tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360519019681221772024-03-14T03:48:32.552+00:00Perfect HarmonyNancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.comBlogger307125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-60967682362001372862017-08-18T20:31:00.000+01:002017-08-18T20:31:27.095+01:00Friday 18th August '17Well we are now home so I've just got to fill in the last couple of days and hopefully get the photos uploaded.<br />
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John got hold of the camera while I was tying up for the pump out, I definitely need my hair cut!<br />
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More nice CRT workers oiling the lock mechanism. Seeing how much difference it makes I think we need to start carrying an oil can around with us, in fact I think all boats should do the same. It would make locking much easier.<br />
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We also saw a CRT chap walking along the side, noting down licence numbers and boat names. They seem to have been doing a lot of work on this because we tend to notice boat numbers, mostly to marvel at how old ours seems to be getting. We have noticed that a. most new boats are wide beam and b. LOTS of old boats have been newly licenced, This is good news because it means that if more boats are paying their dues, then the rest of us aren't subsidising them and the more money there is to improve the waterways.<br />
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A mill at Loughborough that is being used, seemingly by a health trust. More likely to be offices we suspect rather than a hospital.<br />
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Starting to turn at Loughborough. There's an arm to the left that goes down to the town and there are facilities and mooring there but we were on our way to Kegworth at the time so didn't explore.<br />
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John enjoying the sun and me with the washing out. It all dried including the family quilt that I made a year or so ago. It came up beautifully.<br />
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Plane coming into East Midlands, proof that we're nearly home. You can actually see the quilt hanging up in this one. I love it. I'd asked all the children and grandchildren to buy me fat quarters of fabric that they liked and then I put them all together into a quilt to remind me of them all.<br />
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We had a lovely evening with Sarah, who brought the mail including the revised Persi book, and there's a mistake on the second page! Argh!<br />
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Approaching the junction where the Grand Union Canal (River Soar), the River Trent (to Nottingham), the Erewash Canal and the River Trent that is about to become the Trent and Mersey Canal all join. The sky looked horrible but it didn't rain amazingly. It turned cooler though (much).<br />
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It looks as if the entrance to the Erewash canal takes regular knocks! There's quite a current around there so I'm not surprised actually.</div>
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The start of the Trent and Mersey canal, the first time we'd done it on our own boat. We used to do this most years in the time share boat until we got our own, it felt different. In a very good way.</div>
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We got up to Shardlow and moored right outside the pub and went in and had a lovely lunch then headed on up to just past Weston Lock. I'd forgotten how horrible these double locks were on this canal, far fiercer than the Grand Union. We moored up just before it rained.</div>
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This morning we got up and headed for home, only two locks and about eight miles to go. We shared locks with a Swiss family who were having their first canal holiday and they seemed to be enjoying it. We got to Stenson and the heavens opened with a vengeance. Really hard, heavy and cold rain poured down on us. Then it dried and started again as we came into the marina entrance, what a welcome home!</div>
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I've walked Paddy around the perimeter, picked up the mail and taken him to the field, He's smelt every blade of grass on the way I think. It's good to be home.</div>
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<br />Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-34286332580256776832017-08-16T17:21:00.000+01:002017-08-16T17:21:43.356+01:00Wednesday 16th August '17On Monday we did a shop at the local co-op and got the boat tidy. Then we went over to the White Horse where we were meeting Robert and family.<br />
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We'd been over the night before and it was heaving with thousands of noisy children and their families and we hadn't been impressed. We went to the Old Plough around the corner and had a lovely chat with the landlord, we tried a new malt. It's a Highland Park but called Origins I think. It costs twice as much but is really amazing. A shot was nearly £8 so we won't be doing a lot of it but you have to try these things. They didn't open on Mondays but some locals came in and assured us that Monday lunchtime would be a lot quieter.<br />
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The pub had a play area so we sat outside. Baldor loved his hoodie and wouldn't take it off even when it got warmer.<br />
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Halden looking so much like his dad at that age.<br />
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Einarr looking more grown up each time we see him. The had didn't last long by the way.<br />
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Three little monkeys!<br />
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Lunch-time.<br />
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At last, the three boys together!<br />
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And now I've lost my internet connection!<br />
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Anyway yesterday was a lovely day. The sun shone and it was really hot again. We got as far as Barrow on Soar which we hadn't been to before. I had a little look while I was walking Paddy but didn't get to the town as it was a bit further from the canal than I went but it looks a really interesting place.<br />
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We found a wharf where we were able to get fuel and a pump out so we are all set now.<br />
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Today it's been a bit more overcast but still warm. I got three loads of washing done that are all blowing away merrily on the back of the boat. That's one thing I shall really miss back in the marina, but apart from that I'm ready to get home. John is still happy to be out, I'm not exactly unhappy but just excited to be getting back. I've got so many sewing projects I want to be getting on with, and I need my machine out and electricity to run it!<br />
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We are at Kegworth, moored at the shallow lock, that is only used as a flood lock in the winter and so we're actually on the lock moorings. We can tell we're nearly home as the planes are coming in to East Midlands Airport close to us, and we normally see them from the other angle!<br />
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Sarah is coming over for tea tonight which will be lovely. There is a car park right by the lock which is why we moored here really. It'll be lovely to see her again.Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-55826762334996887152017-08-13T18:28:00.000+01:002017-08-13T18:28:16.030+01:00Sunday 13th August '17Wow - a long and busy day but very satisfying. We've done 13 miles and 16 locks, thanks to Richard and Karen on Dreamcatcher who we've been travelling with. The lock paddles and gates are all very heavy and doing it as a pair of boats certainly helped tremendously.<br />
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The weather was idea, quite hot but a regular breeze and intermittent cloud cover. All in all a very good day.<br />
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Richard preparing for a selfie at Gees Lock - his surname apparently so it had to be done!</div>
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We had some really shallow pounds and at times it meant that it was difficult to get in and off the moorings at locks, it got better as we went down towards Leicester and once we hit the Soar there was obviously no problem at all.</div>
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John and Karen at one of the locks, having a bit of a chat, she doesn't like steering the boat so Richard and I might have had a chat or two, when we weren't busy navigating the boats, but there's no photographic evidence!</div>
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There were quite decent gaps between the locks so John and Karen were able to come aboard for the pounds. John and I couldn't believe how rural it was, this was taken when we were quite a way into Leicester on the map, and it was like this for much of the way.</div>
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For those, like me, who wouldn't recognise this is the King Power Stadium, Leicester's football ground. There was a big cycling event on today, John thought it was promoting youngsters getting active. There was definitely drumming involved! The lock next to it was horrible, and quite difficult to pick the crew up from afterwards. Richard and I became pretty good at getting in and out of the locks together, it must have been quite beautiful to watch!!!!!</div>
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This is the secure mooring that if we come again, we shall use. You need a water ways key to get onto it from land and it's a floating pontoon, so we might well use it. I'd like to come down as there's a lot to see in the city, but we'd been really put off by peoples comments about it. Generally we felt that we'd been to lots of worse places!</div>
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This was an attractive bridge that we went under in what was presumably pretty much the centre of the city.</div>
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This was more like what I'd expected, a bit more like Stoke on Trent, showing the past industrial side to the canal.</div>
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We passed a whole series of these murals. They were of different scenes and I liked the fact that they were encouraging artists to be expressive in a more positive way than the endless graffiti that we see so much of.</div>
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This one was a bit further on.</div>
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I loved this, a mill that had been really well restored and was being used. It always makes me sad when I see lovely old buildings just falling into disrepair. I know it's not cheap doing this sort of work but it's so rewarding to see it when it's done well.</div>
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The chimney that used to be used by the Wolsey factory, one of only two buildings that appear to remain.</div>
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This was the other one, hiding behind the trees, a tower of some sort. Not sure what it might have been used for, John thought water maybe, but I'm not so sure. If you know please leave a comment!</div>
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The penultimate lock and it was full and the gates were open! almost ALL the locks had been empty up to now and this was a sight for sore eyes (and in John and Karen's cases, sore arms).</div>
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Nearly there! Hooray!</div>
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This daddy swan had been ahead of us, chasing another swan, with his mate and their goslings following sedately on. We saw him and the other one in the reeds, John thought they were mating, but I believe that swans mate for life so I think that he was seeing the other one away from his mate. Whatever there was a lot of splashing and noise going on. This was after the event.</div>
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We are now moored up at Burstill and are going to stay here tomorrow so that Robert and family can visit us again. There's a pub just around the corner so we're going to check it out before John collapses!</div>
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One funny incident, someone coming up the locks at some point said that the pound had emptied because a drunk had gone through the night before and left the paddles open. Mmmm, I wonder if it was anyone we knew?</div>
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<br />Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-35927554932840608132017-08-12T13:26:00.001+01:002017-08-12T13:26:20.491+01:00Saturday 12th August '17Just a short post, no pictures as I haven't had the chance.<br />
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This morning I took Paddy for his morning walk and when I got back I was sure I saw someone at the lock below us. We had breakfast and no boat came through, but when I went to get the back pram cover down, I could hear an engine puttering away, and there in the lock was a boat, diagonally across the lock, one top gate open one shut and no-one in sight. I called down to John and we assumed that it was a single handed boater having a quick cuppa or rest break.<br />
We got the boat ready to go and there was still no sign of anyone so John went to investigate and I tied the boat up again, and followed him, fearing the worst to be honest.<br />
John called out to me that there was a chap inside, lying down. Convinced that we had a body on our hands, I told him to go and check for signs of life. He said that the chap was breathing but seemed unconscious. I ran back and got my phone and rang 999.<br />
John in the meantime went to the stern and worked out how to get the boat out of gear,but it was an old trad engine and he couldn't turn it off.<br />
The ambulance lady on the phone asked me to go inside and check the man's breathing. I started to go in but noticed his had down his trousers and a strong smell of alcohol and so I told her I wasn't comfortable and she told me not to put myself in danger. I looked in again and he was stirring so I told her he seemed to be coming to. He looked at me and said. "Have you got permission to be on my boat?" I yelled at him that I thought he was dead, had rung the ambulance and was trying to help. And then I left the boat. John went in and he was quite abusive to him, again asking him what he was doing on his boat. John explained that his boat was in a lock and that he was going to pull him out, but that the engine was running. The guy asked if that was against the law, and that's when John gave up. He pulled the boat out and secured it and we left him to it.<br />
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Another couple came up as we were going in the lock so we shared four locks with them and have agreed to get through Leicester together tomorrow.<br />
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I have tried to get a Tesco home delivery but there are no slots today so that's that. Store cupboard meals for a couple of days.....except that there's a pub here so we'll probably eat there tonight.<br />
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You never know what you're going to find on the canals! Should be lots of pictures tomorrow as there's long gaps between the locks and so John will be steering.<br />
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Another pound has been emptied below us somewhere so hopefully tomorrow will see it sorted.<br />
<br />Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-41523893140167125752017-08-11T19:15:00.001+01:002017-08-11T19:15:35.841+01:00Friday 11th August '17We've had a very busy couple of days and have finally done some real travelling for a change.<br />
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Yesterday was lovely. We left early in the sunshine. There was a bit of a nip in the air and you certainly know that autumn is coming, but it was great to feel a bit of warmth for a change. We had a long stretch with no locks, so I took the opportunity to stay inside for a bit and do some writing. Persi number three is coming along nicely.<br />
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5We were approaching Husbands Bosworth tunnel and the trees were giving us a preview of what it would be like! Even with all of them overhanging you can still see that it's sunny above.<br />
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Before we knew where we were we arrived at the top of Foxton Locks. These were the first locks I ever went through and I can remember the lock-keeper explaining how to manage the boat in a lock and I've always tried to do it as he told me. We had to join a queue and we were number five. There were two boats coming up so we had to wait for them. For those who don't know, Foxton is a set of ten locks, set in two staircases of five locks each. There's a space for a couple of boats to cross in the centre but otherwise, once you start you just keep going from one chamber to the next.<br />
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Rather lovely statue at the top of Foxton Locks. Surprised how big the horses were, but then given the job they had to do I suppose they were pretty big.<br />
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Coming into the top lock, fantastic view! Beautiful day.<br />
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When you're in a staircase lock chamber the up gate is necessarily very tall. I was a bit worried at the leaks coming from this one. When you know that there's all that height of water behind you, you want it to stay there!<br />
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John was joined by a lovely young couple who were on honeymoon. He was a civil engineer and was fascinated by the locks and how they all worked. They ended up going down the whole flight with John, helping out with opening and shutting the other gate, and John explained exactly how it all worked to them.<br />
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We went over to the pub by the lock for a meal last night which was lovely. Not sure what's happening to me but I had fish! I'd also had fish for lunch. This is not like me at all.<br />
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We went for a walk this morning as I wanted to go to the museum to buy a plaque for the back door of the boat showing we'd done the locks. Another one for the collection.<br />
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I was able to see the locks from a slightly different angle. This was from one of the bridges by the gates, looking up to the top five locks.<br />
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Today wasn't so nice as yesterday but at least it stayed dry for us.<br />
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We came through another tunnel today, there are quite a few on this stretch, each getting slightly shorter as we go further north, for some reason.<br />
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We came around a corner to the first lock of the day and there was a hire boat waiting to go in. We shared the lock and I was chatting to the lady on the boat about them wanting to get their own boat and saying how we had been in the same position. John was chatting happily to the guy as they did the gates. We left first at their suggestion saying that we'd prepare the next lock for them.<br />
We got there, got the lock full (we'd been following a boat going down so they were against us) and I got the boat in, no sign of them. John held the boat while I ran back until I could see the lock but no sign of the boat, so we went on, on our own. Very strange. Neither of us got the impression that they weren't happy locking with us.<br />
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We stopped for lunch and another boat went past us, but not them. When we started out again we found that boat mooring up and I called out to the woman if she'd seen the boat, Apparently they moored up just under the lock!<br />
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We got to the next set of locks to find two boats waiting. Apparently CRT were having to run some water through because some little darlings in Leicester had opened some gates so there was an empty pound further down.<br />
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Here we are moored up against the second boat that was waiting.<br />
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Here are the two boats setting off once the CRT had come up and shut the paddles again. The couple on the blue boat had only bought the boat a couple of days ago and they had a lovely little dog called Sherlock!<br />
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Look carefully and you can see a little hairy dog peering around the edge of the boat looking for me. I see this so many times each day but it still makes me smile.<br />
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As I came out of the lock I had to get into the side because two boats were coming through breasted up together. They found they couldn't quite get through the bridge together and so they had to untie. One boat had broken down, the young couple had only bought it a few days before and were having to get it to a boatyard where it could be repaired, poor things. It reminded me of us having to tow a young couple in exactly the same situation, luckily with no locks. This couple had to pull the boat into the lock and presumably tie up again when they got through. We didn't like to tell them that there are some really narrow stretches ahead of them, with deep reed beds on the tow path.<br />
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These locks fill up really quickly until the last couple of inches when the pressure is low. Here I am a couple of yards away waiting for the lock to fill. It occurred to me that this is probably an angle that not too many people would have seen before.<br />
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This is something I haven't seen before. Plants growing so far down in a lock. I wonder if it's because the locks tend to leak so much that the walls are damp but not underwater like most locks would be when the locks are left full.<br />
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We were hoping to moor between this lock and the next but there were no pilings just deep reeds. Luckily there was just a boats length at the end of the lock mooring and we managed to squeeze in there. Very luckily as it turned out because by the time we got moored and the back up, it had started to rain. We've got Leicester to get through probably on Sunday, and everyone has warned us not to moor there, so we're trying to work out how to time it right. Just hope that it isn't raining.Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-1074918892323936182017-08-09T18:00:00.003+01:002017-08-09T18:00:52.428+01:00Wednesday 9th August '17A few days have passed, mostly in pouring rain and time spent watching Harry Potter, waiting for the rain to stop.<br />
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This large family of swans were hanging hopefully around the boat as we were setting off for the top two locks. I don't tend to feed swans as they are so ungrateful. They get really ratty when you stop so it's easier not to start in my opinion. There are enough people throwing bread at them!<br />
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Coming into Stoke Breuerne on a Monday morning is a lot quieter than on a weekend! The last time I did this there was a sea of faces looking over the lock at the boat and me. Paddy went ballistic. It's made worse by the fact that there is a very large weeping willow hanging over the opening of the lock so that you can't really see what's ahead of you until you are there. This was much nicer.<br />
We stopped to get water and John popped over to the museum to buy a mug to replace the one he broke a few weeks ago. He wasn't getting away with that!<br />
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We stopped at Wheedon Bec as there was a small Tesco there and I needed a few bits and pieces and John decided it was time he went down the weed-hatch while I was gone. I got back and he was still struggling with it. Someone had kindly allowed their rotten cheap tarpaulin to get into the canal and it was wrapped around the prop. It was coming away pretty much strand by strand and John was getting hot and bothered and was aching as it's not a comfy position to have to be in, plus feeling around under cold canal water isn't something that you'd choose to do. I stayed and tried to give him some moral support, but there's only so much you can do. So I took Paddy out for a walk and got back to find him still under there, still pulling strands of blue out of the water. It took him two hours in the end and even then there were some bits that had more or less welded themselves on, which he had to abandon.<br />
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We stayed there for the night.<br />
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Yesterday morning was horrible so we curled up and watched the fourth Harry Potter DVD, had lunch and then started off. It had looked as if it was getting better but it actually started to come on heavy again once we were going but we wanted to get to the top of the Buckby Locks somehow.<br />
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As we had set off there was a boat behind us in the distance, it quickly caught us up and obviously didn't believe in slowing down for moored boats as every time we did, it caught us up again. Infuriating. John said he was a tosser but unfortunately when we got to the bottom of the locks, we had just missed a boat going up and this bloke came up and asked if he could come up with us? What was I meant to say? With hindsight I should have said that we were going to catch up the boat in front at the next lock but because I couldn't think of anything else to say I said yes. Ignore the next bit, it's just me having a rant, start again at *<br />
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What a mistake that was. John and I have got a good system for going up the double locks and it works well. By now it was pouring down. This bloke was on his own. Normally not a problem, Jason where are you now?? This chap was the slowest most pedantic person on God's earth. he did nothing to help apart from closing his gate when he came out of a lock, so John was having to empty the lock, open both the bottom gates, close both of the gates and then open the paddles, then walk up to the next lock to start again.. Occasionally this chap managed to get himself up to open his paddle but it was such a palaver. He told me he was an experienced sailor.....he might have been but not on a narrow-boat.<br />
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John and I were getting wetter and wetter, John was getting more and more tired. I eventually tried to shame this guy into getting on with things telling him that John was doing all the work, he said something about not doing things quickly and that was how he'd got to be 69. I pointed out that John was 71 and doing all the work. I then turned my back and ignored the nasty little man.<br />
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John of course continues getting on with it all, he'd rather do all the work and get the job done, but I get infuriated on his behalf. We've had so many single handed moorers double up with us, and they almost all pull their weight, not this guy. I was never so pleased to get out of a top lock and sail away as I was yesterday.<br />
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*<span style="text-align: center;">We got ourselves onto the Leicester arm and moored up as soon as we can. We were absolutely soaked right through.</span><br />
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Today we did much the same, Harry Potter in the morning, lunch and then we got through the Watford Locks.<br />
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Narrow locks - oh joy! Even better because there is a staircase of four locks in the middle of the seven so there's a lock-keeper to tell you what to do!<br />
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Looking up the staircase.<br />
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Looking down the staircase towards the bottom two locks.<br />
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There was one big difference when we moored today. John had lit a fire earlier and it was HOT in the boat. So lovely to come in to. Hard to believe it's August.<br />
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We're hoping for better weather tomorrow and we have a long lock free stretch to do. (Sorry about the rant)Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-23155951779501282432017-08-06T16:46:00.000+01:002017-08-06T16:46:15.310+01:00Sunday 6th August '17Hopefully I can get some pictures from Friday on here now!<br />
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John, Robert and Einarr at the Three Locks.<br />
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Einarr with the Paddington postcard we sent the boys from Little Venice. He gives it cuddles! I think I know what someone will be getting for Christmas.<br />
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Halden, Baldor and Michelle after lunch in the pub.<br />
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Baldor in a pensive mood!<br />
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Trying to get all three boys looking at the camera just didn't happen, but I got their backs OK!<br />
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Everyone back on the boat! Paddy was shut in the bedroom by the way.<br />
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Yesterday we started off in bright sunshine and were making quite decent headway. We stopped for water at the one lock at Fenny Stratton which is unusual because it has a swing bridge right in the middle and is also only 1'1" deep, hardly worth worrying about! John set the lock up and moved the bridge and as I got in it another boat turned up. It was a hire boat full of lads, who were really nice. It had just started to rain at this point. I made a comment about it and was told that it was due to be thunder between 12 and 3. it was now 11.30. We left them to close up the lock and headed onwards and I told John what they'd said so we decided to moor. We had to have a few goes, as it was very shallow along lots of the bank, and the others went past us. We got set up and went in, dried and had some lunch and decided to do some more Harry Potter. So there we were all settled down and cosy and just as the Weasley twins were about to give the Marauders Map to Harry I went to make a cuppa and discovered it was lovely and sunny outside. So we got going again. All along the canal, boaters and walkers had told us that there was a car in the canal under bridge 91.<br />
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We got there and they were right. It must have taken some working out to get it there, there's no obvious way to do it. Shame they can't put that intelligence into something more useful really.<br />
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We moored at Milton Keynes by one of the parks. I've always felt a bit snotty about the place. The only time I drove there all it was seemed to be an incredible shopping centre, surrounded by dual-carriageways and roundabouts. All I knew of the place was the OU (big fan) and the concrete cows, (not so much). Well we were both very impressed with what we saw. The park was extensive and had a cricket pitch surrounded by grassy terraces, there was an open air theatre which was holding an African Music evening which was great. There were different sorts of 'art' things and amazingly none had been defaced, and there was no rubbish. People were out dog-walking, pushing pushchairs, strolling along, cycling, running, jogging and there was generally a really good feeling about the place. We are going to stay for longer next time and do more exploring as the mooring was good as well.<br />
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Today we set off in the sun and it stayed out all day. There was a distinct autumnal chill in the air at times but at least it was dry.<br />
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A lovely quiet stretch of the canal, not a boat in sight and blue sky. Bliss.<br />
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John spotted these little chaps by a bridge next to a lock. There's something really endearing about alpacas. The goats are for you Robert!<br />
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A pretty bridge we spotted, there were even little niches in the sides. No idea why it should be there, our book was silent on the subject for a change.<br />
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We had a good day today, and did nearly 6 hours, travelling 14 miles and going through 6 locks. We are now just two locks down from Stoke Bruerne. That's made up a bit for some of the quiet days but the weather is due to be horrible on Wednesday (at least that was the forecast) so we might fall behind again. It's horrible being on a schedule, we always try not to be but somehow end up that way as we are going home. I'm now looking forward to being back in the marina, and also getting back to the gym, I can't believe I'm saying that but it's true!<br />
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I keep forgetting to mention the abundance of fruit this year. It's going to be a bumper crop for just about everything, Sloes, elderberries, damsons, apples, all the trees and bushes are heavy with fruit. The old country saying would be that it's going to be a hard winter, but I shall believe it when I see it.Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-25207209186113008742017-08-04T17:01:00.000+01:002017-08-04T17:01:13.817+01:00Friday 4th August '17The sun shone! Still quite windy but nothing like as bad as it has been.<br />
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We got off well and I went below to iron a dress for wearing to lunch while the engine was running and to sort out the boat in anticipation of a visit from the lads! All my craft stuff and various bits and pieces get moved to the bedroom where Paddy is put, to make room for visitors. When I say all my craft stuff, I obviously only mean the stuff that I'm using at the moment, not everything that is kept in the bow ready for me to get home and start sewing again!<br />
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While I was down being busy the boat suddenly came to a shuddering halt and I could hear John calling to someone, whilst reversing. I assumed that he had met someone coming under a bridge and was moving over for them, when I realised that I heard the words 'malt' 'running out of some bottles' and 'do you have any on board' and I realised that this was more to do with his Whiskey Profile kit than anything else. I stopped what I was doing and grabbed the kit from the cupboard and took it to the stern. John had found Barry on the brew boat! We pulled over and came alongside while Barry went to find the supplies that John needed and I held the boats together in the middle.<br />
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Leaving Barry with enough supplies to keep us in Laphroaig for a while! Just need more vodka now!<br />
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The internet connection here is really poor and slow, so I'll put more pictures of the boys and our day with them tomorrow. That's real shame as I had some nice ones but it took so long to post that picture that I'd be here all night. Suffice it to say that we had a lovely time and hope to see them again in a couple of weeks when we're a bit nearer. We're moored at the Three Locks at Soulbury by the way.Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-73514909840066385412017-08-03T20:40:00.001+01:002017-08-03T20:40:44.901+01:00Thursday 3rd August '17No blog yesterday for a couple of reasons.<br />
1. we didn't do much<br />
2. I forgot to turn the inverter on so the computer was flat after me blogging, doing some Ancestry research, and writing another chapter of the new book the night before!<br />
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So, yesterday we set off, knowing that it wasn't going to be brilliant but we hoped we'd get some miles done before the rain set in.<br />
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This was where we had moored, there is a set of three reservoirs over the bank that feed the canal. You can see the puddles from the torrential rain we'd had during the night. Anyway we set off and got through the lock just ahead, pulled in to get some water, do cassette and dump rubbish then headed off towards the next lock. Two boats had gone past us to go down, and so by the time we got to the lock it was more or less empty. The locks here are useless, they leak so much that it doesn't seem to matter if they get left full or empty, within five minutes they are all half full (or is that half empty?)<br />
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As we approached the lock the weather looked pretty nasty and while I was going in, the rain started. By the time we came out we'd had enough and moored very quickly afterwards. About 20 minutes later two boats came down the lock, one, a hire boat so presumably on a mission, went past. The other moored up behind us and the guy told John it was set for the day, due to get worse.<br />
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So we made the best of it and watched the first two Harry Potter films again! One in the afternoon and one in the evening. I popped Paddy out for very quick walks to do the necessary and that was that..<br />
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This morning we got away early and knew that we had to get to Leighton Buzzard as I'd arranged to meet Robert and his family on Friday just beyond the town, and I needed to restock the fruit and veg, supplies at the Tesco there.<br />
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It's been a really changeable day, one minute the sky would look like this and I'd be getting my anorak on.<br />
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Then five minutes later it would look like this and I'd be taking the anorak off again. Once or twice we had a raindrop or two but not enough to get us wet or even damp. The one constant of the day has been the wind. We haven't had it this bad since the middle levels when we first had the boat and were travelling up from the wedding in Cambridge. That was over 6 years ago!<br />
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I really struggled getting into some of the locks, and EVERY lock, without exception, once I was in there the other back gate would open, so I was getting adept at getting the boat over, grabbing the rope and shutting the gate for John to be able to open the bottom paddles. Nearly every lock also saw the wind push me over to the side I wanted to be to get out as well, which was the only saving grace. I swear I'm looking forward to getting back to the gym for some gentle exercise after a day like today.<br />
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We came around one corner to be met with this view. The mooring pin had come out of the stern and the wind had swung the boat around. There was obviously no-one aboard so I jumped off ours and climbed across the bow, got up to the stern and got hold of the rope. John bought our boat up close enough for me to get the rope around our bow thingy where the rope is attached and then John pulled it around. It wasn't as easy as that makes it sound, but eventually it got to a point where John was able to get off ours and catch the middle rope to pull it back in. I retrieved the pin and we got it around the pilings and re-attached the rope and job done. That was about half an hours work!<br />
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An unusual but now discarded feature of this group of locks is that at one point they dug out a narrow lock alongside the double one, so that single boats could use less water. A very good idea to my mind, and one that I wish they still had. I'm really looking forward to single locks again, and I'm sure that John must be. Some of these gates are incredibly heavy and with the wind factor added in, they aren't easy. I actually had to get off and help John close one today and that's the first time that has happened.<br />
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There are a lot of people who seem to take pleasure in moaning about CRT (Canal and River Trust) but we think that they are doing a good job overall. We were delighted to come across them doing some dredging today and reclaiming some farm land.<br />
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This has the added advantage of making the canal slightly narrower again (still plenty wide enough) which means there will be more water to keep the levels maintained. There's no doubt that there are stretches that are really shallow. Dredging not only makes it easier to navigate but the stuff dredged up can fill in the gaps along the edges.<br />
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We complemented the staff for the grand job they were doing and finally left them to it, whilst cruising under the arm of the dredger, having been waved through. We both felt really delighted to see CRT doing something of such benefit and also something that we've often thought would be a good idea in many areas of the system.<br />
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We got to Leighton Buzzard as planned and have walked to Tesco. Tomorrow we haven't far to go to get to the Three Locks where we're meeting them for lunch. Photos of our Vikings tomorrow!<br />
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PS John was determined to find out what the bow thingy was actually called and the best he can come up with is a 'dolly' which seems reasonable to me. So that's my bit of learning for the day!Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-91570399623413016582017-08-01T16:52:00.001+01:002017-08-01T16:52:04.353+01:00Tuesday 1st. August '17Had a good night after my 'incident' yesterday, apart from being woken up by John going to investigate a noise outside. It turned out to be a cat on our roof, it had tried to walk across one of the solar panels, had tipped and then had slid onto the roof somewhat noisily! I've discovered some bumps and bruises that have now appeared but I'm alive to tell the tale so all is good!<br />
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We were moored opposite one of the old historic narrowboats, Tycho, which was an ice-breaker. The working boats couldn't stop just because of a bit of bad weather so boats like these would clear the canal for them.<br />
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There was also a totem pole - or to give it it's proper name, story pole - by the next bridge. It was bought by the chap who formerly owned the wood yard that used to be on this spot and luckily they have kept it. Berkhamsted was a really nice little town, full of independent shops so not like every other high street.<br />
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We realised that we'd moored here before when we got around the corner and saw the park just before the next lock. When I'd walked Paddy there, it looked familiar last night but seeing it from the canal we both knew we'd been there. Very little about this journey is familiar, strange, it's like a new waterway for most of the time.<br />
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I have loads of photos of herons, usually sat by the side of the water looking like statues. I couldn't remember seeing one sat in a tree like this before. I got several shots of it and it didn't fly off as we went past. It did move though so I know it was real.<br />
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Another unusual sight today was a pair of shoes left on the lock steps. I spent most of the time in the lock coming up with possible explanations of why they might have been there. Still wondering!<br />
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As we came around one corner we were met by the sight of a strange large blue thing in the water, it was turning after coming down a lock and it took a while for us to make it out. I took a photo as I do and as we went past I was readying myself to call out to the guy mooring it about how surprised we'd been. Instead of which I get a nasty shout in a heavy accent to "Look where I going." I wasn't sure what I'd heard so I asked 'What?" and looked ahead in case we were about to hit something, although I was confident that John wouldn't do that. As I looked forward he shouted "Hey you look at me when I speak to you." Getting confused now I asked if he had some sort of problem. His reply was to call me a stupid f...ing c..t. John yelled at him to watch his language (my knight in shining armour) and my witty response was "Well you know SOME English then." by that time we were nearly at the lock and out of range. What is it about me? I don't mean to attract these people, I was actually trying to be nice. Oh well.<br />
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There were two boats coming in the lock as we went out and one of them was saying that he'd had a go at them for looking at him apparently. I asked them to wave to him for me but they thought they'd probably not slow down for niceties! I told them that he was moored on the wrong side in any case so they went off looking forward to going past him!<br />
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I bet there's not many front fenders like this? We both thought it was brilliant and very unusual.<br />
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We finally got to the Tring summit, a respite from the ceaseless locks that were always the wrong distance apart. Too far to walk and not far enough to make a cuppa! Three miles of just cruising along, admiring the scenery that we couldn't actually see because it's a deep cut all the way along. This was a bridge along it, taking the footpath from one side to the other. A steep climb and I have no idea why they made the bridge so deep in brickwork. It would have been far more elegant if it had a higher archway, like some of them on the Shroppie, that this was similar to, apart from the nice tow-path, not six inches in mud.<br />
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Just before the end of the summit there was this lovely old waterways building, with a very elegant tower, beautifully decorative brickwork.<br />
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We decided to go down some of the locks as we'd only done a bit over 3 hours and we're trying to do 4. The locks were not friendly. They all leaked so badly that John couldn't open some of the gates without leaving paddles open, and the top one had gone down 6" before he even got to the bottom paddles. It also tried to rain. Not enough to really get us wet, but I pulled the hatch shut and put my anorak on, then took it off, then put it on again, John just persevered in his tee-shirt and shorts, but he's made of stronger stuff than me.<br />
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We moored up after the first 6 locks and it's a really nice mooring with the canal and then over the bank, a line of reservoirs that keep the locks fed.<br />
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We were still getting ourselves organised when this young lady went past with a swan that had been rescued because it was covered in diesel. They had cleaned it up and it was now going to be released, all well again, and none the worse for it's ordeal.<br />
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I've walked Paddy around the first reservoir and he thoroughly enjoyed having a bit of a romp, albeit at the end of a long lead.<br />
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John is going to take me out for a meal tonight just down the canal at the Red Lion I think.Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-80393929162634432472017-07-31T15:59:00.001+01:002017-07-31T15:59:30.219+01:00Monday 31st July '17Got off to a good start today. Last night there was some sort of 'do' over behind us somewhere, which required someone to speak, very animatedly, almost constantly for a couple of hours. John could see snatches of lights and people through the hedge in the distance but we couldn't make out what it was. Luckily about 10.00 o'clock it all ended so that was OK.<br />
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This morning we were awoken by ravenous ducks, nibbling away at the weeds on the bottom of the boat. They were extremely noisy about it, it sounded like someone pulling a heavy trolley over a boardwalk.<br />
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We got through six locks and then arrived at Berkhamsted and moored up. Quite a usual occurrence but this one was a bit different because somehow I slipped whilst jumping from bank to bow and fell in. I went right under backwards, which is one of my nightmares.... I HATE water, and going under is not something I can do at any time, even in the shower!<br />
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I knew what was happening as soon as I missed my footing but surprisingly the main thoughts I had were to keep my shoes on (they were flip-flops) and to keep my eyes shut (contact lens). Once upright I shouted for John but it took a while for him to respond and then he tried to pull me out, but that was never going to happen, and I told him to get the ladder. We'd bought this after my first fall in years ago, and apart from John using it to get in and out of the Thames, we've not used it. I can say here and now that EVERY boat should have one. It was brilliant.<br />
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I got straight in and had a hot shower and changed into dry clothes, while John finished the mooring process and then we went to the pub just up by the lock and I had a large rum and coke. Coke is supposed to kill any nasty germs you may swallow and the rum was to take away the taste of the coke (I hate the stuff).<br />
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Here is the bow, nicely moored, but there's quite a step up to the boat and I think I just couldn't have got high enough. I was really lucky not to bash my head on the stone edge. Of course because it was in a pound and by moorings, the sides were sheer and the stone was far too slippery to get a grip. I've been out and bought some plimsoll type shoes to wear on board in the future. The idea of bare feet on the bottom is just too much for me to handle.<br />
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After lunch we went to have a walk around the castle remains. It was huge in it's day and was built in the aftermath of 1066 as a defence from the north for London which is apparently 30 miles away.</div>
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We walked around the bank that was between the two moats, and this is towards the inner bailey with the motte on the inside of the moat.<br />
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The motte from the inner bailey. At one time in its history the castle belonged to Thomas Beckett until he fell out with Henry II when it was taken away again. Henry III bestowed it on his brother who seems to have done a lot of diplomacy on his behalf. I would imagine it was needed.</div>
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For some reason I put Paddy's short lead on him instead of his long one. It didn't stop him rolling on the ground every few minutes! John is dragging him along here, which sounds awful but Paddy doesn't seem to mind too much as he often puts himself in that position. Daft dog.<br />
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We'd been planning to move on once we'd seen the castle but to be honest I'm still a bit shaken, so we're going to stay put and move on tomorrow. John's calculated that as long as we do about four hours a day we'll be back in three weeks, so that's not a bad average.Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-22499175449546826042017-07-30T19:37:00.001+01:002017-07-30T19:37:54.096+01:00Sunday 30th July '17Awful night... it rained so heavily and there was a Church bell ringing the hour.and I heard almost all of them. The rain had stopped by the time we were up and ready to move so we set off in jeans and sweaters, not trusting the bit of blue in the sky.<br />
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Another old and new photo, well newish! as we are approaching the lock on our left in front of us to our right is a glimpse of the M25. Just a bit further east of here is the M1 turning.You can see the sky looking undecided here.<br />
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They were doing some work on the M25 bridge and the amount of scaffolding that was used was astronomic. Enough for several estates of houses at least! We commented on how we'd travelled that stretch of motorway so often and never considered that we were crossing the canal. It's strange but neither of us remember anything about this canal, and it was only a few years ago. Some journeys stay with you but this one seems to have been wiped from both our memories. John checked his log book and we got from Cassiobury Park up to Braunston in seven days. It's taken us a couple of days so far and we're still a long way away. Maybe that's why we can't remember it!<br />
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We got through quite a few locks and then were joined by a family travelling up to Berkhamsted to drop off a grandson who was only there over the weekend, so we shared a couple of locks. Then we stopped for water and rubbish disposal and they headed off as they had a long day ahead and we weren't going that far. By that time we'd discarded the jumpers and both changed into shorts.<br />
As we left the waterpoint, it was looking a bit dodgy but we are British so that didn't stop us!<br />
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Then it poured, the heavens opened on us so we quickly got through the lock we were in and found a mooring luckily just along the tow-path. John did the mooring while I got the pram cover up. We were both dripping by the time we got in the boat. So we had a shower, got warm and dry and had a cuppa.<br />
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The rain didn't last that long and after a bit we decided to go on a bit longer, as we're not getting very far at the moment. We headed off again but of course found all the locks against us as no-one was coming down and the others had gone up ahead of us.<br />
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The first road-bridge we've had to deal with since the K&A! It was right in between two locks so John legged it.<br />
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Just after the road was closed and the bridge started moving some bikers turned up, revving furiously. I enjoyed the power! a little old lady on a narrowboat and three motorbikes having to wait for me! I loved it! We did one more lock after this and then moored as we'd had enough for the day. 6 miles, 12 locks one bridge and 5 hours to do it all. Not a bad total really. Tomorrow John has spotted a castle near the canal at Berkhamsted so we're going to stop and explore. Whether we go on further after that is dependant on this miserable July weather, I hope August is better.<br />
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<br />Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-43036181629068497452017-07-29T19:50:00.000+01:002017-07-29T19:50:14.566+01:00Saturday 29th July '17I'm sat here with the rain pouring down outside, as it's been doing non-stop since about 3.30 just after I said, "it doesn't seem too bad out there, maybe we ought to do another hour or two." Apparently I'm not much good at weather forecasting!<br />
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On the bright side I managed to sort out the formatting problem (on my own!) and submitted the revised version of the book and it's now all good to go, so I've ordered another proof copy to check and then hopefully we're off and I can start writing book 3!<br />
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We got away OK this morning after a good nights sleep despite something having bit me on my arm and knuckle, and they're driving me mad!!!<br />
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Although we only travelled a few miles today we did seven locks and at least two of them had the top gates open with the wind and so required shutting before John could empty them. When they are double locks there's a lot of walking involved.<br />
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The water level has been quite low and I don't know if this is because or despite the fact that we were going from river to canal with almost every lock. One lock asked you to leave the bottom paddle open so they obviously usually want more water to be coming down. It seemed to be quite a few inches below what it ought to be.<br />
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OK so what is strange about this picture? No? How about it I say that the lock was full? Exactly... no leaks! It had new gates fitted and they didn't leak a drop. I was so impressed. It takes very little to make me happy, on the whole.<br />
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The Grove Bridge,a rather attractive one that belonged to an estate and the landowner wanted it to be ornate, rather than purely functional. You get these occasionally and they are always a nice surprise to come across.<br />
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My rant today (I'm trying not to make a habit of it but it seems to be happening more frequently - I'm becoming a grumpy old woman) was these fishermen, who had taken up residence on the mooring intended for lock use. I was left having to hold the boat. At least I tried to but because of the angle of the lock, the water coming out as it was emptying suddenly caught the bow and there was nothing I could do. Luckily I was able to jump on the back and do some hasty, and rather noisy, manoeuvring to get it back to the right place. They totally ignored all of this, so I had a good shout at them, telling them that they were on the lock mooring and shouldn't be there if a boat needed it. One calmly told me I ought to have used the other bollard, which was impossible because there wasn't enough room between it and the boat moored behind it. They were eastern European and I hate to say it, but we've found the attitude of most of them along the waterways totally unfriendly. The ones we've seen tend to leave their rubbish where it falls and they don't have any idea about boats or what the tow paths are actually there for. They appear to think that they have a God given right to fish where they want and not consider anyone else. I sincerely hope they are not representative of the rest of their countrymen over here. Rant over.<br />
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Once I got in the lock we were inundated with a group who were on one of two community boats who make the canals accessible to those who otherwise wouldn't be able to do so. They were all desperate to help and John is on the far side explaining how to raise the paddles and when to do it. The ones on this side were determined to open the gates and it took a lot of me yelling "Not yet!" and John saying much the same thing to get them to wait for him to be on the right side to get back on the boat. It was good timing actually as the second boat wasn't yet in the other lock so John was able to run up and we went up for them to come down, we definitely didn't want to waste water on this stretch especially.<br />
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We were watching the weather carefully as it had forecast heavy rain for later and sure enough, it started to rain gently so we found a mooring and pulled in. I discovered that we're only a couple of miles away from the Warner Brothers Studio and the whole Harry Potter experience. I would SO love to go but obviously you can't just turn up so I'll sleep tonight knowing it's just over the hill from us! The rain didn't come to much at the time and I took Paddy for a walk. By the time we got back it had started again and it had just got worse and worse ever since. It's supposed to be better tomorrow so we shall hopefully get some miles done. The M25 is just around the corner and the M1 junction, so by car it's about 2 1/2 hours home. We'll be lucky to do it in 2 1/2 weeks! That's boating!<br />
<br />Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-82016074628621850802017-07-28T15:53:00.002+01:002017-07-28T15:53:40.686+01:00Friday 28th July '17Wednesday - Darren visited us but Michelle was caught up with work. We had a nice meal (well I cooked it so it would be wouldn't it?) and a good chat and I got my proof copy of my book! Can't wait to check it for mistakes.<br />
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Thursday we moved on. The weather was very changeable and we had some lovely sunshine but also some showers.<br />
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While I was getting the cover down I spotted a mayfly just emerged from it's old casing! I put it carefully onto some nearby shrubs and it flew off happily.<br />
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This is called Denham Deep Lock! DEEP! I think not. At 11ft 1in it might be deep around here but once you've done Bath Deep Lock very few seem that deep any more. Mind you someone put a photo of a lock in Ireland on Facebook and it was over 130ft deep. Now THAT deserves the title I'm thinking.<br />
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A bit of a political hot potato but when has that ever stopped me? We saw a couple of these signs and then we looked around to see where it would actually be going....<br />
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....this beautiful stretch of water would be presumably bridged over with high speed trains shooting over at all times of the day and night. I'm against the project, can't see that anyone's going to benefit apart from the big money guys. I know there must be some out there who want it but not many in the areas it's going through and not many in our home area that it's supposed to be helping, because it's just not in the right place. Rant over.<br />
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There's a bit of a thing going on at the marina this summer about crocs, so i couldn't resist taking this picture of a large crocodile near a lock! For those of a nervous disposition, I'm fairly sure it wasn't real!<br />
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Last night we moored a bit south of Rickmansworth and this morning we stopped there for shopping at Tesco's where you can actually moor right outside, absolutely brilliant. Then we stopped at the service point for water, elsan and rubbish disposal. Well we got the water and the elsan OK but I got the rubbish and read the sign that said there was no rubbish disposal point there and we had to go out onto the road, cross the bridge, go past Travis Perkins then cross again and the disposal point was on the left. Well it started out OK. I was finding the rubbish getting heavier as I got around to Travis Perkins and by that time I was losing the will to live. I spotted a guy there and asked where should I put the rubbish. He told me to go across the road and I'd see the disposal over there. Well I crossed said road (busy I might add) and continued up the road a bit. This was a big cross roads and there were railings so you had to go the long way around. The rubbish by this time was getting quite heavy. I couldn't believe I was going right when I spotted the municipal rubbish and recycling yard opposite. So I had to heave the bag across the dual carriageway and then get through the non-pedestrian friendly entrance until I found myself in a large recycling yard (used to be called a tip). I asked a big strong man what I should do with the rubbish (which by now was weighing me down significantly) and he pointed up a set of steps and told me to put it up there. So I hauled it up the steps and then had to get it high enough to throw in the wretched bin. Then I had to walk back, feeling much lighter but determined that I would NOT be using that particular rubbish disposal EVER AGAIN.<br />
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As we were setting off today, I spotted a duck on a paddle board that was tethered to the mooring of the house opposite. I just thought it was funny.<br />
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We've got up to Cassiobury Park at Watford, so now we are at the last place that we can be reached by London Underground! Tomorrow we'll really be out in the country!<br />
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We have peacocks nearby and on a walk just now John spotted flamingos through a fence. I took some photos on my camera but it's still not talking to the computer so unless you're a Facebook friend you'll have to take my word for it. Maybe I'll stick it on Instagram.<br />
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I now need to use the computer to get the formatting correct on the book. I spent yesterday evening getting the typo's etc sorted and thought I'd got the page numbers done, but apparently there's still a hitch so I need to go back and try to work it out. Where's Jason when I need him?<br />
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I just had a nasty incident on the way back from the walk. A chap with a VERY large German Shepherd walking off a lead came towards me so I pulled Paddy in on a short lead and said, as I always do, "He's not good with big dogs." The guy blanked me so I repeated myself. He still didn't look at me but said. "Carn't 'ear yer anyway." He was wearing headphones so I shouted, "Well maybe you ought to bloody listen then with a big dog on the loose." Total waste of time but I loosed Paddy's lead and he snapped at the poor dog anyway, the guy had walked past and didn't even notice. GRRRR<br />
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It's meant to be wet tomorrow so not sure if we'll get very far. We're making slow progress mainly because of the number of moored boats along the whole stretch. Never mind, we're not in it for the speed.Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-59517875705984478832017-07-25T14:54:00.001+01:002017-07-25T14:54:27.062+01:00Tuesday 25th July '17This is probably the longest gap I've left in the blog when we've been out, but it's taken until now for me to have the energy to do anything!<br />
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To continue from where I left off...<br />
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Wednesday 19th - we were both really disappointed with the American in Paris. There was a lot of modern dance in it which is not something either of us likes that much. The music by Gershwin was wonderful but the whole thing lacked pace and dialogue for us. Never mind at least we gave it a try.<br />
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Thursday 20th. - I went down to visit my mum after going to Battersea for a Slimming World group. I was very down hearted as I'd put on half a pound, I'd so hoped to have lost one but there you go, another week of trying hard I guess. Mum was fine, in quite good spirits actually and I was pleased to have a much shorter journey to see her.<br />
While I was there, John went to the National Gallery. We both used buses and we're really getting into it now. We've spent practically nothing on our Oyster cards which is nice for the next visit when we're likely to be using the underground if visiting a hotel.<br />
In the evening we went to an Angus Steak House as it was handy and I really fancied a steak. Nice meal, a bit pricey as you pay for all the sides, but as I wasn't having fries that wasn't too bad. I had a dessert, just to cheer myself up after the weight loss, not the right thing to do but I'd been so good that I felt a small blow out was appropriate.<br />
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Friday 21st. - We'd toyed with the idea of going to Borough Market but in the end we just stayed in and had a quiet day then went to the Albert Hall in the evening to listen to Beethoven's Fidelio. I didn't know the story at all and it was sung in German but the music was wonderful and the singers were mostly excellent, a couple were a bit quiet, but overall it was magical and now we can say we've been to the Proms. Unfortunately it was raining when we got out and John hadn't considered that Hyde Park would be shut so we had quite a long walk in the rain getting around to Lancaster Gate where we caught our bus back. Naturally we didn't have a brolly or coats with us so we were quite wet.<br />
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Saturday 22nd. - again we had quite a quiet day as the weather wasn't great and we got tickets at the last minute for Half a Sixpence that evening. We enjoyed the show a lot, good music, excellent cast and a nice feel-good atmosphere to it all, quite a small theatre, the Noel Coward, but just right for the production. We got excellent seats so it was a good end to a thoroughly fantastic and tiring week.<br />
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Sunday 23rd.<br />
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The view from our mooring.<br />
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The mooring at Rembrant Gardens<br />
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The gardens themselves<br />
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Thick layer of duckweed that caught under the bridge through to Paddington Basin.<br />
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The Basin, our daily walk through here to the bus stop to catch the 23 bus into town.<br />
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Little Venice<br />
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Sunday 23th. We left our home (as it felt) and went over to the facilities block to get the boat ready to cruise again. There we discovered that I'd left the hose adaptor on the tap when we'd last visited and so we now didn't have any way of connecting the hose to the tap. John insisted that there were at least 2 spares and while he was hunting them, I borrowed one off another boater and got on with filling up. John couldn't find either of the spares and another boater I'd been chatting to gave me a spare one that they had handy, for next time.<br />
I immediately started doing the washing as we'd not done any all week.<br />
We moored as the weather got a bit dismal again and so the washing remained wet.<br />
I was so tired that I didn't stay up to watch Poldark but went to bed before 9 and slept through nearly 12 hours!<br />
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Monday 24th. We headed off again and I put the sheets in for a good hot wash so we stopped at Greenford to top the water up. Unfortunately the adaptor we'd been given didn't fit properly so John had to hold it in place to get enough in the tank for our needs.<br />
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You do see some strange craft on the waterways!<br />
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We've seen quite a few of these on our way. Floating gardens seem to be the way to go, if you want a garden that it, and I most certainly don't. One of the best things about boating is NOT having a garden.<br />
We moored back at Bulls Bridge and I topped up the groceries. There was a group of kids hanging around the boat as we went to bed, but Paddy started barking and I heard someone say something about a dog and they all went away. Good old Paddy! I didn't manage to sleep well though despite everything being quiet from then on.<br />
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Tuesday 25th<br />
We had another go at filling the water tank before we left. John had taped it together somehow and although he hunted every nook and cranny that he could, he can't find either of the spares. We're hoping to get a replacement en route. (probably two!)<br />
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We saw this and thought that we probably wouldn't be welcome to moor there! Nice bollards, shame about the fence! Reminded me of the pikes set at 45% to ward off oncoming foes in the Civil War!</div>
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One of the things that has upset us most about this trip has been the indiscriminate way that rubbish is just discarded, waiting for someone else to remove. This is by no means the worst of it. We have seen people sitting in the midst of places like this, having their lunch and calmly adding to the piles. In some places we have seen bins overflowing with rubbish and bags stacked up around them, so it's not all the public's fault. No-one seems to take responsibility for themselves now. I don't see why, it they've managed to carry the bags, cans, packets or bottles there when they are full (and heavy), it is so difficult to carry them back home to dispose of when they are empty (and light). There was a horrific story on the news last night about the enormous rats videoed scurrying around the pavements in Harrow. We've seen a rat on the towpath and it's no wonder when people continue to throw bread around for ducks, despite notices saying it kills them. I have no idea what the answer is apart from educating people to respect themselves and their surroundings.</div>
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Here is a coot family utilising some floating junk and making its own little home - reminded John of Wembley Stadium!</div>
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This made us look twice - two vans flying over a bridge. They were on the top of a car transporter and as we came closer they were slowly being lowered in preparation for coming off. It did look a bit strange at first though!</div>
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We came past the Watersedge pub today, which is where our lovely friends Darren and Michelle had their wedding reception in May last year. It was a lovely day and it was appropriate to take the picture as we are moored in Uxbridge now, waiting to see them tomorrow. We couldn't moor where we'd hoped to but are just a mile or so up the canal. We came through our first lock since Brentford today but were spoilt because there were three volunteer lock-keepers so we just stayed on board and went through it like a Thames lock, me holding onto the front rope and John at the back. We'll be back to reality on Thursday when we start heading northwards in earnest, must remind myself what we normally do!</div>
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Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-55246687555452661712017-07-19T16:41:00.001+01:002017-07-19T16:41:31.676+01:00Wednesday 19th July '17Happy Birthday Tom!<br />
Just a quick update on our stay at Little Venice so far.<br />
No pictures as my phone doesn't want to talk to the computer today and I haven't taken my camera out.<br />
Sunday - arrived and found that we couldn't get a pump-out token until the next day so we topped the water up and got into our mooring. Very happy to be here, it's in a lovely situation and we had a quick reconnoitre around the basin. John had discovered a ghost walk that evening and we found John and Pam moored at the end of the basin so told them about it. We all went and had a good wander around the City of London. In case you didn't know everything shuts there in the evening by 7.00pm at least on a Sunday. We actually looked at some of the pub opening hours and many only opened at lunchtimes. Thousands might work there but very few live in the mile.<br />
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Monday - we went to Leicester Square to see what shows were available using the bus to see where it would take us, and booked for 42nd Street that evening. We had a good look around and went to Zizzi's for lunch on the Strand. We wandered along the South Bank to check to see if there was any chance of a seat at the Globe but there wasn't so we came back, had a quick tea, walked Paddy and went back into town for the show. It was brilliant, we'd both highly recommend it. The costumes and production were exceptional. We got home totally exhausted and ready for bed.<br />
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Tuesday - we thought we'd have a quieter day so walked along the canal with Paddy to Camden Lock. It actually took us over an hour to get there and it was baking hot. We tried to stay in the shade as much as possible and we were glad to get back. We had a late lunch and I decided to return to Oxford Street for a look around the shops, John came along as well but he took himself off to the National Portrait Gallery instead. I managed to buy John some new sandals but didn't get what I'd wanted for myself. We had a quiet night with a couple of DVD's (good old Big Bang Theory).<br />
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There was a big thunder storm that night so I ended up spending quite a bit of it up with Paddy as he was really unhappy.<br />
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Wednesday - we went off on the bus again, me back to try again and John to take his camera to the places we went on the ghost walk so he could get some pictures. He took a few then his camera went flat - we're not doing well for pictures are we? I however managed to get myself some tops in the M&S sale and some Sketchers sandals, so that was a success. We popped around to the station to see the Paddington Bear shop and get some bits for the little ones.<br />
Tonight we're off to see American in Paris. Really looking forward to it as the guys on the boat alongside us went the other night and said it was fabulous, far better than they'd expected.<br />
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That's pretty much it for now, I've walked over 20,000 steps each day we've been here so far and tomorrow I go to Slimming World before visiting my mum, so if I haven't lost weight I shall be very unhappy!Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-4192189412412814852017-07-15T16:08:00.000+01:002017-07-15T16:08:20.107+01:00Saturday 15th July '17Well we are well on our way to Little Venice now, tomorrow we can moor there after 1.00. We're both very excited and have managed to book tickets for the Proms on Friday night. There's a Ghost Walk we might do on Sunday evening. I'm planning on popping down to visit my mum on Thursday and so that leaves four days to find shows, walks and other things we fancy doing with our time.<br />
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We left Teddington at the head of a queue of two. Last time we did it there was quite a convoy and we just followed the boats in front. I hadn't realised how comforting that was. Suddenly we were out there with the tide just on the turn, carrying us at a speed formerly unknown to narrowboats (so it seemed) and I had no idea where we were. John was as cool as a cucumber as normal and I was a quivering heap.<br />
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There were moments of humour though, the high tide covered the tow path in some places and we'd watched this cyclist get slowly deeper and deeper until he finally came off and pushed his bike through.<br />
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Further laughs were had as this van got around the corner ......<br />
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....causing a wave to soak customers in the pub garden! There were lots of yells and shouting going on at this point.<br />
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A pedestrian wondering what the options were.<br />
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The smile was quickly wiped off my face when I realised we'd gone past Richmond Lock, not THROUGH it, past it. Where was the weir? What had we done? Were the couple gaily following us heading for disaster in our wake? John said it was OK and we must have done it last time but not realised it. Too true I hadn't realised it. My heart and stomach were now stuck somewhere in my gullet and was starting to gibber, regretting not putting my life-jacket on and wondering if I hung onto Paddy, his would hold me up as well.<br />
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Then we were out in the country, no landmarks to be seen.... where was the turning? Had we missed it? were we heading for the ocean? Not that I panic or anything.... well not much. John explained that there was a small marina then a block of flats that went around the corner and we had to turn there. So at that point I got the camera, with the zoom lens pointed constantly at the shore, willing something to come into view. Suddenly there it was, we turned in with the tide pushing us down the river and the wind pushing us around the corner, and there we were.<br />
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Even when you've found it the actual entrance isn't that obvious, but it's hard around to the left, avoiding sandbanks!<br />
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I checked that the boat behind was still with us once I knew we were almost off the Thames and were in all likelihood going to live.<br />
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Never was I more pleased to see a lock sign. We'd been more or less decided not to do the Tidal Thames through Limehouse and this convinced me, wild water is not for me. Call me a wuss, call me what you like but I know my limits and this was it.<br />
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The couple behind us were John and Pam and we both decided to moor directly inside the lock that night as moorings were uncertain above there and we'd all had enough. The mooring was very high and we struggled a bit with ropes but eventually got sorted out.<br />
The next morning John told us that he'd got up in the night to check our ropes as the tide had come in at about five and we were several feet higher. I'm glad I didn't know about that beforehand. Apparently all was well with the ropes, given the length we'd had to tie them, but he was a star for checking them. Apparently the lock floods at very high tides, thanks for telling us!<br />
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In the morning we filled with water, did the elsan and rubbish and came up the eleven locks as a pair of boats. It all worked really well, with my John closing gates etc after we'd got out and the other John going on to open up the next one. We got up in good time and managed to moor at Tesco at Bulls Bridge.<br />
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This was useful on two counts, first I was able to stock up well again with the heavy stuff and secondly Darren, good man that he is, was able to bring us our post, that Sarah had sent down from the marina. We are blessed with our friends. I'd also ordered a few bits and pieces to go to Darren and Michelle's house so it was like Christmas!<br />
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We turned onto the Regents arm yesterday morning and moored at Greenford. We're staying here until tomorrow morning when we head off for our week's mooring!<br />
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<br />Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-72955615101717641662017-07-12T10:28:00.000+01:002017-07-12T10:28:38.287+01:00Wednesday 12th July '17Sorry for quiet couple of days, but I've got some time to kill now so thought I'd catch up. Monday was a scorcher of a day and we found a lovely mooring at Lower Shepperton. It was the quietest mooring we've had I think with a nice patch of grass and other boats but no path next to us so no-one going past. There was a walk through the woods which was nice and cool for Paddy and generally life felt good.<br />
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John mentioned when we moored that there was a naked man sunbathing a few boats back, but I didn't look as ... to be honest.... what's to see? at one point in the afternoon - yes, we'd left really early and moored before lunchtime! - some police turned up and after that naked man and his boat disappeared. John told me all this because I was cooking a roast. Well we hadn't had one yesterday and we do like a roast.<br />
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For some reason I didn't take any pictures of the place, no idea why as the little village was rather nice, another time. We'd definitely try to moor there again.<br />
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We left after a good nights sleep, rain had been forecast but hadn't come and the day was warm again but a wind had sprung up and the cloud was a bit heavier than lately.<br />
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We didn't have far to go as we wanted to get to Kingston because I'd found a Slimming World meeting in Surbiton that I could get to from there. The sky became darker as we travelled on, a real change from the Mediterranean blue that we've got used to.</div>
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We went into Molesey lock, which is huge, and we were the only boat in it. I always feel slightly guilty when these huge locks work just for us.</div>
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As the lock opened a boat was waiting to come in, poking its bow around the corner.</div>
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'Twas the Gloriana, in all her beauty. We saw her last time we were on the Thames, just coming into a lock after us. Not sure which lock, I'd have to look back but she really is a beautiful sight. Not sure what they use her for now but she obviously keeps busy.</div>
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We got into a mooring at Kingston, right next to John Lewis, and a nastier, more grubby mooring I wouldn't wish to meet. We wouldn't leave the boat at the same time so I popped out, had my hair cut (good old Toni and Guy's) bought some salad and yogurts and got back. John found that there was a park just down from us so I walked Paddy around it then John went out to stretch his legs. I was told at the hairdressers that I could catch a bus to Surbiton so John researched it for me (what did we do before Google?) and I caught one there and back. Sadly I'd only lost half a pound so still have a pound to go before I hit target, but as John keeps telling me I'm going in the right direction all the time.</div>
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We were going to move on when I got home but it was so wet and the kids had dispersed so we stayed. Apart from the strong smell of marijuana coming from the multi-storey car park next to us, it wasn't too bad. There was one round of dog barking and shouting at some point late at night but other than that we survived the experience. </div>
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There's the spot, there was takeaway rubbish all over the place and cans and bottles. John Lewis clean the higher section but no-one takes responsibility for this. I swear that if John had his picker and bag from the marina he'd have done it himself!<br />
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Today the rain had stopped but it was cold and windy so we travelled quickly down to Teddington Lock to discover that the tide wouldn't be right for us to go through until 5.40 tonight so we won't be moving at all today. It started raining again so all the covers are back up and we're off to explore Teddington shortly. It's just as well that we hadn't planned to be anywhere tonight as Brentford it's going to be!Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-86879374353585017982017-07-09T17:06:00.000+01:002017-07-09T17:06:03.531+01:00Sunday 9th July '17A fairly short and hopefully sweet one today as it's been that sort of a day.<br />
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John didn't sleep well and I was awake early so we got up and were on the move by 8.45. Our little friends had disappeared in the night but not before they'd had a fire and presumably cooked whatever they caught.<br />
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We went past Windsor Castle and this is the view from downstream across the park. It's got the most brilliant moorings along this length but you're not allowed to moor.<br />
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They really REALLY don't want you to moor there.<br />
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There is a bridge at the beginning of the restricted area and this is the crest shown on it. It's called Victoria Bridge.<br />
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This is the decoration on the other bridge and guess what it's called??? No prizes if you said Albert Bridge (what else COULD you have said) (REALLY???)<br />
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We are very much under the flight path for Heathrow along this stretch....<br />
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Is it a bird.....is it a plane....... One of each actually. Both in plentiful supply. I do like my red kites!!</div>
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We are now moored near Runnymede, outside the Bells of Ouzeley. It's a Harvester but we had a nice lunch in there as I just didn't feel like cooking today. I've got the food so it will be a roast tomorrow I expect but for some unknown reason I'm suffering with hay-fever. I've never had it at this time of year before but I'm putting it down to the trees that we were moored under last night. </div>
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We are planning to get to Shepperton tomorrow and Kingston the next day so that we can come off the Thames at Brentford on Wednesday. We seldom, if ever, have a plan but now we do. We shall see how it pans out!</div>
Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-2175008636116109912017-07-08T17:34:00.000+01:002017-07-08T17:34:17.585+01:00Saturday 8th July '17I've GOT to start with the end of the day because it was so sureal!<br />
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We'd been looking for a mooring without success and finally saw the last one on the end of a small but decent mooring. John turned in the river and we started to come into it. A guy came out of another narrow boat, obviously to help us and as we got nearer and I was at the front end he pointed out that there were two small fishing rods propped up right in the middle of the mooring. A lady came over and he asked her if they were hers. She said they were her friends. At that point I called that she'd best move them because we'd been looking for a mooring for ages and this was a mooring and we were going to moor there. She walked away. So I called again that she could either move them or we'd squash them. The guy helpfully moved them to the very back of the mooring where we wouldn't be because of the curve. We pulled in and were getting the ropes and pins sorted out when a chap came over to John and told he he wasn't allowed to move the fishing rods and this was a fishing place (he was eastern European judging by the accent) John told him in no uncertain terms that this was a mooring and that he could ring the EA if he liked (Environment Agency). A few minutes later he came over and took a photo of me on the front of the boat tying off the rope! The guy from the other boat said that we ought to have asked to see his fishing licence! I've rarely seen John angry but he was then! The fisher-family have a camp around the corner from here and have their net over there so quite why they needed to use this space as well is beyond us.<br />
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Right now that's out of the way! The forecast had said a much cooler day with light cloud. They lied, it's been as hot as ever. I'm turning a nice colour in the bits that get out, but am going to be a strange sight when we go on holiday and I'm in a bikini!<br />
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Coming into Marlow. It looks similar in some ways to Henley with a church near the bridge but they are quite different places when you explore.<br />
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The Compleat Angler - or the complete rip-off as John calls it. Some of you may remember that we had a drink here on our last visit, because John had heard of it and wanted to try it. A Pimms and a small bottle of cider and not much change from a £20 note.<br />
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A very strange think happened in Marlow Lock.... Paddy didn't bark at the lock-keeper who came up to speak to John. He ALWAYS barks at anyone coming near the boat!<br />
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We got through Marlow Lock and waved to John and Cathy as we went past. John has worked out how far we need to go and roughly where we need to be each night so we went on quite a bit further.<br />
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Just after the lock I popped down to make a drink and apparently there was chaos as there was a school trip (I think) doing some rowing / canoeing activities and there were boats absolutely everywhere, once again John managed to avoid everyone. A bit later on though I heard water noises behind us that didn't sound like us and looked around to find a boat with two rowers almost collide into us. That's the trouble when they are going backwards without a separate skipper boat, they have NO idea what's ahead and assume that it's clear.<br />
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Cliveden House peeping just over the top of the trees. We have decided that this will be on the list of things to do next time we're on the Thames. We also sussed out where it might be possible to moor. The lack of moorings is the only thing that spoils the Thames for me.<br />
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We have been hearing and seeing red kites all the way along the river, and up the K&A but today we saw at least 14 all flying together, up quite high but clearly visible.<br />
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We pulled into Maidenhead to do some basic shopping for fresh fruit, veg, bread and meat. We found some moorings that said £5 a night but weren't brilliant. We had lunch, popped in to do the necessary and got back and decided to move on. It was going to be a noisy mooring with the road right next to us and as we were below pavement level we felt slightly vulnerable from any passing idiots, especially as we have been leaving the houdini open at night.<br />
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Here we are leaving it. We had to tie the ropes to the railings above so it wasn't ideal.<br />
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We saw some nice moorings the further side of Maidenhead but decided to go on a bit as John had found some on line. Just after the M$ he said. We went under the M4 bridge, unusual in that there was a pavement alongside it, and saw what we assumed were the moorings. Well we tried, but they were AWFUL!! Overgrown, up too high for our fenders, and covered in brambles and nettles. I got on shore but there was just no way we could moor there, definitely for plastic pigs and big fenders only.<br />
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This photo hardly does it credit! There is quite a steep bank under all of that to contend with if you get past the undergrowth!<br />
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That meant that we were getting hotter and more frustrated as time went on, mitigated somewhat by spotting a kingfisher flitting from branch to bush after diving for a fish.<br />
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Paddy was so hot that he allowed me to put a wet cloth over his head. The jacket as well as being useful if he goes in is also thermal, so helps to keep him cool, when I take it off he doesn't feel as hot as you'd expect him to be, just in case anyone worried he was cooking!<br />
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We spend most of our time ogling the houses and trying to decide which one we'd like. This isn't one of those houses but you have to admit you don't often get giraffes in your garden do you? Some of the properties are just out of this world. I couldn't begin to put the nice ones on as there would just be hundreds of beautiful homes and nothing else!<br />
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This is the place opposite us tonight, quite nice. We are at the south east corner of Dorney Lake, the one used for the olympics, so quite close to Windsor now. The benefit of not finding anywhere to moor is that we've done a good distance today.<br />
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and finally ..... the camp of the fisher-folk behind us. Lovely. Quite glad we had to tie the back of the boat to a tree as at least they won't be able to undo that one in the night!<br />
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<br />Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-88477535030085629842017-07-07T21:05:00.000+01:002017-07-07T21:05:20.399+01:00Friday 7th July '17We didn't get a brilliant nights sleep because of all the boats returning from the revels at Henley Festival. I wasn't too bad but John was awake until the hubbub stopped which was about 2.00am. There was one incident when the water gurgled alarmingly under the boat as something went past either too close or too fast, and that woke me up.. It was pretty warm as well but we fixed insect netting and had the houdini, side hatch and back hatch open to let the cooler night air through.<br />
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Once we were up and about we said goodbye to Cathy and John, in the hopes of seeing them later on, but first we had to go back to the lock to get my credit card.<br />
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The two boats at Wargrave moorings.<br />
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Tom ......<br />
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....and Jerry! Lovely friendly little chaps.<br />
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These were the homes opposite us.<br />
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The cream building in the centre may look familiar. It was one of the Grand Design builds. Apparently the locals weren't too keen. Can't say I blame them, it's not quite in keeping with the lovely places around them.<br />
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We headed on down the river and the sun just got hotter, I must have drunk my weight in water today!<br />
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Lovely view of Henley as we're coming along the river. We'd been told that it was £40 to moor there during the festival and there weren't any vacant spaces in any case so we didn't have to make any decisions, in any case we wanted to get further down the river as we have a week to get to Brentford.<br />
At one point today we thought we might just have to keep going all night as moorings that were marked in the book, just weren't there any more.<br />
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This is where it all happens apparently. There were boats absolutely everywhere, of all shapes and sizes. It gets a bit scary when a rowing boat suddenly pulls across in front of you. It's a lot of boat to stop and as we were going downstream we had right of way. One small dingy with an outboard motor decided that travelling directly in front of us was a good idea. They don't seem to realise that when you're steering from the back of a 62' boat you don't have a very good line of sight for things directly in front of you! Still we survived and miraculously so did the others so all was well.<br />
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The river was divided into three lanes and moving boats were in the left hand one. Hundreds of plastic pigs were moored to the lines in between the piles and they had to have some form of small boat to get them to shore. Most had little launches or dingy's but we spotted this slightly different one! I like someone with a sense of humour!<br />
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We came through Hurley lock and we were both hot and bothered and hadn't seen anything like a mooring. John had bought us both an ice cream on the lock and that helped no end. I'd just sent Cathy a text asking where they were as we weren't having any luck when we spotted some moorings that looked as it we could get into and had spaces! Miracle!<br />
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We moored and had lunch. I put the washing out and then someone came around for £5 mooring fee. It was SO worth it. The others had moored a bit further on at Marlow but we just couldn't go any further.<br />
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Moored and photo taken after I'd got the washing in!<br />
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Just behind us I spotted this family of Egyptian geese. So beautiful.<br />
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We have taken Paddy out and the evening is lovely. Much cooler than it was but still pleasantly warm. John has set the insect nets up again and I'm hoping he gets a decent night tonight. Some boats have gone past obviously heading for Henley but nothing like the numbers of last night.<br />
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We spotted these on the walk. What are they I hear you ask? Well I shall tell you.... they are the gates to Hell.<br />
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Don't believe me?<br />
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There you are - there's the proof in front of your very eyes!<br />
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It's not a wonderful photo, but it was a Sun Dog. I'd never heard the term until John used it once. I didn't catch all the 7 colours but you can see a few there.<br />
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Finally Paddy having a cooling dip on his evening walk!Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-16068533594716946472017-07-06T20:21:00.000+01:002017-07-06T20:21:37.389+01:00Thursday 6th July '17We had stayed at Sheffield Lock for a second night so during the day we went and explored the nature reserve around a lake just to the south. It gave Paddy another chance to have a nice shallow paddle and we cooled down a bit walking in the shade. I didn't think to take my camera so no photos. Once we'd finished the walk there was a pub that we hadn't been in before so we tried a pint (John) and a half (me). It was quite nice and we thought that the next time we're around this direction we might well give it a try. Only about 10 minutes walk from the mooring so not too arduous!<br />
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Yesterday morning I took Paddy for his usual pre-breakfast walk and there were two dogs sat outside their boat. Naturally some barking and mutual sniffing went on and so the owner came out. We had a chat as you do and I said that if they were looking for someone to travel with we'd be leaving in a while.<br />
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So we travelled with John and Cathy down to Reading!<br />
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Getting into one of the locks. Once we'd gone through the swing road bridge at Sheffield, there were thankfully no more bridges to get past, I think there were 7 locks but they all went pretty easily with the extra help.<br />
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The two John's enjoying a chat at a lock!<br />
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Strangely enough, this is John having a chat with Cathy at a lock! I know I'd be just as bad if the situation was reversed (did I actually admit that?) but I do like teasing him about it!<br />
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Spotted going into Reading. Some lovely bridkwork on a house. There was a terrace of four of them all with the pattern on them, and when we got to the side of the house, there was a cross design near the apex of the roof. I wondered if they had been built as something to do with a church, but John thinks it was just a bricklayer who enjoyed his job!<br />
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Not something you usually see in someone's back garden...a narrow boat. No idea how it got there but launching it could be fun! Presume they are doing it up. All these unanswered questions? Life is full of little surprises.<br />
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As we'd been travelling along John had told the others about us going to moor back at the Bel and the Dragon and they wondered whether there would be space for them, proving that we aren't bad people to share with I like to think! Anyway I sent Wimpy (pronounced Vimpy, South African) a text and he got back saying 'no problem'. So we're going to be seeing each other for another day.<br />
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Here it is. Doesn't look that much from here but well worth visiting I promise. We went in for lunch when we arrived and I was very brave and tried one of John's whitebait (my John) and liked it, but I had a broad bean and pea risotto, which was wonderful and declined a pudding, even though I liked them all. My will power amazes me at times!<br />
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(Other) John went to Argos and bought a set of dog clippers as it's getting so hot for them, and I borrowed them afterwards. So Paddy had a nice cool bath and then let me remove quite a lot of his coat. He feels like velvet when he's been clipped, I just wish he was less frantic about the whole operation.<br />
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It was lovely being on electric again, even if only overnight. I changed the sheets and washed them so that I could dry them the next day in the open air. That's happiness!<br />
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This is us moored at the pub. I have to put a mat out for Paddy to walk on as the jetty is metal and he won't put a foot on it. I guess the metal is painful on his paws but as well as that I don't think he likes seeing the water moving under it.<br />
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They had live music last night and we popped around to listen to it, and I had a coffee. This halo is getting quite heavy at times.<br />
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This morning I walked a mile and a half to get to a Slimming World meeting. I'd lost 1lb. thought I'd have sweated off more than that but anyway at least it meant I got my exercise in today as I had to walk back as well. On the way home I popped into Argos and bought a clipper to use on Paddy as none of the ones in the past have worked that well on him.<br />
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Today we left the moorings, with John and Cathy, to head back to the Thames, just one lock downstream.<br />
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John and Cathy following us as we leave the Kennet and Avon.<br />
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We got to the first lock and tried to buy our licence for the Thames but the lock-keeper was busy and didn't have a volunteer on with him so he asked us to get one at the next lock. We wanted to moor under the lock and our Pearson's Guide told us there were moorings on both sides. When we got there they were all private so we continued down and got in the next lock. The volunteer there said that he wasn't authorised to licence boats but the keeper would be back at 2.00. It was then 1.20. So we sent the others on after the lock-keeper told us where there were some moorings and we tied up at the end of the lock moorings and had lunch.<br />
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John went to get it when the chap was back from lunch and I got a text from Cathy saying they'd found moorings and there was space for us! Hooray.<br />
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John came back, minus licence as his card was refused, so I went over and paid for it, came back to the boat and we headed off to find the others and moor. We found them and then moored in a nice spot with a bit of breeze. Perfect.<br />
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Then another boat went by and called out that I'd left my credit card at the last lock. Brilliant. John (other) has a bike and offered to head back and we waved him goodbye. Then the lock-keeper rang to tell us again, in case we hadn't got the message. John told him that John was on his way only to be told that he can't get there from here without going MILES around. Cathy rang him and he continued trying for a bit before admitting defeat. We're going to go back there tomorrow morning to pick it up! Life is never boring!<br />
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<br />Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-16001027086350205192017-07-04T13:04:00.000+01:002017-07-04T13:04:20.256+01:00Tuesday 4th July '17Sometimes the only reason I know what day of the week it is, is when I have to check to write my blog!<br />
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We are moored at Sheffield Lock for a day so that we can go on to Reading tomorrow.<br />
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Yesterday was an interesting day. Nearly every lock against us and not a single boat to share with. A couple of times boats were coming in as we were going out but most of the time we found them empty.<br />
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Strangely the exception to this was Monkey Marsh lock, which SHOULD have been left empty as it's one of the turf locks, but the hire boat that had left it, got confused and rather than emptying it left it full with the top paddles open to ensure it remained full!<br />
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We had problems with Towney Lock. For a start it took ages to fill and John was concerned with one of the bottom gates that appeared to not be at the right angle. Then when he went to open a top gate for me, it didn't open properly so he had to go around and open the other one as well. Then when I was in it the top gate was leaking so much that it took ages to empty, compounded by the fact that one of the bottom paddles was jammed and John couldn't open it until there was very little pressure on it and then he bashed it and it opened perfectly for the last few inches!<br />
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Leaking top gates.<br />
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Top paddle not opened.<br />
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We'd had a walk around Woolhampton the previous evening. Not much there but very picturesque.<br />
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The old pump in the village, in the evening sun. Note my long shadow taking the photo! A beautiful evening though.<br />
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A rather beautiful lamp on a building that had originally been a memorial hall and now appeared to be a private house. I can't help wondering how the family who had contributed the money to build it in the first place would feel about this. It made me sad.<br />
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Ye Olde Corner Shoppe. Another lovely building, on the opposite corner to the pump.<br />
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Today we walked into Theale. Nothing picturesque but a lot more in the way of useful shops, plus enough hairdressers to keep anyone well groomed! I was dismayed to see a roadsign that said "Reading 1m" ONE MILE???? it's about 3 hours by boat......There must be A. a very straight road and B. a lot of turns on the river.<br />
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Yesterday it became really hot and I took Paddy for a walk where he found a nice shallow bit to paddle in. Today it's not so warm so we're just relaxing inside.<br />
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The knitting's come out again and slow progress is being made. Somehow knitting Aran isn't so appealing in the heat!<br />
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My brain is all over the place today (OK so that's not unusual) but we stopped at Aldermaston yesterday to fill up and empty the cassette and you'll be pleased to hear that someone was actually cleaning the Elsan disposal. After the experience the men had last week, this came as a blessed relief, mind you it was after John had done his so maybe not such a lot of relief for him!<br />
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Jason and I had commented on the length of Aldermaston lock as we were going up. There is no standard measurement at all, both length and width. They are all theoretically 14' wide to take the wide beams but some of the gates could well be restrictive for them, but some are more than ample.<br />
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Looking back in Aldermaston Lock.<br />
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Looking forward from the same point. We are 62' and I reckon the lock must be almost 100' long minus the cill I suppose, but it's long for a canal/ river lock.<br />
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That has probably pushed my mathematics to the limit. We have texted the Bel and the Dragon re a mooring tomorrow night but have not heard back. May try to ring them tonight, otherwise it's the back of the gaol for us again.<br />
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Paddy is not happy to be staying still, he was trying to get up the back this morning. Bless. If we get into the nice mooring he'll be confused all over again since we have to go out the back there. He seems over whatever was ailing him. John thinks he got too hot, so we shall have to wait and see how he does in the future. He certainly won't be overheating today!Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-20362838486221735032017-07-02T16:59:00.001+01:002017-07-02T16:59:59.222+01:00Sunday 2nd. July 2017We've had a nice few days in Newbury. The first day we moored right above the town lock but it was only 24hour mooring. We got up in the morning and found that Jason had moved. There was no point in him trying to hide, we found him later on! Then we moved up next to him again. HA!<br />
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We went into town and I treated myself to a new Fitbit. My last one had died and it was the third one I'd had from Amazon. I didn't think they'd change it again so I admitted defeat. I now have a new one and am hoping to keep my steps up again. It's hard on the canal though.<br />
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We also got some new chairs for sitting outside on. The one's we've got have seen better days and to be honest don't owe us anything so now we've got some bright shiny new stripy ones. John is testing one out as I write.<br />
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Jason proved himself a real hero and came around and sorted out some of the settings on my computer. I've been trying to get my second book ready for sale since Christmas but just couldn't get it on the site for some reason. Bless him, he came around and pressed a few keys and lo and behold, it's done. Unfortunately I can't get to see the proof for a while as it's being sent to the marina but once I do, then I can get it out there. Hooray!<br />
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Here we are at our second mooring with Jason's boat behind. I understand that his dad has been reading this so I'd just like to say what a lovely son you have! We're missing him already!<br />
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On Friday we found somewhere to have lunch the next day as Chloe and Sam were coming to visit for lunch. We went in The Newbury and the chef started chatting to John about the fist he had on the menu, so we booked and John already has his fish reserved!<br />
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This is the fish. Chloe took this for me as I could hardly bear to look at it. I'm not really a fish person and when it's got eyes and tail that completely finishes me off. I had duck!<br />
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The food was excellent, rather pricey but beautifully prepared, but we had a bit of an issue with the delivery of the meal. Sam was the only one wanting starters but said it could come out with the main. His main arrived. A bit later John and Chloe's arrived. Then mine. Then Sam's starter. Then we had to ask for the sauce that was ordered with his steak, Chloe had to ask for the tomatoes ordered as her side and the seasonal veg. for John never arrived and he forgot about them, but they were on the bill. We didn't realise this until the evening so it turned out to be an even more expensive meal than we'd realised.<br />
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This is after the meal. The staff were very friendly and happily took the photo and the bag on the table has John's Father's Day presents in it. Two Camembert from their favourite cheese shop in Somerset!<br />
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Today, Sunday, we left after saying goodbye to Jason last night. We got down through the two locks in Newbury and then managed (eventually) to pull in outside Tesco's so that I could pop in and stock up on groceries. That done we headed out.<br />
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This was looking back at the lock after Tesco. It was leaking furiously and while I was in there, I actually looked back to check that John hadn't left the paddles open as there was so much water coming in. We had problems with gates swinging open on some of the locks today. It wasn't windy, they were just feeling that way I guess!<br />
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It's been a lovely day. The sun came out again and has been really hot.<br />
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Here you go, John with his top off, and a blue sky. This was one of the locks we were on our own for. We had a couple for the first lock who kept their fenders down, consequently we got stuck and he had to drag them up before I could get out! They were going into the marina in Newbury so we didn't need to pretend to have a reason for stopping to get away! </div>
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Then for the last few locks and bridges we came down with a couple who had their daughter and granddaughters visiting. They were over from Northern Ireland and one of them told John that she'd never been so hot before!</div>
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We've managed to moor at Woolhampton above the lock again and I am about to cook our roast dinner! Lamb today. Can't wait!</div>
Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236051901968122177.post-80655308644424311002017-06-29T20:14:00.001+01:002017-06-29T20:14:50.691+01:00Thursday 29th June '17Well what can I say about last night??? Certainly one to remember. Warning to future guests, whatever happens I'm likely to share it on here, so be warned!<br />
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Our guests arrived on time, bringing red wine (Ali and Jason) and vodka (Ian). We got straight down to business with John bringing out the Whiskey Profile Kit, and Ian avidly reading the recipe leaflet. They started with sampling the ones we had, Ian approved of all of them and was incredulous that they were made from vodka and so the mixing began.....<br />
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John with a mixing jug and his little bag of tricks.<br />
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The audience were completely enraptured with the magicians performance.......<br />
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Guess who drank the most? Ian was well impressed and managed to drink the entire half bottle that had been made plus finishing off most of what we had. To be fair John helped a bit, but it transpired during the course of the evening that it was Ian's birthday the following day so it became a bit of a party. I would like to say at this point that I had a small (very small) glass and drank black decaf coffee for the rest of the evening so my halo was shining brightly. I did apparently let Jason and Ali down since they were hoping I could turn water into wine! I'm good, but not THAT good!<br />
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The evening culminated in Ian spilling Jason's red wine all down the front of his trousers and somehow after that it wasn't quite the same. I offered to wash them for him (after he'd gone back to the boat to change) (it wasn't one of THOSE sort of evenings) but he declined and insisted he'd get them to a launderette in Newbury.<br />
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We left the next morning about 10.00 but hadn't seen sight nor sign of Ian, although Ali waved at us from the window. I hope they liked the surprise we left for them....<br />
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.....I'd kept some happy birthday banners from my birthday and knew they'd come in useful. If you read this, we hope Ian enjoyed his day xxx<br />
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It was another day of locks and bridges at very regular intervals. 7 miles, 9 locks and 4 bridges in a bit over 5 hours!<br />
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A busy days chatting over locks for the lads.<br />
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When Jason had to stay on his boat in the second of the turf locks we encountered John found Lock Man to chat to instead. Ian and Ali had told us about this chap last night who just seemed to hang around Monkey Marsh Lock and help boaters.... and here he was. A bit like a yetti really, barely seen and not believed in by some and hard to photograph because they blend in with the environment.<br />
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Another lock, another conversation!!!!! Believe it or not TWICE during the day Jason was close to losing his boat because of not paying attention. Once the rope undid itself and the boat nearly careered into the front cill on the lock and the second time the gunnel got caught under the edge of the lock. I think he'll be pleased to see the back of us. Mind you I think John will miss the male bonding thing. There haven't been many boats coming the other way with women for him to get lost in conversation with, forcing me to shout at him when the lock is full!<br />
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A rather pretty dutch barge we spotted with a lovely display of flowers. I wouldn't want it myself but I do think it looks pretty on other boats. It's as much as I can do to keep a small pot of herbs on the roof, and that's only because John waters it from time to time. I tend to have a neglect it and see what happens attitude to plants.<br />
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We also spotted this rather lovely old tiller on a boat. They used to be very ornate and this is a good example. Huge heavy things to manoeuvre though I would imagine.<br />
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Finally coming into Newbury there was an inflatable canoe with two girls in, with an alsation desperately trying to jump in with them. They had to get to the side to let one of them out as she was soaked through and the dog bounded in the water again and was jumping at the boat and I just managed to catch it as it got the oar in it's mouth! They were both laughing so I guess it was OK. I'd have been terrified, but then I'd NEVER have been in a canoe. I really don't like water enough to want to be that close!<br />
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So we ended up in Newbury, as planned. I caught a bus out to the college for a Slimming World meeting and had lost 0.5lb which is going in the right direction at least and then I walked home. Nearly 2 miles. Glad to be sat down and we shall watch a couple of episodes of The Big Bang Theory and have an early night after last nights shenanigans. Tomorrow we have to hunt out somewhere to eat where Chloe and Sam can park when they visit on Saturday.<br />
<br />Nancy http://www.blogger.com/profile/12118041342405687375noreply@blogger.com0