Fri, 3 Mar 2006
Sunny all day, cold evening, some snow.
Left Tidworth at elevenish, delivered workbench to Hilperton, delivered tabs for Danu.
M4, M5, M6, A5, Wheaton Aston, three and a half hours to get there, little knowing that it would take three and a half months to get back?
Arrived at boat at about half four.
Purchased 1 bag coal, 1 bag kindling.
Unpacked ambulance, packed boat initially. Ate at the pub, started with light snow flurries while we were eating, but they subsided and there was virtually nothing by the time we left.
In bed by half eight, shattered.
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 Wheaton Aston wharf
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Sat, 4 Mar 2006
What a start to our boating careers, woke up to a frozen cut, a quarter of an inch of ice plus three quarters of an inch of snow, fortunately it was sunny enough to clear by eleven.
Geri has certain minimum standards and requirements and a washing machine is one of them. Major definite purpose today is to get a washing machine. To that end we drove into town and found where Midland Chandlers is. When we got there Geri was enchanted by all the 'stuff' that you can get for a boat, settled in the end for a nice one kilowatt twin tub washing machine in blue translucent plastic.
Got back to the boat. We were told that Midland Swindlers, (that is what they are called around here) were expensive, but we were still pleased with our purchase and it was subsequently shown to be a standard price.
Finished initial stowing of everything we brought up to the boat.
Marc showed us how to reverse and we reversed the boat about 250 yards to the local garage where we purchased 4 bags coal, 1 bag logs, 1 gall paraffin and filled up with diesel.
Tried setting up the computer, essential to me, only to find that every time I plugged in the power supply it took down the inverter, nothing from it at all. Unplug the computer power supply and the inverter works fine again. Did not even have to have the computer turned on, just plugged in was enough to bring the inverter down.
Hmmm, need to sort out something here. In bed by 9.
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Sun, 5 Mar 2006
Clear sunny day, cold evening.
Drove back down to Oxford to pick up my younger sister who is going to look after the ambulance while we are travelling. When we filled up with LPG at the garage there, they were giving away scratch cards to win a ticket to the World Cup. I asked for one and the attendant could not find them.
He called his manager and the manager found them and said that no one ever asked for them before. I suggested that perhaps I could have the ones that the other customers had not taken. He gave me two BOXES of them, something like 2000 scratch cards.
Collected Netta and returned to the boat
Didn't feel like attempting to cook a Sunday roast so soon in our adventures on the boat so prepared a stew and put it on the stove. (A carrot, a parsnip, a swede, some mushrooms, a packet of vegetable soup, a couple of oxo cubes, a couple of potatoes and a pound of diced stewing steak.)
In bed by 9:30.
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 Starting point
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Mon, 6 Mar 2006
Sun, showers, light breeze, quite warm.
Arose six thirtyish, scooped off some of the liquid from yesterdays stew and had that with bread and butter for breakfast, bread and soup!!
Flat battery, Paul (a friend of Mark Jeeves) jump started us.
Set off at 11:20, first lock at 11:30.
We were motoring along quite happily, Geri marvelling at all the wild life, the ducks, geese, swans, rabbits, deer and so on when she said to me, 'Pull over', so I started to pull over on the towpath side. 'Not that side, the other side'. So I pulled over on the opposite side to the towpath.
Geri jumped off and started wandering in the woods. Just then my phone rang, so I answered it and chatted to a friend for a bit. While I was doing this Geri was collecting logs and stacking them on the roof of the boat. She had spotted a number of piles of logs neatly stacked up against tree trunks and decided that these must be some of those that we had been told about where British Waterways left them there for boaters when they were doing routine maintenance of the canal banks. I wasn't so sure, they looked too well organised, but it was too late by then.
Travelled till half four when we stopped at The Fox and Anchor. Had soup (home made, the juice from the stew) and brown bread for lunch.
Geri collected 4 boxes of wood from someones field.
Met Roy and Sue in the Fox and Anchor where we had a meal and chatted endlessly. Both of these two seasoned narrow boaters have been featured on TV in various programmes about the canals and canal life. Stayed there till last orders. They gave us lots of tips about the canal system and getting out of locks when stuck. Did 2000 scratch cards for the world cup - No no. 7. Have you any idea how much silver dust is caused by scratching 200 scratch cards?. Mind you, the cards kept us warm for several hours when we burnt them on the fire.
From Wheaton Aston to Autherly Junction, turned left.
Ended up at the Fox and Anchor. Two locks, 20 miles, about 5 hours travelling.
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 Our first lock
 View from first lock
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Tue, 7 Mar 2006
Drizzly rain all day.
Engine started, set out at eight.
Nine locks, Roy got stuck in one and we had to 'flush him out'. This involves making sure that the bottom gates are wide open, so that the boat can get out and opening the sluice paddles on the top gates as quickly as possible. This causes a rush of water into the lock, both lifting and pushing the boat towards the exit. It worked, he came out like a cork out of a bottle.
Geri slipped over in one of the locks and hurt her left buttock and left knee.
Ended up just past Autherly Junction near Penkridge at about four. (Penkridge c849 ad)
Three sets of clothes soaked. Walked into Penkridge to get a loaf of bread at Jaspers (good bread).
The pub that we were going to go to (The Boat) was closed for a private party, so we ate in - guess what, Sundays stew. Must remember that there are only two of us and that when preparing a meal like that not to use so much of everything.
Mable saw a swan for the first time, it scared him.
Played chess, drafts and cards till late.
Geri is looking forward to some sunshine, she was wearing three sweaters today.
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 Lock with cows
 March 7
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Wed, 8 Mar 2006
Rain in the morning, dry in the afternoon.
Stew and bread for breakfast, I know that it was a good stew but you can have too much of a good thing.
Engine started, walked in to Penkridge to go to the market. Excellent market, purchased fleecy padded shirt (7.49), socks, paints, (yes paints) large kitchen roll, pumpy thing, postcards and stamps.
Had breakfast at the market. Got a loaf of bread from Jaspers.
Back at boat by twelve. Headed off towards Great Haywood Junction. Stopped at Penkridge Bridge. Went to Midland Swindlers again and purchased PortaPotti 365 and a 300 watt pure sine wave inverter and some water (5lts), we were running low.
The people at the marina were very helpful and tested Mac, OK. Tested Mac on an inverter, OK. Purchased the inverter.
Set off again at about 3:30 to get to the water point at bridge 105.
Ran out of water on the way to Park Gate Bridge, when Geri started to do some washing in her new washing machine.
Park gate lock went smoothly. Chris(the plonker) got the boat stuck on the sill at Shutt Hill Lock and bent the rudder. Makes steering very difficult. No choice but to keep going till we got to Milford Bridge to fill up with water. Arrived there at about 8pm after travelling for about 2 hours in the dark. Had fun manoeuvring across the canal to the tap and fill up in the dark. Still no water, the pump seems to be not working.
Had egg and beans on toast for tea, fed up with stew, threw the remains overboard for the fish. Went to bed and watched Trading Places. Moored up by the railway line, very noisy. Geri really pissed off, mostly because we had no water. Left a message on Marcs' answer phone about the water pump.
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 March 8
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Thu, 9 Mar 2006
Marc phoned about a quarter to eight and explained how to 'prime' the water pump. This involves taking the head off the shower, sticking the pipe in your mouth and sucking hard. Got the water working by quarter past eight.
Geri much happier. Will hang around till Paul contacts us about the bent rudder - tidying the boat and sawing logs etc.
I sawed logs, checked out the pumpy thing, not very good.
I did the engine checks. This involves lifting the floor panels up at the stern of the boat, climbing down into the engine compartment and checking the oil level in the reversing gear box, checking the oil level in the reduction gear box, checking the oil level in the engine, checking the tension of the alternator belt and finally turning the screw on the stern gland greaser a couple of turns, all the while making sure that the floor board did not decide to fall on my head, and then climbing back out of the engine compartment and replacing the floor panel.
Geri did the washing in her new washing machine, washed the floor 5 times.
Set off to try to make it to the boat yard. The wind made it very difficult blowing us across the cut. Kept going till just before Tixall Wide. Decided that we would not make it with a bent rudder and the wind so moored up.
Sue came along and towed us to, and round, Great Haywood Junction. Pulled over and got the number and location of a boatyard that can fix the rudder. Rang them and was told that they had a slot at lunch time on Friday (tomorrow). Set off to try to make it to the watering spot at Brereton, water now being a major concern after having run out. (Bridge 62)
Two locks, one of them at a farmyard. Went through this lock and moored up to wait for Geri to close the gates and come on through -? and waited and waited and waited.
Decided that perhaps Geri was not prepared to tramp through all the mud, a good six inches of it, so found her wellies and walked back to the lock. There she was just waiting and looking at the vast expanse of dark brown mushy wet slippery mud. Gave Geri her new wellies and helped her balance while removing first one shoe and putting on that wellie and then the other shoe. It might have been quicker to pick her up and carry her, on the other hand I would probably have slipped over and that would have been a whole new ball game.
Arrived at Brereton at about seven-fifteen. Washed, dressed, went to the Ash Tree for a meal. In bed by nine.
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 march9
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March 10th Wet and windy.
Too windy to move with my newly shaped rudder.
Sorted out the pure sine wave inverter and ran up the computer. Took two hours to download all the emails.
Filled up properly with water. Geri beat me 264 to 34 at cards and went to bed for an hour. Geri's legs are hurting.
Put up hooks for utensils, tidied cupboards and sorted stuff.
Dried all the washing around the fire. Geri washed my hair (and put it back on).
Phoned Roy, he said that he and Sue were going through the 'muddy' lock and would be with us in an hour or so. When they got to us, Sue towed us again, this time to the Plum Pudding Pub where we had a good meal and were regaled with horror stories about what can happen on the cut.
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March 11th Dry, sunny early in day became overcast later on.
Woke up 8ish.
Leisurely start, motored till we got to Kings Bromley Wharf at about half one. It wasn't too bad going in a straight line and turning to the left was OK, but with a bent rudder turning right was less than easy. The only way I could get the boat to go around a right hand bend was to get Geri to move over to the left hand side of the boat and for me to lean as far over to the left as possible.
While we were motoring Geri sawed a log. Passing other boats that were coming the other way was difficult and I had to moor up a couple of times.
At Kings Bromley Wharf saw two guys working on a boat. Asked them if they could fix the rudder. They said 'Pull over, we will have a look'.
While they dropped the rudder off the stern post (had to tie a rope to it to stop it dropping into the canal) we went for a walk to the garden centre for lunch where Geri purchased six horse brasses, the start of quite a collection.
When we got back from the garden centre the guys had managed to remove the rudder. They are going to bend the rudder straight and weld it back together and make a new shaft and sleeve. (They said that it needed a new sleeve anyway and looking at it I agreed with them.)
Got to five thirty and Dave and Len (that's their names)(father and son) realised that the shaft they are going to put on the lathe and turn down was bent. Only alternative is to wait till Monday to get a new piece of steel, so we are stuck in boat yard till then.
Moored up at boatyard, gates locked cannot get out.
Steak and veg pie with Mediterranean potatoes.
Bed by half eight watching TV. Geri asleep by nine, she always falls asleep when watching TV in bed.
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 The boat yard |
March 12th Overcast, snow flurries, dull, cold.
Our second Sunday - trapped in a boatyard.
Geri up first at about 7:15. Made me a cup of tea and put it on the kitchen table - I'm up, every bodies up!!.
Sawed some logs and started splitting them, got asked to do it later by another boater, he only gets Sunday morning to lie in and it is still quite early. I didn't realise that he was there.
Raided the skips in the boatyard, found a set of brass fire tools, (companion set).
Geri asked me to break up the generator cover box. Then we decided that a shelf over the coal bucket would be a good idea. Raided the skips again and found a good piece of marine ply and a kitchen cupboard door. Put in the shelf, coal bucket under, tool box over. Put the door on the front, then put another shelf over the tool box. Now it looks like a proper cupboard.
Mum phoned, had a good natter.
While I was building the cupboards Geri did all the washing.
We were so pleased with the mornings work that Geri decided that we should remove the very uncomfortable bench seat with box under. Took that out and put it where the washing machine usually sits. Had to empty the box of all the food first.
Washing machine now lives in the shower room.
Having moved the box that formed the base of the bench seat, Geri rearranged ALL the tinned food. Everything got packed away much more sensibly, cleaning all the cupboards in the kitchen in the process. The boat is much more level now, perhaps I won't roll out of bed tonight.
Now, the drop leaf table lives where the bench seat was.
Had tinned stewed steak, spinach, broad beans and mash for tea.
Washed the floor. Now we have room for the clothes horse where the table used to be.
It is a good job that we brought our own chairs with us.
It is now 7pm - thinking of going to bed and watching TV. Did not run engine today.
Cat now has a high rise dirt tray on the newly positioned bench seat,/box.
We have decided that there are some things that can go back home. The battery Hoover, water filter jug, several boxes of Tupperware,
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March 13th Overcast, windy but mainly dry.
Leisurely start to the day, woke up about seven.
Wrote out the postcards that we purchased last Wednesday.
Walked into the nearest village for about 1pm - got some money from the cash machine and a pint of milk. Walked back, very cold and windy, about three and a half miles round trip.
Rudder finished about half three.
Chatted to Teepee Mike, a boater who is at the boatyard waiting for his engine to be sorted out, who knows Ruby from his stay at Bath last year. Asked us to pass on his love when we see her again.
Set off for Fradley Junction and arrived at five twenty. Walked around the junction to 'suss it out'.
Had a meal in the pub with a couple who have a half share in a boat, they are from Somerset. (Geri had steak, chips and mushrooms and I had a roast beef dinner.)
When we left the pub, the ducks and geese on the opposite bank were making a right royal racket. The ducks were all rushing to the water and the geese were standing tall and hissing and flapping their wings. Then Geri spotted a fox on the bank. Watched it checking out the ducks and geese to see if it could get a meal for a while, then it spotted us and made off.
Half nine, going to sort out the TV aerial, watch some TV and go to bed.
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March 14th Overcast, slight breeze, occasional sun.
Leisurely start - chatted to shared ownership couple. They were cleaning the boat from stem to stern. When they hand it over it needs to be spotless. No dog hairs anywhere (they have a dog). Strikes me that shared ownership can be a bit of a pain. They have spent the past week making sure that the boat is in the location that the next couple want it to be in.
Geri made them a pot of Italian coffee.
We went to the BW (British Waterways) cafe for breakfast. Purchased some (more) brasses at the shop - they are interested in personalised place mats.
Set off about eleven, a couple of boats overtook us as we were travelling quite slowly.
Geri cleaned the headlining from stem to toilet - about half way along the boat.
Arrived at Streethay at oneish. Topped up with diesel (40 litres) and gas. Purchased postcards, map, brasses and some old editions of Waterways World.
Didn't like the place much, scrappy.
Continued on to Fazely Junction, stopping off at Hopwas for a snack.
Arrived at Fazely Junction at dusk. Topped up with water. Sluiced Elsan. Moored opposite BW offices.
Went to the Plough and Harrow for dinner after finding a Tesco Mini.
Nine pm, shattered, went to bed.
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March 15th Sunny all day with a chill wind.
Woke up at Fazely Junction opposite Peels Yard, the BWB office. Walked around while Geri got dressed and registered change of ownership and purchased a Gold License (canals and rivers).
Geri walked into town while I checked my emails. She got some money and some shopping. Church rang, relieved that I have email up and running. Told him of BW's interest in place mats and coasters.
Started motoring at about half eleven. Called in at Canal Craft Centre. A shed in a guys back garden with moorings alongside. Purchased a fender and a(nother) Fazely Junction horse brass.
Continued on our way. We were passing a 'Narrow craft' at Alvercote when someone started waving furiously at us. It was Amber, Paul's wife, (from Wheaton Aston). We didn't recognise her at first because we were not expecting to see anyone that knew us. Spotted Paul and pulled over for a chat. Stayed there for half an hour or so giving Paul all the news.
Pressed on to Atherstone. During the journey Geri got quite good at steering the boat. So good in fact that she decided that she could take the boat into and out of the locks.
Fair division of labour, Geri gets to drive the boat all the time, while I do all the locks and walk between them if they are not too far apart.
While Geri was motoring I sawed some more logs.
Moored up at six, at the Kings Head. Don't do meals during the week anymore but quite happy for us to use their moorings. Decided to eat on board, spaghetti bolognaise.
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March 16th Overcast all day, sun tried to break through a couple of times, occasional snow flurries, generally cold.
Pleasant days cruising. Started off about nine thirty and got to Nuneaton at about half one - so much easier with a straight rudder. Tried to find the town centre but ended up at the hospital. Had a cup of tea and a sandwich there. Called into the pub on the way back to the boat and had three games of pool, quite a change.
Set off again at three thirty ish, hand warmers came in very useful. Arrived at Hawksbury Junction (Sutton Stop) at fiveish and carried on another mile. Stopped at half five.
Geri's chill blains on both feet are giving her grief but she knows an old remedy for curing them. (Might put the cure in at the end of the log.)
Chilli con carne for tea. We were going to the pub but decided that 200 yards was too far to walk in our current condition. Went to bed in time for The Bill after a game of cards.
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March 17th Officially warmer than yesterday, but it did not feel like it. Overcast and windy all day, started off with snow flurries.
Chilli on toast for breakfast. Set off about eight thirty to do the five and a half miles to Coventry. Stopped for water just outside Coventry Basin (Bridge 1) Took about an hour to fill it properly - very cold on the fingers with all that water.
Moored up at the basin at about eleven. Walked around the basin to see what there was. Found the loos and Elsan point. There is a useful information shop where we got some leaflets and found out where the laundry is. Walked up to the laundry to see how far it is - too far for tonight. Returned to the boat and had a bowl of soup and bread followed by a cup of tea.
Walked to Coventry shopping centre. Geri bought two windproof, waterproof, lined jackets for us, reduced from £75 to £37.50 each, plus another 10% off for taking out a store card.
Wandered around the old cathedral and then the new cathedral. The new one is impressive from the inside, but stark and boring from the outside.
Had lunch/dinner at the bus station!! £6 for two meals and a pot of tea. Found Sainsbury's and the motor museum on the way back to the boat - will visit them properly tomorrow.
When we got back to the boat the fire was out so had to rebuild it, but while I am sat here it is warming my back nicely - might stay here all night.
Stoked up the fire and walked across the basin to The Admiral Codrington. A local pub that has a pool table so had a few games of pool and too many pints of John Smiths. Left there about twelve thirty. Staggered back to the boat.
Slept well.
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March 18th Very chill wind all day.
Up at eight, just in time for Nettas call - she expects to be here about ten-ish, that probably means twelvish.
Hung around all morning doing not a lot, reading magazines etc.
While we were waiting a bunch of lads (with their parents ) arrived to go canoeing. One of them, who could not be more than five, was sat in his canoe on the bank getting impatient to get into the water so he bounced himself and his canoe across the hardstanding until he fell in, landing perfectly upright.
Another, once launched, canoed over to us and started chatting. He asked us if we could cook on board. Told him that we had everything on board that people have at home. He then asked us if when we were in a lock didn't the boat fill up with water when it filled the lock up. Explained that we hoped the boat would float on top of the water while it filled up. 'Oh', he said 'Of course' as if he hadn't thought of that
Emptied porta potti. Netta arrived at about one (close) told us of her experience with British Rail.
Went to the transport museum. Quite good, but due to re-arrangements a lot of the exhibits were unavailable.
Netta dropped us off at the launderette at fourish. We didn't know how to use the equipment so the first wash was done without any powder. When we sussed out what we had done we did the wash again, this time with powder. Finished up at six.
Took Geri for an anniversary meal, (we'd been on the boat for two whole week) guess where - MacDonald's.
Went to the Admiral Codrington for a drink. A bit rowdy this evening, so left early, well tenish. Bed for eleven.
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March 19th Cold, but little wind, overcast.
Up at seven thirty, scrambled egg on toast.
Engine checks and engine start at nine.
Coventry canal was rather mucky with cushions, sofas and lots of other debris floating around. Got to Hawkesbury Junction and turned and turned right into Oxford canal through a little stop lock. Continued motoring till we got to Newbold on Avon where we filled up with water.
Purchased another two bags of coal along the way from the boat we saw earlier on in the week.
The excitement of the journey was the Newbold Tunnel, which was lit up along it's length and very pretty.
Moored up just past bridge 50 on the outskirts of Rugby. Tried the two pubs at the canal side to get something to eat, but neither of them serve food on Sunday evenings. Found another pub further into town. I had a small Sunday roast, which was more than enough. Geri had a steak.
Left there and went back to The Boat for a game of pool.
Geri beat me.
Bed at half tenish. |
Newbold Tunnel |
March 20th
Overcast and windy but the sun trying to peek through.
Geri was up at six forty five getting the fire going. I had a lie in till about seven.
Toast and marmite for breakfast.
Set off about half nine aiming to get to The Bridge at Napton by bridge no. three for tea so we can eat there.
Fairly uneventful day. Went through Hillmorton double lock. Stopped at the chandlery at Braunston. Saw a dead lamb in the cut.
Purchased a Nicholson No 1.
Arrived at The Bridge at Napton in time for tea but found that they are closed on Mondays.
Early night, eightish. Couldn't sleep with twitchy legs. Got up at eleven and put Geri's phone on charge. Did a Sudoku. Went back to bed about midnight and eventually slept.
Geri's shoulder and hips are playing her up, so apart from Hillmorton double locks she stayed in all day. Got one of the fishing arm chairs out of the locker for her - much more comfortable than the stools.
Geri watched a DVD while we travelled. Mable has started to sit in the cratch while we are travelling.
Pork chops, carrots, broccoli, leeks, mushrooms and potatoes for tea.
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Newbold Tunnel |
March 21st
Still overcast and windy.
Geri woke at six thirty - had a cracking fire going by the time I got up at half seven.
Potatoes on toast for breakfast.
Spent the whole day leaning on a piece of wood, the tiller. Started with a flight of nine locks then a stretch on the top pound. Moored up for lunch on a bend but didn't realise that the wind was blowing us onto the bank. No matter what I tried I could not get the boat off the bank. Eventually I figured how I might do it but then someone stopped and gave us a hand.
Carried on to the boat yard at Fenny Compton and stopped for diesel, but they are closed on Tuesdays. Stayed for a cup of tea.
Continued along and did two more locks. There was a craft shop at the first and Geri purchased two decorated mugs.
While we were travelling Geri tidied and washed the boat and made a cushion for my stool.
Moored up at sixish.
Sausage casserole and new potatoes for tea - ready by the time we stopped.
Mable getting comfortable in the cratch when we are stationary.
Stayed up and watched two DVD's Geri chose 'Return to Death Row' and I chose 'The man with one red shoe'.
Eventually got the fire sorted to stay in all night by about eleven and went to bed.
Blynda phoned during the evening and had a good chat.
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March 22nd
Spring day, sun is a bright yellow duster polishing a blue sky with fluffy white clouds hung out to dry.
Up at seven, off at eight forty five.
Sausage casserole, mushy peas and bread and butter for breakfast. Filled up with water, diesel (42 litres). Got to Banbury mid afternoon and had a good look around. Fish and chips for two only £6 at a local pub.
Went to the social club for the evening and tried our hand at snooker - not very good, a bit more difficult than it appears on TV. Our one game lasted three hours.
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March 23rd
Perfect spring day with brilliant sunshine. Frost overnight, ice on the cut.
Woken up by a boat going past breaking the ice on the cut. Thought that they were banging into us at first.
Went to Banbury market and got a hatchet and some other tools. Breakfast in BHS, 8 items for £2,75 (plus toast) - I had bacon, bacon, bacon, egg, egg, tomatoes, beans, fried bread and fried bread.
Geri washed the boat while I did the engine checks then we wrote out Mothers day cards and postcards.
While I took the post to the post box Geri walked the cat. Got several surprised glances and someone asked if she was from a boat. Got some goods photos of the boat.
Left Banbury at about one, motored leisurely till about five when we arrived at Aynho Bridge.
Smoked haddock and mash for tea. By the time we had finished tea we decided not to go to the pub but to watch a DVD instead.
Tony phoned and Geri wound him up about the awning on the boat.
Aynho Weir lock is a strange one for the narrow system, wide enough for three boats.
Geri got some more practice on the tiller going into and out of locks as well as along the cut.
Re-planned the interior of the boat (in our heads).
Half eight, bed made, fire stoked, off to bed.
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March 24th
Geri let me put on clean socks and pants today.
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March 25th
Went back to Tidworth for a bit. Geri's feet are giving her pain.
She went to the doctors convinced that she had chilblains, but he told her it was arthritis of the toes.
Kicked our heels around Tidworth for a week so that Geri could recover a bit, started to feel better by the beginning of April, so set off back to the boat.
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April 2nd
Returned to the boat, got there about fourish.
Loaded boat, weather windy and showery. Reversed the boat back to The Rock of Gibraltar ( a pub) which was very difficult. As usual, pubs don't serve food on Sunday evenings.
Geri beat me at pool again.
Had egg sandwiches and bacon sandwiches for tea. In bed by nine and watched Mooseport.
Lots of water to pump out of the bilges.
The new waterproofs worked well in the rain while I was reversing. Picked up a bin liner from the canal (didn't want it to get caught in our (or anyone else's) propeller).
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April 3rd
Dry, sunny, cloudy, windy, threatening showers.
Had a lie in till eight, tea and crumpets for breakfast. Lit fire twice, tidied up the boat, set up the computer.
Set off about eleven and motored slowly to The Jolly Boatman after getting rid of the rubbish at the BW terminal.
Had lunch at The Jolly Boatman at about two thirty.
Three pm, set off on Geri's little electric motor cycle to collect the ambulance. Geri took a couple of pictures of me going. Slipped and slid all over the towpath all the way, thought I was going into the cut more than once. Eventually got to the ambulance and drove back to the boat, got there about half three.
Drove into Kidlington and got some maggots, flour, milk and bread. Returned to the boat. Discovered that where we were moored there was no fishing due to overhead cables.
Moved the boat 50 yards and started fishing, Geri caught the first one as usual.
I got a photo of Mrs Mopp smoking a fag with pink slippers on while she was fishing.
Enjoyed the fishing.
Moored up by the car park of The Jolly Boatman, on a main road, in the flight path of Kidlington airfield. A bit noisy, although once I took my hearing aids out it quietened down quite a lot.
Spaghetti for tea after lighting the fire. Evenings still a bit chilly. Mable saw his first fish today - not very impressed.
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April 4th
Frosty start, bright and sunny, some cloud.
Woke to feel the boat moving back and forth, someone must have gone past us quite quickly.
Had scrambled eggs for breakfast.
About nine another boat went past and pulled out our mooring pins so I had to relocate them. It could have happened in the night, except that there are not too many boats going past after dark.
Phoned Don at ten to collect at eleven. Don was ready when we arrived. He drove us back to the boat leaving the ambulance at the Crawley Inn. Arrived at the boat at about midday. Don inspected the boat - impressed.
Decided to go for a cruise to Dukes Lock and back. Stopped off on the way for a ploughman's lunch on board. Good to catch up on all Don's news, he hopes to be off to see Bonnie at the end of the month. Sat chatting till gone five.
Set off again and eventually moored up after winding at the BW point at sevenish. Had a pub meal. Don left, promising to return before eleven tomorrow.
Played cards, watched TV - in bed by half nine.
I couldn't sleep again, no particular reason why. Got up and did some Sudoku puzzles and drank whisky. Eventually went to bed and slept till about half one.
Geri and I chattered in our sleep all night.
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April 5th
Sunny all day with occasional gusts of breeze.
Geri got me back for my Mrs. Mopp picture, she got Pixie Chris.
Up about seven. Sun up and shining through the port windows. Got the fire going, made a cup of tea and fed the cat.
Geri up about half seven. I got dressed. Collected some kindling and lit fire. Fished for an hour or so. Rang Don at ten to ask him to bring some bread.
Geri took Mable for another walk - he loved it. I made another rope fender and started on a third.
Don arrived at elevenish - right on time and we chatted for an hour or so.
Mable decided to wander on the rear deck and watch the wild life. While I checked the engine Geri caught two fish. Set off for Oxford proper about one ish intending to go to the town centre.
At the first lock three youths asked if they could have a lift/ride to the next bridge. We agreed so they jumped on. They seemed to enjoy themselves and were polite and pleasant. As we approached the next bridge hole I asked if they were ready to jump off as we went through
'Oh' they said 'We meant the next lock'.
No problem, we carried on to the next lock where they got off. While we were going into the lock they fished a dead cat out of the cut. It had a tag on it so they decided to collect the reward and take the tag and the body to the vet. We supplied them with a couple of bin liners to carry it in. They were a bit squeamish so Geri put the body in the bin liner.
Had lunch on the move, a packet of cheeselets and a cup of tomato soup with bread.
Pulled off just after Dukes cut and topped up with water and I did some more of the rope fender while the tank was filling.
Entered the Oxford Town centre approaching five and found the boatyard where we managed to get a gas cylender.
Arrived at the Thames /Oxford canal junction and found out that the longest boat that can turn around in Oxford is 30ft. Being a 45 footer we had no chance so had to take the Thames turning (reversing about 50 yards to get there.
Went through Isis lock and the current hit us. Full throttle and we were still only doing about 2 knots. After about 200 to 300 yards to the Thames proper, we turned to run with the current.
Going a lot easier, in fact quite fast.
In fact we were doing about 4 knots on the surface of the water and the water was running at about 5 knots.
Seemed like we were racing along some kind of water motorway we were going so fast. After tootling along at a walking pace for so long it is not surprising that is seemed ridiculously fast.
A bit scary, so we moored up at the first possible opportunity just below Osney Bridge at shortly after six. A bit different trying to moor up when the current is taking you along so fast, but made it. Hate to think what might have happened if we had missed the mooring point as I don't see how we would have reversed up against the current.
Decided to do the Thames as quickly as possible. Lit the fire and put dinner on, chilli con carne with rice.
Geri was outside all day and spent a lot of time steering the boat- so much so that she ended up with the beginnings of a tan.
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April 6th
Sunny - chill wind at first, warm for the rest of the day in the sun.
So much for an early start. Up a eight, chilli and bread for breakfast. Lit fire, went shopping for milk.
Did engine checks. Engine would not start - battery flat/low. Isolator had been on, (isolating battery) all night. Battery pack did not help. Battery reading 11.7, Leisure battery reading 12.38
Phoned Don for jump leads.
Don arrived about ten with a new set of jump leads. Connected the leisure batteries to the live side of the isolator switch. Engine started. Either the starter battery is duff OR because we were just ticking over for most of the day yesterday neither battery got properly charged.
Thanked Don and we set off about eleven. Got to the first lock (Osney lock) about half eleven. Filled in the requisite forms to allow us to travel the Thames and got a 'Lock Log' which has to be signed at each lock.
Had a picnic lunch of cheese and tomato sandwiches (frozen, the fridge works really well) on the move.
Kept going till six pm, 20 miles and seven locks. The locks on the Thames are operated by lockkeepers which makes life easier as they are enormous locks. In addition, as we went out of each lock, the lockkeeper would phone the next lock down the line and let them know that we were on the way. When we got to each lock it was ready waiting for us, which helped speed us along.
Kept checking the battery charge during the journey - should be fully charged.
Moored up just before Shillingford bridge and lit fire. Geri found out what the smell was that had been bothering us for a few days. The connector to the gas bottle was leaking just a tiny bit. Enough to be dangerous if the bottle did not have an overflow to the outside of the boat. Sorted that out. Stayed in tonight. Bacon, beans, egg and mash for tea.
Geri spent most of the day on the tiller - sending me inside to make the bed, sort out the fire and take photos. We both caught the sun and now have red faces.
While we were cooking dinner two swans decided to knock on the door. Well actually they were eating the algae on the side of the boat, but it sounded as if they were knocking on the door.
After dinner we spent the rest of the evening playing cards and chasing ducks off the roof. Where we were moored up the bank was level with the middle of the window, so the ducks could jump onto the roof and wander around on it.
Ducks tramping around on the roof all night, Mable trying to get at them.
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April 7th
Hazy sunshine to start, no wind. Cloudy all day with windy periods, overall chilly.
Chilli, beans and mash for breakfast - clean underpants today.
Starter battery dead, jump started from leisure batteries. Now they don't seem to be charging at all. Isolated the leisure batteries, Isolated the starter battery. Connected jump lead from charge line on leisure to terminal on starter - no charge indicated. Need to get it looked at and sorted.
Motored all day, waited at lock Maple Durham for the lockkeeper to finish lunch (1-2) so had lunch ourselves. Heavy rain just before lunch and during lunch, so good time to take a pause.
Carried on into Reading, not a boat friendly town. In fact the only place that there are traffic lights on the cut. Trouble is, you have to press the button on the lights to make sure that there is not a boat coming the otherway. The landing stage to press the button is about six foot square, not good when you are at the back of the boat. I had to walk along the side of the boat to the prow and reach over to press the button. Geri was going a little faster than I would have liked and I nearly got stuck on the landingstage while Geri motored on. Fortunately she got the back end of the boat close enough for me to jump on, otherwise I would have had to walk through Reading and hope that I could find her at the other side.
Continued on to through to Burfield Lock where The Cunning Man was a good place to eat. Rang Peter for advice on alternator. Removed instrumental panel and replaced wire on switch. May solve the problem.
Stayed in pub till nearly ten when we returned to the boat and went to bed. Geri's steak was not properly cooked and had to be sent back to be cooked again. Still not cooked to her liking but ate it anyway.
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April 8th
Bright sunshine, but threatening showers.
Geri got up, made tea and lit the fire.
Walked across the road to the Peter Pan cafe and got two bacon sandwiches for breakfast while Geri got dressed - clean knickers, jeans and jumper but yesterdays socks.
Got the motor started on the leisure batteries. Did the checks that Peter suggested - think it's the alternator.
Met up with a couple going our way for a couple of locks. They stopped we carried on to Aldermaston boat yard. Filled up with diesel (42 litres). Asked if they knew about alternators. Said that they would look at it after they got all their hire boats out.
Checked out the alternator - duff. Wiring also somewhat convoluted. They rewired the ignition on the alternator side 'like what it should be'. Still the alternator wasn't working.
Replaced that and tidied up some more of the wiring. Now it charges and we have a 'charging' light. Finished about six forty five. Running the engine for about an hour just to charge the starter battery and then off to the pub for some food.
Got back about half nine and watched some TV and fell asleep.
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April 9th
Bright and sunny with occasional showers.
Woke up with the sun at sevenish. Canal like a mill pond, absolutely flat and calm, you could see your face in it.
Lit the fire, made Geri a cup of tea and fished for a while. Caught several. Geri woke up and I got her another cup of tea. Mable kept trying to go out on the stern. Fished some more, caught some more. Geri got up while I fished some more.
Motored along to the watering point, filled up with water.
While I was filling up, Geri took the opportunity to do some washing with the washing machine and I cleaned her little electric bike.
I thought that Geri must be using loads of water because the water tank at the front of the boat just didn't seem to be filling.
Eventually I wandered to the back of the boat and poked my head in. Noticed some water on the floor at the back of the boat. Asked Geri if she had spilt any water.
'No' she said. Then I realised what the surveyor meant by a 'wet bilge'.
The way the water tank is fitted it overflows into the bilges. I had put several hundreds of gallons of water into the boat which is why it had come over the floor boards!.
Stopped filling the tank/boat and started the bilge pump - it pumped water for over an hour.
Washing complete we set off, through a swing bridge to a four hour mooring, where we pulled over, moored up and went for Sunday lunch at The Butt Inn.
Started of again at threeish. We had just gone through our first lock of the days trip and one of those inimitable April showers launched itself on us. Only lasted for about twenty minutes, but you can get awfully wet in twenty minutes.
Find a place to pull over and moor up while the last of the shower dissipated. Moored up against a couple of trees, not ideal.
When the rain eased off I walked the towpath to find somewhere better. Sorted out a place about 200 yards further along.
Again moored up to a couple of trees, but at least this time I could get to the bank by the gang plank.
Foraged for firewood and found enough small stuff to keep us going for quite a while.
Got a call from Danu, she had found some iMacs for sale. Got a call from Richard, everything OK there.
Carried on to Woolhampton. While we were travelling Geri tidied the boat and got the fire going. Having tidied the boat, she decided that all the small stuff that I had spent hours collecting looked messy, so burnt it!
Oh well, I suppose it was for burning anyway.
Moored up just above Woolhampton lock for the night. Caught lots of fish with the remaining maggots and had a glass of wine. Decided not to go to the pub, it's raining again.
Geri beat me twice at cards, I got a little tiddly and went to bed about ten.
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April 10th
Up at half ten, a real lay-in, haven't had one of those since I can't remember when.
Went to the shops, Geri on her bike. Got a card for Bonnie, some bread, milk and cigarettes and honey, oh and a quiche for tea.
Returned to the boat - fished while the washing dried and Geri did her boat work. Set the TV up in the salon and watched the news for the first time in weeks. Didn't go anywhere, just stayed there.
Quiche, beans, mushrooms and mash for tea. Watched TV and went to bed.
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April 11th
Overcast at first, threatening rain later.
Rain started about one.
Up at half seven, breakfast of mash on toast.
Took ages to get the fire going, no small stuff to start it off with (wonder where it all went!). Both Geri and I sniffling.
Started off about nine to try to get to Newbury before it rained. Had trouble with the wind at the first lock pushing us this way and that but managed to keep going.
Another boat started through the lock as we left. Waited for them at the next lock.
Tendered with them to Newbury, rain started just after Thatcham. Moored up in Newbury just after three.
Got changed into dry clothes. Geri's cold blossoming. Walked into Newbury, had a McDonalds.
Went into the King Harry for a pint, a right royal hippy pub. Did some shopping in Tesco.
Back to the boat, watched a couple of DVD's and went to bed.
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April 12th
Sunny at first, clouding over later, but stayed bright all day.
Up at seven. Brilliant sunshine but still chilly. Lit fire, had marmite on toast for breakfast, got washed and dressed, clean socks and underpants.
The idea is to spend the day wandering around Newbury and going back to the marina to top up with gas, coal, logs and anything else that we might want (Geri has her eye on a new chimney).
Walked up to Lidl's while Geri got dressed.
Bought a bottle of whisky, for medicinal purposes, which I carried back hanging out of my pocket. A police car slowed right down as it passed me walking along the road, but didn't bother to talk to me.
When I got back I did a Sudoku while Geri washed her hair. Geri then washed my hair (and let me put it back on when it was dry).
Went into town and had an Italian lunch, Geri ordered. Wandered around the museum, looked for maggots and purchased some walkie talkies.
Returned to boat.
A couple of lads asked if they could see over the boat so let them. They were mightily impressed.
Winded the boat (turned it round), took it back to the boat yard. Got some gas, coal, topped up with water - and a new chimney and some fire cement.
Winded the boat and took it back to Newbury wharf. Ran out of fire lighters so went into Newbury to get some. Took one of the walkie talkies with me to test it out. Got some fire lighters in Robert Dyas and spotted a stainless steel barrel barbeque for £20.
Tested the walkie talkie on the way back to the boat. Made contact with Geri at Tesco's.
Geri decided that we should go back to Robert Dyas for the Barbie. Went to Robert Dyas and purchased the Barbie, some charcoal and some more firelighters. Got a £5 voucher. Geri carried the Barbie the last hundred yards to the boat.
Unpacked and assembled the Barbie. Geri put it on top of the boat. Put on a DVD to watch (TV reception lousy). Had cheese and biccies for supper.
Tried ringing Richard all day, no reply. Contacted Blynda who said that she would try to make it down on Friday.
Geri went to bed with a hot toddy about nine, told you it was for medicinal purposes! I watched another DVD and finished it about eleven fifteen. Getting ready for bed and I spotted something flying low and fast across the water - looked again and it turned out to be a bat. Watched for almost an hour. Lots of bats, both horseshoe and pipistrell.
Also spotted a big rat wandering along the opposite bank.
On the opposite bank is a car park with a low wall about ten feet back from the edge of the canal. The rat was wandering up and down the space between the wall and the bank edge. There was a girl talking on her phone in the car park and after a while she came and sat on the wall. The rat was most interested. It went up to the wall right where the girl was sitting and rose up on it's hind legs and sniffed at her bum. I am sure she would have run a mile if she had known.
A very pleasant end to the day, all this nature watching.
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April 13th
Overcast and windy.
Up at seven, lit fire, made tea.
Wandered into town to check out the Barbie spare piece and spend the £5 voucher, got a bucket and some serviettes. Sorted out the spare piece, it holds the lid open. Back to the boat via the park cafe and two bacon sarnies.
Phoned Richard and invited him for a trip from Newbury to Hungerford, very excited, Said he would be with us within the hour. Phoned back and regretfully declined. His back is playing him up and he decided that the locks would not do him any good.
A couple of policemen on pushbikes cycled past, got a couple of piccies of them.
Set off about half ten. Met a couple in Newbury lock. Motored on with them till Kintbury.
Pushed on to Hungerford to get there before the fishing tackle shop closed to get some maggots. When we got there found that they didn't sell maggots anyway.
Blynda arrived at just after seven and stayed till nineish. Very pleasant evening.
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April 14th
Early rain brightened later.
Up at half ten, all these late mornings, whatever happened to early to bed, early to rise and all that, well we are on holiday.
Tony and Mrs Doubtfire visited. We went shopping and got a picnic lunch that we arranged and ate on the stern of the boat on our foldaway table and chairs.
Watched the canoes going past. It is the Devizes to Westminster bridge annual race. An annual affair where the 'elite' do it in under 24 hours and the rest do it in four days.
Geri fished with a piece of bacon and caught two very nice roach, and then washed the boat while I read a book in the sunshine.
Arranged for Richard to visit and take us to mums to collect the Morris.
Played cards for the evening and went to bed.
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April 15th
Early overcast, clearing later.
Need to move the boat today, we have been on this mooring for 48 hours.
Quiet morning, Richard arrived before midday. We sat and nattered for a while then moved the boat past the first lock at Hungerford and through the swing bridge, where there are 14 day moorings. Had a picnic lunch on the boat.
Set off for mums at threeish, got there at fourish. Picked up the Morris and returned to the boat after stopping off at Tidworth so that Geri could do some washing. Richard went back to Tidworth.
Got back to the boat after dark. Sat and played a game of cards and watched the 'elite' canoeists going past in the dark, with their little head torches glowing away. Cannot see how they make a lot of difference.
Mable has started crying at the back door to be let out.
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April 16th
Bright sunny day.
Walked round to the car and moved it behind the church. The church in Hungerford has the weirdest gate I have ever seen.
It looks like a small five bar gate, but you cannot push it, or pull it. You have to lean on the top bar, which pivots downwards till it hits the second bar, which pivots downwards till it hits, and so on. Most ingenious.
Set off for Tidworth after letting Mable out on to the back of the boat for a while.
Did all the washing, set up Richards computer for him. Did all my internetty stuff. Checked out available properties and bid on a one bedroom bungalow with a big garden, three sheds and space for two cars off road.
Returned to the boat, let Mable out, lit the fire had tea and went to bed.
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April 17th
Bright and sunny all day, chilly in the wind.
Off to Bristol. Went via Horton to look at the bungalow I had bid on.
Stopped off at mums for a chat and to bring her up to date on all the news.
Carried on to Bristol. Saw mum Morris. She was in good spirits and quite chatty.
Went on to Weston to see Pasquale. He also seemed 'on the up' as he has got his work situation sorted out nicely.
Carried on to Bristol to see Mario. He seemed happy and pleased with life. Had a meal in Don Giovanni's - very good, Geri ordered as usual.
Purchased some fire lighters, kindling and logs during the day. Arrived back at the boat after driving all the way along the A4 at about midnight. Hot toddy and went to bed.
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April 18th
Sunny but some overcast.
Up at seven, emptied the car after breakfast of scrambled eggs on toast. Made Geri two cups of tea that went cold. When she woke up at eight, I made her a fresh one. While Geri got washed I got everything from the car and brought it back to the boat. Set off and went through the first lock. As we were leaving NB Pepper arrived. We shared the locks with them right up to Great Bedwyn.
Moored up, breasted against Hannah, a Bruce's Trust boat. Most of the moorings at Great Bedwyn are reserved for the Bruce's Trust boats which are kitted out for disabled people.
As there were no reasonable moorings available I rang the number on the leaflet at the moorings and asked if we could breast up against one of their boats as Geri carries a Registered Disabled badge.
Not only was that OK, but I was asked if we needed any special facilities for getting on and off the boat.
Topped up with water and emptied the Elsan.
Caught the train to Hungerford to get the car. There was no ticket office at Great Bedwyn and no guard on the train to pay. Neither were there any guards or ticket people at Hungerford, so the trip cost nothing.
Pasquale had rung and mentioned that the Morris had left a little pool of oil where it had been parked, so I checked the oil when I got to it. Very low, topped it up and tightened the oil filter nut which seemed to be a bit loose.
From Hungerford we went to Devizes to get some maggots, got here at 4:35 only to find that they close at 4:30. Oh well, that's life.
Did some shopping in Devizes, Geri does love her shopping. Got a set of solar lights, four for £8.99. Just the thing to illuminate the mooring stakes so as not to trip over them in the dark.
Got back to the boat about eight, late supper and of to bed.
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April 19th
Up at sevenish to get ready to collect Richard from Pewsey at nine. He was coming out for a day trip and we were going to drop him off at Pewsey at the end of the day.
Collected him about nine and drove back to Great Bedwyn where we prepared the boat and set off just before ten.
Eight locks, including one that has a swing bridge across the middle of it. OK when you are going down because you cannot enter the lock if the bridge has not been swung. Going up might be another matter. I can see a boat going into the lock and starting to fill it and then realising that the boat is trapped under the bridge.
Past Crofton Beam engine, which has the oldest steam engine still working in it's original location and still doing the job it was built for. Installed in 1812 it is still capable of lifting 240 gallons of water (just over one ton) 40 foot up eleven times a minute. Quite something.
Moored up for lunch of mash, bacon eggs and beans washed down with cups of tea.
Onwards to Bruce Tunnel, 760 yards long with chains all along each side to pull yourself through if you break down.
Four more locks and on to Pewsey Wharf. Geri let Richard take the tiller through a couple of locks and through the tunnel. I think he enjoyed himself. He did say it was totally unlike driving a coach.
Had to reverse the boat about 300 yards to find a mooring. We were told later that there was a winding hole about 300 yards further on.
Richard took us back to Great Bedwyn to get the Morris and then went home.
Found the pub and had four pints of Abbots Ale, good stuff. While we were there a fox jumped up on to the wall of the bridge at the wharf and sat there looking around for several minutes.
Staggered back to the boat and slept well after a long day
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April 20th
Went to Tidworth for eleven, did some internetty stuff while Geri finished the washing. Went to Andover to get some maggots. Tackle shop out of maggots. Will I ever get any maggots or am I doomed to fish with something else?
Returned to the boat and the pub. Only one pint this evening. I have been nicknamed 'the puppy' due to my inability to drink very much without getting merry.
During the night Geri woke up convinced that pirates were rowing the boat away. They cannot get it far I told her and with that she went back to sleep.
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April 21st
Tidworth, paperwork, appointments booked, got maggots from Andover (hurrah). Finished the last of the washing. Arranged to take Richard (Cain, we seem to know a lot of Richards) out on the boat tomorrow.
Got back to the boat, Geri caught fish, I didn't.
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April 22nd
Richard (Cain) arrived late, two minutes past ten instead of ten o'clock.
Filled up with water and set off. Very pleasant days travelling. Stopped for lunch about two. Got to a swing bridge and Richard and I opened it. He said to Geri 'Do you want me to turn the boat, it might be difficult for a woman'.
That got right up Geri's nose, so she just went straight through the swing bridge, not stopping for us, turned the boat in the winding hole and brought it back through the swing bridge, where she moored up to wait for us to close the bridge and get on the boat.
She later told me that she was quite scared about doing it all on her own, but she was blowed if she was going to let Richard know that.
Motored back and arrived about seven. A very long but very pleasant day with mixed sunshine and clouds. On the way back, Richard got off the boat and ran along the bank with his camera. Took several pictures of the boat with Geri and I on the back. Later we turned this picture into Place Mats for the boat. (See the headline picture)
Ended up in the pub till midnight.
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April 23rd
Motored down to Wilcot and moored up, went home in the afternoon to do some more washing and some more internetty stuff. Went to mums at Trowbridge and checked out the chain saw and sawed up some logs.
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April 24th
Up late, mooched around, went home late afternoon in preparation for an early start tomorrow.
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April 25th
Off to Worthing, sorted John, sorted Church, stayed with Gail. Mable slept in the ambulance after escaping and running around the street under cars and vans for half an hour or so.
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April 26th
Finished sorting out Church's computer, well nearly. Got home after visiting Les and Joan. Stayed at home.
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April 27th
Went to mums in the afternoon via Devizes where we got an extendable pole for the TV aerial and some maggots.
Started trying to sort out the petrol on the ambulance (it doesn't run on petrol at the moment. Got to about half eight and still no joy, so Peter ran us back to Tidworth where we picked up the Morris and went to the boat.
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April 28th
Up at eight, went to mums and sorted the ambulance, working on petrol now.
Back to the boat, sorted the TV aerial and the headlight for the boat. Geri hadn't been up for long.
Took the boat to the next winding hole and turned round to return to Pewsey. Jumped off the boat at Wilcot bridge to take the ambulance to Pewsey. Got there and walked back along the towpath to find Geri.
Spotted her and told her not to stop as it was a bit shallow. She obviously did not hear me, or chose to ignore me as is her want, and promptly ran aground.
She threw me the boat pole and I tried to push her off, only to fall in.
Oh well! If I am that wet I might as well wade in and get into the boat anyway. Eventually a boat came along and towed us off. Got to Pewsey Wharf and moored up.
Went to Andover via Tidworth (to put the wet clothes in the washing machine) to get Pasqualies birthday present.
Returned to Tidworth and stayed chatting to Ruth and Tony.
Got back to boat in time for tea and bed.
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