Contented Souls

A crisis in the veg supplies- North Kilworth

2013-06-19T09:12:00.001+01:00

Saturday we (the dogs and I) set off up hill and down dale in search of fresh produce - our last supplies had come from Crick and I was down to 1 potato, 3 mould spotted carrots and half a cabbage for the Sunday Roast.

We ended up in the pretty village of North Kilworth

after running the gauntlet of this little lot and their mums

and found a garage that sold sweets, bread and milk but not so much as a tin of peas - oh well, that's what the emergency store cupboard is for. I'm happy to hoard things into this cupboard but am very reluctant to take things out. Perhaps I'm afraid that there'll be a more serious emergency just around the corner; G reckons we could live out of this cupboard for a year without feeling much pain, but he exaggerates and I think it would only last 3 months.

The lovely old rectory - this would have made a good 'living' in Jane Austen's time

and Nether Hall

A fatality occurred whilst I was in the village - an Adder?

back down the hill the other side of the canal - Muttley spots a rabbit

Baxter and I wait for him to come back

G had a phone call from his daughter to say she'd pick us up to meet for Sunday lunch and he could fetch the car from her place to come back and babysit on Monday.

CAR=SUPERMARKET=SAFE EMERGENCY STORE CUPBOARD

phew! that was close

Organising the stuff for dry dock

2013-06-16T14:31:00.000+01:00

Do you know the name of the colour of the paint on your boat - assuming it wasn't you that commissioned it of course? G thought it matched up to 'Midnight Blue' and I thought it matched to 'Oxford Blue'. Searched through the boat history paperwork and found a quote to re-paint in 'existing colour'. Hmm. Not terribly helpful. Decided to ring the previous owners (Ken and Fiona) who commissioned the original boat and they didn't know either!

Ordered the Oxford then.

Whilst in the dry dock we need to cut a hole in the bottom of MR to pump the macerated contents of the black tank out in France - I don't like it but that's how it works out there. I certainly won't be swimming in the rivers and shall try my damnedest not to fall off of the kayak either!

We're also welding two 'T' studs on top of the gunwales inside the well deck area and two dollies on the surround of the semi-trad at the rear for tying off ropes in big locks - there have been many occasions when they would have been useful in this Country too.

We left Crick for South Kilworth ish on Thursday (we've moved 4 days on the trot this week) and moored in a rather pretty spot for the weekend. We had, fortuitously, just moored up when the heavens opened ... that was lucky

These are our views for a few nights

The weather forecast for Friday was strong winds and heavy rain, but it turned out not too bad at all. G even walked across to South Kilworth with me for a pint at the dog friendly White Hart - just like when we were here two years ago, the same solitary gentleman served behind the bar, cooked the food, and waited at tables; he probably washed up as well.

then we popped round to the amazing butchers where he cut and freezer packed the wafer thin bacon I like so much

returning to MR via Stanford Reservoir

to do some much needed repairs to the neck of Muttley's 'wack-wack'

Rants, sewage and puddings (that'll get the ratings up!)

2013-06-14T17:11:00.002+01:00

The day started with noises of whining and distress - some poor enthusiastic Collie, somewhat unwisely, stuck it's nose through the cat flap on Daisy's well deck. You only do it once. Hopefully it was more bewildered than seriously hurt.

So we trundled off from Norton Junction past Welton Hythe Marina thinking we might moor up just a bit further on and dine at the Mango Lounge by Watford Gap services and bridge 6 - it looks run down, overgrown and is, presumably, closed. So we continued on to the Watford flight. I love working this flight of single, well balanced and well maintained locks.

We arrived at the bottom just after the last of the 'up' boats went through and they were starting the 'down' queue (a bit like the stop/go boards at road works) and we would be 2nd going up after about an hour and a half when the down boats were clear. We decided to go for a simple main meal whilst we were waiting (freeing up the rest of the day - we normally eat in the evening) and were then free to start 'turning' the bottom two locks as the first boats started to arrive towards the bottom of the flight (and us).

If you've never done the flight it's a bit difficult to explain but, coming down, there is a single lock then a staircase of 4, then 2 singles. So, although the staircase locks pretty much look after themselves, the 3 separate locks need to be turned after each boat. So we turned and turned these to help each of the 'down' boats clear through as quickly as possible. We had loads of help doing this of course ...... did we hell. What is happening on our waterways. Yes, rant, rant, rant.
The waiting up going queue are all sat on their boats watching ..... grrrr!!!!

Our turn to start up the flight and, of course, a delay after finishing the staircase to enter the last lock because it had to be reset from the boat in front. What were the crews now waiting to come down doing? Yep, sitting on their boats on their arses just like the ones at the bottom had been. So whilst G pulled over to the service point I stood and re-set the lock for each of the boats coming up behind us.

Both lock keepers came to find me to say thank you for my help but, really, it shouldn't have been 'thank worthy' it should have just been done .... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... We've only lived on the waterways for 5 and a bit years but, already, the decline in courtesy and manners is horrible (vive le France - they may be just as ill-mannered but I won't understand a word so I won't bloody care!)

So, pulled over at the services (here comes your pipework bit John) we are now in a position to 'electronically' self pump out. G has run a feed from the poo tank to a Whale Gulper pump then to a divertor valve, which then takes the waste either out the original top pump out point, or through a sea cock in the engine hole (a la Francais). Simples...
Operation of this system involves turning on a switch in the bedroom; 2 switches away from my bedside light switch. The hole in the bottom will not be drilled until we are in dry dock for blacking next week .....

Are you keeping up here? I wonder what will happen if I hit the wrong switch by mistake when turning off my reading light in the wee small hours ???!!!!!!!!!!!!!??!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

continued on through the tunnel to Crick for the night and it rained and it rained and it rained

found some left over batter in the fridge from last Sunday lunch so had ~~collapsed Yorkshires~~ drop scones with strawberries, sweetened cream and chocolate sauce .... yum

A bad start to the day and the Buckby flight

2013-06-13T17:17:00.006+01:00

Tuesday dawned dull and windy - no change there then. Ensconcing myself in the bathroom, as most of us do first thing, Daisy followed me in and chucked up her entire stomach contents at my feet - most of it, sadly, still recognisable as a very large mouse!!!!!!!!!! Yuk

We stopped at the excellent Whilton Chandlers where we ordered dollies (not the sort you chuck out of a pram), T-studs, catches and paint which they will personally drive up to Les at Welford Marina when the order arrives. That's service.
Whilst in the chandlers, a great deal of banter went on about choice of locking partners for the ascent on the Buckby flight - I just knew I was going to get a single hander. But no! When we came out we found a party of 6 adults (all looking reasonably healthy and 4 of them quite young) looking at the bottom lock and scratching their heads in comic book fashion. It transpired that they'd picked up a hire boat the night before and this was the first lock they'd seen - apart from a model in the office. It also transpired that they had waited nearly 2 hours for their 'turn' up the flight. They'd moored the boat way back and joined (or so they thought) the queue on foot.
No flies on me; I said we'd take them up and explain how it all worked if they would provide some muscle.

It didn't work as well as you might hope! We strapped the hire to MR which, in theory, left me and 6 others to crew. Hmmmm. Mum and Dad didn't get off the boat and I couldn't separate the other 4. I think they were in lurvve! Finally, I persuaded them to work 2 either side whilst I went up and reset but they were sooo slow...lovely, but slow. The pair behind us with only two crew were catching up and helping us - but they were very good natured about it.

This incident slowed us all up: mother duck and chicks swam into the lock ahead of us; not much you can do with the boats strapped, so we decided to bring the whole lot up slowly but then they, somehow, scurried out of the back of the boats and we opened the gates again to free them!

By lock 6 out of 7 I managed to persuade one of the crew to leave his lady and come up with me to set the top lock up at The New Inn. Coming up to the lock another boat pulled off a mooring in front of our pair which meant re-setting the lock for them and then re-setting it again for us so I 'phoned down to G to warn him to hold off as there would be quite a delay. He commiserated, but I said not to worry as I was enjoying a nice pint of Pedigree whilst working the lock - he said something extremely rude!

I did take pity on him and hand him down a pint of Hobgobblin when he eventually reached me; only after he'd grovelled a bit though.

Hopefully our budding boaters would reach the Watford flight a bit more competent or else the queue of waiting boats would reach Norton Junction and beyond. It is difficult though, they are on holiday and you can't give them orders - I already felt that my 'suggestions' were getting a little forceful in my frustration.

.
Now John on NB Ellen seems more than a little intrigued by MR's new sewage pipe work. Sad, but you know how all boaters love to talk poo; well just a little more patience John and I shall explain all on the next blog (if I don't forget)

Bugbrooke to Weedon Bec

2013-06-12T16:44:00.002+01:00

Monday, yet again, dawned chilly. We really didn't pick a good time to clip these dogs out; they seemed to be having a duvet day! We decided to move on to Weedon Bec as I was desperately in need of vegetables and there is a good greengrocer there

We moored on the other side this time, at the back of the church

far more convenient for the village and it's shops

I love these wonky windows

a quick panic when I discovered the veg shop closed, but I was re-directed to the new site round the corner. The 'couldn't be bovvered' girl behind the counter said it was different people but, as she didn't know her radishes from her courgettes, who knows. It was disappointing - the expected high prices but not very fresh looking. Between there and the One Stop I managed to get enough

On returning to the boat, G had the boat in bits again

installing this pipe which is part of our new sewage arrangements to do with going to France

as it was to do with sewage and Daisy was happily in charge (as always), I dumped the shopping and headed off with the dogs

towards Church Stowe

unfortunately it was too late in the day to continue on to the Old Dairy Farm that Sue had recommended

so that will have to wait until on the way back from blacking

Sadly, the mooring area on the tow path side at Weedon Bec is turning into a tip - this was the poo bin and the rubbish skip area was appalling, but I ran out of camera battery at this point - I noticed that the skips were emptied later, but not the disgusting mess all around resulting from the overflow

As this was only a shopping stop, we planned to move on in the morning and I fell asleep praying/dreaming for a hire boat full of strapping athletic males to lock up the Buckby flight with us. My back seems to be OK again, but this flight would be the test - the Buckby flight is a pig.

How green is my (Nene) valley?

2013-06-09T23:01:00.000+01:00

I thought I'd had to part company with my much loved River Nene but I found myself walking it's smaller self yesterday. Sue (NB No Problem) left a comment pointing me towards a particular walk; but G rang just as I was leaving and asked me to get some money from the Post Office (opposite direction)

I chose a different route back into Bugbrooke

and then picked up The Nene Way out the other side, thinking I'd have a reccy at Bugbrooke Mill

Yes, that is Baxter wearing a coat. The weather has been disappointingly cold since Friday lunchtime (still too far East I guess) and he has started to shiver since we stripped him out - poor old chap; I guess we need to stop that now he's older, he seems to feel the cold now.

but what a fabulous walk - I'll do the one Sue suggested next. I could stay here for weeks without using the same footpaths

When I reached the mill, I was surprised to find it was in commercial production, but I sneaked about with my camera ready to do the 'dizzy lost bat' routine if challenged

all the original buildings were still in tact

but the site was happily producing flour under the trade name of Heygates - I've not heard of it

as I left, I was able to follow the River Nene a little way before my route veered off - good kayak territory

leaving the production plant behind me

Returning to Bugbrooke I stopped for a pint and pork scratchings at the 5 Bells - it had neither, despite the casque mark (unless you count IPA). What a sad place - waiting for new owners in July apparently; couldn't even manage soap in the loos (tr 1). We didn't stop - two disappointed dogs

Believe it or not, these are the first duck chicks I've seen this year!

Today dawned equally dull and chilly and I made my Yorkshire pudding batter and prepped the veg for Sunday lunch (this is ALL Vic's fault) before heading into the village with G to the excellent, dog friendly, Bakers Arms for a couple of pints before returning, via the cricket match, to do the Sunday roast. No apple crumble today though (seems he can only bother to make it for Vic). If you want food in the village, both the local Chinese and Indian Restaurants are more than happy to deliver to the Bakers Arms for you.

England at her finest

2013-06-07T19:59:00.000+01:00

I'm delighted to say my back has gone 'back in'. Not just for the obvious reasons but, moored at Bugbrooke, this is a walkers paradise and I would have been furious not to have been able to walk it. G's hand is also healing brilliantly, so both of us have narrowly avoided hassle with the NHS.

So a vast choice of walks today - over bridge 38 and then up over this tall footbridge to clear the railway

or under both the canal and the railway via the tunnels?

a glorious day although the wind was quite chilly again

the boys enjoyed a paddle and a drink - I'm still not used to seeing them all clipped out. Baxter keeps rolling on the towpath since he was finished yesterday and is now absolutely filthy

Northampton is such a beautiful county

someone's seriously into collectibles - the majority is railway nostalgia

Bugbrooke village - I needed to visit the shop and the chemist. There are also two pubs but I haven't visited either ... yet

Wisteria is in full bloom and definitely the plant of choice in this village - I particularly loved this arch

I wonder if I'm getting sentimental as I know this will be my last summer in England for the foreseeable future

Ging gang gooley, gooley, washer ..... gin gan goo..

2013-06-06T20:48:00.001+01:00

Well we made it back up the Stoke Bruerne 7 with me lurking on the tiller and him running around doing the locks. We left before 9.00am hoping not to share the locks so that we could take our sad, decrepit time

We were sooo lucky; no-one coming up with us but 5 coming down so we only had to close 2

when we got to the top lock this little lot were waiting for us with Sir who had a windlass

they were so cute - shame they couldn't have locked us up all 7!

moored at Blisworth where G set about stripping out Muttley

although not amused

he forgave him enough to have a cuddle

then we were invited round to 2 boats back for a jam session - brilliant evening (they let me have the triangle and the tambourine Lesley)

moved on this morning - complete chaos at Gayton services with 47 incoming boats to the Russel Newberry rally.

Moored at Bugbrooke and trundled off for a very expensive pint and cheesy garlic bread at the Wharf Inn. Sun was shining and we needed a pint; not the sort of place we would normally go - staff totally miserable.

Baxter now stripped out too and we soaked up the rays on a pretty much deserted towing path this afternoon

TR 8 1/2!

A simple, but perfect day

2013-06-03T20:09:00.001+01:00

The day dawned sunnier than predicted and G got up and made a cup of tea and handed me a pain killer - 20 mins to let that take effect and then I'm ready to face the painful crawl down over the end of the bed. Once that's done and I start moving it's not too bad. Heaven knows how we're going to manage the Stoke Bruerne and Buckby flights, but we will - you always do.

But enough of the moaning/groaning. G's hand is still OK so far and today we had planned a lock free cruise. My cousins arrived just before 10.00am and were greeted by an enthusiastic Muttley with his wack-wack. He just adores Sonia. Time for coffee and a Danish before heading off to lunch at the Navigation at Thrupp Wharf

Mike took the helm before lunch and we sat and ate up in the terrace room - a nice spot overlooking the canal in this perfect weather. We spent a bit too long gassing over lunch so G took the helm on the way back as Sonia had to work later.

Everywhere looks so perfect in this weather

Not a huge amount of space out the back of a semi-trad with 4 adults and 2 dogs (Daisy was confined to barracks), but there's enough. The dogs were happy enough to shoot the breeze and do some "'lympic looking"

We loved this sign at Kingfisher Marina by Yardley Gobion - can't make this pic bigger, having problems again - I love the sticks

A 3 hour cruise and lunch with good friends in the sunshine - simple pleasures but perfik

PS had bread and milk aplenty so bread and butter pudding for supper!

Bum, piddle, wee wee - in two senses

2013-06-02T21:46:00.001+01:00

I've stuffed my back and we need to modify the poo tank arrangement before we go to France - the ideal time is whilst we're out for blacking at the ~~beer festival~~ end of the month so things need doing in prep for that.

But first a quick catch up; peoples were happy doing jobs when, first;

Adam and Adrian turned up on NB Briar Rose on their way through to Crick Show, so tools were downed (saucepans in my case) whilst we had tea and a catch up. Then Ian and Karen (narrowboats in a hurry on Tacet) turned up and we had our last communal dinner on MR before parting company with Sue and Vic on No Problem

So it was goodbye from them

and goodbye from them

and him

'where has Penny gone mum?' he sat outside for several hours waiting for her bless him. Poor old Muttley no mates

eventually he gave up and crashed out on his dad

so no reason to stay after Jules filled us with diesel and our 10th bag of, 'this'll be the last this year' coal

oh, and a big Sunday boaty BBQ with old mates and new acquaintances; food not the same as Vics Sunday Roast but still good fun

we stopped on the way out of Blissworth to take on a Tesco delivery and a grand daughter

a pretty spot and very busy

still having to get used to dodging incoming traffic

and this is a dirty great whole above, and slightly to the right of, Blissworth tunnel - there are two of them which I find a bit scary (one of many reasons why I tend to go over the top of, rather than through, tunnels)

and moored just through the tunnel at Stoke Bruerne where it rained and it rained and it rained

On Friday, in vastly improved weather conditions, we set off down the seven locks to reach the services required for the afore-mentioned pump out mods - replacing hoses etc.

Now those of you who know Stoke Bruerne will have a good idea of just how many gongoozlers were positioned at the top lock on a sunny weekend at this time of the year. So, quick to impress my audience, I wielded my windlass with great panache to whip up the bottom paddle; opened the opposite gate to let MR out; back to drop the paddle and...couldn't get my windlass off. Wriggle it, wobble it, hit it ...it would not come off. MR had gone so I had no mallet/hammer/windlass to whack it with. Feeling incredibly stupid in front of my vast audience, I had no choice but to shut the gate, leave it there and go down to MR and fetch something to come back and whack it with. Except I couldn't shut the gate! By now furious, I gave the gate an almighty tug to rock it off and .... twang. My back went.

Had G come to find out where his dearly beloved wife was? Had he hell - he was giving it gab at the next lock down - didn't even notice I was missing!

I hobbled, bent double (windlass still stuck on the ratchet), slowly (very slowly) down to join him and send him back up.

We did reach the services thanks to Penny and David of NB Orpheus who had moored at the top and were out for a stroll when seeing the state of me and locking us down.

Thank you very much

So G was able to rip the bed to bits and do the smelly necessaries - during which he managed to shove an inevitably unhygienic screwdriver deeply into the space between his thumb and first finger. We've super glued and butterfly stitched it, but he'll be very lucky if it doesn't get infected. Not really our finest day one way and another!!!!!

Going to be a while yet before this bed is habitable so, meanwhile, I'll keep standing - sitting is not currently an option

The hottest bed on MR

2013-05-19T22:11:00.001+01:00

This bed belongs to Baxter but either he (or it) seems to be massively popular with everyone else.Muttley is always trying to squeeze on beside him.

All visitors seem to make a beeline for him and Meg is not beyond pinching her share

Then, when the family come visiting young Tylan goes wherever Baxter goes

my poor long suffering dog - Tylan adores him

not to be outdone by her brother, Mileigh wanted a piece of the bed too

in the end Grandad had to come to Baxter's rescue - which didn't help G's poor bruised and battered body after his previous days activities down the weed hatch

We also had the pleasure of meeting Jan and Alistair off of NB Qisma and whisked Jan off with us on our morning walk today - not one of our better ones - and we returned Jan and Josh (their lovely Labradoodle) muddy and without the Sunday paper she'd gone out for in the first place (Sorry Jan)!

Our final Sunday lunch on board NP today as we go our separate ways next Tuesday or Wednesday. Excellent as always but I must point out that the chef was 3 minutes late putting it on the table.

After a cuppa and feet up for an hour, Sue and I set off passed Gayton Marina to Rothersthorpe and back via lock 9. A really lovely walk in the late evening sun and Muttley only found two dead things to eat - I really must remember to muzzle him at this time of the year!! Another fabulous day. Vic and Sue really do know how to do Sundays.

Plans; good intentions; boating. Yeah, impossible combination.

2013-05-17T20:47:00.001+01:00

Yesterday we knew we were going up the Northampton Arm back onto the canal system today.
We also knew we would be parting company with Vic and Sue soon so we thought we would go out for a good meal (on our 2 for 1 Tastecards) at the Vineyard in Northampton as a bit of a farewell celebration (don't bother; ok at half price but cold plates...grrr).
Before we went out I did remind everyone that we had 18 locks to do in the morning (and we've been off the system and pottering around with the odd electronic lock or two for the last 14 months) so we didn't want to be getting bladdered and staying up late.
How very sensible of me.
Did any of them listen to me?
Did they hell.
Did I listen to me?
No.
So off we toddled (or should that be staggered) this morning; through the town lock and onto the town moorings for a Morrison shop. A certain fellow traveller was heard to mutter that she couldn't ever look a bottle of Bacardi (other brands are available) in the eye ever again and, remarkably, we reached the bottom lock 15 minutes ahead of schedule. This was important as Pip and Roger (NB Windsong) and Kevin Too (The Other One) were coming out to help us lock up so there was no slack in the schedule. We were in front ( (dodgy) coins had been tossed the night before) and confronted with my first 'proper' lock in 14 months it took me 3 attempts to assemble the right 'anti-vandal' equipment. Feeling rather foolish but safely through and re-setting for Vic and Sue they came over on the radio that they were a dog short!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Penny had wandered off at Morrisons and wasn't on board.
Sue went tearing back whilst we moored up and we were just about to return to help the search when Sue phoned through to say that Penny was lying on the path where the boats had been moored with a small worried attentive audience.
Situation recovered we continued to the next lock where we tried to take the top gate out as we couldn't put the engine into reverse - prop foul. Bow hauled her out and locked No Problem through and they too had a prop foul. They were quickly fixed and we sent them on their way as we (that's the royal 'we') had this 'little' lot of wire to contend with. This is about half of it!

With all the stuff we have on board to deal with such problems, this still took about an hour and a half for G to sort - by which time his hands were dripping blood and he was frozen to the marrow

To make matters worse, I'd wandered off to walk the dogs and himself got his head stuck down the weed hatch! Vic paid 3 visits to that part of NPs anatomy today - I'm sure Sue will give their take on the day later if she can stay awake. We eventually caught NP plus Kevin Pip and Roger up when they stopped for lunch. Pip and Roger had to leave shortly after as a wet and filthy (playing with Penny) Ozzy had an appointment with the dog groomer - bet that didn't go down well!

I loved all the 'murials' we passed

and, it might sound crazy, but I had a really lovely day - the company was brilliant (great to meet Kevin Too - I felt I already knew him after all the blog comments), the exercise was good and the time flew by.

NP in the top lock

I'd really dreaded coming back to narrow, muddy waters but so far so OK

Kevin Too walking up after closing the gate behind MR on the penultimate lock

PS We seem to be moored on the route of the local hire boat companies 'let's take you down and show you how to wind' trip. Oh well .. it had to happen; at least they are doing it slowly with their instructors' on board.

It all happened at Doddington Lock - organised chaos!

2013-05-10T23:17:00.001+01:00

This morning it was time to move on as the delightful farmer, on whose land we had been parked, was waiting to turn his cattle out.

Whilst out walking with Sue previously, we had been up to Doddington Lock to check out the water situation and the potential for a Tesco delivery. The original waterpoint no longer worked but Sue tracked down Andy, the owner of Hardwater Mill adjacent to the lock, in his back garden and he kindly said we were welcome to fill both boats from his yard tap if our hoses could could reach it.

So that was the plan then and the hoses did reach (we do have a lot of hoses even without No Problems')

So here we are merrily blocking the downstream lock entrance and filling our tanks courtesy of the lovely Anne and Andy (who runs NB training courses). Now those of you on the overly populated ditches will think we're mad but we only see 3 or 4 boats a week and those are at the weekend. There was, however, a boat moored on the lock landing which had been abandoned there the previous day in the crazy winds. Needless to say; 5 minutes after we had the hoses set up than the aforementioned owner turned up wanting to lock down. G went and had a word and he was happy to have a brew and wait. Then, of course, another boat turned up wanting to come down (they were the only two boats I saw today). So, with their tank 3/4 full, we locked No Problem up.

Which cleared enough space for the two to come down although they didn't seem to want to let Sue out!

We then moored Sue on the meadow to wait for the Tesco delivery which would need carrying from the track, across a bit of field and then across NP's gang plank.

It took us ages to fill MR and we were still locking up when I spied the Tesco van turn in leaving Sue and Vic to start carting the shopping by themselves until I could leave MR and help! What a kerfuffle, by this stage - what with hoses, locking up and down, carting shopping and take off and landings in the wind - I was ready to go and lie down in a darkened room with a gin and tonic.

Not only did these lovely people let us have their water; they also offered to let us moor for the night in with their rescue sheep (I wish I'd thought to ask who or what the sheep were rescued from) but we declined as a half mile cruise was a bit short even by our standards. Also 4 dogs rounding up their sheep was not exactly the way to show our gratitude.

In between all of this, Anne showed us their plans and installation (under construction) for harnessing electricity via their mill race - pictures and more info on this in the next blog.

Pinned down by the wind

2013-05-09T22:22:00.002+01:00

A dreadful 24 hours of weather - I can't believe we were doing this on Monday.....

Whilst the adults and older children were nattering, the little one concentrated on recharging

so that he could stop everyone else from having a nap. The gang planks from boats to bank were irresistible to a toddler and kept everyone on maximum 'stop the child from drowning' duty

you didn't really want a rest did you Dainion?

But Dainion and Chenelle did manage to escape on the kayak for a bit

Despite her efforts at camouflage, Chenelle never managed a nap either

as for Sue .. mmmm. She says that she was using the sea searcher to find a missing piece from one of the games she kindly lent the children

Daisy reckoned it was her turn in the kayak

whilst Meg and Penny crashed out in Baxter's bed

Tuesday was declared a day of rest

A birthday party and morning visitors - such a solitary lifestyle!

2013-05-05T22:35:00.002+01:00

The views from our window on Saturday morning

then we trundled up the hill to the village of Great Doddington - having been out on the Fens for 12 months my lungs are not very good at hills yet; several stops to admire the view were required!

a pretty village

home to the dog friendly (I think they were given a drink before we were) Stags Head where we went to celebrate Sue's birthday

a village full of traditional buildings

and this one - straight out of Grand Designs. I bet they had some hassle with the planning authorities as it's smack bang in the middle of the village

it certainly has one helluva view!

after lunch we rolled back down the hill

via Wollaston Lock

luckily missing the downpours

and back to the boats - I think I heard a little bit of moaning about the distance from a couple of blokes

In the evening we went round to No Problem for party food and games - unfortunately the concentration levels deteriorated as the evening progressed so the games had to get easier in direct proportion!

This morning we had a great visit from Pip and Roger (NB Windsong) and their beautiful dog Ozzie (my pics of people were rubbish so I haven't put them up) who finally stopped playing with the rest of the gang long enough for me to get this picture - he'll sleep well tonight!!!!

Vic did us proud (again) with the Sunday lunch and in the evening we were attacked by hot air balloons that were struggling to both move and stay airborne - the wind completely died (hooray). The Heron was having no such problems

Another lovely two days; but look at the state of my two

Where has this week gone?

2013-05-03T23:06:00.003+01:00

Disappeared in a happy sunny haze of socialisation and glorious countryside to walk and cruise through.

Monday my cousins, Sonia and Mike, dropped by the boat and took us to The Miller near Wellingborough where we had an excellent lunch before they kindly took me to the local Waitrose's for some much needed supplies - only boaters know how precious a lift to/from shops are. I often wonder just how many miles I walk in the space of a month lugging goodness knows what weight of shopping.

Tuesday we set off for a monumental cruise of 2 locks and just under 3 miles! Past the lovely river fronted village of Woodford - there are moorings marked in the book that don't exist and there is about 50 yards of beautiful, empty, private moorings going to waste - such a shame as there are 3 pubs, a village store and a fish and chip shop which would all appreciate some extra business I'm sure

Further on Sue and Vic on NB No Problem tried to catch us up by taking a shortcut through the fields (oooooh Kevin; I think I've just done a Linky).

I love this avenue - MR's passage distorts the reflection

No Problem follows behind - they had arranged to pick up a new gas bottle at Lower Ringstead lock; we didn't think that would cause any problems as we've hardly seen a boat moving for days

Wouldn't you know it; we filled the lock and Vic was just going off to get a new cylinder when a boat appeared wanting to come down through the lock (the only boat we saw all day) so we drove MR out and the other boat came in alongside Sue. It's the first time I've seen two boats in a lock pointing in opposite directions. They kindly waited whilst a Willy Watt Marina person bought the cylinder roun and Vic swapped them over lockside - great service and only £21 I think

we moored just below the next lock at Upper Ringstead

on the little lock island where we could get the table and chairs out - a new mooring for MR; lovely

Sue and I, once again, managed to get a few miles in later and again on Wednesday

we actually saw our first hatchlings - goslings: we still haven't seen any ducklings, Canada Geese chicks or cygnets

and suddenly Penny pup cottoned on to the thrill of swimming out to retrieve sticks - I don't know who was the most proud; Penny pup or Sue (Sue will of course come to regret it as she'll never have a dry dog again!).

Sue and Vic came round for dinner Wednesday evening

mmmmm ...... don't ask..... just being in touch with his feminine side I think!

Thursday Sonia and Mike came out to the boat again and we had intended to go Indian at lunchtime but, as the weather had turned so glorious, we went to plan B

and had a really lovely lunch sat outside at the Axe and Compass at Ringstead - my Sea Bass was heavenly and the puddings ..... I daren't go near the scales this week and it will only get worse this weekend as it's Sue's birthday tomorrow and then there's Vic's Sunday lunch to contend with - good job we're walking a bit

Mike studying the wood in the stopper wave

Vic's still trying to work out how to get that wood out of there!

then back to round off the meal with a coffee before leaving for an overnight stay in Ithlingborough

An early start this morning as we needed to service the boats and visit Tesco in Wellingborough and get to Doddington for the weekend - our next wild mooring. 7 locks and seven and a half miles - exhausted; arrived about 4pm and not so much as a cup of tea since breakfast.

Seemed to be a bit of a theme going on with the boats moored at Ditchford Lock (where we stocked up with hen, duck, goose and turkey eggs and a bag of coal at 'summer' prices for MR - hopefully our last this year).

No Problem approaching Wellingborough where the EA man had to come from Kettering to meet us and sell us a pump out token - I know; it makes no sense whatsoever (and it used to be free).

Our lovely new mooring tonight - worth a long day. We couldn't stay at Ringstead as we would have been buried in fisherman over the bank holiday weekend

Happy Birthday Sue

Living the life of Riley

2013-04-28T19:44:00.000+01:00

I don't actually know who Riley was - must Google it. To me it means good; company, food, walking and ale. We have all of those here in abundance.

Open country between Ringstead and Denford looking across towards Woodford

It must be summer as the weed cutter is moored up at Woodford Lock

The cottage coming into Woodford has been re-thatched since I last did this walk - someone's been a little carried away with the animal/bird ornaments on the roof ridges

The Cock Inn at Denford has changed hands since Christmas but, it seems, has recovered the original chef and re-opened the restaurant only a week before we arrived. We had a lovely evening in there on Friday and chose from a limited, but interesting, menu. Most of the food was very good (one starter and one main course dish were a bit ordinary) and the wine was at a pleasantly reasonable price - so many of these places pile on the pounds for fairly ordinary wine; not the case here.

On Saturday the four of us traipsed into Thrapston to top up with perishables at the co-op and buy bits from the excellent hardware store. We retired for a pint and a sandwich (only the pubs that did good ale didn't do sandwiches) before taking ourselves back to the bus stop to catch a bus home - only the bus didn't come so we shivered in the cold wind for about 40 mins. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Sunday morning was a nice walk before dinner on No Problem with the 'Mini Coopers'. We seem to have fallen into a rather nice pattern where Vic makes a fabulous traditional Sunday lunch and G or I provide pudding. Then the Mini Coopers come round to us one night a week for some 'mucked about with' food.

Tomorrow we're out for the day with my cousins and Tuesday we'll rouse ourselves to move on a lock or two. Sigh. 'Tis a hard life

This guy has a hard job; he's trying to construct new allotments out of pasture land

I love this rolling countryside

The lovely river fronted Denford village

and our moorings by the lock

Wadenhoe to ..... plan B

2013-04-25T22:31:00.000+01:00

Kayak level pictures from yesterday

The church at Wadenhoe - prior to the bell ringing practice in the evening which nearly sent Sue demented!

Our Wadenhoe mooring

We set off for Thrapston this morning; Titchmarsh being the only lock of the day and Sue and G were quite happy gassing in the morning sunshine

Vic and I (the lockwheelers) were also happy as there was no need to wind paddles with this much water coming over the top gates

The mill here is the home of the Cruising Club.

Which quickly saw our arrival at the Sailing Club outside Thrapston where we had intended to moor. However, the next obstacle is our nemesis; the very low Islip footbridge (I can't remember how long we've waited to get under this bloody bridge in the past) and rain is forecast so, at a quick management meeting, it was decided that if we could get under it now, we would as water levels are probably about to rise. But, could we get under.

The airdraft signed under the bridge was 2.05 metres and we need 2.09. A bit marginal that, so a more accurate assessment was made

with a weight (our sea search magnet-Vic's clever idea) on a bit of string dangled until it broke water

and then measured

resulting calculations sent Vic and G scurrying off to dismantle MR's solar panels/ top boxes etc

whilst Sue made a cuppa and fed the dogs Bonios through the serving hatch

that done, we headed off for the bridge with fingers crossed whilst Sue took theses pictures

it turns out we were over cautious and slid under with inches to spare

probably only needed to remove the smaller solar panel; better safe than sorry

so we headed off to Denford for the night. No Problem leaving Islip Lock with the Mill in the background

Sue's turn for a bit of excitement next: through the arch of the town bridge

and then swing to port and reverse parellel to the bridge

and in to get water

whilst we re-assembled MR's roof items before passing through the next (and last) Lock of the day at the beautiful Denford

Ashton to Wadenhoe

2013-04-24T19:12:00.000+01:00

We'd intended to move on today but, as our next mooring will be Thrapston and, relatively, inhabited by others, we decided to stay another day at our idyllic moorings just to do a few more things in the sunshine.

like a pint at the pub

a walk above the Nene Valley

into the pretty village of Aldwincle

starting to, finally look a little like spring

and returning to lounge in the sun after reversing up for water

but first I had to wet the bottom of the kayak for the first time this year - hard work against the stream and the wind, but delightful drifting home on the flow just listening to the 'cawking' of the pheasants and the tapping of a woodpecker.

It would, however, be remiss of me not to include some of the pics from the previous two days.

Sue (NB No Problem) had mentioned on her blog (not clever enough to do the linky thing, but you know where to find her) about re-fueling at Oundle Marina

She also mentioned how difficult it was to leave and hang a right to continue upstream - well mentioning it is one thing - seeing it is better

The Marina exit

and No Problem is running out of room - Sue needs to start the turn, but she can't as the stern is still within the confines of the narrow exit

all she can do is stick her nose onto the far bank until the stern is clear and then spin round it. It was tight for us but Sue and Vic are 3 foot longer

The sensational Lilford Hall with it's amazing chimneys - just before Lilford Lock where we were stuck on strong stream with Lesley and Joe and NB Yarwood for a week last year on the way out

how gorgeous are these - I think it was their eggs that I ate for breakfast this morning

the boys (and girls) are loving it here

and Baxter has taken to sun-bathing on the gang plank

I just happened to have the camera handy and caught Daisy mid pounce. Fortunately she missed and this rodent lived to fight another day.

Have I mentioned how much I love the River Nene?

Oundle, Ashton & unexpected visitors

2013-04-21T20:27:00.003+01:00

I'm delighted to say that our 4 lock cruise on Friday to Ashton Lock, by Oundle, was pleasantly uneventful - wet though. Wet is infinitely preferable to windy and it wasn't wet enough to bring the river levels up.

The sun appeared on Saturday and we have unpacked the chairs and been sitting out on the bank for the first time this year. Lovely to just sit and chill and watch the pair of red kites which are nesting in the tree on our 'island'

Friday evening we walked into the village of Ashton which is part of the Ashton Estate; this property was for sale with a guide price of around £985,00. I guess they don't come on the market very often

The Chequered Skipper on the village green is dog friendly and served real ale but we didn't try the food

Sue and I walked into Oundle on Sunday to fetch food and I was delighted to find samphire has come into season along with purple sprouting - still no English asparagus yet; everything is so up the creek with this year's weather. This vivid blue sky could be anywhere in the Med though; not a cloud in sight.

One for the boys -some rather nice machines parked in the town square.

Not long after we arrived back at the boats, Debbie and Kevin made a surprise visit but they didn't bring their dogs. It's not on you know, puppy Herbie would have loved a rumble with Penny and Muttley.

Anybody would think it was summer

The moorings here are on an island surrounded by weirs which is lovely as there is no 'through' traffic on either foot or bike

It's our own little piece of heaven

I'm so glad we decided to take our time on this river. It'll be quite a shock to the system when we hit the canals again; dodging speeding cyclists and queuing at locks! It will be over a year since we've seen a canal

We had another heavenly Sunday lunch on board No Problem today. I could get so used to these.

The access to the boats is a paddle across this weir - I was going to give it a try but I couldn't get the dogs over the gate so I had to return by the long way round. No Problem is moored behind us.

Aptly named locations

2013-04-19T22:45:00.001+01:00

Now if you live on Duck Street (let's face it, it's a great address)

and that's where your cottage is

well...what else could you call it. I love it........

A nice long walk across to the much needed butcher at Warmington yesterday, but that wind almost made us turn back

I love the 'muriels' in the underpass

Warmington (on sea 333) mill

and acres of soft fruit poly tunnels

Muttley staying out of my reach while he eats something disgusting

Elton Hall - 'tis terribly grand

and owner/occupied by Sir William who pops into the village shop each day for his paper

Four dogs just wallowing in a mud bath - just what you need back on the boats.....yuk!!

Bit tired now.....can we go home?

Daisy cat heaven - this mooring is just one big play-time

2013-04-18T21:28:00.000+01:00

Given that we are currently pinned down for a few days at Elton Lock by the strong winds; the animals have fallen into a routine. Every morning Penny (from NB No Problem) pops round to see if Muttley wants to come out to play and, of course, he always does. They play for hours and still manage a long walk during the day - they sleep well though. I thought that they had found a lot of sticks and then I realised that they were systematically nicking them out of my kindling bag on the well deck. To be truthful, I suspect Vic has taught Penny to take the kindling back to No Problem

Daisy has discovered paradise along the treeline at the back of the field

so I went over with her to do her a photo shoot

So many people ask me if she is happy living on a boat that's always (well...mostly) on the move

I think these photos answer that question better than I can!

Meg and Penny try to persuade Sue and I to take the longer route home over the bridge

Elton Lock with the derelict mill building to the left-such a shame that it's not been restored. What a location

NP and MR moored upstream of the lock and the weir stream

There are those that have and those that haven't yet - today it was Sue's turn

2013-04-15T23:05:00.004+01:00

I ended the previous blog saying that we were going to do 3 locks so it would be a long day - it was meant to be sarcasm but it turned out to be a premonition. Those 3 locks took us over 4 hours and we ended up moored by Elton Lock in a knackered heap.

The day started normally enough with a quick bit of obedience training whilst the humans nattered and made boats ready for cruising.

I wandered up with Sue to Wansford Station to dispose of the rubbish and indulge in a quick 5 minutes of nostalgia

You can just make out our moorings from the bridge up by the signal box

and then we set off on what should have been a short cruise to Elton under the double bridges of the A1

and then through the arches of the beautiful original Wansford bridge

and into Wansford double lock. Sue left the Lock first, but an increasingly strong stream and wind combination grabbed NPs nose and whisked her to the left and the weir barriers before she could clear the lock sufficiently to get full steerage round to the right. So we oiked NP back into the lock, backward, with Matilda Rose and then bow hauled her out on long ropes onto the lock landing. Mission accomplished, we all relaxed a bit before starting on MR, and then ..... well..... Sue fell in. To her credit, like all good boatwomen, she hung onto NPs rope.

A certain amount of censorship was exercised over photographic rights, but I have permission (of sorts) to show the 'after' pics

Vic and Graham dragged her out and deposited her back on terra firma somewhat unceremoniously!

and not once did she lose her sense of humour bless her

Yarwell Lock was an even bigger nightmare with a sharp turn to the left (again at the lock exit) with the wind and flow trying to take you down the weir stream to your right. Both boats having to be bow hauled out individually on long ropes onto the lock landings - bloody knackering. No photos because we were all too 'tied' up with tons of narrowboats on the end of bits of string.

NP coming up through the downstream arch - G cleared Sue through as the funnel effect on the flow through the 'correct' arch was fearsome

The weir stream at Elton Lock shows the strength of the flow.

Why do they keep putting these locks on bends - but at least the wind was in a more favourable direction for this one

All that was required for this one was a single rope to hold the nose until the stern was clear and then let go - the single rope not being long enough to catch in the prop

what's the record for the maximum number of gongoozlers at a lock? Good job she didn't go in here - that would have been embarrassing!!!!!

Should we have been cruising today? Possibly not, but there is safety in numbers.

Warm and windy, but the rain has held off

2013-04-15T07:30:00.000+01:00

A busy old weekend on the River Nene with several really lovely walks: in particular to The Prince of Wales Feathers at Castor where a very warm welcome awaited us from Maddy the pub dog. I promised her a blog mention but she seemed distinctly underwhelmed at the prospect of five seconds of fame.

her Mum, Kate, remembered us from when we were stuck at Alwalton last year and is rather hoping for some heavy rain to detain us in the area a little longer. Evidently we're good for business - can't think why!!

They do good food, a selection of well kept Real Ales and dog biscuits are provided for canine visitors. This really is a cracking little pub in the centre of a fabulous walking area

Kate's rain dances aren't working at the moment and the Nene is currently quite benign

Penny (from No Problem) popped round frequently to invite Muttley out to play. He was, of course, more than happy to oblige although he's beginning to run out of steam now

I loved this weather vane in the nearby village of Sutton

and the stream train was running over the weekend

Daisy had a duvet day

and we were invited round to No Problem for one of Vic's legendary Sunday lunches - simply delicious

Thought we might move on a bit today - 3 locks so it'll be a long day!

These boots aren't made for walking

2013-04-13T21:10:00.000+01:00

They have walked their last....no amount of Super Glue is gonna patch this up. It seems fitting that I was paddling around in these boots in the floods at Alwalton on 26th April last year when they first split and I patched them up with Super Glue. Back in Alwalton again they have reached their end.

So out of the bottom of the wardrobe comes the new ones that I stashed away when the sales were on - how many miles and how many memories will these new ones provide; where will they take me? To France perhaps? It is always sad parting with a pair of well worn walking boots. If you walk you'll understand; if you don't, you'll think I'm mad. Baxter is exhausted just looking at those potential miles

So this, one year on, is a very subdued Alwalton Lock mooring where we spent 3 stranded weeks on our way out to the Ouse last year

And this is the mottley crew we're travelling with on the return journey (honestly Lesley; you just can't get the quality shipmates any more)

It is, of course, raining which is always disconcerting on the oh so fickle Nene

This is the approach to Water Newton Lock and starting to look a little lively but so far so good!

It has to be one of the most beautiful locks on our waterways

But just through (upstream) they are building a new lock landing and we have to get around to the left of this

It's tight for us, but worse for No Problem who are 3 feet longer - the problem with narras is that you can't swing the front until the back end is clear

Here comes Sue - at least it's a double lock which gives a bit more width for ~~manouevre~~ swishing across

Looking at NP through the obstacle; Sue swings across hard

around she comes

And on to our new moorings at ~~Thomas the Tank~~ Wansford Station after our epic cruise of 1 lock and 3-4 miles!!!!

That's NP waiting for a Tesco delivery before joining us through the bridge on the other side

Daisy cat hits the new moorings running - where are those pesky mice?

This'll do very nicely for the week end thank you - no point in rushing things