Almyne 2009
Sun, 1 Feb 2009
5 miles
A comparatively short journey today. Started off with brilliant sunshine but still quite cold with a chill wind. As the day wore on we spotted the dark ominous clouds gathering and before we knew it the sun had disappeared. Just as we moored up at Tamworth the snow started, a light flurry at first but it soon settled in to those big cotton wool flakes that mean it is here to stay.
There was no point in walking in to the shopping mall to meet David, his vehicle had broken on him and he had returned to Devizes, so now wee were in a right pickle. Rosanne needs to be in Rugby tomorrow morning and we have no transport. The snow is laying and with past experience of Britain with these weather conditions there will be little or no public transport tomorrow.
Looked up bus and train times and worked out a possible route and timings, but that could all change.
If you cannot change it there is no point in worrying about it, so I settled down for a relaxing evening. Unfortunately Rosanne does not have the same philosophy as myself and she got somewhat worked up about the uncertainty of tomorrow.
We did play cards for a while and sat and put the world to rights, but it still did not take her minds off forthcoming events, or the possibility of them not happening.
A restless night.
Mon, 2 Feb 2009
Off to Rugby . David
had been coming up to assist in the moving of Almyne and the Morris but his engine decided to be difficult (it blew up) so we had no transport to get to Rugby.
with all the snow that fell overnight we were unsure if any of the busses or trains would be running and not having the Morris to hand we were kind of stymied. Checked on the net as to the trains and it appeared that they are running (guess I got in before they were overwhelmed and their servers went down).
Caught a taxi to the railway station and a train to Rugby through the snow.
The snow eased off while Rosanne was at her meeting, which went well but afterwards, while we were wandering around the town getting some of the bits and pieces that we had not been able to bring on the train the snow started again. I was a little worried about the snow halting the trains again, so I left Rosanne to it and hot footed it to the station. At first I was told that there were no trains to Tamworth , then I was told I would have to go via Birmingham and eventually I was told that there was a direct train from Rugby to Tamworth at 15:09 leaving platform 6.
Hotfooted it to platform six and waited the fifty five minutes watching the snow build up on the lines and praying that it would actually run.
Tue, 3 Feb 2009
7½ miles 2 locks
Off to Rugby with Almyne. Remembering what single crewing as all about.
The normal travelling is not too bad, except that I have to forgo all the hot drinks, or take an hour off to moor up put the kettle on, make a drink, tidy up, start up Almyne and cast off to get going again.
I don't have too many hot drinks while I am single crewing.
I did stop off for lunch, a can of tomato soup with two slices of bread and butter. Well I call it bread and butter but it was more like bread with a slice of butter perched on top, there was no way I could spread it.
Setting off was a game in itself. Started the engine OK and then I had to sort out the mooring ropes. As they were last October (29th to be precise) the ropes were like bars of iron and I had to break them away from the mooring points with a hammer and then bend them as best I could to lay on the top of Almyne.
That sorted the journey was not too bad. Mooring up for lunch was easier than setting of as the ropes had thawed a little, but by the time I had finished lunch they were solid again.
I was running low on coal and the spare gas bottle has been in use for at least a couple of weeks so I was looking out for a boat yard. The two that I called in to did not stock coal and neither of them had a 19kg bottle of gas (guess that is the downside of having big bottles), but one of them told me where the nearest coal merchant resides, just a few hundred yards along the canal right by the bridge.
Called in at the coal merchant and purchased six bags, enough to keep me going for about eighteen days. By that time, hopefully, the worst of the bad weather will be over.
With five bags of coal on the front of Almyne and the water tank topped up she is looking good in the water, the front quite low in the water and almost level along her length - unusual.
Oh, I forgot to mention, there was just one little difficulty with the travelling. The ice.
Almyne is a heavy boat, nearly twenty tons I am told, but that does not make a lot of difference when you are trying to be an ice breaker. All the time you are listening to the ice breaking and graunching along the sides you are constantly thinking that the Titanic was holed by a lump of ice. Needs must, I have to get to Rugby, I have to get coal, I have to get a new gas bottle.
If it gets much worse I will probably just pull over but in the meantime I realise that Almyne needs blacking this year anyway.
The worst that is likely to happen is that the ice will take all the paint off Almyne along the waterline and that can be sorted as long as I get it done sooner rather than later.
Blacking, by the way, is lifting the boat out of the water and removing all the algae and old paint and giving it a new coat of paint to protect the steel. I think it will need it.
Wed, 4 Feb 2009
Rippling Ice
Snow On The Cut
6 miles 11 locks
Breakfast, eggs and tinned spaghetti on toast to give me a good start, after getting the fire going, and then outside to chip the ropes loose so I could set off.
Ice, ice and more ice, thinking of the Titanic again. As the day wore on the sun came out and started to thaw the ropes which was good in one way and less good in another. The good bit was that they were easier to work, the bad bit was that they were sodden and very cold. I cannot work the ropes with gloves on so my hands took the brunt of the slush that was clinging to the ropes and, of course, as soon as they were dropped or put down (it is impossible to make sure that a 50 ft rope does not end up on the floor) they picked up more snow than you can throw a scarecrow at.
Apart from the ropes I did not really need gloves for most of the day as the air temperature was not down to freezing as it had been yesterday.
Worked my way up the eleven locks in the Atherstone flight but as I got to the last few the throttle started to play up. It was fine in forward but I had to throw it way into reverse just to get it into neutral. I was getting concerned that I would not make the last three locks and decided that if I did I would pull over in the facilities area and check it out. There is a boatyard close by the last lock.
Made it to the last lock and while I was filling it I wandered around the lock-keepers cottage. I noticed that he had a workshop with a vice and tools that I might need.
I engaged him in conversation (we had actually chatted earlier on along the tow path) and told him of my difficulty with the throttle. "Sounds like a stretched cable to me, of course you can use my workshop, why don't you look at it while you are in the lock, there is no-one else coming along".
Dismantled the control housing and soon discovered that it was just a loose grub screw and once that was tightened up everything was just hunky-dory.
The lock-keeper fell in love with the garden shed and told me it was so 'Dinky'. Explained to him we were naming it Dinky Doo and that we wanted to get it recognised as a tender. He told me to 'go for it'. I opened Dinky Doo up for him to have a real good look at and he got rather excited about it and said that I was really lucky. He is looking out for something like it for himself.
Carried on for a couple more hours before pulling over and settling down for the evening to write up the adventures.
Used that rest of the minced beef to make a curry.
Thu, 5 Feb 2009
Snow On The Cut
Big Mooring Posts
11 miles 1 lock
Heavy snow overnight but that really light fluffy stuff that is so good for snowmen and snowballs. Thought about staying put for the day but once the fire was going and Almyne had warmed up a bit I decided that it was not so bad after all.
The canal looked as if it was covered with a thick layer of ice, which would make going difficult, but it was actually a layer of slush, albeit about half an inch thick in places.
The ropes were not frozen but very wet and very very cold,the water gets into everything. Set off with a brooding sky, threatening more snow. The slush on the top of the water was interesting. As I cruised along it broke up into sections with a long curved leading edge ahead of Almyne which rolled backwards and curled underneath itself, almost like a scrolled up piece of paper. I kept thinking of rice paper tearing and curling up and then dissolving.
A mile into the days journey I reached Boot Wharf boat yard where I pulled over to see if they had a 19kg of Calor gas. No, but they did have an alternative that I did not have to put a deposit on and they did not want my old cylinder either. Now I have three cylinders, one full, one empty and one on its way out. Also got some oil for the engine (it needed topping up but the can of oil I had was with the Morris) and filled up with diesel.
Now I can cruise with impunity, enough diesel to last a couple of months, coal to last a few weeks, water for a week or so and food for several days. what more could a boater want?
Although there was snow and slush everywhere there was no breeze and the air was almost warm (by comparison). I was still togged up with underpants, long johns and jeans, vest, thermal vest, T-shirt, fleece and flying jacket, fur hat with ear muffs and a pair of gardening gloves, two pairs of socks and rubber boots which kept me almost warm. I was able to travel far further before succumbing to the cold today that I was yesterday.
Although I had started the day with eggs and bacon on toast I stopped off or lunch just after one and had eggs, chips and bacon for lunch, which kept me going for another three hours travelling for the afternoon.
Eventually pulled over just about five o'clock as it was getting dark. There was no reasonable mooring to choose so I moored up under a motorway bridge. Funnily enough the motorway was quite quiet, more than can be said for the railway line alongside me.
Should be in Rugby sometime tomorrow, weather permitting.
Spent the first hour warming up and then put dinner on, yesterdays curry again with rice that I cooked on the stove - worked rather well actually.
Fri, 6 Feb 2009
Snow On The Cut
Snow On The Cut
Green Man
6½ miles 1 swing bridge 1 tunnel
Heavy snow overnight again but as I was underneath a motorway bridge I did not notice till I got up and looked along the canal.
A surprisingly good night, the traffic on the motorway was no bother at all, probably because there was so little due to the snow. The trains were more of a problem but I think that they stopped shortly after eleven and did not keep me awake at all.
The fire stayed in all night and the temperature was still up to 68F when I got up just after seven, so a quick wash and breakfast of eggs and bacon on toast and I was ready for the off by nine.
Stopped after an hour and a half. Although it was not cold like it has been I got really chilled and as there is no hurry I stopped off for a cup of tea. The kettle had been on the fire all morning so I did not have to wait for it to boil.
Half an hour later I was off again and after another hour I reached Newbold tunnel.
Newbold tunnel is interesting because it is lit up inside. Every hundred yards or so there are three big lights illuminating the walls and roof. One is blue, one is green and the other is yellow. The effect is rather pleasing. (For pictures see March 19th 2006).
Pulled over just after the tunnel to get my bearings (and another cup of tea). Discovered that there is a supermarket and a picnic area about a mile further on, so set off again.
Arrived at the picnic area and moored up. Went to the supermarket and purchased lots of fresh vegetables, some bread and some meat for dinner. I had planned to have liver and onions for dinner but I purchased kidneys instead so had kidneys with onions and red peppers in red wine with mashed potatoes and carrots.
Back to the days events. After the shopping I had lunch, sausages eggs and chips with two slices of bread and butter washed down with a cup of tea (from the kettle on the fire).
Walked in to Rugby with D'fer
to find out how far it is (further than I thought) and to see Rosanne. She cannot have animals in her flat so we met outside and chatted in the cold for a while. She seems to be getting on all right on the surface but there are problems with her flat mate and her flat mates boyfriend, but I am sure that it will get sorted out. She is a bit overwhelmed by her new found independence and I hope it is not too long before she gets to grips with it and starts enjoying herself. She is at least joining with the activities available.
Walked back to Almyne where I cooked my dinner and spent the evening reading my book.
I am not sure if the coal I have is not as good as the coal I had previously or if it is just much colder outside but I could not get the temperature in Almyne above 77F all evening. Warm enough but I am getting used to fighting off the 86F, even with the fire turned down. Tonight has been forecast as a very cold night.
Sat, 7 Feb 2009
Skating Duck
Skating Swan
Skating Duck
The fire stayed in all night again so it was almost warm when I got up, which was good as I took D'fer for an early morning walk while the sun was up and got some pictures of a swan and a duck skating on the ice.
I usually wait till Almyne has warmed through before I get dressed and by that time it is too late to walk D'fer properly. On these colder mornings if the fire has gone out and I have to light it from scratch it can take an hour or two until I am warm enough to get breakfast and start moving about. That is not to say that I cannot just jump up and get going if necessary - but hey! where is the necessity, I am on canal time.
Mooched around Almyne till eleven ish and then sorted out those items that Rosanne had packed that seemed most important. She had packed loads of stuff in the big laundry bag and it was much too heavy for me to carry. I will not go into detail about what I did take but suffice it to say I tried to take into account what I knew she had with her, the weather and the space she has at the flat.
Set off to find the bus, but got lost again and ended up walking all the way to the flat. Arrived only to find that Rosanne had gone out, so I rang her and she came straight back. Carrying three carrier bags for two and a bit miles in the cold left my fingers tingling when I put them down and it took several minutes for the circulation to return to normal.
Had a couple of cups of tea and then we went into Rugby town centre to see the market. It is quite a good one and I got four pounds of tomatoes for £2, cheaper than tinned tomatoes at present.
Caught the bus back, so now I know where it goes from and where it goes to, and the times it goes, so next time I should be able to catch it properly.
Back at Almyne I had a power nap to revive myself and then prepared dinner (the same as yesterday except that I put tomatoes in with the kidneys and finely chopped cabbage in with the potatoes).
The weather forecast indicates that tonight will be even colder than last night, but so far (half eight) the temperature in Almyne is holding up - we will see.
Sun, 8 Feb 2009
Small Bridge Hole
Reflections
Algae
The fire didn't quite stay in all night but it was still warm enough to get it going and up to temperature really quickly.
Breakfast of sausage egg and tomatoes on toast, I have run out of bacon, and then off for a walk with D'fer. While I was walking I ran the engine on Almyne to charge the batteries, that way I don't have to listen to the racket.
Walked the opposite way to yesterday and hadn't gone far when I spotted the unused portion of the canal that was the original route before the Oxford shortening took place in 1834. Followed the old tow path for a while and came upon a stretch where the ice gave way to algae. Now I know that I am not the best informed of people when it comes to fauna, but I thought that algae needed a fairly warm environment to grow, especially to get a carpet of algae. In front of me was a long stretch of ice and then a stretch of bright green algae. Something must be going on here. I noticed that the sun was aimed directly along the canal at this point and it was quite warm, but that could not have been the case for the past week or so, intriguing.
The tow path is not walk able all the way and occasionally the path moves nearer the road. At one point I spotted a tree stump in the middle of a junction. I could not make out what it was properly so went right up to it. Once I was close enough I could make out that it was a sculpture of 'The Green Man' carved from the tree stump. I think it needs a little paint on the eyes and mouth to make it stand out a bit more as, if I were not so curious, I would have not noticed it for what it was. (You will have to go back to Friday to see the picture, not enough room on today.)
Couldn't help taking a picture of the Volvo building with the reflection of the snow in its window panes.
Further on again I came upon a possible reason for this section of canal remaining disused. The bridge hole was so small that I doubt that I would get Almyne through it and if you look closely at the left side of the bridge hole you can see part of the tow path bridge hole. The tow rope would have to be taken off the narrow boat while it went under the bridge and then reconnected afterwards - bizarre.
An interesting walk and D'fer thoroughly enjoyed himself.
Back at Almyne I had a lazy afternoon, culminating in egg and chips with two slices of bread and butter for lunch, at about four - canal time.
I say lazy, what I actually did was get my new computer out (the one I got last June) and set it up. Played about with the software that I had written for the old computer and got most of it working, then played Warcraft for a while.
Mon, 9 Feb 2009
Alone in Rugby I spent the morning pottering around and, unlike me, I started the evening meal shortly after midday. As it turned out it was a good move.
Don rang and said that he was on the way to pick me up, so by the time he arrived dinner was ready and we still had time to set off for Long Hanborough before dark.
The journey down was OK most of the way, as the roads had been cleared but around six it started snowing. It was bad enough for me to decide to spend the night at Dons, sharing a bottle of whisky, as is our want. Needless to say it was a late night.
Tue, 10 Feb 2009
After a late night at Dons I set off for Burbage late afternoon and arrived in time to take David shopping in Pewsey . He has been without his vehicle for a week or so and getting about in the sticks can be a problem with no vehicle.
Wed, 11 Feb 2009
Spent the day working on the ambulance, draining the radiator, flushing it and filling it with the leek sealer.
Thu, 12 Feb 2009
Today's the day for me to do my tasks in Devizes and to get Davids Shogun to Burbage which was all accomplished without any hitches.
Fri, 13 Feb 2009
Blynda
picked us up from Burbage and took us to Devizes where David did his bits and pieces and I carried on to mums in Trowbridge.
By the time we had completed our respective tasks it was too late to make the journey to Rugby so we put that off 'til Saturday.
Sat, 14 Feb 2009
Left Burbage fairly early and had a comparatively good journey. The only hiccup was the ambulance losing water and the gas freezing. It tends to happen when I travel over about fifty five. David thinks that he knows what the problem is, so when we got to Rugby we found a car accessory shop and ordered the bits. We also ordered a windscreen wiper blade for the Morris, oh joy.
A little basic shopping at the local supermarket for food for the evening and we still had time on our hands so collected the Morris from Kings Bromley and settled in for David's d first night on Almyne - another lads night in.
Sun, 15 Feb 2009
With both the vehicles and Almyne in Rugby we can make plans for the next week or so. It is the intention to get down to Braunston soon.
Took a load of Rosanne's clothes to the flat for her and persuaded her to come back to Almyne for the afternoon for a break. She has not been enjoying the company of her flatmate.
David had spent most of the day in bed with an upset tummy but was fit enough to join Rosanne and I for the evening meal, which I cooked, much to everyone's surprise.
Rosanne and I spent most of the rest of the evening sitting on the after deck enjoying a comparatively mild evening in the open just absorbing the atmosphere.
Mon, 16 Feb 2009
2½ miles 3 locks
Picked Rosanne up from her digs and spent a pleasant afternoon and evening on Almyne. She decided that she would like to accompany us on the journey to Braunston so while she was having her meeting at Mayday David and I shuffled the vehicles around and prepared Almyne. Picked Rosanne up just after three and we set off just before four.
Got to Hillmorton locks and Rosanne took Almyne through them all, including mooring up at the facilities.
Got rid of the accumulated rubbish, emptied the porta pottie and carried on to our projected destination for the evening.
David cooked dinner and Rosanne and I taught him to play Skip-Bo. I think he enjoyed it as he insisted on playing several times.
About half eleven Rosanne decided that she wanted to go back to her flat and that I should take her and all her stuff with her. Having had a few bevvies this was not an option, but David very kindly organised a taxi for her, and off she went.
Tue, 17 Feb 2009
Cut up all the remaining logs with the chain-saw and chopped them up for the fire. With the weather getting a little more mild, coal just get the boat too hot, wood is a much better way of heating Almyne in the milder weather.
Spent the rest of the day tidying Almyne and fishing, something I haven't done for quite some time.
Wed, 18 Feb 2009
7 miles
Up before noon! Took the Morris into Rugby , dropped David off with the ambulance so he could do some shopping for the next few days and arranged to meet him at Braunston .
I set off to see Rosanne. Dropped off some more clothes and her blood testing gadget. It seems that she has a busy day ahead of her with two meetings and an art class, followed tomorrow by an appointment in town and at least one other tomorrow.
David and I met up at Braunston and left the Morris there and took the ambulance to Hillmorton where Almyne was moored. David did the engine checks and took the 'con' for the journey. In fact I don't think I would have got him off the tiller if I had tried.
This left me with time on my hands, so I did some tidying up on Almyne and tried out the new vacuum cleaner that I brought up from Burbage . It is a mains one but very little, so little that it needs emptying after about fifty seconds running. The trick is to sweep up, brush up and get rid of as much as you can with the brush and dustpan and them finish off with the vacuum cleaner.
The journey was about three hours, mostly drizzling, but that is acceptable, whereas rain is not. If it had actually rained we would have pulled over and finished the journey another day.
Pulled in at the facilities at Braunston (just before the turn) and did all the good stuff to keep us going for a couple of weeks and then rang James. He gave us directions on how to get to him, just fifteen minutes away, so we set off again and were soon moored up opposite his boat.
James came on board and Kane, his dog, and D'fer spent the next two hours playing along the tow path, they were much too excited to be allowed inside Almyne.
David went to one of the local hostelries where he could watch a football match on their TV while James and I spent an hour or so chatting. James was called back to his boat about eight, so I had the rest of the evening to myself, at least till David got back sometime after ten.
Thu, 19 Feb 2009
After another of my fitful nights I woke around nine to a bright sunny day. Kicked David out of bed with a cup of coffee and as soon as he came round he cooked breakfast, something he seems to enjoy doing, so I am quite happy to let him.
After breakfast we set off to Hillmorton to collect the Ambulance, David drove the Morris there and I drove it back.
With both vehicles and Almyne at Braunston we can make some plans as to our next few days. We spent the afternoon transferring Rosanne's craft equipment from Almyne and Dinky Doo to the ambulance so that we can take it along to Rugby so that she cam decide what she wants with her and what she wants me to hang on to for the time being.
A couple of hours fishing, a walk along the tow path with D'fer and a can of beer later we lit the fire to settle in for the evening, probably a quiet one.
Fri, 20 Feb 2009
Evening Sky
4½ miles
Set of to Rugby shortly after ten, well I say we set off. We actually walked down to the ambulance and when we tried driving it out of the field we ended up burying the wheels up to the axle in the mud. An hour later we had managed to jack it up and jam some bit of timber under the rear wheels and we still needed the assistance of a passer by to help push us out. Won't park it there again.
Delivered the craft stuff to Rosanne and she seemed a lot happier having something to do instead of just watching TV.
Back at Almyne David took the 'con' while I started spring cleaning Almyne, it is the best day we have had for a long time.
Travelled down towards Napton junction and moored up about half a mile short where we did a little fishing, not up to much, and spent a lazy afternoon doing not a lot at all.
Sat, 21 Feb 2009
Lazy day, mostly spent fishing or just soaking up the sun. By far and away the best days sunshine so far this year, didn't even light the fire until after dark.
There was on minor glitch however. David dropped his phone overboard. He spent over an hour trying to fish it out with the sieve on the end of a broom handle, all to no avail. Eventually he decided that he would get into the water. He stripped off and gingerly lowered himself into the water, only about six inches at first as he soon realised just how cold the water was. Steeling himself he went right in and within a few moments he found the phone with his foot. By that time his feet were so cold that he could not grab the phone with his toes.
He came out and warmed up a little and then went back in again, this time successfully retrieving his phone.
I will admit, I could not see the point, it was insured and I did not think that a phone having been dropped in the canal would ever work again. David dismantled it and cleaned and dried it as best he could. Re-assembled it and switched it on - a flicker of life and then nothing. Tried charging the battery still nothing.
Shit happens.
Sun, 22 Feb 2009
Steamboat
5½ miles
Down to the junction, turned around and back to Braunston .
When we arrived David had another go at his phone, dismantling it giving it another clean and re-assembling it again. This time it worked! It still needed the battery charging but that seemed to work OK too. The only problem with it was that the screen had a little water behind it.
He switched it off and hung it over the stove to warm up and dry out completely - time will tell.
Mon, 23 Feb 2009
Davids Fish
Another quiet day. Kenny
is meant to be joining us sometime this evening so no point in going anywhere.
David took the ambulance and did some shopping while I stayed on Almyne amusing myself and doing internetty stuff.
When the time came to contact Kenny it seemed that he did not have the money to make the trip, but hoped to have it later on that evening or early the following morning. We'll see.
Spent the evening playing cards and drinking wine, what a life.
Tue, 24 Feb 2009
10 miles 3 locks
Waited for Kenny to ring until half nine. With no contact from him David decided that he didn't want to wait any longer so off we went towards Napton and up the Grand Union to the first winding hole. This meant negotiating three wide locks, something David has not done before.
At the first lock we called in to the boatyard and did all the usual, water, porta pottie and getting rid of the rubbish. I also got a new cylinder of gas, so now we can cook with impunity.
When I started to unravel the hose to take on water I noticed that the bit that screws on to the end of the tap was missing. Ah ha! I thought I know where that is. Last time we took on water David did all the good stuff (he wants to learn everything there is to know about boating) and he left it attached to the tap.
Fortunately, the chandlers had one so we managed to take on water after all.
Through the locks, up to the winding hole and back towards the locks again. We moored up about half a mile short of the locks and did a little fishing. David stayed fishing till well after dark using some 'glow in the dark' sticks attached to his floats to see what was going on. He caught several and seemed well pleased with the whole of the day, especially the fishing.
After dinner he was listening to the radio, a football commentary, he likes his football, and decided to take a nap. I kicked him out of my bed and into his own around ten ish and he continued to sleep. I think that a day on the tiller and three locks had completely worn him out. It's a hard life on the cut.
Wed, 25 Feb 2009
7 miles 3 locks
Up just before eight. I cooked myself some breakfast as David was still fast asleep. I left him there while I did all the engine checks and set off. As I got to the first lock he came to and sleepily got up. By the time I was in the lock and had closed the rear gates and started filling it he surfaced enough to assist.
The next two locks went really quickly and from there it was a straight run through to Braunston again.
At Braunston we loaded the ambulance with washing and such and set off for Burbage in convoy, me in the Morris and David in the ambulance.
On the way I called off at Hungerford and booked an appointment at the dentist. We both arrived at Burbage in time to cook a quick snack and then David set off for Devizes, while I settled in at Burbage to an evening of television and DVDs and getting all the washing and drying done.
Thu, 26 Feb 2009
Spent the day doing paperwork stuff. Went to Devizes where I purchased a pair of moleskin trousers, I am getting really fed up with wearing jeans, however practical they are.
Called in to see mum
and showed her the moleskins, she insisted in taking them up properly, so now they actually fit instead of being too long in the leg.
Another evening of DVDs, this time sharing them with David.
Fri, 27 Feb 2009
Set off back to Almyne shortly after ten. Called off on the way to Richard
and caught up on the gossip with him.
The ambulance performed really well and I only topped up with water once. Arrived at Braunston , after stopping of at Banbury to do a little shopping, in time to take D'fer for a walk into the marina area where I ordered a gasket set for the boat engine.
While I was there I checked out the stoppages.
Apparently I can get to Norton Junction but cannot head off towards London till after 14th March, however I can got all the way up the Northampton arm, which leads to Market Harborough.
Market Harborough is only about seven miles from Rockingham, where the Battle re-enactors do is scheduled for May bank holiday, so it makes sense to do that first.
David stayed back at Burbage to repair his vehicle and he will be following on as soon as he has it completed, so I am alone again for a week or so.
Maybe I will be able to catch up on some of the things that I have been neglecting.
Sat, 28 Feb 2009
4½ miles 6 locks 1 tunnel
Up fairly early and a good breakfast.
Had a text from Rosanne letting me know that she would be collecting the rest of her stuff about half ten, so I set too and collected it all together and put it in one pile. She arrived with James and a couple of friends of his. They hung around outside while Rosanne and I checked Almyne for anything we might have missed. She also returned some items of mine that she had borrowed.
Ever since she has been at the flat I have been getting the feeling that she was on edge, so I asked her what was wrong. She told me that she has met a guy and they are getting together.
In all honesty I am not surprised, upset, yes, but surprised no.
With nothing to hold me to Braunston I took the ambulance to Welton Wharf and then walked back to Almyne, did the engine checks and set off, waving farewell to Rosanne as I went past.
D'fer was distraught, he knew that something was going on but just did not understand.
Negotiated the first lock on my own and as I was leaving it another boat arrived, so I waited at the next lock for them and we did the remaining five together, it always makes life easier to have some help when you are single crewing.
Approaching Braunston tunnel one of the ratchet straps broke, which made negotiating the tunnel a bit of a worry but once through the other side I moored up, I had arrived at my destination.
Found a needle and some thread so after I had eaten I repaired the ratchet strap ready to set off again tomorrow morning.
Spent the evening viewing video clips of Rosanne enjoying herself on Almyne and getting maudlin, Don't worry, it will pass. She had enjoyed herself so much it was a shame to see her go.
5 miles
A comparatively short journey today. Started off with brilliant sunshine but still quite cold with a chill wind. As the day wore on we spotted the dark ominous clouds gathering and before we knew it the sun had disappeared. Just as we moored up at Tamworth the snow started, a light flurry at first but it soon settled in to those big cotton wool flakes that mean it is here to stay.
There was no point in walking in to the shopping mall to meet David, his vehicle had broken on him and he had returned to Devizes, so now wee were in a right pickle. Rosanne needs to be in Rugby tomorrow morning and we have no transport. The snow is laying and with past experience of Britain with these weather conditions there will be little or no public transport tomorrow.
Looked up bus and train times and worked out a possible route and timings, but that could all change.
If you cannot change it there is no point in worrying about it, so I settled down for a relaxing evening. Unfortunately Rosanne does not have the same philosophy as myself and she got somewhat worked up about the uncertainty of tomorrow.
We did play cards for a while and sat and put the world to rights, but it still did not take her minds off forthcoming events, or the possibility of them not happening.
A restless night.
Mon, 2 Feb 2009
Off to Rugby . David
had been coming up to assist in the moving of Almyne and the Morris but his engine decided to be difficult (it blew up) so we had no transport to get to Rugby.
with all the snow that fell overnight we were unsure if any of the busses or trains would be running and not having the Morris to hand we were kind of stymied. Checked on the net as to the trains and it appeared that they are running (guess I got in before they were overwhelmed and their servers went down).
Caught a taxi to the railway station and a train to Rugby through the snow.
The snow eased off while Rosanne was at her meeting, which went well but afterwards, while we were wandering around the town getting some of the bits and pieces that we had not been able to bring on the train the snow started again. I was a little worried about the snow halting the trains again, so I left Rosanne to it and hot footed it to the station. At first I was told that there were no trains to Tamworth , then I was told I would have to go via Birmingham and eventually I was told that there was a direct train from Rugby to Tamworth at 15:09 leaving platform 6.
Hotfooted it to platform six and waited the fifty five minutes watching the snow build up on the lines and praying that it would actually run.
Tue, 3 Feb 2009
7½ miles 2 locks
Off to Rugby with Almyne. Remembering what single crewing as all about.
The normal travelling is not too bad, except that I have to forgo all the hot drinks, or take an hour off to moor up put the kettle on, make a drink, tidy up, start up Almyne and cast off to get going again.
I don't have too many hot drinks while I am single crewing.
I did stop off for lunch, a can of tomato soup with two slices of bread and butter. Well I call it bread and butter but it was more like bread with a slice of butter perched on top, there was no way I could spread it.
Setting off was a game in itself. Started the engine OK and then I had to sort out the mooring ropes. As they were last October (29th to be precise) the ropes were like bars of iron and I had to break them away from the mooring points with a hammer and then bend them as best I could to lay on the top of Almyne.
That sorted the journey was not too bad. Mooring up for lunch was easier than setting of as the ropes had thawed a little, but by the time I had finished lunch they were solid again.
I was running low on coal and the spare gas bottle has been in use for at least a couple of weeks so I was looking out for a boat yard. The two that I called in to did not stock coal and neither of them had a 19kg bottle of gas (guess that is the downside of having big bottles), but one of them told me where the nearest coal merchant resides, just a few hundred yards along the canal right by the bridge.
Called in at the coal merchant and purchased six bags, enough to keep me going for about eighteen days. By that time, hopefully, the worst of the bad weather will be over.
With five bags of coal on the front of Almyne and the water tank topped up she is looking good in the water, the front quite low in the water and almost level along her length - unusual.
Oh, I forgot to mention, there was just one little difficulty with the travelling. The ice.
Almyne is a heavy boat, nearly twenty tons I am told, but that does not make a lot of difference when you are trying to be an ice breaker. All the time you are listening to the ice breaking and graunching along the sides you are constantly thinking that the Titanic was holed by a lump of ice. Needs must, I have to get to Rugby, I have to get coal, I have to get a new gas bottle.
If it gets much worse I will probably just pull over but in the meantime I realise that Almyne needs blacking this year anyway.
The worst that is likely to happen is that the ice will take all the paint off Almyne along the waterline and that can be sorted as long as I get it done sooner rather than later.
Blacking, by the way, is lifting the boat out of the water and removing all the algae and old paint and giving it a new coat of paint to protect the steel. I think it will need it.
Wed, 4 Feb 2009
Rippling Ice
Snow On The Cut
6 miles 11 locks
Breakfast, eggs and tinned spaghetti on toast to give me a good start, after getting the fire going, and then outside to chip the ropes loose so I could set off.
Ice, ice and more ice, thinking of the Titanic again. As the day wore on the sun came out and started to thaw the ropes which was good in one way and less good in another. The good bit was that they were easier to work, the bad bit was that they were sodden and very cold. I cannot work the ropes with gloves on so my hands took the brunt of the slush that was clinging to the ropes and, of course, as soon as they were dropped or put down (it is impossible to make sure that a 50 ft rope does not end up on the floor) they picked up more snow than you can throw a scarecrow at.
Apart from the ropes I did not really need gloves for most of the day as the air temperature was not down to freezing as it had been yesterday.
Worked my way up the eleven locks in the Atherstone flight but as I got to the last few the throttle started to play up. It was fine in forward but I had to throw it way into reverse just to get it into neutral. I was getting concerned that I would not make the last three locks and decided that if I did I would pull over in the facilities area and check it out. There is a boatyard close by the last lock.
Made it to the last lock and while I was filling it I wandered around the lock-keepers cottage. I noticed that he had a workshop with a vice and tools that I might need.
I engaged him in conversation (we had actually chatted earlier on along the tow path) and told him of my difficulty with the throttle. "Sounds like a stretched cable to me, of course you can use my workshop, why don't you look at it while you are in the lock, there is no-one else coming along".
Dismantled the control housing and soon discovered that it was just a loose grub screw and once that was tightened up everything was just hunky-dory.
The lock-keeper fell in love with the garden shed and told me it was so 'Dinky'. Explained to him we were naming it Dinky Doo and that we wanted to get it recognised as a tender. He told me to 'go for it'. I opened Dinky Doo up for him to have a real good look at and he got rather excited about it and said that I was really lucky. He is looking out for something like it for himself.
Carried on for a couple more hours before pulling over and settling down for the evening to write up the adventures.
Used that rest of the minced beef to make a curry.
Thu, 5 Feb 2009
Snow On The Cut
Big Mooring Posts
11 miles 1 lock
Heavy snow overnight but that really light fluffy stuff that is so good for snowmen and snowballs. Thought about staying put for the day but once the fire was going and Almyne had warmed up a bit I decided that it was not so bad after all.
The canal looked as if it was covered with a thick layer of ice, which would make going difficult, but it was actually a layer of slush, albeit about half an inch thick in places.
The ropes were not frozen but very wet and very very cold,the water gets into everything. Set off with a brooding sky, threatening more snow. The slush on the top of the water was interesting. As I cruised along it broke up into sections with a long curved leading edge ahead of Almyne which rolled backwards and curled underneath itself, almost like a scrolled up piece of paper. I kept thinking of rice paper tearing and curling up and then dissolving.
A mile into the days journey I reached Boot Wharf boat yard where I pulled over to see if they had a 19kg of Calor gas. No, but they did have an alternative that I did not have to put a deposit on and they did not want my old cylinder either. Now I have three cylinders, one full, one empty and one on its way out. Also got some oil for the engine (it needed topping up but the can of oil I had was with the Morris) and filled up with diesel.
Now I can cruise with impunity, enough diesel to last a couple of months, coal to last a few weeks, water for a week or so and food for several days. what more could a boater want?
Although there was snow and slush everywhere there was no breeze and the air was almost warm (by comparison). I was still togged up with underpants, long johns and jeans, vest, thermal vest, T-shirt, fleece and flying jacket, fur hat with ear muffs and a pair of gardening gloves, two pairs of socks and rubber boots which kept me almost warm. I was able to travel far further before succumbing to the cold today that I was yesterday.
Although I had started the day with eggs and bacon on toast I stopped off or lunch just after one and had eggs, chips and bacon for lunch, which kept me going for another three hours travelling for the afternoon.
Eventually pulled over just about five o'clock as it was getting dark. There was no reasonable mooring to choose so I moored up under a motorway bridge. Funnily enough the motorway was quite quiet, more than can be said for the railway line alongside me.
Should be in Rugby sometime tomorrow, weather permitting.
Spent the first hour warming up and then put dinner on, yesterdays curry again with rice that I cooked on the stove - worked rather well actually.
Fri, 6 Feb 2009
Snow On The Cut
Snow On The Cut
Green Man
6½ miles 1 swing bridge 1 tunnel
Heavy snow overnight again but as I was underneath a motorway bridge I did not notice till I got up and looked along the canal.
A surprisingly good night, the traffic on the motorway was no bother at all, probably because there was so little due to the snow. The trains were more of a problem but I think that they stopped shortly after eleven and did not keep me awake at all.
The fire stayed in all night and the temperature was still up to 68F when I got up just after seven, so a quick wash and breakfast of eggs and bacon on toast and I was ready for the off by nine.
Stopped after an hour and a half. Although it was not cold like it has been I got really chilled and as there is no hurry I stopped off for a cup of tea. The kettle had been on the fire all morning so I did not have to wait for it to boil.
Half an hour later I was off again and after another hour I reached Newbold tunnel.
Newbold tunnel is interesting because it is lit up inside. Every hundred yards or so there are three big lights illuminating the walls and roof. One is blue, one is green and the other is yellow. The effect is rather pleasing. (For pictures see March 19th 2006).
Pulled over just after the tunnel to get my bearings (and another cup of tea). Discovered that there is a supermarket and a picnic area about a mile further on, so set off again.
Arrived at the picnic area and moored up. Went to the supermarket and purchased lots of fresh vegetables, some bread and some meat for dinner. I had planned to have liver and onions for dinner but I purchased kidneys instead so had kidneys with onions and red peppers in red wine with mashed potatoes and carrots.
Back to the days events. After the shopping I had lunch, sausages eggs and chips with two slices of bread and butter washed down with a cup of tea (from the kettle on the fire).
Walked in to Rugby with D'fer
to find out how far it is (further than I thought) and to see Rosanne. She cannot have animals in her flat so we met outside and chatted in the cold for a while. She seems to be getting on all right on the surface but there are problems with her flat mate and her flat mates boyfriend, but I am sure that it will get sorted out. She is a bit overwhelmed by her new found independence and I hope it is not too long before she gets to grips with it and starts enjoying herself. She is at least joining with the activities available.
Walked back to Almyne where I cooked my dinner and spent the evening reading my book.
I am not sure if the coal I have is not as good as the coal I had previously or if it is just much colder outside but I could not get the temperature in Almyne above 77F all evening. Warm enough but I am getting used to fighting off the 86F, even with the fire turned down. Tonight has been forecast as a very cold night.
Sat, 7 Feb 2009
Skating Duck
Skating Swan
Skating Duck
The fire stayed in all night again so it was almost warm when I got up, which was good as I took D'fer
for an early morning walk while the sun was up and got some pictures of a swan and a duck skating on the ice.
I usually wait till Almyne has warmed through before I get dressed and by that time it is too late to walk D'fer properly. On these colder mornings if the fire has gone out and I have to light it from scratch it can take an hour or two until I am warm enough to get breakfast and start moving about. That is not to say that I cannot just jump up and get going if necessary - but hey! where is the necessity, I am on canal time.
Mooched around Almyne till eleven ish and then sorted out those items that Rosanne had packed that seemed most important. She had packed loads of stuff in the big laundry bag and it was much too heavy for me to carry. I will not go into detail about what I did take but suffice it to say I tried to take into account what I knew she had with her, the weather and the space she has at the flat.
Set off to find the bus, but got lost again and ended up walking all the way to the flat. Arrived only to find that Rosanne had gone out, so I rang her and she came straight back. Carrying three carrier bags for two and a bit miles in the cold left my fingers tingling when I put them down and it took several minutes for the circulation to return to normal.
Had a couple of cups of tea and then we went into Rugby town centre to see the market. It is quite a good one and I got four pounds of tomatoes for £2, cheaper than tinned tomatoes at present.
Caught the bus back, so now I know where it goes from and where it goes to, and the times it goes, so next time I should be able to catch it properly.
Back at Almyne I had a power nap to revive myself and then prepared dinner (the same as yesterday except that I put tomatoes in with the kidneys and finely chopped cabbage in with the potatoes).
The weather forecast indicates that tonight will be even colder than last night, but so far (half eight) the temperature in Almyne is holding up - we will see.
Sun, 8 Feb 2009
Small Bridge Hole
Reflections
Algae
The fire didn't quite stay in all night but it was still warm enough to get it going and up to temperature really quickly.
Breakfast of sausage egg and tomatoes on toast, I have run out of bacon, and then off for a walk with D'fer. While I was walking I ran the engine on Almyne to charge the batteries, that way I don't have to listen to the racket.
Walked the opposite way to yesterday and hadn't gone far when I spotted the unused portion of the canal that was the original route before the Oxford shortening took place in 1834. Followed the old tow path for a while and came upon a stretch where the ice gave way to algae. Now I know that I am not the best informed of people when it comes to fauna, but I thought that algae needed a fairly warm environment to grow, especially to get a carpet of algae. In front of me was a long stretch of ice and then a stretch of bright green algae. Something must be going on here. I noticed that the sun was aimed directly along the canal at this point and it was quite warm, but that could not have been the case for the past week or so, intriguing.
The tow path is not walk able all the way and occasionally the path moves nearer the road. At one point I spotted a tree stump in the middle of a junction. I could not make out what it was properly so went right up to it. Once I was close enough I could make out that it was a sculpture of 'The Green Man' carved from the tree stump. I think it needs a little paint on the eyes and mouth to make it stand out a bit more as, if I were not so curious, I would have not noticed it for what it was. (You will have to go back to Friday to see the picture, not enough room on today.)
Couldn't help taking a picture of the Volvo building with the reflection of the snow in its window panes.
Further on again I came upon a possible reason for this section of canal remaining disused. The bridge hole was so small that I doubt that I would get Almyne through it and if you look closely at the left side of the bridge hole you can see part of the tow path bridge hole. The tow rope would have to be taken off the narrow boat while it went under the bridge and then reconnected afterwards - bizarre.
An interesting walk and D'fer
thoroughly enjoyed himself.
Back at Almyne I had a lazy afternoon, culminating in egg and chips with two slices of bread and butter for lunch, at about four - canal time.
I say lazy, what I actually did was get my new computer out (the one I got last June) and set it up. Played about with the software that I had written for the old computer and got most of it working, then played Warcraft for a while.
Mon, 9 Feb 2009
Alone in Rugby I spent the morning pottering around and, unlike me, I started the evening meal shortly after midday. As it turned out it was a good move.
Don rang and said that he was on the way to pick me up, so by the time he arrived dinner was ready and we still had time to set off for Long Hanborough before dark.
The journey down was OK most of the way, as the roads had been cleared but around six it started snowing. It was bad enough for me to decide to spend the night at Dons, sharing a bottle of whisky, as is our want. Needless to say it was a late night.
Tue, 10 Feb 2009
After a late night at Dons I set off for Burbage late afternoon and arrived in time to take David
shopping in Pewsey . He has been without his vehicle for a week or so and getting about in the sticks can be a problem with no vehicle.Wed, 11 Feb 2009
Spent the day working on the ambulance, draining the radiator, flushing it and filling it with the leek sealer.
Thu, 12 Feb 2009
Today's the day for me to do my tasks in Devizes and to get Davids Shogun to Burbage which was all accomplished without any hitches.
Fri, 13 Feb 2009
Blynda
picked us up from Burbage and took us to Devizes where David did his bits and pieces and I carried on to mums in Trowbridge.
By the time we had completed our respective tasks it was too late to make the journey to Rugby so we put that off 'til Saturday.
Sat, 14 Feb 2009
Left Burbage fairly early and had a comparatively good journey. The only hiccup was the ambulance losing water and the gas freezing. It tends to happen when I travel over about fifty five. David
thinks that he knows what the problem is, so when we got to Rugby we found a car accessory shop and ordered the bits. We also ordered a windscreen wiper blade for the Morris, oh joy.
A little basic shopping at the local supermarket for food for the evening and we still had time on our hands so collected the Morris from Kings Bromley and settled in for David's d first night on Almyne - another lads night in.
Sun, 15 Feb 2009
With both the vehicles and Almyne in Rugby we can make plans for the next week or so. It is the intention to get down to Braunston soon.
Took a load of Rosanne's clothes to the flat for her and persuaded her to come back to Almyne for the afternoon for a break. She has not been enjoying the company of her flatmate.
David
had spent most of the day in bed with an upset tummy but was fit enough to join Rosanne and I for the evening meal, which I cooked, much to everyone's surprise.
Rosanne and I spent most of the rest of the evening sitting on the after deck enjoying a comparatively mild evening in the open just absorbing the atmosphere.
Mon, 16 Feb 2009
2½ miles 3 locks
Picked Rosanne up from her digs and spent a pleasant afternoon and evening on Almyne. She decided that she would like to accompany us on the journey to Braunston so while she was having her meeting at Mayday David
and I shuffled the vehicles around and prepared Almyne. Picked Rosanne up just after three and we set off just before four.
Got to Hillmorton locks and Rosanne took Almyne through them all, including mooring up at the facilities.
Got rid of the accumulated rubbish, emptied the porta pottie and carried on to our projected destination for the evening.
David cooked dinner and Rosanne and I taught him to play Skip-Bo. I think he enjoyed it as he insisted on playing several times.
About half eleven Rosanne decided that she wanted to go back to her flat and that I should take her and all her stuff with her. Having had a few bevvies this was not an option, but David very kindly organised a taxi for her, and off she went.
Tue, 17 Feb 2009
Cut up all the remaining logs with the chain-saw and chopped them up for the fire. With the weather getting a little more mild, coal just get the boat too hot, wood is a much better way of heating Almyne in the milder weather.
Spent the rest of the day tidying Almyne and fishing, something I haven't done for quite some time.
Wed, 18 Feb 2009
7 miles
Up before noon! Took the Morris into Rugby , dropped David
off with the ambulance so he could do some shopping for the next few days and arranged to meet him at Braunston .
I set off to see Rosanne. Dropped off some more clothes and her blood testing gadget. It seems that she has a busy day ahead of her with two meetings and an art class, followed tomorrow by an appointment in town and at least one other tomorrow.
David and I met up at Braunston and left the Morris there and took the ambulance to Hillmorton where Almyne was moored. David did the engine checks and took the 'con' for the journey. In fact I don't think I would have got him off the tiller if I had tried.
This left me with time on my hands, so I did some tidying up on Almyne and tried out the new vacuum cleaner that I brought up from Burbage . It is a mains one but very little, so little that it needs emptying after about fifty seconds running. The trick is to sweep up, brush up and get rid of as much as you can with the brush and dustpan and them finish off with the vacuum cleaner.
The journey was about three hours, mostly drizzling, but that is acceptable, whereas rain is not. If it had actually rained we would have pulled over and finished the journey another day.
Pulled in at the facilities at Braunston (just before the turn) and did all the good stuff to keep us going for a couple of weeks and then rang James. He gave us directions on how to get to him, just fifteen minutes away, so we set off again and were soon moored up opposite his boat.
James came on board and Kane, his dog, and D'fer
spent the next two hours playing along the tow path, they were much too excited to be allowed inside Almyne.
David went to one of the local hostelries where he could watch a football match on their TV while James and I spent an hour or so chatting. James was called back to his boat about eight, so I had the rest of the evening to myself, at least till David got back sometime after ten.
Thu, 19 Feb 2009
After another of my fitful nights I woke around nine to a bright sunny day. Kicked David
out of bed with a cup of coffee and as soon as he came round he cooked breakfast, something he seems to enjoy doing, so I am quite happy to let him.
After breakfast we set off to Hillmorton to collect the Ambulance, David drove the Morris there and I drove it back.
With both vehicles and Almyne at Braunston we can make some plans as to our next few days. We spent the afternoon transferring Rosanne's craft equipment from Almyne and Dinky Doo to the ambulance so that we can take it along to Rugby so that she cam decide what she wants with her and what she wants me to hang on to for the time being.
A couple of hours fishing, a walk along the tow path with D'fer
and a can of beer later we lit the fire to settle in for the evening, probably a quiet one.Fri, 20 Feb 2009
Evening Sky
4½ miles
Set of to Rugby shortly after ten, well I say we set off. We actually walked down to the ambulance and when we tried driving it out of the field we ended up burying the wheels up to the axle in the mud. An hour later we had managed to jack it up and jam some bit of timber under the rear wheels and we still needed the assistance of a passer by to help push us out. Won't park it there again.
Delivered the craft stuff to Rosanne and she seemed a lot happier having something to do instead of just watching TV.
Back at Almyne David
took the 'con' while I started spring cleaning Almyne, it is the best day we have had for a long time.
Travelled down towards Napton junction and moored up about half a mile short where we did a little fishing, not up to much, and spent a lazy afternoon doing not a lot at all.
Sat, 21 Feb 2009
Lazy day, mostly spent fishing or just soaking up the sun. By far and away the best days sunshine so far this year, didn't even light the fire until after dark.
There was on minor glitch however. David
dropped his phone overboard. He spent over an hour trying to fish it out with the sieve on the end of a broom handle, all to no avail. Eventually he decided that he would get into the water. He stripped off and gingerly lowered himself into the water, only about six inches at first as he soon realised just how cold the water was. Steeling himself he went right in and within a few moments he found the phone with his foot. By that time his feet were so cold that he could not grab the phone with his toes.
He came out and warmed up a little and then went back in again, this time successfully retrieving his phone.
I will admit, I could not see the point, it was insured and I did not think that a phone having been dropped in the canal would ever work again. David dismantled it and cleaned and dried it as best he could. Re-assembled it and switched it on - a flicker of life and then nothing. Tried charging the battery still nothing.
Shit happens.
Sun, 22 Feb 2009
Steamboat
5½ miles
Down to the junction, turned around and back to Braunston .
When we arrived David
had another go at his phone, dismantling it giving it another clean and re-assembling it again. This time it worked! It still needed the battery charging but that seemed to work OK too. The only problem with it was that the screen had a little water behind it.
He switched it off and hung it over the stove to warm up and dry out completely - time will tell.
Mon, 23 Feb 2009
Davids Fish
Another quiet day. Kenny
is meant to be joining us sometime this evening so no point in going anywhere.
David
took the ambulance and did some shopping while I stayed on Almyne amusing myself and doing internetty stuff.
When the time came to contact Kenny it seemed that he did not have the money to make the trip, but hoped to have it later on that evening or early the following morning. We'll see.
Spent the evening playing cards and drinking wine, what a life.
Tue, 24 Feb 2009
10 miles 3 locks
Waited for Kenny
to ring until half nine. With no contact from him David decided that he didn't want to wait any longer so off we went towards Napton and up the Grand Union to the first winding hole. This meant negotiating three wide locks, something David has not done before.
At the first lock we called in to the boatyard and did all the usual, water, porta pottie and getting rid of the rubbish. I also got a new cylinder of gas, so now we can cook with impunity.
When I started to unravel the hose to take on water I noticed that the bit that screws on to the end of the tap was missing. Ah ha! I thought I know where that is. Last time we took on water David did all the good stuff (he wants to learn everything there is to know about boating) and he left it attached to the tap.
Fortunately, the chandlers had one so we managed to take on water after all.
Through the locks, up to the winding hole and back towards the locks again. We moored up about half a mile short of the locks and did a little fishing. David stayed fishing till well after dark using some 'glow in the dark' sticks attached to his floats to see what was going on. He caught several and seemed well pleased with the whole of the day, especially the fishing.
After dinner he was listening to the radio, a football commentary, he likes his football, and decided to take a nap. I kicked him out of my bed and into his own around ten ish and he continued to sleep. I think that a day on the tiller and three locks had completely worn him out. It's a hard life on the cut.
Wed, 25 Feb 2009
7 miles 3 locks
Up just before eight. I cooked myself some breakfast as David
was still fast asleep. I left him there while I did all the engine checks and set off. As I got to the first lock he came to and sleepily got up. By the time I was in the lock and had closed the rear gates and started filling it he surfaced enough to assist.
The next two locks went really quickly and from there it was a straight run through to Braunston again.
At Braunston we loaded the ambulance with washing and such and set off for Burbage in convoy, me in the Morris and David in the ambulance.
On the way I called off at Hungerford and booked an appointment at the dentist. We both arrived at Burbage in time to cook a quick snack and then David set off for Devizes, while I settled in at Burbage to an evening of television and DVDs and getting all the washing and drying done.
Thu, 26 Feb 2009
Spent the day doing paperwork stuff. Went to Devizes where I purchased a pair of moleskin trousers, I am getting really fed up with wearing jeans, however practical they are.
Called in to see mum
and showed her the moleskins, she insisted in taking them up properly, so now they actually fit instead of being too long in the leg.
Another evening of DVDs, this time sharing them with David.
Fri, 27 Feb 2009
Set off back to Almyne shortly after ten. Called off on the way to Richard
and caught up on the gossip with him.
The ambulance performed really well and I only topped up with water once. Arrived at Braunston , after stopping of at Banbury to do a little shopping, in time to take D'fer
for a walk into the marina area where I ordered a gasket set for the boat engine.
While I was there I checked out the stoppages.
Apparently I can get to Norton Junction but cannot head off towards London till after 14th March, however I can got all the way up the Northampton arm, which leads to Market Harborough.
Market Harborough is only about seven miles from Rockingham, where the Battle re-enactors do is scheduled for May bank holiday, so it makes sense to do that first.
David
stayed back at Burbage to repair his vehicle and he will be following on as soon as he has it completed, so I am alone again for a week or so.
Maybe I will be able to catch up on some of the things that I have been neglecting.
Sat, 28 Feb 2009
4½ miles 6 locks 1 tunnel
Up fairly early and a good breakfast.
Had a text from Rosanne letting me know that she would be collecting the rest of her stuff about half ten, so I set too and collected it all together and put it in one pile. She arrived with James and a couple of friends of his. They hung around outside while Rosanne and I checked Almyne for anything we might have missed. She also returned some items of mine that she had borrowed.
Ever since she has been at the flat I have been getting the feeling that she was on edge, so I asked her what was wrong. She told me that she has met a guy and they are getting together.
In all honesty I am not surprised, upset, yes, but surprised no.
With nothing to hold me to Braunston I took the ambulance to Welton Wharf and then walked back to Almyne, did the engine checks and set off, waving farewell to Rosanne as I went past.
D'fer
was distraught, he knew that something was going on but just did not understand.
Negotiated the first lock on my own and as I was leaving it another boat arrived, so I waited at the next lock for them and we did the remaining five together, it always makes life easier to have some help when you are single crewing.
Approaching Braunston tunnel one of the ratchet straps broke, which made negotiating the tunnel a bit of a worry but once through the other side I moored up, I had arrived at my destination.
Found a needle and some thread so after I had eaten I repaired the ratchet strap ready to set off again tomorrow morning.
Spent the evening viewing video clips of Rosanne enjoying herself on Almyne and getting maudlin, Don't worry, it will pass. She had enjoyed herself so much it was a shame to see her go.
© Chris Giles 2021
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