June visit

We were all packed and away by nine on Saturday for two hours on the road to Cropredy.   A couple of trollies full of our transfer kit was then delivered to Moore 2 Life.  Water, gas and electric all turned on to bring our sleeping boat to life.  The batteries were fully charged from the sola panels.

It was just as well that we were ready to go because Sue n Vic on No Problem were arriving at Cropredy.  No time to top up with water before we moved out of the marina.  There was NP but no sign of her owners or their dogs.  At the pub soaking up a pint I suspect.  We settled for a sandwich snack for lunch before those two large black dogs arrived with S n V following.  Into NP for tea n chat.

Next morning was cool as we woke to bird song and church bells.  On with the radiators to kill the chill.

How good it is to soak up the morning on a walk to the Bridge Store.

A change of plan

We were to move the boat to Heyford Fields Marina to be painted. When I contacted the painter he still could not give me a definite date despite his promise of a slot in June made back in January.  I have now cancelled my agreement with him.

As it happens the man who did our blacking at Cropredy Marina does topsides.  So I wait for a quote from him.  At least he does not require a deposit.

Meanwhile I continue to recover from my spell in hospital.  Done some gardening and go for a walk.

Hospital treatment

I got a tummy ache that was persistent. Went to the medical centre and saw a doctor, just walked in and saw him. He examined me and sent me direct to hospital with a letter. It was that quick. A bed was being made available so don't knock the NHS,  I was lucky it worked for me.

Quite by chance it was the same ward I had been in before Christmas. It did not take long to be examined, get a CT scan and start treatment. The problem was already healing and I was put on an antibiotic drip to clear up any infection.

During the following days a routine formed. Medication was given three times a day at 7am, 3pm and 11pm. Nurses checked blood pressure and temperature. I had a few disturbed nights.

A company called Steamplicity provided excellent meals ordered the same day. By the third day I was able to go walkabout for mild exercise and a change of view. My bed was by a window on the 5 th floor but it can be a bit cool if the window was open!

Some entertainment was provided when a helicopter arrived at the hospital twice and a road accident occurred within view! One of the patients was a young criminal chained to a guard! The guard and another changed shift over night. When they left a few days later and the criminal was putting his shoes on, the guard being hand cuffed to him had to bend down several times! You would not believe the attitude of some people. While one patient went off for an operation his partner and daughter continued to play Monopoly till gone 10 one night in the ward!

Amazingly a consultant came to see me several times, even twice on Sunday. Don't knock the NHS. At least it worked for me this time. I am back home after 5 nights inside!

Slow going

During breakfast we decided to stop again at that shop near Fenny for a few more provisions. Set off at 9 with a slow boat in front. Ann and Molly are in front walking the towpath and have to stop to let me catch up! The boat in front got stuck on a corner when another boat past the other way.

Yet another slow boat in front after we stopped at the shop!

Just past Fenny is the Tunnel Bridge and a narrow section that was a tunnel. We eventually got down two locks at Claydon where we stopped.

We walked the half mile to Claydon intending to visit the Bygone Museum but found it gone.

Heavy lorries are not meant to cross the canal hump bridge.

The summit pound

This ten-mile pound we are on is the canal between the top of Claydon locks and the top of Napton locks at Marston Doles. It needs dredging for most of its length. There are many bends in it, often with bridges at the bends! We could only achieve about 2 or 3 miles an hour. Any faster made the boat sticks to the bottom and goes strait on at the bends!

We stopped for a tea break at Fenny Compton Wharf. The Wharf Inn has a shop for essential provisions. We got coffee, tea, beans and marmalade there so it was well worth the visit.

We continued to Marston Doles where Windsong came round the corner. Roger and Pip helped us when we were on the river Nene many years ago now. We just exchanged greetings as we passed.

We continued down two locks and stopped near the engine arm but there is no phone signal here. Thankfully the TV was perfect. We have a limited time on board and at breakfast we decided to turn round. We would have turned down at Napton next day but that would have been a waste of water. Just could not face up to all those locks this time.

We are on board to enjoy the countryside not to cover miles and miles. Many fields are bright yellow with the Rapeseed. Other fields have sheep and new borne lambs. We got about half way back and stopped at Knotts Bridge 130. There is a tall radio mast and the High Speed rail link is planned to pass over the canal here.

News of interest

Extracts from Towpath Talk/Narrowboat World.

Dredging has taken place outside Crick marina before the show.  But water voles have a protected length where no boats can moor!

The IWA are encouraging contact with MP's to support for the Inland Waterways.  They are also organising the removal of invasive plants like Himalayan Balsam.

Many weirs on the Thames are being upgraded to help reduce flooding.

It seems that many canals are still being used for 'fly tipping'.  Volunteers are pulling out many large items.  Such things as bicycles, chairs, tyres and shopping trollies!

Are there fewer boats using the canals or are there more boaters not paying for their license?

A visit to the boat in May

Before leaving home we see the Rhododendrons blooming in Dibden woods.

It is a two hour drive north heading for Cropredy near Banbury, always plenty of cars and lorries to follow. We take three or four boxes containing food, clothes and electrical goods. Just cannot travel light!

Once on the boat it does not take long to wake her up by turning on water, electric and gas so we can make that refreshing cup of tea! We have a just over a week this time because we have commitments back home.

The marina is holding a boat jumble next weekend so we had a clear out. Tis surprising what you collect over the years!

The diesel and water tanks are full so the boat is ready to move. Then we get a phone call from our friends Terry and Myra. They visit on their way back from Crick and we go to the Brasenose Arms for lunch.

It is a lovely sunny afternoon so after lunch we set off north on the Oxford canal. We did eight locks in a few miles to get up to the summit at Claydon. Many other boaters were moving up and down helping us on the way.

Our boating plans

I just hope that these plans come true.  Reading the other blogs our friends write only remind me how I miss that way of life so.

We plan to get back up to Cropredy Marina on May the 12 th.  Traveling north on the Oxford and return home from Cropredy on May the 21 st.

We are to look after our grand children's animals while they are away on holiday.

Our next window of opportunity will be June the 2 nd.  Once again we move north and head on down to Bugbrooke where we are to get the boat painted some time in July.  The boat will be staying at Heyford Fields Marina for a while.

We need to get back home for Ann's next checkup at the end of June.  During July we probably will be driving up to see the painting in progress.

The Cropredy festival is in August so we will not return the boat till after that event.

Life on land is just not the same, being in one place and 'available' means that we get committed to do other things!  Just hope that while we are on the boat we get to meet some of our boating friends.  Please pencil those dates in your diary's!

Political History

Previous General Elections

1997   LABOUR          PM Tony Blair

Labour 419, Conservative 165, Liberal Democrats 46, Others 28, turn out 71%

2001   LABOUR          PM Tony Blair

Labour 413, Conservative 166, Liberal Democrats 52, Others 28, turn out 49%

2005 LABOUR           PM Gordon Brown

Labour 355, Conservative 197, Liberal Democrats 28, Others 32, turn out 61%

2010 CONSERVATIVE/LIB DEM     PM David Cameron

Conservative 306, Labour 258, Liberal Democrats 57, Others ?, turn out 65%

It is best to remember the past when deciding who to vote for.  Promises can be broken!  We should all use our democratic right to vote.

Party in the forest

It was a gathering of friends and family in the forest for Ann's 70 th and Tracy's 40 th.  Also Chris n Tracy have been married for 15 years!

We all had a fun time till midnight!  And stayed for B n B at the hotel.

Ann's birthday

After breakfast in bed I went for a walk in the New Forest with Chas n Molly.

 I heard the Cuckoo in the distance and the skylarks in the air.

When I got home after having lunch out and going to the garden centre there was all these cut flowers to admire.  Thanks to all of you who sent them.

Features of the forest

We took ourselves off to Dear Leap in the New Forest for a walk round in the sunshine.

 The pine trees stand tall...

 until they fall!

Some heather and silver birch in the open heath land.

Hill Head, Hampshire

We went to visit Hill Head when the tide was up.

It was a good walk along the beach with my brother.  There was a cool easterly wind and it was so misty the Isle of Wight could not be seen across the Solent.

A good week out

We got back to Cropredy on Friday and the weather has been good for us during our trip.  As we all know it was a very windy weekend.  We moved into the marina on Saturday before it got too difficult and topped up the diesel tank with 80 litres for £62.  That was 'zero rated' during the winter but next month it goes up to 60/40!

It was a bit of a challenge with the wind in the exposed marina but we used it to advantage to get next to our pontoon.  It is no good fighting against that wind!  Once tied up the aerial was set up and chimney extended.  Then it rained so we had timed our arrival well.

We got some 'Blue' for our Elsan in its taller container.  To avoid the Chinese copies.  They have a lot to answer for because the bottle does not fit under the shelf!

Tip of the week:-  Grease your cratch cover zips with Vaseline, it makes them so much easier.

Testing times

Before setting off I managed to wash down the other side and roof before it got damp.

We got the engine going, then the washing M/c.  Just to prove that we are not just fair weather movers we set off.  Above Bourton Lock the level was a bit low and we continued but picked up a thick plastic bag round the prop.  Thanks to Sue for suggesting getting those rubber gloves.

The shallow un dredged pound made it difficult to get the boat round the corners.  We stopped at the top of Slat Mill lock, lit the fire and hung out the washing.  By now the sun was helping to dry it all.

We had subscribed to Netflix and hoped that our streaming problems did not spoil the movie.  Logged on but before we could watch it they wanted me to download Silverlight.  So much better with no pauses.  I have just had to pay a bit extra to EE because I have used my allowance!

We have turned

Got down through Banbury lock, stopped near the Tramway moorings and went to Morrissons.

Just waiting for a boat to come up.

The Sovereign diesel supplier has closed.  It is a good job Dusty is still working hard with his supply boat full of diesel, coal and gas.  We passed him doing his business on our way back.

A boater told us that the pound above Bourton Lock is a bit low so we have stopped just below it.  TV and fire on at four.  Several boats have gone on up.

A walk in the park

Next day we moved on down to Banbury.  While Ann went shopping I set about washing down the roof and one side.  It had got into a terrible dirty state during that year off. When we turn to go back I suppose I will have to do the other side!

When Ann returned and after a snack lunch we went for that walk in the sunshine.

 I tried to row this thing but did not get very far!

And spring is here.

We got back just before it rained and watched 'Catch up' on 4OD.  Wanted to watch Pru and Timothy do the London canal.  Having our 4GEE dongle is all very well but 'streaming' video is still a bit stop and go.  I think pausing helps to reduce the long wait while the circle rotates.

A short cruise

Well we moved the boat at last!  Took a while to get away.  All these things to do before untying from the pontoon.  Washing machine going on mains power so we waited for that to finish.  Empty the bucket, fill the tank, open the sliding hatch, lift the fenders, start the engine. It started first time!  Hang on, remove the chimney, oh and the TV aerial.  Are we ready to move now?

We did all of five lock miles and stopped just past Bourton Lock 27.  Done three locks all with help from other boaters on the move and it was sunny.  Are we going to be fair weather boaters from now on?  Now we have to put the chimney and the TV aerial up again!  Oh good we got a picture.

A tour of the canals

We relied on 'Tommy' to get us to Bugbrooke, Braunston and back to Cropredy.  It was strange for us to see these familiar places once found by boat and now by car.

At Bugbrooke we met Mike Looby to talk about painting the boat in Heyford Fields Marina this year.  We had drawn and coloured in pictures to show him what we would like.  He showed us some colour charts and we made our choices.  No fixed date as yet but hopefully July.

Then it was off to Braunston for the shop and butcher.  Both still there including the Post Office.  The little cafe run by volunteers provided refreshments.  We got a new map book at the Marina and visited Jane and Bob Moore.  They used to have a boat called 'Hobo'.

The 2015 Eclipse

OK I cheat!   Credit: ESA/Proba-2.

We did not quite get the full on Eclipse at Cropredy but at least it was not cloudy!

A trip by car and boat

Sue n Vic on No Problem are heading down to the river Nene.  We were only a half hour drive away by car so off we go to Rothersthorp to help.  'Tommy' did the navigation for us once the post code from Sue was entered.  Robert, Kevin and his mum Sheila had started setting up the locks as we arrived.

We all met at bridge 4 and helped them down.  Kevin had gone on down to fill the locks ahead so Ann went down to join him.  Despite the cool cloudy day we kept warm with the activity.   As the boat passed we could smell the soup made by Vic, promised to revive us all near the bottom of the flight.

Once passed under the M1 we got on board as the locks were further apart.  Refreshments were taken inside the warm boat after getting through lock 15.  Then it was just two more locks down to the river.

Thanks to Robert who arranged the lift back up to the top.  We both enjoyed being able to rejoin the boating community if only for a short time.  Having two homes and getting away helps to break habits!

Back in 1999 we watched a solar eclipse when we were living in our bungalow.  I remember the street lights coming on!  That was before we set off on our adventures on the inland waterways.  Now we are back on board for holidays and experienced another eclipse!  I made a pin hole projector and saw the moon cover the sun.

Nature

We are in the marina and this is what we see through the galley window

And this is one of the spiders. The bathroom window is the only one open when we left.  But the spider is trapped by the fly net.

Back to the boat

It took a few hours to get up to Cropredy.  Monday was busy on the road with lorries and cars heading north on the A34.  When we arrived at the marina we grabbed a wheel barrow and unloaded the car into the boat.
It actually did not take long to wake up the boat systems.  The batteries had been kept full by the solar panels.  The water tank had been left nearly empty so after popping in a chlorine tablet we pumped the water out through the taps before filling it with fresh water.  Gas on and kettle boiling for that refreshing  cup of tea.
The boat was cool n dry when we arrived.  Just pressed the button to warm up the radiators and the boiler started up even after that year we were away.  The windows started to show the condensation once we started living on board.  After packing away food and clothing we lit the diesel fire to dry and warm the boat as it cooled outside.
We had brushed out the spiders, made the bed and put in a hot water bottle.  By now we were knackered!  For some reason a different set of muscles are used on a boat!  Got the aerial back on the roof and turned on the TV, by now we had plugged into the shore power.

 This is my new 4GEE My WiFi dongle.

 Next day we walked round  to the shop in Cropredy. We are not as fit as we were! But it was good to get back to the towpath.

Serendipity

Our Tom Tom did the navigation to Hungerford and we got there in just over the hour.  We met our friends for a walk along the Kennet and Avon canal.  It was a sunny but cold day with that Siberian wind.

I had searched on Google for a local pub and found 'The Downgate' in Park Street not far from the station. We could park the car near the common just by the pub. David and Janet welcomed us in and we all had a wonderful meal together.  Molly was welcome as well.  It was a lucky find.

Don' tempt Providence

But we plan to get back to the boat soon.  Seems that the more you really want to do some thing fate gets in the way.  Now it is sort of farewell gatherings with family and friends before we can get away!  I seem to be almost stuck in the 'office' sorting out problems with finance, medicals and keeping in touch.

So many things to think about.  What do we take back to the boat for the 'summer' months?  Part time boating is so different to living permanently on board.   I guess we will get used to it once we have got there.

I have invested in a 4GEE dongle so I can have WIFI where ever I go.  It is almost faster than the BT Hub!  BT keep on pestering me to upgrade to 'Infinity' but the fibre line terminates some way from the property.  We would still have copper wire to the phone/hub inside!  How can that be faster?  The fibre line would be better all the way into the building.

We realise that it is still cold in the evenings.  Our bungalow keeps us warm and cosy.  After a wonderfully sunny day out in the garden it was freezing when we let Molly out that evening!  So we will take warm clothing when we go this time!

Tree and spring

Ann wanted to see a picture of our tree now that it has been trimmed.

 And below it spring is springing!

Ann is doing locks

Thanks to Sue for the picture.

Ann is enjoying time travelling with Sue and Vic on No Problem.  Molly went too!

Tree trimmed

They came to give our Silver Birch a pruning.

When those branches came down they were huge on the ground!  The tree looks in better shape now.

'The 4400', a si fi story

It is a series of 45 episodes from America on Netflix.  Don' mess with your mind!  We are hooked!  It is all fiction of course?  Is it?  Sometimes the story flips from reality to imagination.  It is a 'must see' if you like si fi.

Southern Snow!

Winter scenes

 Frosty mornings

Bright sky

Fluffy, our Squirrel

Fluffy is our nick name for a squirrel that visits our garden.  He or she and younger ones often visit usually in the morning for their breakfast.  We say 'Fluffy' because Molly knows what a squirrel is and would chase it away!

Ann now has a small tripod for her camera that helps to get a clear shot.

Making plans & looking forward

It has been over a year since we moved off M2L.  Much time and money spent on land based property to keep us comfortable inside four walls and a low roof!

Medical issues, friends and family, exploring the New Forest and gardening have occupied our time.  But now we look forward to time back on board for short visits.  Ann has three months between checkups while Chas hopes that dental problems are sorted soon!

The boat is to be blacked this month, weather permitting, and the top sides badly need a fresh coat of colourful paint. A major effort required to keep Moore 2 Life looking good for a while longer.  We plan a new look for her.  No cream in sight!  But all that effort is not a job for us mind.

Just hope that when we get back we can cope with the locks and living on board.  Perhaps it is like riding a bike!  It will be very different to permanently living on board with much less on board than before.

From where we are at the moment perhaps the Oxford canal will be enough, who knows.  Cropredy Marina will remain the boat's home.  That is far enough away to drive from the Forest.

Why do we do it?

It is mid winter so we decorate our living space to brighten up those short grey days of the long shadows.

Then we rush around in a panic counting down to that one day that has to be perfect.  We spend money on presents and food like it is going out of fashion!

The presents are good to give and receive but the food becomes unusual and plentiful.  We even set fire to our pudding!

By the time the New Year arrives we are still eating that strange food.  We had cold Christmas pud with pine apple chunks and juice!  Cold slices of meat in sandwiches and those endless mince pies!  And we still have some of that rich Christmas cake which the grand children decorated.

All those nuts are still in their packets and we have not had a potato since that perfect day.  There is an abundance of sugar loaded candies, sweets and chocolates.  Also a cupboard full of alcoholic beverages.

Oh well we won't starve in January and won't need to go shopping except for the usual bread n milk.

Happy New Year to all our readers.

Happy Christmas

St. Nicholas was a fourth 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.

Crossing Boarders, a medical tour.

Where else can I start but at the beginning, the 4 th of December. A lump appeared distorting my face. It did not hurt much! (No sense no feeling?) I got an emergency appointment to see the doc the same day! I waited an hour and a half! The Doc said I had a bad tooth that should be extracted! She just gave me Antibiotics.

Next stop the Dentist. Not seen one since leaving the boat! Found one locally and just walked in. Within half an hour the offending tooth was out. Not NHS of course!

Just keep taking those Antibiotics that make your poo go soft but that lump just got bigger! Went back to the Doc who just looked at me and booked me a 'Fast Track' appointment at the hospital. That arrived a week later for the 19 th December.

I ran out of pills by Saturday. Had to ring 111 for advice. The only place open was in the next town so we went there and got more antibiotics that did not help.

I was in a loop of despair not knowing which way to go. Another option was an Emergency admission at the hospital. This bypasses all the medical routs so far taken. So I entered that other NHS door.

I joined the queue of other poor souls where some were smoking outside! After about an hour I was assessed for priority and taken in. A week earlier than that 'fast track' appointment!


A thorough examination followed by Xrays and a bed later that evening. I was to stay in three days. An operation took place early next morning to drain the abscess for that is what it was.

Once in the Hospital environment medical care is constant and effective. I was given two meals a day, monitored for medical conditions and given intravenous drips of antibiotics. The surgeon even came to see me several times. The drain under my chin was removed and I was discharged when they considered that I was better.

I went back to the Medical Centre and Dentist to tell them what had happened to me. Now the Dentist wants to see the Xrays taken at the Emergency department. The Medical Centre may not even get them! I certainly won't see them!

Now I must keep my mouth clean three times a day.

Forest flood

 Dibden Enclosure

Kings Hat's river is in flood

A walk in the woods

This is Dibden Enclosure in the New Forest.

One of the fallen, 1918

An ancestor on my mother's side was Richard Knight, 1880/1918. 

May we remember all who gave their lives for us.

New Forest

I am sure you all are getting board with our kitchen picture so here is a pony!

And this is at Ashlett Creek, looking across Southampton Water.

I am not sure about that landing stage for getting ashore from a boat!

Kitchen refit, 2

 I can wash up in the kitchen sink now.

But the gas hob has no gas so Ann cannot cook on it yet.

The new view

The window provides more light!

And a better view.