Monday 9th May to Monday 23rd May
Wednesday 11th May
We stayed at Hillmorton yesterday, because it was raining when I got up
at 5.45 am, and continued to rain for most of the day. This morning it isn’t
raining, but it certainly has overnight, so we’ll have to wait and see. We’re
in no hurry though, because, when we consider that we usually average three
miles per day, we’ll still arrive at Middlewich before Alan and Chris get here
from Germany.
Now, I haven’t mentioned our low calorie diet lately, but it still
seems to be doing its job. I weighed myself on Monday and I had lost another 2
lb and am now down to 13 stone eight pounds. Also, after talking to the
practice nurse before we left Crick, she agreed that, while my blood glucose
readings continued to be low, I should only take my evening shot of Insulin,
but that I should split it between morning and evening, to make it more
effective. So, although this is taking much longer that Dr Mosley’s eight
weeks, I’m in no hurry and, just as long as I get below 13 stone, I’ll be a
happy bunny.
Thursday 12th May
I’m sure that many of you saw the news item regarding new ‘treatment’
for diabetes sufferers, aimed primarily at losing weight. Instead of a gastric
band, they now insert a long tube, that looks like it’s made from flimsy
plastic sheeting and, as far as I could tell, does a similar job to a gastric
band.
Now, I’m not blowing my own trumpet here, but many of you know about my
attempt at beating diabetes, simply by following good advice from a respected
Doctor, and reducing my calorie intake. I know it works, and so too do hundreds
of other diabetes sufferers. So, with the NHS really strapped for cash, why
spend £3,500 on people who simply won’t control their eating?
I know, I know, there are some who simply can’t control their eating
and who would struggle with a calorie controlled diet, but shouldn’t all the
other, overweight diabetics, at least try? Nuff said!! I am now off my
soapbox!!
Yesterday morning, rather than walk around to the shop for our Daily
Mail, we decided to get away earlyish and get down Hillmorton locks before the
rush. I’m so glad we did because, when we arrived at the bottom we found a
chaotic situation. Boats were milling around, mostly near the water point and,
if they were all planning on going up the locks, they were going to take quite
some time. When we took a walk down those locks on Tuesday, we noticed that, of
the six single locks; which are doubled up at each of three levels; three of
them were out of action. This can be a very busy area, especially at peak
summer times, so the six locks are essential for a smooth flow of traffic.
However, with a CRT tender lying idle at the bottom of the locks, we are
hopeful that the CRT crew are about to make a start on necessary repairs. Happily,
we won’t be back this way for a while, so the shortage of workable locks isn’t
going to affect us any time soon.
Anyway, we made it to Newbold by 10 am and had a coffee prior to
walking down to the Co-op for the paper and some milk. Job done.
Today we’ll take the bus into Rugby and shop at Asda’s, then have our
final coffee at our usual café.
Friday 13th May
We took the bus into Rugby yesterday morning, did a bit of shopping at
Asda and had our final coffee at our favourite café. The weather was great and
this morning is still dry. This is just as well, because we’ll be moving on, to
Bridge 26, one of our usual stops along this canal. We’ll only stop one night,
because we want to be at Hawkesbury Junction for the weekend.
Sunday 15th May
A great day yesterday. Fine and sunny, although with a chilly wind.
We left bridge 26 at about 8 am and had arrived at Hawkesbury Junction,
on the Coventry canal, by 10 am and that included topping up with water.
Luckily for us, and most unusual, we managed to moor up in the nearest spot to
the Greyhound pub, so just a short walk for our Sunday drink. If the weather
stays as it is, all bright and sunny, we’ll be able to sit in the garden.
Now, some time ago I built a new top box using decking. It’s the same
square size as the old one, but is slightly taller. So far it’s been fine going
under bridges, but I’m rather apprehensive about some of the narrower ones, and
especially the one on the Ashby canal, that leads to the Trinity marina.
(That’s the one before our one at Market Bosworth).
This particular bridge is rather flat and somewhat lower than most.
Indeed, we find it prudent to lower our heads when passing under it. In short,
will our new top box make it under there? Well, the proof of the pudding is in
the eating, so we won’t know until we try.
However, since I didn’t glue the sides together, it should be pretty
easy to dismantle and leave it as a single decking height. In fact, when we get
to our first mooring on the Ashby, we might just do that anyway. The box would
still have enough room for all the stuff that’s in it, but the cover would
bulge upwards in the middle.
Meanwhile, we took a couple of longish walks yesterday, making the most
of the sunshine. But, we were disappointed that the local newsagents didn’t
have a Daily Mail. So my dear Wifey bought an Express. Not our favourite
newspaper, but fairly acceptable in the circumstances. We were rather late in
going to the shop yesterday because, above all other considerations, we always
have our coffee before venturing forth for unimportant things, such as
newspapers.
Monday 16th May
It looks like it’s going to be another fine day, so we’ll be off to the
Ashby canal after we walk to the shop for the paper.
Tuesday 17th May
Arrived at bridge 3 on the Ashby at 10 am yesterday morning and did
absolutely nothing for the rest of the day.
Today has dawned bright and sunny, although, if that pesky Shefali, on
Midlands Today has her way, we’ll see lots of rain later. But, should it stay
fine enough, we’ll be off to Hinkley Wharf and will take the bus into Nuneaton.
I am now in desperate need of new jeans, because my lightweight trousers are so
loose around the waist, that I have to pull my belt in really tight for them to
stay up.
Wednesday 18th May
I’m pleased to say that we passed through the bridge safely. No problem
with the new top-box. Hallelujah!
As Shefali, of BBC West Midlands predicted yesterday, it’s raining this
morning. But, like it or not, we have to go into Nuneaton for some shopping. We
spent a couple of hours there yesterday, looking for new jeans for me, but no
joy there.
I tried on Wranglers size 36, but, even though they fitted me OK, they
didn’t feel comfortable. I suspect it’s because they were new and I haven’t
worn jeans for quite some time. I also tried a pair of trousers, that were
lighter in weight, also size 36, but they were too baggy around the bum. I then
tried a pair of Jasper Conran jeans, also size 36, priced at £76 a pair, but I
couldn’t even do the button up. I’m so glad because I didn’t really fancy
paying the price.
So, no jeans as yet. However, my favourite and, on previous occasions,
the ones that fitted me properly around the bum, are Lee, or Lee Cooper, so
I’ll be looking online for those, just to see where I can get them. Who knows?
Thursday 19th May
Yesterday was a complete washout, with rain just about all day long. But,
since we had to go into town for shopping, off we went and strolled across from
the bus station to Asda.
Remembering that Asda do a range of clothing called George, we took a
look around for my jeans before doing the shopping. Now, I’m no skinflint and,
had those Jasper Conran jeans been a comfortable fit, I would probably have
forked out the £76 asking price. Also, had the Wranglers been comfortable, the
same goes for their £38 price tag. But, at just £12 per pair of well-fitting
and comfortable jeans, I decided to buy two pairs of Asda's own make. All I
have to do now, is await Wifey’s pleasure to dig out the sewing machine and
alter the leg length.
Today, after our 48 hour stay, we’ll move along and stop off for diesel
and a gas bottle at the nearest boat yard, which just so happens to be the
Ashby Canal hire company.
When it’s time to turn the telly on; around 3.45 pm; we also have to
switch on the Inverter/Charger, otherwise, no 240-volt system. Also, in order
to save on battery power, Wifey turns it off prior to taking Alex out. Last
night she forgot this, most basic of duties and I forgot to check and make sure
she had done so.
So, when I noticed that the I/C was still on this morning, when I took
Alex out, and fearing the worse, I checked the battery power and, much to my
amazement, the main panel was still showing 12.3 volts. With our earlier bank
of six domestics, that figure would probably have been down to 11 volts,
maximum. Which all points to Dave’s advice to have only four domestics as very
sound indeed.
Monday 23rd May
We moved on from Hinkley Wharf on Friday morning and, after stopping
off at the boat yard for a gas bottle, we made our way to Stoke Golding. We
didn’t bother with topping up with diesel, because they were sorting out a boat
for a holidaymaking couple from New Zealand, and their boat was across the
diesel point. If possible we’ll do that on the return trip.
We stayed at Stoke Golding on Friday and Saturday, then moved on to
Shackerstone, for our Sunday tipple, which we enjoyed sitting in their garden.
Today we’ll move on to Snarestone, which is the end of the navigable
stretch of this canal. We may stay there for the full wo days and, if the
weather is kind to us, we’ll get some painting done.
All that needs to be done now, is to post this blog and, with a really
good signal here, that’s what I’ll do.
Take care folks and enjoy the coming week. We certainly will.
Dave, Sheila and Alex.
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