Moving south

We got up and out from Foxton a few days after Balmaha left. Got through Bosworth tunnel with our Bimini folded down and continued on to Welford junction. Here the visitor moorings have a concrete edge, rings and dry grass. Lovely to also find shelter from the wind. Next day we moved on and passed this seriously broken bridge.

Why are we seeing more of this damage? Is it due to lack of maintenance or increased boat traffic? A testament to the strength of these old brick built bridges is that they are still standing after suffering such damage.

This mooring by Barn Bridge 27

Stopped by Skew bridge to get water and met Peter n Pat from Molly May II. They have been travelling the waterways longer than we have. First met at Braunston and happen to meet at least once a year somewhere on the system. We moved on to near Yelverton and stayed a few days waiting for post. A few birds have found our feeders hung in the bushes.

Stuck in ice

Five days in one place and unable to move because the hire boats from Market Harborough are not going past us to break up the ice. The fog and frost making a blanket of white among the trees and grass. Just hoping the forecast of rising temperatures will arrive soon to remove the ice.

Diesel and water are becoming low. After 2 weeks we usually start looking to fill them up. Checked the tanks to find the water half full and the diesel half empty. “Or was that the other way round”? When the ice became soft after 2 days of above freezing temperatures we were able to move on to the facilities. Then on through the swing bridge to get diesel at Foxton Boat Services for 65p/litre. Then on to the visitor moorings where Les popped in for a cuppa and chat. The day before we had helped Mo n Vanessa up through the locks. They had broken ice to get out of Market Harborough.

Sheep in a cold and frosty field.

The last time we were at Foxton the site was under development. Now it has become a wonderful place full of interest and public amenities and is clearly popular.

Warm friends and cold ice

Mo n Vanessa suggested going off on a bus to town next morning at 10. A good day out in warm sunshine with our friends showing us around and enjoying a snack at ‘Joules’, a little cafe found down a narrow side street. After a fruitless search for printer ink we returned to the boats.

After a Tesco delivery both boats moved half way to Market Harborough stopping at a quiet place with a hard edge, dry tow path, a few trees and a hedge to hang the bird feeders on. Those last few days started cold with some ice on the cut which did not stop us moving. So took our boat down to Market Harborough to use the facilities. A few low bridges were squeezed under without having to lower the ‘bimini’. Looked for one of those caches, got bread n milk from a local shop and returned later to enjoy an evening on ‘Balmaha’.
Next day we left Mo n Vanessa to meet Terry n Myra at Foxton who arrived by car to stay on board for a few days. We got away from the still very public lock area to turn before the tunnel and stopped near Smeeton Westerby. Myra has kindly provided our first meal together which we enjoyed with a drop of wine. It became cold and frosty outside and the ice returned. After a breakfast of warm porridge we all went for a morning stroll returning to find the ice nearly gone. A few boats had passed by so we moved back to Foxton after lunch. The forecast was suggesting even colder evenings and we did not wish to be trapped away from the facilities. Just as well as the temperature dropped rapidly to – 7 over night.
We did not move at all next day and enjoyed a game of Mah-Jongg together. We joined the public to explore the recently cleared Inclined Plane and got refreshments at the cafe. The ice stayed all day and became cluttered with debris as the public kept throwing stones on to the ice. Even removing them from the very path they were walking on! “Must have been amused by the strange sound the ice makes when hit by large stones”. Just hope that British Waterways are taking their money at the ‘Foxton Locks’ pub and museum here to help maintain the attractions.

Foxton facilities

We both walked 6 miles there and back to Foxton. It was a sunny Saturday and when we got there were surprised to find it so busy. “Well it is half term and all the hire boats are coming out of Market Harborough”. Most of them joining the queue to go up the locks. Two lock keepers were on hand to offer advice and assist. One dressed with a bowler hat. We got there at midday and enjoyed a snack from the cafe by the top lock. Boaters tended to stop at the top for a rest by occupying both water points! There is also a pub and a boater’s cafe at the bottom. There is a car park at the top and bottom as well. That Saturday was a wonderful start for their holiday but what did they think when waking up to frost n ice in the morning?

The site of the Inclined Plane has been cleared of trees and undergrowth so can be seen for what it is, a derelict area. Much of the equipment has been lost or destroyed many years ago. It was operating in 1900 to bypass the locks. Powered by steam proved very uneconomical so was soon closed. The planned widening of the Watford locks never took place so the link between the wide north and south Grand Union canals remained narrow to this day.

We took our boat down a few days later. Ice had formed over night but was nearly gone when we moved. Got water at the top lock and waited a while for one boat to come up. Then it was our turn to go down the ‘stair case’ locks. By now it was a sunny warm day and many ‘gongoozlers’ were watching and helping as we went down. Each lock has a foot bridge across it and our biminy only just went under most of them but had to lower it a few inches for one bridge. At the bottom we turned right and opened that new swing bridge to head towards Market Harborough. But then stopped before a bridge where ‘Balmaha’ was waiting with Mo n Vanessa.

More wind, sunshine and walks

While it was windy we stayed put tied securely to rings ashore. Some weekenders ventured out but struggled to navigate along the canal with the wind pushing the boat off course. The water was whipped up into breaking waves. The sun came out next day and we moved on to Mill Bridge 40. A complete contrast to the previous days weather.

We walked up to North Kilworth, down past a farm following a very muddy bridle way. In places seeing signs of an early spring. The Katkins are out. The village was only a mile away but was mainly uphill and when we got there discovered no shop so walked round the church and returned to the boat. The wind and rain returned during the night and our fire was blown out! That anti down draft chimney was simply ineffective so it got removed.
We have been hanging up containers of nuts, seeds and a fat ball on the hedge. So we can watch the birds as they gather round sometimes being possessive about their discovery. An interesting assortment of types appeared and we looked them up in our book of birds. A robin, blue tits, coal tits, blue finch, hedge sparrow......Have all been identified. When we leave, a fat ball is left behind.
‘The old gent has been following the Jurassic Way and getting his leg over those styles again’

Down at Welford there are many walks to do. Like ‘round the reservoir’ or go on the ‘Jurassic Way’. “Why not look for the source of the Avon”. The locals provided confusion. Some said it was several miles away, while others said it starts at the reservoir. So we really do not know. The reservoir was created to supply water for the canal and in turn gets water from the surrounding hills which are dripping wet with several springs. So the Avon does start somewhere round here.

We did see some Grebe, Greylag & Canada geese and Coot. A fisherman pulled out a huge pike.

Walk about and storms

Back up the Watford flight of locks we decided to explore as it was a sunny day. Ann got the electronic map out and created a ‘route march’ of 3 1/2 miles to Watford and back. Down to the locks on the tow path then across a muddy field, under the motorway, up round the church and back to the boat. Proved difficult to get ones ‘leg over’ some of those stiles!

Next day we moved on to Crick through that wet tunnel. “It is always raining in there”. Then we discovered that the marina was closed on Mondays. “Needed diesel you see”. Will just have to stay overnight on those empty reserved winter moorings. They are apparently controlled by Crick Marina and not British Waterways. By the way we now have our new Gold Licence having collected our post. Having got the tank filled for 56p a litre we moved on to be near Yelvertoft, passing another broken bridge. It seems that some marinas are just profiteering.

A walk to Yelvertoft found a small Post Office / Shop with plenty of local fruit n veg and just up the road an excellent butcher. The walk was along a well kept bridle way which connects Yelvertoft and Crick in a straight line crossing the canal twice and passing Crack Hill. That hill looks a bit unnatural and it turns out that it was created when the tunnel was dug out!

Then the storm came through. We had to go out in the morning to tie down our back cover which was flapping about in the high winds. Thankfully no damage was done. Back inside the boat we felt secure as the storm continued to rage outside. Had breakfast and by noon the storm had passed.

We had done a local search for Geocaches and found one near the tunnel. We cut across on that bridle way and actually located the box using our GPS map. The trip took a full hour and 20 minutes there and back. It was sunny but with a cold wind and we got back to the boat just before a snow storm. Next day we woke to find ice had formed on the canal.

Rain, rain, computers and Bloggers

The Oxford canal at Braunston has turned muddy brown. So much water is running off the fields. It is just as well that the canal system can move the water away. Once again many rivers are in flood all over the country. The towpaths have become saturated and soft with mud provoking many complaints. Went to see Les while at Braunston as ‘Valerie’ was nearby. Good to catch up with his news after passing several times last year.

Next day proved to be a complete contrast weather wise, being right warm and dry. So we set off up the flight joining a boat called ‘Aboatime’. Always makes it easy when going up wide locks.

Then we saw that landslide just by the west end of the tunnel. I think BW must have removed trees and bushes but only a narrow boat can get by because of all the earth still in the canal. The land slide occurred last year and it seems that is the best B W can do for now. For the first time we put our back hood down in order to get through the ‘bent’ Braunston tunnel.

We turned left to go up on the Leicester line of the Grand Union canal and got diesel at Weltonfield Marina for an expensive 70 pence a litre. Such a pity that the supply boat Gosty Hill was down south on the Oxford canal for they were charging 50 pence! Our boat arrived at the Watford locks just in time to get up before they lock up for the day. The lock keeper was kind enough to assist on our way up. Then it was through Crick tunnel before stopping just past the marina. It had been a long day doing over 20 lock miles ending when we saw Mo n Vanessa on Balmaha. Spent several days in each other’s company and even going out for walks.

We have decided that more walking and less computing is better for us when it is a dry day. This is what we were happy with before the computer and internet seemed to absorb so much time. A new computer running Vista has been providing problems and absorbing time trying to get the printer working again. This is why a blog has not been written for a while.

A day out on a bus
The Daventry Dart bus is a 2 hourly service between Long Buckby and Daventry. Having taken the boat down the Watford locks, we walked down to the wharf to catch the bus. After 12 minutes we were in Daventry to see the Dentist do a bit of shopping and get a quick bite to eat. Got on the bus to return but did not recognise the way it was going! The driver did not know where we wanted to get off and after 20 minutes the bus had gone over the canal and beyond. “What should we do”. We got off at Long Buckby and luckily that was less than two miles from the canal so we walked back. Once on the boat the map was studied to see where the bus had gone. It was actually on a circular route passing different villages on the way. Had we stayed on board it may well have gone back over the canal again heading to Daventry!

Another Blogger

We noticed that Gypsy Rover was near us. So we tapped on the boat and introduced ourselves. Dot and Derek were pleased to see us and came round for a cup of tea and a chat. They are a lovely couple from New Zealand who have been touring our canals for a while.

A few days later we went north and they went west agreeing to meet up again soon.

Then the TESCO man arrived.

And we saw these early spring lambs.

Just another year !

We are back on our boat after spending several weeks with family and friends. Last minute changes to our plans were required as we could not get to our pre arranged mooring at Calcutt Marina before Christmas. British Waterways were repairing a culvert and a section of canal had been drained. Ice had formed on the canal in December as we tried to get from Ansty to Braunston so we just had to crunch through it. Once at Braunston we asked at the marina if they could fit us in. Always a problem in the winter months but as it happened a boat was to leave so we were able to go in. A car had been booked at Enterprise in Daventry and they came to collect us the same day. So after all the uncertainties we had our Christmas present and can go home to play with our grand children.

We then set about packing and shutting down the boat systems. Defrost the fridge, pump the water out of the pipes, shut down the fire and clean it out, turn off the gas and isolate the batteries before leaving. With the cat in a cage, our luggage loaded and the dog on the back seat we were off. Our life went up a few gears as we rushed along the roads trying to keep up with the traffic and managed to see family & friends back home. Also saw our Doctor for that all important medical review which is required to keep us registered.

We stayed with Chris n Tracy so that we could enjoy watching the boys open their presents on Christmas morning. Thankfully they did not wake too early. Then we all had lunch together and poured hot burning brandy on the pudding that Ann had made a few months earlier. At tea time we even had some of Ann’s Christmas cake! A few days later we moved up to stay with mum to celebrate my birthday and the New Year.

It was also Ben’s birthday so we stayed to go to his party which was held in a village hall in the New Forest. The theme was based on ‘Lazy Town’ and most of the children dressed up as various characters. It is a children’s program on the TV. Pass the parcel was enjoyed while sitting in a circle before eating at the long table. Ben managed to blow out all the candles on his cake.

By the time we had returned to the boat we had travelled 562 miles in the Ford Focus. More than enough in that short time.

England’s waterways may be in decline

The government is reducing financial support. Vital repair and maintenance is being reduced and allowing the system to collapse. Many old brick built bridges are cracked and damaged like this one at Ansty.

Already the Monmouth and Brecon Canal in Wales has suffered a catastrophic collapse. It was ‘cut in half’ when the bank gave way at Gilwern. That canal may remain closed next year. Many hire boat companies and businesses will suffer. British Waterways are wanting to increase the boat licence above inflation in an attempt to gain extra income from boaters. But we are not the only users of the waterways. Walkers, fishermen and even cyclists can come and enjoy the natural world of the waterways. It is a haven for wild life.

But the Oxford Canal Walk, 48 miles between Coventry and Oxford, has become impossible to walk as in many places it is overgrown or has collapsed into the canal as at All Oak Wood for example.

Half a mile of repair work has been carried out near Ansty which is a start and shows what the path could be like.

Icy days of winter
Ice formed on the cut over night as the temperature dropped below freezing for a couple of nights.

During breakfast a few swans were breaking the ice by trying to walk up on to it. We threw out some bread to encourage them. Then later a couple of boats came crunching by. We set off following the path of broken ice. Eventually the warm sunshine dispersed the majority of the ice sheets. Managed to get to our intended destination before the short day became cold again as the sun went down by mid afternoon. It is very important in these uncertain conditions to keep the water tank topped up. Had to pour warm water over the tap to un freeze the pipes. On our way under similar conditions next day we stopped to fill up with diesel. T. F. Yates was charging 63 p a litre which is less than Rose Narrowboats but more than the supply boat Gosty Hill. Seems that if you can get it for less than 60 p you are lucky these days. Mr Yates was thinking about packing up next year when diesel is set to jump up to ‘road prices’. Claiming that many boaters will get their fuel from the likes of Tesco in containers and pour it into their tanks. I do not want to think about the environmental damage that could occur when it spills into the waterways.

BW Service Standard, Survey

British Waterways have issued a 'Customer Service Standard' document. A surprisingly high standard to achieve in a couple of years. NABO have setup a survey on their web site. Your chance to put your view to BW through the National Association of Boat Owners. Have a look by clicking on our link.

Problems on the ‘cut’

We are members of the National Association of Boat Owners which has just had its AGM. Sadly membership is not growing despite there being so much going wrong with our lovely waterways. They are there to represent us in this time of need. The chairman has been to a lot of meetings with BW and the new Waterways Minister. BW have been ‘going through the motions’ of consulting but are insulting. Their consultations over mooring fees and licence fees are really ‘Take it or leave it’ situations. We have written to our MP about the sad state of our waterway system which is falling apart due to lack of investment. BW, in their wisdom, have issued a ‘Customer Service Standards’ document. IF all that it contains is achieved we may be happier boaters but who is going to pay for it all? Not just us poor boaters. Do click on our link to NABO to see what is going on.

Events between Braunston & Rugby

We are now limited by winter stoppages. British Waterways planned maintenance. Down at Braunston we got the bus to Daventry. Nearly missed it because Geof Amos had changed the time table. Just happened to be market day so we got some fresh veg. Tried to get our flu jabs at the medical centre but they could not give us an appointment yet. Did some Christmas shopping though.

Then family came up to see us. Wonderful to see our grand children and their parents on the boat again. Felt the need to get out of Braunston but the only way was north with the nearest turning point proving to be a long 5 miles distant. Stopped a mile out for an enjoyable meal together. Then on a few miles more till it was getting cold. Josh & Ben are growing up fast as expected. We played football outside for a while then with their toys inside. They both drew some pictures for us before we put them to bed. Next day we had to travel up to the turn and back to a few miles out of Braunston for lunch. It was a horrible cold damp day. With the benefit of hindsight it would have been better to stay in Braunston. Never mind, it was an enjoyable visit and ‘family’ enjoyed the trip on board.

For us now, a return to Rugby next day. Stopped at Hillmorton to see Reg and Elaine on Relain who provided tea and chat. Got gas for £18 and diesel for 60p a litre at Clifton before stopping at the almost empty Brownsover moorings. Yobs were seen chucking a shopping trolley into the canal. A fellow boater and Ann managed to return it to Tesco. Felt happier to move over to the other side for the night but still got a tap on the roof as people passed by. Perhaps a reason for the lack of boats here this winter. Another is the closure of damaged facilities.

Next day Tim and Lisa came to fit our new folding ‘biminy’ cover. That is what Tim called it. The frame had been fitted a few weeks earlier. It was quite a challenge for them but the result was fine. Unusual to be on a ‘traditional’ stern. Now we can travel about in the winter without getting cold and wet.

Bus, train, bloger, shop and friends

And so we progress slowly south now on the Oxford canal. We stopped at Ansty where Ann got a bus, train, bus all the way back to Gnosall. She got there and back in one day with time to enjoy the visit. It took us all of 12 days to do the same by boat on the canals! Just had to go back to see No Problem’s latest crew member namely a puppy called Meg. Also of course to say hello to Sue, Vic and Lucy. Sue’s homemade soup was consumed on board.

Next day we moved on down to Clifton. When passing through All Oaks Wood we recognised the name painted on the bow of ‘Khayamanzi’ and exchanged greetings with Andy as the blogers passed. Stopped at Brownsover near Rugby where only one other boat was moored. Usually many boats occupy both sides of the canal here. Went to Tesco to stock up. A very busy store on a Saturday afternoon. Bit of a culture shock with so many people about.

Continuing south we noticed that T. F. Yates was closed. Just hope it was because it was the weekend. Clifton Cruisers was open for business but on enquiry not Sundays over the winter months. Our navigation is limited now that Hawkesbury Lock is closed in the north and the canal is drained down at Lower Shuckburgh. We got filled up with diesel from Gosty Hill, a supply boat operating on the Ashby, Coventry and Oxford canals. Iain and Alison have been operating for a few years and have now painted their boat. They loaded up at Hawkesbury with the diesel and coal and found it slow going in the shallow canal. So we were pleased to see them as our tank was getting quite low. Always try to use the supply boats if we can. They won’t be back for three weeks so expect to fill up from one of the boat yards, marinas or hire fleet operators. The diesel price is going up due to extra duty.

Down at Barby we met up with Terry & Myra on Juno. Spent a few days in their company and walked up to Barby and back on a warm sunny morning.

New pictures of the Llangollen Canal

I have up loaded a new set of pictures. Please see our web site by clicking the link and go to the Canals page.
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Atherstone Locks

After our visit we moved up two locks of the Atherstone flight of locks and stopped for the weekend, not normally recommended because the water level goes up and down as boats go through the locks. In the evening a boat came up in the dark. Next day the lock keeper found that the gates and paddles had all been left open. All the water had drained out over night. Luckily we were OK being near the bottom lock. In the morning the lock keeper reset the paddles and shut the gates so it was not long before the entire flight was navigable again. We eventually got to the top ourselves where the keeper lives in the lock cottage.
He is a real asset to the system making sure that the flight of eleven locks are kept in working order. He also cuts the grass and keeps the flight neat and tidy. The top lock is treated as an extension to his garden with flower beds and boxes making a pleasant sight even at this time of year. He has a sense of humour as there is a well head in the corner with what appears to be people looking in and climbing out!

It must be said that the canal system would benefit greatly if there were more lock keepers and length men employed. They would be able to spot potential problems before becoming dangerous and threaten the navigation.

Alvercote Pools and Pooley Field

We are now travelling on the Coventry canal. 36 miles from Fradley in the north to Coventry in the south. It is half term and many boats are still 'out and about' this late in the season. So we decided to rush through Tamworth. In the event there was no problems, passing many colourful canalside gardens. Eventually stopping at Pooley Fields past Alvecote marina. Alvecote Pools and Pooley Fields contain many lakes surrounded by trees and laid out with paths to walk round.
Back in the 1960's Alvercote and Pooley collieries were very busy digging out tons of coal every day from below the surface. The only evidence of the mining activity are the pools and lakes caused by subsidence. There is a Heritage Centre built by one of the 'pit heads' by the canal. There are some new moorings near the centre from where you can walk up to it. Worth a visit for it houses a mining museum upstairs.
"The shafts of Alvecote Colliery, which was first mined in 1848, were relatively shallow and beset with problems of water seepage from the river Anker. Mining stopped in 1965 when it became uneconomical to keep pumping the water out." Both Alvecote and Pooley Collieries were built near the canal so that boats could transport the coal to Birmingham.
After our visit we moved up two locks of the Atherstone flight of locks. The resident Lock keeper keeps the bushes and grass cut so it all looks neat and tidy. So we stopped here for the weekend, not normally recommended because the water level goes up and down as boats go through the locks.

Nature is encroaching

The autumn boaters are out and respect is returning to the waterways. Quiet and peaceful with misty mornings and sunny days. It is a weekend and the smart painted boats are venturing out from the marinas. All bright and shiny. I wonder what the owners think when the paint can get scratched on the overhanging trees and bushes and when they run aground as they try to pass a boat.
We have travelled about many canals this year. Our overriding impression is that the canals are becoming restricted by nature. The canals have two sides, that is obvious, but British Waterways only own one side! The result is that nature is reaching out to restrict the width and the ground is falling in to reduce the depth. We have seen many large trees that are leaning over the canal ready to fall in. Just waiting for an excuse to close the navigation. It is surprising how much farm land is has been lost to the canal. When the canal is above the surrounding ground level it is increasingly in danger of breaching. This not only causes an instant closure of navigation but also floods the land and property. Causing discontent among the local community. There must also be discontent amongst the boaters.
The waterways don’t need discontent, they need public and government support to survive.

Computer failing

For some reason my computer is suddenly switching off with no warning. The battery slowly discharges even when plugged into the mains. It will only charge when off or 'hibernating.' It does not run without the battery even on the mains. I dare not do any more creative work in case I cannot save it on CD ROM's.
So I may not be able to do a Blog for a while. Do not take things for granted. You only realise what you had when it is gone. Contact with the world beyond the local area of the boat is possible. Blogers, emails, writing, banking, pictures etc will have to be on hold for a while.

Heading south

The 'Shroppie' is like a motorway being wide and strait but with less traffic than seen on the Llangollen. British Waterways 'stoppages' start in November. The lock at Hawkesbury, down near Coventry, will be closed as the gates are being replaced. So we need to get through before that. We are moving after breakfast, stopping for a rest and a bite to eat at midday, then moving on some more in the afternoons. Ten lock miles a day will be our average trip.
We got Tesco to deliver goodies when we got to Audlem. Once again placing our order on the internet the day before. Then moved on doing a lot of locks to get to Market Drayton. Up 11 at Audlem and another group of 5 at Adderley. That’s our quota for the day but with some help with boats coming down we made good progress.
Met John and Sue at Market Drayton who kindly offered to take us to the shops in their car. All the way across country towards Shrewsbury stopping short at the 'out of town' centre. Back at our friends house I was able to introduce them to our web site and blog on their computer.
Got water and used the facilities at Market Drayton then proceeded up the locks at Tyrley. A cheap paper notice from BW telling us that the facilities at Tyrley and Wheaton Aston were 'out of order'. We do hope that these facilities are not suffering from the lack of maintenance due to shortage of funds.
While proceeding up the 5 locks we were lucky to have 5 boats coming down so that the next lock was ready for us. Stopped for lunch near the old Cadbury's milk works at Knighton before continuing on to Anchor Bridge. On the way we passed Shebdon Embankment. About a mile of raised canal above the surrounding land hidden by trees. BW are in fact spending some money here reinforcing the bank with long steel piling. Two floating pontoons being used to carry all the heavy equipment. Just enough room to get by.

Back to Ellesmere

We all travelled back to Trevor and filled our tanks with diesel while watching the boat traffic coming across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. When it was our turn both boats went one behind the other across the Dee valley. It was when we got to the other side that we parted company with our friends on No Problem. "Parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say good night till it be morrow". But for us it will be next year. We have to get to Ellesmere where, sadly, it was confirmed that Tara is indeed suffering from an overactive thyroid. A bit of an emotional 'double whammy' for us.

Slow and shallow
The mooring spaces filled up during the afternoon. A small community of boaters showing their concern about our cat Tara. She now has to take two pills a day. Crushed up in a delicious jellied chicken which goes down well.
We left the next day following a hire boat which was in no hurry to get back to Whitchurch. So after an hour we stopped for lunch near Wixhall. The canal is very shallow on the bends and edges and every boat that passed put us on a sand bank! Much of the canal banks are badly eroded making the waterway look much wider than it is for clear navigation. It is surprising that the land owners are happy to loose 5 or 10 feet to the canal along its length. Despite the canal's popularity regular maintenance is not happening. There are still many boats on the move in October due to the warm dry days. The lock keepers at Krindly Brook will remain on duty all this month at least.