When we set off this morning it was still quite chilly but by the time we had reached Lady Capel's Lock (about 2 miles and 4 locks) I was very warm. A lovely day for cruising, sunshine, blue skies and not a care in the world. Then after about four miles and ten locks the engine got rather warm, a quick look showed a leaky hose on the cooling system, luckily we had a spare so after about half an hour we were on our way again. Two more locks and I took the tiller to moor us at Sainsburys, oops, ignition light on, broken fanbelt. We decided to get the shopping done before tackling that one, so went and got the bits we couldn't get in Tesco.
When we got back Ray had a rummage and found that we did have a spare fanbelt so that got replaced. Then he found he had a small water leak from the waterpump which he had to remove in order to replace the fan belt so he had to reseal that. By the time all that was done my getup and go had got up and gone so we will stay here for the night and carry on tomorrow. I think I'm going to ache a bit, we have been too lazy for too long.
Today's journey 5.7 miles and 12 locks
So far this year we have travelled 25.9 miles and 36 locks
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 1227.6 miles, 1122 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Another long cruise, not!!
At least the beginning of our cruising has gone to schedule, watertanks are full, loos are empty, most rubbish dumped (the rubbish bins at Hemel are a lot closer to the canal so some heavy bits can wait till there). Diesel tank full plus full jerry cans, two spare gas bottles, a sack and a half of coal and some wood in case it turns cold again. Food mainly stocked up, again a few bits to get at Hemel from Sainsbury but not a lot.
We had a good day yesterday with Gordon, lots of chat then a meal at the White Bear, nothing fancy but very good pub grub at a reasonable price
We set out at a reasonable hour this morning, did all the necessary bits and headed up to Cassiobury Park. The nice weather is encouraging people to be out and about but there weren't that many people on the move. We did share a couple of the locks.
If all goes to plan we should reach Leeds middle to end of May, but when does everything go to plan. At the moment the water shortages aren't hitting too hard, just timing restrictions on the bigger flights of locks.
We had a good chat and a cuppa with Bob and Babs, promised to keep in touch and be back in time for their Golden Wedding next March.
Today's journey 3.1 miles and 4 locks
So far this year we have travelled 20.2 miles and 24 locks
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 1221.9 miles, 1110 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
We had a good day yesterday with Gordon, lots of chat then a meal at the White Bear, nothing fancy but very good pub grub at a reasonable price
We set out at a reasonable hour this morning, did all the necessary bits and headed up to Cassiobury Park. The nice weather is encouraging people to be out and about but there weren't that many people on the move. We did share a couple of the locks.
If all goes to plan we should reach Leeds middle to end of May, but when does everything go to plan. At the moment the water shortages aren't hitting too hard, just timing restrictions on the bigger flights of locks.
We had a good chat and a cuppa with Bob and Babs, promised to keep in touch and be back in time for their Golden Wedding next March.
Today's journey 3.1 miles and 4 locks
So far this year we have travelled 20.2 miles and 24 locks
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 1221.9 miles, 1110 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
Sunday, 25 March 2012
On the move, just!
Well you know Ray and I, we don't like to overdo things!
We have started our 2012 cruise with a mere hour up to Batchworth, and we are taking a day off tomorrow :-)
The day off is because my brother is coming to visit so we will catch up on the gossip, then go for a few beers and a bite to eat. Our cruising proper won't start until Wednesday as we plan to move up to Cassiobury on Tuesday and visit Bob and Babs.
Today's journey 1 mile and 1 lock
So far this year we have travelled 17.1 miles and 20 locks
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 1218.7 miles, 1106 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
We have started our 2012 cruise with a mere hour up to Batchworth, and we are taking a day off tomorrow :-)
The day off is because my brother is coming to visit so we will catch up on the gossip, then go for a few beers and a bite to eat. Our cruising proper won't start until Wednesday as we plan to move up to Cassiobury on Tuesday and visit Bob and Babs.
Today's journey 1 mile and 1 lock
So far this year we have travelled 17.1 miles and 20 locks
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 1218.7 miles, 1106 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Change of plans, again
We were all ready to move on towards Uxbridge and all points south when Lancelot decided to go missing. He eventually turned up, on the wrong side of the canal and so Ray went to rescue him. Unless he went for a long walk he must either have crossed on one of the pipe bridges, or fallen in and climbed out on the wrong bank, Lancelot that is not Ray.
After that mishap we were going to move on Wednesday only to discover that the very cheap alternator that we picked up from the scrapyard last year had packed up. So it was search for an alternator time. We have managed to find one on eBay, managed to get the money together, ordered it and it arrived on Saturday, so the last two weeks have been a write-off. It;s a bit too late to think about heading south now so we have done an about turn and headed back towards Batchworth. Currently moored below Stockers Lock ready to head for Batchworth at the weekend.
By the time I have arranged to meet up with my brother and then seen Bob and Babs to bid our farewells we will probably be about a week later setting off than planned but never mind.
Since my last post we have travelled 3 miles and 3 locks
So far this year we have travelled 16.1 miles and 19 locks
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
In 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1217.8 miles, 1105 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
After that mishap we were going to move on Wednesday only to discover that the very cheap alternator that we picked up from the scrapyard last year had packed up. So it was search for an alternator time. We have managed to find one on eBay, managed to get the money together, ordered it and it arrived on Saturday, so the last two weeks have been a write-off. It;s a bit too late to think about heading south now so we have done an about turn and headed back towards Batchworth. Currently moored below Stockers Lock ready to head for Batchworth at the weekend.
By the time I have arranged to meet up with my brother and then seen Bob and Babs to bid our farewells we will probably be about a week later setting off than planned but never mind.
Since my last post we have travelled 3 miles and 3 locks
So far this year we have travelled 16.1 miles and 19 locks
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
In 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1217.8 miles, 1105 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
Saturday, 3 March 2012
Heading south, again.
We moved up to Cassiobury Park, stopped there until Friday, then headed south again.
The news on Tring Summit is that it should be open again, with restricted hours, from March 26th, so we are planning to head down towards Brentford, maybe take a trip in on the Paddington Arm or maybe investigate the notoriously shallow Slough Arm. We haven't really decided yet. We plan on being back at Cassiobury by about the 21st so we can travel up to Cowroast for the 26th. Hopefully we can then start heading for Leeds at last.
We travelled down to Batchworth yesterday, stocked up at Tesco this morning and then carried on to above Coppermill Lock. The weather forecast for the next couple of days is lousy, but we do need the rain. It will probably be Tuesday before we carry on our way.
We want to go to Uxbridge Boat Centre to see if they can get us a new grate for our fire as after two years of saying we must get a new one ours eventually broke. We managed to turn it round so that the damaged part is at the front so we can still build a fire at the back! They are closed on Mondays so not moving until Tuesday isn't a problem.
Since my last post we have travelled 5.7 miles and 6 locks
So far this year we have travelled 13.1 miles and 16 locks
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
In 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1214.8 miles, 1102 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
The news on Tring Summit is that it should be open again, with restricted hours, from March 26th, so we are planning to head down towards Brentford, maybe take a trip in on the Paddington Arm or maybe investigate the notoriously shallow Slough Arm. We haven't really decided yet. We plan on being back at Cassiobury by about the 21st so we can travel up to Cowroast for the 26th. Hopefully we can then start heading for Leeds at last.
We travelled down to Batchworth yesterday, stocked up at Tesco this morning and then carried on to above Coppermill Lock. The weather forecast for the next couple of days is lousy, but we do need the rain. It will probably be Tuesday before we carry on our way.
We want to go to Uxbridge Boat Centre to see if they can get us a new grate for our fire as after two years of saying we must get a new one ours eventually broke. We managed to turn it round so that the damaged part is at the front so we can still build a fire at the back! They are closed on Mondays so not moving until Tuesday isn't a problem.
Since my last post we have travelled 5.7 miles and 6 locks
So far this year we have travelled 13.1 miles and 16 locks
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
In 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1214.8 miles, 1102 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Thawed out
By Tuesday this week the ice had at last disappeared from the canal at Batchworth so we decided to carry on with our plan of heading back to Cassiobury Park. The canal was ice free as far as Lot Mead Lock but above that there was still a lot of ice, it had been broken up by at least one boat going through but there were still lot of sheets about three quarters of an inch thick and about twelve foot square. We slowly made our way up to Common Moor, nudging sheets of ice gently out of our way, up through the lock through more ice and then, where the river joins the canal for a while, it was ice free to Cassiobridge Lock.
A bit of good timing meant that we were able to share the lock with another boat who was just heading for the waterpoint above the lock. From the lock I could see a space to moor by Rousebarn bridge and also that there was a lot of ice still beyond the bridge so we decided to stop there.
We paid a visit to Bob and Babs, who live just a short walk over the hill, then on Friday Babs brought two of her grandchildren, Robbie and Katie to visit. They seemed fascinated by the boat and the cats!
We will probably move up to our favourite spot in Cassiobury Park either tomorrow or Monday.
Since my last post we have travelled 3.1 miles and 4 locks
This year we have travelled 7.4 miles and 10 locks
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
In 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1209.1 miles, 1096 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
A bit of good timing meant that we were able to share the lock with another boat who was just heading for the waterpoint above the lock. From the lock I could see a space to moor by Rousebarn bridge and also that there was a lot of ice still beyond the bridge so we decided to stop there.
We paid a visit to Bob and Babs, who live just a short walk over the hill, then on Friday Babs brought two of her grandchildren, Robbie and Katie to visit. They seemed fascinated by the boat and the cats!
We will probably move up to our favourite spot in Cassiobury Park either tomorrow or Monday.
Since my last post we have travelled 3.1 miles and 4 locks
This year we have travelled 7.4 miles and 10 locks
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
In 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1209.1 miles, 1096 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
Friday, 3 February 2012
Frozen in
Well, January was pretty uninteresting.
No luck for either of us with any work, we did manage to get a cheap deal that allowed us a trip to see the grandkids in Peterborough but apart from that we haven't been doing much.
We had considered heading north before the BW stoppage at Nash Mills started but then we heard that Tring Summit has been closed and drained to save water so we can't get much further north than Berkhampstead until they reopen that so we decided might as well potter around the southern end of the Grand Union until we can get past the summit.
We spent some time at Lot Mead just above Rickmansworth then last Monday came down to Batchworth intending to stock up, fill up our water etc and head back to Cassiobury Park for another couple of weeks before heading back down to Brentford, maybe having a look at the Slough Arm and maybe going in on the Paddington Arm. Tuesday was washing day, then to the White Bear to meet some other boaters and a chap from NABO who was talking about BW becoming a charitable trust then Wednesday was shopping day and turn round. Except that it was blowing a gale and by the time I had managed to turn the boat around I was frozen and fed up so decided we would stay here, intending to move today when the winds had died down. Then last night the canal froze, not very thick but if it is frozen here only 50 yards from where the river is creating a flow it is probably very solid further up. There has been no movement on the canal at all today so I am guessing it is pretty solid everywhere.
It looks like we could be here for another week at least.
So far this year we have travelled 4.3 miles and 6 locks
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
In 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1206 miles, 1092 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
No luck for either of us with any work, we did manage to get a cheap deal that allowed us a trip to see the grandkids in Peterborough but apart from that we haven't been doing much.
We had considered heading north before the BW stoppage at Nash Mills started but then we heard that Tring Summit has been closed and drained to save water so we can't get much further north than Berkhampstead until they reopen that so we decided might as well potter around the southern end of the Grand Union until we can get past the summit.
We spent some time at Lot Mead just above Rickmansworth then last Monday came down to Batchworth intending to stock up, fill up our water etc and head back to Cassiobury Park for another couple of weeks before heading back down to Brentford, maybe having a look at the Slough Arm and maybe going in on the Paddington Arm. Tuesday was washing day, then to the White Bear to meet some other boaters and a chap from NABO who was talking about BW becoming a charitable trust then Wednesday was shopping day and turn round. Except that it was blowing a gale and by the time I had managed to turn the boat around I was frozen and fed up so decided we would stay here, intending to move today when the winds had died down. Then last night the canal froze, not very thick but if it is frozen here only 50 yards from where the river is creating a flow it is probably very solid further up. There has been no movement on the canal at all today so I am guessing it is pretty solid everywhere.
It looks like we could be here for another week at least.
So far this year we have travelled 4.3 miles and 6 locks
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
In 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1206 miles, 1092 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
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