smoke on the water

Maybe again

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:24:00 +0000

I am thinking I really should start blogging again as I suddenly feel i have something to say...
Its been the first winter on Baldock and things have gone well and she has kept me warm and dry. With the new pieces of it kit on her I am able to pop out for a week at a time. I have been to Wallingford and saw David Walliams swim part of Sport Relied. Had the time between xmas and new year at Wittenham Clumps and had a 360 degree view of all the fireworks for New Year.

Baldock welcome home.

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 17:43:00 +0000

We(being I and the crew) finally got our hands on Baldock. We had a bit of slow start as we got the protective chain that guards the moorings wrapped around the prop... ooops... oh well
There isn't much to tell on the way down, however after tying outside the old dry dock we managed to find a spot on the tescos moorings at Bulls Bridge.
Baldockbwas worked originally by the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company and was built in 1947 by Harland and Wolf. After much changing of hands, Baldock was worked by Willow Wren and currently carries her livery...

EA licences

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 10:25:00 +0000

I am fed up with hearing how the EA have suddenly imposed a new stealth licence on boaters. The legal situation has been since 1932 that all boats being used on the River Thames had to have a licence. The only recent argument has been what is the River Thames, most thinking that Marinas were exceptions.However about 5 years ago it was proved that private water didn't exist. So if 5 years and the amount of publicity in waterways press, and all the information sent to all BMF members and also other non members and marinas... i am lost at the excuses being made.. If you can't afford a boat then sell it.... it is no different for a car...

Bike !!!

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:58:00 +0000

Am not sure if this is strange or not. Whilst on the way to work, I saw a fully kitted out cyclist on the side of the road. He had a pair of hand shearers and was attacking a hedge on the side of the room. I assume the edge of the shrub was just to close to the edge of the road. As he had them in his bag I assume he attacks the local shrubery on a regular basis... So if you are worried that your shrubs are disappearing it might be the mystery cyclist.

School Reunion

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 18:35:00 +0000

Well it finally happened, the renunion. The return of class 1990 back to its spirtual( or liquid) home. What a great night. It was lovely to see so many faces from school, the nervousness of trying to remember people just diappeared. Most hads't changed a bit, it was like steppping back 20 years.
It was also great to see many people return from far and wide. Some came from Holland, Wales, others still lived round the corner. we cauhgt up with news, some danced others, swapped stories and maybe the odd number or two.
it was a tribute to Chris who organised it and all those who turned up and made the party what it was, thank u all...Pics

Cleaning Day

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:51:00 +0000

Cleaning is one of life trials.. just someting you have to do. I like to do this to loud heavy music.. Muse is my particular band of choice. I have two bits of advice to this. One is, do it naked.. if you get dirty it doesn't matter you can just jump straight in the shower. The second piece is don't use to much cilit bang in a confine space, it makes you cough like mad as it produces so much fumes. I am now trying to recover with my head out of the front doors breathing in as much fresh air as possible.

School Reunion part2

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:47:00 +0000

Things are getting worse, even the primary school pictures are coming out of the woodwork.. Saying that the event has made the local press including picture, I wonder if things are building up to much, lets hope its as exciting as we hope.

School Reunion

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:01:00 +0000

An old school mate( i think I can still call her that) has organised a school reunion. The scary thing it has been now 20 years since the end of school, well I did stay on for A levels.
Come Septemeber some 80+ of us will be heading back to the old town like a pilgramge, to worship at our Mecca which was the rugby club. I spent my birthday there,as many of us did and like most was all a bit hazy..
HOwever I don't what is more scary... the pics coming out of the woodwork from when we were so much younger, or the fact I can't remember half the names or faces.

Spring has sprung

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:33:00 +0000

I have heard my first bird song in the evening.. It seems after the dark cold winter spring is on its way.. Here is to spring and what it will bring

Morts Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:31:00 +0000

I attended Morts birthday/banter. It was a well attended event with 40+ people there. Most of them where off the forum with a few locals all descending the boat inn at Thrupp. I did take a pic of the birthday girl, however I would not be that cruel and will spare her blushes. Neither of us where feeling very well, so after a short time socialising and eating the lovley stew I retired home early..

Oxford

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:59:00 +0000

Oxford is quite unique, instead of a getting a local so called celeb to turn the christmas lights on it used the local schools. They had a parade through the city centre and as they passed each set of lights, they where then turned on...

Last Post

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:47:00 +0000

I thought I would take the final post of the trip to look back at the last 6 weeks or so.. A rough calculation and I have travelled nearly 300 miles and gone through just over 200 locks.I have had a fabulous time. I have discovered the Caldon Canal, which was a great place to visit. We even managed to take the boat through Froghall tunnel. The Macclesfield was stunning as was the Marple flight too. Even the canals leading into Manchester were as not as bad as everybody thought. I popped down several arms included the Welford and the Market Harborough. I have meet some lovely people and even sat in the pub to long drinking with them.
I should also mention those we have helped me along the way. The Yeadons, both Mike and Maggie, who separately and together have crewed cooked and lock wheeled for me and with me. To Robert and Mary, who Rob helped us for two days in and around Manchester, Mary who also did some washing for me and we had two lovely evenings with them. Helen who helped me into Birmingham, lock wheeling and generally putting up with me, who’s running style is legendary.
A special mention must be made of the T’s, who boat I affectively boat kidnapped for the whole time and this trip would not have been possible. They trusted me with the boat for all this time and I managed to destroy two fenders, in the process. I can’t thank them enough, for letting me borrowing their boat. The boat has been brilliant and is ideal for long term cruising. It has not missed a beat and apart from me putting it on the bottom several times has not failed me..

Till the next trip I bid you all Adieu.

Loughborough

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:18:00 +0000

I chugged on quite happily this morning, the waters were deep and wide, so I made good time. If my memory serves me right then for Number One this is where it all started 20 years ago.

Even amongst all the narrowboats, there was an exception or two, this was one of the better ones..

The RBOA sticker does work, I even managed to bump into the ex chair of the RBOA and had a nice chat with her. She has a lovely mooring which she bought over ten years ago..

This is one of the many non lock. locks on the Soar it is left open but can be closed in case of flooding

I can't believe this is the journeys end. I am returning to the Marina tomorrow and then off in the morning to see a friend of morning coffee. Is this me back to civilisation, or as the saying goes, we take it with us..

ps there maybe one more post

Leicester

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:09:00 +0000

As we had avoided Leicester because of its reputation I was surprised on in places how lovely it was. I soon passed the local football ground, not quite as spectacular as old trafford.

Along side it was this lovely weir

As I steamed through Leicester as it is river there, I passed some nice bridges, this one had a pub called the "Soar Point " on it, very apt maybe..

The locals have made an effort to tidy up the area and this was just one example.

The view from the lock though was quite stunning. In fact Leicester is surrounded by gravel pits, so is able to accommodate all water sports.. It was almost a shame as I left the edges of Leicester and tied up for the day.

Aylesbury

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:58:00 +0000

We shuffled the cars around last night so when we got to Aylesbury, we could get back to mine and return it to the marina.

Today was just a short hop from Kilby bridge. As we didn't fancy tying up in the middle of Leicester for the evening.

This was according to the Nicholisons where Pickfords where. It seems a long way away when it would have been full of flyboats

This was the other highlight on what was a very short day..

Bruntingthorp

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:42:00 +0000

I was bought a driving experience day, it was to drive an Aston Martin DB9. However at the track you can drive loads of different cars..

You had Bentleys

TVR-typical TVR though it broke down

An Audi R8

A Lambo

But I was due to drive one of these

However it was all very organised, you had to sign in. You then had to do the demo laps, we did ours in an Evo V. We also had the chance to have a quick off road demo in a Landrover.

We then went to our queues, my Brother in Law Gareth, was having a Lambo day.

Mine was in the Aston, this was me as I was going around the track.I managed to hit 135 down the back straight and 100 on the short one. I even got 37/40 from the instructor.

To top it all we went in a Subaru Imprezza where someone showed us how we should have driven around the track. It was an excellent day...

Kilby Bridge

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:18:00 +0000

As we had spent the extra day in MH, we decided to push on had head for Kilby Bridge. It had good road access as Mags was coming over for the weekend. She did have to work Saturday and I have my driving experience day as well.

We set off not to early and made good chugging back to Foxton and beyond. The views of the canal at this time of year are brilliant, I think I prefer this time of year to any other, just when the leaves are turning.

We also passed an old manor house, we couldn't see the main house, but you can still see the church.

We pressed on as soon hit a very spread out flight of locks, it didn't help the beams were not balanced properly, so they kept swinging open, however there was plenty of water in them...

There are also some nice bridges, which are numbered and named, this one was particularly nice.

We soon hit Kilby bridge

Then it was off to the pub, my first one of the day.... We went back in the evening waited for Mags and then had a lovely meal and evening, it was a nice birthday.

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:41:00 +0000

Mike and I decided to have a day in Market Harborough. When we awoke it seemed an even better idea as it was raining. We paid for last night and tonights mooring and also we managed electric plug into, saves us having to run the engine.

We took a stroll down the hill into the town passing what looks like a gate house which is now an office.

The town is full of old coach houses some are still pubs others now are shops. The Swan has one of the oldest wrought iron sign in the country.

We thought the Angel was a bit saucy...

I have the usual picture of the church, the working boat will follow.

The town is very well stocked with shops, local butchers, bakers etc live along side the large supermarket.

Back at the marina one of the blogs I have been following Hadar are tied up here too. It looks like no one is home though,shame

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:40:00 +0000

Even though the Leicester section has the bottom of the canal very close to the top it is still very nice to look at..

We soon hit foxton locks, two staircase locks with 5 in each. We had the usual problem of trying to find the lockie, otherwise we would have been through a lot quicker.

As soon as we were through Foxton we turned right and headed down the arm to Market Harborough, which going back all the big gardens is the land of sit on mowers.

By the time we go to the basin, we didn't find a space on the towpath moorings, so stayed in the basin, saw Hadar there but no-one was home. Think the plan is to stay here for a till Friday morning and then head off. As can have plug in and is a nice mooring for the town...

Welford

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:59:00 +0000

We started from the top of Braunston first thing. It was feeling very atumunal as we awoke to this.

After a quick hop through the tunnel we turned left and headed up the Leicester section

We then headed for the Watford flight a mixture of single locks and staircase. We hung around for the lockie to tell us we could go up. We were soon heading up and soon on our way

We soon passed crick and beyond and were heading for the Welford arm

I need to throw in the customary Working Boat.

Welford itself is lovely. We had a nice wander round and saw an old pub and a cart barn

and this is what we finished the evening on, oh and a very nice dinner.

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:06:00 +0000

We hit stockton flight early it was chilly but we had glorious sunshine and not a cloud in the sky.

I had the usual plethora of working boats at the top stockon, but I did like this one..

I also saw this boat, I am sure it is a friends old boat, I am sure they will correct me if I am wrong.

We finally hit Braunston. We went to the fender man and bought two fenders for the boat was also did the domestics filling up with water before we hit the flight. The approach can be a little tight sometimes.

For us we finished early tying up around 4ish at the top of the flight. Mike decided to hang his flag he had bought.. Question is can you name the county.....

answers not on a postcard, can be entered in the comments though, no prizes apart for being a smartarse..

Long Itchington

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:29:00 +0000

Well the big one today was the Hatton flight. Mags was over for the day so we had an extra pair of hands. We even met a boat after a couple or lock and worked down together. It was also our real first day of dampness as it mizzled all morning.

We made good time and we were chugging quite nicely. There were still the reminders of the old and the new

We also had another flight before hitting Long Itchington and the tie up for the night.

We were meeting the T's for a drink or two and also they were kindly acting as taxi service for Mags to return to her car. We had a pleasant evening in the two boats and were off to bed early.

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:38:00 +0000

We had a muted start to the day. We still had a bit of backward travel. As we reached the junction we got something around the prop. After a bit of delving found it was a lump of wood. We put the engine in forward and it cleared.

This is the first lock on the Stratford upon Avon

As we approached the first lift bridge there technical problem so BW was working the bridge.

The Stratford is a lovely canal, esp as the Sun was shinning....

We then hit Lapworth flight, officially the first lock is at Kings Norton. However the rest of the locks are close together.

We did 19 locks in just under 3 hrs. We did have a hire boat in front,so I was helping them out and also setting the lock up for the boat behind.

We soon hit the junction and are officially on the Grand Union canal. Mags has joined for the evening and tomorrow, and we are heading down Hatton flight. The T's are making an appearance in the evening, so the gang is back together.

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:27:00 +0000

Well I set off from Gas Street, I soon hit the Worcester and Birmingham canal. You can't believe that in 15 mins you have left the city centre behind.

You do follow the railway for quite a while, for a moment I was not sure which tunnel to go through..

I wonder if this is a half bar of chocolate...

This is the Bournville factory, I am sure a few ladies would like to visit.

I soon reached the junction of the Stratford upon Avon..

I had decided to moor up nearer to Kings Norton so i went down to the tunnel and turn in the winding hole. As I approached I got something around the prop again. So i missed the winding hole. It took me a while to clear it, I found most of a bike wheel. The other problem was that the winding hole was not full length. So I had to reverse 1/2 mile, not a an easy task, it took me over and hour.

Well I met Mike and we went for a couple of pints and some food all less then £15. Well off to Lapworth tomorrow...

Return to Gas Street

noreply@blogger.com (Whitewater) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:04:00 +0000

Well it was a welcome return of chugging. As the Birmingham new line was so boring I thought I would take the old main line, known as the Wolverhampton level..

It included the traditional disused warehouse.

There is some impressive development a long the way too.

As I went over the aquaduct I got a brief glimpse of Netherton Tunnel

A bit of a surprise was how long I followed the M5 for, but I soon left it behind and was heading for Smethewick Locks.

However a small delight was the Engine arm

Just above Smethwick locks

Just after the locks you head back onto the Birmingham New Main line and back into Birmingham. I have tied up again in gas street. Am off down the Worcester and Birmingham tomorrow. Heading for Kings Norton junction, where I am being joined by Mike for the week...