I think we have had Spring, I guess we will now have to wait until about July for our two days of Summer 2010.
Today didn't start too bad, the weather wasn't too unkind and we had the company of L'Escargot for six of the seven locks up from Berkhamsted to Tring Summit which meant I had a fairly easy time. Morgana was running a bit hot and when we stopped Ray checked the raw water filter and we had collected enough twigs and grass cuttings to restrict the flow. Once that was clear all was well.
We decided to carry on down the Marsworth flight and it started raining quite heavily after the second lock but we had no choice but to carry on through the remaining five. By the time we moored up on the visitors moorings by the White Lion we were both very wet. If it stops raining we might even go for a drink tonight.
Today's journey 6 miles, 14 locks
So far we have travelled 17.2 miles, 41 locks and 1 swing bridge
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Friday, 19 March 2010
Lazy day,but some photos at last.
My posh glass handbasin
My bath, with very expensive mosaic tile detail and very cheap shelves!
My over-bed cupboards, which need finishing, but look good!
A very lazy day today, we only cruised until lunchtime.
When we stopped in Berkhamsted we went in search of a branch of the Halifax so I could pay a cheque in. We found the Halifax but also found a craft shop. Those who know me will know this was bad news for my bank balance! We went back to the boat and had lunch, then I went spending in the craft shop while Ray sorted out the wiring to the tunnel light and hooter.
Depending on what the weather does tomorrow we might try and get through the Marsworth Flight.
Today's journey 2.8 miles, 9 locks, 1 swing bridge
So far we have travelled 11.2 miles, 27 locks and 1 swing bridge
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Nothing to report
Like the title says nothing to report.
An easy day cruising in fairly good weather.It is a good job we are used to the noise of trains as we have moored for the night on a stretch where the mainline is right by the canal.
If all goes well we should be in Berkhamsted tomorrow afternoon.
Today's journey 4.6 miles,9 locks
So far we have travelled 8.4 miles and 18 locks
An easy day cruising in fairly good weather.It is a good job we are used to the noise of trains as we have moored for the night on a stretch where the mainline is right by the canal.
If all goes well we should be in Berkhamsted tomorrow afternoon.
Today's journey 4.6 miles,9 locks
So far we have travelled 8.4 miles and 18 locks
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Today is the first day of the rest of our life!
At last, we are on our way!
Rather a late start,it being my birthday but after a nice breakfast and Ray going off to buy me flowers we eventually pulled pins and headed north. At least we had saved a bit of time by fueling up when Archimedes and Ara came past yesterday
It was a glorious day for the start of our trip, very uneventful which was nice. After lunch at "The Grove" (well, moored by their golf course!)we carried on to just south of Kings Langley by which time it was starting to get a bit cool.
I'm now going to cook a very indulgent dinner and enjoy a nice bottle of wine.
Today's journey 3.8 miles, 9 locks
Rather a late start,it being my birthday but after a nice breakfast and Ray going off to buy me flowers we eventually pulled pins and headed north. At least we had saved a bit of time by fueling up when Archimedes and Ara came past yesterday
It was a glorious day for the start of our trip, very uneventful which was nice. After lunch at "The Grove" (well, moored by their golf course!)we carried on to just south of Kings Langley by which time it was starting to get a bit cool.
I'm now going to cook a very indulgent dinner and enjoy a nice bottle of wine.
Today's journey 3.8 miles, 9 locks
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
The final week is here!
Only a week now and we will be pulling pins and be off on our "grand tour". I might find time to put the photos of the inside of the boat on here at last once we are cruising.
So far this week is fairly hectic, trying to get as much done on the inside as possible. We now have our cupboard over the bed in place at long last and the new carpet tiles are down in the lounge. Ray is still working on the trunking for the wiring and gas pipes. The painting, inside and out will have to wait. We still have to get up to Peterborough to leave the car with Mandy until the autumn.
However, I don't feel like I'm living in a floating building site anymore as Ray has just gone to the tip with most of the redundant construction materials, except for wood which will go on the stove.
So far this week is fairly hectic, trying to get as much done on the inside as possible. We now have our cupboard over the bed in place at long last and the new carpet tiles are down in the lounge. Ray is still working on the trunking for the wiring and gas pipes. The painting, inside and out will have to wait. We still have to get up to Peterborough to leave the car with Mandy until the autumn.
However, I don't feel like I'm living in a floating building site anymore as Ray has just gone to the tip with most of the redundant construction materials, except for wood which will go on the stove.
Saturday, 30 January 2010
A week from retirement
Only a week to go until we celebrate Ray's 65th birthday. After that it is only five weeks until we set off on our first season of cruising.
The past six months have been a bit of "anything that can go wrong will go wrong" time. It started with my car blowing a head gasket only a couple of weeks after paying out for the MOT. This meant we had to buy another car in a hurry. That was followed by a few more minor but unexpected expenses which ate into our finances and meant we didn't have as much money to spend on the boat as we didn't want to spend all our spare cash in case of further emergencies. A couple of weeks work I had been promised fell through so our income was less than expected too.
October saw more expenditure, but for a very happy reason, the birth of Nicholas, our third grandchild and then the Christmas season was upon us with much travelling and all the associated expenses. We did consider putting off retirement for a while but decided we had looked forward to it for too long and that we can carry on working on the boat while we travel.
We are now working hard to get as much done as we can, money and time permitting.
The past six months have been a bit of "anything that can go wrong will go wrong" time. It started with my car blowing a head gasket only a couple of weeks after paying out for the MOT. This meant we had to buy another car in a hurry. That was followed by a few more minor but unexpected expenses which ate into our finances and meant we didn't have as much money to spend on the boat as we didn't want to spend all our spare cash in case of further emergencies. A couple of weeks work I had been promised fell through so our income was less than expected too.
October saw more expenditure, but for a very happy reason, the birth of Nicholas, our third grandchild and then the Christmas season was upon us with much travelling and all the associated expenses. We did consider putting off retirement for a while but decided we had looked forward to it for too long and that we can carry on working on the boat while we travel.
We are now working hard to get as much done as we can, money and time permitting.
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
No News is Good News - mostly
I can't believe it is so long since I posted anything.
We managed to sort out our problem with the starter motor, the nice man who does the MOT on my car told us about a place we could get a reconditioned one.
My bathroom is now mostly tiled, my bath is working and all is well with the world. We need to replace the internal window frame before we finish the tiling. No photos at the moment but will get some done soon.
Work on the boat has been largely interrupted by the necessity to earn some money to pay for more things for the boat! A visit to the grandkids slotted in somewhere along the line as well.
At the moment we are enjoying the strange sensation of being a boat on dry land as Ray is busy blacking the bottom (and himself). While we are out of the water we've got the bolts on the rudder tightened as well which hopefully will improve the way she handles. We also got the boatyard to put in a couple more mushrooms and a new water inlet. The list of things to do still seems very long but I'm just about beginning to believe that we will get everything done by next March and before we run out of money!
We managed to sort out our problem with the starter motor, the nice man who does the MOT on my car told us about a place we could get a reconditioned one.
My bathroom is now mostly tiled, my bath is working and all is well with the world. We need to replace the internal window frame before we finish the tiling. No photos at the moment but will get some done soon.
Work on the boat has been largely interrupted by the necessity to earn some money to pay for more things for the boat! A visit to the grandkids slotted in somewhere along the line as well.
At the moment we are enjoying the strange sensation of being a boat on dry land as Ray is busy blacking the bottom (and himself). While we are out of the water we've got the bolts on the rudder tightened as well which hopefully will improve the way she handles. We also got the boatyard to put in a couple more mushrooms and a new water inlet. The list of things to do still seems very long but I'm just about beginning to believe that we will get everything done by next March and before we run out of money!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)