Almyne journeying in 2008
Tue, 1 Apr 2008
Recycling at Bathampton
1 lock 4 miles
Well here we are, pinch, punch, first of the month and no returns. The day started off windy and cold, too windy to travel, but a hearty breakfast of sausage, bacon and eggs on toast with a nice hot cup of tea improved the outlook. Walked D'fer
by the river, but not too close as it was running very fast over the weir. The wind had died down by about nine and the sun was trying to peek through so I think I will risk going down to Bradford-on-Avon lock and see if I can share it with someone.
Followed a hire boat down to Bradford-on-Avon lock but there was another boat already waiting to go in, no room for me so I moored up to wait for another boat.
Wandered up to the lock (which is across a road) and there was another pair of boats coming into the lock from the other side, left them to it.
The two hire boats came out of the lock and promptly moored up on the lock operation. I asked one of them if they were staying and they said that they were. Explained that they were on the lock operation section, so they moved off and I brought Almyne to the lock operation point. Moored up and wandered up to the lock again to watch the progress of the two going in. They seemed to be managing OK and as there was yet another boat waiting to come down I decided to go back to Almyne and waited for it to come out of the lock. Just then a couple arrived to work the lock from the bottom, where I was moored up. Asked if I could share the lock with them, to which they agreed. They seemed fairly au fait with the workings and were quite disparaging about the hire boats performance getting into the lock and operating it. When I got back to Almyne their boat was lining up for the lock. Explained that there was a boat coming through so they backed off to make room. They also were in a hire boat but were considerably more competent than the two in the lock.
Went through with them without incident. Moored up the other side to replenish water - knew I did not need much but best to keep it topped up. There was another boat at the water point so I had to wait and wait and wait and wait, over an hour, but passed the time chatting to them. (I won't give you their history.)
They went on their way and I topped up with water, took about ten minutes, and went on my way.
Pleasant enough journey but the wind was a bit on the strong side so had to go a little faster than I would usually just to keep it straight and on line. Got to Trowbridge and looked for Tony on Weymouth, but he was not there so presumed that he had fixed his problem. Continued on to Hilperton Marsh Bridge and spotted Tony moored up several hundred yards this side of Hilperton Marsh Bridge, so pulled over and moored up.
Tony was not apparent, so made a cup of tea and did a little tidying up. Tony arrived half an hour later and we chatted. He has not entirely fixed his problem, but it is much better. Thinks he will have it cracked in a week or so.
Collected my set of wheels that he had borrowed and set off for mums.
Very pleasant afternoon with mum
and Peter, including another of her meat and thirteen veg meals.
Back to Almyne before dark to hunker down out of the wind and write up the day events.
Wed, 2 Apr 2008
4 locks 4.5 miles 4 swing bridges
Up early, breakfast and walk D'fer. Tony was also up early and I discussed with him whether he was going to accompany me to sells green now his fuel problem is improving. Said he would accompany me to Semington . We looked at the chain saw and decided that the first thing to do was loosen the links of the chain as they were a bit rusted and starting it might just break the frozen links. Took the chain off and soaked it in lamp oil for a while and then eased each link loose in turn. Got them all working except two. Reassembled chain saw.
Tony went off to the marina to get another can of diesel while I pottered around doing the engine checks and getting ready to go. Tony got back and off we went.
Isn't it strange how when you are waiting for a bus they never arrive and when they do they come in threes.
We had been up since half six and had not seen any other boats, as soon as we were ready to start off three came along from behind us and another two were coming along from in front of us. Not a problem waiting for them to sort themselves out as we did not have to be in Semington till Friday.
Set off following a hire boat towards Semington swing bridge, the idea being that we would let them open it and let us pass through. When we got there a BW boat was moored up at the bridge operation point working on the bridge, which they had opened, and they waved us through. Arrived at Semington lock only to see the hire boat going in and closing the gates. A little bit naughty as they should have at least offered to share the lock with me.
I moored up on the lock operation area and Tony moored up on the 24 hour moorings. The hire boat went through and I set the lock in my favour while Tony repaired the puncture in his bike tyre. Vicky (from Blue Haze) appeared and we had a brief chat. Went into the lock and a guy (Ian
) asked if his boat could share the lock with me, explained that I was expecting Tony to be joining me. Tony came along and said that he was going to turn around and go back to Hilperton, but would accompany me for a while operating the locks. So Ian's boat joined me in the lock. The crew were novices, never having been on a narrow boat before and Ian was shepherding them along for a while.
From then on it went really smoothly. With Ian and Tony leapfrogging each other on push-bikes from swing bridge to swing bridge and lock to lock we fairly flew up to The Barge Inn, where I moored up to empty the porta pottie.
Tony and I then went across the road for a well earned drink. Three pints later I decided that I would not be travelling any further that day, so went back to Almyne and wallowed in the afternoon sunshine for a while. D'fer decided that it might be more interesting in the pub garden so wandered off up the tow path, across the road bridge and down to the pub garden where there were several people and children enjoying the sunshine. D'fer enjoyed himself but I was a bit worried when I realised that he was nowhere to be seen. Spotted him and walked along the tow path till I was opposite him. Called him and told him to 'go round'. Surprisingly enough he did. I was impressed and I think the people in the pub garden were impressed as well. Since I was moored up by a water point and the sun was shining I decided that another load of washing was a good idea. Out with the washing machine and in went my two pairs of jeans. No, the washing machine can only cope with one pair at a time - see I am learning. Went and got D'fer from the pub again.
Did the washing, collected D'fer (again), read my book, collected D'fer (again), prepared dinner, home made beef burgers with added herbs and spices, with sausages and mash, washed down with a couple of cans of lager and off to bed.
Thu, 3 Apr 2008
Ian
Tony
1.5 miles 3 locks 2 swing bridges.
Up at six to brilliant sunshine just peeking over the lock ahead of me. Breakfast of Sausages bacon egg and toast with a cup of tea. Put D'fer on an extending lead to stop him running off to the pub to see who is around. Did yesterday's web entry this morning as I missed doing it last night.
Set off at eight fifty and although the weather forecast was meant to be sunny clouding over later it was actually cloudy, brightening later. Arrived at Sells Green about midday and moored up. Nattered to Steve
for a while and then had a bite to eat. The sun was so warm that I sat on the back of the boat and read a book for an hour or so till Glyn
arrived at half two. We then sat in chairs at the back of his boat and had a beer while he fished. Showed him the chain saw and he instructed me in dismantling it and freeing the links of the chain. Also had to ease the wheel at the end of the chain holder. Once that was freed everything worked as it should except that there was no petrol in it.
Suddenly it was gone six and getting chilly so I decamped to Almyne and got dinner and wrote the software to put head-shots of the people I am talking about into the pages automatically, hence did not write up the days activities until today (Friday)
Fri, 4 Apr 2008
Up at seven to overcast sky and chilly breeze. Decided after breakfast of Bacon tomato and chips to go to Devizes to do some shopping. It is only about three miles. Stopped off with Blynda
on the way up for a cup of tea and a rest. I needed it as I am not used to walking that far in one go.
Carried on into Devizes and stopped to chat with Michael
from Blue Haze who has his boat at the wharf while he is touching up some of the paint-work and waiting to have the BSS done by Bob Naylor.
Carried on to Sainsbury's and left D'fer outside while I shopped. There was a little wailing and howling when I went in but it soon subsided. Did my shopping and then tried to get a Rod License at the post office there. No can do - must have a post code. What a game.
Started back to the boat and stopped off at Blynda's again. Eventually got back to Almyne at three o'clock - exhausted. A quick bite to eat - ham and tomato sandwich with nice fresh bread and a slice of crust with Marmite.
Glyn and Cath
arrived back about half three and while Glyn fished I showed Cath the new version of the web site with pictures. She was most impressed. Took the chain-saw down to Glyn's boat while I showed Cath how to 'lock' a row in and Excel spreadsheet and next thing I heard was the chain-saw running. Glyn tells me he was surprised as it fired up at first pull once he had put some fuel in it - that's a result.
Off to have dinner with Glyn and Cath now.
Steak pie with vegetables and a very good bottle of red wine. Finished dinner and sat there chatting and talking and chatting and talking and next thing I knew I was falling asleep. Back to Almyne after appropriate goodbye's, and so to bed.
Sat, 5 Apr 2008
2 miles 7 locks
Up at seven, bright and shiny, but threatening rain and snow later. I had written the last two days travels but due to a technical hitch I could not upload them and this morning the inverter does not seem to be working so cannot do anything about it until I find out what is going on. It could either be the inverter having gone duff or low battery. Low battery I hope.
Started the engine and set up the washing machine to wash the bedding while I had the chance. The engine only just started so it is probably the battery. I have a separate starter battery in case the leisure batteries are too depleted.
Washed my dirty clothing and hung it out on the horse on top of the boat. Washed the bedding and hung that up inside the boat. Glyn and Cath appeared and Glyn produced a can of oil for the chain saw and a sharpener. He showed me how to use the sharpener and Cath asked if I had a typeface called 'Fathead'. Told her I would look for it as soon as I had run up the computer.
While the washing was washing I 'dipped' the fuel tank (there is no fuel gauge) and determined that there is six inches of fuel in it, at least half a tank. One day I will 'dip' it when it is full so that I really know what inches means. Glyn and Cath went off to do whatever they needed to do and I finished sharpening the chain saw and doing the washing and then tried the computer. Hooray it works, must have been the battery. Looked for Fathead on my machine but I don't have it. Looked on the internet and found it, downloaded it and saved it to a memory stick.
Packed everything up except the computer and set off to the water point to replenish all that water that I had used for the washing. Moored up there and started filling up. D'fer decided that it was much more fun playing with skipper, so he wandered back up the towpath (about 500 yards).
Cath and Glyn returned and I gave the memory stick to her and told her what to do with it. They went back to their boat (Eezeeduzit) and I carried on filling my water tank. Cath phoned, 'got the font on my machine - now what do I do with it?' I wandered back to their boat and put the font where it belongs and Cath was so pleased she gave me a big hug and a kiss. Now she can do all her advertising for the Coffee Bean in their corporate image.
Back to Almyne dragging D'fer kicking and fighting all the way, 'Don't want to go, want to stay and play'.
Got him on the boat and Glyn and I set off for Devizes. I am so glad that Glyn enjoys working the locks as much as he does because it would have been hard work with out him. Got to the bottom of the flight in time for the wind to pick up and the sky to start looking ominous. Had a cup of tea and said our fond farewells. Is seems strange saying to people 'See you in a year or so'. Glyn left and I made a ham sandwich. Well I tried to, the fridge is working really well, so the ham was frozen. Not a problem, just fried it and put that in the sandwich.
Decided that it might be an idea to light the fire, so I did. The temperature soon rose from a not uncomfortable 53F (due to all the activity ) to close on 85F while I was preparing this evenings dinner. A tin of tomatoes in the bottom of the steamer with two pork medallions, a chopped onion and some chopped mushrooms with a packet of Chinese vegetable soup and a mug of water with some assorted herbs. In the top of the steamer some thinly sliced potatoes, carrots and leeks, all left on the fire while I read some more of my book.
By about six dinner smelt gorgeous and I was sweltering in a cabin at 94F, with the fan on blowing the heat to the front of the boat.
At this point I opened a couple of windows and walked back to the sixth of the seven locks completed today and worked my way back making sure that Geri
was comfortable in each pound. By the time I am finished no-one will ever be able to get away from her anywhere on the canal system and I am sure that she will bring a smile to everyone's lips at some time. D'fer, not having a dog to play with worried my boot-laces all the way back tripping me up several times.
Back at the boat I switched on the computer and hey presto, a good signal, so uploaded the last two days offerings and wrote up today's, savouring the aroma of my dinner cooking slowly on the fire. Temperature now down to a vest and pants 86F.
I think I might be here for a couple of days if the weather really closes in even though it is a 24 hour mooring - unless of course the lock-keeper decides to help me through the next 16 locks.
Sun, 6 Apr 2008
7.5 miles 22 locks 2 swing bridges
Up at six, temperature 50F, windy, D'fer went out and came back in again almost straight away. Cup of tea, lit fire. Six forty, snow outside. D'fer went out and came back in again. The level of water on the pound was down about eighteen inches. If it stays like this I am not going anywhere today. Seven twenty five, temperature up to 51F. Breakfast got dressed. Seven fifty one temperature up to 52F. Packed the bed away, tidied up after breakfast. Eight o one temperature up to 54F, weather forecast not good. The lock keepers drove past but did nothing about the low water in the pound. Wind easing off but still a stiff breeze.
Eight thirty temperature up to 65F wind dying down, sun trying to creep through. Did engine checks and as no other boats were coming through made the decision to try it alone. Fired up the engine at nine and went and prepared the first lock. Had a little trouble getting into the first lock due to a combination of the low water level and the stiff breeze, but made it. All went very smoothly albeit slowly and after a while the sun came through quite well. Did the first eight locks scattering Geri's ashes at each pound with the poem that I wrote for her
To Geri
If I could wrap all your troubles and throw them away
If I could make your woes disappear from the day
If I could take all your hurts and make them blase
I would.
If I could make your life good with one simple charm
If I could save you from stress and avoid the alarm
If I could wrap you in love and and keep you from harm
I would.
If I could be your umbrella for every shower
If I could bring to you each day a new flower
If I could find a way to make you my lover
I would.
and realised that I was not alone. Geri was with me and giving me new words to say.
You wrapped all my troubles and threw them away
You made all my woes disappear from the day
You took all my hurts and make them blase
You did.
You made my life good with one simple charm (I love you)
You saved me from stress and all alarm
You wrapped me in love and and kept me from harm
You did.
You were my umbrella for every shower
You brought to me each day a new flower
You found a way to make me your lover
You did.
The sun came out and shone on us, the air was clean and clear, D'fer stopped barking at all the locks, well for a couple anyway.
At the tenth lock I spotted a couple of hire boats racing up the flight after me but I was blowed if I was going to let them rush us in this moment of happiness. By the twelfth lock they were right behind me, but at that moment Vicky from Blue haze popped up from nowhere and asked if I needed any help, so she operated the lock while I did my stuff. She phoned Michael, her husband who came along and helped as well. Having these two angels of mercy appear and ease the passage of the last eleven locks right up to Devizes wharf protected me from the blustering, rushing, pushy hire boat crews.
Moored up at Devizes wharf and said goodbye to Michael and Vicki. Had a bite to eat (cheese and tomato sandwich) and a cup of tea and went shopping under a bright clear sky with the sun shining down on us.
As the forecast promised snow I was not surprised to walk back to the boat after getting my shopping in a snow shower, what I was surprised about was that the sun was still shining.
Got back to the boat and decided that it was too crowded at Devizes wharf, not for me but for D'fer. If I could get to All Cannings he would be able to have the run of the towpath, whereas in Devizes I would constantly be having to call him back to the boat.
Once at the boat I cast off and set off, didn't even unpack the shopping. The weather was something else, the sun shining so strongly I nearly took my waterproof off. Extremely pleasant journey, even when it snowed quite heavily out of a clear blue sky!
I suppose that I still have the pre 'clocks forward' mindset and think that it is going to be dark by half six, so I was quite surprised to find that I arrived at All Cannings in broad daylight even though it was nearly seven o'clock.
Took time out, after mooring up, to go and say hello to Carol on Kentish Maid who is moored up the other side of the bridge at All Cannings. While I was chatting to her a barn owl flew along the opposite bank several times and once hovered for some time before flying off - spectacular. She is off to baby sit her grand children on the Isle-of-Wight for a couple of weeks soon, so it was good to catch her before she went.
Dinner tonight is the other pork medallion from yesterday made into a stew with potatoes, peppers, carrots and peas, all slurped up with fresh bread from the shopping today followed by a good nights sleep, I am shattered.
Mon, 7 Apr 2008
Britain needs lerts
Up at seven. Today's the day for bad weather so I am staying here to wait for Ken and Jenny to arrive early this afternoon. Knowing that Ken suffers from the cold I lit the fire to make sure that Almyne was suitably welcoming.
Since the sun was up I decided to clean Almyne to make her worthy of visitors as Geri would have liked. Moved everything that was not fixed down from the front all the way to the back of the boat, giving me a clear run at the front. Brushed the carpets with the broom and got the carpet cleaner out. Thoroughly cleaned the rug beside the bed and brushed the carpet out. Moved everything from the back of the boat into the bedroom and started on the galley. Scrubbed the floor, including under the cabinets and scrubbed the cabinets as well. That done I moved into the salon. It looks quite big with nothing in it. Worked my way back to the fire and implement locker. By fixing the mooring pin holder down properly and sorting out which pins I use and which are superfluous to requirements it gave me more room in the locker, enough to put the spare table and chairs in. The only item that lives in there that was causing me trouble now was the aerial, so just out of interest I connected the TV up to it and checked out the picture. Then I replaced it with a tiny little whip aerial that I have and the picture was just as good. Since I don't watch TV very often then it doesn't really matter if I can get a good picture everywhere, the whip aerial will do me fine. Dismantled the big aerial pole and assembly on top of it and stowed that in the cratch for taking home. I now have room to have both the easy chairs out and have the table up in the salon.
All this time D'fer was contentedly sitting on the bank waiting for people to come along to he could molest them. Several did and he enjoyed their company while they stayed.
That done, which took most of the morning, I had a phone call from Jenny, they cannot make it today and have re-arranged for Thursday. No problem, still pleased with the mornings work. Had breakfast of toast at half twelve. During the afternoon I split all the little bits of wood that were too big for kindling and too small to burn as they were into proper kindling, then sawed up all the rest of the timber on the roof to usable chunks. None of it was suitable to use the chain saw on so did all that by hand saw. D'fer did his bit by either collecting more twigs and branches or chewing up the ones that I had already chopped.
Used the pumpy thing to remove some more of the water/diesel mix from the engine bilge
By three o'clock I was ready for a nap so popped inside and sat in the easy chair reading a book. Nearly dropped off, well I might have and just not noticed because before long it was time to get dinner ready.
Cheese and potato bake this evening, it is sitting in the oven just simmering till I am ready to eat.
So much for the bad weather, it has been brilliant sunshine all day with the occasional flurry of snow out of blue skies.
D'fer has just spent the last half hour shadowing a very old dog who has been wandering up and down the tow path (he lives on a boat further up) and has been surprisingly deferential. D'fer has been inviting him to play but in a much more toned down way than he uses with younger dogs and puppies, at one point just laying on the floor and letting the older dog come to him. The dog obviously has arthritis or some such because his walking is very laboured and it is interesting to see D'fer taking this into account.
Well time to batten down the hatches and keep the evening chill from invading the boat as the sun goes down to the sound of the birds going home to roost and the owls coming out to hunt.
Tue, 8 Apr 2008
2 miles
Up with the dawn and watched the sun coming up over the horizon. Thick frost on the ground so lit the fire first thing using yesterdays chopped wood. Temperature in boat a miserly 41F at six forty five. Started making breakfast but had to thaw the eggs out before I could get them out of their shells. Fried egg on toast. By seven twenty three the temperature was up to 62F and by the time I was ready for my morning wash at seven thirty five it was up to 73F.
Washed, dressed and raring to go, shut the fire down and took D'fer for a walk. By the time I returned at eight o five Almyne was a comfortable 79F, so much so that I left the back doors open while I checked my emails.
The weather indicates rain later so best to travel earlier rather than later. Off to Pewsey and if there is time maybe Wootton Rivers or even Wolfhall Bridge.
Approaching Honeystreet and I spotted Bindy
on the bank so pulled over and moored up for D'fer to play. Norkie
, Bindy's owner, does sign-writing and I asked him if he could put 'Almyne Too - Tender to Almyne' on the back of the dingy. Yes!
He started doing the good stuff and I chatted to Sharon
, his wife and Laura
and Lily
(Laura's daughter).
Nellie
, another of D'fer's sisters was there so the three of them had a wonderful time chasing each other along the bank and across the adjacent field. There were two huge piles of straw and manure in the field and all three dogs thought it would be great fun to play on them. Fortunately they also went into the water before getting on any of the boats.
Norkie has to shoot off to do something this afternoon so won't be able to finish the tender till tomorrow morning, so guess where I will be this evening.
Marcus
and Toni
turned up about four with Dayz
(D'fer's mum) and Demi
another sister, so there were four of the siblings and the mum. Couldn't get a picture of them all together however hard I tried.
Had a few beers and went back to Almyne to cook dinner, liver and bacon with potatoes and leeks. Sharon got the liver for me when she went in to Marlborough. D'fer was so tired that he did not notice me getting his dinner and slept all through me eating mine as well.
After dinner I joined the throng having a drink and chatting in front of an open fire on the bank. The fire is in an upturned lorry wheel rim, just right, keeps it nicely contained but still throws out lots of heat. After a couple of beers I retired to Almyne and gave D'fer his dinner. He ate his it and then sat at the back door and whined pitifully until I let him out to play again. I have no idea when he will come back to go to bed.
Wed, 9 Apr 2008
D'fer asleep
Three dogs
Yesterday I just pulled over for half an hour to let D'fer play with his siblings. Next thing I know I am staying for a couple of days at least to get the exhaust sorted out.
D'fer eventually came back to the boat and went to bed, didn't wake me till nearly seven at which point he just wanted to go out to play. Let him out and he was quite disappointed as no-one else was awake. He climbed on to each of the other boats in turn, knocking on each door to see if anyone was coming out to play all to no avail.
Had breakfast and took D'fer for a walk along the tow path till nine. Still no-one up. The sun was so strong and warm that I changed into my shorts and plough boys shirt. Sat in my chair on the bank reading for a while. Then I remembered that I needed to repair the gazebo. The little bung on the top that holds everything in place had popped off somewhere so every time I try to put it up the arms just collapse all over the place, not a lot of good. Needed a plug shaped like a mushroom to make a Gazebo Top. Took one of the little wooden mushrooms that was hanging around the boat and removed the bottom portion till it looked as if it would do the job. Jammed this into the top of the gazebo pole and screwed it in with four little self tapping screws. Put up the gazebo - worked a treat, well pleased with myself.
Mooched around for a while, got lunch and watched the rest of the community come to life.
Got chatting to a guy called Mitch
. He seems to be the local boat mechanic, fixes anything and everything, so mentioned to him about some of the things that I want to do to the engine but am worried about doing without backup. He said that he would be quite happy to supervise my fumblings. I spent the afternoon thoroughly cleaning the engine and in the process tightened up some loose joints on the fuel system. Mitch came along and looked at what I had done and approved of the work so far. I pointed out where the exhaust bandage was somewhat blackened and we unwound the bandage to have a closer look. The pipe was rotten in several places and in need of replacement, even I could see that. Mitch said that it was no problem and he would pick up a new silencer and exhaust pipe later on.
He turned up later on with the silencer and pipe and instructed me as to the preparation work that I could do. I got on with it.
I used to have scribes hands, you know all silky smooth, clean and soft. Now they are hard, calloused, pitted, flaky and grimed with dirt - a workman's hands. One day they will be soft again.
Sausage, egg and bacon for dinner.
D'fer spent all day running up and down the towpath playing with Bindy and Nellie . The two of them gang up on him and grab him by the collar and pull him to the ground. He loves it and keeps going back for more. If you did not know that they were playing you would think that the two of them were trying to rip him to pieces like a pack of hounds with a fox. Needless to say he is now minus a collar and his bandanna.
Thu, 10 Apr 2008
Up early as usual, breakfast, a long walk with D'fer to try to stop him waking everybody else up to let their dogs out because he wants to play. Phoned Ken and Jenny - don't come along to day I am discommoded with the exhaust.
I seem to have lost a day somewhere. Because I have had no engine I have been very conservative with the batteries and have not been writing up my notes or updating the web site so the last few days (and the next few days) are a little disjointed.
D'fer, Bindy and Nellie decided to go for a wander. Several of us went in search of them once we realised that they were missing and they were eventually spotted about half a mile away across a field with some cows. They were not bothering the cows and were just playing with each other, but we were all concerned that if the farmer saw them he would be quite within his rights to shoot them, so now we tend to keep at least one of the dogs tied up. If one of them is tied up the others don't wander.
Fri, 11 Apr 2008
I seem to have spent most of the day collecting D'fer from wherever he has wandered off to.
Mitch took me into Devizes to get some clamps and bits of flexible pipe for the exhaust. While we were there I got a loaf of bread. I can exist without most things but I do like my bread. Bread with most things.
Got back to Almyne and Mitch started work on the exhaust, a bit of pipe here, a clamp there, a bean tin to join this bit to that bit, another bit of flexible pipe there. Cobbled it together till it was serviceable and I could run the engine to charge the batteries a bit and check out what needed doing next.
It was D'fer's' turn to be on the end of a rope today. He suffered it with equanimity and a lot of vocal protests. I relented several times but regretted it when I found that he was nowhere in sight and I had to walk miles looking for him. He always turned up, bright as a button and looking so pleased with himself that I could not be cross with him.
This is turning into the longest half hour of my life.
Phoned Glyn and Cath - don't come along to day I am discommoded with the exhaust.
Later while I was chatting at the communal fire a guy called Lumpy asked me if I liked lamb. Yes I said. He promptly invited me to a roast lamb dinner on his boat, Dreamcatcher. It was a very good meal, the first roast I have had for ages, or so it seems. It is hard to believe that I was having dinner with mum less than a fortnight ago, it seems like months, so much has happened.
After dinner I had a few beers around the communal fire and went to bed.
Sat, 12 Apr 2008
Up early, walked D'fer had breakfast. Walked along to see Mitch for half eight, he was up and ready. Off to Honeystreet to dispose of rubbish, then to a friend of his to collect his welder, then off to Burbage to my lockup to see if my spare generator will run his welder - yes -a result. Now he can weld up the exhaust instead of making all the joints with clamps. Got some larger diameter exhaust pipe from John at Burbage garage to make the joins in the exhaust more permanent rather than the bean tins that had been put in yesterday. Also picked up a pair of waders so that Norkie can wade into the water to get to the bows of a boat the he is painting instead of angling it across the canal and blocking it while he does the front. He is doing a Celtic knot along the side of the boat, a mammoth task but it will look wonderful when complete.
Celtic Knot
Called in at the Coop at Pewsey on the way back and did some shopping, now I have some meat and vegetables for dinner and a fresh loaf of bread.
Got back to Almyne and started the engine to charge the batteries and do some work. Mitch said that he would be along about three to finish off the exhaust. I spent most of the afternoon searching the web for a typeface that I am looking for to no avail. Got dinner on about four (no Mitch yet) of spaghetti Bolognese, left it simmering till about six. Mitch turned up just as I was about to eat dinner, so left him to it. He did some more work on the exhaust but has decided on some modifications that seem like a good idea so he will be sorting that out on Monday.
Had dinner, read some more of my book.
Blynda phoned and we arranged to meet at The Barge at Honeystreet about midday tomorrow. She is bringing Gaynor
with her. It will be nice to see them again.
Sun, 13 Apr 2008
Sunday, a day of rest. Up early, walked D'fer up to The Barge Inn to see what their opening hours are. Walked back to Almyne to have breakfast at ten past seven. Washed floor of boat and caught up with some internetty work. Got fire going as it is quite chilly. Blynda rang to say she would be here about half twelve. They arrived at about half twelve. I gave them the grand tour of Almyne showing the all the changes and improvements since Gaynor s last visit.
We all wandered down to The Barge Inn and had lunch, a ham sandwich with salad and chips. They departed and went on their various errands and I returned to Almyne for an afternoon nap.
Slept for nearly two hours probably because it was so warm and cosy having had the fire on low all day.
Got up and prepared dinner, cottage pie with the sauce from yesterday and vegetables. Read for a while, did some Sudoku puzzles and off to bed. Just before bed I gave D'fer his nighttime biscuits. I am beginning to think that he can count. I put his biscuits in my pocket and get them out at intervals, just to keep him on his toes. Tonight as soon as I had given him the last biscuit from my pocket he went to bed. How did he know it was the last biscuit?
Mon, 14 Apr 2008
Monday up early D'fer pestering to see if any of his friends are about. No, they are not early risers like he is (we are).
The day started off very sunny. About nine I walked down to see if Mitch was up as I had left some bits in his Land Rover. He was, so got my bits. Mitch wanted something over the other side of the canal and although he walked round he could not reach it due to the overhanging bushes. I went back to Almyne and gingerly climbed into Almyne Too and rowed back to Mitch's boat. By the time I got there he was sorted out, so rowed back to Almyne, quite an experience as it is the first time I have tried to use it as a proper dingy. I still think it will be better with a little electric outboard on it.
Back at Almyne I did some more engine de-greasing and checked the nuts that I had tightened up previously, they looked good. Then I dismantled the throttle mechanism, gave it a thoroughly good clean and re-assembled it. It still ticks over a little fast but will check that with Mitch when he returns from Calcutt.
Met Norkie on the way back from seeing Mitch. He hasn't been doing much for the past few days since he fell off his gang plank and either bruised or cracked a couple of ribs. He is in some pain so he is off to the hospital just to see what is really the matter.
Weather still good so painted the generator cover with it's first coat of undercoat, then it decided to rain so went inside and read for a while and did some more internetty stuff, responding to emails from the last batch of emails that I had sent out.
The April shower did it's stuff and cleared up leaving the sky a nice clear blue with a bright yellow sun beaming down. It's a good job that the paint was dry enough not to be affected by the rain.
A while later there was a rumble of thunder and a heavy downpour of hail stones which lasted for several minutes. Long enough for me to notice that Henry, Laura's dog, was stuck outside his boat because the gang plank had fallen in the canal. I donned a coat and went and got him, brought him onto Almyne and rubbed him dry, he was shivering with cold and wet. After that he settled down and was happy enough sat next to D'fer and the fire. When it stopped and Laura got back Henry went back to his boat and got quite aggressive with D'fer, protecting his own territory.
An hour or so later we had a proper April shower, bright sunshine and big heavy raindrops, guess I am not going to get any more painting done today.
Norkie came back from the hospital, he has two broken or cracked ribs and has to rest them for as much as six weeks. He is most upset that he cannot perform at a gig in three weeks time.
Cottage pie and veg for dinner followed by a glass of wine or two and then off to bed to read some more of my book.
Tue, 15 Apr 2008
Six fifteen, Jem knocking on the door. Let her in, Jem is a dog that lives with Bindy . She settled down and made herself comfortable. Cottage pie for breakfast with a couple of slices of bread and butter. Walked D'fer and Jem to The Barge Inn at Honeystreet and then back towards All Cannings. Got to the hard-standing by Stanton St Bernard where both D'fer and Jem chased a rabbit, but did not do very well. On our way back Mitch appeared at his boat and said that he would be along about eleven.
Returned to Almyne and put top coat on the generator cover. I had just finished when Lily came wandering along with a pack of cards in her hand, looked at the generator cover and said 'We can play cards on that' reaching out to put her cards down. I explained that it had just been painted and that the cards would stick.
Close one.
Cut one of the gas cover braces and glued it to the underside of the gas cover.
Mitch turned up and fixed the exhaust, took several hours but it now works a treat. While he was doing that I finished the second gas cover. Then I dismantled two radios and took the aerial from the bad reception one and fixed into the good reception one, now it works properly. The next task is to remove the solar panel from bad reception one and fit it to the good reception one so that I can charge it up during the day to listen to it at night.
Mitch left me to wrap the insulating bandage on the exhaust system as it needed a couple of hours for the sealants to set. Once that was done I ran the engine for an hour or so to check that everything was working properly.
Norkie is still suffering from his ribs and is trying to do some painting even though it is still painful.
Chicken curry from a tin with the remains of the bread and butter for dinner. Must get to a shop soon to top up on eggs, bread and red wine.
Said farewell to all those wonderful people who have been so good to me for the past week while I have been marooned here with no means of generating electricity as I will be leaving before they surface in the morning, unless D'fer sleeps in tomorrow, which is most unlikely.
Goodnight and god bless.
Wed, 16 Apr 2008
7.5 miles 1 lock
D'fer let me lie in this morning until nearly half past seven. Got up, had a cup of tea, but no breakfast as I have no bread and no eggs. Took D'fer for a walk as I wanted to catch Mitch to retrieve a DVD that I had lent him. He was not up yet. Wandered back to Almyne. Did the engine checks so that I would be ready to go as soon as I had got my DVD. Went back to Mitch, he was up this time so said my goodbyes and started off towards Pewsey at nine. Only travelled about 600 yards when I got to Honeystreet proper where I pulled over and topped up with water and walked to the 'Country Stores' where I got a new collar for D'fer. I had to get the largest available!
From there I went to the boat yard just the other side of the bridge at Honeystreet and filled up with diesel (full tank is nine and a half inches) and replaced the gas cylinder. Then I was off properly.
The weather was good and the going was pleasant and although I did not get to Pewsey till half twelve it all seemed to go too quickly. Did a load of washing on the way.
At Pewsey I emptied the porta pottie and finished the washing, got rid of my rubbish and put the washing on the line. Chores complete I decided to see if anyone was around at the boat club before going shopping in Pewsey. John and Gordon were there but Chris
and Dave
were not, so after a glass of wine with John and Gordon I decided to carry on to Wootten Rivers where Chris and Dave live and I could purchase some fresh free range eggs. Arrived at Wootton Rivers just before four, moored up and went to see Chris and Dave. Spent a pleasant couple of hours with them along with several cups of tea while catching up on all the local gossip.
Returned to Almyne, purchasing a dozen eggs on the way, to an evening meal of omelette and chips, washed down with a can of lager. Walked D'fer along to the next lock, spotting bit of wood on the way. On the way back collected two bits of wood, which I sawed up for the fire for the evening. It seems silly to use coal as it takes a whole nights worth to get it started and now I only need a quick boost during the late evening.
While I was writing up my notes one of the Hilperton Marina boats went past rather fast and only just stopped before it went into the lock gates. It then reversed back past me, banging in to me as it went. I remonstrated, nicely, with the driver explaining that it is much better to do things slowly. He responded saying that he was going slowly. I then explained that he was actually going very fast for the canal and he was driving a boat now, not a car. As he came past me again going forward to moor up in front of me he went very slowly and had no trouble getting in to quite a small space for such a big boat driven by an amateur. Once moored up they all went of to the pub, presumably for a meal, and I settled in for the evening with my book.
It is sooo good to be under way again.
Thu, 17 Apr 2008
2.5 miles 3 locks 1 tunnel
Set off from Wootton Rivers at ten and travelled for two hours. Did the first lock on my own and as I was finishing it a crew arrived from another boat that was going my way, so told them I would wait at the next lock. Got to the next lock and prepared it for the two boats and waited for them. They had a crew of seven, so I just let them work the lock, which made the next two locks very easy. At the last lock I sent them on their way and closed the gates and tidied up myself as I was not doing any more locks today.
From there it was a straight run up through Burbage wharf, Bruce tunnel and on to Wolfhall bridge, where I moored up, locked the boat and walked to the bungalow.
When I arrived at the bungalow I lit the fire as it was very cold. The bungalow faces south and only gets a little midday sun, so is mostly quite cold at the best of times. Once that was going I tried starting the Morris. The battery was quite low and not man enough to start so I removed it and took it into the bungalow to put it on the charger.
Watched TV for a while and then found the bicycle panniers. Hmmm, with a little modification I can make them fit D'fer. Out with the scissors and needle and thread and after a couple of hours I tried them on him. Worked after a fashion, but still more modification needed. More scissors and more needle and thread and I think they will really work. Well, if I have to carry my food from the shops to the boat, D'fer can carry his.
Stayed up late watching TV.
Fri, 18 Apr 2008
Saddlebag D'fer
Ken and Jenny are visiting this afternoon so I need to do some shopping for things like milk. Wandered down to the local shop with D'fer and his nice new saddle bags. Did my shopping and loaded it all into the saddle bags. D'fer was very good about it and didn't complain at all. He did keep walking into things, like hedges and walls which tended to dislodge the saddle bags but he got everything home in one piece, including a dozen eggs.
Ken and Jenny arrived and we had a good afternoon nattering about this and that, and then I settled down for another evenings TV watching. Another late night.
Sat, 19 Apr 2008
Chicken Roost
Duck one
Duck two
Up early, well about nine, early for the bungalow. Off to Trowbridge to sort some stuff out for Peter
on the computer and give him a memory stick to take his Tractor Pulling publication to the printers on.
Stopped off in Devizes to post a letter. Well actually it was a letter sent to the bungalow for the previous occupant who died over a year ago. I have spoken to Kennet District council about the letters that they keep sending to her several times and returned the letters marked 'not known at this address' several times as well. This time I have written on the envelope that she died over a year ago and sellotaped it to an old Yellow Pages. Maybe they will get the idea this time.
Did some shopping at Lidl's in Devizes to top up the travelling provisions and purchased some perforated strip at the local hardware store. Now I can fix the silencer in position properly.
Glyn and Cath arrived just after four with Timmy
and Milo
and they stayed and chatted till seven ish.
Watched TV till late 'The Shawshank Redemption' a great film, and went to bed.
Sun, 20 Apr 2008
Up at about ten, breakfast and off to check on the boat. I was planning to stay at the bungalow till Monday or Tuesday, but once I got to Almyne I didn't want to go back to the bungalow so I collected some firewood and cut it up and then drove back to the bungalow. There I collected the bits and pieces that I wanted to take to the boat and raided the freezer and walked back to Almyne. Settled down and did my internetty stuff.
I had just finished that and was poking my head out of the back of the boat when I spotted an owl standing on a fence post over the other side of the canal. Went inside the boat to get my camera to see if I could get a picture. When I came out again it flew off eastwards along the canal. I followed it to the next lock and then it disappeared, but the guy from the next boat was sat there having a nap.
Got chatting to him, he has a jack Russell, called Jack. He has been on his boat for seven years now and the one really good tip he gave me was 'get a bread-maker', they work really well. Stick all the stuff in the bread-maker just before you set off for the day and by the time you stop you will have a really good, fresh loaf of bread, but make sure that you follow the ingredient list to the letter.
Left him just before eight, returned to Almyne, got dinner, chicken in white sauce (out of a tin as everything else I had was still frozen) with cheesy mashed potatoes. Got the sausages out of the fridge so that they could thaw out for tomorrows dinner and off to bed.
Mon, 21 Apr 2008
D'fer and Amber
Amber
Amber and owner
3.25 miles 10 locks
Restless night, I think it was because I was too hot! Too hot, that makes a change. Woke up slowly and got going about eight. Breakfast of eggs, bacon, fried bread and the remains of yesterdays mashed potatoes with cheese and a cup of tea, I couldn't eat it all so D'fer had a treat for breakfast. Mind you because I like honey and lemon in my tea (but will have fresh orange juice if honey and lemon not available) I got myself some squeezy lemon and one of those jars of honey that squeezes out. So although I thought I was having honey and lemon in my tea I ended up with Branston and lemon. The honey and Branston jars are almost identical and my mum will tell you that when I have my head in a book the outside world disappears. Honey on bacon and fried bread is OK, so it was only the tea I had to change.
Drizzling rain so not travelling just yet. Wandered up and down the bank collecting bits of timber to cut up for firewood. Found enough to keep me going for a day or so and cut some of it to size. The rest I put in Almyne Too for later.
The internet signal here is not so good so I would like to find somewhere with better reception. Rain cleared up about eleven so I set off to the next lock. Got there and filled it up (I am going downhill now) and as I was going in spotted a hire boat on it's way so I waited for them. The hire boat crew worked the next five locks for me - I like sharing the work! There is one lock where the people who live in the old lock keepers cottage keep chickens and they have the most wonderful chicken roost.
Moored up at Crofton for a cup of tea and to check the signal, still not good so might travel a bit further later on this afternoon.
Lit the fire just to warm the boat for the evening and shut it right down to see how long it would glow for.
Sorted out the pictures that I have used on the site and linked the little ones to the big ones so that everyone can view full size pictures if they wish, once I get them uploaded.
A group of people went past with five dogs. D'fer did his usual trick of wanting to play with them but was a little bit intimidated by so many new faces all at once. Soon made friends and then discovered that one of them was in season. 'Wow, I must follow my instincts here!' Persuaded him to come back to me with the aid of some biscuits and put him on an extending lead fixed to the tiller. He sat there quite happily for ten minutes or so and then started to practice howling. It was strange, I have never heard that noise from him before. I just hope he doesn't take to it too much, he is quite vocal enough for me as it is.
Set off again to find a signal. Got to the first lock and went through on my own. At the next lock the hire boat caught up with me again. Went through the next two locks and suddenly I had a great signal. Decided to moor up right after the next bridge, so I did, leaving the hire boat to carry on on their own.
One I was moored up the 'great signal' that I had just wasn't there any more. Walked about a mile further on and still no signal but did spot Penelope, a boat that we had moored up with at Sells Green the previous year, walked back to the pound where I previously had a signal - nothing.
Might as well carry on down to Penelope and then set off early in the morning to get a signal in Hungerford.
Started the engine and motored down to the next lock. One of the gates kept opening in the wind and I had to close that gate and rush around the lock to close the other gate and then rush back to open the first again. Eventually someone came along and I asked them if they could just hold the gate closed while I set the lock properly. They did.
So eventually the lock is filling. While it was filling a guy came along with his dog, Amber and it was love at first site. D'fer went absolutely bananas for her and became totally disobedient, would not even respond to biscuits. Eventually I had to catch him and put him on his lead to get him back to the boat.
The lock filled up, so I took the boat into the lock and as I was pulling on the rope to hold the boat into the side D'fer just upped and went, perfect timing, there was nothing I could do to stop him.
Tied the boat up and with one gate open and Almyne in the lock I set off to retrieve D'fer. He was sat outside Amber's boat whining and howling. Dragged him back to Almyne, shut him inside and closed and locked the doors.
Negotiated that lock and let D'fer out as he could not jump off the boat and go and find Amber again. About a mile further on I pulled over and moored up. Went and had a chat to Robbie and Lucy and to enquire about Penelope, they should be back later this evening.
Returned to Almyne and put t' kettle on. Looked round and guess what no D'fer. No D'fer anywhere, I called, I shouted, I thought.
Walked back up the towpath about a mile and there he was outside Amber's boat clambering all over it. The owner was nowhere to be seen, but his engine was running so I guessed that he would not be far away. Knocked on the next door boat to enquire about his whereabouts and apparently he was on board that one. I asked if I could have a photo of Amber, so that I could put it on the web with the story of doggie love at first sight and he went and got Amber out for me to take pictures of.
Dragged D'fer back to Almyne moaning and whining all the way. Him moaning and whining, not me. Got back to Almyne and put him on his extending lead.
Just as I put him on his lead a duck flew over my head and landed on the top of the boat. This is turning into an interesting day. It walked up and down the roof long enough for me to get my camera out and take several pictures.
D'fer wouldn't eat his potato skins as I peeled the potatoes for tea and I wondered just how far doggie love had affected him.
Cooked my tea, sausages in onions and peppers with chips. Sometimes I just don't feel as hungry as I think I should and this evening I did not eat all my tea so put the remainder in with D'fer's meal. He woofed the lot right down, so his love sickness wore off quite quickly. However, after he finished he asked to go out and I let him out after judiciously putting him on the extending lead. He walked off in the direction of Amber and sat down and moaned for several minutes till I called him back in. I think I am going to have to keep him on the extending lead till I am well clear of Great Bedwyn.
Tue, 22 Apr 2008
Lock 66
Cobblers lock winding gear
Lock 66 as it should be
Up
5 miles 10 locks 2 swing-bridges
D'fer kept waking me up from about half five onwards and I kept letting him out, but on the extending lead. I eventually got up at about half eight, I was tired after a long day yesterday. When I let D'fer out and watched him it seems that he had an upset tummy - now that is lovesick!
I had toasted crumpets with oodles of butter for breakfast and D'fer had nothing, but I made up for it by giving him his breakfast at lunchtime with a raw egg in with it.
Did the engine checks and I still have a slight leak on the diesel return so I might need to get some new washers for that union.
The day started off being overcast and dull, but brightened up soon after I set off at ten. Motored along wearing a tee shirt, a fleece and a jacket, after an hour or so I was down to my yokel shirt and nearly changed into shorts as well.
Went through Burnt Mill lock, Potters lock and Little Bedwyn lock an my own and pulled over at Oakhill Down lock (lock 66) for lunch, Marmite sandwich and a cup of tea with honey and lemon and I made sure it was honey (and D'fer had his breakfast).
Lock 66 is interesting because the level is maintained by the water flowing over the gates, which was the original design, but nowadays they build the locks a little bit higher and fit overflow sluices, not nearly as pretty as this.
I waited there for nearly an hour but no-one came along so set off again on my own. Went through Oakhill Down lock and as I was preparing Froxfield Middle lock a boat appeared behind me so I waited for it. It was a small fibreglass cruiser crewed by a man on his own. We shared locks right to Hungerford. It turns out he is a retired GP (Patrick Day) and is working his way to London to do as much of the Thames as he can.
At Cobblers lock D'fer decided that he could walk across the top gates that have no walkway. You just have to walk along the balance beam. As it turned out he couldn't. He fell right into the lock while it was filling so he was buffeted by the incoming water. He swam to the lock gate and sort of hung on to the beams, but as the lock was filling the beams kept disappearing below him. I wandered back to Almyne and collected the boat pole with a hook on the end and hooked it around his collar to drag him out. By this time the lock was nearly three quarters full so I did not have to pull him up too far. Never a dull moment with D'fer and I am sure it will not be the last time. The winding gear at Cobblers lock is quite unique and so easy to operate I don't know why they don't fit this to all the lock gates.
Arrived at Hungerford wharf at about half four and walked into town and then back up the tow path to see if the owner of Orient Express was in - he wasn't so I will have to see if I can catch him later.
Dinner of potatoes, onions, carrots, cabbage, broccoli and pork chop, of which D'fer had a quarter with his dinner.
Spent the evening sitting on the back of Almyne enjoying the evening sunshine and listening to Radio seven.
Goodnight all.
Wed, 23 Apr 2008
Five bar gate1
Five bar gate2
Five bar gate3
Returning
Going in
Retrieving
Up in time to watch the drizzle wetting the grass beside the mooring and filling the canal with water. Egg and bacon on toast for breakfast washed down with a cup of tea with honey and lemon.
Off to the optician, the rain had stopped and the sky was clearing, but I was wearing a tee shirt and a jacket. The optician could fit me in in about a week. Explained that I was on a mission and they fitted me in for this afternoon at ten past two - nice one.
Off to the dentist, they can give me an appointment for May twelfth. Explained that I was on a mission and only passing through - fitted me in for three forty-five this afternoon - nice one.
Walked back through the Wednesday market and got D'fer some pigs ears and a new bone on the way back to Almyne where I changed into my yokel shirt, it was getting warm.
Walked up to the church to take piccies of the five bar gate, I have never seen one like it before and then on to the pet shop to order a disk for D'fer with his name and my telephone number on it, will be ready for me to collect tomorrow. Called into the hardware store and picked up a couple of tap extenders, the ones on Almyne have seen better days. Also got some fire-lighters and some epoxy putty, just in case, and some junior hacksaw blades so I can cut D'fer's bone in half. Did the charity shop run where I managed to get a Wilbur Smith, Warlock, and a Bernard Cornwell, Rebel, - I hope they are as good as their other books.
Back at Almyne I did some washing while I waited for the opticians appointment and doing internetty stuff and uploading some more pictures.
Off to the optician, leaving D'fer on Almyne, he howled at least until I was out of earshot. The optician checked out my eyesight, no change since last August and examined my eyes minutely because I have a spider hanging in the air at the top right on my right eye and I have been seeing bright flashes of light in the same eye. To examine my eyes properly she put in some drops that expand the pupils. She couldn't find any evidence of PVD (Posterior Vitreous Detachment) so wants me to see someone who has more specialised equipment, fortunately it is at Newbury so can call in on my way past.
Back to Almyne where D'fer went bananas, he had been on his own now for several days and was hungry, thirsty, lonely and bored. I made a fuss of him, gave him a pigs ear and had a cup of tea. Noticed what is was that made that funny cracking noise last night. The glass in the fire was broken, will need to source a new bit, but not as urgent as it would have been last week as it is no longer cold enough to require the fire every night. Off to the dentist, leaving D'fer on the boat alone again!
I need three fillings (the ones that have fallen out). I reminded him of his previous experience with me when he told Geri not to let me have that many whiskies before attending again and he prescribed tablets for me. Booked the first appointment available, May ninth. Oh well, can't have it all ways.
Back to Almyne, calling in at the iron-mongers on the way looking for some heatproof glass, none available.
Took D'fer for a walk as he has now been totally on his own for three weeks and has so much pent up energy that he is going to burst, or so he tells me.
Walked him along the river and back along the canal tow path. The river is not deep but the water runs quite quickly and D'fer ventured in up to his ankles, this is fun. Ventured in up to his armpits, this is really good. I threw a stick in and he went in and retrieved it, swimming! Hey this is really good, as long as I don't go out too far.
Walking back along the canal I threw in some more sticks and he quite got the hang of swimming out and retrieving the sticks. Hooray, he likes it after all. I just hope that he doesn't think that he can swim across the locks, or the canal, or anywhere else that he might get into trouble - he will, of course, until he learns his own limitations.
Back to Almyne for dinner of potatoes, onions, leeks and a pork chop with garlic and honey, I am getting a taste for honey.
D'fer exhausted after his swimming ate his dinner and fell asleep, I won't be long after him.
Thu, 24 Apr 2008
Half past seven and it is overcast and dull, but dry. Breakfast, the usual. Ten past eight, drizzling, hope it clears soon.
Sat and read my new Wilbur Smith, it is as good as the last, till about half ten. By this time the rain had stopped so I started out on today's errands. First of all off to the pet shop, I feel less worried about D'fer going walkabout now he has his name and my telephone number on his collar.
Next on to the stone masons. I am told that he does bits for solid fuel fires and might have a glass for mine. Arrived there and 'the man who can cut glass' has gone to the doctors. Since they have a piece of glass that can be cut to the right size it is worth waiting, so I left my rucksack there and walked D'fer on the common adjacent to the stone masons place. D'fer decided that he is grown up enough to fetch a stick when I throw it for him and bring it back, so that worked well. Returned to the stone masons after about half an hour but 'the man' still wasn't back so walked D'fer the other way across the common, this time it rained so we sheltered under some bushes for a while. This time when we went back to the stone masons 'the man' was there and can cut the glass, but not until tomorrow morning. No rush, as long as it is not too cold this evening.
On the way back I stopped off at Somerfields to do some shopping. They have 18 cans of Carling for eleven pounds, or two cases for £20. That's 55 new pence a can, but much too heavy for me to carry all the way back to the boat and unfair to ask D'fer to carry it.
However they do a free delivery service if you spend over £25. Got the paperwork and returned to Almyne to enjoy a lunch of tinned ham sandwiches with fresh bread and a cup of tea (notice I have stopped adding the bit about honey and lemon) while I filled in the forms for free delivery. While I was having lunch the clouds dissipated and the sun came out, so on with the yokel shirt.
Back to Somerfields where I completed the paperwork for home delivery and confirmed that they can deliver to the wharf at Hungerford.
Four cases of lager, six more tins of ham and six more tins of corned beef and a bunch of other sundries just to make it worthwhile, with a delivery slot of between four and six this afternoon.
On the way back to Almyne I stood outside the butchers shop and shouted in "Can I have half a pounds of lambs liver' which elicited a positive response and two minutes later the butcher came out with it. I paid and D'fer nearly had a mid afternoon snack while I fumbled for my money.
Back to Almyne again and I just spent the afternoon reading a book sitting in the sunshine (with occasional shade due to clouds) in my easy chair on the bank waiting for my delivery, which turned up bang on the dot of four.
Mum and Peter visited on their way home from seeing Les and Joan
and stayed for an hour or so.
Dinner of grilled pork chop (no honey) with potatoes cabbage, carrots and leeks.
Fri, 25 Apr 2008
1.25 miles 1 lock.
Up early as lots to do today. I had overstayed my 48 hours so that mum could visit yesterday so I set off from Hungerford towards Newbury at about eight. Went to the water point and topped up with water and while I was there I did some washing, mainly the bedding and got rid of my rubbish at the disposal point. That all took an hour or so. Then I set off again, looking for somewhere to moor up while I went into Hungerford to do all my errands. There was nowhere between Hungerford and Dun Mill lock as the canal was too shallow at the bank all the way. Went through Dun Mill lock and moored up just past the lock operation section with my front sticking several feet out into the middle of the canal.
Walked back to the stone masons to get my fire glass. He had managed to get two out of the piece of glass that he had cut so now I have a spare. Then on into Hungerford to the butchers where I purchased three real pork sausages, three faggots and two beef-burgers, that's me set up for the weekend. On the way back I rang Blynda to see if she wanted to go shopping in Newbury with me tomorrow and we arranged that she would turn up at Almyne tonight and we would set off early on Saturday. By the time I got back to Almyne it was nearly one o'clock. Walked along the tow path towards the next lock with the boat pole to see if there was anywhere that I could moor up and identified a couple of possibilities by poking the boat pole into the water to check the depth. Back to Almyne and set off again. The two possibilities turned out to be not feasible, so ended up at the next lock after all. Although I had only travelled less than a mile it took just over an hour, checking the possibilities on the way. Moored up with my nose on the lock operation and the back end hanging into the canal.
There was loads of fallen timber next to me so I cut up a load of small stuff with the bow saw and cut up the bigger stuff with the petrol chain saw.
Beef-burgers and chips for dinner.
Moored up by Wire lock to wait for Blynda. Walked back to Dun Mill lock to meet Blynda when she arrived, throwing sticks in the canal all the way for D'fer to retrieve. At Dun Mill lock there were a couple of guys launching their canoes so watched them for a while. Blynda arrived and we walked back to Almyne, nattered for a while and went to bed.
Sat, 26 Apr 2008
Ducklings
7½ miles 9 locks 1 swing bridges
1½ miles 2 locks 1 swing bridges
Up early, half five, Blynda too excited to sleep. Went for a walk back to Dun Mill lock because the sunshine was so nice that early in the day. Breakfast of toast and tea and set off for Newbury at eight. Arrived in Newbury at just gone half one, not bad for a novice crew, seven and a half miles, nine locks and one swing bridge. Did some shopping, I got a bread-maker and the ingredients for making bread. Decided not to stop in Newbury for the night but to head off back towards Hungerford and find a nice quiet spot to overnight, so another one and a half miles, two locks and one swing bridge. Faggots, sausages, potatoes, cabbage and onion, leeks and carrots for tea. Blynda went to bed at nine, shattered after a long day.
Sun, 27 Apr 2008
Almyne in Hungerford
Horse Drawn barge
Horse Drawing barge
7½ miles 9 locks
Woke up about half seven and rolled out of bed. Someone had left the lock above us and the lock below us in the wrong state so the level of the pound we were in was about a foot down and the boat was grounded and leaning over by nearly six inches, that is equivalent to a one in seven incline. No wonder I rolled out of bed.
Walked down to the lock below us and reset it. Walked to the lock above us and reset it. Walked back to Almyne and Blynda, who by this time was up and dressed.
Managed to get the boat free by pushing the front out and then pushing the back out and then pushing the front out and then - you get the idea.
Breakfast of bacon, egg tomatoes and toast. Read the instructions for the bread-maker - wipe it with oil, cook for ten minutes, let it cool, wash and then you can bake. Set that going and set off towards Hungerford. Good trip, lovely day, no problems or challenges. Got to Kintbury where we pulled over and set up the bread-maker, it takes 2 hours fifty-three minutes to bake a small loaf. Set off for Hungerford. Passed the horse drawn barge on the way. Had to pass the wrong side of it because he has to stay close to the bank and cannot stick to the usual convention of passing on the left. Hmmm, I wonder how they managed when all barges were horse drawn?
Arrived at Hungerford just after three, in time to go to Somerfields to get something for dinner. Got some salad stuff for lunch to eat with the fresh loaf that was just about ready. Ham, scotch egg, lettuce, tomatoes, coleslaw and potato salad for lunch with Fresh Bread, it was wonderful.
D'fer soon found the dog on the next door boat and went and pestered them for a while.
Blynda left and I read for a while and had dinner comprising tortellini with Bolognese sauce topped with cheese and so to bed for an early night.
Mon, 28 Apr 2008
Breakfast
D'fer and 'eza2
D'fer and 'eza1
Tug of war
Up early, D'fer wanted to go and find his new friend 'eza
. 'eza dog, or more correctly a puppy, but they get on quite well. Not up yet so came back to bother me. Breakfast at seven thirty on the back of the boat, such a lovely morning.
Caught a few fish and then started cleaning the boat. Took all the rugs and carpets outside and beat them, they didn't complain. Washed the floors, finished the washing up and brought he rugs and carpets back inside.
Wandered in to Hungerford looking for an HSBC bank, there isn't one. Called at the butchers, closed on Mondays. Went to Somerfields and got some ham and a scotch egg for lunch. D'fer was wearing his saddlebags and got several funny looks but carried my meagre shopping back to the boat quite happily and then went and pestered 'eza's owner to let him come out and play. They played for an hour or so and then I suggested that I take D'fer for a walk to try and get rid of some of his excess energy. 'eza and owner decided to come with us. We walked to the next lock, where the bank is very shallow to see if 'eza would follow D'fer in to the water. D'fer was in the canal most of the way fetching a big log that was thrown in for him. He has really taken to the water.
Got to the next lock and we had one of those April showers, you know, really heavy for just a few minutes. Got back to Almyne and I lit the fire to dry off. I sat and read for a while and D'fer went and played with 'eza again. Chrissy, that is 'eza's owner seems to be more than happy to entertain both of them so I let D'fer go and play till Chrissy
sent him back.
The guy on the bath tub along from me arrived to start painting his boat. Asked if I wanted some firewood. Oh yes. So he unloaded about a weeks worth of wood on me. He is a fencer and it is all the off-cuts. Got the chain-saw out and cut it all down to size, took all of five minutes.
Glen, Chrissy's other half arrived and we chatted about this and that for a while. He is a welder and works at Thatcham. He is going to get me some maggots tomorrow so I will be able to fish the way I like to fish on Wednesday.
Bolognese sauce topped with cheese for dinner, one packet lasts me two meals, trouble is it was buy one get one free, so I might get bored with it by Thursday.
D'fer was too tired after playing with 'eza all day to get excited about his dinner, but with a little encouragement he did eat it all, and then went out to play again.
Glen and Chrissy sent him back about eight and he went to bed, I didn't see him all evening.
Tue, 29 Apr 2008
This is April, complete with showers that last all day.
D'fer woke me early to go and play with 'eza , but he wasn't up yet, in fact he was sensible enough to stay inside till early afternoon when the 'shower' eased off a bit.
The guy on the boat behind me (who gave me the wood for the fire) was trying to do some painting and every time he started the shower became heavier. Eventually he borrowed my gazebo and sat under that painting, it seemed to work quite well.
Spent most of the day doing internetty stuff and staying inside. Washed the floors several times and eventually gave up as D'fer seems to take great pleasure in waiting till I have finished and then coming in from outside to inspect it all, resulting in muddy footprints everywhere.
Richard
rang and arranged to pick me up about mid day to take me to
Rockingham for the battle re-enactment weekend. Since he is doing the outside bar he needs to be there a couple of days early, still I
should get the pick of the pitches for the tent.
Glen arrived late in the afternoon with my maggots, but it is too wet to fish, so I will stick them in the fridge and hope that it doesn't go out again before I return next Tuesday. Fish fingers for tea, all fifteen as the fridge had gone out and I didn't think that they would be edible if I left them much longer.
Spent the evening working out what I should take with me to last six days, especially dog food, and reading my book, early night as usual.
Wed, 30 Apr 2008
Chrissy with drowned duck
D'fer woke me early to go and play with 'eza , but he was being sensible again.
Breakfast over I tidied the boat and started getting everything ready to go to Rockingham, two bin liners full, no cases on Almyne, no room for luxuries that I might only use twice a year, if it is going to rain all weekend I will need several changes of clothing and lots of bedding to keep me warm, even with D'fer snuggled up beside me.
Updated the site and made one small alteration to the way it runs. People pictures now sit below their names rather than above, looks better and slightly easier to read.
I must try to keep some sort of diary while I am at Rockingham just to update the Adventures of Almyne when I get back.
Chrissy up around half ten so hung around with her and 'eza waiting for Richard. Rang Richard about half eleven to check on his progress, eta about an hour, so I had enough time to pop up to Somerfields to get some rolls and bacon. Chrissy and I had a bacon roll each and then walked up to Hungerford wharf with 'eza and D'fer to wait for Richard. While we were there we saw four male mallard ducks picking on a female. They were pecking at her neck and holding her under the water. She was obviously in distress and was trying very hard to get away from the males by climbing up on to the bank, but they were just dragging her back into the water and holding her under again. We walked the dogs to the action, whereupon the males swam off and we were able to pick up the female. She was soaked through to the extent that her feathers were no longer waterproof and close to sinking. Chrissy held her and she was very docile but shivering. We decided to take her back to the boats and find a towel to wrap her in and dry her. Back at the boats I got one of the fold up boxes and D'fer's towel and we wrapped the duck in that and gently towelled her dry. She sat in the box calming down.
Richard rang from the wharf, so I trotted along to guide him to the boats.
When I got back the duck had recovered sufficiently to swim off.
Bacon butty and a cup of tea for Richard and then we set off for Rockingham. 1 st call, Danu's - she was out at Booker's getting her weekly stock for the pub and we did not have time to wait for her to return so set off for the next call, Brize Norton to collect a 30KVA generator on its trailer, big enough to power a small village. That sorted, off to Eric's to try to get some red diesel for the generator. Eric mistook D'fer for Arfur and was surprised and pleased to see how fit and well Arfur was looking, till we explained that it was in fact D'fer. No red diesel available so off to call 4, Glens where we loaded two barrels and some other bits and pieces. A quick cup of tea and off to Rockingham. Got there about nine, too late to pitch the tents so slept in Taz's car with him and D'fer and Rocket, Taz's dog. Not too bad except that Taz has the loudest snore I have ever experienced.
Top
Recycling at Bathampton
1 lock 4 miles
Well here we are, pinch, punch, first of the month and no returns. The day started off windy and cold, too windy to travel, but a hearty breakfast of sausage, bacon and eggs on toast with a nice hot cup of tea improved the outlook. Walked D'fer
by the river, but not too close as it was running very fast over the weir. The wind had died down by about nine and the sun was trying to peek through so I think I will risk going down to Bradford-on-Avon lock and see if I can share it with someone.
Followed a hire boat down to Bradford-on-Avon lock but there was another boat already waiting to go in, no room for me so I moored up to wait for another boat.
Wandered up to the lock (which is across a road) and there was another pair of boats coming into the lock from the other side, left them to it.
The two hire boats came out of the lock and promptly moored up on the lock operation. I asked one of them if they were staying and they said that they were. Explained that they were on the lock operation section, so they moved off and I brought Almyne to the lock operation point. Moored up and wandered up to the lock again to watch the progress of the two going in. They seemed to be managing OK and as there was yet another boat waiting to come down I decided to go back to Almyne and waited for it to come out of the lock. Just then a couple arrived to work the lock from the bottom, where I was moored up. Asked if I could share the lock with them, to which they agreed. They seemed fairly au fait with the workings and were quite disparaging about the hire boats performance getting into the lock and operating it. When I got back to Almyne their boat was lining up for the lock. Explained that there was a boat coming through so they backed off to make room. They also were in a hire boat but were considerably more competent than the two in the lock.
Went through with them without incident. Moored up the other side to replenish water - knew I did not need much but best to keep it topped up. There was another boat at the water point so I had to wait and wait and wait and wait, over an hour, but passed the time chatting to them. (I won't give you their history.)
They went on their way and I topped up with water, took about ten minutes, and went on my way.
Pleasant enough journey but the wind was a bit on the strong side so had to go a little faster than I would usually just to keep it straight and on line. Got to Trowbridge and looked for Tony on Weymouth, but he was not there so presumed that he had fixed his problem. Continued on to Hilperton Marsh Bridge and spotted Tony moored up several hundred yards this side of Hilperton Marsh Bridge, so pulled over and moored up.
Tony was not apparent, so made a cup of tea and did a little tidying up. Tony arrived half an hour later and we chatted. He has not entirely fixed his problem, but it is much better. Thinks he will have it cracked in a week or so.
Collected my set of wheels that he had borrowed and set off for mums.
Very pleasant afternoon with mum
and Peter, including another of her meat and thirteen veg meals.
Back to Almyne before dark to hunker down out of the wind and write up the day events.
Wed, 2 Apr 2008
4 locks 4.5 miles 4 swing bridges
Up early, breakfast and walk D'fer. Tony was also up early and I discussed with him whether he was going to accompany me to sells green now his fuel problem is improving. Said he would accompany me to Semington . We looked at the chain saw and decided that the first thing to do was loosen the links of the chain as they were a bit rusted and starting it might just break the frozen links. Took the chain off and soaked it in lamp oil for a while and then eased each link loose in turn. Got them all working except two. Reassembled chain saw.
Tony went off to the marina to get another can of diesel while I pottered around doing the engine checks and getting ready to go. Tony got back and off we went.
Isn't it strange how when you are waiting for a bus they never arrive and when they do they come in threes.
We had been up since half six and had not seen any other boats, as soon as we were ready to start off three came along from behind us and another two were coming along from in front of us. Not a problem waiting for them to sort themselves out as we did not have to be in Semington till Friday.
Set off following a hire boat towards Semington swing bridge, the idea being that we would let them open it and let us pass through. When we got there a BW boat was moored up at the bridge operation point working on the bridge, which they had opened, and they waved us through. Arrived at Semington lock only to see the hire boat going in and closing the gates. A little bit naughty as they should have at least offered to share the lock with me.
I moored up on the lock operation area and Tony moored up on the 24 hour moorings. The hire boat went through and I set the lock in my favour while Tony repaired the puncture in his bike tyre. Vicky (from Blue Haze) appeared and we had a brief chat. Went into the lock and a guy (Ian
) asked if his boat could share the lock with me, explained that I was expecting Tony to be joining me. Tony came along and said that he was going to turn around and go back to Hilperton, but would accompany me for a while operating the locks. So Ian's boat joined me in the lock. The crew were novices, never having been on a narrow boat before and Ian was shepherding them along for a while.
From then on it went really smoothly. With Ian and Tony leapfrogging each other on push-bikes from swing bridge to swing bridge and lock to lock we fairly flew up to The Barge Inn, where I moored up to empty the porta pottie.
Tony and I then went across the road for a well earned drink. Three pints later I decided that I would not be travelling any further that day, so went back to Almyne and wallowed in the afternoon sunshine for a while. D'fer
decided that it might be more interesting in the pub garden so wandered off up the tow path, across the road bridge and down to the pub garden where there were several people and children enjoying the sunshine. D'fer enjoyed himself but I was a bit worried when I realised that he was nowhere to be seen. Spotted him and walked along the tow path till I was opposite him. Called him and told him to 'go round'. Surprisingly enough he did. I was impressed and I think the people in the pub garden were impressed as well. Since I was moored up by a water point and the sun was shining I decided that another load of washing was a good idea. Out with the washing machine and in went my two pairs of jeans. No, the washing machine can only cope with one pair at a time - see I am learning. Went and got D'fer from the pub again.
Did the washing, collected D'fer (again), read my book, collected D'fer (again), prepared dinner, home made beef burgers with added herbs and spices, with sausages and mash, washed down with a couple of cans of lager and off to bed.
Thu, 3 Apr 2008
Ian
Tony
1.5 miles 3 locks 2 swing bridges.
Up at six to brilliant sunshine just peeking over the lock ahead of me. Breakfast of Sausages bacon egg and toast with a cup of tea. Put D'fer
on an extending lead to stop him running off to the pub to see who is around. Did yesterday's web entry this morning as I missed doing it last night.
Set off at eight fifty and although the weather forecast was meant to be sunny clouding over later it was actually cloudy, brightening later. Arrived at Sells Green about midday and moored up. Nattered to Steve
for a while and then had a bite to eat. The sun was so warm that I sat on the back of the boat and read a book for an hour or so till Glyn arrived at half two. We then sat in chairs at the back of his boat and had a beer while he fished. Showed him the chain saw and he instructed me in dismantling it and freeing the links of the chain. Also had to ease the wheel at the end of the chain holder. Once that was freed everything worked as it should except that there was no petrol in it.
Suddenly it was gone six and getting chilly so I decamped to Almyne and got dinner and wrote the software to put head-shots of the people I am talking about into the pages automatically, hence did not write up the days activities until today (Friday)
Fri, 4 Apr 2008
Up at seven to overcast sky and chilly breeze. Decided after breakfast of Bacon tomato and chips to go to Devizes to do some shopping. It is only about three miles. Stopped off with Blynda
on the way up for a cup of tea and a rest. I needed it as I am not used to walking that far in one go.
Carried on into Devizes and stopped to chat with Michael
from Blue Haze who has his boat at the wharf while he is touching up some of the paint-work and waiting to have the BSS done by Bob Naylor.
Carried on to Sainsbury's and left D'fer
outside while I shopped. There was a little wailing and howling when I went in but it soon subsided. Did my shopping and then tried to get a Rod License at the post office there. No can do - must have a post code. What a game.
Started back to the boat and stopped off at Blynda's again. Eventually got back to Almyne at three o'clock - exhausted. A quick bite to eat - ham and tomato sandwich with nice fresh bread and a slice of crust with Marmite.
Glyn
and Cath arrived back about half three and while Glyn fished I showed Cath the new version of the web site with pictures. She was most impressed. Took the chain-saw down to Glyn's boat while I showed Cath how to 'lock' a row in and Excel spreadsheet and next thing I heard was the chain-saw running. Glyn tells me he was surprised as it fired up at first pull once he had put some fuel in it - that's a result.
Off to have dinner with Glyn and Cath now.
Steak pie with vegetables and a very good bottle of red wine. Finished dinner and sat there chatting and talking and chatting and talking and next thing I knew I was falling asleep. Back to Almyne after appropriate goodbye's, and so to bed.
Sat, 5 Apr 2008
2 miles 7 locks
Up at seven, bright and shiny, but threatening rain and snow later. I had written the last two days travels but due to a technical hitch I could not upload them and this morning the inverter does not seem to be working so cannot do anything about it until I find out what is going on. It could either be the inverter having gone duff or low battery. Low battery I hope.
Started the engine and set up the washing machine to wash the bedding while I had the chance. The engine only just started so it is probably the battery. I have a separate starter battery in case the leisure batteries are too depleted.
Washed my dirty clothing and hung it out on the horse on top of the boat. Washed the bedding and hung that up inside the boat. Glyn
and Cath appeared and Glyn produced a can of oil for the chain saw and a sharpener. He showed me how to use the sharpener and Cath asked if I had a typeface called 'Fathead'. Told her I would look for it as soon as I had run up the computer.
While the washing was washing I 'dipped' the fuel tank (there is no fuel gauge) and determined that there is six inches of fuel in it, at least half a tank. One day I will 'dip' it when it is full so that I really know what inches means. Glyn and Cath went off to do whatever they needed to do and I finished sharpening the chain saw and doing the washing and then tried the computer. Hooray it works, must have been the battery. Looked for Fathead on my machine but I don't have it. Looked on the internet and found it, downloaded it and saved it to a memory stick.
Packed everything up except the computer and set off to the water point to replenish all that water that I had used for the washing. Moored up there and started filling up. D'fer
decided that it was much more fun playing with skipper, so he wandered back up the towpath (about 500 yards).
Cath and Glyn returned and I gave the memory stick to her and told her what to do with it. They went back to their boat (Eezeeduzit) and I carried on filling my water tank. Cath phoned, 'got the font on my machine - now what do I do with it?' I wandered back to their boat and put the font where it belongs and Cath was so pleased she gave me a big hug and a kiss. Now she can do all her advertising for the Coffee Bean in their corporate image.
Back to Almyne dragging D'fer kicking and fighting all the way, 'Don't want to go, want to stay and play'.
Got him on the boat and Glyn and I set off for Devizes. I am so glad that Glyn enjoys working the locks as much as he does because it would have been hard work with out him. Got to the bottom of the flight in time for the wind to pick up and the sky to start looking ominous. Had a cup of tea and said our fond farewells. Is seems strange saying to people 'See you in a year or so'. Glyn left and I made a ham sandwich. Well I tried to, the fridge is working really well, so the ham was frozen. Not a problem, just fried it and put that in the sandwich.
Decided that it might be an idea to light the fire, so I did. The temperature soon rose from a not uncomfortable 53F (due to all the activity ) to close on 85F while I was preparing this evenings dinner. A tin of tomatoes in the bottom of the steamer with two pork medallions, a chopped onion and some chopped mushrooms with a packet of Chinese vegetable soup and a mug of water with some assorted herbs. In the top of the steamer some thinly sliced potatoes, carrots and leeks, all left on the fire while I read some more of my book.
By about six dinner smelt gorgeous and I was sweltering in a cabin at 94F, with the fan on blowing the heat to the front of the boat.
At this point I opened a couple of windows and walked back to the sixth of the seven locks completed today and worked my way back making sure that Geri
was comfortable in each pound. By the time I am finished no-one will ever be able to get away from her anywhere on the canal system and I am sure that she will bring a smile to everyone's lips at some time. D'fer, not having a dog to play with worried my boot-laces all the way back tripping me up several times.
Back at the boat I switched on the computer and hey presto, a good signal, so uploaded the last two days offerings and wrote up today's, savouring the aroma of my dinner cooking slowly on the fire. Temperature now down to a vest and pants 86F.
I think I might be here for a couple of days if the weather really closes in even though it is a 24 hour mooring - unless of course the lock-keeper decides to help me through the next 16 locks.
Sun, 6 Apr 2008
7.5 miles 22 locks 2 swing bridges
Up at six, temperature 50F, windy, D'fer
went out and came back in again almost straight away. Cup of tea, lit fire. Six forty, snow outside. D'fer went out and came back in again. The level of water on the pound was down about eighteen inches. If it stays like this I am not going anywhere today. Seven twenty five, temperature up to 51F. Breakfast got dressed. Seven fifty one temperature up to 52F. Packed the bed away, tidied up after breakfast. Eight o one temperature up to 54F, weather forecast not good. The lock keepers drove past but did nothing about the low water in the pound. Wind easing off but still a stiff breeze.
Eight thirty temperature up to 65F wind dying down, sun trying to creep through. Did engine checks and as no other boats were coming through made the decision to try it alone. Fired up the engine at nine and went and prepared the first lock. Had a little trouble getting into the first lock due to a combination of the low water level and the stiff breeze, but made it. All went very smoothly albeit slowly and after a while the sun came through quite well. Did the first eight locks scattering Geri's ashes at each pound with the poem that I wrote for her
To Geri
If I could wrap all your troubles and throw them away
If I could make your woes disappear from the day
If I could take all your hurts and make them blase
I would.
If I could make your life good with one simple charm
If I could save you from stress and avoid the alarm
If I could wrap you in love and and keep you from harm
I would.
If I could be your umbrella for every shower
If I could bring to you each day a new flower
If I could find a way to make you my lover
I would.
and realised that I was not alone. Geri
was with me and giving me new words to say.
You wrapped all my troubles and threw them away
You made all my woes disappear from the day
You took all my hurts and make them blase
You did.
You made my life good with one simple charm (I love you)
You saved me from stress and all alarm
You wrapped me in love and and kept me from harm
You did.
You were my umbrella for every shower
You brought to me each day a new flower
You found a way to make me your lover
You did.
The sun came out and shone on us, the air was clean and clear, D'fer stopped barking at all the locks, well for a couple anyway.
At the tenth lock I spotted a couple of hire boats racing up the flight after me but I was blowed if I was going to let them rush us in this moment of happiness. By the twelfth lock they were right behind me, but at that moment Vicky from Blue haze popped up from nowhere and asked if I needed any help, so she operated the lock while I did my stuff. She phoned Michael, her husband who came along and helped as well. Having these two angels of mercy appear and ease the passage of the last eleven locks right up to Devizes wharf protected me from the blustering, rushing, pushy hire boat crews.
Moored up at Devizes wharf and said goodbye to Michael
and Vicki. Had a bite to eat (cheese and tomato sandwich) and a cup of tea and went shopping under a bright clear sky with the sun shining down on us.
As the forecast promised snow I was not surprised to walk back to the boat after getting my shopping in a snow shower, what I was surprised about was that the sun was still shining.
Got back to the boat and decided that it was too crowded at Devizes wharf, not for me but for D'fer. If I could get to All Cannings he would be able to have the run of the towpath, whereas in Devizes I would constantly be having to call him back to the boat.
Once at the boat I cast off and set off, didn't even unpack the shopping. The weather was something else, the sun shining so strongly I nearly took my waterproof off. Extremely pleasant journey, even when it snowed quite heavily out of a clear blue sky!
I suppose that I still have the pre 'clocks forward' mindset and think that it is going to be dark by half six, so I was quite surprised to find that I arrived at All Cannings in broad daylight even though it was nearly seven o'clock.
Took time out, after mooring up, to go and say hello to Carol on Kentish Maid who is moored up the other side of the bridge at All Cannings. While I was chatting to her a barn owl flew along the opposite bank several times and once hovered for some time before flying off - spectacular. She is off to baby sit her grand children on the Isle-of-Wight for a couple of weeks soon, so it was good to catch her before she went.
Dinner tonight is the other pork medallion from yesterday made into a stew with potatoes, peppers, carrots and peas, all slurped up with fresh bread from the shopping today followed by a good nights sleep, I am shattered.
Mon, 7 Apr 2008
Britain needs lerts
Up at seven. Today's the day for bad weather so I am staying here to wait for Ken and Jenny to arrive early this afternoon. Knowing that Ken suffers from the cold I lit the fire to make sure that Almyne was suitably welcoming.
Since the sun was up I decided to clean Almyne to make her worthy of visitors as Geri
would have liked. Moved everything that was not fixed down from the front all the way to the back of the boat, giving me a clear run at the front. Brushed the carpets with the broom and got the carpet cleaner out. Thoroughly cleaned the rug beside the bed and brushed the carpet out. Moved everything from the back of the boat into the bedroom and started on the galley. Scrubbed the floor, including under the cabinets and scrubbed the cabinets as well. That done I moved into the salon. It looks quite big with nothing in it. Worked my way back to the fire and implement locker. By fixing the mooring pin holder down properly and sorting out which pins I use and which are superfluous to requirements it gave me more room in the locker, enough to put the spare table and chairs in. The only item that lives in there that was causing me trouble now was the aerial, so just out of interest I connected the TV up to it and checked out the picture. Then I replaced it with a tiny little whip aerial that I have and the picture was just as good. Since I don't watch TV very often then it doesn't really matter if I can get a good picture everywhere, the whip aerial will do me fine. Dismantled the big aerial pole and assembly on top of it and stowed that in the cratch for taking home. I now have room to have both the easy chairs out and have the table up in the salon.
All this time D'fer
was contentedly sitting on the bank waiting for people to come along to he could molest them. Several did and he enjoyed their company while they stayed.
That done, which took most of the morning, I had a phone call from Jenny, they cannot make it today and have re-arranged for Thursday. No problem, still pleased with the mornings work. Had breakfast of toast at half twelve. During the afternoon I split all the little bits of wood that were too big for kindling and too small to burn as they were into proper kindling, then sawed up all the rest of the timber on the roof to usable chunks. None of it was suitable to use the chain saw on so did all that by hand saw. D'fer did his bit by either collecting more twigs and branches or chewing up the ones that I had already chopped.
Used the pumpy thing to remove some more of the water/diesel mix from the engine bilge
By three o'clock I was ready for a nap so popped inside and sat in the easy chair reading a book. Nearly dropped off, well I might have and just not noticed because before long it was time to get dinner ready.
Cheese and potato bake this evening, it is sitting in the oven just simmering till I am ready to eat.
So much for the bad weather, it has been brilliant sunshine all day with the occasional flurry of snow out of blue skies.
D'fer has just spent the last half hour shadowing a very old dog who has been wandering up and down the tow path (he lives on a boat further up) and has been surprisingly deferential. D'fer has been inviting him to play but in a much more toned down way than he uses with younger dogs and puppies, at one point just laying on the floor and letting the older dog come to him. The dog obviously has arthritis or some such because his walking is very laboured and it is interesting to see D'fer taking this into account.
Well time to batten down the hatches and keep the evening chill from invading the boat as the sun goes down to the sound of the birds going home to roost and the owls coming out to hunt.
Tue, 8 Apr 2008
2 miles
Up with the dawn and watched the sun coming up over the horizon. Thick frost on the ground so lit the fire first thing using yesterdays chopped wood. Temperature in boat a miserly 41F at six forty five. Started making breakfast but had to thaw the eggs out before I could get them out of their shells. Fried egg on toast. By seven twenty three the temperature was up to 62F and by the time I was ready for my morning wash at seven thirty five it was up to 73F.
Washed, dressed and raring to go, shut the fire down and took D'fer
for a walk. By the time I returned at eight o five Almyne was a comfortable 79F, so much so that I left the back doors open while I checked my emails.
The weather indicates rain later so best to travel earlier rather than later. Off to Pewsey and if there is time maybe Wootton Rivers or even Wolfhall Bridge.
Approaching Honeystreet and I spotted Bindy
on the bank so pulled over and moored up for D'fer to play. Norkie , Bindy's owner, does sign-writing and I asked him if he could put 'Almyne Too - Tender to Almyne' on the back of the dingy. Yes!
He started doing the good stuff and I chatted to Sharon
, his wife and Laura and Lily (Laura's daughter).
Nellie
, another of D'fer's sisters was there so the three of them had a wonderful time chasing each other along the bank and across the adjacent field. There were two huge piles of straw and manure in the field and all three dogs thought it would be great fun to play on them. Fortunately they also went into the water before getting on any of the boats.
Norkie has to shoot off to do something this afternoon so won't be able to finish the tender till tomorrow morning, so guess where I will be this evening.
Marcus
and Toni turned up about four with Dayz (D'fer's mum) and Demi another sister, so there were four of the siblings and the mum. Couldn't get a picture of them all together however hard I tried.
Had a few beers and went back to Almyne to cook dinner, liver and bacon with potatoes and leeks. Sharon got the liver for me when she went in to Marlborough. D'fer was so tired that he did not notice me getting his dinner and slept all through me eating mine as well.
After dinner I joined the throng having a drink and chatting in front of an open fire on the bank. The fire is in an upturned lorry wheel rim, just right, keeps it nicely contained but still throws out lots of heat. After a couple of beers I retired to Almyne and gave D'fer his dinner. He ate his it and then sat at the back door and whined pitifully until I let him out to play again. I have no idea when he will come back to go to bed.
Wed, 9 Apr 2008
D'fer asleep
Three dogs
Yesterday I just pulled over for half an hour to let D'fer
play with his siblings. Next thing I know I am staying for a couple of days at least to get the exhaust sorted out.
D'fer eventually came back to the boat and went to bed, didn't wake me till nearly seven at which point he just wanted to go out to play. Let him out and he was quite disappointed as no-one else was awake. He climbed on to each of the other boats in turn, knocking on each door to see if anyone was coming out to play all to no avail.
Had breakfast and took D'fer for a walk along the tow path till nine. Still no-one up. The sun was so strong and warm that I changed into my shorts and plough boys shirt. Sat in my chair on the bank reading for a while. Then I remembered that I needed to repair the gazebo. The little bung on the top that holds everything in place had popped off somewhere so every time I try to put it up the arms just collapse all over the place, not a lot of good. Needed a plug shaped like a mushroom to make a Gazebo Top. Took one of the little wooden mushrooms that was hanging around the boat and removed the bottom portion till it looked as if it would do the job. Jammed this into the top of the gazebo pole and screwed it in with four little self tapping screws. Put up the gazebo - worked a treat, well pleased with myself.
Mooched around for a while, got lunch and watched the rest of the community come to life.
Got chatting to a guy called Mitch
. He seems to be the local boat mechanic, fixes anything and everything, so mentioned to him about some of the things that I want to do to the engine but am worried about doing without backup. He said that he would be quite happy to supervise my fumblings. I spent the afternoon thoroughly cleaning the engine and in the process tightened up some loose joints on the fuel system. Mitch came along and looked at what I had done and approved of the work so far. I pointed out where the exhaust bandage was somewhat blackened and we unwound the bandage to have a closer look. The pipe was rotten in several places and in need of replacement, even I could see that. Mitch said that it was no problem and he would pick up a new silencer and exhaust pipe later on.
He turned up later on with the silencer and pipe and instructed me as to the preparation work that I could do. I got on with it.
I used to have scribes hands, you know all silky smooth, clean and soft. Now they are hard, calloused, pitted, flaky and grimed with dirt - a workman's hands. One day they will be soft again.
Sausage, egg and bacon for dinner.
D'fer spent all day running up and down the towpath playing with Bindy
and Nellie . The two of them gang up on him and grab him by the collar and pull him to the ground. He loves it and keeps going back for more. If you did not know that they were playing you would think that the two of them were trying to rip him to pieces like a pack of hounds with a fox. Needless to say he is now minus a collar and his bandanna.Thu, 10 Apr 2008
Up early as usual, breakfast, a long walk with D'fer
to try to stop him waking everybody else up to let their dogs out because he wants to play. Phoned Ken and Jenny - don't come along to day I am discommoded with the exhaust.
I seem to have lost a day somewhere. Because I have had no engine I have been very conservative with the batteries and have not been writing up my notes or updating the web site so the last few days (and the next few days) are a little disjointed.
D'fer, Bindy
and Nellie decided to go for a wander. Several of us went in search of them once we realised that they were missing and they were eventually spotted about half a mile away across a field with some cows. They were not bothering the cows and were just playing with each other, but we were all concerned that if the farmer saw them he would be quite within his rights to shoot them, so now we tend to keep at least one of the dogs tied up. If one of them is tied up the others don't wander.
Fri, 11 Apr 2008
I seem to have spent most of the day collecting D'fer
from wherever he has wandered off to.
Mitch
took me into Devizes to get some clamps and bits of flexible pipe for the exhaust. While we were there I got a loaf of bread. I can exist without most things but I do like my bread. Bread with most things.
Got back to Almyne and Mitch started work on the exhaust, a bit of pipe here, a clamp there, a bean tin to join this bit to that bit, another bit of flexible pipe there. Cobbled it together till it was serviceable and I could run the engine to charge the batteries a bit and check out what needed doing next.
It was D'fer's' turn to be on the end of a rope today. He suffered it with equanimity and a lot of vocal protests. I relented several times but regretted it when I found that he was nowhere in sight and I had to walk miles looking for him. He always turned up, bright as a button and looking so pleased with himself that I could not be cross with him.
This is turning into the longest half hour of my life.
Phoned Glyn
and Cath - don't come along to day I am discommoded with the exhaust.
Later while I was chatting at the communal fire a guy called Lumpy asked me if I liked lamb. Yes I said. He promptly invited me to a roast lamb dinner on his boat, Dreamcatcher. It was a very good meal, the first roast I have had for ages, or so it seems. It is hard to believe that I was having dinner with mum
less than a fortnight ago, it seems like months, so much has happened.
After dinner I had a few beers around the communal fire and went to bed.
Sat, 12 Apr 2008
Up early, walked D'fer
had breakfast. Walked along to see Mitch for half eight, he was up and ready. Off to Honeystreet to dispose of rubbish, then to a friend of his to collect his welder, then off to Burbage to my lockup to see if my spare generator will run his welder - yes -a result. Now he can weld up the exhaust instead of making all the joints with clamps. Got some larger diameter exhaust pipe from John at Burbage garage to make the joins in the exhaust more permanent rather than the bean tins that had been put in yesterday. Also picked up a pair of waders so that Norkie can wade into the water to get to the bows of a boat the he is painting instead of angling it across the canal and blocking it while he does the front. He is doing a Celtic knot along the side of the boat, a mammoth task but it will look wonderful when complete.
Celtic Knot
Called in at the Coop at Pewsey on the way back and did some shopping, now I have some meat and vegetables for dinner and a fresh loaf of bread.
Got back to Almyne and started the engine to charge the batteries and do some work. Mitch said that he would be along about three to finish off the exhaust. I spent most of the afternoon searching the web for a typeface that I am looking for to no avail. Got dinner on about four (no Mitch yet) of spaghetti Bolognese, left it simmering till about six. Mitch turned up just as I was about to eat dinner, so left him to it. He did some more work on the exhaust but has decided on some modifications that seem like a good idea so he will be sorting that out on Monday.
Had dinner, read some more of my book.
Blynda
phoned and we arranged to meet at The Barge at Honeystreet about midday tomorrow. She is bringing Gaynor with her. It will be nice to see them again.Sun, 13 Apr 2008
Sunday, a day of rest. Up early, walked D'fer
up to The Barge Inn to see what their opening hours are. Walked back to Almyne to have breakfast at ten past seven. Washed floor of boat and caught up with some internetty work. Got fire going as it is quite chilly. Blynda rang to say she would be here about half twelve. They arrived at about half twelve. I gave them the grand tour of Almyne showing the all the changes and improvements since Gaynor s last visit.
We all wandered down to The Barge Inn and had lunch, a ham sandwich with salad and chips. They departed and went on their various errands and I returned to Almyne for an afternoon nap.
Slept for nearly two hours probably because it was so warm and cosy having had the fire on low all day.
Got up and prepared dinner, cottage pie with the sauce from yesterday and vegetables. Read for a while, did some Sudoku puzzles and off to bed. Just before bed I gave D'fer his nighttime biscuits. I am beginning to think that he can count. I put his biscuits in my pocket and get them out at intervals, just to keep him on his toes. Tonight as soon as I had given him the last biscuit from my pocket he went to bed. How did he know it was the last biscuit?
Mon, 14 Apr 2008
Monday up early D'fer
pestering to see if any of his friends are about. No, they are not early risers like he is (we are).
The day started off very sunny. About nine I walked down to see if Mitch
was up as I had left some bits in his Land Rover. He was, so got my bits. Mitch wanted something over the other side of the canal and although he walked round he could not reach it due to the overhanging bushes. I went back to Almyne and gingerly climbed into Almyne Too and rowed back to Mitch's boat. By the time I got there he was sorted out, so rowed back to Almyne, quite an experience as it is the first time I have tried to use it as a proper dingy. I still think it will be better with a little electric outboard on it.
Back at Almyne I did some more engine de-greasing and checked the nuts that I had tightened up previously, they looked good. Then I dismantled the throttle mechanism, gave it a thoroughly good clean and re-assembled it. It still ticks over a little fast but will check that with Mitch when he returns from Calcutt.
Met Norkie
on the way back from seeing Mitch. He hasn't been doing much for the past few days since he fell off his gang plank and either bruised or cracked a couple of ribs. He is in some pain so he is off to the hospital just to see what is really the matter.
Weather still good so painted the generator cover with it's first coat of undercoat, then it decided to rain so went inside and read for a while and did some more internetty stuff, responding to emails from the last batch of emails that I had sent out.
The April shower did it's stuff and cleared up leaving the sky a nice clear blue with a bright yellow sun beaming down. It's a good job that the paint was dry enough not to be affected by the rain.
A while later there was a rumble of thunder and a heavy downpour of hail stones which lasted for several minutes. Long enough for me to notice that Henry, Laura's dog, was stuck outside his boat because the gang plank had fallen in the canal. I donned a coat and went and got him, brought him onto Almyne and rubbed him dry, he was shivering with cold and wet. After that he settled down and was happy enough sat next to D'fer and the fire. When it stopped and Laura
got back Henry went back to his boat and got quite aggressive with D'fer, protecting his own territory.
An hour or so later we had a proper April shower, bright sunshine and big heavy raindrops, guess I am not going to get any more painting done today.
Norkie came back from the hospital, he has two broken or cracked ribs and has to rest them for as much as six weeks. He is most upset that he cannot perform at a gig in three weeks time.
Cottage pie and veg for dinner followed by a glass of wine or two and then off to bed to read some more of my book.
Tue, 15 Apr 2008
Six fifteen, Jem knocking on the door. Let her in, Jem is a dog that lives with Bindy
. She settled down and made herself comfortable. Cottage pie for breakfast with a couple of slices of bread and butter. Walked D'fer and Jem to The Barge Inn at Honeystreet and then back towards All Cannings. Got to the hard-standing by Stanton St Bernard where both D'fer and Jem chased a rabbit, but did not do very well. On our way back Mitch appeared at his boat and said that he would be along about eleven.
Returned to Almyne and put top coat on the generator cover. I had just finished when Lily
came wandering along with a pack of cards in her hand, looked at the generator cover and said 'We can play cards on that' reaching out to put her cards down. I explained that it had just been painted and that the cards would stick.
Close one.
Cut one of the gas cover braces and glued it to the underside of the gas cover.
Mitch turned up and fixed the exhaust, took several hours but it now works a treat. While he was doing that I finished the second gas cover. Then I dismantled two radios and took the aerial from the bad reception one and fixed into the good reception one, now it works properly. The next task is to remove the solar panel from bad reception one and fit it to the good reception one so that I can charge it up during the day to listen to it at night.
Mitch left me to wrap the insulating bandage on the exhaust system as it needed a couple of hours for the sealants to set. Once that was done I ran the engine for an hour or so to check that everything was working properly.
Norkie
is still suffering from his ribs and is trying to do some painting even though it is still painful.
Chicken curry from a tin with the remains of the bread and butter for dinner. Must get to a shop soon to top up on eggs, bread and red wine.
Said farewell to all those wonderful people who have been so good to me for the past week while I have been marooned here with no means of generating electricity as I will be leaving before they surface in the morning, unless D'fer sleeps in tomorrow, which is most unlikely.
Goodnight and god bless.
Wed, 16 Apr 2008
7.5 miles 1 lock
D'fer
let me lie in this morning until nearly half past seven. Got up, had a cup of tea, but no breakfast as I have no bread and no eggs. Took D'fer for a walk as I wanted to catch Mitch to retrieve a DVD that I had lent him. He was not up yet. Wandered back to Almyne. Did the engine checks so that I would be ready to go as soon as I had got my DVD. Went back to Mitch, he was up this time so said my goodbyes and started off towards Pewsey at nine. Only travelled about 600 yards when I got to Honeystreet proper where I pulled over and topped up with water and walked to the 'Country Stores' where I got a new collar for D'fer. I had to get the largest available!
From there I went to the boat yard just the other side of the bridge at Honeystreet and filled up with diesel (full tank is nine and a half inches) and replaced the gas cylinder. Then I was off properly.
The weather was good and the going was pleasant and although I did not get to Pewsey till half twelve it all seemed to go too quickly. Did a load of washing on the way.
At Pewsey I emptied the porta pottie and finished the washing, got rid of my rubbish and put the washing on the line. Chores complete I decided to see if anyone was around at the boat club before going shopping in Pewsey. John and Gordon were there but Chris
and Dave
were not, so after a glass of wine with John and Gordon I decided to carry on to Wootten Rivers where Chris and Dave live and I could purchase some fresh free range eggs. Arrived at Wootton Rivers just before four, moored up and went to see Chris and Dave. Spent a pleasant couple of hours with them along with several cups of tea while catching up on all the local gossip.
Returned to Almyne, purchasing a dozen eggs on the way, to an evening meal of omelette and chips, washed down with a can of lager. Walked D'fer along to the next lock, spotting bit of wood on the way. On the way back collected two bits of wood, which I sawed up for the fire for the evening. It seems silly to use coal as it takes a whole nights worth to get it started and now I only need a quick boost during the late evening.
While I was writing up my notes one of the Hilperton Marina boats went past rather fast and only just stopped before it went into the lock gates. It then reversed back past me, banging in to me as it went. I remonstrated, nicely, with the driver explaining that it is much better to do things slowly. He responded saying that he was going slowly. I then explained that he was actually going very fast for the canal and he was driving a boat now, not a car. As he came past me again going forward to moor up in front of me he went very slowly and had no trouble getting in to quite a small space for such a big boat driven by an amateur. Once moored up they all went of to the pub, presumably for a meal, and I settled in for the evening with my book.
It is sooo good to be under way again.
Thu, 17 Apr 2008
2.5 miles 3 locks 1 tunnel
Set off from Wootton Rivers at ten and travelled for two hours. Did the first lock on my own and as I was finishing it a crew arrived from another boat that was going my way, so told them I would wait at the next lock. Got to the next lock and prepared it for the two boats and waited for them. They had a crew of seven, so I just let them work the lock, which made the next two locks very easy. At the last lock I sent them on their way and closed the gates and tidied up myself as I was not doing any more locks today.
From there it was a straight run up through Burbage wharf, Bruce tunnel and on to Wolfhall bridge, where I moored up, locked the boat and walked to the bungalow.
When I arrived at the bungalow I lit the fire as it was very cold. The bungalow faces south and only gets a little midday sun, so is mostly quite cold at the best of times. Once that was going I tried starting the Morris. The battery was quite low and not man enough to start so I removed it and took it into the bungalow to put it on the charger.
Watched TV for a while and then found the bicycle panniers. Hmmm, with a little modification I can make them fit D'fer. Out with the scissors and needle and thread and after a couple of hours I tried them on him. Worked after a fashion, but still more modification needed. More scissors and more needle and thread and I think they will really work. Well, if I have to carry my food from the shops to the boat, D'fer
can carry his.
Stayed up late watching TV.
Fri, 18 Apr 2008
Saddlebag D'fer
Ken and Jenny are visiting this afternoon so I need to do some shopping for things like milk. Wandered down to the local shop with D'fer
and his nice new saddle bags. Did my shopping and loaded it all into the saddle bags. D'fer was very good about it and didn't complain at all. He did keep walking into things, like hedges and walls which tended to dislodge the saddle bags but he got everything home in one piece, including a dozen eggs.
Ken and Jenny arrived and we had a good afternoon nattering about this and that, and then I settled down for another evenings TV watching. Another late night.
Sat, 19 Apr 2008
Chicken Roost
Duck one
Duck two
Up early, well about nine, early for the bungalow. Off to Trowbridge to sort some stuff out for Peter
on the computer and give him a memory stick to take his Tractor Pulling publication to the printers on.
Stopped off in Devizes to post a letter. Well actually it was a letter sent to the bungalow for the previous occupant who died over a year ago. I have spoken to Kennet District council about the letters that they keep sending to her several times and returned the letters marked 'not known at this address' several times as well. This time I have written on the envelope that she died over a year ago and sellotaped it to an old Yellow Pages. Maybe they will get the idea this time.
Did some shopping at Lidl's in Devizes to top up the travelling provisions and purchased some perforated strip at the local hardware store. Now I can fix the silencer in position properly.
Glyn
and Cath arrived just after four with Timmy and Milo and they stayed and chatted till seven ish.
Watched TV till late 'The Shawshank Redemption' a great film, and went to bed.
Sun, 20 Apr 2008
Up at about ten, breakfast and off to check on the boat. I was planning to stay at the bungalow till Monday or Tuesday, but once I got to Almyne I didn't want to go back to the bungalow so I collected some firewood and cut it up and then drove back to the bungalow. There I collected the bits and pieces that I wanted to take to the boat and raided the freezer and walked back to Almyne. Settled down and did my internetty stuff.
I had just finished that and was poking my head out of the back of the boat when I spotted an owl standing on a fence post over the other side of the canal. Went inside the boat to get my camera to see if I could get a picture. When I came out again it flew off eastwards along the canal. I followed it to the next lock and then it disappeared, but the guy from the next boat was sat there having a nap.
Got chatting to him, he has a jack Russell, called Jack. He has been on his boat for seven years now and the one really good tip he gave me was 'get a bread-maker', they work really well. Stick all the stuff in the bread-maker just before you set off for the day and by the time you stop you will have a really good, fresh loaf of bread, but make sure that you follow the ingredient list to the letter.
Left him just before eight, returned to Almyne, got dinner, chicken in white sauce (out of a tin as everything else I had was still frozen) with cheesy mashed potatoes. Got the sausages out of the fridge so that they could thaw out for tomorrows dinner and off to bed.
Mon, 21 Apr 2008
D'fer and Amber
Amber
Amber and owner
3.25 miles 10 locks
Restless night, I think it was because I was too hot! Too hot, that makes a change. Woke up slowly and got going about eight. Breakfast of eggs, bacon, fried bread and the remains of yesterdays mashed potatoes with cheese and a cup of tea, I couldn't eat it all so D'fer
had a treat for breakfast. Mind you because I like honey and lemon in my tea (but will have fresh orange juice if honey and lemon not available) I got myself some squeezy lemon and one of those jars of honey that squeezes out. So although I thought I was having honey and lemon in my tea I ended up with Branston and lemon. The honey and Branston jars are almost identical and my mum will tell you that when I have my head in a book the outside world disappears. Honey on bacon and fried bread is OK, so it was only the tea I had to change.
Drizzling rain so not travelling just yet. Wandered up and down the bank collecting bits of timber to cut up for firewood. Found enough to keep me going for a day or so and cut some of it to size. The rest I put in Almyne Too for later.
The internet signal here is not so good so I would like to find somewhere with better reception. Rain cleared up about eleven so I set off to the next lock. Got there and filled it up (I am going downhill now) and as I was going in spotted a hire boat on it's way so I waited for them. The hire boat crew worked the next five locks for me - I like sharing the work! There is one lock where the people who live in the old lock keepers cottage keep chickens and they have the most wonderful chicken roost.
Moored up at Crofton for a cup of tea and to check the signal, still not good so might travel a bit further later on this afternoon.
Lit the fire just to warm the boat for the evening and shut it right down to see how long it would glow for.
Sorted out the pictures that I have used on the site and linked the little ones to the big ones so that everyone can view full size pictures if they wish, once I get them uploaded.
A group of people went past with five dogs. D'fer did his usual trick of wanting to play with them but was a little bit intimidated by so many new faces all at once. Soon made friends and then discovered that one of them was in season. 'Wow, I must follow my instincts here!' Persuaded him to come back to me with the aid of some biscuits and put him on an extending lead fixed to the tiller. He sat there quite happily for ten minutes or so and then started to practice howling. It was strange, I have never heard that noise from him before. I just hope he doesn't take to it too much, he is quite vocal enough for me as it is.
Set off again to find a signal. Got to the first lock and went through on my own. At the next lock the hire boat caught up with me again. Went through the next two locks and suddenly I had a great signal. Decided to moor up right after the next bridge, so I did, leaving the hire boat to carry on on their own.
One I was moored up the 'great signal' that I had just wasn't there any more. Walked about a mile further on and still no signal but did spot Penelope, a boat that we had moored up with at Sells Green the previous year, walked back to the pound where I previously had a signal - nothing.
Might as well carry on down to Penelope and then set off early in the morning to get a signal in Hungerford.
Started the engine and motored down to the next lock. One of the gates kept opening in the wind and I had to close that gate and rush around the lock to close the other gate and then rush back to open the first again. Eventually someone came along and I asked them if they could just hold the gate closed while I set the lock properly. They did.
So eventually the lock is filling. While it was filling a guy came along with his dog, Amber and it was love at first site. D'fer went absolutely bananas for her and became totally disobedient, would not even respond to biscuits. Eventually I had to catch him and put him on his lead to get him back to the boat.
The lock filled up, so I took the boat into the lock and as I was pulling on the rope to hold the boat into the side D'fer just upped and went, perfect timing, there was nothing I could do to stop him.
Tied the boat up and with one gate open and Almyne in the lock I set off to retrieve D'fer. He was sat outside Amber's boat whining and howling. Dragged him back to Almyne, shut him inside and closed and locked the doors.
Negotiated that lock and let D'fer out as he could not jump off the boat and go and find Amber again. About a mile further on I pulled over and moored up. Went and had a chat to Robbie and Lucy and to enquire about Penelope, they should be back later this evening.
Returned to Almyne and put t' kettle on. Looked round and guess what no D'fer. No D'fer anywhere, I called, I shouted, I thought.
Walked back up the towpath about a mile and there he was outside Amber's boat clambering all over it. The owner was nowhere to be seen, but his engine was running so I guessed that he would not be far away. Knocked on the next door boat to enquire about his whereabouts and apparently he was on board that one. I asked if I could have a photo of Amber, so that I could put it on the web with the story of doggie love at first sight and he went and got Amber out for me to take pictures of.
Dragged D'fer back to Almyne moaning and whining all the way. Him moaning and whining, not me. Got back to Almyne and put him on his extending lead.
Just as I put him on his lead a duck flew over my head and landed on the top of the boat. This is turning into an interesting day. It walked up and down the roof long enough for me to get my camera out and take several pictures.
D'fer wouldn't eat his potato skins as I peeled the potatoes for tea and I wondered just how far doggie love had affected him.
Cooked my tea, sausages in onions and peppers with chips. Sometimes I just don't feel as hungry as I think I should and this evening I did not eat all my tea so put the remainder in with D'fer's meal. He woofed the lot right down, so his love sickness wore off quite quickly. However, after he finished he asked to go out and I let him out after judiciously putting him on the extending lead. He walked off in the direction of Amber and sat down and moaned for several minutes till I called him back in. I think I am going to have to keep him on the extending lead till I am well clear of Great Bedwyn.
Tue, 22 Apr 2008
Lock 66
Cobblers lock winding gear
Lock 66 as it should be
Up
5 miles 10 locks 2 swing-bridges
D'fer
kept waking me up from about half five onwards and I kept letting him out, but on the extending lead. I eventually got up at about half eight, I was tired after a long day yesterday. When I let D'fer out and watched him it seems that he had an upset tummy - now that is lovesick!
I had toasted crumpets with oodles of butter for breakfast and D'fer had nothing, but I made up for it by giving him his breakfast at lunchtime with a raw egg in with it.
Did the engine checks and I still have a slight leak on the diesel return so I might need to get some new washers for that union.
The day started off being overcast and dull, but brightened up soon after I set off at ten. Motored along wearing a tee shirt, a fleece and a jacket, after an hour or so I was down to my yokel shirt and nearly changed into shorts as well.
Went through Burnt Mill lock, Potters lock and Little Bedwyn lock an my own and pulled over at Oakhill Down lock (lock 66) for lunch, Marmite sandwich and a cup of tea with honey and lemon and I made sure it was honey (and D'fer had his breakfast).
Lock 66 is interesting because the level is maintained by the water flowing over the gates, which was the original design, but nowadays they build the locks a little bit higher and fit overflow sluices, not nearly as pretty as this.
I waited there for nearly an hour but no-one came along so set off again on my own. Went through Oakhill Down lock and as I was preparing Froxfield Middle lock a boat appeared behind me so I waited for it. It was a small fibreglass cruiser crewed by a man on his own. We shared locks right to Hungerford. It turns out he is a retired GP (Patrick Day) and is working his way to London to do as much of the Thames as he can.
At Cobblers lock D'fer decided that he could walk across the top gates that have no walkway. You just have to walk along the balance beam. As it turned out he couldn't. He fell right into the lock while it was filling so he was buffeted by the incoming water. He swam to the lock gate and sort of hung on to the beams, but as the lock was filling the beams kept disappearing below him. I wandered back to Almyne and collected the boat pole with a hook on the end and hooked it around his collar to drag him out. By this time the lock was nearly three quarters full so I did not have to pull him up too far. Never a dull moment with D'fer and I am sure it will not be the last time. The winding gear at Cobblers lock is quite unique and so easy to operate I don't know why they don't fit this to all the lock gates.
Arrived at Hungerford wharf at about half four and walked into town and then back up the tow path to see if the owner of Orient Express was in - he wasn't so I will have to see if I can catch him later.
Dinner of potatoes, onions, carrots, cabbage, broccoli and pork chop, of which D'fer had a quarter with his dinner.
Spent the evening sitting on the back of Almyne enjoying the evening sunshine and listening to Radio seven.
Goodnight all.
Wed, 23 Apr 2008
Five bar gate1
Five bar gate2
Five bar gate3
Returning
Going in
Retrieving
Up in time to watch the drizzle wetting the grass beside the mooring and filling the canal with water. Egg and bacon on toast for breakfast washed down with a cup of tea with honey and lemon.
Off to the optician, the rain had stopped and the sky was clearing, but I was wearing a tee shirt and a jacket. The optician could fit me in in about a week. Explained that I was on a mission and they fitted me in for this afternoon at ten past two - nice one.
Off to the dentist, they can give me an appointment for May twelfth. Explained that I was on a mission and only passing through - fitted me in for three forty-five this afternoon - nice one.
Walked back through the Wednesday market and got D'fer
some pigs ears and a new bone on the way back to Almyne where I changed into my yokel shirt, it was getting warm.
Walked up to the church to take piccies of the five bar gate, I have never seen one like it before and then on to the pet shop to order a disk for D'fer with his name and my telephone number on it, will be ready for me to collect tomorrow. Called into the hardware store and picked up a couple of tap extenders, the ones on Almyne have seen better days. Also got some fire-lighters and some epoxy putty, just in case, and some junior hacksaw blades so I can cut D'fer's bone in half. Did the charity shop run where I managed to get a Wilbur Smith, Warlock, and a Bernard Cornwell, Rebel, - I hope they are as good as their other books.
Back at Almyne I did some washing while I waited for the opticians appointment and doing internetty stuff and uploading some more pictures.
Off to the optician, leaving D'fer on Almyne, he howled at least until I was out of earshot. The optician checked out my eyesight, no change since last August and examined my eyes minutely because I have a spider hanging in the air at the top right on my right eye and I have been seeing bright flashes of light in the same eye. To examine my eyes properly she put in some drops that expand the pupils. She couldn't find any evidence of PVD (Posterior Vitreous Detachment) so wants me to see someone who has more specialised equipment, fortunately it is at Newbury so can call in on my way past.
Back to Almyne where D'fer went bananas, he had been on his own now for several days and was hungry, thirsty, lonely and bored. I made a fuss of him, gave him a pigs ear and had a cup of tea. Noticed what is was that made that funny cracking noise last night. The glass in the fire was broken, will need to source a new bit, but not as urgent as it would have been last week as it is no longer cold enough to require the fire every night. Off to the dentist, leaving D'fer on the boat alone again!
I need three fillings (the ones that have fallen out). I reminded him of his previous experience with me when he told Geri
not to let me have that many whiskies before attending again and he prescribed tablets for me. Booked the first appointment available, May ninth. Oh well, can't have it all ways.
Back to Almyne, calling in at the iron-mongers on the way looking for some heatproof glass, none available.
Took D'fer for a walk as he has now been totally on his own for three weeks and has so much pent up energy that he is going to burst, or so he tells me.
Walked him along the river and back along the canal tow path. The river is not deep but the water runs quite quickly and D'fer ventured in up to his ankles, this is fun. Ventured in up to his armpits, this is really good. I threw a stick in and he went in and retrieved it, swimming! Hey this is really good, as long as I don't go out too far.
Walking back along the canal I threw in some more sticks and he quite got the hang of swimming out and retrieving the sticks. Hooray, he likes it after all. I just hope that he doesn't think that he can swim across the locks, or the canal, or anywhere else that he might get into trouble - he will, of course, until he learns his own limitations.
Back to Almyne for dinner of potatoes, onions, leeks and a pork chop with garlic and honey, I am getting a taste for honey.
D'fer exhausted after his swimming ate his dinner and fell asleep, I won't be long after him.
Thu, 24 Apr 2008
Half past seven and it is overcast and dull, but dry. Breakfast, the usual. Ten past eight, drizzling, hope it clears soon.
Sat and read my new Wilbur Smith, it is as good as the last, till about half ten. By this time the rain had stopped so I started out on today's errands. First of all off to the pet shop, I feel less worried about D'fer
going walkabout now he has his name and my telephone number on his collar.
Next on to the stone masons. I am told that he does bits for solid fuel fires and might have a glass for mine. Arrived there and 'the man who can cut glass' has gone to the doctors. Since they have a piece of glass that can be cut to the right size it is worth waiting, so I left my rucksack there and walked D'fer on the common adjacent to the stone masons place. D'fer decided that he is grown up enough to fetch a stick when I throw it for him and bring it back, so that worked well. Returned to the stone masons after about half an hour but 'the man' still wasn't back so walked D'fer the other way across the common, this time it rained so we sheltered under some bushes for a while. This time when we went back to the stone masons 'the man' was there and can cut the glass, but not until tomorrow morning. No rush, as long as it is not too cold this evening.
On the way back I stopped off at Somerfields to do some shopping. They have 18 cans of Carling for eleven pounds, or two cases for £20. That's 55 new pence a can, but much too heavy for me to carry all the way back to the boat and unfair to ask D'fer to carry it.
However they do a free delivery service if you spend over £25. Got the paperwork and returned to Almyne to enjoy a lunch of tinned ham sandwiches with fresh bread and a cup of tea (notice I have stopped adding the bit about honey and lemon) while I filled in the forms for free delivery. While I was having lunch the clouds dissipated and the sun came out, so on with the yokel shirt.
Back to Somerfields where I completed the paperwork for home delivery and confirmed that they can deliver to the wharf at Hungerford.
Four cases of lager, six more tins of ham and six more tins of corned beef and a bunch of other sundries just to make it worthwhile, with a delivery slot of between four and six this afternoon.
On the way back to Almyne I stood outside the butchers shop and shouted in "Can I have half a pounds of lambs liver' which elicited a positive response and two minutes later the butcher came out with it. I paid and D'fer nearly had a mid afternoon snack while I fumbled for my money.
Back to Almyne again and I just spent the afternoon reading a book sitting in the sunshine (with occasional shade due to clouds) in my easy chair on the bank waiting for my delivery, which turned up bang on the dot of four.
Mum and Peter
visited on their way home from seeing Les and Joan and stayed for an hour or so.
Dinner of grilled pork chop (no honey) with potatoes cabbage, carrots and leeks.
Fri, 25 Apr 2008
1.25 miles 1 lock.
Up early as lots to do today. I had overstayed my 48 hours so that mum
could visit yesterday so I set off from Hungerford towards Newbury at about eight. Went to the water point and topped up with water and while I was there I did some washing, mainly the bedding and got rid of my rubbish at the disposal point. That all took an hour or so. Then I set off again, looking for somewhere to moor up while I went into Hungerford to do all my errands. There was nowhere between Hungerford and Dun Mill lock as the canal was too shallow at the bank all the way. Went through Dun Mill lock and moored up just past the lock operation section with my front sticking several feet out into the middle of the canal.
Walked back to the stone masons to get my fire glass. He had managed to get two out of the piece of glass that he had cut so now I have a spare. Then on into Hungerford to the butchers where I purchased three real pork sausages, three faggots and two beef-burgers, that's me set up for the weekend. On the way back I rang Blynda
to see if she wanted to go shopping in Newbury with me tomorrow and we arranged that she would turn up at Almyne tonight and we would set off early on Saturday. By the time I got back to Almyne it was nearly one o'clock. Walked along the tow path towards the next lock with the boat pole to see if there was anywhere that I could moor up and identified a couple of possibilities by poking the boat pole into the water to check the depth. Back to Almyne and set off again. The two possibilities turned out to be not feasible, so ended up at the next lock after all. Although I had only travelled less than a mile it took just over an hour, checking the possibilities on the way. Moored up with my nose on the lock operation and the back end hanging into the canal.
There was loads of fallen timber next to me so I cut up a load of small stuff with the bow saw and cut up the bigger stuff with the petrol chain saw.
Beef-burgers and chips for dinner.
Moored up by Wire lock to wait for Blynda. Walked back to Dun Mill lock to meet Blynda when she arrived, throwing sticks in the canal all the way for D'fer
to retrieve. At Dun Mill lock there were a couple of guys launching their canoes so watched them for a while. Blynda arrived and we walked back to Almyne, nattered for a while and went to bed.Sat, 26 Apr 2008
Ducklings
7½ miles 9 locks 1 swing bridges
1½ miles 2 locks 1 swing bridges
Up early, half five, Blynda
too excited to sleep. Went for a walk back to Dun Mill lock because the sunshine was so nice that early in the day. Breakfast of toast and tea and set off for Newbury at eight. Arrived in Newbury at just gone half one, not bad for a novice crew, seven and a half miles, nine locks and one swing bridge. Did some shopping, I got a bread-maker and the ingredients for making bread. Decided not to stop in Newbury for the night but to head off back towards Hungerford and find a nice quiet spot to overnight, so another one and a half miles, two locks and one swing bridge. Faggots, sausages, potatoes, cabbage and onion, leeks and carrots for tea. Blynda went to bed at nine, shattered after a long day.
Sun, 27 Apr 2008
Almyne in Hungerford
Horse Drawn barge
Horse Drawing barge
7½ miles 9 locks
Woke up about half seven and rolled out of bed. Someone had left the lock above us and the lock below us in the wrong state so the level of the pound we were in was about a foot down and the boat was grounded and leaning over by nearly six inches, that is equivalent to a one in seven incline. No wonder I rolled out of bed.
Walked down to the lock below us and reset it. Walked to the lock above us and reset it. Walked back to Almyne and Blynda, who by this time was up and dressed.
Managed to get the boat free by pushing the front out and then pushing the back out and then pushing the front out and then - you get the idea.
Breakfast of bacon, egg tomatoes and toast. Read the instructions for the bread-maker - wipe it with oil, cook for ten minutes, let it cool, wash and then you can bake. Set that going and set off towards Hungerford. Good trip, lovely day, no problems or challenges. Got to Kintbury where we pulled over and set up the bread-maker, it takes 2 hours fifty-three minutes to bake a small loaf. Set off for Hungerford. Passed the horse drawn barge on the way. Had to pass the wrong side of it because he has to stay close to the bank and cannot stick to the usual convention of passing on the left. Hmmm, I wonder how they managed when all barges were horse drawn?
Arrived at Hungerford just after three, in time to go to Somerfields to get something for dinner. Got some salad stuff for lunch to eat with the fresh loaf that was just about ready. Ham, scotch egg, lettuce, tomatoes, coleslaw and potato salad for lunch with Fresh Bread, it was wonderful.
D'fer
soon found the dog on the next door boat and went and pestered them for a while.Blynda
left and I read for a while and had dinner comprising tortellini with Bolognese sauce topped with cheese and so to bed for an early night.Mon, 28 Apr 2008
Breakfast
D'fer and 'eza2
D'fer and 'eza1
Tug of war
Up early, D'fer
wanted to go and find his new friend 'eza . 'eza dog, or more correctly a puppy, but they get on quite well. Not up yet so came back to bother me. Breakfast at seven thirty on the back of the boat, such a lovely morning.
Caught a few fish and then started cleaning the boat. Took all the rugs and carpets outside and beat them, they didn't complain. Washed the floors, finished the washing up and brought he rugs and carpets back inside.
Wandered in to Hungerford looking for an HSBC bank, there isn't one. Called at the butchers, closed on Mondays. Went to Somerfields and got some ham and a scotch egg for lunch. D'fer was wearing his saddlebags and got several funny looks but carried my meagre shopping back to the boat quite happily and then went and pestered 'eza's owner to let him come out and play. They played for an hour or so and then I suggested that I take D'fer for a walk to try and get rid of some of his excess energy. 'eza and owner decided to come with us. We walked to the next lock, where the bank is very shallow to see if 'eza would follow D'fer in to the water. D'fer was in the canal most of the way fetching a big log that was thrown in for him. He has really taken to the water.
Got to the next lock and we had one of those April showers, you know, really heavy for just a few minutes. Got back to Almyne and I lit the fire to dry off. I sat and read for a while and D'fer went and played with 'eza again. Chrissy, that is 'eza's owner seems to be more than happy to entertain both of them so I let D'fer go and play till Chrissy
sent him back.
The guy on the bath tub along from me arrived to start painting his boat. Asked if I wanted some firewood. Oh yes. So he unloaded about a weeks worth of wood on me. He is a fencer and it is all the off-cuts. Got the chain-saw out and cut it all down to size, took all of five minutes.
Glen, Chrissy's other half arrived and we chatted about this and that for a while. He is a welder and works at Thatcham. He is going to get me some maggots tomorrow so I will be able to fish the way I like to fish on Wednesday.
Bolognese sauce topped with cheese for dinner, one packet lasts me two meals, trouble is it was buy one get one free, so I might get bored with it by Thursday.
D'fer was too tired after playing with 'eza all day to get excited about his dinner, but with a little encouragement he did eat it all, and then went out to play again.
Glen and Chrissy sent him back about eight and he went to bed, I didn't see him all evening.
Tue, 29 Apr 2008
This is April, complete with showers that last all day.
D'fer
woke me early to go and play with 'eza , but he wasn't up yet, in fact he was sensible enough to stay inside till early afternoon when the 'shower' eased off a bit.
The guy on the boat behind me (who gave me the wood for the fire) was trying to do some painting and every time he started the shower became heavier. Eventually he borrowed my gazebo and sat under that painting, it seemed to work quite well.
Spent most of the day doing internetty stuff and staying inside. Washed the floors several times and eventually gave up as D'fer seems to take great pleasure in waiting till I have finished and then coming in from outside to inspect it all, resulting in muddy footprints everywhere.
Richard
rang and arranged to pick me up about mid day to take me to
Rockingham for the battle re-enactment weekend. Since he is doing the outside bar he needs to be there a couple of days early, still I
should get the pick of the pitches for the tent.
Glen arrived late in the afternoon with my maggots, but it is too wet to fish, so I will stick them in the fridge and hope that it doesn't go out again before I return next Tuesday. Fish fingers for tea, all fifteen as the fridge had gone out and I didn't think that they would be edible if I left them much longer.
Spent the evening working out what I should take with me to last six days, especially dog food, and reading my book, early night as usual.
Wed, 30 Apr 2008
Chrissy with drowned duck
D'fer
woke me early to go and play with 'eza , but he was being sensible again.
Breakfast over I tidied the boat and started getting everything ready to go to Rockingham, two bin liners full, no cases on Almyne, no room for luxuries that I might only use twice a year, if it is going to rain all weekend I will need several changes of clothing and lots of bedding to keep me warm, even with D'fer snuggled up beside me.
Updated the site and made one small alteration to the way it runs. People pictures now sit below their names rather than above, looks better and slightly easier to read.
I must try to keep some sort of diary while I am at Rockingham just to update the Adventures of Almyne when I get back.
Chrissy
up around half ten so hung around with her and 'eza waiting for Richard. Rang Richard about half eleven to check on his progress, eta about an hour, so I had enough time to pop up to Somerfields to get some rolls and bacon. Chrissy and I had a bacon roll each and then walked up to Hungerford wharf with 'eza and D'fer to wait for Richard. While we were there we saw four male mallard ducks picking on a female. They were pecking at her neck and holding her under the water. She was obviously in distress and was trying very hard to get away from the males by climbing up on to the bank, but they were just dragging her back into the water and holding her under again. We walked the dogs to the action, whereupon the males swam off and we were able to pick up the female. She was soaked through to the extent that her feathers were no longer waterproof and close to sinking. Chrissy held her and she was very docile but shivering. We decided to take her back to the boats and find a towel to wrap her in and dry her. Back at the boats I got one of the fold up boxes and D'fer's towel and we wrapped the duck in that and gently towelled her dry. She sat in the box calming down.
Richard rang from the wharf, so I trotted along to guide him to the boats.
When I got back the duck had recovered sufficiently to swim off.
Bacon butty and a cup of tea for Richard and then we set off for Rockingham. 1 st call, Danu's - she was out at Booker's getting her weekly stock for the pub and we did not have time to wait for her to return so set off for the next call, Brize Norton to collect a 30KVA generator on its trailer, big enough to power a small village. That sorted, off to Eric's to try to get some red diesel for the generator. Eric mistook D'fer for Arfur and was surprised and pleased to see how fit and well Arfur was looking, till we explained that it was in fact D'fer. No red diesel available so off to call 4, Glens where we loaded two barrels and some other bits and pieces. A quick cup of tea and off to Rockingham. Got there about nine, too late to pitch the tents so slept in Taz's car with him and D'fer and Rocket, Taz's dog. Not too bad except that Taz has the loudest snore I have ever experienced.
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