Well it's been two months since I wrote anything. Life is a bit on hold at the moment, on a three week cycle based on Ray's hospital appointments.
He has chemotherapy at the hospital on Monday of week one, two hours of being hooked up to an IV, this normally leaves him feeling a bit rough but not too bad. After that he has two weeks of taking pills at home, these have been making him feel a bit nauseous and progressively more tired as the two weeks progress. Then he has a drug free week during which he starts to feel more normal with an oncologist appointment and blood test on the Thursday and the following Monday the cycle begins again.
The treatment has not been as bad as we feared, the worst side affect is hypersensitivity to anything cold, anything even slightly cold is painful to touch so I'm hoping that today's weather forecast threatening eight inches of snow isn't hitting us here.
We haven't been very energetic or productive over the past couple of months but we hope we might be able to do some cruising once the weather warms up a bit. We did make a start on our little bit of garden today while the sun was shining.
Apart from that nothing to report!
Wednesday, 26 February 2014
Wednesday, 25 December 2013
Merry Christmas to all
We have now settled in on our mooring at Ocker Hill where we have been made to feel very welcome by those of the other residents that we have met so far. The site is divided by a road bridge so our contact with people from the other side of the bridge has been limited so far, let's face it the weather hasn't exactly been conducive to socialising!
We did do a bit of travelling in the time between my last post and arriving here. Our friend Sandra who is a solo boater was coming from Walsall into Birmingham so we met her part way to help her with the locks. We then went to Smethwick with her where she was trading at a community event and travelled into Birmingham with her afterwards.
Then it was time to head for Ocker Hill and our new home. We arrived here on the 18th which gave us a day to get a few things sorted before Ray's hospital appointment on the 20th. We are having a quiet Christmas Day but are expecting visitors tomorrow.
Ray's first chemo appointment is on the 7th January so fingers crossed that it doesn't affect him too badly. At least here we have everything we need, even a laundry room with washer and dryer so no more wet washing lurking. We even have a washing line for stuff that can't be tumble dried, weather is decent I'll use that rather than the tumble dryer anyway. There are two supermarkets within walking distance and three 'corner' shops even closer. If we can ever afford it there is a pub and chippy very close too!
Since my last post we have travelled 19.1 miles, 14 locks and 3 tunnels
This year we have travelled 459.1 miles, 434 locks, 7 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 31 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 2537.7 miles, 2195 locks, 118 swing bridges, 76 lift bridges and 102 tunnels
We did do a bit of travelling in the time between my last post and arriving here. Our friend Sandra who is a solo boater was coming from Walsall into Birmingham so we met her part way to help her with the locks. We then went to Smethwick with her where she was trading at a community event and travelled into Birmingham with her afterwards.
Then it was time to head for Ocker Hill and our new home. We arrived here on the 18th which gave us a day to get a few things sorted before Ray's hospital appointment on the 20th. We are having a quiet Christmas Day but are expecting visitors tomorrow.
Ray's first chemo appointment is on the 7th January so fingers crossed that it doesn't affect him too badly. At least here we have everything we need, even a laundry room with washer and dryer so no more wet washing lurking. We even have a washing line for stuff that can't be tumble dried, weather is decent I'll use that rather than the tumble dryer anyway. There are two supermarkets within walking distance and three 'corner' shops even closer. If we can ever afford it there is a pub and chippy very close too!
Since my last post we have travelled 19.1 miles, 14 locks and 3 tunnels
This year we have travelled 459.1 miles, 434 locks, 7 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 31 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 2537.7 miles, 2195 locks, 118 swing bridges, 76 lift bridges and 102 tunnels
Sunday, 8 December 2013
A home for now
As usual everything changed,after I said we had no more hospital appointments to think about for nearly four weeks we got a phone call and Ray had a check-up with the nurse the following Thursday. Then we got another phone call to schedule an appointment with the oncologist on Tuesday so in the past couple of weeks he has had two hospital appointments.That meant that we didn't go very far. We hadn't expected to see the oncologist until after Ray was 'signed off' by the surgeon. Everything is looking fairly good, none of the lymph nodes were affected by the cancer but there were some cancer cells detected in the blood vessels in the section of bowel that was removed. Chemotherapy will start after Christmas, Ray will have to spend a few hours at the hospital on a drip once every three weeks and then take pills for a couple of weeks, a few days off then back to the hospital for the next session. That will continue for six months, after that Ray will have surgery to reverse the ileostomy, probably about August or September.
As all this ties us to the Birmingham area for about nine months we decided to bid on the residential mooring at Ocker Hill. After a bit of stressing with CRT who initially weren't happy with us having two boats on one mooring even though the mooring site is five feet longer than the combined length of the boats common sense prevailed. We successfully made a bid which was unopposed so we got the mooring for the reserve price. This means that from December 20th we will no longer be continuous cruisers but it doesn't mean we have stopped travelling. If you can't find Ocker Hill on a map it is almost due west of West Bromwich. Taking the mooring has meant we have transferred Ray's chemo back to Sandwell Hospital as it it a lot closer.
We did take a little cruise round the Soho Loop so that we were within walking distance of City Hospital for Ray's appointments but we are now back in Birmingham to complete the paperwork for the mooring and collect the keys because it is a secure site. My posts here will probably be infrequent, maybe once or twice a month as life will probably be rather boring for a while.
Since my last post we have travelled 3.9 miles
This year we have travelled 440 miles, 420 locks, 7 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 28 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 2518.6 miles, 2181 locks, 118 swing bridges, 76 lift bridges and 99 tunnels
As all this ties us to the Birmingham area for about nine months we decided to bid on the residential mooring at Ocker Hill. After a bit of stressing with CRT who initially weren't happy with us having two boats on one mooring even though the mooring site is five feet longer than the combined length of the boats common sense prevailed. We successfully made a bid which was unopposed so we got the mooring for the reserve price. This means that from December 20th we will no longer be continuous cruisers but it doesn't mean we have stopped travelling. If you can't find Ocker Hill on a map it is almost due west of West Bromwich. Taking the mooring has meant we have transferred Ray's chemo back to Sandwell Hospital as it it a lot closer.
We did take a little cruise round the Soho Loop so that we were within walking distance of City Hospital for Ray's appointments but we are now back in Birmingham to complete the paperwork for the mooring and collect the keys because it is a secure site. My posts here will probably be infrequent, maybe once or twice a month as life will probably be rather boring for a while.
Since my last post we have travelled 3.9 miles
This year we have travelled 440 miles, 420 locks, 7 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 28 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 2518.6 miles, 2181 locks, 118 swing bridges, 76 lift bridges and 99 tunnels
Monday, 25 November 2013
Hanging around Brum, again
It's been a month since my last blog entry but life has been a bit 'full on' so I hope I'm forgiven.
Ray's surgery went well, and he is now well on the way to recovery. He was in hospital a bit longer than we hoped because he developed a slight chest infection but as he was in less than two weeks I suppose that's fairly good after major surgery.
While he was in hospital I didn't seem to have any time to myself, so much of my time was spent travelling back and forth. When we are both here we share the workload but there was no less work to do on board but just me to do it and only half the time to do it in.
Just to add to my stress Gwynnie decided to go missing for four days. It did result in an example of social media at its best however. I know many people don't like Facebook etc. and there are many things about the whole social media thing that aren't good. However, Tracey, one of my fellow traders put messages out on Facebook and managed to contact the University and because of that Gwynnie was found, she had gone visiting the Uni, possibly followed my scent because I walked through there to get the bus. Some students had felt sorry for her when it was cold and wet and fed her, and even took her into their flat one night. In the four days she was there she became quite well known. Well, she is a very sociably cat. I had tried calling for her in the Uni grounds but it covers a huge area. When someone spotted her photo they got in touch with Tracey, who let me know so I went over and after being pointed in the direction where she had last been seen by various students we were reunited.
The Hobbins clan came to visit while Ray was still in hospital and then last Saturday they and the Bristol Jones came for a visit. We spent some time at the Christmas Market and then managed to all cram onto Morgana for a while. Ray wasn't up to the trek round the market but enjoyed seeing everyone.
Once Ray was back home we moved back into the center of Birmingham which is where we are now. We are probably going to move in the next couple of days as we now have a nearly four week break before Ray's next hospital appointment. Ray isn't yet back to normal but is beginning to be able to do more each day. He took the tiller for our trip to the boatyard and services today, but I was the one hauling 25k sacks of coal onto the top of the boat and replacing the gas cylinders.
Even though we have permission to 'overstay' I don't feel comfortable with it. There is residential mooring available near here. CRT operated an auction system for moorings so we have no guarantee of getting it but we are considering bidding for it. We will have to remain in the area for at least 3 months, probably 6 months for Ray's chemotherapy so it would be good to have a base.
Since my last post we have travelled 5.4miles and 2 tunnels
This year we have travelled 436.1 miles, 420 locks, 7 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 28 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 2514.7miles, 2181 locks, 118 swing bridges, 76 lift bridges and 99 tunnels
Ray's surgery went well, and he is now well on the way to recovery. He was in hospital a bit longer than we hoped because he developed a slight chest infection but as he was in less than two weeks I suppose that's fairly good after major surgery.
While he was in hospital I didn't seem to have any time to myself, so much of my time was spent travelling back and forth. When we are both here we share the workload but there was no less work to do on board but just me to do it and only half the time to do it in.
Just to add to my stress Gwynnie decided to go missing for four days. It did result in an example of social media at its best however. I know many people don't like Facebook etc. and there are many things about the whole social media thing that aren't good. However, Tracey, one of my fellow traders put messages out on Facebook and managed to contact the University and because of that Gwynnie was found, she had gone visiting the Uni, possibly followed my scent because I walked through there to get the bus. Some students had felt sorry for her when it was cold and wet and fed her, and even took her into their flat one night. In the four days she was there she became quite well known. Well, she is a very sociably cat. I had tried calling for her in the Uni grounds but it covers a huge area. When someone spotted her photo they got in touch with Tracey, who let me know so I went over and after being pointed in the direction where she had last been seen by various students we were reunited.
The Hobbins clan came to visit while Ray was still in hospital and then last Saturday they and the Bristol Jones came for a visit. We spent some time at the Christmas Market and then managed to all cram onto Morgana for a while. Ray wasn't up to the trek round the market but enjoyed seeing everyone.
Once Ray was back home we moved back into the center of Birmingham which is where we are now. We are probably going to move in the next couple of days as we now have a nearly four week break before Ray's next hospital appointment. Ray isn't yet back to normal but is beginning to be able to do more each day. He took the tiller for our trip to the boatyard and services today, but I was the one hauling 25k sacks of coal onto the top of the boat and replacing the gas cylinders.
Even though we have permission to 'overstay' I don't feel comfortable with it. There is residential mooring available near here. CRT operated an auction system for moorings so we have no guarantee of getting it but we are considering bidding for it. We will have to remain in the area for at least 3 months, probably 6 months for Ray's chemotherapy so it would be good to have a base.
Since my last post we have travelled 5.4miles and 2 tunnels
This year we have travelled 436.1 miles, 420 locks, 7 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 28 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 2514.7miles, 2181 locks, 118 swing bridges, 76 lift bridges and 99 tunnels
Saturday, 26 October 2013
Not going very far
In the weeks since the market we haven't travelled very far. Ray has had three hospital appointments which have kept us a bit tied down. We were expecting his surgery to be on November 5th but we got a phone call from the surgeon's secretary on Thursday asking if he wanted to take a slot that had become available next Tuesday. We virtually jumped at the chance, as far as we are concerned the sooner the better. we have arranged for Ray to have his chemo at City Hospital rather than Sandwell which is much closer to the canals. With walks and buses the trip to Sandwell from anywhere I would be happy leaving the boat unattended and being on my own on board is about an hour and a half.
After the market we moved back onto the 14 day moorings for about ten days. while we were there Keith, Leesa and Ellie came to visit which was lovely. Our cat population also increased by four as Nimue had her kittens. Then we went and investigated mooring spots on the Soho Loop, which is the closest bit of canal to City Hospital. There is quite a nice spot by a park which might become a regular stopping point when Ray is having regular visits to the hospital.
After a couple of days there we headed back into the city centre to pick up diesel and coal, then took a trip out to Edgbaston where we are now. It is a bit noisy on this stretch as the railway line parallels the canal but there is space for the cats to have some freedom, it is close enough to the centre when we need the services and only about a 20 minute stroll to Tesco and Morrisons. Since we have been here we have taken one trip back into the city for the market.
Since my last post we have travelled 8.8 miles and 6 tunnels ( well, the same 2, three times)
This year we have travelled 430.7 miles, 420 locks, 7 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 26 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 2509.3miles, 2181 locks, 118 swing bridges, 76 lift bridges and 97 tunnels
After the market we moved back onto the 14 day moorings for about ten days. while we were there Keith, Leesa and Ellie came to visit which was lovely. Our cat population also increased by four as Nimue had her kittens. Then we went and investigated mooring spots on the Soho Loop, which is the closest bit of canal to City Hospital. There is quite a nice spot by a park which might become a regular stopping point when Ray is having regular visits to the hospital.
After a couple of days there we headed back into the city centre to pick up diesel and coal, then took a trip out to Edgbaston where we are now. It is a bit noisy on this stretch as the railway line parallels the canal but there is space for the cats to have some freedom, it is close enough to the centre when we need the services and only about a 20 minute stroll to Tesco and Morrisons. Since we have been here we have taken one trip back into the city for the market.
Since my last post we have travelled 8.8 miles and 6 tunnels ( well, the same 2, three times)
This year we have travelled 430.7 miles, 420 locks, 7 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 26 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 2509.3miles, 2181 locks, 118 swing bridges, 76 lift bridges and 97 tunnels
Sunday, 6 October 2013
All change on our plans
Well, real life has caught up with us a bit over the past few weeks. Family and close friends know that my beloved Ray has been diagnosed with bowel cancer, I strongly suspected that was going to be the diagnosis so my thoughts have been with him and his health not with blogging. The prognosis seems positive but he has both surgery and chemotherapy to face over the next few months. this also means that we won't be moving very far as we have to remain within reach of Sandwell Hospital.
Anyway ,to update you on our travels. We headed back through Kidderminster where we stopped for one night and topped up on groceries then we continued to retrace our steps to Wolverley Court Lock where we picked plums and made plum wine, then back towards Stourbridge but without the diversion into the town this time.
Then it was back up the Stourbridge and Dudley Locks and the concrete jungle of Merry Hill, ever onwards to Windmill End were we met fellow traders Justina and Mark. After a pause to pick blackberries and rowan berries it was back into Birmingham, where the blackberries became jam and the rowan began their transformation into wine.
Once we were there I attended the National User Forum of the Trust and Ray at last went to the doctors as I have been telling him to do for ages. Luckily we have had the launching of the Association of Continuous Cruisers and the Floating Market to distract us.
The weekend of the market was fabulous, the weather was kind and we all made some good sales. It was good for cyber friends to become real friends and we are all keen to do it again next year. This week everyone else made their way in various directions towards where they intend to spend the winter. If our plans hadn't changed we too would be on our way towards Leeds.
We have spoken to various people at the Trust and they have been very understanding, we have basically been given permission to overstay although as soon as we have a reasonable gap between hospital appointments I hope to go for a little cruise, staying in one place doesn't suit me.
During September we travelled 28.3 miles, 39 locks and 4 tunnels
This year we have travelled 421.9 miles, 420 locks, 7 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 20 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 2500.5miles, 2181 locks, 118 swing bridges, 76 lift bridges and 91 tunnels
Anyway ,to update you on our travels. We headed back through Kidderminster where we stopped for one night and topped up on groceries then we continued to retrace our steps to Wolverley Court Lock where we picked plums and made plum wine, then back towards Stourbridge but without the diversion into the town this time.
Then it was back up the Stourbridge and Dudley Locks and the concrete jungle of Merry Hill, ever onwards to Windmill End were we met fellow traders Justina and Mark. After a pause to pick blackberries and rowan berries it was back into Birmingham, where the blackberries became jam and the rowan began their transformation into wine.
Once we were there I attended the National User Forum of the Trust and Ray at last went to the doctors as I have been telling him to do for ages. Luckily we have had the launching of the Association of Continuous Cruisers and the Floating Market to distract us.
The weekend of the market was fabulous, the weather was kind and we all made some good sales. It was good for cyber friends to become real friends and we are all keen to do it again next year. This week everyone else made their way in various directions towards where they intend to spend the winter. If our plans hadn't changed we too would be on our way towards Leeds.
We have spoken to various people at the Trust and they have been very understanding, we have basically been given permission to overstay although as soon as we have a reasonable gap between hospital appointments I hope to go for a little cruise, staying in one place doesn't suit me.
During September we travelled 28.3 miles, 39 locks and 4 tunnels
This year we have travelled 421.9 miles, 420 locks, 7 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 20 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 2500.5miles, 2181 locks, 118 swing bridges, 76 lift bridges and 91 tunnels
Monday, 2 September 2013
Busy doing a few things
I can't believe it has been over two weeks since I wrote anything. We haven't done anything exciting, just a few bits and pieces.
We travelled through the Netherton Tunnel on Saturday 17th and moored opposite the old wharf at Windmill End on the Dudley No 1 canal. We had considered going through Gosty Hill tunnel to Hawne Basin but it is so low it would have meant taking everything off the roof which we weren't in the mood to do.
We stayed at Windmill End until Tuesday and spent our time collecting blackberries and apples, we now have a gallon of each wine brewing. On Tuesday we travelled to Merry Hill for a shopping stop and overnight stay. Too much of a concrete jungle for my liking, I was glad to move on.
On Wednesday we moved on to The Fens Branch, a short length of largely unexplored canal that is only navigable as far as the Stourbridge Extension Canal which is a mere 300 yards long where we spent a couple of nights. After that we made our way down through the Stourbridge Sixteen and along the Stourbridge Arm to the town. This had brought us to the start of the bank holiday weekend and with a bead fair at the Bonded Wharehouse on the Sunday we weren't going anywhere for a couple of days.
The weather on Bank Holiday Monday was so good we succumbed to the temptation to move.There was very little other boat traffic on the Stourbridge Canal but once we were on the Staffs & Worcester we encountered traffic and queues at the locks but we managed to reach Wolverley. We took a stroll and went to meet Tracey and Ray on board their floating cafe, Tea Junction. We have been Facebook friends for a while but it is the first time we have actually met.
Last week I was really suffering hayfever type symptoms, I'm a little better now but it has slowed us down and caused a change of plans. We travelled down to Stourport but rather than heading onto the River Severn we have turned round and are heading back to Birmingham the same way as we came. We are moored at a little spot that was totally overgrown when we reached it on the way down but Ray took a scythe to the undergrowth and it is now a nice mooring spot It has the added bonus of the remains of a tree that fell across the canal, some of which is now cut up and on our roof ready for the winter.
Over the past couple of weeks we have travelled 28.1 miles, 41 locks and 3 tunnels
This year we have travelled 393.6 miles, 381 locks, 7 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 16 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 2472.2miles, 2142 locks, 118 swing bridges, 76 lift bridges and 87 tunnels
We travelled through the Netherton Tunnel on Saturday 17th and moored opposite the old wharf at Windmill End on the Dudley No 1 canal. We had considered going through Gosty Hill tunnel to Hawne Basin but it is so low it would have meant taking everything off the roof which we weren't in the mood to do.
We stayed at Windmill End until Tuesday and spent our time collecting blackberries and apples, we now have a gallon of each wine brewing. On Tuesday we travelled to Merry Hill for a shopping stop and overnight stay. Too much of a concrete jungle for my liking, I was glad to move on.
On Wednesday we moved on to The Fens Branch, a short length of largely unexplored canal that is only navigable as far as the Stourbridge Extension Canal which is a mere 300 yards long where we spent a couple of nights. After that we made our way down through the Stourbridge Sixteen and along the Stourbridge Arm to the town. This had brought us to the start of the bank holiday weekend and with a bead fair at the Bonded Wharehouse on the Sunday we weren't going anywhere for a couple of days.
The weather on Bank Holiday Monday was so good we succumbed to the temptation to move.There was very little other boat traffic on the Stourbridge Canal but once we were on the Staffs & Worcester we encountered traffic and queues at the locks but we managed to reach Wolverley. We took a stroll and went to meet Tracey and Ray on board their floating cafe, Tea Junction. We have been Facebook friends for a while but it is the first time we have actually met.
Last week I was really suffering hayfever type symptoms, I'm a little better now but it has slowed us down and caused a change of plans. We travelled down to Stourport but rather than heading onto the River Severn we have turned round and are heading back to Birmingham the same way as we came. We are moored at a little spot that was totally overgrown when we reached it on the way down but Ray took a scythe to the undergrowth and it is now a nice mooring spot It has the added bonus of the remains of a tree that fell across the canal, some of which is now cut up and on our roof ready for the winter.
Over the past couple of weeks we have travelled 28.1 miles, 41 locks and 3 tunnels
This year we have travelled 393.6 miles, 381 locks, 7 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 16 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 2472.2miles, 2142 locks, 118 swing bridges, 76 lift bridges and 87 tunnels
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