Post Christmas

The day after our guests left was a bit colder and it had snowed overnight. Our water tank was half full and two cassettes needed emptying. There was a good possibility that more snow would fall so we decided to move up to Sutton Wharf. It may get colder later so left early. Ploughed through slushy ice in places along the canal and it did snow again. "Hope it doesn’t get any worse cos we want to get back to the mooring". Managed to turn and back up to the water tap by pushing the thin ice away. The tap was frozen so got the kettle off the stove and poured hot water over the pipe to melt a plug of ice.

While the tank was filling I emptied the cassettes and Ann dumped the rubbish. The sun came out to make a cheerful warm run back and several boaters were out moving up and down the canal as well. But by the time we had returned to our mooring the grey clouds blocked out the sun and it was snowing again.

 

Pre Christmas week

We had moved up to get water on a mild sunny day. On the way back we stopped so that Sue n Vic could cut up some more wood for their fire. Then the temperature fell to zero and ice formed on the cut over night. So we were forced to stay put. Sue came round with another of her 'walk maps'. "Come on Annie, we're off with the dogs to explore". "Please get back before it gets dark" I pleaded. Vic and I are left behind to look after the boats and make our own sandwiches. Passing the time reading our favourite books. The girls returned by 3:30 just as the sun went below the horizon.

Next day John and Jean arrived by car from Braunston in less than an hour, a full 5 days by boat! Good to see them again and we talked about plans for next years cruising.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS

Saint Nicholas

He was a 4^th century bishop in Asia Minor and is buried, circa 346 AD, in his cathedral at Myra. He has become a patron saint to many categories of people over the years. He is honoured throughout the canals of Europe as the boat peoples special saint. In Britain he is known as Father Christmas while in America they refer to him as Santa Claus. In France he was called Papa Noel.

The giving of presents results from the saint learning of a poor man who considered selling his three daughters. St. Nicholas visited the property anonymously and tossed a bag of gold through the window. It landed in a stocking hanging up to dry.

A winter day

The sun rose at about 8 this morning and slowly made its way along the horizon not getting much higher than the trees before dipping down and setting at about 4. The day was clear bright and warm as the girls went for their walk with the dogs through the country side. The fire was allowed to go out to be cleaned and relit just as the temperature started to dip down with the sun. On the other boat the chimney was modified during the day. The girls returned with wet dogs having made them jump in the canal to get clean. As the boat warmed up inside we all enjoyed a hot cup of tea and the dogs dried off in front of the fire.

Christmas shopping

The village of Stoke Golding claims to be the birthplace of the Tudor reign. Crown hill is where Henry Tudor 'found' his crown and became Henry VII in 1485.

We were able to moor on the off side where we can gain access to the village. The Post Office was very busy with people and their Christmas mail in a never ending queue. Next day we went to Nuneton to do some shopping. An interesting ¼ of an hour trip through the countryside and villages in a small bus. Thankfully a dry mild day making for a pleasant trip. We saw a statue of a lady called George. George Eliot was born Mary Ann Evans in 1819. I wondered what she would have thought of this town now. Much changed since the loss of the coal mining industry.

'Gosty Hill'

Iain & Alison came up the Ashby with their coal & diesel supply boat 'Gosty Hill'. Recently back in the water after having a new bottom fitted. Plying their trade on the Coventry Canal and coming up the Ashby when called. Their price is considerably cheaper than the local marina. Both No Problem and Moore 2 Life needing at least a hundred litres of diesel each.

Not Moving

Still moored between bridge 17A and 19 just north of Hinckley. We had left No Problem behind and next day the ice prevented Sue n Vic moving the boat up. Only 2 miles apart and next day they both walked up to visit for tea and sandwiches. Vic did very well walking that distance and was very stiff the next day. Then No Problem managed to move up through a channel of broken ice made by a hire boat moving down earlier. Hire boat companies have been making the most of the relatively mild winter so far.

Air pressure is very low making for unsettled stormy weather. But at least it is mild with no ice now. The girls have been out exploring the countryside and coming back with two dirty dogs. The tow path has been chewed up by the hedge cutters during these damp days. A dangerous job now as in places the path is a bit narrow and the vehicle could slip towards the canal!

We have contacted a coal / diesel supply boat which is expected to return here next week. There are of course plenty of boats on private moorings on the canal. Some are occupied by their owners who have cars to go to work. They are therefore able to get rid of their disposables.

Ice and snow

Christmas is fast approaching and we are busy making and sending cards to friends and family. Some pictures taken down south on the Grand Union at Cowley when it was cold and frosty were used. We stopped a few days with Sue n Vic on No Problem at Baskerville, four and a half miles in to the Ashby Canal. Then NB At Last stopped by and John & Militza joined us and Sue on Moore 2 Life for coffee. Several boats had passed breaking up the ice as they went. The facilities provided by British Waterways on this canal are few and far between. Rubbish disposal is going to be a problem. We have had to dispose of it in the towns litter bins. The large Marina has started charging for disposal of waste material of any kind. We moved on a few miles to Hinckley to collect our post and send off most of our cards. It had been a bright warm day till then. It started to snow lightly but as we continued past the marina the sky turned very grey and it snowed so hard that the roof got covered. We could not stop because there were so many boats moored outside the marina. Eventually stopped on a bend before bridge 19. Took a while to warm up inside drying off coats, gloves and hats. Hope to get pictures in the morning as it was too dull this afternoon when we stopped.

Wintery days & the Ashby

We were able then to get on up to the end of the Oxford Canal and on to the Coventry. Heading north to meet up with Sue n Vic again who are now heading south. The plan is to meet at Heartshill. Both arrived within an hour of each other. The night time temperature dropped below zero and on the fourth day the canal water went smooth with ice. It had been quite mild until then, so warm in fact that one pair of ducks had produced 10 chicks. They were eventually abandoned so the lock keeper at Atherstone kept the surviving 8 in his bath. "How do you look after them in such an un natural environment".

We always have to be prepared for occasions when we cannot move. Water topped up, diesel in the tank, gas bottles replaced when empty and food in the cupboards. Never go past facilities without using them. It was back in the late 1960's that the canal trade was finally stopped by a long hard winter. We wait to see if this is to be the start of another.

Turned the boat round and after a few days in the ice we both move back south. Filled up with diesel at Springwood Haven and moved down through Nuneaton. Yet another car had been tipped into the canal! Got past that and all the other rubbish to stop at a rather exposed spot by Gipsy Bridge and waited for a TESCO delivery. Access between road and canal here was far from ideal. Used our own trolleys to transport the goods to the boat on a cold wintry morning.

Twenty two miles with no locks. Turned left into the entrance to the Ashby canal under the bridge and through the disused lock trying not to hit the sides. A bit surprised to find thin broken ice in our path. Two boats passed us to leave the canal which indicated that the canal was not yet frozen solid. It is here that we all intend to spend the winter months.

Power Plus

I thanked Beta for replacing my failed alternator.  It was replaced 'as goodwill'.  They suggested that the only causes of failure are 'shorting the output' or 'using a battery management system'.  I have pointed out that a 'Beta Controller' was fitted.  Their advertisement claims "Fast and efficient domestic battery charging with our 'Beta Controller' option.

Three Bloggers Meet

Moore 2 Life and No Problem met at Hartshill. Then Andrew of Granny Buttons called to see us. We all chatted face to face on M 2 L. The wonders of information technology bringing people together. 

  

Power Loss

We all take it for granted when it is always there. Power that is. Run the engine each day and there it is stored in those batteries for use in the evenings. The warning buzzer sounded in the evening. Quick rush to switch off the engine. The red light indicated that the alternator had suddenly failed. That thing on the engine which generates the electrical power. Lifted the board to let smoke out! Run the engine again to see sparks inside the alternator!

Don't like things like that going wrong, it's a threat to our boating life. We felt vulnerable even though we were only 4 miles from the nearest boat yard. Good job we were not in mid ocean! We had caught up with Terry & Myra again and Terry came round for moral support. Myra also came round to keep warm. It was Sunday evening so no point ringing for help. However our son Chris gave some advice on the phone. Terry agreed and also suggested how to charge the batteries using our start battery alternator. Yes, thankfully we have two alternators. There was enough charge in the batteries to last the evening but we had to limit ourselves to one light and no TV to ensure that the fridge kept going! It was a particularly cold night and time slowed down.

The next day after an unsettled night we set about rearranging the battery wiring and removed the drive belt from the dead alternator. This enabled the engine to be run without the sparks! A call for help to Rose Narrow Boats was answered. "Yes we can help, when you get here ask for Wayne." An hour later we were there and the alternator was removed for inspection. Our friends Terry & Myra on 'Juno' had set course for home. Wayne told us that the stator insulation had failed. He rang Beta for a replacement and they agreed to replace it as the alternator was less than 2 years old. Another long night with one light as the electrician had gone home without providing us with land line power.

Woke in the morning to find the fridge still going despite the low charge state of the batteries. We moved the boat back to a power point which was now available. Plugged in and charged the batteries for a few hours. The new alternator arrived and Wayne fitted and tested it. Then gave some valuable advice on how to charge batteries correctly. Its better to run the engine in the morning for at least 3 to 4 hours in order to fully charge the batteries. Then there is no need to run it again in the evening. It is no good running for short periods of time during the day.

Lights in the tunnel

We had seen the lights installed in Newbold tunnel some time ago and wondered why. The tunnel is so short it was hardly worth illuminating. Braunston tunnel could do with lights especially where it turns corners! We passed through in November when they were on and felt silly with our tunnel light on as well. Looked like we were passing through a rainbow with ribbons of multi coloured light. Public money can always be better spent. It was meant to attract visitors as the tow path goes through but the tunnel is well north of Rugby and there was nobody about.

A happy loss

Our second phone has got 'lost'. Been using it a few times in Daventry and kept it in my coat pocket. Back on the boat it was gone. Got the phone originally to get on the Internet but the lead kept popping off the connector. Then the phone got a soaking in a thunderstorm. The screen was never the same since! So whoever 'finds' it will probably not keep it. While on 'pay monthly' calls were never less than 20 pence a minute. Orange have disabled the SIM card so that it is unusable now. But I think that the phone book was in the phone memory. Apparently new phones can store the phone book in the SIM card. So if it is lost and disabled the numbers cannot be seen. We thankfully still have our old original phone.

Meeting with old friends

I mean that we have known Terry & Myra for a long time. They had sold their boat over a year ago and had just taken possession of a shorter boat. Met them on the way down the Braunston locks and celebrated in the Lord Nelson pub. Next day we all went early to Davetry intending to go on the bus. It passes at quarter to the hour but apparently not at quarter to nine. It had passed through at 8:30! Phoned for a taxi which arrived in 10 minutes but stopped just outside the town due to a puncture! We went off to join a queue at the medical centre for Ann's flu jab. Back out in 15 minutes all done. Got some veggies at the market and winter pansies before all returning on the 10:30 bus. Spent the next few days in each others boats and visiting Bob n Jane who we all knew.

Friends and Bloggers

When we were down the south Oxford canal between bridge 102 and 103 NB At - Last stopped by. John & Militza have been known to us since we first left our boat in 'Springwood Haven' on the Coventry canal. They, a young couple semi retired, came to see inside our boat. We talked about our adventures during the year over a cup of tea. They enjoy cycling and walking a lot. Their pride and joy, the boat, is powered by a 'Gardner' diesel. A slow running engine reconditioned by Tony & Paul Redshaw.

We had moved to just north of Braunston and were chatting to Sue on the net. She told us that NB Liberty Belle was heading our way and had been in conversation with Angela on board. Angela does a Blog which we read occasionally. Next day Trevor and Angela arrived and stopped just to meet us on their way to Braunston to get a job done on the boat.

Trafalgar

The Braunston Pickle are to play at the local pub. So we head back to Braunston. The pub is called 'Admiral Nelson'. Known locally as 'nelly'. We walked up past two locks on the Grand Union Canal and into the pub. There we were faced with a 'dressed up' interior. Signal flags all over the ceiling and the bar staff wearing eye patches and hats. A special brew was on offer called 'Eye Patch'. Ann had a rum & coke. The Braunston Pickle consisting of three players were setting up next to a table of locals dressed as wenches and crew. A tough looking gent complete with black beard, scars and scabbard was quite capable of repelling boarders.

We found a seat and table behind the fireplace wall and enjoyed the scene and atmosphere. The group started at about half eight. The pub was full of noisy people so later we moved round to hear the music. They were playing guitars, piano accordions and squeeze boxes without the aid of amplifiers. Many others joined in with penny whistles, tambourine and rattling spoons.

Braunston

We have settled in and around our 'home port' for a while. We need to return to the dentist next week and Ann can get a flu jab in November. So we drift off on the south Oxford canal and stop by Flecknoe Farm. There are still many boats coming and going. A few miles further on at Napton Junction a new marina has opened. 'Black Prince' hire boats are based there. Three other marinas within a mile of the junction already exist so that junction has become very busy at weekends in particular.

Discovered that 'Hobo' was here. Bob and Jane with their friend Rose from Australia. She has been over here for several years touring the country with her dog 'Tara' in her own boat. Then along came Barbara who plays the Accordion with a group called 'Braunston Pickle'. While I was painting the lower part of the boat Barbara started playing folk music. Rose normally plays a violin in an orchestra but was able to join in as well.

MV Sulaskar

Our grateful thanks to Stewart and Carole Sampson for NABO. They are currently on tour and were spotted going through Braunston.  As most boat owners know they represent the interests of boaters on canals and rivers.  Their boat is also used as a research vessel for the 'First Mate Guides'.

Maria Jessie

Passing through Braunston this time got these pictures.