Sunday 11th October 2009

Drizzly start to the day.  Set off for Bishop Stortford by 9.30am.  Want to get up to BS and back to the moorings above Sawbridgeworth Lock today.  Lovely scenery and very rural.  At the first lock of the day, Sheering Mill Lock, there’s a commemorative plaque to show that this is where the wings of the WW” fighter bomber plane the Mosquito were made – and the link – well my dad joined the RAF in 1936 and served in  a Mosquito squadron throughout the war in North Africa, Italy, Crete, Burma and India.  Well I never.  Got to Bishop Stortford and back out again PDQ, sadly not very enticing with the odd wino lying on the towpath.  Even though there are plenty of visitor moorings there wasn’t one boat staying over.  Got back to Sawbridgeworth in pretty good time and tied up by 3pm.  Went up into town to explore and found the Queen’s Head, A BEER AT LAST and Bill is very welcome, ah heaven.

Monday 12th October 2009

Staying over today.  Had a good walk back along the towpath to a big meadow with Bill’s Ball Twanger and had a good run around.  Caught up on some chores and went up to explore the town and get some shopping in Budgens.  Nice town with MANY PUBS plus and Indian, Tex-Mex, and Chinese restaurants and a chippy.  Lovely weather again and a nice restful day.  Few beers early doors in the Queen’s Head.

Tuesday 13th October 2009

Took Bill for a walk along the towpath and then up into town to get a paper.  Had a natter in passing with the landlord of the Good Intent and Bill would be very welcome there too.  Beautiful weather, hardly a breath of wind and a cloudless blue sky.  Set off by 10am in these glorious conditions.  Got through seven locks to then join a queue of three boats at Parndon Lock and we were making such good progress.  Hey ho, after the next lock, Hundon Mill Lock, decided to moor up above Roydon Lock.  Good choice, nice moorings with a massive meadow back up the towpath for Bill to play in.While we were in the meadow playing with Bill’s Ball Twanger he lost sight of the ball.  It was then that I found out the he instantly responded to right and left commands and changed direction instantly and I was able to direct him from some distance to find the lost ball.  Fantastic, what a clever lad.  Also a short walk over the railway line and up a little lane there is the village of Roydon with THREE pubs, a chemist and a village store.  Tried the Saracens Head first and bingo, Bill’s welcome.  Sadly not so in the White Hart – boo.  Didn’t get to try the New Inn but as we’ll stay over tomorrow will give it a try.

Wednesday 14th October 2009

Staying over here today.  Nice walk up into the village for the papers.  After breakfast a major clean up is required.  There’s so much of Bill’s fur on the rug you can’t see him when he lies on it!!!  So out with the Dyson and off we go.  Cor the rugs are deep red and not black and white!  Even washed the floors,  cleaned the kitchen and hob and the bathroom and dusted throughout.  Looks like a new boat.  Took Bill up to Hunsden Mead, the big big meadow and had a good old run around.  collected a poo bag (empty I hasten to add) full of sloe berries to make some sloe gin, shame it takes so long.  Quite getting into this DIY pickles, relishes and booze.  Off to the Saracen’s Head for a few scoops.

Thursday 15th October 2009

Off up to the shops for the papers and off to Hertford after breakfast.  Overcast to start but promising very nice weather later.  Only three locks to get off the River Stort then a major change as we go back onto the very River Lee.  Only four locks to get to Hertford but they are incredibly heavy especially Hertford Lock No 1 and Stanstead Lock has an incredibly fast wash out of the paddles – BEWARE and work it SLOWLY and you must also open the swing bridge over the lock.  Turned the boat around at Folly Bridge and tied up at the brand new visitor moorings in Hertford by 2.30pm.  Lovely cruise now off to explore the town.  Had a few beers in the Old Barge early doors, sadly Bill not welcome so he had to stay on the boat.

Friday 16th October 2009

Took Bill for a walk to get the papers and few bits and pieces in town.  Staying over today cos we can.  Lazy day with a nice long walk with Bill and the ball twanger to the nearby playing fields.  Few beers in the Barge later.

Saturday 17th October 2009

Quick walk up into town to Waitrose to get some bits, also bought a couple of lovely woolly jumpers in The Scottish Woollen Mill sales.  Set off by 9.30am aiming for Broxbourne.  Hurt my back the other day and it’s not quite back to normal so lock 1, Hertford Lock, has done it in again.  I nearly couldn’t get the gate open!!!  This must be the hardest lock I’ve ever done.  Gingerly worked our way back through the notorious Stanstead Lock No 4 and got to Crown Bridge in Broxbourne by 3pm.  Tied up outside the Crown pub on the visitor mooring but, BOO, Bill not welcome.  Went for a walk instead.

Sunday 18th October 2009

Up early and off for a long walk with Bill then set off for Cow Bridge next to the Middlesex Filter Beds Nature Reserve to tie up by 3.30pm.  This part of the River Lee back to London is boring because it’s practically straight with lots of industry on the west side of the navigation.  However, at least some of the locks are either part or totally electric so that will help the old back that is apart from Enfield Lock where I had to get two guys from the lock cottage to help me open the gate.  Took Bill for a long walk around the nature reserve and back for an early night.  On a final thought for the day how would you describe the following sign I noticed -

Authorised Treatment Centre for End Of Life Vehicles????  In my day I’m sure they were called scrap yards!!!

Is it me?

Monday 19th October 2009

Up early and a good run for Bill on Hackney Marshes.  Cor must be 50 full size football pitches here.  Set off at 9am down the Limehouse Cut to Limehouse Basin.  Bit boring again with lots of industrial sites apart from Old Ford Lock where there is the house that the Big Breakfast was filmed in and also Bow Locks – so bollocks to you too mate!!  Back on the Regents Canal and sensible locks at last.  Had a bit of a ding in the Islington Tunnel as the headlight went off for some reason I came together with the wall which tore the tonneau cover slightly and snapping two of the lacky bands.  Tried to get into Paddington Basin but no room so had to come back out and tied up at the top of Little Venice at 6pm – long day – took Bill into the park next door and an early night.

Tuesday 20th October 2009

Up early again, well 8am, and a good run in the park for Bill.  Set off at 9am aiming for Cowley Peachy.  Cold wind and overcast.  NO LOCKS today just a long cruise.  Turned off the Paddington Arm  and back onto the Grand Union Canal proper at Bull’s Bridge and tied up in Cowley Peachy by 3pm.  1st job is to get down in the weed hatch to clear the fishing line off the prop.  Took Bill for a long run along the towpath and back in for the rest of the afternoon.  Out into the park before dinner with Bills ball twanger.  In for an early night.  By the way I know coconuts come from palm trees but why are there so many in the canal???  Must have seen at least 20 today – any ideas?  Oh and I’ve decided not to go down the Slough Arm as considered opinion is that it’s very weedy and there’s nothing there anyway worth seeing.

Thursday 1st October 2009

Was going to go down the Aylesbury Arm, however, there’s a boat in Marsworth No 1 Lock south so decided to go that way instead.  Good decision, Martyn and Ela on Nb Isadora are going all the way to London so will buddy as far as we can.  Did 21 locks out of Marsworth through Berkhamsted to tie up above lock 60.  Went into the Three Horse Shoes for a well earned beer with Bill (beware the Dobermans – eek scared me even!).

Friday 2nd October 2009

Set off together by 9.30am for Cassio Bridge.  Nice weather again and good company.  Another long day today with one swing bridge and 19 locks.  Good moorings though the pub is now a Harvester (euk!) and the shop doesn’t exist anymore.  So an early night in front of the telly.

 

Saturday 3rd October 2009

Set off together again by 9.30am.  I’m only going as far as South Harefield (Widewater Lock 86) but Martyn and Ela are off on a mission to get as far as possible.  Lovely to meet them and I’m sure we’ll meet up on the cut again some day.  Believe it or not we came upon a guy in a 30ft narrowboat in a lock waiting for it to EMPTY ITSELF!! – HE DIDN’T HAVE A WINDLASS.  He’d never even been on a boat before and the bloke who sold him the boat (just above this lock) told all locks were manned!!!  He apparently is heading for Weybridge so that means he has many more locks to get through plus he will need to go up the Thames for which he also didn’t know he would have to pay apart from the fact he doesn’t have a BW licence either.  Anyway a lady off another boat gave him a windlass but still has no idea how to set and work a lock.  I wonder how far he’ll get?????  The bad news for us is the Horse and Barge is not Bill friendly, hey ho another quiet night in.

Sunday 4th October 2009

Spent a very strange night listing at 15 degrees.  The water in the pound had dropped considerably and left us grounded.  So up early to try and refloat the boat, however, not as bad as I had thought.  So we were able to set off by 8.30am.  Heading towards Paddington Basin or Little Venice.  Only three locks to go through but 21 miles of canal.  Let’s see how we get on.  Much better weather than yesterday, light breeze but a bit cloudy.  It’s weird coming into London by canal cos you really see nothing of the suburbs right up until you get to Kensal Town and Little Venice.  There was a mooring in Little Venice but it was partly under a pedestrian footbridge so carried on into Paddington Basin.  Loads of spaces though on the floating pontoons the mooring cleats are completely in the wrong places for boats over 45 ft long so moored over behind St Mary’s Hospital – cor this brings back memories of the many times I worked in this hospital, glad that’s done with.  Had an exploratory walk with Bill, sadly no grass to be seen the nearest being Hyde Park or Regents Park.  Back to Beau for an early night.

Monday 5th October 2009

Staying over today.  The weathers turned really orrible and wet.  Took Bill for a walk back towards Little Venice and back for breakfast.  Finally settled in front of the old flipflop to get on the tinterweb and catch up on the blog.  All done but probs with the tinterweb connection.  Found Tesco’s and a little pub called the Royal Exchange which is a good old Irish pub with loads of horseracing memorabilia and lots of characters.

 

Tuesday 6th October 2009

Weather still dreadful so not moving again today.  Took Bill on usual walk and finally sorted out the tinterweb.  Had to download the Firefox browser and disable Internet Explorer 8.  All seems fine now.  Few beers in the Exchange and even found a launderette which I’ll use on the way back through London.  Quick shop in Tesco’s and an early night.

Wednesday 7th October 2009

Walked Bill as usual, better weather today but still looks like rain.  Been having a few problems with the fresh water pump so going to try and sort it out.  Oh dear it’s leaking again like the last time so switched the pump off and shut off the cold water supply.  Took the pump out and disassemble the whole unit and cleaned all the surfaces.  Replaced the seals with jointing compound and reassembled it again which I now hope will solve the problem.  put everything back together and turned everything back on and lo and behold it seems to be working OK, damn I’ good (I think?).  Decided to spoil Bill a little by taking him down to Hyde Park which is about a mile away.  Off we go and the heavens opened, too late now we’re going on regardless.  Found the park OK and walked along the Serpentine past the Serpentine Gallery to the Diana memorial water feature, which Bill promptly jumped into, no respect has the boy.  Despite the rain we had good fun playing with the ball twanger.  Back to the boat for Bill and a few beers for me.

Thursday 8th October 2009

What a change in the weather!  Not a cloud in the sky.  Up early and walked Bill towards Little Venice and back via the post office and Tesco’s.  Set off by 9am.  Chilly in the shade but soon got warmed up working Camden Locks.  No probs through the Islington Tunnel.  Pumped out at the BW site at Old Ford Lock but no water as the taps knackered.  Carried on through Victoria Park up the Hertford Union Arm but no suitable moorings.  Continued up the Lee Navigation past part of the Olympic site to tie up near Lea Bridge by 4pm.  Took Bill for a long walk through the filter beds there which is now a nature reserve -  very nice.  There are two pubs just up the way, but can you believe it I can’t be bothered, honest! 

Friday 9th October 2009

Set off from Lea Bridge after a walk up through the park to get the papers.  Over clouded and chilly with a blustery breeze.  Seven locks to go through and I thought all the strange locks were on the Kennet and Avon Canal.  First lock we came to was the Tottenham Lock which is a very long double lock with the west lock being manual and the east being electric.  So I went into the east lock to tie up and climb up to find a notice saying this side wasn’t working at present.  So I untied and moved Beau into the manual lock.  Many many winds later the gates are shut and the lock is filling when along comes another boat and do nothing other than go into the electric lock stick his key in the control and guess what – bugger it works!!!!  - has been for a while matey he tells me!  Anyway off we went through some locks that are in pairs some with electric gates but manual paddles and one that was totally manual and very heavy.  However, got up to Waltham Abbey and some nice moorings above the Town Lock with a nice big park for Bill to run in.  Settled in for the night and still not been in a pub!!!

Saturday 10th October 2009

3.49am we were rudely awoken by some dickhead climbing on my roof!!!! so bellowing like a banshee for him to “get off my f**king boat”.  It was very unsettling and we got little more sleep.  Up early and sure enough there are the footprints.  Wandered up into town for the papers and a look around the market.  Set of by 9.30am together with another boat all the way to the junction with the River Stort.  I turned right to join a queue at the first lock.  Yesterday I went through some strange locks, however, nothing compared to these.  Firstly they only 12 feet wide so you can’t get two boats in together but they’re wide enough for your boat to get thrown about if your not careful.  Secondly there are no hand rails on the top gates so you have to walk all the way around the locks and the pretty long too and finally be careful when opening the paddles because the wash is savage directly from the side of the chamber..  However you soon get into a routine and we aimed to get to Sawbridgeworth by 5pm.  Ha, not to be, I finally gave up at 7pm IN THE DARK when I finally found a suitable mooring tying up by a concrete wall beside a sluice.  Completely knackered again so another early night with no pub – must be a record, get onto to the Guinness Book of Records quick!!

 

Monday 21st September 2009

Walked Bill up to the shops the papers, had breakfast and set off in lovely weather by 9.30am.  Buddied up with a boat in the Bottom Lock called Nb Hawkeye with a lovely couple called Dave and Ella.  Went all the way together up through the 6 locks out of Braunston and then through the Braunston Tunnel (2042yds) and down through the 7 locks in the Buckby Flight.  Tied up in Weedon by 4pm.  Took Bill for a walk up the towpath and met Sam and Cynthia off Nb Guinevere with their new springer puppy meg.  Chatted for a while but they were off to a pagan wedding (don’t ask!).  Few beers early doors in the Wheatsheaf in Weedon.  Great village, good stores in Weedon Bec, plus Indian restaurant and takeaway and a Chinese takeaway, what more can a man ask for?

 

Tuesday 22nd September 2009

Walked Bill all the way to Weedon Bec, about 2 miles to the shop and back.  Set off for Stoke Bruerne about 9.30am.  Nuther lovely day.  Got to Stoke Bruerne about 3pm having come through the Blisworth Tunnel (3057 yds and you need an umbrella!!!).  Took Bill for a walk up through the woods and back via the entrance to the tunnel.  Sorted out dinner and off to the Boat Inn for a couple.  Met a lovely couple called David and Julie off Nb Lovely Country Girl (I think) and arranged to go down the 7 locks in Stoke Bruerne tomorrow.

 

Wednesday 23rd September 2009

Set off for Milton Keynes and down through the 7 locks to tie up at the park moorings in Great Linford.  Lovely site, big park for Bill to play in and an excellent thatched pub, the Nags Head, which is Bill friendly too.  Can’t be bad.

Thursday 24th September 2009

Lazy start in lovely weather after a long walk with Bill and the ball twanger in the park.  Got started by 10am.  Only 5 miles to go to meet up with Mark and Nicky on their Nb One Way of Life.  Met Mark along the towpath but Nicky and Cassy won’t be here until tomorrow pm.  Later Mark, Bill and I walked the mile or so to the Red Lion in Fenny Stratford to see Guy and Glynnis again.  Had far too much to drink in very dubious company and had a great night wobbling back to the boats in the pitch dark.

Friday 25th September 2009

Staying here over the weekend.  Diddled about on the boat and waited in the Plough Inn car park for Nicky and Cassy to arrive.  Set off to the Red Lion again with much the same results as last night.

Saturday 26th September 2009

Same routine as yesterday cept Mark and Nicky stayed in .

Sunday 27th September 2009

Moved Beau to the 7 day moorings by the Red Lion and washed the roof again and wiped it down, looks much better now.  Also polished the port side of Beau and it’s come up a treat.  Met up with Mark and Nicky for a few (????) in the pm and sat outside in wonderful weather with a great bunch of locals and boaters.  Said tarra to Nicky cos she’s off tomorrow but will hopefully see her again soon.

Monday 28th September 2009

Staying another night and then off tomorrow.  Walked up into Fenny to a great old hardware shop to get some bits and bobs.  Met up with Mark in the evening to go through the route to London and beyond.  Plus had a few more beers and said tarra to everyone.

  

Tuesday 29th September 2009

Walked Bill up to the garage in Fenny to get the papers, it’s also a Marks and Sparks shop so got some veg etc.  Set off into unchartered water as far as I’m concerned to tie up at bridge 111 just above Leighton Buzzard where there happens to be a pub called the Globe which is Bill friendly.  Had a few beers early doors.

Wednesday 30th September 2009

Set off for Marsworth Junction to tie up by bridge 130.  Got down through Leighton Buzzard Lock 27 and tied up by Tescos and did a big shop.  Set off again 1 1/2 hours later and got through the 11 locks (single handed worst luck) to tie up by 5.30pm.  Long hard day so need a beer or two in the Red Lion with Bill.

Footnote…………..

Good old British Waterways are currently very efficient a keeping me informed as to the various closures and problems on the system letting me know where and when by email, however, they’ve done it again.

I got this email recently

 

Advice by email from BW

 

PHONE LINES

 

Wednesday 8th September 2009 until further notice.

 

Please be advised we are having problems with the phone lines and not able to answer any calls.

 

Any enquiries please call 0207 985 7200!!!!!!!!

 

Is it me?

Friday 11th September 2009

Staying over here in Fradley Junction today.  Walked down past the BW shop and over the canal to the nature reserve.  Special building here being used as a bird hide.  Built by my very good friends David and Andrew Raffle, who are not only Master Thatchers but also National Living Treasures no less.  Had a few early doors in the Mucky Duck and met a couple of boaters, Alan and Jim and we discussed propellers, very interesting, honest.

 

Saturday 12th September 2009

Set off for Hopwas at 10am.  Again a lovely cruise in fine though breezy weather.  Tied up by 3pm and took Bill for a walk back along the canal and up into the woods.  Went for a couple of beers in the Red Lion where a staffy had a go at Bill though not seriously.  Early night.

 

Sunday 13th September 2009

Set off at 10am after a long walk with Bill.  Passed through Fazeley Junction and up through the two locks in Tamworth and tied up in Polesworth by 2pm.  Walked down into the town to get the papers and had a few beers in the Red Lion where the landlady and staff made a real fuss of Bill and were told that we MUST come back when we come this way again.

Monday 14th September 2009

Walked down into town for a top up shop and set off for Hartshill in very cloudy weather by 10am.  Good climb through the 14 locks in 2 1/2 hours and tied up in Harthill by 3pm.  Next boat along makes cut vinyl signs etc so arranged for her to make my BW reg number with a BW logo to replace the orrible metal plates stuck in the windows.  Walked Bill the mile or so up the hill to the Malt Shovel and another good night there as before, even had dinner this time.

Tuesday 15th September 2009

Got the new signs for my boat and they’re excellent.  Set off for Hawkesbury Junction at 10am.  Quite a long cruise today in windy weather. Stopped to diesel up at Valley Cruises.  Passed through Nuneaton and Marston Junction and tied up at 3pm in Hawkesbury Junction.  Put the new sign on the port side and it looks fantastic.  Will move round through the lock tomorrow to do the starboard side.  Went into the Greyhound early doors and had a few scoops.

Wednesday 16th September 2009

Staying over here another day though moving through the stop lock on the mooring at the top of the Oxford Canal.  Put the other reg number on Beau and again it looks fantastic.  Walked up to the local shop and got a paper.  Into the Greyhound for a few beers and met a lovely family from Northumberland, Dad Charles, mum Kath and two lovely young kids who made a great fuss of Bill.  Have exchanged emails and will keep in touch.

Thursday 17th September 2009

Set off for Hillmorton Locks after a visit up to the local shop.  Chilly day but a nice cruise though longer than would normally like if only to avoid Newbold on Avon (not Bill friendly).  Saw and had a quick chat with Nb Piston Broke last seen here last year in just about the same place though they have been on their travels too.  Tied up above the locks in Hillmorton by 4pm.  Walked Bill back down through the locks and got a few bits and pieces in the chandlery.  No pub though today Arghhhhhh………

Friday 18th September 2009

Took Bill for a walk down through the locks, had breakfast and set off for Braunston by 9.30am.  Lovely weather, very sunny with a sleight breeze.  Saw a Kingfisher standing on a branch waiting for his dinner to swim along.  Fantastic, only seen them flying before now.  Moored up just before Butchers Bridge by 12.30pm.  Sorted out a few chores before collecting my post and going to see Dave at the Wheatsheaf, even saw Del but she’s with a new fella.  Good craic early doors.

Saturday 19th September 2009

Walked Bill up to the Bottom Lock and Braunston Chandlers and stocked up on fluorescent lights at £1.50 each – bargain.  Also got a new boat hook pole (original snapped).  Replaced the ropes on the fenders and generally diddled about whittling my new pole!!!!  Few beers early doors with Dave and the locals.

Sunday 20th September 2009

Walked Bill up through the village and back via the bottom lock.  Read the Sundays and had a few beers in the Wheatsheaf.

Tuesday 1st September 2009

Last long walk along the beach with Bill at 7.30am.  Collected the hire car at 9.00am and got packed up by 10.30. Louise and family started to move their things into the cottage and we were able to get away by 11.30am.  Drove back to Festival Park and got all my stuff on board by 4.00pm.  Long walk down the canal with Bill and an early night.

Wednesday 2nd September 2009 – Today would have David’s 63rd birthday – Happy birthday wherever you are.

Walked Bill along the towpath before breakfast.  Settled up with the marina at a lot less than I thought, original quote was £200 per month which would have been £900, however, because the boat had been there for over a quarter this reduced the cost to £620 – result.  Set off for Stone at 9.00am and joined a queue straight away at Stoke Top Lock but who cares I’m back afloat again.  Not to slow and progressed quite smoothly through all 14 locks over 9 miles in 7 hours.  Weather quite mixed with many showers but hell I’d still rather be on Beau with Bill.  Saw Jo and Kieth off Nb Hadar in Stone and will come back up tomorrow to catch up.  Stone very busy but managed to get the last mooring below Star Lock about 1/2 a mile outside town.  Had to use spikes in very soft ground so will move tomorrow when the other boats move on.  Ah bliss back on the boat again or have I already said that once or twice.  Ain’t life grand, couple of pints of REAL ALE in the Star and an early night.

Thursday 3rd September 2009

Took Bill for a long walk up through the park before breakfast and got a paper in town.  Checked the spikes and they seem OK.  Spent the morning all the stuff I brought back from Sunderland.  Too many boats going past TOO FAST so checked the spikes again at noon and just in time a the bow spike had pulled free and was about to fall in the canal.  Fortunately managed to retrieve it and move about a hundred yards back up the canal to secure ring moorings.  Unfortunately the boat in front of had pulled completely free from the bank and drifted to the offside of the canal just as a boat came along and helped the owner to get back aboard and moor up behind me. Bloody SPEEDING BOATS!!!!  Took Bill to his favourite shop in town to get him some treats and walked up to Stone Boat Builders Chandlery to get some bits.  Had a couple of beers in the Star.

 

Friday 4th September 2009

Going to stay the full 5 days on this mooring cos we like Stone.  Lazy start with a long walk with Bill up through the woods and the meadow beyond.  Went up to town to get some bits an pieces and bumped into Brian and Rebel off Nb Daisy, last seen in Whittington last March.  Called into the Star for a couple early doors.

Saturday 5th September 2009

Same walk this morning up through the meadows then along to the water meadows.  Got a paper and did some chores on the boat.  Starting to get back into our normal routines now.  Tried the Swan today and I’ve got to say it’s far better than the Star and of course Bill friendly.  Much more welcoming for us both and a much warmer atmosphere.  Had a very enjoyable early doors with Brian.

Sunday 6th September 2009

Walked all the way up to the top boatyard to see Jo and Keith on Nb Hadar, last seen in Hungerford on the Kennet and Avon last summer.  Great to see them, and they’re chuffed because BW have given them the coal run from Crick to Mountsorrel on the Leicester arm of the Grand Union Canal so will hopefully see them again soon.  Into the Swan with Brian for a few beers.

Monday 7th September 2009

Set off for Great Haywood after a long walk with Bill to get the papers.  Lovely cruise in fantastic weather.  Watered up and moored up by 2pm.  Spoke to Mary and we’re all going to meet at 6.30pm to go to a village festival nearby with Morris Dancing and Stag Antlers and other pagan rites like chilli and chips!  Smashing evening and will see them again tomorrow before I go.

Tuesday 8th September 2009

Staying over again today so took Bill down to the river to play and get him a bath in fresh water rather than the sea.  What a glossy boy now.  Met with Paul and Mary in the Clifford arms for a few beers farewell.

Wednesday 9th September 2009

Walked Bill through the woods then up to the shop.  Set off for Fradley Junction at 9.30am.  I should have known there was going to be problems when whilst waiting in queue at the very first lock the boat behind me wanted everyone to hurry up so HE could get on.  Got to Colwick Lock without a hitch but had to join a queue again which of course did not please the guy behind me.  Anyway I got through the lock eventually and was well on my way when I slowed down for some moored boats only to find matey boy about to ram the stern of my boat with him shouting that I was going TOO SLOW and I must let him past.  Well, Red Rag and Bull comes to mind so I slowed right down even further and stayed in the middle of the canal and wouldn’t let him past.  Cor ginger nut was getting even brighter red with rage so I took greta pleasure in staying like this all the way to Rugeley but then relented and let him past when it was safe to do so.  Sorry can’t repeat his language but it was rather colourful even for an ignorant git like him.  He’s probably had a coronary by now, shame.  Stayed over in Rugeley and cleaned the port side of the boat then walked with Bill to find a lovely little towny pub by the canal called the Mossley Tavern and had a very pleasant early doors.

Thursday 10th September 2009

Walked Bill along the towpath and then up to Morrison’s by bridge 66.  Set off for Fradley Junction by 10am and this time a much more pleasant cruise in lovely weather.  Tied up by Shadehouse Lock at 1pm and had a few beers in the Mucky Duck (the Swan)