Cruise 2016 # 11

Monday 26^th September to Wednesday 5^th October

Monday 26^th September

This morning, before leaving Polesworth, we walked into the village and, on the spur of the moment, I called in to the Medical Centre, to enquire about these red patches that have been coming up on my arms. I originally thought it was just liver spots, as afflict many older folks like me. However, having taken the belated trouble to read the leaflets that come with my medication, I discovered that two of the pills I am taking for my diabetes, have side effects that can cause this problem.

Anyway, I was fortunate enough to have called into the centre at just about the right time, because a doctor agreed to see me immediately. Not only that, but the nurse was also able to carry out a blood test, the results will be texted to me if there is a problem. Otherwise, all OK.

We eventually left Polesworth at 9 o/clock and, after three miles and two locks, we moored up just past bridge 47, where we’ll stay today and, if the weather is OK tomorrow, we’ll go through another nine locks and two miles, which will see us at the top end of Atherstone.

Tuesday 27^th September

This morning has dawned quite windy and with the smell of rain in the air. Should the rain come down and/or the wind increase in strength, there’s a pretty good chance we’ll stay where we are. At 7 am it’s not looking good.

If we do go on, then we’ll be going through nine locks in a little under two miles, and will moor up at the top end of Atherstone. Normally, when we come through here, we would moor up about half way through. Unfortunately, there’s a railway track running just behind the moorings, which plays havoc with TV reception. So, just for a change, we’ll push on through to the top of the Atherstone locks. We’ll still be within striking distance of the shops, but we’ll have better TV reception.

I’m currently looking for a newer car. So far I’ve narrowed my choices down to just three, which are: Jaguar X Type, Mercedes C Class and SAAB 9-5. I’m still pretty much undecided but, if value for money was my only consideration, it would have to be the SAAB, simply because a 2007 plate would be the newest model that I could purchase with my limited budget. For style and sleek lines, it would have to be the Jaguar and, I could probably pick up a 2006 plate for the same money. However, this would come with pretty high mileage. Then there’s the Merc. Great cars, highly recommended by a very good friend, but I would only get a 2004 for my money.

Decisions, decisions!!! Now doubt something will turn up. Of course, there’s also the question of servicing and repairs, which does vary considerably between the three choices.

Wednesday 28^th September

Yesterday was rather blowy, so we decided to stay put and walk into Atherstone. Looking at our Nicholson’s guide, this appeared to be about 2½ mile round trip. In the event, after walking there along the towpath, traipsing along the High Street, stopping at two shops and then stopping off at the Co-op before returning the same way, the whole trip took us just over an hour and 45 minutes.

We have three puzzle magazines that we like to buy every month. I like Sudoku and Suguru, whilst Wifey prefers Killer Sudoku, which I simply don’t have the patience for. The Suguru magazine is always the most difficult to come by. Even Smith’s rarely have it in stock. So, since I hadn’t been able to find the latest copy anywhere, we tried a Newsagent along the High Street. Still no luck.

I also wanted a new external hard-drive, which I found at the local computer shop. This I need, in order to copy stuff that I’m not currently using, onto. Somehow, I just don’t trust the iCloud for saving my stuff securely.

Today we’ll be moving along to the top of the remaining nine locks, and we’ll be mooring up at the top end of Atherstone, rather than our usual spot, which is roughly in the middle of those locks.

Thursday 29^th September

We arrived at the top of Atherstone locks, none the worse for wear and, quite naturally, made ourselves a lovely cup of coffee. We then strolled into town, for shopping and to see if we could find some more T-Shirts; those with short sleeves and button-up collars. In the event, all we found were two such shirts for me, but nothing that Wifey fancied.

Today, if this rain desists, we’ll make our way to Hawkesbury Junction, which joins the Coventry to the Oxford canal. This is a 10 mile run, so the weather had better be in our favour. If we can make it to Hawkesbury today, then we can spend the weekend at Newbold, where we can catch the bus into Rugby, and where Wifey might be able to find her T-Shirts. We could also visit our favourite coffee shop.

Friday 30^th September

Well, that’s the end of another month and winter will soon be upon us.

After returning from the shop yesterday morning, the rain had already stopped, although the sky was looking a bit bleak. There were really heavy looking clouds scudding across the sky, but they were going our direction and, coming up behind were blue skies. So, we set off at about 8.30 am and had high hopes of reaching Hawkesbury Junction before lunchtime.

Now, one of my pet hates; and I do have a few where boating is concerned; is having to rely on the boat in front, to keep up a sensible pace. I know, I know, the speed limit is only 4mph on canals. However, when the berk in front crawls along at just above my tick-over speed, I do get a bit irked, to say the least.

Anyway, on a bright and sunny morning, and hoping to reach Hawkesbury Junction, 10 miles away from Atherstone, we had just reached Springwood Haven marina, when another boat pulled out ahead of us. We had only completed three miles of our trip by then, so I was somewhat dismayed at noticing the smoke billowing from his engine. So, not only was he just puttering along at a snail’s pace, we were going to be subjected to the stink of diesel fumes, quite possibly for the next seven miles.

Yes, you guessed it, we pulled in and stayed at Springwood Haven and will go on this morning. This means that, instead of spending the weekend at Newbold and going into Rugby on Monday, we’ll be staying the weekend at Hawkesbury Junction and Newbold on Tuesday.

We’re hoping to reach Braunston by the following weekend, giving us time to turn around and reach Market Bosworth by the middle of October. We have nothing else planned and we do need to register with the local GP and I do need to retrieve my car from the garage at Crick.

Saturday 1^st October

Well, the day started out dry and bright but, by the time we left, it was looking decidedly dodgy, weather-wise. However, we managed to get to Nuneaton OK, but, by the time we were part way back on the bus, down came the rain and it’s been raining ever since. Still, it is supposed to be brighter tomorrow. So, that’s OK then!

Sunday 2^nd October

A bright, but cold start to the day. Should be good to sit in The Greyhound pub garden lunchtime. Probably the last chance we’ll get before winter closes in.

We took the bus into Nuneaton yesterday, initially to find a new winter bed for Alex, which we did. It’s somewhat bigger than his summer one and, of course, much warmer. He did look a wee bit perplexed when we took the old one away and put the new one down, but he soon got the hang of it.

Wifey also wanted to find some new tops for herself, but, after visiting several shops, she came away with nothing. A wee bit fussy, methinks.

Tomorrow morning, all being well weather wise, we’ll turn onto The Oxford canal and make our way to bridge 26, which is well out of the way of any group of houses and we’ll stay there for just one day. Then, on Tuesday morning, we’ll make our way to Newbold, where we’ll stay a couple of days and take the bus to Rugby.

Ah, Rugby, where we know of a really great, friendly coffee shop. Latte and sticky bun coming up.

Monday 3^rd October

It’s getting much colder now. This morning we had the first frost of autumn, so it will be thicker coats when we get going later on. That will be after a walk to the local shop, for the Mail and milk.

To be honest, I won’t be sorry to get snuggled down at our winter moorings. It looks set to be a cold winter. Even sitting in the sun yesterday, in The Greyhound pub garden, here at Hawkesbury Junction, we could still feel the chill in the air. Still, I am getting a bit long in the tooth now and, having lost quite a bit of weight over the past five months; I have now cracked the 13 stone mark; I suppose I’m bound to feel the cold more. Not enough fat stores to keep me warm!!

Tuesday 4^th October

My daughter, Teresa, hasn’t used her laptop for quite some time. As a result; since she didn’t think to write it down somewhere safe; she’s forgotten her password and, since she’s also having problems with her iPhone, regarding the Internet and emails, I’m trying to help her sort out the laptop. With me so far?

Looking around on the Internet myself, I discovered various ways of recovering a password, none of which is easy. So, since she’s not desperate for the password; doing most Internet stuff with her phone; I thought I would sort my old laptop out first and, at a later day, loan her that while I endeavour to recover that password.

I, eventually, found a programme online, whereby I can get my old VAIO back to normal. At present it’s telling me that my version of Windows 7 is hookey, which it should not be, because I’ve had it for several years without problems. It was only when I tried; many months ago; to update it to Windows 10. But, that’s another story.

So, the first thing needed for my VAIO, is a copy f the 64bitISO, which I’m downloading now. But, trust me, I’m in a place where the download speed is a wee bit slow. Hopefully this process won’t take me past breakfast time.

Further news later.

Today we’ll be heading for Newbold, where we’ll take the bus into Rugby.

Wednesday 5^th October.

Yesterday went very well. We left bridge 26 at 8 o/clock and, with just one small problem, arrived at Newbold at 10am. That small problem? Well, just before entering Newbold, there’s a short tunnel. This tunnel takes two boats, side by side, one heading one way and the other going in the opposite direction.

Now, we’ve never had to go through this particular tunnel, whilst facing a boat coming towards us. Normally, this is not a problem with other, similar tunnels. But, where most tunnels; of whatever length; usually have boarding running along the sides, so as to avoid damage to paintwork, this one has, what appear to be, old railway lines. Either that, or just thick, steel strips.

As a result of this stupid system, we have now suffered considerable damage to the starboard side of the boat. So, next time we come through here, we’ll make sure nothing is coming the other way. If there is, well, we’ll just have to wait until they are through, before we proceed.

Right, different subject. As I mentioned earlier, I have an old VAIO laptop which gave me so much trouble, that I went out and bought this Acer Aspire, which, so far, has given me very little trouble.

My eldest daughter, Teresa, has a laptop that she hasn’t used for quite some time, and she has forgotten the password. So, since she’s not in a hurry to have it sorted, I’m trying to get the VAIO to behave, and then I can loan her that whilst I try to recover her password. This is all for a few weeks’ time.

The VAIO is almost beyond redemption because, since trying to get it to work properly, when I bought a programme that would reset Windows 7, I now have a message, telling me this version of Windows 7 is illegal. How this has happened, goodness knows. But it has, and so I have to do something about it. And besides, it gives me something interesting to do.

I have now looked around on the Internet and have found another programme which, when burnt to a USB Drive, should reload Windows 7, with the result that I have a legitimate version of the programme. Of course, any programmes already on the VAIO, will be wiped off, but that’s not a problem, because I intend to upgrade it to Windows 10.

Today we’re taking the bus into Rugby where, amongst other things, we’ll enjoy a latte and sticky bun at Brooke’s Café.

Tomorrow, on to Hillmorton, where we’ll either turn around, or go up the locks and stay for two days, proceeding on to Braunston on Saturday morning. That’s the plan anyway.

Meanwhile, with six pages already done, I think I’ll post this blog.

Take care folks. It’ll soon be Christmas!!

Dave, Sheila and Alex.