Wednesday 27 May 2015

A very successful Market

After our overnight stop at Branston Water Park we had a very short journey to the most convenient shopping stop.

When I was almost halfway between Morgana and Morrisons the heavens opened, hailstones and a wind straight out of the Arctic. Once I had got my shopping I decided we would stay where we were and move to Shobnall Fields on Wednesday, which is what we did.

We had a very successful market, although there didn't seem to be a huge number of people about those that came were willing to spend their money. I think everyone enjoyed themselves, visitors and traders alike. The Hobbins clan visited again which was very nice.

Yesterday we went shopping in Burton upon Trent and then I hopped on a bus to Lichfield and spent lots of money at Spellbound Beads so I can make lots more jewelry for our next market at Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival.

Today we began our journey back to Ocker Hill, we made good progress, the weather was mostly pleasant, although a bit windy. We reached Streethay for our overnight stop and will continue to Fazeley or maybe beyond tomorrow

Since my last post we have traveled 15.9 miles, 13 locks and 1 swing bridge

This year we have traveled  167.3 miles, 151 locks, 3 swing bridges and 4 tunnels

In 2014 we traveled 425 miles, 334 locks, 2 swing bridges,17 lift bridges and 23 tunnels

In 2013 we traveled 459.1 miles, 434 locks, 7 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2012 we traveled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 22 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2011 we traveled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we traveled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have traveled 3119.4 miles, 2680 locks, 121 swing bridges, 92 lift bridges and 129 tunnels


Monday 18 May 2015

Branston Water Park

We put off moving until lunchtime today. We were waiting for the rain to stop.  All went well to start with, the sun was trying to shine and it was quite warm. When we reached the fourth lock that all changed, the heavens opened and threw hail at us. Lots of hail, sharp painful hail, it wasn't fun!

As the weather forecast for tomorrow is worse than today we decided to carry on cruising, as quickly as it started the hail ceased. We continued through the river section from Alrewas to Wychnor and onwards until we reached Branston Water Park. By that time most of the decent moorings were occupied and we decided that we would stop rather than risk having to moor against an unstable bank.

It wasn't one of the most enjoyable cruises we have done but we are now warm and fed so life is good.

Today's journey was 7.5 miles and 8 locks

This year we have traveled  151.4 miles, 138 locks, 2 swing bridges and 4 tunnels

In 2014 we traveled 425 miles, 334 locks, 2 swing bridges,17 lift bridges and 23 tunnels

In 2013 we traveled 459.1 miles, 434 locks, 7 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2012 we traveled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 22 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2011 we traveled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we traveled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have traveled 3103.5 miles, 2667 locks, 122 swing bridges, 92 lift bridges and 129 tunnels

Friday 15 May 2015

Fradley Junction

After much consideration we decided not to trade at Fazeley Mill. Although the weather forecast for the weekend isn't too bad the early part of next week is forecast to be wet so we decided to make as much progress as possible before then. 

After I had collected one parcel from the post office we moved a short distance to be within walking distance of Argos to collect my second parcel. We then spent a couple of days doing bits of work around the boat before stocking up on groceries and heading back to the Trent and Mersey.

We had hoped to moor before making the turn on to the T&M but the visitor moorings were fully occupied so we have moored for the night just below the first lock at Fradley. We did spot a boat that belongs to a former travelling companion but nobody was home.

We will probably move on tomorrow as the moorings are right beside a road which means we have to keep the cats in.

Since my last post we have traveled 11 miles, 1 lock and 1 swing bridge

This year we have traveled  143.9 miles, 130 locks, 2 swing bridges and 4 tunnels

In 2014 we traveled 425 miles, 334 locks, 2 swing bridges,17 lift bridges and 23 tunnels

In 2013 we traveled 459.1 miles, 434 locks, 7 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2012 we traveled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 22 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2011 we traveled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we traveled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have traveled 3096 miles, 2659 locks, 122 swing bridges, 92 lift bridges and 129 tunnels

Sunday 10 May 2015

After the Market

Yet again I haven't updated things. After our night moored by the Tame Otter we continued our journey to Alvecote where we spent a week, trading for four days over the bank holiday weekend. It was nice to meet up with some friends we haven't seen since last year and catch up on what they have been doing. A few of us entered the pub quiz while we were there and our team won! We also had a nice visit from the Hobbins clan.

We left there on Thursday morning and made the short journey to Fazeley. On Friday I took a trip into Tamworth with my friend Jen, didn't spend too much money but had a good time. I'm waiting for a couple of parcels to be delivered which should arrive tomorrow, after that we may hang around here as there is a craft fair at the mill next to the canal on the 17th or we may start making our way slowly to Burton on Trent. A lot will depend on the weather forecast.

Since my last post we have traveled 9.3 miles and 4 locks

This year we have traveled  132.9 miles, 129 locks, 1 swing bridge and 4 tunnels

In 2014 we traveled 425 miles, 334 locks, 2 swing bridges,17 lift bridges and 23 tunnels

In 2013 we traveled 459.1 miles, 434 locks, 7 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2012 we traveled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 22 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2011 we traveled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we traveled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have traveled 3085 miles, 2658 locks, 121 swing bridges, 92 lift bridges and 129 tunnels