tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503Mon, 07 Oct 2024 05:53:32 +0000An everyday tale of our life as liveaboards on our narrowboat with our cats Soona & Sidhttp://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)Blogger227125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-7599314225802522141Mon, 25 Jun 2012 17:20:00 +00002012-06-25T20:47:37.524+01:00 As expected, we didn't do the Ribble Link on Saturday & we were told it would probably be Monday or Tuesday but there was an 20% chance that it could be Sunday. We had already moved up to the moorings at the sports arena & were asked to stay there rather than clog the basin, you have to reverse into the staircase locks so need a bit of wriggle room. We were to expect a phone call at 9am http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/06/back-on-leeds-liverpool.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-4378807075345419216Fri, 22 Jun 2012 17:06:00 +00002012-06-22T18:06:25.147+01:00 When we crossed the Ribble Link in April the weather was dreadful, wind & rain, never mind we said, it'll be a better crossing when we go back down in June.  Pah! we are sat here near Lea Town, a couple of miles or so from the link, it's blowing a gale & has not stopped raining all day.  Not sure if the crossing will happen or not, can't see it myself but will have to see what http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/06/flaming-june.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-2719680371932940757Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:25:00 +00002012-06-12T19:25:49.575+01:00 We spent much of last week in Carnforth after moving up there on Tuesday, the weather was miserable so we settled in to sit it out & had a fire most days. Our batteries were getting tired so we took the opportunity of the canal side car park at the Canal Turn pub to get some delivered from Alpha Batteries although in the event the driver didn't manage to find the car park, he parked on the http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/06/lancaster.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-6742130542522009027Mon, 04 Jun 2012 18:06:00 +00002012-06-04T19:06:28.370+01:00 We came up here on Friday, stopping off in Lancaster for a couple of hours to pick up some food for the weekend, it was a very pleasant cruise in the sunshine  Yours truly negotiating the Lune Aqueduct,  not too difficult as dead straight & no wind!   Mark in charge of the camera for a change One of Mark's pics   & another,  Morcambe Bay & the http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/06/back-in-hest-bank.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-7001054749357154133Wed, 30 May 2012 18:21:00 +00002012-05-30T19:21:38.777+01:00 After a cool start it was a hot & humid afternoon, we managed to get the roof sanded ( the black & decker sander makes it sooo  much easier) & one coat of paint on but it looks like rain stops play tomorrow. http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/05/trying-to-keep-cool.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-2888930470332939676Tue, 29 May 2012 19:32:00 +00002012-05-29T20:32:53.181+01:00 After a weekend spent in Galgate lazing around enjoying the glorious weather, too hot to do much else, yesterday we came back down to Cabus Nook, hoping the spot we had last time was free, which it was :) We are quite surprised that such a lovely spot (where you can actually get into the side!) is usually deserted, not complaining though, we like it peaceful  The weather was even hotter http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/05/back-at-cabus-nook.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-4287946197790592267Fri, 25 May 2012 18:07:00 +00002012-05-27T18:29:12.871+01:00 We left Cabus Nook on Wednesday & made our way to Lancaster, we were hoping to find a mooring spot so we could stay overnight & were pleasantly surprised to find the visitor moorings almost empty so we got some shopping in & I collected a prescription from Lancaster Post Office, having again to explain about 'Poste Restante' to the counter clerk who, having never heard of it ("are http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/05/galgate-again-walk-to-glasson-dock.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-3747506828309753735Tue, 22 May 2012 18:43:00 +00002012-05-22T19:43:24.568+01:00 Has summer finally arrived? Looks like it & I hope we're not tempting fate as the chimney has been removed & stowed.  We arrived here at Cabus Nook yesterday lunchtime after an overnight stop in Garstang on Sunday, we had hung about Galgate waiting for some decent weather to go down to Glasson Dock ( we had been told more than once that it's a windy spot at the best of times) &amphttp://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/05/cabus-nook.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-7602270377922328125Sun, 13 May 2012 14:59:00 +00002012-05-13T15:59:38.541+01:00 Busy doing not a lot at the moment!  We moved back to Hest Bank last Friday stopping briefly at Carnforth to restock supplies from the handy Tesco & do the necessary at the services.  It would have been nice to stay at Capernwray longer but we needed water etc, but we shall be up there again as we are not due back down the Ribble Link until 23rd of June so plenty of time, which is http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/05/galgate.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-5146463499812262960Thu, 03 May 2012 20:07:00 +00002012-05-03T21:07:59.191+01:00 The forecasted showers didn't appear yesterday so wet gear was not needed, in fact it was sunny with a gentle breeze to stop us getting overheated & it was really pleasant cruising along between Hest Bank & Carnforth with splendid views over Morecambe Bay  By 11am  we had moored up on the visitor moorings & doing our grocery shopping in Tesco, also collected my new http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/05/capernwray.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-656558851942045733Tue, 01 May 2012 14:14:00 +00002012-05-01T15:14:45.017+01:00 We set off early yesterday morning & were on the service point by 7.30am filling the water tank etc, the sun was shining & I was looking forward to the days cruise - then I spotted this... ...some ******** has keyed the boat, right back down to the metal ! I was livid & am again now as I'm typing. What possesses people to do this stuff ?  Fortunately our boat http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/05/hest-bank.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-3271081714209861659Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:40:00 +00002012-04-29T19:46:21.639+01:00 Mmm, well I had read other peoples blogs recently & several have mentioned a new layout on blogger but the last time I updated it was as usual so assumed it hadn't affected me but it has now! Just logged on to do a new post  & all change, I suppose 'they' have their reasons, so here goes...... Despite the April showers we are really enjoying the Lancaster Canal View of thehttp://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/04/garstang.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-5402558836872602054Sat, 21 Apr 2012 15:32:00 +00002012-04-21T16:48:15.354+01:00It was all systems go at 10am on Thursday morning, Harry Mayor the lock keeper at Tarleton had given us a briefing & at 10.15 we were last out of the lock, behind 4 other boats. It was cold, windy & raining.it's not long before the River gets wide& a bit choppy in the wind            a fuzzy picture of an oyster catcher, they wouldn't sit still http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/04/on-lancaster-canal-eventually.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-4488939046389978908Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:04:00 +00002012-04-18T19:42:02.899+01:00After a cold, blustery & showery cruise this morning we are now moored up on the visitor moorings in Tarleton, ready for our trip up the Ribble Link in the morning, when we arrived there were 2 other boats here but several more have arrived during the afternoon.Before leaving Rufford this morning we called into St Mary's Marina for a top up of diesel ( 95p domestic / self declare) & a gashttp://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/04/tarelton.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-4643839231332470795Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:43:00 +00002012-04-15T19:43:54.484+01:00We left Parbold on Wednesday morning, arriving at Burscough mid morning. Our  intention was just to stop long enough  do a bit of shopping then move on to find a nice bit of countryside but by the time we got back from Tesco the weather had turned showery & as the moorings were pleasant enough so we decided to stay put. Burscough is a bustling village with plenty of independent http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/04/rufford.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-2301962017470544880Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:35:00 +00002012-04-09T15:50:03.213+01:00Whilst moored in Wigan we did some bits & bobs of shopping which included a sturdy D bolt to make sure the new anchor is securely attached to it's chain & a new 'sitting outside' chair for me. The wood holding the seat in place on one of our director chairs had split & whilst a repair may have been possible, they were never that comfy for sprawling & dozing in so I opted to get a http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/04/parbold.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-4773883486628452690Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:25:00 +00002012-03-31T19:02:26.152+01:00Last Thursday we left the countryside behind & cruised into Greater Manchester, we had booked into Stretford Marina for a long weekend & it was just as well we'd booked as being a small marina it was just about full, it's handy to visit Bek & family who live just round the corner & extremely reasonable at £5 a night inc electric.  On Thursday night I managed to get to http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/03/wigan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-747346330518208131Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:47:00 +00002012-03-20T16:47:16.487+00:00I do like being on the Bridgewater Canal, it's wide, it's clean & it's maintained.  As we came through Lymm yesterday two bridges were having the brickwork re pointed & they weren't even falling down!   The gap's a bit narrow.... but we managed to squeeze by. A little further along we meet the dredging team. It was 12 o'clock by the time we got moored just passed http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/03/little-bollington-bridgewater-canal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-8266928212554244839Sun, 18 Mar 2012 18:56:00 +00002012-03-18T18:56:56.760+00:00Saturday morning dawned damp & grey with showery rain but this didn't deter us from a 7.30am start, before long the landscape becomes heavily industrialised for a while, this is part of the ICI site, a drop or two of vactan (rust converter, to the uninitiated) maybe a good idea.A Willow greening up in front of Anderton Marina, by 9.30am we were on their diesel point, 87pplhttp://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/03/preston-brook.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-2313058925972543757Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:24:00 +00002012-03-16T19:24:33.041+00:00Since my post last Tuesday, we have got a bit of a move on, have travelled about 38 miles & done 27 locks, which is a bit faster than we normally cruise. The reason for the haste is that, due to a couple of birthdays, we have a family get together in Manchester next weekend.  Some of the photos taken along the way...  In the middle of Grindley Brook staircase locks,  all http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/03/northwich.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-7688710918972129120Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:36:00 +00002012-03-06T16:36:13.885+00:00 With my prescription sorted we left Llangollen on Friday lunchtime           over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, though not too pleasant for Mark, he hates heights :( then the smaller Chirk Aqueduct, the railway viaduct runs along side, we went over it on the train when we went to Shrewsbury. You may just be able to spot the Chirk tunnel in the backgroundhttp://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/03/bettisfield.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-528163522771270966Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:10:00 +00002012-03-02T11:10:18.101+00:00We were on the move at 8am this morning, 1st time in 3 months but we've not gone very far, just a few hundred yards into the basin.  I'm waiting for part of my prescription to turn up at the chemists, hopefully later this morning then we shall leave Llangollen. The electric ran out at 11.50 last night :( we were recording 'Those who kill' which was due to finish at midnight but Mark's http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/03/time-up.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-8120771770222793746Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:06:00 +00002012-02-18T14:06:47.303+00:00Yes well I know posts have been a bit thin on the ground, we have just been plodding along in semi-hibernation mode added to which Mark has had a stinker of a cold. I am half expecting to get it as well but it's been 2 weeks & no sign yet, fingers crossed.We had a day out in Shrewsbury on Tuesday, it's only 15 mins on the bus &  then a 30 min  train journey, we had a cracking http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/02/llangollen-12-days-left.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-4457941579088889654Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +00002012-01-21T14:00:16.029+00:00It's a bit wild & windy in Llangollen today! We spotted some kayakers making the best of the River Dee  this morning, they're braver than me... We had a walk up to Plas Newyedd, the house is closed October until April but the grounds are open (& free) The house with Castel Dinas Bran on the hill behind & some impressive topiary in the foreground This cute http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/01/llangollen-week-8.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052790514997301503.post-6838375600195955368Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:36:00 +00002012-01-14T13:36:20.420+00:00When we left Goole on the 18th May 2010 we had no plan other than to get beyond Skipton on the Leeds & Liverpool as, until then, that was the furthest we had been & we didn't want to plan too far ahead, just to go where the fancy took us.  Up to now the fancy has led us over the summit of the L&L, down the Wigan flight, the Leigh branch to Manchester on the Bridgewater, up the http://nbpoppy.blogspot.com/2012/01/sort-of-plan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Julia & Mark)0