le grand onion part dois

Some most inconvenient moored boats - I had to swop sides in the lock which meant my middle ropes were all wrong for the next lock.

I had seen this high wall as I boated through and thought maybe an aquaduct or something but when I cycled back I spotted the rails - now they only go into a field.  Anyone know any more about them?  From memory I was cycling back to the car at Soulbury locks.

a pushmepullyou sort of a boat

my speed locking partners from yesterday

That is the M25 behind me - I guess I am now in that there lunnon

I've seen this combination before on the Ashby I think.  Great use of your old car.

Heron numero 1

My first houseboat

Definitely in that there lunnon

Yes I am still on a canal

I got help at this lock

Would have been a whole lot quicker without them - not the kids fault nor even the man waiting to drop the paddle but the man in dark blue top who could pontificate for England.

Heron numero 2

Not sure if the tarpaulin was to stop him crapping on the boat or what!

The cat can shift

when she has a slick locking partner.

by hanging on the coattails of Gris Gris (The fat dormouse) I have done two days travelling in one day.

I couldn't believe it when I had reached my destination for today by 11am so I just had to take advantage and continue.

Friday the 13th

I am thrilled to report that on my way to work this morning on a quiet country lane ...

I

and more importantly

the large 4 x 4 behind me

as well as the

 numpty who attempted to pull out of a large wide farm driveway  (ie no visibility issues WHATSOEVER)

in front of me

all managed to perform pass perfect emergency stops

with millimetres to spare.

I'm afraid I swore in a most unladylike fashion at said numpty who just shrugged.

The Grand Onion - so far

Santiago and Bobcat sharing nicely

The Travelling Wilburies Tribute Band

I didn't take any of Toyah Wilcox but she certainly pulled and kept a crowd.

 

whilst still moored at Crick I saw 'Reckless' go past.

the boat that Guy Martin 'built'

then I got past (twice) by my old shareboat Soulbury somewhere below the Buckby Locks

I thought she was still up on the Macc

would be good to see her at the locks!!!

Reversing back up to try and save this sheep on it's back.

I was unable to get close enough but eventually another boat helped as well as a passing walker who went back to the bridge and crossed over.  She was still alive and kicking furiously right up to when I finally got my nose in.  The chaps off the other boat jumped across and rolled her over but it was just too late.  I offered a bucket of water and after a slosh her ear twitched but then nothing.  Too late.  Then chap off Kream Krackered said one of his crew had spotted her on the way to the pub at least two hours before but not mentioned it to anyone.  So chances are I would have been unable to do much for her anyway but the water cooling her down may have made her passing less horrid.  Many boats passed while we were trying so maybe in future more people will be aware that a sheep on it's back is in trouble.  This particular field is between railway and canal - no houses anywhere near.  So us boaters are the only ones that could have helped.

and this one is for Maffi

Crick Show is over but ...

No one has told the weather and it has pissed it down all week.  However today it looked vaguely promising this afternoon so I gamely pushed my bike up the muddy towpath to bridge 15 and onto the car.  Drove to Whilton Locks and cycled back.  About 10 miles with errors in navigation - grrrr.  Still when I got back to Crick I shopped at the Co op and bought my 'one weakness'.

Cherries

I love them and there is an anecdote from my childhood that shows they have always been

'my one weakness'

It is lucky they have stones in them as this slows down my intake somewhat.

Yum YUM

How to

solo boat the double locks as a feak and weeble woman.

Ask a random boat which way they are going then insist we share the locks.  Tie the boats together let him take them both into the first lock and struggle with the heavy lock gates.  Then let him be a gentleman and work the remaining 5.

thanks Santiago hope Braidbar manage to get it spruced up again to win the show boat prize at Crick.  :)

It is not compulsory

to get oil in your hair or on your jeans when doing an engine service but it all adds to the fun.

My python drive has gone away for a while to be either reconditioned or replaced.  Ouch.

I thought that not having it in the way would make this service the best ever.  How wrong can a girl be.

In the process of taking the oil out of the engine via glass jug poured into funnel and thence into the old oil container I decided it was more comfortable to move the old oil container from the step to outside on the front (back) deck.  I did not wait for the funnel to clear before moving the contraption and of course it 'burped' oil all over me.  Not the hair that came later.  I cured the burping by wrapping a bit of wire around the oil can and having one end dipping into the filler.  This meant there was a tiny air gap around the bottom of the funnel.

No more burping.

Leaning down to remove the container full of the old gearbox oil from under the gearbox my hair brushed against the tap on the lift pump for the engine oil and well you can guess the rest.

Once I had finally put everything back together I started the engine which then stopped.  I had forgotten to prime the fuel filter after replacing it.  I played the girl card and asked for help.

Dave who took the python away has just shouted across the canal that I should turn a little knob under the fuel filter and then push the knob on the top of the filter and hey presto the engine runs again.  Purely as a generator for now as we are not attached to the propeller.

We live and learn.