Monday 11th February 2008

Staying over another day to do a big shop at Morrisons.  I went to find the filter wholesaler only to find they had moved to the other side of town.  Back via the Crown and a good laugh with the two guys who run the pub.  Back to the boats and a mega playtime in the playing fields.  Early night, off to Norbury Junction in the morning.

Tuesday 12th February 2008

Mark and Nicky set off early followed by Paul with me following on at a leisurely pace at 10.30am.  Soon up through the 5 lock flight at Tyrley. The weather is FANTASTIC.  Not a breath of wind nor a cloud in the sky.  Rapidly peeling off clothing down to tee shirt and jeans, fab, can't believe it's only February!  Lovely long cruise through beautiful scenery from rolling farmlands to deep valleys and even deeper cuts like Woodseves Cutting and to think that all this work was done by HAND.  No mechanical diggers in those days so I'm not surprised there are so many pubs along the canals, they needed them!!!!!  Tied up at Norbury Junction about 4pm being jeered at by Mark, Nicky and Paul who were sat outside the Junction pub.  Soon joined them for a beer or two.  Sadly the pub won't let dogs in even though we were the only people there!  So as it was getting a bit chilly we all had an early night.

 

 

Wednesday 13th February 2008

Walked Bill over to the chandlery and cafe and met up with Mark, Nicky and Paul.  Went back to Beau to get my washing and leave Bill on the boat.  Dropped the washing in and had a full English in the cafe.  Had a long talk with Simon (the owner of the boatyard) about the problems with the electrics on Beau.  He suggested an Adverc Battery Management System (£150), a Stirling Control Panel to monitor all the input and output of electrical activity (£200) and replace the 240v Central Heating Pump with a 12v version (£150) plus about 4 hours labour (£150).  Mick the engineer came over later to look over the problems only to find I already HAD and Adverc System onboard.  Don't you feel a twat when you don't even know what's on your own boat!  However, it begs the question, is it working?  So I've to go back tomorrow to find out when Mick can do some diagnostics and fit the panel and pump.  I also got a new catalyser mesh for the fire and it worked very well.  Also got a mini 12v round pin plug and cut the transformer off the television and set top box.  They now don't need the inverter to be on.  Had a couple of beers with Paul in the afternoon.  Nicky and Mark have gone down to Wheaton Aston to meet with her parents.  Though I did get a call from her to say NOT to go down as it was crap for a number of reasons, muddy towpath, few/poor moorings and a scrapyard run by gun toting gypsies!  They're coming back tomorrow.

Thursday 14th February 2008

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY - BOO HOO NOBODY LOVES ME - WELL NOBODY KNOWS WHERE I AM!

Met up with Paul at the cafe and had a full English.  Went into the chandlery to see Simon and arrange for Mick to do the work on Beau (this will be done next Tuesday).  Mark and Nicky arrived back from Wheaton Aston and are awaiting the arrival of her parents.  Went into the Junction at about 2.30pm and met Nicky's Mum and Dad.  Paul came in a little later and we all had a good afternoon sesh.

Friday 15th February 2008

Walked Bill all the way to Gnosall, well almost.  Turned back at bridge 36, Plardiwick Bridge, and never got as far as the Navigation Inn or The Boat.  Got back to Norbury to find them all in the Junction.  Free pool and music so we spent the day doing just that.  Home by 6pm to a big casserole and a quiet night in.

Saturday 16th February 2008

Walked Bill over to the chandlery to get the papers and set off for Gnosall after reversing over to the yard to pump out and diesel up the heating tank.  Gnosall only 45 minutes down the cut so tied up behind Paul (after ramming him to stop my boat - sorry Paul honest) at 12pm.  Arranged to meet up to explore the Boat at 2pm.  Bill and Millie welcome in the pub and at £2 a pint we had a very jolly afternoon.

Sunday 17th February 2008

Freezing night and the canal is frozen over.  Took Bill for a stroll into the village and got the papers.  Untied Beau and set off down to High Onn where there is a winding hole.  We want to be facing the other way ready to go back to Norbury tomorrow before they (BW) start work cutting trees along Cowley Embankment which can cause long delays.  1 hour there and 1 back and retied Beau up.  Went up to the Navvy today with Paul again both dogs welcome.  Mark and Nicky came in later and we had a bit of a sesh.

Monday 18th February 2008

Freezing night again with ice on the INSIDE of some of the windows as well as the canal being frozen over again.  Took Bill for a walk to see Mark and Nicky just as Paul was setting off for Shebdon Embankment and the Anchor Inn, which is where we'll head to on Wednesday.  Went into the village to the butchers and the grocers and set off for Norbury at 11am.  Tied up at Norbury Junction at 12pm.  Borrowed a massive pair of bolt cutters from the chandlery so I can fix my wonky bow fender with new links.  How I didn't fall in the canal I don't know anyway all fixed now.  In the Junction for 6pm and a couple of pints.  Mince and dumplings for dinner - yum yum.

Tuesday 19th February 2008

Freezing again last night.  Called into the chandlery to let Dave know where Beau was tied up so that Mick can get started on the electrics and the central heating pump.  However, canal times kicks in and instead of 9.30am Mick didn't start 'till 1.30pm and then I had to call Dave to find out what was happening and then move the boat and reverse into the wharf.  Installed the Stirling Battery Management System and finished for the day at 4pm.  Didn't want to risk starting the central heating pump and possibly leaving me with no heating - good idea mate.  Early doors in the Junction with Paul.

Wednesday 20th February 2008

Canal time again! Mick's not in until 10am so took Bill for a long walk along the canal.  New 12v central Heating pump installed and working with a bypass for the 240v pump (if needed in the future).  Lit the fire and Mick's not happy with it's performance.  So agreed to have it sorted out.  The filter in the control valve was cleaned ( never seen the light of day since fitted by the look of it).  Slightly better performance but still not good.  Mick relit the fire as he left at 5pm for the day.  Very yellow flames right up the chimney and booming and rattling the stove 'till it settled down to a reasonable flame with a little yellow.  Much more heat coming off it now.  Radiators heating up nicely apart from the one in the bedroom, must be an air lock.  Off to the Junction early doors.

 

The picture is the reflection of the underside of the old rail bridge, between bridge 36 and 35, reflected in the canal.

 

And now the wildlife bit............................

Walking with Bill through the woods the other day I saw a Barn Owl, a Green Woodpecker and a couple of Buzzards

To learn more about the Barn Owl press control and click here

To learn more about the Green Woodpecker press control and click here

Along the canal bank I spotted both a Pied Wagtail and a Yellow Wagtail

To learn more about the Pied Wagtail Press Control and click on this link

To learn more about the Yellow Wagtail press Control and click on this link

Bill also had great fun chasing a couple of Hares around the forest undergrowth

To learn more about Hares press control and click here

 Friday 1st February 2008

Took Bill for a walk up to the Marina and put some washing on and tipped the rubbish.  Went back to the boat to top up the heating tank with diesel from the spare can and went back to the Marina to refill the spare can.  Back to the boat with the can - my arms are 4" longer and legs 2" shorter after all this.  Back to the Marina again to get my washing and then back to the boat only to find that I was one towel and one sock missing - bugger.  Yes you guessed, back to the Marina to retrieve the missing items and then back to the boat.  Cor I'm knackered now and it's only eleven o'clock.  Good job my balls are in a bag or I'd probably lose those as well!!!!  Finally managed to cast off and get away from the bank but only with the help of two other boaters and set off for Audlem in very gusty wind.  It was so windy we came down the cut sideways!  At the lock I had to bump my way in along to towpath and walls but was lucky that another boat was coming down through the second lock so we simply had to crossover in the pound.  Got to Audlem about 2pm and tied up just below lock 15 near to Mark, Nicky and Cassie and arranged to meet in the pub, The Shroppie Fly, at 4pm. Had a few beers and a good laugh.

 

Saturday 2nd February 2008

Took Bill for a long walk up the Locks to Lock 5 to see what's happening and it looks finished to me.  Did some shopping and got the papers.  Met up with the guys, Paul and Millie have now also arrived at Audlem, in the Fly to watch the rugby and have a few beers.  Good afternoon in good company except England lost - bah humbug!

Sunday 3rd February 2008

Walked Bill all the way up to Lock 1, about 1 1/2 miles to see if it was chained the same as Lock 15 and it is.  Which means when the locks open on Friday we'll have to get out passed Lock 1 on Sunday before they lock it again to start work on Lock 15.  Got the Sunday papers and bumped into Mark, Nicky and Cassie and arranged to see them in the Fly at 2pm.  Excellent afternoon with the guys mad even better with the arrival of two women who made a fuss of the dogs especially Bill.  One of them was with her new boyfriend so the other, Vicky came to join us, good job people can't read minds or I'd have been arrested.  However, most of the brunt of the jokes were on me as everyone was extracting the urine out of my accent - what accent?  Great afternoon and a good giggle all round.

Monday 4th February 2008

Torrential rain again last night.  Walked with Bill up to lock 5 to see if the BW guys will open lock 15 for us.  Met Paul and Millie on there way back from there where he had asked the same thing.  So I went up and added my voice to the request plus I gave Dave (BW) my mobile number so he could let me know if they will open the locks.  did some shopping and met the gang in the Fly at 2pm.  Dave called around 4pm to say they will unlock the gates tomorrow morning until next Monday to let us through early - yippee.  Back to Beau by 6pm and an early night.

Tuesday 5th February 2008

Torrential rain again last night.  The towpath is beginning to resemble a swamp with most of it on the carpet on the boat.  Walked with Bill up to the Fly to where the BW barges were tied up and to have a word with the foreman to find out when the gates would be open and they said they'd be opened by 9am.  Walked back to the boat and had some breakfast when Paul and Millie walked up.  He went on ahead to see if the chains were off and set the lock for me.  Untied Beau and got straight into the lock.  Paul then went ahead and set the next two locks for me and I was tied up opposite the Fly by 10am.  Mark and Nicky came up next and I went back down to help Paul through.  All tied up and secure by 10.45am.  Did a bit of shopping and in the Fly by 2pm.  Excellent afternoon.

Wednesday 6th February 2008

Moved Beau over to the water point and watered up.  Tied up on this side of the canal as it's dryer - oh and nearer to the pub.  Walked Bill down to lock 15 to thank Dave and the lads for letting us through.  Walked on up through the fields to the town.  Butcher, baker etc and into the pet shop to get Bill some birthday presents.  The owner made a big fuss over Bill and gave him some treats and a tennis ball as a present.  Met the gang in the Fly as usual now at 2pm.  Later on three fellas from a 'Challenger' boat, Nb Champion, came in and joined in the conversation and as it turned out they were from Leicestershire and know Barrow upon Soar, the Marina and club and all the pubs I used to go into when I lived there.  They even knew the Packe Arms in Hoton, my old village, and knew Angelo when he owned the pub.  One of them even knew Geof Wilde as he had also worked for Severn Trent Water all his working life.  Freaky small world AGAIN!!!!!  Had and excellent beef casserole even if I do say so myself, cos I cooked it.

Thursday 7th February 2008

Off up the canal for a walk with Bill up to lock 5.  Diddled about in the village shops.  Met up with the usual suspects for a pm pint.  Quietish day and an early night.

Friday 8th February 2008

BILL'S BIRTHDAY - HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL.

Been singing happy birthday to Bill since we woke up.  He's now looking at me as if to say "OK, enough already!"  Topped up the shopping and got Bill some more treats for his birthday.  Back to Beau and a special tin of tripe (ugh!) for the birthday boy.  Set off through lock 12 to get up between 3 and 2 ready for the off tomorrow.  It took only i hour and 10 minutes to get through 10 locks - well I did get a bit of help from Nicky and Mark oh and Paul too!!!!  Thanks guys.  Back down to the Shroppie Fly for Bill's birthday party where we all sang happy birthday including the other customers and the staff.  If Bill could blush he would be bright red by now. we also said goodbye to Kate and Andy the landlady and landlord and that we'd see them sometime again no doubt.  Thanks for the hospitality.

Saturday 9th February 2008

Set off up through locks 2 and 1 with Mark's help after they had gone through.  Nice cruise up through the 5 Adderley locks and on to Market Drayton.  Dieseled up just outside town and tied up by the college playing fields which are brilliant for Bill, Cassie and Millie to play in.  Walked up to the town to get the lay of the land and do a bit of shopping.  Had a couple of pints with Paul in the Crown.  Back to Beau and an early night.

Sunday 10th February 2008

Had a long walk along the canal with Paul and Millie then back to Beau to do some maintenance i.e. change the engine and gearbox oil and the oil and fuel filters.  Also cleaned out the bilge of oil and muck, lovely.  All went well except the water trap fuel filter seal kinked slightly and there is a tiny, tiny leak of diesel oil when the engine is running - bugger will have to get a new one when we get to Norbury Junction.  Left the dogs on their respective boats and went up to the Crown for Sunday Lunch - massive meal, excellent value.  Great afternoon, stuffed now and can hardly walk back to the boat.  Got back and we all got the dogs out for a run around the playing fields.  Mollie was the star trying to play football with a ball twice the size of herself.  Great day.