Monthly Archives: June 2017

Up The Staircase. 29th June

Watling Street to Crick

Once the van was returned we had chores to do before we could make our way up the last lock of the Long Buckby flight. The first job was to put in the new fuse for the bow thruster so that it’s battery could be charged on our cruise today. A load of washing was put on and by the time we reached the water point above the lock it was nearly finished. We topped up the water tank and disposed of all our rubbish.

At the junction we turned right and headed towards Watford. Passing Welton Haven Marina I thought I caught a glimpse of Roger one of NB Winding Down syndicate members. But as we got closer we thought it couldn’t be him as the chap was busy cleaning a cream boat, not the green of WD. The hedge surrounding the marina is now far too well grown and the odd glimpse through to see which boats are at home are far too few to have a really good nosy.

P1060651smA steady stream of boats was coming towards us from the locks. All fairly close together, who ever was manning the flight today was moving boats through efficiently. There were a couple of boats moored up so we tucked ourselves in front of them so that we could have some lunch before we started our ascent. Another boat pulled up in front of us and went to check in, I soon followed to find the Lockie. Two were coming down and we were to wait for them before going up. The boat in front moved up the first lock and had been told to wait there until the two passed coming down. Mick nudged Oleanna up to nearer the lock gates to await our turn.

P1060667smP1060655smP1060658smAn Anglowelsh boat pulled up behind us wanting water before going up the locks. On board was Granny and Grandad, daughter, son-in-law and the two grand daughters along with two dogs. Mum was ever so chatty, so were the girls and all ever so enthusiastic. Tilly wasn’t too sure about them and gave their dogs a hiss through the window. Well they were outside and they had no intention of helping with the locks! Our turn came after a third boat came down the staircase, they’d snuck an extra one in! One of the girls from the hire boat ran up to work a paddle as Mick was entering the lock. Enthusiastic help is all great, but I still wanted to have my home at the top of the flight, so I called out for her to stop. She waited and wound the paddle up slowly as we wanted.

P1060671smOnce we were up into the next lock we were on our own as they all had to concentrate on their own boat now. Helped on and off by the lady lockie we worked our way up the staircase, her husband, also a lockie, keeping an eye on the hire boat below us. As the levels equalised on the top lock Mick checked our tunnel light focus before bringing Oleanna out.

P1060679smThis stretch is very familiar to us, but we’ve never done it at this time of year. Everything is so fat and green compared to two months ago. All the ewes have been shorn very recently, but their babies still have their tight fleeces. It just doesn’t seem right that these huge lambs are still suckling from their mothers who are just about the same size as them! We wondered whether to moor up for the night this side of the tunnel, but decided to carry on and reach Crick today.

With Mick’s new torch on the stern as we approached the really wet section of the tunnel we could see all the veins of deposits made by the water. It made me wonder if we were travelling through a giant Dr Who monster, all slimy and drooling. No photos as it is really wet in there!

P1060686smP1060697smP1060709smPopping out the other side and familiar boats seemed to surround us. NB Waiouru was sitting right outside the office of ABNB, the first boat you’d see. Then in the next section of the marina there was Lillian all jolly and yellow on such a grey drizzly day, she made us smile. We were wanting to moor up as far away from the road as possible for Tilly but a line of boats at that end of the moorings suggested there wouldn’t be space, but Mick spied a gap. The first boat in the line was NB Tyseley, the Mikron Theatre boat. Tyseley hasn’t been well of late, she broke down on the Soar on her way to meet the actors for this years tour. Since then she has had her engine rebuilt at Debdale. We had heard that she was back on the water and suspected that we would pass her somewhere on the Grand Union. The shows at the moment are on a short road tour, which was already planned. So Tyseley must be waiting for her crew of actors to come and meet her to cruise to the next set of waterways venues, most probably on the Thames.

P1060693smAfter mooring up and letting Tilly out we discovered that we had no internet or phone signal, not unusual for Crick. But there was a gap big enough for us at the far end of the moorings. Once Tilly was convinced to come home by the local magpies we moved up to be the end boat. Here we get a bit of signal, which is better than none! First we were spotted by Jane who we moored next to when we first bought Lillian and later on I received a message from Lizzie who had spotted Oleanna’s bow from NB Panda. We’re not as obvious as we once were, she did know that we were on our way.

DSCF7121sm8 locks, 5.41 miles, 1 full water tank, 1 empty yellow tank, 0 rubbish on board, 1 right, 1 wet tunnel, 0 mysterons, 1 hour wait, 1 Anglogerman hire boat, 6 ever so enthusiastic crew, 2 lockies, 2 poles in a rucksack, 2nd mooring better, 2 very chatty magpies!

Damp! 28th June

Watling Street

IMAG3723smThis morning we picked up a hire van. Well we’d semi hoped for a car, but they were almost £20 more for the day and quite often the Daventry depot doesn’t have enough vans, so you get a car instead. Sadly today they’d found us a van and unfortunately the van wasn’t big enough for us to fit a scaff plank in the back. So we missed out twice, but got what we’d booked.

Today was going to be a damp one, as we drove past Nottingham heading north the drizzle that we’d woken to got heavier and by the time we’d reached Scarborough it was a major downpour! Both of us should have known better heading to Scarborough without a coat, it was around 9C today! However we had taken a brolli. The drive over the top of the wolds brings you down Staxton Hill. Normally as you turn a bend you get to see the sea miles off, nestled between two hills tucked just under the horizon. But today we could only just make out the hills never mind the sea.

P1060600smOur mission today was to visit our house. Our previous tenants had left the house in quite a state, their deposit has been spent on trying to correct things for our new tenants along with quite a bit of our money. The other day as the old stinky carpets were being taken up some damp floor boards were discovered, along with a rotten joist below. A couple of builders have been to look and have given their versions of what should happen, so we wanted to see for ourselves. We met with one of the builders and Mark the main man from the letting agents. Sadly the simple solution that had been put through was very obviously not going to solve our problems. But our knowledge of what was done when we knocked the houses together will save us money, so it was worth the trip.

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It is very odd seeing other peoples things in your house. A back bedroom has been redecorated for their two year old son/grandson, who would have thought a nursery in our home! We just hope that the work that is needed won’t be a step too much for them.

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We then had a visit to our possessions on the top floor. Just how much stuff! I hunted out some wallpaper for repairs and Mick found one of our old computers. Over the last few weeks we’ve been wanting various things that were stored on this computer so we have brought it back with us.

P1060629smA hunt then to try to find a 100 amp fuse for our bow thruster. We reckon that this blew the day we picked Oleanna up in Sheffield as the bow thruster didn’t work that day, but it’s battery had been off and that at the time was thought to have been the problem. But Mick for the last few weeks has been wondering if the battery for it has been charging. After he tested allsorts with his volt meter, he discovered a blown fuse. We’ve been able to use the bow thruster so far, about 20 minutes worth before the battery would stop working by our reckoning, and it is getting quite flat now. We’ll be passing through Braunston very soon, but Mick wanted to get a new fuse to try and rectify the charging issue as soon as possible. So we tried various motor spares places around Scarborough. The third one we tried meant that we parked bang outside a familiar door, we rang the doorbell, but no-one was home.

P1060633smP1060637smScarborough of course has chandlers so we drove round Marine Drive to see if they could help us, this meant that we got to see the sea which was quite rough. Scarborough is on flood alert this evening due to high tides and winds. The chandlers couldn’t help us, but sent us round the back streets near the harbour to a marine electrical engineer. Here the chaps hunted through boxes of fuses, eventually finding the right size which then had to be gone through one by one to find an 100amp one. He had just the one and at nearly half the price Midland Chandlers would have charged a bargain.

IMAG3726smSo, now soggy but with our missions accomplished it was time to drive back to Long Buckby. Tilly won’t tell us how many boats went by today, but we know of at least one as we have a new neighbour tonight. Here’s hopping tomorrow is a drier day as we need to move on for our next appointment.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 small van, 1 exceptionally wet day, 0 sea, 1 full Morrisons cafe, 0 coats, 9C, 3 year olds are big, 60cm deep hole, 1 membrane, 1 new joist, 1/2 price hopefully, 1 nursery, 2 sets new curtains, 0 carpets, 1 poorly  house, 2 half rolls, 1 kitchen computer, 0 kit bag obvious, 3 motor spares, 2 windswept yellow butterflies, 2 soggy boaters, 0 Carley, 1 chandlers, 1 full box, 100A fuse, 2 small van, 1 hungry lonely cat.

Sitting In The Dark. 27th June

Bugbrooke to Watling Street
P1060541smNearly seven miles would get us to the Long Buckby flight today. So that shouldn’t have taken us that long, but there were things to do on route. First off was to fill up at Rugby Boats, currently 69.9p a litre, their gas was also a couple of quid cheaper than we’ve paid recently, must be older stock. With the tank full we should last to Wheaton Aston for the next fill up (one of the cheapest on the cut), if not there will be Taft Wharf on the way.
P1060550smThis boat for some reason made us both think of Hull it just needed a thick layer of Snur on it’s roof and that would have been perfect.
Next stop was at Weedon Bec to find a post box so that I can wish my brother a Happy Birthday tomorrow. I hopped off at the bridge and walked down towards Tescos where I spotted a post box, I was back at the boat just as Mick had finished mooring up. So we untied and pushed off again.
P1060570smP1060560smP1060575smIf it wasn’t for the noise you’d never think that the canal was sandwiched between the West Coast Main Line and the M1 now that all the trees are fat with leaves. But this carries on for nearly two miles to the bottom of the locks. Here we pulled in and had some lunch, then we walked up to the second lock to find Bedazzled’s new premises. Oleanna had come with mostly led bulbs, but there were a few that weren’t. The light in the kitchen extractor had been easy to change as it was 240volt and a supermarket came up trumps with that a while ago. But the bulb in the bathroom extractor and the light in the cratch needed to be 24volt, so not readily available. However we knew Bedazzled would have what we wanted. Funny thing was for a bulb company it was very dark in the offices. Two people were sat in the almost dark, only light by their computer screens. The chap did turn a light on so that we could look at the bulbs to make our choice.
P1060578smBack at Oleanna we were now ready to make our way up the flight. An Ashby Hire Boat was moored up at the services and didn’t look like they were ready to go up with us, so we started on our own. Once Oleanna was well on the way up I walked up towards the second lock. As I approached, the water cascading over the gates suggested someone was emptying the lock above and then a head popped out under the bridge and told me as much. I signalled back to Mick that one was on it’s way down and then went on to help. By the time Oleanna was in the second lock the hire boat was starting to enter the lock below, so we waited and waited. In the end I walked back to check that there weren’t two boats in the lock, but there was just one. They were two crew members down as one lady had fallen as she’d stepped off the boat and had gone to hospital to get her ankle checked out. This meant that the remaining crew were going solo for the first time and quite nervous about it.
P1060586smP1060591smOnce safely up they joined us in the second lock and carried on up the flight. Quite often we meet boats coming down saving everyone work. The forth lock had been left open for us and as we approached one gate closed, was this the wind? Or someone not looking? Mick beeped our horn, then the other gate started to close, so he beeped it again for longer, the gates started to open again. At the lock there were soo many people, one on each gate and others watching, with more approaching from two hire boats. What seemed like six German ladies and six from the other boat were all there to help. Our team were surplus to requirements!
P1060587smP1060593smBy the time we’d reached the sixth lock, news had come through that their friend had badly sprained her ankle and they were on their way back to meet up with the boat at the New Inn. Should they moor below the last lock, or above it? In the end they were only going to pick up the injured party, possibly a quick glass of wine and then carry on with the hope of reaching Braunston by the end of the day. So we waved them goodbye as we pulled in just short of the final lock as it would be nicer for Tilly here.
DSCF7117sm6 locks, 8.03 miles, 78 litres diesel, 1 gas bottle, 1 card posted, 2 poohy shoes, 2 bulbs, £15, 5 locks shared, 15 crew at one lock! 1 stunning comment, 1 sprained ankle, 1 glass of wine yearned for, 0 rain as forcast, 3 hours instead of 2.

Passing In Blisworth. 26th June

Cosgrove to Elliots Bridge, Bugbrooke
Anne’s boat and friend passed us again whilst we were having breakfast, we really should try getting up earlier! Soon we were on our way too pushing off just before a boat appeared around the corner. But we were travelling at a similar speed so it didn’t bother them. NB Franksalot and NB Marmite passed, a lot of boats are now quite familiar to us along this stretch. The sun was back out, but at a cooler temperature than a few days ago it was rather pleasant.
P1060481smWe pulled over for a while to check on a report that we had received about our house in Scarborough. Two differing theories to the problem now. Which one is right or are they both right?
P1060487smThis of course meant that a potential locking partner passed us and had started the Stoke Bruerne flight before we got there. However a hire boat was just finishing filling with water and was ready to ascend with us. The crew quickly mentioned that they were very new to locks and this would be their first upwards lock. So I talked them through what to do as we worked the boats up. The next lock was set against us, but two boats appeared and came down, swapping in the pound between us. However the lock above was being filled by a boat, so once our boats were rising I suggested that someone go and empty the lock above now that the boat had exited it. The lady walked on up.
I could see that a top gate had opened itself and she was looking a bit puzzled being on the otherside of the lock, so as the boats were happily rising I walked up to help close the gate and empty it. It was a good job as she had considered just lifting a bottom paddle to empty the lock and pound above, which would mean that we could go straight through it to the next one! Locks needed explaining to her and she soon realised what a bad idea that would have been.
P1060490smWe shared the first five of the flight and then our partners stopped for the day in the long pound. Outside The Navigation there was a chap with one of the longest drill bits we’ve ever seen. It was about five foot long. He was drilling down to then pump resin into the whole presumably to help stop leaks from the canal. Small bits of blue roll stuck up from the holes he’d already filled.
P1060497smThe top lock was full and a boat just appeared around the bend ahead before I started to reset it. So Mick trod water in the pound below whilst I waited for the boat to arrive and descend. It being lunch time there were a few people out enjoying a pint or two in the sun watching the boats. A stop for lunch was needed and to get the life jackets out for our trip through Blisworth Tunnel.
In Braunston this last weekend there was the Historic Boat Rally with boats breasted up 6 deep by the entrance to the marina. Today we were going to start encountering those heading back south. The first one passed us before we pulled out from our lunch mooring, the next in the tunnel along with three other narrowboats. One chap commented that our tunnel light was too bright and he couldn’t see anything, it was pointing at the starboard tunnel wall not even the roof,no-one else made a comment. We tried out Micks new torch pointing it towards the ceiling at the stern, this illuminated a huge stretch of tunnel. We were worried that this might be too bright for oncoming boats so made sure it was turned off long before they got close.
P1060507smP1060513smP1060515smPopping out the other side of the tunnel we now wanted to get as far as we could before mooring up for the day, yet giving Tilly some shore leave too. Straight on at Gayton Junction and shortly afterwards we met the first of a couple of pairs. Jules Fuels Towcester and Bideford had a very long line between them and of course we came across them at a bridge. The chap on Towcester indicated that he was towing so we pulled up and waited. A while further on was another pair but on a much shorter rope. Which is easier, to steer a butty on a long or short rope?
P1060517smBugbrooke came into sight so we waved towards Unusual where our friend Lizzie works before deciding to call it a day by Hayford Fields Marina. Here I got to make friends and brought them home to play with. I know that they don’t approve of my friends so we stayed outside on the towpath. Good job as all the doors were very quickly closed! A little behind where we had planned to moor up for the day, but we are still on course. Just a shame that we didn’t pass Anne’s boat again.
DSCF7114sm7 locks, 14.16 miles, 1.8 miles tunnel, 5 mysterons, 4 maybe 3 boats passed, 2 soakings, 2 possible causes, 2 solutions, 1 straight on, 5ft holes, 3 tins of touch up paint ready for collection, 2 friends both lost, 3 oiks, 2 pairs, 1 hitchhiker.

Doffing Caps. 25th June

Broadoak Bridge to Barley Mow, Cosgrove

P1030815We are starting to play leapfrog with the speedy boat from yesterday and Anne’s boat. Anne’s boat (as it has Anne’s name on the side, Mick’s sister) is normally moored at Cassio Wharf and we consider to be the last truly shiny boat before London. They passed us this morning whilst we were having breakfast, so we took a bit more time before we set off as the first bit of our cruise today would be the Soulbury Three Locks.

P1060395smAs we approached it looked like a group were about to make camp just above the locks, there were poles coming out of bags, but as I walked up the shape being formed was that of a canoe. We keep seeing these collapsable canoes and they are quite ingenious, no need for a roof rack just a bit of time to assemble them.

P1060396smIt seemed to be busy at the locks, no volunteers on duty, but there was a narrowboat coming up in the last lock being followed by a widebeam. A chap from the narrowboat said that the pounds between the three chambers were well down and the following widebeam didn’t know what they were doing. He was right the pound below the top lock was very low and about to become even lower as the next lock down was filled. So Mick and I decided to empty the top lock, to give them a chance of getting across without having to try to pass us. They were a bit bemused by an empty lock and us waiting above, but the chap at the helm was having enough difficulty steering as it was, giving the lock entrance a very large biff. There was an 83 year old Dad on the stern being taken for a jaunt and two daughters in the cabin who were screaming everytime the boat hit touched anything. However the lady with it seemed more concerned that the contents of her coke can didn’t get spilt when moving the lock gates!

P1060402smP1060405smOnce they were out of the way we made our way down quietly and calmly. A few gongoozlers were already about and a chap taking a breather on his run helped open and close some gates for me. On the moorings below the locks were two familiar boats. As we passed we both doffed our caps and said thank you for our cratch repairs, we wished we’d had a few flowers that we could have left on the roof of Allan’s boat.

P1060410smP1060415smOnwards now to Stoke Hammond Lock. A boat was just coming into the lock with incredibly loud MEOWing going on. Their cat had managed to get out onto the roof of the boat and was scared so shouting it’s head off! Once safely back inside they started to lock up. Next Fenny Stratford Lock where we topped up with water and then pulled up for lunch. NB Freespirit was up ahead but nobody was onboard. We waved as we went by as we did to the lady in her house. Now we had the eleven mile pound that goes round Milton Keynes. I like some bits of this journey, but found important things to do below. The skies were getting darker and inside I was considering turning on the lights even though it was only 5pm.

P1060427smBy Bridge 74 we pulled over. Mick had spotted on Briar Rose’s blog that there was a Council Tip nearby. With a couple of services worth of oil on board and the remains of oily bilge water from Lillian’s engine bay taking up too much space Mick did a couple of journeys to dispose of it all. Despite there being a sign at the gate saying no pedestrian access the chap there had no problems with Mick turning up wheeless. On the second trip the heavens opened, but only for a short period, not enough time to get a soaking.

P1060471smThe approach to Cosgrove Lock takes you over the Ouse Aqueduct where far below cows were paddling in the shallow water. Up ahead we could see a Wyvern Hire boat lining up for the lock, today we’ve seen just as many of these blue boats as any others, our estimate when we passed through Leighton Buzzard the other day was that at least 22 boats were out. We were a long way off so not surprised when they didn’t wait for us. Anne’s boat and the speedy one were moored amongst the long line that we trundled past. Mr Anne’s Boat chatted out of his side hatch as we passed, suspect we’ll be seeing them again in the morning.

P1060479smThe moorings in the centre of Cosgrove, opposite the Barley Mow were empty so we chose our spot. A late finish to a long day, we’re not used to this!

DSCF7114sm6 locks, 16.8 miles, 1 can of coke with a tipple added?! 3 big bangs, 1 almost empty pound, 2 caps doffed, 1 less gentleman on the cut, 1 roof riding cat, 1 full water tank, 1 blogging boat, 0 one home, 11 long miles, 4 bottles oil, 1 large bottle of erggh, 2 paddling cows, 1 life history, 2 helpers, 1 late finish, 1 depressed cat.

Bloomin’Busy And Booked. 24th June

Margees Garden to Broadoak Bridge 109

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Yesterday evening a swan that had been sitting on her nest a month ago in the bottom of Alison and Laura’s garden brought her babies along to meet us. Still quite small,  the cute factor enhanced by them still being so fluffy. I apologised to Mum that I had nothing for them, but would defrost some peas for the morning. So when Mick had headed off for a newspaper this morning they headed over to see what goodies I had. Mum let her youngsters dive for the peas whilst she watched, she wasn’t interested, maybe some white sliced would have been more appealing. But then if this was a swan that knew Laura I suspect it would have a far superior pallet. The cygnets ducked and dived to retrieve the peas (which all wanted to sink) and all ended up with spiky hair dos.

P1060327smWith breakfast consumed we pushed off and soon approached Seabrook Swing Bridge which was open, well almost. We paused for me to jump off to try to close it, but a boat was following, so we left it for them to close and went ahead to set the lock. The next three locks were set against us, but with partners we soon had them filled and cruised on down. Below Seabrook Bottom Lock our partners winded and then were going to reverse back to their mooring. The wind had picked up today so this would take them a bit of doing.

P1060326smP1060343smAt the Ivinghoe Locks I could see a boat approaching and the lock was in their favour, so I pushed open the bottom gate and waited for them. This was all I did to help as on board there was a troop of scouts, so plenty to work the lock and open gates. They were out for the weekend and when asked if they were enjoying it one replied he liked sleeping on the boat, although they had only this morning discovered barriers that they could pull up to stop them from falling out of their narrow bunk beds! They were going to see how far they could get, possibly the Wendover Arm, before they had to turn to head home. The next lock being in our favour we headed down and as we were finishing a boat appeared below, so I could leave the gates.

P1060349smApproaching Slapton Lock the world got busier. A boat was on the water point just through the bridge and two were waiting. We joined with one of them down the lock. They used to have a mooring here and had planted all the shrubs which were looking good and very much looked after. They were coming down to the lower pound as the one above had dropped somewhat, but both pounds looked as they had done when we were heading southwards a month ago, quite low. We stopped for some food in amongst the boats, not able to get our stern in, but that didn’t matter, just so long as we could get off when we wanted to.

P1060354smChurch Lock had both it’s bottom gates open, was this due to the wind? No, someone was coming up. Two single handing ladies brought their boats into the lock. One a Sea Otter (small aluminium boat) and the other what looked like a 70’s style cruiser. I helped them up and chatted to the lady on the cruiser. They were on their way to London. Normally when people say this they mean that they are going to join the masses of shufflers living on the Paddington and Regents Canal, but these two ladies were out for the summer from Ripon, both in their 70’s. They’d left in April and were due back at the end of August.

As they were rising we were joined at speed by a narrowboat who just about managed to pull in on the off side. As the ladies pulled out from the lock, Mick gestured for them to go in, but they were waiting for another boat that appeared soon afterwards. We worked our way down and as we got near to opening the bottom gates crew came from the speedy boat and sat on the top gate waiting to refill it. When Mick mentioned that there was a boat waiting to come up, she returned to her boat to wait. Nothing like lending a hand and getting to chat to others, making your wait shorter, oh well, it takes allsorts.

P1060359smP1060365smP1060367smGrove Lock was empty and with an approaching boat I opened the gates for them, might as well save water. The boat came in at such a lick that the lady at the front had no chance of stepping off to help. She finally managed to step off when  the lock was nearly full. A procession of people and their dogs then wanted to cross the top gates, each dog having to be carried over separately in turn. The boat was after a pump out at the marina but that meant a wide beam needed to move, which it did aided by the strong wind after Mick had brought Oleanna into the lock.  The lady from the narrowboat walked to climb on board her boat, but the chap said he’d pick her up on the service mooring. She then crossed the gates and waited behind a set of railings that didn’t allow her access to the services just as her boat was blown right back to the other side infront of the widebeam. As we were going down I could see that the chap had managed to get his stern over to the services and was starting to pull the boat in just as the speedy boat from before arrived above the lock, thankfully managing to stop before ploughing into everyone! To add to the mayhem a young lady was trying to cross the top gates with her toddler in her arms. We were glad to be away from it all.

A quick stop to stock up on suncream from Aldi and some perishables from Tescos before we were on our way again. One last lock for the day stopping with a view of the West Coast Main Line, we should have carried on to the Soulbury Three, but we didn’t fancy going through with a crowd of Saturday afternoon drinkers gongoozling, so that has been left for tomorrow morning before the pub opens.

P1060382smOnce moored up, my brothers old T square came out from storage (I knew it would have another use) and had inches over 2ft marked on it. Our mooring wasn’t deep enough for us to get the end of it under Oleanna’s hull. so Mick slid it down the side until it touched the edge of the base plate. This gave us our current draught, a more accurate measurement than using the boat hook. At the moment we exceed the depth for the Ribble Link, but we are hoping that this will be sorted by Finesse as we know we shouldn’t be quite so low in the water. Another phone call with Bridget and Storm from NB Blackbird who had also been measured today. We decided to go ahead and the two of us clicked through the booking pages on the C&RT site. As we both read out that our passage was confirmed Bridget said “Oh what have we done!” No going back now!! Later on we also booked a week in Liverpool. North here we come.

DSCF7117sm10 locks, 9.04 miles, 4 shared, 100 floz of peas, 6 spiky heads, 2 single handing ladies, 10 scouts, 1 queue, 3 dogs, 1 toddler, 2 bottles suncream, 2 lots mushrooms, 1 more late finish! 1 week Liverpool, 1 month Lancaster Canal, 2 slightly nervous boaters, 1 oblivious cat.

When You’ve Finished With That Lock! 23rd June

Berko to Margees Garden, Cheddington Bridge

Time to get going but first to fill the water tank. This is the emptiest it’s been, an exclamation mark had come on on the gauge! With wanting to use the dish washer and washing machine we needed water sooner rather than later so nothing for it but to reverse back to the water point. We pushed off and despite the strong breeze and aided by the bow thruster Mick took us backwards in one go, like cutting butter with a hot knife. Once the hose was filling the tank you could hear just how empty it was.

P1060239smP1060241smWith the dishwasher on drying mode the washing machine could go on and had done it’s first fill before we pushed off again. Good job the water pressure was good here. Onwards and upwards. First the Gas Locks, both were full and I could see a boat at the top, so I opened the top gates and we waited for them to come down. The by wash was running furiously which caused a bit of a problem with the two boats coming down. A discussion had been had that the day boat should go first as they were continuing, he’d spotted the by wash, but then didn’t move. The other boat then started to leave the lock, all it’s crew were on board then joined by the day boat who had to stop to pick up crew. The bywash pushed both boats over towards our bow leaving little room for manoeuvring. Eventually everyone was back on the right boats and heading away from the lock, peace returned. Upwards for us.

P1060244smAt the second lock the Lockie from the other day appeared. The pound we’d got stuck in two days ago was low again, so he was letting water down from the top. Today he had no help as all the other lockies were helping to erect an aluminium bridge on the Aylesbury arm. So he was working his way up and down the locks between Cowroast and Hemel to restore the levels. As soon as we were through he emptied the lock. Next lock up he appeared again as if by teleport. We waved our goodbyes and thanked him for the other day. At Northchurch Lock there was one coming down and another waiting above, both looked narrow, so I didn’t understand why they weren’t sharing. Once we were up I asked if they needed both gates open, no umming from this lady, ‘Both please, we’re eight foot wide’. Too wide to share and only an extra foot more space for all the extra work.

P1060246smP1060248smWe could see that Dudswell Bottom Lock had boats in it as we approached, not sure which way they were facing I walked up to see if I could help. NB Nomad and NB Goblin were sat in the lock almost at the top, but all gates and paddles were closed. The two chaps were pawing over a Nicholsons and in deep discussion. When they noticed me they were apologetic and got ready to move their boats out of our way. I went up to open the gates, but they had been there so long that the level had dropped by at least a eighteen inches! They apologised again and I was told I was a hero, ‘Just don’t do it again at the next one!’

They moved on up and I reset the lock for us. By the time we were up and moving along the pound I could see that there was only one of the boats in the lock, blimey only two locks to the summit, but how long would this take us! However one boat was stopping for some lunch and the other was waiting for us. Up the last two locks in no time and on the summit pound, where we decided to stop for some lunch ourselves. NB Nomad carried on with the aim of stopping at Marsworth tonight. Our aim was similar but after a phone call from the agents who look after our house, we decided that we should get a move on as a visit to Scarborough would be needed next week, meaning we’d loose another days cruising.

P1060270smP1060273smAcross the three mile top and we started our descent down the other side. I would set the lock, open a gate and then leave Mick to start coming down so that I could walk ahead to set the next lock, returning to let him and Oleanna out and close the lock behind. I’d then leapfrog and set the next one down. After three locks we had caught up with NB Nomad. I carried on going ahead to set the next chamber as the boys brought themselves down and opened one gate, I then returned to close that behind them. Mr Nomad was pleased with his locking partners and as everyone was doing their bit I reckon we got down the flight quicker than if we’d been on our own.

P1060300smWe carried on wanting to get a bit further along before stopping for the day and waved goodbye to NB Nomad. The bell ringers were starting to practice as we passed the village, the sound being swept along by the stiff breeze. We’d already had to put an extra layer on! Down the last two locks of the day we meandered along for half a mile more and then pulled up at the bottom of the Margees garden. Here we were ahead of our selves and could get a Saturday paper in the morning before setting off again.

This evening we’ve been in conversation with Bridget and Storm with the aim of booking our passage to cross the Ribble Link. On C&RT’s booking page neither of our boats had our draughts marked. We both put in the dimensions we thought that we were, but these were both too deep to make the booking! We will both double check how deep we are and reconvene tomorrow to hopefully make our booking. Reading up on it lots of people say they have managed fine being deeper than the recommended depth. Fingers crossed!!!

P1060250smDSCF7114sm16 locks, 7.84 miles, 6 locks shared, 6 water riding cygnets, 1 dog pooh incident, 2 wrongs don’t make a right! 1 nice lockie, 1 beautiful UGLY cat1 grey day, 2 boats hogging a lock, 2 jumpers, 1 house needing it’s owners, 2 boaters now on a mission, 2 annoyed blackbirds, 4 cute baby blackbirds, 0 friends thankfully.

Cooler Thank Goodness. 22nd June

Berko

A lie in and it was cooler. Oleanna was going to stay put today and when we rose the temperature was 20 C but cloud cover was keeping the sun at bay. Phew! Yesterday had reminded me of being in France on holiday as a child, returning to the boat last night after the show there had been no air. This is the reason I prefer winter. There are nearly always means of getting warm when cold (exceptional circumstances exempt), but if it’s hot and muggy there is no way to cool down, in the end it makes me feel claustrophobic.

Today I put some none boating clothes on and headed with the laptop to the station. NB Endeavour was rising in the lock as I passed, they were hoping to get up to Cowroast to wind and then head back down today. At the station I bought my ticket for West Brompton and joined the throngs of people travelling on cheap fares, a lot heading to Ascot. Then the heavens opened with huge booms of thunder. Luckily this only lasted a short time and was the only down pour of the day.

P1060236smOnce I reached West Brompton I took my time walking down Lillie Road to my meeting. Every charity shop had a cursory look for any bedding I could make some rugs out of for Oleanna, but none jumped out at me. I made my way to the Dancers Attic to meet with a director, show him my photos and see if we got on. This is only the second time I’ve done this, most of my work has come from either me being given to someone or them having seen my work, being in the right place at the right time, so I was quite nervous. But this soon disappeared as we got chatting about the show. I seemed to match what he was looking for in a designer and the company and show were appealing. I’ll find out if I ticked enough boxes next week after he’s met more people.

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There was just enough time to get back to the station and catch the one train an hour that would take me on to Balham to meet with my school friend Morag. I’d not been in touch with her when we were in London as I’d seen her on my last couple of visits. Sadly her mother passed away unexpectedly last week so it was important to see her. We had a good couple of hours over lunch, the sort of conversation that only long standing friends can have. If you are ever in Balham try out Milk, their version of eggs benedict was wonderful.

I returned to the station with five minutes to go before the next direct train back to Berko, so my journeys had been perfectly timed and I managed to avoid using the tube. Walking past the lock, NB Endeavour was on it’s way down. A very similar height in the lock to when I’d seen them in the morning, just facing the other way six hours later.

Mick had spent the morning giving Oleanna her first 250 hour service, an oil change, a new filter, check the belts and he filled the stern greaser. All ready for her next 250 hours running. Once Mick had finished Tilly was allowed out. He doesn’t seem to want my help with getting into tight spaces. Anything he drops I could so easily bat around for him! But I’m not allowed under the big bit of floor. She spent much of the afternoon watching people pass by sitting on the stern.



0 locks, 0 miles, 9 litres oil, 1 filter, 1 thunder storm, 5 fascinators, 10 sharp suits, 0 duvet covers, 3 shows too many, 1 nice chap, 1 once proudly owned art work, 2 hours of friendship, 3 trains perfectly timed, 1 boat 6 hours later, 1 much cooler day thank goodness.

In At The Deep End, Or Not! 21st June

Sainsbury’s, Apsley to Waitrose, Berkhamsted

A bit further to cruise today so another early morning. Even Tilly  was expecting us to be up at 4.30am as she started twitching the curtains. No early morning spring to our step today, it was more like slow motion.

P1060157smThe second  lock up (it always smells of coffee) is meant to be left empty, but it was full. We’d not seen any boats go past yesterday afternoon so we wondered if we were following a boat that had started earlier than us. The next few locks were all full apart from Fishery Lock which had been left empty and the walls seemed to be dry, maybe no one else was cruising yet. By the time we reached Lock 61 plenty of trains were whizzing by and there were plenty of people up and about in Winkwell marina. I was worried that we’d arrive at the swing bridge between locks just as the locals were heading to work and I might end up with many angry car drivers. A gap soon showed itself, I turned the key and pressed the button. Pretty quickly the lanes filled in both directions, then cars started to turn round. At least the impatient drivers were taking themselves away. Once the stern cleared the bridge I pushed the close button and opened the road again. Only twelve held up, but at least four gave up.

P1060174smAs we approached lock 59 there was someone emptying the chamber. The gate opened but there wasn’t a boat. NB Endeavour was moored close to the lock landing and one of the chaps on board had gone up to the lock to empty it for us. I hopped off and thanked him. They had been moored in the pound above us yesterday, but had set off when the day had cooled off a bit, so we were following them! They were still having their morning cuppa so wouldn’t join us to come up the remaining locks to Berko. I said if we saw them we’d wait, saving water in this hot weather.

P1060177smOn we pootled, a passing walker warned us of a low pound ahead. In Nicholsons it warns you not to moor between locks 57 and 58 as the level drops overnight. But past experience is that it’s actually between 57 and 56 and today this pound was low, the walker was right. Mud banks were showing on the offside, but with a bit of a distance to the next lock it looked like we’d be okay going up. So the lock was filled and Mick started to gradually work his way to the next lock, I stayed on the towpath just in case. The lock should be left empty so I did this, just as Oleanna ground to a halt mid channel.

P1060182smP1060197smI walked up ahead to see if I could send down water without causing a problem for others as Mick called C&RT. Two boats were moored in the pound, well and truly sat on the bottom, their mooring ropes almost audibly straining. Above the next lock the level was down by about six inches and the long line of moored boats put me off letting water down. With no walkie talkie or phone to hand I walked back to report to Mick. C&RT were trying to get hold of the local chap and would call back. Mick could reverse Oleanna and trying to move forwards again he gained some more distance. By now NB Endeavour was pulling up below the lock, so I walked down to warn them. I got them to ring my phone which was on Oleanna, I’d then be able to let them know when we were in the next lock and if it was safe to come up themselves. Mick was now stuck again and having no luck pushing Oleanna off the bottom, but the sight of a chap in a blue t-shirt gave us hope.

P1060186smP1060193smHe opened paddles at both ends of the lock above and rang back to control to see if someone could be sent to let water down from the Waitrose pound. His morning had been spent sorting out the levels in Berko and he’d just finished that when he got the call about us. This pound quite often drops overnight, but had been fine all week. He asked if the gates were open or had it not been emptied, but I’d found it as it should be, empty with paddles raised. However the amount of water leaking from under the top gates was likely to have been the cause and I showed him a picture. Once he’d got us through he’d go down and clear whatever it was stopping the gate from sealing properly.

P1060200smIt took us an hour and a quarter to get through both locks and Mick had scraped his way along the bottom once the level had risen by a foot. A boat had appeared above the lock, once we were up they would go down. Now back on the boat and reunited with my phone I could call Kevin and Matt on NB Endeavour and tell them to fill the lock, but wait for the boat coming down so that they could swap over at the lock as there wouldn’t be enough depth for them to pass mid pound. We were back floating and the sun was getting hotter.

P1060211smNot much further to go before we’d reach our destination and hopefully shade for the rest of the day. Another lockie was by Ravens Lane Lock letting water down, the levels would soon be back to where they should be. Our water tank could do with filling but more importantly we wanted a shady mooring, so we continued until one came into view. Not quite in the shade when we arrived but after an hour the trees did their job. But with the temperature outside being 30+ again and there being no breeze the cabin got warmer and warmer. I finished off editing my folio during the afternoon as Mick and Tilly bimbled around, all of us feeling the heat.

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Yesterday I’d noticed that Mikron had been doing one of their shows at The Rising Sun, luckily we hadn’t missed them totally as their other show In At The Deep End about the RNLI was on tonight. So we put on fresh clothes and walked back down the cut in the still sweltering heat. Plastic garden chairs were lined up alongside the lock and they were already three quarters full. Mick joined the queue for liquid refreshments as I baggsied chairs. The view wasn’t going to be that good from so far back, but shortly before the show started the landlord of the pub suggested that the back few rows move up and add a chair at the side of the further forward rows. So our timing had worked out very well, with much better views.

P1060230smThe four actor musicians worked their socks off to give us a very entertaining show with plenty of laughs and a tear from one or two of the audience members towards the end. We the audience were glad not to be in full sun, the actors who had to wear oil skins or thick fleeces for some of the show were even more relieved. Only one boat came through the lock as we watched the show, the landlord assisting them, but at least 20 bikes, joggers and a bull dog with a mouth full of tennis ball negotiated their way through the audience chairs. This is all part of seeing a Mikron show even if it’s a bit distracting.

DSCF7117sm14 locks, 5.3 miles, 1 swing bridge, 12 held up, 1 creeper, 1 bottom at the top, 2 men in blue to the rescue, 1 marooned cat, 0 call back, 4 patches of shade along the way, 20C up to at least 31C, 4 hours photo sorting, 17 shows to show off, 2 hot 2 do anything! 4 actors, 8 socks worked off, 6 yellow wellies, 3 life jackets, 1 boat, 1 boxer, 3.5 pints.

Somethings just don’t feel right. 20th June

Lady Capels Bridge to Sainsburys, Apsley

P1060048smNot so easy getting up at 4.30am this morning, but we managed it. As we were surrounded by boats this morning Mick waited to start the engine until we had pushed out from the bank. 17C this morning, but still in the 20’s inside Oleanna. Convection fog was rolling off the fields onto the cut as the sun rose. Very pretty. The hands adjacent to Lady Capels Lock looked like they were stretching upwards from the earth to the sun. Here we saw our first walker shortly after 5am, she was obviously out for a pre-work walk.

P1060042sP1060060smAs we neared North Grove Lock there was a chap in jogging bottom shorts and a t-shirt strolling along the towpath smoking. He was taking his time and spending quite a bit of time looking away from the canal. This wouldn’t have been odd if there was a view, but it was very thickly overgrown. Neither would it have been odd if he was looking for a dog or cat, I spend hours of my life doing just that looking for Tilly. A short way below the lock NB Lay Zee Daze was moored up and with the heat they had the front doors wide open and the rear hatch was open too. Most boats we’d passed this morning were quite well open, many with the glazing from their windows removed. The chap slowed down even more as he passed the narrowboat, we kept watching him, quite blatantly.

P1060074smP1060080smThe lock was full so that gave us time to keep an eye on him, still slowly moving our way. Once Oleanna was in the lock and paddles opened he appeared at the bottom gates, now his attention seemed to be the lock side cottage with it’s windows also open. Was he a chancer ready to see what he could pick up and then make a run for it? Who knows, he may just have been out for a stroll. The cottage was pretty in the morning light and the abundance of roses and clematis on the wall nearby needed to have it’s picture taken. So I took some photos, and included a few of the chap whilst I was at it. Strangely enough he soon moved on towards Kings Langley! He wasn’t taking his time anymore. As we left the lock we could see him up towards the M25 bridge running. We both agreed that sometimes somethings just don’t feel right and this chap at 6.20am certainly didn’t feel right.

P1060096smP1060107smP1060116smUnder the M25 and we had left London behind, we’d need permission to return now! From here on we are back into the land where the West Coast Main Line accompanies the canal and trains were speeding their way too and fro. A heron took advantage of lock filling, standing above and watching fish getting dragged towards the paddles. He didn’t catch anything though. At Kings Langley Lock the swans we’d seen sitting on eggs a month ago now have two cygnets that they brought for us to see. Well that’s what we thought until they swam into the lock as I opened the gate. This left me with only one option and that was to not fully close the gates so that they’d be able to get out.

At Nash Mills lock I just beat another boat to the half filled lock and had just started to empty it as they came right up to the gates. It looked like they weren’t expecting anyone to be moving so early, but to us it was late we’d been going for three hours already! They had just come from the Sainsburys mooring so hopefully it would still be free and be in shade.

P1060132smPlenty of boats were moored up under the trees where we’d moored and watched a Kingfisher fish a couple of years ago. Towards the end of the line was a familiar sight, yet it wasn’t. Here was the boatcar or is it a carboat. Since we headed south it has had a coat of paint making all the filler and fibreglass mould in together. I think it looks quite good even if a bit odd. I wonder what colour it will end up being as this seemed like it was an undercoat.

We rounded the bend and the Sainsburys mooring was free and just about in shade. Moored up in pole position before 9am.

IMAG3714smFirst was a trip to look at Bunnings Warehouse, now open. What a lot of stock! Just about any make and model of power tool was on display. I got carried away picking up various painting supplies that would come in handy and Mick restrained himself and only picked up one spanner for the yellow water tank outlet. We priced up a scaff plank so that we could compare them with B&Q later. Then it was time to do a big shop at Sainsburys as you can get a trolley back to the mooring. What a wonderful place it must be to work in at the moment, wonderfully cool.

This afternoon we’ve heard the sad news that Allan Cazaly the cratch repair man has passed away. He expertly and quickly repaired Lillians covers for us twice, the last time was earlier this year. What a lovely gentle man he was, his family and the cut will miss him.

P1060142smWe had planned to move on again today, but having found a shady mooring we decided to stay put. I hate to think what it must be like in the boats opposite as we are averaging 27C!

DSCF7114sm9 locks, 4.43 miles, 5am push off, 0 sharing, 1 rum ‘un, 2 many boats fully open, 4hrs cruising, 40 more photos, 1 submerged canoe, £40 saving, £36 painting stuff, 0 plank at B&Q, 4 boxes wine, 1 hot boat bound cat, 27C which could be a whole lot worse.