The gas locker and a battery

The gas locker up in the bow has two vent holes to let the gas escape if there is a leak. The only problem is that these vents are near the waterline. The bow wave tends to flood in and out making it damp inside. Every time we changed the gas bottle we noticed how rusty it was getting. There is a fair amount of ballast in there to keep the bow down making the boat more level than it would be. Our friend Vic from No Problem had helped many years ago to put it all in.
So we got around to it and took the bottles out plus some ballast, the unused anchor and much else besides. I got in and rearranged the ballast left inside. Then set about scraping all the loose rust off. The floor sounded quite thin and I was happy to realise that it was not the bottom of the boat! A coat of primer was applied and when dry a coat of blacking went on as well.

That evening another problem presented itself. The starter battery has failed. It was at least 5 years old and only the first replacement so it has done well with the boat now seven years old. River Canal Rescue came and 'jump' started the engine using a spanner to short between the starter and domestic batteries. "I could have done that!" The engineer did not have a battery to replace it but did check that the starter battery was being charged.

We then went into Crick Marina to get a replacement. The engineer, Tony Bale, got a new battery and fitted it next day. He is past retirement but happy to continue working in the mornings.
We moved about seven miles north near a bridge and good walks and settled down for the weekend. The launch of our friends boat Plaidy is now due on Monday afternoon so we will get back for that.

Friends on board and a Royal Wedding

Terry & Myra came up to Crick to see how their boat Plaidy was progressing. "Maybe next week now". They were told. We are waiting for the launch so our friends stayed on board for a few days. We have been up the Leicester section of the Grand Union before but had forgotten how pretty it is between Crick and Welford.

The trees are getting greener and the sun shines through reflecting back off the water as we move along.

It was a treat to let our friends do the driving as we admired the view while sitting at the quiet end. A few boats on the move but nothing like as many during the Easter week.
Next day we all watched the Royal Wedding in the morning. What a wonderful happy event it was for the Royal family and the nation. William and Kate being transformed to be the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge no less.

Painting a roof

The rubbish was cleared from the top of Crack’s Hill sometime that afternoon. Later in the week Ann returned to me after her week away in Devon.
Painting a narrowboat’s roof is not a simple matter of just applying paint. Preparation takes longer as any good painter knows. The roof becomes a storage area for all manner of things. TV aerials or satellite dishes, centre ropes, gang planks, and boat poles to name but a few.
We also needed guaranteed dry weather for a few days and some drive to get going. When all the equipment had been removed from the roof it became vast and intimidating. On close inspection every blemish is spotted, scraped, rubbed down and primed. Not with the usual ‘red lead’ but with ‘zinc phosphate’!

The day was just too hot when it came for the top coat so we waited till mid afternoon before opening the tin. “Oh that’s a bit bright” Ann said. “I wanted grey, not white.” International ‘Seattle Grey 251’ it said on the tin. There was nothing for it but to continue our task which took all afternoon and evening.
Boaters are going by almost every 5 minutes this Easter weekend and some have tried to send comments or emails without success. I am sorry but I have to approve them these days because some are just ‘unreadable’ or 'unprintable'.
Ann went walkabout with Molly and saw Tony and Judy on Jubilee two bridges away.

Out for a walk

Another early walk round Crick Millenium Wood with Molly.
I sat a while just listening to the birds with their chirpy cheep cheep, magic.

A bunch of dots

All together now..............Ahhh !

Up Crack’s Hill, again!

Molly insisted on taking me out again in the morning! “Yes, tis true. Not the first time up that hill this week!” As we approached the walk bridge I saw that a sheep was trying to get across with her lambs.

I managed to get them off and back in the field and shut the gates which were all open.

When I got to the top of the hill this is what I found.
Some ‘people’ have had a party and left the evidence behind. I have reported the situation to Crick Parish Council. It is so sad that our countryside is treated this way showing such lack of respect by some.

Sunshine and showers!

I got around to it, all syked up and got the paint pot and brushes out. Rubbed it all down in the morning, applied undercoat, had lunch and took Molly out for a walk in the sunshine.

We went up to the Crick Millennium Wood which was almost as high as Crack’s Hill.
Back on the boat I opened the tin of shiny blue. It was a bit windy and I hoped that the trees and bushes did not drop bits on the wet paint. There was a certain coolness in the air when I had just finished. And then it rained! Not much but enough to spoil the finish. Oh well it’ll be harder to get syked up tomorrow in order to rub down for a second coat!

Waiting for an event

We had gone through Braunston tunnel with Rock n Roll. Then we spent a couple of days placing orders with Tesco and waiting for the delivery. All too soon we parted company.

Sue n Vic had already gone south on the GU and George n Carol left to follow. We headed north up the locks near the Watford Gap Services on the M1. The motorway actually crosses the canal near the top lock. We stopped just short of Crick tunnel for the weekend.

Del and Al happened to stop and came on board for a cup of tea and chat before continuing their journey south.
Our journey through Crick tunnel was uneventful and we called into the marina for diesel and gas. When I went to pay I was told they would not accept my initial declaration of 10% ! “It is known that boats are moving now and you don’t have a mooring here, please declare 60%.” I told the man that I have to sign the declaration so I settled for 20% which in fact turned out to be near the mark. The diesel worked out at 99p a litre and the gas cost just over £25.


We continued to Crack’s Hill just by bridge 14 and have been watching the sheep, lambs, birds and making ginger cake.

Margaret on Seyella had given us the recipe and very nice it was too.
Our friends Terry and Myra are having a boat built at Crick and it is soon to be launched. We had hoped to both see the launch but it is delayed and Ann had already planned to go for a caravan holiday in Devon with the grandchildren. I will be occupied enjoying the sunny days painting bits of boat.

View from Crack's Hill.

Moving up

Just some pictures of recient events before and while we went up the Braunston locks and through that tunnel.

Moving north

Moving south

Rock n Roll and Moore 2 Life side by side

Passing the Admiral

Moving out

Entering the tunnel

And finally, inside!

Census at Clifton

Somebody gave Sue a few spare forms so at least some boaters on the Grand Union were able to do their duty to Queen and country. Sue gave me one of the code numbers so I was able to fill in the census form on line. We are now known as wanderers of the waterways. It will be interesting to see the results of this national survey to find out how many people are living in ‘mobile homes’. Perhaps the government will respond in some way to improve services they provide for those mobile users of the waterways. “Don’t hold your breath”.

Original colours now for Badsey
We had rushed all the way to Rugby and back to Clifton in order to purchase some vinyl flooring for our galley. It was a cold grey day which tested our resolve to keep going. Then Sunday was better for us as we stayed put and enjoyed a Sunday roast dinner with George n Carol on board.

Still waiting in Braunston

Ann went off to see the grand children again while I wait for post.

So far a pleasant few days going walkabout with Molly as the spring season develops.
Carol and George were kind enough to invite me round for a meal one evening on board Rock n Roll. I had cooked liver & bacon for my first meal on my own.
An engineer called to fix the grill which was inclined to go out before the toast was done. It was just a loose nut causing the flame sensor to go open circuit when hot.
I had done my duty and requested a census form to be sent to Braunston but as yet it has not arrived.
We had not intended to stay so long and were getting low on diesel so when Gosty Hill turned up I was happy to get Ian and Alison to fill the tank.

Social events and boats

We find ourselves staying in Braunston for a while. Sue n Vic, Les and us all went for a meal and chat in ‘The Boat’ right by the canal. Next day we helped No Problem and crew up the Braunston flight of 6 locks to the summit. Sue n Vic were soon on their way to that tunnel after saying our good bys. We walked back down on our own and Les invited us in for tea as we passed Valerie.
A day later Rock n Roll, Seyella and Windsong arrived on the scene. It was a completely unarranged gathering of blogging boaters which lasted for a moment. At one point the canal was almost blocked as we exchanged greetings over the roof of boats.
We went off on a bus to Daventry to get away and enjoy the sunny day. It was sad to see a few shops closing down. In particular Nobes the handy huge hardware store. We had lunch in our favourite cafe on the corner which had changed hands. But still a bright clean place to sit and enjoy snacks, coffee or meals.
On our return we had time to visit the marina and see the gathering of Share Boats. They offer the means to own a smart boat and enjoy exploring the waterways for a month. Seems huge private investments are going into boats and marinas these days. It is such a shame that the public purse is not so willing to keep the waterways in good repair. It was quite noticeable how much frost damage had occurred during that hard winter. Many loose bricks requiring a lot of re pointing or replacing.

A touch of Spring

Near Braunston Turn

Computer widows or slaves

Which one are you? That ‘computer’ does so much and we have all grown to rely on it so much. How can we get on without it now? Having upgraded to Windows 7 my Toshiba Satellite with ‘only’ 1 GB memory was just a bit slow. It was OK for XP in the past. Upgrading presents so many problems with hardware and software compatibility. Our good friend Sue has sorted it out by increasing the memory to 4 GB. Much faster now.
There are so many things we can do on computers. We can communicate with other like minded souls through this blog or our web site, control finances, collect pictures & music and even load Kindle books. Even food can be ordered and delivered.
I need to limit my time ‘computing’ because there are other things to do. Time together with Ann, moving & painting the boat and getting out for walks seem more natural and necessary for a balanced life style.

Wet, muddy n grubby

Seem to be drifting along slowly but making some progress heading south. The town of Atherstone has had a makeover since we last passed this way. The shops along the roman street have been painted and the town is busy with people.
Back on the canal it is a different story. The damp weather has just made the poor state of the tow paths worse. Puddles and mud making it difficult and unpleasant to walk.

This was back in 2004
It is such a shame that the lock keeper appears to have left. In many past years the flight of locks were so well kept with painted gates, cut grass, trimmed hedges and tubs of flowers at the top lock cottage.
Any volunteers that British Waterways are looking for will have a hard act to follow. Apparently ‘Job Seekers’ have been volunteered to work on the tow paths around Stoke. The teams have been set to work cutting back vegetation, repainting metalwork and resurfacing the paths. A scheme organised between the government. B. W. and the local council. Let’s hope that will encourage the general public to show some respect to the canals.
Despite our seemingly slow progress we have got through that grubby town of Nuneaton. Rubbish is being thrown over into the canal at bridges and covers the banks with drink containers, plastic bags and goodness knows what else. Perhaps the council here should be getting volunteers to clear it but maybe they don’t care either.
We are now on the Oxford canal and stopping around Rugby. The tow paths here are no better.
The sun came out to play its warmth on the land and we walked round Newbold Quarry lake with Sue, Vic and the girls.

Why is that left there?

Simple, just put it in there.

Just a quiet place.
We then stopped the night at Clifton. Ann went up to the shops to get her hair cut and bring back the post. I set to and cleaned out our oil fire which needs scraping out every two or three weeks. The oil leaves behind a handful of carbon deposits which needs a sharp knife to loosen it. Also discovered that the securing screws had got loose and the whole fire had moved a bit.

Next day was sunny n warm which made for an enjoyable trip up the Hillmorton locks. The rare cast iron 150 year old gates have been taken out, restored, painted and replaced. But the lock paddles are always hard to lift on this flight and the winter stoppage has not improved them.
Moved on to a mooring near the prison for naughty boys. Later we were joined by Les on NB Valery.

Where are we?

The National Census is about to record where we all are and how many mouths need feeding for the next ten years. We have been on a boat moving about the countryside since they last checked. We know where we are but how can they know? Well I would hope that our postal address will do but we are not there very often. I suspect that there are many cases where people are not counted.

Here we are at Huddlesford
We have moved again! No problem following that boat from Hopwas to Alvechurch. That other boat ‘Balmahaaa’ passed by. We are quite independent really until we hit those locks when we helped each other through. One paddle on the first lock did not open so it was so so slow to fill.

Here we are at Fazeley
We had filled the front tank at Fazeley Junction. Our attempt to go south of Birmingham will bear fruit now we have gone round the north of it.

Tea, cake and flapjacks

When Sue n Vic got their new prop fitted and tested to their great satisfaction both boats stopped further on.

Creating a gathering of three boats which included Derwent 6. Once we had got secured to the bank and relit the fire Del & Al invited us all round for hot drinks while Ann provided her melt in the mouth coffee cake.
Next day we returned the favour by inviting them all on Moore 2 Life and enjoyed homemade flapjacks made by Ann and Al.

We moved on to Huddlesford to pick up a Tesco order in the morming. While busy putting it all away Balmaha passed with a greeting and continued to Whittington. Next thing we know there we were all inside with Mo and Ness enjoying their tea n cake.

A Water Closet

A rose by any other name..... I wonder why Towpath Talk is referring to ‘British Waterways’, when under new management, as ‘New Waterways Charity’ when the name is not yet decided. At the moment you may well think that the canal system is a Water Closet; somewhere to dump rubbish.
It was while staying in Rugeley that we saw a bonfire burning late at night. It was near the edge of the canal and some of the rubbish ended up in the water with a big splash. The general public it seems are intent on ‘loosing’ their unwanted by spreading it about the countryside and in the waterways.
Massive cleanups by various voluntary organisations do their very best but it seems they have to keep doing it. A clean sweep is very much required within those organisations that claim to be looking after our waterways. Volunteers already do their bit but there really is a need to employ lock keepers and lengthmen with the local knowledge to properly look after our waterway system.
Redundancies are happening at the wrong end of British Waterways in an attempt to save money. That approach is clearly not working. One man at the top costs much more than one at the bottom, but the ones at the bottom are worth a lot more. It is not a WC that we need, it is people who care and know how to look after the waterways.

The sun shines

It was one of those days that reminded us of the good times when we really enjoy boating. We did not go far but we went slowly and ‘drunk in the wine’ it was so good. Spring is in the air and the evidence on the ground. Woodland carpets of snowdrops and crocus. The early signs before spring gets going with daffodils. Only three miles but it was Cannock Chase, open countryside with the warmth of the sun on our faces.
All too soon we had arrived at Rugeley where our records show that we have been here most years since 2001. Spent a few days here to shop and look around before moving on. Seems many boats are doing the same between stoppages. We drifted on past the power station belching steam and pollution, through the narrows at Armitage and stopped near Kings Bromley.

While travelling on the canals we are often amused by the humorous sights provided by those on land. Often unseen by those who stand on solid ground. We appreciate those who provide us with something to see that is pretty, well kept and creative. The back gardens which slope down to the canal edge where the owners cannot see from their own homes. There is, sadly, such a contrast between villages, towns and cities that either turn their backs on the waterways and those that embrace them.

Stocking up

After a couple of days at Tixel Wide we moved into Great Haywood when the ice had gone. It was way back at the beginning of November last year that we had left here intending to return in December. You can never be too sure how plans will work out with our nomadic life style. We have to be prepared for any eventuality. It was that early start to winter that stopped us getting back.
We backed up to the water point with some difficulty due to the wind so that we were facing in the direction we intended to leave. Eventually after some time going sideways we got there and were being pulled in by Shelia from Sanity Again. Bruce was there as well. Strange to remember that they were there when we left! “Thanks for your help.” Got the water tank filled and that other cassette emptied then filled the diesel tank.
Once all done we moved off to the Visitor Moorings and went shopping. The butcher had some rabbit and venison for sale. It is a very long time ago that we had rabbit stew. When we caught up with Sue she lent us her Farmers Kitchen book which had a recipe using rice and tomatoes with bacon. “Not quite the taste expected but, as I remembered, it was full of bones.” I look forward to the venison stakes later.
We have now got past that Colwich lock which was due to shut soon for three weeks. I wonder what they have planned this year.

This picture taken in Novmber 2009
The bottom gates are very heavy to move and are so unbalanced they open themselves. The previous efforts did not solve the problem. The new owners of that Lock Cottage must be a bit put out having their back garden used for access.