Wednesday 21st May 2008 - JONATHAN'S BIRTHDAY TODAY (MY SON)

Happy birthday son.  However, he's still not picking up my calls so left a message and got on with my day.  Bounced Bill around the meadow for a while and set off for Lechlade.  Again, fabulous scenery and weather on a VERY windy Thames.  There's even a hairpin bend where you end up going back on yourself just before St John's Lock at Lechlade.  Took Beau right up to the Round House which marks the end of the navigable Upper Thames.  Tied up just below Ha' Penny Bridge next to a massive meadow with lovely short grass for Bill to play in.  Explored Lechlade to find a Christmas Shop (Eh!), at least six pubs an Indian, a Chinese and a fish and chip shop and even a Tattoo parlour!  What more could a hungry, thirsty, masochist want.  Oh yes a bank to pay for it all.  Had a few beers in the Swan and ordered and Indian from next door - the tattoo comes tomorrow.

Thursday 22nd May 2008

Walked Bill up to the town to get the papers and check what time the Tattoo Parlour opens.  Have to come back at 12 o'clock.  Talked to Dan at 12pm regarding the tattoo I want.  Once chosen Dan traced the pattern and then transferred it onto special carbon paper.  This was then transferred to my left shoulder.  Then the pain began at 1pm.  In the chair for FOUR HOURS!! - ouch - finished at 5pm and it looks fantastic.  Back to the boat to let Bill out as he'd been on his own all pm.  He'd been brilliant so took him for a walk and then for a beer in the Swan.

Friday 23rd May 2008

Quietish day with a few long walks with Bill.  Early doors at the Swan and fish and chips on the way home.

Saturday 24th May 2008

Similar day to yesterday but weather has turned miserable, very wet.  Still took Bill for a couple of long walks and a few beers with a chap called Ray who knows Jericho very well.  Good natter, nice guy.

Sunday 25th May 2008

Walked Bill up to town to get the Sundays and spent the rest of the morning reading through them.  Spent the afternoon at the Swan with Ray again and a group of other boaters.

Monday 26th May 2008 - BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY

Wandered up to town again for the papers and walked down to St John's Lock and met a couple on Nb F.U.B.B which I've seen on more than a few occasions so had to ask what F.U.B.B means and of course it's F**cked Up Beyond Belief and we all know that situation.  Spent pm in the Swan with Ray and nattered to the landlady and her sister.

Tuesday 27th May 2008 - MY BIRTHDAY TODAY - YIPPEE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME.  Walked Bill up to town for the papers and some supplies.  Finally cast off at 10am in awful weather, and the river has RISEN about a FOOT.  Yikes time to get off the Thames and head back towards Oxford.  As the river is up because of all the rain I want to get as far as I can - travelled 24 miles in 8 hours as the current is very strong now which made steering Beau quite a challenge.  Actually lost it on two bends where the current span me round 360 degrees, quite exciting really, glad there was nothing coming the other way.  Tied up just above Pinkhill Lock by 6pm.  Only another 4 miles and 4 locks to go to get back onto the South Oxford canal.

Wednesday 28th May 2008

Rained ALL night so with little or no sleep I got up at 5.30am to move Beau off the river bank onto the lock moorings for safety.  Rain cleared by 7am so locked down and set off for Swinford and Swinford Bridge, which is the last possible problem before Dukes Cut and the South Oxford canal or so I thought!  However, the last bend before Swinford Bridge caused the biggest problem - a new SANDBAR had formed OUTSIDE of the marker buoy and guess who got stuck aground - yup yours truly.  So what the hell do I do now?  I couldn't shift Beau at all so I called the Environment Agency Emergency Hotline to try and get help.  Would you believe that when I told the very nice Irish lady that I was stuck on the River Thames she asked "where's the River Thames?" - well she was Irish.  However, I did manage to get the number of the Anglo Welsh Boatyard I'd just passed and they came out, for £25, with a tug to get me afloat again.  Thanks lads.  Thankfully relatively uneventful, apart from another 360 spin, all the way back up to Thrupp.  Oh and it poured all the way.

Thursday 29th May 2008

Walked Bill down to Kidlington to the Coop and also found a car parts wholesaler who can get me the belts and oil for my engine.  Beta Marine wanted £35 for the two belts alone whereas I paid that for the two belts AND 10 litres of oil!!!  Back to Beau for breakfast and then moved Beau down onto a seven day mooring.  Don't want to upset that nice moorings officer.  Early doors in the Boat for a few.  Ali, my daughter and Paul,  her boyfriend are coming down to visit for the weekend tomorrow.

Friday 30th May 2008

Walked Bill to the Coop again and picked up the belts and oil.  Later in the afternoon Bill and I found a lovely circular walk past the lift bridge, up to the church bridge, through the church and back down the other side to the pub, well fancy that?  Ali and Paul arrived about 5pm and got them settled in.  Off to the Boat for a few beers and something to eat.  Great evening, good fun.

Saturday 31st May 2008

Took Bill on the new circular walk.  Sadly had to leave him on Beau as we were going into Oxford for a few hours.  Ali drove to the Park and Ride and we got the bus into the town centre.  Ali, Paul and I explored Oxford and I won a lovely (????) silver (?????) bracelet of the Oxfam stall.  Bought lots of lovely stuff for the barbeque planned for this evening including a goat chop!  Had lunch in Yo Sushi, obviously a sushi bar, mmmm scrummy.  Got back to a very excited Bill.  Took him for a walk and a few beers in the Boat.  Fantastic barbeque on a lovely summers evening with great company.

Sunday 11th May 2008

Scrounged another day here in Cropredy as the weather is so fantastic as is the village itself.  Much the same routine as yesterday with a long walk along the towpath with Bill then to the shop for the Sunday papers and a lazy morning reading them.  Off to the Brasenose for 2pm and then on to the Red Lion.  Early dinner and an even lazier evening in front of the TV.

Monday 12th May 2008

Finally dragged myself away from Cropredy aiming for Banbury which isn't that far to go.  Tied up in the town centre and had to leave Bill on the boat to do some shopping in the precinct.  Didn't fancy stopping in the town centre after all so set off for the countryside.  It seems I'm really becoming anti anything to do with big towns, cities and built up areas - much prefer the countryside now and very small villages.  Long, though leisurely, cruise to Aynho Wharf but well worthwhile.  Took Bill over to the Great Western Pub for early doors at 6pm.  Lovely pub looks like excellent food too.

Tuesday 13th May 2008

Decided to stay for the full 48h here and get on with the blog as I can get on the internet here.  Took Bill across to the shop after being down the towpath for about half a mile.  Finally published April's episodes of my blog and retrieved my emails.  Finally polished the starboard side of Beau with baby oil (yes again baby oil really does work) and it looks brill.  Early doors in the Great Western where I met a couple who want to buy a narrowboat so nattered to them for a couple of hours.  Good company.

Wednesday 14th May 2008

Walked Bill down the towpath then over to the shop for the papers.  Weather fine again but very windy.  Had a hell of a job to get off the canal side and moving as we set off for Lower Hayford.  BW lads caused a bit of a hold up at Somerton Lock by bringing up a barge then emptying the lock to bring up the tug, at least 6 boats waiting to go down with one guy beginning to annoy everyone by trying to speed up the process.  Told to go back to his boat and wait.  No probs after that except at Allen's Lock above Upper Hayford where there were SEVEN POLICE OFFICERS at the lock side.  Nothing serious though as it turned out they were 3 instructors and four driving candidates having a break - phew, thought I'd been speeding!!!  Tied up in Lower Hayford after a kind postman crossed the lift bridge and came back to open it for me - thanks matey.  Took Bill along the towpath to the marina and through the village to find the pub, The Bell, and back to the boat.  Beautiful village with narrow windy streets and mellow stone and thatched cottages.  Back to the Bell for early doors where a constant stream of dogs followed with no less than FIVE Border Collies all alike - could have held sheep dog trials.  Good laugh.

Thursday 15th May 2008

Absolutely pouring down with rain but had to take Bill out.  So suitably dressed we walked up to the marina for a paper and some bread.  Got totally soaked anyway so total change for me and a good rub down for Bill - we looked like a couple of drowned rats.  Spent most of the day indoors 'till the rain stopped then took Bill for another walk and to the Bell at 6pm for a couple of pints.

Friday 16th May 2008

Damp day but we're moving on anyway.  Walked down to the shop again and dumped the rubbish.  Left at 9.30am and stopped just below the boatyard to water up, where someone had moored overnight and was taking up half the water point - naughty naughty.  Lovely cruise down to Thrupp through beautiful countryside and many forested lengths of canal.  Dieseled up at Kingsground Narrowboats.  Turned Beau around at the lift bridge turn, Aubury's Lift Bridge, so that I could pump out at the BW point,  another £15 saved - teehee.  Kind spectator opened the lift bridge for me to go through.  Tied up right opposite the Boat Inn, which is where an episode of Morse was filmed - ah fame at last!

Walked Bill down to the other pub here, the Jolly Boatman, and had a quick brace.

Tried the Boat, which by now was open.  Bill welcome in both even treated myself to a steak dinner for a change.

Saturday 17th May 2008

Walked Bill down to the BW point and then all the way into Kidlington which took about an hour.  Lovely little market for veg and an excellent butchers too.  Got back via the Jolly Boatman where I watched the first half of the FA CUP with a bunch of Portsmouth supporters - great laugh.  Back to Beau and unpacked all the shopping.  Walked Bill down to the BW point again and into the Boat early doors with a gong of other boaters I keep meeting off Nb Jake etc.  Nuther good evening.

Sunday 18th May 2008

Quiet day today - long walk with Bill into Kidlington to get the papers then much coffee and reading.  Over to the Boat for 2pm and the company of another gang of bikers (or rather trikers) this time

Seumas and his partner who were great fun to natter with and got some very good book references to try and find.  Already got one, 'The Shadow of the Wind' a very good read.  Again good fun.

Monday 19th May 2008

Why are all moorings officers miserable and rude?  Greeted this morning with a loud banging on the roof at 8am and not with a cheery good morning but ' are you moving today as you had your 48 hours' - well good morning to you too, and yes I'll be moving along today, thank you for asking.  Hope you have a nice day too - pratt!  So of we go heading for Jericho in Oxford.  OK cruise, not the prettiest part of the South Oxford canal.  Also had help with some of the lift bridges from another boat with four people aboard.  At one lift bridge, the last before Jericho, being on my own now did the usual of getting off Beau on the towpath side taking the centre line with me over the bridge and opening it only to find there was no way to hold it open!  Unfortunately, Beau had drifted forwards partly under the open bridge upon which I was sat and couldn't move - HELP!  what now?  Anyway before anyone arrived for some unknown reason Beau drifted backwards from under the bridge so that I could get off and let it down.  Phew!  However, I managed to waylay a couple of cyclists and got them to open the bridge for me to go through - thanks friends and guess where they were from - yup Barrow upon Soar! Spooky.  Took Beau right to the very end of the navigation and reversed back to just above the winding hole at Isis Lock for the night.

Tuesday 20th May 2008

Walked Bill up to Jericho to do some shopping and saw some nutter blowing his horn and walking in circles (not really).  Cor I remember this area from years ago when I was with 3M Vision Care and the Eye Unit was in the Radcliffe Infirmary - looks closed now though.  Dropped down through Isis Lock onto the mighty Thames and set off upstream only to get mugged at the first lock, Godstow Lock, to the tune of £112 by the Environment Agency lock keeper for a 15 day permit to be on the Thames, b*gger!  Fabulous cruise on the now benign Thames, the only problem being mooring sites and where I planned to stop I couldn't get Bill off cos the bank was above the ROOF!!! So I had to carry on all the way to a meadow just up from Shifford Lock where the meadow edge was only two feet high and made an excellent mooring to be able to get Bill off for a much needed pee.  16 miles we've had to travel today but, hey ho, it was beautiful.  Bill had a great time in the long meadow grass bouncing around where you could barely see the tip of his tail.  Miles from nowhere, absolute peace and quiet, apart from the wildlife, fantastic.

Thursday 1st May 2008 - NICKY'S BIRTHDAY - HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICKY

All the travellers have returned safely and I have moved Beau down to the boatyard ready to come out tomorrow.  Walked up to town to get the papers and post.  Met up with Paul, Mark and Nicky for a birthday party at the Wheatsheaf.  Joined later by all the usual suspects.  Good laugh, great evening.

Friday 2nd May 2008 -BEAU'S COMING OUT TODAY!

In a manner of speaking!  However, canal time takes over and the boat on the slipway didn't go back in until 10am instead of 8.30am and Beau won't come out 'till at least 11am!  So we all went for breakfast at the Gongoozlers Rest Cafe.  When we got back Beau was out of the water and up on the slipway.  Justin had just started the cleaning process.  Whoever said Beau had been out of the water and blacked 3 years ago was stretching the truth somewhat - according to the state of the anodes, or rather total lack of them, meant Beau probably had not been out of the water since she was launched in 2001.  However, all is not lost, in fact she's in reasonable shape just 'neglected' according to Justin.  Beau is going into the shed for the weekend cos of poor weather forecasted so it'll be in the dry for me to do the gloss work before she goes back into the water on Monday.  Up to the Wheatsheaf for early doors and said tarra to Paul and Millie who are heading off tomorrow north up the North Oxford Canal first thing - great mate will meet up again no doubt and keep in touch.

Saturday 3rd May 2008

Beau is in the shed for the weekend with Justin finishing off the second coat of blacking.  As soon as it's dry I'll get on with prepping the gloss black above the rubbing strake to the gunnels and the colour bars on the stern.  Early doors at the Wheatsheaf.

Sunday 4th May 2008

Up early to continue the prep work on Beau ready for painting later today.  Walked Bill up to the shops for the Sunday papers.  Painted all the black and the red and cream on the stern and she looks a real treat.  Only now it shows the green of the cabin to be a bit dull but will start polishing it soon.  Worked 8 hours straight so I recon I've earned a beer or two so off to the Wheatsheaf early doors.  Excellent day done all that was planned.

Monday 5th May 2008 - MAY BANK HOLIDAY

Very exciting day as Beau goes back into the water.  Disconnected the mains electric and got all my tools, cables and extensions onto Beau.  Justin due at 8.30am - yea right! - but hey remember canal time.  So Roger finally put Beau back in the water when Justin hadn't turned up by 10am.  Fancy that!!!!  Eureka!  She still floats.  Backed round to the diesel point and filled up.  Watered up and used the self pump out again, brill - just saved another £15.  Tied up just up from Mark and Nicky near the Millhouse pub.  Fiddled and diddled about through the afternoon and off to the Wheatsheaf for a farewell beer or two as we're all leaving tomorrow.  Also new phone being delivered to the pub to replace the knackered one.  Great evening.

Tuesday 6th May 2008

Off to the shops with Bill to stock up on a few things.  Nicky looks a bit rough after last evening but still smiling.  Had breakfast and said our goodbye's, they're off back down the Grand Union to Milton Keynes and then London while I'm off down the South Oxford heading for the Thames and probably London too.  Set off for Napton on the Hill by 10.30am fabulous weather, burnt bonce, who would believe it?  Moored up by the Folly pub by 2pm and had a quick pint to scout the pub out and Bill's welcome so we'll be back early doors at 6pm.  Excellent start to the cruise.

Wednesday 7th May 2008

Beautiful weather again today.  Set off after taking Bill up into the village to get a bit of shopping.  Heading for Fenny Compton today.  Had to go through NINE locks in relatively short order.  Beautiful countryside with the canal meandering it's way following the contours of the hills.  Got to Fenny Compton by 3pm and tied up.  Sorted out dinner and into the Wharf Inn for early doors - £3 A PINT AGAIN - B**gger - this is getting silly.

Thursday 8th May 2008

Left Fenny Compton by 9.30am on the way to Cropredy.  Again fabulous weather and glorious countryside.  Got to Cropredy by 12pm and tied up above the lock and went off to explore.  Found TWO excellent pubs, the Brasenose, where I had a sneaky pint and the Red Lion which I'll try later.  Also found the shop and got a few things.  Beautiful village with many thatched cottages.

Cropredy is also famous for those of us of the older generation as Fairport Convention, a very famous band from the 70's, hold a festival here every year with some top line bands.  Back to the Red Lion for early doors.

Friday 9th May 2008

Moved Beau off the 24h mooring and down through the lock to a 48h mooring.  Walked Bill about a mile or so down the towpath and back for a 2pm beer in the Brasenose with Bob and a few other boaters.  Got a tip from Bob on how to bring up the colours on Beau without scrubbing and polishing - BABY OIL - yes baby oil.  I thought he was taking the p*ss but it actually works and it's brilliant.  Beau looks fab now, well at least one side anyway.  Off to the Red Lion to celebrate.

Saturday 10th May 2007

Took Bill for a long walk down the towpath again.  Still fabulous weather so washed the roof down today.  Diddled about with bits and bobs and headed up to the Brasenose for 2ish.  Finished off in the Red Lion and had an early bath.  Have had an excellent few days here and if was ever to come back ashore and could possibly afford a house it would be here.

Monday 21st April 2008

Walked up to the marina and put yet another load of washing in.  Much excitement today with a huge crane about to put a narrowboat in the water off the back of a truck and OVER THE TOP of another moored narrowboat - eek!

Walked Bill up to the village via Mark and Nicky, who are now back in the water and off for a trial cruise.  Back to the laundrette to finish off the washing.  Quiet for the rest of the day after turning the mattress, remaking the bed and sorting the cushion covers out.  Early doors at the Wheatsheaf.

Tuesday 22nd April 2008

Walked Bill to the bottom lock and up to the village for the papers.  Collected my post and back to Beau for brekky.  Moved Beau up to the moorings by the Millhouse pub.  Met up with Paul and Millie off Nb Grumpy Git who we haven't seen since leaving Brewood on the Shroppie in February.  Off to the Wheatsheaf early doors to catch up on events - oh and a couple of beers too.

Wednesday 23rd April 2008 - ST GEORGE'S DAY

Would have been mum's 85th birthday today, happy birthday mum wherever you are.  Walked Bill via the chandlery to get some bits and then on to the village.  Also sanded the seats down AGAIN and repainted them.  Hopefully they'll be OK this time.  Early doors at the Wheatsheaf after all this activity for a few well earned scoops.

Thursday 24th April 2008

Walked right down to the bottom lock, about a mile, and then up to the village that way.  Diddled about on Beau for the rest of the day and a few beers early doors.

Friday 25th April 2008

Walked Bill up to the village as usual then Paul and I went down to the Gongoozlers Rest for their MEGA breakfast.  Tried to wheedle a few more days out of Jenny, the moorings officer, but she didn't bite so I'll have to look at the proper 14 day moorings beyond the junction.  Had a walk around the 14 day moorings but the towpath is like a swamp with, fortunately no space, so I'll have to stay where I am.  Walked up through the fields and past the church into the village to get my post just as it started to rain again!  So having  been soaked once already today I ducked into the Old Plough Pub to wait for the rain and hail to stop.  Well it would have been rude not to have a beer or two - wouldn't it?

Saturday 26th April 2008

Pretty quiet day today, apart from the hoards of hire boaters coming through.  Good laugh watching them trying to turn or even stay in a straight line.  Early doors at the Wheatsheaf with fish and chips from the shop for supper, excellent.

Sunday 27th April 2008

Moved Beau to go back nearer the marina only to find that there were no spaces where there had been earlier so turned around to go back.  Got to the top to turn again and spotted a boat which had come from where I had just tried to get in so turned Beau and went back and was able to moor nearer the marina this time.  Cor dizzy now with all this back and forth malarkey.  Anyway major benefit is it's a shorter walk to the pub so that's where we went.

Monday 28th April 2008

Getting the evil eye off Jenny the moorings officer, but nothing said - YET!  Only three days 'till Beau comes out of the water anyway so I'll try and stay here.  Usual walks with Bill and a few beers with Paul - oh and Millie bit me the little bugger and drew blood.  My fault really.

Tuesday 29th April 2008

Bit of a wet miserable day today.  Went into the Marina to put a wash on and walked Bill up to town via the bottom lock and got soaked.  Dropped the shopping off and went to put the wash on dry and met Mark who arrived back last night.  Was going to go up to the chandlery but it's raining again so just got the washing sorted and back to Beau for the afternoon then up to the Wheatsheaf in between showers for early doors.

Wednesday 30th April 2008

Paul's gone off for a short cruise and will be back tomorrow for Nicky's birthday.  Nicky and Mark have also gone walkabout - must be something I said!  Walked Bill down to the bottom lock and up to the shops and then the Wheatsheaf for early doors.

Friday 11th April 2008 - PUT SHORTS BACK IN THE DRAW.

Walked Bill around the woods and set off to go down to Gayton Junction then Down into Northampton - easy peasy - ONLY the Blisworth Tunnel at 3057 yds long, 17 locks over about 7 miles!  Passed Mark and Nicky tied up opposite Gayton Marina and carried on to the top lock.  Just as I was setting the lock the heavens opened and it was very windy, so, bearing in mind that once you start down the flight of locks you can't stop 'till you get to Northampton I decided to bottle out, turn, and tie up for the day near Mark and Nicky.  Good decision, the weather was awful for the rest of the day.  Walked Bill down to the locks later and found a boat stuck against the towpath in the top pound in the strong winds.  So got the lady to open ALL the top lock paddles to flood the pound. Once that was done she shut the top paddles and set the lock with the gates open.  I opened the lock behind the boat and pushed his bows out so he could reverse back into the lock.  Once all set up he went for the next lock on full power to keep away from the bank, and it worked.  Later met up with them when they were tied up to have a natter,  Graham and Rita of the Nb Sorted from the Middle Levels, nice couple and a good laugh.

Saturday 12th April 2008

Walked Bill down to lock 3 on the Northampton flight, calm and sunny compared to yesterday.  Set off for Weedon Bec at 9.30am. Lovely easy cruising passed Bugbrooke and Nether Hayford.  The only intrusion is the main railway line used by Virgin trains which follows the canal most of the way.  Tied up in the same place I did when I came down here about a mile outside of Weedon Junction between bridges 26 and 25. Will avoid the Navigation at bridge 26 at £3.06 A PINT and explore Weedon Junction and Weedon Bec.  Found a great (meaning rough) pub called the Wheatsheaf Inn just off bridge 24 which lets dogs in.  Got there about 3.30pm and all the locals were pissed.  Had a brill afternoon with them.  Found the shop in Weedon Bec on the way back which has everything you might need.  Also there are TWO Chinese takeaways and an Indian takeaway in Weedon Junction near the Wheatsheaf.

Sunday 13th April 2008 - ONE YEAR TODAY I TOOK DELIVERY OF BEAU

Walked Bill to the shop in Weedon Bec and got the Sunday papers.  Lovely little village with many thatched stone built cottages dating back hundreds of years and a lovely little church.  Read the papers and off to the pub to celebrate owning Beau for ONE WHOLE YEAR - FANTASTIC.  Again all the usual suspects were there pissed but great fun.

Monday 14th April 2008 - I'VE LIVED ON BEAU FOR ONE YEAR TODAY

Walked Bill into Weedon Bec to get the papers and stock up on a few things.  Set off for Norton Junction at 9.30am.  Again lovely cruising apart from the section where the M1 motorway competes with the railway to make the most noise and pollution - AWFUL - suckers, glad I don't do that anymore.

I got to the Buckby flight of seven locks where Graham and Rita, whom I helped the other day, helped me through the first lock with much mickey taking and jokes.  Another lone boater waited in the next lock for me and we buddied up through the rest of the flight making it much easier.  Sadly though the weather was not so kind with heavy rain and a massive hailstorm which hurt.  Decided at Norton not to go to Braunston just yet so I turned right and my lock buddy turned left.   Met up with Carley and Andy the lock keepers at the Watford Staircase Locks and they remembered David and I from when we went through in May last year and were very interested in the electrics and fire on my boat so I tied up at the top lock and showed them what I had done.  Two other BW guys who are also boaters agreed with my solutions.  Nattered for about an hour then continued up through Crick tunnel to tie up north of bridge 12, Crick Wharf.  Set of up to the village to explore and found the Coop and another pub called the Wheatsheaf that let dogs in.  So had a couple of pints and did the crossword, sudoku and puzzles.  Funny typical English village which is very pretty but the staff are all Polish? Good pm, early night, knackered.

Tuesday 15th April 2008

Staying over today.  Found a great walk up through the fields and into the village for the papers.  Walked back the same way and Bill, bless him, found the freshest of cow pats and promptly stood on his head in the middle of it!  It was everywhere and he looked very proud of himself and I only had a small tissue in my pocket so we both got covered - bugger - had to wash us both down when we got back.  The lovely white rough he had is now a pale shade of green - lovely.  Went to the Wheatsheaf for early doors and had a great natter to the landlord, Roger, and his wife, Linda, who come from Newcastle (well someone has to I spose).

Wednesday 16th April 2008

Set off for Welford after walking Bill up through the fields (avoiding the cow sh*t) and stocked up in the Coop.  Very wiggly cruise through lovely rolling countryside.  Only one lock to do and I met Nb Sorted (Graham and Rita from Northampton) again.  Tied up in the last place in the arm and went over to the Wharf Inn.  Great pub, many dogs and many boaters and even the guy David and I chatted to when we were here last year and he remembered us too.  Very sociable evening.

Thursday 17th April 2008

Moved Beau to a Better mooring once the hire boat had moved on, less muddy mooring nearer the wharf.  Walked up to the village post office store and got a paper.  Tried sanding the seats down with wet and dry but no go so got the belt sander out and took the paint off altogether back to the wood.  Repainted with the green gloss and tidied up and walked Bill down the arm to the lock and back to the Wharf Inn for a few beers early doors.  Good craic with the locals and some other boaters, one of whom came in with an Irish Wolfhound - Bill didn't know what to make of it so he stayed under the table just in case.

Friday 18th April 2008

Walked Bill down to the lock and back up through the fields where he nearly got away to chase the sheep.  Set off for Crick at 9.30am on this cold damp morning and very windy too so not very pleasant.  Got to Crick by 2pm and moored up.  Walked Bill up through the fields (avoiding the cow poo) to get a paper and a few beers in the Wheatsheaf.  Back to Beau for dinner and an early night.

Saturday 19th April 2008

Walked Bill up through the fields to the Coop to get some bits and pieces.  Set off for Braunston at 9.30am.  Saw Carley and Andy at the Watford flight of locks.  Got rid of the twin tub washing machine to Carley for a £20 donation to the Border Collie Trust in Rugeley in Bill's name.  Got through Braunston Tunnel without any further damage to the cratch cover.  Buddied up through the six locks and tied up by 3pm.  Went to see Mark and Nicky on their boat which was now out of the water being blacked.  It's amazing just how much of the boat is below the waterline.  Can't wait to see what my bottom looks like, in a manner of speaking.  On up to the Wheatsheaf for a few with Jamie and the lads.  Good pm.

Sunday 20th April 2008

Walked Bill up via the boatyard to the village to get the papers first having put TWO loads of washing on.  Back to the boat for brekky and then to the marina to dry the washing.  Had some lunch and then to the Wheatsheaf for 3pm with all the usual suspects.  Good laugh again.

Tuesday 1st April 2008 - APRIL FOOL

Staying over in Stoke Bruerne again today.  Walked Bill around to the Tunnel entrance again.  Cleaned up the boat and went into the Waterways Museum.  Well worth a visit with excellent exhibits and photographs of life and work on the cut.  Had a couple of pints and a burger in the Boat and met a lovely old gent (83) who has a collection of diesel engines and was fascinated by narrowboats.  Back in early doors and met a whole group of boaters - great fun evening.

Wednesday 2nd April 2008

Saw Mike on Jubilee first thing and filled up the bow tank with diesel.  Set off for Cosgrove by 10am.  Down through 7 locks first then watered up at the bottom lock.  Lovely cruise in fine weather to Cosgrove.  Tied up by 2pm and went off in search of the shop marked on the map which turned out to be a caravan site with little to offer.  So decided to go for a beer in the Barley Mow which turned out to be closed for refurbishment.

So there's nothing to stay here for so set off for Fenny Stratford.  Only one lock to go through then a long cruise.  Tied up by 7pm and met up with Mark.  Long day did 8 locks, 17 miles over 9 hours.  Cor don't half need a pint so met mark and did just that.

Thursday 3rd April 2008

Walked the dogs along the towpath then put them back on their respective boats and walked over to a massive Tesco's.  Stocked up on the essentials i.e. Vodka, tonic, cider etc.  Took the dogs out again when we got back and went into the Red Lion for a couple of beers.  Ended up being most of the afternoon.  So had dinner and an early night.

Friday 4th April 2008

Very sunny and almost dead calm day so after exploring the huge lakes decided to prepare the perches on the stern.  Sanded them down and primed them ready for the top coat.  Also prepared the base for the pumpout kit.  Cut the wood to size and routed a nice profile around the edge and primed it.  Tacked the last bit of beading where the glue wouldn't hold.  Earned a few beers so Mark the dogs and I went over to the Red Lion by 4pm.  Guy is the landlord and Glyness, his wife are great company and this pub is a must visit for ALL BOATERS.  Good laugh with a group of bikers and boaters, two of which, Martin and Michelle are from Barrow upon Soar and used to live on Meadow Farm Marina and know Nugget, Graham and the rest and even know my boat and David and Viv Whitehead.  Yet another small world spooky moment.

Saturday 5th April 2008

Up early and off to the lake again with Mark, Bill and Cassie where poor Bill was attacked by a Lurcher who picked him up by his head, but he soon let go when my steel toecap connected with his balls.  Finished preping the seats and gave them their first coat of green, they look much better already.  Off to Tesco's for a few bits and pieces then back to catch up on the blog and a few beers later in the Red Lion.

Sunday 6th April 2008

Went for a long walk along the lake in the snow then up into Blechley to get the papers and something for lunch.  Went over to the Red Lion and nattered to the locals.  Home by 7pm dinner and an early night.

Monday 7th April 2008

Took Bill right around the lake today, lovely walk then up into Blechley for the papers.  Fiddled around on Beau and caught up on blog.  Nicky got back back by 3pm with her mum and dad and we all went to the Red lion for a few beers.  Said goodbye to all our new friends as we're moving on tomorrow.  Ordered an Indian takeaway to be delivered to the pub - excellent.

Tuesday 8th April 2008

Went up through the stop lock at the Red Lion in Fenny Stratford and cruised 2 miles south to the winding hole just past Willowbridge Marina where I went back to to pump out and diesel up then back off up the canal after Mark and Nicky.  Watered up just before the stop lock at Fenny Stratford and guess who was coming through the other way - Jo and her husband on Hadar fro Stone in Staffordshire - she's the lady I met last August who gave me the address of the Border Collie Trust and hence how I adopted Bill.  Cor Small world stuff again!!!  Plain cruising through Milton Keynes until just north of Gifford Park where some kids tried to water bomb me.  Good job they were lousy shots as they missed completely.  The next little incident was just round the next corner before the visitor moorings at bridge 77 when a tiny narrowboat about 20 feet long pulled away from the towpath in front of me going very slowly and all over the canal.  The woman steering (?) had no idea I was there until I blew the horn which nearly caused to jump off the boat.  It even woke her bloke up who for reasons only known to him walked down the portside gunnel and gathered up the centre line and threw it over the roof into the water on the starboard side where it promptly fouled their propeller and stopped the engine dead and mangling the bicycles on the roof.  She even tried to start the engine again which tightened the rope even more and mangling the bikes even more.  Fortunately for them there was another boater on the bank who helped pull them to the bank but I suspect they'll be there for a few hours trying to clear their prop - if they can!!!  At least I was able to get passed them and met up with Mark and Nicky between bridges 63 and 62 in splendid isolation in the middle of nowhere for the night.  What a day.

Wednesday 9th April 2008

Mark and Nicky are cutting wood and staying put for another day so I set off for Stoke Bruerne.  After going through the first two locks I saw another boat coming up behind so I waited in the lock for them to catch up.  It turned out to be a family with mum, three kids and a dog.  We were then able to come up through the locks together which I think helped mum as this was there first trip on a narrowboat.  The kids were fantastic at setting the locks and we all got up to Stoke Bruerne by 3pm.  Had a quick beer in the Boat then back to Beau to sort out a casserole for dinner.  Over to the Boat again for early doors and met the family again, Mum, Sian, Heidi, Harry, Lilly and Leo the dog and had a very sociable evening with a couple of other boaters, Terry and his wife (?) off Nb El Corizon.  Back to Beau and a reasonably early night.

Thursday 10th April 2008 - FIRST DAY IN SHORTS!!!

Might be a bit premature with the shorts as I had goosebumps and goosebumps on my knobbly knees.  Took Bill down to the second lock and then back up through the trees to the tunnel entrance and back to Beau.  Was going to was the roof down but it's covered with some sort of dust from the trees so decided to do that later in the week when I've moved on.  Met and chatted to Sian and the family again and Terry who wanted to see the electrical management system on Beau.  Called Mark and Nicky and they're at the bottom lock about to come up so I'll walk Bill half way and give them a hand.  They decided to tie and have a few beers in the Boat and then carry o