describe it – and pointed out the various pontoon areas. We have chosen one near to the office, simply because it will also be close to the coal, gas and log storage areas, thus limiting the lugging of same to our boat. We’ve paid a deposit and will probably take up our moorings on 1^st November.

 The drive down from Market Bosworth will only take an extra half hour, so I’m OK with that. I’m still debating whether or not to trade the Alfa in for something sturdier, but will worry about that when we get to Bosworth Marina for the winter.

 Monday 18^th April

 I received a text message from Boot’s Opticians on Friday and have arranged to collect my new specs today, so we’ll do our shopping in Daventry at the same time.

 We’re still sticking to the diet but, for some unaccountable reason, we’re not losing as much weight as we would like. We both weighed ourselves on Thursday morning and, whilst Wifey had lost a pound, my weight was the same as last week. Now, at those times when I feel a bit peckish, I do tend to dip into our pot of nuts. Wifey suggested that this may be the problem, so I’ve stashed them away in the cupboard – out of site and out of mind. We’ll probably weigh in again on Wednesday or Thursday and see how we’ve done this week.

 We’re now in the eighth week and final week of the diet, but I’ve only lost 11lb so far. Yes, it’s good. But I really do need to lose more, so we’ll probably continue with it for a while more.

 Being on this diet has had a beneficial side effect, in that we now draw up a shopping list on Sunday for the coming week, and we only list what we need for the diet. This means that we don’t buy things we don’t really need and, as a consequence of that we are saving money on our shopping bill. Ta da!!

 Friday 22^nd April

 Well, we are now just eight days away from leaving Crick Marina for good. Hellelujah!!!

 A short while ago I mentioned the notice that had gone up outside Noel’s alternative office. This read something like, ‘please keep your dog off this area as it is now a nature reserve’. That ‘nature reserve’ is just a few square feet in area. Anyway, Wifey took Alex for a short walk yesterday evening and, in this short walk, she passed the ‘nature reserve’. She returned to the boat with a huge grin on her face and, when I asked what was so funny, she explained that the nature reserve now had a pond in it.

 “A pond?”, said I, “That piece of grass doesn’t have room for a pond. How big is it?”

 “Oh, about six foot by four foot”.

 “Blimey, that’s just about big enough for a couple of ducks. Do you think we should find a small, fisherman type gnome for it?” At which point we cracked up.

 The world’s gone mad!!

 Tomorrow I shall make the last of my Harlow visits before setting off for our World cruise of the Inland Waterways of England and Wales. With a bit of luck my Sister Carole and my Aunt Barbara and cousin Karen will also be there. The latter two I haven’t seen for some years. Indeed, it must be two or three years since I last saw Carole, so it should be a very pleasant day.

 Later…….

 We took a run over to the Chandlery in Braunston and bought some last minute items for use on our travels. We have just eight more days until we have to leave Crick marina and, to be honest, it can’t come soon enough. We’ve spent three winters here and, although we feel we have been poorly treated of late, three years is long enough at one marina, so we’re looking forward to our first winter at Market Bosworth. But first, summer cruising beckons!!

 Saturday 23^rd April

 This morning is looking good for my drive down to Harlow, the sun will be up pretty soon and my car will defrost – I hope. The only problem will be the sun in my eyes on the way there.

 Tuesday 26^th April

 For several months I suffered a loose tooth, which finally fell out of its own accord. It didn’t take long for another one to come loose, this one right next door to the first one. However, this so and so would not fall out, and it soon became really troublesome. I soon found it almost impossible to eat properly, because my top teeth would crash down on the loose one and give me a sharp reminder that it was still there.

 So, sometime last week, while we were in Daventry, I booked an appointment to have it removed. Unfortunately, for reasons of another health issue, I had to cancel that appointment and, as a consequence had to wait until yesterday to have the offending tooth removed. Happy days at last, now I can eat without fearing a clash of teeth upsetting my meal.

 This morning, on the advice of the very nice young dentist who removed that tooth, I’ll be popping back to see the hygienist for a good clean up. I now have a rather wide gap at the front and bottom line of teeth. Not a pretty sight but, since we have to vacate our spot in the marina by Saturday, there’s no time to have a plate made.

 We now have a new plank for mooring up in those odd spots, where the stern is too far from the bank and we need to bridge the gap. Thanks Bruv, you did a fine job. Now, all I have to do is stain it and affix some non-slip pads to it. Hopefully, as it has started off bright and sunny this morning, I’ll get that job out of the way today.

 Wednesday 27^th April

 On Mon, after having that loose tooth removed, I made an appointment to see the Hygienist for the next day – yesterday. How blooming annoying to arrive there at the allotted time, only to be told she had called in sick. Of course, the receptionist sought to re-book the appointment for the following week, but, having already explained that we would be gone by this weekend, and that there would be no way to get there without the car, I had to accept a refund. Yes, I did pay for all the treatment the day before! Unfortunately, refunds can only be issued from their head office, so we’ll have to wait for that to be sent to Alan and for him to post it on to us, wherever we might be.

 I had thought to keep this dental practice, even if it meant a half hour drive if needed in the future. But I no longer think that’s a good idea and we’ll see what we find at Market Bosworth.

 Now, we don’t have all the bells and whistles of Sky or BT television, just Freeview, so we’re rather limited in what we are able to watch and, for the most part, that’s a load of rubbish. So, on our cruise this year, the tv set will be packed away and out will come the new Hi Fi unit and we’ll be recording as many of our old vinyl records onto cds. We should have been doing so whilst here at Crick, but we never got around to it. However, in view of the aforementioned rubbish now being shown on Freeview, we feel this would be an ideal time to get onto it.

 We’re hoping the weather stays calm enough for us to take the boat around for a top up of diesel today. We’ll probably leave here on Saturday and will be taking the car up to the garage for safe keeping in Friday. Whether we stay for the weekend is still an open option. It would be nice to spend a final hour at the club on Sunday, but if it’s a fine day, we might just go on our way.

 Incidentally, since starting on my low calorie diet, I have lost a stone in weight. It has taken me eight weeks so far, so I still have some way to go before I’m free of diabetes. However, I’ve not been following Dr Mosley’s book to the letter – his recipes are hardly inviting. Shei and I have been using recipes from two of the Hairy Bikers books, which are far more appealing and do give calorie contents for them.

 When I paid a visit to the nurse last week, she applauded my efforts thus far; I’ve managed to leave out the three daily doses of Insulin and am just taking the late night one; but she insisted I would not be able to get rid of my diabetes altogether. Well, I’m not one to argue unnecessarily, but I’ve read several reports about people who have done just that and under medical supervision, so I’m still going to try.

 There’s also a suggestion that, in order to keep weight off permanently, it is necessary to keep to the diet for a year, at last. With the Hairy Bikers recipes, we’re both happy to do so.

 Friday 29^th April

 As you all know, we’re due to leave here tomorrow, the last day of our stay at Crick Marina. So, since we’ll have no Internet signal once we get ourselves outside, I’ll make this my last entry. On Sunday I’ll start a new blog for our 2016 cruise.

 Of course, being outside the marina also means no mobile signal, so those who have my number, please don’t expect any contact from me until we’re well away from here.

 Up until the news that our fees were going up here, we had enjoyed our stay. But now? Well, we’ll be happy to leave, as much as we love the village and the people in it.

 We don’t know where we’ll be heading for, as we haven’t made any proper plans. But you’ll be the first to know. Quite possibly we’ll head for the Llangollen Canal, simply because we didn’t get to it last year.

 Today I’ll be taking the car up to the garage for safe keeping. While it’s there I’m hoping Malcolm will have a few faults fixed, so that I can put it up for sale when we get to Market Bosworth in November.

 And that’s about it, apart from wishing you all a very pleasant summer.

 Take care.

Dave, Sheila and Alex.

 

 

 

 

 

Winter Crick 2015 16 9

Saturday 26^th March to Friday 15^th April

 Sunday 27^th March

 Having retired to bed at the usual 10 pm last night, and getting up at 06.00 this morning, also as usual, I found it dark and cold out there with Alex. Still, it is now officially Summer time.

 This morning I received an email from Mr Langer, the owner of Crick Marina, who assured me that there are several marinas that do operate a two tier system of fees. He also said that his decision was, in part, as a result of complaints by long-term moorers. Now, having already submitted a cheque for three months’ stay, we’re on the horns of a dilemma; do we stay for the full three months’, or go at the end of April, which Mr Langer is amenable to?

 In the meantime, we still have lots of work to do on the boat, which is easier done whilst in the marina, so…….!!

 Monday 28^th March

 We had a chat yesterday about when to leave Crick, and we both agree that the end of April would be best. Since Mr Langer has OK’d this and Noel must still have our cheque – it is a Bank Holiday – we’ll be at the office sometime this morning in order to change our leave date.

 Now, I received another appointment from Northampton General Hospital yesterday. Once again they have taken no notice of my cancellation, a cancellation, incidentally, that was necessary because, despite the surgeon telling me there was no need for a follow-up appointment, one was actually made.

 However, I do have an email address for the department concerned, so I’ve now advised the lovely Maureen of our current situation.

 We now have emails out to three separate marinas and are awaiting their replies. The nearest one, at Barby, would probably suit us best, since the area around it is served by our current GP. However, there are two more that we like the look of, and they are Market Bosworth – a new addition on the Ashby Canal – and Fenny Compton, which lies on the South Oxford Canal. The latter of these would only add about 20 minutes to my Harlow trips, which is no big deal, whereas Market Bosworth might be a little tricky time-wise.

 Last night we had some really heavy rain, resulting in me having to slacken off our bow line. I’m hoping this won’t be an ongoing thing today.

 Tuesday 5^th April

 Apologies for such a lengthy delay in topping up the blog. Time seems to have got away from me. Although, in mitigation, we have been rather busy of late, what with putting the top box together, shopping and hospital appointments. But that’s just me, finding excuses. The truth is, I’ve had this problem with the marina and it’s increase in fees, and nothing else seems to matter in such circumstances.

 Yesterday we took a ride over to Daventry for some cupboard rail end supports, which will be used to hold the corner posts on our new top box. Luckily I already have a broom handle that I can cut to size, so I won’t have to go hunting for that. The weather should be dry today, so we’ll get to sorting that out – we hope!

 Now, since we don’t know where we’ll be next winter, I had considered leaving the car with Alan, in Harlow. But that would mean asking someone other than Alan to bring me back to the boat. So, we’ll probably leave it with Malcolm at the garage, and worry about collecting it when we’re settled in another marina.

 Thursday 7^th April

 No luck with the weather so far this week, so we’re no nearer finishing our top box. Hopefully today will brighten up enough to get on with it, but it’s not looking good so far, with heavy clouds and strong wind.

 Today we’ll go over to Daventry, to get some shoes for Wifey, otherwise not much to do.

 I had thought to try my hand at drop-shipping online and found a company that did all sorts of prints. However, there was no sign of any advertising material and the prices they would have charged me for the stuff, was almost as high as some of those, similar prints on eBay, so I’ve decided against that one. Still, I can keep looking. It’s not so much for the money; although that would be useful; it’s more for something to do in my spare time.

Friday 8^th April

 We took a drive over to Daventry, initially to buy Sheila a pair of new shoes, but we also called in to Boot’s Opticians to clarify when my new specs would be in. I should be able to pick them up next Wednesday.

 We’re waiting for Peter to give us a call, to let us know when the coal barge will be coming through. At which time we’ll take the boat out and meet him for coal and diesel. After which we’ll return to the marina.

 Now, we should be staying here until the end of this month, but we might just leave a little earlier. If I can leave the car with Alan, in Harlow and get his son Darren to fetch me back here, then it won’t matter where we end up for the winter, because Alan will be able to deliver it to us. If we leave it with Malcolm at the local garage, then I’ll have the problem of getting to him to collect it.

 Today, hopefully, the weather will stay dry and we can concentrate on finishing the new top box.

 Saturday 9^th April

 Yesterday, for the most part, it was fairly dry, I’m pleased to say. So, Late in the afternoon, after returning from walking Alex around the village, I grabbed a tin of undercoat and gave the base of our top box a heavy coat. That should save it from wilting in the next rainfall. Mind you, it is about half inch thick, so it would take quite some time – which we don’t have – for it to start distorting. Anyway, that’s done now. All that remains to do is fit the corner rests and stain those, then put the box on the roof, transfer all the stuff from the old one, and put the cover on.

 Actually I still have the corners to trim down and the lashing points to fit for the cover. I also need to find some suitable timber, with which to make a “Shiralee” sign for the two outer facing sides. If, when this current bout of rain stops, maybe we’ll get something done. But, according to the forecast, tomorrow will be the drier of the two days.

 Tomorrow, apart from any work on the top box, we’ll spend a leisurely hour at the club at lunchtime. Monday is planned as shopping at Sainsbury’s, whilst Tuesday should be a run into town on the bus.

 Now, on the 23^rd of the month, I will be driving down to Harlow, for the last time this year. I’ve decided to leave the car with Alan and also put it up for sale. If he manages to sell it; and I can see no reason why he shouldn’t; he won’t have to bring it to wherever we end up for winter and, with the cash I already have, plus anything else we save while we’re cruising, we should have enough to buy a newer car. To be honest and although I do like the Alfa, it’s becoming expensive to keep on the road. I don’t know what we’ll be getting; I’ve looked at Jags, Mercs and Saabs; I haven’t decided yet. It all depends on price and other things. We’ll see in due course.

 Sunday 10^th April

 Well, Wifey has now decided she would like us to moor up in the new marina at Market Bosworth. And, I have to say, I wholeheartedly agree. It looks to be a great place and we’ve seen it whilst cruising up the Ashby canal. The town is about a mile away and, as I’ve mentioned before, mostly uphill. However, it does have a bus service, which stops just a short walk from the main gate and goes all the way to Leicester.

 The mooring fees for our length of boat is £2600 per annum, or £650 per quarter; about £75 less than Crick; so would suit us well. The Ashby canal is about 22 miles long and has no locks. Indeed, it’s possible to cruise for about 35 miles without locks, taking in Atherstone and Hawkesbury Junction. In fact, taking in Coventry and Hillmorton; including the stop-lock at Hawkesbury Junction could add a further 25 miles.

 The town of Market Bosworth has all the usual amenities, including Co-op, butcher, greengrocer, doctor and vet and we usually manage to get all our groceries there without any problem. Well worth a look methinks. We’ll probably head straight there when we leave Crick, which, at the speed we travel, will take about three weeks.

 I’ve now finished staining the top box supports, so it’s now a case of waiting for them to dry, when we’ll have the arduous task of emptying the old and disposing of the old one, lift the new and heavier one onto the roof and filling it with what came out of the old one. Get me??

 Wednesday 13^th April

 To catch up………Monday, shopping at Sainsbury’s, finished off top box and sat it on the roof. Tuesday, took a bus ride into Rugby and enjoyed a Latte and toasted tea cake at Brooke’s café, along with a few odds and ends of shopping, that’s the cheapy stuff from B&M.

 Today we have earmarked for collecting my new specs from Boot’s Opticians in Daventry. Hopefully, if it stays dry today, we’ll clean up our engine cover and give it a coat of black paint. Also, since said cover tends to bend up at each end when the sun gets on it, I’ll try to attach a thick length of timber to the underside; running front to back; which should alleviate that problem. Come the winter time, we’ll try to find a new cover.

 Yesterday, as a result of the Latte and tea cake, my blood glucose reading shot up to 12.5. This is not unusual and, because it was so high, I took a reduced amount of Insulin. Later in the afternoon, as I was sitting at this laptop, I started to get a wee bit shaky. This is a sign that my blood sugar level has dropped, quite dramatically, almost to hypo level at 3.3.

 Of course I chewed a couple of Dextrose tablets, which soon put it right. However, the mere fact that my reading fell to such a low level, tells me that my diet is working and, it may well be, that my pancreas has started to work again. As it is I am now down to just my late jab, but am now; very tentatively; cutting that one down, but ever so slightly.

 I’ll be seeing the practice nurse on the 19^th and, whilst she will be pleased with my weight loss, I’m not so sure about her reaction to the news that I’ve almost eliminated the need for Insulin.

 I received an email from Tony at Barby Moorings yesterday morning-which was in reply to my email asking about visiting the marina-telling me we would be welcome anytime. So, we’ll pop along there tomorrow. Most marinas now ask for a £400 deposit when booking winter moorings. This, of course, comes off the first quarterly payment. So, as soon as we’ve decided whether or not to spend next winter there, we cough up the necessary readies.

 Friday 15^th April

 We took a run over to Barby Marina yesterday and had a long chat with one of the female moorers there. The upshot of this chat was that we would go away and give the marina some serious consideration, this despite the fact that Kim, our local driving instructor, had given us cause for concern about the place.

 Anyway, when we returned to Crick marina, we found our boat engineer in the car park. Well, no sooner had we mentioned the fact that we had been to Barby, he immediately threw his hands in the air and said, “Don’t even think about it!” Wow, now that’s a reaction. He moors his own boat nearby, actually along the cut, and won’t even go into the marina to carry out work on boats there. He then gave his opinion on both the owners of the place, amongst many other detrimental remarks. Knowing him as we do; he’s taken care of our problems for the past three years; we tend to take his advice and, after due consideration, we’re now leaning towards Market Bosworth.

 Talking of which, I emailed them again yesterday, with a view to making it our permanent home. I haven’t heard back from them yet, except for an automatic response to my email, so we’re going to phone and see if we can make a visit there this weekend.

 As for the car, well, we’ve now decided to keep it. I know, I know!! I’ve said I want a newer one, and I do. But, having spent so much on it over the years, I doubt if there’s much more that can go wrong with it. Yeah! I know………!!

 Anyway, the reason for leaving it here is that, after speaking to Dave, our engineer, and telling him about our plans for Market Bosworth, he agreed to pick me up there; if and when we get moored there; and take me to Crick to pick the car up again. Problem solved!!

There are a couple of things that need doing before it will pass another MOT, but I’ll get Malcolm to fix those before we get to Market Bosworth for the winter.

 So, that’s it for this blog.

 Have a great weekend folks.

 Dave, Sheila and Alex.