Usual daily routine of walks down to the Nottingham Road Bridge in the Mornings and down to Bishops Meadow Lock in the afternoons with a few notable exceptions,  day out on the 3rd to Pilling's Lock Marina to get diesel for the fire, Midland Chandlers finally came on Thursday 5th to collect the fridge for repair plus the weather has been fantastic with wonderful snow scenes again and the canal fully frozen.  So stuck here by the Albion for a while yet. Could be mid February if a) the fridge hasn't been returned, b) the River Soar is still in flood and c) Redhill Flood Lock closes on the 3rd March for 2 weeks.

Also this Sunday gone HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL, he's 3 today with a card and lots of presents and fuss from the gang in the Sawn, also earlier I couldn't believe my eyes when we were walking down to get the papers.  About 150+ fishermen with ropes, chains and heavy weights breaking through the ice to start a fishing competition.  Must be barking.  Although one guy did catch a bicycle with his chain?

 Thursday 1st January 2009

Took Bill for our usual walk along the beach.  Packed up the car and set off back to the boat by 10am.  Arrived at Pilling's Lock Marina and got everything on board and unpacked by 2pm.  Went up into Barrow to stock the boat up and into the Soar Bridge Inn for a few beers.  Everything fine on Beau so no need to run the engine today.  Boy it's good to be back on the boat.  However much you may like visiting friends and family there's no place like home - especially if you live on a narrowboat.  HAPPY NEW YEAR ONE AND ALL.

Friday 2nd January 2009 and Saturday 3rd January 2009

Staying over in Pilling's Marina 'till Monday.  Usual routine on both days.

Sunday 4th January 2009

Took Bill on our usual walk and then went down to the Swan in the Rushes in Loughborough to me the usual suspects, Mick, Wilf, Rose and even Wayne and Carol.  Even got to talk to Carol!!! (long story from a long time ago)

Monday 5th January 2009

Took Bill for a long walk around the marina.  Filled up the 20ltr can and did a pile of laundry.  Took Beau up through Barrow Deep Lock to tie up there for a few days.

Tuesday 6th January 2009 to Friday 9th January 2009

Usual routine of long walks am and pm to Meadow Farm Marina and a few beers in the Bridge early doors.

Saturday 10th January 2009

Long walk with Bill then set of through the ice to Sileby Mill Boatyard.  Need to pumpout desperately and to diesel up.  Nice cruise but cold.  Good to see Sandra, Dave and Alex again, been quite a while.  Had to defrost the pumpout and the entry to the cesspit - lovely, however, needs must.  Good to be on the move albeit for only about 4 hours.  Tied up back above Barrow Deep Lock by 3pm just in time for a walk with Bill and, you guessed it, a few beers in the Bridge.

Sunday 11th January 2009

Took Beau down through the Deep Lock and Pilling's Flood Lock and down to the Wharf in Loughborough and met up with the guys in the Swan including Mac and Paula and even Paula spoke to me (another long story).

Monday 12th January 2009

Chris Williams, the Boat Safety Scheme inspector, arrived just after 9am to check the boat out to see if anything needed to be done to gain a new certificate.  Fortunately only three minor things need to be done

1) Change a 6" section of hose in the fuel line to the fire to conform to BS

2) Put a strap over the batteries to secure them from falling

3) Change to position of the Fuel cut off signs from outside in the cratch to the doors under the exit door

Also two minor advisory suggestions

1) Change the gas regulator - the existing one is reading slightly low pressure but nothing to worry about just yet

2) Cut access holes behind the gas hob so the connections can be examined on next inspection (4 years) again no hurry yet.

All done and certificate issued and I'm £135 lighter, but relieved.  Thanks Chris.  All the main things will be done asap.

Tuesday 13th January 2009 to Sunday 18th January 2009

Usual routine of long walks with Bill and a few beers in the Swan.

Monday 19th January 2009

Moved Beau to the Albion moorings after watering up.

Tuesday 20th January 2009 to Thursday 22nd January 2009

Usual routine Bishop Meadow Lock in the morning or now sometime the other way to Nottingham Road Bridge.  No movement at all as the Soar and Trent are in FLOOD AGAIN. 

Wednesday JIMM'S Mobile Marine Services came to fit the new pot in my Bubble stove, the old one had burned through!  He had to completely dismantle the chimney, flu, drain down the central heating and completely take out and dismantle the stove itself so the new pot could be fitted then put the whole lot back together again and get it to work - 10 HOURS -but it's worth it and all looking good with the heating system noticeably warmer (by 4 or 5 degrees C).  Jim's due to come back next week for the final few tweaks and to fit the fuel line hose.  ONLY £475!!!

Friday 23rd January 2009

Took Beau on a quick cruise to Pilling's Lock Marina to get diesel for the stove, 60 ltrs - £36.  Tied up back outside the Albion and had a few beers.

Saturday 24th January 2009 to Saturday 31st January 2009

Settled back into the routine of taking Bill down to Nottingham Road Bridge in the mornings and to Bishop's Meadow Lock in the afternoons with early doors in either the Swan or the Albion.

Two boats, Caxton and Matilda Rose, came through on Thursday and had to tie up at Bishops Meadow Lock because of the floods.  Helped Caxton tie up and chatted for quite a while, Joe and Leslie on Caxton and Graham and ? plus dogs.  Had a couple of beers with them today in the Albion.  Good company and Joe and Leslie know Jo and Keith off Hadar (last seen in Hungerford last summer).