Saturday 1st March 2007

Stayed over in Kinver today although I had planned on going down to Wolverley.  However, just popped into the Plough and Harrow and didn't get out until after 6pm - spooky how that happens.  I did take Bill on a very long walk and found even more trees blown down, so didn't feel so guilty about not moving on.  Got a Chinese for dinner.  There are also THREE Indian restaurants in Kinver so I could be here for a while - only joking - mm thinks - Bathams AND curry - STOP - got to move on tomorrow.

Sunday 2nd March 2007

Took Bill for a long walk up through the fields into the town and got the Sunday papers.  Set off for Wolverley at 11am.  Lovely scenery with shear red sandstone cliffs and the ridge on my left and the River Stour and forest on my right.  Tied up above Wolverley Lock by 3pm.  Walked up to the village to find the Queen's Head pub recommended by the guys in the Plough and Harrow yesterday.  Walked in completely the wrong direction for over a mile - bugger - and when I did find the pub it was less than 10 minutes from the boat - double bugger.  Good afternoon with the locals, another Trevor and his missus and daughter plus the OAPs.

Monday 3rd March 2008

Took Bill up through the fields and back into the village to try and find a paper shop, sadly the old PO is closed now.  Set off for Stourport at 11am. Again lovely scenery apart from Kidderminster though the canal passes right by a massive Sainsbury's and Tesco.  You could even have a Big Mac (if you must) or a pizza from Pizza Hut.  Got to Stourport and tied up in the basin in a hailstorm after lovely weather all the rest of the way.  Pumped out (FREE, someone left a card and some time on the machine - thanks whoever you are) and watered up.  Went down to the River Severn to what it's like and met the BW Lock Keeper.  BAD NEWS I'm afraid, the river is already 3 feet above normal and RISING and moving very quickly indeed.  Also BW are not letting anyone onto the river until it has returned to normal and that could be a couple of weeks after the Spring Tides.  So Plan B - back the way we came.  However, stopped for a few beers in the Bridge Inn to drown (not a good word) our sorrows.

Tuesday 4th March 2008

Walked Bill to the river - it's up another foot, scary - and into town to get a paper.  Strange place Stourport, there are more fish and chip shops and takeaways than I've ever seen in such a small town.  Also there's a fairground by the bridge and as many slot machine shops as chip shops - very odd - just like a mini Blackpool but nowhere near the sea.  Dieseled up and replaced a gas bottle and set off back by 10am.  Lovely weather again but a bit of a chill wind.  Made good time and tied up above Wolverley Lock by 2pm.  Off to Queen's Head at 5pm for early doors and met up with Trevor and his missus and daughter who were as surprised as I was to be back there. Good sesh and a beef casserole for dinner.

Wednesday 5th March 2007

Left Wolverley for Kinver at 9.30am.  Lovely weather for cruising again and still a bit chilly.  Made good time again with only two locks to go through.  Tied up at 1.30pm in good time to take Bill for his long walk up to Hyde Lock, through the woods, passed the stables and across the playing fields into town.  Went into the Coop to get a paper and almost ended up in a fight with a drunken youth who was shouting and swearing at the door of the shop scaring all the customers and kids.  So I quietly told him to shut up and go home or I'd march him round to the police station and report him for disturbing the peace.  Fortunately he was in no state to really argue and did wobble off presumably towards his home.  Went up to the Cross pub to calm my nerves (well that's my excuse) and was welcomed like a long lost brother by the guys who run the place (they're gay which is a bit worrying).  I didn't expect to see them so soon either.  Great company and they love Bill and make a real fuss of him.

Thursday 6th March 2008

Took Bill on the same walk as yesterday but found a nicer route through a bridle path and some more woods to the playing fields thereby avoiding the electric fence altogether.  Did a top up shop in the Coop and tried to sort out the blocked radiator when I got back.  Called Knobhead Wharf to get someone out to sort it out and would you believe David wanted me to take the boat all the way back to Norbury Junction - I don't think so.  Finally got some sense out of Simon, the owner, and Mick WILL be coming down here on Saturday.  Took Bill around his favourite walk again and into the Cross early doors.  A productive day.

Friday 7th March 2008

Bill had me howling with laughter today on our usual route march.  He found a 6ft branch on the towpath and tried to run with it.  Unfortunately it was a little too heavy for him and he staggered off down the path weaving from side to side like a kid with his arms out trying to imitate an aeroplane.  Got the papers and cleaned the oven when we got back.  Re insured Beau for £70 LESS than the renewal quote from my existing insurer with far better coverage on and OFF the boat.  I HATE insurance companies, legalised extortion!  Off to the Plough and Harrow this pm via the Cross to let them know there will be some post for me tomorrow from David.  Fish and chips for dinner, excellent.

Saturday 8th March 2008

Excellent walk with Bill again this morning.  Small shop and got the papers.  Updated the blog and went up to the Cross to collect my post and the three tubes I need to post today also had a couple of pints there with Laurie, whom I met recently who is fitting out his own boat (good luck matey).  Then onto the Plough and Harrow to watch the rugby.  Curry from the Kinver Tandoori was excellent even if the rugby wasn't.

Sunday 9th March 2008

Bill loves this walk into to town and we found a little tupperware box hidden (almost) behind a telegraph pole.  When I investigated further it seems it's part of a GLOBAL treasure hunt called Geocaching so if you want to know more about this press control and click on this link Geocaching.com to find out more.  Got back to Beau for breakfast and did the Sundays.  Went through the woods again to the Plough and Harrow and on the way saw a bright yellow bird about the size of a Blackbird and when I looked it up it could have been a Golden Oriole blown here in the gales. It looked fantastic.  The landlord as good as his word gave me a pump handle badge for Bathams beer, sorry Old Speckled Hen but your history.  Good couple of hours with the locals then off up to the Cross to see the boys (?) Met a couple there who are not only into boats but also GEOCACHING!!!!! how spooky is that, though I wouldn't tell them where I found the box even though they offered many pints in compensation.  Good laugh and Steak and Kidney pie for dinner mmm I do spoil myself you know.

To find out more about this bird press control and click on this link

Monday 10th March 2008

Up very early for us, 7.30am, took Bill on his favourite walk for the last time for a while.  Into town and got the papers and some veg.  Set off at 8.30am up through three locks to Stewponey Junction.  There a right turn and up through 4 more locks aiming to stay overnight in Stourbridge - or so I thought - got to the winding hole at the end of the Stourbridge Arm to find that there were no safe moorings available.  So PLAN B ( there are a lot of plan B's).  Back up to Wordsley Bridge Junction and brave the 13 out of 16 locks to get to the moorings at the Samson and Lion pub in Buckpool.  Good few pints with the locals and that helped dry out our cloths as we got totally soaked today on a regular basis.  Plus there's so much weed and rubbish in the locks especially I had to stop at least 4 times to open the weed hatch and clear the propeller - bugger - freezing cold and smelly.  However an excellent days cruising - 7 miles - 20 LOCKS - 8 hours.

Thursday 21st February 2008

The fire is still not right and the bedroom radiator was cold last night.  Got Mick back to sort them out.  Cleared airlock and stripped out the whole of the inside of the fire to clean properly.  Bit of a struggle but when reassembled it worked a little better but still not right with too much yellow in the flame.  Good heat from the stove itself plus radiators heating up quickly in the lounge and the loo.  Bedroom still not right.  Early doors with Paul and an early night.

Friday 22nd February 2008

Woke up to find the fire had gone out.  Spoke to Dave and Mick will come over to sort it out.  Readjusted the oil flow regulator and all seems OK.  Friday afternoon in the Junction is free pool and music day so met Paul at 2pm and spent a very enjoyable afternoon together.  Waited until 6pm and had dinner there too - liver, bacon and black pud on mash - heaven. EXCELLENT NEWS FROM BW - WHEATON ASTON IS OPEN A WEEK EARLY AS OF TODAY - YIPPEE WE CAN MOVE ON NOW.

Saturday 23rd February 2008

Had to move Beau from her mooring because of hire boat returns.  So breasted up to a boat moored at the pump and dieseled up both tanks.  Moved over to the water point and watered up too.  Then off to Gnosall to see Mark and Nicky and Paul in the Boat.  Met up at 2pm and had a great sesh for the afternoon.  Can't remember what I had for tea????

Sunday 24th February 2008

We're all off south now that Wheaton Aston is open.  Going to Brewood (pronounced Brood) to check out the various pubs and an Indian restaurant.  Tied up at 3pm in pouring rain - soaked through.  Arranged to meet everyone at 5pm for a few pints and a curry.  The Bridge lets dogs in and has excellent beers.  Went up to the Indian via the Swan Hotel(who don't let dogs in during the evening but may at lunchtime!!!!)  Got to Curry Inn at about 8pm and had an excellent meal to celebrate the parting of the ways and all the fun we've had together over the last few months.  We also celebrated my granddaughter's birthday, which is tomorrow, when she will be seven.  Fantastic evening.

Monday 25th February 2008

NICHOLA'S BIRTHDAY TODAY - HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICKY

Set off at 10am after stocking up in the village.

Got to the end of the Shropshire Union Canal at Autherley Junction and bade a final farewell to Mark, Nicky and Cassie.  Said tarra to Paul earlier.  They turned left towards Great Hayward and I turned right towards Stourport on Severn on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.

It was freezing cold on the open parts of the Shroppie but much nicer on the Staffs and Worcs.  It's a very pretty canal once you get out of the built up areas of North Wolverhampton.  Only one hiccough on the way - Bill decided to do a runner as I was taking Beau down a very deep lock but was recaptured by another boater back up the canal who called me on my mobile to say where he was - little bugger.  Tied up outside the Round Oak in Wombourne at 6pm.

Very long day but excellent to be moving again.  Sadly the pub won't let dogs in so only had a couple of pints then back to the boat.  Excellent day - 12 miles, 14 locks and 8 hours.  Even got to talk to my granddaughter Nicky and my son Jon - progress.

Tuesday 26th February 2008

Decided to stay over another day and do some chores around the boat.  Had a lovely long walk back up to the Bratch Locks and then about a mile or so up to town to get the papers and a few bits and bobs.  Fabulous weather again today.  Had a couple of pints early doors and an early night after mince and dumps for dinner - mmmmm heaven.

Wednesday 27th February 2008

MY DAUGHTER ALISON'S BIRTHDAY TODAY - HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALISON

Rang Ali and sang Happy Birthday into her answerphone.  Set off for Kinver at 10am after a long walk with Bill.  This canal is only getting better - fantastic scenery with a huge ridge (250 ft) of red sandstone to my left for most of the way.  Whilst locking down in Kinver I called Wilson's re a new cratch cover.  They will measure up and quote as soon as I get tied up, which they did.  With discount, £750 for a new one, what the hell it's only money, so ordered one and it will be fitted on Friday.  Found the Cross pub and had a few beers early doors and Bill very welcome.  Home to the last of mince and dumps from last night - excellent.  Oh and finally got to speak to Ali.  Brill.

Thursday 28th February 2008

Took Bill for a long walk back up the canal and back through the fields to Kinver town centre.  Heard a very loud yelping at one point where Bill had run ahead only to find and electric fence for the first time - sorry Bill but I couldn't help but laugh, it was funny.  Lovely shopping centre with 3 Indian restaurants, two fish and chip shops and a Coop and a Spar.  Plus a shop selling silly wooly hats so will have to go back tomorrow.  Finally managed to get on the internet - 3's coverage is the problem.  Got an email from a writer who wants to interview me for an article he's writing after he had found my blog on the internet, and he's coming tomorrow at 11am the same time as the lads are going to fit the new cratch cover.  Should be interesting.  Published the 1st - 10th February episode of my blog and working on the rest.  Off to the Cross with Bill for a few scoops.

Friday 29th February 2008 (a leap year)

Took Bill for a long walk up to Hyde Lock then through the trees to the stables to find the road was blocked by a couple of fallen trees from the storms last night.  Then on through the playing fields to the town.  Phil, the writer, turned up at 11am as arranged and interviewed me for his article and took some pics of me, Bill and Beau.   The guys from Wilson's turned up at 12pm (not 11am as arranged - canal time) to fit the new cratch cover, and it looks brill, worth every penny.  Recommended that I try the Plough and Harrow for a beer today as they sell Bathams real ales at £1.75 a pint 'till 7pm.  Yum yum, excellent beer.  Got fish and chips for dinner which were also excellent.  Great day.