Celebrating!!!

Today's post covers two days and here is the reason why

Eleanor Faith Jones born yesterday

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.

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.

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. 

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

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

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.

The view from my front doors

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

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

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

A better day, eventually

We lay in bed this morning listening to the rain and so didn't rush to get up. Things did improve and by the time we had dragged ourselves out of bed and had our second cup of coffee the rain had stopped. We managed a few hours cruising without getting wet,I did put my coat on at one point but it was only a passing shower.

The canal was fairly busy, all the 'half-term hirers heading back to base but only a couple of delays so not too bad. By the time we came up through Somerton Deep Lock the sky was getting darker and the wind was getting stronger so we decided to call it a day and moor. Within about half an hour of stopping the rain was coming down so it was a good call.

We should have a fairly easy run into Banbury tomorrow which will allow us to go to the market on Saturday, hang around on Sunday then head for the boatyard on Monday for fuel and gas.


Today's journey 7.5 miles, 5 locks and 1 lift bridge

This year we have travelled 206.9 miles, 204 locks, 5 swing bridges, 12 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 2285.5 miles, 1965 locks, 116 swing bridges, 73 lift bridges and 73 tunnels

Kidlington to Kirtlington

We decided to let the 'Bank Holiday Weekenders' have their fun and we would stay moored up until Tuesday but then when Tuesday came complete with torrential rain Wednesday became the new Tuesday.

At least this morning we only had mizzly, drizzly rain so we donned boots and raincoats and got on our way. It wasn't the nicest cruising weather but we have travelled in worse. The water level in the Cherwell was higher than it had been on our way downstream but not enough to cause any problems.The rain got heavier as the day progressed so we made an early stop near Kirtlington Quarry. Apparently all sorts of fossils have been found there but the weather was too awful to contemplate going exploring.

The TV signal here is too poor for us to watch the football so we will just have to listen on the radio.
Tomorrow's weather is supposed to be a bit better, we shall have to wait and see.


Today's journey 5.2miles, 3 locks and 1 lift bridge.

This year we have travelled 199.4 miles, 199 locks, 5 swing bridges, 11 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 2278 miles, 1960 locks, 116 swing bridges, 72 lift bridges and 73 tunnels