Boatlife: Continuously Cruising Aboard NB Valerie

Yes it has....froze.

2012-02-03T18:13:00.000Z

This is the view this morning. The path through the ice we took yesterday has frozen over and a light coating of snow has survived all day and forms the foundation of what could be a thicker ice barrier holding us prisoner.

So glad we took the opportunity yesterday to get on board fuel and water. The ice is not to thick but enough to damage the blacking and make steering difficult enough for us to stay put for a few days.

The BBC weather shows -4C tonight and a minus figure for the next 4 nights.

Will it Freeze?

2012-02-02T21:13:00.000Z

I hope everyone likes the new blog layout. It had been my intention from before Jaq and I started life afloat for both of us to share the blog. In the early days Jaq was doing "So This is Love" and then went on to "From Where I Sit."

Now I would guess a lot of you fellow retirees will agree that there seems to be a lack of hours in the day at times and we wonder how anything got done when holding down a job.
Jaq does do a few hours on line teaching writing to students via Washington Sate University but even after cutting this down a tad still never found time to do her blog.

My suggestion was to make Nb Valerie a joint blog as the posts do not need to be of great length like her own blog, so will not be too demanding of her time. Writers write, it`s what comes naturally but Jaq agrees boat blogs need to be a shorter length so another loving partnership has evolved, welcome to our blog.

Not sure how it will go but evidently Jaq will be putting on the odd recipe so I won`t say anything about the caramel cake I am scoffing as I type other than yummy!!!!!!!!

A very misty morning as we passed Barby marina. I have read a lot on the Internet of people paying in advance for moorings only to arrive and find the facilities promised were not available. As perhaps this might end up as a legal battle I will not say anymore other than as the camera shows, unfinished pontoons and boats moored packed together. I suppose it will all be sorted out eventually. Not sure of your thoughts but I`m of the opinion that new marinas are far outpacing the number of boats coming on the water.

Today the ice is still around and with temperatures set to drop over the next few days the sight of this boat crashing through the ice this morning was enough to cast off the ropes and move up to a very frozen water point. A kettle of hot water and the tap flowed; our tank filling, my wife and I (I love saying that!) over breakfast decided to get diesel and top up the coal stocks. So off we went to Lime Farm marina following the wet road through the ice left by the early morning boater. No sign of life when we arrived so kettle on while we waited and after a while Sarah returned on horseback having taking advantage of a quiet spell on the canal. No rush. It`s the life.

So now we are back at Newbold all stocked up for a few days while the weather makes it`s move.

Welcome to our New Look!

2012-02-01T17:42:00.000Z

   After months of attempting a new boat blog on my own and finding little time to blog while adjusting to a new country and a new life as part of a boating duo, Les and I decided to retool his boater's blog to include us both.
   We hope you will like the new look and contunue to follow along on our journeys. I will now be blogging here as well in an attempt to keep all my peeps back in the States informed of where we are. Having sent out a dozen Inland Waterways maps to my nearest and dearest, I've been asked to keep them posted on a blog.
   I will also include my brief impressions of things seen, heard, and experienced aboard NB Valerie, incidental anecdotes about living in England as an ex-pat, and recipes for some of our favorite meals --adapted for boaters with small boat ovens!
   Today we are moored at Newbold-on-Avon, on the N. Oxford canal just North of Rugby next to Newbold tunnel. We will stay here a few more days as ice has formed on the canal during the night with temperatures at 32F/0C overnight.

So laid back.....nearly forgot you all.

2012-01-29T19:06:00.000Z

How could we pass this lot just south of the Buckby flight without getting the chainsaw out. It has all been laying there for quite sometime after the good stuff was sold. It will probably be there for quite a while. I cut, Jaq helps carry it back to the boat. What a team.

.Well things on board nb Valerie have become very relaxing lately after all the hassles of banks, NI number for Jaq, joining a doctors surgery, and other pressures. As of the last couple of weeks we have slotted into what i have always known as a boaters way of life with no particular place to be at any set time. When we left Norton Jct. by the Leicester Arm we allowed ourselves a week, a day would have been enough, to get to Napton for a w`end visit with friends Andy & Tina . At the moment we are just 3miles out of Braunston and this is our 2nd stop in those 3miles, just because we fancied it. So as i sit typing, the smell of fresh bread cooking and the lambs playing opposite are my only distractions. I have always been fascinated by the twisting route of the North Oxford (straightened in 1830) and have been doing a lot of walking across fields seeking the old route. I would think the part around Braunston is well known to regular boaters who like to walk but I have posted a Google map below of what is a very interesting walk that passes a lot of the old route. The Nicholson guide does show some of the old water channels but you need good eyes to notice it.

The best place to start is on bridge 91 that has the footpath clearly marked. It goes across the fields pass the old St. Peter`s church at the site of the medieval village of Woolthamcote. (same link)

A.....Bridge 97. Here can be seen 2 sections of the old canal route still in water.
B.....The old railway crossing.
C......The original Oxford heads off across fields to avoid the low land of what is now puddle banks.
D/E...The footpath crosses 2 in water sections of the old canal route.
F.......The footpath from bridge 91 having at this point passed the church.
G......The new rote of the Oxford. After crossing the bridge either turn left to find C easier and also to trace the old, now dried out, route as it makes it`s way to A (brdg 97) or go down onto the towpath back into Braunston.

The section below can be found at bridge 84. Scramble up the steep bank and across the field is a bridge over the old railway. Follow down the path and you are where took the picture. You can see

where the canal came across the field and became a crossing point of the railway. Just 50yds or so before the bridge is a clump of trees growing in the old bed where it leaves the canal as is now. Just past brdg 83 if you look carefully you can again see the old and new meeting. It`s just a matter of the new route being in a cutting so each end of the old route is where the land levels out.

Another place with no climbing through trees is from brdg 78. Walk along the road on the Barby village side and the old canal butts up to the road on the first bend. You can get into the field as you come off the bridge by following the footpath sign. To follow it along is by the stile to the left and a muddy trek up and down muddy hills. If you look on google satellite maps you can see this section has been added to for fishing but the main channel is clear enough.
It comes back across the current canal just past the motorway bridge then goes off west across the fields then turns and goes right through what is now Barby Marina.

Anyway hope someone as well as myself finds all this of interest. I`m going to be walking a lot as we travel to find other parts of the old route. It ended up about 20 miles shorter so there is still plenty to find.

Stoke Bruerne and through Blisworth

2012-01-17T19:50:00.000Z

The first pound of the Stoke Bruerne flight looks a lot different to when we were going south back in November. The bank side work is very good

Halfway up the flight and we meet up with Graham off nb Matilda Rose out dog walking. Jill was away so perhaps on the way Jill we might get a chance to say hi. Thing is Graham walked past me at a lock turned back and said "I recognised Jaq First" Thanks for your help up the flight Graham.

Nice to see the building next to Blisworth Tunnel is now in use as a Blacksmiths. The building was once a forge and stores for the tugs that used to pull boats through the tunnel.

The steam tugs operated between 1871-1936. The charge was 1/6d (7.5p) laden and 1/- (5p) for empties. Leggers were made redundant. It seems the congestion caused by the slow legging of boats was eased by the tugs that would pull a string of boats through quickly.

Some legging pics on this site for those who are wondering especially Jaq`s USA friends & family who i know read the blog.

Look at this from the web.. The whole article is HERE. These guys after so many years legging must have had some good leg muscles.

26.4.1871

Mr Mercer reported that a tug was now at work at the Braunston Tunnel and that the same charges were being made at the Blisworth tunnel, viz: Boats with cargoes of 25 tons and upwards 1/6d each way. Boats with cargoes under 25 tons 1/3d each way. Empty Boats 1/- each way. And as the service of the leggers (twelve) would no longer be required it was resolved that a weekly allowance of 5/- each be made to W. Benjamin 75 years of age and 44 years at tunnel; R. Thomas 65 years of age and 38 years at tunnel; and John Fox 64 years of age and 19 years at tunnel."

First lambs of 2012. They are there click the pic. These were on the Braunston Summit just after leaving Norton Jct. the branch to Leicester.

Just had an e mail advising the stoppage at Easenhall bridge on the Oxford is delayed until Feb.13th so our plans have now changed. Instead of staying on the Gd. Union and climbing the Hatton flight we will now be going on my much preferred route via the Coventry and the Atherstone flight and thence onto the Trent&Mersey

Gt. Linford and the Newport Pagnel canal

2012-01-13T17:13:00.000Z

The Newport Pagnel arm left the Gd. Union or Gd. Junction as it was in 1817 at Linford Wharf adjacent to bridge 77. There was once a wooden bridge across the arm.
Opened in 1817 it had 7 single locks on it`s 1 1/4 miles journey into Newport Pagnel. The railway purchased the arm in 1864 with a view to using part of the canal bed for the rails into N. Pag` with thoughts of future extensions to Olney & Wellingborough.

The line was busy carrying workers to the Wolverton railway carriage works, 3,500 workers in 1877, and had stations at Bradwell and Gt. Linford. The line finally closed in the 1960`s. Interesting that the present Wolverton station on the east of the canal at bridge 71 is the 3rd station site owing to expansion of the works over the years. A lot of the carriage sheds have been converted to housing and light industry retaining the old shells of the buildings. Sadly some have given way to new development and as you cruise by the old walls seem to look across the water with superior airs at the new builds. Wolverton works link HERE but i like this BLOG especially the comments.

Looking across from the winding hole on the south side of brdg.77 the entrance is quite clear and the warehouse on the left above and the right in the picture below was used in the last war to assemble tractors that arrived by boat on their journey from USA. The wooden bridge can just be seen in the picture below.

This picture below found on the web shows the warehouse and in the distance the Old Wharf Inn built

in late 1700`s now GradeII listed and sells for around £800,000 according to records i found. The warehouse is now a really beautiful conversion(old pic) and i would guess the asking price would be similar to the old pub.

Looking from the rear the old pub is out of shot to the left and i am standing where the canal once flowed. Immediately to my left is the lock cottage below.

The lady in the picture was on her way to feed the ducks was a pleasure to talk to. She told me her garage, the white building, was subsiding as it was on top of the lock chamber. Just follow round past this garden to the left and the bed of the old canal is there to see.

The platform of Gt. Linford station can be seen from the road just a short walk from the canal bridge. The line crosses the canal on it`s way to Wolverton at brdg.76a.

A good place to stop is on the offside visitor moorings just under the bridge. From here you can walk back to all the above (5mins) plus you are in the park with the 17c Manor house and Almshouses and also 13c St Andrews church. The Nags Head pub in the village (10mins walk) dates back to 15c and with some other interesting old buildings this makes a good mooring. I have stopped here 3-4 times and found it very quiet.

Canal closures- is this the norm in 2012

2012-01-10T17:42:00.000Z

I know Jaq and I were in America for most of the summer in 2011 but we did hear of the lack of rain but I for one didn`t realise how bad things were until we started our trip south to London. Marsworth reservoirs then were the lowest I had seen in 6yrs.

The lack of water in places approaching the summit coming back from London and the further detioration of the reservoir levels plus tragicaly low pounds leaving the summit through Ivanhoe and Slapton made the journey hard going at times. At lock 33 BW were putting water into the next 2 pounds to enable us to float down the centre. The first pound was ok but coming out of lock 32 I run aground mid channel just managing to slide off a mud bank a boat length out of the lock mouth and had to creep along the rest of the shallow pound to lock 31, after this things improved.
.
Having seen this at first hand it was no surprise when BW issued the notice below although they have now added a few days to enable boaters to get out of the section or remain grounded for however long it takes for levels to improve.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Waterway: Grand Union Canal »

From 11/01/2012 until further notice

Due to ongoing extremely dry conditions and to protect very low reservoir stocks - we will be lowering the operating levels of the Tring summit by 300mm from Wednesday 11th January 2012 (am).

Whilst the volume of water required for lock operations is low this time of year, a feed from the reservoir group and from groundwater sources has still been required to maintain the canal at the normal operational level. The current demand on reservoirs and groundwater sources will, if maintained, increase the risk of having depleted water resources during the 2012 main boating season.

The immediate affected area is between :-
Lock 39, Startops Reservoir/Bluebells Café, and Lock 49, Northchurch (NB. there is a full stoppage already planned at Lock 49 from 23/01 to 03/02)

The above section will be CLOSED to through traffic and moored boats* from Wed 11th Jan(am) until further notice.

Reduced operating levels (300mm min) will not allow boats to safely moor or navigate the section. A short section at Cowroast will be contained at normal levels through the implementation of stop planks (between Lock 46 and New Ground Bridge, no. 136).

This will afford stability (although immobility for moorers at Cowroast long term site and the marina). The 2 locks (Lock 39 & 49) will be locked throughout, as others may be within the affected area to avoid losses through misuse.

Aylesbury Arm, will continue to be locked against navigation and open to essential traffic only. The operating levels of the Arm itself will be subject to further review and the aim of 'bulk' movement of essential boat traffic will be the aim to reduce lockage.
Additional local arrangements will be in place with Bulbourne dry dock to facilitate a restricted occasional access.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This was the pound north of Fishery lock Hemel.

This was coming out of Bottom Side lock 57

This is the pound leading up to Rising Sun Lock in Berko.

This is between Gas Locks Berko after I started putting water in to fill the lock nb Valerie was in behind where i`m standing. Poor Jaq at the helm had no idea why the boat wasn`t rising even after she saw me raising the paddles. I then went up to let water down and came back to let her know what was happening and to keep centre channel.

Startops reservoir Marsworth and the level is much worse than on our October southbound trip.

This un-known location is north of Marsworth and the other photos I took on this section seemed to have been wiped from the laptop. Don`t ask, just put it down to old age.

Thinking things over I`m glad we decided to go into London when we did. Thanks to Del & Al for saying just go for it and if it freezes so be it, you guys were right so close it would have been daft not to do it and thanks for the tip on the theatre site. I see we have just missed meeting again as we are below Buckby and not following your route after Braunston.

Like to say hello to bloggers NB Chance who passed us today. Also another reader Ross aka Bert the Gnome, I have e mailed you Ross.

Link to Marsworth wrecks

2012-01-08T17:52:00.000Z

http://boatlife.blogspot.com/2010/02/shipwrecks-to-find.html
This is the link to the abandoned boats at Marsworth post mentioned at the end of the last post.

Many thanks to Sue on No Problem. Sue can`t wait to see you and Vic. X

Out of sight-out of mind. or A watery grave

2012-01-06T18:23:00.000Z

It was March 2010 when I first read about sunken boats at Harefield and only now 20months later have I managed to stop, Jaq had called a lunch break, to have a look.

The link to a post on Canal Forum is some 11 pages but is well worth a read if like me history of the canals is your forte.

The water level is down and some of the boats are showing. If I had spent more time searching the whole area I would for sure have found more but you do not let Jaq`s lovely lunches go cold.

It seems the boats were floated in via what is now Harefield marina through a man made gap into the old Quarry. The gap was then filled in and the large number of boats have remained there since the early 1960`s. This page on the forum gives an idea of how many boats are there, SCROLL down to the aerial picture that has the overlay as I can`t get a direct link to the piece.

So maybe this is the answer to un-licenced boats, into one of the many old flooded quarries for say 1 month then sunk if no licence is obtained.

This post reminds me of the old work boats dumped half way down the Marsworth flight. Give me a shout if you want details as I can`t find the post i did at the time.

New boat moving service?

2012-01-03T17:32:00.000Z

I spotted this at Denham Deep lock and from this angle was wondering how? then why?

Waiting for the lock to fill how? became clear but why? still puzzles me unless it is holed. Then it hit me Perhaps this could be BW`s answer to roadside clamped car removal. A non licenced boat is

spotted. The removal ship moors in front, stop planks removed to sink removal ship, float in narrow boat. Planks in pump out water and off it goes.
NOW the big question is go where?. Don`t worry I found how this was dealt with some 50+ years ago just a bit further along the canal.
See you next time.

Last blog of 2011....along the Paddington Arm

2011-12-31T16:27:00.001Z

Hope everyone enjoyed Christmas, Jaq and I spent our first Christmas on board nb Valerie at Cow Roast on the summit pound. We had reached this point late on Christmas eve and took the first mooring available as we were due to be picked up for a family meal at a French restaurant. Waking up on the 25th we decided to cruise for 30 mins to get away from the muddy towpath and the endless line of boats both sides. So another first, Christmas day cruising. Out of sight and sound of others I spent a couple of hours cutting and splitting the wood we had collected over the past few days.

Old Swan Cheddington

After a couple of days it was on to Marsworth for another family get together and meal at a pub in Cheddington. This stretch of water from Cassio northwards is very close to family so it`s nice to see them all before we go off heading to Wales.

Ok so as regular readers know the blog is never very current and although we are now out in rural Buckinghamshire ( Ross are we near to you?) I am blogging some weeks back.
The journey out from Little Venice to Cowley lock is 27 miles and one of the longest lock free stretches in the country.
The Paddington Arm and the mainline were once a large collection of docks and wharves (click on map to enlarge). If you look carefully the long filled in ones can be located and even the bridges although no longer in place can be placed by deviations in the towpath surface some obvious if looking closely.

A lot of the arms were for loading at brick works, chemical plants, railway yards to name just a few but the one I like best is Shackles Dock pictured below. Although in the early days bricks were shipped

from here it then became the site of the Aeolian company that made Pianos. In the picture below from the early 1900`s I have marked a Red X(click it to enlarge) next to the bridge pictured above. The Red line is the arm into the factory site and just above the Red X is the arm that went into the GWR Great Western Railway sidings. Strange to think that had we passed that now renovated bridge the view would have been a lot more spectacular than a few old shabby buildings.

The J. Lyons dock still remains although the site has been re-developed with many faceless warehouses replacing the original landscaped J Lyons site. I remember this area so well through working and growing up in Paddington with surrounding areas like Greenford just a bike ride away along the towpath. If you click the link above you can compare the maps of the original site with the google one i have marked below. In the link maps the canal runs past the tall chimneys below the canal is red lines, the basin is red x and the Yellow marks the size of the old J Lyons site.

Google earth is fantastic, if you look closely you can see nb Valerie passing by.......honest......would i lie.

Have a Happy New Year everyone. Jaq and I are seeing in the New Year with some fellow bloggers so whatever way you step into 2012 do it safely.

Christmas Break

2011-12-21T18:23:00.000Z

Well as the Christmas w`end fast approaches and Jaq and I both prepare to have the holiday on the boat may we wish you all a very happy Christmas and as some of you may be aware today is the shortest day and longest night so happy Winter Solstice as well.
I will leave you with some festive pictures and one that might make you give thanks to whosoever you think might be listening that you are warm and fed and happy.

Tree in Covent Garden.

The lights in Oxford st. and Regent St. London

Just give thanks this is not you. At first I thought it was rubbish dumped then I saw the coats hanging on the fence and pairs of shoes neatly by heads just visible under the covers. This is the road bridge adjacent to Tesco just as you exit the Paddington Arm at Bulls Bridge.

Cruising again

2011-12-17T17:12:00.000Z

So having left the basin, (talking of which, it was nice to see Carol-- blog follower & friend during our stay) we are passing through the lines of boats in Little Venice.

Made of the local rubbish by a youth club.

Just liked the look of this one but the next one in front, see below, just was so completely different in shape and the workings. One thing for sure the variety of boats is huge on the edges of London and each trip seems slightly different.

All electric, no gas,diesel or petrol. Solar panels galore on this boat some can be seen on the side up front. All the power is stored in a battery bank weighing 1.2tons. Price £119,000(NO mooring) or for just a read of the detailed spec click here.

Now hands up all those boaters who were like me thinking "it won`t freeze like the last 2 years". Keep those hands up those that moved when the mild weather of late suddenly changed. Well our hands are up as it snowed quite hard this morning(Rickmansworth) and we moved a bit smartish to top up the diesel and the galley. Nothing came of it but it was a nudge from mother nature or as Jaq would say the Goddess.

Not sure of our location for Christmas as for both of us it will be our first afloat and we have to be mindfull of stoppages we want to get through. Winkwell swing bridge was one (Jan-Mar) but they have cancelled a complete closure but still have delays of a matter of hours. So that took off the pressure. Then BW decided our second stoppage to get through (Cosgrove Aquaduct) would not need the canal closed during the first 2 weeks, fantastic we thought less rush. BUT reading on it seems they can`t guarantee this happening so boaters should assume the canal is closed!!!! W T F why bother making the amendment if we still have to get through by the original date.

Stoppage: Cosgrove Iron Trunk Aqueduct

04 Jan 2012 - 09 Mar 2012

Associated Regional Office: South East Waterways

UPDATE (12 December 2011): For the first 2 weeks of this project, works will be taking place without dewatering the canal. It is possible that limited passage may be possible during this period, but British Waterways are unable to guarantee this.
For the purposes of journey planning please assume the canal is closed.

Farewell London

2011-12-15T17:24:00.000Z

Million Dollar Quartet was our show for the last night. It was a musical based on the getting together back in 1956 of Elvis, Carl Perkins, Jerry lee Lewis and Johnny Cash at Sun Records in Memphis.

Bella Italia was Jaq`s choice for a pre- theatre dinner. Only after starting our meal did we realise it was one of many all over the country which might have put us off but the food and service was fantastic.

The crush on the Underground trains is one thing we won`t miss. Just think people do this twice a day and they pay for the privilege.

Sad as I look back from the mooring before we turned and set off this is the only original building amongst all the glass tall office buildings in the basin with a 40 storey block still to be built. In it`s day it was a Hay & Straw store.
In 1927 a block of land was sold to the governors of St. Mary`s hospital by the Grand Jct. Canal Co. for the sum of £65,000. I don`t know the size or location,(part of St. Marys is on the left of pic) but tremble to imagine the cost of that same plot of land at today's prices.

The visit goes on

2011-12-14T18:20:00.000Z

Harrods all illuminated as we ride past on the top deck of the bus. Must say the Oyster card is a great way to travel. I did get one each although I have a bus pass it does not cover the Underground trains.

Camden Lock market is a must when in London even if only as boater the interest is just the fact it is centerd in and around the canal buildings.

This surprised me, double locks in a pair. I have never seen this and wonder if this occurs anywhere else on the canal system.

In the stable building the stalls are where once the boat horses were bedded down, nice that history survives.

Jaq about to enter the Natural History Museum. I must take her in the museum`s out of town branch at Tring.

Although the museum is free they have a donation machine that takes coins, notes and cards.

£3 will light up the Dinosaur in the entrance hall.

£5 and you can choose the colour.

£10 and the thing will roar, and perhaps people nearby might applaud your generosity.

Or like me put nothing in and think of it as a perk of a long time taxpayer. Pity they don`t allow brits free entry and charge tourists like some countries do for certain attractions. I thought the idea of tourism was to bring money into the country not subsidise peoples holiday with free visits to top attractions.

First show we saw, I let Jaq choose, was a play (see left). Sharon Gless is 50% of the `Cagney & Lacey` team on our television screens quite a few years back.

Jaq loose in London

2011-12-11T20:31:00.000Z

Add caption

Horse guards parade. He looked at Jaq as if to say "at least try and look tall if you must pose with me" or can you give a better caption?

Free entry to all the museums amazes Jaq.

Big Ben never closes but the Abbey was when we finally arrived so it was a walk through St Jame`s park instead.

Protesters opposite the Houses of Parliament entrance not that the MP`s would take any notice as they came in and out. As long as their taxpayer funded life style is ok and they can get away with fraud then all is well for them......i`ll stop while i am still being polite about that bunch of parasites of whatever party.

Buckingham Palace another tax payers.......oh just let me get back to the canals and away from London where i can`t see or think about it.

St. Pauls Cathedral surrounded by protesters, what or whom they protest for i neither know or care. Sorry but it`s my way of dealing with the crazy world and making my last years amongst it all as pleasant as possible ie don`t live in it and pretend the country is one big waterway. Believe me it works, i`ve never been so relaxed as these last 6 years.

Down by old father Thames. Just behind Jaq is the Millenium bridge and in the far distance can be seen Tower Bridge, the one the Americans thought they had when purchasing the old London Bridge.

Well I can only bear this week we are in London because of the lady I married. It`s noisy and full of people rushing here and there. I have trudged around art gallery's and museums and past the sights i grew up with(born in Paddington) but you can`t do enough for someone you love so i can just enjoy the peace and quiet on the boat each night. Very hard to believe we are deep in London here in the basin with just the odd distant siren to break the silence.
We have 2 shows lined up for our last nights here so that is something I am looking forward to.

Americans into London

2011-12-09T15:22:00.000Z

Two Friends, Christina & Cliff, popped over on the Eurostar from Paris to spend a couple of days of their holiday. They only had limited time before having to return to the USA from Paris so a trip into London on the boat was a treat as was fish and chips followed by a pub visit. They will do the London tourist bit on another trip, Jaq however is doing it big time.

Jaq gives our guests tuition on lock operation at Cowley lock soon after we set off from Uxbridge.

Paddington Basin is very quiet, nb Valerie moored on the near right of picture. The wind genny is up as the wind is screaming through this tunnel of tall buildings.

Jaq,Christina & Cliff on the way back across the basin from the pub.

Just cruising south

2011-12-03T18:44:00.000Z

On route to London the canals are very quiet as is usual this time of year with just a few boats moving probably heading for winter moorings or getting near facilities should the freeze strike again. Sure is mild considering this time last year it was the 2nd week of being frozen in.
So we have had a night stop at Cow Roast, Berko, a couple of nights at Apsley and last night was just north of Hunton Bridge tonight as i write we are in Rickmansworth. We need to be in Uxbridge to meet our American friends who are using the Underground to get from the Eurostar to spend a couple of days with us as we cruise into central London.
Jaq has put on some music `to cook with`. The music is `The Gypsy Kings` cd Compass and the food is home made Tamale Pie washed down with a bottle of Pino Grigio.
Boy am i living well.

BW launch moored at Bulbourne

Plenty of wood in Tring Cutting

Three Horseshoes at Winkwell swing bridge, where i tasted for the first time Venison, lovely.

This was the scene at Nash Mills lock 68. Housing stretching down to Red Lion lock. This was all just a pile of rubble from the pulling down of the mill when I last passed by.

No more waiting at Marsworth

2011-11-23T18:13:00.000Z

These are the last of Jaq`s boxes that daughter in law Joanne has just arrived with. The situation as i type is only 1 box remains un-opened with all the others having had a home found for their contents.

So now we can once again get under way and the decision has been made to go into London. It seems to be the right decision as we have just learnt friends are flying in from Paris and wish to stay a few days before flying back to the States. So we will all share what is the cheapest hotel/restaurant in London and i will act as the guide for 2 American tourists plus my darling wife.

Are Swans vegetarian? I ask because for the last few days a pair of Swans have been playing tug of war with a plastic bag. Trying to get a clear picture is difficult, as they stop the game thinking i`m

going to feed them.I have just this minute taken a night shot. Anyway the mystery of the bags contents are now clear, chicken innards, as the bag has almost come apart. In true C.S.I. fashion this was confirmed when one Swan brought up from the murky depths a chicken carcass and the pair of them took turns pecking and holding what was

left of the meat on an almost bare carcass.
It seems after a Google search that Swans are in fact omnivorous and will make a meal of land and water based insects and the odd small fish but are mainly veggi.

Tina asked for a pic of the cross bed but i forgot....sorry Angel. The two pieces just slide out from

under the mattress and rest into a lip on the bed and drop into an `L` shaped piece of wood below the gunnell. It is Tina the same as the dinette table fixing on nb Valerie the design of which as you know I copied from your boat. The bed is complete with a 6`x2` inlay that sits on the bed during the day but at night becomes a 6`x6` bed.

Just been reading through the Dec. issue of Waterways World and two things caught my eye. First in early 2012 Mercia marina are offering a holiday of 4 days in an on site lodge then 4 days on a boat for around £1,035. This is an April price and i think they might have been nervous to quote a summer school Holiday price. Still it might suit the people you see on the front of hire boats, usually ladies, that look totally bored while the men are on the tiller beers in hand.

Next thing catching my eye was an article(click here) on Standard narrow boats new 50` Cygnet, just another new boat report but it has a sales gimmick offering a years free insurance and 100 litres of fuel plus other bits and bobs some of which i would expect with a new build.

Marsworth on sea! Would it work?

2011-11-19T14:25:00.000Z

Arriving at Marsworth I was surprised how empty the moorings were. In the picture below just 2 other boats here alongside the reservoir. Here now after a week, don`t worry 14 day here, the boat count has risen 50%. This is a convenient spot as our boxes will be easy to deliver when they arrive at my son`s house in Luton as we are adjacent to the car park.

All three of the reservoirs close by are very low and the Startops one pictured below has revealed 2 mud banks something i`ve never seen in all the years i have passed this way.

Perhaps if the water shortage remains BW could import some sand and turn this into a beach. Punch & Judy, candy floss and perhaps even a pier. Maybe a charge to the public for using an inland seaside resort will help fund canal restoration, do it all over the country. If the rains come and fill the reservoirs they could change to underwater shopping centres or a submerged version of `Centre Parcs` Maybe if the water levels never recover BW could drain the canals and people unable to afford bricks and mortar could by a boat and have it craned in anywhere on the system. BW collects a ground rent and can re-locate boats when owners want a different view or change employment location.

Mmmmmm back to reality and after a few days along came Del & Al on Derwent 6. So coffee and catchup gave me a break from fitting drawers in the galley cupboards.

Grandaughter Jordan stayed one night as school was closed one day for teacher training. I think Jaq enjoyed having a female aboard as her gran kids are all boys.

The White Lion here at Marsworth is up for sale. The sign reads freehold £325,000 but i`m reliably informed by the former tenants the price the owners want is nearer 500k. I just hope it doesn`t end up as flats as the ground the pub occupies is quite large and a canal view will push prices up making the seeking of planning permission very tempting for a developer.

I will finish up by posting a picture of a Welsh love spoon. Jaq was over the moon to receive this from a blog follower, you know who you are and once again many thanks to you. It has our names at the top and below our wedding date. When you next visit you will see it hanging in a special spot chosen by Jaq.

Lots of pounds(£) and low pounds(H2O)

2011-11-16T20:29:00.000Z

For many years even before life aboard the boat i have wanted to visit this bridge below, just check my surname and you`ll see the connection, but never got around to doing it until a few days ago.

Apart from some metal fencing enclosing electrical installations and some bushes not much has changed since it was pictured 40+ yrs ago.Bridego bridge above in 2011 and below in 1963 and the scene of the Great Train Robbery where 2.6 million pounds in used notes came off the overnight mail train and down the embankment onto trucks.

The train was 1st stopped across the fields from church lock and moved a short distance south almost adjacent to Slapton lock.

On the map the top circle is the trains first halt, the lower circle is Bridego bridge the scene of the robbery and circled to the right is an excellent mooring very close to bridge 118 if you fancy a look.
Not all the money or the perpetrators were caught but some of those captured received 30yrs.
Well i`m glad i crossed that off my bucket list.

Setting off further south with the memory of the notice on Braunston lock flight stating water levels on the Grand Union South were at an acceptable level we moored in the picture below between locks 35-36. This was in the dark as our intended mooring in daylight was after lock 34 but 7` out from the

towpath we grounded and spent nearly an hour back and forth until a boater from the long term moorings walked by and used my pole to get the boat into not deep but enough water to move on but even that took 20 mins. So having found the edge after the next lock just deep enough to force the boat in we stayed the night and awoke to find BW letting just enough water down to float me off and put some depth in the previous pound.

Slap my wrists

2011-11-11T18:27:00.000Z

This rubbish being loaded into the tipper at Wolverton is i guess the result of the IWA mid October clean up of the canal between Fenny Stratford and Wolverton.

Just love this time of year with the towpath changing colour almost daily.

Another sad sight so soon after the burnt out cruiser at Stoke Bruerne. This was to the north side of Milton Keynes near Linford and the guys on the towpath are doing a great job of laying a new hard surface.

This is the view from nb Valerie looking towards Fenny Stratford lock. I would say at a pinch 2 more boats could fit in here 3 if all those BW boats hadn`t been there. Now we arrived in the dark here as Jaq had an appointment the following morning with the Chiropractor after suffering a kink in her neck that gave her vertigo. (all ok now)
Now the point i`m trying to make is these are 24 hr moorings and was all that was available and as you can see we have only BW for company. We decided to make use of the local shops and get on board not just food but diy bits from BQ.
We overstayed by 36hrs but the reason i did was because of those BW boats, anyway after 6yrs i got my first letter, from a mooring warden, telling me what a bad boy i was and a report is on it`s way to the local BbbbbbbbbbWwwwwwww, sorry shaking with fright, office.
Anyway we moved through the lock and moored 500yds down on the 14 day moorings. It was only the fact that BW could have moored their boats there that gave me the `if it`s good enough for my landlord......` attitude. No they decided to go 500yds and through the lock to moor on the 24hr.

Ok folks tell me i`m wrong if you want i`ll publish any clean comments slating me.

Progress report

2011-11-07T19:14:00.000Z

Arriving at the last pound of the Stoke Bruerne flight the towpath has badly fallen away despite BW trying to keep the water at bay with plastic sheeting. The situation is worsened by the close proximity of the lock. I see the stoppage to repair this is listed as 30th Jan-24th Feb and is listed as a contracted heritage repair to the wall. I just hope the end of the holiday season and the reduction of traffic through the locks will stop this getting worse.

Another sad sight at the same location.

Just a short distance and we came across the remains of a tree poking out of the hedge. It was clear

others had been there before but we still managed to find a large amount. As can be seen the gangplank was needed to bridge the shallow water when loading the logs. One puzzle was where had the tree come from? Behind the hedge was a narrow corner of a ploughed field and no sign of a stump or hole. My guess was the farmer had cut it down as it made it awkward for the tractor in the tight corner. Perhaps the stump was still in the middle of the field and the canny farmer knew if he dumped the tree near the canal it would save him the bother of clearing it.

This picture taken soon after the wood was loaded is now out of date as today i spent a few hours cutting up another very large find. We just love to burn wood all day and keep the expensive coal for the long overnight burn.

So a few days stopping as when we want is the life we love and a lot of time is still being spent doing alterations. The latest is we now have a cross bed measuring 6` x 6`. My old 4` bachelor bed was fine for just me but now we can stretch out..........bliss.

We now find ourselves south of Milton Keynes and Saturday a visit from some of the grand kids (why did i not take pics) was lovely after not seeing them since May owing to our long stay in the USA.

What we intended was a trip into London after loading Jaq`s boxes, awaiting customs clearance, but my worry is if it should freeze and we are unable to get past the stoppages and remain trapped till March. So perhaps a re-think on the London trip.

What would you miss

2011-10-30T17:49:00.000Z

Other than the 3 weeks back in May Jaq has now been in the UK for almost 8 weeks and i was looking through some pics and started wondering what she might be missing or not.Without doubt the family comes top of any list.

Daughters Sparky to my left and Jesseca holding Connor.
Son in law Ben at rear, G`sons Michael & Matthew(front)

For sure Jaq likes our bacon but does miss American bacon, can`t think why!!!! Anyone who has been across the pond will know it`s like our streaky but in my opinion has less meat and they cook it till it`s so hard it might shatter if dropped. I paid top bucks to find some decent stuff while over there.

Jaq discovered Asda streaky and can`t you just see how happy she is.

Now for sure America is a Coffee nation although Jaq`s preferred beverage was Typhoo tea purchased at a premium price at home. Jaq does enjoy a Cappuccino/ Latte and decided to purchase her own machine to bring over here. At the moment her flavour is Amaretto but has yet to find any others in the supermarkets. For a quick fix Jaq has taken to my instant Tesco Gold but the machine is god.

Jaq`s special import

The above things just sprung to mind as i viewed the pictures on the laptop so how about my beautiful new bride tells us more.

Hi Folks,
It's been wonderful meeting everyone whose blogs I've followed from America. As Les and I discussed what I miss the list grew a bit! I crave a good Mexican take away from Nuevo Vallerta or a Chinese take away from the Green Emerald in Pullman. I miss knowing my way 'round the grocery store, chuck roasts ( I know a cow is a cow but this is not a cut I've found available here); canned green Chile's, Lipton Onion Soup mix, and a few other things. I miss people. My family of course and my friends. I miss women-to-women talks and lunches with my best buds.

I definitely don't miss the climate. We sat out in the soft.misty drizzle today, pootling along from Blisworth to near Yardley Gobion. I wanted a mooring out in the country for Samhain. I don't think it is wise to be a stranger in the village on Halloween. It just invites pranks. Especially somewhere where village life is small, juveniles are bored and view passing boats as a novelty.

What I love? My husband, who makes me laugh, and our floating home. I love pulling the pins every few days and cruising to wherever. Les gets a certain happy look on his face when he is at the tiller of a moving boat. Now he tells me I get a certain sparkle in my eye when we are readying to cast off and move. I love the kindness of the people we meet on the canals, and the ever changing view out our windows; I love the sweet smell of wood smoke tinged air, rosy cheeks and chilly hands, and coming inside to the warmth of the cabin. And I still love laying in bed at night listening to the wind sigh in the trees, and the barely perceptible gentle rocking of the boat.

A Woody post

2011-10-27T16:53:00.212Z

When Maffi told of the towpath hedge being attacked by the farmer little did i realise how bad it was. Maffi did mention BW were in talks with him (farmer not Maffi) but it seems that he`s not listening as the mess was still there on the 25th. I would imagine the towpath as covered completely and that walkers have pushed it away from the cut to pass through.

So my regular visit with Andy & Tina before heading south was the reason for choosing this route and now having enjoyed a lovely evening aboard nb Valerie it was time to turn around and head back into Braunston. The plan was to stay the night but we decided to do the flight and lunch before the tunnel then a night stop at the top of the Buckby flight.

So we arrive at the bottom lock as 2 holiday boats start up. Another holiday boat comes behind us so we can comply with the notice(left) posted on the lock beam by BW. So all is well as we rise in the bottom lock until a private boat moored in the first pound turns and enters the second lock leaving one of the 2 boats in front of us left in the pound.
Simple decision for us was to let the holiday boat who came up with
us carry on and we stayed in the pound and put the kettle on, after all we have a lifetime they had just a week.

According to the second notice on the lock beam advising water restrictions in the South east we are using the Gd. Union that BW has decided the water to be at an acceptable level, time will tell.
So we arrived at the Buckby top lock and after taking on water and off loading rubbish we decided to just keep going. Having been on the water point for an hour an not seen any boats arrive we had no choice but to go down the flight on our own. Just a short distance from the bottom lock is Brockhall which earlier this year was the scene of much tree cutting and it was nice to find some wood still available. I imagine this is what was unsuitable for the saw mill but the stove on board is not fussy so a few lengths were loaded on the roof and cut up the following morning on our remote mooring.

As i sit here typing fellow bloggers Derek & Carrie on nb Uccello have
just pulled up in front of us.

The pic on the left is the book shelves i mentioned were next on the list after the double cupboard in the galley. On the right another Billy bookcase has appeared as an above worktop cupboard and as can be seen Jaq finally decided where the spice racks were to be located. Pull out shelving in one of the low level cupboards is the next project.

In case anybody is wondering about the title of this post the name of a post is sometimes hard to decide as just putting Braunston, Rugby or wherever we might be is boring i think. So wood came to mind. Trees on the towpath, 2 flights of wooden gates, some firewood and some new wood cupboards.

Yes i know .....to much time on my hands.

Friends and Bloggers

2011-10-22T18:52:00.003Z

While moored at Newbold we had a visit from blog followers Mike & Phillipa Muir who happened not to be

just in the area but to be in the country. They were on a visit from Canada not only to visit family but also to check out some boats for sale as they are very soon to be live aboards. Look forward to seeing you both again next year when you return.

Time for a move and we chose what we thought might be a quiet spot between Hillmorton and Braunston. Arriving a bit late on a very windy day we spotted bloggers Lynne & Paul on Piston Broke. The following day we took a break from the alterations on board Nb Valerie and spent a very pleasant time with them both drinking tea and chatting aboard Piston Broke.

We caught the bus into Daventry which conveniently stops outside Rye Hill & Onley prisons that lie just beyond a small wooded area along the towpath. On our return we found contractors cutting down some trees that were getting a little to close to the prison wall so that was my job for the next day, wood gathering.
All the best laid plans can change and they sure did the next day. First Chas & Anne turned up on More 2 Life so the wood still had to be collected an hour or so later after tea and chat.

The wood had no sooner been collected and the chain saw cooled when along came Maffi on Milli M. Having spent a long time on the South Oxford he is now once again off cruising the system. The last time i met Maffi was on the southern gd. union at Winkwell about 4yrs ago. His timing was spot on as Jaq was just doing some lunch and Maffi didn`t take long to tie up and come aboard for lunch and Ginger cake fresh from the oven with warm Toffee sauce, how lucky was that.

Next arrivals were Carol & George on Rock `n` Roll. So more tea Ginger cake and chatting on board Nb Valerie. Later in the evening together with Maffi we spent a very nice time as guests of George & Carol consuming wine and some home made Irish Cream liquor from a recipe from friend Tina. A new bottle will be prepared for when we see you Tina.

We moved off this morning regrettably to get water in Braunston and are now moored a few miles out in open countryside giving me a chance to get some bookshelves fitted.

Birthday Girl

2011-10-19T05:36:00.001Z

Jaqueline

Lots of love LES XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Coventry by bus and now by boat

2011-10-16T13:32:00.000Z

The original plan to visit Coventry by bus worked out fine and we then spent some time on the Ashby Canal. Now having spent some lazy days, or was it weeks? do we care?, anyway time was spent on deciding the best solution to phase one of extra storage on board in the galley area. The inside of our home is mostly an oak finish and matching is not easy unless you purchase an 8`x4` board which then gives rise to more storage problems if not used in one go

The answer lies in Coventry where in a big Yellow and Blue building Billy sits waiting patiently for someone to collect him and as he is a bit heavy we had to take the boat into Coventry basin to load. A 20min walk with the use of a store trolley soon had everything loaded.Still at least we were rewarded with unlimited plastic bags, rope and clothing to compliment our propeller, didn`t get free gifts when we last went on the bus.

Say hello to Billy the Oak veneered bookcase and optional door. All in flat pack ready to assemble or in this case ready to cannibalise.
The side panels are tall enough for a floor to ceiling fixture in a narrow boat and the shelves can be set at a level to suit, add the doors and...................................

Voila! The walls of a narrow boat as us boaters know cause the cupboard to start narrow at the top and deepen half way down only to narrow as the floor is reached. Cutting the side panels to fit is the

worst job and almost all the shelves have to be cut to the varying depths depending on the positions decided by SWMBO....She What Must Be Obeyed. Real glad i`ve now got my very own SWMBO life has improved 100%. As you can see Jaq has started filling the shelves before i`ve had chance to put a few finishing touches and decided another one the other side of the galley would be good.

On the left is a dvd/cd holder from the Billy range also in the oak finish and i will cut the long sides to suitable lengths and make book shelves to the right of the cupboard above and around the radiator. Quite a few of Jaq`s boxes contain books so the extra shelves will be needed. The dividers will be used along the shelves as separators and supports, I will post a pic when it`s finished.

When we were on the Ashby Ian & Alison came by on Gosty Hill and we took on diesel and coal. Jaq

presented them with 2 large portions of homemade Carrot cake. Sitting here typing the smell from the galley is of a Chocolate Kahlua Bundt Cake Jaq is baking just for us as previous cakes were for the kids. For the non boaters reading take a look at the front of Gosty and see how low it is in the water compared with the moored boat. A few tons of coal and diesel makes a big difference and Ian had trouble with the shallower than usual canal.
As can be seen Ian is selling fuel at 85p per litre this i noticed compared favourably with Rose boats at Brinklow 91p and Lime Kiln near Newbold at 87p.

ASHBY Canal terminus

2011-10-11T17:01:00.000Z

The Ashby Canal Association has been busy at the Snarestone terminus of the canal since my last visit some years ago. The winding (turning point) hole has been improved now being larger than i remember or is just the metal piling that has been re-newed that gives an illusion of space.

In the picture above the elsan housed in the little brick building on the left hand towpath marked the end of the canal.

A walk up the path shows the added section complete with swing bridge which will be swung open if you wish to take advantage of the extra mooring space.

The very end and more was due to be dug out within days of our visit so i expect it to be around the bend by our next visit.

At the moment we are making our way along the Coventry towards the Rugby area and eventually south down the Gd Union to collect Jaq`s boxes. The ship is currently in port at the panama canal.

Stormy weather and a ship at sea

2011-10-06T18:47:00.000Z

At the moment after having some lovely weather we are sitting half way up the Ashby waiting for post on the Poste resante service. My daughter in law Jo Jo sent our post a week ago and it still hasn`t arrived at the local post office.
Still the way the weather has turned we are in no hurry so we will sit and wait for a few days by which
time the post will arrive, the wind will ease and the waves on the canal will subside.

The ship below is `Humboldt Express` and in one of those containers on deck are 22 boxes of Jaq`s possessions. All right the picture is off the web but the ship at this moment probably looks the same

as it makes it`s way at 17.5 knots down the west coast of America heading for Manzanillo, Mexico it`s first port of call since leaving Los Angles at the beginning of this month. I assume it will then use the Panama Canal on it`s voyage to UK but the Marine traffic site i`m tracking it`s progress on doesn`t
give a route or ports of call. The shipping company in the U S told us the service is door to door but at

34,037tons with a 11metre draught how will they get to us say up the Grand Union. I suppose the boxes will arrive at my son Kev`s house where Joanne will find space till we can get them on board. The ship is due in at Thamesport UK on Oct. 31st.

Bosworth Battle 1485

2011-10-01T15:57:00.000Z

Along the Ashby canal places to re-stock the galley are limited with Hinckley being the only town in close proximity to the canal. Other places are Stoke Golding with just one shop and a post office(our post will be here on our way back) or Market Bosworth. Both have a bus service back to Hinckley if the small Co-op food supermarket doesn`t quite hit the spot for you.

So here or rather there we were at Stoke Golding and yours truly puts his back out probably stretching to much when sawing wood for the shelves. So after a few days Jaq decides having looked up the bus times to go into Hinckley and get some things the village store didn`t stock. Not sure of the exact bus stop Jaq asked a lady in a car outside the post office and was standing at the said bus stop when the same car pulled up and Jaq was invited to join Liz the post mistress together with friends for a trip to Morrisons on the outskirts of Hinckley.

Replica Steam launch at Stoke Golding

So the back is better and we see a notice advertising Crown hill field open day in aid of the `Get Thomas to America fund`. Crown hill is where Henry VII was crowned after Richard III was killed in the Battle of Bosworth. Historians were on hand to not only discuss the battle history but to explain the recent archaeological finds that have proved the battle did in fact take place 3k from what has been the suggested site at Ambion Hill. The weather was not kind but a modest turnout raised £600.

View towards the newly discovered Battle site from Crown hill

The Battlefield moorings at Shenton have been popular for visitors to the battlefield site and at the bottom of the embankment is a small field and a monument declaring it the site Richard III was slain in battle. What will happen now in light of recent findings i know not but for sure the Heritage centre will remain as it tells the story so well with a newly opened extension containing recent finds from the new battlefield site.

I suppose for now the visitors will still arrive by car or boat and the heritage centre will continue to alter the information boards. The walk from the moorings via Shenton station was excellent and Jaq & I rewarded ourselves with a full English breakfast in the restaurant that was walked off by the time we arrived back on the boat.

I just shudder now when I think of those 3 months in the U S totally dependent on a car. The weight i gained is coming off slowly as i can now button up a pair jeans that previously remained open.

A couple of pics for Jaq`s girls back home. Above mum in the stocks at the Heritage centre and below she tries on the soldiers battle wear as we tour the exhibition.

On the Ashby

2011-09-24T18:22:00.000Z

Away from Hawkesbury Jct. and as we cruise along the Coventry the same old sights are to be seen at

Charity Dock. I counted at least 15 of the shop window manikins spread along the moorings and around the yard also the sunken boats one showing in the picture.

We spent a couple of days here and there just relaxing and enjoying walks. Some good Blackberry`s to be picked along the Ashby canal. Other time has been spent moving some shelving from one side of

the boat to the other in order to accommodate our new chairs. Jaq is now seeing what true live aboard boating is all about. The 3 weeks of her visit back in June was just like a holiday as we travelled from Cassio upto Napton with not much time to relax and visit places near to the canal. Now with time on our hands we are choosing how long we moor and where we cruise.
Our friends Tina & Andy out on holiday spent a couple of nights with us one on board to sample dinner ala Jaqueline. The second night was spent in the pub with a nice meal, drinks and good conversation,thanks both of you.

The Marina Pub/Restaurant

Coventry

2011-09-17T12:32:00.000Z

Spending a couple of days at Hawkesbury Jct. so I could take Jaq into Coventry on the bus. In the past I have gone into Coventry by boat but to be quite honest the trip was not very pleasant with rubbish in the canal and mostly run down buildings to view on the way in and on the return trip.

Jaq enjoyed the City as she likes history so the bombed Cathedral and the Medieval timber-framed
buildings some moved from across the city to be preserved in one area.

Also a visit to Ikea was on Jaq`s wish list and as it happened we hit the store just on lunchtime and I must say the food was good and very reasonably priced. The shopping bag when we left was very light as Jaq has quickly become aware of space constraints on board and limited her purchases to things that Bachelors seem to do without. Well what is wrong with using a wine bottle as a rolling pin!!

Not too long after our return, and while Jaq was in the shower, Paul & Lynne on Piston Broke cruised

by heading for a quiet spot to moor for the w`end. The first fellow bloggers to pass by since our return from USA.

Just adding a photo here and there that bring back memories of my 3 months in exile.

This is Mt. Ranier and at 14,485` is the highest mountain in Washington State. It is a dormant Volcano. Covered in snow and we were sweltering in 85F. This is one of the many pics i took as we drove into Seattle.

Snoqualmie Falls has a drop of 280` and the memory this brings is it was the first waterfall of this size I had seen. I am not counting Niagara Falls I visited in 1980 as the width doesn`t produce a compact whole falls close up picture like this.

Blackberry cruise

2011-09-14T17:28:00.000Z

The Jet lag is now a thing of the past and after a few days chilling out we have been on the move heading towards the Ashby. Mrs. Biggs, still can`t believe my luck, has wasted no time in dragging me albeit willingly along the towpath on a foraging expedition. Jaq now wants to identify the other types of berry and obtain recipes for them, suggestions gratefully received.

As i sit here typing a Blackberry & Apple pie is in the making in what was my Bachelor galley that has undergone serious reorganisation.
It has been nice back on the boat not waking up to the daily exhausting heat of the past 3 months in the States but actually seeing it rain. The winds over the weekend especially Monday had the wind genny going at crazy speeds and i saw 10amps going into the battery bank.

Ok so can anyone explain why the locks at Hillmorton have been halved ie all the offside locks are padlocked. Water saving is the reason given but we joined a 12 boat queue to go down and in doing so took 12 lock fulls of water with us just as we would if both locks had been in use. 6x2/12x1. Plus one lock in use leaked real bad with it`s adjacent padlocked twin not leaking a drip.
The Waterscape notice reproduced below says gates locked overnight- they are locked all day.
BW will man the double locks during day.....no BW man and these are single locks! Anyone sighted a lost looking BW man hanging around a double lock somewhere?, direct him to Hillmorton please.
Best part of the notice is the request to "double up where possible when using the locks"! (single locks)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Restriction: North Oxford Canal Hillmorton Locks 2-7

02 Aug 2011 until further notice

Associated Regional Office: South East Waterways

In order to conserve reservoir stocks along the Oxford Canal the offside tandem locks 3, 5 and 7 will be locked during the hours of 4pm - 9am overnight.

During the day BW will continue to man the double locks.

Boaters are asked to double up where possible when using the locks.

BW apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.

(Enquiries: Steve Morgan 01908 302500)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So glad to be back.

2011-09-10T19:32:00.000Z

We landed back at Heathrow on Thursday lunchtime and made our way back to the boat. After the overnght flight the lack of sleep found us crawling into bed at 6.30pm and waking at 4am. After a cup of tea and toast we were back in bed until 8.30am.

Friday saw us up at the pub with friends Tina and Andy who kept an eye on the boat whilst we were away......thanks again you lovely pepes.

Saturday lunchtime and we set off and moored on route to Braunston and following a fantastic walk in windy cool conditions along the towpath we promptly fell asleep again for an afternoon nap.

Found a Lock

2011-09-07T19:26:00.000Z

We are in Seattle for a few days before flying home aboard the boat. The drive over from Pullman took about 6hours with stops on the way at the Ginko Petrified forest in Vantage, lunch at a 1950`s diner based in an old filling station plus a stop at the Snoqualmie waterfall.

We have been out and about here in Seattle and one place we naturally wanted to visit was a LOCK. The 2 locks are Chittenden locks also called Ballard locks. They lock boats up from Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean into the ship canal and onto Lake Union and Lake Washington.
There are 2 locks, one is 30`x150` and the second is 80`x825`.

Seattle skyline as we drive in

Chittenden Locks

The rail bridge lifted as we arrived for boats to access the lock

Filling fast as i stand on the top gate

Full lock, the other boats queueing were to large for the left side spaces

One of 5 lockies on duty around the lock, all with safety harness`s

This boat even has a hot tub on the roof

Almost time to leave Pullman

2011-09-03T00:15:00.000Z

At the moment we are spending a few days with a close friend of Jaq`s after emptying and closing up the house. On Sunday we will drive the 300 miles to Seattle and spend 3 days doing the tourist bit before flying back to the UK on an overnight flight arriving Thursday.
Within a week Jaq and I will be back on the boat and i for one can`t wait. The heat is getting to me with temperatures of 69F at 7.30am and 83F at 6pm. As for during the day just cast your eyes on the

display in the picture above taken just after 4pm. a few days ago. I imagine it will take a while to get acclimatised to the English weather and i will probably shiver for a while.

The Segway personal transporter has just recently arrived in Pullman and i pictured one in use by the

Washington State University campus police. It just happened that a friend of Jaq`s owned a Segway

and I just had to have a go. Ok you all had a good laugh, finished? The crash hat with flowers belongs to Karen and she insisted on the helmet in case i crashed. I tried to take the flowers off but only managed to remove the straw hat. They seem a bit expensive at around £5000.
This Segway must not be confused with the cheaper scooter version.

Life in the USA

2011-08-26T01:33:00.000Z

When is a Tyre not a Tire? Is it a Tyre or a Tire?
This is the local parking attendant at work. He goes around the small town of Pullman with a long chalked tip pole and he marks the tyre of the cars parked on the street or in this case one of the many FREE public car

parks. The time limit is two hours and having marked the tire (American spelling--yes ok I hear you all but I can assure you they are nice folk who just talk and spell things differently to us; remember I've married one and so to avoid accusation of cultural discrimination I best include the odd American spelling.) After two hours he comes back on his rounds using different coloured/colored chalk to mark newly parked cars.

He tickets those with his chalk mark of two hours earlier. Above is the car he just marked before I asked him to pose for a picture. To overstay the two hour limit means a $10 fine but be aware: it's $250 for parking illegaly in a disabled bay.

Thrift store is what we in the UK call a charity shop.

Outdoor relaxation is big over here with tempratures of 85-93F; cooler than usual according to the natives. Nearly all the parks I have visited have a picnic shelter with BBQ, electricity and water. They can be

reserved for a nominal fee to host a large family get together; otherwise the facility is free for public use.

Above is a typical shelter with 4 BBQ units. Seating and tables are available with each unit. The BBQ in the picture below is a stand alone unit in a smaller park that has no shelter.

Also in the park I came across this strange contraption. After spotting some young folk approach and aim Frisbees at it. I just had to ask them about it. The game is called Disc Golf and it is played in twenty countries besides the USA.

Has anyone seen it in the UK? Each player carries a bag of about twenty Frisbees, with at least three different types: putters, drivers and all purpose mid range discs a bit like a golfer with his many different clubs.

No prizes for spotting what's in this picture. Yep an allotment--the difference being this one is un-fenced, slap bang in the middle of the same park where the Disc Golf and single BBQ units were.

Do we have frozen concentrated fruit juice in the UK? It's very popular here and comes in at least 20 flavors.

Just peel off the lid, squeeze the frozen contents in a jug, and add three containers of water. The only thing I can think of in the UK that's even close is the Frozen Jubbly in a Pyramid shaped carton we got as kids. Hold the front page! I've just been Googling and it seems they have been ressurected from the grave of my childhood memories HERE.

This three wheeler car is a Zap Xebra Electric and has 4 seats. Built by the Chinese, it has a top speed of forty MPH and a range of twenty five miles between charges. The price is $12,000--about £8,000 pounds UK.

The bodies used to be fiberglass but are now manufactured from metal.They also make a Truck version that has a solar panel on the roof.

What vehicle in the U.S. other than police, fire or ambulance can stop traffic? Yep it`s the good old American school bus. It`s bright Yellow Orange or Orange Yellow; it depends what book you read from. These buses are a famous sight here as is the black cab in London.

Almost half a Million buses carry 26 million students to school EACH DAY.

When dropping off or picking up students, the red flashing lights front and rear--together with the stop sign that folds out on the left side--all mean no passing the bus from either direction.

I have now got an official Washington ID card! The reason being, I wanted an American bank account and

without a social security number this was the only route I could take to get an account.

As the Geese fly over the back porch and the sun sets, I'm thinking in just twelve days we will be on the plane from Seattle heading home. We will leave Pullman a few days before the flight and spend time in Seattle as Jaq has obtained some huge hotel discount via a friend. At least Seattle weather should be cooler. I cannot wait to get back and enjoy the UK climate and stand in the rain. The past three months have seen just a tiny amount of rain over here. The heat stops me doing much during the day as I feel exhausted. It was 101F a few days back.

We have packed up the things Jaq wants for our life on the boat and they have been delivered to the shipper today and will appear in the UK in about 2 months (Look out for a boat laying low in the water after the boxes arrive!)

Life here over the past three months has been one long list of dinner, lunch, and breakfast invites with Jaq`s friends each wanting to say their goodbyes. They are all without exception a lovely group of people and I thank them all for accepting me as a friend.

Outside this part of the world

2011-08-10T11:52:00.000Z

Sitting here in the garden a regular visitor is the Black-Chinned Hummingbird. Much to fast for me to catch on camera so the pic is from the Web. They usually hover in front of the flower beds just feet away from where we are sitting.

Click on the link and scroll down to the 3rd video of the super slow motion of the little birds wings. They can fly up, down, backwards and forwards as well as hover while they get the Nectar from plants using their long beak and tongue. A truly fascinating experience to watch them live in your garden.

The Coyote makes an appearance near the house occasionally albeit at a distance across fields, this one again

taken from the Web is full grown and we have seen many like him as we drive around including youngsters dead by the roadside having been hit by cars.

Another visitor in great numbers to the garden is this Dragonfly known as a 12 spotted skimmer. This picture

is mine. It has a 3" wingspan and is about 2.5 inches long.

Skunks are something we don`t have in the UK and boy do they stink. We passed one making its way along the side of the road and slowed to get a pic but Skunky was none to pleased and emitted a terrible smell i quickly wound up the car window.

A week or so back as i went out of the back door i startled an Owl that had been i assume because of the shortage of trees perched on the roof. It flew down low over me and settled some 50yds away on the edge of a field of Wheat. I watched it with binoculars for some 20 mins and can only assume it was digesting a meal when i disturbed it. With out doubt after watching it up close it was easy to identify by the ear like feathers upon it`s head as a Great Horned Owl.
Reading about it on several sites firstly it`s `ears` gave it away also the fact that they do feed on the ground in fields for mice but i think the best thing was the apparent wingspan they can have. Believe me when Owly swooped down over me that wingspan was huge.
Sadly just last night Jaq and I discovered an Owl(dead) in the middle of the road probably hit by a car. Jaq moved it to the side of the road but as to weather it was a Great Horned I have not yet gone to have a look in daylight. Certainly by the size it could have been.....shame.

Big lock on a big river

2011-08-05T17:29:00.000Z

Jaq and I had a trip out recently to the Lower Granite Dam on the Lower Snake River. The dam is 2,655 feet wide and stands 254ft high. It has 6 generators that produce 810MW of power. There are 4 dams on the
Lower Snake River all generating power and a further 4 when it joins the Columbia on its way to Portland and the Pacific. Behind the Granite dam lies a lake of water stretching 39 miles.

The dam has a single lock, the bottom gates can be seen in the pic above, that measures 674ft by 86ft wide with a 100` drop. Now i`m not sure if they class that as a double or single lock but taking a Narrow Boat of 60ft my guess is you can get 132 boats in facing forward with room at one end for perhaps 2 across the lock.

Above is the inside of the lock, 46 million galls and 10mins to empty/fill. Besides pleasure craft barges use the lock and typical cargoes would be Wheat, Barley, Petroleum, Machinery.

This is a typical tug and 4 barge set up.It is the equivalent to 280 rail truck or 1,076 USsemi / UKartic loads.

The fish are guided into fish ladders that are like the exhibit in the visitor centre below. Fish make their way along an uphill channel with laybys that give them a refuge to rest before swimming on and upwards.

Watching fish use the ladder from inside the visitor centre.

I would love to have gone on the guided tour of the dam that included the power house but the whole site is run by the US Army Corps of Engineers and US citizenship with photo id is a condition of a place on the tour. Jaq and I even had to show photo id just to drive the road across the dam, luckily they accepted my UK drivers licence but warned us not to stop till we reached security on the other side. I stood up with my head through the sun roof to get the lock picture.

So a rare chance to walk along by the river and past the Marina but the warning signs tended to make me not stray to far off the tarmac.

Return flights are booked

2011-08-03T21:27:00.000Z

My original return date was Aug. 16th a date plucked out of the air to keep the USA immigration happy. Perhaps in hindsight it might have been better to have made the return date nearer my visa expiration of Sept. 9th but at the time I thought August would be fine. So 230 squids lighter and i have a B. Airways flight Seattle-London direct. We then booked Jaq on the same flight and sorted the seats near the rear in the 2 abreast section, getting boaty , breasting up!.

Hands up anyone who thinks air fares are as confusing as train fares. First let`s just explain that we have different tickets in that my ticket ends in the UK but Jaq`s is for a return to the U S in April 2012. This came about because Jaq returned with me in May for 3 weeks so we both have returns starting each side of the pond.

Now the price we paid for Jaq`s return has gone up 50 pounds since we booked it 7 days ago which i can understand, supply and demand, more people wanting fewer seats. What i don`t understand is why can`t we get Jaq a single ticket at a reasonable price then we both land in the UK equal, i.e. no return part of our tickets.

I tried Brit. Airways (US) and the extra cost for single against return was $320. Also tried a UK based Internet site( E Bookers.com) and the difference was 194 pounds sterling so we now have Jaq with a ticket for April and i`ll need to get on the same flight so we can return to see her kids both little and grown up and this ticket fiasco will continue unless we pay to change it.....why should we.

Fishing amongst wildlife

2011-07-27T06:45:00.000Z

Last week i had the good fortune to be invited on a fishing trip along the Snake River from Lewiston aboard a 23`Aluminium jet boat. From Lewiston known as the gateway to Hell`s Canyon we would be heading as far as Grand Ronde about 30 miles up river.
The Snake River is 13th in the list of Americas longest rivers at 1038 miles. It meets the Clearwater River in Lewiston and then joins the Columbia River that flows 465 miles all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

So the boat goes in but today that lady on the jetty is from the Sheriffs dept. and is doing a spot check on all boats being launched. The check covers boat registration documents that must be carried, fire extinguishers, life jackets, mufflers (exhaust), flame arresters( stops flame spreading), sound devices(horn), ventilation system(removes fumes from engine space) Anything not to her liking the boat comes out.

Basalt gives some great pictures.

Roger, captain and boat owner.

Petroglyphs at Buffalo Eddy on the Snake River.

The US Mail run up the snake is a tourist attraction.

Wild Turkeys along the shoreline.

Wild Big horn mountain sheep watch the boats go by.

Small mouth Bass, yes it`s small and yes i only caught one. But the environment it was caught in beats fishing by the canal anytime but i would swop it all for NB Valerie.

Osprey nest along the Snake River and this one came down several times to fish but sadly to far for my camera to capture. Just drifting and watching this amazing bird was a wonderful experience.Click the link,the pictures are superb.

A little bit of video of the boat trip. Watch you don`t get sick as the boat enters the rapids and the camera shakes violently, i was filming standing up looking over the roof.

JAQ HAS A VISA

2011-07-22T21:00:00.000Z

Well you can imagine who has a big smile on her face today. An excellent service even though it cost an extra $300 fast track fee on top of the $1149 basic cost.
Sent FedEx Tuesday, arrived New York Wednesday 2pm, approved Thursday noon, Passport and visa arrived back UPS Friday 11am

Just think in 2 years time we can go through all this again to get Jaq permanent leave to remain in the UK.

Out to dinner tonight, i think we deserve it at least Jaq does after all the hard work she put in to those binders.

Had a great day out Wednesday last involving amongst other things Osprey, but that`s another blog.

In the hands of the Embassy

2011-07-20T03:44:00.000Z

With the biometrics completed in 10mins after a 170 mile round trip the visa application for Jaq could be submitted. Just a final check that everything has been included and that each section is clearly labelled to make it as easy as possible for the UKBA at the Embassy to process the application.

An indexed ring binder application was the recommended way to apply according to an Internet forum of others facing this traumatic ordeal. One binder contains original documents and totals 250 sheets of paper. The other binder contains a photo copy of every document submitted.
As you answer the 11 pages of questions each answer has to have supporting documents to validate your answer. Now this is fine when they ask for example for your bank account details and finances to support your partner, get bank statements etc. Paperwork starts to build when they ask where your going to live and the many sub questions regarding your answer. do you pay rent? do you own it? how long owned? the questions go on just on this one subject, how many rooms? do you have use of all rooms? The more you can convince them your answers are true the more likely the visa will be issued. So in this case original bill of sale, boat insurance certificate for last 5yrs, boat licence renewal last 5yrs, pictures of inside/outside boat. 16 pieces of paper already, get the picture.

Anyway the 2 binders above are on their way at a cost as i mentioned of about 725 GB pounds plus we decided rather than risk the estimated up to 2 months process time we paid 187 GB pounds to get it processed in about 15 days. At least with the visa (fingers crossed) in our hands sooner rather than later we can then concentrate on other matters to complete our return to the UK.

At least while we wait Jaq and I can get out and it was while driving down towards Snake River that we came across a Wind Farm or at least the first phase of 149 with the eventual total to be 749 Turbines.

There must have been at least 80 already erected and if i had photographed left and right of the picture i did take you would have an idea of how little impact these have on the landscape. All the land here is for crop growing and the turbines are hardly noticed among the thousands of acres with no towns nearby and just a farm here and there. The 4 areas siting the 745 Turbines amounts to 123,000acres. The farmers have leased the land for the siting of the turbines so have an income year round.
The Turbines stand 390' high and weigh 340tons. The concrete base is 8' 6" thick. The column is made up of

3 sections, one is pictured above on a road trailer. Below a rotor blade is also brought to the site by road.

If you click HERE you will find a short time lapse film of the Turbines being erected.

A Chipmunk and a Red Tailed Hawk. The bird was at the top of a tree and i was lucky that the road climbed up a hillside zig zagging and the car came level with his perch.

Update from America

2011-07-12T20:58:00.000Z

The Passport is back so the Biometrics appointment for the 13th July that Jaq booked is the one we will be using. In the meantime the supporting documents for the visa application are almost complete. The online visa application (11 pages) has been completed and the fee ($1149-766sterling) paid. The biometrics receipt has to be sent in with the hard copy application and all the supporting paperwork.

Although i have the car to use and the weather is good, up to 93F, the ability to get out and walk around the open country is restricted by the fact that no right of way exists over the land. The fields around here are all growing crops of Wheat and peas mostly and that`s about all you can see for miles with no hedgerows dividing the fields and very little in the way of wooded areas. Even if you drive out a few miles and find something resembling UK landscape the land is private and you have no right to walk on it.

Cougar

There are places such as Kamiake where we got married that are State owned but these offer nothing like the freedom our UK footpaths give us Brits so i`m telling you all be thankful. Jaq and I drove over the border into Idaho to have brunch with friends who have a ranch consisting of several hundred acres.

We all piled into a 4 wheel drive and had a tour and Larry and Lael have said i can walk the ranch anytime. Parts of the ranch are heavily wooded slopes and are home to Cougar(Mountain lion) and Bears so a little care has to be taken.

A bit different to the UK where you might meet a Rabbit or a ferocious Fox. The bear pic was taken at the Washington State University where the Bears can be viewed close up either in their holding pens or in the large open areas they can roam.

One of my new skills is bread making with no bread making machine. A nice tasty loaf i`ve covered in Poppy and Sesame seeds. All that`s needed is flour, water, yeast and time. Leave it 12 hrs to rise and cook for 30mins in a cast iron pot.
Jaq made it work on the boat so i decided to have a go on my own.

A couple of pics taken in and around Pullman, might be of interest to Mike.
2 Harleys on the left and a very nice side car combination on the right. Sorry i`ve lost the paper i wrote the bike name on.

Photo by kind permission of Mrs. Biggs

PAPER CHASE BEGINS

2011-06-30T02:09:00.000Z

Now Jaq and I have married the Spouse Visa application process that will enable Jaq to enter the UK and remain can begin. The back up paperwork that accompanies the application is mounting with bank details and much more from both sides. I even have to prove my ownership of the boat as that will be our residence.

We have done a lot of research over the past 3 months and one of the things that came up via an ex-pats site on the net was that if when submitting your application the passport was in the married name this would be a big help to establishing your application as being genuine and not just a marriage of convenience to gain entry. So that has been our top priority and the passport has been away for a week with only a guarantee of it`s return within 2-3 weeks even though we paid $60 to fast track it.
Uk border require Jaq`s biometrics to be taken before visa application is submitted.
The passport is needed for the biometrics.
An appointment is needed for the biometrics but we need the passport back first.

Jaq has managed last week to grab online an appointment for the 6th July. No other dates were available in July. So our thoughts have been if the passport is not back we wait till August for the biometrics. Now this girl i`ve married is no bimbo, she has kept an eye on the appointment site and grabbed what we can only assume is a cancelled appointment for the 13th July that was back on the calendar so we now have an extra week for the passport to arrive.

I am now in my 6th week as a non smoker, piece of cake? doddle? easy?. NO, bloody hard just going cold turkey but i can only say the urge to have a smoke only crops up now and again and for sure the worst is over. I really feel that it would be so easy to have `just one` and screw up 6 weeks of resisting so i`m now fighting that voice in my head "you can go without for 6 weeks so have one and stop again after".
I did buy some Liquorice root, sure it was called Spanish Wood when i was at school, to chew but it didn`t help so it was back to sheer will power.

Sitting out on the back deck here in Pullman something amongst the Wheat crop caught my eye as it came

down out of the high ground stopping for water. Binoculars revealed a Coyote that was aware of me but still came quite close before turning away keeping a safe distance from all the homes backing onto his territory.

Robins here are quite common but are much bigger than our little Christmas card star.

Red Winged Blackbird is not only common but makes a hell of a noise.

Black and White hooped jail bird is not so common. This is one of a pair on day release from the local county jail (average population 45) doing some gardening at public buildings in Colfax.

Jaq has asked me to apologise if you have not been able to find her blog, the problem was that by accident she deleted it when setting up a new e mail address. Her present e mail will be lost when she stops using her Internet provider so she signed up to a G Mail address and deleted the old e mail that was also the blog sign in and thereby deleted the blog. Anyway Google have after a lot of fuss re-instated the blog. What bothers me now sitting here typing this is if we use e mail and password to sign in to our blogs can anyone tell me/us what happens when Jaq`s old e mail is no longer live i.e. when she ceases paying her Internet provider.
Jaq`s blog is here but i warn you Jaq is a writer and this blog post exceeds all others for length ( it includes the wedding) so fill your vacuum flask and make some sarnies before clicking the link.

Wedding pics and the service.

2011-06-21T20:45:00.000Z

Here are some more pics from the hundreds we are lucky to have been given by friends and family. There are so many different ways that a Wiccan wedding can be performed that i shall leave you all to do your Googling.

I have posted the whole ritual for our wedding HERE and those taking an active part feature in the following pictures.

The vows that make the it all a legal ceremony are as follows;

Vows

Do you, Les, take Jaqueline to be your wife,
to be her constant friend,
her partner in life, and her true love;
To love her without reservation,
honor and respect her,
protect her from harm,
comfort her in times of distress,
and to grow with her in mind and spirit?

Les: I do

Of course these words mean nothing if not said in front of not only 2 witnesses but also an ordained minister recognised by the State here in the U S that you are getting married. A very close friend of Jaq, Patti, got herself ordained on line and so ensured the legality of the marriage.

Un-like the UK the venue for the ceremony does not have to be approved here and enabled us to have an open air service in amongst some stunning scenery high up on Kamiake Butte.

The exchange of rings;
Les, as you slip the ring on Jaqueline’s finger, repeat after me: I, Leslie Charles Biggs; in the name of the spirit of love which resides within us all; by the life that courses within my blood; and the love that resides within my heart; take thee Jaqueline Marie Almdale; to my hand, my heart, and my spirit to be my lawfully wedded wife. To desire thee and be desired by thee; to possess thee, and be possessed by thee; as a token of our love. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint; in sickness and in health; in plenty and in poverty; in this life and beyond; where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee; thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself.

Myself not having any strong religious beliefs found the ceremony very easy to take part in and that`s all i want to say as to compare ceremonies of several beliefs i`ve attended over the years would not be right here. The Wiccan ceremony was what my lovely Jaq wanted and that`s all that mattered to me.
In the pictures the parts played by people referred to in the text can be read in full at the wedding ritual link HERE.

The ceremony over Mr. & Mrs. make their way down the hill.

The backdrop beats a UK registry office garden anytime.

Myself and the Reverend Patti

Sarah represents West/Water and also Invokes the Goddess.

Adelina not only represented North/Earth but also smudged people entering the circle.

Has your Reverend kissed you lately?

Handfasting part of the ritual.

On the left Steve who brought the Bride to the ceremony and on the right his wife Rev. Patti.

Bill representing South/Fire and also Invokes the God.

Karen who `gives over the bride`.

Jaq`s family, Michael left was holder of the rings-Jaq- Sparky caste the circle, East/Air, anoint of Rose Oil and most of all was my best Girl making sure i arrived etc. To the right of me Jesse holding Connor husband Ben at the back and front of picture Matthew 3rd son of Jesse & Ben.

Jaq and Myself with daughter Shiery (Sparky) in the middle

Jaq and I taking Communion wine.

Just before the Communion begins using Bread and Wine.

Rush Pics

2011-06-18T20:44:00.000Z

Wedding Rehersal Day

2011-06-18T05:47:00.000Z

This Friday evening at 6pm (2am Sat UK) a group of about 15 climbed the 1000` or so up to the top of Kamiak Butte for a run through of the Pagan Wedding ritual that will make Jaq and I husband and wife.

Approaching Kamiak from Pullman

Scene of the ceremony

Backdrop to the wedding site

I will try to get some pictures on the blog as soon as i can Saturday. I know the family want to see pics and also blog readers so will try to post some quickly at the friends house where we are having a wedding lunch. With the 8hr time difference i `m looking at 8pm uk time.

LICENSED TO WED

2011-06-14T19:53:00.000Z

On Friday we travelled down by train from Rugby to Watford and stayed in a hotel overnight to make the journey to Heathrow easier on the Saturday. The hotel room including fruit chocs and Champagne was a gift by my friend Amanda, thank you so much. Also included was access to the Sauna, Spa and Swimming pool which we made use of.

Saturday morning having awoken refreshed and indulged in an excellent hotel breakfast we were picked up by d-in-law Bev and spent some time at her mum & dads before being dropped off outside Terminal 5, thanks

Alan & Tina,where this huge beast was being fed before our 9hr flight across the pond. It`s a 747 with 467 seats and can be a maximum of 442,000kg on take off. After climbing to 35,000ft it will reach speeds of 610 mph. I know how it gets off the ground but still sit there at each take off saying to myself `how`. It must have reached it`s top speed for most of the journey as we left late after a passenger was off loaded by a medical team plus the patients luggage and we arrived about 10mins late having made up 40mins.

Now every girl likes to browse the shops and Jaq is no exception so with plenty of time before take off we
strolled around T5.

. Wedding shoes?

Wedding Car?

Wedding Hat?

The only thing we needed was the license issued by the Whitman County Auditor at Colfax court house in Washington State. As you can see it gives permission for Jaq and I to be wed by a person legally able to

Solemnize the marriage. The cost was $58 and it is valid after 3days and expires after 60 days. On the Monday following the marriage we will be back at the Court house to get certified copies of the certificate to start off the paper chase involved in getting Jaq a spouse visa to enter the UK. More of that little game as we play it.

PROGRESS OF THE HONEYMOON CRUISE

2011-06-08T19:34:00.000Z

The stay at Marsworth ended Friday lunchtime with the arrival of the new mattress. Typically all my instructions had been ignored and pure luck brought me face to face with the delivery driver as i waved off daughter in law Joanne after a visit. I had given the White Lion pub as a postcode with instructions of the boat being moored alongside the car park, included my name, boat name and phone number. When i got the mattress aboard all it had was my name and the pub address so anyone at the pub would have just said sorry not here driver.

Anyway the few days stay at Marsworth were pleasant enough and Jaq enjoyed the church both inside and out as i`ve always known the door to be un-locked at marsworth.

Carol one of the followers made her second visit to NB Valerie this time on her way back from the Crick show with g`son Kai and her lovely friend whose name escapes me. Once again Carol arrived with cakes, lovely to see you Carol with or without cakes.x

Jaq liked this boat name as she is not just a Medicinal Herbalist but also a Green Witch. Our outdoor wedding will be a Wiccan ceremony as well as a legally binding service.

Stoke Breurne was busy as this coming w`end is Gala Weekend Plus Thursday 9th Mikron Theatre will be performing on the green next to the Museum.

Having been a solo boater for the past 5 years everything on board was allocated a home by me but during the past 3 weeks a few things seem to have moved to new moorings within the boat. The lady

in the picture is responsible and has my full support in doing so. I know the saying is `if it aint broke don`t fix it` but sometimes things will work better in a new position and now my say in how things function is now on a 50/50 basis. As this pic shows Jaq in the galley i will just mention my diet has taken a turn for the better as Jaq once run her own catering business.

On the way through Bugbrooke we saw Moore 2 Life moored up but no sign of Chas or Ann so not wanting to miss the chance of a chat with 2 lovely people we moored up and awaited their return from a walk.
We now find ourselves in Braunston and having just stepped off the boat to moor along came Jill & Graham on Matilda Rose. Just a quick hello as they were about to do the Braunston flight on their way to.......check their blog it might tell you their plans. Nice to see you both and maybe next time we all might have more time.

Well this coming Saturday Jaq and i will be flying back to the states to marry on the 18th. We will post some pics on the blogs. The 3 weeks jaq has been on board have flown by but at least from now on we will be together with no more 4/5 hour phone calls through the night.
I would just like to say a big thank you to everyone who has sent their good wishes be it via blog comments, in e mail or in person, we do appreciate it. Thanks.

SOLO BOATER DISCOVERS TOWPATH WALKING

2011-05-31T22:54:00.000Z

Yes, as you can see in the picture below my Princess is still smiling and completely confident weather doing locks or taking a turn on the tiller. I`ll tell you all something about this happy go lucky lady that has become such a big part of my life, no matter what boaty task i ask her to do there`s no protest just a couple of quick questions and off she goes. Moving off from the towpath into a lock, being aware of the cill, using reverse gently to avoid ramming the gate etc., yes in just a few days of cruising Jaq has listened and got on with it. Yes of course as happens to us all things have gone wrong for Jaq but never has she refused to carry on.

First visitors from the boating community were Ken & Sue Nb Cleddau who travelled down by car to Apsley for what was a very enjoyable time to chat and talk of plans for the summer ahead.
Very soon after Sue & Ken departed the lock queue ahead of us lengthened with boats making their way to the Boxmoor Canal festival and i offered a boat trying to stay mid channel to come alongside only to be told "Thanks but your friends are coming up behind me and will want to breast up to you". Ok i thought that`s fine but why does this complete stranger seem to have more information about my social life than i do. Who are these friends? Well it turns out he had been sharing some water with Mo and V on Nb Balmaha who were soon tied alongside and having lunch on board Nb Valerie.

The picture above was one i posted on my trip down to meet Jaq and shows the demolished Bridgewater boats yard at Berko and the construction of 3 houses.

The picture below shows building materials being loaded at Winkwell for transporting to Berko for the construction of these houses.

The original developers wanted to put flats on the site but opposition was so great they sold up and the new development has been scaled down to include a small boatyard in the plans.

The picture below is rare because i am holding the camera not the tiller. What a partnership eh! Jaq confidently taking NB Valerie between locks while i`m enjoying locking and treading the towpath.

So we are on our way to Napton before flying off to marry in the U S. We have got as far as Marsworth which as some might know has good access for a delivery by road. Now just ordering a mattress, and you can all stop right there it hasn`t worn out in the last week or so, to replace the original one after 6yrs would be easy enough. Next day delivery would not cause to much delay. Five hours after placing the order the manufacturer phoned to say they will have to make our order as they have no stock to match our specification. Friday is delivery day now so some extra long cruising days next week will be needed to bring us back on schedule.

Goodnight.........

American loose on the canal is NOT causing any problems.

2011-05-24T16:29:00.000Z

We set off from Cassio bridge this morning and have reached Apsley. All i can say is that Jaq is a born boater, give her the tiller and within 5 mins her steering is spot on and entering/exiting locks needs the minimum of reminders after my showing her how it`s done at an earlier lock.
The Jet Lag has kicked in but a daily pm nap is slowly eroding the tiredness.

Now on day 3 of my non smoking and it`s hard and a big effort to resist the call of nicotine is being helped by Jaq`s presence.

OK off to the shower now as being collected by friends for dinner.

JAQ ARRIVED SAFELY

2011-05-23T20:00:00.000Z

Jaq has arrived safely but very tired. I collected Jaq from Heathrow at 11pm Sunday but she is a bit Jet lagged. Many thanks for your good wishes we will blog soon.

WAITING FOR LOVE

2011-05-16T19:20:00.001Z

At the moment i`m just spending my time getting the boat ready for Jaq`s arrival in 6 days time. The biggest job has been cleaning the ceiling in readiness for my giving up smoking this coming Sat night.

As you can see in the picture a clean up with the sugar soap has revealed the original grain of the Oak panels and the same has happened upon cleaning the walls. All the curtains came down over the last few days and the Dinette covers will be next on the list. As one of the kids said i`m cleaning the nest.

My first sighting of Cygnets as i passed Apsley

Above is a picture of lock 65 where the original route of this section went. It went through those buildings until John Dickinson re-routed the canal in 1818 to pass his paper mills at Apsley. Double click the map to view it better.

The original route had one lock less than the present route which means Kings Langley lock is numbered 69A.

The canal passes through Cassiobury Park which provides a very nice tree lined walk into the town centre of Watford.

Sunset at Apsley

Jaq has brought her blog `So this is love ` as far as Feb 2011 and will be making her blog bang up to date later in the week before arriving in England on Sunday.
If any one would like to meet Jaq e mail me and i can give you our plans for the next 3 weeks which include a little get together of friends and family.

A WEEKEND AWAY

2011-05-09T23:21:00.000Z

Left Berko on Friday lunchtime in search of somewhere, not strictly true i knew my destination, quiet for the weekend. Fri/Sat nights can as in any town be busy and the local beer saturated residents noisily making their way home via the towpath sometimes using a line of moored boats as objects of fun can be annoying. Being set adrift or having them banging on the roof as they pass is not for me.

As i left i passed this Aluminium (A loom num to you Jaq) boat. having spent some time talking to the owner it transpired it, the hull that is, started life as a ships lifeboat. He has added the cabin with the intention of bringing another craft to the canal in the form of Stained glass windows and intends to have people aboard on one day tuition sessions.

This old canal building is the most interesting canalside structure in Berko. That open door is the security guards office, close up in the picture below.

A before and after now in the next 2 pics. Above is a picture i took in Dec. 2008 and below the Bridgewater Hire base has gone. There has been a big battle to save this site but it seems the builders are having their way although i`m sure i`ve read that they didn`t get their original big planning application approved, must have a google and see what the story is.

So below is where i spent the weekend in company with 6 horses, 14 geese, 2 swans, some Coots,

5 ducklings and a Heron that spent a lot of time patrolling the field. Old Mac Les had a farm e i e i Ok i`ll shut up. Peaceful and sunny sitting on the front deck with a book or walking the fields and lanes, oh how i miss work, oh how i miss the hustle and bustle, oh how i lie.

SOUTH TO BERKHAMSTED

2011-05-05T18:16:00.000Z

Time to move on and following my stay in Marsworth i went up through the flight of 6 locks to spend some time at Cowroast on the summit level, now it`s downhill through 34 locks to Cassio Bridge where i shall meet Jaq in just 2weeks and 3 days.
It`s been a slow journey down with plenty of longer than usual stops which makes finding something to blog difficult but no doubt when Jaq comes aboard her new home before we fly back to the States to marry there might be a lot more blogs.

This boat on the Wendover Arm has ended up on the bottom. Once somebody`s home it`s now i would guess a removal problem for BW.

My daughter in law Ozlem looking very relaxed on her visit

because son Steve is keeping an eye on Teo and Batu.

The water tank has taken a beating with so many visitors so top up before leaving Cowroast.

Into Berkhamsted for a few days gives me a chance to stock up the galley and find a laundrette to give the Duvet a wash as for sure it won`t fit my machine on board.

The old Town hall in Berko is now a coffee bar/restaurant.

Friday will probably be my moving on day as i know of a quiet little spot just before Winkwell that will be good for the w`end.

Next week i will start the spring clean of the boat before Jaq arrives which includes washing the ceiling and walls, drastic? No the reason is i`ve decided that Jaq`s arrival will signify the start of my being a non smoker as the confines of a narrow boat will not be a healthy environment for the two of us. I have done a test wipe over on the ceiling and although the stove contributes to the muck up above my smoking must be the main cause. So it`s a case of will power or patches but i think will power and the the love of my life being on board that will win.

I must say i enjoyed smoking, but now have to consider Jaq`s health, and when flying out to the states have gone without a smoke for 20+ hours so i think it will be easy. Of the 2 drugs (love & nicotine) my money is on love.

MARSWORTH enjoying the sunshine

2011-04-26T16:44:00.000Z

Hope everyone`s enjoying the early summer, long may it last, and having a chance to chill out like me with an extended stay at Marsworth topping up my tan. With the weather being so good Marsworth has been very busy with the flight of locks an boat movements through them giving both young and old the chance to see how the canals work. The usual comments by the children as i sit on the front deck, "mummy do people really live in boats" or "look dad that one has a windmill on the roof" or "mum they have a sink, why don`t they use a dishwasher" plus lots more the boaters amongst you have heard no doubt

Plenty of interest from the adult males about the wind genny and the solar panel which is by the way giving out a steady 5.4amps. The genny has now taken over as i write with the wind being the main food for my batteries and is giving a 2 amp boost to the weakened sun but together i still get 3/4 amps.

The long stay as i travel slowly south into Jaq`s arms, just 3weeks 3days now, gives me time to carry on with prepping ~~the~~ our boat with the fridge now boxed in and the shelf in place above the washing machine behind those little doors.

Another job i`ve been meaning to do is the non slip rubber on the back deck which for some time has slowly been winning the battle with the glue holding it down. I mentioned this to Jaq saying i would try and find something to smarten it up once it was re-glued and she had the brilliant idea of using the tyre black paint used on car tyres. Well i must say it has been a success although i will say try and give it a long drying time so it soaks in and hardens.

On the way into Marsworth a film crew were busy making a TV advert for the O2 phone company. I later learnt from other boaters in Marsworth they had also been filming at the locks with the involvement of a horse. One of the film crew said the ad is due to be screened in May so watch your screens.

Below NB Valerie moored right beside the reservoir, the Red boat is selling Canal ware and was doing a good trade selling amongst other wares painted horseshoes with your name added while u wait.

This proud mum came along with her brood of 13 but over 3 days the numbers reduced to 12 then down to 8. Not her being a bad mother but Mother Nature at work with either Pike, Heron or Crow or possibly all three enjoying a meal, sad yes but that`s the way life is.

Just a few steps from the boat just one of 4 Reservoirs in the area all built by the canal company back in the early 1800`s to supply water to the canal. The 3 mile summit level between Cow Roast and Bulborne needs a healthy supply of water with boats coming up to or leaving the summit using many thousands of galls of water to do so.

The trip boat was a regular operating cruises from Pitstone turning halfway up the Marsworth locks. This one was hosting a 60th birthday and the w`end night time trips were disco themed.

Plenty of good walks around the reservoirs with good paths a nice way to spend an hour or so away from the crowds.
One walk took me across to the Wendover Arm basin and across fields to see how the renovation of this 6 mile or so canal was progressing. Some parts are in water but this section has been cleared to allow access for work parties and equipment.

Swans on the runway

Swans overhead waiting to land.

2 NEW CREW Plus good cruising companions

2011-04-14T22:46:00.000Z

Half term and two of my grandchildren Keirnan and Jack have joined me for the week. The first few hours went fine but Keirnan being the youngest decided after being put to bed that he missed mum, cuddles and bribery had no effect and so Kiernan jumped ship when mum arrived.

Jack(left) and Keirnan

Do you all agree with Jack, it weighs at least 10lb

Now young Jack has been aboard a few times over the years so he was just fine doing locks, tying up the boat, fishing and washing the boat again and again and again........when he wasn`t eating that is.

Jack making up for eating all but one of the cakes

Moored up near Slapton village Jack and i went for a walk across the fields in amongst the grazing cows and walking back along the towpath came across George and Carol on Rock `n` Roll moored about a mile ahead of us. This morning we travelled down to Marsworth sharing the locks and jack was in his element walking the towpath either with George or Molly the dog.

Valerie & Rock `n` Roll in a lock

Rock `n` Roll entering a lock thru a bridge hole

George & Jack on swing bridge duty

Molly looks on hopeful as George plays Chef

Upon reaching Marsworth George and Carol kindly invited us to their BBQ..................many thanks to you both.

COSGROVE and Nb Valerie is in print

2011-04-08T23:06:00.000Z

I set off through Blisworth Tunnel which as usual was a very wet journey with water dripping from the roof and at one point cascading down one of the ventilation shafts. After mooring at Stoke Bruerne for a cuppa i decided to go down the lock flight and moor below the bottom lock just for one night as i wanted to reach a point of easy access to visit the Grandchildren over the weekend. One more short hop to Cosgrove picking up diesel and gas on the way and a night stop gave the chance for a walk along the Great Ouse.

The canal crossing the river here at Cosgrove started in 1800 with 4 locks descending down to the river and the same number bringing the canal back up by the lock at Cosgrove. The river flooding was a cause of delay here and in 1805 an Aqueduct came into use and the 8 locks became redundant.

Luckily the locks were left in situ because in 1808 the Aqueduct collapsed and the locks once again were pressed into service until a temporary wooden structure once again carried the canal across the river.

The present iron trough Aqueduct opened in 1811 and has given good service with minimal maintenance to the present day.

Although the bed of the canal can be plainly seen on both sides of the river no trace of the locks remain and the modern style lock is just in place to show visitors how it looked. Going down the steps by the Aqueduct you can walk along the river into Stony Stratford taking about 30 minutes.

When i took on diesel at Yardley Gobion i picked up a copy of the April issue of Towpath Talk and while at Cosgrove sitting in the sunshine, cup of tea, piece of cake, with my feet up not a care in the world, sorry non

boaters but it`s part of the hardship we boaters suffer on a daily basis. Where was i, ok i opened the paper and there was a picture of NB Valerie featuring in an article on `How green can i be afloat` . Page 89 is the page you need to read the article using the.............you`ll work it out. NB Valerie is the right hand picture.

BLISWORTH TUNNEL a canal builders nightmare

2011-04-05T01:20:00.000Z

As i cruise around i find the history of what is now my home absolutely fascinating. The present day world is there to see but a 200year old canal system that i now live on hides it`s past be it because of mother nature or more often human intervention. It is there to research and as others like to follow other pastimes in retirement i have chosen the history. I hope others get some enjoyment from my blog that tends to be different to other boating blogs. Don`t get me wrong, i enjoy a huge number of boaters blogs for their content and style of writing and hope we can all blog as one big happy family.

Late 1793 a contract to build Blisworth tunnel at £10 per yard was negotiated. Within a year the contractor was failing miserably and the canal company took over but by 1796 so much water was entering the workings that work had to stop. It was recommended to carry the canal across the hill by lock flights, this was turned down and the solution was to start the tunnel more to the east at the Blisworth end. Perhaps this accounts for the curved approach we now have as we approach the tunnel entrance. (not seen in the above pic)

One of the ventilation shafts for the tunnel.

So again work started now at £16 per yd -- which reminds me that the original cost for a branch to Daventry was estimated at £6000 and i`m wondering IF they ever build a Daventry Arm what it will cost.-- but this soon all but stopped as it was felt work needed to be done elsewhere on the route. 1802 is the next significant date because a new lower priced contract at £15 was awarded (must be when compare the market.com started) and Blisworth Tunnel was finished in 1805.

Over the years a lot of repair work went on but in the 1980s the tunnel was closed for some years for massive work involving re-lining a large part of the tunnel with concrete rings. Click here.

One of the concrete rings used to re-line the Tunnel

Back to 1797 and a road was built over the hill to transship cargoes, this was soon followed by a Tramway that started at the wharf next to the Mill at bridge 51 and ran to the bottom of the Stoke Bruerne locks. It was proposed to continue it to Cosgrove but the decision was made to finish the canal rather than have to long a Tramway. If you walk back from the tunnel on the non towpath side 2 GJCCo. markers can be seen and it`s
along here the Tramway ran.

Another marker bottom left surrounded by nettles Jaq.

As for the rest of the route across the hill i`m not sure if any trace remains although it has been investigated in the past. Click here.

INTO BLISWORTH

2011-04-01T18:51:00.000Z

Ok the blog editor is back after letting the sub-editor feel her feet. The fair sex have a better way of making announcements than us blokes so i put the blog in the capable hands of Jaq, i won`t say just for one week as it won`t be to long before she will be blogging jointly with me fromNB Valerie.

So now everyone knows the plans and all that is needed is for all the paperwork that the UK Border Agency need to process Jaq`s visa and we can both live happily ever after. The amount of paperwork is astounding plus the things they want to know even about me, finances,accommodation,proof of length of relationship, it goes on and on. We did get some good tips off the Internet from others having gone through the hoop and one was to present the paperwork in an indexed file to make it easy to process and hopefully add speed to the conclusion. So i`m having to obtain statements from Internet banks and spend ages photo copying (they want originals and copies) the dozens of other requested documents. All be worth it.

So the slow journey south continues and i`m taking the time to carry on with some alterations and boat maintenance.

The washing machine is working and i`ve utilised the space above

Extra cupboard space in the bedroom, just the door to finish it off.

This stretch of canal down to Blisworth opened late 1796 and is slightly longer(just under a mile) than originally planned owing to following the contour and avoiding more heavy earthworks as had been needed at Weedon & Bugbrooke. The biggest challenge was Blisworth tunnel that proved a costly long drawn out construction.

Nb Valerie ontop of the embankment at Weedon

Bloggers are still around and Ian and Karen on NB Tacet stopped the night at Weedon on their way to the Nene. It was a first time meet for us all so it was nice to be able to invite them aboard for a cuppa. Also George and Carol on NB Rock`n`Roll passed by today, probably see more of them as we head in the same direction.

International Wedding plans--Wiccan and British

2011-03-29T03:35:00.000Z

American:

It is with great Joy

we announce our

upcoming nuptials:

Les C. Biggs

Jaqueline M. Almdale

will be handfasted

in an official

Wiccan wedding ceremony

Saturday, June 18, 2011

10:00 am

Kamiak Butte

Pullman, WA USA

Private luncheon

to follow at the home

Jim and Karen Barron

320 NW Joe Street.

An open reception

will be held on

Saturday, July ninth, 2011

Keith and Chrisi Kincaid's farm

1251 Enman-Kincaid Rd.

Living on a narrow boat

means space is at a premium;

We ask guests to bring

a pot luck dish to share

in lieu of wedding gifts Please!

Join us for dinner,

wedding cake, sparkling wine,

and dancing under

the summer evening sky!

British:

With joy and

thanksgiving

for having

found each other,

Les & Jaqueline Biggs

will reaffirm

their vows of marriage

in the presence

family and friends,

sometime in September, 2011

at a British church

to be announced.

Reception after

also to be announced.

We will be

in residence at home

aboard NB Valerie,

somewhere on the

canals of England!

Hi everyone,

It's me, Jaqueline--or Jaq. Les asked me to write this blog post--typical init? The wedding plans always fall to the Bride!! ;)

Given that we come from two different countries with different laws regarding marriage and immigration, we have an international wedding team!

After a thorough perusal of the U.K. Border Agency web site we determined it is less time consuming, far less expensive ($2400.00 vs. $3600.00 and one less visa step) if we married here in the States and I applied for a Spouse Visa.

In the United States one may get married literally anywhere. One goes to the county clerk's office in the county where one resides, pays a fee of $58.00, flashes one's birth certificates, tells the clerk names, dates of birth, and place of birth of one's parents, show a photo I.D, and the marriage certificate is issued.

The happy couple wait a minimum of three days, and then get hitched by the judge or clergy of their choice, in the presence of a minimum of two witnesses. A church wedding will have additional fees attached.

Kamiak Butte, Washington USA

We will be married in the morning on Kamiak Butte in a Wiccan handfast. My dear friend Patti Gora McRavin has gone and gotten herself ordained by the Church of Scientific and Spiritual Humanism, and the Right Reverend Patti will officiate at our ceremony. (For her inspiring love story which is intertwined with ours please continue to follow my blog.)

Since we will already be married when we return together in late August, we will arrange an affirmation of our wedding vows through the Church of England. These arrangements will be firmed up while I am over visiting from May 22nd-June 11th.

While I may visit England on a visa waiver for a period of six months, Les may only visit America on a visa waiver for a period of three months. Les and I will fly back to Pullman together in June, get married, and begin the daunting Spouse Visa application process.

There is only one shot at this--make a mistake or leave something out--the British Embassy issues an automatic denial and there is no appeal process.

It can take up to three months--and sometimes longer for a Spouse visa to be issued, and if the British Embassy clerk in Los Angeles, California has any questions about my application they may request an in person interview at their convenience.

We must file a five page application, pay an initial $1200.00 fee, and include my passport, our birth certificates, Val's death certificate, my divorce decree, our marriage license, six months worth of our bank statements, a year's phone records and any emails we have sent one another; a letter from my employer about telecommuting from the U.K., and I must have my biometrics taken at the Federal courthouse in Spokane, which will be kept on file for ten years. (And this is the easiest route for lovers from our respective countries to make legally abiding arrangements to live together until death us do part!)

In the meantime I must find a good home for my feline friend Wee Man, who would never survive the six month quarantine required by the U.K., put my home up for sale, and winnow out most of my belongings, paring everything down to the essentials. While I am blessed with a home full of lovely things--they are only "things" and with very few exceptions, most of them are meaningless without Les.

My deepest thanks to all who have offered their good wishes and blessings to us both. I look forward to meeting you all on the cut.
May you have joy in your journey!

2011-03-24T19:21:00.000Z

My route is on the Gd. Union that started life as the Gd. Jct. Canal following the granting of an act of Parliament in 1793. The Oxford canal company`s route to London via the Thames was long and the Gd. Jct. was to be a much shorter and therefore more competitive.
Braunston Tunnel opened in 1796 was originally planned at 1,600yds long but ended up at 2000+ to reduce the long cuttings at each end. At the same time the canal opened to Weedon.

My first overnight stop is Norton Jct. at the top of the Buckby flight of 7 locks, take heart fellow boaters that if the original plans had stood this flight would have been 10 locks.
Down the Buckby flight and just a short distance brings me to the scene of much tree felling. The trees are on the

Brockhall estate and are being commercially harvested and the site will be replanted soon after. Now the two men on site were not going to let me take any large pieces but were quite happy for me to remove small cuttings and my top box was soon full of a lot of good oak logs. Making them Coffee seemed to speed negotiations to the benefit of all.
I decided to stop the night at Weedon but so far this has stretched into 2 nights because of the lovely sunshine and the need to touch up the paintwork below the Gunnel's.

The mooring next to the church has it`s good and bad points, the bad being the close proximity of the railway and the bell practise in the church last night but the deciding factor was the very low concrete edging that made it

easier to do the paintwork. The temptation now is to wind the boat and do the other side but i`ll wait and see how the weather is tomorrow. Time is on my side as i`m meeting Jaq at Heathrow in May so have plenty of time to get down to the Watford area which will be easier by cab when i pick her up. Together we have made plans for our future and i will reveal these perhaps in the next blog.

Signs of summer are all around.

AWAY FROM BRAUNSTON

2011-03-21T18:47:00.000Z

It`s been quite pleasant here in Braunston waiting for post to arrive but the time has now come to break out and head for pastures new.
A meal out with Sue,Vic,Chas & Anne was lovely as was chatting to other non-blogging friends. The arrival of George & Carol on Rock `n` Roll resulted in a lovely evening aboard their boat for drinks, thank you it was a lovely evening.

Over the w`end the BCBM boat share show took place and Braunston marina was a hive of activity with 2 days of good weather attracting a steady flow of people. Marques were erected and several commercial outlets were

present including Barrus Engines, Kinver Furniture, Top Box, and i spotted Waterway Routes with a fine collection of DVDs. Also the Cheese Boat was attracting a crowd.

What interested me most, i have no need of a boat share, was the stand for the restoration of NB Lucy. A lot of boaters will remember her sunk along the Puddle Banks here in Braunston and might wonder what became of her. Nb Lucy has been raised and now resides on dry land just next door to Midland Chandlers.

Another interesting exhibit was the old working boat Raymond the last wooden narrowboat built for carrying and

launched here in Braunston in 1958. The only wooden boat built since on the canals is i believe `Maid of Oak` built for Julie and Peter Thorn the hull being launched in Jan 2004 at the yard of Bates Boats on the Grand Union Aylesbury Arm. I had the honour of being shown around the boat by Julie back in 2006.

Away heading south past the Admiral Nelson

Into Braunston Tunnel

BRAUNSTON with a problem

2011-03-14T20:54:00.001Z

The plan was to head north for a while and then return south for Jaqueline`s visit in May but an electrical problem has dictated a change of plan. The Alternator on NB Valerie started mis-behaving back in August and i removed it and had it tested.........no problem says the man. Back on it went and ever since has behaved itself at least 99.9% of the time. Perhaps it was happy being on NB Valerie and decided to mend it`s ways. Just lately, the past 3 weeks, it has been playing up with the warning light/buzzer faintly coming on although the volt meter shows most of the time to be fully charging, most being 75%.
So no second chance Mr. Alternator you have to realise i need power all the time. All is well now with a new one installed and performing admirably although it seems strange not hearing that faint buzzing.

Depending on our wonderful Royal Mail i might be around for a day or two waiting on post from my son`s house via the Poste Restante sevice. I`m also waiting on a card from Jaqueline in the states which is coming direct to the local post office but will probably go off and collect that on the way back through.

Jaqueline flys back home June 11th after her stay on board and i have booked a seat on the same flight for an extended stay and will reveal more as time goes on.

In the meantime i have been busy making alterations for when Jaq and I permanently live aboard.

The Bow has an extra step for easier access, Jaq felt it seemed steep. Can`t do enough for the woman i love.

The Fridge & top cupboard have been re-located

The fridge space below will now house the washing machine giving more cothing storage in the bedroom area. This now needs a panel to neatly box it all in.

The plumbing for the washing machine is almost complete and will have the benifit of Hot & Cold fill.

I would just like to say hello to the crew of NB Juliana? who offered their congratulations as we passed each other, thankyou.

EVEN A LONG WEEKEND HAS TO END SOMETIME

2011-03-09T20:13:00.000Z

Well the time had come to move on after a lovely w`end. Well yes i know it`s Wednesday but a boater`s w`end can be that long, sorry you working folks. Chas and Anne had moved off i think on Tuesday and when i awoke Del & Al had arrived on Dewent6 and had stopped by just to say hello, thanks guys.

So time for goodbyes as Sue & Vic move off followed by Del & Al with me off in the opposite direction towards Rugby for some plumbing parts for my re-location of the washing machine. Jaq you will have space for your clothes i promise.

The new marina at Barby looks much the same as the last time i passed. Just a big hole, no pontoons and more

worrying for the intending moorers, no sign of any work force. The site says opening Spring 2011 somehow i think this might be a bit optimistic.

I had just approached the last of the 3 locks at Hillmorton when a boat approached. There are 2 single locks side by side here and as i was dropping in one the other boat was heading for the adjacent lock.

As the boat got closer i realised it was Mo & Ness on Balmaha so congratulations on my engagement to Jaq were their first words and after a long chat with us both using a lock each, good job the season isn`t in full swing, we both carried on our journey`s.
So 4 fellow bloggers have crossed my path in as many days, hold on make that 5 as Paul & Lyn on Piston Broke stopped by briefly to help Sue & Vic with a minor wiring problem but were gone before i realised.

A NICE WEEKEND

2011-03-07T19:06:00.000Z

I knew Sue and Vic on No Problem were not to far from me and as it has been quite a long time since we last

met up a phone call brought us together for a w`end at Barby. On arrival i found Chas And Ann on Moore to Life

No Problem then Moore to Life and Valerie just out of site.

were also moored up so a nice chance to catch up on the news of our travels. Of course they wanted to know more of my engagement to Jaq and our plans but that will have to be a future blog for you readers as everything has yet to be finalised.

I have had a pocket PC for a very long time with the intention of loading maps and using it to guide me along the

footpaths, via GPS, leading off the canal system as many of these are just not signed very well. The problem was i just could not get them to load onto the PC. Sue, bless her took it upon herself to spend a lot of time solving the problem, thank you so so much Sue. Also a big thank you for the invite aboard No Problem to join hubby Vic and Chas & Ann for a lovely Sunday roast. Vic and i did enjoy the wine that flowed over our legs, accidents will happen but i`ll leave that bit out in case Sue blogs it.

So off i go to walk to the village of Barby 2 birthday cards and the GPS in hand. Easy way to avoid the mud is along the lane but that would be boring with my new toy to test. So across the muddy pathways i trudged one eye

on the screen following the little red dot. Very impressed with this bit of technology and i`m now keen to start Geo cache searching. On the way i came across this old Mill that looked deralict but might have been home to someone, at least the small lake was being well fished by a few anglers.

CHILLING OUT - WHO WANTS A BOOK - LOST COMMENTS

2011-03-03T17:46:00.000Z

Getting under way from Napton after 3 weeks felt good and my intention was to moor in Braunston for a few days to catch up on sleep. Even after crashing out for 15hrs the first night back my body clock still seemed dis-orientated with the 8 hrs time difference and arriving back earlier than the time i left the day before. I never did make Braunston as i decided why not spend a few days in the countryside, for those not living aboard this is one of the bonuses-city, town or farmland the choice is yours.

Anyway my body clock has adjusted with the help of a few daytime naps, the Wind Genny is up and putting in a few amps, the Satellite signal is good as is the Internet. I`ve food in the fridge freezer and a full tank of water so for now that other world can carry on while i enjoy some solitude in my world, ok so i share with a few thousand others but at the moment there`s just me in this particular spot.

The view out of the windows is of nothing but open fields, i`ve seen just two groups of walkers in the last 2 days and the only noise is from the Sparrows in the hedgerow and the odd duck. Boring you non boaters might think

but remember at the turn of the key i can be back in a town or city, you just don`t get that choice with bricks & mortar.

As you all know Jaq and I will be sharing our lives aboard NB Valerie in the near future. NO i am not going to say when as at the moment we are going through the motions with immigration sites here and in the States trying to figure out the best method of Jaq`s entry into the UK, choices are Fiancee or Spouse and all i will say at this time is keep reading the blog.

The bachelor life aboard has meant my not having to much of an issue with storage but that is due to change and one idea Jaq and I have decided is to move the fridge up on top of the worktop, after i re-locate the cupboard, and put the washing machine in it`s place. Also while i`m plumbing in the washer i`ll sort out a hot & cold fill. This will then free up some space in the rear of the boat for a full length wardrobe. I have some other ideas but will hold fire on those until Jaq`s visit in May when we she can let me know her opinion as they concern galley storage. This lady is a great cook and having sampled her dishes i`m for sure gonna make room for all her ingredients and cooking utensils.

My good friend Sue on board NO PROBLEM , Vic do you realise how lucky you are, has e mailed to say she has recovered most of my lost comments and will give them to me when we meet up shortly. This has put me in a very good mood as the loss of all the best wishes you folks out there sent recently was to say the least a pain and i hope all being well they will be back in place soon.

Who Wants A Book, Just recently i was going through the dozens of blogs i read and also some i don`t read often enough. The thing is someone mentioned their looking for a missing title in the Ian Rankin Rebus series. I commented on their blog i might have the book, Hanging garden, i think, but my mind being either jet lagged or loved up, not sure which as i can`t even remember when this was, means i have no idea whose blog it was. So if the blogger or anyone else remembers reading the particular post please let me know.

THE BATTLE TO GET HOME

2011-02-28T12:36:00.000Z

The great escape or my sad return from America, i prefer the latter, was due to begin on Wednesday last at 11.15am from Pullman Airport. The 76 seat plane would leave Seattle pick me up and return to Seattle via Lewiston for a connection to Minneapolis and onto London.

So off i set driven by my Alaskan born driver, 6" of snow and a blizzard is no worry for Jaq, and we arrive an hour before take off. Paperwork checked, the counter staff advise that the plane has been delayed by a mechanical fault and not only is it running 30mins late in all probability it will not be able to land due to weather conditions.

The advice being given to all passengers is to travel 30 miles to Lewiston and board the plane. The reason for this is that Lewiston is some 2000`+ lower elevation than Pullman and at the time has no snow.

So this lady (fiancee) has Eskimo nerves of steel and estimates the trip will take 45mins so off we go and in no

time we are approx. 2000` above Lewiston (right of picture above), the snow has now almost stopped and we descend down highway 195 into the city and onto the Lewiston airport with an hour before the plane is due to

take off. In the picture above looking back up the 2000` we have descended you can see the snow high up has given way to a clear landscape. So in the queue to check in it soon becomes apparent something is not right and an enquiry soon reveals the plane has been cancelled due to a mechanical breakdown. After queuing for an hour flights are re-arranged for 6.30 pm to Seattle, New York and onwards to London.

So back at 6pm and the plane is running late as runways are being cleared and planes de-iced at many airports causing not cancellations but minor delays. Sitting waiting i studied my new itinerary and noticed the time between flights at Seattle was diminishing rapidly and knowing the Seattle airport layout i knew i wouldn`t have time to get from one side of the airport to my New York flight. Back at the desk the agent agreed and i decided a flight the following day from a different airport would be better. Now i had Spokane-Seattle- London by British Airways on the Thursday.

So back to Jaq`s and in the picture above can be seen the conditions after climbing the 2000` out of Lewiston. Having to spend another night with Jaq was hard but someones got to do it and we were brave.

The following day we set off on the 80mile drive to Spokane and in the picture above taken from the passenger seat can be seen, well almost, the road leading to the main highway. The posts at the side of the road are the only

guide to the road`s route with no tree line or hedgerows to give a clue. Getting on the main highway in the picture above was a lot better as snow ploughs were very much evident and we passed several on the journey.

All the way it was evident that life just carries on as normal with traffic moving quite fast even the trucks.In the picture below you can see what is a common site here, an articulated lorry(semi) with an additional trailer added.

The pictures above and below show a body scanner that i had to go through on my inward journey to the States.

Snow is cleared on the aircraft stands at Spokane

Planes de-iced before take off

De-iced the plane taxi`s out with the snow plough still clearing the runway.

One of 9 ploughs keeping flights going at Spokane.

Safely in Seattle and here is my BA flight that has delivered me safely back in the UK.

Oooops I`ve deleted lots of comments

2011-02-27T19:41:00.000Z

Looking at the dashboard of Blooger i had 1000+ comments and thought i would clear them off not realising they were deleting from the posts.
I assume they have gone forever unless anyone knows otherwise.
A real shame as there were some wonderful comments relating to Jaq and I. Sorry everyone, just posting this quick in case anyone feels offended.
I am back in the UK and will post very soon.

An EXTRA DAY whose`s complaining.

2011-02-25T01:20:00.000Z

SHORT BLOG

Well at this moment in time Thursday 17.14 U S time or 01.14 U K time i am sitting having a coffee in Seattle Airport waitng on my direct British Airways flight into heathrow.
Although the weather has been bad it was not the cause of my 1 day delay.

Full update when i return and get over the jet lag.