We had a productive couple of days,although Friday was 'dodge the showers' day. One side of Morgana, now nameless, is undercoated, so is one side of Merlin. The door I am trying to construct for between the engine room and the bedroom is beginning to take shape, although I probably won't get much more done to it for a while as I need to have the workmate out on the towpath and our next few moorings are likely to be a bit 'urban' for that.
We spent today cruising in glorious sunshine, listening to the Grand Prix as we went along, the wind was a bit of a pain when we were travelling slowly past moored boats and we lost our chimney to an overhanging tree.
The chimney was a homemade one and beginning to look a bit battered so I'm not shedding any tears.
We have moored for the night above Curdworth Top Lock listening to the gently hum of traffic on the M6 Toll and the occasional roar of an aircraft on its approach to Birmingham International. Actually it is relatively peaceful for the most part.
Tomorrow's journey will be relatively short as we head into Birmingham, we hope to moor at either Cuckoo Wharf or Star City before the long haul of 21 locks into Cambrian Wharf in the center of Brum.
Today's journey 4.6 miles and 11 locks
This year we have travelled 290.5 miles, 258 locks, 6 swing bridges, 13 lift bridges and 2 tunnels
In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks, 55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 2369.1 miles, 2019 locks, 117 swing bridges, 74 lift bridges and 73 tunnels
Sunday, 30 June 2013
Wednesday, 26 June 2013
Onto the Birmingham and Fazely
Another sunshiny day so we got a few more miles under our belt. The weather forecast from here on seems to be a bit of matter for debate between the various weather sites so we took advantage of the sun while it is here.
Before we headed off Ray picked elderflowers and our first batch of elderflower champagne of the year is now brewing. As there were only a couple of locks on our planned journey today I did some washing while we travelled, not too much I wanted to enjoy the sun.
The fishermen were out in force on the approach to Tamworth but they were all good natured, everything is better when the sun shines.
The two Glascote locks were very easy, straight into both of them and no need to close up because there was another boat waiting to go up. I made a complete pigs ear of the turning onto the Birmingham and Fazely, I don't like it from this direction, you can't start turning until you are through the bridge and then any forward motion means you overshoot the junction. I got us round eventually and then we headed out of Tamworth for a couple of miles and moored before we reached the Curdworth Locks.
Showers are predicted for tomorrow and Friday so we are going to linger between here and Minworth until Sunday so we can do the run through Birmingham on Monday rather than at the weekend.
Today's journey 5.9 miles and 2 locks
This year we have travelled 285.9 miles, 247 locks, 6 swing bridges, 13 lift bridges and 2 tunnels
In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks, 55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 2364.5 miles, 2008 locks, 117 swing bridges, 74 lift bridges and 73 tunnels
Before we headed off Ray picked elderflowers and our first batch of elderflower champagne of the year is now brewing. As there were only a couple of locks on our planned journey today I did some washing while we travelled, not too much I wanted to enjoy the sun.
The fishermen were out in force on the approach to Tamworth but they were all good natured, everything is better when the sun shines.
The two Glascote locks were very easy, straight into both of them and no need to close up because there was another boat waiting to go up. I made a complete pigs ear of the turning onto the Birmingham and Fazely, I don't like it from this direction, you can't start turning until you are through the bridge and then any forward motion means you overshoot the junction. I got us round eventually and then we headed out of Tamworth for a couple of miles and moored before we reached the Curdworth Locks.
Showers are predicted for tomorrow and Friday so we are going to linger between here and Minworth until Sunday so we can do the run through Birmingham on Monday rather than at the weekend.
Today's journey 5.9 miles and 2 locks
This year we have travelled 285.9 miles, 247 locks, 6 swing bridges, 13 lift bridges and 2 tunnels
In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks, 55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 2364.5 miles, 2008 locks, 117 swing bridges, 74 lift bridges and 73 tunnels
Tuesday, 25 June 2013
Atherstone and onwards
We spent the weekend plus a bit at Atherstone, I think we had it all weatherwise, rain, hail, strong winds, sunshine but no snow!
We are moored in about the same spot as where we had the goat on the boat last year. No goat this time but we did have a rabbit for a couple of days. Treat brought it on board, still alive of course and then lost it under the bed. We looked for it and couldn't find it so hoped it would reappear and one of the cats would catch it. The next day, Sunday, we looked again, no sign of it and no indication from the cats that there was anything onboard worth hunting. Then in the early hours of Monday morning I woke to find three of the four cats surrounding my left boot, hiding right down in the toe of it was the rabbit, uninjured. Ray took the boot outside and shook the rabbit onto the towpath where it happily ran off none the worse for it's experience.
This morning I walked up into Atherstone to visit a shop that sells herbs, not the usual cooking ones but medicinal ones so I did a bit of stocking up. Mullein, eyebright, passionflower and eucalyptus. when I got back we were ready to move.
Except that when I started the engine there was no water flow on the raw water cooling system. Turn the engine off check the filter and pipes. Start the engine again, still no water flow. Stop the engine, check the water pump and drive belt. Start the engine again, water flow even though we hadn't adjusted anything. I walked down to the lock to set it expecting Ray to come cruising towards me. No sign of movement, so I walked back. You guessed it, engine off because there was no water flow. On the sixth attempt we actually got everything running and were able to move, and we still aren't sure what the problem was.
We made our way down through the remaining six Atherstone Locks, stopped at Bradley Green to get rid of our rubbish then made our way towards Nuneaton. We moored short of Nuneaton just after Polesworth for the night. The first job tomorrow is elderflower picking for our first batch of elderflower champagne.
We are slowly making our way to Birmingham with the intention of travelling down to Bristol to see the new arrival in about 10 days or so.
Today's journey 4.3 miles and 6 locks
This year we have travelled 280 miles, 245 locks, 6 swing bridges, 13 lift bridges and 2 tunnels
In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks, 55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 2358.6 miles, 2006 locks, 117 swing bridges, 74 lift bridges and 73 tunnels
We are moored in about the same spot as where we had the goat on the boat last year. No goat this time but we did have a rabbit for a couple of days. Treat brought it on board, still alive of course and then lost it under the bed. We looked for it and couldn't find it so hoped it would reappear and one of the cats would catch it. The next day, Sunday, we looked again, no sign of it and no indication from the cats that there was anything onboard worth hunting. Then in the early hours of Monday morning I woke to find three of the four cats surrounding my left boot, hiding right down in the toe of it was the rabbit, uninjured. Ray took the boot outside and shook the rabbit onto the towpath where it happily ran off none the worse for it's experience.
This morning I walked up into Atherstone to visit a shop that sells herbs, not the usual cooking ones but medicinal ones so I did a bit of stocking up. Mullein, eyebright, passionflower and eucalyptus. when I got back we were ready to move.
Except that when I started the engine there was no water flow on the raw water cooling system. Turn the engine off check the filter and pipes. Start the engine again, still no water flow. Stop the engine, check the water pump and drive belt. Start the engine again, water flow even though we hadn't adjusted anything. I walked down to the lock to set it expecting Ray to come cruising towards me. No sign of movement, so I walked back. You guessed it, engine off because there was no water flow. On the sixth attempt we actually got everything running and were able to move, and we still aren't sure what the problem was.
We made our way down through the remaining six Atherstone Locks, stopped at Bradley Green to get rid of our rubbish then made our way towards Nuneaton. We moored short of Nuneaton just after Polesworth for the night. The first job tomorrow is elderflower picking for our first batch of elderflower champagne.
We are slowly making our way to Birmingham with the intention of travelling down to Bristol to see the new arrival in about 10 days or so.
Today's journey 4.3 miles and 6 locks
This year we have travelled 280 miles, 245 locks, 6 swing bridges, 13 lift bridges and 2 tunnels
In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks, 55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 2358.6 miles, 2006 locks, 117 swing bridges, 74 lift bridges and 73 tunnels
Thursday, 20 June 2013
Celebrating!!!
Today's post covers two days and here is the reason why
Huge congratulations to Keith and Leesa. She was born two and a half weeks early, a little light but all is well. I couldn't say anything yesterday until the proud parents had made their own announcements. I can't wait to see her.
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| Eleanor Faith Jones born yesterday |
After a fairly early morning phone call we had a lovely day cruising in the sunshine.We continued up the Oxford Canal to Hawkesbury Junction and onto the Coventry Canal. The brambles around the junction have the biggest flowers I have ever seen, I wonder if the fruit is equally big ? We have also noticed that there seem to be loads of moorhen chicks around this year, I don't think I've ever seen so many. At one point on our journey we heard a muffled bang, a bit like a distant shotgun or a crow scarer then when I went into the boat this is what I found.
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| Bye, bye ginger beer !! |
Now the thing with homemade ginger beer is it carries on brewing in the bottle so you have to unscrew the cap every day to release the pressure. This morning I was a little distracted after my early morning news and forgot! A litre and a half of ginger beer all over the carpet, the couch and probably other places I haven't found yet. What a waste, I bet the cats jumped !!
We moored for the night just north of Bedworth and then continued to Atherstone today. So sad, we saw two sunken boats today. The rain held off until we reached the locks at Atherstone then it started and got progressively heavier. After five locks I'd had enough and we moored in the long pound beyond the A5 bridge. We will probably be here for the weekend as the weather forecast isn't very encouraging. I'm sure lots of things have happened over the past couple of days but my brain has turned to 'new grandma' mush.
We moored for the night just north of Bedworth and then continued to Atherstone today. So sad, we saw two sunken boats today. The rain held off until we reached the locks at Atherstone then it started and got progressively heavier. After five locks I'd had enough and we moored in the long pound beyond the A5 bridge. We will probably be here for the weekend as the weather forecast isn't very encouraging. I'm sure lots of things have happened over the past couple of days but my brain has turned to 'new grandma' mush.
I've just realised that our last lock today was our 2000th since Ray retired !
Yesterday and today's journeys 23.3 miles, 6 locks and 1 swing bridge
This year we have travelled 275.7 miles, 239 locks, 6 swing bridges, 13 lift bridges and 2 tunnels
In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks, 55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 2354.3 miles, 2000 locks, 117 swing bridges, 74 lift bridges and 73 tunnels
This year we have travelled 275.7 miles, 239 locks, 6 swing bridges, 13 lift bridges and 2 tunnels
In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks, 55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 2354.3 miles, 2000 locks, 117 swing bridges, 74 lift bridges and 73 tunnels
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
Keeping you all guessing !
Oops, I didn't realise I had left it quite so long since my last post, very lazy of me. After keeping you all guessing for a week I better update things.
We are now at Rugby, well Clifton-upon-Dunsmore to be exact because the canal doesn't actually go to Rugby. We left Wigram's Turn on Wednesday in rather wild and windy weather, it made it fun on the s-bends between there and Braunston. For once there was nothing coming in any direction at the junction at Braunston so we were straight onto the North Oxford heading for Rugby. As the afternoon progressed the wind got stronger and the sky got darker so we moored a little sooner than planned just short of Barby.
The weather on Thursday was forecast to be extremely windy so we stayed where we were until Friday then headed through Hillmorton Locks where we had a very easy passage. For those who don't know Hillmorton Locks are paired locks so although you only have to negotiate three locks there are actually six locks (three pairs). A kind CRT employee who was bringing a workboat up through the nearside lock opened the gate on the offside lock for us so we could cruise straight in, then there was a boat coming up through the next lock so we left the gates open for them and they did the same for us. One more lock to do and there were a group of three CRT volunteers at that one so I just let them do all the work, easy!
From Hillmorton it is about an hour to Clifton,we hoped to be able to moor by the park but there wasn't space so we just moored a little further along beside the retail park.
On Saturday Mandy, Tony, Mikey and Dani came to visit, it was a pity the weather wasn't better but we had a nice relaxing day. Sunday was a bit of a boat maintenance day and Ray discovered we needed a new oil filter so yesterday we walked down to Willow Wren Cruisers and they ordered one for us which Ray has just collected and is in the process of fitting. Hopefully we will move on from here tomorrow,the weather forecast is good although at the moment it looks as if it is about to chuck it down with rain. It feels a bit stormy too.
While we have been here the elderflowers have really started to bloom so I've made sure I have plenty of sugar and lemons ready to make elderflower champagne. The ginger beer tastes good but is a little bitter, I'll have to modify the recipe a bit next time.
In the past week we have travelled 15.8 miles and 3 locks
This year we have travelled 252.4 miles, 233 locks, 5 swing bridges, 13 lift bridges and 2 tunnels
In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks, 55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 2331 miles, 1994 locks, 116 swing bridges, 74 lift bridges and 73 tunnels
Tuesday, 11 June 2013
Wigrams Turn
Yesterday we continued our journey down through Napton Locks and moored at the junction of the Oxford and Grand Union Canals at Wigrams Turn. We had a good journey, it was warm but not sunny. As each day passes the canal gets busier with more holidaymakers out and about either on their own boats or hired ones. I'm sure the trend will continue until the autumn when we will start to have the waterways virtually to ourselves again. Busier canals have advantages and disadvantages, when it is busier working through locks is often easier with either another crew to share the work or the chance to be lazy and leave the gates open for an approaching boat. It gets harder to moor in your chosen spot of course, but as we normally try to moor up by about four in the afternoon we are often moored long before the holidaymakers think about stopping.
When we moored we decided to carry on with the DIY and encountered the five minute job that took two hours. After having made the new seating for the cratch it was time to remove the old cratch board. It was only secured by two nuts and bolts, simple! One bolt unscrewed very easily, on the other the nut had corroded so badly that it was impossible to turn. We tried just about everything and eventually Ray had to take a hacksaw to the bolt in order to remove it. It is so nice to now have a forward view when sitting in the prow or inside the boat with the doors open.
I spent some time today 'modifying' a tarpaulin into a cover so that we can keep the rain off our new seats, it needs further work but I'm getting there. My shelves are nearly finished but both they and the seating will need painting. I'm just waiting to decide whether we are heading for Rugby or Warwick and hopefully we will go in a direction tomorrow.
Yesterday's journey 5.7 miles and 9 locks
This year we have travelled 236.6 miles, 230 locks, 5 swing bridges, 13 lift bridges and 2 tunnels
In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks, 55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 2315.2 miles, 1991 locks, 116 swing bridges, 74 lift bridges and 73 tunnels
When we moored we decided to carry on with the DIY and encountered the five minute job that took two hours. After having made the new seating for the cratch it was time to remove the old cratch board. It was only secured by two nuts and bolts, simple! One bolt unscrewed very easily, on the other the nut had corroded so badly that it was impossible to turn. We tried just about everything and eventually Ray had to take a hacksaw to the bolt in order to remove it. It is so nice to now have a forward view when sitting in the prow or inside the boat with the doors open.
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| The view from my front doors |
Yesterday's journey 5.7 miles and 9 locks
This year we have travelled 236.6 miles, 230 locks, 5 swing bridges, 13 lift bridges and 2 tunnels
In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks, 55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 2315.2 miles, 1991 locks, 116 swing bridges, 74 lift bridges and 73 tunnels
Sunday, 9 June 2013
A nice weekend
Well, we got most but not all of our DIY jobs done then yesterday we were on the move again. The seating proved a bit more work than we anticipated so we didn't get my shelves made and I didn't have enough compost for everything so some planting will have to wait until I can get some more.
We started out mid morning and made our way up through the locks to Cropredy then onwards to the bottom of Claydon Locks where we had considered stopping but a really poor internet signal combined with a complete lack of television signal made us decide to carry on. the weather was kind, not wall-to-wall sunshine but warm and bright so nice cruising weather. We found a good spot not far beyond the top lock at Claydon and so were able to watch the qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix. There weren't even very many boaters on the move when you take into consideration the fact that it is now June.
Today we made another lazy start and had a leisurely three hour cruise to Priors Hardwick where we stopped for the night, again with a decent TV signal so we were able to watch the Grand Prix. After a very late dinner (because I lost track of time watching the Grand Prix) we watched the final episode of season one of Game of Thrones which we have been working our way through over the past couple of weeks. Time to try and afford series two.
I started some ginger beer brewing on Friday and bottled it last night and we are beginning to see the first elderflowers so elderflower champagne will be the next off the production line. Surprisingly all the dandelions seem to have disappeared, I was going to make some dandelion balm for my achy joints, I'm sure they will be back, dandelions always are!
We are heading for Napton Junction but aren't sure where we are heading after that as we might have visitors next weekend so might head to Rugby rather than Warwick as it will be closer for them.
This weekend we travelled 14.8 miles and 12 locks
This year we have travelled 230.9 miles, 221 locks, 5 swing bridges, 13 lift bridges and 2 tunnels
In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks, 55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 2309.5 miles, 1982 locks, 116 swing bridges, 74 lift bridges and 73 tunnels
We started out mid morning and made our way up through the locks to Cropredy then onwards to the bottom of Claydon Locks where we had considered stopping but a really poor internet signal combined with a complete lack of television signal made us decide to carry on. the weather was kind, not wall-to-wall sunshine but warm and bright so nice cruising weather. We found a good spot not far beyond the top lock at Claydon and so were able to watch the qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix. There weren't even very many boaters on the move when you take into consideration the fact that it is now June.
Today we made another lazy start and had a leisurely three hour cruise to Priors Hardwick where we stopped for the night, again with a decent TV signal so we were able to watch the Grand Prix. After a very late dinner (because I lost track of time watching the Grand Prix) we watched the final episode of season one of Game of Thrones which we have been working our way through over the past couple of weeks. Time to try and afford series two.
I started some ginger beer brewing on Friday and bottled it last night and we are beginning to see the first elderflowers so elderflower champagne will be the next off the production line. Surprisingly all the dandelions seem to have disappeared, I was going to make some dandelion balm for my achy joints, I'm sure they will be back, dandelions always are!
We are heading for Napton Junction but aren't sure where we are heading after that as we might have visitors next weekend so might head to Rugby rather than Warwick as it will be closer for them.
This weekend we travelled 14.8 miles and 12 locks
This year we have travelled 230.9 miles, 221 locks, 5 swing bridges, 13 lift bridges and 2 tunnels
In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks, 55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 2309.5 miles, 1982 locks, 116 swing bridges, 74 lift bridges and 73 tunnels
Thursday, 6 June 2013
Lazy Days
We have been very lazy for the past week, well lazy as far as cruising is concerned anyway.
Last Friday we made our way back to Banbury and moored on the 14 day moorings below the lock. We did the usual round of shopping, I found the Saturday market in Banbury a bit disappointing, I was expecting it to be better than the Thursday one and it was about the same. I'm hoping that the risk of frost is really past now and have bought compost to refresh my planters.
On Monday we moved up through the lock and the lift bridge, stopped at the boatyard for diesel and. gas, then carried on about another mile before mooring up. This spot is reasonably convenient for B&Q and some DIY is happening. As Ray gets his 'old codger's discount' on a Wednesday we spent Tuesday planning the work and getting the washing done.
Yesterday we did a trip to B&Q, returning with wood, chicken wire, staples, a double socket and plants. The wood is to make seats in the cratch on top of the water tanks,some shelves to suspend between the handrail and the gunwale to display my wares when we are trading and combined with the chicken wire to make a ventilated alternative to the rear hatch in anticipation of hot summer nights. We did have a ventilation hatch but it disappeared from the top of Merlin, we aren't sure whether that was the result of a close encounter with an overhanging tree whilst cruising or the idiocy of the local scrotes in Banbury. The staples were to fix the wire on the ventilation hatch and the plants were to make the boat look pretty.
Oh yes, the double socket, well we decided we could really do with another power socket in the bedroom so that's another job to do.
Yesterday I re-potted my herbs and strawberries and planted up one of my tubs. Today the ventilation hatch has been made, the seating for one side of the cratch is under construction and hopefully we will get both sides done before dark. I might even get some more planting done. Our plan is to stay another day here in order to get the various jobs done and the go and do battle with the SAS. No, not the Special Air Service, the Saturday and Sunday cruisers, I'm sure most of them are very nice people and I sympathise that they aren't able to enjoy their boats more often. Some, however, seem to ignore simple rules like speed limits and not stealing locks because they are determined to get as far as possible on Saturday in order to make the return trip on Sunday. They then want to moor at about eight in the evening and are surprised that the best mooring spots are taken for which they blame continuous cruisers who are "all overstaying". If it get too fraught we will just stop and enjoy the sunshine.
In the past week we have travelled 9.2 miles, 5 locks and 1 lift bridge
This year we have travelled 216.1 miles, 209 locks, 5 swing bridges, 13 lift bridges and 2 tunnels
In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks, 55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 2294.7 miles, 1970 locks, 116 swing bridges, 74 lift bridges and 73 tunnels
Last Friday we made our way back to Banbury and moored on the 14 day moorings below the lock. We did the usual round of shopping, I found the Saturday market in Banbury a bit disappointing, I was expecting it to be better than the Thursday one and it was about the same. I'm hoping that the risk of frost is really past now and have bought compost to refresh my planters.
On Monday we moved up through the lock and the lift bridge, stopped at the boatyard for diesel and. gas, then carried on about another mile before mooring up. This spot is reasonably convenient for B&Q and some DIY is happening. As Ray gets his 'old codger's discount' on a Wednesday we spent Tuesday planning the work and getting the washing done.
Yesterday we did a trip to B&Q, returning with wood, chicken wire, staples, a double socket and plants. The wood is to make seats in the cratch on top of the water tanks,some shelves to suspend between the handrail and the gunwale to display my wares when we are trading and combined with the chicken wire to make a ventilated alternative to the rear hatch in anticipation of hot summer nights. We did have a ventilation hatch but it disappeared from the top of Merlin, we aren't sure whether that was the result of a close encounter with an overhanging tree whilst cruising or the idiocy of the local scrotes in Banbury. The staples were to fix the wire on the ventilation hatch and the plants were to make the boat look pretty.
Oh yes, the double socket, well we decided we could really do with another power socket in the bedroom so that's another job to do.
Yesterday I re-potted my herbs and strawberries and planted up one of my tubs. Today the ventilation hatch has been made, the seating for one side of the cratch is under construction and hopefully we will get both sides done before dark. I might even get some more planting done. Our plan is to stay another day here in order to get the various jobs done and the go and do battle with the SAS. No, not the Special Air Service, the Saturday and Sunday cruisers, I'm sure most of them are very nice people and I sympathise that they aren't able to enjoy their boats more often. Some, however, seem to ignore simple rules like speed limits and not stealing locks because they are determined to get as far as possible on Saturday in order to make the return trip on Sunday. They then want to moor at about eight in the evening and are surprised that the best mooring spots are taken for which they blame continuous cruisers who are "all overstaying". If it get too fraught we will just stop and enjoy the sunshine.
In the past week we have travelled 9.2 miles, 5 locks and 1 lift bridge
This year we have travelled 216.1 miles, 209 locks, 5 swing bridges, 13 lift bridges and 2 tunnels
In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks, 55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 2294.7 miles, 1970 locks, 116 swing bridges, 74 lift bridges and 73 tunnels
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