I can see the pub from here!

A rather grey and horrible day, but at least it didn't rain until we were working through the last lock we intended to tackle today. Another half mile and we were moored up by the Grove pub just south of Leighton Buzzard.

We had company of other boats for most of the day which made travelling easier. Tomorrow is probably going to be a cruising free day to get a few more DIY jobs done on board. I am looking forward to getting to the Northampton Arm so we are on a canal that is new to us.

We should have no problem reaching Peterborough for Easter as long as we don't have too much rain that affects the River Nene.

Today's journey 6.7 miles, 10 locks and 1 swing bridge
So far we have travelled 23.9 miles, 51 locks and 2 swing bridges

Marsworth in the rain

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

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

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

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

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.

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.