CRICK TO Mkt HARBOROUGH

TINA, ANDY & JOHN

FOXTON STAIRCASE FLIGHT OF LOCKS

MUM & DAD OUT WITH THE KIDS
Mkt. HARBOROUGH BASIN

John & i left crick at 8am on wednesday after using the water point, rubbish & elsan facilities ahead of us 16 lock free miles to foxton locks. Our final destination being Mkt. Harborough as i have arranged for a lady,BECCY, to signwrite the boat. I met Beccy at the crick show and saw some of her work and felt confident she will do a nice job on the boat. Andy & Tina who i have been moored with at crick had left the day before as they are booked in at Debdale wharf to have their boat blacked and were worried about getting through foxton flight as after crick show there can be very long delays. We came across them some 5 miles out of crick and it was a good excuse to stop for a cuppa and a chat. As there boat was not due out for blacking till monday we teamed up to foxton and stopped a couple more times taking it in turn to play host for tea and cake. So three boats en route to foxton, got ourselves a convoy. On route i stopped at North Kilworth to re-fuel and took on 132 litres at54p(how does that compare with road prices) . On we go through Husbands Bosworth tunel(1166yds long) arriving at Foxton locks at about 3pm. We contacted the lockeeper as you cannot enter the flight unless he says so and he said we would have a couple of hours to wait, we had 2 boats in front of us and he had 2 waiting to come up. So a stroll around the locks and more tea soon passed the time. Also gave me time to look at my central heating boiler that refused to start at 6am this morning so i could shower it was to early to run the engine for hot water. Had a prod about and it seems to have been sooted up and now works fine but as i have a tank of really hot water from all day cruising it won`t be needed at the moment. Last entry into the locks was 6.15 but the lockie assured us we would be in before this and true to his word in we went one by one at about 5.15. I was last of our convoy and the others were waiting at the bottom and we all moored in the Mkt. Harborough arm for the night and retired to the pub. Thursday morning and setting off at about 11am we cruised for a couple of hours into the basin at M. Har. and tied up on the 48 hr moorings. We walked down to the Brit. Waterways office and i booked a basin mooring for friday morning after speaking to beccy about the signwriting. As Andy & Tina are walking towards me i now am going to the pub.

AT THE SHOW

The show has gone ahead despite problems of rain and fire. Saturday was a very wet day and coupled with the heavy rainfall in the week before the show the problem visitors had was leaving the show car park that had become a mud bath in places. Many had to be towed out despite several lorry loads of aggregate being laid at variouse points around the ground. But this was not the problem facing visitors on sunday, most of them could not even get to the car park owing to a large fire that started late saturday night in a very large food processing plant on crick industrial site near to jct. 18 of the M1 the main entry point to the show. The fire brigade started pumping water from the canal in the early hours of sunday and as i type this 11.45 am monday water is still being pumped to the site of the fire. Hoses laid from crick bridge down the road have prevented acces to the show site from the M1 leaving only access from the east by way of the small lanes that rapidly became grid-locked. The result was crick village became a car park as did any piece of grass verge in the surrounding area. At the height of the fire 100 firefighters were at the scene. In spite of all this there was a noticeable increase of visitors to the show on sunday and after a very quiet wet thursday a nice sunny day made everyone forget the problems of getting to the show. The entertainment at the end of the day was very good but by far the best was a rock band sunday night called " The Platforms", my head is just recovering but it was a good night spent with some of the boaters i had met during the last few days here.
I last came to the show a year ago looking for a boat and spent a lot of tme talking to builders and was surprised to be recognised by a builder from last year who even remembered my name. It has been very pleasent here in the run up to the show watching the site change from an empty field to a boat show. Water and electricity laid on then marqees being put up, and boats arriving by road and being craned in. Some boats going straight on to site as land based displays.
Next port of call will be Mkt. Harborough and a trip home for a few days to see family and my latest G`child who arrived a week ago, baby girl Kiera weighed in at just over 9lbs.
Well it is just about to rain again and as i am on the front deck blogging to get a good signal i must now stop as my laptop is not waterproof.

Part of the 2 miles of hose from crick bridge to fire site.
The smokey sky 12 hrs after the fire started.
Fireman pumping water from canal at crick bridge.

A view of the marina and some of the many new boats on display.
Sunday night the entertainment provided by a rock band "The Platforms"

CRICK- PRE-SHOW

Now every boat show has to have some form of organisation and this year British Waterways have enlisted two undercover mooring wardens.

These two are among many being craned in over the last 2 days.

Above two of the more unusual crick visitors.

Well have been here at Crick for 10 days. It has been very quiet and wet apart from today the sun has been out all day. While i have been lazing about have at least managed to do a few boaty things (not to much you understand----narrowboaters do it s l o w ) At least the boat has had a good clean and the engine oil changed. Also had a bus ride into Rugby and looked in on the museum of rugger. A good day out dodging the showers. Lots of boats on the reserved moorings that they have paid a lot of money for are getting into the party spirit with bunting hanging from bow to stern and of course the barbie is set up, all they need is the weather to stay dry. Had a few walks via the show site and i can warn any car drivers arriving for the show you could be in for a hard time on the car park as the field it`s on is very muddy. If the weather stays wet as forcast then it could be a big problem by sunday/monday as i am sure cars will get bogged down.

Will try and get more pics if our two mooring wardens let me near the show site.

Crick marina have put in a planning application for 83 more berths, these to be on the site of the adjacent now closed down garden centre.

LAZY DAYS AT CRICK

John and i left Braunston making our way to Crick i think on saturday, yes that`s right i remember i missed the cup final moored just in last minutes of extra time. Anyway we backtracked through the Braunston flight of 6 locks and through the 2042yds long tunell to the Leicester Arm where we stopped off for a cuppa and and to empty the toilet cassettes and then as usual got chatting to other boaters so it turned into a 2 hour tea break but no worries not going anyplace by any particular time, what a life. Set off up the arm and pass by watford gap services on the M1 in fact you can walk through the gap in the hedge into the services but who wants to pay extortianate prices for everything they sell. Passing along the arm brings the Watford lock flight. This is a flight of 6 and 4 of them a staircase all single. This being another 1st in my boating life i found it very exciting. The duty lockie was a lovely lady name of CARLY thats her in the pic. She was so laid back about everything it was a pleasure going up the flight. On arrival boaters have to report to the lockie and you are then deemed to be in the queue, no reporting means you are not there as far as CARLY was concerned. She gave her instructions as to how many go up or down and in what order but made it clear it was subject to change and not to start till she gave you the signal from halfway up the flight, anyway she took a fancy to me i think because she said as soon as i entered the staircase to stay on board and she would do the locks, or was it because i was solo boating, i`ll leave you to decide but i know what i think because she waved me out the top lock and said have a good trip LES. Ahhhhhhhhhh! lovely lady. So on we go through some nice rural countryside and into Crick tunnel 1528yds, had it all to myself as John had gone on ahead from Watford locks so i just eased the throttle open and let the boat have a good run. On exiting the tunnell have moored just before bridge 11 the first bridge after tunnell exit as there are so many mooring restrictions along the show site. Will be here for 2 weeks to visit the show and will change the oil top up batteries and give the boat a good clean on the outside. Also some nice walks to do infact i am sitting on front of boat now having just had a 3 hour walk. Will try and get some pics of boats arriving for show and being craned in to the marina, should get busy soon.

Someone left a comment on an earlier blog wanting a pic of the sun brolly. I do love the sunny days but can`t sit in direct sunshine so the shade the brolly gives is ideal.

TO BRAUNSTON BEFORE CRICK

My floating home floating in the cool of the evening after a day of hot sun. The umbrella still up. Behind is John`s boat. We will float together at least untill after the Crick show.
Playing skittles in the village pub
The Dis-abled mooring bollards just in front of our mooring looking through the bridge you can just see the white walls of the entrance to Braunston marina.Braunston marina from the bridge entrance.
Well Braunston tunnel was great, i really love tunnells maybe it`s because i also like steam railways. It must be the fumey dark atmosphere. Anyway all my adult life i`ve loved going in tunnels.................
After the tunnel came the 6 lock flight into Braunston. As soon as we exited the bottom lock it was clear this is a very busy canalside location. Hire boats breasted up on the left(port) as far as i could see and a large chandlery and boatbuilders to the right(starboard). Slowly we edged forward in places just room for one boat at a time as we approached the very large Braunston marina we saw just a short empty bankside so as we could see ahead under the bridge that no space was available as far as the eye could see we moored up. We just squeezed in before the bollards that were for dis-abled boat users although untill you stepped a shore you would not have known they were for the dis- abled. All there was to indicate them was a small dis-abled sign on top of the bollards, no signs on fence, posts or the very nice concrete edging. No wonder the two days we were there so many boats pulled in then off again. Nice though that so many boaters respected the restriction and sought other moorings, doesn`t seem to happen in car parks but thats in the other world i left on the cut a more caring person lives.
A lovely few days here hot and sunny, even had my sun brolly up so glad i didn`t leave it behind when i sold the house. It fits neatly in the hole i drilled in the seat i made up in the bow well deck.
The village sits up on the hill above the canal. Just a typical canalside village but has all the boater needs to feed himself and crew. There is a small supermarket with post office and a superb butchers that sells other produce including some lovely meat pies, three now living in my freezer. Also a grade one chippy, cooked while you wait. Two pubs , Wheatsheaf and the old Plough. Both had skittles game in the bar.
Anyway will leave you with a few pics.

LONG DAY // SHORT BLOG

NOT A REGULAR SITE, MANDARIN DUCK NEAR WEEDON

A GLIMPSE OF THE WORLD I LEFT BEHIND

ENTERING BLISWORTH TUNNELL.............FANTASTIC

Teamed up with a guy name of john who like me is heading to the Crick show and we decided to share the locks and a few pints we left cosgrove and stopped overnight at Stoke Breune. Had a nice meal and a couple of pints in the boat inn and got chatting to some retired coppers who were stationed where i was born and dragged up in paddington. They were we discovered from the barman were all masons and hold meetings in the upstairs function room. After a late night in the pub which ended by chatting to the father of the two sons now running the pub who had popped in for a glass or two it turns out his g`mother originally bought the whole site for £4,000 and the business had been family owned since the mid 1800`s. So off we go a bit late after a needed lie in into Blisworth tunnel. This after my fears of meeting boats coming the other way turned into a great trip. Three boats came towards us loads of room to pass, well not that much but no problem.

We are now moored at Buckby so a couple of miles down the cut Braunston tunnell, can`t wait.

Oh well it wasn`t to short a blog but tired now so be safe fellow boaters and have a good day at work tomorrow all you other readers.

STILL GOING NORTH

DRIED CANAL BED OF STRATFORD ARM

PEDESTRIAN TUNNEL UNDER CANAL
Have passed through Stoke Hammond, Fenny Stratford, Milton Keynes, Wolverton and Cosgrove. Stopped on the way at all these places and had some very pleasent walks, caldecote lake springs to mind with the river Ouzel passing by it. Strolled round the lake in lovely sunshine and finished up at the pub by the lake with a pint.
Wolverton, once a very large railway oriented town now just full of empty carriage and freight buildings. A lot of work is going on in some of these buildings but i could see no info boards to say what so hopefully once again it will be as busy as in the past.


Cosgrove at first seems just a small quiet canal side village. But down below the canal through a wooded area can be found Cosgrove Park with a thousand plus holiday caravans complete with lakes, shops, cafe, takeaway and even an amusement arcade. A very busy scene as i walked through to use the shop with cars coming and going..................and the only way in is through the tiny streets of the village. Bet the residents love that.
Passing across the canal via a pedestrian tunnell just wide enough for one person and about 6 feet headroom i walked along the now dis-used Stratford arm. Only the first few hundred yards are in water and used for permanent moorings. Passing over the embankment that marks the end of the moorings i walked along the still there although dry and overgrown canal bed. Only now and then had it been filled just enough for a farmer to pass from one field to another with his tractor or to move cattle. Although i didn`t walk the whole length i saw no signs of bridges and wondered how the farmers got across in days gone by. Something to look into perhaps when i reach Stoke Breune, might find some reference to it in the museum, old maps maybe.
Also there is the Aqueduct crossing the River Great Ouse in an iron trough on stone pillars. Some nice riverside walks here so perhaps cosgrove is worth a stop on your travels, also as you leave cosgrove after the lock by the stratford arm junction you will pass under a very nice stone bridge decorated in a gothic style so all in all worth a few hours stop over is Cosgrove.

COW ROAST ONTO MARSWORTH

CARP BY THE WHITE LION


Arrived at Marsworth on wednesday evening and took a pic of some of the nice things that life on the boat brings. The boat is moored just below the reservoir but the sunset was viewed out of the galley window although i took the pic up on the bank of the reservoir. The carp are always outside the White Lion pub where they are fed on a regular basis by the public visiting this very popular spot. With 7 locks, 2 reservoirs, 2 large pubs, 2 arms (wendover and aylesbury) and plenty of boats all within a mile, Marsworth is a popular spot for walkers, twitchers, anglers and the usual lock watchers. ( can`t remember how you spell that goongosler word)

SUNSET STARTOPS RESERVOIR

Had a very plesant few days here but moved on before the place became to crowded with it being a B/Holiday w`end. Had a nice ride into Tring via the Wendover arm and as it was market day and sunny it was quite busy. The local auction rooms were open for pre- auction viewing so i had a nose around. Seemed to be full of all the sort of junk i had when trapped inside a house. If you want a good way to clear your junk just buy a boat. The end result is no clutter and FREEDOM.

Put some new tyres on the bike and decided to ride along the Aylesbury arm to the village of Wilstone with the intention of getting a paper but the only shop was shut at noon on a saturday, oh well the exercise was good. So back at the boat i decided to move up to the B/waterways yard at the jct of the Aylesbury arm and fill my water tank, empty the loo and dump the rubbish. That done it was onwards towards Leighton Buzzard to escape the crowds that for sure would be at Marsworth come sun/mon. Had the company of a hire boat from Gayton all the way up and he was keen to do the locks so out of the goodness of my heart i let him. He was on holiday and i can do them anytime so mustn`t be greedy. L Buzz is where iam now doing this blog, well not in the main part but a little further on amongst open fields in complete peace and quite except for the rain i can hear hammering down on the roof at 1am. Yes i know its 1am but i`m not going anywhere tomorrow unless i want to. F R E E D O M

THAT MY 58` FRIEND IS WHERE YOU WERE BORN

Passing through Hemel Hempstead i decided to stop the night at Winkwell where the boat was fitted out. After a good nights sleep, needed after solo locking all day i popped into the boat yard and had a chat with Phil who had done the fit out on my boat. He is at present fitting out a boat for a New Zealand couple who intend cruising summers here and returning home to avoid our winter. Phil is working to a very tight schedule as the couple fly in 14 days from now but he says all will be well. I wished him good luck and drifted off to Berkhampstead for a lunch stop and a browse in the bookshops for some more reading matter. A night stop at Cow Roast and a walk in the morning produced my Swan picture. She had decided to nest right in front of the entrance to the offside permanent moorings. The result was the fence of the lockeepers cottage was removed so that a new entrance could be made to the moorings.

The seat was fitted somewhere along the way between croxley grn and cow roast, can`t remember exact location but hey who cares, this wonderful carefree life is to enjoy not worry about time and place.

Have moved on but more next time.

SUNNY SATURDAY

I left Bulls Brdg about lunchtime thursday intending to stop at uxbridge but was so relaxed standing at the tiller chatting at the locks that i filled the tank at Uxbridge boat centre (52p litre,70litres filled it up) and just kept going. Upon reaching Rickmansworth it was getting near dusk but i decided to carry on to croxley green as i had made some friends on the winter and permanent moorings. I ended up mooring at 9.10 pm. Spent Friday visiting 2 of my grandchildren and ended up helping my son with some DIY, still i did enjoy it.
Awakening saturday to such a sunny warm day i decided to get the paint i had bought at uxbridge and personalise the boat. It was a bit plain all green apart from the cream coachline on the sides. Spent time between coats making up a seat for the f`ward deck but this is not ready for fitting yet so you will have to wait for a pic.

FIRST TIME EXPRIENCES

1st time i have seen BW in a patrol boat. The picture was taken at Bulls Bridge after my return from a trip down the Paddington arm. He took a good long look at all the boats moored on the Tesco moorings then reversed up past me and 2 others moored just along the wall past the old dry dock and then off he went down the Paddington arm.

1st time today i spotted a turtle climbing out of the canal via an old tree stump.

1st time today a parakeet landed in a tree at Greenford just as i passed by.

1st time i have ended up in the cut, yes ha! ha! ok after i had showered and got the washing machine going and sat with a cuppa i did laugh. Settle down i want to tell you a story. Once upon a new life on my boat i travelled from Bulls Bridge down the paddington arm to visit some workmates and upon arriving at Acton a bit wet from the rain i picked my mooring and came to a stop now as it had been raining i was wearing a long coat that was almost knee length and as i turned to pick up the rope that naughty boat decided to drift out just a bit, no problem just a small jump could normaly jump twice the gap...........BUT i had forgotten the coat my legs just would not part enough and so had no choice but to step into the water up to my waist. I was out quicker than i went in.

Anyway the visit was a success lots of people came to visit and i am now back at Bulls Bridge and will be heading north tomorrow. Have been watching the fuel guage because after my van driving days i can`t believe it still shows so much fuel left. Very economical these boat engines but then again i never go above 70 on the straights.

RICKMANSWORTH TO BULLS BRDIDGE

Left Rickmansworth lunchtime on Good Friday and arrived at Uxbridge early evening after a very lesurly cruise inc a wait at a water point of one hour but as it was next to a lock(coppermill) it gave me the opportunity to talk to so many of the people passing through taking advantage of the long w`end mostly but a couple were like me liveaboards. It was such a nice sunny afternoon i actually took off my jumper and had a very nice half hour on the front deck eating lunch.
Spent Saturday topping up the batteries and checking oil levels and made a roof rack to go on the roof to hold my bags of coal and logs and also the bike, it does make the top more tidy. Also on sat. i walked into Uxbridge town and bought myself a new duvet then popped into Uxbridge Boat centre to get a new fuel filter but was out of luck. Anyway while looking around this truly remarkable chandlery --how they fit so much into a small space beats me-- i spotted some paint that gave me the idea to personalise my floating home, more on this when i get around to doing it.
Caste off sunday afternoon shared my second lock and arrived at Bulls Bridge the junction where the paddington arm branches off. Must remember to turn sharpe left under that white arched bridge t`morrow. Oh and the TV reception here is CRYSTAL clear even channel 5.

HELLO RICKMANSWORTH

The view in the picture is Batchworth Lock Rickmansworth. The grand union is via the right hand lock, and to the left just under the footbridge is a set of padlocked lock gates beyond which flows the River Chess. The moorings are very good here with plenty of newly installed rings and a decent towpath surface. Just 50 yds beyond the moorings lies the aquadrome consisting of to large lakes that is in the process of a very big facelift. A quick look through the gate off the towpath shows lots of tree cutting and a bridge under construction, will walk around tomorrow.
Just before mooring i used the BW services emptying my toilet cassettes and clearing the front deck of my rubbish. Someone had decided to bin a folding bike-gold dust to a boater- so out it came and half hour of TLC the tyres inflated and gear change adjusted, a bit of oil here and there and i now have a 3 speed folding bike. Now as i already have one on board it will have to be found a new home!!
Sitting looking at the Nicholsons map i think i will have my work cut out to stick to my plan as previously mentioned, the problem being i forgot all about the easter break (thats what it`s like this life -no concept of time) so this means after visiting ex workmates i will not be turning back till wednesday after easter. Just have to see how it goes.
Feeling shattered after not moving so long and then 4 locks so early to bed and up early ish ish to walk round the lake. Must keep exercising must keep as fit as i am after 20 yrs of jumping in and out of a van 60-70 times a day. To think i could still be doing it now if i didn`t make this "change your life Les its the only one you get" decision. Early days yet but i am convinced it was a good move.

PICK YOURSELF UP DUST YOURSELF DOWN & START ALL---------------------

Well it`s been a while since the last blog and since arriving at croxley near Watford the boat has not moved an inch. There have been several reasons for a continuose cruiser not to cruise, the main one being that Sue and i have parted company. Several times i intended to move on, not to far as i helped my son move, but just could not find the motivation. Anyway today i decided was the day and a move on to Rickmansworth was planned but the heavens opened and i do not do rain cruising. Tomorrow will do, after all this is a lifetime cruise not a 2 week holiday.
Plan is to go down to Wembley area and visit some workmates and show them the boat then turn back heading towards Gayton and meet up with friends. This might mean some long cruising days being single handed but i am now in the frame of mind to get on with life.
While i have been here have had a good walk around the nearby cassiobury park that skirts the canal and was amazed to see a number of pathways have been created through the woods at the edge of the park. I say amazed because i lived in watford some 25 years ago and it certainly was not so pleasent to walk along the canal and the gade with new footbridges created. Well done Watford council. If you come this way stop off between cassio bridge lock 78 and bridge 168. Walk over 168 follow 1st path on left and if you see the fox i have bumped into twice mid-afternoon just say sorry LES sent us.
Right now i have started blogging again will try to keep upto date.

TAKING IT EASY

Moved off from hunton bridge on thursday in lovely sunshine and cruised down to croxley near watford. Friday was market day in watford so we caught a bus into town to stock up the freezer and while there we saw our first ducklings of the year on the town pond, forgot my camera hence no picture. Today (sat) we are off to see sue`s Bedford rugby team play at bedford so a lift from my son to the station and a train to Bedford was all it took for Sue to carry on her loyal support.
After 6/7 weeks on board now i am finding it more and more relaxing no work no timetable no stress and Sue finds it just the same, the only bugbear is selling her bungalow.
Our next stop WHEN we decide to move on will be Rickmansworth aiming finally to arrive at Brentford intime for the rugby final at Twickenham.

HEADING SOUTH

At the moment we are just getting ready to go back on board after attending a friends 50th birthday. We will be heading south to london and also want to go to brentford as this will be close to twickenham for the rugby final in april. Cumberland basin will be our mooring for a visit to the london sights as this is just a stones throw from the west end of london.
In a previous post i mentioned storage and have since forgotten to show this as promised. In the pics i have installed in the large deep kitchen cupboards some sliding baskets i removed from sue`s fitted wardrobes. these make it easier to get things from far back in the cupboard easily. Also i have fitted a rail on the inside of another door to store saucepan lids and a large frying pan. With space at a premium on board every little helps.

WEEKEND AT MARSWORTH

Arrived at Bulbourne bridge 133 on friday evening and stopped to take on water before moving through the bridge to spend the night just past the Grand Jct. Arms pub. We were expecting friends on the saturday and 2 of the grandchildren on sunday. Jordan & Jack are pictured above getting to grips with the tiller. On the saturday we started moving up the closely spaced 7 locks as we had arranged to meet our friends Wanda & Paddy along this stretch. After the first three we stopped for a cuppa and waited for them to arrive. As always visitors like a cruise so we all set off through the next 4 locks and moored at Marsworth near to the White Lion pub at bridge 133. On sunday afternoon the grandchildren arrived so off again turning at the entrance to the Aylesbury arm and back through the same 7 locks with our young but very keen crew. We are now back in the same spot as Friday evening where we will decide our next move.
Coming from Cow Roast to Bulbourne we encountered ice. Mostly it was not a problem as someone had earlier cut a path but a long part was cut by us. Stopped at tring cutting to walk into tring and stock up on supplies for the w`end. Going up through the 7 locks at Marsworth at one point the ice would not allow accurate steering and we had to reverse and re align our approach to the lock. It appears that on some bends the ice was thicker probably due to them being more exposed.

WINKWELL TOWARDS MARSWORTH

Left Winkwell for a longer trip this time as we have a couple of weeks to fill before we have to be back. Going south is a no-no as boxmore lock is having new gates, so north again at a more lesurely pace. We have stopped at Berkhampstead to walk around the town and take on supplies. The intention is to head upto marsworth stopping as and when we want and it seems we will be having friends and family visits over the w`end so that will be nice especially the grandchildren.
Approaching B`hampstead this morning we found ice after 3 locks but only for about 50 yards, also a fox floating and it was obvious by how clean and dry the part of him above water was he had not been in there long. A much more relaxed 2nd cruise so far will let you know how it progresses.

COW ROAST

Well we arrived at Cow Roast lunchtime on Friday. The last 100yds or so upto the lock the canal was covered in very thin ice. We passed through the lock and winded after 2 attempts, not bad for the first time of winding 58` of steel. After dropping back down the lock we walked round to the chandlery and purchased an ash pole that proved very useful on the return trip when just before Berkhampstead we encounterd a very low pound and needed the pole to keep us moving. BW were in attendance and as we passed through Berkhampstead it was obviouse where the water had gone as the towpath was underwater in places.
Arrived back at Winkwell Sat morning and went off to see Sue`s Bedford Blues rugby team lose to nottingham in a very cold windy Bedford ground, still it was warm in the pub later when we had a meal.
Now making plans for next cruise but first want to do few things on board that came to light on the maiden voyage.

MAIDEN VOYAGE

Woke up this morning to snow, not settling but a mini blizzard at times. Nothing was going to stop our first trip after being moored at the marina 10 days since taking over the boat. Most of this time had been spent loading possesions and shopping for bits and bobs like towel rail waste bin etc, those of you who have taken on a new build will know what we mean.
Anyway about 10.30 snow or not we were going and we did. Caste off and drifted across to the towpath side ready to enter our first lock at winkwell. Good job we drifted where we wanted as we could get no drive and after 5 mins of headscratching realised the f`ward/reverse control had a lift up to engage the drive, i was probably told all this but so much going into my brain at once i forgot. So off we go i set the lock opened 1 gate and SUE steered NB SELEUS into her 1st lock clean as a whistle didn`t touch the sides. Cleared the lock only to find winkwell bridge out of action and had to phone BW to send a crew out to open it by hand. This will be the case utill repairs are carried out on the 27th so be warned.
Several locks later entered Berkhampstead and dived into a pub "The Boat" and sat by the fire with 2 cups of hot coffee, yes i know pubs sell beer but we needed to have our wits about us on this our maiden voyage. Anyway fell out the pub 30mins later intoxicated by the warmth of the open fire and followed the ARGUS coal and diesel boat through the next lock, she was two abreast loaded with coal and soon stopped to service the needs of boats moored so we went past and decided to stop outside Waitrose for some nice crusty bread and use the cash machine.
Wish we hadn`t as when we came to caste off--nothing. Forwards backwards--nothing. Now remember this is the maiden voyage of 2 virgin boaters. So plenty of water movement when forward engaged so i thinks prop is revolving but just in case have a look down the weedhatch, ok be honest how many of you are laughing. Prop clear so i think are we aground, rocked the boat and it seemed fine so i phoned Phil the builder as he said phone and he will be with us if we get into bother- what us!-get in bother! You lot must be hysterical by now. Anyway he established on the phone after a few questions that we had run aground slightly at the very front end, but i knew that just testing him wasn`t i.
Off we go through the next lock and off i go to set the next one SUE doing a great job as captain only to find it padlocked. Seems they are locked by BW t about 5pm because of vandalism. OK no problem we will stay here the night. Tied up and put the tv aerial up when a chap comes along and says that the very short pound we are moored in quite often drains overnight so i pulled the boat back the short distance through the last lock and moored on the much longer pound below and that everyone is where we are blogging this and laughing i am sure as much as you. But we are happy and warm and had a hot meal and will not be waking up for work in the morning. Long post to-night but it has been quite a day.
Now you`ve laughed with us please leave some comment we do so appreciate it.

24 HOURS ON BOARD

From chaos to firelighting in one 24 hour period!! We came over on Friday evening after Sue finished work to spend our first weekend on board. Les had been very busy during the week assembling the chairs and chest of drawers, finding homes for some of the box-loads, and trebling the kitchen cupboard space by using Ikea wardrobe basketry! More to follow on this in the next blog!!
We'd cooked a casserole on Thursday so believed we only had to heat it and cook some veg to get a quick and nourishing meal on Friday night. WRONG!! The gas cooker kept going out unless the door was open - not much re-heating going on then. Vegs were nearly ready and Sue cursing the b****y oven. Plates warming in the grill (that kept warm when the jets were alight) and cold meat in the cass. READ THE HANDBOOK - oh! the jets need about 1/2 hour running to bed in. Finally it all came together and a lovely but late meal was taken.
An early night was planned, then 2 sets of instant messenger friends were spotted and we ended up chatting on line till late. Hope to meet up with them soon.
Up early for a major tidy up before the first of the weekend visitors arrived. The shower is very good, quick brekkie then Les lit the stove. Phil had said it would smoke a bit, but this was not too bad. The eco fan was soon spinning warmth all along the interior, Les fitted loo roll holder, towel rail and had just finished the shower shelf when Rachel + Chris arrived (Sue's neighbours) bearing champagne and 2 YES TWO cakes!! We had a smashing few hours chatting, snacking and demolishing the champers and culminated in starting the engine for the first time and Sue doing a roof walk to prove she'll be able to 'do the garden'!! The kingfisher which flew across in front of us all and landed on an adjacent boat was surely the icing on our 3rd cake!!
So very tired again now, but warm and content. Another busy days of family and friends tomorrow to look forward to!!

WHAT a day!!

Moving house is listed as one of the most stressful situations for a great percentage of people. Well, preparing to move to a narrowboat is now right up there in stress factor for us. On Friday last Les sold the van within hours of placing his advert, so we knew we had to arrange transport for today. Fortunately his son was able to help out, so the van duly arrived mid morning. All his boxes and bags loaded in good time, and with Sue frantically 'follerin' the van' down the M1 and avoiding the dreaded 'Magic Roundabout' we arrived to find Phil still not quite ready. (Typical boat builder!!)......but such a nice guy we had to forgive him and does'nt fresh lacquer smell good?
After unloading all aforesaid contents on the path a cuppa was decidedly necessary, only to discover we'd forgotten to bring milk, so Les had to track down the local cow. Boxes started filling up all that beautiful floor, Phil had taken his last minute photos and van returned to base, leaving us to start unpacking. At this point Sue decided there was not enough cupboard space, so next on the 'to do' list is finding those clever additional slidey shelf thingys to add to the HUGE kitchen cupboards. Any tips on whose are best? (ta, in advance!).
Nothing to sit on between emptying one box and starting the next except the steps - God are they hard when you're getting tired, so finally we decided we'd done enough for the first day, retired to the Three Horseshoes for the days special of roast beef and all the trimmings. Just exactly hit the spot!!
Tomorrow, with Les now insured to drive Sue's tiny Polo (tiny compared to the now departed large German tank) will take Sue to what should hopefully be the last few days of commercial work, then return to make up the lovely armchairs and chest of drawers. We plan to stay over on Friday night, have another serious sort out during Saturday, by which time more boxes will have been taken in and dealt with, then convene OPEN DAY on Sunday for family and friends.
We've christened hob, sink and loo, turned on and off the heating and lights, had a quick lesson on all the other switches, guages and stuff and promised Phil we'll read, learn and inwardly digest all the handbooks ready for his exam at the end of the week. 'How to turn the engine on' will surely follow? Then what? Oh boy, is this fun living or what?
We're totally knackered right now, pills are just lightening Sue's headache so its off to bed, and do watch this space.

last knockings

Well here are the latest pics taken today. We are due to take possesion on saturday. Phil (builder) is just adding the final touches which includes lacqering some wood trims so time of drying between coats pushes handover day to saturday. Anyway we are in no hurry in fact we have arranged to moor at the yard for the first month to do a few short trips to break us in gently. Also have to sort sue`s house sale and sell my van and as the yard is only 25mins away it makes sence.
We will be moving a lot of stuff onboard monday and having the fun of finding space for it all.
Keep a tab on the blog and will let you blog watchers know how the move and handover goes.