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)