Praise for the Mug Tug

This year I went local for my Christmas presents and had a lot of fun doing it, I am now addicted to painting pottery at the Mug Tug moored at Barton Turns Marina.

Three trinket boxes

Two sets of condiments

 one dip tray (olympic themed - honest)

One vase - double sided

 For the fox family

Coasters - Mick the 'Installation sculptor'

Lorna - the ex Queen of Pain Aus and NZ

The 'Ducati and tea loving' dearly beloved Fox

it is official

I have winterised the boat (well sort of) and brought two large bags of bedding etc home for washing.  I hope I haven't been too hasty as although we now have oil in the tank at home it still hasn't been connected up and deemed safe for the big switch on.

See y'all in February.

Ways to go home

It is possible to cycle home on an electric bike.

But don't do it again without someone on standby to collect you when the battery dies!

I set off at 11.15 with the bike on eco which means I do 75% of the work and it is not terribly fast but you don't notice any hills which is good as it is uphill pretty much all the way home.  It died at 3pm about 7 miles from home and just before the one section of busy main road with no pavement.  Typical.

At 4.45pm I reached The watersports centre about 3 miles from home absolutely shattered as cycling an electric bike after the battery has died is like cycling through thick treacle.  And the hills oh god the hills!

I managed to collar a poor unsuspecting farmer with a landrover to carry me and bike the last 3 miles home. What a gent.  So I was home by 5pm and straight into a hot bath.

I am IN

woo hoo what a relief it was flat calm this morning so I slipped into my winter mooring at Barton Turns with barely a ripple.  And most importantly no half term gongoozlers at that time of the morning.

I thought I had misjudged the turn to reverse into the slot but in the end it worked out brilliantly.  Anyone watching would have assumed I had intended to do it that way, even though I was actually muttering oh dear oh dear (or words to that effect) as I reversed back towards my slot because as soon as my stern reached the opening the bows had sweetly carried on turning so I was then straight back in - how lucky was that?

So the mug tug can breathe a sigh of relief I didn't smash all the crockery after all!

THAT'S ALL FOLKS !

The boys are back in town

Dearly beloved is back safe from his trip to Morocco on his motorbike and Small boy visited with his girlfriend in order to pick up his new computer which he had had delivered to our home (he lives in large block of flats).  I took them out for a meal and a warm in the pub for which they were suitably grateful.  Small boy is currently acting duty manager at a sports centre  -  I am so proud.

Still waiting for earliest date to go into Marina for my winter mooring and chances are it will be blowing a hooley then.  So I will  probably leave it till next week before I cause mayhem in an enclosed environment.  On the plus side it means I can stay on the boat longer than I normally do as it is much warmer here than at home.  Dearly beloved has strict instructions to get the oil tank reconnected to the central heating asap!!!

Tsk

run out of water and I didn't want to move until Thursday I will have to move tomorrow instead.

How inconvenient - does anyone know how to recalibrate an electric water level gauge? (WEMA)

It tells lies to me by insisting the tank is still half full but the water pump disagrees with it.  And frankly if the water pump says no then it means no.

Two different weekends

London with the girls

Mosaic course.  Only one is mine - can you tell which one?

wolverhampton news

Victims pushed into canal during attacks

A gang of thugs who kicked a pensioner into a canal have struck nine times in the past two weeks, police revealed today.

Officers have stepped-up undercover patrols around the towpath near to Wolverhampton Racecourse in Dunstall following a spate of attacks.

Victims have ranged from 40 to 71. Cyclist Christopher Fitzgerald, from Parkfields, and pictured below, was kicked into the canal and was left freezing in the water for 20 minutes as the thugs taunted him on September 13.

But it emerged today that the 71-year-old was the victim in one of nine attacks on people using the route, with one man suffering a shattered kneecap when he was shoved in the water.

Pc Joe Trusselle and Pc Gavin Plumridge have arrested three youths after making inquiries with local schools in the city.

PC Trusselle said: “These attacks have quite understandably shocked and disgusted the local community.

“Never in all my time in the police have I seen such brazen acts of malice on completely innocent members of the public, for seemingly no other reason than getting a sickening personal kick.

“I hope these arrests will reassure people that action is being taken, that we’re confident of putting a stop to the assaults.

“High-visibility patrols will remain in place across the city’s towpaths until we are entirely confident we have caught the offenders.”

The spate of offences began on September 12, when a 40-year-old cyclist was pushed into the canal near Gorsebrook Road in Whitmore Reans.

The group struck again just an hour later, this time pushing a 51-year-old man off his bike and into the water. He suffered a shattered kneecap.

On September 13 the group attacked four more people – aged 72, 33, 61 and Mr Fitzgerald. They suffered a range of injuries from cuts on the leg, to cracked ribs.

A 15-year-old boy and two 14-year-old boys, arrested on suspicion of assault have been released on police bail.

Towpath thugs leave a trail of injuries

* September 12: 40-year-old cyclist shoved in the shoulder and fell into the canal.

* September 12: An hour later the gang pushed a 51-year-old off his bike and into the water. He suffered a shattered knee cap.

* September 13: A 72-year-old man suffered a nasty cut to his leg when he was pushed into the water.

* September 13: Christopher Fitzgerald was left with two cracked ribs after he was kicked off his bike and into the water.

* September 13: A 33-year-old man was targeted but was not pushed in the water. He was racially abused.

* September 13: A 61-year-old man was pushed into the canal.

* September 14: The gang tareted a 49-year-old man was attacked and pushed in the water.

* September 19: A 62-year-old man had his glasses stolen and thrown in the canal.

* September 19: A short time later, the gang targeted a 72-year-old man.

September 18th (that was my turn but luckily for me only one lad)  Wonder if he was one of the three in which case he is the runt of the litter!

Wolverhampton

A seriously weird and sad place.  I moored overnight on the 24hr moorings below the ring road that you can't actually leave.  Nice and safe.  Locks are lovely and easy to use, paddles can be wound up and down one handed but every single one has the anti vandal lock on which gives you some idea of the locale.

Not one person offered to help with gates.

Few returned my smiles and hellos.

Nearly all had a tinny in their hands from 10am in the morning - including mums and dads (or grandparents - difficult to tell these days) pushing pushchairs.  Further down the flight of 21 some got a little upmarket and had a glass bottle of beer/lager.

Under one bridge a lad lurking in the shadows smoking pot.

At tail of one lock what I thought was a hoody so was getting a little concerned but it turned out to be a girl doing some school work.  You just can't tell what a person is going to be like and what they wear is no indication.

But I had no real problems until lock 20.  Cute black lad of about 10 with a football.  We exchanged hellos, was this my boat, yes, was I on my own - I lied and said no my boyfriend was on the boat.  Can I say hello? No he is in bed with a migraine.  Imagine my horror when the lad stepped onto the boat and shouted hello through the hatch at which point I abandoned the paddles and ran up the towpath brandishing my windlass and shouting 'get off my fxxxxxg boat' he leapt off and ran away. I could have caught him as I was so fired up but as I passed the boat I realised the scrote had put the boat in reverse gear (hard) so I jumped on before it got too far away and put it in forward before it got to the end of the line.  The line was long because that was how I had left it so it never went taut.

I'm afraid that if I had caught up with him I probably would have broken his arm with the windlass because I was so angry.  At the very least he would have been thrown in the canal.  I don't often lose my temper but when it goes it goes.  You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.

I am still thinking it is a shame that he didn't slip getting off the boat and hit his head (and or get mangled in the propeller) it would have been entirely his own fault.

For the rest of that lock and lock 21 I was hoping he would come back so I could deal with him.  Took me two hours before I had calmed down.  But as you can tell I am still angry.  I have turned into a fascist.  Wolverhampton should be raised to the ground ...

photos from the phone

the boat I got a ride on to Brinklow.  I know how to travel in style!

Night time at Gas Street Basin.  Please note the kink in the shape of the towpath edge.  At precisely 10pm (I had just turned George Gently off) there was a terrific bang to the side of the boat followed by a splash.  I in the boat stood like a startled meerkat.  Outside I could hear "you ok mate?" followed by a bit of a struggle to extricate whoever had fallen in between the boat and side!  Some laughter and then blessed silence.  Now I don't know if they were about to do something stupid and got their cumuppance, or they simply tripped over the ropes in a drunken stupor or indeed were just walking in a straight line next to the boat when the ground disappeared!

View the next morning as I made my second excursion to find a postbox.  Surprisingly there are none near the Mail box!  People in Birmingham do not send post I finally found one off Lower Marshall st.

Junction on the BCN (I forget which)

Rush hour on the BCN (there is a boat in the distance and there was one behind which turned up one of the arms)

Smethwick New Pumping Station.

Oh and didn't I have good weather?

Posting from the mailbox

Very long day 9.30 to 4.45 with a brief stop at Cadbury's (I was too long for the gap and as there was a burnt out boat at the other end felt that to leave the pointy end past the gates was asking for trouble - so I had a pee and carried on).

They say in the book that the Stratford and Avon canal is pretty - not the bit I was on and it was a sunny day what it must be like in the rain I dread to think.  I think the Worcester and Birmingham canal into Gas Street Basin was much nicer - PLUS I was not asked by a snotty kid if I wanted to give him a b... j..  (Like I was on the S and A!)  Lovely ...

Far too small

That was what I thought when I saw my first single lock on the Stratford Canal after turning off the Grand Union.  To be fair it was at an angle and I could only actually see one gate!

So 19 single locks today and for five of them I bribed a small girl with a ride or two from lock to lock and her father operated gates etc until he could finally drag her away.  I will stoop at nothing to get help!  Be warned.

Two lock free days to look forward to and the joys of Birmingham here we come.

Made it !

With thanks to the kind boater who had cycled down the flight to help a friend with his engine but as his friend was not there decided to take over my windlass from Lock 5 up to Lock 42 (where his boat was).  He made the journey easy with lots of chat and laughter.  As he had been drinking his tinnies (at 10am) I felt a bottle of wine would go down well and it did.

Never judge a book by it's cover.

Thanks Paul you are a star and a true gentleman.

ooh er

It is the big one tomorrow.  Hope I get a locking partner or it is going to be hell.

Coming down into Warwick was relatively easy.  First 13 I tagged onto the coattails of a hireboat and their crew.  Next 4 there was a volunteer lockkeeper and as I was the only boat in his first hour he did everything for me.

Next 6 I was on my own and although I met 3 locks worth of boats coming up (one single two double followed by another single) I was unlucky in that I basically met them at the one lock.  What bad planning on their part!  I also had to turn them all bar that one.  I do not like these hydraulic lock paddles so not looking forward to the Hatton Flight one little bit.

Boaters

So today I have met the Manly Ferry folk.  Thanks for the help onto the water point.

I have also had chats with people who had their boat signwritten by the same artist.  (Jon Leeson)  They had seen my boat and he said 'I did that!'.  Small world etc.

The new look

Ain't she perty.

Rob Bryan's handiwork

Detail of signwriting by Jon Leeson

Not keen

on this cleaning lark.  Exhausted I am.

I wonder how long before someone collides with the lovely new paintwork as I am on a corner and hundreds of boats are leaving Shacklestone.  Have had one near miss already but it was someone I had met last year at Atherstone and I think they lost concentration wondering if I was the same boat and then got their back end stuck on the mud with the bows toying with hitting me at various points!

Still we had a chat while everything got sorted.

An appetiser

Will reveal the rest when I can get a good picture - hopefully in the sunshine?

Only a week to go now

for the unveiling.

Oooops

 From this

 To this (in one day)

 via this!

Old man on other side of road was only without power for about 3 hours.

Honest ...

Shiny, shiny

Yesterday I had a sneak preview of the part finished paintwork.

I will be so posh no one will want to talk to me ...

I will also have to learn how to polish apparently - oh dear.

cute small person

 they're cornered

 and pull

 worried father!

 woo hoo

very small person

came to stay from Spain.  She has no fear and insisted on pulling herself along the ropewalk to the highest slide on Chatsworth Adventure Playground.  Then she climbed up the ladders over and over again to do the slide again I can see that normal playground slides will not do it for her ever again!

The rungs are half her height apart.  I had to keep telling her to slow down as I couldn't keep up!  She is two years and one week old.  One brave little girl.

Hartshill

What on earth does anyone want with the badge and radio antenna off a Fiat Panda?

I must replace the antenna as the lack of radio reception when I got near home annoyed me.

The badge I can live without.

Chesterfield Canal Festival

I was indeed there and went especially to see the 'Wandrin' Bark' fellows on account of Bones said they were now into making fabulous jams jellies and chutneys from stuff off the towpath.  Well Belle is, not sure how much input Capn A has in the new enterprise.  I came away with one of each, the chutney made with Bones's Medlars apparently.  I have already scoffed most of the rose petal jelly which I was told to spread sparingly onto toast.  Yeah right, it was lavishly spread on fresh bread.  Yum.

 I did take photos on my phone but those taken by Captain Ahab are far superior so I will let his stand  (well he did have a proper grown up camera with lenses and wotnot) I pointed him in the correct direction of Chesterfield and in thanks he took a photo of me.  Fair exchange is no robbery they say.

Actually I also went to meet fellow working party folk to check they were still working hard without me to 'help'.  I delivered a set of accounts back to one of them and also walked along the wash wall that I had helped to make way back in 2003 2004.  Looking good I have to say.

"I made that!"

Ok so I was major mate wot holds tools and a strictly zero end of the tape measure type of person.  But I did put up shuttering and took it down again for the concrete pouring.  I made concrete and cement.  I did wheelbarrowing and some jungle bashing. I drank the tea and started off the Working Party Calendar to help raise money.

PLUS

 I made sure the van wasn't backed into the bit of canal that was in water just this side of the bridge.

It was a close run thing I have to say as I was a fair distance away but luckily he didn't ignore my jumping up and down, arms flailing and high pitched squealing.

Side Pounds

I am very excited to announce that I have done my bit to save water on the Atherstone Flight by using the one side pound that works.  Woo Hoo half a lock of water saved with the added bonus of not having to worry about the boat going backwards and forwards.  Joy.

View last night as I prepared to shut the side hatch.

In which I visit

Tamworth Castle

and I finally discover the difference between a fiddle and a violin.

Who'da thought

Indigo Dream

Our view of Indigo Dream outside the Hurlingham Club upstream of Wandsworth Bridge.  Hopefully by the time they reached the proper start they had caught up with their 'line'.  :)

We saw pretty much the whole flotilla before they got to the official start then went inside to watch what was happening downstream on the big screen and missed most of the rain.  It did however catch us on the walk back to my sisters flat so we did get a little wet but nothing like those poor singers!!!

Ukulele

has had an outing in public at the Beginners Class.  Thoroughly  enjoyed myself and provided I can make sure I have the car with me on a Monday night I will make the effort to have a couple more.

As it is the only instrument I can currently play I guess I might get sort of okay with it!  Time will tell.

Phone pictures

Easy care sheep

I think I want this one

Turned out nice again.

I have finally got a lead to transfer photos from my phone.  I think they are better than ones from the camera.  In fact the top one is a zoomed in copy of a bit of a bigger picture.  I like that feature.

Heat Stroke

I was born in a very hot country, brought up in another and people cannot understand why I choose to live in England.

Well it doesn't often throw up those blistering hot days that cause my internal systems to fail.

On Wednesday afternoon I had to move from outside Fradley BW offices because I had well and truly outstayed my welcome.  I had left the boat there while I went to hospital about the shoulder.  (so far I know it is not tendon damage but will have to wait for the results of the x-ray for accurate diagnosis)

I managed to move boat sideways to fill with water and soon realised that this was a mistake but my slot had already been filled so I had no choice but to move as there was nowhere else to moor.  At the first lock I forgot to open one of the bottom gates and realised just in time that I couldn't push these ones open. (ie just before I rammed them with the boat!) Passing walkers kindly opened it for me so I didn't have to climb out again.  They then took my windlass off me and operated the next one and also helped me to moor up, as they could see what a state I was in I really couldn't have done it on my own.  I had put a wash on while filling with water and this included a damp tea towel that I wet and draped around my shoulders and mopped my face with together with drinking cold water.  My legs were jelly.  Basically without their help I think I would have fallen in!

I hereby give thanks for the kindness of strangers.

Next day I stayed firmly on board and worked on a set of accounts listening to the birdsong, feeding the ducks, generally doing lots of displacement activity.  All in all it was not a bad day at the office!

Promotion ends Friday 18th May 2012

I know I said no more posting but there is an offer on at Lulu where I have my book Tiger Tails up for sale.  (available on ebook) so you need to go to the homepage www.lulu.com and the direct link to the book is on the left of my blog.

Shameless promotion but my mum did a brilliant job on the illustrations and they deserve to be seen by the wider public!

In fact I have just taken a copy to my local library - wonder if anyone will take it out?

Caxton

typical.  We finally cross paths briefly but Lesley is no longer on board.  Due to her input way back when, I have led lights all over the place blazing away and the batteries don't even wince.  However as soon as himself is on board and puts on just one of the halogen wall lights they wake up and take notice.

I was pleasantly surprised at the weather this morning all bright and sunshiny.  Which was a shame as I was stuck indoors working - but this afternoon the forecast rain has arrived so I don't mind anymore.

I moved twice yesterday managing a total of about 2 miles!  The first one was round the corner and down a lock with the washing machine doing it's stuff.  A boat waiting to go up the lock worried me as he said it was windy through the iron bridge so I panicked and moored up at Shugborough.  Hung out the washing to dry and mopped up the leaking coolant in the engine bay - Nothing is obviously the culprit since I tightened up a couple of jubilee clips.  So I have left strategic containers with kitchen towels wrapped and laid out as appropriate.

When I moved the car I saw that there was plenty of room where I had wanted to moor in the first place so I moved again.  Walking up the towpath I had a brief conversation with a lady who was following behind her husband as they polished their boat, then as I was boating past we continued with the conversation.  Husband was very confused as he had only registered the second half which made no sense at all without the first half.

As of this morning no tale tell drips of coolant that I can see.  May have to fire up the central heating just in case that is the culprit.

A heads up to my lovely followers I do not plan on doing much in the way of blogging until after July when I will show you the new livery and artwork on the good ship Bobcat.  This is because I will not be moving far or often and  have absolutely nothing interesting to say.  I have discovered that pain has a way of turning me into an utter whinging wimp. So I am not going to inflict me me me on you anymore.

So toodle pip and thanks for following.

as Arnie says

I'll be back ...

Beware one armed bandit

is on the move.  I do not plan to move again in windy weather as I was very concerned as I boated along that if I met another boat in a bridge hole there was a risk that I would get well and truly stuck.

Does anyone know the signal for 'I'm an idiot let me through first?'

Water was an essential as I ran out last night.  Diesel was also taken on board - ouch.

Unfortunately we couldn't access the front tank as it was on the wrong side and it was proving extremely difficult (nay impossible) to open. I hope that tank doesn't run out before the towpath changes sides and I can have another go.

I was a lady of leisure today as another boater helped me through the two locks of the day.  We then took the dog for a lovely walk around Shugbrough and Tixall.  I didn't fall over which is always a bonus.

Apparently

it is officially the wettest drought since records began.

Who 'da thought.

Tomorrow I will mostly

be battening down the hatches.

May move the day after.

and relax

to those you might have worried about hearing me play the violin you can now remove the earplugs.  Shoulder will no longer allow me to even hold the violin let alone play the darnned thing.  I am most annoyed.  Heres hoping it can be sorted soon because it is driving me insane.

Aaaaaaargh


ow

Bit of a worry

this but having spoken to the Doc (finally back off holiday) about what the mean nasty physio man did to my arm a fortnight ago (and he seemed such a nice chap at the time - obviously he hides his sadistic side very well) she has prescribed me with some proper medication which dearly beloved picked up for me.  Having read the leaflets I am a little concerned.

One of them may cause me to have suicidal tendencies - which I have been having for the last two weeks anyway!

the other increases the likelihood of stroke or heart attack.

I told himself to keep a lookout for me having any of these side affects.

What are the symptoms of a stroke ses he
Inability to lift both arms equally - ah

What are the symptoms of a heart attack ses he
shooting pains down the left arm - ah

So it could be difficult to tell.

On the bright side
I slept well for the first time in ages and today managed to operate the hand brake and change from 3rd to 4th with said arm.  Medication appears to be working.

owwwwwwwwwwwwww

dont like the physio any more as in determining what my arm can and cannot do he has made it worse.  now i can't do anything and it HURTS.  managed to drive today doing gears right handed.  not ideal.  roll on ultra sound.  we think i have grown some extra bone in my shoulder!

just call me the one armed bandit.

It do be snowing

and I got an appointment with the phsyio.  Wonder if both of us get in to the surgery?

2 days versus 2 weeks

I have covered the same distance in two days that took me two/three weeks going the other way.  Today was 12 miles and 9 locks.  Locks are for 1) taking the washing out of the machine, 2) making a sandwich, 3) grabbing a banana 4) getting a drink before keeling over with sun stroke 5) having a pee.  Some locks are too shallow to do anything other than work the lock!
And they say it will be hotter tomorrow.

Raw Course Weekend over

Novice boater has been driving my boat this weekend well out of her comfort zone but did brilliantly - I may have made a convert.  She certainly preferred it to dinghy sailing and has insisted that she will never set foot in one again (dinghy that is).   So confident is she now that she stepped back onto the boat after lunch today carrying a tray of crockery without even batting an eyelid.  We had a truly splendid time, lots of laughter walking etc and far too much of the falling down stuff last night.  As dearly beloved said it would appear that in one night I had consumed more wine than I did in the whole of 2011.  It is a wonder I am still standing.  I may have to go lie down shortly!

What not to do

when walking on wild and lonely wooded tracks on a high hillside.

Do double and then triple skanks ending up sat sitting in slippery mud heavily disguising itself as a lovely green sward.

I might have sworn a little.

I might then have giggled a little as I was well and truly mudded.  (As in blooded when fox hunting)  (not that I have fox hunted).  I was past the halfway mark and not entirely sure I was still on the correct path but gamely carried on.  My undergarments drying out as I walked.  It was very wet up on that hillside for some reason.

It is hard to maintain one's dignity when walking through subsequent built up area.  Really at my age I should know better.

I have been told to leave notes on anticipated destination on the boat so that himself can find my mouldering body if necessary.

Dangnabbit

already broken one rule but there was a boat behind me.

But at this lock all went to plan it was set for me so it was me in, one tother way and then one behind me.

nice.

Some boaters still have not quite got the hang of passing other boaters slowly.

They do slow down but then speed up again once they are parallel to your boat!  Just weird.

New Cruise Resolution 2012

Due to the low levels of water this year I have made my New Cruise Resolutions

Not to use a lock set against me (provided boaters behind don't get shirty)

Not to travel unnecessarily  (this year I will rest a while in various places and enjoy the surroundings to the full)

To always make sure all gates and paddles are fully closed behind me (if I can - there are some gates that will insist on opening before I get around to the other side) to minimise water wastage.

Dib dib dib

I will do my best anyway.  This year will not be about distances travelled but to relax and enjoy the quiet moments.

It could be my Dad

nb.valerie managed to catch a photo of me after I had passed them.

Worryingly it appears I could be mistaken for my Dad from behind - I console myself that at least we can be told apart from the front!


Well I hope so ...

Finally left

my mooring after dithering and doing lots and lots of displacement activity.

And around the corner I pass nb.Valerie going the other way.

One day we will both be stopped at the same time?

Still the 'summer cruise' has officially begun.

Purists look away now - you have been warned.

A Mel Davis Hull with a new pimple !

I now have a very useful outside locker.  Not sure quite what I am going to fill it with apart from the hosepipe but I am sure it won't stay empty for long!

When it is painted I am sure it will blend in a bit better.  I have kept the original locker lid (as extra ballast) so it can be returned to as was by unbolting the top.  But doubt very much I will as it should now be watertight in there for when I get too close to top gates with fountains!

Useful to know

Just been reading the blog of 'Travelling in no direction' in which they say you do still need a cycle permit for the towpaths but that it can be downloaded free from Waterscape and then you can print it off, sign it and laminate it yourself and attach it to your bike.

So I have just done that very thing.

http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/cycling

I'm a good girl I am ...

There are those that think I am barking

but I thoroughly enjoyed my couple of days/nights down at the boat.  I managed to keep the fire in overnight and (what I have never managed before) actually keep it going the next morning (normally I kill it).  I was lovely and warm in the boat but then I was wearing my ski trousers.  Even in bed I was toasty which was a complete change from this time last year.

I came back a day early in the end because the joiner had dropped off the bed frame for home and there was no way it was going to fit in the boat so we attached it upside down on my roof bars, strapped it tightly in place and I brought it home as we didn't want to leave it out overnight unprotected.  The slats made some interesting noises on the roof but when I stopped to double check the fixings it was immovable.  When I got home it was a rush to get the knots untied before it got dark and then hope some poor walker would pass by that I could collar to help me take it off the roof and put in the shed temporarily.  Of course the poor sod happened to be 'violin man' (from down the road that I collared last week to assess the violin and tune it up for me).  He briefly got his fingers caught inbetween the slats.  I hope I haven't stopped  his career in its tracks.

In case you are wondering why it has six legs it extends from a single into a double.

Today I voted in CRT

woo hoo

There is an upside

I couldn't get to see small boy in his play last night in Sheffield due to snow.  But today Rob and I went sledging on the sledge I bought at the end of last winter and never got to use.  We have used it now, I am knackered and so is the sledge.  I hope a small addition of Duct tape should fix it for next time!

proper boating fix

At the weekend we met up with some new friends down at the boat to show them what  playing with a narrowboat is like (we met them on the sailing course!)

A quick trip up into Rugeley and back followed by lunch at the pub.  Really good fun and I am pretty sure they enjoyed themselves as Zena has invited herself on board for a girly weekend!  She steered most of the way back coping well with bridgeholes, a boat coming the other way etc  The sun shone but it was a bit cold as I found out after I had drunk my half lager and promptly started shivering.  I had been fine up till then but the lowering of the core temperature must have been the last straw for the camel's back.  Today the canal was iced over so good job we moved the boat at the weekend.

As of today I now have a lovely side hatch cover which should keep down some of the draughts and leaves out of the boat.

I notice that as the time draws near for me to move back onto the boat the temperature is going down ...

You have been warned ...

As from Tuesday this week I have been teaching myself the violin.

(My Mother had one hanging around not being used - as you do!)

I like to run before I can walk so I have progressed myself rapidly through Frere Jacques, Oranges and Lemons, Plaisir d'amour to the Habanera from Carmen.

Rob is not happy.

He is strangely looking forward to me returning to the boat.

Sad but strangely uplifting day

Today was Roy's funeral.  He died suddenly on Sunday 8th January.  

His daughter Sam became part of my family when she was eight and she begged for rides on my horse Soda.  I even took time off work once to see her in a Nativity Play!  Aged ten she wasn't too proud to ride my shetland Typhoo and now she is a mad showjumper.  From little acorns ...

Anyway I went to the funeral which was lovely, very moving and the black horses were fabulous.

On the way home I called in to the bit of the Chesterfield Canal that I helped make the wash wall for back in 2004.

Look it is now in water.

Mill Green

Unfortunately it was too muddy to walk all the way around to the new marina as I was in my bestist clothes.

Well I never

Just popped down to the boat and found someone had left me some chocolates hidden away on the front deck.

How sweet and yes I now feel sick from having scoffed most of them.

burp

Get Voting

Andy Tidy, Author of Captain Ahab's Watery Tales is putting himself up for the CRT. This is his mini statement.

“My passion for boating dates from the ‘dirty ditches’ of the 1960's to the magnificent system of today. I have travelled widely on our narrowboat Wand'ring Bark, and it has been said that canal water flows through my veins!

Professionally, I oversee operational integrity within a multinational business, shaping policy, strategy and applying a commercial approach to planning.

If elected I will approach this Council role as an enthusiast and a professional, combining 30 years of commercial experience with a 40 year passion for our waterways. It's crucial that the C&RT strikes the right balance between the needs of the various user groups, particularly the boaters who must remain core to its operation.

I will take a critical view of commercial and strategic aspects of the Trust's proposals and plans. I would be honoured to represent the boating community.”

I have met Andy Tidy briefly (if you can call it that) and exchanged a few ideas over t'internet. On the basis of this, his blog and his mini statement above he is definitely getting my vote.

Happy New Year

How original.  Now you might think I am a bit late in wishing this to everyone but in the interests of H&S I was just making sure that it really was a new year and not a bit left over from the old one.  My excuse and I am sticking to it.