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.