Almyne 2009
Thu, 1 Oct 2009
Another day of tidying up this and that, Home Ed and relaxing. Well, actually I spent most of the day on the BW web site finding all about cycling on the tow path and downloading the legislation regarding the 1996 Transport Act which deals with BW. Most informative.
To cycle tow paths maintained by BW each and every cyclist requires a 'Permit', which is free of charge. However to get the permit one is required to agree to the terms and conditions, which clearly state No Cycling After Dark, so now I feel fully justified in putting at least two big logs on the tow path as soon as darkness occurs.
I have yet to read and digest the full legislation and the 1986 and 1996 updates,but will get around to it some time during the long winter hours.
Fri, 2 Oct 2009
14½ miles 11 locks 1 tunnel
Set off from Greensforge lock where we had been on the end of so many late night cyclists just before nine.
We were intending to meet up with David
and Amanda at Stourport on Severn this afternoon, but true to canal tradition we did not get there till nearly eight that evening.
David was there, surprisingly enough just after five, so had a bit of a wait. Now I was not expecting this as his nick name is 'Six hour Dave', he's always at least six hours late for anything.
We did stop off at the facilities at Kinver, the home of 'Kinver the lock Stealer' and ended up collecting more stuff than we left there.
The last part of the journey was in the dark. Night time cruising is not my favourite sport, but I am told that 'If you can't see anything in front of you, it is because there isn't anything in front of you'.
All right for some but I am still not sure of how it works.
Sat, 3 Oct 2009
Up early and off to Trevor to drop the children off with Steve
for the weekend.
Kath
and I then did the rounds, seeing some of her friends and catching up on all the happenings that had occurred while we have been living the 'life of Riley', cruising the canals, doing what most people who live aboard really want to do.
Stayed the night with Nat
and Leanne
after picking up Buzz
a friend of Kath
's.
Sun, 4 Oct 2009
As usual, canal time took over and we spent the day visiting people, and collecting one or two items from storage that Kath wanted to pick up. I truth, it was sort of an exchange for some items. Kaia
had wanted some of her teddies that she has not been able to play with for a while so she sent some back to storage and asked us to bring her collection of Pooh Bear teddies.
We arrived back at the boats and David sometime after eight in the evening.
David and Amanda thoroughly enjoyed their sojourn on Almyne and have vowed to try to get their own boat someday soon.
Mon, 5 Oct 2009
Hooked up with Dowie and spent most of the day chatting about common acquaintances and introducing him to Kath Scott
and Kaia
.
It was not long before Kath and Dowie were 'jamming' on their guitars and Dowie soon had us enthralled with his rendition of D I V O R C E .
Needless to say the whole day was one of little activity but loads of mirth and merriment.
Tue, 6 Oct 2009
Today we had planned to set off to Worcester on the River Severn. To go on the Severn yo must have your BW License. To get your license you need your BSS (Boat Safety Certificate) and insurance.
Now Kath has been meaning to get her license ever since she realised that hers ran out last April, but one thing leads to another and it has not happened yet. Kath
has her BSS but no insurance as yet, so we spent most of the day getting that organised. In fact it came through tomorrow, which is why we did not leave today.
Did manage to print out some sheets for the log, which I try to keep. I have been neglecting this for a while now, not because I don't want to, or because I am getting lazy (well, possibly) but because I have almost reached the end of my current log book.
With enough sheets printed (and bound) I should now be able to make daily notes for nearly three months, long enough to take me up to Christmas (is it really that close already?).
Wed, 7 Oct 2009
15 miles 10 locks
With insurance and BSS all sorted out we set off into Stourport on Severn proper and moored up at the chandlers where Kath organised her license so that we could go on the Severn.
It would take me from now to kingdom come to try to describe everything that we saw and enjoyed on this part of the journey so I will let the pictures do it for me (in time), but I was rather enamoured of the Grebe and the cormorants I saw on the way down.
One incident of note was when Scott , who had been on Almyne with me, decided that he wanted to spend some time with Kath and Buzz , so I manoeuvred alongside Destiny so that Scott
could change boats while we were moving.
Thu, 8 Oct 2009
11 miles 15 locks
Another early start, just after nine.
At the first lock I took Almyne through quite happily.
We emptied the lock and let Destiny in. As we opened the gates to let Destiny out a swan chased a cygnet into the lock, which was soon trapped between Destiny and the side of the lock. Kath had to grab the cygnet and pick it up to stop it getting crushed between Destiny\ and the side of the lock.
The cygnet did not seem in the least perturbed by the experience, in fact it almost seemed grateful, if that is not being too anthropomorphic.
I also had another first today, I spotted an enormous Mistletoe bush in a tree but unfortunately is was too high up to cut a few sprigs to save for Christmas an new year.
Later on in the day, when we moored up we went blackberry picking and got enough for tea and jam and a sauce that we had with the rabbit (but that is another story.
Our mooring place today was determined by some workmen along the tow path. As Destiny went past they asked Kath if she wanted some more wood to put on top of the boat. They were doing some repair work to one of the culverts and in the process had cut down some trees. I think that they were glad of someone to remove then as it saved them the trouble.
Anyway, they told us that we could have all we wanted tomorrow, hence we stayed t he night.
Fri, 9 Oct 2009
Today is a day of rest. Well, more a working day as we had to collect all the logs form the work site, cut them up into manageable lengths and stow them on top of Destiny. Not that I am complaining as we got the equivalent of half a dozen bags of coal and at ten pounds a bag that's quite a saving.
Sat, 10 Oct 2009
3 miles 11 locks
We had two choices today, one try to do all the Tardebigge flight or Two, just get to the beginning of the main flight of 37. We opted for the second choice as trying to do the whole flight in one day AND make sure that we were in a place that Jackie could get close enough to the boats to pick Buzz up seemed just too ambitious.
Sun, 11 Oct 2009
7 miles 37 locks 2 tunnels
This is the day, the day of locks. We know that we have thirty seven locks in just two and a half miles so set off just after nine.
There are no places along this stretch to moor up as the distance between each lock is so short.
After the first six or seven we got into a good little routine with me leading. Fortunately all the locks were in my favour so it was just a matter of leaving one lock, going straight into the next lock, climbing out of the lock up the ladder, closing the gates behind me, and filling the lock.
While the lock was filling I could walk back to the previous lock, close the exit gate and start emptying it for Destiny to come in. Walk back to Almyne and repeat the process.
By only opening one paddle when filling my lock I had just enough time to set the previous lock for Destiny and get back to Almyne before the lock was full and Almyne started to float out of it.
When I am doing the locks on my own I leave Almyne in gear to keep her against the lock gate, but if I were to get distracted then as soon as the lock was full Almyne would, under her own power, push the gates open and wander up the canal all on her own.
Got chatting to a group of people at a lock and they asked me if I knew a boat by the name of Blue Haze. It seems that Vicki
and Michael
are common acquaintance. I was sad to hear that they have sold Blue Haze because the summer was so rainy. A sad loss to the Inland Waterway System as I know it.
Eventually completed the flight just after six and moored up for a well earned rest.
Mon, 12 Oct 2009
11 miles 2 tunnels 1 lift bridge
Tunnel Entrance
After a leisurely start and a short journey we arrived at Alvechurch where there is a marina close to the village. Got two cylinders of gas at the marina and then walked into Alvechurch proper to do a little shopping.
The target today is to get past the main conurbation of the southern end of Birmingham and Solihull, so as soon as we had packed all the shopping away we set off again. Two more tunnels, one of which was Wast Hills Tunnel, one of the longest on the system at 2726 yards, only 200 yards shorter than Harecastle tunnel.
Along to King's Norton where we turned right onto the Stratford-on-Avon canal. The very first lock is a guillotine lock, but is no longer used and is permanently open.
Through another tunnel, much sorter this time, and with the sun beginning to go down we continued on our journey. The boat following got quite close as we were coming through the tunnel and continued to 'dog' me for the rest of the journey. I think that they were just trying not to lose sight of us and wanted somewhere to moor up, but being unfamiliar with the canal were hoping that we knew where we were.
An hour or so later we both put our headlights on so as to see where we were going. Thirty minutes later we arrived at Shirley Draw Bridge, a key operated lift bridge. right next to a local hostelry. We both decided that even though we had not reached our target that this was the place to moor up. Through the draw bridge and moored up about a hundred yards further on.
I had been preparing all the vegetables for dinner while we were travelling so it was an easy decision to have a quick pint before dinner, which we did.
By the time we had finished our drink, dinner was ready and we were ready for bed.
Too Close
Guillotine Lock
Tue, 13 Oct 2009
1 mile
Moved just far enough to be out of the main conurbation.
As usual, the minute we were moored up D'fer
insisted on looking for somewhere to jump in, but with pilings all along the bank this was not possible. Kath
took pity on him and took my gang plank and the life preserver ring and made a temporary ramp for him. The gang plank is a section of aluminium ladder with a piece of ply roped to it at each rung. By tying the life preserver (one of those round ring things) to it halfway along we could fix one end to the bank and float the other end. D'fer soon found that he could step on the far end and it would sink far enough for him to climb out.
He spent the rest of the day pestering someone, anyone, including passers by, to throw his ball in so that he could leap off the back of Destiny, fetch his ball and climb back out on the ladder.
I got out the chain saw and cut some of the logs that we had collected and sawed up some of the smaller stuff, enough to keep us going for a day or so anyway.
The evenings are getting chillier and although a fire is not necessary, it is comfortable. Better than putting on a couple of sweaters anyway.
Not far, spent most of the day uploading loads of new pictures to the site and revamping the way it works.
Now it is possible to just click on a link to view the whole picture gallery.
Wed, 14 Oct 2009
1 mile
Not lot different to yesterday really, except that the reason for moving was that the road was a bit near for the cats, so today after moving just a mile the cats could go out.
Thu, 15 Oct 2009
Stayed put again, no real rush as we do not intend to be at Kingswood before the week end (and I think everyone wants to recover from the Tardebigge flight before we tackle the Kingswood flight.
Fri, 16 Oct 2009
4 miles 19 locks 2 lift bridges
Cruised for just a half mile before arriving at Hockley Heath, where we moored up and walked into the village to do some shopping. Not a lot as it was a convenience store with prices to match and we only needed a few basics.
Back at the boats we set off on our next mammoth part of the trip, the flight into Kingswood.
The first four locks were spaced several hundred yards apart, so it was a case of stopping both before and after each lock to do the gates. The next fifteen I could go into the lock and while it was emptying, go back to the previous lock, close the gates and start it filling for Destiny. Then, walk up to the next lock and prepare it for myself, back to the lock I was in, open it and go straight into the next lock. It meant that I walked the flight six times, but it still went smoothly.
While going from one lock to the next I sprinkled a little bit of Geri
and said my poem to her. There was an American guy walking up the flight and he stopped me to ask what it was that I was throwing into the water. "My wife" I replied. I think that he did not believe the answer, so he asked me again. "Honestly, my wife" I said again.
He gave me a funny look, so I took the time to explain the mission and he seemed a lot more comfortable and said that it was really nice.
Arrived at Kingswood junction as the sun was going down and we were both moored up before it was really dark, although we did need to use the headlights to find the mooring rings properly.
Sat, 17 Oct 2009
2 miles
Steve came and collected Kaia
and Scott
. It's the weekend for Kaia
to see her dad and Scott
is going to stay with his brother for a week.
With the children safely on their way Kath and I set off along the Grand Union towards Warwick. Only went a couple of miles before we spotted a really nice place to moor up. Open on both sides with good views of the countryside and the only houses in view are low enough that we are not overlooked.
Another wonderful day of relaxing and tidying things up. Since leaving Almyne Too with Dowie and emptying her contents into Almyne, space on Almyne is a bit limited. In time I will find spaces for everything, after all, it all used to fit somewhere!
Amazing how quiet it was, even with a motorway about half a mile away on one side and a road some distance off on the other. Kath tells me that it seemed that way because there was no longer the background noise of "Mum this" and "Mum that" and "Mum he called me a name" and "Mum she shouted at me".
We had watched a DVD after dinner and as we were repairing to Destiny Shadow turned up with a rabbit bigger than he was. Dinner tomorrow courtesy of Shadow again, he is becoming a good little provider. If we can train him to alternate between rabbit, duck and pheasant we could live quite well.
Weekend View1
Weekend View2
Sun, 18 Oct 2009
With no reason to get up we stayed in bed till nearly nine. Kath still has to complete one of her assignments and her research project for the course she is doing so we spent most of the day till mid afternoon on our respective computers.
I am writing a program to do Numerology readings (just for the hell of it) and when in 'hacker' mode I get totally lost to the world.
Just after three we both sat back and stretched and were just about to settle in for another go at our respective tasks when I suggested that we go blackberry picking (when we first arrived I went for a walk along the tow path (I usually do) and spotted loads of blackberries, rose hips and sloes) so that is what we did for the rest of the afternoon.
What with the meat courtesy of Shadow and all this free fruit we are beginning to live 'The Good Life" in our own way. The advantage is that we do not have a Margot next door.
Dinner about seven and we then continued with our projects till the fire went out and it got a bit chilly. Off to bed, tomorrows another day.
Weekend View3
Weekend View4
Mon, 19 Oct 2009
I was recently asked to describe a place that I would like to go to for the purposes of meditation, you know, on a beach, in the sun and all that, well, this is what I came up with.
My place of peace.
My favourite place is stood on the back of my narrow boat with the tiller in my hand, the sun warming my back and the breeze off the water caressing my face and body.
Either side of me I see Indian Balsam and Rose Bay Willow Herb in profusion, interspersed with pale pink Mallow, the large white bells of Common Bindweed and the deep blue of Vetch. On one side is a plunging meadow, a carpet of lush green sprinkled with the yellow and white of Buttercups and Daisies, Buzzards circling above and rabbits peacefully munching on their selected delicacies. On the other side is a rising wall of ever changing shades of green from the Oaks, Willows, Hawthorns, Mountain Ash and Elder trees, squirrels playing in the top most branches and Blue Tits and Chaffinches hanging upside down from the branches eating their favourite berries. Ahead of me I see a Heron, standing erect and stately as he waits patiently for dinner in the water below him and the iridescent flash of a Kingfisher at he streaks past me and disappears into the bushes on one side.
All around me are Mallard ducks, Moorhens, Coots and Canada Geese grazing on the water vegetation with the odd Water Vole bustling in and out of the reeds at the side of the canal.
I see the doors to my boatman's cabin in front of me and detect the aroma of bacon under the grill wafting toward me mixed with the gentle scent of Meadow Sweet from the bank side.
I hear the gentle 'Thump Thump' of the engine as it turns the propeller as it eases the boat through the water giving me an ever changing vista of beauty, peace and loveliness, the screech of the Buzzards overhead and the twittering of the hedgerow birds and occasionally the chirruping of the grasshoppers and shrews in the undergrowth.
This is the place I love to go to after a day of standing on the back of my narrow boat with the tiller in my hand, the sun warming my back and the breeze off the water caressing my face and body...
I truly live an idyllic lifestyle and find that I have been meditating unconsciously for the past few years as part of my daily life. I find myself practising the breathing exercises I learnt as a teenager to deal with my asthma and just wondering at the beauty around me. I have never thought of this as meditation or visualisation, but I do find that I am at peace with myself, my surroundings and my companions.
Tue, 20 Oct 2009
Dragon Fly
I think I am going to have another ramble today.
I hate being confused and I do get easily confused when I am presented with two bits of information that conflict.
Now this is all about cycling on the tow path.
Having been regaled by a number of cyclists racing path the boats one evening I contacted BW only to be told that there was nothing that could be done about these cyclists because the tow path is a 'Public Right of Way'.
Well, I was surprised about this as I was under the impression that the tow path is definitely NOT a right of way.
So, out with the computer and send a coupe of emails asking for clarification, oh and at the same time, check the BW web site regarding cycling.
It seems that BW produce a document detailing what tow paths are open for cycling and those that are not. They also make a 'Permit to Cycle' available on the internet, and presumably from other sources as well.
The Towpath Cycling document states that "You must display a valid British Waterways permit on your cycle at all times."
Now I found this interesting as the police who cycle the tow path do NOT display the permit. I have accosted a policeman cycling down the tow path and checked his out with him and he tells me that BW told the police who went on the course with BW that they do not have to display the permit, but have to be able to produce it.
Conflicting information. I need this one clarified. Why is there one rule for the police and another rule for the rest of us.
Of course a lot of the tow paths are used by the National Cycle Network, but when a section of tow path is designated as non cycling by BW and the National Cycling Network direct cyclists along the self same sections of tow path I begin to wonder who actually is in charge of the tow paths.
Staffordshire County Council have a wonderful web site detailing where and when cycling is permitted in their area, including the tow path. They give advice about getting the cycle permit from BW and then go on to give advice about cycling the tow path after dark.
The BW permit strictly forbids cycling after dark!
Sonia Atkins, the Sustainable Travel Officer of Staffordshire County Council does assure me that their literature will be updated next time they print it. I am just wondering how long that will be, a month, a year, or sometime later? This one I must keep a check on.
And as for the response from BW about the status of the tow path, well, they seem woefully uninformed themselves about whether it is a public right of way or not.
They only have to look at
Parker v Nottinghamshire CC and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2009) to realise that the tow path is never likely to become a public right of way, even if the local authority does 'adopt' it and take over maintenance.
Ramble over, but I will try to keep you all informed.
Wed, 21 Oct 2009
4 miles 1 tunnel
Hatton Flight3
Hatton Flight
Well, we are off again. We have eventually plucked up the courage to try the Hatton flight, 21 double locks with two boats and just the two of us.
Motored down to the top of the flight and moored up above the flight. Went through Shrewley tunnel on the way.
Shrewley tunnel has got to be the most limed up tunnel yet. As we went in the north portal we could see the limescale all down the walls and across the roof, thick and ridged forming corrugations deep enough to grab hold of. One day I have promised myself that I will break off a chunk. As we progressed through the tunnel the colour of the limescale changed from almost white to a deep red. Wish I could have got photos of it but there is just not time to let go of the tiller to focus the camera without hitting the sides of the tunnel.
Once moored up we decided to take a walk to the flight just to see what it was all about.
Looking down the flight from the top doesn't look too bad, but looking up the other way gives an impression of just how much work there is to do tomorrow.
We have decided that once in the first lock we will tie both boats together. That way I can prepare the lock ahead while Kath is working the lock that she is in. When they are both ready, she can take both boats from one lock to the next. I can then go back and clear up on the lock that she has exited and then run ahead again to prepare the next lock. Sounds good in theory, lets see how it works.
We walked just over halfway down, past Hatton Wharf, where BW have a very old vehicle, which I think is a Bedford van, on display.
It was a bright sunny day with only a few clouds passing overhead to block off the sun, but still cool enough to warrant wearing coats, no complaining for nearly the end of October though, especially as we have had virtually no summer this year.
Thu, 22 Oct 2009
2 miles 16 locks
Hatton Flight2
TwoAtOnce
Tied Together
Hatton Wharf
This is it. Into the first lock and tied both boats together. Worked the first lock and everything went just as planned.
I started working the locks ahead and clearing up after Kath while she took both boats through.
It all went well until lock 42.
Kath had done her bit and I had prepared the lock ahead (lock 41), leaving the gates open for Kath to go straight in. I went back to lock 42 and opened the second gate for her and she started to exit the lock. I then looked ahead to see that two men were in the process of closing the lock gates. I shouted to them to stop, but they ignored me. I then ran towards lock 41. By this time they had closed both gates and had started to empty the lock. I shouted at them to stop, but again they ignored me.
I started to open the gates again, but the flow of water going out from the far end prevented me from doing this.
Kath by now was out of lock 42 and approaching lock 41.
The men still continued to empty lock 41.
This is very much against British Waterways code of conduct on the waterways, where it states in the Boaters Handbook that boaters should make sure that there is nothing coming in the opposite direction before filling or emptying a lock, and should really wait for fifteen minutes to make sure that water is not going to be wasted.
The men emptied lock 41 took their boat in and then proceeded to fill the lock.
By this time Kath had both boats against the lock gates, while I was walking back to the British Waterways offices just above lock 42 to report the incident, which I did and then returned to lock 41 to support Kath .
When I returned it was to find the other boat, Jemima halfway out of the lock, ramming my own boat, Almyne, in an attempt to push us out of the way.
In the process the decking on which the dolly on the back of Almyne that was being used to secure Almyne to Destiny was bent and twisted. I believe that this was caused by them ramming Almyne.
One of the men, the younger of the two, had boarded Almyne and untied the rope securing Almyne to Destiny.
The older of the two men had boarded Destiny and assisted the younger man to untie Almyne from Destiny.
The BW guy arrived while Almyne was beginning to drift across the canal and assisted us to pull both Destiny and Almyne into the bank so that we could get the situation sorted out.
Kath admitted that she should not have blocked the exit to the lock, but explained to the BW guy that someone should explain to the people on Jemima that there is a code to the waterways, because if they continue as they had with us then at some point they would come across a boater who would be a little less tolerant.
The BW guy asked Kath not to block locks in future and then proceeded to talk to the crew of Jemima for some thirty minutes or so.
We had already agreed that the boat following us should leapfrog us, so this was a convenient point for this to happen, but once they had gone through lock 41, the pound in which they were sitting was too full, and they had to wait to drain some water out of it before they could exit and we could enter it. Another reason for not stealing locks.
About three locks further on I was walking back to the boats after preparing another lock when I happened across a policeman on his bicycle and stopped to chat to him. I asked him why he was not displaying a 'Permit to Cycle' and he explained that BW had told the police force(s) that is was not a requirement to display the permit, but that they should be able to produce it on request.
Now I find this confusing as the BW web site states categorically that the permit must be displayed. I also discussed the incident that had occurred earlier and he said that he would be interested in getting involved with it as he had not had to deal with a case of Piracy before.
The Inland waterways are, to the best on my knowledge, covered by a modified form of Maritime Law, and regardless of that Piracy is 'Taking control of a vessel not owned by you (or attempting to)'. Which is what the two guys earlier on had done.
The policeman suggested that I report it, which I did as soon as we were moored up at the end of the days travel.
Fri, 23 Oct 2009
3 miles 7 locks
Big Boat
After yesterday we slept well and didn't get going till nearly half nine. Completed the last of the locks in the main flight and moored up to separate the boats. I had used a clove hitch to tie them up at the back and it had worked so tight that it took Kath nearly twenty minutes to work it loose.
Once we were separated we proceeded through the last two locks, which were well spaced out and past a narrow winding bit of the canal.
Being a bit short on provisions by now we desperately wanted a good supermarket, of which three are marked on our map. The first we got to was right by the canal so we moored up and set of with the trollies to 'go shopping'.
Two hundred and seventy pounds later we took the supermarket trollies back to the boats, dragging our own trollies as well and unloaded. Most of it went on to Almyne as that is where we generally eat, but there was still enough that when it was loaded onto Destiny she had a slight list to one side.
Almyne had a decided list, due to all the tins and bottles of lemonade. Thirty bottles of lemonade weigh quite a lot, which is why we buy it in bulk when we get the chance, saves carrying it for miles in carrier bags.
Later on in the evening, I had a visit from a policeman, Thomas Owen, who explained that he had never come across a case like the one that I had reported and would have to look into the law surrounding situations like this.
We will see.
Sat, 24 Oct 2009
1 mile
Warwick Cathedral
Back to the supermarket to finish the shopping, the few items that we forgot, or didn't have room for yesterday.
We have been trying to get some lino for Kaia to have in her bedroom for several weeks now, so we enquired where there might be a carpet shop and armed with directions off we went. Arrived at the designated location only to find that it was shut. Bother.
Walking back to the boats we passed a DIY store and just popped our heads in to see if they had any lino. They didn't. But they did have a gorgeous bath. It was a sort of keyhole shape with the circular bit offset to one side to make a larger shower area. It was only seven hundred pounds complete with taps, shower screen and so on. 'Next year' Kath said.
As we were leaving we passed by the sale section and the self same bath was there, minus the legs, marked down to thirty pounds. We looked at each other, looked at the bath, looked at each other and both said "Will it fit?".
Got one of the assistants to measure the length and width and armed with this information went back to the boats.
Measured the space that the bath was planned to fit and found that it would go in quite nicely. But is it too big to go through the doorways? Now the maximum dimension to go through the doorways is just seventeen and a half inches, not much at all. The other important dimension was the width at the narrow end as that must fit behind the bulkhead without encroaching on the door opening, for this the bath must not exceed twenty seven inches.
Back to the DIY store. Measured the with at the narrow end, 'It fits!', measured the depth, seventeen inches, 'It fits!' Went to the counter to purchase the bath and to our surprise found that because they had a 'one day, ten percent off' it was only going to cost twenty seven pounds.
It was only about a half a mile back to the boats so we only had to stop a couple of times and it was quite fun to see all the people going past do a double take seeing us walking along the road with the bath.
At one of the stops, Kath was looking at the side of the bath and noticed that it is made by Jacuzzi. She shrieked out loud, 'A Jacuzzi'.
Ever since she had been on board Destiny it has been her one desire to get a Jacuzzi on board and although it is not a bubble bath it is still a Jacuzzi! Another dream come true.
Back at Destiny we spent the next couple of hours re-arranging the boat to find somewhere to put the bath till it gets fitted, before collapsing into bed for another well earned rest.
Sun, 25 Oct 2009
3½ miles 4 locks
The trouble with not updating the site as often as I should is that I forget all the really interesting things that happen on a day to day basis. Life is so full of views, smells, sights, sounds and happenings that they all merge into one big panoply of experiences that enhance my way of life.
Mind you, after the past few days it is not surprising that we are still in a daze.
Just did a short trip, heading towards Napton so as not to get caught by the stoppages that are due to commence on November 2nd. We are already too late to get down to Oxford , and hence the Kennet and Avon, so that will have to wait for another year.
We have checked out the stoppage list and we will be stuck in and around the Rugby , Coventry , Nuneaton area till March now. About eighty miles of canal and four locks. Everywhere else is now blocked off.
Mind you, what with the bath to fit, the flooring to get down and all the other alterations that are planned we will need a bit of non travel time to get half of it done.
Mon, 26 Oct 2009
Off to Llangollen, hired a car to go and get Scott and Kaia
from their week off with their brother and catching up with all their old school chums.
I don't know how we packed so much into such a short day. Saw loads of Kath's friends as well as picking up some stuff from various places.
Also got the flooring for the cabin for Kaia .
Scott decided that he would stay another week to help his brother pack up and move house, so it was just the three of us on the return journey, not seven as we had planned.
Long story, might tell you all about it another day.
Tue, 27 Oct 2009
4 miles 6 locks
An easy day today as we are not going very far.
Who said easy? After breakfast Kath got her business clothes on and went through to the front cabin to lay the lino flooring for Kaia
. The first job was to clear the room, not easy when you live in a proper house but even more of a nightmare when you are living on a boat.
With the floor clear, up came the old carpet and a thorough inspection of the wooden floor.
Kath knew that there were one or two bits that might need repairing, so when she pointed them out I set too and made good.
Room empty, floor clear, now to treat the floor and let it dry for fitting the flooring tomorrow.
Early afternoon we set off to make our way through the next flight of locks, which went very smoothly, mooring up just before dusk.
By this time the floor in the front cabin was dry so it was as good a time as any to lay the flooring.
What a star. Kath set too and laid the lino out, trimming it roughly to size on the tow path, then carried it into the front cabin and proceeded to fit it.
Now this is a job that I am capable of, but when it is someone else's investment I do find myself a little reticent, just in case I make a mistake, so was delighted when Kath got on with it.
I did, of course, help her, fetching and carrying, making cups of coffee, giving useful tips and advice from the distance and generally getting in her way, but by bedtime the job was completed and what a good job she made of it too.
Wed, 28 Oct 2009
3 miles 10 locks
Well, Kath made such a good job of the front cabin yesterday that she has enough left over to do the middle cabin, but first she wants to lay the flooring that was donated by Dowie in Scott's cabin, so we moved everything from his cabin into the front cabin, lifted the carpet, made repairs to some suspect bits of floor and cleaned and prepared the floor in there as well.
Decided that it would probably be dry enough to lay the flooring this evening after a few hours motoring, so off we went.
We need to get some locks out of the way as the winter stoppages will be starting soon, November 2nd, and we don't want to be trapped in a small area, so we are trying to get to Napton before the week end.
The locks on this section are fairly close together so we tied the two boats together again and sailed through the ten locks in record time. Still fairly tiring, but such a sense of satisfaction on completion.
With those locks out of the way we settled in to our evening task, finishing Scott's cabin.
Again, Kath made a really good job of it especially as the piece of flooring was not designed for the space that it was being fitted to.
Thu, 29 Oct 2009
2½ miles 3 locks
We need to get past these three locks today or we will be stuck on a five mile pound for five months! Not only that but I have a car booked for tomorrow evening so that we can go up to Wrexham this weekend.
The original plan was to collect the car Friday evening, travel to Wrexham and stay the night with someone, anyone, set off early Saturday morning and drive to Worthing, then on to Burbage and then on to Trowbridge. Stay the night there and Sunday morning set off to Wrexham to collect the children and then back to Leamington Spa to the boats.
Somehow I think that this was a little too ambitious.
We'll just do Wrexham this weekend and leave Worthing, Burbage and Trowbridge till next week end.
Anyway, through the three locks and on to the junction, rounded the junction towards Braunston and spotted a really good looking mooring point. Kath eased in towards the bank and promptly ran aground. I was following, so avoided a similar experience. I eased past Destiny and tried a similar manoeuvre, successfully, some people have all the luck, don't I?
As I could get in and moor up there was enough water under the boats for Destiny as well. For some reason, although Almyne is only 45 ft long and Destiny is 64 ft long, Almyne is deeper in the water than Destiny, so if I can get in, so can she.
Clear fields to one side of the canal and a shallow bit of woodland on the tow path side, bordered by open fields and not a house to be seen for miles.
Fri, 30 Oct 2009
Today's the day for collecting ourselves after a week of travelling.
D'fer keeps bringing little apples for me to throw for him, but today they are not little green crab apples, they are little red eating apples.
Took a walk along the tow path to see if we could find them but all to no avail. Decided that he had found one or two that someone had thrown from a passing boat.
Kath spent most of the day fitting the final piece of flooring in the middle cabin so now she has lino all along the length of the boat.
The lino in the galley has been down since the boat was made and needs to be replaced with something so Kath has decided that she has seen some vinyl floor tiles that would go quite well and we will be picking them up when we go to Wrexham.
Grace, now thirteen, the cat that Kath brought back from her son, who had been looking after her and is now moving to a new house, has settled in really rather well. She and D'fer have come to an accord, she stays out of his way and if he gets too close she slaps him on the nose with her paw.
Grace has also asserted herself over the other two resident cats, so all is well there.
During the afternoons walk I spotted the eating apple tree, so we collected a couple of buckets full. Back at Almyne I cut them in half, bunged them in a saucepan and let them boil for an hour or so, hopefully they will turn into something useful in the process. Just hate the idea of wasting all this free food that is just laying around.
With the afternoon wearing on, I packed up what I was doing and went to collect the car. As usual the hire company could not find me and after a few telephone conversations they arrived at bridge 108 for me.
Did all the paperwork and tried to navigate back to the boats. Got lost as usual and two hours later I found the bridge where they were moored up. My excuse was that by the time I was returning to the boats it was dark and I didn't recognise anything.
Early night as we plan to set of quite early in the morning.
Sat, 31 Oct 2009
Up early, yes, really early, lots to do today.
I was up at four, made Kath a cup of coffee and pottered about doing the washing up, putting stuff away, singing and chatting to myself and the dogs and cats.
Made Kath another cup of coffee, and offered her breakfast while I was having some. She declined, at least till I told her I was having some toasted scones with lemon marmalade on them.
At that point she came too a little and decided that breakfast sounded quite nice.
I think all my clattering and banging about woke Kaia up as well, or perhaps it was D'fer who had popped along to give her an early morning kiss, as is his want, because she came dazedly along the boat wondering what all the noise was about.
With everybody awake, if not ready to go, my task was done.
We actually left just after five and arrived at Wrexham a little after nine. Needless to say part of this was because I got a little lost around Coventry again.
For some reason if you go to Coventry all the signposts guide you into Coventry but there are absolutely none to tell you how to get out again.
Anyway, collected Scott and delivered both him and Kaia
to her dad's and spent the rest of the day wandering around Wrexham and the environs collecting all those things that we had forgotten on our previous trip, including the floor tiles for the galley, and visiting people.
Very pleasant and productive day and still got back to the boats in time to deck it out with Halloween stuff ready for the return of the children tomorrow.
Another day of tidying up this and that, Home Ed and relaxing. Well, actually I spent most of the day on the BW web site finding all about cycling on the tow path and downloading the legislation regarding the 1996 Transport Act which deals with BW. Most informative.
To cycle tow paths maintained by BW each and every cyclist requires a 'Permit', which is free of charge. However to get the permit one is required to agree to the terms and conditions, which clearly state No Cycling After Dark, so now I feel fully justified in putting at least two big logs on the tow path as soon as darkness occurs.
I have yet to read and digest the full legislation and the 1986 and 1996 updates,but will get around to it some time during the long winter hours.
Fri, 2 Oct 2009
14½ miles 11 locks 1 tunnel
Set off from Greensforge lock where we had been on the end of so many late night cyclists just before nine.
We were intending to meet up with David
and Amanda at Stourport on Severn this afternoon, but true to canal tradition we did not get there till nearly eight that evening.
David was there, surprisingly enough just after five, so had a bit of a wait. Now I was not expecting this as his nick name is 'Six hour Dave', he's always at least six hours late for anything.
We did stop off at the facilities at Kinver, the home of 'Kinver the lock Stealer' and ended up collecting more stuff than we left there.
The last part of the journey was in the dark. Night time cruising is not my favourite sport, but I am told that 'If you can't see anything in front of you, it is because there isn't anything in front of you'.
All right for some but I am still not sure of how it works.
Sat, 3 Oct 2009
Up early and off to Trevor to drop the children off with Steve
for the weekend.
Kath
and I then did the rounds, seeing some of her friends and catching up on all the happenings that had occurred while we have been living the 'life of Riley', cruising the canals, doing what most people who live aboard really want to do.
Stayed the night with Nat
and Leanne
after picking up Buzz
a friend of Kath
's.Sun, 4 Oct 2009
As usual, canal time took over and we spent the day visiting people, and collecting one or two items from storage that Kath
wanted to pick up. I truth, it was sort of an exchange for some items. Kaia
had wanted some of her teddies that she has not been able to play with for a while so she sent some back to storage and asked us to bring her collection of Pooh Bear teddies.
We arrived back at the boats and David
sometime after eight in the evening.
David and Amanda thoroughly enjoyed their sojourn on Almyne and have vowed to try to get their own boat someday soon.
Mon, 5 Oct 2009
Hooked up with Dowie and spent most of the day chatting about common acquaintances and introducing him to Kath
Scott
and Kaia
.
It was not long before Kath and Dowie were 'jamming' on their guitars and Dowie soon had us enthralled with his rendition of D I V O R C E .
Needless to say the whole day was one of little activity but loads of mirth and merriment.
Tue, 6 Oct 2009
Today we had planned to set off to Worcester on the River Severn. To go on the Severn yo must have your BW License. To get your license you need your BSS (Boat Safety Certificate) and insurance.
Now Kath
has been meaning to get her license ever since she realised that hers ran out last April, but one thing leads to another and it has not happened yet. Kath
has her BSS but no insurance as yet, so we spent most of the day getting that organised. In fact it came through tomorrow, which is why we did not leave today.
Did manage to print out some sheets for the log, which I try to keep. I have been neglecting this for a while now, not because I don't want to, or because I am getting lazy (well, possibly) but because I have almost reached the end of my current log book.
With enough sheets printed (and bound) I should now be able to make daily notes for nearly three months, long enough to take me up to Christmas (is it really that close already?).
Wed, 7 Oct 2009
15 miles 10 locks
With insurance and BSS all sorted out we set off into Stourport on Severn proper and moored up at the chandlers where Kath
organised her license so that we could go on the Severn.
It would take me from now to kingdom come to try to describe everything that we saw and enjoyed on this part of the journey so I will let the pictures do it for me (in time), but I was rather enamoured of the Grebe and the cormorants I saw on the way down.
One incident of note was when Scott
, who had been on Almyne with me, decided that he wanted to spend some time with Kath and Buzz , so I manoeuvred alongside Destiny so that Scott
could change boats while we were moving.Thu, 8 Oct 2009
11 miles 15 locks
Another early start, just after nine.
At the first lock I took Almyne through quite happily.
We emptied the lock and let Destiny in. As we opened the gates to let Destiny out a swan chased a cygnet into the lock, which was soon trapped between Destiny and the side of the lock. Kath
had to grab the cygnet and pick it up to stop it getting crushed between Destiny\ and the side of the lock.
The cygnet did not seem in the least perturbed by the experience, in fact it almost seemed grateful, if that is not being too anthropomorphic.
I also had another first today, I spotted an enormous Mistletoe bush in a tree but unfortunately is was too high up to cut a few sprigs to save for Christmas an new year.
Later on in the day, when we moored up we went blackberry picking and got enough for tea and jam and a sauce that we had with the rabbit (but that is another story.
Our mooring place today was determined by some workmen along the tow path. As Destiny went past they asked Kath if she wanted some more wood to put on top of the boat. They were doing some repair work to one of the culverts and in the process had cut down some trees. I think that they were glad of someone to remove then as it saved them the trouble.
Anyway, they told us that we could have all we wanted tomorrow, hence we stayed t he night.
Fri, 9 Oct 2009
Today is a day of rest. Well, more a working day as we had to collect all the logs form the work site, cut them up into manageable lengths and stow them on top of Destiny. Not that I am complaining as we got the equivalent of half a dozen bags of coal and at ten pounds a bag that's quite a saving.
Sat, 10 Oct 2009
3 miles 11 locks
We had two choices today, one try to do all the Tardebigge flight or Two, just get to the beginning of the main flight of 37. We opted for the second choice as trying to do the whole flight in one day AND make sure that we were in a place that Jackie could get close enough to the boats to pick Buzz up seemed just too ambitious.
Sun, 11 Oct 2009
7 miles 37 locks 2 tunnels
This is the day, the day of locks. We know that we have thirty seven locks in just two and a half miles so set off just after nine.
There are no places along this stretch to moor up as the distance between each lock is so short.
After the first six or seven we got into a good little routine with me leading. Fortunately all the locks were in my favour so it was just a matter of leaving one lock, going straight into the next lock, climbing out of the lock up the ladder, closing the gates behind me, and filling the lock.
While the lock was filling I could walk back to the previous lock, close the exit gate and start emptying it for Destiny to come in. Walk back to Almyne and repeat the process.
By only opening one paddle when filling my lock I had just enough time to set the previous lock for Destiny and get back to Almyne before the lock was full and Almyne started to float out of it.
When I am doing the locks on my own I leave Almyne in gear to keep her against the lock gate, but if I were to get distracted then as soon as the lock was full Almyne would, under her own power, push the gates open and wander up the canal all on her own.
Got chatting to a group of people at a lock and they asked me if I knew a boat by the name of Blue Haze. It seems that Vicki
and Michael are common acquaintance. I was sad to hear that they have sold Blue Haze because the summer was so rainy. A sad loss to the Inland Waterway System as I know it.
Eventually completed the flight just after six and moored up for a well earned rest.
Mon, 12 Oct 2009
11 miles 2 tunnels 1 lift bridge
Tunnel Entrance
After a leisurely start and a short journey we arrived at Alvechurch where there is a marina close to the village. Got two cylinders of gas at the marina and then walked into Alvechurch proper to do a little shopping.
The target today is to get past the main conurbation of the southern end of Birmingham and Solihull, so as soon as we had packed all the shopping away we set off again. Two more tunnels, one of which was Wast Hills Tunnel, one of the longest on the system at 2726 yards, only 200 yards shorter than Harecastle tunnel.
Along to King's Norton where we turned right onto the Stratford-on-Avon canal. The very first lock is a guillotine lock, but is no longer used and is permanently open.
Through another tunnel, much sorter this time, and with the sun beginning to go down we continued on our journey. The boat following got quite close as we were coming through the tunnel and continued to 'dog' me for the rest of the journey. I think that they were just trying not to lose sight of us and wanted somewhere to moor up, but being unfamiliar with the canal were hoping that we knew where we were.
An hour or so later we both put our headlights on so as to see where we were going. Thirty minutes later we arrived at Shirley Draw Bridge, a key operated lift bridge. right next to a local hostelry. We both decided that even though we had not reached our target that this was the place to moor up. Through the draw bridge and moored up about a hundred yards further on.
I had been preparing all the vegetables for dinner while we were travelling so it was an easy decision to have a quick pint before dinner, which we did.
By the time we had finished our drink, dinner was ready and we were ready for bed.
Too Close
Guillotine Lock
Tue, 13 Oct 2009
1 mile
Moved just far enough to be out of the main conurbation.
As usual, the minute we were moored up D'fer
insisted on looking for somewhere to jump in, but with pilings all along the bank this was not possible. Kath
took pity on him and took my gang plank and the life preserver ring and made a temporary ramp for him. The gang plank is a section of aluminium ladder with a piece of ply roped to it at each rung. By tying the life preserver (one of those round ring things) to it halfway along we could fix one end to the bank and float the other end. D'fer soon found that he could step on the far end and it would sink far enough for him to climb out.
He spent the rest of the day pestering someone, anyone, including passers by, to throw his ball in so that he could leap off the back of Destiny, fetch his ball and climb back out on the ladder.
I got out the chain saw and cut some of the logs that we had collected and sawed up some of the smaller stuff, enough to keep us going for a day or so anyway.
The evenings are getting chillier and although a fire is not necessary, it is comfortable. Better than putting on a couple of sweaters anyway.
Not far, spent most of the day uploading loads of new pictures to the site and revamping the way it works.
Now it is possible to just click on a link to view the whole picture gallery.
Wed, 14 Oct 2009
1 mile
Not lot different to yesterday really, except that the reason for moving was that the road was a bit near for the cats, so today after moving just a mile the cats could go out.
Thu, 15 Oct 2009
Stayed put again, no real rush as we do not intend to be at Kingswood before the week end (and I think everyone wants to recover from the Tardebigge flight before we tackle the Kingswood flight.
Fri, 16 Oct 2009
4 miles 19 locks 2 lift bridges
Cruised for just a half mile before arriving at Hockley Heath, where we moored up and walked into the village to do some shopping. Not a lot as it was a convenience store with prices to match and we only needed a few basics.
Back at the boats we set off on our next mammoth part of the trip, the flight into Kingswood.
The first four locks were spaced several hundred yards apart, so it was a case of stopping both before and after each lock to do the gates. The next fifteen I could go into the lock and while it was emptying, go back to the previous lock, close the gates and start it filling for Destiny. Then, walk up to the next lock and prepare it for myself, back to the lock I was in, open it and go straight into the next lock. It meant that I walked the flight six times, but it still went smoothly.
While going from one lock to the next I sprinkled a little bit of Geri
and said my poem to her. There was an American guy walking up the flight and he stopped me to ask what it was that I was throwing into the water. "My wife" I replied. I think that he did not believe the answer, so he asked me again. "Honestly, my wife" I said again.
He gave me a funny look, so I took the time to explain the mission and he seemed a lot more comfortable and said that it was really nice.
Arrived at Kingswood junction as the sun was going down and we were both moored up before it was really dark, although we did need to use the headlights to find the mooring rings properly.
Sat, 17 Oct 2009
2 miles
Steve
came and collected Kaia
and Scott
. It's the weekend for Kaia
to see her dad and Scott
is going to stay with his brother for a week.
With the children safely on their way Kath
and I set off along the Grand Union towards Warwick. Only went a couple of miles before we spotted a really nice place to moor up. Open on both sides with good views of the countryside and the only houses in view are low enough that we are not overlooked.
Another wonderful day of relaxing and tidying things up. Since leaving Almyne Too with Dowie and emptying her contents into Almyne, space on Almyne is a bit limited. In time I will find spaces for everything, after all, it all used to fit somewhere!
Amazing how quiet it was, even with a motorway about half a mile away on one side and a road some distance off on the other. Kath tells me that it seemed that way because there was no longer the background noise of "Mum this" and "Mum that" and "Mum he called me a name" and "Mum she shouted at me".
We had watched a DVD after dinner and as we were repairing to Destiny Shadow turned up with a rabbit bigger than he was. Dinner tomorrow courtesy of Shadow again, he is becoming a good little provider. If we can train him to alternate between rabbit, duck and pheasant we could live quite well.
Weekend View1
Weekend View2
Sun, 18 Oct 2009
With no reason to get up we stayed in bed till nearly nine. Kath
still has to complete one of her assignments and her research project for the course she is doing so we spent most of the day till mid afternoon on our respective computers.
I am writing a program to do Numerology readings (just for the hell of it) and when in 'hacker' mode I get totally lost to the world.
Just after three we both sat back and stretched and were just about to settle in for another go at our respective tasks when I suggested that we go blackberry picking (when we first arrived I went for a walk along the tow path (I usually do) and spotted loads of blackberries, rose hips and sloes) so that is what we did for the rest of the afternoon.
What with the meat courtesy of Shadow and all this free fruit we are beginning to live 'The Good Life" in our own way. The advantage is that we do not have a Margot next door.
Dinner about seven and we then continued with our projects till the fire went out and it got a bit chilly. Off to bed, tomorrows another day.
Weekend View3
Weekend View4
Mon, 19 Oct 2009
I was recently asked to describe a place that I would like to go to for the purposes of meditation, you know, on a beach, in the sun and all that, well, this is what I came up with.
My place of peace.
My favourite place is stood on the back of my narrow boat with the tiller in my hand, the sun warming my back and the breeze off the water caressing my face and body.
Either side of me I see Indian Balsam and Rose Bay Willow Herb in profusion, interspersed with pale pink Mallow, the large white bells of Common Bindweed and the deep blue of Vetch. On one side is a plunging meadow, a carpet of lush green sprinkled with the yellow and white of Buttercups and Daisies, Buzzards circling above and rabbits peacefully munching on their selected delicacies. On the other side is a rising wall of ever changing shades of green from the Oaks, Willows, Hawthorns, Mountain Ash and Elder trees, squirrels playing in the top most branches and Blue Tits and Chaffinches hanging upside down from the branches eating their favourite berries. Ahead of me I see a Heron, standing erect and stately as he waits patiently for dinner in the water below him and the iridescent flash of a Kingfisher at he streaks past me and disappears into the bushes on one side.
All around me are Mallard ducks, Moorhens, Coots and Canada Geese grazing on the water vegetation with the odd Water Vole bustling in and out of the reeds at the side of the canal.
I see the doors to my boatman's cabin in front of me and detect the aroma of bacon under the grill wafting toward me mixed with the gentle scent of Meadow Sweet from the bank side.
I hear the gentle 'Thump Thump' of the engine as it turns the propeller as it eases the boat through the water giving me an ever changing vista of beauty, peace and loveliness, the screech of the Buzzards overhead and the twittering of the hedgerow birds and occasionally the chirruping of the grasshoppers and shrews in the undergrowth.
This is the place I love to go to after a day of standing on the back of my narrow boat with the tiller in my hand, the sun warming my back and the breeze off the water caressing my face and body...
I truly live an idyllic lifestyle and find that I have been meditating unconsciously for the past few years as part of my daily life. I find myself practising the breathing exercises I learnt as a teenager to deal with my asthma and just wondering at the beauty around me. I have never thought of this as meditation or visualisation, but I do find that I am at peace with myself, my surroundings and my companions.
Tue, 20 Oct 2009
Dragon Fly
I think I am going to have another ramble today.
I hate being confused and I do get easily confused when I am presented with two bits of information that conflict.
Now this is all about cycling on the tow path.
Having been regaled by a number of cyclists racing path the boats one evening I contacted BW only to be told that there was nothing that could be done about these cyclists because the tow path is a 'Public Right of Way'.
Well, I was surprised about this as I was under the impression that the tow path is definitely NOT a right of way.
So, out with the computer and send a coupe of emails asking for clarification, oh and at the same time, check the BW web site regarding cycling.
It seems that BW produce a document detailing what tow paths are open for cycling and those that are not. They also make a 'Permit to Cycle' available on the internet, and presumably from other sources as well.
The Towpath Cycling document states that "You must display a valid British Waterways permit on your cycle at all times."
Now I found this interesting as the police who cycle the tow path do NOT display the permit. I have accosted a policeman cycling down the tow path and checked his out with him and he tells me that BW told the police who went on the course with BW that they do not have to display the permit, but have to be able to produce it.
Conflicting information. I need this one clarified. Why is there one rule for the police and another rule for the rest of us.
Of course a lot of the tow paths are used by the National Cycle Network, but when a section of tow path is designated as non cycling by BW and the National Cycling Network direct cyclists along the self same sections of tow path I begin to wonder who actually is in charge of the tow paths.
Staffordshire County Council have a wonderful web site detailing where and when cycling is permitted in their area, including the tow path. They give advice about getting the cycle permit from BW and then go on to give advice about cycling the tow path after dark.
The BW permit strictly forbids cycling after dark!
Sonia Atkins, the Sustainable Travel Officer of Staffordshire County Council does assure me that their literature will be updated next time they print it. I am just wondering how long that will be, a month, a year, or sometime later? This one I must keep a check on.
And as for the response from BW about the status of the tow path, well, they seem woefully uninformed themselves about whether it is a public right of way or not.
They only have to look at
Parker v Nottinghamshire CC and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2009) to realise that the tow path is never likely to become a public right of way, even if the local authority does 'adopt' it and take over maintenance.
Ramble over, but I will try to keep you all informed.
Wed, 21 Oct 2009
4 miles 1 tunnel
Hatton Flight3
Hatton Flight
Well, we are off again. We have eventually plucked up the courage to try the Hatton flight, 21 double locks with two boats and just the two of us.
Motored down to the top of the flight and moored up above the flight. Went through Shrewley tunnel on the way.
Shrewley tunnel has got to be the most limed up tunnel yet. As we went in the north portal we could see the limescale all down the walls and across the roof, thick and ridged forming corrugations deep enough to grab hold of. One day I have promised myself that I will break off a chunk. As we progressed through the tunnel the colour of the limescale changed from almost white to a deep red. Wish I could have got photos of it but there is just not time to let go of the tiller to focus the camera without hitting the sides of the tunnel.
Once moored up we decided to take a walk to the flight just to see what it was all about.
Looking down the flight from the top doesn't look too bad, but looking up the other way gives an impression of just how much work there is to do tomorrow.
We have decided that once in the first lock we will tie both boats together. That way I can prepare the lock ahead while Kath is working the lock that she is in. When they are both ready, she can take both boats from one lock to the next. I can then go back and clear up on the lock that she has exited and then run ahead again to prepare the next lock. Sounds good in theory, lets see how it works.
We walked just over halfway down, past Hatton Wharf, where BW have a very old vehicle, which I think is a Bedford van, on display.
It was a bright sunny day with only a few clouds passing overhead to block off the sun, but still cool enough to warrant wearing coats, no complaining for nearly the end of October though, especially as we have had virtually no summer this year.
Thu, 22 Oct 2009
2 miles 16 locks
Hatton Flight2
TwoAtOnce
Tied Together
Hatton Wharf
This is it. Into the first lock and tied both boats together. Worked the first lock and everything went just as planned.
I started working the locks ahead and clearing up after Kath
while she took both boats through.
It all went well until lock 42.
Kath had done her bit and I had prepared the lock ahead (lock 41), leaving the gates open for Kath to go straight in. I went back to lock 42 and opened the second gate for her and she started to exit the lock. I then looked ahead to see that two men were in the process of closing the lock gates. I shouted to them to stop, but they ignored me. I then ran towards lock 41. By this time they had closed both gates and had started to empty the lock. I shouted at them to stop, but again they ignored me.
I started to open the gates again, but the flow of water going out from the far end prevented me from doing this.
Kath by now was out of lock 42 and approaching lock 41.
The men still continued to empty lock 41.
This is very much against British Waterways code of conduct on the waterways, where it states in the Boaters Handbook that boaters should make sure that there is nothing coming in the opposite direction before filling or emptying a lock, and should really wait for fifteen minutes to make sure that water is not going to be wasted.
The men emptied lock 41 took their boat in and then proceeded to fill the lock.
By this time Kath had both boats against the lock gates, while I was walking back to the British Waterways offices just above lock 42 to report the incident, which I did and then returned to lock 41 to support Kath .
When I returned it was to find the other boat, Jemima halfway out of the lock, ramming my own boat, Almyne, in an attempt to push us out of the way.
In the process the decking on which the dolly on the back of Almyne that was being used to secure Almyne to Destiny was bent and twisted. I believe that this was caused by them ramming Almyne.
One of the men, the younger of the two, had boarded Almyne and untied the rope securing Almyne to Destiny.
The older of the two men had boarded Destiny and assisted the younger man to untie Almyne from Destiny.
The BW guy arrived while Almyne was beginning to drift across the canal and assisted us to pull both Destiny and Almyne into the bank so that we could get the situation sorted out.
Kath admitted that she should not have blocked the exit to the lock, but explained to the BW guy that someone should explain to the people on Jemima that there is a code to the waterways, because if they continue as they had with us then at some point they would come across a boater who would be a little less tolerant.
The BW guy asked Kath not to block locks in future and then proceeded to talk to the crew of Jemima for some thirty minutes or so.
We had already agreed that the boat following us should leapfrog us, so this was a convenient point for this to happen, but once they had gone through lock 41, the pound in which they were sitting was too full, and they had to wait to drain some water out of it before they could exit and we could enter it. Another reason for not stealing locks.
About three locks further on I was walking back to the boats after preparing another lock when I happened across a policeman on his bicycle and stopped to chat to him. I asked him why he was not displaying a 'Permit to Cycle' and he explained that BW had told the police force(s) that is was not a requirement to display the permit, but that they should be able to produce it on request.
Now I find this confusing as the BW web site states categorically that the permit must be displayed. I also discussed the incident that had occurred earlier and he said that he would be interested in getting involved with it as he had not had to deal with a case of Piracy before.
The Inland waterways are, to the best on my knowledge, covered by a modified form of Maritime Law, and regardless of that Piracy is 'Taking control of a vessel not owned by you (or attempting to)'. Which is what the two guys earlier on had done.
The policeman suggested that I report it, which I did as soon as we were moored up at the end of the days travel.
Fri, 23 Oct 2009
3 miles 7 locks
Big Boat
After yesterday we slept well and didn't get going till nearly half nine. Completed the last of the locks in the main flight and moored up to separate the boats. I had used a clove hitch to tie them up at the back and it had worked so tight that it took Kath
nearly twenty minutes to work it loose.
Once we were separated we proceeded through the last two locks, which were well spaced out and past a narrow winding bit of the canal.
Being a bit short on provisions by now we desperately wanted a good supermarket, of which three are marked on our map. The first we got to was right by the canal so we moored up and set of with the trollies to 'go shopping'.
Two hundred and seventy pounds later we took the supermarket trollies back to the boats, dragging our own trollies as well and unloaded. Most of it went on to Almyne as that is where we generally eat, but there was still enough that when it was loaded onto Destiny she had a slight list to one side.
Almyne had a decided list, due to all the tins and bottles of lemonade. Thirty bottles of lemonade weigh quite a lot, which is why we buy it in bulk when we get the chance, saves carrying it for miles in carrier bags.
Later on in the evening, I had a visit from a policeman, Thomas Owen, who explained that he had never come across a case like the one that I had reported and would have to look into the law surrounding situations like this.
We will see.
Sat, 24 Oct 2009
1 mile
Warwick Cathedral
Back to the supermarket to finish the shopping, the few items that we forgot, or didn't have room for yesterday.
We have been trying to get some lino for Kaia
to have in her bedroom for several weeks now, so we enquired where there might be a carpet shop and armed with directions off we went. Arrived at the designated location only to find that it was shut. Bother.
Walking back to the boats we passed a DIY store and just popped our heads in to see if they had any lino. They didn't. But they did have a gorgeous bath. It was a sort of keyhole shape with the circular bit offset to one side to make a larger shower area. It was only seven hundred pounds complete with taps, shower screen and so on. 'Next year' Kath
said.
As we were leaving we passed by the sale section and the self same bath was there, minus the legs, marked down to thirty pounds. We looked at each other, looked at the bath, looked at each other and both said "Will it fit?".
Got one of the assistants to measure the length and width and armed with this information went back to the boats.
Measured the space that the bath was planned to fit and found that it would go in quite nicely. But is it too big to go through the doorways? Now the maximum dimension to go through the doorways is just seventeen and a half inches, not much at all. The other important dimension was the width at the narrow end as that must fit behind the bulkhead without encroaching on the door opening, for this the bath must not exceed twenty seven inches.
Back to the DIY store. Measured the with at the narrow end, 'It fits!', measured the depth, seventeen inches, 'It fits!' Went to the counter to purchase the bath and to our surprise found that because they had a 'one day, ten percent off' it was only going to cost twenty seven pounds.
It was only about a half a mile back to the boats so we only had to stop a couple of times and it was quite fun to see all the people going past do a double take seeing us walking along the road with the bath.
At one of the stops, Kath was looking at the side of the bath and noticed that it is made by Jacuzzi. She shrieked out loud, 'A Jacuzzi'.
Ever since she had been on board Destiny it has been her one desire to get a Jacuzzi on board and although it is not a bubble bath it is still a Jacuzzi! Another dream come true.
Back at Destiny we spent the next couple of hours re-arranging the boat to find somewhere to put the bath till it gets fitted, before collapsing into bed for another well earned rest.
Sun, 25 Oct 2009
3½ miles 4 locks
The trouble with not updating the site as often as I should is that I forget all the really interesting things that happen on a day to day basis. Life is so full of views, smells, sights, sounds and happenings that they all merge into one big panoply of experiences that enhance my way of life.
Mind you, after the past few days it is not surprising that we are still in a daze.
Just did a short trip, heading towards Napton so as not to get caught by the stoppages that are due to commence on November 2nd. We are already too late to get down to Oxford , and hence the Kennet and Avon, so that will have to wait for another year.
We have checked out the stoppage list and we will be stuck in and around the Rugby , Coventry , Nuneaton area till March now. About eighty miles of canal and four locks. Everywhere else is now blocked off.
Mind you, what with the bath to fit, the flooring to get down and all the other alterations that are planned we will need a bit of non travel time to get half of it done.
Mon, 26 Oct 2009
Off to Llangollen, hired a car to go and get Scott
and Kaia
from their week off with their brother and catching up with all their old school chums.
I don't know how we packed so much into such a short day. Saw loads of Kath's friends as well as picking up some stuff from various places.
Also got the flooring for the cabin for Kaia .
Scott decided that he would stay another week to help his brother pack up and move house, so it was just the three of us on the return journey, not seven as we had planned.
Long story, might tell you all about it another day.
Tue, 27 Oct 2009
4 miles 6 locks
An easy day today as we are not going very far.
Who said easy? After breakfast Kath
got her business clothes on and went through to the front cabin to lay the lino flooring for Kaia
. The first job was to clear the room, not easy when you live in a proper house but even more of a nightmare when you are living on a boat.
With the floor clear, up came the old carpet and a thorough inspection of the wooden floor.
Kath knew that there were one or two bits that might need repairing, so when she pointed them out I set too and made good.
Room empty, floor clear, now to treat the floor and let it dry for fitting the flooring tomorrow.
Early afternoon we set off to make our way through the next flight of locks, which went very smoothly, mooring up just before dusk.
By this time the floor in the front cabin was dry so it was as good a time as any to lay the flooring.
What a star. Kath set too and laid the lino out, trimming it roughly to size on the tow path, then carried it into the front cabin and proceeded to fit it.
Now this is a job that I am capable of, but when it is someone else's investment I do find myself a little reticent, just in case I make a mistake, so was delighted when Kath got on with it.
I did, of course, help her, fetching and carrying, making cups of coffee, giving useful tips and advice from the distance and generally getting in her way, but by bedtime the job was completed and what a good job she made of it too.
Wed, 28 Oct 2009
3 miles 10 locks
Well, Kath
made such a good job of the front cabin yesterday that she has enough left over to do the middle cabin, but first she wants to lay the flooring that was donated by Dowie in Scott's cabin, so we moved everything from his cabin into the front cabin, lifted the carpet, made repairs to some suspect bits of floor and cleaned and prepared the floor in there as well.
Decided that it would probably be dry enough to lay the flooring this evening after a few hours motoring, so off we went.
We need to get some locks out of the way as the winter stoppages will be starting soon, November 2nd, and we don't want to be trapped in a small area, so we are trying to get to Napton before the week end.
The locks on this section are fairly close together so we tied the two boats together again and sailed through the ten locks in record time. Still fairly tiring, but such a sense of satisfaction on completion.
With those locks out of the way we settled in to our evening task, finishing Scott's cabin.
Again, Kath made a really good job of it especially as the piece of flooring was not designed for the space that it was being fitted to.
Thu, 29 Oct 2009
2½ miles 3 locks
We need to get past these three locks today or we will be stuck on a five mile pound for five months! Not only that but I have a car booked for tomorrow evening so that we can go up to Wrexham this weekend.
The original plan was to collect the car Friday evening, travel to Wrexham and stay the night with someone, anyone, set off early Saturday morning and drive to Worthing, then on to Burbage and then on to Trowbridge. Stay the night there and Sunday morning set off to Wrexham to collect the children and then back to Leamington Spa to the boats.
Somehow I think that this was a little too ambitious.
We'll just do Wrexham this weekend and leave Worthing, Burbage and Trowbridge till next week end.
Anyway, through the three locks and on to the junction, rounded the junction towards Braunston and spotted a really good looking mooring point. Kath
eased in towards the bank and promptly ran aground. I was following, so avoided a similar experience. I eased past Destiny and tried a similar manoeuvre, successfully, some people have all the luck, don't I?
As I could get in and moor up there was enough water under the boats for Destiny as well. For some reason, although Almyne is only 45 ft long and Destiny is 64 ft long, Almyne is deeper in the water than Destiny, so if I can get in, so can she.
Clear fields to one side of the canal and a shallow bit of woodland on the tow path side, bordered by open fields and not a house to be seen for miles.
Fri, 30 Oct 2009
Today's the day for collecting ourselves after a week of travelling.
D'fer
keeps bringing little apples for me to throw for him, but today they are not little green crab apples, they are little red eating apples.
Took a walk along the tow path to see if we could find them but all to no avail. Decided that he had found one or two that someone had thrown from a passing boat.
Kath
spent most of the day fitting the final piece of flooring in the middle cabin so now she has lino all along the length of the boat.
The lino in the galley has been down since the boat was made and needs to be replaced with something so Kath has decided that she has seen some vinyl floor tiles that would go quite well and we will be picking them up when we go to Wrexham.
Grace, now thirteen, the cat that Kath brought back from her son, who had been looking after her and is now moving to a new house, has settled in really rather well. She and D'fer have come to an accord, she stays out of his way and if he gets too close she slaps him on the nose with her paw.
Grace has also asserted herself over the other two resident cats, so all is well there.
During the afternoons walk I spotted the eating apple tree, so we collected a couple of buckets full. Back at Almyne I cut them in half, bunged them in a saucepan and let them boil for an hour or so, hopefully they will turn into something useful in the process. Just hate the idea of wasting all this free food that is just laying around.
With the afternoon wearing on, I packed up what I was doing and went to collect the car. As usual the hire company could not find me and after a few telephone conversations they arrived at bridge 108 for me.
Did all the paperwork and tried to navigate back to the boats. Got lost as usual and two hours later I found the bridge where they were moored up. My excuse was that by the time I was returning to the boats it was dark and I didn't recognise anything.
Early night as we plan to set of quite early in the morning.
Sat, 31 Oct 2009
Up early, yes, really early, lots to do today.
I was up at four, made Kath
a cup of coffee and pottered about doing the washing up, putting stuff away, singing and chatting to myself and the dogs and cats.
Made Kath another cup of coffee, and offered her breakfast while I was having some. She declined, at least till I told her I was having some toasted scones with lemon marmalade on them.
At that point she came too a little and decided that breakfast sounded quite nice.
I think all my clattering and banging about woke Kaia
up as well, or perhaps it was D'fer who had popped along to give her an early morning kiss, as is his want, because she came dazedly along the boat wondering what all the noise was about.
With everybody awake, if not ready to go, my task was done.
We actually left just after five and arrived at Wrexham a little after nine. Needless to say part of this was because I got a little lost around Coventry again.
For some reason if you go to Coventry all the signposts guide you into Coventry but there are absolutely none to tell you how to get out again.
Anyway, collected Scott
and delivered both him and Kaia
to her dad's and spent the rest of the day wandering around Wrexham and the environs collecting all those things that we had forgotten on our previous trip, including the floor tiles for the galley, and visiting people.
Very pleasant and productive day and still got back to the boats in time to deck it out with Halloween stuff ready for the return of the children tomorrow.
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