Almyne journeying in 2008
Mon, 3 Mar 2008
Eventually reached a state of consciousness at about half nine. Threw on some clothing and went downstairs to let the dog out. There were some guys strimming the bank where the dog usually performs, but he ignored them and got on with it anyway.
His needs catered for I returned upstairs for breakfast. I had eggs, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms and fried bread, with a cup of tea. The same thing I have for breakfast every morning. Can't start the day with out eating. Once that had gone down I took the dog downstairs again for some exercise, throwing the ball for him. He is beginning to get the hang of it but it can be a pain having to throw the ball, run after it till I get it, pick it up in my mouth and take it back to D'fer
to show him how it works. Once he got the hang of it, it went quite well except for me having to chase him all around the yard to get the ball off him to throw again. I am not sure who is getting more exercise, me or him.
It is now half eleven and I am beginning to feel a little more sober, maybe I will go over to Danu's in an hour or so to do the banking for her.
A fun thing about being here is that I have a large polished wooden dance floor where I can throw the ball for the dog. Paws don't grip well, so for every bounce there is another slip and slither and skid, Sooo funny to watch.
Got some braided cord from Wickes this afternoon so I can practice with some proper stuff rather than household string and garden twine although household string and garden twine work well enough at a pinch.
Also got some odds and sods for the boat, like a new switch for the bilge pump. The old one is iffy. And a meter so I can tell if the batteries are properly charged. Well actually two, it was buy one get one free, and they were only 5.99 anyway.
Then I went to PC world and got an MP3 player/recorder. Don't want to listen to music (it's hard getting the earphones in my ears with the hearing aids!!!) but I do want an easy form of making notes for myself while I am driving, or more correctly, navigating the boat. Navigating sounds such a technical term, but so much better than steering or driving.
Well, dinners on, just waiting for it to be ready.
D'fer amuses me. He has been eating the potato peelings for ages and he always sits near me while I am preparing a meal. Yesterday I gave him a little piece of celery, which he ate. This evening he had some celery and then a slice of raw onion, ate both quite happily, then polished off the end of a leek. Strange dog.
Back to the macrame, made a key fob earlier, must think of something else next.
Bearing in mind I am at a closed night club with only four rings on the stove and no oven. Also only have three saucepans and a small frying pan.
Diced chicken, fried with leeks, mushrooms, onions and peppers, a clove of garlic and some herbs, and simmered in half a glass of red wine.
In a saucepan I have sliced potatoes with celery and finely diced peppers. When they are cooked I am going to turn the heat off and add half a glass of rice to the pan. Tried it yesterday and I think I put just a little too much rice in as it did not fully cook and thickened the potatoes a little too much. Experimenting to get it just right.
D'fer is constantly moaning to go out, play ball, get fed, go out, get fed, play ball, play ball, get fed, play ball, go out, I think you get the idea. However, if I tell him to give over he will lay down and go to sleep. Oh, by the way, he can also moan that he wants to go to bed if he thinks I am staying up too late.
I was thinking of pouring a glass of wine myself, but it all went in the chicken, so stuck with my last can of beer.
Early night tonight, I have to be up to take the barmaid from Danu's to a pub in Trowbridge where she is going to be doing pub sitting and then pick Nikki up from Trowbridge and drop her off with Danu. Will take the opportunity to see my mum
while I am there.
Tue, 4 Mar 2008
Up at seven, breakfast (the usual), left by eight at Danu's by twenty to nine.
Left for Trowbridge about ten past. Filled up with gas at Devizes. Arrived at the pub by ten to eleven. The occupant was still removing stuff. They left at eleven. Some guy wandered into the pub, so Kim and I went in to see what he was doing. It was the bailiff. Told him we knew nothing (We are from Barcelona). Eventually Bob Ecland (the guy from Admiral Taverns) arrived. Left him to sort out the bailiff.
Long and short of it was that the pub was uninhabitable, no electricity, windows broken, no locks on doors (or no keys) rubbish everywhere. Bob and Kim decided that it would be dangerous for a 23 year old girl to be alone in THAT pub in that condition, so took her back to Danu's with Nicky.
In the mean time I popped round to mums and dropped off the bike she wanted to borrow.
Arrived back at Danu's about four ish, had a cuppa. Back at the night club by six, after doing some shopping.
Tea - sausages with onions, thickened with Bisto Gravy Granules (or that is what I am going to try) with potatoes, shredded carrots and finely sliced celery boiled in a saucepan. When it came to the boil I added a quarter cup of rice. It looks as if it is just about the right amount. The finished product should be like mashed potatoes with flavouring and the consistency of a paste. Sounds horrible doesn't it.
Think I might get up early again tomorrow and move the boat nearer to Devizes, getting ready to set off.
Wed, 5 Mar 2008
Warm and snug inside
All Cannings at evening
The new Urchin
2.5 miles
I have a wonderful imagination, sometimes gets me into trouble, but mostly gives me a great deal of laughter.
Early start again, up at seven, breakfast (same as usual) and off to the boat at eight. Got to All Cannings at about half nine. Parked the ambulance and walked the two or three miles to the boat at Honey Street. Had a cup of tea, checked the engine (it was still there) and set off. Got back to All Cannings about half twelve.
D'fer was his usual helpful self. Tried to run off with the mooring ropes while I was mooring up and then attacked my boots as I was not interested in playing.
Got moored up and it was such a wonderful day that I decided fishing would be nice but I had best clean the boat first. Again D'fer was feeling helpful, chasing the mop all up and down the boat, bringing in more mud than I was clearing up. Chased him outside and told him to find something else to play with. Carried on cleaning the boat. Finished the inside and had a cup of tea. Remembered that I had a switch to fit to get the last of the lights in the galley working, fitted it. Sawed up some logs that have been sitting on the roof for a long time. Tidied the cratch (that's the bit of the boat at the front) and re-arranged it. Found some thick ish cord and put it on one side to take home.
Sorted out a pumpy sort of thing to get the water/diesel mix out of the engine bilge, worked quite well. Now I think I might be able to get it properly clean.
Got the rod out. A bit slow, so decided to try some macrame with the cord I had found. Started a mat. Quite good, but the knots are a little uneven.
Made a note to myself to start provisioning the boat for a long journey - 12 tins beans, 12 tins tomatoes 4 tins kidney beans, 8 litres of orange juice, big box tea bags, big bag rice, 6 packs of those part baked baguettes, 12 boxes of red wine, 6 cases of lager, 3 bottles whisky, a sack of onions, sack of potatoes.
Left the boat about four and went to the bungalow, sorted out some paperwork, collected some meat from the freezer and set off for the Jax bar. Arrived about half six, got dinner, plain old sausages with onions and peppers and mash, no milk, so I beat an egg into it, very creamy and Bisto gravy - it worked tonight. I made it with the water from the potatoes instead of trying to make it with the oil and fat from the sausages.
Listened to Tarzan of the Apes.
Off to bed said Chris, boing said Zebedee
Thu, 6 Mar 2008
I have been trying to transcribe the log of the journey down from Wheaton Aston and it is taking me ages, just because I hate typing up notes.
Went to the bungalow today. Collected a few bits and pieces that I needed to write some letters and did the washing while I was there.
While it was drying in the tumble dryer I went to East Grafton where there is a bungalow that is available. I quite like it, it has a south east facing bedroom and hard-standing for a vehicle. The garden is mainly out the front as it is a corner plot and the fences are pitifully old, no match for D'fer but I will apply for it anyway. If I get offered it I will ask for proper fences before I move in.
I am going to have a battle with the housing authority anyway.
When I tried to get on the housing list I was told that I cannot hold two tenancies at the same time. When I get offered a property they will insist that I hold two tenancies at the same time. I will fight that one just to be belligerent. They cannot have it both ways.
Having learnt how to retrieve a ball, D'fer is currently dropping it on my lap as I type, hoping against hope that I will stop and throw it for him. I can ignore it most of the time but when I am sitting on the loo it can be a bit of a pain. It can also be quite funny as he will drop it at my feet and I will kick it across the floor, which is a ceramic tiled floor with absolutely NO grip for his paws.
Got back from the bungalow and had a nap - I can do that sort of thing now I am retired. D'fer has got bored with dropping the ball on my lap, now he is chewing my socks, with my feet still in them - anything to get my attention.
I must set firm plans otherwise I will hang around forever waiting for the weather to be just right.
Will ring AYCE services tomorrow and tell them that I am finishing a week Monday, that way I can spend a few days at the bungalow, tidying it up and sorting those last minute things and then going to the boat to start the trip by Wednesday. Actually I can't wait to get on the boat, just putting it off because there will be a sense of finality to it once I actually start to scatter Geri's ashes.
I keep telling myself that there is so much to do sorting out Geri's finances but it can actually wait indefinitely.
Nothing to drink again tonight, just orange juice and tonic water, probably good for me.
Off to bed as soon as the current chapter of Tarzan of the Apes has finished.
Fri, 7 Mar 2008
Very slow day. Up by nine, did some more transcribing, posted some letters, rang AYCE and told them I am finishing a week Monday and if they cannot find anyone to replace me Don will do it. (I had rung Don and confirmed that he can).
Arranged insurance cover on the ambulance for him. That way the ambulance is gainfully employed and I don't have to worry about it while I am away. Also Don has said that he will get rid of the rust spots on the front. If he does all well and good, if he doesn't, no problem.
He is organising himself to be able to take over this place if they agree.
Been listening to the Old Curiosity shop all day, it is being read by someone with an eastern European accent, very good English but that slight accent sort of puts me off.
Took D'fer outside and threw the ball for him - until he lay down for a rest. Came back in and ten minutes later he is pestering me with the ball again. He keeps putting it on my lap and letting it fall on the floor until I pick it up and put it on the table. He cannot get to it there, so he rests his head on the table looking longingly at it .
My idea is to scatter Geri's ashes on the canal where she was happiest and it seems fitting to let her rest there. We always planned to do as much of the system as we could, so I decided that I would do the system and it just seemed a good idea to scatter Geri
on the way. I am sure that she would have liked the idea. I am going to scatter her dogs ashes with her. She had a dog for about 12 years and when he died she had him cremated and never put the ashes anywhere, so let them rest together.
Geri's family seem comfortable with it all and that consideration is important to me.
Finely diced chicken fried with leeks, onions, carrots and celery, sprinkled with herbs with plain sliced boiled potatoes. I seem to like all my meat finely diced, partly because it cooks quickly and partly because I can eat my meal with a fork
I also cut up the potatoes small because they cook quicker that way.
You see fast food doesn't have to come from a shop. Potatoes cook in under five minutes if finely sliced and so do all the other veg and the meat.
Decided I wanted a drink with dinner so went out to the ambulance and brought in a six pack, there are four of them there waiting to go to the boat, well three of them now.
I always said that I would retire by the time I was forty, well I have effectively been retired since I was forty two. I did have a job for several years. I was 'Chief Librarian' for a company that sold properties in Spain. My duties were to build and maintain the database of properties and prepare and deliver all the sales packs to prospective clients. Once the software was written it took me all of three hours a week to perform my duties. £300 a week after deductions. Mind you I did find out that the revenue being used to pay me was derived from the import of cocaine, that was when I divorced myself from the organisation as soon as I could and moved to Bristol. And therein lies another story.
D'fer was born on the canal to an Alsatian, Rottweiler cross with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Labrador cross, one of seven.
He was the smallest of the litter when we got him, but has now outgrown all the others that I have met again recently.
Danu thinks that he has some Hagar (Arfurs dad) in him as Hagar was on the K & A canal for most of his life.
The thing that I like most about owning D'fer is that it is a well known fact that owners look like their dogs (or is it the other way around) and sooo many people come up to me, quite out of the blue, and say "Isn't he a lovely dog". So, who are they really talking about???
I have spent very little time training him, but I do have an expectation of how my dog should behave and broadly speaking he lives up to that expectation.
I spent three months near Trawsfynydd while I was working my way through University with a friend. We were camping in a one acre field that had the remains of a boulder house on it that her mother gave to her because her mother hadn't done anything with it for about 20 years. It was adjacent to a pig farm. The pigs were only fed on fruit and vegetables and were as friendly as they come. It was one of our daily tasks to go around the local fruit and veg places and get all their left overs. Our favourite trick was to get a honeydew melon and save it for the biggest boar. He would take it gently in his mouth, tip his head backwards and then, very gently, crunch it so that all the juice ran down his throat. When we couldn't get a honeydew melon we would give him a can of lager, he loved it.
We pitched a tent in the remains of the boulder house and set up two computers and a printer running off a generator. There are not many people who can say that they were paid to do typesetting for HMG from a field in Wales. It worked surprisingly well. A friend of mine called in to see us because he was in the area after the first week and when he got home sent us a postcard addressed to us at Eru Gain, Trawsfynydd and, hey presto, a few days later the postman came wandering across this field saying 'Postcard for you boyo!'
The main difficulty was lack of communication, but we got over that by having a phone installed at the bottom of a telegraph pole in the middle of the field. It's amazing what you can do if you really want to.
Three months in Snowdonia, the wettest place in Britain and we never saw a drop of rain, the weather was glorious. To take a shower we attached a long hose pipe to the water main (the water board guys told us where it was and showed us how to hook up to it) looped it over the branch of a tree and left it there for a couple of hours. Then, when we turned it on we got hot water for about fifteen minutes (provided we had it on slowly). Mind you, we had to keep an eye out for traffic as cavorting under a hose-pipe at the side of the road is probably frowned on in most areas. There was one incident when we were chatting to one of the locals, an elderly gentleman, and we told him we had been there for a couple of weeks. 'Yes", he said, 'I saw you showering last Tuesday', to the woman I was with. She went a lovely shade of red.
Mon, 10 Mar 2008
I have just been throwing the ball for D'fer in the nightclub. I think I might be turning him into a very delicate dog. He has learned to tippy-toe across the dance floor - very quickly. He has learnt that if you RUN and try to change direction you end up at sixes and sevens with all four legs going in different directions. If you tippy-toe then at least you have a chance of staying upright.
However, just as you approach the ball, the urge to catch it overwhelms you and the legs just disappear from under you again.
I do so wish that I had seven or more hands and arms so that I could throw the ball, and catch the whole episode on video, it is sooo funny.
What makes it even funnier is that when I took him outside onto the concrete, he was still tippy-toeing for the first five minutes till he realised that the floor was not slippery.
Oh dear, am I cruel or not?
Up at six forty-five to collect Danu at eight forty-five. Listened to the weather (not the forecast, the weather) and thought about ringing Danu and putting it off. Waited, looked up the forecast on the web, listened to the rain and wind pounding on the building and had breakfast.
By seven forty-five the wind had abated, so decided that if it was still reasonable at eight I would go anyway.
Eight o'clock and it wasn't too bad, so got in the ambulance and set off. No worries, got there by ten to nine.
Set off to do the banking (and take Kim to the dentist, which was why Danu wanted to do the banking early anyway) and got to Highworth in time for the dentist. Kim went in and came right out again. The dentist said that the appointment was for half two. She re-arranged for another day and off we went to the cafe for breakfast (I can eat two breakfasts, can't you?).
Dropped them off at the pub and went to the bungalow. Collected all the non-perishable foods stuffs, some clean clothes (I had run out of knickers (pants in man language) and drove to the boat. Unloaded the food into the boat. It is quite a long walk from the car park to the boat and D'fer was 'worrying' my feet all the way, kind of makes it difficult to walk along a wet muddy towpath.
Locked up the boat and drove to Devizes where I provisioned from Lidl's. A case of beans, a case of tomatoes, half a dozen Corned beef, two tins ham a case of orange juice (I drink it in my tea). Carried on into Devizes. Went into the Halifax. Said to the assistant "I want to take all the money out of this account".
"That's OK she said but we don't do cash for more than £500 you will have to have it in a cheque".
"When can I have it in cash" I said.
"Well we need 24 hours notice, how about tomorrow"
"How about a week tomorrow?"
"Fine"
"You might like to take note of some of this paperwork" I said, showing her the death certificate, the letter of authority from the probate office, my passport, my drivers license, and diverse other bits of paper.
"Oh"
But it seems that it will work.
I tend to live in a cash society, it is my revolt against 1984.
Returned to the boat. The wind had picked up and it was a little bit dodgy tying to walk the plank with the provisions from Lidl's but I accomplished that with the wind blowing so hard at times that the boat was moving backwards and forwards fit to bust.
Shortly after, while I was 'stowing' provisions and D'fer was bouncing on and off the boat like a gymnast on a trampoline, the gang plank fell in.
Fortunately D'fer was on the boat at the time, otherwise he could have been stuck outside in the wind and rain for ages.
Once on the boat you would not know that it was windy at all, apart from the gentle swaying aft and for'ard
Sat in the warmth and quiet and had a cup of tea contemplating life, the universe and my forthcoming trip.
Drove back to the pub and exercised D'fer.
A tip.
When buying frozen foods buy lots.
I picked up some frozen stuff from home to keep me going for the next few day at the pub and it is still frozen.
Hot cross buns for tea, the food should be unfrozen by tomorrow.
Tue, 11 Mar 2008
Very slow day again today. Did some more of the Brochures web site.
I am developing a web site to sell brochures that a friend of mine supplies to Business Associates. Got all the basics done, but now developing the bit to allow them to pay via PayPal. They can already print an order form and order by post, but electronically is so much neater (and more impulsive).
Bolognese sauce for tea, with rice, haven't got any spaghetti here. As usual made far too much rice, so D'fer had two teas.
About seven I took D'fer down to the club and exercised him and then took him over to Asda's, hoping that he would be too tired to get excited about it. Noo he still ran about all over the place trying to make friends with everyone he could see. Anyway, got a lump of cheese and two boxes of French House Red, tried it before and it is palatable.
The checkout girl said "Good mix, red wine and cheese".
Told her that one was for tonight with the cheese and the other was for the boat. She got quite excited when I told her of my plans and I got the impression that she would have liked to join me.
Red wine and cheese for supper, then off to bed, perhaps to dream.
Thu, 13 Mar 2008
Up early again. Off to the bungalow to tidy it and get the fire going before the representatives from Sarsen Housing arrive to sort out the tenancy. All going through nicely now. Inspected the property and said that they would get the ceilings replaced because they are so cracked. We had asked them to do that when we first moved in but they refused then. During the inspection they marvelled at the four poster, I must admit it does look good with all the trimmings on it.
It was the same woman that signed us up in the first place and I think that she remembered. However, she has had a little experience of me now and they might just be on their best behaviour. I think that the reason that the original woman has taken over is that I wrote to Gill Bowden (who was dealing with it) and asked her to at least acknowledge my letter of a month previous - with a copy to her superior.
Copy to superior ALWAYS gets a reaction.
That over and dealt with, off to the boat again. Stowed the previous load of provisions in the for'ard hatch, pumped some more water/diesel out of the bilges and took some more stuff on board. Nearly ready for the off.
Back to Swindon, paid the funeral parlour for Geri's cremation and went shopping at ASDA. Four boxes of red wine, two cases of beer and some biscuits - that should keep me going for a day or so.
Sent a copy of 'The Log' to my mum. She is not too familiar with the internet and email, so she thought that what she could see was what she had got. Started reading it to Peter and then realised that there was more. Took her an hour and a half to read it all out loud and ended up with a very dry sore throat. Wants to know when chapter two is coming out.
The best dream I ever had was one where someone was telling me a joke about something yellow. That's all I can remember about the dream, but the joke was so funny I woke myself up laughing. Tell you what, to wake up laughing is the best start to the day you can ever hope to achieve. I was chuckling to my self about that dream all day long.
Talking about food, had minced beef with onions and leeks with mashed potatoes and celery for tea. I usually make the minced beef into something like shepherds pie (but I didn't have any shepherds) or Cottage pie (but I ) or Bolognese sauce (but I ), or chilli con carni, but every now and again I just fry the mince as it is. Tastes like beef burgers (real ones).
I gave D'fer the base of the celery stick and he played with it for a few minutes and then dropped it, so I picked it up and held it for him. Then he tucked into it, breaking off bits and crunching them. Is was so funny to listen to a dog crunching.
Sat, 15 Mar 2008
I have the guy who is taking over from me arriving on Sunday, but he is going to have to 'doss it' as he is sort of my guest till he takes over on Monday. There is no point in me going back home on Sunday as I have to go up to Watchfield on Monday anyway and it is much closer to here than it is from home.
I think D'fer is developing OCD. He has become attached to the ball that I throw for him in the club. He carries it everywhere and keeps dropping it on me, or by me and whining. When I throw him a biscuit he looks at it and tries hard to pick it up and eat it with the ball in his mouth. When I put his dinner on the floor (in a bowl, I'm not that uncouth), he makes sure that the ball is within inches of him. If it starts to roll away he looks as if he is undecided whether to continue eating or go and get it. If it gets too far away, he goes and gets it and comes back to finish his meal. Perhaps it is just a phase he is going through.
I remember as a kiddy I went through a phase of having a complex about being a dwarf, mind you, it was only a little one.
Did I tell you that I ordered a DVD about OCD and how to cope with it. I watched it, and then I watched it again, and again, and again ...
I was so impressed that I ordered TWO copies of their DVD on Schizophrenia. The postman left the one on Agoraphobia that I ordered on the door mat outside and it was weeks before I could open the door and get it.
The one I most wanted was the one on Paranoia, and although I ordered it I never watched it as I had it sent to another address.
I know that I will need to be fairly fit to work all the locks as well as navigating the boat so I have been working on my biceps for ages now.
Started by taking a 2.5 kg potato bag in each hand and holding it at arms length. Then I let it down to my sides and lift it up again twenty time at a session, three or four sessions a day.
Did that for a week until it was fairly easy. Then I moved up to a five kilo bag. That took longer to get used to but I have managed it. I have worked my way right up through 7.5 kg, 10 kg, 12.5 kg and I am now on the 25 kg bags.
Next week I am going to start putting potatoes in them.
Sun, 16 Mar 2008
You must have seen the all time classic that is shown on TV every Christmas, The Great Escape.
There is one guy in it, Steve McQueen who played who played Capt Virgil Hilt, who tried every which way to get away and every time he was caught he was put in solitary confinement.
BUT
He had a friend that threw him a baseball glove and ball so that he could while away his time throwing the ball against the wall and catching it.
In the film you get the impression that it annoyed the guards to have to listen to this ker-plunk, ker-plunk, ker-plunk going on endlessly.
Now I know what it must have felt like for them.
D'fer has taken to sitting close by with his ball, picking it up and dropping it going ker-plunk, ker-plunk, ker-plunk, ker-plunk, ker-plunk, ker-plunk, ker-plunk, ker-plunk, ker-plunk.
I can't tell him off, he is only trying to attract attention to get me to play ball with him, and it works from time to time.
I play ball with him for thirty minutes or so until he is absolutely knackered and gasping for breath, when I stop, as you would, wouldn't want to make him ill.
Trouble is two minutes later HE has recovered.
Tried distracting him with bones. He has bones laying around and when I try chewing one of them he just drops the ball in front of me.
I've tried pigs ears, but they last about 12 seconds - you would not believe how much he has grown in the past few weeks.
I doubt that he will get off the boat without his ball.
(Nasty) I'm not taking his ball on the boat. He would only drop it in the water and then he would be devastated!!!!!!!
Replacement is not coming till midday tomorrow, so I'm leaving the keys with the manager of the bowling ally next door.
Tue, 18 Mar 2008
Well, I have done it now. Spent Monday night at the bungalow. Did all the washing, tidied up the bungalow and made an appointment for the doctor to get a blood test done. He says that it is that time of life when he should start checking on cholesterol and such. Tuesday morning, off to the doctors, blood test. Straight to the boat, unloaded the last (yeah right) of the stuff I am taking and went on into Devizes to sort some things out.
Met Blynda
(my sister) and had a natter. Purchased some ring thingies for macrame and some dog lead ends, so I can make macrame dog leads.
Still only two ish, so made the leap to go back to the bungalow and get the dingy. Stuffed that in the ambulance, along with the camp bed that Hermione (my daughter) has asked me to bring along in case she decides to visit. Took them back to the boat. There were a load of guys who had been canoeing at the car park, so I said to one of them "Loads of people to lift boat in and out"
"Yes" he said.
"Oh good", I said "Perhaps you can help me lift mine in"
He laughed. "Seriously " I said "Look, it's in the back of the ambulance" opening the rear door. "OK" he said.
So I took a bunch of stuff back to the boat and removed everything from my person that might get damaged if it got wet.
Returning to the car park, everybody had gone except for this one guy. I told him that I didn't realise they were leaving, and he said that's OK
We carried it to the canal and dropped it in. "That is small" he said. I explained that I want to hang it off Davits from the back of the narrow boat, so it cannot be more than seven foot long, and this one is only six foot nine inches.
He left and I gingerly got in the dingy. D'fer gave me one of those 'You are mad if you think I am getting in that.' looks, backing away from me. He stayed firmly on the bank, exercising caution. It took me several minutes to get the dingy moving, and even more to get it moving in a straight line. Eventually got it to the boat and tied it up to the rear mooring points. Then I had to climb out. Very gingerly stood up, a bit wobbly, I thought. Sat down again.
Tried again, this time keeping low in the dingy while I edged towards the back of the narrow boat. Managed to climb up out of the dingy onto the back of the narrow boat. It's higher than you think.
Everything on board, I collected the petrol for the generator from the ambulance and filled the generator tank. Hopefully enough to last me a while as I don't use it very often.
Had a sandwich and a cup of tea and got the computer out. Everything works just dandy.
Now I need to light the fire and settle in for the evening.
Collecting Don tomorrow and he is dropping me off at the boat and taking the ambulance away with him.
That is the point of no return.
Must get a new mouse, this one thinks that I want a 'double click' every time I touch it, even when I am just sliding it around the desk. The spelling mistakes are due to my fat fingers hitting multiple keys. (I have a very small keyboard.)
I got really excited about my forthcoming trip this afternoon and am still excited. After checking my emails earlier on I found it a little too chilly to reply to them all, so shut down the computer and lit the fire. Three hours later the temperature at the top of the boat is up to 59F (15C) but at floor level it is still pretty chilly.
Roast pork and mash with onions for tea. I got a joint of roast pork out of the freezer at the bungalow before I left and it is a little larger than I envisaged. I think I will be living on roast pork for several days, so will D'fer. Must try to remember to get some apple sauce, that way I can have my first course and pudding together.
Started the engine at ten to five, just to make sure that I can do all my internetty stuff this evening, as long as it's not too chilly, can't work properly if I am cold.
Blynda is going to finish off the new curtains for the boat, so that is a worry off my mind.
When I popped in to the boat yard at Honeystreet a few days ago the woman there told me she loved the net curtains at the boat windows, she had never seen them with coloured ducks on before, seen nets with ducks, but not coloured ones. (Maybe I should get a roll from the shop in Littlehampton and sell it by the foot from the boat).
Geri is now stood on the shelf by the fire, she always liked to be warm and I have an iddy biddy measuring spoon to measure her out with when I sprinkle her on the canal. Must think of some appropriate words for each venue.
Got the fold down computer table working properly now, needed some more shaved off the slot where it folds down.
Ah, temperature up to 60F, might be warm enough to take off a jumper or two soon, but I am keeping the rug around my legs on for quite a while yet. It is probably extra chilly because the heating has not been on in the boat for a couple of months now.
D'fer has discovered a new trick. He can push the back doors open and go for a wander all on his own. I wouldn't mind, but it lets the heat out.
The new lights I put in the galley work wonderfully and it was a real pleasure to be able to see what I was preparing for tea. As usual D'fer polished off all the potato peelings.
I must make a list of all the things I need to do to the boat as I am travelling as I tend to forget what they are when I stop and take a rest.
Temperature up to 64F (18.5C) but legs still chilly, will put long johns on tomorrow.
Yes it is going to be one hell of a trip. I have tentatively arranged to see a couple of friends that I haven't seen since before Geri and I married. They live in the London area so I am hoping that they can get to the boat for a cuppa and natter when I get nearer Reading - it's about as close to them as I can get.
Maybe I should delay my start to the journey till 21st then I will be taking a long motor in nature with no intent other than reflecting on the Magic of nature and our Great Mother and her bounty.
I must also try to remember to stand an egg up on it's big end on the floor, only happens at this time of the year.
Wed, 19 Mar 2008
Went to bed last night at about half nine after doing some sudoku puzzles. Stoked the fire up and damped it down. Temperature up to 73F just before bed. D'fer played spoons in the crook of my knees all night, kept us both warm.
Sun came up this morning at six-fifteen, woke me at six-thirty, up by six-forty.
Kicked the dog out of the back door. Raked the fire through and stoked it up. Temperature a nice 64F. Keeping a little heating on makes a world of difference. Breakfast of bacon and eggs on toast, forgot to do the tomatoes, and a cup of tea. The fridge has three settings, orange juice just frozen, orange juice frozen solid (scrape it out with a spoon) and orange juice one solid block so I have to take it outside and hit it with a lump hammer. Got it on just frozen now after some fiddling around finding out how it works.
Played ball with D'fer for a while, then sat and had another cup of tea and a cigarette. Washed the dishes and cooker (it wasn't really dirty but has not had a proper clean since I last slept on the boat so had an accumulation of dust and general tea making gunk). Kicked D'fer off the boat.
Had a wash and shaved my throat, left the beard and moustache. Swept the boat from front to back (stem to stern) and then washed the lino in the galley and salon.
Went outside and did the engine checks, I need to get some more oil today as used the last of the oil in the can. Walked D'fer up to the rubbish disposal point to get rid of the old oil can. D'fer fighting with my boots all the way there and back.
Played ball with D'fer again. Nearly five inches of water in the bilges, so ran the bilge pump for a while.
Started engine and went inside to check my emails.
Temperature now up to 75F and that is with the fire damped right down - this is getting good.
Now I have the heating on all the time the temperature is fine, it was just that first 24 hours to get the fabric of the boat up to temperature.
I haven't had a ready meal since I can't remember when. I try to have my five fruit and veg portions each day and have found a GREAT way of taking them. Start with a chocolate Orange, then have a Banana daiquiri followed by a Strawberry pavlova with lots of cream, then in the afternoon I have ten current buns (need ten to get my portion of currents) and finishing up with vodka and Tomato juice. That's my five.
D'fer is becoming quite alert, which is good because Britain needs lerts.
Well off to finalise the ambulance with Don and then I can really be on my way, as long as the weather does not close in too much, decided that I am NOT travelling in the rain.
Just damped the fire RIGHT down as the temperature is up to 80F, might be because the sun is out and shining fit to bust.
Visited with mum this morning to collect some mail, the insurance docs that Don will need for the ambulance. Got away from there at about midday and drove up to Long Hanborough to get Don, stayed for a cup of tea and drove back to the boat. Don stopped for a cup of tea and because he is so big we sat outside with the back doors open. When we arrived at the boat the temperature was a comfortable 64F By the time he left is was down to 58F. I stoked the fire and it wasn't long before it was back up to 72F.
Couldn't be bothered to get a proper meal since it was well gone seven, so had two roast pork sandwiches, the butter was soft enough to spread instead of cutting off slices to lay on the bread.
I've never come across anyone else that sleeps with the bedroom window open all year round. I just love to get into a chilly bed and gradually warm up (as long as I am not too cold in the first place). Love the fresh air.
If I sleep with the window closed, all the zzzz's that I make while sleeping (you know, the ones that they put in comics to let the reader know that someone is asleep) seem to accumulate and proliferate until they start to bounce into me and jostle me and nudge me. They have such sharp edges that when I do wake up I feel grumpy and aggressive, whereas if I open the window to let them out, I wake up just fine. And it is even worse if there are two people sleeping in the same room with the windows closed because there are twice as many zzz's whizzing around.
When I tell people that I talk to God, they say I am praying, when I tell them that God talks to me they say I am mad, never understood why the difference.
Off to Devizes tomorrow as long as it is not snowing or raining, want to get some more coal and top up with water and empty the elsan.
Thu, 20 Mar 2008
3 miles
Up as half-six, breakfast of bacon egg and tomatoes on toast. It is good to be able to have toast after living off fried bread at the pub for three weeks. At least now I have the choice.
Boat a comfortable 65F, but the fire running low so put the last of the coal on to keep it going for the day.
Day started off cloudy, but the sun did try to peek through until about midday, when the cloud that was promised arrived and now in the late afternoon it is cloudy and dull, with the wind picking up and threatening rain.
Washed up the dishes and then washed up me, did the engine checks and set off about eight ish to see if I could get to Devizes before the promised rain arrived. Although I have promised myself that I will not travel in the rain I need coal so will continue on to Devizes marina if no further.
The dingy that I am now towing (Almyne Too) is attached to the stern of Almyne from its stern and bounces around something awful. Got to the first swing bridge and moored up to open it. Decided that it would be sensible to attach Almyne Too by a rope from it's stem (front) by two ropes, one to each bollard on the rear of Almyne.
Through the swing bridge and on with the journey. Almyne Too behaving much better. On to the next swing bridge where a couple of BW (British Waterways) guys were preparing to wander up the towpath to cut up a tree that had fallen over the towpath. Opened the swing bridge myself, but the BW guys closed it for me, that was nice of them.
On to Devizes marina, where I got five bags of coal and some fluid for the porta pottie. I don't need it yet but don't want to run out either. The lady at the marina said that she would change the name on the account to mine rather than mine and Geri's, so word has got about that Geri is no longer.
Hung about there to have a cup of tea and warm up a bit and get some windproof clothing on. Although the journey so far had been dry and intermittently sunny, the wind was almost biting and promised to get worse.
As far as I know there are no rules about using a mobile phone while driving a boat (apart from don't drop it in) so rang Blynda to let her know that I would be in Devizes shortly after twelve and she arranged to meet me at the wharf.
Got to Devizes wharf just before midday and moored up at the water point to replenish my water and empty the porta pottie. Completed that and motored all of 100 yards to the other side of the wharf to moor up proper. While I was getting water I got chatting to someone who told me that it is the Devizes to Westminster canoe race this weekend and it starts with the novices on Friday and the elite on Saturday, so I picked a spot right opposite the slipway to make sure I get a good view.
Blynda arrived and we had a cup of tea (no milk as I don't take milk and I am not getting a pint every time someone arrives, just to throw the rest away) and a natter. She went back to work and I wandered into Devizes to get some disgorgers (mine have all disappeared), some cheese and a new mouse. Picked out one for £9.49 and got charged £4.99, perhaps I read the ticket wrongly.
Back to the boat via the chandlery to see if they have any 'cam-cleats' - no, but the woman in the shop was enchanted with D'fer and insisted on giving him some biscuits.
Back to the boat, repaired the drawers in one of the chests of drawers (the bottoms had come out of those little slots in the plastic back and were stopping the drawers closing properly).
Booted up the computer - and here I am. I think I might have to open a couple of windows as the temperature has gone up to 78F - and that is with the fire closed down as far as I can - works really well if you just keep it going and close the back doors - and stop D'fer running in and out and in and out...
Journey has started well, I've got coal to keep me warm.
I think being at the pub for a few weeks was good for me. The limited facilities there make the boat seem luxurious. I had boiled potatoes and steamed broccoli, carrots and thinly sliced leeks with fried onions and diced roast pork with gravy for tea. The water for the steamer was already hot, it had been in the kettle on the stove all afternoon. I think I might prepare dinner early tomorrow and leave it on the stove during the afternoon so that I just have to cook the meat to make a meal.
Finished tea and decided to see if the TV signal was any good. Put up the aerial, plugged it in and turned on the signal booster. Tried the TV. Wow, eleven channels. Picked the best of them and ended up with six very good pictures. First time I have watched decent TV for ages. Watched the news and weather, but there wasn't anything else on that was up to much so read a book for a couple of hours. Turned TV on again for the ten o'clock news and weather and wished I hadn't. Forecast for tomorrow is rain, snow, wind and more snow. Started to go to bed and realised that I had mended the chest of drawers and that the glue was still drying, that is why the bed was covered with the contents of three big drawers. Cleared the salon dining table and put some of it on there, cleared the galley work-tops and put the rest on there. Went to bed and read a while.
Fri, 21 Mar 2008
Sunset at Devizes
Up at six thirty, a bit windy and looks like rain but the sun is pouring in the back door. Temperature a comfortable 64F and the crowds are building up on the opposite bank for the canoe race. Removed the clamps on the drawers and repacked them with their appropriate contents - discarding those that are no longer of any use, like the remains of the duvet that was cut down for the boat.
Breakfast of bacon egg, tomatoes and toast, with a cup of tea. Wash the dishes, tidy up and take a couple of piccies of the canoeists.
Watched the canoeists preparing for the off for a while. About eight o'clock the local boys band started up to give all the competitors a good send off. Don't know how long they will go on for as the canoeists will be departing nearly all day.
Visited briefly by mum and Blynda as they popped their heads through the door on their way to see Les and Joan
at about ten.
Made some proper towing ropes for Almyne Two and I am now making some mooring ropes for her (why are all boats called her?).
D'fer has been a right pain all morning wanting to get off the boat and play with all the little doggies that walk past - so much so that I have had to put the clothes dryer across the exit of the boat - he could jump it if he wanted to but he realises that it is a notional barrier that he should obey. In fact, when mum and Blynda arrived he did climb over it.
Popped into town to post Don's birthday card, I would not have remembered it but having sorted the car insurance for him I had to give his birth date.
Finished off the Brochures web site, Church is happy with it and we will roll it out live over the next few days.
Did a little more on the Chris'n Geri web site. Prepared tea at about four and put it on the fire, had a nap.
Brilliant sunshine all afternoon but the rain is settling in this evening.
Mum and Blynda visited on their way home from Les and Joan and brought along my flower tubs for the roof. I planted them several weeks ago and they are just beginning to sprout.
Had tea (roast pork, finely diced in a chilli sauce with rice, all cooked on the fire), read for a while and went to bed at nine.
Sat, 22 Mar 2008
The start
The band
Getting ready
Up at six-thirty-two. no sign of activity from the canoeing lot.
Breakfast of beans on toast - a break from the norm.
Spent most of the day working on the www.almyne.giles.me.uk web site, virtually finished with loads of pictures as well.
Finished the brochures web site and got approval from Church, just waiting for approval from Lin Dyason regarding the content of the email that will be going to every associate.
Wandered into town during the afternoon and purchased a loaf of bread. Buying foodstuffs is not easy with a dog. I have to stand outside the bakers and shout through the door to tell them what I want. Then they bring my purchases to the door and I give them some money. Then they go back to the till and bring me my change.
Today, when I stood outside the door they recognised me and one of the girls asked what I wanted and brought it straight out to me. Didn't have the right money so told them to keep the change as it is worth it for the service.
When I got back to the boat I gorged myself on fresh bread and butter.
Purchased an awl in the tool market, now I can do some tight rope work. Started my first macrame dog lead while sitting on the back of the boat. Snow and sleet when I got up, but the sun kept breaking through all day and there were some periods of almost warm.
Had a call from Glyn, he is going to visit tomorrow.
The guy from Blue Haze offered to help me down the flight on Monday if I needed it and left me his telephone number. The weather does not look good until Thursday, but we will see how it turns out.
Finished off the evening last night with cheese and biscuits. The cheese had been on the work-top all day and was warm and sweaty - tasted really strong, just like cheddar should do.
Ran the engine for a couple of hours to recharge the batteries, while I was shopping, saves me having to listen to it from inside the boat.
The canoe 'elite' started off about four pm and are still going now at half eight, they want to get to the river Thames as the tide turns to speed them on their way to Westminster Bridge - good luck to them. I will be nicely tucked up in bed by then.
Boat has been nice and warm all day so I must be getting the hang of it.
Sun, 23 Mar 2008
Up at six, breakfast, beans on toast, wash up, dry the dishes.
Decided to take D'fer for a walk so set off towards Blynda's. Hadn't been walking long and the snow started, quite light but big flakes. Got to the BW cafe and turned round. Walking back I passed several people and wished them a 'Merry Christmas'. They all took the point that it was more like December than nearly April.
Got back to Almyne and went inside, the temperature was an overly comfortable 82F, and I have still not opened up the fire.
Read for a while and then finished the extending dogs lead that I have been making. Blynda phoned and told me she had a rucksack for me and I should go and collect it. OK by me, not a lot else to do at the moment and a good chance to try out the lead.
Set off for Blynda's and when I got to the road on Blynda's estate D'fer decided that he would walk to heel all by himself. Maybe he did not want me to try out the new lead.
Collected the rucksack and a wind up radio and we were just organising a bite to eat when Glyn
rang to see where I was, he had arrived at Almyne expecting to see me as yesterday I told him I would be there from six am to nine pm.
Left Blynda in the lurch and rushed back to the boat.
Had a lovely chat and Glyn arranged to arrive tomorrow morning at eight so that if the weather is good enough he can help me down the flight.
Glyn and Cath
left around three and then 'Summer' arrived. 'Summer' is a boat I have often seen and spoken to and they have a dog, an Inuit husky/malamute cross. D'fer went absolutely bananas to go out and play. I had the front doors open but the cratch cover still on and he was running from the back of the boat, saying I want to go out, to the front of the boat saying 'Hey I'm coming out to play' to Chilli, the other dog.
I let him out for a play and they both rushed up and down the bank for about twenty minutes wearing themselves out while I chatted to the owner - still don't know his name.
That over I settled down to read my book again and the next thing I knew the temperature was up in the high eighties so I had to open the doors. D'fer was straight outside playing again. Left him to it for a while.
Had tea and now I am settling down with my book again before an early night, maybe I will get healthy wealthy and wise, or maybe it's a bit late in life for that.
Mon, 24 Mar 2008
4 miles 29 locks
Up at six after a fitful night, breakfast, bacon egg tomatoes on toast.
Walked D'fer. Did the engine checks and was ready to go by eight, when Glyn was due to join me. Motored down to the first lock at which point Glyn turned up. Weather did not look too bad so decided that we would keep going while it was good. Did the first six locks without incident.
Rang Blynda because she had expressed interest in joining us but she had a cold, really bad, I could hear it over the phone.
Continued on down the flight of sixteen meeting a couple of boats on the way again without incident. Stopped at the bottom of the sixteen for lunch at about one. Cath met us there and we chatted and ate our lunch of corned beef and tomato sandwiches with a can of lager.
Cath went back to their boat and Glyn and I carried on. D'fer was a pain all the way, rushing here and there, trying to play with Milo
and Timmy
(Glyn's two dogs) and wanting to get on the boat at every opportunity, only wanting to get off again as soon as he was on.
The last seven locks are quite close together but far enough apart not to be called a 'flight'. D'fer would jump on to the boat as I came out of a lock and then immediately back off again, running along the bank yelling at me.
Between the fourth and fifth locks he decided that he could swim to the boat and leapt in. Oh yes! he could swim to the boat all right, but there was no way he could climb aboard. He was at the back of the boat desperately trying to climb up and because he was swimming vertically he was just sinking. I tried to get him to swim to the side of the boat, but no, he was close enough for him and saw no reason to go round. I leant over the back but could not reach him and each time I grabbed for him he just seemed to sink lower in the water.
Eventually I leant right over the back, hanging on to the engine controls with my legs and tried to grab him by an ear or his teeth or anything that I could get hold of. Lurched a bit further out and grabbed him by the collar and hauled him aboard, bruising a rib and watching my camera disappear into the water in the process.
D'fer was delighted. 'Look dad, I can swim' he seemed to be saying. Got to the next lock and off he goes. Out of that lock and he is running along the bank yelling at me 'I want to do it again I want to do it again I want to do it again'.
This time I kept right over the other side of the canal and I think he thought that it might be a bit far to try his new found skills, until, of course I have to approach to bank to moor up at the next lock. Fortunately he did not attempt it again.
Eventually got to Sells Green , had a cuppa with Glyn and Cath on their boat, where D'fer slumped, exhausted under their table.
Came back to Almyne and read for an hour or so trying to ease the pain in my ribs, hurts to do almost anything.
Got tea, mostly already prepared from yesterday, just had to cook the potatoes.
D'fer was almost too shattered to eat his tea, but roused himself long enough to gulp it down and sit there pitifully telling me that it was not enough after such an energetic day.
Made the bed up into a double, the effort was excruciating, but I think the improved surface area in which to spread myself will be worth the effort.
Don't think I will be doing too much for the next day or so and must consider getting a life jacket as well as a set of saddlebags for D'fer, never thought I would see him in one of those.
Off to bed to rest my ribs, more adventures tomorrow.
Tue, 25 Mar 2008
Restful night, slept well despite the rib - a good idea to open the bed up to a double. Much better this morning although still a little sore. Breakfast of Marmite on toast followed by peanut butter on toast.
Cath is going to get me a loaf of bread today so will be able to have bread for breakfast tomorrow.
Spent most of the morning sharpening my machete (noticed when I had cleaned off all the rust that it says 'Tramontina Brazil' on the blade). Looking on the internet, a Tramontina machete blade looks to be a really good make and is being sold on the same page as an AK47 assault rifle for adventurers of South America!
D'fer has spent most of the morning playing with a new friend, 'Jas' from a boat further along, they are of similar size and ability so are well matched. Glyn popped along for a chat and a cup of coffee and then went shopping with Cath. They are getting me a loaf of bread and a bag of dog food for D'fer, so I am sorted out for another day and he is sorted out for another month.
Sat here writing this and I heard something getting on the boat. Just as I expected, is was Jas coming on board to see if D'fer can come out to play, off they went.
Wandered down to see Rob on the coffee boat and while I was there we decided that I will have to rename D'fer to Esmeralda when I go shopping. This is because when I go shopping I will be carrying the rucksack on my back underneath my poncho. If I look that much like a hunchback and keep muttering (quite loudly) 'come on Esmeralda' it should give people a good laugh.
Glyn and Cath returned with purchases and I went to their boat to give them some help with their accounts package - sort of successful but they need to contact the provider before we can go any further.
Glyn has offered to escort me as far as Semington tomorrow, seven locks and three swing bridges, he really enjoys it. That is where his lockup is, so Cath will pick him up from there when she returns from work. From there I should be able to get to Hilperton Marsh Bridge and pop in and see mum later on, or perhaps on Thursday morning before I set off from there. I hope to see John on the wide beam that he keeps there.
I think I might have figured out why the back doors don't close properly but I will need to think a little more about how to fix them.
Sent an email to my insurance broker to see if I can claim on my camera, I will get a new one anyway, but it would be nice to get a big portion of it paid for.
During my chat with Glyn he got quite excited about selling place mats and coasters of narrow boats and boaters, so I must contact Church and see if there is any mileage in having an agent at Sells Green .
Back to the book for a while and then cooking dinner, I think it is corned beef hash with mash and peas tonight.
Wed, 26 Mar 2008
5.5 miles, 7 locks, 6 swing bridges
Up at seven-ish, late morning for me. Breakfast, boiled eggs (3 small ones) with toast and bread and butter. Jas was knocking on the door for D'fer to go out and play so I let him out and they ran off telling the world how good the morning was. Did the engine checks and was ready for Glyn by ten to eight. Glyn sauntered up and asked if Cath could come along, no problem. D'fer said goodbye to Jas and off we went.
Cath took the tiller and Glyn and I worked the locks and swing bridges. Stopped off at Seend wharf and topped up with water. Ong
and Steve
were there so had a brief chat while D'fer renewed his friendship with Skipper, their dog. Continued on our way. Everything went well until we were approaching Lowes swing bridge, when one of those light showers turned into a downpour. Fortunately we had almost moored up at the swing bridge operation so we stopped and went inside and had a game of cards. Shower over, game of cards finished we carried on in brilliant sunshine, if it gets much better it will be tee shirt and shorts weather. Got to Semington swing bridge where Glyn and Cath were to be picked up by Cath's daughter and said our goodbyes. D'fer had been with Milo and Timmy for three full days now and was distraught when we went one way and they went the other. It usually doesn't bother him when they go home to bed, or I call him in for the evening, but he seemed to know that he would not see them for a while. All the way to Hilperton Marsh Bridge he was looking over the back of the boat and crying. He didn't stop until we had moored up and were well on our way to mums.
Went to mums for the afternoon and had a proper meal, you know meat and thirteen veg. I had my five a day for the next three days.
The evening after we came down the Caen Hill Flight (29 locks) D'fer just lay on the floor all evening complaining that he ached all over. The following evening he lay on the floor all evening and didn't even move when I got his biscuits out of the cupboard, just waited for me to bring them to him.
This evening when we got back to the boat and D'fer collapsed again, I don't know what is happening he only seems to be able to keep going for ten hours a day nowadays.
Last night when I got into bed D'fer started to take interest in a carrier bag on the floor, standing over it and sticking his head into it and then moving back. Sticking his head into it again and backing off again. This went of for quite a while until I decided to see what it was. I thought it might be a big spider, but no, it was an even bigger wasp. Squashed it and told D'fer he was a good boy and that he had done his job well and he settled down and went to sleep quite happily.
Well it's about time for bed, nearly half past eight so I'm going to stoke the fire, read for a bit and go to bed.
Goodnight all.
Thu, 27 Mar 2008
5.5 miles, 1 lock
Woke up to brilliant sunshine streaming in through the windows, temperature inside 57F and a frost on the top of the boat, didn't bother with stoking up the fire and let it go out.
Breakfast of mushy peas on toast.
Did all the engine checks and set out about eight. Motored along quite slowly till I got to the boat yard at Hilperton Marina, where I realised that I was as close to 'shops' as I was likely to get before reaching Bath , so I pulled over and moored up to go into Trowbridge to purchase a camera to replace the one that I had lost.
Walked into Trowbridge via Lidl, where I purchased some eggs and some bacon. I looked for the 12 volt mobile phone chargers that they had advertised but could not see any.
Carried on into Trowbridge and eventually reached 'The Shires' a place where I thought I might get a camera. Unfortunately dogs are not allowed in the shopping mall, so I set off back to the boat, camera-less. Happened on a pet store and went in to enquire about a set of saddle bags for D'fer, after all if I am purchasing his food as well as mine when I am walking around, he might as well pull his weight and carry his food home. They had none but purchased a big bone for him anyway, which I had to carry back to the boat. I must say that D'fer was exceptionally good on the lead through Trowbridge and deserved a treat.
Arrived back at the boat and there was an Alsatian by the next boat and the guy on the boat was carrying another off his boat. Asked me (quite abruptly) if I could keep my dog in for a while. I was sort of put out, but complied and then realised why he had made the request. The Alsatian that he was carrying off the boat was paralysed from the waist down and he had to carry the dogs hind quarters everywhere. He was taking the dog for a pee. D'fer was surprisingly good at being kept on board for ten minutes or so while this poor guy waddled around with his charge waiting for it to find just the right place to have a pee. When he had finished and was taken back on board I let D'fer off to play with the other dog. Had a brief chat with the owner and then continued my journey.
The weather was that good I popped into the boat and changed into shorts and tee shirt. I hadn't gone more that a couple of hundred yards when I spotted Tony on Weymouth, a guy that we had met the previous year. Pulled over and updated him with the news. His shoulder is still playing him up and he also has problems with his engine, something to do with diesel mould which clogs up all the pipes. Left him with my set of wheels so that he could get to the marina to get clean diesel with the promise that if he were still there on my way back I would tow him to the marina so he could get it sorted.
Continued on my way again. Another mile further on and I spotted Terry on Monique, told him the news and we arranged that I would stop off for a drink on my way back as he was just off to Bath to do some shopping on his bike.
Got to Bradford-on-Avon and moored up at the lock operation. Walked along to the lock and started to set it in my favour when two guys arrived with windlasses. They were from the trip boat that was coming back from a trip and they offered to work the lock for me. Great, I just go back on the boat and let them do it. Made life so much easier for me as D'fer could be a problem when he is on the boat and I am off the boat.
Went through the lock and moored up the other side by 'Dick and Jane's' a cafe-come-pub. While I was mooring up D'fer disappeared. Give you half a guess where he was - yes, you've got it, at the cafe, working his way around all the tables scavenging for food. There was a party of school children there who had just been on the trip boat and they loved having this dog to throw tid bits to.
Once the boat was securely moored up I went and retrieved him from the cafe and stopped for a pint while I was there.
Finished my drink and returned to the boat and started to prepare to cast off when D'fer disappeared again - back to the cafe, put him on his lead and back to the boat. Left him tied to the boat while I cast off this time.
Stopped for lunch of cheese and tomato sandwich with a packet of Hula Hoops. D'fer spotted a spaniel that was chasing a ball and decided that he would join in. He was nearly a quarter of a mile back along the tow path before it dawns on me that I would have to go and get him. Even then he wanted to go back and play.
As I was approaching Dundas , where I had planned to stay till the weekend, I started thinking about dinner and really fancied sausage, bacon and mash for tea, trouble is no sausages and nowhere to get any, so settled in the end for corned beef with mash and mushy peas - again.
As we were approaching our planned mooring point D'fer spotted a couple of dogs by their owners boat and I shouted over to them 'Is it OK if D'fer comes and plays with your two'. The response was positive so as soon as Almyne touched the bank he was off back up the towpath to play with them.
I moored up and secured the boat and wandered off to find D'fer playing with the other two in the last of the evening sun. Chatted for a while and returned to Almyne to light the fire as the temperature was dropping rapidly.
Quiet evening doing some more work on the web site, finishing my book and then off to bed.
Fri, 28 Mar 2008
Going no where today.
Up at the crack of dawn to the gentle pitter patter of rain on the roof. Went for a walk with D'fer up to the Anglefish cafe - not open at this hour, but just wanted to see if the boatyard sold electric outboards. They weren't open either and there was no advertising or anything outside that would tell me. Walked back to the boat and then on to the next swing bridge. By the time we got back I think D'fer had had enough of the rain and settled down for a sleep.
Breakfast of bacon egg and tomato on toast. (That's why I got the bacon yesterday.) Spent the morning practising knots (working on the Boatswain's Whistle Knot) and developing the web site to automate my entries. It nearly works.
Purchased my TV license on line and tried to get a rod license, but being a bit of a pedant, I refused to fill in my address - after all I am on a narrow boat. Sent an email to the environment agency to let them know that I tried, but as I have no fixed abode I could not by one. We will have to see how they respond to that one.
With nothing special to do today I decided to see if I could put a handle on the machete, it had a handle but it is not fixed at all well and is also too big. Managed to set the tang further back in the handle and re-drill the rivet holes for it. Found three screws that were the right size, so cut off the heads and sawed a new slot in them, then cut them down to length so that they would be recessed into the handle but still hold in the rivet holes and the handle.
That sorted I proceeded to fill all the gaps and holes with epoxy glue, dribbling it into the holes and gaps. The next step is to shape the handle properly.
While I was waiting for the glue to set I made a jig to help me tie a monkey fist around a ball. Nearly worked but I need to determine just how many loops I need to properly cover the ball.
On checking my emails I had one from British Waterways in reply to my request for information about my 'tender'. It seems that they don't really know if it is a tender or a 'portable' boat. From their description of each I am fairly confident that I can get it classified as a tender, in which case there is no fee applied to it. That will be good.
Wrote a database to log the engine usage, travelling as opposed to charging the batteries. Come November the fuel will be rated the same as for a car, a hike of about 40p. BUT you can claim back the difference for fuel used for heating or electricity generation, hence it is important to log usage.
Lit the fire about half four, then started the engine and went for another walk with D'fer.
Got back to the boat and put dinner on, potatoes, leeks, carrots and broccoli with corned beef.
Sat, 29 Mar 2008
Going nowhere today.
Awoke to brilliant sunshine again at shortly after six. Breakfast as usual. Weather forecast says it is going to get worse as the day goes on so decided to clean the boat in preparation for Pasquale's visit. Took all the rugs outside and swept the boat from stem to stern. Then washed the floors, while they were drying I beat the rugs on the stern and got some of the dust out of them.
Meanwhile D'fer was off playing with any and every dog that came past.
Did some more work on the machete, pretty well finished, now I need to cut some willow withies with it to see how it works.
Sky clouded over about ten and it started getting chilly so I lit the fire, it was nicely comfortable when Pasquale got here around one-ish. Well I say got here. At ten to I started walking to the car park where I expected him to be and when I got there he phoned and told me he was at bridge 175, just one mile from where the boat is. Told him to start walking towards Dundas and I would meet him. Just then the wind picked up really strong and the rain kicked in. Pasquale is a fit young man, this won't make any difference to him I thought. Got about half way there and get another phone call which was incomprehensible. As Pasquale was nowhere in sight I turned around and headed back towards the car park. Another phone call, he is at the canal by a low bridge looking at canal boats. Aha! I know where he is. Stay there and I will come and get you. When I got to the cafe he was nowhere in sight, so went right down to the car park. Nowhere in sight. Started walking from the car park towards the canal and there he was walking back towards me. He had walked along the low road, I had walked along the high road, hence we missed each other. Having met at last we wandered off to the boat to dry off and have a cup of tea. Pasquale brought a loaf of bread, half a pound of butter and some milk, just what the captain ordered.
He stayed until nearly six o'clock and we had a wonderful time chatting about this and that, eating ham sandwiches for lunch and trying to walk the dogs, (he brought Misty and Jas with him) when it wasn't raining. His job seems to be going very well, although he is struggling a bit until his commissions start coming through and Kerry, his fiancé, starts work as an administrator at an education establishment soon and it sounds like a really good job.
The dogs were surprisingly well behaved considering that there were three of them cooped up in this tiny boat and two of them just wanted to play.
Mario has been very quiet for a while now so I will give him a ring sometime next week to see how he is getting on.
Pasquale was enchanted with the dingy at the back of Almyne and approved of the alterations that have been made to Almyne since he last saw her.
I had a thoroughly good day and I hope he did too. He has tentatively arranged to come and visit again on the end of May bank holiday, wherever I am. He is going to track my progress via the web site.
The floor of the boat was covered in mud by the time he (they) left, which was only to be expected, I can wash it down again tomorrow, and I had planned to wash the duvet cover on Monday anyway.
Having had a good lunch I think I will just have a sandwich for tea as I don't want to put on too much weight (or is it just because I am lazy?).
Clocks go forward tonight so I should either be up at seven-ish tomorrow, or I will be up at six-ish as usual and get an extra hours daylight.
Sun, 30 Mar 2008
11 miles 2 swing bridges
Set my alarm for 2-am last night. When it went off I got up, put the clocks forward and went back to bed. I have never understood why they put the clock forward (or back) at two in the morning, it is so inconvenient.
Woke up at seven (or was it six) to find the sun trying to burn it's way through the cloud in the valley beside me. Had breakfast, washed the boat, did a poop patrol and did the engine checks.
Tried all the cleaners I could find to try to get the tar stains off the side of the boat below the chimney, but nothing seems to shift it.
By half eight the sun was shining quite strongly and by nine I was ready to go.
Set off towards Bath . Got to the first swing bridge and moored up on the towpath side as there is nowhere to moor up on the opposite bank. Trouble is, you have to go over to the other bank to operate the swing bridge. Once there you cannot get back to the towpath side to move the boat.
Hmmmmm. Tied a rope to the bridge, got the boat pole and pushed the bridge open from the towpath side. Got it open enough to get the boat through. Towed the boat through the 'only just wide enough' gap. Moored up and went back to the bridge and pulled it closed with the rope. Glad there is only one more of these to go.
Approaching the next swing bridge and there was a boat coming through in the opposite direction, I just motored through and thanked them.
No other incidents on a very pleasant motor with the sun shining strongly all day. Moored up just above the top lock in Bath, locked up the boat and wandered into Bath to do some shopping. Got some sausages (bangers and mash for tea) bread, tomatoes, mushrooms and a camera - just like the one that I lost, but £50 cheaper this year - that's technology.
Walked back to the boat and bumped into Ringo on the way. Ringo is D'fer's brother and they seemed to recognise each other straight away. They played for forty-five minutes or so till they were both tired out, whereupon we returned to the boat. Sat and read on the stern for an hour or so till it started to get chilly. Went inside, lit the fire and made tea.
Mon, 31 Mar 2008
8 miles, 2 swing bridges.
Forecast for early sunshine, clouding over later.
Up at seven, breakfast (the usual). I know that this is going to be a strange day. After breakfast I prepared my self to start the real purpose of this journey. I packed a few ounces of Geri in a little case along with my poem to her and walked down to the junction of the River Avon and the Kennet and Avon canal.
I stood there for some minutes just looking and thinking and then read the poem out loud, and throwing a pinch of Geri into the water with each line, the tears welling up in my eyes and my voice cracking with each line, finishing off with a private farewell.
Worked my way back up the first six locks, repeating the process, it didn't get any less emotional.
Got back to the boat and started doing the engine checks. Karl stopped off on his way to work to wish me bon voyage and best wishes. It was nice to tell someone that I had begun my journey.
Set off and picked an appropriate spot along this section to spread a little happiness.
After about three miles with the sun promising to stay with me all day I decided to start the washing, after all, Monday is washing day. Pulled over and got the washing machine out and put it on the stern, filled it with water, put in some powder and some clothes switched it on and carried on my way. It went rather well until I took the first load out and put it in the spinner. The spinner would not work, what a bummer. I could not repair it and keep going, so I just kept going with the intention of pulling over at Dundas , where I could fill up with water if need be (even though the water at Dundas is a bit strong with chlorine). Negotiated the two swing bridges with the help of the rope and pole at the first and a couple on another boat at the second.
Arrived at Dundas and dismantled the washing machine, took about five minutes to identify the problem and fix it.
Moved to the watering point and did several loads of washing, rinsing and spinning. Did not complete everything that I intended as the problem of finding places to dry everything reared it's ugly head. Had some of the washing on a drying horse on the top of the boat and some inside. Time to call it a day. Hey, maybe Tuesday can be washing day as well.
While the washing machine was washing and the spinner was spinning I had a sandwich, washed the outside of the boat, tried some more cleaners on the tar stains under the chimney and soaked up some sun.
Set off again heading to Bradford-on-Avon (after packing the washing machine away) feeling quite pleased with myself, having never used the washing machine before.
I was cruising along thoroughly enjoying the sunshine (I was in shorts and tee shirt by now as all my other clothes were washed) passing under some trees when a bird shit from above. It just missed the boat and I looked up at it, a big old crow, and said 'Missed me" and then looked into the cup of tea I was holding, fortunately he missed that as well.
Moored up just after Avoncliff Aqueduct just after five.
The guy on the next boat along looked as if he was doing some delicate paint-work on his boat, so wandered up to him and asked if he was doing sign-work or just touching up. He was just touching up, but told me that there was a young lady on a boat about half a mile further on that did sign-writing.
Went back to Almyne and had a cup of tea and then wandered off along the cut to see if I could find her. It turned out to be Ginny, a girl that had been moored up close to us at Sells Green last summer. We had a long chat and I updated her with all the news. She can do the painting that I want done but not for several days, so I will have to see how I feel and if I want to hang around or keep going, if only to give me something to concentrate on.
Bangers and mash for tea again (it is difficult to purchase single portions of anything nowadays, especially when it is even cheaper to buy two). Another early night after a long day.
Top
Eventually reached a state of consciousness at about half nine. Threw on some clothing and went downstairs to let the dog out. There were some guys strimming the bank where the dog usually performs, but he ignored them and got on with it anyway.
His needs catered for I returned upstairs for breakfast. I had eggs, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms and fried bread, with a cup of tea. The same thing I have for breakfast every morning. Can't start the day with out eating. Once that had gone down I took the dog downstairs again for some exercise, throwing the ball for him. He is beginning to get the hang of it but it can be a pain having to throw the ball, run after it till I get it, pick it up in my mouth and take it back to D'fer
to show him how it works. Once he got the hang of it, it went quite well except for me having to chase him all around the yard to get the ball off him to throw again. I am not sure who is getting more exercise, me or him.
It is now half eleven and I am beginning to feel a little more sober, maybe I will go over to Danu's in an hour or so to do the banking for her.
A fun thing about being here is that I have a large polished wooden dance floor where I can throw the ball for the dog. Paws don't grip well, so for every bounce there is another slip and slither and skid, Sooo funny to watch.
Got some braided cord from Wickes this afternoon so I can practice with some proper stuff rather than household string and garden twine although household string and garden twine work well enough at a pinch.
Also got some odds and sods for the boat, like a new switch for the bilge pump. The old one is iffy. And a meter so I can tell if the batteries are properly charged. Well actually two, it was buy one get one free, and they were only 5.99 anyway.
Then I went to PC world and got an MP3 player/recorder. Don't want to listen to music (it's hard getting the earphones in my ears with the hearing aids!!!) but I do want an easy form of making notes for myself while I am driving, or more correctly, navigating the boat. Navigating sounds such a technical term, but so much better than steering or driving.
Well, dinners on, just waiting for it to be ready.
D'fer amuses me. He has been eating the potato peelings for ages and he always sits near me while I am preparing a meal. Yesterday I gave him a little piece of celery, which he ate. This evening he had some celery and then a slice of raw onion, ate both quite happily, then polished off the end of a leek. Strange dog.
Back to the macrame, made a key fob earlier, must think of something else next.
Bearing in mind I am at a closed night club with only four rings on the stove and no oven. Also only have three saucepans and a small frying pan.
Diced chicken, fried with leeks, mushrooms, onions and peppers, a clove of garlic and some herbs, and simmered in half a glass of red wine.
In a saucepan I have sliced potatoes with celery and finely diced peppers. When they are cooked I am going to turn the heat off and add half a glass of rice to the pan. Tried it yesterday and I think I put just a little too much rice in as it did not fully cook and thickened the potatoes a little too much. Experimenting to get it just right.
D'fer is constantly moaning to go out, play ball, get fed, go out, get fed, play ball, play ball, get fed, play ball, go out, I think you get the idea. However, if I tell him to give over he will lay down and go to sleep. Oh, by the way, he can also moan that he wants to go to bed if he thinks I am staying up too late.
I was thinking of pouring a glass of wine myself, but it all went in the chicken, so stuck with my last can of beer.
Early night tonight, I have to be up to take the barmaid from Danu's to a pub in Trowbridge where she is going to be doing pub sitting and then pick Nikki up from Trowbridge and drop her off with Danu. Will take the opportunity to see my mum
while I am there.Tue, 4 Mar 2008
Up at seven, breakfast (the usual), left by eight at Danu's by twenty to nine.
Left for Trowbridge about ten past. Filled up with gas at Devizes. Arrived at the pub by ten to eleven. The occupant was still removing stuff. They left at eleven. Some guy wandered into the pub, so Kim and I went in to see what he was doing. It was the bailiff. Told him we knew nothing (We are from Barcelona). Eventually Bob Ecland (the guy from Admiral Taverns) arrived. Left him to sort out the bailiff.
Long and short of it was that the pub was uninhabitable, no electricity, windows broken, no locks on doors (or no keys) rubbish everywhere. Bob and Kim decided that it would be dangerous for a 23 year old girl to be alone in THAT pub in that condition, so took her back to Danu's with Nicky.
In the mean time I popped round to mums and dropped off the bike she wanted to borrow.
Arrived back at Danu's about four ish, had a cuppa. Back at the night club by six, after doing some shopping.
Tea - sausages with onions, thickened with Bisto Gravy Granules (or that is what I am going to try) with potatoes, shredded carrots and finely sliced celery boiled in a saucepan. When it came to the boil I added a quarter cup of rice. It looks as if it is just about the right amount. The finished product should be like mashed potatoes with flavouring and the consistency of a paste. Sounds horrible doesn't it.
Think I might get up early again tomorrow and move the boat nearer to Devizes, getting ready to set off.
Wed, 5 Mar 2008
Warm and snug inside
All Cannings at evening
The new Urchin
2.5 miles
I have a wonderful imagination, sometimes gets me into trouble, but mostly gives me a great deal of laughter.
Early start again, up at seven, breakfast (same as usual) and off to the boat at eight. Got to All Cannings at about half nine. Parked the ambulance and walked the two or three miles to the boat at Honey Street. Had a cup of tea, checked the engine (it was still there) and set off. Got back to All Cannings about half twelve.
D'fer
was his usual helpful self. Tried to run off with the mooring ropes while I was mooring up and then attacked my boots as I was not interested in playing.
Got moored up and it was such a wonderful day that I decided fishing would be nice but I had best clean the boat first. Again D'fer was feeling helpful, chasing the mop all up and down the boat, bringing in more mud than I was clearing up. Chased him outside and told him to find something else to play with. Carried on cleaning the boat. Finished the inside and had a cup of tea. Remembered that I had a switch to fit to get the last of the lights in the galley working, fitted it. Sawed up some logs that have been sitting on the roof for a long time. Tidied the cratch (that's the bit of the boat at the front) and re-arranged it. Found some thick ish cord and put it on one side to take home.
Sorted out a pumpy sort of thing to get the water/diesel mix out of the engine bilge, worked quite well. Now I think I might be able to get it properly clean.
Got the rod out. A bit slow, so decided to try some macrame with the cord I had found. Started a mat. Quite good, but the knots are a little uneven.
Made a note to myself to start provisioning the boat for a long journey - 12 tins beans, 12 tins tomatoes 4 tins kidney beans, 8 litres of orange juice, big box tea bags, big bag rice, 6 packs of those part baked baguettes, 12 boxes of red wine, 6 cases of lager, 3 bottles whisky, a sack of onions, sack of potatoes.
Left the boat about four and went to the bungalow, sorted out some paperwork, collected some meat from the freezer and set off for the Jax bar. Arrived about half six, got dinner, plain old sausages with onions and peppers and mash, no milk, so I beat an egg into it, very creamy and Bisto gravy - it worked tonight. I made it with the water from the potatoes instead of trying to make it with the oil and fat from the sausages.
Listened to Tarzan of the Apes.
Off to bed said Chris, boing said Zebedee
Thu, 6 Mar 2008
I have been trying to transcribe the log of the journey down from Wheaton Aston and it is taking me ages, just because I hate typing up notes.
Went to the bungalow today. Collected a few bits and pieces that I needed to write some letters and did the washing while I was there.
While it was drying in the tumble dryer I went to East Grafton where there is a bungalow that is available. I quite like it, it has a south east facing bedroom and hard-standing for a vehicle. The garden is mainly out the front as it is a corner plot and the fences are pitifully old, no match for D'fer
but I will apply for it anyway. If I get offered it I will ask for proper fences before I move in.
I am going to have a battle with the housing authority anyway.
When I tried to get on the housing list I was told that I cannot hold two tenancies at the same time. When I get offered a property they will insist that I hold two tenancies at the same time. I will fight that one just to be belligerent. They cannot have it both ways.
Having learnt how to retrieve a ball, D'fer is currently dropping it on my lap as I type, hoping against hope that I will stop and throw it for him. I can ignore it most of the time but when I am sitting on the loo it can be a bit of a pain. It can also be quite funny as he will drop it at my feet and I will kick it across the floor, which is a ceramic tiled floor with absolutely NO grip for his paws.
Got back from the bungalow and had a nap - I can do that sort of thing now I am retired. D'fer has got bored with dropping the ball on my lap, now he is chewing my socks, with my feet still in them - anything to get my attention.
I must set firm plans otherwise I will hang around forever waiting for the weather to be just right.
Will ring AYCE services tomorrow and tell them that I am finishing a week Monday, that way I can spend a few days at the bungalow, tidying it up and sorting those last minute things and then going to the boat to start the trip by Wednesday. Actually I can't wait to get on the boat, just putting it off because there will be a sense of finality to it once I actually start to scatter Geri's ashes.
I keep telling myself that there is so much to do sorting out Geri's finances but it can actually wait indefinitely.
Nothing to drink again tonight, just orange juice and tonic water, probably good for me.
Off to bed as soon as the current chapter of Tarzan of the Apes has finished.
Fri, 7 Mar 2008
Very slow day. Up by nine, did some more transcribing, posted some letters, rang AYCE and told them I am finishing a week Monday and if they cannot find anyone to replace me Don will do it. (I had rung Don and confirmed that he can).
Arranged insurance cover on the ambulance for him. That way the ambulance is gainfully employed and I don't have to worry about it while I am away. Also Don has said that he will get rid of the rust spots on the front. If he does all well and good, if he doesn't, no problem.
He is organising himself to be able to take over this place if they agree.
Been listening to the Old Curiosity shop all day, it is being read by someone with an eastern European accent, very good English but that slight accent sort of puts me off.
Took D'fer
outside and threw the ball for him - until he lay down for a rest. Came back in and ten minutes later he is pestering me with the ball again. He keeps putting it on my lap and letting it fall on the floor until I pick it up and put it on the table. He cannot get to it there, so he rests his head on the table looking longingly at it .
My idea is to scatter Geri's ashes on the canal where she was happiest and it seems fitting to let her rest there. We always planned to do as much of the system as we could, so I decided that I would do the system and it just seemed a good idea to scatter Geri
on the way. I am sure that she would have liked the idea. I am going to scatter her dogs ashes with her. She had a dog for about 12 years and when he died she had him cremated and never put the ashes anywhere, so let them rest together.
Geri's family seem comfortable with it all and that consideration is important to me.
Finely diced chicken fried with leeks, onions, carrots and celery, sprinkled with herbs with plain sliced boiled potatoes. I seem to like all my meat finely diced, partly because it cooks quickly and partly because I can eat my meal with a fork
I also cut up the potatoes small because they cook quicker that way.
You see fast food doesn't have to come from a shop. Potatoes cook in under five minutes if finely sliced and so do all the other veg and the meat.
Decided I wanted a drink with dinner so went out to the ambulance and brought in a six pack, there are four of them there waiting to go to the boat, well three of them now.
I always said that I would retire by the time I was forty, well I have effectively been retired since I was forty two. I did have a job for several years. I was 'Chief Librarian' for a company that sold properties in Spain. My duties were to build and maintain the database of properties and prepare and deliver all the sales packs to prospective clients. Once the software was written it took me all of three hours a week to perform my duties. £300 a week after deductions. Mind you I did find out that the revenue being used to pay me was derived from the import of cocaine, that was when I divorced myself from the organisation as soon as I could and moved to Bristol. And therein lies another story.
D'fer was born on the canal to an Alsatian, Rottweiler cross with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Labrador cross, one of seven.
He was the smallest of the litter when we got him, but has now outgrown all the others that I have met again recently.
Danu thinks that he has some Hagar (Arfurs dad) in him as Hagar was on the K & A canal for most of his life.
The thing that I like most about owning D'fer is that it is a well known fact that owners look like their dogs (or is it the other way around) and sooo many people come up to me, quite out of the blue, and say "Isn't he a lovely dog". So, who are they really talking about???
I have spent very little time training him, but I do have an expectation of how my dog should behave and broadly speaking he lives up to that expectation.
I spent three months near Trawsfynydd while I was working my way through University with a friend. We were camping in a one acre field that had the remains of a boulder house on it that her mother gave to her because her mother hadn't done anything with it for about 20 years. It was adjacent to a pig farm. The pigs were only fed on fruit and vegetables and were as friendly as they come. It was one of our daily tasks to go around the local fruit and veg places and get all their left overs. Our favourite trick was to get a honeydew melon and save it for the biggest boar. He would take it gently in his mouth, tip his head backwards and then, very gently, crunch it so that all the juice ran down his throat. When we couldn't get a honeydew melon we would give him a can of lager, he loved it.
We pitched a tent in the remains of the boulder house and set up two computers and a printer running off a generator. There are not many people who can say that they were paid to do typesetting for HMG from a field in Wales. It worked surprisingly well. A friend of mine called in to see us because he was in the area after the first week and when he got home sent us a postcard addressed to us at Eru Gain, Trawsfynydd and, hey presto, a few days later the postman came wandering across this field saying 'Postcard for you boyo!'
The main difficulty was lack of communication, but we got over that by having a phone installed at the bottom of a telegraph pole in the middle of the field. It's amazing what you can do if you really want to.
Three months in Snowdonia, the wettest place in Britain and we never saw a drop of rain, the weather was glorious. To take a shower we attached a long hose pipe to the water main (the water board guys told us where it was and showed us how to hook up to it) looped it over the branch of a tree and left it there for a couple of hours. Then, when we turned it on we got hot water for about fifteen minutes (provided we had it on slowly). Mind you, we had to keep an eye out for traffic as cavorting under a hose-pipe at the side of the road is probably frowned on in most areas. There was one incident when we were chatting to one of the locals, an elderly gentleman, and we told him we had been there for a couple of weeks. 'Yes", he said, 'I saw you showering last Tuesday', to the woman I was with. She went a lovely shade of red.
Mon, 10 Mar 2008
I have just been throwing the ball for D'fer
in the nightclub. I think I might be turning him into a very delicate dog. He has learned to tippy-toe across the dance floor - very quickly. He has learnt that if you RUN and try to change direction you end up at sixes and sevens with all four legs going in different directions. If you tippy-toe then at least you have a chance of staying upright.
However, just as you approach the ball, the urge to catch it overwhelms you and the legs just disappear from under you again.
I do so wish that I had seven or more hands and arms so that I could throw the ball, and catch the whole episode on video, it is sooo funny.
What makes it even funnier is that when I took him outside onto the concrete, he was still tippy-toeing for the first five minutes till he realised that the floor was not slippery.
Oh dear, am I cruel or not?
Up at six forty-five to collect Danu at eight forty-five. Listened to the weather (not the forecast, the weather) and thought about ringing Danu and putting it off. Waited, looked up the forecast on the web, listened to the rain and wind pounding on the building and had breakfast.
By seven forty-five the wind had abated, so decided that if it was still reasonable at eight I would go anyway.
Eight o'clock and it wasn't too bad, so got in the ambulance and set off. No worries, got there by ten to nine.
Set off to do the banking (and take Kim to the dentist, which was why Danu wanted to do the banking early anyway) and got to Highworth in time for the dentist. Kim went in and came right out again. The dentist said that the appointment was for half two. She re-arranged for another day and off we went to the cafe for breakfast (I can eat two breakfasts, can't you?).
Dropped them off at the pub and went to the bungalow. Collected all the non-perishable foods stuffs, some clean clothes (I had run out of knickers (pants in man language) and drove to the boat. Unloaded the food into the boat. It is quite a long walk from the car park to the boat and D'fer was 'worrying' my feet all the way, kind of makes it difficult to walk along a wet muddy towpath.
Locked up the boat and drove to Devizes where I provisioned from Lidl's. A case of beans, a case of tomatoes, half a dozen Corned beef, two tins ham a case of orange juice (I drink it in my tea). Carried on into Devizes. Went into the Halifax. Said to the assistant "I want to take all the money out of this account".
"That's OK she said but we don't do cash for more than £500 you will have to have it in a cheque".
"When can I have it in cash" I said.
"Well we need 24 hours notice, how about tomorrow"
"How about a week tomorrow?"
"Fine"
"You might like to take note of some of this paperwork" I said, showing her the death certificate, the letter of authority from the probate office, my passport, my drivers license, and diverse other bits of paper.
"Oh"
But it seems that it will work.
I tend to live in a cash society, it is my revolt against 1984.
Returned to the boat. The wind had picked up and it was a little bit dodgy tying to walk the plank with the provisions from Lidl's but I accomplished that with the wind blowing so hard at times that the boat was moving backwards and forwards fit to bust.
Shortly after, while I was 'stowing' provisions and D'fer was bouncing on and off the boat like a gymnast on a trampoline, the gang plank fell in.
Fortunately D'fer was on the boat at the time, otherwise he could have been stuck outside in the wind and rain for ages.
Once on the boat you would not know that it was windy at all, apart from the gentle swaying aft and for'ard
Sat in the warmth and quiet and had a cup of tea contemplating life, the universe and my forthcoming trip.
Drove back to the pub and exercised D'fer.
A tip.
When buying frozen foods buy lots.
I picked up some frozen stuff from home to keep me going for the next few day at the pub and it is still frozen.
Hot cross buns for tea, the food should be unfrozen by tomorrow.
Tue, 11 Mar 2008
Very slow day again today. Did some more of the Brochures web site.
I am developing a web site to sell brochures that a friend of mine supplies to Business Associates. Got all the basics done, but now developing the bit to allow them to pay via PayPal. They can already print an order form and order by post, but electronically is so much neater (and more impulsive).
Bolognese sauce for tea, with rice, haven't got any spaghetti here. As usual made far too much rice, so D'fer
had two teas.
About seven I took D'fer down to the club and exercised him and then took him over to Asda's, hoping that he would be too tired to get excited about it. Noo he still ran about all over the place trying to make friends with everyone he could see. Anyway, got a lump of cheese and two boxes of French House Red, tried it before and it is palatable.
The checkout girl said "Good mix, red wine and cheese".
Told her that one was for tonight with the cheese and the other was for the boat. She got quite excited when I told her of my plans and I got the impression that she would have liked to join me.
Red wine and cheese for supper, then off to bed, perhaps to dream.
Thu, 13 Mar 2008
Up early again. Off to the bungalow to tidy it and get the fire going before the representatives from Sarsen Housing arrive to sort out the tenancy. All going through nicely now. Inspected the property and said that they would get the ceilings replaced because they are so cracked. We had asked them to do that when we first moved in but they refused then. During the inspection they marvelled at the four poster, I must admit it does look good with all the trimmings on it.
It was the same woman that signed us up in the first place and I think that she remembered. However, she has had a little experience of me now and they might just be on their best behaviour. I think that the reason that the original woman has taken over is that I wrote to Gill Bowden (who was dealing with it) and asked her to at least acknowledge my letter of a month previous - with a copy to her superior.
Copy to superior ALWAYS gets a reaction.
That over and dealt with, off to the boat again. Stowed the previous load of provisions in the for'ard hatch, pumped some more water/diesel out of the bilges and took some more stuff on board. Nearly ready for the off.
Back to Swindon, paid the funeral parlour for Geri's cremation and went shopping at ASDA. Four boxes of red wine, two cases of beer and some biscuits - that should keep me going for a day or so.
Sent a copy of 'The Log' to my mum. She is not too familiar with the internet and email, so she thought that what she could see was what she had got. Started reading it to Peter and then realised that there was more. Took her an hour and a half to read it all out loud and ended up with a very dry sore throat. Wants to know when chapter two is coming out.
The best dream I ever had was one where someone was telling me a joke about something yellow. That's all I can remember about the dream, but the joke was so funny I woke myself up laughing. Tell you what, to wake up laughing is the best start to the day you can ever hope to achieve. I was chuckling to my self about that dream all day long.
Talking about food, had minced beef with onions and leeks with mashed potatoes and celery for tea. I usually make the minced beef into something like shepherds pie (but I didn't have any shepherds) or Cottage pie (but I ) or Bolognese sauce (but I ), or chilli con carni, but every now and again I just fry the mince as it is. Tastes like beef burgers (real ones).
I gave D'fer
the base of the celery stick and he played with it for a few minutes and then dropped it, so I picked it up and held it for him. Then he tucked into it, breaking off bits and crunching them. Is was so funny to listen to a dog crunching.Sat, 15 Mar 2008
I have the guy who is taking over from me arriving on Sunday, but he is going to have to 'doss it' as he is sort of my guest till he takes over on Monday. There is no point in me going back home on Sunday as I have to go up to Watchfield on Monday anyway and it is much closer to here than it is from home.
I think D'fer
is developing OCD. He has become attached to the ball that I throw for him in the club. He carries it everywhere and keeps dropping it on me, or by me and whining. When I throw him a biscuit he looks at it and tries hard to pick it up and eat it with the ball in his mouth. When I put his dinner on the floor (in a bowl, I'm not that uncouth), he makes sure that the ball is within inches of him. If it starts to roll away he looks as if he is undecided whether to continue eating or go and get it. If it gets too far away, he goes and gets it and comes back to finish his meal. Perhaps it is just a phase he is going through.
I remember as a kiddy I went through a phase of having a complex about being a dwarf, mind you, it was only a little one.
Did I tell you that I ordered a DVD about OCD and how to cope with it. I watched it, and then I watched it again, and again, and again ...
I was so impressed that I ordered TWO copies of their DVD on Schizophrenia. The postman left the one on Agoraphobia that I ordered on the door mat outside and it was weeks before I could open the door and get it.
The one I most wanted was the one on Paranoia, and although I ordered it I never watched it as I had it sent to another address.
I know that I will need to be fairly fit to work all the locks as well as navigating the boat so I have been working on my biceps for ages now.
Started by taking a 2.5 kg potato bag in each hand and holding it at arms length. Then I let it down to my sides and lift it up again twenty time at a session, three or four sessions a day.
Did that for a week until it was fairly easy. Then I moved up to a five kilo bag. That took longer to get used to but I have managed it. I have worked my way right up through 7.5 kg, 10 kg, 12.5 kg and I am now on the 25 kg bags.
Next week I am going to start putting potatoes in them.
Sun, 16 Mar 2008
You must have seen the all time classic that is shown on TV every Christmas, The Great Escape.
There is one guy in it, Steve McQueen who played who played Capt Virgil Hilt, who tried every which way to get away and every time he was caught he was put in solitary confinement.
BUT
He had a friend that threw him a baseball glove and ball so that he could while away his time throwing the ball against the wall and catching it.
In the film you get the impression that it annoyed the guards to have to listen to this ker-plunk, ker-plunk, ker-plunk going on endlessly.
Now I know what it must have felt like for them.
D'fer
has taken to sitting close by with his ball, picking it up and dropping it going ker-plunk, ker-plunk, ker-plunk, ker-plunk, ker-plunk, ker-plunk, ker-plunk, ker-plunk, ker-plunk.
I can't tell him off, he is only trying to attract attention to get me to play ball with him, and it works from time to time.
I play ball with him for thirty minutes or so until he is absolutely knackered and gasping for breath, when I stop, as you would, wouldn't want to make him ill.
Trouble is two minutes later HE has recovered.
Tried distracting him with bones. He has bones laying around and when I try chewing one of them he just drops the ball in front of me.
I've tried pigs ears, but they last about 12 seconds - you would not believe how much he has grown in the past few weeks.
I doubt that he will get off the boat without his ball.
(Nasty) I'm not taking his ball on the boat. He would only drop it in the water and then he would be devastated!!!!!!!
Replacement is not coming till midday tomorrow, so I'm leaving the keys with the manager of the bowling ally next door.
Tue, 18 Mar 2008
Well, I have done it now. Spent Monday night at the bungalow. Did all the washing, tidied up the bungalow and made an appointment for the doctor to get a blood test done. He says that it is that time of life when he should start checking on cholesterol and such. Tuesday morning, off to the doctors, blood test. Straight to the boat, unloaded the last (yeah right) of the stuff I am taking and went on into Devizes to sort some things out.
Met Blynda
(my sister) and had a natter. Purchased some ring thingies for macrame and some dog lead ends, so I can make macrame dog leads.
Still only two ish, so made the leap to go back to the bungalow and get the dingy. Stuffed that in the ambulance, along with the camp bed that Hermione (my daughter) has asked me to bring along in case she decides to visit. Took them back to the boat. There were a load of guys who had been canoeing at the car park, so I said to one of them "Loads of people to lift boat in and out"
"Yes" he said.
"Oh good", I said "Perhaps you can help me lift mine in"
He laughed. "Seriously " I said "Look, it's in the back of the ambulance" opening the rear door. "OK" he said.
So I took a bunch of stuff back to the boat and removed everything from my person that might get damaged if it got wet.
Returning to the car park, everybody had gone except for this one guy. I told him that I didn't realise they were leaving, and he said that's OK
We carried it to the canal and dropped it in. "That is small" he said. I explained that I want to hang it off Davits from the back of the narrow boat, so it cannot be more than seven foot long, and this one is only six foot nine inches.
He left and I gingerly got in the dingy. D'fer
gave me one of those 'You are mad if you think I am getting in that.' looks, backing away from me. He stayed firmly on the bank, exercising caution. It took me several minutes to get the dingy moving, and even more to get it moving in a straight line. Eventually got it to the boat and tied it up to the rear mooring points. Then I had to climb out. Very gingerly stood up, a bit wobbly, I thought. Sat down again.
Tried again, this time keeping low in the dingy while I edged towards the back of the narrow boat. Managed to climb up out of the dingy onto the back of the narrow boat. It's higher than you think.
Everything on board, I collected the petrol for the generator from the ambulance and filled the generator tank. Hopefully enough to last me a while as I don't use it very often.
Had a sandwich and a cup of tea and got the computer out. Everything works just dandy.
Now I need to light the fire and settle in for the evening.
Collecting Don tomorrow and he is dropping me off at the boat and taking the ambulance away with him.
That is the point of no return.
Must get a new mouse, this one thinks that I want a 'double click' every time I touch it, even when I am just sliding it around the desk. The spelling mistakes are due to my fat fingers hitting multiple keys. (I have a very small keyboard.)
I got really excited about my forthcoming trip this afternoon and am still excited. After checking my emails earlier on I found it a little too chilly to reply to them all, so shut down the computer and lit the fire. Three hours later the temperature at the top of the boat is up to 59F (15C) but at floor level it is still pretty chilly.
Roast pork and mash with onions for tea. I got a joint of roast pork out of the freezer at the bungalow before I left and it is a little larger than I envisaged. I think I will be living on roast pork for several days, so will D'fer. Must try to remember to get some apple sauce, that way I can have my first course and pudding together.
Started the engine at ten to five, just to make sure that I can do all my internetty stuff this evening, as long as it's not too chilly, can't work properly if I am cold.
Blynda is going to finish off the new curtains for the boat, so that is a worry off my mind.
When I popped in to the boat yard at Honeystreet a few days ago the woman there told me she loved the net curtains at the boat windows, she had never seen them with coloured ducks on before, seen nets with ducks, but not coloured ones. (Maybe I should get a roll from the shop in Littlehampton and sell it by the foot from the boat).
Geri
is now stood on the shelf by the fire, she always liked to be warm and I have an iddy biddy measuring spoon to measure her out with when I sprinkle her on the canal. Must think of some appropriate words for each venue.
Got the fold down computer table working properly now, needed some more shaved off the slot where it folds down.
Ah, temperature up to 60F, might be warm enough to take off a jumper or two soon, but I am keeping the rug around my legs on for quite a while yet. It is probably extra chilly because the heating has not been on in the boat for a couple of months now.
D'fer has discovered a new trick. He can push the back doors open and go for a wander all on his own. I wouldn't mind, but it lets the heat out.
The new lights I put in the galley work wonderfully and it was a real pleasure to be able to see what I was preparing for tea. As usual D'fer polished off all the potato peelings.
I must make a list of all the things I need to do to the boat as I am travelling as I tend to forget what they are when I stop and take a rest.
Temperature up to 64F (18.5C) but legs still chilly, will put long johns on tomorrow.
Yes it is going to be one hell of a trip. I have tentatively arranged to see a couple of friends that I haven't seen since before Geri and I married. They live in the London area so I am hoping that they can get to the boat for a cuppa and natter when I get nearer Reading - it's about as close to them as I can get.
Maybe I should delay my start to the journey till 21st then I will be taking a long motor in nature with no intent other than reflecting on the Magic of nature and our Great Mother and her bounty.
I must also try to remember to stand an egg up on it's big end on the floor, only happens at this time of the year.
Wed, 19 Mar 2008
Went to bed last night at about half nine after doing some sudoku puzzles. Stoked the fire up and damped it down. Temperature up to 73F just before bed. D'fer
played spoons in the crook of my knees all night, kept us both warm.
Sun came up this morning at six-fifteen, woke me at six-thirty, up by six-forty.
Kicked the dog out of the back door. Raked the fire through and stoked it up. Temperature a nice 64F. Keeping a little heating on makes a world of difference. Breakfast of bacon and eggs on toast, forgot to do the tomatoes, and a cup of tea. The fridge has three settings, orange juice just frozen, orange juice frozen solid (scrape it out with a spoon) and orange juice one solid block so I have to take it outside and hit it with a lump hammer. Got it on just frozen now after some fiddling around finding out how it works.
Played ball with D'fer for a while, then sat and had another cup of tea and a cigarette. Washed the dishes and cooker (it wasn't really dirty but has not had a proper clean since I last slept on the boat so had an accumulation of dust and general tea making gunk). Kicked D'fer off the boat.
Had a wash and shaved my throat, left the beard and moustache. Swept the boat from front to back (stem to stern) and then washed the lino in the galley and salon.
Went outside and did the engine checks, I need to get some more oil today as used the last of the oil in the can. Walked D'fer up to the rubbish disposal point to get rid of the old oil can. D'fer fighting with my boots all the way there and back.
Played ball with D'fer again. Nearly five inches of water in the bilges, so ran the bilge pump for a while.
Started engine and went inside to check my emails.
Temperature now up to 75F and that is with the fire damped right down - this is getting good.
Now I have the heating on all the time the temperature is fine, it was just that first 24 hours to get the fabric of the boat up to temperature.
I haven't had a ready meal since I can't remember when. I try to have my five fruit and veg portions each day and have found a GREAT way of taking them. Start with a chocolate Orange, then have a Banana daiquiri followed by a Strawberry pavlova with lots of cream, then in the afternoon I have ten current buns (need ten to get my portion of currents) and finishing up with vodka and Tomato juice. That's my five.
D'fer is becoming quite alert, which is good because Britain needs lerts.
Well off to finalise the ambulance with Don and then I can really be on my way, as long as the weather does not close in too much, decided that I am NOT travelling in the rain.
Just damped the fire RIGHT down as the temperature is up to 80F, might be because the sun is out and shining fit to bust.
Visited with mum
this morning to collect some mail, the insurance docs that Don will need for the ambulance. Got away from there at about midday and drove up to Long Hanborough to get Don, stayed for a cup of tea and drove back to the boat. Don stopped for a cup of tea and because he is so big we sat outside with the back doors open. When we arrived at the boat the temperature was a comfortable 64F By the time he left is was down to 58F. I stoked the fire and it wasn't long before it was back up to 72F.
Couldn't be bothered to get a proper meal since it was well gone seven, so had two roast pork sandwiches, the butter was soft enough to spread instead of cutting off slices to lay on the bread.
I've never come across anyone else that sleeps with the bedroom window open all year round. I just love to get into a chilly bed and gradually warm up (as long as I am not too cold in the first place). Love the fresh air.
If I sleep with the window closed, all the zzzz's that I make while sleeping (you know, the ones that they put in comics to let the reader know that someone is asleep) seem to accumulate and proliferate until they start to bounce into me and jostle me and nudge me. They have such sharp edges that when I do wake up I feel grumpy and aggressive, whereas if I open the window to let them out, I wake up just fine. And it is even worse if there are two people sleeping in the same room with the windows closed because there are twice as many zzz's whizzing around.
When I tell people that I talk to God, they say I am praying, when I tell them that God talks to me they say I am mad, never understood why the difference.
Off to Devizes tomorrow as long as it is not snowing or raining, want to get some more coal and top up with water and empty the elsan.
Thu, 20 Mar 2008
3 miles
Up as half-six, breakfast of bacon egg and tomatoes on toast. It is good to be able to have toast after living off fried bread at the pub for three weeks. At least now I have the choice.
Boat a comfortable 65F, but the fire running low so put the last of the coal on to keep it going for the day.
Day started off cloudy, but the sun did try to peek through until about midday, when the cloud that was promised arrived and now in the late afternoon it is cloudy and dull, with the wind picking up and threatening rain.
Washed up the dishes and then washed up me, did the engine checks and set off about eight ish to see if I could get to Devizes before the promised rain arrived. Although I have promised myself that I will not travel in the rain I need coal so will continue on to Devizes marina if no further.
The dingy that I am now towing (Almyne Too) is attached to the stern of Almyne from its stern and bounces around something awful. Got to the first swing bridge and moored up to open it. Decided that it would be sensible to attach Almyne Too by a rope from it's stem (front) by two ropes, one to each bollard on the rear of Almyne.
Through the swing bridge and on with the journey. Almyne Too behaving much better. On to the next swing bridge where a couple of BW (British Waterways) guys were preparing to wander up the towpath to cut up a tree that had fallen over the towpath. Opened the swing bridge myself, but the BW guys closed it for me, that was nice of them.
On to Devizes marina, where I got five bags of coal and some fluid for the porta pottie. I don't need it yet but don't want to run out either. The lady at the marina said that she would change the name on the account to mine rather than mine and Geri's, so word has got about that Geri
is no longer.
Hung about there to have a cup of tea and warm up a bit and get some windproof clothing on. Although the journey so far had been dry and intermittently sunny, the wind was almost biting and promised to get worse.
As far as I know there are no rules about using a mobile phone while driving a boat (apart from don't drop it in) so rang Blynda
to let her know that I would be in Devizes shortly after twelve and she arranged to meet me at the wharf.
Got to Devizes wharf just before midday and moored up at the water point to replenish my water and empty the porta pottie. Completed that and motored all of 100 yards to the other side of the wharf to moor up proper. While I was getting water I got chatting to someone who told me that it is the Devizes to Westminster canoe race this weekend and it starts with the novices on Friday and the elite on Saturday, so I picked a spot right opposite the slipway to make sure I get a good view.
Blynda arrived and we had a cup of tea (no milk as I don't take milk and I am not getting a pint every time someone arrives, just to throw the rest away) and a natter. She went back to work and I wandered into Devizes to get some disgorgers (mine have all disappeared), some cheese and a new mouse. Picked out one for £9.49 and got charged £4.99, perhaps I read the ticket wrongly.
Back to the boat via the chandlery to see if they have any 'cam-cleats' - no, but the woman in the shop was enchanted with D'fer
and insisted on giving him some biscuits.
Back to the boat, repaired the drawers in one of the chests of drawers (the bottoms had come out of those little slots in the plastic back and were stopping the drawers closing properly).
Booted up the computer - and here I am. I think I might have to open a couple of windows as the temperature has gone up to 78F - and that is with the fire closed down as far as I can - works really well if you just keep it going and close the back doors - and stop D'fer running in and out and in and out...
Journey has started well, I've got coal to keep me warm.
I think being at the pub for a few weeks was good for me. The limited facilities there make the boat seem luxurious. I had boiled potatoes and steamed broccoli, carrots and thinly sliced leeks with fried onions and diced roast pork with gravy for tea. The water for the steamer was already hot, it had been in the kettle on the stove all afternoon. I think I might prepare dinner early tomorrow and leave it on the stove during the afternoon so that I just have to cook the meat to make a meal.
Finished tea and decided to see if the TV signal was any good. Put up the aerial, plugged it in and turned on the signal booster. Tried the TV. Wow, eleven channels. Picked the best of them and ended up with six very good pictures. First time I have watched decent TV for ages. Watched the news and weather, but there wasn't anything else on that was up to much so read a book for a couple of hours. Turned TV on again for the ten o'clock news and weather and wished I hadn't. Forecast for tomorrow is rain, snow, wind and more snow. Started to go to bed and realised that I had mended the chest of drawers and that the glue was still drying, that is why the bed was covered with the contents of three big drawers. Cleared the salon dining table and put some of it on there, cleared the galley work-tops and put the rest on there. Went to bed and read a while.
Fri, 21 Mar 2008
Sunset at Devizes
Up at six thirty, a bit windy and looks like rain but the sun is pouring in the back door. Temperature a comfortable 64F and the crowds are building up on the opposite bank for the canoe race. Removed the clamps on the drawers and repacked them with their appropriate contents - discarding those that are no longer of any use, like the remains of the duvet that was cut down for the boat.
Breakfast of bacon egg, tomatoes and toast, with a cup of tea. Wash the dishes, tidy up and take a couple of piccies of the canoeists.
Watched the canoeists preparing for the off for a while. About eight o'clock the local boys band started up to give all the competitors a good send off. Don't know how long they will go on for as the canoeists will be departing nearly all day.
Visited briefly by mum
and Blynda as they popped their heads through the door on their way to see Les and Joan at about ten.
Made some proper towing ropes for Almyne Two and I am now making some mooring ropes for her (why are all boats called her?).
D'fer
has been a right pain all morning wanting to get off the boat and play with all the little doggies that walk past - so much so that I have had to put the clothes dryer across the exit of the boat - he could jump it if he wanted to but he realises that it is a notional barrier that he should obey. In fact, when mum and Blynda arrived he did climb over it.
Popped into town to post Don's birthday card, I would not have remembered it but having sorted the car insurance for him I had to give his birth date.
Finished off the Brochures web site, Church is happy with it and we will roll it out live over the next few days.
Did a little more on the Chris'n Geri web site. Prepared tea at about four and put it on the fire, had a nap.
Brilliant sunshine all afternoon but the rain is settling in this evening.
Mum and Blynda visited on their way home from Les and Joan and brought along my flower tubs for the roof. I planted them several weeks ago and they are just beginning to sprout.
Had tea (roast pork, finely diced in a chilli sauce with rice, all cooked on the fire), read for a while and went to bed at nine.
Sat, 22 Mar 2008
The start
The band
Getting ready
Up at six-thirty-two. no sign of activity from the canoeing lot.
Breakfast of beans on toast - a break from the norm.
Spent most of the day working on the www.almyne.giles.me.uk web site, virtually finished with loads of pictures as well.
Finished the brochures web site and got approval from Church, just waiting for approval from Lin Dyason regarding the content of the email that will be going to every associate.
Wandered into town during the afternoon and purchased a loaf of bread. Buying foodstuffs is not easy with a dog. I have to stand outside the bakers and shout through the door to tell them what I want. Then they bring my purchases to the door and I give them some money. Then they go back to the till and bring me my change.
Today, when I stood outside the door they recognised me and one of the girls asked what I wanted and brought it straight out to me. Didn't have the right money so told them to keep the change as it is worth it for the service.
When I got back to the boat I gorged myself on fresh bread and butter.
Purchased an awl in the tool market, now I can do some tight rope work. Started my first macrame dog lead while sitting on the back of the boat. Snow and sleet when I got up, but the sun kept breaking through all day and there were some periods of almost warm.
Had a call from Glyn, he is going to visit tomorrow.
The guy from Blue Haze offered to help me down the flight on Monday if I needed it and left me his telephone number. The weather does not look good until Thursday, but we will see how it turns out.
Finished off the evening last night with cheese and biscuits. The cheese had been on the work-top all day and was warm and sweaty - tasted really strong, just like cheddar should do.
Ran the engine for a couple of hours to recharge the batteries, while I was shopping, saves me having to listen to it from inside the boat.
The canoe 'elite' started off about four pm and are still going now at half eight, they want to get to the river Thames as the tide turns to speed them on their way to Westminster Bridge - good luck to them. I will be nicely tucked up in bed by then.
Boat has been nice and warm all day so I must be getting the hang of it.
Sun, 23 Mar 2008
Up at six, breakfast, beans on toast, wash up, dry the dishes.
Decided to take D'fer
for a walk so set off towards Blynda's. Hadn't been walking long and the snow started, quite light but big flakes. Got to the BW cafe and turned round. Walking back I passed several people and wished them a 'Merry Christmas'. They all took the point that it was more like December than nearly April.
Got back to Almyne and went inside, the temperature was an overly comfortable 82F, and I have still not opened up the fire.
Read for a while and then finished the extending dogs lead that I have been making. Blynda
phoned and told me she had a rucksack for me and I should go and collect it. OK by me, not a lot else to do at the moment and a good chance to try out the lead.
Set off for Blynda's and when I got to the road on Blynda's estate D'fer decided that he would walk to heel all by himself. Maybe he did not want me to try out the new lead.
Collected the rucksack and a wind up radio and we were just organising a bite to eat when Glyn
rang to see where I was, he had arrived at Almyne expecting to see me as yesterday I told him I would be there from six am to nine pm.
Left Blynda in the lurch and rushed back to the boat.
Had a lovely chat and Glyn arranged to arrive tomorrow morning at eight so that if the weather is good enough he can help me down the flight.
Glyn and Cath
left around three and then 'Summer' arrived. 'Summer' is a boat I have often seen and spoken to and they have a dog, an Inuit husky/malamute cross. D'fer went absolutely bananas to go out and play. I had the front doors open but the cratch cover still on and he was running from the back of the boat, saying I want to go out, to the front of the boat saying 'Hey I'm coming out to play' to Chilli, the other dog.
I let him out for a play and they both rushed up and down the bank for about twenty minutes wearing themselves out while I chatted to the owner - still don't know his name.
That over I settled down to read my book again and the next thing I knew the temperature was up in the high eighties so I had to open the doors. D'fer was straight outside playing again. Left him to it for a while.
Had tea and now I am settling down with my book again before an early night, maybe I will get healthy wealthy and wise, or maybe it's a bit late in life for that.
Mon, 24 Mar 2008
4 miles 29 locks
Up at six after a fitful night, breakfast, bacon egg tomatoes on toast.
Walked D'fer. Did the engine checks and was ready to go by eight, when Glyn
was due to join me. Motored down to the first lock at which point Glyn turned up. Weather did not look too bad so decided that we would keep going while it was good. Did the first six locks without incident.
Rang Blynda
because she had expressed interest in joining us but she had a cold, really bad, I could hear it over the phone.
Continued on down the flight of sixteen meeting a couple of boats on the way again without incident. Stopped at the bottom of the sixteen for lunch at about one. Cath
met us there and we chatted and ate our lunch of corned beef and tomato sandwiches with a can of lager.
Cath went back to their boat and Glyn and I carried on. D'fer
was a pain all the way, rushing here and there, trying to play with Milo and Timmy (Glyn's two dogs) and wanting to get on the boat at every opportunity, only wanting to get off again as soon as he was on.
The last seven locks are quite close together but far enough apart not to be called a 'flight'. D'fer would jump on to the boat as I came out of a lock and then immediately back off again, running along the bank yelling at me.
Between the fourth and fifth locks he decided that he could swim to the boat and leapt in. Oh yes! he could swim to the boat all right, but there was no way he could climb aboard. He was at the back of the boat desperately trying to climb up and because he was swimming vertically he was just sinking. I tried to get him to swim to the side of the boat, but no, he was close enough for him and saw no reason to go round. I leant over the back but could not reach him and each time I grabbed for him he just seemed to sink lower in the water.
Eventually I leant right over the back, hanging on to the engine controls with my legs and tried to grab him by an ear or his teeth or anything that I could get hold of. Lurched a bit further out and grabbed him by the collar and hauled him aboard, bruising a rib and watching my camera disappear into the water in the process.
D'fer was delighted. 'Look dad, I can swim' he seemed to be saying. Got to the next lock and off he goes. Out of that lock and he is running along the bank yelling at me 'I want to do it again I want to do it again I want to do it again'.
This time I kept right over the other side of the canal and I think he thought that it might be a bit far to try his new found skills, until, of course I have to approach to bank to moor up at the next lock. Fortunately he did not attempt it again.
Eventually got to Sells Green , had a cuppa with Glyn and Cath on their boat, where D'fer slumped, exhausted under their table.
Came back to Almyne and read for an hour or so trying to ease the pain in my ribs, hurts to do almost anything.
Got tea, mostly already prepared from yesterday, just had to cook the potatoes.
D'fer was almost too shattered to eat his tea, but roused himself long enough to gulp it down and sit there pitifully telling me that it was not enough after such an energetic day.
Made the bed up into a double, the effort was excruciating, but I think the improved surface area in which to spread myself will be worth the effort.
Don't think I will be doing too much for the next day or so and must consider getting a life jacket as well as a set of saddlebags for D'fer, never thought I would see him in one of those.
Off to bed to rest my ribs, more adventures tomorrow.
Tue, 25 Mar 2008
Restful night, slept well despite the rib - a good idea to open the bed up to a double. Much better this morning although still a little sore. Breakfast of Marmite on toast followed by peanut butter on toast.
Cath
is going to get me a loaf of bread today so will be able to have bread for breakfast tomorrow.
Spent most of the morning sharpening my machete (noticed when I had cleaned off all the rust that it says 'Tramontina Brazil' on the blade). Looking on the internet, a Tramontina machete blade looks to be a really good make and is being sold on the same page as an AK47 assault rifle for adventurers of South America!
D'fer
has spent most of the morning playing with a new friend, 'Jas' from a boat further along, they are of similar size and ability so are well matched. Glyn popped along for a chat and a cup of coffee and then went shopping with Cath. They are getting me a loaf of bread and a bag of dog food for D'fer, so I am sorted out for another day and he is sorted out for another month.
Sat here writing this and I heard something getting on the boat. Just as I expected, is was Jas coming on board to see if D'fer can come out to play, off they went.
Wandered down to see Rob on the coffee boat and while I was there we decided that I will have to rename D'fer to Esmeralda when I go shopping. This is because when I go shopping I will be carrying the rucksack on my back underneath my poncho. If I look that much like a hunchback and keep muttering (quite loudly) 'come on Esmeralda' it should give people a good laugh.
Glyn and Cath returned with purchases and I went to their boat to give them some help with their accounts package - sort of successful but they need to contact the provider before we can go any further.
Glyn has offered to escort me as far as Semington tomorrow, seven locks and three swing bridges, he really enjoys it. That is where his lockup is, so Cath will pick him up from there when she returns from work. From there I should be able to get to Hilperton Marsh Bridge and pop in and see mum
later on, or perhaps on Thursday morning before I set off from there. I hope to see John on the wide beam that he keeps there.
I think I might have figured out why the back doors don't close properly but I will need to think a little more about how to fix them.
Sent an email to my insurance broker to see if I can claim on my camera, I will get a new one anyway, but it would be nice to get a big portion of it paid for.
During my chat with Glyn he got quite excited about selling place mats and coasters of narrow boats and boaters, so I must contact Church and see if there is any mileage in having an agent at Sells Green .
Back to the book for a while and then cooking dinner, I think it is corned beef hash with mash and peas tonight.
Wed, 26 Mar 2008
5.5 miles, 7 locks, 6 swing bridges
Up at seven-ish, late morning for me. Breakfast, boiled eggs (3 small ones) with toast and bread and butter. Jas was knocking on the door for D'fer
to go out and play so I let him out and they ran off telling the world how good the morning was. Did the engine checks and was ready for Glyn by ten to eight. Glyn sauntered up and asked if Cath could come along, no problem. D'fer said goodbye to Jas and off we went.
Cath took the tiller and Glyn and I worked the locks and swing bridges. Stopped off at Seend wharf and topped up with water. Ong
and Steve were there so had a brief chat while D'fer renewed his friendship with Skipper, their dog. Continued on our way. Everything went well until we were approaching Lowes swing bridge, when one of those light showers turned into a downpour. Fortunately we had almost moored up at the swing bridge operation so we stopped and went inside and had a game of cards. Shower over, game of cards finished we carried on in brilliant sunshine, if it gets much better it will be tee shirt and shorts weather. Got to Semington swing bridge where Glyn and Cath were to be picked up by Cath's daughter and said our goodbyes. D'fer had been with Milo and Timmy for three full days now and was distraught when we went one way and they went the other. It usually doesn't bother him when they go home to bed, or I call him in for the evening, but he seemed to know that he would not see them for a while. All the way to Hilperton Marsh Bridge he was looking over the back of the boat and crying. He didn't stop until we had moored up and were well on our way to mums.
Went to mums for the afternoon and had a proper meal, you know meat and thirteen veg. I had my five a day for the next three days.
The evening after we came down the Caen Hill Flight (29 locks) D'fer just lay on the floor all evening complaining that he ached all over. The following evening he lay on the floor all evening and didn't even move when I got his biscuits out of the cupboard, just waited for me to bring them to him.
This evening when we got back to the boat and D'fer collapsed again, I don't know what is happening he only seems to be able to keep going for ten hours a day nowadays.
Last night when I got into bed D'fer started to take interest in a carrier bag on the floor, standing over it and sticking his head into it and then moving back. Sticking his head into it again and backing off again. This went of for quite a while until I decided to see what it was. I thought it might be a big spider, but no, it was an even bigger wasp. Squashed it and told D'fer he was a good boy and that he had done his job well and he settled down and went to sleep quite happily.
Well it's about time for bed, nearly half past eight so I'm going to stoke the fire, read for a bit and go to bed.
Goodnight all.
Thu, 27 Mar 2008
5.5 miles, 1 lock
Woke up to brilliant sunshine streaming in through the windows, temperature inside 57F and a frost on the top of the boat, didn't bother with stoking up the fire and let it go out.
Breakfast of mushy peas on toast.
Did all the engine checks and set out about eight. Motored along quite slowly till I got to the boat yard at Hilperton Marina, where I realised that I was as close to 'shops' as I was likely to get before reaching Bath , so I pulled over and moored up to go into Trowbridge to purchase a camera to replace the one that I had lost.
Walked into Trowbridge via Lidl, where I purchased some eggs and some bacon. I looked for the 12 volt mobile phone chargers that they had advertised but could not see any.
Carried on into Trowbridge and eventually reached 'The Shires' a place where I thought I might get a camera. Unfortunately dogs are not allowed in the shopping mall, so I set off back to the boat, camera-less. Happened on a pet store and went in to enquire about a set of saddle bags for D'fer, after all if I am purchasing his food as well as mine when I am walking around, he might as well pull his weight and carry his food home. They had none but purchased a big bone for him anyway, which I had to carry back to the boat. I must say that D'fer
was exceptionally good on the lead through Trowbridge and deserved a treat.
Arrived back at the boat and there was an Alsatian by the next boat and the guy on the boat was carrying another off his boat. Asked me (quite abruptly) if I could keep my dog in for a while. I was sort of put out, but complied and then realised why he had made the request. The Alsatian that he was carrying off the boat was paralysed from the waist down and he had to carry the dogs hind quarters everywhere. He was taking the dog for a pee. D'fer was surprisingly good at being kept on board for ten minutes or so while this poor guy waddled around with his charge waiting for it to find just the right place to have a pee. When he had finished and was taken back on board I let D'fer off to play with the other dog. Had a brief chat with the owner and then continued my journey.
The weather was that good I popped into the boat and changed into shorts and tee shirt. I hadn't gone more that a couple of hundred yards when I spotted Tony on Weymouth, a guy that we had met the previous year. Pulled over and updated him with the news. His shoulder is still playing him up and he also has problems with his engine, something to do with diesel mould which clogs up all the pipes. Left him with my set of wheels so that he could get to the marina to get clean diesel with the promise that if he were still there on my way back I would tow him to the marina so he could get it sorted.
Continued on my way again. Another mile further on and I spotted Terry on Monique, told him the news and we arranged that I would stop off for a drink on my way back as he was just off to Bath to do some shopping on his bike.
Got to Bradford-on-Avon and moored up at the lock operation. Walked along to the lock and started to set it in my favour when two guys arrived with windlasses. They were from the trip boat that was coming back from a trip and they offered to work the lock for me. Great, I just go back on the boat and let them do it. Made life so much easier for me as D'fer could be a problem when he is on the boat and I am off the boat.
Went through the lock and moored up the other side by 'Dick and Jane's' a cafe-come-pub. While I was mooring up D'fer disappeared. Give you half a guess where he was - yes, you've got it, at the cafe, working his way around all the tables scavenging for food. There was a party of school children there who had just been on the trip boat and they loved having this dog to throw tid bits to.
Once the boat was securely moored up I went and retrieved him from the cafe and stopped for a pint while I was there.
Finished my drink and returned to the boat and started to prepare to cast off when D'fer disappeared again - back to the cafe, put him on his lead and back to the boat. Left him tied to the boat while I cast off this time.
Stopped for lunch of cheese and tomato sandwich with a packet of Hula Hoops. D'fer spotted a spaniel that was chasing a ball and decided that he would join in. He was nearly a quarter of a mile back along the tow path before it dawns on me that I would have to go and get him. Even then he wanted to go back and play.
As I was approaching Dundas , where I had planned to stay till the weekend, I started thinking about dinner and really fancied sausage, bacon and mash for tea, trouble is no sausages and nowhere to get any, so settled in the end for corned beef with mash and mushy peas - again.
As we were approaching our planned mooring point D'fer spotted a couple of dogs by their owners boat and I shouted over to them 'Is it OK if D'fer comes and plays with your two'. The response was positive so as soon as Almyne touched the bank he was off back up the towpath to play with them.
I moored up and secured the boat and wandered off to find D'fer playing with the other two in the last of the evening sun. Chatted for a while and returned to Almyne to light the fire as the temperature was dropping rapidly.
Quiet evening doing some more work on the web site, finishing my book and then off to bed.
Fri, 28 Mar 2008
Going no where today.
Up at the crack of dawn to the gentle pitter patter of rain on the roof. Went for a walk with D'fer
up to the Anglefish cafe - not open at this hour, but just wanted to see if the boatyard sold electric outboards. They weren't open either and there was no advertising or anything outside that would tell me. Walked back to the boat and then on to the next swing bridge. By the time we got back I think D'fer had had enough of the rain and settled down for a sleep.
Breakfast of bacon egg and tomato on toast. (That's why I got the bacon yesterday.) Spent the morning practising knots (working on the Boatswain's Whistle Knot) and developing the web site to automate my entries. It nearly works.
Purchased my TV license on line and tried to get a rod license, but being a bit of a pedant, I refused to fill in my address - after all I am on a narrow boat. Sent an email to the environment agency to let them know that I tried, but as I have no fixed abode I could not by one. We will have to see how they respond to that one.
With nothing special to do today I decided to see if I could put a handle on the machete, it had a handle but it is not fixed at all well and is also too big. Managed to set the tang further back in the handle and re-drill the rivet holes for it. Found three screws that were the right size, so cut off the heads and sawed a new slot in them, then cut them down to length so that they would be recessed into the handle but still hold in the rivet holes and the handle.
That sorted I proceeded to fill all the gaps and holes with epoxy glue, dribbling it into the holes and gaps. The next step is to shape the handle properly.
While I was waiting for the glue to set I made a jig to help me tie a monkey fist around a ball. Nearly worked but I need to determine just how many loops I need to properly cover the ball.
On checking my emails I had one from British Waterways in reply to my request for information about my 'tender'. It seems that they don't really know if it is a tender or a 'portable' boat. From their description of each I am fairly confident that I can get it classified as a tender, in which case there is no fee applied to it. That will be good.
Wrote a database to log the engine usage, travelling as opposed to charging the batteries. Come November the fuel will be rated the same as for a car, a hike of about 40p. BUT you can claim back the difference for fuel used for heating or electricity generation, hence it is important to log usage.
Lit the fire about half four, then started the engine and went for another walk with D'fer.
Got back to the boat and put dinner on, potatoes, leeks, carrots and broccoli with corned beef.
Sat, 29 Mar 2008
Going nowhere today.
Awoke to brilliant sunshine again at shortly after six. Breakfast as usual. Weather forecast says it is going to get worse as the day goes on so decided to clean the boat in preparation for Pasquale's visit. Took all the rugs outside and swept the boat from stem to stern. Then washed the floors, while they were drying I beat the rugs on the stern and got some of the dust out of them.
Meanwhile D'fer
was off playing with any and every dog that came past.
Did some more work on the machete, pretty well finished, now I need to cut some willow withies with it to see how it works.
Sky clouded over about ten and it started getting chilly so I lit the fire, it was nicely comfortable when Pasquale got here around one-ish. Well I say got here. At ten to I started walking to the car park where I expected him to be and when I got there he phoned and told me he was at bridge 175, just one mile from where the boat is. Told him to start walking towards Dundas and I would meet him. Just then the wind picked up really strong and the rain kicked in. Pasquale is a fit young man, this won't make any difference to him I thought. Got about half way there and get another phone call which was incomprehensible. As Pasquale was nowhere in sight I turned around and headed back towards the car park. Another phone call, he is at the canal by a low bridge looking at canal boats. Aha! I know where he is. Stay there and I will come and get you. When I got to the cafe he was nowhere in sight, so went right down to the car park. Nowhere in sight. Started walking from the car park towards the canal and there he was walking back towards me. He had walked along the low road, I had walked along the high road, hence we missed each other. Having met at last we wandered off to the boat to dry off and have a cup of tea. Pasquale brought a loaf of bread, half a pound of butter and some milk, just what the captain ordered.
He stayed until nearly six o'clock and we had a wonderful time chatting about this and that, eating ham sandwiches for lunch and trying to walk the dogs, (he brought Misty and Jas with him) when it wasn't raining. His job seems to be going very well, although he is struggling a bit until his commissions start coming through and Kerry, his fiancé, starts work as an administrator at an education establishment soon and it sounds like a really good job.
The dogs were surprisingly well behaved considering that there were three of them cooped up in this tiny boat and two of them just wanted to play.
Mario has been very quiet for a while now so I will give him a ring sometime next week to see how he is getting on.
Pasquale was enchanted with the dingy at the back of Almyne and approved of the alterations that have been made to Almyne since he last saw her.
I had a thoroughly good day and I hope he did too. He has tentatively arranged to come and visit again on the end of May bank holiday, wherever I am. He is going to track my progress via the web site.
The floor of the boat was covered in mud by the time he (they) left, which was only to be expected, I can wash it down again tomorrow, and I had planned to wash the duvet cover on Monday anyway.
Having had a good lunch I think I will just have a sandwich for tea as I don't want to put on too much weight (or is it just because I am lazy?).
Clocks go forward tonight so I should either be up at seven-ish tomorrow, or I will be up at six-ish as usual and get an extra hours daylight.
Sun, 30 Mar 2008
11 miles 2 swing bridges
Set my alarm for 2-am last night. When it went off I got up, put the clocks forward and went back to bed. I have never understood why they put the clock forward (or back) at two in the morning, it is so inconvenient.
Woke up at seven (or was it six) to find the sun trying to burn it's way through the cloud in the valley beside me. Had breakfast, washed the boat, did a poop patrol and did the engine checks.
Tried all the cleaners I could find to try to get the tar stains off the side of the boat below the chimney, but nothing seems to shift it.
By half eight the sun was shining quite strongly and by nine I was ready to go.
Set off towards Bath . Got to the first swing bridge and moored up on the towpath side as there is nowhere to moor up on the opposite bank. Trouble is, you have to go over to the other bank to operate the swing bridge. Once there you cannot get back to the towpath side to move the boat.
Hmmmmm. Tied a rope to the bridge, got the boat pole and pushed the bridge open from the towpath side. Got it open enough to get the boat through. Towed the boat through the 'only just wide enough' gap. Moored up and went back to the bridge and pulled it closed with the rope. Glad there is only one more of these to go.
Approaching the next swing bridge and there was a boat coming through in the opposite direction, I just motored through and thanked them.
No other incidents on a very pleasant motor with the sun shining strongly all day. Moored up just above the top lock in Bath, locked up the boat and wandered into Bath to do some shopping. Got some sausages (bangers and mash for tea) bread, tomatoes, mushrooms and a camera - just like the one that I lost, but £50 cheaper this year - that's technology.
Walked back to the boat and bumped into Ringo on the way. Ringo is D'fer's brother and they seemed to recognise each other straight away. They played for forty-five minutes or so till they were both tired out, whereupon we returned to the boat. Sat and read on the stern for an hour or so till it started to get chilly. Went inside, lit the fire and made tea.
Mon, 31 Mar 2008
8 miles, 2 swing bridges.
Forecast for early sunshine, clouding over later.
Up at seven, breakfast (the usual). I know that this is going to be a strange day. After breakfast I prepared my self to start the real purpose of this journey. I packed a few ounces of Geri
in a little case along with my poem to her and walked down to the junction of the River Avon and the Kennet and Avon canal.
I stood there for some minutes just looking and thinking and then read the poem out loud, and throwing a pinch of Geri into the water with each line, the tears welling up in my eyes and my voice cracking with each line, finishing off with a private farewell.
Worked my way back up the first six locks, repeating the process, it didn't get any less emotional.
Got back to the boat and started doing the engine checks. Karl stopped off on his way to work to wish me bon voyage and best wishes. It was nice to tell someone that I had begun my journey.
Set off and picked an appropriate spot along this section to spread a little happiness.
After about three miles with the sun promising to stay with me all day I decided to start the washing, after all, Monday is washing day. Pulled over and got the washing machine out and put it on the stern, filled it with water, put in some powder and some clothes switched it on and carried on my way. It went rather well until I took the first load out and put it in the spinner. The spinner would not work, what a bummer. I could not repair it and keep going, so I just kept going with the intention of pulling over at Dundas , where I could fill up with water if need be (even though the water at Dundas is a bit strong with chlorine). Negotiated the two swing bridges with the help of the rope and pole at the first and a couple on another boat at the second.
Arrived at Dundas and dismantled the washing machine, took about five minutes to identify the problem and fix it.
Moved to the watering point and did several loads of washing, rinsing and spinning. Did not complete everything that I intended as the problem of finding places to dry everything reared it's ugly head. Had some of the washing on a drying horse on the top of the boat and some inside. Time to call it a day. Hey, maybe Tuesday can be washing day as well.
While the washing machine was washing and the spinner was spinning I had a sandwich, washed the outside of the boat, tried some more cleaners on the tar stains under the chimney and soaked up some sun.
Set off again heading to Bradford-on-Avon (after packing the washing machine away) feeling quite pleased with myself, having never used the washing machine before.
I was cruising along thoroughly enjoying the sunshine (I was in shorts and tee shirt by now as all my other clothes were washed) passing under some trees when a bird shit from above. It just missed the boat and I looked up at it, a big old crow, and said 'Missed me" and then looked into the cup of tea I was holding, fortunately he missed that as well.
Moored up just after Avoncliff Aqueduct just after five.
The guy on the next boat along looked as if he was doing some delicate paint-work on his boat, so wandered up to him and asked if he was doing sign-work or just touching up. He was just touching up, but told me that there was a young lady on a boat about half a mile further on that did sign-writing.
Went back to Almyne and had a cup of tea and then wandered off along the cut to see if I could find her. It turned out to be Ginny, a girl that had been moored up close to us at Sells Green last summer. We had a long chat and I updated her with all the news. She can do the painting that I want done but not for several days, so I will have to see how I feel and if I want to hang around or keep going, if only to give me something to concentrate on.
Bangers and mash for tea again (it is difficult to purchase single portions of anything nowadays, especially when it is even cheaper to buy two). Another early night after a long day.
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